“So are you.” Sky slid her fingertips across his sandpapery jaw. Her body felt full, felt expanded because he was not the average man in any way. Where their hips were fused, she sighed. “That was—incredible...wonderful.... I never want it to end....” And she didn’t. Her emotions were scintillating and bright. Right now, Sky felt as if the most beautiful rainbow in the world throbbed with life within her. “You make me feel so good,” she whispered, closing her eyes, absorbing each of his small kisses, cherishing the intimacy between them.
Gray eased away from her. “Hold that thought,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”
Sky missed his weight upon her. Missed Gray. Within a minute, after getting rid of the condom, he settled back at her side, easing her back into his arms, his large hands against her hips, drawing her against him. Sky smiled softly because Gray’s erection was still there. Still wanting her. Opening her eyes as he lay above her on his elbow, his hand ranging almost tenderly from her hip, up to her rib cage and back, she whispered, “I don’t want to ever not share this bed with you.”
Gray’s heart expanded until he could barely breathe. Sky’s trembling words, breathless and soft, totaled him. He leaned down, gently kissing her mouth, absorbing her as a woman, someone he never wanted to release again. Lifting his mouth, their lips still touching, he replied, “I want the same thing, baby. We’re good together....”
Languishing in his arms, Sky drowned in his burning, narrowed eyes. Gray was part predator, fully alpha male and yet he treated her with such tenderness. Only a man who was confident in himself could do that, and it was so rare in Sky’s limited experience. She closed her eyes and turned into his hand as he cupped her breast. Instantly, as he pulled the taut nipple into the heat of his mouth, she pressed restlessly against him. Good together? They were like a fire, wild and out of control.
“You taste so good,” Gray rasped, lifting his head, meeting her aroused eyes. “And you are so damned hot and responsive.”
“I like loving you, Gray.”
He curved his fingers around her taut breast, the pink nipple begging to be suckled once again. “If we keep this up, I’m going to have to put on another condom,” he warned her, his mouth curving as he held her dark, smoky stare.
“Let me put it on you,” Sky whispered, sliding her hand down between them, fingers wrapping around his already hard erection. “This is more than about me, Gray. I told you, I want to love you, too.”
Her words inflamed his entire body. The fearlessness in Sky’s gaze made him grin. “You’re an alpha female wolf, baby.”
“Which you’ll find out, my very handsome alpha male wolf....”
* * *
DAWN LIGHT BARELY peeked around the heavy, dark curtains of Gray’s room when Sky slowly eased out of some badly needed sleep. Her body was still pleasantly heavy, still pulsating with the memory of Gray within her. They had loved each other almost nonstop, so hungry for one another. She lay against him, her body slanted across his, their legs tangled. Her head rested on his chest, her slender arm across his rock-hard belly.
Closing her eyes, Sky listened to the slow beat of Gray’s heart beneath her ear, felt the shallow rise and fall of his powerful chest. The dusting of dark hair across it tickled her nose. Inhaling his male scent, the aphrodisiac fragrance of the sex shared between them earlier, Sky never wanted to come out of this mindless pleasure. The man knew how to love a woman, no question. Her body flexed sweetly in memory as she had lost count of how many orgasms he’d coaxed from her. Barely able to move, so satisfied, Sky couldn’t ever remember feeling this good, this pleasured, in her life.
Best of all, none of the anxiety that normally inhabited her was present. Good sex was the antidote to PTSD symptoms in her case. For that, Sky was grateful to be given a reprieve from those grating, constant feelings. She nuzzled her cheek against Gray’s chest, his flesh warm and hard beneath her. It was then that she felt him awaken, his arm slowly sliding around her shoulders, holding her close to him. Sky wanted to wake up like this every morning. Wanted to go to bed with Gray at night knowing that love waited in his arms.
“Good morning to you,” Gray said, slowly rising up on his elbow, pressing Sky onto her back. In the shadows her slender body, those small, perfect breasts, was outlined. He saw the curve of her waist and those flared hips. Most of all, he noticed the sweet swell of her belly, and he laid his hand across it, feeling the soft velvet of her flesh beneath his palm. The lustrous, drowsy look in her eyes made him want to love her again. Sky was open and vulnerable to him on every level. The trust between them was solid.
He leaned down, cupping the side of her belly and pressing a kiss near her belly button. She smelled of sex, of her own unique fragrance as a woman, and he licked her skin, tasting the salt from it. Instantly, he heard her moan a little, her fingers digging into his arm, her hips automatically lifting toward him because it felt good to her.
Gray wanted to always hear those sweet sounds coming out of Sky’s mouth, feel her fingers pressing frantically into him, telling him she liked it and wanted more. He felt in a daze, somewhat groggy due to lack of sleep, but in another way, so damned hungry for her all over again. He lifted his head and smiled up at her.
“Are we ever going to get enough of each other?” Her answering smile tore at his heart, made him feel the love that had guided him all of last night with her. Gray wanted to tell her about his love for her, but hesitated. Did he dare? Didn’t they need more time? He already knew that he wanted to marry Sky and make her his wife, his partner and his best friend.
However, last night had shown Gray clearly that Sky was the woman he wanted. Forever. But to tell her all of this? He studied her sleep-ridden blue eyes, his gaze resting on her slightly swollen, so well-kissed lips. His realizations would be too much for her right now. Her plate was full at this point, and Gray had no desire to make it even fuller. Maybe Sky would interpret his admission right now as a stressor.
“I don’t know,” she admitted in a wispy voice, meeting and holding his burning gaze. Already, she could feel his erection growing, thickening insistently against her hip. Her heart felt euphoric, and she knew these feelings were because of Gray. His shadowed face, the dangerous darkness that made her feel damp between her thighs once again, that crooked masculine smile on his well-shaped mouth, made her smile. “You’re my dessert.”
“Okay, I’ll settle for being your dessert, baby,” he said, kissing the lobe of her ear, feeling her breath rush out from between her lips. He licked the skin behind her ear and felt her shiver, her fingers dancing across his biceps. Sky was so damned sensitive, so easy to please. Gray wanted what they had found to last forever.
“We have to get up,” Sky sighed and eased out of his arms. She pointedly pouted at the clock on the dresser opposite Gray’s bed.
Gray liked her pout. He sighed and agreed. “Duty calls.”
She leaned over, kissing his mouth languidly, absorbing the taste and feel of his lips beneath hers. “And if nothing else, being in the military, we will always do our duty. Won’t we?”
Sliding his hand up along her hip, Gray answered, “You’re right, but after 5:00 p.m. every night, we’re off duty, and you’re mine.”
His low, animal-like growl vibrated through Sky, making her lower body begin to burn brightly all over again. “I’m yours,” she promised him, giving him one last, lingering kiss on his mouth before forcing herself off the bed.
Gray caught her hand as she turned to leave his bed. “Want to shower together?”
Sky laughed and slipped out of his grasp. “No. And you know why, Grayson McCoy. We don’t have enough time...” Standing beside the bed, pushing her fingers through her mussed hair, she met his very appreciative male look. She liked the arousal in Gray’s glittering eyes. Felt his wanting her. She wanted him, but time was working against them.
He feigned ignorance. “I
don’t know why.”
Rolling her eyes, Sky muttered, “Oh, yes, you do, Navy guy. A shower is just another way to love one another, and I know that’s not lost on you.”
He raised a brow. “Okay,” Gray drawled, slowly moving off the bed. “I’m up for it. Are you?”
Giving a very ladylike snort, Sky walked around the bed and quickly picked up her clothes. Gray reached out, hooking his arm around her waist, drawing her up against him. She laughed and tried to squirm free, but her nipples rubbing against his chest only weakened her resolve. “Gray...”
He took the clothes from her fingers, feeling her arousal, feeling her nipples hardening against his chest. Glancing at the clock, he looked at her. “We have thirty minutes, baby. Are you game?”
How could she resist his low wolf growl? That predatory look of hunger in his eyes for her alone. Sky relaxed in his arms. “All right... I’m having such a tough time telling you no,” she admitted with a soft sigh, sliding her arms around his shoulders, feeling the strength of him against her.
Giving her a pleased look, Gray whispered against her smiling mouth, “Because what we have is going to stand the test of time, sweet woman of mine.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
IN EARLY JULY, Sky watched the three wolf puppies gallop and frisk around in their new enclosure. Gray stood with her near the den as the pups eagerly smelled and investigated their new home. They were now about ten pounds apiece, long and lean, their tiny whippet tails growing, as well. Their once puglike noses had changed dramatically, growing longer and taking on a more wolflike face. Gracie’s eyes remained blue and had not changed color yet, but the other two pups now had yellow eyes. Sky wondered if Gracie might mature with blue eyes, thinking that with her white coat she would be a disarmingly beautiful wolf.
The warmth of the overhead sun brought out the scent of the pine in the surrounding area. Gray and Sky were crouched close to one another, one knee on the earth, watching the pups. Should she tell him? Biting down on her lower lip, Sky didn’t want to spoil this wonderful moment.
Gray had worked with a crew for six weeks to prepare this state-of-the-art enclosure for the wolf puppies. It had been off-limits to the dude-ranch visitors, but within a month, after the pups got used to their new digs, it would become an educational part of the wildlife tour at the center, as well.
Gray smiled over at her. “Think they’re happy?” Hell, he was happy because she was in his arms every night. And now she looked so beautiful with her hair in a set of braids.
Three weeks ago, Sky had willingly come to his bed. Every night, they slept together. On some nights, Gray was so exhausted from the push to get this new wolf enclosure completed, he fell asleep in her arms. Other nights, they loved one another with a hunger and fire that never seemed to dim. And he knew without a doubt, he loved Sky. Did she love him? He thought he saw it in her eyes sometimes, especially after lovemaking, the intimacy tender between them. But she never said it, never alluded to it. Was she still afraid she would become a burden to him? Gray couldn’t accept it. Just couldn’t.
She’d been tested by Jordana, and yes, Sky had high cortisol. No surprise there. Sky had been taking the adaptogen for two weeks since then. Had it made a change for the better in her? He made a point to remember that tonight when they got back to the house, he’d ask her about it.
“Gracie loves this,” Sky whispered, hands clasped to her breast. “Look at her!”
Gray chuckled and watched the white female squat and pee along the fence. And then she would gallop and leap, then stop farther down along the cyclone fence and pee again. “Yeah, she’s the alpha female of this group. She’s scent-marking the fence line, letting everyone know inside and outside of it that she owns this place.” He turned, giving her a teasing look. “I like the way you scent-mark me.”
Sky rolled her eyes. “Really, Gray,” she sputtered, her mouth curving ruefully.
“What? It’s true.” He helped Sky to her feet. “You’re an alpha female wolf in disguise.”
“Well, I certainly don’t pee around your bedroom, scent-marking it,” she laughed.
“Granted, that would be messy,” he admitted, drowning in her laughter. Sky was happy. He could see it in her upturned face. She exuded a silent joy that he lapped up like the starving wolf he was.
“Remember? An alpha female chooses her alpha mate, and she will only mate with him. That’s what I was referring to about us. You’ve claimed me,” Gray murmured, slanting her an amused glance.
Sky shook her head. “Well, that part is true.” Her lips drew away from her teeth as she studied his hard, weathered face shadowed by the trees surrounding them. There was such strength in Gray. Her heart opened fiercely, and Sky almost whispered, I’m falling in love with you....
But she didn’t. She was afraid. Why, she wasn’t sure. Maybe because in another month the trial with Harper’s two thugs would occur, and Gray was the primary witness. Secretly, Sky worried about Harper. What he might do to Gray. She was unable to shake Gwen Garner’s warning that Harper always got even. Was she afraid of losing Gray? Yes. Sky absorbed every minute with him, burning it into her memory, her heart. She knew Gray would tell her not to worry, that he was a SEAL, that he could handle whatever was thrown at him. Maybe. But the somber look in Gwen’s eyes and her warning had dug into her fear.
They stood quietly watching the pups explore, pee and sniff around their new home. The three pups gathered near their new den and lifted their little muzzles upward, doing a group howl. At four weeks old, wolf pups began to howl. It was a way to celebrate the pack and keep it tight. Gracie, as always, led the howling, her blue eyes shut, her little nose thrust up to the sky as far as she could get it.
“Gracie is something else,” Sky whispered, glancing up at Gray. He had a smile on his mouth, and she wanted to turn, stand on her tiptoes and kiss him.
Gray sensed her need and lowered his head, brushing her lips gently. “You’re a human version of Gracie,” he murmured.
Sky chuckled, relishing his mouth skimming hers. She leaned away and caught the merriment in his hazel gaze. “What? I howl a lot, McCoy?” She saw his mouth tug into a grin.
“Well, maybe not howling,” he granted. And then his voice dropped to an intimate growl. “But I do like the sounds in your throat and listening to your cries when I’m making love with you.”
A streak of heat bolted down through Sky’s body as she leaned against him, watching his smile deepen. The warmth in his eyes toward her made her heart fly open with fierce feelings for Gray. “Okay,” she muttered, “you got me there.” She slid her hand up across his shirt, caressing his jaw. “But I don’t howl.”
Chuckling, Gray kissed her hair and gave her a quick squeeze. “Baby, if you want to howl, it’s okay by me.” He saw her cheeks stain pink, her shyness always touching his heart. “You look beautiful when you blush. You know that?” he whispered against her ear, kissing her temple.
The wolf pups stopped howling, did a few last little yips and then raced around their legs, leaping up on them, whining and begging for food. Sky looked down at them, petting their broad heads. “You aren’t hungry, you little beggars,” she told them. They had been weaned at eight weeks and were now on meat instead of milk. Their little bodies were growing at a tremendous rate. Their tummies were always full.
“Come on,” Gray urged. “Let’s let them have some fun finding out just how big their new home is.” He led her out a gate. There was a second gate to go through, and as Sky waited for Gray to lock it, she knew it was time. As he turned, she pulled him to a halt.
“I have something to share with you.”
For a moment, Gray wasn’t sure it was good or bad by the solemn look in Sky’s eyes. “Okay.”
Her hands fluttered nervously and she said, “I feel different, Gray. I’ve been on that adaptogen that Jordana gave me t
wo weeks ago. Three mornings ago when I woke up—” she took a deep breath and whispered “—the anxiety was gone. It hasn’t returned in three days.” Sky looked at him almost pleadingly and asked, “Did it take your anxiety away like that? Suddenly? Out of the blue? And it never came back after that?”
Gray rested his hands on his hips, seeing the fear clashing with hope in her face. “Yeah, it took me a week of being on it, and one day, I woke up and the anxiety was gone. Totally. Blew me away. So,” Gray said, smiling a little, “your anxiety is nowhere to be found?”
“Whew... Yes, it’s gone.” Sky licked her lower lip, her voice strained. “God, tell me it’s going to last, Gray? That the horrible anxiety is not going to come back?”
He whispered her name and cupped her face. “Baby, it’s all good. Okay? Once my anxiety left, it hasn’t returned. It’s solid. You can count on it.” Gray saw her eyes swim with tears of relief. Leaning down, he kissed each of her lids. “You can stop holding your breath, Sky. This is real. The adaptogen has plugged those cortisol receptors in you, and that damned hormone is no longer spilling uncontrollably into your bloodstream twenty-four hours a day to make you feel that constant state of high anxiety and always feeling a threat.”
“Oh, Gray,” she whispered tremulously, throwing her arms around him. And Sky began to sob because profound relief flowed through her. She buried her face against his chest.
Gray’s heart melted as he embraced Sky tightly, allowing her to cry. It was the first time she’d wept like this in a long, long time. He knew they were tears of utter relief from no longer experiencing the sawing anxiety that tore everyone up who had PTSD. The adaptogen didn’t stop him from cringing when a car backfired or someone shot a rifle or pistol without him knowing about it in advance. The adaptogen’s area of cure was centered on the cortisol hormone receptors, but for Gray, it had made a night-and-day difference in his life.
Kissing her hair, he slid his hands down Sky’s shaking shoulders, wanting to soothe her. Love her. There just wasn’t any question left in Gray’s world that he didn’t daily think about telling Sky he was in love with her. Patience told him to hold off. Sky had just taken the largest step of getting her PTSD under control. And it was going to take her months to adjust to no longer being anxious, alert and seeing a threat at every turn. Gray knew he had to wait, not wanting to put more pressure or stress on Sky right now. They had the time, and he was going to enjoy watching her step out from beneath the dark cloud of PTSD and take even more exciting steps toward healing herself.
Wolf Haven (The Wyoming Series Book 9) Page 24
