Trace’s lip curled as he gave her the side-eye, and the cat woman mewled deep in her throat.
“And second, how the hell did you just put thoughts in my mind? I heard you, Trace.” She’d heard the actual words as he spoke them. When he told her his name before, it had felt like the thought came from her own mind.
“It’s part of your magic.” She clutched her head as he spoke again.
“Okay, that’s something we’re going to have to discuss later, because wow. That’s cool.” She focused on the cat. “Listen. I’m on a date with this man, and I do not want him getting into a fight when he’s supposed to be getting into my pants. Whatever beef you have with him and his pack, you need to get over it and move along. This isn’t happening right now.” She wagged her finger between the two of them to indicate the possible fight she was trying to defuse.
“Both of you need to chill out. Take a deep breath with me.” She inhaled, and a slight vinegary scent mixed with the woody outdoor smells. Whether or not Trace and the cat lady followed along, she couldn’t tell, but the cat’s back began to de-arch, and Trace’s ridge of upright fur smoothed.
“Okay. Now we’re getting somewhere. I understand this is a territory dispute, so I want you to leave, ma’am. If you have issues with the truce or pact or whatever it is you have with the wolves, you can take it up with the Alpha in a civilized manner. Now go. Scoot.” She waved an arm at the cat woman, who turned and bounded away.
Trace sat on his haunches and cocked his head at Sophie.
“You need to turn back into a human and get dressed before someone sees you. If you’re coming back to my place, I want you as a man this time.” She spun around and stomped toward his discarded clothes. “And don’t you ever tell me to wait here again, mister. Just because I’m a woman, it doesn’t mean I’m defenseless.”
“It has nothing to do with you being a woman.”
Sophie bent down to pick up Trace’s pants. When she turned around, she found him in human form—naked human form—looking at her with an expression of awe. Of course, her gaze didn’t linger on his face long. The moonlight filtering through the trees illuminated his figure, giving him an ethereal glow. All that muscle. The trail of auburn hair leading down to his…
Yep. He was hung like a horse, just as she remembered. She swallowed hard.
“Can I have my clothes, please?”
When she didn’t respond, a cocky smile tilted his mouth as he took the fabric from her hands. “I assume I should take you being speechless as a compliment?”
She blinked, watching his muscles bunch and extend as he dressed. “You’re hot, Trace, and I think you know it.”
He chuckled. “Still like hearing it, especially from you.”
“What was that about? Was the cat woman your ex-girlfriend or something? Is that why you didn’t want me to follow you?”
A disgusted look contorted his features. “Cats and wolves are not compatible in any way. Especially in the bedroom. I didn’t want you to follow me because I’ve dealt with her before. I was afraid if she sensed my feelings for you, she’d attack you to hurt me.”
“Why would attacking me hurt you?”
He looked at her as if she’d gone insane. “Because I care about you.”
“Oh.” She clamped her mouth shut. Reciprocation would have been the nice thing to do. She did care for the man, after all. But his sudden confession took her aback, and her brain and her mouth seemed to be operating on different channels.
He buttoned his shirt and rolled the sleeves up to his elbows. “How did you calm us down like that?”
“What do you mean?”
“My wolf was ready to attack, and I know she was too. Then you came along and told us to calm down, and my wolf obeyed. Even the cat listened. Cats never listen.”
“I don’t know, I just talked to y’all. I guess because you were in your animal form, I was more persuasive.” She shrugged.
“You’re amazing. Have I told you that yet?”
Her stomach fluttered. He cared about her, and he thought she was amazing. It seemed she wasn’t the only one interested in more than sex from this pairing. “I don’t think you have.” She grinned and batted her lashes.
“You’re incredible.” Grasping her hips, he tugged her to his body and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Magnificent.”
“Tell me more.”
“How about I show you?” He brushed his lips to hers, the coarse hairs of his beard tickling her skin as he coaxed her mouth open with his tongue. He tasted like a peppermint breath mint, and the warmth of his strong arms enveloping her was enough to make her knees buckle.
She leaned into him, running her hands across his strong back and down his muscular arms. The man was hard all over, especially the steel rod pressing into her hip, making her think naughty thoughts. She’d seen this man naked twice now, and she’d yet to touch him. It was time that changed.
Pulling away, she sucked her swollen bottom lip into her mouth, and he gazed at her with hooded eyes, a passion-drunk smile crooking his mouth. “Take me home.” She nipped his earlobe before slipping her hand into his.
“That’s an excellent idea.” His voice was husky. “We’ve probably had enough excitement for the night.”
“Oh, honey. The excitement hasn’t even begun.” She grinned and strolled to the path leading to the parking lot, tugging Trace along behind her. “Why are you hesitating?”
He gazed at her ass. “The view is nice from back here.”
She laughed. “It’s even better from the front. I’ll show you when we get home.”
“I’m not sure I’ll make it that long.”
They climbed into Trace’s truck, and he texted his Alpha to warn her about the intruding bobcat shifter before driving back to Sophie’s apartment. As she opened the front door, she glimpsed the backside of Crimson’s cat as he dove under the couch, out of sight. Hopefully he’d stay there.
Trace paused in the entry, lifting his nose as if sniffing the air. “I smell magic.”
“Crimson’s familiar is here. Maybe that’s what you smell?” She closed the door and tugged him into the living room.
“Maybe. It’s muddled. I’ve never smelled anything quite like it.” He stepped past the couch the cat hid beneath and stroked the backs of his fingers down Sophie’s cheek. “What do you want to do now?”
A shiver ran down her spine, making heat bloom below her navel. She’d wanted this man from the moment they met. There was no sense in playing hard to get now. “You, Trace. I want to do you in every way imaginable…and believe me, I’ve imagined plenty.”
“Have you?” Mischief sparkled in his eyes as he moved toward her, pinning her to the wall with a hand on either side of her head. “With your legs wrapped around my waist, using the wall for leverage?” He swept his gaze down her body before returning to her eyes.
Jesus Christ, the man hadn’t laid a finger on her, and her panties were already wet. “That’s one way to do it.” She touched his face, gliding her fingers across his forehead and cupping his cheek in her hand.
He closed his eyes, nuzzling into her palm as if he relished the affection. “Bent over the couch with me taking you from behind?”
“Mm-hmm.” She undid the buttons on his shirt, running her hands across his pecs and down his abs. He inhaled deeply, his lids falling shut again as she explored his body. “And over the table. The bathroom counter was fun too, with the mirror and all.”
“You have a vivid imagination.” He shrugged off his shirt, dropping it on the floor.
She ran a finger along the waistband of his jeans, and his stomach tightened with her touch. “I’m a daydreamer.”
He closed the distance between them, gliding his lips along her neck before tugging down the zipper on the back of her dress. “Let me make your dreams come true.”
Oh, hell yes. She shimmied out of her dress, letting it pool around her feet, and Trace stepped back, drinking her in with his gaze.
Her cheeks warmed at his words. She’d had her share of casual sex and heard plenty of shallow compliments aimed at getting between her legs, but something about the way Trace said it, the way he looked at her, she believed he meant every word.
“Well, let’s finish unwrapping, and I’ll gift you with the best sex of your life.” She popped open her bra and tossed it aside.
Trace’s pupils dilated, and he licked his lips as he dropped his jeans to the floor. “Confident and sassy. I like it.”
“Then come and get it.”
Grinning, he reached for her, and she dodged his advance. He tried again, and she giggled, jumping just out of his grasp. He chuckled. “You get me nearly naked, and then you play hard to get?”
“I can’t make it easy on you.”
“Oh, you’re definitely making it hard.” He slipped his boxer briefs down his legs, and his dick sprang out at full attention. Yep, she’d made it hard alright. Wowzers.
Her eyes widened, and her mouth watered. “Are, uh… Are all werewolves as endowed as you?”
“It’s a common trait.”
“I knew it!” Jane had laughed when Sophie insisted werewolves would be better in bed than vampires. Trace’s massive dick was proof of that. Now to find out if he knew how to use it.
She slinked toward him, took him in her hand, and gave him two firm strokes. His lids fluttered, and a deep, rumbly “mmm” emanated from his throat. With one hand on his shoulder, she leaned toward him, giving his earlobe a lick before whispering, “Hey, wolfman. Catch me if you can.”
She darted toward the bedroom, but she didn’t make it past the threshold before he caught her around the waist and tossed her onto his shoulder. He slapped her ass, and she gasped as he dropped her on the mattress, covering her body with his and pinning her arms above her head.
His heated gaze softened, and he gently kissed the pale pink scars where his teeth had pierced her skin. “I am so sorry I hurt you.”
“Now’s your chance to make it up to me.”
“I plan to, cher. And I’m going to enjoy every second of it.” He trailed his lips down her bicep toward her armpit, and her heart nearly stopped beating. A quick glance revealed smooth skin, and she let out a relieved breath. She should have checked herself for random fur patches before she got naked in front of him.
His beard tickled as he glided his mouth across her collarbone and down to a nipple. Keeping her wrists bound tightly in one hand, he cupped her other breast, teasing her sensitive flesh, hardening her nipples into pearls.
“Damn, you’re good with your tongue.” Her voice sounded breathy.
His chuckle vibrated across her chest. “You ain’t seen nothing yet, sweetheart.”
He worked his way down her body, not releasing her hands until he had to in order to reach her sweet spot, and Lord have mercy, he wasn’t kidding. The man knew how to lick. At this rate, it wouldn’t take him long to get to the center of her Tootsie Pop.
His warm velvet tongue stroked her clit, building enough pressure in her core to crumble a levee. As he slipped a finger inside her, she lost it. The orgasm crashed into her, tearing her world apart and putting it back together with magical superglue that would never break its hold.
She gripped his shoulders, digging her nails into his skin as she rode the tidal wave to its finish. “Oh, God.”
He rose onto his elbows, grinning. “You can call me Trace.”
She panted, trying to get her breathing under control. “Jesus.”
“Really, Trace will do.” He climbed on top of her, pressing kisses to her stomach and between her breasts along the way. “Are you on birth control?”
“Of course.” She reached between them, taking his rock-hard dick in her hand. She couldn’t wait to have this thing inside her. He put Big Blue to shame.
“Werewolves are immune to disease, but I’ve got a condom in my pants pocket if you want to use one.”
Oh, hell no. If they waited any longer she might explode. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she guided him to her center. “It sounds like we’re good to go.”
His gaze grew so heated, he could have set the bed on fire, and as he pushed inside her, lightning zipped through her body, electrifying her heart. He started out slowly, taking his time to slide all the way out until only his tip remained, before taking her again, his moans saying he relished every delicious inch.
But it wasn’t long before his passion overtook him. His thrusts became shorter and faster, and as he tilted his hips, he hit the bullseye…over and over until she screamed his name along with every expletive in her vocabulary.
He spasmed inside her and collapsed with the sexiest male groan she’d ever heard. Sliding his arms beneath her, he hugged her tight, nuzzling into her neck, his breath warm on her skin. His lips grazed her jaw before he nipped her earlobe, sending warm shivers cascading down her spine and through her limbs.
She untangled her legs from around his waist and released her death grip from his shoulders, but he didn’t roll off her. Instead, he hugged her even tighter, pressing himself into her as a low growl rumbled in his chest.
Sophie didn’t know a lot about werewolves, but the way he held her, the possessive noises emanating from his body, she imagined this might be what it would feel like if he claimed her. She bit her lip to fight her smile as a thousand butterflies flitted from her stomach to her chest. A girl could hope.
“You were good in my dreams, but my imagination did not do you justice.”
He lifted his head to look at her, a satisfied grin curving his lips. “Oh, yeah?”
“The real thing is so much better. I could do this every night.”
His expression smoldered. “Nothing would make me happier than to end my days with you wrapped in my arms. Preferably naked.” He moved slightly, resting his hip on the mattress but keeping his leg draped over her, pulling her tight against his body.
Staking his claim. Her stomach fluttered again.
Closing her eyes, she lost herself to the warmth and strength of Trace’s embrace and drifted to sleep. Sometime later, the feeling of tiny paws prancing across the mattress stirred her from her dreams. She opened her eyes to find Crimson’s familiar staring into Trace’s face.
“Shoo, Jax. Leave him alone.” She waved her hand in the cat’s direction, but he responded by swatting at Trace’s nose.
With a deep, sexy, sleepy inhale, Trace woke, blinking his eyes rapidly at the cat before shooting up in bed. “Jackson? Holy shit. Is that you?”
Chapter Ten
Trace wiped the sleep from his eyes and stared into the feline’s face. He thought a trivial amount of werewolf magic floated in the air in Sophie’s apartment last night, but he’d grown so used to the way his own magic tainting her blood added a slight earthy tone to the warm aroma that he’d dismissed it as coming from her bite.
Now, looking into the intelligent yellow eyes of this supposed familiar, he recognized the faint, muddled scent. He focused his thoughts, sending them to his friend’s mind. “What happened? Did Sophie do this to you?”
Sophie. He glanced at the beautiful blonde sitting next to him in bed. Her hair, mussed on one side from sleep, flowed over her bare shoulders, and as her blue eyes darted from him to the cat, his heart ached. Trace had fallen for her, hook, line, and sinker, trusting her when she proclaimed her innocence.
It appeared he’d bedded the enemy yet again. This time, no spells were involved though. He’d wedged himself into this fiasco all on his own.
Jackson’s muffled voice registered in his mind. “Communication. Hard. Stuck.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” How could he have been so stupid? She was an unregistered witch. He knew better. Damn it. He knew better, but he let his dick take the lead anyway. Then his heart foll
owed, and…
“Wait. The cat is your friend?” Sophie slid out of bed and put on a blue silk robe, cinching it at her waist. “I’m confused.”
“You’ve had him all along.” He fisted the sheets in his hands, his emotions waging a war in his chest. He didn’t want to believe it. That his sweet Sophie could be conniving enough to seduce him while she had Jackson in her clutches the whole time.
“That’s Crimson’s familiar. I told you I’m cat-sitting.” An incredulous look lifted her brow. “It’s a cat. It’s not…” Her lips parted on a quick inhale. “Jax is short for Jackson. Trace, you have to know I had nothing to do with this.”
Didn’t she, though?
No, he wouldn’t believe it. He couldn’t. He knew Sophie, and she was the nicest, most loving person he’d ever met. Shit. But the evidence was right in front of him, staring him in the face. And the curse… He’d been in the French Quarter way more than he should lately, always with Sophie, and the force-shift hadn’t hit him once. How could it, when the witch responsible for the spell was right beside him?
“The evidence is pretty damn incriminating.” Tossing the sheets aside, he slid out of bed and stomped into the living room to retrieve his clothes.
“Are you seriously accusing me of turning your friend into a cat?” Sophie followed on his heels. “After everything we’ve been through… I helped you steal information from the witches. I poured my heart out to you, letting you know everything about me, and Trace, you do know everything. I didn’t lie.”
He shoved his legs into his jeans and snatched his shirt from the floor. “Really? Okay, let’s say you didn’t lie. Your friend named her familiar Jax, and you didn’t make the connection?”
“Why on Earth would I think a cat was your werewolf friend?” Sophie crossed her arms and tapped her foot. “I’m sorry for being clueless about how magic works, but you’re being clueless about how relationships work. You accused me once, and I let it slide because you didn’t know me. Now you do, so I want you to think long and hard before you utter another word, mister. And, no, I am not talking about your dick.”
Shift Happens Page 10
