Ever After

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  He grunted like she’d offended him.

  “Let’s see then, show off.”

  Keeping her pinned with his gaze, his body began to shake. When she realized he was going to do it right there on top of her, she squeezed her eyes shut.

  Bones crackled again, and she tried to scoot back. A moment later, a heavy weight pressed down on her. It wasn’t furry, so she peeked one eye open. Dalton looked down at her, sweaty and panting but wearing a cocky smirk.

  She chuckled. “Not bad. For a shifter.”

  His eyes narrowed, and then he bent his head and nudged her T-shirt up with his nose.

  “What are you—”?

  He nipped her bare belly.

  “Ouch!” She jerked underneath him.

  “Be nice, little wolf. I’m feeling feral.” He bit her again.

  She gasped, but it sent a delicious chill down her spine. Her stomach clenched when he rose up over her. His eyes and predatory smile promised wicked things. It was hard to swallow. She took in the lines of his arms as he held his body weight above her. Defined muscles, smooth skin. So lickable.

  The way he stared down at her, motionless and with a growing hunger in his eyes, made her almost shake with nerves. He looked as though he wanted to eat her alive. And it’d been a long time since anyone had done that. She should say something.

  “Um.”

  A growl rose up from his chest, and then he kissed her. She tried to pull away at first, but when he grabbed a handful of her hair to hold her still, she melted. Her lips moved to keep up with his as he tasted her, coaxed her, played with her. His tongue poked into her mouth, begging for her to play along. She opened her mouth wider, and their tongues danced. She drank him in—his wild scent making her feel wild, too. He smelled like man and comfort and Dalton. She wanted to roll in it. Mark herself.

  Whoa. She was getting ahead of herself. How about they just get through this kiss? This kiss that was lasting forever and felt as though he was drinking her soul. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

  It wasn’t until she felt his hardness against her leg that she remembered he was naked. A desperation to feel him—inside her, outside her, all over her—swept through her, and she let out a moan.

  She opened her legs to invite him in. He drew back and threw her a puzzled look. When she bit down on her lip and locked her legs around him, he let out a primal growl.

  Then he broke contact and sat up on his knees. Was he rejecting her? To her surprise, it stung more than she cared to admit. She tried not to show her disappointment and gave him a shaky smile. “It’s okay. We don’t have to—”

  “Clothes off,” he rumbled. His gaze bore into hers. Playful Dalton was gone. This was a primal version of him.

  “Okay.” A shiver of fear crept up her spine, but she reminded herself she wasn’t without some power. And she did trust him enough not to harm her.

  Slowly, she removed her shirt. The fabric rubbed against her nipples, aching and stiff. She unsnapped her bra next and watched Dalton’s eyes darken as she slid the straps down her shoulders.

  A small smile started on her lips. Teasing him felt like flirting with danger. Just before her breasts were in full view, she stopped, keeping them covered with the fabric of her small bra. She watched and waited.

  Dalton’s gaze jumped to her face. Upon seeing her smirk, his eyes narrowed. In a flash, he ripped her bra away.

  “Hey!” she protested then covered her nipples with her hands.

  “That’s what happens to little wolves who tease,” he warned then toppled her backward. “Now I take over undressing you.”

  In a desperate rush, he removed her sneakers and socks then yanked her shorts down. With a gasp, she grabbed her underwear before they went down, too. When her shorts were out of reach, he looked at her holding on to her underwear for dear life then arched a brow.

  She scowled up at him. “Just hang on!” Was she ready to let go? She hadn’t even known him more than a couple of days. She swept her gaze over his sculpted chest then down his belly and to his cock. Just the sight of it made her groan. Fuck, she needed to get laid. Another problem with being a werewolf—she had a high sex drive. This could just be about sex, right? They could sate each other then feel better and move on. She looked back up at his face.

  He cracked a smile then lunged. They wrestled for the underwear, and she couldn’t keep from giggling. She didn’t stand a chance of course. He was far stronger, despite her better vision and reflexes. Might won out, and soon she was completely naked on the dirt ground in the middle of some forest in America.

  The game turned serious when he ran his heated gaze over her body. His gaze left a path of chills. Her nipples hardened.

  “Maybe we should think about this,” she said breathlessly.

  “I don’t want to think. Do you?”

  “No.”

  “Good.” He tackled her then rolled her so she was on top.

  She straddled his hips and grinned down at him.

  “Show me those pretty breasts.”

  “Pretty? Don’t you mean small?”

  With an arm slung around her back, he sat up. “They’re perfect.” He shifted her higher on his lap and dipped his head to capture a nipple in his mouth. “Perfect for nibbling,” he said then sucked it into his mouth.

  She moaned and arched backward. A devious chuckle came from her tormentor, and he did the same to her other breast. Then he bit down.

  “Dalton!” Desperately, she ground against him, seeking some relief.

  “What do you want, pretty girl?”

  Any other time his cockiness would’ve grated on her nerves, but right now, she didn’t give a fuck. “I want you to fuck me.”

  “Say it again.”

  “No.”

  “Yes.”

  “No.”

  He sighed then nipped her lip. “Stubborn. You’re lucky you’re so hot. Are you on birth control?”

  “Yes.”

  Without wasting another moment, he laid her down and thrust into her. She cried out at the initial sting. Had it been that long? “Fuck.”

  “You okay?”

  “Yes! Keep going!”

  He laughed then obliged her. “Pushy girl.”

  They fucked hard, like they were thirsty for touch and acceptance and love. She ran her fingers down his back, letting her fingernails sink into his skin. He bit and sucked her neck as he pumped into her over and over. Pleasure rose. She met him at each thrust. They panted and moaned. She clung to him as the orgasm washed over her. He came right after her with a sexy groan.

  A sheen of sweat covered his skin and shone in the light of the fire. He gave her a lopsided smile then pulled her to sit between his legs and wrapped his arms around her. She laid her head on his chest and sighed.

  She’d almost forgotten how amazing post-orgasmic bliss felt. Even if they never spoke again after this mission was over, she’d remember this feeling for a long time.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “Mmmm. Perfect.”

  “I didn’t hurt you?”

  She looked up at him. “Hurt me? No.” She chuckled.

  “Yeah, I know you’re tough, little wolf. But we just rolled around in a patch of dirt and grass. Did you get scraped by any pointy rocks or anything?”

  “Oh, there was something pointy all right.”

  Dalton burst out laughing then squeezed her tight. “I guess that means you’re fine.”

  “Yes. But we’re covered in dirt. We should wash off.”

  “Tomorrow. I’m tired, and I don’t feel like getting all wet.”

  She chuckled. “What’s wrong with being wet?” she said with a wink.

  “Where’d you get your dirty mind?” He swatted her thigh. “You’re too pretty to say such naughty things.”

  “Girls never really liked me, so I spent most my time with guys. I guess they’ve rubbed off on me.” She started giggling as soon as the words left her mouth.

>   His chest shook. “You’re bad.”

  Chapter Four

  Her dirty sense of humor was another surprise, and Dalton found it as adorable as the rest of her. Her perfectly round ass, her mischievous grin, the sparkling eyes that went with her giggle… He could easily fall for this girl. That was dangerous. After Jara had left him just before they were to be married, he’d sworn he would never put himself in this position again. Yet here he was, having romantic feelings for a woman. Not just any woman—a wolf, though that was beginning to matter less—but one who not only surprised him, but impressed him at every turn.

  Tomorrow he needed to get back to business. No more flirting, no more playfulness, and definitely no more fucking. They were here for a purpose, and he wasn’t generally the type to get distracted. He couldn’t let Eden wiggle her way into his heart. Tomorrow they’d set things straight. Tomorrow they’d refocus on their task.

  The next morning, he woke to an arm and a leg flopped on top of him and a girl purring on his chest. He chuckled. How had they slept so soundly? They’d barely made it into the sleeping bags.

  Her eyes cracked open, and she looked up at him sleepily.

  “You don’t sound like a wolf when you sleep,” he teased. “More like a cat.”

  “What?” she said on a yawn.

  “You purr.”

  The little spot between her eyebrows scrunched up. “I do not.”

  He kissed the spot before he could stop himself. Apparently he’d forgotten his little pep talk from last night. “You do. Now let’s wash up. We have to get going.”

  With a groan, she rolled over and stretched her arms over her head, drawing attention to her naked breasts. Shit. Why did she have to tempt him? He felt himself harden. It didn’t take more than the sight of her slender body and hard nipples to make him want to throw her underneath him and take her again. It got even worse when he thought about last night. He’d never felt so passionate about a woman. Not even Jara. He wanted to fuck her so hard she’d never forget him. Instinct made him yearn to bite her, mark her so everyone knew she was his. He’d never had urges so strong. And now they all came slamming back into him. How the hell was he going to ignore it all day?

  He forced his gaze away from her smooth skin and looked into the woods instead. He needed to calm the fuck down. “I’m going to the river,” he mumbled then jumped to his feet, grabbed some clothes, and made a quick getaway.

  The crisp water was refreshing but cold. Must’ve been snow run-off from the mountains. He hissed in a breath as the coolness reached his erection. He stayed waist deep to avoid the stronger current in the middle of the river. Using his hand, he scooped water and splashed it over his chest and arms. The dirt rinsed away, and he hoped the memory of the night before went with it.

  Footsteps approached. He looked to the shore. Eden stepped out of the tree line, naked and carrying a bundle of clothing.

  She smiled. “Hey.”

  With a sharp nod, he turned away before he was tempted to look too hard. Soft splashes meant she was in the water. So close. He could grab her – take her. Right there in the water, with the sun streaking through the canopy of trees. She could be his again.

  A hand came on his shoulder. “It’s freezing!”

  He looked down at her grimacing face. When their gazes met, she smiled as if he’d made her day just by being there. Adoring, admiring – it made him feel warm inside and important. Had anyone ever been really happy just to see him?

  He couldn’t keep from smiling back.

  Her hand drifted down his chest. “Hold me. You’re a little warmer.”

  Instinct pushed him hard to wrap his arms around her. His body shook with the effort not to. But he wouldn’t risk his heart again.

  “Eden.” He braced himself. “I can’t do a relationship right now.”

  Her smile disappeared, and he felt like such a dick. Her face drooped, but she shook her head. “Who said anything about a relationship?”

  “Isn’t that what most girls want with sex?”

  She shrugged. “Depends on the girl, I guess.” Her shoulders went back like a statement of courage, but her trembling lip gave her away. “As for me, I’ve never been relationship material. I mean, who wants to bring a werewolf home to their shifter parents, right?”

  Oh fuck. He was an ass. Clearly this wasn’t the first time she’d been rejected. But for him, the wolf thing had little to do with it. It wasn’t an easy obstacle to overcome, but he was beginning to see her less for what she was and more for who she was. Maybe if he explained, she wouldn’t feel so hurt.

  After staring awkwardly at the water for a moment, she turned and started to walk away. He couldn’t bear it. Before he knew what he was doing, he grabbed her and pulled her against his body. He locked his arms around her waist so she couldn’t escape. It occurred to him he’d be happy keeping her there forever. In his grasp, or not far from it.

  She gazed up at him, biting her bottom lip, her eyes full of questions. How could he ever think about letting her go?

  He leaned down and kissed her. She tasted just like he remembered. Sweet and earthy. The urge to pick her up and slam her down on his cock was strong. So much for calming down in the cold water. He kissed her until he needed air, and then he pulled away.

  “I’m sorry, Eden. It’s not about you, sweetheart. You’re…”

  She blinked up at him, still doubtful but some hope written on her face.

  “You’re perfect.”

  A small smile appeared. Not her usual happy-go-lucky one, but it was enough for now. With a wicked smirk, he lifted her up then walked a few steps to the deeper part of the river and plunged them both neck-deep in the water.

  Eden shrieked and fought to get free. He held on tight while the water rushed over them. When he thought most of the dirt had gone, he stood up and carried her to shore.

  “That was mean!” she complained, holding tight around his neck.

  “I had to get all the dirt off.” On shore, he slung her over his shoulder then reached down and grabbed their clothes.

  “What are you doing? I need to get dressed.” She squirmed, but it was almost too easy to hold her there – she was such a tiny thing.

  “I thought werewolves were supposed to be big and strong,” he teased.

  She squirmed harder. “Yeah, maybe I was the runt of the litter, and someone tossed me into the sea to get rid of me.” At that, she stilled, almost as if the idea had just occurred to her.

  “If that’s true, then someone made a huge mistake.” He shifted her as he walked through the trees to their campsite. Though his heart ached at her loss, he couldn’t say he was sorry about it. Someone else’s mistake had worked in his favor.

  “I can walk, you know,” she said irritably.

  “Yes, but I like to carry you this way.” He turned his head to watch her sweet ass jiggle with each step. “I have a great view.”

  She growled.

  “Aw. That was adorable. You almost sounded like a real wolf.”

  A smack landed on his ass. Daring thing. He wasn’t the type to let her get the upper hand. He tucked the ball of clothes under his other arms and gave her such a smack that she yelped, and he watched a big red handprint form on her cheek.

  “Dalton,” she whined.

  He chuckled. At the campsite, he set her on her feet. She glared up at him. So fucking cute. After a quick kiss on her forehead, he set their sleeping bags on the ground like a blanket.

  Her eyes widened. “We don’t have time!”

  “Lie down.”

  He expected a fight. If she really protested, he wouldn’t force her. In fact, it’d probably be better if she did. They had to get a move on. If he wasn’t so influenced by his cock, he’d stop them and –

  With a sexy smirk, she sashayed to the sleeping bags and sat down. Then she looked up at him and arched a brow.

  “Fuck,” he whispered. He was really starting to love that she was so lusty. “You’re a bad influence,
little wolf.”

  She balked. “You told me to!”

  He knelt beside her. “Show me what you like, beautiful.” Taking her wrist, he placed her hand between her legs.

  This time he knew she would do it. Sexy and adventurous. Why had no one scooped her up yet?

  She threw him a mischievous look then leaned back on one arm while she stroked her fingers between her lower lips. A low moan escaped her sweet lips, and she dropped her head back.

  “More,” he commanded.

  Without looking at him, she rubbed herself faster. Her breath quickened, and she arched backward. The small whimpering noises were like fucking crack. He could get addicted to them. Her skin flushed as she started writhing her hips in rhythm with her hand. He was rapt watching her.

  Fuck. His dick stood up, ready to impale her. “Stop.”

  She did. Panting, she lifted her head and looked at him. “What are you waiting for?” she rasped.

  He grinned then crawled over her. It pleased him when she wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him in.

  He exhaled as he slid into her. “Gods, you feel so fucking good.”

  She giggled then lifted her head and nipped his chin. When he arched a brow, she gave him a challenging look.

  “You wanna play biting games, little wolf? I’ve got teeth, too.” He skimmed across her neck with his lips. Goose bumps rose on her flesh. Then he nibbled on one side just under her ear.

  She gasped and bucked under him. With a kiss, he left that spot then moved to her ear lobe. As he pumped in and out of her, slow and sensual, he bit her ear lobe then her jaw then down her neck.

  Her throaty moan encouraged him. Pressure grew, and he knew he wouldn’t last much longer, but he wanted to make her come first. He reached between them and slid a finger between her folds. When he felt her clit, he fluttered over it softly.

  She let out a desperate sound, and he smiled inside. Later he would torture her, tease her, keep her on edge for as long as possible just to hear that noise again and again.

  “Please, Dalton,” she rasped.

  He liked that one, too.