by Chloe Cole
"Is it going to be like this?" she asked, finally, running a hand through her hair. "Like, are you going to flirt with me all the time now, or just in private? I'm not trying to complicate things already, but I need to know.”
If he’d wanted her flustered, he’d succeeded, and it was almost enough to make him feel guilty.
Almost.
He closed the gap between them again, and she craned her neck to look up at him.
“Amalie already figured it out just by sniffing me.” She was breathless, and he could see the pulse in her neck beating wildly. “And it's not going to be long before the others know too, if we're not careful."
He backed away until he was out of range of the scent of her skin and picked up a pool cue, pretending to test it for weight while his thoughts raced.
So he'd been reading Amalie right. She knew. He expected to feel stressed by the knowledge, but as he poked around for some negative feelings on the subject, he found himself shrugging.
"Fuck it. I don't really care what they know. We're grown." Not to mention, with libidos as high as they were for weres, it was common to have sexual partners without there necessarily being a relationship present.
"And Ryan?" She eyed him warily and he set down the cue.
Her concerns on that front were valid and he nodded. "Okay, so we act like business as usual around the others, being extra careful around Ryan unless..." He trailed off, realizing what he'd been about to say and knowing he shouldn't say it.
Unless we take this to the next level.
Saying it would only muddy the waters. He'd made strides with getting past the devastation of losing Sara, but sharing his life with another woman? Having a true relationship? That was something he still couldn't wrap his head around yet, even with Chandra.
“Got it. Business as usual, especially around Ryan.” She held his gaze for a tense moment before snatching up a pool cue. “Let’s get this party started, shall we?”
***
“Can someone pass me the pumpernickel?”
Business as usual, her ass.
Chandra picked up the basked piled high with different types of breads and handed it to Liam across the table with a stiff smile.
Dinner was interminable. Every minute felt like twenty as their friends teased and joked and ate. Course after course of thick, hot clam chowder, ham and mashed potatoes, roasted lamb and orange-glazed duck. The procession of food seemed endless. She usually loved it—werewolves were a hungry bunch and thrived on the fellowship and camaraderie of sharing a meal—but tonight? Tonight, all she wanted to do was find out what punishment Jax planned on meting out.
He reached out to grab a buttered roll and his shoulder brushed her breast.
"Excuse me," he murmured. But as he retracted his hand, he brushed by her again, this time grazing her sensitive nipple.
She gasped as heat suffused her from head to toe. With a quick glance around, she confirmed that no one had noticed. They were busy chattering away about their day, the food and pack business. In fact, if it hadn't been for the tension pouring off Jax in waves, she might have thought it was an accident.
It was exactly that sexual energy that had thrown her pool game right into the shitter. Every time she’d tried to make a shot, she could feel his hot gaze on her and she could barely think straight, never mind shoot straight. He’d beat her handily, two games in a row. Now she was in gambler’s debt without any clue exactly what she owed him.
A vision of the two of them in the deep tub in Jax's bathroom burrowed its way into her mind. Him behind her, propped up against the white porcelain, her lying back against him, gripping the edges of the tub as he cupped her breasts, toying with her nipples.
She shoveled a fork-load of potatoes into her mouth to keep from groaning. He’d been using their wolfy connection to send mini-porno flicks starring the two of them to her mind for the past twenty minutes, and they were fucking with her head big time. She pushed back, sending him a vision of her dumping an entire roasted duck into his lap and a bowl of corn onto his head.
He let out a crack of laughter and everyone paused mid-conversation and looked his way.
"What's so funny?" Liam asked, brows raised quizzically.
Jax's grin didn't waiver. "Chandra just told me a joke." He went on to share some random anecdote with the pack, giving her a much-needed moment to get a grip.
If this was how friends with benefits went, where every interaction they had was laced with sexual tension making it impossible to be in a room together and behave normally, she was in for some trouble. If she hadn’t been in love with him before, their soul-searing connection that morning had all but sealed the deal for her, and every moment they spent together with him treating her the way a lover would only set the hook deeper.
She hadn’t wanted to tell him how she really felt, knowing it could very well scare him away altogether, but she was realizing more and more that she wasn’t cut out for this. If he was sure he didn’t have the capacity to ever love again, she needed to step back and reconsider this decision no matter how much it killed her.
She vowed to talk to him about that ASAP—she shifted restlessly in her seat—or after they had sex one more time, at least. Although, if he kept up these antics, they'd both be done before they even got through dinner.
For another half hour, they played their parts, but every time she got too comfortable, Jax was there, using his dirty thoughts to throw her off balance. By the time the dessert dishes were cleared, she was a hot, trembling mess.
He walked by her, arms loaded with dishes, and dipped his head low to whisper in her ear. “Amalie and Liam are taking all the cubs to get ice cream and to the drive in. We have two hours, minimum. Meet me in my room. I’d like to collect my prize.”
He nipped her earlobe, and walked away, leaving her standing there, nodding wordlessly despite the doubts crowding in. One more time, to take it all in, commit every kiss, every touch, every stroke to memory, before she pulled away from him in a last ditch effort at self-preservation.
She said a quick goodbye to the moviegoers and ran up the stairs, giving herself a stern talking to the whole way. Booty call or not, she still had to made sure she got into Liam’s office at some point tonight to put her Amber fears to rest, one way or another. She’d spend an hour with Jax and then do what needed to be done.
She stopped off at her room first to brush her teeth before walking what felt like the Green Mile to Jax’s room. It had been so much less nerve-jangling when it had been spontaneous. At least she could blame her lack of self-discipline on the fact that she hadn’t had the time to think it through.
Now, though, there was no such comfort. She knew exactly what she was doing, and was doing it anyway, turning a blind eye to the consequences. Like eating an entire box of Valentine’s chocolates. Only Jax was better than chocolates.
He opened the door before she’d even had a chance to knock.
“What took you so long?” He pulled her in and closed the door behind them.
She braced herself, ready and waiting for him to pounce. The pressure between her thighs had been building all through dinner and, nerves or no, she couldn't wait to tear his clothes off. To have him rocking deep inside her again until they both exploded.
"Don’t go anywhere. I'm going to start the bath," he said softly, tracing her bottom lip with his forefinger before padding to the bathroom.
She stared after him, stunned. "Are you serious right now? Can't we do that another time. I really-"
"Nope," he called out over the sound of running water. "I've been thinking about this all night long and I’m calling in my marker."
She shifted from foot to foot, and crossed her arms over her chest, debating whether to test him. Surely, if she just walked up and grabbed his man-kit and took the reins, he wouldn't stop her. They could take a bath afterword.
"Not going to work," he said, stepping back into sight.
Her breath caught as she took in the view. He was bare-ches
ted already, his wide shoulders looking like they needed her nails digging into them. The thick, ropey muscles of his abs looking like they needed her fingers dragging across them. The narrow trail of hair disappearing beneath his low-slung jeans looking like it needed her tongue to follow.
"You’re beautiful." She hadn't realized she'd spoken aloud and her cheeks warmed.
He prowled toward her, the intensity of his gaze making her skin prickle with goose bumps. "I’m glad you think so, Chan."
He paused a few feet away and let his hands drift the button on his jeans. She reached for him then, intent on helping him with his zipper because, Jesus, he was taking his sweet time about it
"I won't be rushed. Not this time,” he murmured.
He hooked a finger under her shirt collar and yanked, his unbridled power splitting it down the center.
"I liked that shirt,” she murmured, only half-aware of what she was saying. The expression on his face was like that of a starving man, and was distracting as hell.
"So I'll buy you a new one," he promised, before tipped his head to her neck and pressing his mouth to her collar bone. She shivered, the soft, tentative touch adding another log to the already stoked fire. But she needed more than that. So much more.
He continued his journey downward, trailing his mouth over the modest swell of her breasts before his busy fingers worked the catch on her bra effortlessly. He tugged it over her arms and tossed it aside with her tattered shirt.
"That's what I've been thinking about all day. You, bare-breasted, eyes shining, short of breath, waiting for me."
He pulled her into the circle of his arms and slanted his mouth over hers. She needed no coaxing, and kissed him with everything she had. Their tongues wound together in an intimate dance, and his thick arousal pressed insistently against her belly.
She pulled back and gasped, "Please, Jax. Bath later." She nipped his mouth sharply and he groaned before stepping back.
"You tempt me, woman, but I'm going to get my way this time." He worked her stretchy pants over her hips with exquisite slowness, watching with hot eyes as more of her was bared to him. "I can't unsee it. I'd imagined what you looked like naked before, but now that I know, it's burned in my brain and I can't get it out of my mind."
His voice was low and gritty with need, the sound of it sending a bolt of electricity to through her. He might not love her, but he wanted her, and at that moment, it was enough.
He dropped to his knees and slid her pants and underwear down the rest of the way in one motion. Clutching his broad shoulders, she stepped out of them quickly and kicked them aside. He didn't stand right away and she fought the urge to cover herself.
"You're so beautiful here." His warm breath washed over her core and she gripped his shoulders tighter. "So soft, and pretty and sweet."
When he lapped at her, long and slow, she let out a moan.
"That feels..." she trailed off as words failed her, but he didn't wait for her to continue. Instead, he settled in closer, gripping her hips in his hands before diving in again. His mouth was glorious, hot and clever. His agile tongue finding her clit and rubbing it with single-minded intent. Gently at first, a teasing flick, and then harder, a deep massage.
She was writing within thirty seconds, aching for him to finish it.
"Please, don't stop," she whimpered, hips fluttering helplessly, so close to the edge she could almost taste it.
His fingers tightened, anchoring her closer as he pulled her relentlessly toward a mind-blowing climax.
She felt the pressure building, higher and faster. He released one hip and forced her thighs apart before sliding two fingers deep inside her. The instant fullness combined with the drag of his skin against hers was the final straw. He thrust again and worked the nub of nerves with his tongue and she screamed. The orgasm was like a battering ram, destroying everything in its path as it crashed into her. She didn't know her name or where she was, but she knew him and his mouth and those fingers.
Jax.
"God, that's so fucking hot," he grunted, fingers still seated deep inside her as he pulled back to look up at her. "Now, get into the bathtub, because I'm not even close to done with you." He slid his hand from her and stood, taking her arm to steady her.
She didn't even realize she was still shaking like a leaf. She wet her lips and nodded dimly, trying to find her way back to reality. He seemed to realize she was still dazed and scooped her up without another word. When he set her on the cool tile floor, she realized he still had half his clothes on. That wouldn't do at all.
She undressed him much the same way he'd done to her. Peppering his skin with kisses, caressing his lean stomach, whispering words of praise. When he was as naked as she was, she stood back and admired her handiwork.
His cock was stiff, jutting out from between his muscular legs, and it was all she could do not to drop to her knees and take him into her mouth.
"Stop looking at me like that. It's killing me," he uttered through gritted teeth. "There will be time for that later."
He gestured toward the massive, now-filled bathtub and she climbed in, hissing as the hot water enveloped her. She'd seen the vision he'd sent her, so she knew exactly how he’d pictured it. Shimmying forward, she made room for him behind her.
He climbed in, and pulled her back against him until their bodies were flush. His erection pushed against her lower back and she squirmed, aching to get closer. In spite of the monumental orgasm, she was still ravenous for him and aching.
“This is how I wanted it,” he rasped, the puff of air from his lips tickling her ear. “So I could reach every part of you. See every inch of you. See my hands on your silky skin.”
He brought his arms around her and cupped both of her breasts on a sigh.
“So good.”
He tugged at her already spiked nipples, sending a shot of heat pulsing between her thighs, building the ache up faster than a wildfire. She whispered his name and let her head fall to the side. She couldn’t reach any part of him, so there was no point in fighting it. She’d let him take control.
For now.
He worked her body into a frenzy, all the while whispering words of encouragement. When he pressed her forward so he could stand, she moved to rise with him, but he pressed her back.
“I’ll only be a second.” His eyes were filled with promise as he gaze down at her and reached for the shower head.
Her already galloping heart went into overdrive as he reclaimed his place behind her. She settled back against him, letting her thighs fall open, desperate for what she knew he could give her. She was almost mindless with need when he slid the showerhead between her thighs and pressed the button.
“Oh, Go!” She arched her back as the water rushed out, pounded against her clit in a mind-melting, sensual assault. “Holy shit,” she groaned, tossing her head against his chest as he worked the showerhead in circles against her aching flesh. Slow at first, then more quickly. He pushed another button and the steady stream turned to a low, vibrating pulse that made her toes curl.
He pushed her forward, his grunt low in her ear as he bit out a command. “Up on your knees, Chan. Now.”
She did as he said, straddling him backward, wild with need, quaking with desire. He kept the pressure of the showerhead firmly against her and the tub squeaked as he positioned himself beneath her. A breathless second later, he was driving her hips downward, impaling her on his giant, swollen cock
She moaned wordlessly, letting her eyes drift shut as he continued, wedging himself deep inside her until he could go no further. He didn’t have to move an inch. Filled with his thick cock, water battering at her sensitized clit, she came hard rush, crying out his name as she rocked over him.
“Take it, that’s it babe, take what you need,” he urged, flexing against her, using one hand to help her grind against him.
She sucked in a breath, trying to make sense of his words over the rush of blood in her ears. He held her that way, pinned to
him, until she stilled a long moment later. Her body twitched over him when she realized he was still hard as stone.
Perfect.
She swallowed hard and rose on shaky legs until their bodies separated. “You had your way. Now I’ll have mine.”
He lunged for her, and protested, but this time, she wouldn’t be denied. She turned off the water and plucked the showerhead from his unresisting hand and set it aside. Then she sank to her knees again, this time facing him.
His face was a mask of agony desire as she cupped him gently, marveling at his size. She’d felt it, and seen it in passing, but close up, he was a marvel. His cock was long and thick, and so hard, if felt like bone. When she squeezed, it jerked in her hand.
"Fuck," he growled, spearing his fingers into her hair. "Your hands are-"
He broke off with a groan as she dipped her head and swallowed him whole, without preamble, sucking him deep into her throat with a hum of satisfaction.
His hands tightened in her hair and he arched his hips forward, anchoring her there for a second before releasing her. She used his thighs to steady herself and satisfaction flowed through her as she felt his quads quaking. That was good. She was shaking too. He'd taken her to heaven and back, more than once, and she was going to make damned sure he followed.
"If you keep it up, it's going to be game over," he muttered, his voice low and tight.
She responded by sucking harder, hollowing out her cheeks, stroking the swollen head of his cock with her tongue with each pass.
"Jesus Christ."
He tried to pull away, but she pushed him back and held him in place by his hips, desperate to feel him explode in her mouth. Needing to wreck him the way he'd wrecked her.
"Chan- Oh, shit."
She knew the second the tide had turned. Instead of pulling back, he was arching forward, hips pumping him a little further into her mouth each time. His cock grew impossibly large in and she did her best to take every inch of him, opening her throat, letting his thick heat fill her.
"Ahh, fuck!"
He cupped her head then, pinning her against him as he exploded, bursts of hot liquid spurting against the back of her throat. His legs were flexed so tight, they could have been made of steel and she clung to them, a soul deep satisfaction coursing through her.
