Before she got to say he was equally stunning, he sat back on his haunches. Her mind had no idea what had happened.
He slid his hands under her ankles. “I want you to wrap your legs around my neck.”
She was so desperate, he could have asked her to turn inside out, and she would have happily obliged. With his guidance, she lifted her legs. Totally open and vulnerable, her pussy clenched when he licked his lips and zeroed in on her wet opening.
Chapter Seven
Henla wanted his cock, but when Jude leaned over and sucked on her pussy, she almost reached a new level of existence. He palmed her tits and dragged his fingers over the engorged nipples. Shards of pleasure rained down on her.
Do you want me to beg? She swore one side of his lips lifted. He lowered his hand and tugged her hips forward as he dropped down and impaled her with one long thrust. His huge cock ate up her body. Her insides stretched to the max, and sparks exploded everywhere in her body and thrilled her.
When Jude leaned over and nibbled on her lip while he gently twisted her nipples, she knew the end was near. A woman on the brink could only hold out so long. When he lowered his attention to her chin, she bit down on her lip to keep from screaming. Her moans got louder. If Kranor heard, she wasn’t sure he’d approve.
“Skelak, but you’re so tight and wet at the same time. My cock is going to explode.” When his growl started low in his chest, she knew he was battling to hold off until she came first.
He pistoned his cock in and out of her, hitting the end of her channel over and over again, and each time he drove in, his balls slapped against her ass. His fingers seemed to have their own mind, for the pressure kept getting harder with each plunge of his cock. It was as if his body had been taken over by the wild beast inside him.
When he delved into her mouth and slid his tongue around hers, she lost it. The heat that had been bubbling up inside her boiled over as the feral scent of their sweat and sex stained the air.
“Jude!” She didn’t want to shout, but her body had just exploded.
Her nails dug into his biceps and he held tight inside her. Jude’s eyes squeezed shut and his mouth opened as if he was close to shifting. Only when he pummeled her with his seed did she understand the intensity. Had she not been on birth control, she was sure they would have made a child.
The image of holding a baby wolf shifter softened her heart, but she pushed aside the image. Dreaming of a life with Jude would only end in heartache.
“Come back to me, Henla.” He pulled out of her pussy and lowered her legs.
She refocused on him. “I’m here.” She wasn’t sure what he meant by his comment though.
“Your mind was in a different reality. Earth perhaps?”
So he wasn’t able to read everything in her mind. That was a plus. “Just reliving the amazing experience.”
He grinned. “Hold on to that thought.”
For less than a minute he was gone. Water ran in the bathroom, and he returned with a wet cloth to wipe her down. He carefully cleaned her then pulled her into his arms. For several minutes he held and rocked her as if she were some precious gift.
Tears welled in her eyes at his tenderness. As if he could sense her oncoming depression, he sat up straighter. “Tell me.” He dragged a thumb under her lash.
“It’s nothing.”
He lowered his chin. “For some reason, our connection is so strong that I can tell when you are lying. It isn’t nothing. Tears don’t form for no reason.”
She blinked. “I like you, but in the next day or two, I have to go home.”
“Stay.” His comment shocked her.
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
He acted like it was natural for wolves and lions to live together in peace. It might happen someday, but not in her lifetime. “Why? You of all people should know. I belong with the lions, and you are a wolf shifter.”
The pain fleeting across his face caused her stomach to tumble. He dragged a knuckle down her cheek. “I understand. I was hoping that we could be the exception.”
“I wish that, too, but there is Kranor to consider.”
His chest deflated. “You care about him.”
“For someone who seems to understand me, you’re missing the point. Yes, I have deep affection for him, but clearly he doesn’t return the feeling.”
“How do you know? He kept your necklace all these years.”
He wasn’t as smart as she thought he was. “Kranor loved his youth and the good times we had. That necklace doesn’t represent me, but rather a time of innocence.”
He said nothing for a long time then jumped up. “Kranor is asking for you.”
She scurried off the bed. Damn. Her backpack with all her clothes was in Kranor’s bedroom. “Can you get—”
Jude laughed. “Oh, no, sugar. I think walking in naked would make Kranor’s health improve immeasurably.”
Her mouth formed an O. It was one thing to be bare chested, but her pussy was only for those she shared it with. Kranor did not want her. Walking in naked would only incite trouble.
Jude walked out. Damn him. What kind of game was he playing?
* * * *
Hearing the cries of passion had Kranor’s cock so hard, he swore there was no blood left for his body. Henla’s scent had infused every one of his cells, and even after she left, he wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to forget her. He pushed up on his elbows but fell back again. Determined to get out of bed, he tried once more. This time he managed to sit up and shoved off the cloths. He vaguely remembered Tamor coming in and giving him an injection. He had no idea what the doctor gave him, but whatever it was, it seemed to help. He tried to stand then cursed when his legs wouldn’t support him.
“Let me help.” Jude was by his side in a second. I guess you heard us. His friend glanced to his erect cock.
I could have been a mile away and heard you two. Was she good? He almost hoped Jude would say she wasn’t as good as a few of the other wolf women, but he knew that wouldn’t be the case. Henla and Jude were perfect for each other. They were both strong and determined people.
Let’s just say, I think she’s the one for us.
“Skelak.”
“What the hell is your problem?” Jude’s grip on his arm tightened.
He cocked a brow. “Maybe the fact that her two brothers head up the security for the, oh, lions!”
Jude’s lips thinned and he shifted his gaze to another part of the room. “Henla doesn’t care about that.”
“What don’t I care about?”
He looked behind Jude and almost choked. She walked in naked as if she’d been with them for years. Her perfect breasts stole his breath, but perhaps it was her slightly swollen, nude pussy that caused a gob of pre-cum to ease to the surface of his cock. The tension all over his skin increased as this beauty paraded across the room.
She picked up her bag and held it to her chest. “I repeat. What don’t I care about?”
Jude let go of his arm and faced her. “I told Kranor that our lovemaking was beyond description and that it doesn’t matter to you if we come from bickering clans.”
She shrugged. “I don’t care.”
Kranor growled. “Can you say the same for your friends?” Her two brothers would support the union, but they wouldn’t let her live here, and as sure as the gods above would attest, he couldn’t live with the lions. It was an impossible situation.
“I don’t know. Right now, your health is my concern.”
She held her bag so high that it covered her perky tits, but from his angle, he could see those delicate pink lips peek out from under the canvas. He averted his gaze. If he spurted his jism, he’d never live it down. “Get dressed.”
He dropped back onto the bed and used his arm to cover his eyes. Her delicate footsteps padded out of the room, but her feral scent lingered and nearly crushed him.
Jude laughed.
If he’d had the strength, Kranor would have
beaten the crap out of him. “Fuck you.” The American sayings were so appropriate at times.
“I’d like to see you try.”
Help me up. He would not take the chance that Henla might overhear him asking for help. Jude lifted him to stand. As much as he hated the support, he had to force himself to wrap an arm around Jude’s shoulder.
“Bathroom.”
Once Jude had helped him to the edge of the tub he waved him away. “Make sure she doesn’t come in here.”
He needed to rest for a minute then shift. His immune system worked better and his wounds would heal faster if he was in his wolf form. Hopefully, he could preoccupy his mind long enough to stop thinking about Henla. He was thankful she came, but he needed to get well enough to send her home and pray he didn’t run into her again.
He shifted and hadn’t been in the bathroom for long when a tiny knock sounded. He refused to shift into human form. Since he wasn’t able to tell her to come in, he figured she’d get tired of waiting and leave.
The door opened. Wrong.
She smiled. If she knelt down and petted him, he might have to snarl.
“You need to take your antibiotic. The doctor left them. Your wounds won’t heal without the pill. Since I’m sure you want me to leave sooner than later, you need to take this.”
If she hadn’t made the last comment, he might not have done as she suggested. He licked his lips, implying he’d follow the doctor’s order. She squatted in front of him and dropped the pill on the floor then immediately backed away. Skelak. He might not want her to hang out around here, but he didn’t like that she was afraid of his wolf self. He bet she never hesitated around her brothers.
He lapped up the pill to show her he understood her request. Instead of telling him he was a good boy or petting him, she slipped out the door as quietly as she came.
To let his body heal, he stayed on the cool floor as long as he could. Soon his hunger got the best of him. Maybe Jude would bring him a dish. It was demeaning, but if Henla didn’t watch, he could handle it.
I need some food. I’ve shifted.
He wasn’t sure how long he waited, but Jude didn’t come to his rescue. What was up with that? Since he couldn’t open the bathroom door as a wolf, he used what energy he had to shift back into human form. The cold floor felt good on his skin. He rolled onto his stomach and was able to push to a kneeling position. His wounds hurt like a bitch, but he was determined to get food. Using the tub for support, he stood.
Carefully, he stepped toward the door, opened it, and balanced against the walls to get to his room. It would be difficult enough to be around Henla. Being nude wouldn’t help matters. In his room, he dragged on a clean pair of light pants then inhaled a few large breaths. Even though it was painful to straighten his shoulders, he did so and went in search of food. He expected both Henla and Jude to be in the living room, but when he passed the entranceway, they weren’t there.
His senses were so shot, he failed to even detect them in the house. Henla’s laughter floated in through the window, causing his heart to hitch.
Ignore her. Eat.
Healing had to be his number one priority. He opened the refrigerator and grabbed what was wrapped up on a plate. If Jude made it, the food would taste good. He carried the meal to the table and sat. His breaths came out too fast. His weakness pissed him off. What kind of warrior could barely walk from the bathroom to the kitchen? He was worse than useless.
Setting aside the pity party for a few minutes, he managed to eat everything on the plate. Food never tasted so good. He could almost feel his skin rejuvenating and his blood cleansing his system. He leaned back against the padded seat and closed his eyes, trying to draw on his inner strength.
More laughter entered his brain, almost as if Henla wanted to tease him. Didn’t she understand that he needed to focus on getting better and not on him claiming her for his own? He might have dozed off, but the feet running and the shrieks startled him awake. The front door banged open and Henla charged in, her head tilted back, bright blue eyes the color of the purest river sparkling, and laughter so sweet, it was like being bathed in warm sunlight on a chilly day. Jude followed, grabbed her around the waist, and turned her around. It was as if only those two existed in the world.
The kiss that followed had his cock harder than the table he was sitting in front of. “Ahem.”
They both jerked as if they hadn’t even noticed he was there. Normally, he’d be thrilled. He’d wanted the world to ignore him, but not these two. For the first time in years, he wanted to be part of something—to belong. Henla twisted in Jude’s arms and faced him, her eyes wide.
Her grin was his reward. “You’re up!” She raced to him and slid into the seat next to him. As her gaze traveled all over his body, his arousal heightened. He had to twist in his seat. It wouldn’t do for her to see his cock peek out at her.
“I’m fine.”
Her fingers lightly brushed his skin as she examined his injuries. “They do look better. Can you show me your back?”
This is humiliating. Help me, Jude.
His friend just stood there chuckling.
“Fine.” He turned his back to her. He thought that if he didn’t see her, the pain in his groin would disappear. It didn’t work. Her scent was driving him crazy. Her delicate fingers pressed here and there, and images of having her hands on his body for real jolted him. He growled and turned around. “Enough.”
Instead of pulling away, she leaned in closer. “What’s wrong, wolf man?” She giggled.
That was the endearment she used when she was six. He wanted to pick her up and toss her in the river, like he’d done so many times that one wonderful summer.
A hand waved in front of his face. “Where did you go?”
Her look of concern convinced him this woman was a witch. “To bed. Excuse me.” He pushed back on his chair and stood. His legs gave way, and he immediately returned to the seat.
Henla’s hand clamped down on his bicep. “Are you all right?”
He would not be treated like a weak woman. Drawing on all his strength, he stood again. Concentrating, he placed one foot in front of the other until he was out of their sight. His palms plastered against the wall for support. He made it to his bedroom, closed the door, and then shifted. At least when in animal form, he could be more immune to the only woman who’d ever gotten under his skin.
Chapter Eight
Henla paced the kitchen. “I’m worried.” Jude rubbed her shoulder and the familiar tingles chased one another down her body.
“He’ll be fine. I know him. He gets this way when he’s healing. Give him two days, and you won’t even know he’d been injured.”
She was glad that wolves healed as quickly as lions. If the current state of his wounds were any indication, he did. “Do wolves ever come and bother you two?”
He stepped closer and her pulse raced. “Sometimes, but let’s talk about something more pleasant, like your willingness to stay here for a while. We could really use your expertise in helping us grow food.”
Her heart plummeted. If he’d stopped after his first comment, she might have given it some thought. She tried to laugh off his statement, but the air got stuck in her throat. “Hoeing and planting two days a week at home are enough for me.”
He pulled her into a big hug, and she almost gave in. Having someone as wonderful as Jude in her life would be a dream come true, but since Sella moved to Spirit, she and Rein had taken turns running the shoe store. Who would run it if she left?
She leaned back. “Maybe I should leave. Kranor is getting better.”
He nuzzled her neck. It was almost as if he could sense her hesitation and wanted to sway her. “Don’t go.” He clasped both of her hands in his and stood back up. “There’s no telling what he’ll do with you gone. He’ll probably go out and try to pick a fight.”
She laughed. “I might not read minds, but I know you’re fibbing.”
“Only partially.”
Okay, that was the truth. Damn. “Two days, you said?”
He grinned. “Two days, tops. Kranor wants to escort you home. He’ll want to stop by and see Taryn and Kellum anyway and say hi to your mom.”
Her body stiffened. “I don’t think it’s such a good idea to go underground with thousands of lion shifters roaming about.”
“Even with you there?”
She shook her head. “But if my brothers join us, it might be all right. People seeing you all together would know you’re not a threat.”
“I thought we were heroes.”
She’d forgotten about that. “That’s true. Okay.” She smiled and the tension in her body disappeared. Sitting around for two days wasn’t her style, and being out of practice like she was, her pussy could only take so much sex. “Do you think you could show me around town?”
While there were no outward signs of his body tensing, the internal turmoil slammed into her like she’d ran into a wall.
“You felt that?” His brows pinched.
He led her backward and she sat on the bench lining the wall. “Yes.” If an animal was injured, she could sense its distress, but with shifters, most of her psychic ability disappeared.
He swiped a hand over his mouth. “I know this sounds weird, but I’ve never had any female read me like you have. It’s almost like our thoughts are connected.”
“I know. I swear I hear bits and pieces of your thoughts, too, but I can’t hear sentences. Sometimes it’s like you’re trying to send me words that are in a different language.”
Heavy footsteps sounded. When she looked up, Kranor was fully dressed. His shoulders were slightly forward, and from the fact he winced every few seconds, he was anything but fine.
Jude glared at him. Next thing she knew, he went out the door. She’d been about to ask what that was about but stopped. She knew. “He’s going for a walk?”
Jude grinned. “Come here, my little interpreter.” He pulled her onto his lap, and she’d never felt happier.
Enemies in Love [High-Country Shifters 4] Page 6
