65
Brooke
Brooke awoke a few hours later feeling more rested than she ever remembered being. The sun had set and Connor was still sound asleep next to her. She took a moment to admire the way his hair fell softly across his forehead as he slept before slipping from the bed and getting dressed.
Her shoulder felt much better; Connor was much better at dressing wounds than she was. He’s probably been in more brawls than I have, she thought, remembering the sheer strength the man currently drooling onto his pillow had shown the night before. Brooke shivered and slipped out of the suite before she could do something she’d regret. Like crawl back into Connor Strauss’ bed and never leave it.
It was better this way, she told herself as she climbed into her car. It didn’t matter how much she liked him, how soft his eyes were, or how crazy amazing he was in bed, he was her enemy. Her pack’s enemy. They’d fought and nearly tore each other apart. She could still feel the the ghost of his touch on her arm, on her thighs, inside her-
She started the car.
When she pulled into the parking lot outside her apartment Vince was standing outside her door, signature scowl in place. He watched her climb out of the driver's seat, eyes following her as she walked towards him.
There goes my good mood.
All she wanted was a hot bath, some whiskey and her bed. She wasn’t needed at Cole’s until after lunch, and she intended to dedicate the day to forgetting how good Connor smelled curled up against her.
“What do you want, Vince?”
“I think you know, Brooke.”
She sighed. She’d known this was coming. Ever since she’d beaten him out for the alpha position he’d had it in for her: opposing everything she said, antagonising her at every turn. She should have kicked him out. The wolf in her snarled, hackles raised, every time he opened his mouth, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. The pack was so small then, and really, they were still short numbered. Vince had been there since the beginning. He was family, even if he was an unbearable asshole.
“Vince. I’m tired. Can we please have this ‘my dick is bigger than your dick’ competition for some other time?” She tried to move around him but he stepped with her, pushing her back to collide with the brick wall beside her front door, flakes of orange dust flying into the air with the force of it. She growled a warning, but Vince ignored her, baring his teeth. “What the fuck, Vince?” she snarled.
“You reek of bear.” Fuck. She should have known he’d be able to smell Connor on her clothes. Fuck fuck- she struggled out of his grip, fixing him with a glare.
“I work at Black Bear Lake Lodge, Vince. You think I’m gonna smell like fucking roses?”
“You can’t fool me, you’ve been gone for hours,” he sneered and Brooke wanted to rip his throat out then and there. “Tell me who you were with!”
She surged forward, fisting the fabric of his gaudy silk shirt and hauling him in. “None of your goddamn business,” she growled. “And if you ever touch me like that again I will pluck your teeth out of your skull one by one.”
She let go, sending him stumbling away from her and reached for her keys.
“Your time is coming to an end, Brooke!” Vince called as she opened the door. “You’d be wise to watch your back.”
She flipped him off and slammed the door.
Cole’s was practically empty as she walked through the door and, as Elsie waved and left her to it, the hours passed by agonizingly slowly. Brooke had doused herself in her scent suppression perfume, using almost half the bottle in one go. If Vince had smelled Connor on her, then there was a chance that Connor would smell wolf. It was a goddamn miracle he didn’t smell it when we had sex.
She’d been trying not to think about it, but with Vince on the offense and the pack slowly slipping further and further into decline, thinking about Connor gently treating her wounds and taking her apart with his fingers was a pretty nice distraction.
Until the man himself hesitated at the door. He looked just as flawless as usual, but Brooke found herself missing the way he’d looked when she left him - softer.
Gone was the man she was allowed to like, replaced once again by her boss and a bear.
“Brooke.” The way he said her name sent shivers down her spine. Dark eyes met hers and didn’t look away. “You were gone when I woke up.”
Brooke looked away first, buckling under the intensity of his gaze. She plucked half-heartedly at some non-existent fluff on the collar of a shirt. She hadn’t expected him to come and find her. Sure, he said he didn’t want to fight anymore, but there's becoming tentative friends and then there’s jumping into bed together.
“Missed me?” This she could do. She was being a coward, avoiding her feelings by going back to what she knew, but teasing was familiar territory.
“Yes.”
Oh. She looked up. There wasn’t a hint of a joke in those deep dark eyes. All her breath left her and she was overcome with a need to be closer.
“Well, some of us can’t afford to lounge around in bed all day and then spend hours doing their hair in the mirror to impress people.
“Does it impress you?” His face was serious, intense.
She took a step back, feeling out of her depth. She could do harmless flirting and arguing, they were as easy to her as breathing, but Connor wasn’t joking any more. She took another step back. “I-”
He must have noticed how she stepped back because he backed off, picking up one of the bright red blazers from the nearest rack and holding it out to her.
“You know, I never came for that fitting,” he said lightly. It was a peace offering of sorts and Brooke pounced on it, relaxing slightly. “Bold prints and colors right?”
She cocked an eyebrow at the crimson fabric and reached forward to snag the suit from his hands.
“Yeah, for accessories,” she teased. Connor grinned and she smiled back.
“Please help me, oh wise color master!”
“Yeah, yeah, go into the dressing room and I’ll pick some things out, okay?” He gave her a two finger salute and a wink that did not make her blush before disappearing behind the curtain.
Brooke got to work finding things for him to try on before the thought of Connor getting undressed could fully register in her mind.
It was easy to pick out a number of suits and shirts that she thought would flatter him. Bastard really does have a perfect body shape, she thought, remembering just how perfect he really was poised above her, skin glistening with sweat as he thrust into her.
“Fuck,” she groaned softly, thankful that the shop was still empty. When her arms were laden with clothes she made her way back to the dressing rooms, knocking softly on the wall beside the curtain.
“Come in.”
She pulled back the curtain and froze. It hadn’t occurred to her in her hurry that in order to hand him the clothes, she’d have to see Connor practically naked. The fluorescent lights shone off his abs and Brooke’s mouth watered at the sight. She swallowed. It was the exact fantasy she’d always thought about, having sex in the dressing rooms in Cole’s. Brooke pressed her thighs together, hoping the pressure would quell the ache that throbbed through her. It didn’t.
“Hello there,” he murmured. “Can I help you?”
She jerked up short. Her gaze jumping from his chest up to meet his eyes, which were now glinting with barely concealed desire.
“Here’s your uh- your clothes.” Stuttering, great. She cleared her throat, thrusting out her arms.
Connor’s smile turned playful. “Thank you, can you hang them up for me?”
Brooke knew what was coming and she knew it was stupid - last night had been a one time thing and that’s how it should stay. But Connor had also bandaged her wounds, he’d looked after her, and a part of Brooke craved that.
So she stepped behind the curtain and let Connor lean across her to close it behind her. She hung up the clothes, careful not to let them wrinkle, and then she tur
ned and wrapped her arms around his neck to draw him in for a kiss.
He went to her easily, tasting like coffee, and she clung to him, biting gently on his bottom lip to hear him groan into her mouth. Last time she’d been angry - desperate to attack something - their kisses had been bruising and breathtaking but now Brooke took her time, registering every caress of Connor’s tongue against her own.
They broke apart and Connor pushed her gently back against the wall. He slid down to settle between her legs. She couldn’t help the loud groan that left her as he slid one of her legs over his shoulder, the clever fingers of his other hand finding the hem of her dress. Brooke could feel her heart beating rapidly and when Connor gestured, she took the hem of her dress between shaking fingers.
“I believe last time I promised I would make you cum on my tongue,” he rasped, hot breath brushing against the thin fabric of her panties. “You still want that, baby?”
“Please - oh God I, ahh! Please, Connor.” Brooke leaned more of her weight against the dressing room wall, not trusting her weak knees to support her. Her skirt was balled in her fists as she stood there, Connor slowly lowering his mouth to suck at her clit through the purple lace of her panties.
Brooke threw her head back, knocking against the wall with a thud, as he dragged his tongue upwards and she mewled.
“So sweet. Brooke, you’re so gorgeous. Wanna make this good for you baby, tell me how it feels.”
She felt delirious. He’d barely touched her and she felt like she was going to explode with pleasure. She nestled her hand into his thick, dark hair, guiding him. Connor shivered into her touch, and Brooke felt her confidence returning. He was enjoying this, little gaps and groans escaping his mouth even as he pulled the fabric to one side and sank his tongue inside her. His hot, wet tongue flicked against some of her most sensitive points, exploring, and she couldn’t breathe.
“Fuck, Connor, you look so good eating me out, so fucking good, baby. Feels so fucking good, your mouth is so warm- ah!”
The bell above the store’s door tinkled, followed by an inquiring, “Hello?”
Fuck. Brooke tensed, abruptly falling back to Earth. A customer. Of all the fucking times, she lamented, pushing Connor away from her. He looked up at her, eyes glazed over and her juices glistening on his chin. She just wanted to lick them off, but the customer called out again. Brooke looked to the door, then back to him, looking so fucking good on his knees for her. God, that’s not fair. She whined, leaning down to press a quick, messy kiss to his lips and groaning when she tasted herself on his tongue, before yanking her skirt down and walking out of the changing rooms.
Connor left a few minutes later as she was helping the older woman find some brand of shirt Brooke had never heard of. Connor was sporting a shit eating grin on his face.
66
Connor
Connor left Cole Couture with a raging hard on and a smile on his face. Brooke’s face, twisted in pleasure as he licked and sucked at her, seemed permanently ingrained into his brain. Despite a part of him said he should have some class, the rest was thinking of the orgasm he’d have later while thinking about how delicious she tasted.
But there was something else niggling at the back of his mind. Brooke had smelled different, she’d smelled… like a wolf. He shook his head, forcing a laugh. He was being crazy. Brooke, a wolf? It didn’t make any sense. Still, doubt rippled through him as he thought about the wound on her shoulder. Then, he shook it off. He’d talked to all of his brothers and most of the staff and there hadn’t been a single fight on the lodge grounds apart from with a few territory hungry wolves.
Besides, if Brooke were a wolf there’s no way Connor would have missed the scent. There had to be another explanation. He thought about asking her, but they'd already made so much progress - he didn’t want to drive her away again by accusing her of something he wasn’t even one hundred percent sure about. Besides, the existence of shifters wasn’t common knowledge; it’s not like he could ask her outright without risking everything. She’d think he was crazy anyway.
Still, it was confusing. Connor had always prided himself on being certain in his decision making. He had to be. As the leader, his sleuth depended on him to make the right decisions, but Brooke threw all that out the window.
He’d missed lunch, which wasn’t uncommon. Cody often kept back food for whichever of the brothers inevitably worked through lunch, grumbling all the while.
Sure enough, as Connor made his way towards the kitchens he could see the top of Cody’s head as he rushed around, already preparing for the dinner rush even though it was still hours away. He pushed open the door and, before he could say a single word, Cody brushed by him, pressing a bowl of lobster mac and cheese into his hands before moving off. Connor pulled a stool over to the counter and took a bite. It was amazing, as usual.
“How’d you know it was me?” he asked through a mouthful. Cody sniggered, finally putting down a blue cloth and sitting down beside him.
“You weren’t with the others when they stopped by. Figured you’d come crawling in for food sooner or later.”
“I could have eaten somewhere else,” he tried, and Cody shot him a look. They both knew it wasn’t true. The most food Connor kept in his office was the odd packet of nuts and some protein bars.
“You think I don’t know well enough by now when you’ve skipped meals?”
“You sound like our mother.”
Cody raised his voice in a truly terrible impression of their mother: “Well then, eat up, darlin’.” He couldn’t keep a straight face though and quickly dissolved into snorting laughter. Connor flipped him off.
“How are the cubs?” he asked. Cody’s signature frown turned soft and Connor smiled at him. He was happy for him, for all his brothers. It was nice to see them happy with such sweet mates, even if it was weird to see Cody acting so soft.
“They’re a handful. And they all, Molly especially, just keep getting smarter and smarter. I can’t help them with homework anymore - it’s all fucking gibberish to me now.”
“Yeah well, I always knew you were too dumb to do math, that’s why Nathan’s the handyman and not you.”
Cody huffed. “Yeah, and it’s got nothing to do with the fact that Nathan can burn toast without a toaster.”
“He was twelve.”
“And he’s gotten stupider with every passing year,” Cody said sadly, shaking his head.
Connor snorted. His brothers, what a bunch of assholes.
As though he knew what Connor was thinking about, Cody threw a dish towel at him, “What’re you smiling about? It’s creepy.”
“You’re a dumbass,” Connor replied reflexively.
“Nope. Not buying it… hmmm?” Cody squinted, looking at him more closely, while Connor tried his best to ignore him and eat his mac and cheese. Suddenly, Cody’s face cleared. “You made a move on Brooke, didn’t you?”
“Shut up.”
“Oh my God, you did. Yes! Nathan owes me twenty bucks.”
Being laughed at was a new sensation, at least like this. This was usually Connor’s role: to taunt and tease and offer advice. Connor had to admit, it felt nice to be on the other side of the situation.
“Hey,” Cody continued. He was still grinning but he clapped a hand on Connor’s shoulder. “I’m not actually gonna be a dick about it - I’m happy for you, Connor. Seriously. I’ve noticed how mopey you’ve been the past year; it’s nice to see you happy.”
“Thanks.” He thought about Brooke in the changing room. The wolfish tinge to her scent still made him uneasy. “Uh, about Brooke…”
“Oh God, I’m going to have to listen to you go on and on about how hot she is, aren’t I? I am not drunk enough for that - can I get drunk in the middle of the day?” Connor glared and Cody quickly backtracked, hands up in surrender. “No, no, of course not, and I suppose you did hear me go on and on about Jessie, so it’s only fair…”
“It’s not about that. I saw her this morni
ng at Cole’s and I smelled something off. You know, I asked you if you’d heard anything about fights in the forest?” Connor asked and Cody nodded. “Well, no one’s seen or heard anything but Brooke had these cuts on her arm. Plus, this morning I smelled wolf on her. I think there’s something going on with those wolves.”
“And you think Brooke might be involved? They might have ambushed her on her way home from work?” Cody asked.
Connor thought about it. It would explain the smell around her and the cuts, but why wouldn’t she tell him if she’d fought with the wolves? Did she not trust him to be able to help?
‘You really have no idea what it takes to look after people.’ Brooke’s words overlapped with Cody’s, adding to the growing anger inside him. His bear reared its head with a growl.
“Those wolves are getting too damn cocky.” He hadn’t seen any harm in letting a small wolf pack settle at the edge of the forest but they’d done nothing but cause trouble for him since they had arrived. They’d made him seem weak. He snarled.
“If they hurt Brooke I’ll tear them to pieces.” He stood up, pushing the finished bowl back towards Cody. “We need to make a stand, can’t have them thinking we’re pushovers. Get the others gathered by nightfall and meet me outside the front entrance, it’s time for a family hunt.”
67
Brooke
Brooke was exhausted. Things had really picked up at Cole’s after Connor left, and now every time she blinked all she saw were brand names and shoe sizes. She smiled to herself as she approached her car. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt this genuinely happy and untroubled. The pack hadn’t gotten into trouble for days - she seemed to have gotten through to Simon, Lucas and Carlo. They were good boys really, they just felt trapped. Brooke could understand that, but things would get better now. Connor was a good man and a good alpha - she just needed to think of a way to bring up the wolf pack without giving everything away.
Billionaire Bear Shifters: A Paranormal Romance Complete Series Boxset Page 42
