Dirt Road Redemption (Dirt Road Series Book 2)

by Chelsea Handcock

  She looked up at him, her eyes bright and sparkling, her tiny white teeth skimming her bottom lip. It was an innocent look, one of uncertainty but promise. When she bit her bottom lip seductively, looking into Atticus’ eyes, he knew he was gone. He would do anything for this woman, kill or die for her, all she had to do was ask. His previous plans had already been waning, but that look wiped them from his mind completely. He would never use her for his own gain—ever. He would never allow anyone to use Danica Valentin.

  She was small, submissive, and at first look, diminutive in appearance, but she was also the strongest person Atticus had ever met—fiercely loyal, kind, and resilient. Where others might have dismissed her as he had in the beginning, she now amazed him.

  “Let me help you, Danica. Let me take this pain and need you feel and make it my own. Let me be what you need if even just for tonight.”

  “And after that?” she whispered, melting further into his body, resting her head against his chest. For the first time in his life, he felt whole. The question bothered him, but the answer he gave didn’t.

  “After that, my little wolf, anything you want, I promise, just let me help you now.”

  “Anything?”

  “Yeah, baby, anything.”

  Danica leaned back, their bodies still touching intimately, her plump full breasts the only thing moving away. Atticus wanted to pull her back, needed to feel her entire body on his, but he allowed it since she was still within the cradle of his arms.

  “Then I want it all, everything you’ve been hiding, all the love you are capable of feeling, everything. Do you understand what I’m asking for?”

  “Danica, that’s just the heat talking for you. Tomorrow, your body and mind will be eased, and those feelings will change. You don’t need the taint I will bring into your life, I care too much for you to allow that to happen.”

  “No, see, that is where you are wrong, Atticus. My heat is affecting my body, my mind is consumed with it but still intact. I know what I’m feeling, and I know what and who I want. Your past, our future together doesn’t scare me. Losing you, the thought of you walking out of my life, that’s what scares me.”

  “Be sure, Danica,” Atticus demanded. She was offering him everything he had ever hoped for and wanted in his life, but he needed her to understand there would be no going back after this—they would be bound for all of eternity.

  “I’m a wolf, Atticus, I know what I am saying and what I am asking, and I have never been surer of anything in my life. Please, just take me, complete this bond and stay with me until the last breath leaves my body on my final days.”

  Atticus’ hand came around the back of her neck, slipping slightly under the back of her wet shirt, meeting the smooth skin beneath. Pulling her closer, he let their heated breath mingle, allowing her just a fraction of time to change her mind before it was too late, but she didn’t object, she pulled him closer, her sweet, full lips pressing against Atticus’ chin. Unable to take any more, he bent his head, his lips meeting hers for the first time. The feeling was electric. A soft moan escaped her as Atticus’ tongue swept across her bottom lip, begging for admittance. As she parted her lips, that tongue seemed to have a mind of its own, surging into her mouth, winding with hers in a rush of passion neither of them could deny.

  Lifting her into his arms, Atticus encouraged Dani to wrap her legs around his waist. Taking the plump globes of her ass in his hands, Atticus squeezed, grinding her closer to his need. The rain started to come down faster, harder, but neither of them seemed to notice, too caught up in the feelings coursing through their bodies. Atticus started to kiss and nip across her neck and shoulder, biting the collar of her t-shirt to give him better access to the creamy smooth expanse of her skin, her wildflower scent increasing with her arousal. Unable to resist, he licked her pulse, feeling his fangs descend fully.

  “Please, Atticus,” Danica begged, but he ignored her, continuing with his delicious task. He wouldn’t bite her now, that would come later when he was sure this wasn’t a hormone driven plea. When he knew for certain the words she spoke were real.

  Atticus took several steps, taking them out of the downpour, under a canopy of the tree, the rain that had been coming down, drenching them, now only trickling through the dense branches and leaves, the humidity of the Louisiana air making it feel as though they had stepped into a steam shower. Setting Danica down, Atticus began to remove his shirt, wanting to explore the slick slide of their skin as it connected, demanding, “Get undressed, Danica!” He could feel her heat building, his cock throbbing painfully encased in his pants. Adjusting himself, he watched Danica lick her lips as her eyes roamed his body until she fixated on what his hand was doing. Unable to resist, he clutched his cock harder, allowing his hand to pump several times.

  A mischievous smile crossed her face as she slowly unbuttoned her jeans and started to push them down her hips, taunting him with what she had hidden beneath. Atticus was beginning to lose his patience as he watched her fingers reach for the hem of her shirt, pulling it over her head so slowly. He wanted to take over and rip the offending fabric from her glorious body.

  “Danica!” he scolded, prompting her to move faster but only a fraction. Her eyes danced with desire as they both took their fill of the other’s exposed body. Her lip slightly pouted when Atticus made no attempt to loosen or drop his own pants. Atticus moved in, nipping slightly at that lip, sucking it into his mouth, letting his hands wander her wet naked flesh. Nothing in his life had ever felt so good. With a slowness he didn’t feel, Atticus kept running his hands down her slick body, brushing his fingers against her breasts, teasing and tempting her, just as her presence did to him constantly. Pulling her closer, Atticus took her lips in another demanding kiss. Letting his hand wander until he found her feminine folds, he parted the flesh with the tip of his finger, moving it up until he bumped her distended clit.

  Danica shifted her legs, moving them further apart, allowing him better access. When that wasn’t enough, she lifted one foot, tangling behind his knee, using it to pull him closer. Atticus thrust first one finger into her molten depth, then another. Danica’s head flew back as she moaned his name. Not getting nearly enough of what he wanted, using his hands, Atticus dropped to his knees, placing one of her legs over his shoulder, exposing her to his view and touch. The first taste of Danica divine on his tongue, he slowly ran it along every inch of her, not missing a single piece of flesh.

  Atticus could feel her body tremble. Bracing one hand behind her, he brought her closer to his mouth as she tangled her hands into his hair, pulling slightly as if she was as out of control at the moment as he was.

  “Oh God, Atticus, please don’t stop, please!”

  Atticus could feel her channel clenching his finger tightly and knew she was close to coming. Wrapping his lips more fully around her clit, he started to suck vigorously, flicking his tongue along the nub. Danica’s hips began to move, thrusting uncontrollably against his face, the contractions becoming stronger until her entire body tensed with her release. Atticus slowed his licks and the thrust of his fingers, prolonging her orgasm, bringing her down slowly. The intensity of her heat had decreased, but the excitement in her eyes as she looked down at him in wonder had increased tenfold.

  Kissing her softly on her mound, Atticus stood up. He was about to say something, he didn’t know what, but Danica had other things in mind. Turning her body, she braced her hands against the tree, looking over her shoulder.

  “Take me, Atticus, take me now and make me yours.”

  Atticus had never heard more beautiful words coming from her mouth, but he wouldn’t do it. It wasn’t right, she was still in heat although it had lessened with her release.

  When he didn’t make any further move to come closer to her, a look of disappointment and regret flashed in her eyes, and Atticus couldn’t take it. She thought he didn’t want her, that he didn’t want this, but she couldn’t have been more wrong. Not allowing her to turn, he p
ushed his body into hers, wrapping one hand around her waist and the other to cup her breast.

  “I want you Danica with every breath I take, don’t ever doubt that, little wolf. I just won’t take you in this way.”

  Chapter 20

  Dani’s mind was spinning out of control. She had just had the first orgasm of her life not made possible by her own hands, and she had presented herself to her mate in the way of their kind, and he was denying her. She felt foolish, disappointed, and angry. His words were kind, and she knew deep down, he was trying his best to do the right thing by her, but he was also denying her of her choice. He was once again making decisions for both of them, and she wasn’t having it.

  Pushing back, she dislodged his touch from her body and started searching for her clothes. Her heat would take a while to build now, and she was determined to be far away from Atticus and the humiliation she felt when that happened. Taking her shirt off the ground, she wrung out the excess water and placed it on her body, giving her a little more confidence now that she was covered from his view.

  “Danica, please, whatever you are thinking is wrong. I just want to help you through this we can talk about mating later. I just..”

  “No! You are doing what you promised you wouldn’t. You’re making decisions for both of us. I told you before, I wouldn’t live like that, Atticus, that if we decided to do this, all of the decisions made will be made together, and you just dismissed what I offered you. Rejected me!” Dani yelled.

  “I did no such thing, Danica, you’re being irrational. The heat has you confused. Can’t you see I’m trying to do the right thing? No matter how much it’s killing me to do it?” Atticus yelled, throwing his hands up and turning away from her. Dani could see he was getting angry now, but a part of her didn’t care because she was angry too. Grabbing her jeans, she wrung them out as well and tried to get the wet fabric up her body. The struggle was pissing her off more, making her cry. She always did this—cried like a child. Maybe that was why he had denied her?

  Unable to get the jeans past her hips, Dani fell to the ground, feeling defeated. Atticus’ warmth soon surrounded her as he hugged her from behind.

  “Danica, please don’t do this, please understand it’s taking everything I have not to push you to the ground and take what you offered to me.”

  “See, that’s just it, Atticus, I have never in my entire life offered a male what I just offered you. I know this is right, I can feel it in every cell of my body, and you denying me, denying us… it hurts,” Dani said, allowing him to hold her a little more tightly.

  “Can you tell me you love me, Danica? That the heat isn’t affecting you in some small way, that you would have offered yourself so nicely if the circumstances had been different?”

  Atticus’ question was making Dani really think. Did she love him? She had never experienced love before She did, however, care for him, wanted to be with him, and felt they were building toward love. She knew he was waiting for an answer, but she didn’t quite know what to say, so decided giving him the truth had to be good enough.

  Letting out a breath, she said, “I care for you deeply. I want to be with you all the time even when you’re pissing me off.”

  They both laughed a little at that statement, and she felt Atticus as he kissed the crown of her head, endearing him to her even more. He didn’t realize all his sweet gestures and touches only brought her closer to him.

  “When I thought Draven had killed you, I felt as though a part of me had died. I don’t know if that’s love, my only experience with that emotion has been with family or friends, never a man. My parents mated during a full moon, conceived me, and left each other. I have no reference to what you’re asking me, but I believe in my heart, I will love, crave, and need you for the rest of my life.”

  “Danica, those words, your actions are more than I could have ever hoped for, but I just can’t help feeling this isn’t right, at least, not now.” Atticus laughed, but there was no humor in it. “You have to understand, I feel like I’m doing just as you accused me of, making decisions for the both of us without your consent. The heat—” Atticus tried to finish, but Dani stopped him.

  “The heat has lessened, I’m thinking clearly. There is no way for me to prove that to you, so just like the rest of the heats I have lived through in my life, I will handle this one by myself. My need for you is too great to have you so near. You need to leave, Atticus, you being here just makes it harder.”

  “No, Dani, I will not leave you. I won’t let you go through this on your own, not when I can help it. Please, don’t ask that of me.”

  Dani was already struggling to get up, but Atticus hold on her was tight. Turning her on his lap, Atticus pinned her chin between his fingers, making her look him straight in the eyes.

  “Okay, fine! Vow to me this is what you want, tell me you’re mine above all others, that your heart and soul belong to me, and I will give you what you want. But remember before you make that vow, there will be no turning back in the light of day when you realize it was a mistake. I will never let you go. If you can do that, everything I have is yours.”

  Atticus let her go, expecting her to deny him, but Dani had other ideas. When he stood up, she remained on her knees and recited words she never thought she would ever use.

  “Atticus Masters, I vow to be your mate.

  To put you and our life together above all others.

  If we are blessed with children from this mating, I will love them as I will love and honor you for the rest of our natural lives.

  I offer you my body, my blood, and my animal to you as proof of the commitment I have chosen to take this night. I will stand and fight by your side from this day forward until the day we take our last breath.

  These vows I give to you with my full heart and ask the Mother of All to grant and bless us with a long and happy life.”

  Atticus looked shocked, and for a minute, Dani thought he was going to turn her down again, but he went to his knee, placed his hand over his chest, repeating the vows to her. Her eyes filled with tears, but this time, they were happy. Atticus was hers, just as much as she was his.

  Their next kiss was a flurry of hands, hearts, and emotions, neither one of them able to contain themselves any longer. Dani fell back to the ground, taking her shirt off as she went, throwing it somewhere, she didn’t even care where. Atticus took one of her ankles, kissing it lightly before pulling at her waddled-up jeans, ridding them of her body once again. Dani sat back up quickly, no longer willing to just let this happen. She wanted to show Atticus she meant every word she’d said. Her hands went to the belt on his pants, slowly unbuckling it, letting it fall open and to the side. Next, she unsnapped his pants and slowly drew down the zipper. When his erection popped free, she instinctively licked her lips, wanting to taste him as he had tasted her. Her Atticus, the cocky bastard, pushed his pants down further and smiled.

  “Like what you see, little wolf?”

  Dani smiled back, cupping his heavy balls in one hand, gripping his shaft with the other, growling a little as she spoke, “Very much.”

  His plum-shaped crown was purple and seeping a creamy white fluid, and Dani wasn’t going to deny herself a little taste. Leaning forward, she started at the notch, firming her tongue as she swept it forward toward her goal. Her taste buds exploded with his salty, sweet flavor. His groan of approval spurred her on, making her bolder, taking more of him into her mouth, sucking lightly at first while gently squeezing his balls. Just as she was about to take it further, Atticus pulled away, and growled, “Enough!” His animal was close, closer than it had been in days, and Dani loved seeing the golden flash in his eyes.

  Using his chest, he pushed her back to the ground. She felt his cock at her virgin entrance, but he stopped, pulling his shaft up, circling her clit several times. Dani was beyond gone, she wanted to feel him in her body, her orgasm already so close from the blow job she had started to give him, her heat beginning to build to epic level
s.

  “Say you are mine, Danica!”

  “All yours, Atticus, no one else, just yours, always.”

  As he pushed into her at a slow and steady pace, the feeling was so overwhelming, Dani’s back arched off the ground. Planting her feet on the ground, she pushed her hips up, grinding them into him, needing more of his length and possession. He bellowed, “FOREVER!” as he broke through her innocence, joining them as one.

  The pain was slight, and it didn’t take her long to recover. Looking up at Atticus, she cupped his cheek. He looked as though the strain of holding back, allowing her time to adjust to his shaft was hurting him, and she didn’t like it. She wanted him to let go, to feel as free as she did at the moment.

  “Please, Atticus,” she begged. “More,” she demanded.

  His control snapped, and he started driving into her harder with each and every thrust, their bodies slamming into each other. It felt so damn good, Dani was beside herself with pleasure. Another orgasm started to crest when Atticus left her body completely, causing her to whimper. But the emptiness she felt was short lived. Using his strength, Atticus flipped her body until she was on all fours, entering her from behind. The sensation was incredible, he was able to penetrate her deeper, and he felt huge inside of her this way. Dani rocked her body, meeting him thrust for furious thrust.

  When he reached into her hair, pulling her head back, she knew exactly what was going to happen next. A rush of fluid escaped her core as she tilted her head to the side, offering Atticus her neck. He increased his rhythm, pumping harder as her pussy started to spasm. At the same moment his fangs breached her, her next orgasm crested, exploding, causing brilliant flashes of colored lights to sparkle in her vision. So overwhelmed, Dani fell forward and would have face planted on the ground if it wasn’t for Atticus’ strong arm around her waist.

  She briefly remembered the feel of his climax as it splashed against her womb but was too far gone to notice much more. Atticus pulled her to the side, and they laid on the cold, wet ground, spooning each other for a long time while they caught their breath. Dani felt a little different, but not much—everything just felt right now. Like this was how it was always meant to be.