“Unbelievable,” she whispered. Joe padded over to her and closed his eyes as her fingers sank into his fur. “This happened to me?”
Her confusion reached out to him, her fear. Immediately he shifted back until he sat on the floor looking up at her. “Yes, Quinn. You are half wolf.”
Yanking back her arm as if she’d been burned, she glared at him. “This can’t be real. Are you telling me I’m some kind of werewolf? There is no such thing.”
“We call ourselves lycan and yes, you are as lycan as me or as your father was.”
She shook her head wildly. “My father was a wolf man?”
Joe stood, focusing in on her, practically willing her to believe the impossible. The dead rattler lay near his feet, so he reached down and picked it up, carried it to the balcony outside and tossed it over. When he turned back, she watched him steadily. He could practically feel the wheels turning in her mind, putting everything together.
“This is why my mother kept me from him. This is why she left when she found out she was pregnant with me.”
“Yeah.”
Joe walked over to the nightstand, giving her time to reason things out and picked up the soiled cloth. Taking it into the bathroom, he dumped it into a hamper and washed his hands. When he finished, he stopped in the doorway and leaned there, wondering what she was thinking. Her mind was carefully shut away from him but he could only imagine the questions, the turmoil.
Finally, he couldn’t take her silence a second more. “You are half lycan. Bart wasn’t mated to your mother but he cared for her. Believe me, if he’d suspected she was pregnant, he wouldn’t have let her leave. Maybe that’s why she never told him and tried to pass you off as Decker Harlow’s daughter.” He walked further into the room until he sat beside her on the bed. “Bart didn’t know about you until recently. He sent out the private investigator and had just learned of your whereabouts when he was killed.”
Quinn reached out and drew the sheets over her nakedness as if they would shield her from the truth. Absently, she plucked at the cotton covering her thighs. “I used to read books about weres and vampires but I thought it was all fantasy.”
“No.”
She looked up, seeming calmer now. “I’m ready to hear it all. I think. Did I shift into a wolf when I saw the snake?”
“Yeah. Some half-bloods never shift but if they are capable of it, it happens in times of extreme trauma or intense sexual pleasure.”
“Then why didn’t I turn into a wolf tonight out by the creek? That was pretty intense.”
Joe laughed a little and took her hand. So soft. He trailed his thumb over the pad of her palm. “Pretty damn intense all right but not enough to bring the change. That usually comes from our mating consummation. The male bites the female while they have sex. Let’s say we had a consummation.” He watched for her reaction to that but she didn’t move so he said it again. “We have a mating consummation. My cock would get bigger at the base while I’m inside you. I would be bigger than I’ve ever been before. We would be locked together for some time. Now that’s intense fucking. Enough to bring the female to shift sometime later.”
She was so quiet he thought she wouldn’t speak. She sent her tongue across her bottom lip and looked at him. “Have you ever done it before?”
“A mating consummation?” He shook his head. “No. I’m technically unmated.”
An expression washed across her face. Was it relief? “Um…what do you mean by ‘technically’?”
Ah, they needed to get into this. Joe smiled and stretched out on the bed beside her and with a little coaxing drew her down next to him. Heat radiated from her body but she didn’t move to touch him so he trailed his fingertips down her arm. He wanted to be as gentle as possible. It would scare the hell out of him if she locked him out now. “I don’t want to scare you, Quinn, but the minute you stepped from your car that day at the cemetery, I felt a connection. And after I touched you, it was all over for me. You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?”
She focused intently and moistened her lips again. “Are you talking about the energy? About the way I could feel your emotions?”
“Yes. It explains why we suddenly got hot and heavy out there in the middle of nowhere. We couldn’t help ourselves.”
Quinn surprised him by laughing a little. “Ah and here I was thinking I was acting like a complete slut.”
Joe kissed her then. He’d never been the kind to believe in love but what he felt for her went way beyond that. When he pulled away, he settled his hand in her hair to play with the golden strands. “Never. We couldn’t help ourselves. This is how our kind find their mates and you are mine, Quinn. Whether you can accept it or not, it’s a fact.”
She closed her eyes and lay back against his shoulder. “I have to think.”
“Take all the time you need. I know this is a shock.”
Several minutes passed. “So, this is why the ranch was left to both of us? When my father died you took his place as leader.”
“Alpha.”
“Yeah, right. Alpha.”
“And this is why Selena hates me? She wanted to be your mate and be a big shot. Right?”
“Mm. Pretty much. She doesn’t love me,” he said. “I’m not really sure she has it in her to love anyone. That day in the office, I had to fuck you. I know you don’t understand it now but there were wolves at the door. My men. I didn’t want to fight them for you after just becoming their alpha. Until I’d laid a physical claim, they would’ve been after you. Couldn’t have that. Selena had to be dealt with too.”
“Damn! I knew all those men knew what we were doing. I’m so embarrassed.”
He laughed and pressed a soft kiss to her petulant lips. “Don’t be. They were all as jealous as hell. They knew it was ‘hands off’ after that and that’s just the way I wanted it. You are my mate, Quinn. Better get used to the idea.”
A blonde brow winged up over on eye. “And if I don’t?”
“Then it’ll be my job to convince you.” Joe’s mouth settled on hers and he’d meant to be gentle, damn if he didn’t, but when she sighed and opened to him, he just couldn’t help himself. He took the kiss deeper, sweeping his tongue deep for a fuller tasting. Her response was like an aphrodisiac. His cock hardened, thrummed and when he drew her closer, it rose high along her belly. Quinn’s leg went around his hips to clasp him tighter. Her tightly pearled nipples stabbed erotically against his chest. The need to claim her in the consummation whipped through him with a fierce urgency he’d never felt before.
Too soon.
Backing off from the kiss, he stared into her pretty face and stroked the sharp blade of her cheekbone with a finger. “You sure about this, honey? You’ve been through a lot tonight but I’ll be damned if I don’t want you more than my next breath.”
“Will this be a consummation deal? Not sure about that just yet, Joe.”
He shook his head. “Not unless you want it. The commitment to link with me and with our people is unbreakable. Big decision. I won’t have it said I pushed you into it.”
“And to think, for a few days there, I thought you were a complete ass.” She surprised him with a grin. Sensing her need to be light and playful for just once this evening, he stroked her butt with the palm of his hand.
“Such a big, bad wolf, aren’t you, Joe?”
Returning her lazy smile, he squeezed the warm globe, nipped her bottom lip then dipped his fingers into the shadowy crevice. “I want to fuck you here, Quinn. Wanna fuck you everywhere.”
Her eyes widened then focused on his lips. “Sounds like a plan, Joe.” She went still. “What is it about you that just takes my breath away?” she whispered.
“Like I said, we’re meant to be. You might not love me yet but I’m gonna work on it, on you, until I convince you we belong together.”
“Right now, I just have about a gazillion questions.”
He sighed. “Yeah. I know. “He swept his fingers through her hair a
nd finally cupped her cheek. “There’ll be plenty of time for that tomorrow, honey, because I’m moving in. That okay with you?”
Quinn gave him an achingly soft smile making his heart thump hard in his chest. “Yeah, Joe, that’s more than okay with me.”
* * * * *
Later that night, Joe woke up to find Quinn gone. Panic seared his blood as he reached to feel her pillow had gone cold. Naked, he got out of bed and checked around. Nope, not in the bathroom. Sniffing the air, he headed downstairs to find Quinn slumped over the kitchen table stuffing food in her mouth as if she hadn’t eaten in days. A plate of cold fried chicken, two cold biscuits and a gallon of milk sat in front of her along with a pan of blackberry cobbler.
“Quinn?”
She looked up, startled. The dim light over the stove cast the room in shadow but he could see well enough to note the widening of her eyes as she quickly chewed and swallowed. “Oh my God! Joe! You scared me to death!”
He laughed and pulled out a chair next to her. “After everything that happened tonight, I’m surprised anything could scare you.”
Frowning at the food on the table, she looked back up at him. “I’m a pig.” A soft little whine entered her voice. “I woke up and I was just so hungry. I don’t think I’ve ever been more starved in my life. Grrrr.”
Joe couldn’t help it. She looked so cute when she was pissed off at herself. He grinned at her. “Don’t get your britches in a twist, darlin’. Being hungry after shifting is natural. You’ll get used to it.”
“I’m going to get huge if I keep this up, Joe.”
That little whine again. He loved it. But to satisfy her, he shook his head. “No, you’ll learn your body demands fuel after shifting. You’ll burn it up. I promise.”
“Promise?” She looked so hopeful. Damn. He couldn’t resist. Leaning in, he pressed a kiss to her pouting lips. “Pass that pan of blackberry cobbler over here, sugar.”
Quinn scooted the pan toward him and picked up a spoon to dip up a hefty portion of the golden crust and juicy berries. She held it up to his lips. “Open up, wolf man.”
Joe’s taste buds sat up and hollered. He let her feed him a few more bites before he took the spoon from her hand and set it aside. “Come ‘ere, sweet thing.”
He’d restrained himself long enough. Everything about her made his body heat to dangerous levels. Earlier, when she’d shifted for the first time and been traumatized by that fucking Selena, he couldn’t take her. No way in hell. Not when her world had suddenly rotated on its axis. Now was different and he wasn’t going to waste another second in claiming her. When he settled his lips on hers, drank her heavy sigh, he sent his tongue deep into her mouth. She tasted warm and sweet, like berries and woman. He knew he’d never get enough. Quinn made a low husky sound as she returned his kiss. Joe drew her to her feet and settled his arm beneath her ass and lifted.
“Joe! I’m too heavy.”
“Uh-uh. That won’t fly.”
Quinn’s long legs went up high around his waist and Joe groaned aloud when her soft pussy settled flush against his throbbing cock. He knew he’d never get enough of the feel of her. Her bare ass pressed against his forearm and the oversized football jersey she’d shrugged on earlier was bunched around her middle.
In two long strides, he carried her to the granite countertop and sat her on it. He focused on her slumberous eyes. Her chest rose and fell beneath her shirt, her nipples poking hard against the soft jersey. “You ready for me, Quinn?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m ready.”
“Good.” Joe was tired of fucking around. He grabbed fistfuls of the red jersey and whipped it over her head before tossing it to the floor. In the shadows, Quinn was pale and beautiful. Her abundant curves made his damn fingers itch. “Sick of waiting. Have to fuck you or I’m gonna die.”
“Can’t have that,” she murmured as he put his hands on her knees and spread her open. Joe went still. He knew he’d never get tired of looking at her and knowing she belonged to him. The petals of her pussy were dewy. He trailed his hands up the length of her thighs marveling at the contrast between her pale skin and his much darker tones. Moisture dampened her inner thighs and unable to resist, he bent his head and dragged his tongue over her warm flesh. Her gasp told him how much she liked it. Breathing deeply, he drew the scent of her into his lungs.
He needed her now not later. Knowing he was on the trembling edge of having what he craved, he ran his broad thumb along her slit gathering moisture as he went. She was drenched. Hot. He wanted more. He wanted to fuck so badly he thought the top of his head would just spin off. He needed to come like he needed his next breath. But not any woman would do.
“You’re so pretty here,” he said, shocked at the rough sound of his voice. Pretty? What a lame ass! Pretty didn’t begin to describe her. But then he thrust his fingers, two of them, deep in her gorgeous pussy and began to finger-fuck her. Quinn’s breath broke and when he looked up, he saw her head had dropped back against the cabinet. She brought her arms up and back until they were settled against the heavy walnut of the cabinets.
“Joe? Joe, suck my nipples. They ache.”
“Yeah.” An invitation he couldn’t refuse. While his fingers thrust deep into her clenching heat, he raked his teeth over one rock-hard nipple. Again. Then again. Scraping that tender flesh until she began to squirm against his fingers. Quinn made a low whimpering sound and he drew the morsel deep into the warmth of his mouth, sucking hard. Suddenly her fingers were in his hair, holding him close. Joe switched to the other breast and her creamy center quivered around his plunging fingers. She was close. So close and damn it, he wanted to be inside her when he came.
Joe removed his fingers and stepped between her thighs. He grabbed the flesh of her hips and squeezed as he drew his cock along her drenched heat. Quinn reached between them, running her hands over him, pressing him closer. Frantic fingers reached for his balls, to play and tease.
“Jesus, honey. You’re killin’ me here.”
“Good. We’re in this together, Joe, and I want you as much as you want me. We’ve gotta be equal or this thing will never work.”
“Hell yeah,” he breathed. “I’m all about equality. I love the feel of your hands on me. Keep playing with my balls. Yeah, like that. It’s good.”
Finally he’d had enough. His breath puffed from his lungs like he was a thoroughbred approaching the finish line with finish being the operative word. He wanted in and he wanted in now. “Ready for me?”
“Yes. Oh yeah.”
Joe fisted his hand around the base of his cock and placed the head at the silky entrance to her body. Instantly he was coated in her hot cream and he groaned in reaction.
“Um, Joe? Condom?”
He went still and saw the uncertainty in her eyes. “Been meaning to tell you something.”
“Now?”
Wanting to smile at the bit of outrage in her voice, he dropped another bit of information. “Don’t need a condom. Never did, honey. Our kind doesn’t carry disease. That’s the reason you never got sick when you were a little girl.”
“Okay,” she whispered. “That’s a good thing to know. I’m on the Pill so…”
Joe plunged deep. High and hard. Gritting his teeth against the pleasure, he plummeted inside the melting flesh of her pussy. Quinn’s legs went around his waist, pulling him closer but it still wasn’t enough. Impulsively, he wrapped her up, lifted her butt from the countertop and carried her to the closest wall. The urge to hit her with the full blast of his power overwhelmed him and he knew he could now that she’d shifted. Opening his mind to her, prodding, he whispered the words in her mind.
Can you feel me? Inside your mind? Everywhere?
Yes! Oh, God! Yes, I hear you, Joe. This is wicked.
I’ll show you wicked.
Joe had never in his long life used his inborn sexual powers. They could kill a human woman and were too intense for most she-wolves. But for his mate? Oh, yeah. Without a doubt,
she was his and he would fuck her the way he’d always dreamed of taking his mate. Gathering his emotions, his strength and his power, he thrust it through Quinn’s body until she screamed and shook in his arms. Her pussy convulsed repeatedly over his shaft as she flew apart crying his name. It wasn’t enough and greed caught him up.
Again.
Holy shit.
Come on, Quinn. Come.
Quinn shivered and shook and Joe felt the energy surge then ebb only to rise up again. Sensations zipped like busy fireflies over his skin and he knew she felt it too. She stiffened, huffed a breath then screamed again. At once he joined her, coming hard inside her quivering pussy.
* * * * *
Later, as they lay entwined on the big bed, Joe sighed against her hair and knew with everything in him that he loved Quinn. It was a hell of a revelation for a man who’d spent most of his life utterly alone. She was more than his mate, she was his life. He tightened his arms around her, praying that one day she’d come to feel the same.
“Joe?”
“Shh. Sleep.”
“Uh-uh. Have to ask you something.”
“Okay, shoot.”
He looked into her eyes and saw worry swimming there. “What happens if I decide not to do the consummation, Joe? What if I go back to the piney woods and leave here? What will happen to you?”
Then quite suddenly he knew his hopes and dreams were the kind of stupid stuff a kid might dream up. It would never happen for them despite what his dumb heart wanted. He was so quiet she finally asked her question again.
“What will happen to you if I leave, Joe?”
“I’ll be alone, Quinn. That’s all.”
Lone Star Lycan Page 8
