by Bonnie Vanak
“Trust me,” Jackson said gently. “I want to help.”
“We want to help.” Aiden’s expression turned hard. “This happened on our land and you’re a guest here, under our protection. We’re going to catch the son of a bitch who did this to you.”
She blew out a breath. “Okay, after I finished practicing yesterday I took a fall.”
Both males stared at her with expectation.
Lexie bit her bottom lip. “It wasn’t a hard fall, because I was walking Diamond back to the stables. Didn’t want to overexert her. So I didn’t crack open my head, just got some bruises. The saddle slipped sideways. ”
Jackson went very still. “And?”
“Someone cut both cinches. Not all the way through, but enough so they started to give after I rode. Someone who knew my practice routine, knew I liked to pace Diamond hard, so when I started to race, it would give way.”
“You should have told me,” Jackson said. “You could have been hurt.”
A lump clogged her throat as she acknowledged the truth in Jackson’s words. “I cut the session short because she needed to rest. But if I had ridden her any longer, it would have been a bad spill. For me, and my horse. Diamond might have tripped, fallen and gotten hurt bad.”
When he spoke again, Jackson’s deep voice held a rough edge. “Someone’s trying to remove you from the rodeo circuit. Someone here on this ranch.”
Soon as she fell asleep, Jackson left the room and gently closed the door. Aiden had told Jackson to meet him in his office.
If she wasn’t safe in the pack alpha’s room, where could she be safe?
Boot heels sounded on the carpeted hallway. He looked up and saw Kyle coming toward him, carrying a chair.
Nodding, Kyle placed the chair before the door and sat, arms folded. “I’ll watch over her while you take care of things.”
Deeply moved, for Kyle and his new mate were trying to get pregnant and spending most of their time secluded in their cabin, he nodded gruffly. “Are you sure?”
“I’ll keep Lexie safe. Don’t you worry about her,” Kyle assured him.
Jackson headed down the hallway, his mind racing.
Who could want Lexie hurt?
Cora was the logical choice. But the pretty Skin seemed too vapid to pull such devious stunts. Maybe Peter. If Cora voiced her dislike of Lexie, worried about Lexie beating her in the upcoming race…
The Lupine might have taken his crush on the Skin too far.
Jackson sped down the stairs, taking them two at a time. He vaulted over the railing, landing hard and headed for the room holding the pack’s weapons. After entering the combination on the door’s keypad, he entered the room and selected a leather holster, buckling it on. Then he unlocked the cabinet holding the revolvers. Jackson took out his gun, loaded it and stuffed it into the holster.
Wolf or Skin form, he’d protect his Lexie to his last breath. No one was hurting his darling girl.
Upstairs, Aiden was seated behind his desk. He gestured for Jackson to take a seat, then picked up the phone.
“Dale? I want a full sweep of Jackson and Lexie’s cabin. Put Arianna on it. She’s our best hunter other than Kyle, and Kyle is busy guarding Lexie. I want to know who’s been there, when and if any scents other than theirs are picked up.”
He hung up the phone as Jackson frowned. “Let me catch the son of the bitch who did this, Aiden. She’s my future mate.”
“Easy. Under normal circumstances, I would. But Lexie’s a special guest, belonging to a special pack. You know this.”
Claws emerged from Jackson’s fingers. He forced them back. Shifting into wolf now would prove lack of control.
“Did you talk to Cora?”
“Cora’s gone,” Aiden said quietly. “Ambrose drove her back after the apple incident. When I questioned Peter, he denied any knowledge of the poisoning.”
“And you believed him?”
“Male told the truth. Made him reaffirm his loyalty.” The leather seat creaked as Aiden leaned forward. “Told him to choose between Cora and the pack. He chose the pack.”
Jackson’s fists unclenched.
“I’m telling Nikita. Pack law. I allowed her Lupine to get hurt on my territory. She has the right to demand restitution.”
Jackson’s heart fell to his stomach. He knew where this was headed. Nikita would demand Lexie back for good.
Refuse to allow her to mate with Jackson.
Aiden picked up a pencil and rolled it between his fingers. A slow, devious smile curled his mouth. “Of course, I can bargain for her to remain here. And force her alpha into hosting a mating challenge for Nikita to finally select a mate, a mate who would have access to all her pack’s females.”
“Bargain with what?”
Aiden opened a drawer and withdrew a paper, sliding it across the desk. Jackson read it, his mind spinning. “You knew about this all along?”
“Make it my business to know exactly what’s going on with that ranch.” Aiden took the paper back, locked it in his top drawer. “You can have Lexie.”
The alpha wasn’t being altruistic. “What do you plan?”
“That paper is my bargaining chip. You just sit tight, take care of your mate.”
“She’s not mine,” he said slowly. “Yet.”
Aiden stood, rounded the desk and clapped him on the shoulder. “She will be. You’re a determined male, Jackson.”
“And you?” Jackson gave him a level look. “What of Nikita?”
“Leave her to me.” A calculating look entered his alpha’s gaze. “I’ll show her exactly what kind of male she’s dealing with.”
Chapter 13
By the late morning the next day, Lexie felt much better. She’d spent the night in Aiden’s bed, the alpha sleeping in a guest room.
Jackson drove her back to their cabin, and insisted on carrying her upstairs and settling her into bed. “Now you get some rest. I’m working and won’t be back until nightfall, but Aiden set a rotating schedule for someone to be downstairs watching over you while I’m gone.”
“Female or male?” she asked.
“Female. Armed with fangs and guns. Not trusting any males around the one I intend to claim as my mate.”
The dark promise in his smile warned he would not be thwarted. Lexie settled back against the pillows, intending to leave that conversation for later, when she felt stronger.
“I’m tired of lying in bed and doing nothing.”
He winked. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you lie in bed later and do something. Plenty of something.”
It was impossible to love a wolf like Jackson and have a relationship with him. It was too risky and pointless, she reasoned. But her heart wanted to try.
Around nine that night, the heavy tread of Western boots against the hardwood floor told Lexie that Jackson had returned to the cabin. She’d had a steady stream of Lupine visitors all day. They brought food, games, quilts to sew. She enjoyed the company, liked the females on this ranch.
She could make a home here, she mused.
Heart beating fast, she checked her appearance in the mirror. Cheeks rosy and eyes bright, she felt alive and invigorated.
Lexie went downstairs. No Jackson. A soft glow of yellow deck lights illuminated the back yard. She glanced out the kitchen window and saw steam rising from the hot tub.
A nude Jackson sat in the hot tub. His black cowboy hat hung from a peg on the wood towel rack, and his clothing was folded neatly and placed on the wood deck next to his worn Western boots. Head thrown back, long arms straddling the tub’s lip, he looked tempting as sin.
A note sat on the kitchen counter. Hurry up, darling. I’m getting lonely.
Lexie went outside. Eyes closed, Jackson made a humming sound.
“Tough day at the office, dear?” she teased.
“Yup. Mended broken fence lines. My back hurts something awful.” He lazily opened one eye. “This feels good, but I know something that’ll help it feel better.�
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“A trip to the day spa?”
A wide grin touched his firm mouth. He crooked a finger. “C’mere, darling. I’ve missed you.”
Oh, she longed to join him. But she hesitated. “Only in the dark.”
Lexie flicked the switch on the wall, turning off the deck lights. A wash of pale moonlight spilled down on them. Safe enough, she thought, slipping out of her clothing.
She joined him in the hot tub, sliding against him, her backside against his thick erection. He wrapped his arms around her and began palming her breasts, gently kneading and squeezing. Shivers of excitement raced through her. She felt wet and aching, and very, very needy.
When he slid a hand down the gentle rise of her belly, she arched against him, and moaned as he teased the curls between her legs.
But when he went to slide a foot down her leg to her toes…
Lexie jerked out of his embrace. Fleeing to the tub’s other side, she offered a wan smile. “I’m ticklish.”
Jackson gave her a thoughtful look as she climbed out and quickly toweled off, then grabbed a robe hanging from a peg, donning socks first on her feet.
“Socks again?” he asked.
“Told you, I get cold feet.”
“Wait for me upstairs,” he murmured. “Need a minute more.”
In the bedroom, she removed the robe, put on a fresh pair of lacy green panties and left her socks on. Relief filled her as she wriggled her covered toes.
How much longer could she keep up this ruse?
Jackson strolled into the bedroom, tiny droplets of water clinging to the dusky hair on his muscled chest, and the thicker, coarser hair between his legs. His shaft stood straight up, eager and straining.
He made no attempt to join her. Instead, he opened a dresser drawer and removed four soft velvet ropes.
“Blue. Your favorite color.” He dangled the ropes. “Make you a deal, Lex. You run. I’ll rope you. If I can catch you before you get outside, I get to tie you up. I’ll even give you a five-minute head start.”
Sexual excitement coursed through her veins, her core growing soft and wet at the idea.
“I can’t run fast.”
“You can. With all that protein I’ve been feeding you, you’ve gotten stronger. You’re not limping as much.”
Startled, she realized he was right.
“Besides, darling, you could be an Olympic sprinter and it wouldn’t matter. ‘Cause when I get my mind set on something I want, nothing stands in my way.” He gestured to the small bedside clock. “Go.”
Lexie ran, actually ran, down the hallway, thrilled by the chase. Maybe Jackson was right. She did feel stronger, she felt great, terrific.
As she made it into the kitchen and raced for the door, a soft swish cut through the air. A velvet rope landed over her mid-shoulder and pulled tight.
Trapped.
Jackson walked toward her, removed the rope and lifted her into his arms. Unsmiling, he carried her upstairs and deposited her gently on the bed.
Wary, she watched him gently bind her. She was spread eagle, wrists and ankles tied to the bedposts by velvet ropes. The restraints gave way a little, but held fast.
“What are you doing, Jackson?”
“Tying you up so you don’t escape. I have plans for you, Lex.”
“You’re a bad Lupine.”
A wicked grin touched his mouth. “Actually, I think I’m pretty damn good.”
Canine teeth lengthening and sharpening, he bent his head and ripped off her panties with his fangs. Jackson next opened the nightstand. He removed a tube of cherry massage oil and squeezed a dollop from the tube. His gaze dropped to the apex of her legs.
Her core grew damp and squeezed in anticipation
Sitting between her splayed thighs, Jackson rubbed the oil into her tightened flesh. His hands slid up and down her body. Oil heated as he rubbed it into her skin. Never had she felt such toasty warmth.
This rugged Lupine was stealing her breath away. Such tenderness and pure male strength. His hands stroked fire across her body, making her pull against the ropes.
Her toes, still clad in the warm socks, curled. Jackson lassoed her heart and threatened to carry it off into the sunset.
He slid his hands up her skin, lingering at the underside of her breasts.
He palmed her breasts, his oiled thumbs flicked over the cresting nipples. The sharp contrast between the gentleness of his strokes and the sharp lust etching his expression further inflamed her. She wriggled against the bonds.
“Stop squirming or I’ll punish you.”
“With what?” she asked in a breathless rush.
He leaned close, need swirling in his eyes, turning them to onyx. “I’m going to push you, Lex, long and hard until you scream and beg. And then push you some more.”
He took a hardened nipple into his mouth. Jackson suckled her, his tongue flicking over the peak. She moaned and pumped her hips, her body naturally responding.
Then he kissed his way down her body, licking away the oil from her breasts, her belly, the tiny indentation of her navel. Jackson’s fingers tunneled through her thick curls and then he rubbed more oil between her legs. Fire sizzled with each slow stroke.
His long, skilled fingers worked the oil into her slit, gently massaging. Her hips began pumping upward. Jackson’s gaze turned fierce and hard as he watched her.
“Come for me, Lex,” he commanded. “Come for me, now.”
She shattered, screaming as his thumb pressed deep inside her.
Gulping down several breaths, she looked down at him. Pure male satisfaction filled his dark gaze as a wicked smile touched his mouth. He unfastened her bonds.
“Turn over,” he told her.
Wondering what was next, she shakily did as he asked, and then felt the wet warmth of his tongue on her naked skin. He licked his way down the arch of her spine, down to the small of her back, creating trails of delicious heat. Jackson worked oil into her bottom as she tried not to move.
He licked it off, his tongue lavishing fire through her veins. But when he slid a finger into the delicate crevice between her buttocks, she arched off the bed.
With a gentle hand, he pushed her back down.
Jackson worked oil between her buttocks, kneading and massaging it deep inside. Then he spread her cheeks and ran his tongue down the center. When she cried out in sharp delight, he chuckled against her hot skin.
Sharp splinters of pleasure darted through her as he stroked her soaked folds. Instinct urged her to arch her bottom in a silent plea for more.
“Turn over,” he told her.
When she did, he dragged her to the bed’s edge and knelt on the floor. He parted her thighs wide and then draped them over his broad shoulders. Fierce heat smoldered in his gaze as he stared at her rosy, wet core. He gently parted the delicate folds as if unfurling a flower.
Jackson blew a soft, hot breath against her flesh.
“What is this?” she asked.
Searing heat smoldered in his dark eyes as he raised his head. “I’m hungry. I can’t wait to taste you, have your juices running down my throat.”
With that he lowered his head and put his mouth on her. He was strong, holding her legs firm as his questing tongue delved between her slit. Bristles from his jaw abraded her thighs. Long, slow strokes of his tongue made her grind her bottom into the mattress. A heavy, hot pulsing began between her legs.
Lexie undulated her hips as the pleasure intensified. Savoring her as if she were a succulent fruit, he licked and stroked. The aching throb grew and grew. He slid a long finger into her tight, wet center.
Her internal muscles squeezed against the caressing intruder with each stroke.
She screamed, nearly arching off the bed, and climaxed so hard, tiny stars burst behind her closed eyelids.
He stayed with her through the spasms milking her, gently kissing her core until she lay spent.
Then he did it again.
She climaxed four times b
efore he stopped. A haze of languid bliss filled her. Then he moved her so she was lying supine on the mattress, her head resting against the pillows. The bed dipped beneath his weight as he joined her.
Opening her eyes, she stared at the man who’d roped her into an intense pleasure she never imagined could exist. Emotion constricted her heart at the longing gaze mirroring back her own hidden emotions. The tenderness, sweet affection, growing love…
Anguished loneliness.
She needed him, not merely his body joined to hers, but all of him. He needed her as equally as she needed him. Framing her face with his palms, he kissed her deeply, his tongue thrusting deep inside.
Then he sat back between her splayed thighs. His thick shaft bobbed under its impressive weight as it jutted from the nest of dark curls. He ripped open another foil package and sheathed his erection, his testicles hanging heavy between his legs.
“I’m going to fuck you now, Lex. Fuck you hard and fast because I don’t think I can control myself anymore. My cock is so hard, my balls are aching like they want to burst.”
He mounted her.
She tilted her hips upward as his cock nudged at her soaked folds. Her flesh yielded as he slowly pushed inside. Jackson pressed forward, looking down where their bodies joined. He slid into her, her muscles clenching and squeezing around him.
“It feels so damn good when I’m inside you, when I slide into you. I love the feeling of you naked beneath me, your soft body pressed down by mine. You’re mine, damnit. All mine.”
Tension rode his shadowed jaw as he pinned her to the bed, male aggressiveness and domination.
Wrapping her legs around his pounding hips, she clung to him as he stroked hard and deep. Jackson raised himself up, a hank of dark hair hanging over his brow. His gaze was fierce and concentrated as he thrust faster.
He began angling his thrusts, creating friction, taking and giving, as she took and she gave. Her hands curled around his forearms.
“Brace yourself,” he grunted.
The headboard began banging against the wall. The heat built and built until she gasped for mercy, not able to take any more.
