“You want me. Don’t fight it, Marley.” He molded her curves into his body, needing to feel what he had longed for all these months.
Nails gripped into his back. The heaviness of her breathing brushed against his cheek while he leaned down toward her lips. He had to taste her, all of her.
“I do want you, Cole. If you ask me, it’s too much. It isn’t right. I can’t stop thinking about…I’m keeping you from your mate.”
The truth settled in his heart. So, she was having the same problem as him. He knew she loved Zachary. It wasn’t like she wanted to leave him, but she loved them both.
“You let me worry about my mate. Kiss me, Marley.”
Green eyes looked into his, and something passed through them Cole wasn’t sure of. Something was different about her, but what? Even her scent held something unfamiliar. It smelled more powerful.
Had Zachary picked up on it, he wondered.
Marley suddenly stiffened in his arms and pulled away. “I can’t, Cole. You’ll never find a mate if this continues. You deserve to find happiness, and I won’t take that away from you.”
Sorrow, emptiness, every fear he had took over. Zachary found that moment to walk in. From the look on his leader’s face, Cole was sure Zach hadn’t miss the devastation Marley’s rejection had caused him.
“What’s wrong? Zachary asked, closing the door behind him.
He should have never come back. This was going to make things worse. What had he done? Why couldn’t he just stay away?
Marley wiped a tear furiously off of her cheek and walked into the restroom, locking the door behind her. Cole looked at his best friend, who was still waiting for an explanation.
“Will you please tell me what’s wrong with my wife?” Zachary’s face began to turn to solid stone before him. He knew that look. His friend was not happy.
Cole dropped his head. “She thinks she’s making things harder on me.”
“Is she?”
Looking up into the distinct eyes of his leader, he couldn’t lie. But she wasn’t entirely to blame. Marley had no control over the way her scent affected him, intoxicated him to the point of madness.
“It’s not her, it’s me. After dinner, I’m leaving. I’m sorry for upsetting your mate.” Cole walked out of the door, not once looking back. If he looked, he’d be compelled to knock on the restroom door until Marley opened it. The need to comfort her, to beg her…no, he couldn’t look back.
* * * *
The red-eyed vision that stared back at Marley only angered her more. She loved her husband, dammit! So, then why was she letting how much she cared for Cole affect her the way it was? The need to see him happy was top on her list. But why did she feel selfish enough to want to keep him away from that? She wanted him back in her and Zachary’s bed, not with another mate, another female.
A knock brought her hands to her face, wiping her eyes. It was Zachary. She already heard Cole leave. Hesitantly, she listened while he walked into his room and threw himself down on the bed. It was the squeaking that made her realize that. The fact that she could hear that far only registered as something she’d think about later.
“Marley, honey, open the door.”
She did, even though she would have preferred to spend more time alone.
“Zachary, I can explain. The last thing I wanted was to upset Cole, but I want him to be happy. He won’t be happy if we continue this.”
“It’s my fault. I sent him here. You’ve been so gloomy lately. I thought you missed him. I was just trying to cheer you up. My mistake. I didn’t think.”
Large arms embraced her, instantly filling her with Zachary’s cologne. The smell was so subtle she could barely sense it. It was always out of reach, from the first moment she met him. Just when she thought she grasped exactly what it smelled like, it was gone.
“Zachary, it’s not your fault. I should have mentioned this before, when Cole left. I like having him around too much, I guess.
“That’s not a bad thing. I like having him around, too. He keeps you occupied while I’m feasting.” Zachary said, whispering it into her ear. “That’s a plus in my book. I could taste you forever.”
Tightening settled again in Marley’s stomach. Her husband always had that effect on her. “Yes, well you know the invitation’s always open whenever you feel the need.”
“As much as I would love to right now, I can’t. The pack is gathering downstairs for dinner, and there’s some things I need to go over before you come down.”
He kissed her gently on the mouth and pulled back, looking into her eyes. “Are you feeling all right? You seem distant lately. Your thoughts, they’re not as clear as before. I’m not sure what to make of it. It doesn’t seem normal. I’ve never heard of anything like this happening before.”
Aching ran through her muscles while Marley’s body once again tensed. “I’m fine, just tired. I know nothing about how the bond works so I’m not sure. You should go. I’m going to jump in the shower and I’ll be down for dinner soon.”
With a kiss, her husband left. The need to drop to the floor in exhaustion hit her like a tidal wave. If she could make it through dinner she could retire early and get some much needed rest. Whatever was happening to her mind was taking its toll on her body as well.
Chapter 3
While everyone finished up the last of their dinner, the fact that Cole hadn’t looked at her once drove Marley crazy. She wanted to apologize. They couldn’t leave on these terms. Aggravated from her tiring body and with how she handled things earlier, Marley stood from the long formal dining room table. Twenty people looked up, and every single man stood, which happened to be twelve of them.
“I’m sorry. I need some air. Zachary, I’m going for a walk in the gardens. Please excuse me for interrupting.”
Zachary nodded, still standing. “I’ll join you soon.”
“That’s not necessary. I know you have to get ready for the meeting tonight. I’ll see you afterward. I won’t be gone long.”
Cole shifted in his standing position. When he spoke, Marley could tell he whispered, but she had no problem hearing him. “Zachary, may I walk with Marley? There are some things we need to discuss.”
Both of the men’s eyes came to rest on her. The sensations that took over her body made every pore on her react and come alive.
“Marley, is it all right if Cole accompanies you?” Zachary stared at her intently. The decision was ultimately being left up to her.
“Yes, I would love for him to join me.”
She led the way out of the formal dining area. The tingling feeling continued to tickle her skin while she walked through the living room and onto the balcony. Cool night air brushed against her skin, causing her to shiver. The black strapless dress left her shoulders completely bare, and with her dark hair in a French twist, nothing remained to shelter her skin from the chill.
“Here, take my jacket,” Cole said, already draping it over her shoulders. The massive material engulfed her small frame leaving it to end at her knees.
“Thank you.”
They descended the steps leading to the garden area side by side. The scent of roses and gardenias floated against the breeze as Cole wrapped his arm around hers and led her to the gazebo in the middle of the garden.
Darkness weighed heavily outside, but not as heavy as it should have been for her. She couldn’t help but notice how if she wanted to she could count every line of woven wood on the furniture that filled the large resting area.
Cole seated her on the fluffy cushions of the wicker sofa while she looked around at the surrounding area. With no walls to hide them from view, she still couldn’t help but feel as though she sat in an open living room. A glass coffee table rested in front of her followed by a love seat. The gazebo was as big as her old living room in Refugio, Texas, the place she lived before Zachary came and literally swept her off her feet.
“Marley, I want you to know I’m leaving soon. The last thing I wanted to
do earlier was upset you. I’m sorry.”
The light blue of Cole’s eyes tugged at her heart. God, she didn’t want him to leave. Why did this have to be so hard?
“You have no reason to be sorry, Cole. I’m the one who should apologize. I had no right to run out on you like that. My emotions have just been out of sorts lately. I’m sorry for upsetting you. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing more that I want than for you to stay here. But I can’t keep you from finding a mate. You deserve to be happy.”
Cole’s hands lifted quickly, but he stopped them inches from Marley’s face. Her heart hammered away at the thought that he might touch her. She wanted him to. Her mind and body screamed for her to let him.
“I know this, Marley. It’s the reason I’m leaving tonight.”
She watched his hands drop, along with her heart. Disappointment ate at her. Would one more time truly hurt?
Imagining Cole kissing another woman, thrusting into her while she moaned in pleasure, sickened Marley. An overpowering reaction to scream and beg him to stay caught her off guard. No, she couldn’t think of that. She’d deal with the new woman when the time came. Right now she knew what she wanted. Claiming Cole one more time wouldn’t hurt.
Taking a deep breath, Marley bit her lip and reached for him. Her fingers gripped into the white button up shirt and pulled him toward her.
“You can’t leave, yet,” Marley breathed against his full lips.
The heat from his forehead radiated against hers. He was so close, not an inch away. The need to taste him caused her to grip the shirt tighter. Blue eyes pierced hers.
“Say it, Marley. Tell me what you want.”
“Make love to me, Cole, one last time.”
The end of the words almost got choked in her throat while it tightened. She held in the emotions that threatened to bring tears. Everything was forgotten the moment Cole’s lips crushed into hers. Her fists tightened around his shirt, and she felt the material disintegrate beneath her fingers.
Greedily, she ripped at the remaining cloth like tissue paper until he was completely shirtless. Marley couldn’t quit kissing him. His taste overwhelmed her. A surge of greediness swept through her senses leaving her feeling obsessed to sample more.
Large arms pulled her into his wide chest while he lowered her to the cushions, molding his body to hers. The silk material of the dress was pulled to her hips while Cole ran his hand up her inner thigh. With the arm that rested behind her, he arched her back.
The brush of his fingers against the edge of the thin, black lace panties had her moaning into his mouth. With a quick rip, cool air rushed against her pussy, causing her to shiver.
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
The pads of his fingers massaged the outside of her folds, moving right over her clit. Marley’s hips bucked wildly.
“Yes, I’m positive.”
If he stopped now she was sure she would lose it. She felt uncontrollable with lust. A part of her mind turned wild, animalistic with wanting to take control.
* * * *
Cole’s lips trailed down Marley’s throat, taking in the scent of her skin. The overwhelming feeling to sink his teeth into her nearly made him stop. God, he wanted her with everything he had. Why was his brain screaming for him to mark her as his mate? She was already marked. He knew this and yet the wolf in him had conflicting emotions.
If he bit her it would only mean one thing, and he’d never challenge Zachary. As much as he wanted Marley, he’d never hurt his best friend or even stand a chance in a fight against him. Cole knew he could easily take out anyone else in the pack, but Zachary was a prodigy, something all his own. No one could win against him.
Wetness enveloped his fingers while he slid them down against her opening. Marley moaned, moving her stomach against his cock. With a thrust of two of his fingers, he buried them deep inside of her pussy. The pressure from her nails almost brought him to instant release.
Removing his arm from behind her back, he ripped the front of her dress open, exposing her generous breasts. The hard, pink tips caused a growl to pour out of his throat. Dream after dream he’d seen her just as she lay now, and it didn’t even come close to comparing with the beauty of the real thing.
The hardness of his cock throbbed against the material of his black slacks. Slowly, Cole worked his way down to the wetness encasing his fingers. Now that he was right where he wanted to be, he gave an upward push and felt Marley’s body rock with spasms. Her scent hit him head on.
It took a moment for Cole to focus. His tongue already probed into her, drinking in her release, but he hadn’t remembered getting there. Trying to clear his thoughts, it struck him just how powerful Marley’s scent had become. Impossible.
* * * *
The smoothness that thrust inside of her had Marley clutching Cole’s blond hair. She still couldn’t see straight from her orgasm. Sensitivity covered her whole body causing her to twitch every time Cole brushed against her clit.
Light blue glowed above her while Cole lifted and looked directly at her face. She’d never seen his eyes physically glow before. Zachary’s were the only ones she’d had the privilege to see illuminating in the darkness.
“Marley, there’s something about your scent.”
A surge of fear rushed throughout her body. No, she wouldn’t believe anything was wrong with her. She shook her head and reached for him.
“Don’t talk, just touch me.”
Her fingers gripped the front of his pants. With a quick pull, she felt the button pop off and the zipper come down. The weight of Cole’s cock spilled forward, and she instantly wrapped her hand around the width. A groan filled the emptiness of the gazebo, and she felt the moment he lost control.
He pulled off his pants and positioned himself over Marley, entering her in one swift motion. His length pushed inside of her deeply, nearly making her scream. With her legs around his waist, she urged him on, pushing him deeper.
“Fuck, Marley. Your pussy’s so tight and warm. You have no idea how good you feel.”
The hardness of her nipples slid against his chest while he thrust. A need to feel more of him pulled at her, but she wasn’t sure what exactly she needed. She just knew she needed him, all of him.
The thrusts became harder and faster. Tightness in her stomach became torturing while he rubbed against the spot deep inside of her. His arms gathered behind her knees, spreading her wide while he pushed into her. Just as Marley exploded, instinct took over and she did the one thing her mind told her to. She sunk her teeth into Cole’s shoulder.
The taste of his blood filling her mouth had her eyes to rolling back and watering at the same time. Power began to surge through her veins at a rate that made it impossible to control her breathing.
Her lips broke from his skin as he lifted up and pulled his cock out, spilling his cum across her stomach. But she couldn’t focus on the warm liquid coating her skin or even the amount of pleasure that filled Cole’s face. All she could feel was how her body thrummed with unrelenting power. Blackness dotted before her, and she suddenly disappeared from reality.
Chapter 4
Zachary and Cole loomed before her as Marley’s eyes fluttered open. Glimpses of her bedroom came into focus while she looked around at her surroundings. The ache in her body made her groan as she tried to quickly sit up.
“Lay down, Marley. You need to rest,” Zachary said soothingly.
Reluctantly, she obeyed. “What happened?”
Trying to clear her head, Marley rubbed her eyes. Images of her and Cole flooded her mind, making her smile. Then she remembered the bite.
“It would seem you were worn out.” Her husband laughed, brushing the hair away from her face. “I knew you both would make up. So, how are you feeling?”
She turned toward Cole and looked at his concerned face. “I’m better. I feel a little tired, but other than that I’m okay.”
“Are you sure?” Cole asked tensely.
&nbs
p; He was dressed casually now. She wondered when he put clothes on. A dark blue shirt molded tightly against his chest enhancing the blue of his eyes. He wore a pair of loose fitted jeans, also a dark color. She looked back into his face.
“I’m positive. It’s like Zachary said, you wore me out. It was amazing. You literally took my breath away.” The joke didn’t seem to relax the rigid stature of Cole’s body. He stared at her for endless seconds before he seemed to calm.
“If you’re okay then that’s all that matters.” Cole sat on the bed at her feet. “Zachary, I know everyone’s waiting on us. Why don’t you go to the meeting, and I’ll watch over Marley until you get back. Then I’ll head out.”
Her husband nodded and kissed her forehead. “Are you sure you’re all right? I can cancel the meeting.”
“No, I’m fine. Go. Everyone’s waiting. Cole will be here if I need you. Plus, I’m sure Kylie’s not far away.”
“Yes, she’s already fed Demetri and Aria. They’re in bed, now. She told me to get her when you woke up. I’ll tell her on my way to go ahead and come in.”
“Already in bed! How long have I been out?”
“About an hour,” Cole said, rubbing her leg through the blanket.
“An hour, shit! Yes, tell her to come in. I need to thank her for watching over Demetri for me.”
Zachary laughed. “You couldn’t separate her from her nephew for anything in the world. She’s very attached to him. But I’ll tell her. Get some rest, love. I’ll see you in a few hours.”
Marley and Cole watched Zachary walk out of the door. Uneasiness settled over her. What happened after she passed out? Did he sense anything when she bit him? She sure had!
“I’m going to use the restroom real quick. I won’t be long,” he said, standing.
Watching him walk into the adjoining room, she breathed heavily the minute he was out of sight. What in the hell was happening to her? Jesus, the power she felt was amazing, too amazing.
Projected Pleasure Page 2
