James still couldn’t believe he had Shelley in his home. She still wasn’t in his bed. But he was committed to getting her there. One step at a time, he promised himself. He’d get her there eventually. And when he did, he was going to keep her there.
Her breath was warm against his cock, but she’d stopped sucking him. “Touch me, Shelley,” he pleaded. He needed her hands and mouth on him.
She jolted slightly and then gave a slightly self-conscious laugh. “I’m sorry.”
Now he felt like a jerk. “No.” He reached down and brushed her hair away from her face. “Don’t be sorry. Whatever you want to do is fine with me. If you want to just enjoy me touching you, that’s perfectly okay.”
She shook her head and her hair brushed over his shaft, making it twitch. “I want to. It’s just when you touch me I forget everything else.”
A slow smile crossed his lips. He liked the sound of that. He settled himself against the pillows and set to work pleasuring Shelley. Her pussy was so pretty. Pink and wet and delicate.
He carefully probed at her opening with one finger. She tensed and then moaned as he pushed inward. Her channel was moist and warm and clutched at it, pulling it deeper.
Then it was his turn to groan when she took his cock into her mouth. And her hands weren’t still either. One hand pumped up and down his shaft while the other one found his testicles and cuddled them against her palm.
He wasn’t going to last.
But he wanted Shelley to come first. He added a second finger, inching it into her slick pussy to join the first. She squirmed, bringing her sex closer to his face. He took full advantage and began to ply his tongue and mouth to her clit. He licked and sucked and gently pulled on it.
Her sexy moans and whimpers filled the air and her hips undulated. Her smell, her heat was intoxicating. He couldn’t breathe without inhaling her essence. Shelley.
His cock swelled and he felt a familiar tightness building in the base of his shaft. “I’m going to come.” He had to warn her in case she wanted to pull away. He wanted to come in her mouth, but wouldn’t force her to do anything she didn’t want to do.
He thought the top might blow off his head when instead of pulling away she took him deeper into her mouth. Hot wetness surrounded his cock head as she rode up and down the top few inches of his shaft with her soft mouth.
He was in heaven.
Shelley was also close. He could tell by the way her pussy clutched at his fingers, her inner walls rippling around them. Her breathing was loud and the little noises of pleasure she made were enough to push him over the edge.
He felt his orgasm begin low in his balls. It shot up his shaft and spilled into her warm mouth. He yelled her name as he came and Shelley took all of him, swallowing and licking. He’d never felt anything like it in his life.
Not to be outdone, he captured her clit between his lips and sucked hard. He scissored his fingers, searching out her most sensitive spots while he plunged his fingers in and out of her swollen pussy.
She cried out and convulsed. Her sheath tightened and released in a rhythmic dance. He lapped at her sex and her juices spilled over his fingers.
When it was finally over, he gently slid his fingers from her hot depths and licked them with his tongue, not wanting to waste a single drop.
She lay sprawled over him, her face on his belly, her breath warm on his semi-erect shaft. He caressed her bottom, loving the feel of her pliant flesh. She had a great ass.
He had no idea how much time passed before Shelley stirred. He was in no hurry for her to move. He had a spectacular view. He smiled and ran his finger over her swollen folds. She twitched and moaned.
He felt her stiffen slightly and knew the second when she realized the position she was in. He thought he was ready for her to move, but he still almost got a knee in the face as she scrambled off him.
James laughed and caught her from behind, tumbling her into his arms. Shelley stared up at him, her face flushed with pleasure and with a slight blush. That she could still feel self-conscious after what they’d just done amused him. Shelley was a treasure.
He brushed her hair away from her face and smiled at her. “How do you feel?”
She licked her lips and he couldn’t resist dipping down for a quick kiss. That swiftly changed to a much longer one as her lips parted and her tongue flicked out. He could taste himself on her lips. His cock began to grow and lengthen as their essences mingled on their lips and in their mouths.
Shelley shivered and James forced himself to pull away. He tugged at the covers, shifting them both until he was able to pull them over her. He cuddled her close, encouraging her to use his shoulder as a pillow. “Better?”
“Hmm.” It wasn’t much of an answer, but the way she snuggled next to him was more than answer enough.
Her breathing slowed and she relaxed against him. James ran his hand up and down her shoulder and back. He didn’t talk. Now was not the time. Now was the time to solidify their physical connection. He kept his touch light but firm and was rewarded when he felt her slip into sleep.
He wanted to howl with pleasure, with triumph. To jump out of bed, shift and run through the woods. He wanted everyone to know Shelley belonged to him.
That would come in time. He wouldn’t allow any other outcome.
He hadn’t claimed her as his own. Not yet. He had to get her used to the idea of sex first before he explained about mating and claiming to her. For now, he was content to have her in his arms where he knew she was safe.
James lay in bed and listened to the sounds of the night outside his home. With Shelley settled in his arms, he finally closed his eyes and slept.
Chapter Thirteen
Shelley was alone in bed when she woke. She’d slept long and deep during the night and, as a result, was feeling much better this morning. She rolled over and placed her hand on the mattress next to her. James was gone, but the indent of his body was still there. That, coupled with the memory of waking several times during the night with his arms around her, assured her he wasn’t long up.
She dragged herself out of bed and into the shower. The hot water helped revive her. She quickly dried off and pulled on some clean clothes, choosing a pair of her new jeans and a thick V-neck sweater the color of oatmeal.
She brushed her hair and pulled it back in a low ponytail. Satisfied she looked presentable, she went back to her room, tidying it before heading to the kitchen to find something to eat.
She slowed as she got closer. Although she’d been expecting to find them here, it was still difficult to face her family, these strangers who were her brothers. Already, she knew their individual voices and smells. They were all here.
But so was James. Taking a deep breath, Shelley made her way into the kitchen, shoulders back, head held high. “Good morning.”
Alex was at the stove cooking eggs and James was pouring coffee. He smiled and walked over to her, dropping a quick kiss on her forehead. “Morning. You want some coffee?”
Shelley knew that her brothers and Alex were staring at them. There was nothing she could do about that. They were naturally curious about her. “Sure.”
Trying to act nonchalant, she went to the stove and smiled at Alex. “What can I do to help?”
Alex seemed slightly surprised by the offer, but quickly returned Shelley’s smile. “The bacon and hash browns are done, but I haven’t started the toast yet.”
“I’ll handle that.” The bread was stacked next to the toaster, so she popped four slices down. Turning toward her brothers, she crossed her arms over her chest and nodded. They all ranged around the large kitchen table. The thing was huge and made to seat about twelve people, although her four brothers seemed to dominate it.
“How did you sleep?” Joshua studied her intently.
She told herself she wouldn’t blush. She was an adult and whatever she did was her business. These men were strangers. It didn’t matter what they thought.
In spite of her i
nternal lecture, she felt the heat climbing up her face. She was glad when the toast popped and she had an excuse to turn her back on them. “I slept well.” She buttered the toast and piled it on a plate before putting down four more slices.
“I see.” Joshua said nothing else, but she could feel his gaze on her. The other three hadn’t said much, but she could sense them waiting.
Alex broke the growing tension by giving orders. “Micah, can you pour juice? Dad, I need the large bowl for the eggs. And Joshua, honey, could you pour me some more coffee?” All the men sprang into action, and by the time the rest of the food was on the table the next batch of toast was ready. Shelley was amazed at how easily Alex ordered the men about. Even more awe-inspiring was the fact that they did as she asked.
Shelley buttered the toast and carried the plate to the table. James stood next to an empty chair and motioned her into it. She was on his immediate right when he took his chair at the head of the table. Joshua sat at the other end with Alex on his right. Micah and Levi sat next to Alex, while Simon sat next to her.
She didn’t think she’d be able to eat much, but breakfast was a surprisingly relaxed affair. Food was offered and piled on her plate. The men ate and talked of community and family matters. Alex asked her father about his trip.
And Shelley sat there, soaking it all in. This was what a real family was like. She didn’t feel a part of it, but it was nice to sit and watch them all interact with one another. There was no denying the connection they all had, the love that bound them together.
“How are the hash browns?” James leaned over to ask her.
“They’re good.” She’d only managed to eat two, but they were delicious.
“Don’t worry so much. Everything will work itself out. Eat up. We all have to talk after breakfast. There’s a lot we need to know and there are things you have to learn about pack life.”
Nerves hit her, making her stomach churn, and she laid her fork down across her plate. No way could she eat now. James’s words sounded ominous. Although they were meant to reassure her, they’d had the opposite effect.
Shelley picked at her food while the rest of them ate, her pleasure in the meal and the moment gone. Part of her wanted to just run away. Her life had been much simpler before she’d met James.
But hiding from the truth wouldn’t help. She wanted all the cards on the table. Wanted to know exactly what she was dealing with. She wasn’t staying here. That wasn’t in her plans, not with hunters after her. But she needed to learn about werewolves and their culture in case she ever had to deal with them again.
She also needed to earn some more money. Plus, there was a part of her that wanted to get to know her brothers. A part of her that yearned for some kind of connection. She hadn’t realized she was so lonely until she’d watched all of them together.
Then there was James. Shelley knew that no matter where she went or how far away she traveled, he would always be a part of her. She felt his gaze on her and managed to nibble on a slice of toast.
She closed her eyes and inhaled, taking in the sounds and smells of the room. No, she would never forget any of them.
James felt like kicking his own ass. Shelley had been alert and eating until he’d mentioned they needed to talk after breakfast. Now she was tense. Worst of all, she wasn’t eating. She was too thin and needed to eat more.
He knew Joshua had questions. None of them had missed the kiss he’d given Shelley this morning, nor the fact that he’d seated her next to him in a place of honor.
Tough. They’d better get used to it. Shelley was important to him and he was staking his claim before representatives of the other families arrived this morning. They wouldn’t all make it here, but James expected at least four or five wolves at his door within the hour. If not sooner.
Conversation dwindled as they finished their breakfast. That is, everyone except Shelley. She kept pushing around her food with her fork. Finally, James could stand it no longer.
He shoved aside his plate. His cutlery rattled. Everyone else put down their forks and knives and waited for him to speak.
“As you all know, Shelley knew next to nothing about pack life or her werewolf heritage before I met her. I’ve filled her in on some of the basics.”
The younger Striker males grumbled, but Joshua sat rigid in his chair, his muscles coiled and ready for action. James knew how he felt. He’d like to have a crack at the hunter who captured her.
Alex sent her a commiserating look. “That’s a lot to take in at once. But at least you’re a pure werewolf. Not a half-breed like me. That will take away some of the pressure.”
Shelley raised one eyebrow and James answered her unasked question. “I met Alex’s mother in Chicago. After I found out she was pregnant, I settled there. Her mother left when she was a baby, so I raised her myself. I knew it was too dangerous to bring her back to the pack.”
“Then why are you here now?” Shelley directed her question at Alex.
Alex gave her a humorless grin. “I started to go into heat. At the time I had no idea what it was.” She shot her father a glare. “Joshua showed up at our garage in Chicago before Dad had a chance to tell me what was going on. By then there were several groups of werewolves after me—purists, who wanted to kill me, and single males who wanted to mate with me. Not to mention the bounty hunters.”
Shelley’s eyes widened in growing horror and fascination. “What happened?”
“Joshua.” Alex leaned in closer to her mate. “He came to protect me, to bring me back to the safety of the pack. While we were running from everyone, we fell in love.”
Joshua growled low in the back of his throat and his younger brothers laughed. “Alex didn’t know our ways, didn’t know I’d have to accept challenges from all the single males who would want to claim her as their own.” Joshua captured Alex’s hand in his and brought her fingers to his lips.
His wife snorted. “I didn’t much care for their challenge and told them so.”
“She threatened to castrate anyone other than Joshua who climbed into bed with her and then proceeded to take herself to bed.” This from Micah, who gazed at Alex with a look of deep admiration.
“Claiming? Challenge? Is this what I have to look forward to?” Shelley’s throat tightened as she spoke. This was getting more complicated by the second. She shoved back from the table and all the men jumped from their seats.
James held out a placating hand. “You don’t need to worry about that, Shelley. You’re under my protection.”
“Our protection,” Joshua interjected.
“They’ll want to meet you, but no male will be allowed to touch you. Not without your agreement.” James reached out to her but let his hand fall back to his side without touching her.
She felt bereft. Abandoned. After everything they’d done last night, he still wanted her to meet other males? Well, what had she expected? A declaration of undying love?
Shelley rubbed her fingers over her forehead. Her headache was coming back. “I should never have come here,” she muttered.
Several low grumbles and growls came from around the room. She looked up to see her brothers’ distressed faces. She’d hurt them. Again. “I’m sorry. It’s just that my life is a mess.”
“And it’s our job to help you sort everything out.” Joshua came around the table until he was standing right in front of her, blocking her view of James. Her brother raised his hand and gently stroked her face. “Let us help you, Shelley.”
Her throat got tight and she had to blink back tears. He was a good man. They were all good men. They didn’t deserve the baggage she brought with her. “I can’t.”
His hand fell away and he took a step back. His face was as hard as stone. Shelley wanted to sink to the floor and cry. Her heart was breaking. She’d finally found a family that wanted her and she couldn’t stay. Couldn’t allow them and all they’d built to be threatened by Steve Macmillan and the bounty hunters who were searching for her.
> Plus, this was all a bit too much for her. Too much had happened too fast. She couldn’t assimilate it all. Everyone had expectations of her. Ones she wasn’t sure she could, or even wanted to meet.
She looked to James for his support, but his expression told her nothing. He looked remote and cold, every inch the alpha he was. Alex had slipped her arm around her mate, offering silent comfort. Shelley kept her head down, not wanting to see what her other brothers thought of her proclamation.
They’d offered her everything and she’d thrown it back in their faces.
Swallowing hard, she gathered her courage. “I’ll get my things and leave.”
“No.” James shook his head. “You’ll stay the week as planned. There’s no need to make any hasty decisions.”
The longer she stayed the more dangerous it was for all of them. But a part of her was selfish, wanting this time with her brothers and Alex. With James.
Her stomach cramped and her heart throbbed at the mere thought of walking away and leaving James. She knew she’d have to do it eventually. Had to be strong.
“Shelley?” Simon, her youngest brother, called her name.
She raised her head and stared at his familiar face. All her brothers shared similar coloring and appearance. And so did she. For the first time in her memory, she belonged somewhere. With someone.
“A week.” She couldn’t promise any more than that.
The tension swirling in the room abated somewhat. Then the knock came on the front door. It was more of a pounding really. Shelley’s head jerked toward the sound. She could smell them. Males. Four of them.
She turned to James. He stared at her, his gaze unreadable. He walked to her side and took her arm. “It’s time to meet some of the pack.” He nodded toward Joshua. “Show them into the living room.”
His hand at the small of her back, James guided her to the living room and motioned her to a chair. “Why don’t you sit and try to relax.”
Legacy Found: Legacy, Book 3 Page 15
