by B. N. Kasner
“Oh yeah, inviting ya’ll…” Grace glared but had a smile on her face. “I’m gonna go back in there. They were gettin’ ready to play my favorite song.” His eyes didn’t leave Grace’s hips until the door blocked his view of her.
“You sure you don’t need any help getting him home?” Gene leaned into the open back window, helping Isaiah strap Alex into his seat. Isaiah had become Gene’s right hand wolf when it came to the enforcers.
“Yeah. Go have fun with your mate before the two of you are shut-ins like my sister and Mason.” Isaiah laughed as Gene hustled Lani back inside. He’d do anything for her, including letting her have a night out dancing at six months pregnant. “See ya around loser.” Carter flipped them the bird as they pulled out of the parking lot.
“Asshole.” He chuckled, a small smile on his face. A slow, sultry song echoed into the parking lot when he opened the door. Gene and Lani were making out in a back booth, which wasn’t all that surprising. But, if Gene had his hands full with Lani, then who was watching Grace?
She stood out like a beacon to him, swaying her whole body to the rhythm of the song. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one caught up in Grace’s allure. A man put his arm around her, pulling her body too close for Carter’s comfort. Instead of pulling away, like he thought she would, Grace smiled and continued to dance. Only now, all her delicious curves were pressed up against some random guy. With Gene preoccupied, Carter could finally take matters into his own paws.
Chapter Ten
“Fuck this.” He wasn’t letting some jerkoff feel his mate’s curves right in front of him. Carter stomped across the floor, getting to Grace in what seemed like seconds. The fucking idiot ignored Carter’s glare, which was a big mistake. Letting his dominance flow, he felt the air crackle with energy.
Not only did it finally get the asshole’s attention, but Grace’s as well. She stepped away from the man before he could make her. Some of his tension left his shoulders at the move. Carter grabbed her arm, probably a little harder than he needed to, and started to pull her away. “Hey dick, she’s with me.”
“No, she’s not.” His glowing green eyes reflected in the man’s dilated pupils. Turning, he continued to pull Grace behind him until they were alone in a darkened hallway. “What the fuck was that?” He snarled, pinning her between his body and the wall.
“Huh?” She looked genuinely confused, but Carter wasn’t about to let her off the hook.
“The guy, Grace Elaine. Don’t play dumb with me. I’m not like the cubs who chase after you. I see right through this little game of yours.” If he hadn’t been watching Carter knew Grace would’ve pushed some random guy off her. She’d said it herself, Grace could take care of herself.
“We were dancin’? I came here to dance with people.” Her head cocked to the side, red curls falling over her shoulder. He grabbed a strand, twirling it around his finger.
“Don’t curl your hair anymore.” Carter pulled until the strand was straight again. Watching as the curl bounced back into place.
“Why? Does it look awful?” Fuck, he hadn’t complimented a woman in so long, Carter felt awkward.
“No, but the straight hair sets you apart from the others. Ella has those crazy curls, Lani has waves. But you Gracie, you stand out.” For the first time that night, Carter looked at Grace’s face and not her alluring body. Carter had known Grace her whole life. Not once had he seen her wear make-up.
At least not enough for him to ever notice. But even in the dimly lit hall, he could tell she’d tried to make herself into something she wasn’t. “No more make-up either. You don’t need it, you’re already beautiful.” He swiped his thumb over her cheek, brushing a stray red curl out of Grace’s face.
Carter wasn’t lying. She took his breath away. Since he wasn’t fighting his attraction to her anymore, he could actually enjoy the sight of her. “Do you honestly think I’m gonna buy your nonsense?” Hell, had he done something wrong? Carter said everything he’d been thinking for a while now.
“What are you talking about?” Grace growled at him like the answer was obvious. The sound vibrated in her chest, which he felt because he still had her body plastered up against his. She put her hands on his shoulders. Grace pushed, but Carter didn’t budge. He wasn’t letting her get away from him.
“You don’t see me as anything more than a friend’s little sister and you never will. I finally get it, Carter. Don’t worry, you’ve made it crystal clear.” Her eyes glistened in the low light, her natural earthy scent turning bitter.
“Damn it, Grace Elaine, that’s not how I see you.” Putting his hands on her hips, Carter got his first taste of how her curves felt in his hands. “I’ve been a fucking asshole, I’m not going to deny it. But I didn’t pull you into a dark and empty hallway because you’re my friend’s little sister.” He saw her face light up with hope.
“Then why?” She whispered, somehow getting even closer to him when he’d thought there wasn’t any room between them.
“Because I couldn’t fucking see straight I was so jealous of some random guy. Because you’re drop dead gorgeous with a sinful body. Or maybe, Grace Dodson, because you are mine and mine alone.” His hands had moved from her hips to cradling her face. Without thinking, Carter dove for Grace’s luscious lips.
A groan tore from somewhere deep inside him. Grace tasted like peaches and creme, although she’d sipped on a fruity drink all night. It didn’t matter because she also tasted like pure sin. He wanted to devour her right then and there. Grace’s hands weren’t trying to push him away anymore.
They were pulling him closer, moving sensually all over his chest and back. Fuck, she was going to be his undoing. His fingers buried themselves in her red curls. He used his hold on her to tilt her head back. Carter wanted more, he wanted all she was willing to give him.
Her tongue swept across his lips. He wasn’t about to deny her anything, not anymore. Grace’s flavor invaded all his senses. Apparently, her taste wasn’t from the alcohol, which only made it better to Carter. He’d grown up eating Grams’ peach cobbler, and peaches had become his favorite fruit. Mix that with the sensuality of Grace and someone could’ve made a lure specifically for Carter.
His fingers tightened in her hair, tilting her head even further back. He couldn’t get enough of her. After feeling and tasting her, he’d never be able to let her go. Grace’s nails scratched down his back, sending shivers down his spine and catching him off guard. Damn, her touch felt incredible. Better than anything he could remember.
Carter bent down, and wrapping an arm around her thighs, picked Grace up. His other hand stayed right where it was. He wasn’t ready for their kiss to end. Not by a fucking long shot. Grace’s moan egged him on, inflating his ego to epic proportions.
“For the love of the moon. Get a room…Grace?” Lani’s voice snapped Carter from the sexual haze which had fallen over his mind and body. He ripped his lips from Grace’s.
“Why’d you stop?” Grace pouted. Carter ran his thumb over her swollen bottom lip. Instead of answering her, he nodded his head towards Lani.
She looked shell-shocked, her mouth hanging open and everything. “Oh, fuck.” She glanced nervously over her shoulder. “Maybe you should put her down, and by the way, that shade of lip gloss goes great with your complexion Carter.” Even looking like a deer in headlights, Lani had a mouth on her.
Carter felt every curve on Grace’s body as he lowered her to the floor. Grace had the just fucked look down to a T. Hell, he’d been moments away from unzipping his pants and fucking her against the wall. She took a step away from Carter, looking towards Lani. The wolf just smiled and shook her head. “You might want to hide…” Her gray eyes got wide when they darted to his crotch. “That, before your brother comes around the corner.”
Grace was already busy pulling her hair into a messy ponytail with one hand while wiping her lips with the other one. Carter wiped his lips with the back of his hand before pulling Grace to stand in front
of him. She beamed a smile at him over her shoulder, “How do I look?”
“Perfect.” Her cheeks turned the color of her hair. “Don’t forget your acting skills and give us away.” He chuckled at Grace’s glare, shaking his head.
“The only thing that’ll give us away is what’s pokin’ me in the back.” Grace winked at him, before turning to face Lani with a smirk on her face. He’d make her pay for that remark someday. When he had plenty of time to prolong her pleasure and didn’t have to worry about her brother ruining the moment.
◆◆◆
Holy. Fucking. Shit. Grace felt her lips. They still stung from the fiery kiss her and Carter had just shared. She’d really just made out in a hallway with Carter. Biting her lip to keep from smiling like a loon, she barely held in a squeal.
Her feelings were finally vindicated. Carter did feel the same thing as her. Okay, he wasn’t in love with her, but Grace would work on that. She was just glad she had something to start with. Something is better than nothing.
Across from her Lani bounced back and forth on her feet, a huge smile on her face. She’d be the one to give them away if she wasn’t careful. Although, Lani could more than likely make Gene believe anything she said. Lie or not. “Woman, what did I say about walkin’ off by yourself?” Her brother’s tone was one she’d heard too many times to count while growing up.
“Grace? Carter? What the hell’s goin’ on?” When it came to Grace, it seemed like Gene had a second sense or something. She’d never get away with a lie.
“I came out of the bathroom the same time as Grace. She looked a little red in the face. I was worried about her and didn’t want her to be alone. You and Lani were, ah, busy.” Carter rested his hand on Grace’s ass. The bear had some nerve to pull that off with a straight face in front of her brother. “Unless of course, you would’ve rather had me leave her all by her lonesome?”
“No. Something’s better than nothing.” Grace had to bite her tongue. Not only did they look alike, but they thought alike too. Hell, she’d probably picked the saying up from him in the first place. “Ya feelin’ better Grace?” Green eyes identical to hers swept over her facial features looking for anything out of the ordinary.
“A little. I think I’m just overheatin’.” She fanned her face for good measure. Grace hoped she wasn’t overacting on her part. Carter took that moment to squeeze her ass. She covered her squeak with a cough. “Maybe it’s time for me to head home.”
“I’ll help her out, this isn’t really my thing anyway.” Carter shrugged his shoulders like it was no big deal. Of course, it had to look like nothing, because her brother would go apeshit if he knew they had just made out in a hallway.
“Alright, Lani’s havin’ fun so we’ll be here, but call if you need me.” Gene wrapped her up in a hug, when he released her he tilted his head to the side and examined her. “Ya sure, you’re okay to go with him?” Grace needed to get out there before she spilled the truth.
“Yeah. Don’t worry I could handle Carter with one paw behind my back.” The tension left her brother’s face.
“Good, and I know ya could. Trained ya myself.” He winked at her, pushing her towards Lani. Her sister-in-law hugged her so tight Grace worried about her unborn nephew.
“Go get yourself some, whore.” Lani whispered so low Grace almost didn’t realize she’d said anything at all. “Hope you feel better.” She said loud enough for Carter and Gene to hear, but Grace didn’t miss the small smirk Lani sent her way.
They had just made it outside when Carter started laughing. She hadn’t heard him laugh like that in years. Grace felt proud to be the source of it. Even if he was laughing at her and not with her. “When you squeaked, I thought we were done for.”
“Shut up asshole.” Grace punched him in the shoulder, making him laugh harder. “See if I kiss you again anytime soon.” Carter rounded on her, his laughter replaced by blatant lust.
“If I want a kiss, you’ll give it to me.” He backed her up against a truck until she had no choice but to look up to keep eye contact with him. “Won’t you Gracie?” His eyes glowed in the dark parking lot.
“Yes.” She whispered, unable to tear her eyes from her mate. Grace was powerless to him. He leaned down, but instead of going in for another kiss, Carter whispered in her ear, “Good girl.” Carter nipped her bottom lip when he pulled back. “Now, be careful while driving home.” Walking backward, Carter kept his eyes on her.
“You’re a tease.” She pouted, looking around the parking lot for her truck, before realizing it sat right behind her. Giving Carter the middle finger, Grace cranked the ignition. Her truck made a chugging noise, then went silent. “Fuck.” She knew this would happen sooner or later.
When she looked out the driver’s side window, Carter was already halfway to her truck. Pulling the door open, he silently took the keys from the ignition and started walking back to his car. “I can’t leave my truck here overnight.” Grace hopped out, sulking the whole way. What if something happened to the only piece of her mom she had left?
“I’ll call someone first thing in the morning to tow it to my house. It’s Saturday, not like I had anything better to do anyway.” She stopped in her tracks, he didn’t know how much this meant to her. Holding the door open, Carter tapped his foot impatiently. “We don’t have all night.”
No, but Grace wished they did. She thought of a couple unique ways she’d thank him if he gave her the chance. Instead just saying it would have to do, for now. “Thank you.” She leaned up without thinking, peckng Carter on the lips as if she’d done it a thousand times. Everything felt natural with him. For the first time, Grace felt at peace with everything in her life.
Her brother had found his mate and was having a baby, her father was sober. Grace finally had a mate. She pinched herself on the thigh, just to make sure she wasn’t dreaming because this all felt too good to be true. It hurt like a bitch but made Grace smile. Everything she’d ever wanted was right at her fingertips. All she had to do was make sure it didn’t slip right through her grasp.
Chapter Eleven
If Grace turned his radio to another country song, Carter wouldn’t hesitate to pull his car over. He didn’t have anything against country music. In fact, he liked it, just in moderation. His sanity silently thanked her when she left the radio alone. She slipped her heels off her tiny feet, planting them on his dashboard.
“Oh, no you don’t.” Reaching over with one hand, he tried to grab her leg and pull it down. Of course, the car followed his motion, swerving into the other lane. “Shit.”
“I always knew you were a reckless driver.” Grace giggled, clutching onto the door. Her eyes glowed with excitement.
“That was because of you. Your feet are going to leave little prints all over.” He tried again, this time catching one of her ankles. “Gotcha.” They were having a tug-of-war over her ankle.
Grace’s laugh washed over him like warm honey. His hand slid up her shapely leg, coming to rest on her thigh. Fuck, her curves were made for a man to worship. Carter dug his fingers into her hard enough to leave a mark. He’d be the only one leaving marks on her flawless skin.
Moving his hand, Carter wrapped his hand around the back of Grace’s neck. “I want to taste you again.”
“Isn’t that a little too dangerous?” Her lips were saying one thing, but her eyes were telling him something else.
“I’m starting to think you like danger.” He smirked at her rosy cheeks. His little firecracker liked to live on the edge. It made sense. Carter had seen first-hand how sheltered Grace had grown up.
While a part of him was thankful, she’d been kept safe for him. A bigger part felt sorry she hadn’t truly lived. He vowed right then and there to keep Grace’s life exciting. “But, I’ll pull over if it makes you feel better.” Without waiting for a response, he whipped his car to the side of the road, slamming on the brakes.
The car was barely in park before his lips were on hers. If his car had more
room, he would’ve pulled her onto his lap. He wanted to get his hands all over her. Carter would have to be satisfied with kissing the skin he could see, starting with her neck. Since she’d pulled her hair up, a primal instinct had awoken somewhere deep inside him.
Carter needed to see his mark on her, but he didn’t want to chance her temper. Naturally, no one could find out about them yet. Not when even they weren’t sure what the hell was between them. If he started leaving bites all over her where people could clearly see them, what would they do then? It was too soon for him to be worrying about others.
He had himself and Grace to think about. Everyone else would just have to wait. It already pissed him off that Lani saw them in the hallway. At least he knew she could keep her mouth shut. Too many people in their circle already knew his personal business. All his secrets relied on how well his friends could keep their mouths shut.
A honking broke them apart, “Damn it, why does that keep happenin’?” Grace growled, going back in for his lips. Carter took one more sip from her lips, breaking them apart slowly. Being interrupted twice had to be a fucking sign from the Goddess. One he wasn’t about to ignore. If it had been Gene driving by, they’d be screwed. Her brother, out of everyone, couldn’t find out about them without perfect timing.
“I should get you home.” He saw the disappointment all over her face. She slumped in her seat, turning away from him to face the fogged-up window. Carter wasn’t trying to lead her on, but he wouldn’t be sleeping with her, not yet. There was too much that needed to be sorted out between them. He wouldn’t talk to her about their future when they’d both been drinking.
Grace didn’t speak to him the rest of the way to the home she shared with her dad. Carter got the feeling he’d have to learn how to deal with her silent treatment. Turning his car off, he hit the door locks before his pissed off Gracie could bolt from the car. He wasn’t about to go through another couple of days getting the cold shoulder. Not after he’d tasted her lips and felt her body up against him. “Grace. Don’t get all pissy because-”
