by Moira Byrne
"Huh," I said. "That'll be impressive."
"In any case, we have some time to blow until Alysse's grand rescue, right?"
"A few hours, yeah. Why?"
"Why don't we get some shut-eye in the meantime? That way we won't be zombies out there. I'll be honest, I'm rapidly approaching living dead status. Driving wipes me out."
As soon as he said that, I felt it, too. Even though I slept in the car, I could use more rest before we stormed the fortress. Balm or not, my body had been working overtime to heal.
"You're right," I said. "The last thing I need is a cranky fae."
His eyes widened. "Sophie Addison, was that a joke?"
I shot him a sly smile but said nothing. I couldn't help but be in a good mood for some reason. Maybe it was because I knew I would have my sister with me soon. Of course, it could also be that being with Alex made rescuing her seem so much less insurmountable.
We got up to leave and he stopped up front to ask the waitress about recommendations for someplace nearby to stop for the night. By her disappointed look, I could tell she thought we were a couple but had hoped otherwise.
A small kernel of satisfaction formed inside me. I liked the idea of being part of a couple with Alex, even if it was simply pretend.
"Are you sure this is the right place?" I asked as he pulled into a parking lot with potholes large enough to bottom out a car.
The motel looked dubious at best. The paint was cracked and peeling and wilted plants lined the building.
After we parked in one of the few pothole-free areas, we went inside and got ourselves a room. With the grimy key in hand, Alex opened the door to our undoubtedly luxurious suite. He took one step inside and froze in place.
"What is it?" I took a deep breath but didn't smell anything that set off alarms. Based on the exterior, I'd expected mildew and lingering body odor, not the surprisingly clean scent that touched my nose. Even though the front desk area was clean, that wasn't a guarantee that the room would be.
"It's nothing crazy." Alex stepped to the side so I could walk in. "But it looks like we've only got one bed."
My eyes followed his. Suddenly, I wasn't sleepy anymore. My skin felt tight and flushed. I looked at Alex and his gaze met mine. His eyes were glowing brightly, as they had during the dinner he made me.
We were alone, in a bedroom, facing who-knows-what. Suddenly, I wanted to have all that he'd been promising me. All those offers to ease my stress, those touches and looks that held such heat. I didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but I knew that I wanted to live right now.
"Are you actually tired?" I asked, doing my best to keep my tone even.
He slowly shook his head. I bit my lower lip, and his eyes dropped down to my mouth.
"Alex—"
"Yeah?"
"I'm not either. I'm full of energy." I looked down as I toed off one shoe, then the other.
Alex chuckled. "I could help you burn some of that energy."
I looked up at him from under my lashes and took a deep breath. I watched his eyes drop to my chest, then snap back to my gaze. A slow smile curved my lips as I shut the door behind me. I dropped my duffle beside the door and flipped the lock.
"Well, if you're going to offer . . ." I slowly raised my hands to my shirt and undid the top button.
"Sophie?" Alex seemed taken aback. I knew he hadn't expected me to respond this way. He was so used to me pushing him away, but not tonight. Tonight, I needed the release.
I undid the next button and took a step closer to him. As I slid each button out of its hole, his eyes followed my hands as if his life depended upon it.
When I undid the last button, he caught his breath. Instead of giving him what he expected, my hands went to my belt.
"Sophie," Alex whispered.
I slowly undid the buckle. The leather rasped as I pulled it out. My hands went to the button on my pants. I paused as Alex took a step forward. His amber eyes blazed with desire.
I held up a hand and shook my finger at him. "Stay right there."
"You're torturing me."
"You have the power to make it stop."
He shifted his weight to step forward. I shook my head. My body was ready, but I didn't want to rush.
A small frown creased his brow. "How?"
I lifted my shoulders in a small shrug and pointedly ran my eyes over his body. I slipped out of my shirt and let it fall to the ground behind me. Alex bit down hard on his lower lip as he drank me in with his eyes.
"See? My shirt is off, but yours isn't. Fix it."
Alex looked visibly pained as he pulled his eyes from my breasts, framed by my lacy bra. He yanked his shirt over his head and threw it to the side, then looked at me expectantly. I smiled and flicked the hooks of my bra, but held the cups, keeping them in place.
Alex's disappointed groan made my smile grow wider. He reached out and lightly grazed my stomach with the tips of his fingers.
"You have to keep your hands to yourself," I said with a coy smile.
"With you half-naked in front of me? Not a chance."
"Well, you have to. No touching."
"You might as well ask me to stop breathing. I don't think you understand just how much—"
"Just for now," I interrupted. "Let me have my fun."
He swallowed and slowly nodded. My smile grew as I pulled my bra off and dropped it on the floor. Moments later, I slipped off my pants.
Alex's breathing was already growing ragged, his hands clenching at his sides. I raised an eyebrow. He wasn't kidding when he said I was asking a lot.
I took a slow step forward and reached out to undo his belt. As I slid it off, I ran my hand down the front of his pants over his hard ridge. He sucked in a harsh, sudden breath and flexed his hips, pushing into my touch.
I pulled my hand up and undid the button on jeans, then lowered the zipper. Before he could move, I slid my hand inside his pants and touched him. He jerked as my fingers circled around him and moaned as his eyes closed.
As I stepped back I pulled my hand away. "Alex, you're too dressed."
He opened his eyes and looked at me for a moment, as if trying to push his way through a fog. Finally, he seemed to remember what he was doing. His hands made quick work of removing his remaining clothes, then he stood in front of me, gloriously naked.
I took a moment to run my eyes over him and licked my lips. He was all lean, hard muscle and I wanted nothing more than to touch him. I wanted to have him. I wanted to make him mine.
I gave him a light, but forceful, push on his chest. He smiled as he laid down on the bed. My more primal side pushed through and as I crawled onto the bed, I knew my eyes were their telltale blue. He was on his back as I splayed my legs on either side of him, pinning him to the bed.
His hands traced the curves of my body as if memorizing my outline. Although my cat wanted control, neither of us objected. The way his fingers brushed over my skin felt better than anything I had ever experienced before. I wanted—needed—more.
I splayed my fingers out across his chest, bringing my heated core to his hard ridge. Our eyes met. He gave me a knowing smile as his fingers toyed with the edges of my boyshorts.
I leaned back a bit and purposefully rolled my hips against him. His eyes closed as a groan tore from his lips.
He felt so good I could hardly stand it, and the only thing separating us was my underwear. Such a flimsy piece of material, yet an unbearable barrier. I pressed down harder as I rolled my hips over his hard ridge and his eyes opened to meet mine.
I licked my lips and watched his eyes trace the movement of my tongue. Suddenly, he slipped a hand up my back, then tucked it into my hair and pulled me down for a kiss. I parted my lips and he slipped in, teasing, taunting—everything I imagined he would be.
My body started to pulse with each rotation of my hips. I kissed him back passionately. I wanted to taste him, too. He pulled back and before I could react, he moved my body up so he could feast on my br
easts. He nipped and bit. I gasped as a surge of heat tore through me.
Suddenly I was on my back and he was above me. His hand moved down my body and slid into my folds. He rubbed me, then slid a finger inside me. I was so slick and wet, so ready. He teased me, rubbed me, getting me closer and closer. I couldn't wait any longer.
"I want you inside of me," I demanded as I gripped his shoulders.
Alex's eyes gleamed and he ran his hand along the top of my underwear. I pushed on his shoulder.
"On your back," I demanded.
His sensual smile only made my body run hotter and as soon as he was on his back, I slid off my underwear, took hold of his silken member, and quickly guided him inside my waiting warmth. We both moaned as he slid deep inside. I wanted to savor the feeling, but couldn't hold still.
"Sophie, you feel so good." His words ended in a deep groan as I started to move my hips.
I wanted to toy with him, but before long, I was reduced to nothing but purrs and moans. When his hips started lifting from the bed to meet mine, I was completely gone, lost to the sensation of his lips, tongue, and fingers as they explored my body and lavished attention on my breasts.
He rolled the nipple of my left breast between his fingers, gently tugging. His other hand found its way to my aching center once more, coaxing me closer to the edge as our pace started to quicken. Little sparks gathered in the pit of my stomach, ready to burst free. I tossed my head back as a purr escaped me.
"Alex," I moaned. I was so close. I knew he could send me over the edge with one touch.
His breathing was ragged, yet he asked in a playful, knowing tone, "Yes, Sophie?"
Any words I could have used to reply were lost the moment he started to time each thrust of his hips with mine as I crashed down against him. The touch of his fingers against the unbearable ache between my thighs took on a deliberate focus. That was it.
I dug my fingers into his arms and arched my back. In an instant, my world came apart. The sparks became lightning, arcing out through my veins. All I could do was hold onto him tightly as each shockwave of pleasure relentlessly thundered through me.
As I bucked and trembled against him, he thrusted deep, burying himself inside me as a groan forced its way from his lips. I collapsed against him. He shuddered and took me in his arms, pressing a soft kiss to my shoulder.
I shivered with the last of the aftershocks of my release as I wrapped my arms around him. Although my body was as flushed as his, I couldn't resist burying myself against his warmth.
The moment was one stolen in time. A brief interlude of peace before the world crashed in. For now, I didn't want to be anywhere else but here, wrapped in his arms. This temporary peace was only an illusion, but one I gladly embraced.
10
Alexander
As I blinked open my bleary eyes, I slowly registered the warmth tucked against me. The corners of my lips lifted with pleasure at the way the slim body fit so exquisitely against mine.
Sophie. No one else could feel so perfect next to me.
I let my eyes fall shut once more and buried my head in the crook between her shoulder and neck. I breathed in her soft, clean scent as I tightened my arms around her. She cuddled even closer and warmth spread through me.
Despite everything we had been through with Edward and the uncertainty of the upcoming rescue, she was safe right now. I even felt like I could protect her and that made me happier than I could explain.
I wanted to stay like this forever, but the sudden beep of an alarm disrupted the tranquility of the moment. Sophie jolted and started to squirm in bed, wiggling against me to get her phone. A moment later the alarm was silenced, and I knew it was time to get going.
I didn't want to give this up. It was selfish, but I wanted this moment to last just a little longer. I had to remind myself that "just a little longer" could turn into "a few minutes more" and we didn't have a moment to spare.
As if she knew my very thoughts, she murmured, "We have to go."
I heard the same regret in her voice. I pressed a kiss against her smooth shoulder, then reluctantly untangled my arms from around her. She got out of bed quickly, as if she knew she wouldn't be able to leave if she dared to linger. I understood completely.
We dressed quickly, both of us silent, as if afraid words would break the fragile illusion of peace we had. Sophie handed me my shirt, then gently ran her hand along my jaw. She stared at me as if trying to commit my image to memory. Regardless of our reluctance, it didn't take us long to dress and leave the room. Sophie put the key in the drop box at the office, then got in the truck, her bag at her feet.
The moment she slid into her seat, something inside her changed. The shift in her mood was so palpable that I could see the tension work its way underneath every inch of her skin, slowly hardening her entire body. She sat up straight in her seat, eyes alert. She was ready for a fight and we hadn't even pulled out of the parking lot yet.
Meanwhile, I could barely pull my mind into the present. Thoughts of the time we had shared only hours before tempted me from the back of my mind. I could still feel her in my arms. Her touch against my skin. I wanted to sink into every memory, savoring each moment.
I couldn't recall ever having these feelings before. I struggled to control the urge to press replay on the moment when I woke up to find her curled so trustingly in my arms. It felt like she had captivated my every sense.
I simply wanted more. More laughing together over dinner. More quiet conversations. More playing together. I would even be content simply holding her in my arms as we slept again.
"We need to go." Sophie's clipped voice dragged me back to the moment.
My fingers were still curled around the keys, just waiting to turn on the truck.
"Right, yeah," I said as I quickly turned on the ignition and the truck roared to life.
I focused on driving, but her presence in the seat beside me was distracting. Some part of me thought what had happened when we arrived at the motel must have been a dream. But it couldn't have been. I had a good imagination, but I couldn't have conjured up a night like that even in my wildest dreams.
I looked at her from the corner of my eye and suppressed the urge to groan. She was so beautiful. And now that we had been together, I wanted her more than ever before. I wasn't yet sated.
"My sister will be waiting for us at the western perimeter of the compound." The tension in Sophie's voice knocked me out of my thoughts and instantly put me on edge.
Despite my wandering mind, I knew how serious of a situation we were walking into. The stories Sophie shared about her old pack told me that much. The tension running through her body spoke volumes. If they could do that to someone like her, they must be terrible.
"Perimeter? Compound? This place sounds more like a cult than a pack." I regretted the joke the moment it hit the air.
I glanced at Sophie and saw her give me an unblinking stare. My attempt at humor bounced off the steel armor wrapped around her mind. She was far too focused on the task at hand for that sort of thing.
I concentrated on the road ahead and let out a long, shaky breath. This was, undoubtedly, the riskiest thing I had ever done in my life. I clenched my hands on the steering wheel to keep them from shaking.
I wasn't sure how well I would fare against a pack of shifters if things came to blows, but after seeing how hurt Sophie was, I didn't even think twice about seeing this through.
"So, we need to discuss how, exactly, we're getting her out." I had some ideas, but I needed to run them by her first, and I still needed to make sure my idea would work with whatever plants were nearby.
"We?" Sophie seemed to roll the word around in her mouth, as if trying to figure out the flavor of something unknown. "I'm sorry," she added quickly, "I figured you'd stay in the car. You know, be the getaway driver, that kind of thing."
I furrowed my brow. "I said I would help you, Sophie, and I'm going to."
"Even after everything I told you?"
"Especially after everything you told me. What do you take me for?"
She was silent for a moment, then she said a quiet, "Thank you."
"Now, you ready to hear my plan?" I asked with a grin.
"You have a plan?"
"Sure do."
"I'm listening . . ."
Alarm bells rang throughout my mind as I followed Sophie along the back roads made of nothing but dirt to the sprawling compound. We had parked about half a mile away and now were carefully working our way toward the walls that enclosed the shifters' massive hideout.
This place didn't look like a home. It looked like a prison, which I supposed was exactly what it had become for Sophie's little sister. She wasn't kidding when she called it a compound.
As we got closer, I could see nothing but high walls. Even the roofs of the buildings that had to be inside were obscured. How was her sister supposed to scale those? Even if she shifted, I didn't think she could make it.
I was happier than ever that I had come along. I didn't see any way that Alysse would've escaped without a bloodbath. Although, that was still on the table, wasn't it? I clenched my jaw as tension knotted in my stomach.
We hadn't made it very close to the imposing walls before Sophie let out a quiet curse and grabbed my arm.
She leaned in and whispered, "They're going to smell us. They probably won't think twice about me, but they'll lose it if they smell something foreign around."
I glanced off to the side with a resigned sigh. I already had a solution, but I had been hoping it wouldn't come to this. "Don't worry. There's skunk cabbage growing here. I'll break a couple of leaves and smell like a fly's wet dream."
Sophie made a face and, for a moment, I thought I saw a small smile. "Good. Do that."
I smiled as I walked a few steps over to one of the most pungent plants known to man. I liked knowing that I could help her, and even more so that she wanted me to. My smile faded the moment I plucked off a couple leaves and tore them in half.
