by P. Jameson
But the real horror happened when Beast’s car flew into the air, flipping twice before sliding up on the very fence designed to keep bystanders safe. The fence she and Punk were standing behind.
There was a moment of suspended time where the car rested on its side, the fence straining under the weight. So close… so close Ella could feel the heat coming off it, even if she couldn’t see for the dust.
“Punk!” she screamed, jerking her friend backward.
But it was too late. The fence gave way, crashing down on top of them.
A sharp pain pierced Ella’s leg, but when she tried to move, she realized she wasn’t pinned. In fact the car was gone and just the fence was on top of them.
People and dust flew everywhere. Radios screamed.
Ella looked around for Punk and found her in a heap a few feet away.
“Ella!” Drake’s terrified scream was nothing short of horrific. “Outta my way! Ella!”
She crawled through the dirt to Punk’s body, ignoring the weight of the fence. There was blood in her hair and it fell in droplets to the ground. Her foot was turned all wrong.
“Punk!” she cried.
A moan made its way past her throat, and she tried to move.
“No, no. Stay still.” Ella tried to lift the fence but it was too heavy. “We need an ambulance,” she screamed.
“Fucking move!” She heard Drake’s threatening command, and then the weight of the fence lifted.
“Shit,” Surge sputtered, kicking debris out of the way, and kneeling next to Punk.
“Ella? Shit, Ella.” Drake fell to the ground, taking her face in his hands, and urgently sweeping her hair back. “Are you hurt? I can heal you. Damn it, answer me!”
“Drake,” she yelled to get his attention. “I’m okay. Punk is hurt. And Beast… god, Beast…”
“He’ll be fine. Surge will take care of Punk. I need to fucking know where you’re hurt, understand?”
She met his eyes and saw the fear there. She understood it. Being scared out of your mind that someone you love is hurt. Her stomach cramped, wondering if Punk was going to be okay.
“My leg,” she said.
Drake pulled back to examine her. Her jeans had a fist sized hole in them and red tinged the edges. Using both hands, he ripped it open so he could see.
“Okay, there’s nothing in it. It’s just cut real bad. I can fix this.” He met her gaze, apologetic. “It’s going to hurt.” And then he covered the laceration with his palm.
His touch was scalding, and Ella locked her jaw against the pain. Seconds passed, maybe minutes, and then the touch turned warm and soothing instead of fiery. She almost moaned at the change. The relief from the pain was incredible.
“Better?” he asked.
“How did you do that?”
But as soon as she asked the question, her wolf knew the answer. Shifters could heal on their own, with time. But an intended mate could help the healing process along. It was the power within their bond. The power of two. And it was nothing short of magic.
Drake let out a harsh breath. “It’s because you’re mine. You and me, together…” He shook his head in wonder. “We can do amazing things.”
Sirens wailing brought her attention to the flurry of activity around them. Her gaze landed on Blister standing a few feet away. His eyes were wide with horror, his scar contorting in a terrifying way. She might not know him well, but she knew he was worried. Possibly even scared for her.
“I’m okay,” she mouthed.
He blinked, and she repeated herself to reassure him. Finally he nodded, running a shaky hand through his hair.
“This way,” Diz said, clearing the way for the paramedics. Immediately, they went to work on Punk.
Ella held her breath, silently begging whoever was listening from the heavens that her friend would be okay.
“Ella! Punk!”
Blister jerked his head in the direction of Annie’s hysterical voice. She pushed through the crowd, crouching down to examine Ella.
“Are you okay?” she wailed. Tears streamed down her face faster than she could wipe them away. “Tell me you’re okay.”
“I’m fine, Annie. Punk’s hurt.”
“No,” she breathed. Her gaze bounced all around in panic. The paramedics, Surge, back to Ella, Drake, Blister.
When her eyes landed on him, he turned his face to hide his scar.
“They’re going to take care of her.” Ella squeezed her friend’s hand. Damn it, she hoped she was right. She couldn’t lose someone else so soon.
Peering through the dust, she saw Diz helping Beast out of his mangled car. He ripped off his helmet and threw it before pacing a tight circle. He yelled something at Diz and gestured in the direction of the fence. He started their way but Diz stopped him with a shove to the chest. After a moment Beast nodded, conceding.
Drake was right. Beast was going to be okay.
Ella held Annie’s hand while the paramedics eased Punk onto a board and then onto a stretcher.
“I’m going with her,” Annie said. “Will you meet me at the hospital?”
Ella started to answer but hesitated. The hospital. It would be the first time since daddy’s death. The thought of walking those halls, smelling antiseptic, the blood, the needles and tubes…
Drake’s hand landed on the small of her back. His touch promised more than just support. It was her future, her healing, and full of love.
She could do this, and he’d go with her. He’d always go with her. She wasn’t alone anymore. She had her friends and her pack and her… mate.
Ella nodded. “Go,” she told Annie. “We’ll follow in Drake’s car.”
Even though she watched her friends pull away with sirens wailing, she took a minute to be thankful for all she had. She wouldn’t spend another moment in misery over what she’d lost. Not when she had gained so much.
Chapter Ten
Ella flung open the door to Drake’s cabin and dragged herself inside. After six hours at the hospital, it was good to be home.
Home.
This place really did feel like home. It just went to prove that if it was the right place—and the right person—time didn’t matter.
She fell onto the couch with a heavy sigh. Part exhaustion, but mostly relief. Neither she nor Beast ran the qualifier but it hardly seemed important anymore. It was all overshadowed by the accident.
But Punk was going to be fine. A broken leg, a concussion, and more stitches than Ella had been able to count. No internal injuries, but they were keeping her a few nights for observation.
And the hospital hadn’t been as bad as Ella had suspected. In fact, she’d found herself acting like she was supposed to be there. She’d even called to get Punk some more pain meds. Got a few strange looks for that, but the point was she was getting better. Maybe one day soon she could go back to nursing.
“I love seeing you like this.”
Ella peered up to catch Drake staring at her, his eyes glistening and intense.
“Like what?”
“Safe. Comfortable in my home. Sleepy. It makes me want to wrap myself around your body and just die for eight hours.”
Ella grinned. “That sounds heavenly.”
Drake tossed his keys on the table, marched over to Ella, and lifted her off the couch. “Come on. Let’s go wash off your tan.”
She sighed in agreement. It would be nice to get the dirt from the track off.
“I was scared,” he murmured, staring down at her while he walked.
Her heart swelled with emotion. She brought her hand to his cheek, caressing his strong jaw.
“Me too.” An involuntary shiver wracked her and Drake tightened his hold.
He set her down in the bathroom and bent to start filling the tub with water.
“If anything had happened to you…” His voice broke off, and he glared at the floor.
Ella touched his cheek, forcing him to look at her. “I feel the same way.”
&
nbsp; “I don’t think you do. How could you? I realize all this is new for you. The way our animals work. The instinct. The raw need. But I’m talking about feelings, Ella. You make me feel so much, so strongly. And I want to share it all, but I can’t risk it. I can’t risk losing you because I can’t keep my shit together.”
She frowned. “Are you… are you handling me with kid gloves? Is that what’s happening here? Because that’s what it sounds like.”
“No.”
Ella raised a skeptical eyebrow.
Drake sighed. “I’m being cautious. I want what’s best for you.”
“I’m telling you right now, Drake Folsom, you treating me like a china doll will never be what’s best for me. I want the real you.”
He turned away, cranking the knob on the tub to shut it off. “You’ve got the real me. I’m just giving you time to adjust. Now take your clothes off.”
Oh, no. This conversation wasn’t over.
“Do I look like I need time? I’d say I’m adjusting perfectly fine. And… take them off yourself.”
He snapped is hot gaze to her, briefly sliding over her body. “Sassy mate,” he muttered appreciatively.
And that quick, her body lit up with desire. Days had gone by, and they’d managed to experience the most intense pleasure while still avoiding actual intercourse. Just thinking about the way Drake touched her was enough to leave her panting. She couldn’t even look at his right hand anymore without clenching her thighs.
Honestly though, she didn’t see the point in waiting any longer. Life wasn’t getting longer and becoming pregnant with his young sounded like part of a perfect dream. And she didn’t think that was her wolf talking. She was thinking more clearly today. In less of a hormone-induced haze.
“I want you to be sure about me, Ella. I don’t want you coming out of your heat and regretting anything.” His brow lowered over his eyes but she didn’t miss the dread in them. “I don’t think I could live with that.”
Ella crossed her arms, trying not to let his words hurt. “You don’t have very much faith in our bond do you?” Here, she’d leaped off the cliff without a single doubt that they were meant to be together. But not Drake. He was full of doubts.
“That’s not it at all.” He looked uncomfortable. “I just… fuck.”
Drake hooked his hands on his hips, staring at the tiled floor.
“Just what? Tell me what’s wrong.”
He shook his head before jerking his shirt over his head. “Nothing. Let’s just get cleaned up, okay?”
Ella was silent as he slowly peeled her shirt away. He took his time unbuttoning her jeans and sliding them down her legs.
“Step,” he murmured, and she obeyed.
He stood, reaching behind her to unhook her bra and then gently pulled it down her shoulders, tossing it to the floor. His eyes landed on her chest and he tilted his head with a smirk.
“What’s this?” He dragged a finger between her breasts, causing chill bumps to appear.
Ella glanced down. Oh, that.
She peered at Drake through her eyelashes. “It’s not a night at the track unless you come home with dirt in your cleavage. At least that’s what Annie always says.”
He hadn’t taken his eyes off her. He drew a line from the center to one taut nipple, circling it. “I’m going to have the best time cleaning you.”
Mmm. The mere idea of what he could do to her was almost enough to make her forget his doubts. But not quite. They were going to hash this out before the night was over.
The feather light touch of his finger traveled down to her belly button where he dipped in before hooking beneath the waistband of her panties. Using that single finger, he inched her panties down, purposely brushing against her cleft in the process.
He paused at her strangled gasp. Moved the panties back up. And then down, making sure his finger touched her in the process. He repeated the motion until she was panting and the unique scent of her arousal permeated the air.
If she hadn’t been sure her heat was fading, this was another sign. Her scent had changed.
Using his grip on her panties, he yanked her close, crushing his lips to hers and forcing them to open. Her heart ran away, pounding like a thoroughbred at the derby. She loved to be dominated. Didn’t know it until Drake, but it was definitely something that turned her to liquid fire.
His tongue played with hers, thrusting into her mouth over and over again, and somehow all she could think about was how similar it would feel to him plunging into her body.
Drake broke contact, and continued removing her panties.
When he had her completely bare, he finished with his jeans.
Ella watched. Her mate had a body sculpted out of magic and random pieces of heaven. He was bulkier than he appeared with clothes on, with well-defined muscles and rough working man hands and enough scars to be drool-worthy.
Her gaze fell to his erection, and she held in a whimper.
Drake stepped into the tub, lowering himself into the steaming water with a sigh.
“Come here, mate.”
His eyes ate her up as she lifted her leg to step into the tub and then stood awkwardly.
“Right here.” He pulled her down into the water and she settled between his legs with her back to his chest.
The water was perfect, the warmth drawing the tension from her shoulders. Drake brushed the hair away from her neck and placed a careful kiss there. More anxiety melted away.
He let out a long sigh, wrapping his arms around her and drawing her close.
“I want to be honest with you. I never want to hide anything and I don’t want you hiding anything from me either. So… here’s the truth, Ella.” His mouth was against her ear. Like he wanted to make sure she was the only one who heard his secrets. “I don’t know what I’m doing. With us. And I’m scared to death I’m going to fuck things up. My instinct is to throw all caution to the wind and claim the hell out of you. My instinct tells me that will be enough. That it will make everything right, but I don’t think that’s true. Because I want more than just a physical bond. I want every part of you, and… what if you’re not ready for that? Because that’s okay too. I’d wait until you were. I’d do whatever makes you happy. I…” His voice faded out.
Ella turned to look at him over her shoulder.
The accident had shaken him, whether he realized it or not. She could tell it had left him feeling unsure about everything. It had shaken her too, but she hadn’t watched a fence come down on him.
She turned her body enough so she could nuzzle his neck, offering whatever comfort she could. “Can I tell you something?”
“Anything,” he breathed.
She placed tender kisses on his jaw before continuing. “I’m not going anywhere. Not without you. And that has nothing to do with what we’ve shared physically. You know I didn’t come to Dirt Track Dogs by accident. You know this is where I’m meant to be. You told me so yourself. You’re mine,” she said, the words feeling so good in her throat. Like warm honey.
His hands tightened on her, the urgency of his grip biting her flesh. “Fuck,” he whispered against her cheek. “I needed to hear you say that.
“I want everything. Your mark. Your heart. Everything, Drake.”
His hardness pressed against her backside. “You have one of those already. You’ll have the other very soon.”
He found her lips, kissing until her breath was gone. “Remember what I told you after we kissed that first time?”
Ella nodded. How could she forget?
“You’ll be my first everything, Ella. And my last.”
She chewed her lip, wondering. “I can’t believe no woman ever caught your attention before.”
He lathered up a sponge and dragged it slowly over her shoulder before answering.
“The guys and I made a pact. We’d stay away from things that had the potential to mess with our emotions. That included females. We just wanted to heal and be content. It worked for
so long, but…”
“But what?”
“I dunno. I feel like all that is about to change.”
“Um, obviously.”
He grinned, reaching under the water to pinch her butt. “I meant for the others. Things have already changed for me. But I’m more than content now. I’m… happy.” He brushed his fingers over the skin of her neck. “Or I will be once I have you in my bed, with my bite in your skin.”
“Mmm.” She closed her eyes, relishing his touch. “Maybe the others will be lucky enough to find their mates soon.”
Drake inhaled deeply. “Speaking of getting lucky… are you feeling any different?”
“You mean, am I still aching for my empty womb to be filled.”
“That’s uh, one way to put it.” He inhaled again, dropping a kiss to the skin beneath her ear. “Your scent has changed.”
Ella grinned. “I don’t feel that sense of urgency anymore. I think… maybe the heat is passing?”
Drake went back to washing her, getting lost in his own thoughts. The warmth of the suds and the sensual way he bathed her left her bones feeling like jelly.
“We don’t have Elders,” he murmured almost to himself. “But I want your mark on me anyway, so we’ll have to figure out how to do the ceremony without them.”
“Ceremony?”
“The mating ceremony. I mark you in private, while we’re making love, with my bite. You mark me in public, before our people, with the brand of our pack. Or that’s how it’s usually done. But our pack is small, and there are no Elders to facilitate the event.”
Ella let silence drift between them while he wet her hair and lathered it with shampoo.
A public ceremony declaring them mates. It was like… a wedding. A shifter wedding. Her heart fluttered at the idea.
“Then we make it a small, intimate gathering with our friends,” she suggested. “We don’t need the big event to prove our commitment.”
“You’re right,” he agreed. “Slide down. All the way.”
She lowered herself farther into the water and let him rinse her hair. His fingers felt luxurious, massaging her scalp until she felt like putty.
