She couldn’t stop herself from touching him. She reached out and caressed the arch of his hips, teasing along the curve and up his sides. Desire poured through her as she wiggled against him, needing his touch, wanting more than his finger. She wanted him inside of her. “I need you. Please…”
“Peaches.” He sucked her earlobe into his mouth, his teeth grazing around her earring, his hand sliding down her body, following her curves. “What do you need?”
“I need you.”
“You have me.” His thumb teased over her clit at a new angle, causing her body to jerk against his.
“Inside me. Please, Tex, inside me!” Her voice rose and she could only hope no one outside could hear her. Practically panting, she arched toward him. Desperation flooded through her. “Now!” The mating desire rolled within her, unwilling to be denied. Her tigress was anxious to have her mate. She needed him inside of her and she wanted it now.
“Didn’t anyone teach you that an Alpha doesn’t take orders?” His lips circled her nipple, grazing his teeth over it until she arched into him.
“Don’t consider it an order…I’m begging,” she moaned as his hand slid away from her pussy.
He tore his lips away from her breast, leaning up to look at her. “Your tigress has been vibrating along the surface, urging me on, but when I pulled back I could feel her snarling at me. Do you really think I’d deny you what you need?” Watching her, he waited for an answer.
“You want it as bad as I do. We need this.” Her fingers wrapped around his bicep to stop herself from clawing down his body.
Slipping between her legs, he positioned himself just above her pussy. “Are you sure you’re ready?”
“Yes!” The answer was filled with need.
“An orgasm will tear down all the walls between us, so you need to brace yourself for what you’ll see and the flood of emotions you’ll feel from the clan as you accept your position as Alpha Female.”
Forcing herself to open her eyes, she looked up at him and the anxiety that reflected in his gaze tightened her chest. “Baby, you’re worrying for nothing. I’m ready. Nothing is going to change this. This is our destiny.” She reached up and dragged her finger along the curve of his cheek. “We’ll handle it and everything else that life throws at us, together.”
“When it starts, just remember it will be over quickly. I’ll be there with you and I’ll never break contact.” He leaned down to her and pressed his lips to hers in a soft kiss. “Mate, in the few days I’ve known you, I’ve fallen in love with you. The emotions you spark within me are ones I thought were long dead. I never thought I’d have someone in my life who means what you mean to me. I love you already and the future will be brighter just having you by my side. You’re mine as I’m yours.” Before she could reply, he kissed her again, this time deeper, more passionately, stealing the breath from her.
He pulled his mouth from hers and kissed a path down her neck. His breath was cool against her skin, sending goosebumps down her body as he nipped and kissed along her shoulder. She had wanted to say she looked forward to that, but the words were stuck in her throat as she fought to keep the screams of desire from springing forward. Sensations collided and threatened to overwhelm her, but she pushed her beast away, trying to savor the moment.
“You’re mine. I’ll protect and cherish you until my dying day.” He kissed down her chest until he reached her breasts, dragging his tongue in lazy circles around her nipples. The intensity of her desire shot through every cell of her body. Teasing her nipples gently, pulling them between his teeth until they stood at attention, he rested his weight on an elbow and used the other hand to explore the length of her body. His fingers teased along every curve until it felt like fire sparked between them, growing stronger and hotter with each touch.
Her mind was in a sexual haze, and her beast was lingered below the surface, speeding the pace, clawing at her insides, demanding to be set free to mingle with his. Words wouldn’t come to her but as her hands roamed along his body, she hoped he could sense what she was feeling for him. The love she already had for him was something she knew would grow as they got to know each other better.
Lifting her hips off the bed, he spread her legs farther, giving him the access he needed. Their gazes met for a moment as she watched the battle within his eyes. His beast clashed against his control, fighting to be set free. The foreplay had snapped his tiger’s tolerance and he needed to claim her. He tried to draw it out, giving her everything he thought she needed, when what she craved most was him inside of her.
“Baby…now.” In that moment, all that mattered was joining the two of them together in a bond stronger than anything else on this planet. She needed her mate, her Alpha. He was the piece within her that had been missing and now she could be whole.
Without waiting a moment longer, he slid his shaft into her warm, wet core, his manhood filling her completely. Her tigress leapt forward to meet him. With every thrust, his pace sped and their beasts mingled together like an invisible blanket surrounding them. Stroke after stroke, the tempo between them intensified until his hips where slamming off hers, a driving force with each pump. The thrusts became deeper and faster, falling into a perfect rhythm. Their bodies rocked back and forth and she arched into him, holding onto his lower back to bring them closer together. The tension strained through their muscles as she fought for the release she longed for.
She stared up at him, lost in his eyes. They were no longer the normal storm gray, but had turned the bright yellow of his tiger. Still within them, she could see the slivers of gray that reminded her of lightning. The power she saw drew her in as she clung to him. “Tex.”
“It’s okay, peaches.” His voice was barely more than a growl. “Yours are, too.”
She tipped her head to the side to look into the mirror above the dresser. In the reflection, her tiger’s eyes shined back but it wasn’t what caught her attention; it was Tex’s body as he pumped into her. An image popped into her head, but before she could focus on it, Tex nipped at her neck, bringing her back to the moment.
“You’ll give a man a complex if you keep staring in that mirror.”
“I love watching you fuck me.” Growing more excited, she arched up to meet him. Faster and deeper, they met each other’s thrusts. They climbed the mountain, both seeking the apex. Their moans mixed with purrs and growls as the tsunami of ecstasy flooded toward her.
“Tex!” Screaming his name, she arched her body into his as her release coursed through her, her nails digging into his shoulders and leaving angry red scratches. He continued to pump into her, his tempo never missing a beat as the waves tore through her. With one final push, he drove into her, tipped his head back and roared as his release followed.
She sank back onto the pillows as the flood of memories and emotions hit her. Every aspect of his life flashed before her closed eyes and she shuddered at the horrors she saw. She reached for him, but he was no longer on top of her.
“I’m here, sweetie.” Unable to open her eyes, she felt him roll her toward him, cuddling her against his body.
She clung to him, reminding herself that everything she’d witnessed made him the man he was. The tortures he’d suffered at the hands of Avery were over. Avery was dead and Tex was alive. Nothing would change that. Knowing the horrors he suffered through would never happened to anyone else did little to ease the knot in her chest, because he still had to live with the memories and the scars. Her mate had survived, but how many others had died because of his tormenter?
Chapter Twelve
Watching the horrors of his past had very little effect on Tex. He lived through it, so nothing he saw was a surprise, but watching Carleen squeeze her eyes shut and cling to him as it flashed before her tore at his soul. He wanted to stop it from happening but there was nothing he could do. All mates went through this to some degree. With Elders, it was more complete. Elder mates needed to know everything about each other so nothing could ever be use
d against them. Some might experience it in smaller doses. Unfortunately for Carleen, the bond between them was too strong and he’d already pulled her into his flashbacks. Now she was forced to witness his life unfold before her very eyes.
“No…” A moan tore through her and her body shook violently against his.
He cuddled her against his body, holding her tight enough she knew she wasn’t alone. All he could do was wait for it to pass. “Peaches, I’m here. You’re not there. Focus on my voice.”
Her fingers dug into his chest, digging deep enough that blood seeped from the grooves. Rubbing his hand along her back, he stayed focused on her, doing what little he could to comfort her. Pressing his lips to the top of her head, he took in her scent, letting her sweet aroma of fresh peaches keep his attention so he wouldn’t focus on the torture that was playing out before them right now. The pain of the scalding oil as it landed on his arms was something he couldn’t deny. It happened in the past, but he could feel it now as if it was happening again.
“We’re almost done.” He rolled toward her, pressing the front of their bodies together, intertwining their legs and wrapping both arms around her. Resting his head on the pillow above her, he kept his face pressed against the top of her head. His lips brushed along her hairline, planting soft kisses there.
“No!” She tried to pull away, but he held her tight. “Please…you can’t die…”
“Shh, Carleen. It’s going to be fine.” His eyelids drifted shut and he could see himself lying on the same stone slab he was on when Avery whipped him with the burning rope. Only this time there were burns up and down his arms and legs from where Avery had splashed hot oil before finally slicing his throat. As he choked on his own blood and fear filled his eyes, he realized Avery was smirking. Everyone from the clan knew Avery got off on the torture, but until that moment Tex hadn’t realized what an impact it had on his former Alpha.
At the time, he had been so wrapped up in his own thoughts he hadn’t looked at Avery. While lying there and bleeding out, he thought the end was finally coming. A mixture of emotions poured through him, the strongest being sadness that there was so much he hadn’t done and relief knowing that Avery’s torture was over, at least for him. When he was finally unstrapped from the slab, he almost allowed himself the pleasure of slipping away.
Don’t you die on me. I need you. Autumn and Summer need you. Damn it, we all need you. Ben’s words echoed through the room, reminding him of the reason he forced himself to shift and heal. He wanted to give in to the blood loss and the pain and allow it to carry him off to his death, but there were people counting on him. People he couldn’t leave behind. Ben was his best friend and partner on guard duty. They needed each other to survive.
“Tex.” She called his name as he was shoved into one of the small rooms in the tunnel. Alone in that room, he spent weeks without any human contact, driving him nearly insane. “Tex?”
“I’m here.” Placing his hand on the side of her face, he wiped away the tear before it could roll down her cheek. “Don’t cry.”
“I’m so sorry that happened to you.” Wrapping her arm around his back, she clung to him.
“It brought me to you and that’s what matters.” He leaned back to look at her. “It’s not over yet.”
“The worst is.” She opened her eyes to meet his gaze. “Watching everything play out in front of me and not being able to do anything to help you was torture. My past might not be sunshine and roses, but it’s not like what you went through. It won’t faze you.”
Before he was able to reply, the second part of the mating connection flooded toward them. Even though it wasn’t as overpowering as the first, he was thankful for that moment of reprieve, allowing him to comfort her.
Moments later, the rest of the mating ritual was over and they were connected on every level. Each of their pasts had been witnessed and there were no secrets between them. She remained cuddled against him, holding him tight. On one level, it surprised him. After everything she’d witnessed, she still wanted to be there with him and none of it had changed how she perceived him. When he looked back at his past, he cursed himself for being weak. He should have done something, fought back against his former Alpha long before he stood with Ty and the others as they brought Avery down.
“You protected the others and that took courage.” She ran her hand up his chest. “The tortures you endured proved you’re not weak.”
“I was too afraid to stand up to him. That’s weakness.”
“No, Tex, that’s self-preservation. If you’d have gotten yourself killed, the torture your clan went through would still be happening. You not only protected them when you could, you saved them when you had the opportunity. That’s why they follow you now.”
Unsure what to say, he caressed her side with his fingers, moving in lazy strokes. The doubts and regrets within him that he kept concealed from everyone else could no longer be hidden from her. Their connection opened her to that part of him even if he wanted to keep it hidden. He wanted to protect her from anything that could harm her, but there was no protection from that side of him.
“I guess I should be thankful you’re not arguing with me.” She cocked her head up from where it rested on his arm and looked up at him.
“A smart man knows better than to argue with his mate.” He shot her a halfhearted grin.
“I wish it was because you realized I’m right, but I’ll take that at least. In time, I’ll prove it to you.” Sliding her hand between their bodies and down his chest she eased lower until she was brushing against his manhood.
“What are you doing?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” As her fingers wrapped around him, his shaft responded, growing hard under her touch. “Tomorrow you’re leaving for Texas, so we need to make the most of this time.”
“You’re coming with me.” He arched his hips toward her. “My mate goes where I go.”
“I never said I wasn’t.” Teasingly, she dragged her hand up and down his length. “I should have said we’re leaving for Texas. The point is still the same. The members know you’re here recruiting but some are leery of adding new people to the clan, especially new guards in a position of power. You’re going to be busy and before you correct me, you should realize they’ll be suspicious of me, too. Your mate or not, I’m an outsider. I’m going to have to prove myself to them and I will, but it won’t happen overnight. Too much of this transition is going to fall on you. I’ll help where I can, but I don’t want to push them.”
“You’re underestimating them. They’re going to love you. But you’re right, we’re going to be busy, so there’s no reason why we can’t take a little more time for ourselves now.” He leaned into her, his lips brushing against hers. “I’m going to make love to you, then we’re going to pack your stuff up for tomorrow and you’re coming back to my cabin. I’m not sure if sleep is on the agenda, but I want you with me and if I want to make you purr my name again, I don’t want Thorn listening.”
“Having Rhett listening is so much better.” She rolled her eyes. “I think you’re going to be stuck waiting until we’re back in Texas.”
“I’ll kick him out.” He rolled her onto her back and hovered above her. “He can stay here with Thorn. Hell, I don’t care where he stays as long as we’re alone together.”
Kissing along her collarbone, he worked his way up her neck as her fingers trailed along the sides of his chest. “I like the sound of that.”
“Me too, sweetie.” His cell phone rang, making him dip his head in defeat. “Shit.”
“Get it. I understand.”
“No, you don’t.” He reached over the side of the bed and snatched his jeans off the floorboard. As he pulled the cell phone out of his pocket, he caught sight of the number, recognizing it immediately. He cursed his luck. Just as he expected. “You didn’t have a secure cell phone, so I told Mason to give him this number.”
“Who?”
“Your father.” He held the
phone out to her. “I knew you’d want to talk to him, so Mason gave him this number and told him to call you when he had things under control. Jack has his hands full and unless we wanted to make things more complicated for him, it was best to leave the ball in his court. Plus, I didn’t want you getting hurt.”
“I don’t know what to say to him.”
“You both lost someone you loved. You’re feeling guilty because you encouraged Lucy to accept the mating, but imagine what Jack is going through. Lucy took her own life to save his. The guilt he’s carrying will be with him for the rest of his life. The two of you need each other now. You can ease each other’s pain, but more than that, you’re his only living daughter. He’ll want to reestablish that connection with you.” He pressed the phone into her hand. “Talk to him. The words will come when you need them and I’ll be here.”
Putting off the call with her father would only make Carleen more apprehensive of the whole conversation. Even though she wasn’t in Mississippi, she still felt guilty about what had happened. How bad had things gotten once she and Thorn left? What torment had Lee put Lucy and her father through because they’d abandoned the clan? Accepting the call might give her answers she wasn’t sure she was ready for. Dragging her bottom lip between her teeth, she pressed a button and brought the phone to her ear. “Dad?”
“Zoom, it’s so good to hear your voice.” There was a heaviness in his tone that she’d never heard before. She couldn’t remember a time where he showed any sign of emotion other than anger.
“You too, Dad. I’ve missed you.” She leaned back on the pillows and let her eyelids close to hide the tears welling in her eyes.
Until that moment, she hadn’t realized how much she missed her father. Their relationship had been rough for so many years, but when her mother passed away he seemed to become a different man. They formed a bond and she clung to the new relationship because she knew their time together would be short. One day she’d mate, and he hoped the mating would force her to leave the clan, giving her a freedom she didn’t have there. Against both of their wishes the bond grew stronger, bringing them closer than she was with Uncle Ethan.
Alaskan Tigers Box Set 3 Page 24
