by Morgan Fox
“Brie and I will leave immediately.” His deep voice vibrated into the phone.
“Good. Luken and I will babysit him till you get here.” The line went dead, and Jonah stared at his phone.
What the hell was he going to do with his brother? He only imagined Sebastian was drunk because he’d used the alcohol to numb the pain of being away from Brie, but why had he been in a fight? Had he found Mason? Did that mean he found out about the virus Mason was infected with? He had no idea, but he was going to get Brie and find out as quickly as possible.
Pushing back from his desk, he inhaled her scent. Jonah knew just where to find her. Following his noise, he opened the door to the conference room and found Brie with her head in her hands, her shoulders hunched forward. He guessed the separation from Sebastian was taking its toll on her as he now knew it was doing the same to his brother. He closed the door and moved around the table and knelt in front of her.
“Brie?”
She sniffled, tilting her face up to stare at him. Her golden hair tumbled over her shoulders, framing her heart-shaped face. “I’m sorry, Jonah. I’m just not doing so well today. I feel like I’m dying inside. I don’t understand what’s happening to me.”
He smiled softly at her, feeling his heart squeeze tight in his chest, knowing that what she was feeling must be like walking through Hell.
He’d felt that unmistakable torture before his brother had taken the chance to discover that she belonged to them. He’d been tempted on more than one occasion to take her for himself, but he knew his brother would have killed him.
“Oh, baby girl.” He held her in his arms, rising to his feet, drawing her up against him. “I hate that you feel so much pain. I should’ve fought against Sebastian when he suggested being apart from you, but I honestly didn’t realize what you’d be going through.” He pressed a tender kiss to her lips. “But I’m about to fix everything.”
She eased back, staring into his eyes. “What do you mean?” she asked him, a shred of hope lingering in her voice.
“We’re going to the ranch. Sebastian is there, and he needs you.” Cradling her face in his hands, he kissed her forehead. “Take only what you need from the office. We need to leave now to pack only the essentials, and then we’re on the road.” He stroked her damp cheek, “The sooner we get there, the better.”
Glaring at Jonah, she asked, “What else are you not sharing with me?”
“Nothing,” he promised, kissing her lips again. “I got a call from Ryken that Sebastian was at the family ranch and needed you. I’m sure the mating heat has been just as hard on him.”
A quick flash of panic filled her eyes. “But Jonah, I had you. He hasn’t had anyone.” A gasp sprung from her lips. “Or has he?”
He clasped her shoulders, stroking up and down her arms in a comforting way. “Brie, stop doing that,” he warned. “Sebastian wouldn’t cheat on you. He’s figured out a way to deal. He’s very resourceful, and you know it. And since when have you become so insecure?”
She shook her head as if she didn’t want to admit she revealed insecurities. Eyes glistening, Brie argued, “Even so, what could he have done to dull this kind of pain? It’s killing me, Jonah. What do you think it’s done to him, a full-blooded alpha werewolf?”
Combing her hair back with his fingers, he told her, “I know. Let’s not worry about it. Let’s just get to the ranch as soon as possible, and then you can talk to your mate yourself. Okay?”
Please be okay, because I really don’t know what else to tell you.
Bottom lip quivering, she nodded and began gathering her files and papers. Jonah leaned forward and picked up one of the loose papers from her stack.
“What’s this?”
“It’s some of my notes from the Jarvis case. I’ve got a few questions I like to ask you. Normally I’d spend time going over these files with Sebastian, but he’s obviously not around.” She sounded annoyed and a little on edge as she continued, “Sebastian was the one I did most of my brainstorming with. He was my sounding board and now he’s just—”
“Brie,” he spoke her name in a warning.
Frustration and anger blazed through her eyes, making them an intense sky blue. “I know,” she said turning to face him. “But I can’t help feeling like he abandoned me. I’ve never needed someone so much as I need him, and he just left, decided it was the best thing for us and left.” She forced her hands to her hips. “Damn it, Jonah, I’m so mad at him right now I wish I could resist the urge to see him. I want him to suffer for leaving me, for making me feel so...alone.”
Jonah cupped her face in his hands, stroking the soft skin of her cheeks with his thumbs. “Brie, I know this has been hard on you, but what you don’t know is that Sebastian’s been drinking, and I personally think that’s how he’s been coping without you. He hasn’t cheated on you. I’d bet my life on it. But you need to trust that what he did, he did for you. If given any other choice, he would’ve chosen to be with you.”
Brie’s eyes watered. Head leaning forward against his chest, he held her close, stroking a gentle hand over her back. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed and he let her cry as much and as hard as she wanted to. He knew the prideful woman in his arms needed to get her emotions under control before she confronted Sebastian. She wouldn’t stand before her alpha with any chance that she would burst into tears. She had to prove she was strong, even if inside she was nothing more than the soft woman he loved more than life itself.
“Grab what you need. You can brainstorm with me all you want on the way to the ranch. I’m not Sebastian, but I think you might find my legal skills are just as sharp as his.” He winked, holding her gaze. “Maybe even a little sharper.” He grinned and wiped away her fallen tears.
Sniffling, she smiled softly. “I’m sure you’ll surprise me with your brilliant legal mind.”
“Oh, I think I can surprise you with more than just my legal mind,” he teased, and she smiled in return.
Chapter Three
Heart beating in her throat, Brie stepped inside the McCarthy Ranch house, and her eyes took in the sight of the ransacked home. The once breathtaking cabin left her gasping in horror. Her eyes drifted over overturned lamps and toppled furniture, shredded pillows and broken dishes. Everything appeared destroyed.
“Oh my God, Jonah,” she cried, her hand covering her mouth. “This place looks like it’s been vandalized.”
Jonah moved up beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. He said, “Don’t worry, Brie. I’m sure it’s not as bad as it looks.” He glanced around the room, eyes narrowed. “Then again, this place does look like we’ve been robbed by a bear.”
Brie squeezed his hand and moved closer into his hold. He chuckled, glancing down at her. “I’m just kidding. This is Sebastian’s doing.” He inhaled deeply, then said, “The only scent that lingers is Sebastian’s. I told you he was struggling being away from you.”
“Well, if he’s here, where is he?”
Jonah released a hearty chuckle. “Most likely the one place most drunks generally wind up.”
She narrowed her eyes as he took her by the hand and led her deeper into the cabin. He searched the kitchen and living areas with no sign of him. They took the stairs up to the second floor bedrooms. Rounding the corner to the upstairs bathroom, they found Sebastian lying on the floor. His head was cocked to the side, his face bloodied and bruised.
“Oh God,” Brie gasped, peeling out of Jonah’s grasp, scrambling to her hands and knees.
Crawling up beside Sebastian, she felt for his pulse. Relief flooded her mind as her fingers found the pumping artery at the crook of his neck. Then she began to sob.
“Brie?” Dropping to one knee, Jonah’s hand touched her shoulder in a comforting caress. “Don’t cry, sweetheart. I hate it when you cry. I liked it so much better when you were a ball buster.”
Wiping her damp face with the backs of her hands, she spat, “Well, damn it, I hate it, too. I hate that I can
’t control my crazy fucking emotions. I hate that I’m so connected to you two that I can’t breathe without you. Both of you. I’m going crazy, and I think this mating heat is going to be the death of me. I’ve never wanted someone as much as I want the both of you. Needed someone more than the air I breathe.” She held Jonah’s wide-eyed expression. “If something ever happened to either of you, it would destroy me. I can’t live like this, Jonah. The separation from Sebastian, the fear of losing what we have together...all if it. It’s too fucking hard.”
Jonah stroked her heated cheeks with the backs of his knuckles. “You already know that the mating heat will only last for a short time. After that it will be much easier on all of us. But Sebastian had to do this, Brie. He had to make sure you’re safe. The fear you have about losing us is no different than what we feel for you. Imagine if Mason Levi attacked again and we weren’t there to save you.”
Shrugging, she replied, “Well, like the last time Mason attacked me, I could use my powers.”
With an arched brow, he asked her, “Have you been able to conjure that power again since?”
She rolled her eyes at him. “No.” Her voice scraped against her throat as frustration churned in her gut.
“Well, then how do you expect it to work again when you have no idea why or how it worked in the first place?”
She hated when he did that to her, twisting her words around. His logic was annoying. Even though he was right, she didn’t want him to be. She wanted to be angry. Felt she had a right to be, damn it.
“Stop pouting, Brie. You’ll give yourself wrinkles.” He chuckled, a soft grin tugging at the corners of his exquisite mouth.
* * * *
Jonah rose to his feet, his hand extended out for her to take. “Come on. Let’s leave sleeping beauty alone to sleep it off.”
Glancing up at him and then back to Sebastian, she swallowed, “But what about him?”
He hiked his broad shoulders and stared down at her angelic features. Soft, long blonde hair flowed forward, framing her innocent face. Wiggling his fingers in front of her face, reminding her to grasp his hand, he explained, “He’ll smell you when he wakes. He’ll know you’re here, and he’ll come looking for you.”
She shook her head and took his hand, and he pulled her to stand beside him. “I didn’t mean that. I meant we can’t just leave him here.”
“Why not? Do you think he cares he’s sleeping on the floor in the bathroom?” He chuckled. “Brie, the only thing he’s going to care about when he wakes is you.”
“But—”
“But nothing,” he fired back, cutting off her words. “If I remember correctly, it was only a few minutes ago that you were furious with him for leaving, and now you care if he’s comfortable or not?” Jonah’s eyes narrowed. “He deserves to sleep in an uncomfortable position, and you deserve to not worry about him. In fact, I think you should focus all your attentions on me instead.” Fire burned in his eyes as he looked Brie up and down.
Delicious.
His mind on one thing and one thing only—making love to Brie before Sebastian woke. He had her for one more night before she belonged to them both again. Right now he wanted to pretend she belonged to only him.
Brie’s brow furrowed. “Don’t look at me like that, Jonah.”
“Like what?” he asked, his voice an octave higher than his normal rumble. The seductive, playful man blossomed to the surface.
Biting her lip, she said, “Like you’re about to eat me for dinner.”
He licked his lips. A low growl emerged from deep within his chest. “Oh, now that sounds appetizing. Would that be such a bad thing if I were?”
She glanced over to the slumbering alpha. “What about Sebastian?”
Her smaller frame was dwarfed in the shadow of his. He cocked his head to the side, inhaling the sweet scent of her arousal. He was going to have her—no matter how much she pretended to resist.
“What about him? I’m sure that no matter how hard he tried, he wouldn’t be able to get it up anyway.”
Thrusting her hands to her hips, she said, “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.” He loved the way she looked when she tried to be serious. The sparkle in her eyes, the fire that burned from deep inside her that he could see, feel and taste.
He shrugged, stepping closer to her, his breath on her face. “I know, but I just want it to be us, Brie.” He cupped her face. The warmth of her skin felt so good. “You and me. I’ll have to share you again when Sebastian wakes. But Brie, I’d be lying if I told you I haven’t been a little jealous sharing you with him. To be honest, these last few weeks having you all to myself have been perfect.”
“Oh, Jonah.” She leaned into his touch.
“I’m not saying that I want it to stay just you and me, but I am saying that I need this time with you.” He smiled softly. “And I think you need it, too.”
She smiled back at him, and the sight of her warm, Caribbean blue eyes and soft, pale white skin had his heart galloping in his chest. Damn, he loved this woman, and he didn’t realize just how much until he stared into the depths of her eyes as if seeing directly into her soul. She was magic, pure and simple, and it was electric. Intoxicating like a craved drug. She meant everything to him, and he was going to show her just how much he desired her.
His fingers floated up her arms, barely skimming the flesh. “When Sebastian is of sound mind, and the three of us are together, I think we need to arrange some private nights because I don’t always want to have to share you. But right now, all I want is for you to come with me,” he told her, hands clasped together.
He pulled her gently out of the bathroom and to her bedroom. He had a good feeling that Sebastian, no matter what mental state he was in, wouldn’t destroy the room of the woman they loved.
He was right. The room had been left unscathed and just as pristine as the day Jonah had first walked her through the door. Turning, he pulled her into his embrace, holding her as if to not have her pressed against his body would mean the end of his life.
She molded against him, the warmth of their bodies saturating into his skin. She let him take charge of their mating, let him hold her, kiss her, and love her as he wanted to do.
Damn, he loved the way she gave into him, the way she let him have all the control. Having her this way satisfied his primal urges, like breathing crisp mountain air, running through thick covered forest, the thrill of the hunt. She truly was everything to him. The moon and the sun, the earth and the air, she made him whole. He knew better than anyone the need to keep her protected, and to show her love and passion.
Kissing her mouth, he dove in, nipping at her lips, sucking on them in slow, gentle tugs. His tongue licked along the seam of her full lips. She opened for him instantly, and he plundered inside. Tongues dueling, they tasted one another’s lips and mouth. The soft, sweet moisture of her mouth forced his teeth to lengthen. The urge to bite her screamed from the back of his mind.
Breaking the kiss, she gasped. “Do it, Jonah. I know what you want. I can feel it. Bite me. Taste me. Do it all.” She gripped her shirt and pulled it over her head. Tossing the white blouse to the floor, she launched her body back into his arms.
Permission was all he needed from her before his mouth clamped down on her shoulder. She moaned as his teeth pressed into her tender flesh. Arms wrapped around him, her fingers tangled in his hair.
Jonah lifted her legs to his waist and held her against him. Opened palm pressed to the small of her back, he massaged her round ass with the other, while his tongue licked her vanilla skin.
Jonah claimed her body, mind, and soul, and she belonged to only him, at least for the moment.
Patience was not Jonah’s friend when he had Brie in his arms. Her taste, touch, and scent drove him beyond reason. He lost all sense of control. All that mattered to him and the beast that roared awake when he possessed her was being near her, inside her. The fevered response of her body only made the burning insanity inside h
im all the worse.
“Brie, you are so goddamn beautiful. I get lost when I’m with you. I can’t think. I can’t breathe. All I want is you.” He nuzzled against her neck, nipping against her hot flesh.
Gripping his wavy hair, she pushed his face away from her throat and stared into his eyes. “I’m yours, Jonah. It’s just you and me. Love me like you want, show my how much you want me. I need to feel you deep inside me, fucking me with everything you’ve got. No one loves me like you do, Jonah.”
The beast inside him roared with pride—starving and ready to devour all of her delectable body. Taking possession of her mouth, he kissed her hard, possessing her mouth like he wanted to claim her body. His desperate tongue explored every inch of her mouth, seeking to learn the way she truly loved to be kissed. He captured her moan, deepening the kiss. Probing against her tongue, he sucked on her lips, savoring her mouth like a succulent meal.
Jonah’s arms tightened around her as he carried her to the balcony, and placed her on the soft mocha lounge chair. He rose to his full height, a mere six feet five inches.
Her brow furrowed as she stared up at him. “What are we doing?”
A suave grin eclipsed his face, his thumb rubbed over his throbbing bottom lip. “Damn, you look so mouthwateringly sexy when your mouth is so swollen from my kisses.” He licked his lips, his eyes searching her body. “I’m going to ravage you out here. I’m going to make you scream so hard you frighten away all the animals.” He snickered.
“You think so.” She giggled.
He arched a brow, eyes narrowing.
Brie’s gaze drifted over the property around them, questioning, “What about Ryken or your other cousins? You said they’d be watching over Sebastian. Do you suppose they’re close by? They could be staring at us from the woods. What if they come back to check on Sebastian?”
Jonah actually smiled this time. Her innocence was something he adored. One moment she was tough as nails, beating down criminals in the court room, but underneath it all he knew a little vixen lingered, one he intended to make love to on a mocha lounge chair.
