What the Cuff

What the Cuff? A Handcuffs and Lace Tale By Celia Kyle

Copyright © 2008, Celia Kyle Published September 2008 by Resplendence Publishing, LLC Edgewater, Florida All rights reserved

Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and occurrences are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, places, or occurrences, is purely coincidental.

Chapter One

God obviously had never considered cheating men when he’d given Lyssa her shifter abilities. Nope. As infallible as the all mighty creator was supposed to be, he definitely hadn’t considered that man would be so stupid as to cheat on a werewolf. If he had, he’d have known that giving a woman the power to grow inch long canines that could rip a cheating man to shreds was a mistake. Oh well, Byron was just about to learn the error of his ways. The scents of sex, Byron and some anonymous female, had filtered and danced through Lyssa’s home when she’d stepped across the threshold. Her. Home. He’d brought some bimbo into their shared space and now, he’d pay. Hell, maybe they’d both pay. A person really couldn’t look at the house and imagine that Byron had decorated it, could they? The fact that the woman went after a claimed man meant the stranger would feel her wrath just as surely as Byron would. Byron’s heavy, aroused musk served to piss her wolf the fuck off. Couple his scent with the sticky sweetness of the woman and the animal was ready to tear the house apart looking for them. As it was, she didn’t have to look far to find them. Of course, they’d use the bedroom. Her. Bedroom. Breathe... just breathe. Another wave of their combined scents assaulted her and she amended her thoughts. Okay, breathe through my mouth. In and out. Slow and steady. Right, slow and steady was how she’d rip them to shreds. One mouthful of muscle, blood and bone at a time. She leaned against the wall outside her bedroom and waited for the bimbo inside to finish. From the grunts she heard from Byron, it wouldn’t take him much longer to get to the finish line. Then again, he always was a one minute man. The woman though, she was taking for-ev-er. Just come already, bitch.

“Oh, Byron! Yes! Yes! Yes!” No, no, no! At least, that’s what he’d be screaming when she went in there with fangs bared and eyes glowing like the full moon. True, she didn’t really love the man, but he was hers. For the moment. And no one cheated or dumped Lyssa McGivern. Not even some pasty white, pansy-assed human male. She pinched the bridge of her nose as the screams from the bimbette grew louder and louder. Man, some women knew how to fake it. Byron could never squeak an orgasm out of her, so she couldn’t figure out how he was managing to pull anything remotely like the big O out of the woman. She checked her watch. Six fifteen. If they’d just finish already, she could get him, and his shit, out of her house and still manage to watch the ten o’clock news. Tick tock, Byron. Louder and louder the woman’s wails became, overshadowing Lyssa’s presence. “Yes! Harder, faster.” Much faster and he’ll finish before you do, sweetheart. She almost felt sorry for the woman... almost. “Like that, baby? Like the Byronator deep in your ass?” Byronator? Ass? Horror washed over Lyssa. He was in her ass? She resisted the urge to snort. Barely. The woman deserved whatever she got with Byron if she allowed the man to dominate her. Hell, they deserved each other. She’d never bent to her boyfriend’s--make that ex-boyfriend’s--ill and given him her ass. To her kind, that was as good as handing a man a “fuck me over" pass and showing their belly. She’d done that exactly once, to her alpha, and she’d never do it again as long as she lived. Nope, no way, no how. “Yes, fuck me, please Byron,” the woman pleaded. Yeah, she’d be begging even harder when he finished before she did and left her wanting. Lyssa peered around the doorway, peeking through the two inch gap and smirked. Okay, the bitch had grit. She may have given Byron her ass, but she rode him like a cowgirl, holding the reigns while he struggled beneath her to keep up. Lyssa tilted her

head to the side, eyes following them as the stranger gave her man pleasure. Come to think of it, she didn’t think she’d ever seen that look of pure rapture on Byron’s face when they’d made love. Not... ever. Huh. The grunting, groaning, and moaning grew in volume again as seconds ticked by. She checked her watch. Yup, about time Byron’s stamina gave out. The woman riding him screamed and arched with what Lyssa assumed was her orgasm. Byron did the same, arching and sinking deeper into the woman’s ass. They froze, bodies bowed, mouth’s open with shouts of pleasure on their lips. Like an erotic sculpture in the middle of her bedroom, the couple fascinated her. It wasn’t watching them have sex. Sex? She’d seen more sex in her lifetime within her pack to last her two more. No, it was something else. Something... different about these two writhing on the sheets she’d paid for. Byron’s chocolate brown eyes softened as he stared at the woman perched atop him. The harsh planes of his face, normally taut and drawn when he looked at Lyssa, seemed more... relaxed. He stroked and caressed the woman, hands sliding over the skin of her arms, shoulders and back in long sweeping passes. The woman leaned over Byron’s chest, nuzzling and scraping her teeth at the juncture of his shoulder and neck. She opened her mouth to tell the stranger that he didn’t like that, didn’t like his neck touched and definitely didn’t care for cuddling after sex. But... but a smile creased her ex’s lips and he appeared to grasp her tighter, pulling her closer. Lyssa eased through the door and Byron’s eyes snapped open, colliding with hers. In that moment, that second, she knew. She’d never loved Byron. It was a given in their relationship. She was with him because his success matched her own and they seemed to like the same things. Sex had been mediocre, at best, and they’d only stayed together because their relationship made sound financial sense. She’d never held delusions that the man lying on her bed, dick still embedded in another woman, was her mate. But now, seeing what shone in his eyes (after his initial panic) she couldn’t deny what was before her. Love. She edged out of the doorway, attention centered on the resting couple, Byron’s

eyes never leaving hers. When she could no longer stand to see the two, she turned her back on them and strode through her home toward the kitchen. Their combined scent seemed to chase her, taunting her, showing her what she’d never had and obviously didn’t deserve. She needed a drink. A big one. With shaking hands, she pulled a sparkling, crystal glass from the cabinet and poured two fingers of whiskey. In one gulp, she downed the fiery, foul tasting alcohol and tipped the bottle to pour another. God only knew how Byron managed to stomach the stuff, but she needed to numb the feelings that bounced and ricocheted through her heart. Jealousy, anger, resentment... they all fought for dominance. Her wolf wanted blood, but her human heart just wanted to crawl in a hole and fade away. Her ears perked when the soft scuffle of feet and shifting of fabric filled the silence. She tracked the movement, using her heightened senses to her advantage, as always. Within moments, the musky scent of Byron, and sex, filled the kitchen, overpowering everything else, even the whiskey. “Alyssa?” She downed another glass. What was that? Two? No, three so far. Damn, she still had her demons fighting for supremacy within. She took a deep, cleansing breath through her mouth, adopted a blank expression and turned slowly. No sense in letting the man see how affected she was about all that she’d seen. “Byron.” She wouldn’t twitch. Or flinch. Or tear up and beg him to look at her the way he’d looked at the woman in her bedroom, now using her bathroom. She wouldn’t because while she wanted those things, she realized she didn’t want them from him. Her wolf snarled and growled, but she tamped down the urge to show dominance over this man. Their entire relationship had been a struggle to keep the wolf under control and all she could do was reassure it that this would all be over... soon. “Alyssa, look...” “Lyssa, Byron,” she corrected with a snap. She hated her given name. Hated. It. He knew that and still insisted on calling her Alyssa. Three years of “Alyssa” and she was ready to snap him like a twig if he didn’t listen to her right now. Inhaling another deep breath, she begged her wolf not to wrench

control away and tear, literally, into the man. She took a swig of alcohol and wondered when she’d start to feel its affects. “Lyssa,” he amended. “Look, what you saw was... You see... I don’t...” She sighed. This was exactly why she’d never taken his flesh between her fangs and mated the man. He couldn’t even stand up to her, how was he supposed to live with her family? Her pack? Defend their cubs? “You don’t love me, Byron. Newsflash: I don’t love you. We don’t love each other. What we have, had, was comfortable and it worked. At least until you brought Home-wrecker Barbie into the picture.” Byron’s eyes flashed and a rush of blood suffused his cheeks. Ooh, human man is mad. “That’s not fair, Lyssa. Carmen has nothing to do with us. You said it yourself, we had comfortable and I want more than that from life.” He ran a hand through his hair. She poured herself another glass. This time, she made sure to fill it to the top. Why the hell did Byron always sip the stuff? It didn’t really have a punch at all and only managed a tingling burn going down. She hoped at some point, she’d get drunk enough to drown the jealousy raging in her gut. “Yeah,” she sighed. “You’re right. We had comfortable and now... we don’t.” She smiled and shrugged, but didn’t feel the least bit of warmth, happiness or aloofness she tried to convey over the discovery. Over. All of it. Three years of living with a man who her wolf could hardly tolerate and it was gone. Ruined. By love. For someone else. She tossed back the rest of her drink and moved to pour another only to discover the bottle empty. Well, that just wouldn’t do. “I’m going out for the evening, Byron, but I’ll be back tomorrow and we can discuss divvying up the things in the house and figure out when you’ll move out. Tell your cowering doe in the bathroom that she’s got a nice ass.” Lyssa winked at her ex and smiled a true smile as she brushed past him. She always did like to shock the man, either with her behavior or saying things at inappropriate times. Like... now. “Maybe I’ll have a little taste sometime.” She strode through the ranch style home, passing pieces of their history as she approached the door. Different items caught her eye while she walked. The picture of

them at the Grand Canyon, the tribal mask from Africa, and the sculptures they’d purchased together in Italy. All of it spoke of a different time. A time when “comfortable” had been enough and mediocre sex was status quo. All of it was gone now, buried beneath Byron and his new lover’s writhing bodies and dirty sheets. Lyssa grabbed her purse from the couch as she strode through the living room and slid the strap over her shoulder. Without a backward glance, she stepped into the soft light of the waning day and shut the door behind her with a soft click. Now, she could crumble.

Chapter Two

It took three bottles to silence the wolf, but she drank a fourth just to make sure it kept its yap shut. Now, the jealousy... that was a different story. Knocking on Caleb’s door at midnight because she didn’t have anywhere else to go just gave birth to more emotions rattling through her heart. She wondered what else she’d have to drink to make the depression die a horrible death. All of these feelings, ugh. Emotions weren’t part of her makeup. There was only one person she could accept and allow herself to feel and he wasn’t answering the damned door. Lyssa pounded on the steel encased wood. “Caleb.” Thump-thump-thump. “Caleb, open up.” Thump. “I can hear you in there, you know. Turn off the gay porn and open this door!” She leaned her head against the cool steel and waited. Threats of gay porn watching would get him out of bed. It just had to. The rapid tattoo of running feet filtered through the barrier and she smiled. He was coming. Good. He’d come and take care of her, just like he always had. She placed her hand on the door, absorbing the cold as she waited for Caleb to let her in. Locks clicked and turned while she stood there, letting the door take her weight. Man, maybe the fourth bottle had been a mistake. Her body was a furnace, filtering the alcohol through her system. Damned wolf genes. If she were a human... she’d probably be dead. Okay, bad thought. She didn’t want to be dead physically, just emotionally. She’d done a good job of being the emotionally unavailable woman. Until now. Now, she hurt... on the inside. The door swung open and she fell forward, right into Caleb’s strong arms. Ah, she knew he’d catch her. “Whoa, damn Lyssa, you smell like a fucking brewery.” He hauled her to her feet, none too gently she might add, and she leaned against his chest, eyes closed.

“How much did you drink?” She held up four fingers... at least, she thought it was four. “Four drinks? What’d you do, spill them all on yourself?” Caleb pulled her into the entryway and she propped herself against the wall. She heard the door slam shut, followed by the clicks of the locks. Caleb was a cop and didn’t take any chances with his own safety. Time and again he’d told her that he knew exactly what was out there, and the worst of it far outreached her occasional furry tendencies. “Bottles.” She stumbled along beside him, using his body as a crutch. Unfortunately, he stopped walking and she kept going. She tumbled forward, toward the smooth tile of the foyer, arms outstretched before her. Inches from the ground, those same strong arms wrapped around her from behind and hauled her to her feet once more. “Four bottles? Jesus, Lyss.” He pulled her against him again. “Why didn’t you call me?” She shrugged. Why hadn’t she? Too many reasons and not enough liquor in his house would get her to tell him. “Jus’ didn’t.” “Come on.” He steered her toward the back of the house. “Let’s get you to bed and we’ll talk about it in the morning.” Passing the bathroom, she clutched the door frame. Damn if her bladder wasn’t making itself known. Like, right now. “Got’sa pee.” “Need help?” he asked as he released her to struggle toward the toilet on her own. “No, I’m drunk, not an invalid. Besides, it’s not like I’ll fall in. My ass’ll stop me from drowning in the toilet.” She snickered. Damn, even drunk, she was funny. She would have slapped her knee, if she could find it. Standing in front of the toilet, she reached beneath the hem of her dress for her panties and noticed Caleb still in the doorway. “Can I ‘elp you?” “Just waiting to see if you’ll need anything.” He smirked and her wolf, damn the bitch was back, wanted to wipe the half smile off his face. “I can pee on my own, Caleb. Been doin’ it for a while now.” He didn’t budge. “At least turn around, jackass.” He did as she asked and Lyssa got down to business. Things went fine. Body

relieved, she stared at her panties around her ankles. Damn, that was a long way down. Okay, panties were overrated and she was just falling into bed now, anyways, right? She kicked them free of her legs and left them on the mat. Tomorrow. Sober and in the light of day, she’d pick them up. Yeah, tomorrow. Lyssa rolled to her feet. Huh, rolling. Her stomach kinda flopped around too. With a push, she flushed the toilet and then staggered toward Caleb’s broad back. Once again, he caught her weight easily. “Better?” She nodded against his back. “Want something to eat or do you want to go to bed?” “Both,” she whined, nuzzling his back. He reached back and pulled her against his side. Together, they shuffled further along the hallway. “Going to put you in here, k? You’ve had a lot to drink and your parents will rip me to shreds if I don’t take care of you.” He kissed the top of her head and she smiled. This was her Caleb. The bestest friend a werewolf woman could have. He was a nobullshit guy that knew when to stand his ground and when to let her have her way. It had always been that way between them from the time they met at five years old. “M’kay.” “Burger good? Rare?” Oh, he was talking her wolf’s language and the bitch was cranky from being drugged with alcohol. “Mmm... yeah.” Lyssa slumped onto the king sized bed and burrowed into the pile of pillows Caleb kept strewn across the mattress. The affects from the alcohol were already filtering through her system and dissipating. Bummer. She didn’t want to confront the evening’s events or rehash them with her best friend. She must have drifted to sleep because the next time she opened her eyes, Caleb stood before her, shirtless with a plate in his hand. Her mouth watered at the sight, but her stomach rebelled and she buried her face in the pillows. “Go away.” The man just chuckled. The ass. “Not feeling up to eating?”

She shook her head. The slap of his feet on the tile rang in her ears while he returned to the kitchen and then made his way back to his bedroom. The bed dipped when he crawled in next to her and the world spun when he hauled her against his side. Lyssa breathed through the nausea and the fucking wolf in her head snickered. Bitch. “You okay?” Caleb stroked her back and brushed the hair from her face. “No.” She sniffled, but refused to cry. Byron couldn’t make her cry. Ever. “Just...” She squeezed her eyes tight. Not. Crying. “I caught Byron with another woman.” “Aw, Lyssa.” He pulled her closer, hugged her. “I’m sorry, hon.” “He loves her, Caleb. Her. Some squishy, weak human woman.” Damned emotions. “Why couldn’t he love me that way? I mean, I get that I’m a little difficult to be with... but why not me? You know, I do want the cute house and white picket fence and kids and maybe even a cat for the cubs to chase occasionally. You know, normal stuff.” She threw her arm across Caleb’s chest, thankful that she had such a good friend she could lean on and be herself with without any fear that he’d use her weakness against her. “Why can’t anyone love me, Caleb?”

Caleb could use a drink. Several. Maybe even the four bottles Lyssa had consumed. No, that’d kill him. Maybe just a few shots. Ho-ly. Shit. She wanted a family. She wanted commitment. She wanted... the same damned things he wanted. Lyssa snuggled closer, acting as if she wanted to share his skin, wear it for her own. Her curves pressed against him, teasing him with dreams of “what if” that had his cock straining against his boxer-briefs and jeans. Good call about putting the jeans on. Sure, she could probably feel his erection if she brushed it, but the denim and comforter hid the growing bulge. Damn. Cubs. He willed his heart rate to slow. No sense in revealing just how he was reacting to the news. He’d been waiting for this day... waiting for so long. The soft snuffle-snore broke through his haze of arousal, letting him know that Lyssa had finally succumbed to the alcohol she’d consumed. He knew she wouldn’t be out for long. An hour tops and she’d be ready to go for another round of drinks. Only...

when she awoke, she wouldn’t be craving the burn of whisky. Not if he had anything to say, or do, about it. He slid from beneath her pliant body, reached into the bedside table drawer and withdrew the custom cuffs he had designed for her so many years ago. His buddies on the force ribbed him something fierce when he’d asked around about where to buy the sterling silver wrist cuffs. The cuffs hadn’t been difficult to find online, but for Lyssa, they had to be special. He wanted her restrained, but not uncomfortable. Restraint was necessary. She’d either go wolf on him when she heard the news and rip him to shreds or... she’d go wolf on him and fuck him to death. Either way, death seemed to be the only outcome if he didn’t keep her under control, at least initially. He cradled the silver cuffs with their two feet of steel dangling between them and watched Lyssa sleep. So beautiful... and deadly. He didn’t have any illusions about this woman, but he couldn’t not do this. Not when they were finally in the same place in their lives. No matter how creepy his plan seemed. He clicked one cuff around her wrist, wove the chain around the wrought iron headboard and snicked the other cuff around her free wrist. There. Secured, he knew he could at least get through his shower without being mauled from behind. From everything he’d read, after the first encounter, she’d calm considerably. He swallowed hard. Fuck, he sure hoped so. Caleb left her peacefully sleeping in bed and stepped into the master bathroom. He shucked his jeans and boxer-briefs in one swift move. His cock sprang free of the material and he sighed in relief. A quick glance at the bathroom counter revealed the still opened bottle of No Were cologne. He wouldn’t be needing that any longer. At least he hoped not. Did weres change mates? He’d know soon enough. He turned the shower on, hot, and stepped beneath the spray. With quick, efficient movements, he washed the No Were from his body. He’d been wearing the scent for so long, he wondered if it’d seeped into his system and changed his inherent, natural smell over the years. Would she react the same? Too late to back out now. He rinsed the soap from his body, letting the warmth of the water relax him as he prepared to bare his soul to the woman he had secured to the bed. Technically, he was holding her prisoner and breaking more laws than he cared to count. If this turned out

bad, she could have him locked up for... years. The justice system didn’t take kindly to cops breaking the law. He skimmed his chest and abdomen, making sure he was soap free. He ran his fingers through the closely cropped hair surrounding his cock. He definitely didn’t want soap there if all went well tonight. A moan escaped his lips when he encircled his shaft. So hard. So fucking hard. It was always this way around Lyssa and he wondered if she was oblivious naturally or if she avoided the topic of his cock on purpose. After as many years as they’d been friends, she had to have noticed by now. Right? His dick throbbed in his hand, making its demands known. He stroked himself from root to tip, lingering on the sweet spot just beneath the crown for before retracing his path. Up and down, in slow even strokes, he rubbed his cock. Just to take the edge off, he thought. No sense in going after her like a raging beast... if she was willing. Caleb braced his weight on the tile wall, forearm against the cool, smooth surface while his other hand stroked his dick. The water worked as an adequate lubricant while he stroked himself, thoughts drifting back to the woman in his bed. Her blonde hair seemed to sparkle in the moonlight that she loved. And her eyes... they were the brightest, clearest blue he’d ever seen. And being a cop, he’d seen a lot of people. But Lyssa... Lyssa was different. His thoughts kept drifting. From her gorgeous hair, to her startling blue eyes on down to her pale pink, bow-shaped mouth. Those full lips, he’d give anything to have those lips wrapped around his cock right now... just about anything. And damn if she didn’t have a body worth praying about. Curve after curve after curve covered her from head to toe. She’d joked in the bathroom about her ass and it’d been all he could do to not paddle her for the comment. Her ass was beautiful, round and lush with just the right amount of jiggle and bounce when she walked. Her thighs weren’t twigs, but thick and solid, showing him she was a real woman and not some waif. Her waist curved above her hips slightly, but not too much. And her breasts were just the perfect size. Big. Not fake big, but they fit her body and he knew, if she’d give him the chance, they’d fit just right in his hands as well. Thoughts of her, on her knees before him, spurned his arousal higher. Those pink lips around his dick, those blue eyes staring into his while the wet curtain of hair trailed

down her back and traced her spine to her ass... Caleb’s balls drew up tight with the thought of her sucking him, letting him fuck her pretty mouth. Yeah, she’d be so good, so hot and sweet while she sucked him. A tingling built and formed at the base of his spine. Any second now... A billowing bark followed by a howl filtered and burst over the sounds of the shower. Fuck. She was awake. And pissed.

Chapter Three

Caleb burst through the bathroom door, naked as the day was long, glistening with the remnants of his shower and... hard as a wolf near a bitch in heat. “What the...” She shook her wrists at the bastard. “Cuffs? Seriously? I knew you were still pissed about what happened when we were kids. You swore you were over it, Caleb.” She eyed his erection, her pussy growing more damp by the second. “And they’re silver, asshole. Sil-ver.” She enunciated the word, just in case he wasn’t listening since his eyes seemed to be occupied a bit further south. Dammit. Why hadn’t she put her panties on after using the bathroom. Oh, that’s right. I couldn’t. And now, awake, her body was betraying her. Great. First her emotions decide to jump all over the map, and now her body and her wolf were going haywire. The bitch crawling beneath the surface was all slobbery kisses and puppy whines, rolling to her back to expose her stomach before hopping to her feet and shifting her tail out of the way. Traitorous bitch. She wanted a fuck from their best friend. And for some reason, it wasn’t sounding too bad right about now. “Lyssa, I can explain.” He came forward with slow steps. Her mouth watered with each inch he neared, her lips tingling and tongue aching to swirl around the head of his cock. Oh, good lord, no. She wiggled away from the edge of the bed, trying to get away from him as much as the cuffs and chain would allow. “Oh god, I think I’m still drunk, Caleb. Something’s really wrong.” Her heart rate sped, breath came in gasps. “I think you should call my parents or something...” She whimpered and leaned in to his palm as he caressed her cheek, tenderly cupping her face. His scent overwhelmed her with heady, thick spice and a deep musk tinged with the slightest hint of sweet. Unable to stop herself, she turned her head and licked his wrist, whimpering more as his taste exploded on her tongue. More the wolf

cried, demanded. More. She wrenched free of his touch and buried her face in the comforter. “You really need to put clothes on and get away from me right now before I ruin our friendship, Caleb. Too much longer and I’m going to fuck your brains out, silver cuffs or not.” She ended with a growl while Caleb edged even closer. “Lyssa, I’ve got a confession—” The melody of Bad Boys by Inner Circle filled the room, the melody made popular by the show COPS. Man, her friend had a really twisted sense of humor and his work had a shitty sense of timing. “Fuck.” Caleb fixed her with a hard stare. “Don’t move.” She snorted. Thanks to him, it wasn’t like she could really go anywhere coupled with the fact that her wolf would be live and in living fur if she even tried to leave the house at this point. It clawed and whined, dancing in circles within, begging her to do... what? Caleb pushed away from the bed and snatched his phone from the bedside table, flipping it open as he brought it to his ear. “Johnson,” he barked into the phone. A jumbled voice responded, distorted by shitty cell phone reception. Dang, what was the use of wolf hearing if she couldn’t figure out who was calling her man at nearly two in the morning. The thought brought her up short and panic squeezed her heart while her wolf yipped for joy. No. Oh, hell no. She was still feeling the after affects of too much alcohol and emotional upheaval, Caleb was not hers. Do you hear me, wolf? No. Bad dog! “Noise? Nah, I haven’t heard any noise.” The man had the audacity to glare at her. At. Her. She hadn’t locked herself up while asleep. Was he forgetting that fact? She bared her teeth at him and struggled against the steel and silver. “No, haven’t heard a thing.” He turned his back on her which gave her the perfect view of his perfectly sculpted ass. She wanted to nibble and bite it, spend hours learning the dips and curves of his body. No. Bad. Dog. Stop making me fantasize about my best friend, Bitch. The wolf growled at her. Fucking curse. “Maybe Miss Thompson is just hearing things, Miguel. You know how she is.

We’re always getting called out here when I’m on duty.” She licked her lips, mouth watering for just the tiniest nibble of that bouncingquarter worthy behind. “Uh, huh. I’ll keep alert, but there’s no reason. I’m sure...” he narrowed his eyes at her and she feigned innocence. “That there won’t be any other disturbances tonight. Probably just some kids messing with her or something. Uh huh... yeah. Talk to you later.” Caleb snapped the phone closed and placed it on the table before he turned around to face her again. Of course, her gaze zeroed in on his cock and it twitched under her attention. Yum. “Hey, eyes up here, Lyssa.” She tore her attention away from his dick, slowly of course. Her eyes wandered over his lower abdomen, mentally tracing the carved muscle that framed his hips before venturing further north to count the ripples of his abdomen. Six-pack. And she was thirsty. His pecs were cut from marble as well, the whole man a statue worthy of Michelangelo. With each passing second, her arousal and desire rose... until she got to his face and noticed his knowing smirk. “Ass.” “Love you too, babes.” He sat on the bed, just out of reach. “Now, got anything we need to talk about?” She shook her head. “You sure?” He leaned closer, face inches from hers, and inhaled. “Cause I smell your heat, Lyss. You hot for me?” She growled and snapped her jaws at him, missing his nose by millimeters. “Bastard. You know the whiskey is fucking with me. Are you doing this on purpose cause I embarrassed you when we were kids? I knew it. That’s it, isn’t it? Swear to God, Caleb. When I get lose I will go wolf-shit on your ass.” Caleb pinned her before she could blink. His body was pressed on top of hers so intimately that her need rose to a fever pitch. “Listen and listen good, Lyssa. This is not some fucking game of retaliation. You asked for this. You said you were ready for it and fuck knows I’ve been patient and waited like a fucking omega begging for scraps. But no more.” Hard muscle taut and thrumming with anger and fear molded to her, the thin cloth

of her dress separating them. “Caleb?” One hand cupped her cheek for a brief moment before he sifted his fingers through her hair and fisted the strands, forcing her to his will. He pressed her face against his neck. “Breathe. Inhale. Tell me what you smell.” She rebelled, struggling against him, her wolf, for once, in accordance. “Caleb, stop.” “Inhale,” he ground out. She did as he bade, grudgingly taking a deep breath, presumably taking in his scent as he demanded. Only... this was different. Stronger, deeper, more musk with that hint of sweetness her wolf had previously begged to roll in. She inhaled again, filling her lungs with the scent that called to her, that melded and danced with her own. Her wolf whined within and she agreed wholeheartedly. She wanted more. Lyssa licked his neck, tasting the sweet and salty mix of Caleb’s skin. She rolled his flavor over her tongue for a second and went back for more. This scent... this taste. She wanted it all. Wanted to feel it on her tongue forever and have it fill her body and soul for all time. She’d defend, fight and kill to protect this... her mate. She gasped and jerked her face away from his neck, turning away from him as much as the position would allow. “What did you do? You haven’t always been this... What happened, Caleb?” He nuzzled her neck, nipping her shoulder. She shivered. “You want me, Lyss? Still feel those same things from years ago?” “We’re friends. Friends. I had... some sort of coming of age episode then. My parents told you, us.” He propped himself up on his hands, pale brown eyes staring at her. “Still think that? Still think that we’re just friends. I can smell you and you sure as hell can feel how hard I am.” He shifted to the side, staying near her, but no longer pinning her to the mattress. “I’m your mate. Have been since your thirteenth birthday. Didn’t you notice that my scent changed then?” Lyssa thought back to the time, back to her thirteenth birthday when she’d woken up a woman, a wolf, going through her first heat. Her dad had been appalled that his little girl had become a woman while her mom cried and excitedly called the other bitches in

their family. She... hadn’t thought much of it other than the fact that swimming was totally out for five to seven days. Dang. Oh, and she would totally live on Advil for like... ever. Her birthday came with dawn the very next day and she and her mother went through the house, cleaning and preparing for the party that afternoon. Before long, Caleb, gangly and all dirty blonde hair, arms and legs arrived. At first, she couldn’t quite figure out what had been wrong with him. He seemed different. But since her mother kept her busy, she didn’t have much of a chance to dwell on the change and chalked it up to her wolf going crazy from the increased hormones coursing through her body. Her mother had told her things would change with her first heat and she hadn’t been lying. Hours later, exhausted from dancing and partying with her friends, she and Caleb cleaned up the backyard, tossing remnants of food and empty glasses away. Yard clean, covered in sweat, they trudged toward the house, bags in hand. That’s when she’d smelled this musky, sweetness, must-have-it-now scent. Just then, at twilight on her birthday, the breeze carried that perfect aroma and awakened her wolf like the full moon on crack. The next few minutes were hazy in her mind, arms and limbs tangling, teeth distending. She remembered tackling Caleb... and doing what? She couldn’t recall. Her parents broke them apart, separated them. Days later, Caleb returned, a few scratches marring his face and arms, but otherwise, no worse for wear. But by then, the scent that had driven her wild disappeared and she’d never smelled it again. Until now. He must have sensed her confusion, because he filled her in on what exactly had happened. “You discovered I was your mate and at thirteen, didn’t really know what to do about it and I was freaked out.” His cheeks turned red in the cutest blush... No. Stop it. Listen, bitch. He cleared his throat. “Anyway, your dad explained everything. Well, not everything, but enough and then they gave me a bottle of No Were. I’ve been wearing it every day ever since.” “No Were? Seriously?” He nodded. He’d been wearing the specially designed scent-hiding cologne every since her thirteenth birthday. Seventeen years. “But why tonight? Why now? What’s with the cuffs? And... why?” He leaned close and brushed a soft kiss across her lips and pressed his forehead to

hers. “Cause you’re ready. Cause you want a cute house with babies and a kitten for the cubs to terrorize and I want that, too. I’ve wanted it for a long time now, Lyssa, and I’m going to claim it if you don’t object pretty damned strongly.” “Okay, but what’s with the cuffs, bucko?” He smiled, eyes drilling into hers. “I know what these claws can do and figured these would let me take the edge off before you tear me to shreds, marking me as yours.” “Confident fucker, aren’t you?” He chuckled. “Hopeful maybe.” “Mmhm. You going to do something now, slick?” Her pussy throbbed in time with her heartbeat, aching for him. “Yeah, I think I am.” “Well, hurry the fuck up before my wolf gets tired of waiting and makes your ass its midnight snack.” She threatened, but didn’t really mean it. Now that she’d found her mate, she wouldn’t hurt him... too bad.

Chapter Four

Caleb’s cock throbbed from unsatisfied arousal and ached with the need to be inside Lyssa. So long... so long he’d waited for this moment and he’d be damned if he ruined everything by making love to her like a two-pump chump. He rolled from the bed, away from the temptation of her bound body and searched through the bedside table’s drawer. “Hey!” She protested, straining against the silver and steel holding her captive. “What?” He sifted through the drawer’s contents, the vibrators and dildos, small tubes of lubricant and condoms... searching. He seriously should have organized this drawer long ago. Finally, he found what he’d been looking for and held them up for her inspection. “Scissors?” she squeaked. A little afraid. He liked her like that. A little off-balance, unsure. Lyssa was always in control, always. And now it was his turn to take the reigns. “Yup. I’m getting you naked, but I’m sure as hell not going to let you free. Not yet.” He smirked at her and knelt on the bed, soft mattress dipping beneath his weight. “Caleb... I’m not sure about this.” Her worried statement ended on another squeak and he smiled wider. With tender hands, he tugged her dress down, pulling the material taught. “What aren’t you sure about, Lyssa?” He opened the scissors, placing the material between the two blades. “Being with me?” He watched her watch him and waited for her answer, breath caught in his throat. He knew what he’d heard moments ago, but with Lyssa, and her wolf, she could change her mind in half a heartbeat. She shook her head no. “Did the wolf decide I’m not your mate after all?”

She growled in response and his cock twitched. Damn, he was a twisted fuck. A man who got off on his woman growling at him, basically threatening bodily harm for his question. He closed the scissors over the silken material of her dress and the blades cut through it like a hot knife through butter. One snip and he readied the blades for cut number two. “You have a problem with me? Me loving you?” Lyssa snapped at him then, pulling the chains taught, chest thrust forward while her neck strained toward him, teeth biting on air. He leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose, just to piss her off a little. “Okay, so what’s the problem, baby?” He closed the scissors again, slicing through more fabric, inching his way up the swath of cloth she called a dress. As thin as it was, he likened it to a nightgown more than something to wear to the office. Higher he went, exposing more of her pale flesh to his gaze. With each inch, his cock throbbed harder, aching to fill her. But not yet. Upper thighs exposed, he licked his lips. Soon, soon he’d get up close and personal with the downy covered pussy that had teased him moments ago. He’d lick and nip her labia, tongue searching for her tiny clit, and he’d suck and lick her so good. Make her come so hard for him. On edge, he didn’t dare touch her skin for fear of losing the thread of control he still held. “What’s the problem, Lyssa? No more till you tell me.” He ignored her growl and baring of her teeth. “Lyssa,” he warned. Two could play at that game. She whimpered and closed her mouth, forming a small moue. “I’m not... not thin and tiny and perfect,” she grumbled. He shook his head. “Baby, you are perfect for me. Why do you think I’ve put up with your ass for so long, waited for you to get a clue and decide that it was time to settle down? Hmm?” He snipped again, and finally caught a glimpse of the short, dark hair covering her mound. Lyssa squeezed her legs together, wiggling as he stared at her, accentuating the shadow at the juncture of her thighs. Damn. He took a moment to look her over again. Starting at her feet, tiny, red painted toes waved at him while he drank in her appearance.

He legs were shapely, curved and plump, yet strong. Oh, he knew how strong. He couldn’t wait to feel her thighs wrapped around his waist while he made love to her, sank his cock deep into her heat. Another snip revealed the soft rounded mound of her lower stomach, her pooch as she called it when complaining about her appearance. He bent forward and kissed that pooch just below her belly button. “Beautiful.” Again he snipped. Once, then twice, revealing the full flare of her wide hips and the inward dip of her waist. Smooth white skin glowed in the dark room, illuminated only by the bathroom light. Had he not already been on his knees, he would have fallen to them instantly at the sight of Lyssa bare from the waist down... for him. Another opening and closing of the scissors revealed more to him. Her stomach, slightly rounded, which led to her rib cage and just above... her breasts, encased in lace. All the while she remained mostly silent, whimpering, but unmoving as he cut away her clothing. Until he lifted the center of her bra and slipped the lace between the blades. “What? No.” She growled. “No cutting of the Victoria’s Secret.” Her blue eyes flashed bright white in a warning and he smiled wider. “I want you naked and I’m not about to release those claws to get you there.” He eased the blades closer together and she curled her body down, wiggling and writhing. “No,” she argued. “Do you know how much this bra cost?” He arched a brow. “How much? More than the greatest orgasm of your life?” Cause he’d give that to her, no question. “Cocky bastard.” He shook his hips, dick bobbing. “Yes, I am.” Her canines distended and she snapped at him, clawed hands reaching and grabbing for his arms. “I am going to rip you apart.” Yup, the cuffs had been a really good idea. He closed the scissors fully, severing the center of her bra and granting him access to her breasts. “Not if I keep you cuffed for a while.” He winked, goading her. “Just until I take the edge off.” Dress completely split from top to bottom and bra severed, he brushed the fabric aside and looked his fill. God, he couldn’t wait to get his mouth on her breasts, lick and taste every inch of her plush body.

He didn’t wait. As she growled and writhed beneath him, he brushed soft kisses across the mounds of her breasts. “Caleb.” She growled his name. He laved the valley of her breasts, silken skin rippling while he slid his tongue across her exposed flesh. “Just getting acquainted, Lyssa. Shhh...” He circled her nipple, round and round the hard nub until she arched her back, pressing it toward his mouth. He could sense the change just beneath her skin, reminding him that she shared her body with a wolf. His woman may look like a sweet as pie female on the outside, but he knew from experience that the gentle exterior hid the animal within. He suckled her nipple, drawing the bud into his mouth with long, hard sucks. Her breath hitched and she let it out with a moan, falling boneless beneath him. That’s all he needed to do. Keep her, and her wolf, satisfied and the beast would remain buried within. Damn, if the pack books hadn’t been telling the truth. Her legs shifted, opening slightly, and he took the movement as an invitation. He couldn’t wait to taste her, feel her, fulfill her every want and desire. He wanted to taste and revel in her orgasm. Fuck. He hoped he could give her one. Nothing more than a little performance anxiety to bring a guy back to reality. He licked and suckled her left breast before shifting to her right, offering that needy nubbin the same treatment. The chain of her cuffs gave her just enough slack to skim his hair with her elongated nails. He couldn’t wait to feel them scratching his back as they made love, marking him as hers. Caleb lifted his mouth from her flesh, blowing a breath over her nipple and smiling when it hardened further. “Caleb.” She moaned his name and his dick pulsed. “Yeah, baby?” “Please.” She whimpered, eyes squeezed shut. He shifted over her, nudging her legs apart so he could kneel between them. This new position opened her damp pussy to his gaze and his mouth watered at the abundance of cream soaking her mound. He stroked her lower lips, the heated juices nearly burning his skin. Up and down,

he slid his finger, growing accustomed to her heat and studying her body’s reaction to his touch. Her skin rippled with each pass, showing him how little control she had left. “Please what, baby? Tell me.” He wanted the words. Had to have them before he’d go further. “Fuck me. Love me. God.” She gasped when he dipped his finger between her lower lips, exploring her. “Make me come.” The last word was a growl, her crystal eyes shining a bright white in the darkness. The wolf had come out to play and damned if he wasn’t a twisted fucker who liked it. Loved it. “Open your legs, pup.” She lunged and snapped at him, teeth catching air, but she did as he demanded, thighs widening enough to let him lie between them. He crouched down and laid on his stomach, placing his face inches from her pussy. The musky fragrance of her arousal overwhelmed him, showing him exactly how much she desired him... her mate. Love filled his heart at the proof of her human and wolf’s need for him. With a growl, followed by a whimper, Lyssa opened her legs further and begged him. The woman who never asked for anything, begged him. “Please, now, Caleb. Can’t hold the bitch back much longer.” He chuckled and leaned forward, burying his nose in the closely cropped hair protecting the most tender part of her. He inhaled the sweet, deep scent, committing this first moment of intimate contact to memory. She rocked her hips against his face and he chuckled, pulling back and breaking contact. “Stay still, baby and I’ll give you what you want.” She stilled. Ah, the sexual power he held had its appeal, but he knew it’d disappear just as soon as they got over this first mating. Then, she’d hold just as much control as he did at this moment. He wouldn’t be able to resist her, had barely resisted her for so long. He eased forward again, eyes trained on hers, tongue extended and sifted through her lower lips to stroke the juice slickened flesh. Her taste exploded on his tongue, spicy and sweet. He moaned against her mound and delved deeper for more. He lapped her inner labia, licking her clean and searching for the source of her essence. With the help of his fingers, he spread her labia, exposing her secrets to his gaze.

Caleb zeroed in on her clit, the blood engorged nubbin’ begging for attention. He flicked it once with his tongue and she cried out, rocking against his mouth, hissing between her teeth. He did it again, loving the response he could drag from her, reveling in the pleasure he gave Lyssa. He wrapped his lips around her clit and circled it with his tongue. Round and around, he traced the small bit of nerve filled flesh. Prize claimed, he released her lower lips and slipped a finger into her dripping pussy, sliding easily into her heat. Her cunt clasped his finger, pulsing around his invasion in rhythmic ripples in time with his tongue’s teasing. He stroked the walls of her pussy, searching for the internal bundle of nerves that would— She arched against his mouth, cunt squeezing his finger. Hard. And... he had found it. He increased his pace, sucking and flicking faster and faster, stroking her G-spot, inches within her core. Again and again he flicked and fucked her tight pussy, his cock throbbing in time with the pulsing of her core. Fuck, he wanted to be in her—with her as she came. But that would come... later. “Caleb.” She gasped and tensed. Her climax was near. He didn’t slow, didn’t give her a chance to catch her breath or fight back her release. He needed this almost as much as she did. Faster he worked, gauging her response to him, smiling internally with every moan, gasp and groan that left her lips. She rocked in time with him and he upped his tempo once again. Tiny mewls of wanting and need escaped her as she drew closer to the edge. He could feel her climax building, rippling, dancing beneath her skin. Eyes glowing, fangs bared as she cried out, her pussy clamped down on his finger, body bowed and stretched taut, inches from the mattress as she howled out with her release. Growling, screaming, coming with his name on her lips... and soon, he’d do the same.

Before the last tremor sang through her body, Lyssa yanked at her bindings, fighting the silver and steel of the cuffs and the iron of the headboard. The woman was satisfied, but the wolf craved more. Much more. Needing, wanting, craving his touch, she pulled again, the distinct sound of metal grinding against metal echoing and melding with her harsh pants.

Caleb slid his finger free of her pussy and a new wave of need washed through her. Fast and hard, it overwhelmed her senses, the wolf demanding she take her mate. She pulled on the silver and steel, the tell-tale groan and grating of metal met her ears. “Caleb.” He crawled up her body, hips centered over hers, cock searing her still-throbbing pussy, aching for more. “Shhh...” He brushed the hair from her face and she bit his wrist, forcing his continued touch. “Easy, easy Lyss. I’m going to give you what you want.” She whimpered. Did he know? Did he understand what she needed right now? She needed so bad, wanted like she’d never wanted before. Her body called out and sang for his... only his. She laved his wrist with gentle strokes, releasing her hold when she realized he wouldn’t pull away. He covered her from chest to toes with his body, sheltering and restraining her at once. “Caleb,” she whispered against his wrist, testing the rapid pulse pounding beneath the skin, savoring the salty tang of his sweat combined with the musk of her heat. “Caleb. Want.” “I know. Can you keep it under control if I let you go? Hmm... Big bad wolf take it easy on me this first time, Lyssa?” He nuzzled her neck, nipping and licking the skin below her ear, driving her wild with the urge to slam him on his back and take what she wanted. “Caleb.” She growled low, sound reverberating through her chest. The man just laughed. Laughed! At her! She scraped her fangs on his wrist, biting hard enough to bruise, but not draw blood. A hiss escaped his mouth, but he didn’t yank his arm free and pull back. He remained perfectly still. Well, most of him did. His cock, hard and weeping, pulsed against her mound as if screaming “yes!” “Easy, Lyssa.” He reached past her with his free hand and she heard a soft click and snick of the locking mechanism releasing. First her left wrist was free, followed by the second. In one bold move, she flipped their positions, power and strength of her wolf coursing through her veins at a break-neck speed. Caleb landed beneath her with a grunt, but didn’t fight or resist. He lay passive beneath her while she looked and felt her fill.

Strong, solid muscle rippled and bunched beneath her. She settled her hips on top of his, his erect cock nestled between the cheeks of her ass while she focused on his upper half. The wide shoulders she’d admired earlier flexed beneath her gaze, pecs dancing as she watched. He stroked her outer thighs while she ran her hands over his chest, learning every curve. Claws distended, she traced the dips and lines of his abdomen, counting his muscles, wolf ensuring he was a worthy mate. And she did not find him lacking. With one shallow swipe, she abraded the skin of his chest and stomach, marking him with superficial wounds, reminding him who he’d belong to after tonight. Instead of cowering, he moaned, mouth open with panting breath. “Yes,” he hissed. The tiniest droplets of blood formed in the wake of her claws and she stroked the wounds with her palms, easing the ache she’d caused. Forward and back she shifted, to reach each raised welt and scratch. But also, to tease him, taunt him of what was to come. His cock, solid and bobbing behind her, stroked along the crease of her ass with every venture up his body. Again she shifted, petting her wounded man. She circled his nipple with her claw, round and round with the extension of her finger. One wrong flick and he’d lose the nub. “Are you ready, Caleb? No going back once it’s done.” The first instance of unease, unworthiness, crept through her and the wolf banished the thought before it could bear fruit. Now, it demanded. It didn’t want to ask, but to take what belonged and her human heart couldn’t find much fault in the logic. “Want you, Lyssa. Always have. Now, take me, work the edge off. Then I can love you right.” He rocked his hips, sending his cock sliding along her ass, searing and burning her with the heat of his arousal. Yes. She slipped forward and his cock effortlessly slid into place. In one slow, seemingly endless motion, she lowered her pussy onto his cock, taking his shaft deep into herself. Inch by inch, he filled and stretched her pussy, completing her like no other lover. She shifted and sank until her mound rested on his pelvis, skin to skin with nothing in between them. “Yes,” she hissed. “So good.”

“Tight,” he responded. “So fucking tight.” She dug her nails into his pecs, using him as her anchor while she started a slow, sinuous glide up and down his cock. It started as a slow, rolling rise, a few inches out and then immediately back in again to fill her. Having him connected, buried inside her cunt, she felt complete for the first time. Her wolf howled in agreement. “Come on, baby. Love me right,” Caleb urged her, fingers gripping and digging into the flesh of her hips. She eased her grip and bent forward, lips barely touching his, a mere breath separating them. “Make me.” Just as quickly as she flipped them, he did the same. Cock still embed in her cunt, he turned them over, leaving him on top and her helpless beneath him. At least, she let him think she was unable to fight him. Her wolf yipped in appreciation for her male’s forceful, dominant behavior and the glint of determination in his eyes made her pussy flutter. Caleb withdrew as if in slow motion, her pussy pulsing as each vein and ridge caressed her internal walls, awakening nerve endings she never imagined she had. He continued his torture until the very tip rested within her core, and between one breath and the next, he slammed home, filling her with a shout. Again, he repeated the stroke. A slow, gentle glide from within only to thrust home in one swift movement, his pelvis grinding and pressing against her clit, forcing her wolf to sing to him. She arched against him, dying for more, craving everything he could give. She planted her feet on the mattress and thrust her hips to meet his every lunge toward her, and the slapping of sweat-soaked flesh filled the room. She growled and groaned with his every entrance, teeth distending further, mouth accommodating the larger teeth as her body prepared to claim, to mark, to mate. Lyssa’s nails were prepared to score the flesh of her mate, to brand him as hers. Teeth ached to sink into flesh while her pussy fluttered and clit throbbed with each thrust. Soon... soon she come apart in his arms, the euphoria of a shiftless change would wash through her and she’d become one with the man inside her. So... soon. “Caleb.” His name was barely discernable with the extra teeth, even to her. “Caleb.”

Caleb leaned over her, kissing her with a fierce passion she’d never experienced. A tangle of teeth, lips and tongue. Each fighting for dominance, neither winning. Her canine nicked his lip, releasing the tiniest droplet of blood into her mouth and the sudden influx of pleasure from her wolf was too much to contain. With a howl of triumph, she came in his embrace, arms and hands on his back, pulling him closer while her teeth sank into the tender flesh at the juncture of his neck and shoulder. He stiffened in her hold, her name shouted as teeth hit muscle, cock throbbing deep in her pussy. The world righted itself soon after. Her breathing slowed to normal, teeth receding to their place within her gums. She released her hold on his shoulder, laving the damaged skin with her tongue, mixing their cells, helping him heal. He moaned and his cock stirred under her ministrations, and she smiled against his heated skin. The night had only begun.

Chapter Five

Lyssa woke the next morning, boneless and sated. Exhausted from a night filled with sex, fucking and love making... and all with the same man! Who knew? She snuggled closer, if that was possible, to Caleb, her body draped over his. She nuzzled his neck, licking the spot she’d claimed as her own the night before, becoming aroused with the subtle taste of blood lingering on his skin. He stirred beneath her, sliding his hands along her outer thighs where they were spread on either side of his hips, up to her ass. His large hands cupped the cheeks of her rear, kneading and squeezing her flesh. “Mmm... morning.” She nibbled his neck and rocked back to rub against the cock hardening just behind her ass. The thick length she’d gotten to know so intimately the night before was making itself known. Again. Caleb nipped her shoulder and then kissed that sweet spot. “Morning, baby. You find a position you like?” She felt rather than saw the smile against her skin. She wiggled her butt, brushing his erection, pressing down on his body. “Yes.” He slid his hands up her back in long, sweeping, comforting motions. “Me too.” After loving most the night, Lyssa found the only comfortable position for her was as close as she could get to her new mate. And if that meant crawling and sprawling on top of the man... so be it. She sighed. Life, so far, was good with her new mate. Until he smacked her ass and pissed her wolf the fuck off, of course. “Come on, babe. Look sharp, I’m hungry.” He slapped her bare butt. Again. Before she could protest, or bite a finger or two off, he rolled her to the side and slid from beneath her body, padding to the bathroom. It wasn’t until the shower started, the patter of water echoing off the tile walls, that she realized he expected her to get breakfast ready. The. Nerve. Good thing she loved the low-born, human bastard. Whoa. All engines stop and reverse. Do I love him? Her wolf whined at her

indecision and then growled, low and warning. Shut it, bitch. You’re the reason we’re mated to my best friend. With a moan, she wiggled and rolled to the edge of the bed, staring at the floor below her. Damn, it was a long way down. She’d never been worked over the way Caleb had loved her, but every joint and muscle in her body ached to hell and back. Groaning, she flung her legs over the side and shoved off from the bed. Pain radiated from her hips and thighs, back twinging with every step. It took a few minutes, but eventually she slipped one of Caleb’s shirts over her head and padded to the kitchen. The shirt, nearly see-through and worn, barely covered the essentials, but it would do for cooking. The kitchen... was a bachelor’s kitchen. Pots and pans were loaded in the sink, unwashed, when a dishwasher was only a foot further. The counters were littered with crumbs that smelled like... pop tarts. Her mate existed on pop tarts. O-kay. She could do this. A few dietary changes wouldn’t be hard. He would have to keep up with her somehow and making sure he ate well would help in that department. No way would she tolerate him puttering out after two or three rounds every night. Sure, they’d done fine this first time, but things were new and it was their mating night, after all. She looked at the mess before her and sighed. Might as well get to work. She started with the dishes in the sink. Okay, she meant to start with the dishes in the sink. Only, when she opened the dishwasher to put in the dirty pans, she realized exactly why he hadn’t put them in there. It was already full. Hell, it even had soap in the compartment. Resisting the urge to bang her head on the counter, she took a deep breath and turned the dishwasher on. Looked like she’d have to wash the pans by hand. No bigs, she could do this. Ten minutes and two broken nails later, she gave up and threw the pans, soap covered and all, into a garbage bag. He had to have other cooking utensils around. Had to. She peeked in every cupboard and drawer and didn’t find a single one. That was fine, she could do this. Wolves could provide for their mates and she would... figure

something out. This was not beyond Lyssa McGivern. With a new air of determination, she threw the refrigerator door open and gagged, slamming it shut while she raced to the newly cleaned sink, dry heaving. A warm body folded against her back, a large hand held her hair back while another fumbled and fought with the tap to run water. Finally, a cool, damp paper towel was pressed to her forehead. “Easy... easy, I’ve got you.” Caleb murmured. She snatched the paper towel from his hand and dabbed her mouth. Once cleaned, she shoved him back and whirled to face him. She ignored the shock on his face and addressed more important matters. “I can’t do this, Caleb. I... I just can’t. I won’t live like this. Not just because the damned wolf decided your ass smelled good. I won’t live in filth because of biology andand-and... I just won’t.” The wolf howled and clawed within, but Lyssa would stomp the bitch down. “I can’t wake up after our freaking mating with a pat on the ass and a ‘get in the kitchen, babe’. It’s not happening.” She ran a hand through her hair, thoughts pinging and bouncing around her brain. “We don’t even know if we’re compatible and we had sex without a condom and I mated you and-and-and—” Caleb yanked her into a bear hug, lips smashed over hers, his tongue flicking along the seam of her lips as if begging for entrance, and the damned wolf superceded her control, opening her mouth to his questing tongue. She moaned and melted into him, curves forming and molding to the harsh, chiseled planes of his body. The moment she gave in, he lessened his hold and she wrapped her arms around his neck, tugging him closer, if possible. She wanted to be one with this man. Crawl inside him, discover every secret and cherish it as her own. She wanted to be connected to him like no other. “It’ll be okay, love. Shhh... It’ll all be okay, we’ll work it out and everything will be fine. Calm down.” He tried, he really did. And she almost started to believe him. Then reason bitch-slapped her up side the head. “No. How can this be okay? We’ve been best friends for years and suddenly, cause you stop wearing No Were and the wolf gets a whiff, I’m supposed to fall all over you?” She poked him in the chest. “Where was the wooing? Huh? Sometimes... we don’t even like each other, Caleb.” She was

yelling and didn’t care. The enormity of everything landed on her shoulders and being the wolf she was, she did not like the uneasy feeling crawling through her gut. “How are we supposed to mesh lives if you can’t even clean up after yourself? What about cubs? What about—” A pounding on the front door cut her off and she glared at the steel and wood separating her from the interloper. The wolf wanted to take the intruder down. Hard. She turned and stalked to the entrance of Caleb’s apartment. When her mate made a move to slide past her, she shoved him back, snapping her teeth at him in a warning. The pounding came again and Lyssa scented the air surrounding the door, her wolf cataloguing and evaluating the threat to her and her mate. Within a second, she knew of the threat and was determined to slice and dice the intruder. Six in the morning on a Saturday and the bastard had a woman coming to his apartment? Oh, hell no. She flung the door wide, glaring at the petite woman standing on the doormat. The red-head glared at her in return and the wolf took that as a direct challenge. She sized up the woman. Dressed in a t-shirt and jeans, she didn’t look like much; mostly skin and bone considering the way her clothes hung on her. Lyssa could take her, no problem. She wouldn’t even have to bust into fur to bring this dog down. She flexed her hands and rolled her shoulders, ready to wipe the floor with this woman. She sensed Caleb behind her, but she ignored him when he tugged and yanked on her shirt. “Taylor, uh, hi,” he muttered. The tiny woman’s attention flicked above her for a moment and then resettled on Lyssa. Good, the fight wouldn’t be fair if the other woman was distracted. “Hello, Johnson. The calls came all night, but I managed to keep the Captain from sending anyone out here. Mind telling me who your friend is?” Taylor was seriously cruising for a balding. “I’m his bitch.” She arched a brow, waiting for a response. What she’d said must have shocked the other woman. “Uh huh.” Caleb had to have sensed the tension. “Thanks for coming by T, we’ll, uh, keep it down.” Lyssa sensed her mate’s blush more than saw it, and before this Taylor woman

could respond, she slammed the door in the interloper’s face and whirled to face Caleb. They spoke at the same time. “Who was that?” “My bitch?” “Answer the question, Caleb, before I hunt her while furry.” “Can I call you my bitch? That’s kind of hot.” She smacked his chest and shoved him against the hallway wall. “You are mine, Caleb. I don’t care if you never love me, but you’re mine and as for the other stuff... we’ll hire a maid. But Taylor the whore does not come see you ever again.” Jealous much? Absolutely. He enfolded her in his arms, trapping her hands between them, while he dropped a kiss on her hair. “Aw, baby, I love you too.” “You do?” She propped her chin on his chest, looking right into his eyes to judge the truth for herself. “I do.” She pressed her ear to his chest, listening to the slow even beat of his heart. “Okay. Then, yes, you can call me your bitch. But only in the bedroom when you’ve got me cuffed.”

About the Author

Celia would have loved to have written her own biography, but she just didn’t know what to say. In a fit of desperation, she turned to me, her most trusted confidant and friend. I realize you’re asking yourself, “Who is this?” I am Cali, her cat. I also go by a few other names, but those may be too strong for your delicate ears. Suffice it to say my mommy is very creative and not just with writing. My mommy, Celia, began writing in August of 2006. I know this because it was around that time our meals started coming later and later in the day. As months passed, she spent more and more time in front of the boring screen. Though, it was fun to chase the little arrow around every once in a while. You should hear her scream! But I digress. She’s worked hard to give readers sexy, quirky heroines they can relate to. And you better damn well appreciate it. All I got was late night feedings. And I didn’t even make it into one of her books by name! That damn kitten, Katie O’Meghan, did. Bitch. Well, enjoy her writings and if you want to praise her for her work… don’t. I’d like to get fed at some point, people. Fine. If you must contact her, her website is at www.celiakyle.com or you can send an email to [email protected]. But when I go hungry, I’ll blame you all!

Handcuffs and Lace Resplendence Publishing’s Hot Erotic Romance Line of Law Enforcement Themed Short Stories

Ticket Me More by Tia Fanning Hailed by the bridal flower world as an artistic genius, Meli works long nights making bouquets for women lucky enough to find love, while she herself lives a life of solitude. She yearns to share her heart and body with someone other than Bob, her Battery Operated Boyfriend, but acute shyness keeps her from engaging the “living” world. However, Meli’s quiet and predictable existence takes an unexpected turn when she is pulled over and ticketed by the most gorgeous cop she has ever encountered—Officer Michael Johnson. Though he does not seem to notice her as anything more than a traffic violation, Meli makes plans to overcome her timid nature and seize the police officer’s attention… using any speed necessary.

Cuff Me Lacy by Demi Alex Three months is way too long to wait for some simple, low-down, straight forward sex. It’s not like Officer Chrissie Hansen is asking for prince charming to offer her the love of a lifetime. All she wants is a good orgasm that she doesn’t have to work for alone. At least with “the Bull”, she knows what to expect. But when Patrick MacKlick returns to her life and tempts her with new options, she discovers that lace can imprison a heart better than handcuffs can.

Search Me Baby, One More Time by Melinda Barron Wren Thornberry’s life isn’t going according to plan. She let her father talk her out of marrying Bryan Stockard, the man she loves, and moved halfway around the world. Now she’s back home in Texas, babysitting her grandmother while grandma and her boy-toy work through their list of sexual exploits, making themselves the talk of the town. But what Wren doesn’t know is that things in her hometown are about to heat up even more, and it will have nothing to do with her grandmother. It seems that Bryan Stockard is still in town, he wants to get back into Wren’s life by any means necessary, and now he has just the tools to do it: A police uniform, handcuffs, and the authority to make Wren… assume the position.

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Fiery Ember by Celia Kyle Ember Ellason is a darned good secretary. True, she’d like to be more, but since her father’s passing, her stepmother has taken over as CEO of Ellason Advertising, and Clementine Ellason feels Ember is only good enough to fetch coffee… barely. But when Clementine and her horrid daughters fail to show up for the meeting with the biggest client they could ever land, Ember saves the day by impersonating her stepmother. Paul Ashe needs a new ad campaign and he’s found the perfect company with the perfect proposal in Ellason Advertising. Too bad his body is a little too interested in the voluptuous CEO with her fiery red hair and blazing green eyes. Then he can’t seem to find the elusive woman after their first intimate tryst, and is left with only a pair of panties to remember her by. Will this Cinderella tale end in happily ever after? Or will Ember be separated from her panties—and her prince—for ever more?

Red: A Seduction Tale by Maddie James Garnet Boudreaux is going home. Not back to her nice little apartment in New York City, but to her childhood home in the bayou. She doesn’t want to go, and isn’t certain what will be waiting for her when she arrives. But standing there in the voodoo shop on

Bourbon Street, in the middle of one helluva party, she’s told by Madame Madeleine Dupuis that she has no choice. She presses two pouches into Garnet’s hands, wraps a red cape around her, and tells her she must go—and go now—to see to her grandmother. Max LeBlanc spies the lovely red-head across the street and knows in a heartbeat she is the one. A rougarou always knows when he’s met his mate. Some may call him a lycanthrope, a werewolf if you will, but in Cajun bayou lands he’s known simply as The Rougarou. He’d waited several hundred years for this moment, and for her. There is nothing left for him to do, but mark her and claim her as his mate. Soon.

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