by Knight, Gwen
Harley hung up, then tossed his phone into one of the compartments. A few minutes later, a sign rolled by, informing him they were still nine-hundred-and-forty kilometers from Mexico City.
He had no idea what that converted to in miles, but he knew enough to know it was going to be a long drive.
16
Mexico City was far larger than Harley expected. He’d expected it to be big, but perhaps not this big. Nor did he expect so much road rage. It seemed every few minutes, someone was honking their horn, peeling down the road, screeching to a stop, or flipping off the other drivers. He had to stay completely focused on keeping from being run off the road. Thank goodness he’d switched off with Jasmine prior to entering the city after managing a few hours of sleep. He couldn’t imagine navigating through this while exhausted.
Easing on the brakes, he took a left-hand turn, following the GPS on his phone to the hotel Sterling and Bale had booked themselves into. Harley knew nothing about the hotels here, but when he’d seen the word “Sheraton” on his phone, he’d grown a little excited. Images of a shower and bed ran through his mind. And room service. Oh, God, room service.
“The embassy is closed for the night. So how about we meet up with Sterling and Bale, take a shower, get some food, and sleep for the night.”
Jasmine turned to Harley, a happy grin stretching across her face. “That sounds absolutely wonderful.”
It didn’t take long for them to reach the hotel. He pulled into the parking lot, their rundown minibus certainly standing out from the fancier sedans. Harley almost laughed at the sight. From the look on the valet’s face, their vehicle definitely didn’t fit in.
Harley popped open the door and handed the valet the keys and ten pesos.
“Oh, this looks amazing,” Jasmine murmured.
Harley tracked her gaze toward the building, noting the squeaky-clean glass doors and amber lights within. It looked so welcoming. Of course, a hovel would have looked welcoming right now, after their fifteen-hour drive and stroll through the jungle.
“Come on, let’s get inside and settled. Bale and Sterling should be inside waiting for us.”
She nodded and started toward the doors. The second they stepped inside, people immediately stopped and stared. Harley chuckled and glanced down. Yes, they’d taken the time to wash under a waterfall, but they still looked a downright mess compared to the surrounding men and women clad in business attire.
“Harley!” a voice boomed in the lobby.
He spun on his muddy heel to see Sterling and Bale striding toward him. Bale had a bag slung over his shoulder and wore a shit-eating grin, clearly happy to see his friend, whereas Sterling remained utterly expressionless. Nothing but a stoic mask in place to hide what Harley suspected was discomfort due to all the stares.
Harley had never really known Sterling before he’d set off to “be all he could be,” but he’d heard the stories from some of the female werewolves. A man so downright gorgeous, he would make Adonis weep. Male perfection, they’d claimed, beautiful enough to turn any woman’s head.
Until he’d found himself on the wrong end of an IED.
Harley didn’t know much more than that. It was incredibly unusual for a werewolf to suffer permanent injury unless maimed by silver, but somehow Sterling had managed. The entire left side of his face was riddled with scars, some deeper than others. Unfortunately, their female packmates no longer considered him the belle of the ball.
Not that it mattered. The Sterling they’d known before the explosion wasn’t the same as the one who’d returned. Word around the water cooler was he used to be another jokester. Now, they were lucky to catch even the slightest grin from him. He wore his scars proudly, but Harley believed he did so to protect himself. To keep everyone else at a distance.
Something dark had happened in Sterling’s past. But no one knew what. Not even Wyatt.
Bale jogged over and clapped Harley on the back. “How the hell are you?”
“Exhausted,” Harley said, laughing. “Filthy. Hungry. Did I mention exhausted?”
“You might’ve, yes,” Bale said, winking. He turned to Jasmine. “And you, querida? How are you?”
“Dreaming of collapsing into a bed and sleeping for fifteen hours,” she said.
Bale chuckled. “Well, we can arrange that. And showers as well. I must say, you two… well, stink.”
“Thanks, man.” Harley laughed.
“What is that?” Bale leaned forward and took a long whiff. “Mud, blood, and… something feline.”
Harley stole a glance at Jasmine. He’d forgotten to mention that other shifters would be able to scent them on each other. Guess Wyatt hadn’t mentioned their mate bond to anyone else.
“Well, we were chased through a jungle by cats.”
“Cats,” Bale repeated, grinning. “You. Ran from cats?”
“Big cats,” Harley said, stretching out his arms. “Like… huge.”
“Is this like the time you went fishing and came back preaching about the twenty-footer you caught?”
“Hey! I did!”
“More like one foot,” Bale teased. “Eh, querida? You wouldn’t lie to me. How big were these pussies?”
Jasmine’s smile faded. “Big enough, trust me. They took out half the team.”
Bale instantly sobered. “Dios mio. Half?”
“Unfortunately.”
His gaze drifted past Harley’s shoulder. “Where’s the rest?”
“Couldn’t tell you. That’s why Wyatt sent you two.” He shot Sterling a glance to find him standing at attention behind them, his gray eyes as cold as a winter’s morn. “Hello, Sterling.”
Sterling inclined his head. “Glad you made it. Shall we get you two settled?”
Jesus. Harley shuddered. Even though Sterling was a part of their pack, he always forgot how deep the man’s voice was. Unnaturally so, like a permanent animal growl. Even Jasmine shivered next to him.
“Yes, let’s. I know I could use a full meal and a decent sleep.”
“Come then, hombre. We have four rooms on the fifth floor, just waiting for us.” Bale handed two key cards to him and Jasmine, as well as the pack slung around his shoulder. “Clean clothes and toiletries that Sky thought you might need.”
Harley smiled and handed one of the keys back to Bale. “Only in need of one room.”
Bale’s brow shot upward before he studied the two of them. “It’s like that, eh? I’d wondered about the scent. So fresh. And not at all like the jungle.”
“What are you talking about?” Jasmine asked.
“Nothing,” Harley quickly supplied. He couldn’t imagine explaining to her in the middle of the lobby that Bale could smell they’d had sex. He doubted that conversation would go over well.
As a unit, they started toward the elevator, with Jasmine squeezed in the middle. Thankfully, she didn’t seem to give it a thought, but Harley noticed the way Bale and Sterling closed around her, protecting her from sight. Her own personal werewolf security team. What more could a girl ask for?
Bale punched the button for the fifth floor, and they fell into a comfortable silence as the elevator started to rise. Once the doors slid open, they exited together.
“Sterling and I have two rooms right here, and you two are just a little farther down. Close enough to hear you should something go awry.”
Translation: close enough that we’ll be able to hear you having hot monkey sex, Harley thought with a chuckle.
“Take a shower, get clean, and we’ll meet in the morning for breakfast before hitting up the embassy.”
Harley nodded, then took Jasmine by the hand and led her toward one of the rooms, not caring which. The interior would be identical, regardless.
The instant they stepped inside, Jasmine took off like a bullet, racing around the room and admiring all the amenities. But it wasn’t until she spotted the Jacuzzi tub that she let out a high-pitched squeal, one he was sure Bale and Sterling would hear.
Laugh
ing quietly, Harley pulled out his phone and sent Bale a quick text, assuring him all was fine. Once it sent, another appeared. Except it wasn’t from anyone in his contacts list.
Frowning, Harley clicked the message: Safe in Mexico City. Give location so we can rendezvous.
He suspected the message was from Wells, but no way he’d hand out their location to a random text. So instead, he dialed the number.
“Fulton,” came a familiar voice.
“Carlisle, that you?”
“Yeah.”
Relief washed over Harley. As much as he loathed Wells, he couldn’t say the same for Carlisle. There was something about the kid that Harley liked. “Good to hear from you. Did all of you make it out?”
Carlisle sighed. “Just me and Wells. Jones and Richards didn’t survive the initial explosion.”
“Jesus.”
“Yeah. I hear you. We just arrived in Mexico City. Where are you guys?”
“The same. Can you meet us at the embassy tomorrow morning?”
“Yeah, we can manage that.”
“Good. See you there.”
“Wait. Is Jasmine all right?”
Harley nodded. “She’s fine. Eager to test out the bathtub, I suspect.”
“Okay, so you’re both safe in a hotel, I presume?”
A slight frown marred Harley’s brow. “Yes. Are you guys not?”
“We’re staying at the Hotel Del Angel, about a block away from the embassy.”
“You’re close to us then.”
“Oh? Which hotel?”
“We’ll see you tomorrow then, okay?” Harley said, ignoring the question and disconnecting the call. The last thing he needed was Wells and Carlisle descending on them. There was an adage, the more the merrier, but Harley would prefer his packmates any day over Pierce’s extraction team.
“Come check this out!” Jasmine shouted from the bathroom.
Harley trailed through the bedroom to find Jasmine gazing longingly at the shower. Across from the glass enclosure was a small television, already lit up. Not that he understood anything. He’d never been one to click with other languages. Unlike Bale and Axel. He studied the screen. The movie looked familiar, but it took a little while before he recognized the actors. He’d never seen Planet of the Apes in Spanish before, but he knew the movie enough to recall one of the scenes.
Jasmine had already begun to strip. “I am going to take the longest shower known to the history of man.”
Fair enough. Heaven knew she deserved it. Harley balanced the pack on the counter before unzipping it and rummaging through. He pulled out shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and a razor and shaving cream for both of them. Jasmine gasped and grabbed the products meant for her.
“Oh my God, I officially love Sky.”
“She certainly thought ahead,” he said, noting the fresh clothes at the bottom of the bag, including a silky nightgown for Jasmine.
Once all the toiletries were laid out, both lunged for their own toothbrush and toothpaste. He didn’t even care about brushing his teeth in front of her, he just wanted his teeth clean. Standing next to the sink, they took turns laughing at each other’s foamy mouths before finally rinsing out.
Jasmine grabbed all the other toiletries and dove into the shower.
“How about I order us some room service?” Harley suggested. “I’ll shower once you’re done.”
“Or….” She leaned around the glass door, eyebrows wiggling.
Harley would have laughed were it not for the primal hunger in her gaze.
“We could multitask and get clean together,” she purred.
Hypnotized by the sight of her flushed cheeks from the hot water and her slick body, Harley practically jumped into the shower.
Didn’t need to ask him twice.
* * *
Strange, the desires coursing through her. And strange that it only ever seemed to be Harley who invoked them. In his absence, she’d taken a spin with a few different men, but nothing ever satisfied her hunger. She’d always wondered if her partners had sensed that about her—that they hadn’t fulfilled her, emotionally or physically. All their sexual adventures had always fallen a little… flat.
But not with Harley.
There was something about the way he held her. The way he touched her. He lit her up in ways no one else ever had. For three years, she’d mourned the loss of this feeling, always wondering if Harley had broken her. But she saw the truth now.
He hadn’t broken her.
He’d found her.
His touch awakened and emboldened her. And she never wanted to be without it again. Once her father learned of their reconciliation, no doubt he’d do everything in his power to separate them. He was the sort of man who always accomplished what he set out to do. But he’d passed that trait down to her, and this time, she was prepared to use it.
She wanted Harley. Needed him. And no one would stand in their way this time, not even her father. And certainly not Humans First.
Determination heated Jasmine’s blood. The instant Harley stepped into the shower, she pushed him under the spray, then rose on her tiptoes and claimed his minty-fresh mouth.
Harley’s tongue plunged into her mouth, teasing her with a hint of what was to come before he broke from the kiss and reached for the loofah. He squirted it with soap, turned her toward the spray, and then slowly started washing her body.
Jasmine moaned and leaned against his chest, letting the water pour over both of them. Nothing like a hot shower to wash away the last two weeks of her life. Once clean, she poured a little soap in her hand and turned toward Harley, cupping his erection in her lathered palms. Harley sucked in a sharp breath, his fingers gripping her hips as she worked her magic, stroking him ever so slowly. She gave his head a gentle squeeze before gliding her hand down his length. The sound of his quickened breath sent a pulse of warmth between her legs. She loved the feel of him, wet and hard against her. And the feel of his slippery cock sliding against her palm.
For once, she had no desire for foreplay. No need to work herself up to the big crescendo. She’d been eager for a second round ever since they’d left the waterfall. The shower wasn’t quite the same, but it was certainly doing the job.
Sliding his soapy length between her wet thighs, she rose on her tiptoes, caught his earlobe between her teeth, and whispered, “Fuck me.”
Harley’s chest vibrated with a low growl as he rinsed off his cock. Hands on her waist, he spun her around and bent her forward. Jasmine’s hands barely found the tile before Harley gripped her hips and pushed into her. Jasmine gasped and thrust backward until he was fully seated within her. Yes, this was what she’d so desperately wanted.
“No going slow,” she told him, her body already tightening around him. “Fuck me hard and fast.”
“Jasmine—”
“You heard me,” she said, reaching between her legs and cupping his balls. “No teasing. No dragging things out. I want you to fuck me until you come.”
“Jesus.” He shuddered against her.
A wicked grin curled her lips, one that vanished the instant Harley gripped her shoulders and fulfilled her wish. Waves of ecstasy rolled through her as Harley took her to the height of her pleasure. And when he finally came, he wasn’t alone. Jasmine shattered around him, her cries thankfully drowned out by the shower.
Harley slowly eased out of her, his hands running down her limp body. “Was that what you pictured?”
“Mm.” She hummed a blissful response as she leaned back in his arms with her eyes closed.
Laughing, Harley grabbed the discarded loofa and slowly washed her once more.
This was how she wanted every night to end. And for the first time in a long time, she believed she could have it.
17
Something annoyingly shrill yanked Jasmine out of a deep sleep. Her dream immediately began to fade to black. Something about ice cream and cats. She couldn’t remember it even as she rolled over and threw out a han
d. At the sound of a sharp slap and a soft grunt, her eyes flew open to find Harley rubbing his face with a look of utter surprise.
One glance at his pinked cheek and Jasmine burst out laughing. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to hit you.”
“The hell were you trying to hit?”
“I have no idea,” she said, still chuckling. He looked so indignant, and it was downright hilarious. “Something startled me awake. I thought it was an alarm clock.”
“Sort of, I suppose.” He retrieved his phone from the nightstand and answered the incoming call that’d woken her. “Bale.”
“Just making sure you’re awake, mi amigo,” Bale said, his voice carrying across the line. She’d never been able to hear so keenly before. It made her wonder what else would change. “We need to get a move on if we’re gonna get everything sorted at the embassy. The earlier the better. Government, ya know? It’s gonna be a long day of waiting in line.”
Jasmine groaned and rolled over, pulling the pillow over her head. It’d been so easy to forget about their troubles here. To lose themselves to the shower and plush bed. The posh hotel room made her feel like she was on vacation as opposed to running for her life.
“I hear ya. Jasmine and I will be ready in ten minutes.”
“Do we have to?” Jasmine grumbled once Harley hung up.
“If you want to get home, yes.”
“Maybe I don’t.” The thought of facing her father twisted her stomach. She knew she was stronger than that. But something about her father made her feel like she was nothing more than his little girl. There was so much they had to discuss, so much to repair in their relationship. But at the core of it all, she hated confrontation. And even though she’d done nothing wrong, it still made her anxious.
Harley’s fingers trailed down her side, his soothing touch raising little goosebumps. “How does this sound? Once we get you home and make sure you’re safe, you and I can take a trip. Anywhere you want to go. Anything to help you put this whole… fiasco behind you.”
Jasmine rolled toward him and peeked out from behind the pillow. “Really? You’d do that for me?”
