by Dakota Brown
One thing at a time, Sofia, I thought to myself. Rescue Ash. Get the Andersons arrested. Deal with mundane things like the holiday. Easy. Right? Right...
I fought back a sigh, and forced a smile when I hugged Victoria before she got into her sedan. My smile turned into a real one when I heard the growl of Doc's diesel truck. My enhanced senses hadn't faded much from the demon's presence, though I was getting used to it. I still thought Doc and the wolves had way better hearing, smell, and sight, but mine was far better than it had ever been before.
Victoria waved, and winked, as she pulled away.
I headed for the street where I would meet the guys.
To my surprise, Nikolai was driving Doc's truck. His distressed expression reminded me of when we had first brought him into Sunnyglade. Doc, in the passenger seat, looked relatively serene in comparison.
"Is it safe to get in?" I tried to keep my expression serious, but I had to laugh when Nikolai's slightly panicked expression soured.
"Of course," he grumbled.
I climbed into the backseat and leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek by way of apology.
"Love you," I said.
Nikolai's expression lightened. "And I you."
Doc already had his hair down. I ran my hand through it, hoping that was subtle enough that no one would notice should anyone happen to look our way.
"You, too."
Doc smiled. "I love you, Sofia."
I grinned. "Where are the guys?"
"Running," Doc answered. "They got done earlier and I took them home and picked up Nikolai."
"So, learning to drive?"
Nikolai sighed. "Ed and Allan can drive."
"You don't actually want to learn?"
Nikolai shrugged. "It is good idea. It was not my idea."
I laughed. "It is a good idea, just in case you have to drive the truck. Wouldn't want to wreck it like you did Alex's Mustang."
Nikolai paled. "Do not want to fuck up Doc's truck."
Perhaps that was his real problem. It wasn't that he didn't want to learn to drive, more that he didn't want to make a mistake and damage Doc's precious truck. It was a reasonable concern, though I thought Doc would forgive Nikolai just about anything.
Hesitantly, Nikolai put the truck in gear and pulled away from the curb. His eyes darted between the mirrors and the view in front of him. He drove smoothly enough, though I was surprised at how relaxed Doc was. Of course, with his reflexes, he could probably prevent an accident pretty easily.
Once we hit the roundabout and headed up the mountain I managed to relax enough to think about something other than Nikolai behind the wheel. "What's the plan?"
"We're going after Ash tonight. We want to be well rested, so we're going to relax, spend some time together, and plan a little more. Then we're rescuing our demon."
I thought Doc's choice of words very interesting, but at this point I agreed. Ash was ours, though I didn't know where I had come up with that possessive feeling, and I wanted him free. Something told me the demon wasn't going to go anywhere if we rescued him, though I didn't know what that would mean for our little pack.
Still, I wasn't going to worry about that now. Like Christmas presents, there were a lot of things I needed to accomplish before we got to that point. If we got to that point. I wasn't nearly as worried about the Andersons as maybe I should have been. I was extremely worried about Ash. Nikolai and I would have to overcome him fast, and I was certain his instructions wouldn't leave any loopholes this time.
Nikolai thought we could do it. We had worked out the combination of spells we would use, and we had practiced them. We were as ready as we could be.
We pulled off the main road onto Doc's driveway and bounced down the snowy rutted road. The mage sighed in relief as he put the truck in park. We waited for a minute for the diesel to idle and then he turned it off.
Doc patted Nikolai on the shoulder and slid out of the truck. I jumped out and wrapped my arms around Nikolai. "Good job."
"Would be less stressful to steal another car to practice in," he grumbled into my shoulder as he sagged in my arms. Nikolai claimed it wasn't cold enough yet to need a coat and Doc had mentioned that he only needed one when it got really cold, so I was the only one wearing a jacket. Colorado, I had learned, could be comfortable on a twenty-degree day if the sun was out, without much more than long sleeves and a light jacket. It was one of those days.
"Good motivation to drive carefully," Doc answered, putting his arms around the two of us, sandwiching me between the two of them. Their firm bodies pressed against me got me thinking about other ways I might like them pressed against me.
Doc, likely sensing the way my body reacted to my thoughts, ran one of his hands down my side, curving his fingers around my hips.
I made an appreciative sound.
Nikolai shifted against me, distracted from his original train of thought. He cupped my cheeks with his hands and pressed his lips to mine. I eagerly explored his mouth with my tongue.
Magic crackled between the three of us. Doc pressed into me from behind, hand tightening on my hip. His other arm was still around Nikolai and he pulled the mage closer into me.
"How much time do we have?" I asked.
"Depends on how you define rest," Allan said, startling all of us.
I glanced toward Allan. He and Ed stepped out of the woods, shirtless, sweat glistening on their muscular torsos despite the chill in the air. Their pantlegs were wet from the snow.
"Rest for us is a run through the snow and a nap. I'm not sure how mages define it, and Doc really just needs blood to have energy," Ed added, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Nikolai grumbled.
I laughed and pressed my lips to Nikolai's. He kissed me, but I could tell he was still distracted by Ed's dig, so I dug my fingers into his back and bit at his lip. That got his attention and he focused on me.
Doc released us and I lost track of the others as Nikolai slipped his hands under my jacket and pressed his hands into my shoulder blades. The attention he paid to me, along with his skilled tongue made me feel as if I were the most important person in the world to him. Doc was right, Nikolai was an excellent kisser.
Groaning, I pressed into him, pushing a bit of my magic into him. He rumbled in pleasure and moved one hand down to cup my ass. I was about to do the same when someone cleared their throat Nikolai released me.
"We've decided we have time," Allan said.
"Sun isn't down yet," Nikolai agreed, grinning at me. "If you're interested?" He arched an eyebrow.
I thought about joking around with them, but I wanted my guys and we were about to face a demon who, while he didn't want to hurt us, probably would and I couldn't even get the joke to form on my lips.
Nikolai must have seen my answer in my eyes because he scooped me up and carried me to the yurt, the other guys right behind us.
He tossed me on the bed. Before I could do anything but giggle as I bounced, he pulled the laces off my boots and started undressing me. He kicked off his shoes and crawled onto the bed with me. The others did the same, though they let Nikolai take the lead on pulling my clothing off.
He was efficient, and soon I was naked, and my guys were wearing too many clothes. I attacked Nikolai's shirt, impatiently undoing the buttons.
Ed's warm hands caressed my sides as I worked on Nikolai's clothing. I glanced over and noticed Allan and Doc working on undressing each other and was grateful I wouldn't have to take the time to remove all their clothing myself. That might be fun some other time, but the urgency I felt didn't leave room for a great deal of patience.
Nikolai's gaze captured mine as I ran my hands over his chest before pushing his shirt off over his shoulders.
He used that move to pull me close again, kissing along my jaw before nipping at my ear and digging his strong fingers into my back.
I murmured in appreciation.
"I don't mind having Sofia to myself," Nikolai said. "But that wasn
't the point."
I leaned back and looked at the others.
They were all looking at us as if they weren't sure what to do. We had done group activities before, but not quite like this. Even when I had been with Nikolai and Doc, it had mostly been Nikolai and me together.
"What?" he finally asked when they continued to stare.
Ed glanced down at the comforter and Doc and Allan both shrugged. "We only have a general idea of group sex," Doc said. "Same as before." The corner of his lip curled slightly in the suggestion of a smile.
"Oh. No shame in that," Nikolai replied. "Was not expecting to be giving lessons, but is no problem."
His casual acceptance of their lack of experience eased their tension and they relaxed, though I could tell he was amused. They probably could, too.
"I must know what you're comfortable with." He looked at me.
I shrugged. "I'm willing to try most things at least once."
He glanced at the others, who all traded a look before nodding.
"Hmm, okay, well, is one of her and four of us." He considered, and I wondered what was going through his mind as we all watched him. Finally, he shrugged. "Two more than I've ever dealt with, too." He grinned. "Doc, take off clothes and lie down. Then one of us can, um, take her from behind, while the others participate other ways."
I raised my eyebrows, but I was certainly game to try.
Ed, still close behind me, tensed. "Maybe I'll just watch," he said quietly.
Twisting around, I faced the werewolf. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just…" He clenched his fists. "Later." He hopped off the bed and stalked out of the yurt.
"Fuck." I flopped back on the bed. I was still the only one without clothing, but I couldn't feel self-conscious in front of my guys. Ed, apparently, did. Which was fair. I just wished he felt more comfortable about saying he wasn't.
"I'll talk to him," Allan offered.
"Nope. I'll fix it," I replied and got off the bed. "You three entertain yourselves. I'm all about trying this group sex thing but I'll need a raincheck."
Nikolai nodded agreement and smacked me on the ass when I was in range. "Enjoy your wolf," he said.
I yelped in mock anger before I followed Ed out of the yurt, not bothering with clothing and relying on a spell to keep me warm and prevent my feet from damage on the ground. With the wards in place, either myself or Nikolai would know if someone else was on the property and it was dark anyway. My demon enhanced eyes could see well enough, and I followed my sense of Ed through the pack bond until I found him standing near my grove, looking out over the valley.
"Hey."
"Hey," he replied and glanced at me before he looked back over the valley. Then he did a double take and looked back at me. "Aren't you cold?" His eyes roamed over my body.
"No."
"I'm sorry. I just, well, chickened out." Ed dropped his eyes to the ground.
I walked over to him and pushed against his front, wrapping my arms around him.
His warm hands cupped my bare ass and he held me tightly to him.
"That's okay, Ed. I should have realized you might not be comfortable with that yet. I'm willing to try anything, because I trust you all, but if I'd never actually had sex, I'd be way more nervous, too."
"Yeah, that's part of it. I just feel, I don't know, nervous. None of them would say anything, but…" He shrugged.
"You know," I whispered. "They're perfectly capable of entertaining each other for a little while." I leaned back so I could meet his eyes and grinned. "Let's head to my grove."
He let me take his hand and tug him toward the entrance to the grove.
"I can't believe you're walking around naked."
"No one else is on the property. Who's going to see? You and the other guys have seen me completely naked how many times?" I grinned.
"True." His eyes twinkled.
I sealed up the grove behind me and pulled him to the center. He was still shirtless, and shoeless. His skin shivered as I trailed my hands down his muscled chest. He put his hands on my hips and I leaned forward, tilting my head so he could kiss me. Ed took the hint and met my lips with his.
We explored each other's mouths for a while and his hands roamed up and down my back. Like Doc, the wolves healed so quickly that they never built up callouses, and their hands were smooth. I continued to trace my fingers along his muscular torso for a while before I moved down to his jeans. Running my fingers along the inside of the waistband, I teased him. Ed sucked in a breath and his hands tightened on my back.
"You good?"
"Yes," he answered.
I popped the button on his jeans and slid down the zipper. He wasn't actually wearing boxers at the moment. Kneeling, I slid his jeans down, running my hands along his firm thighs, feeling him shiver under my touch.
On my way back up, I ran my tongue along his firm length. He gasped, clutching my shoulders as I rose.
"What would you like?" I asked when I was standing again, pressing my stomach into his erection.
He groaned and tightened his arms around me. "I want you however you'll have me, Sofia."
"Do you have a position you'd like to try first?"
Ed kissed the curve of my shoulder. "Maybe we can try a few?" He hesitated, blushing. "We have a little time."
"Mmmm, sounds good." I tugged his hand until we were down on the ground.
He gently laid me back until I was cradled on the soft mossy ground. "I love you, Sofia."
"I love you, Ed. So very much." My stomach fluttered at the strength of my emotion. His eyes shone in the low light, wolf-like and I shivered at the naked passion on his face.
He kissed my throat before nibbling down my collarbone and then taking one of my breasts into his mouth and sucking it gently.
I moaned encouragement and he dragged his fingers down my sides. I threaded my hands into his shaggy hair. He still hadn't gotten it cut and I kept my hands in his hair as he worked his way lower, nipping softly as he worked over my belly. I opened my legs as he found his way between them.
"That's good," I managed to say as he licked my folds and rubbed my sensitive nub. Before long I was soaking wet and thrusting against him, small, urgent moans escaping my lips as he pleasured me.
"Ready?"
"For you, always," I replied.
Ed moved, but stopped just short of touching. I wanted to cry out in frustration, but that wouldn't help his confidence. Instead, I met his eyes, slid my hands along his ribs and tugged gently.
"You're sure?"
"Yes. More than sure."
Ed finally moved forward, guiding his hard length to my opening. I tilted my hips and he pushed against me.
Groaning, I pushed back as he slowly entered me.
"So good," I moaned as he filled me completely.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." I pulled him to me and pressed his lips to mine. I hooked one leg around his back and he slowly thrust into me. Though I wanted him to move faster, Ed needed to find his pace and it did feel good, slowly sliding into me, hitting me in the right places, slowly building my pleasure.
"So good," I said again.
I met his sky-blue eyes and grinned. He smiled back, wonderment in his expression. Gripping his hips, I encouraged him to keep going, to move a little faster.
"I don't want to hurt you," he said.
"You won't, and if you get close, I'll let you know."
"Okay." He thrust harder and I wrapped both legs around his waist. Soon we were both panting, and I was just on the verge of an orgasm.
He slowed, maybe feeling the same thing. "I want you on top, too. That looked like fun."
"It's all fun," I replied with a small laugh before grabbing his shoulders and shifting my legs until I rolled us.
Groaning as I sunk onto him at a whole different angle, I almost lost it, but I wanted Ed to last a while longer so he could experience this position.
"I'm not going to last too long," I warned him as I bega
n to move.
His breaths came fast as he nodded. I took that to mean he was the in the same situation. I tried to get myself to slow, to enjoy this a bit longer, but my need for release built and I rocked my hips, sliding up and down his hard length, crying out each time he filled me, ready, just on the verge.
"Sofia!" he called out my name, thrusting hard into me, holding my hips as he came. I joined him as my orgasm hit me hard.
I collapsed onto Ed's chest and he held me, our hearts pounding.
"I love you, Ed."
He tightened his fingers on my back, holding me close. "I love you, Sofia."
After we cuddled for a while, I carefully slid off him. We both groaned, still sensitive.
It wouldn't be hard to get Ed going again, but we needed to get some actual rest, too, damn it. Still, I needed a few more minutes to cuddle with my wolf and I curled up next to him. He probably needed me to tell him I had enjoyed myself. It should have been obvious, but I knew Ed needed some encouragement.
"Thank you," I whispered. "That was perfect."
"Yeah." He tightened his arms around me and nuzzled my hair. "You're the best, Sofia."
"You're not so bad yourself." I put my hand on his cheek and tilted his head until I could kiss him. "We should do this again very soon."
He nodded enthusiastically, making me smile. "I think I'd even be okay with a group now," he offered.
"Only if that's what you want."
He grinned. "We'll see when we get there but I think I'll be fine. I was just nervous."
"Well, no need to be." I smiled and gave him a quick kiss.
Ed blushed.
"That was great, but it's okay to be nervous. I'm a little nervous about what Nikolai has planned for me. I'm excited to try it though, too. I trust you guys."
Ed answered with another kiss, almost convincing me we should go again just with his tongue against mine.
"We should get back, huh." He sounded a little wistful.
