“Don’t play games with me,” he warned.
“My brother’s confused. He thinks he loves your human. Wants her for our pack.”
He was not expecting this revelation. It would be simpler if he just had to rescue Cassidy from human loggers. This was so much more complicated. He blamed that bastard Corbin for moving in on their woman. He also blamed his own alpha for not claiming her properly.
“She’s taken. He knows this.”
Ryder shrugged. “Then go get her. I have no use for a full-time female.”
“Where is she?”
“I expect my brother’s taking her home to our land.”
Of all the women in the world, Corbin had to set his sights on the one taken by a rival pack. Corbin was truly losing his fucking mind. He knew they should have finished him the last time he’d stolen Cassidy.
He didn’t stick around to talk any longer. He was thankful Ryder told him what he needed to know, but he didn’t respect him for exposing his own kin. Evan leapt forward, landing on two paws. He’d cross enemy lines today—no permission, no backing down. As much as he wanted to rip those loggers to shreds for threatening his mate and coloring his past in shades of gray, he ran from the camp. It was time for him to take a stand, to make a difference.
Chapter Eight
“So, what do you think?” Corbin opened the passenger side of the truck for her. She stepped out into the hushed surroundings. The Rockford miners lived a lot more civilized than her men. The house was a modest bungalow made of split logs, but it was large and appeared to have modern touches. A light fixture on either side of the main door highlighted the cobblestone path leading to the entrance.
“It’s nice.”
“Come. Let me show you inside.” He reached for her, but she pulled her hand away. A nice house, money, compliments, and affection weren’t enough. There was more involved in love than basic ingredients, otherwise everyone would attain it. And few did. Her love for Garret, Matthew, Patrick, Travis, and Evan grew with each encounter, each struggle, and each intimate moment. Now she was lost. If Corbin was telling the truth about witnessing their infidelity, she never wanted to see them again.
“I better not. I should really be going home.”
He narrowed his eyes for a fraction of a second, proving his new sweet exterior was just that—a façade. Corbin had lied to her before, pretending to have found her brother camping out in the woods alone. It was all a trap to get her isolated. Like now.
“Stay,” he said simply. There was a deadly insistence in his tone. Her heart raced. She hated being alone with this madman again. He might be nice to look at, but he had nothing else going for him.
She grew bold. Once he got her in that house, she would be no better off than before he rescued her from the lumber camp. Maybe worse since his motives were questionable. “No. I’ll walk home if I have to.” She stepped back several steps.
“Good luck with that. You wouldn’t make it ten feet before I had you over my shoulder.”
“Exactly. You don’t want a relationship. You want a prisoner.”
“You’ll learn to comply like the rest of my pack.” He took a few determined strides forward. She struggled to walk backward so she could keep her eyes on him. Would he really chase her into the night if she started running?
She was close to begging, so exhausted from the emotional stress of the day. When she hit a hard wall, she thought her escape was over.
“I believe she said she wanted to go home.”
Cassidy whirled around, her forearms resting on a hard male chest. Evan. He’d come for her. She was nearly giddy with relief and excitement until she remembered what Corbin had told her about Ms. Tanner. If it was true, Cassidy would have to stifle her love for the miners.
“You’re a long way from Gregor land, wolf.”
“Good thing your brother gave me his blessing to come fetch what’s mine.”
Corbin scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’ll kill him,” he muttered.
“Did you think you could steal what’s ours and get away with it? Did you think we wouldn’t come for her?” Evan gently shifted her behind him before stalking forward. Although Corbin wasn’t a small man, Evan still greatly outsized him. “I’d give up my place in the pack for Cassidy. Without her I have no identity, no future, no hope.”
“Where’s your alpha? What’s he have to say about this? He can’t want her that much if she remains unmarked after all this time. You know our ways the same as I do. She’s available for the taking until she bears a love bite.”
“It’ll happen. Soon.”
“I’ll give her one right now,” said Corbin.
Evan growled, an animalistic sound, his nude body tense. She was used to her men running around like savages, but it didn’t stop the questions dancing in her head. Corbin called Evan a wolf, and she’d swear they were all raised by animals by the way they behaved half the time. Where had Evan come from? Where the hell were his clothes?
“Try it. It’ll be the last thing you ever do.”
Her body responded to Evan’s dominance. It turned new switches on inside her because she rarely saw this side of him. He was always following orders whether at the mine or at home. The other men would tease and call him Garret’s bitch, but it wasn’t too far from the truth. She loved Evan, adored the softer side of him, but he needed to choose her, put her first when it mattered.
“I can have ten of her by the end of the week. Take her,” said Corbin with the dismissive wave of a hand. He was smart not to challenge a hulking man like Evan, especially when he was angry.
Evan grabbed her firmly by the wrist and walked away from the other man, continually looking back to ensure he wasn’t followed.
“Where’s your truck? How did you get here?” she asked once they’d put a safe distance between them and Corbin’s house.
“I walked.” He appeared lost in thought, so closed emotionally that she felt tempted to break through. She needed a connection. Needed answers.
“How? We’re miles from nowhere.”
He didn’t answer. They kept walking at the same punishing pace until her legs were so weak that Evan had to frequently tug her along.
“Why are you naked? Where are your boots?” It was chilly out and the forest was all rough terrain. She was more than thankful Evan had shown up, but his sudden presence only created more questions in her mind.
“It’s a long story. I’ll explain everything once we find Garret.”
“Stop!” she finally said. “I’m tired.” She placed a palm to his chest, refusing to let him walk another step. Cassidy had to rest for a while, and she wanted to talk.
“Don’t worry. Garret will find us soon enough. Travis and Patrick are probably already on my trail.”
“Garret? What trail? How did you know I was even here?”
He tilted her chin up. The clearing in the forest canopy above them allowed the full strength of the moon to provide soft lighting. She could make out the sharp, chiseled planes of his face.
“I followed you here from the logging camp.”
“You came for me?” Her voice only registered as a whisper. It touched her heart that he’d thought of her.
“I’ll always come for you.”
“What about the inspector? You weren’t thinking of me too much when you spent the night with her, were you?”
His brow creased. “Garret made me stay and babysit her. Nothing more. The rest went looking for you. You’re all we think about.”
“But Corbin said he saw you with her tonight. All five of you.”
An owl hooted above them, reminding her how deep they were in the wilderness. But somehow with Evan close to her, she was fearless. He cupped her face. “You’re the only woman for us, little human. Even without Garret’s mark, you’re still branded on my soul. There’ll never be another for me.”
She looked down, wishing she could believe his words but knowing they’d only last until Garret showed up. “Unless Ga
rret commands otherwise.” Cassidy couldn’t disguise the venom in her voice. She wanted to be loved unconditionally by Evan, just as she wanted to believe Garret, Travis, and Matthew loved her.
“I made a mistake. A big one.” Evan leaned down and started to kiss her neck. Shivers scattered along her skin like tiny carbonated bubbles. “I’ve done things I regret and lived a life trying to make up for those mistakes. It’s not possible. All the repenting in the world won’t change the past, only keep me locked there, unable to move forward.”
“If you constantly live with what could have been it’ll slowly eat away at you, Evan.” She wasn’t the one who should be advising him. Cassidy spent far too much time dreaming about the past, wishing her childhood had been different. She wondered how her life would differ had she met her brother. But just like Evan, her fantasies made it impossible to enjoy each day to the fullest. She needed to take her own advice.
“I know that. I can’t make up for what I’ve done. But I can choose to live my life rather than hide from it.”
“Does that mean you’re going to stand up to Garret more often?”
“A lot of things have to change, and some already have. I chose you rather than revenge, came to find you on my own rather than get permission first.”
“Good.”
She leaned against his chest, and he caressed her hairline with his fingertips. His touch was soothing, healing. “We’re still on Rockford territory.” Was that a playful note in this voice?
“And? No, let me guess. It’s one of your fantasies to fuck me on rival territory.”
He tilted his head, a smirk visible despite the long shadows obscuring most of his handsome face. “It would kill the time until we’re picked up. Unless you like to be bored.”
She recalled how Garret had dominated her body in the forest, no hesitation about taking her in the rough surroundings. The thought of Evan taking her here, now, filled her with sexual yearning. She never found the suits in the city appealing—manicured nails, pressed pants, fancy lattes. Cassidy reveled in her real men. They made no apologies for their rough behavior.
“What about Corbin?”
“He’s a mile back. And he wouldn’t dare come look for me alone.”
She felt protected. While Corbin was a real threat to her, he was nothing up against a capable male like Evan. She began to touch him, savoring his warm skin in the cool surroundings. After truly believing he’d cheated on her, her emotions had been heavy. She needed to make love to him, to reaffirm the bond she should never have doubted.
Cassidy lightly trailed her fingers over his pecs and down his washboard abs. When she reached the fine trail of hair leading lower, her pussy tightened, filling with moisture. She wet her lips and continued to reach down until she had Evan’s thick, silky cock in her hand.
“How can you be aroused out here?” she asked. Her men were so basic, primal. They worked hard, ate like animals, and were always ready to fuck.
“Ask yourself the same question, little one. I can smell your heat. Your body’s calling to me, begging to be fucked.”
She had to open her mouth slightly as her heavy breathing began to come out as shallow pants. Cassidy wanted him to take charge, to bring her to a blinding climax, right here under the moon.
“Does my body have to beg?”
“A little.”
He unfastened her jeans, tugging them just over the curve of her ass. Evan used both big, rough hands to grab her ass cheeks. He squeezed hard while pulling her against him. She could feel the rigid line of his erection against her stomach. His hands began to roam her body, slipping under her shirt. He wasn’t gentle, and she appreciated it. A good hard fucking after the day she’d had was exactly what was in order.
“You’ve saved me,” he whispered against her neck. He sucked the erogenous zones around her ear, making all the forest sounds disappear. Her knees weakened as he hit every precise pleasure point.
“From what?”
“Myself,” he said.
She pushed him back slightly, which was difficult when he was so skilled with his mouth. “Why do you say that?”
“I used to live in a shadow, haunted by a past I blamed myself for.”
“And now?”
She could feel his smile more than see it. It warmed her body from the inside out. “Now I’m not afraid to take risks. To make my own decisions. It’s because of you.”
She touched his face, knowing he had so much to tell her.
“I lost my family to a forest fire when I was young. I didn’t follow orders, so I blame myself for the loss. Ever since then has been a struggle, the guilt ruling my life.” He took a breath. “It’s the reason I feel the need to remain devoted to Garret. I don’t want to be responsible for any more tragedies. But thanks to you, I think I can finally move on.”
Cassidy shook her head. “That’s your victory, Evan. You’ve made a conscious choice on how to live your life, and I’m just happy it includes me.”
“You’re right at the center. Right here.” He placed her hand over his heart.
“You came for me. Saved me.”
She’d always had a close bond with Evan. Since she first came to Climax, she could see something spark in his eyes when he’d look at her. The only problem was his willingness to step aside for Garret. She belonged to all five of her Gregor miners, not one or two. Cassidy only hoped she’d win over Patrick’s heart soon. There was a distance between her and her beautiful redheaded Viking.
“I love you, Evan.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, lifting as high as she could on her tiptoes. Everything made sense now, and she could never blame him for those old scars. She knew too well what it felt like to live with pain and regret.
“I still can’t claim you on my own. I’m part of a pack, and as you know we do most things together. But know that I want to. More than anything.”
“And the inspector at the mine?”
“You have nothing to worry about.” He kissed the end of her nose.
She still had doubts about Garret’s intentions, even Patrick’s. Her head was spinning. She wanted to believe they were loyal, but her insecurities kept filtering in. But she had to trust them. Cassidy tried to remember all their good times and not Corbin’s lies.
“I am worried.” She wondered if he was listening to her. He’d passed the point of sweetness, his sexuality taking over. He kissed her neck, even tugging her hair back to expose more of her skin. “You guys are all I have in Climax. I don’t want to be dependent on anyone but me.” It was all she knew, and it felt foreign and terrifying to put her trust and love in the hands of others.
“Too bad. You’re mine.” He pushed her down to her knees beside a massive downed oak tree. “I take care of what’s mine.”
“Yes,” she said when he began yanking her jeans lower. She needed him to fill her, to take away the ache. Cassidy moved higher over the log until she was leaning completely over it, her bare ass in the air.
“I need you right now, Cassidy. I’ll have to get a rain check on the lovemaking. Tonight you’re getting fucked hard and fast.”
“Yes!” What was he waiting for? She wanted those thick inches buried to the hilt by now.
But before he gifted her with his cock, he pulled away from her. There was rustling coming from the dark wall of forest where the moonlight didn’t reach.
She tried to get her footing, but a deep voice stopped her in her tracks.
“Stay where you are,” said Garret. She glanced up as he neared. Her other three men were right behind him. All gloriously naked. Knowing they were here with her rather than Ms. Tanner filled her with peace.
“You disobeyed orders,” said Garret.
“I couldn’t let Corbin lay his hands on her. You were busy fighting off the Rockfords.”
“Are you okay, Cassie?”
“She looks fine to me, boss. Seems we showed up right in time,” said Travis.
Garret bent down in front of her on the opposite si
de of the log. “You should never have taken off without one of us to protect you. Things are still unsettled in Climax.”
“I wasn’t going to sit around the cabin alone while you entertained that other woman.”
He chuckled, the bastard. “You’re cute when you’re jealous.”
“I am not jealous. You wanted me to pretend I was nothing to you. And she had her hands all over you. Maybe I should turn back and let Corbin have his way with me. Then you’d know how I felt.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. You’re my woman. Only you. I just wanted to be sure we passed our inspection because I want a future for us, all of us.”
He leaned in and kissed her lips. She melted into him, so thankful he was still the man she remembered. Garret was her rock, and without him she felt like a boat without an anchor.
She wasn’t sure how Evan found her way out here, never mind all five of them. They were excellent woodsmen, but this was too much. She felt like she was missing something, the only one not getting the joke at a party.
“She needs to be marked,” said Evan. “If you’re not going to do it, I will. It’s too dangerous for her otherwise.” He sounded bold and final. She was proud of him.
“I know.” Garret shifted her up until she was lying on the cool, wide log. The others gathered around, a moving wall of hard, bare muscle. Matthew kissed her, a hungry domination of her mouth. Another man lifted her shirt high enough to suckle her tit. But she wanted Evan, wanted to finish what they’d started. He’d come a long way today in changing his ways and not letting his fears dictate his actions.
“Evan, I hope your cock is still hard.”
“Always.”
She reached out an arm for him. “Hurry.” He was difficult to see in the tangle of muscle and flesh surrounding her. Her pussy was pulsing, so close to orgasm. The emotional relief, love, attention, and stimulation combined inside her, building up pressure that needed release.
He positioned himself over her prone body, impaling her cunt in one fluid thrust. She wrapped her legs around him as he sank in deep. Each time he pulled out he came down hard, striking her clit with his pubic bone. She was so aroused, so receptive that she had no trouble accepting his massive cock.
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