“I like the dress. A lot.” I inhaled her scent. It calmed me down from the brink of mania. My wolf was howling on the inside, wanting revenge against Stefan once and for all. “What did you tell them?”
“That I had to talk to you first. Off-camera. No surveillance. Because I know what I signed on for with the show, now that I finally read the contract thoroughly. But I have no idea what’s on your end of the bargain.” She looked away from me. “And I won’t violate your trust. I...don’t know how to do this the right way. I’ve usually run by now, that’s what I always do if I think things could get serious. I date guys I have no future with. That’s why I came on the show, because I never thought this could possibly work. Sad thing is, neither did production. But I don’t want to fuck this up, Sebastian. I want this...to be serious.”
“You probably think we’re nothing alike.” My voice was hoarse and low. Words were hard when all I wanted to do was taste her. The warm, throbbing spot on her throat where her pulse raced at the possibilities of what I could do to her body. “And you don’t understand why we’re so attracted to each other. You’re all I can think about, Naomi.”
Her breathing was ragged and she licked her lips. “I’m feeling a little obsessed with you, too. And it scares me. I can barely keep myself out of trouble—”
No. I wouldn’t let her believe what everyone else had been telling her. That she was some impossible fuck up. I kissed her until that thought faded from her memory. Until she didn’t understand why anyone would ever think she wasn’t capable of conquering the world.
“It’s more than obsession.” I stepped forward and took her face in my hands. “It’s forever.”
Her glossy lips parted. “You keep saying that, but—”
“I’m scared, too.” It wasn’t something I thought I’d ever admit to another person. “We’re alike. We’ve been running our whole lives because we haven’t found what we wanted. We knew there was something better, but we didn’t know where to find it. It led us here, it led us to each other. Don’t let everyone else make you think you don’t deserve this. Don’t let yourself think you don’t deserve this. You’re beautiful and funny and absolutely amazing.”
She softened, her swollen lips parting in an O. “You’re not so bad yourself.” She leaned in and gave me a soft kiss on the cheek. “You’re focused and smart and strong. And absolutely gorgeous.”
I tipped her chin back to me, our lips so close, but we didn’t kiss. The words bubbled to the surface, and this time I didn’t fight them. I let them flow out of me. “You’re my mate. My true, destined mate.”
She sucked in a deep breath, her body tightening at my declaration. But she didn’t run. “Mates. Those are forever, aren’t they?”
I nodded. “It’s not a choice, even though it’s a choice I would make. I’d choose you every single time. My wolf desperately wants you. I need you. And I think if you look deep inside yourself, you’ll realize just how much you need me.”
She bit her lip. A glow radiated from her skin, like she finally wasn’t afraid to let it shine. “I do need you. It terrifies and exhilarates me at the same time. But I need you. I want you. And I’m down for a little forever, if I get to spend it with you.”
Lowering my lips to her neck, I nuzzled the soft skin. She moaned, tightening her grip on my shoulders, guiding me down. No, she wasn’t going to run this time. I nipped her collarbone and hooked my fingers in the neckline of her dress. I stopped to meet her frozen blue gaze. Naomi had slammed on the brakes any time the conversation veered toward her taking her clothes off. I needed her permission. It wasn’t enough to know she wanted me. She had to want this.
“Please.” The word shook like the same storm that raged inside me surged inside her. She pressed her body against mine, and she wouldn’t have to ask twice. “We’re officially past our first date. You can teach me all your rules now.”
Yes, my wolf rumbled. Make her yours.
I pushed her hair away from her face, trapping her against my body with my other hand in the small of her back. Her scent was so overwhelming, it was getting hard to think. Let alone manage a smirk. “I think you’ll like them.”
“Sebastian?” She sounded unsure of herself and my wolf did not like that. My mate couldn’t have any doubts. “I’ve been waiting my whole life for it to mean something.”
I grabbed a fistful of her dress. I meant to pull it over her head, not realizing it was held together with a tie in the front. I was ready for her, ridiculous panties and all. This moment was that much sweeter, since I thought I’d be denied my chance at forever when I lost my pack. “Me too, baby. Me, too.”
Chapter Seventeen
NAOMI
A war waged inside me as Sebastian trapped my mostly naked body against his hard, warm one. Hard was an understatement. Even trapped behind a zipper, his shaft was thick and hot against my bare stomach. I really, really wanted Sebastian, and it scared the hell out of me.
His mate. Holy shit.
He was talking about forever and there was a little piece of me screaming run! You’ll screw this up without even trying. And the rest of me wanted that voice to shut the fuck up.
He was right. I’d run from everything because I wanted something more. Something better. I wanted this intense feeling of my breath catching in my throat and my heart slamming against my chest. I liked the way it hurt to look at him, and how I wanted this feeling branded against my soul. That I was terrified and lust struck and most of all, I was so ready for this.
I wanted him.
Sebastian took control, holding my quivering body steady as he nipped and licked my bare chest. We were alike, and it was equal parts a relief and scary as hell. He’d made a career out of running wild, and now he’d bring me along for the ride.
“The bra isn’t that bad,” he said as he ran his finger against the edge of the lace.
“I hate to break it to you, but it’s the best one I’ve got. I had to wear the one with the plunge under this dress.” It was definitely time for an upgrade in the lingerie department. My bad skivvy collection was a badge of honor for me, another layer of bad date repellent which I no longer needed. “What day does my ass say?”
Sebastian’s hand landed on the lettering with a crack. I wiggled against him in approval. His breath was hot against my ear. “Hump Day.”
“I’m supposed to be the funny one, remember?” And you’re the impossibly sexy one who wants me forever. Our gazes caught, and that amber was like pure liquid lava, melting everything it came in contact with. “Now get rid of them.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice.” His words were tipped with a growl that vibrated throughout his body. I rode the wave of his aftershocks as he slid the panties down my legs. Down on his knees, he tapped my shin so I stepped away from the fabric. I had to steady myself on his shoulder.
“I can’t be the only one undressed,” I said.
His gaze was as raw and naked as I felt when he looked up at me. “Didn’t think this was like strip poker.” He pulled his shirt over his head. I drank it all in, the rippling muscle that tensed under his skin. The bite and scratches from his brother’s attack were little more than a memory. His body was a machine and weapon, and now, my plaything.
“What happened to your tattoo?” I asked.
“My brother erased it when I got kicked out of the pack. The last thing I want to think about is him right now. It’s your move,” he said, his gaze fixed on the lace of my bra.
“Not fair. You’ve still got your jeans on. You need to catch up.” There was no denying even with the bra still on, I’d never been this naked in my life. I wanted to cover my belly and my dimpled thighs, but I couldn’t take my hands off him.
He rolled up from his knees in a fluid motion. Watching him move was a thing of beauty. Half-athlete, half-animal, and all man.
“We can do this your way.” He unzipped his fly. “But I’d like it better if you undressed me.”
I lowered myself gingerly to
the floor. I would not ruin this night by fucking up my ankle even more. Other body parts were throbbing much harder, and I liked it that way. A thin line of dark hair ran from his belly button into his open fly. I ran my finger along it, and Sebastian shuddered. I did that to him. I wanted to see what else I could do, and I traced the downward line of his hip flexors. That V was my favorite part of a man’s body, and it wasn’t often I got up close and personal with someone who had one. I was really going to like my new toy. My mate.
Sebastian curled his fingers in my hair, giving it a good tug. No words needed—playtime was over. “Okay,” I said, looking up at him and rolling my eyes. “But you should know, you’re fun to play with.”
“Oh, we’re going to play.” He tightened his grip and his body did that shuddery thing again. I wondered if it was part of a growl. So sexy. I could only get the jeans down to the tops of his thick, muscled thighs before I got totally distracted. My wolf hadn’t bothered putting on any underwear after practice. It would’ve been totally rude of me to ignore his cock when it sprang out, so eager and full of possibility.
I traced my fingers from down his hip bones, circling his balls. There was no mistaking that growl. It had quickly become my favorite sound. I cupped him, running my thumb over his shaft.
“Not yet,” he said between clenched teeth. His body rumbled like a violent storm raged inside it. “Yesterday when I was in the shower, I thought about what I’d do with this beautiful body once I finally got you out of your clothes.”
“Oh yeah?” I liked the sound of that. “Tell me about it.”
“I could.” He ran his finger between my breasts, hooking the bra and pulling it away from my body. He let it snap back, trailing down to my tummy and stopping. I was so ready for him to touch me, and I clenched my teeth to keep myself from going further. I had to be patient. “Or I could show you.”
I nodded. No need to argue with the man.
“I’d follow the streams of water that dripped off your chin down your throat.” His lips were hot against my neck as he spoke. “And down to your tits.”
His hair tickled my chest. He took the lace in his mouth, sucking my nipple to a hard peak. My head fell back, and I grabbed a handful of his hair to stay on this planet.
He looked up at me and grinned. “Your eyes are glowing again,” I said.
“It’s because I want you, Naomi,” he rumbled. “Every single inch of you. I want to make you hot and wet and ready for me. And I will stop at nothing to wring every last drop of pleasure from your body. Because you’re my mate, and I want you to be happy.”
Holy shit. I scraped my teeth against my bottom lip and his body trembled. “Show me what you’ve got, wolf.”
Sebastian sighed as he considered my body. It was beautiful and honest, the way his shoulders heaved before he lowered his head, planting a trail of kisses on my belly. It was a part of my body I usually hated and hid because it was too soft, too full, too everything, but I felt beautiful when he touched me. I wanted more. So much more.
This was what forever felt like. To be able to let myself go and be free. To tumble into the abyss with someone and let myself feel every single sensation he brought rushing to the surface of my skin. To let myself be full of love and lust and excitement. To really want something. To know this was just the beginning.
I writhed underneath him, begging for more. He teased my clit with his fingers and stopped. “You’re so ready for me.”
I could barely breathe.
“What do you want me to do, Naomi?”
Sebastian liked discipline. Rules. It was how he got results. “I want you to fuck me.”
He nodded before pulling me up off the floor. I straddled his lap, on my knees. I couldn’t look anywhere but those glowing eyes. My legs trembled, and he caught me as I fell against him. My head rested on his forehead, and we were both breathless. His flat palm ran down my back, onto my ass, parting my legs more. He had me completely exposed, dripping wet, and trembling with need.
His hand was between my legs again, running along the length of my slit. I rolled my hips, guiding him to the places I liked. My wolf caught on quickly, taking my clit between two fingers and rubbing hard. I ground against him, wanting more. Pressure built deep inside me as he squeezed his fingers together. He blurred the lines between pleasure and pain. He blurred the lines between everything. There was no him and me. There was only us.
My head fell back when he let go. I was so close to release, it threatened to rip me into pieces, but not yet. He teased me with his cock, sliding it back and forth against my slit. I gripped his shoulders, meeting his wicked gaze. Steadying his shaft, he slipped inside me. His hands went to my hips as he thrust up, and my body belonged to him. I surrendered control, knowing he’d do whatever it took to please me. He moved me up and down, driving deeper inside me each time. My fingernails pierced the skin on his shoulders, and I dragged them down, scratching his ruined tattoo.
Sebastian grabbed my hair. My body stilled, and he was still inside me. I was pulsing like crazy and I was so fucking close to coming all over him. I was completely at his mercy, and he was the only thing that could save me from freefall.
He pulled my head to the side, and his lips were on my neck, his hot breath against my skin. His teeth scraped the surface, but he didn’t bite.
I screamed when he slammed against me. He’d lulled me to a place I didn’t know existed and I was disappointed he didn’t mark me. Yet. We had forever.
Heat rose, and my body spasmed, shattering as I rode him. He kept a firm grip on my hair, this time bringing me to meet his gaze as I came.
He made a noise that sounded an awful lot like a growl when he laid me beside him on the rug. Aftershocks from my orgasm rumbled through my body, and I couldn’t catch my breath. Sebastian ran rough hands over my skin, calming the storm.
“When you go home, I want to go with you.” My voice was breathy and words didn’t come easy. “I want to meet your pack. I want everyone to know that I belong to you.”
He didn’t answer right away. Shit. There was a possibility my streak remained unbroken and Sebastian would run from his past one more time. Without me.
Chapter Eighteen
SEBASTIAN
“I’m going to see Gunnar soon. I need his support if I’m going to stay in Alaska for the long haul.” Having the team backing me up was huge, but they didn’t need the distraction. We had enough on our plate, preparing for a new team every week. My pack bullshit would be a distraction, and it would only be so long before they decided I was the distraction. No fucking way I’d let that happen. My brother’s pack was relentless and had nothing to lose. Keeping them in check would be a multi-faceted effort and here I was, seven years later, going back to my original plan.
Naomi raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t that dangerous? I thought he was the reason you and the pack separated. Have you talked to him since you left?” She was so beautiful, completely undone after reaching climax. Her hair was wild around her face, makeup smudged, and she wore nothing but that bra. I’d be a fool to let her come with me. Naomi emitted trouble’s siren song. No wonder she wound up with me as her mate.
She’ll make you stronger, my wolf snapped. She’s a strength, not a weakness, fool.
“It will stir up some shit, that’s for sure. But it’s been swirling under the surface—my brother’s pack making life miserable on the island by using intimidation and fear. Now’s the time, since Stefan could be gone.” Estranged or not, it sent a chill down my spine that my twin could be dead. At one time, I knew his every move, whether he was with me or not. I could finish his sentences, and we shared the same dreams. But the truth was, he’d been dead to me for a long time. “For years, my brother pointed his finger at Gunnar’s herd, blaming them for the chaos that he himself unleashed on Faraway Island. Gunnar never called my brother a liar. Didn’t have to. Instead, he invited me into his herd and showed me how they lived. How things were supposed to be.”
That
was another reason I didn’t reconnect with Gunnar before now. It hurt too bad to see everything I couldn’t have. But now, I had a pack—not the one I was born into, but the one that claimed me. Welcomed me in, with all my bullshit and baggage. They knew what I could do for them. That’s what it was about. Give and take. My brother was all take.
“You should go see Gunnar,” she said softly. “Even if you don’t bring me. If I go, the show comes with us. That’s like an engraved invitation for trouble. I don’t want you to fight, but I think it’s important for you to reclaim a piece of your past. You don’t have to run anymore. But I want to meet him, eventually. I want you to be proud of who you are, Sebastian. Where you came from.”
I kissed her, long and hot and slow in the small hours of the night. I slipped my arm around her waist and pulled her against me. My wolf rumbled, ready for more. “Have I ever told you how amazing you are?”
She flipped her hair away from her shoulder, blue eyes shining. “Maybe once or twice.”
“Get used to it, because it’s going to happen a lot.” I grabbed a handful of her ass, and she wriggled against my body in approval. “You have a way of putting things together so it all makes sense.”
“No one’s ever said that about me before.” She laughed.
My wolf didn’t like that. “Maybe they weren’t really listening.”
“Probably not,” she said softly, the light fading from her eyes. “Does Gunnar play football?”
“He used to play on the island with me. He was our kicker.” He was good, but he wasn’t as serious about it as I was. He knew herd responsibilities would keep him from going pro, when I needed a place to run to. “The Bloodhounds are the only pro team in Alaska.”
Running Wild Page 10
