“You’re thinking hard again,” he said as he stripped out of the rest of his clothes.
Her eyes went wide as she stared at his body.
“Saxen?”
Her gaze jerked up to his before lowering once more. Was that even going to fit? She’d only ever been with Martin, and he hadn’t exactly been a large man, in any capacity, except for maybe his gut.
“If you want to wait, I swear I won’t do more than just wash you. And if you don’t want me to do that, I’ll walk out of here and let you shower alone.”
“I don’t want you to leave,” she said softly. “I’m just…I’ve never…Martin is the only guy I’ve ever been with, and he’s not exactly built like you, in any capacity.”
Ryder smirked. “Lacking in the male equipment area?”
She nodded.
“We’re going to fit together just fine.”
Saxen slid off the counter and began removing her clothes. She was a little embarrassed over the changes in her body. She wasn’t as slender as before, and her breasts were larger. When she stood before him naked, she chewed her bottom lip as she tried to gage his expression. Ryder reached out slowly and traced a finger down her arm before pulling her into his embrace and kissing her gently.
“Shower,” he growled softly. “Then I’m making you mine. If Martin comes after you, no one would question a wolf protecting his mate and unborn pup.”
She froze. “Is that why you want to claim me? To protect me?”
“No.” He frowned. “You’re mine, Saxen. Never doubt it. Ideally, I’d give you more time to adjust to the idea, but your crazy ex ups our timeline a bit. Until he’s caught, I want to make sure you’re protected in every way possible.”
“But you’d want to claim me regardless?”
He nodded.
“Then I’m okay with not waiting. As long as you really do want me, and you aren’t just trying to be a hero.”
He grinned a little. “Sweetheart, in case you’ve forgotten, I save lives for a living. I was already a hero.”
“And a modest one too.”
He chuckled and kissed her again before starting the shower. She could feel the restrained power in him as he carefully washed her, not lingering too long anywhere, almost as if he were afraid it would upset her. Truthfully, she loved having his hands on her. Her fingers itched to trace his muscles, but he didn’t give her the opportunity. Ryder quickly washed himself, then shut off the water, and briskly dried them both.
When he took her by the hand and led her into the bedroom, she stared at the large bed and knew she’d never look at it the same way again. Until now, they’d only slept side by side, but once Ryder claimed her, her life would never be the same. Her hand cradled her baby as she looked up at him.
“You claiming me means you’re claiming the baby too. You won’t change your mind?”
“I won’t change my mind.”
“Then make me yours.”
He eased her down onto the bed and covered her body with his. His kisses were long and slow as his hands caressed her soft skin. Saxen clung to him, needing his touch as much as her next breath. Fire licked along her skin under his fingertips. When his lips closed over her nipple, she gasped and arched into him, the hardened peak throbbing and sending shockwaves of pleasure through her. Ryder took his time exploring her body with soft touches and kisses. Her skin was humming and she felt as if she’d shatter with just the right touch. It felt like hours before he claimed her lips again, his cock brushing against her thigh.
“I want to make love to you all night,” he said as he nuzzled her neck.
“I’m a little nervous about the claiming part. Could we get that part out of the way?”
He smiled. “There’s nothing to be nervous about. I will always take care of you.”
She kissed him fiercely and turned her head, exposing her neck.
Ryder licked the sensitive skin. “Not just yet, sweetheart. There’s one part of you I haven’t explored.”
Her breath caught as he slid down her body, spreading her thighs with his shoulders. She felt the puff of his breath against the curls between her legs and her stomach clenched. No one had ever…was he really going to put his mouth there?
“Ryder, you don’t have to do that.”
He gave her a hungry look, the wolf peeking out through his eyes. “Yes, I do.”
Before she could utter another word of protest, his tongue traced her slit and he spread her pussy open for his exploration. His soft licks were driving her need for him higher. When he traced her clit with his tongue, she gasped. Ryder drew the little bud into his mouth and sucked long and hard. Saxen felt like she was heating from the inside out, her skin felt flushed and her thighs were trembling. Being with Martin had never been like this. Ryder took his time pleasing her. A tightness wound inside of her and she struggled to breathe. When he sucked on her clit again, she went flying, screaming out his name as her body bucked beneath him. She lay panting and feeling like that world was spinning.
Ryder trailed kisses up her body until he slanted his mouth over hers. She could taste herself on his lips. His cock pulsed against her and she hoped he was finally going to claim her. As he entered her, stretching her and filling her, she hooked her legs over his thighs. Ryders strokes were long and deep, and oh, so delicious. She could feel herself getting close to another orgasm when he licked her shoulder. Saxen tensed a moment, then relaxed right before he bit her.
She gasped, but the brief flash of pain was gone almost as quickly as it arrived, and then she was coming apart in his arms. Ryder drove into her harder, faster, and as he came inside of her, he released her shoulder, threw back his head and howled. Almost as soon as he was finished, he leapt from the bed, and she watched in fascination as he shifted into a gray wolf with russet tones. The animal paced and stared at her.
Saxen sat on her knees on the bed and held out her hand.
The wolf stopped pacing, but didn’t break eye contact. Slowly, he edged closer until he could lick her fingers. She giggled a little and crawled down onto the floor with him. He brushed his body along hers and she wondered if he was scent marking her, like a wild wolf would do.
“You’re beautiful,” she said as she ran her fingers through his fur.
He yipped at her and nudged her with his nose. It took her a moment to realize he wanted her back in the bed. She crawled under the covers and watched as he jumped onto the bed. He settled on the mattress beside her, watching her, as if he were afraid she’d disappear at any moment.
“Aren’t you going to change back?” she asked.
He growled a little and looked toward the bedroom door. His fur bristled and she wondered if he’d heard something she couldn’t. Unease filled her as she thought about Martin still on the loose. The wolf leapt off the bed and crept to the door, his hackles raised. He glanced back at her, as if to assure himself she was still there, then entered the hall. Saxen’s heart raced in her chest and she jumped out bed. She quickly threw on one of Ryder’s shirts, and some panties, before tiptoeing to the door. She didn’t hear a single sound from within the house, and she wondered if Ryder was just being overprotective.
Should she stay or follow him? The only way into the bedroom was through the door. They were too far up for someone to come through the window, unless they had a ladder. Saxen chewed her bottom lip as she contemplated what to do. Would she distract Ryder if she followed him? Curiosity won out and she crept along the hall to the top of the stairs. She could hear Ryder growling below.
“I think I’m about to be one of those ‘too stupid to live’ women in horror movies,” she mumbled as she slowly went down the stairs. But better to have two exits than be trapped in a bedroom, right? She wasn’t sure Ryder would care for her logic. He was in the kitchen, snarling at the back door.
“Ryder, do you want me to open the door?” she asked.
He glanced at her, and that one look told her she would be in deep shit when he changed back. He p
awed at the door and she cracked it open far enough for him to slip out, then shut and locked it. Through the window, she watched him approach the barn on the back of the property and she wondered what was in there.
Her heart pounded so hard she could hear it echoing in her ears. She strained to see or hear anything, but it was quiet. Too quiet. When Ryder came out of the barn, he was back on two legs and looked pissed as hell. She gulped and hoped that anger wasn’t directed at her as she flipped the lock on the door and let him in.
“Woman, what if Martin had been here?” he snapped. “You should have locked yourself in the bedroom, better yet the bathroom.”
“And then who would have let you outside?”
He rubbed a hand down his face.
“What was it?” she asked.
“Just some teens, from the pack, getting into trouble. They thought it would be fun to have a party in my barn. They’ll be out of here as soon as they clean up their mess.”
“I don’t know about you, but there’s no way I’m going to sleep right now. I don’t know how to make much in the kitchen, but I could make some cinnamon toast for us,” she offered.
He smiled a little. “Let me put on some clothes and I’ll fix some hot chocolate to go with it. Maybe some eggs. Bacon…you want bacon?”
She giggled. “Are you going to make a feast for us?”
“Maybe.”
He brushed a kiss against her cheek and headed upstairs. Saxen made sure the door was locked before she grabbed the bread, cinnamon, sugar, and butter. She preheated the oven and prepared the toast. With a mate who had the appetite of a wild beast, she knew she’d need a lot. After filling a baking sheet with the squares, she slid it into the oven and set the timer.
Ryder placed a hand at her waist as he came up behind her. “Why don’t you sit down and I’ll whip up something for us to eat with your toast.”
“I set the timer.”
He kissed her cheek. “I’ll take care of us. You just sit and rest.”
He pulled out eggs, shredded cheese, ham, and an onion. Ryder grabbed a plastic bowl from under the counter and a whisk from the drawer and began mixing the ingredients, adding a little milk to it. The timer went off and he pulled the toast from the oven and set it aside. Next, he pulled out a large skillet and she watched as he made an omelet with an ease that made her a little jealous. It turned out beautifully and he topped it with more shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream. He slid the plate in front of her and added two slices of the toast.
Saxen felt bad eating without him, but her stomach was rumbling. She ate slowly as she watched him fix an omelet for himself, and smiled when he was finished and claimed the seat next to her.
“Oh.” He popped back up. “Almost forgot something for us to drink. Still want hot chocolate?”
“That depends. Are you making it from scratch like everything else?”
He smiled.
“Then no. You can treat me to that another night. Orange juice will be fine tonight.”
He chuckled a little as he poured two glasses and set them on the table before reclaiming his seat. They ate in silence, but shared plenty of smiles and soft touches between bites. When they were finished, Ryder cleaned up the kitchen and sent Saxen up to bed. She’d just crawled beneath the covers and closed her eyes when she felt the bed dip.
“Are you tired?” he asked as he kissed her shoulder.
“A little. Now that you’ve fed me, I need a nap.”
“Then sleep. And when you wake up, I’m going to make love to you again. All night long. Or until you push me away and scream ‘not again!’.”
She smiled. “Not going to happen.”
Ryder wrapped his arms around her and she snuggled against his chest as she drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Four
Ryder groaned and wondered if, in the past, he’d ever had so much sex that his dick had been sore. Every time Saxen had woken last night, he’d made love to her, as promised. Now he was questioning the sanity of such an idea. Not that he regretted a moment they’d had together, but there was definite chaffing. He knew she had to be sore too, so he felt like a bad mate.
Saxen slept peacefully beside him and he knew she needed her rest. Rolling out of bed, he pulled on some clothes and went to brew a pot of coffee. As the machine percolated, there was a knock at the front door. With a frown, he went to check it out, wondering who would dare disturb him the morning after his mating.
Zach stood on the front porch with one of Grover Falls’ finest.
“What’s going on?” Ryder asked.
“After I saw the news this morning, I contacted the police chief,” Zach said. “Martin was spotted not too far from here, and it’s possible Grover Falls will be his next stop.”
“That doesn’t explain why there’s a cop on my porch.”
“I already called a pack meeting this morning. The single wolves are going to take turns patrolling your land, but I thought it would be best if the local law knew what was going on too. Officer Halbret would like to speak with Saxen.” Zach shoved his hands in his pockets. “And I’m not asking. As your alpha, I’m telling you this is what’s going to happen.”
“She’s asleep.”
“Then wake her up,” Zach said. “This is important, Ryder. You know I’d never do anything to endanger her. She’s part of our pack now. You did mate claim her last night, right?”
He nodded.
“Then she’s one of us. I will protect her with my life, just like any other member of the pack.”
“You can wait in the living room,” Ryder said as he let them in.
He took the stairs two at a time and paused in the bedroom doorway, just to watch her sleep. She looked so peaceful and he was about to turn her world upside down by telling her the monster on her trail was getting closer. He eased himself down onto the bed and ran a hand up and down her arm.
“Saxen. Sweetheart, I need you to wake up.”
She mumbled something in her sleep, rolled over, and curled her body around his. He smiled a little and wished he could lie back down with her. He gently shook her until her eyes opened. She blinked up at him sleepily.
“Morning,” she said.
“We have some company downstairs. I need you to get up and get dressed.”
Her brow furrowed. “Is something wrong?”
“Martin was spotted not too far from here. The alpha thinks it’s best if you speak with the local police. He’s already made arrangements for the pack to patrol my property until Martin is in custody.”
She paled. “Martin is coming for me. He won’t stop until I’m dead.”
“He won’t get that close to you. I’ll do anything to keep you safe.”
She nodded and pushed the covers aside. Ryder helped her dress and took her hand as they walked downstairs. She balked at the living room doorway when she spotted the officer, but he soothed her and led her into the room.
“Officer Halbret needs to speak with you,” Ryder said. “I’m right here, and I’m not leaving your side.”
She squeezed his hand.
“What do you need to know, officer?” she asked, a slight tremor to her voice.
“Miss Blake, there’s evidence in your apartment that you were there the day Martin shot and killed a man. Did you arrive at the apartment before or after the altercation?” the officer asked.
“Before. I was hiding in the closet when they burst into the bedroom.”
The officer scribbled something on a pad he’d pulled from his pocket. “And what happened after they entered the bedroom?”
“Martin said the man owed him a lot of money. The man cowered and said he’d get it, but he needed time. Martin told him his time was up.” Her hand tightened on Ryder’s. “And then he pulled out a gun and shot him.”
The officer paused in his note taking. “So you witnessed the actual murder?”
She nodded.
“Zach, I know she’s part of your pack, but this changes thing
s. With Martin at large, and getting closer by the day, I think it would be better for me to take her into protective custody. He’s not going to attempt to break into a jail to get her.”
Ryder growled. “My mate is not going to sit in a cell because you can’t do your damn job and catch a murderer.”
He could feel his wolf rising to the surface and his fangs lengthened. The officer raised his hands as if to placate him. Ryder didn’t care what he said, there was no way in hell he was walking out of here with Saxen. No one was taking his mate from him.
“What if we moved Saxen to a more secure location?” Zach asked.
“Where would be more secure than my jail?” the officer asked.
“Weston lives in a gated community and has a state of the art alarm system. He has plenty of space, so Saxen and Ryder can stay with him until Martin is captured. And I can have my wolves patrol the area, plus your officers could keep an eye on the community as well.” Zach shrugged. “She’d be more comfortable in a home, and I agree that if Martin is closing in, maybe being out here in the middle of nowhere isn’t the best idea.”
“We wouldn’t be imposing?” Saxen asked.
“Weston would be thrilled to have you, and I’m sure Abril would love the company. If it would make you feel safer, Maggie and I could make arrangements to stay there too. You know I wouldn’t put my mate in harm’s way if I didn’t feel she would be safe. And with three wolves in the house, you’d be safe.”
Saxen nibbled her lip. “I don’t want to be any trouble.”
Ryder tipped her chin up so he could look into her eyes. “We’ll go wherever you want in order for you to feel safe. If you want to stay with Weston, I’ll go upstairs and pack a bag right now. If you want to stay here in our home, we’ll make it work.”
“I just want Martin to go away. Why won’t he leave me alone? He has to have seen the news by now, so he knows the police are looking for him. What does it matter if I was in the apartment when it happened?” Saxen asked.
“Maybe he just doesn’t want to let you go.”
“Or maybe, now that he’s had a taste for killing, he wants to do it again,” she said. “He never loved me, never wanted this baby.”
Little Red & Ryder Wolfe (Iron Hills Pack Book 3) Page 4
