Ashley looked shaken to hear what Isaac was, but also as if getting used to receiving strange information.
“Here's hoping he doesn't cause any problems, I guess,” she muttered. “But, what's a curse box anyway?”
“They're made to hold mystical items and contain their magic. Sort of like Pandora's Box.”
She nodded, but her expression grew vacant. Cade briefly wondered why when the scent of her arousal hit him, answering his unspoken question. I'm distracting her.
The notion that she wanted him, as well as her scent, made it difficult for him to resist getting closer—which he found himself doing, slipping his arms around her sides.
Not that Cade wasn't already aching for more of their previous intimacy. Just the memory of her soft hands curiously exploring his shaft had it growing stiff.
He'd stopped them that morning not only because of their need for rest, but also due to his state of mind. Even though she'd given him release, his desire for her was strong, nearly undeniable, and coupled with his lack of sleep, Cade didn't want to lose control and accidentally hurt her when she'd never been with a man before.
So rest came first, and thankfully, he felt more focused now. But with their growing bond, those needs were hard to ignore for long.
“How did you sleep anyway?” he asked.
“Good. I was gonna cook something, but we're kind of low on supplies.”
“You'll have to make a shopping list,” he smiled. Then a thought struck him, which he asked more seriously. “You know I want you to live here, right?”
“I,” she started, “well, I was hoping you did. I like it here anyway, and . . . you're here.”
Cade grinned, which made Ashley roll her eyes and smirk. “Don't get egotistical. I'm just going through some kind of weird lupine phase.”
“Oh, I'll remember that the next time we get on the couch and—” he stopped when she suddenly shoved him.
“Hush!”
Cade laughed, barely moved by the push. “That all you got?”
Ashley's jaw dropped in an amused no you didn't fashion before she tried to push him harder. In response, Cade quickly grabbed her sides, knowing the bed was just behind him as he lifted her up and tossed her over onto it.
She gasped, landing on her back with a bounce. Cade climbed over her, smirking deviously while she pursed her lips.
“You just threw me in bed.”
“I did just throw you in bed,” he grinned. “You deserved it.”
It was obvious that she was fighting her amusement, but all too soon, he noticed her arousal growing stronger, which only made him lust to satisfy her needs.
As if knowing he would detect it, she looked away and asked, “Before I forget, Cade, when do we leave for the hunt?”
Cade decided to give her some room, slipping to her side and propping his head up with a hand beneath his cheek. “An hour before sunset usually. Why, are you nervous?”
“Well, maybe,” she started. “I didn't just go downstairs to cook something. I called Sara.”
“Why?”
“I wanted to know if she had a way for me to contact Elizabeth so I could talk to her about what happened. I just don't feel right fighting her to join the pack when she lost her mate, whether it's my fault or not.”
Cade could understand that, but he got the feeling he knew what Elizabeth said. “Did you call her?”
“Yep,” Ashley muttered, “and she told me to be ready to get my ass beaten before hanging up on me.”
That's what I thought. Ashley was considerate, so it probably stung to get that kind of response.
Cade reached over, placing a hand on her cheek to make her look at him. “You don't need to worry. I've gotten a few messages saying you have support, so this won't be a big deal.”
He hoped that would cheer her up, but Ashley didn't look convinced. “Would I still have to fight Elizabeth?”
With a sigh, he nodded, “Yeah, she'll confront you anyway. But I'll be there.”
“I wouldn't want you fighting my battles for me, Cade,” she grumbled. “But isn't there any other way around it? Like if I backed out?”
“You're not backing out,” Cade retorted stubbornly. “I need you in this pack, Ash. If something like last night happened again, it'd be easier to protect you.”
“I know, but—”
“No but's. You're joining this pack, or I'm going with you, end of story.”
Ashley looked close to snapping at him, but Cade wasn't going to bend on the issue, even if she begged. She'd join their pack, or he'd step down as Alpha.
There was no other way around it.
Chapter 30
Though the tension of the previous evening had dissipated after getting some rest, Cade's refusal to listen was grating.
Sitting up on an arm, Ashley exclaimed, “I'm not saying I wanna back out, Cade, but if I lost, then what?”
“I follow,” he retorted.
“You can't. You're the Alpha.”
“I can, and I will.”
“But this is my joining!”
“And you're my wolf,” Cade countered on a growl. “So I go with you, doesn't matter where, I want you there, like you want me here.”
She fought to remember what they were arguing about rather than how much she loved hearing that. The notion that he wanted her so much took a good bit of her bluster away, and when he called her his wolf, her mind went reeling over things it shouldn't just then.
He seemed so confident about this bonding, and she had to admit that she was starting to feel more comfortable with her own feelings now that she knew what it all meant. But damned if it wasn't making it difficult to focus on their argument when it was important to let him know she meant business.
“But I get a say in this too, damn it,” she shot back, “and I wouldn't let you follow me!”
“Oh really? Just how would you stop me when you can't even shove me?”
That made her frustration peak. Suddenly, Ashley pushed Cade onto his back, kissing him without hesitation. She only realized what she'd done when his arms latched around her tightly with a groan of enjoyment.
Still, she broke the kiss to gloat, exclaiming, “That's how!” and was almost sorry she had when the look on his face was so intense.
There was no time to react when Cade pulled her back down for another kiss before pushing her over with a dominant growl, countering her claim. Her legs ended up parted around his hips, her skirt riding up, and when Cade shifted against her, she stiffened.
Ashley could feel his concealed erection pressing into her covered sex, and she gasped when he moved again, wickedly rocking his hips, making her forget their debate completely.
Especially when he shifted, causing that back and forth grinding to rub directly into her clit.
“Cade!” she gasped in surprised pleasure, grabbing his ass to keep him going.
Against her ear, he growled, “You're mine, Ashley, and I fight for you, or go with you. One way or the other.”
The words had her dizzy as his fingers curled into her panties at her hip. Ashley clutched his ass tighter, the feel of it tensing beneath her fingers making her slick with need.
“Cade . . . ” she whimpered throatily.
As if breaking through his lustful haze, he suddenly stopped, panting above her in a bid for control.
As disappointing as it was, it gave her a chance to ask, “What about . . . leading the pack, Cade?”
His expression softened, and he cupped her cheek, murmuring, “You're more important than that, Ash. It became hard for me to even eat when I denied my instincts with you. So I need our bonding more than I need to lead these wolves. They can always find someone else, but I can't find another Ashley.”
Her breath hitched, staring at him with the urge to kiss him growing too strong to deny, and she gave into it. Ashley wanted him so badly she couldn't think of anything else. Hell, her shirt was bunched up over her stomach, her skirt around her ass, and his hips we
re between her thighs.
They were already halfway there.
Still, she tore her mouth from his and rasped out, “Cade, is it normal to feel this way? Or is it just us?”
“It's bonding,” he confirmed. “Trust me, it's normal.”
“Then,” she had to ask, “is it too soon?”
Ashley had no idea what constituted as rushing things anymore, but she did know how strong her drives were, and when Cade looked her over as if imagining erotic things, she shivered.
“That's all your choice, sweetheart,” he started, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. “I want you so damned bad, but only when you're ready for it.”
“When I'm ready,” she repeated on a whisper.
He kept putting her needs before his, and like that morning, her heart swelled with emotion. Cade wanted her to be comfortable despite his own desires, and that kind of consideration dissolved her uncertainties away. I think I am falling for him.
He said it was all her choice, and she couldn't think of a single reason to choose not to be with him now. Firstly, It wasn't as if pregnancy was a worry when she could only get pregnant if she was marked.
Secondly, she was comfortable with him, and trusted him, knowing he'd get off of her right away if she asked.
Not to mention, last night she'd resolved to start going with her gut, and that being the case, Ashley had the feeling that giving herself to Cade would be one of the best experiences she'd ever have. I wanna see how right my instincts are about this.
So if the only question left was whether or not she was ready, Ashley answered it with a fervent kiss.
Cade moaned, breaking contact before it could go too far. “Ashley, if you're not sure, there's other ways to—”
He stopped when she placed her fingers to his lips. “I'm a little worried, sure, but I know what I want. Maybe I'm not as experienced as other women, or at actually being a lupine, but if we don't like denying ourselves, then I should tell you, I'm aching for you.”
He groaned as if the thought made him ache as well. Grabbing her wrists, he pinned them down above her head, asking, “How bad?”
She shifted beneath him, rasping, “So bad it fucking hurts, Cade.”
His expression was almost predatory, and Ashley gasped when he suddenly sat back and tugged her up.
Cade made quick work of her top, pulling it over her head. She hadn't bothered with a bra yet, leaving her chest exposed to his hungry eyes while she ran her hands across his toned abdomen, exploring him with light strokes, almost unable to process the fact that such an attractive man actually wanted her.
Biting her lip, she slipped her hands down to the waistband of his pants, staring up at him with the question, “You said I was your wolf, right?”
“You are.”
The notion cut away inhibition, and she slowly tugged the garment down, revealing his desire for her to get a better look than she had earlier. Oh my.
It was thick and straining at attention. But before she could do more than stare at the swollen length, making her breathless with a mixture of nerves and excitement, Cade took her arms and gently pushed her across the bed.
Laying back, she watched him admire her breasts, feeling her nipples harden solely under his gaze.
Breathlessly, she asked, “You really think I'm attractive?”
She didn't doubt herself anymore, but the notion that Cade found her appealing was a different story. His response was promising as well.
“I'll have to show you.”
Cade had never been so aroused. The thought of claiming her had him both excited as well as anxious. This was his mate, the one he could tie himself to in a coveted lifelong bond, and he wanted this first to be absolutely perfect.
It wasn't surprising that she was worried, but he'd make sure she was taken care of.
“Cade, I . . . might not know what to do,” she whispered.
“There's nothing for you to worry about. I'm gonna give you everything you need first, Ash,” he promised, his eyes roaming over her upper body with an appreciative groan.
She was stunning, and his hands roamed up her sides and beneath each breast, pushing them up. Ashley arched with a moan when he swirled his tongue around one stiff peak, then the other, sucking each in turn until they were as hard as they’d ever get.
“Cade!”
“Like that?”
“Yes!” she moaned, drawing her hands along his arms and back. “It's making me throb.”
Cade knew exactly how to ease it, intending on preparing her for him completely. Starting with a slow, sweet kiss to her mouth, he trailed kisses down, across her stomach, which tensed beneath his lips.
Despite her surprised gasp, he continued over her naval, grasping her skirt to pull down her legs along with her panties, displaying her entire body to him as he settled at the edge of the bed.
Exquisite was the only word he could think, devouring the sight of her curves before grasping her thighs to push apart, exposing her slit to his hungry gaze.
Ashley sat up and grasped his shoulders tightly. “What are you . . . ”
She trailed as he slipped his arms beneath her legs, gripping her hips to hold in place. Her aroused scent was intoxicating, and he used his thumbs to reveal the hidden folds, groaning at the sight of her pink, slick flesh.
She whimpered, cheeks blushing hotly. Looking up at her from that vantage point was the most erotic thing he’d ever seen.
“Just relax,” Cade murmured, intending to overwhelm her from her modesty and memorize how she tasted. “I need to learn every part of my mate's body.”
He pressed his lips to her inner thigh, inching them closer to her core as she whimpered. Slowly, his mouth covered it, his tongue searching, finding her swollen clitoris and snaked over it, laving back and forth.
In response, Ashley gripped his shoulders tightly with a startled cry. The sound of her pleasure seared him, suckling the swollen bud mercilessly, lashing it as she jerked and panted. Then he dipped down, groaning loudly over her sweet taste as he probed her inside.
He wouldn't give this up for anything.
It was sweet torture.
Ashley's hips bucked against Cade's hold as he drove her insane with slow licks and hard circles against her aching flesh. She fell back on the bed when he groaned, releasing his shoulders to curl her fingers into the sheets, her heart hammering.
She couldn't think beyond the sensation of his tongue searching between her thighs, pushing deep, then swirling over her sensitive button where he suckled until she cried out.
Her nipples were tight with arousal, her head thrashing to the side. There was no way he could do this for long before she met her end, already spiraling out of control.
His hands slipped up to her breasts, squeezing them, pinching her nipples with harder flicks between her legs. When he slanted his mouth over her, she bowed up, almost climaxing immediately.
But it stopped, and Ashley remembered to breathe, panting when she felt his index against her opening. Her muscles clenched as the digit slowly sank inside, looking down when Cade murmured, “So damned tight. Does it hurt?”
“N-no,” she rasped, sucking in another breath as he began to thrust. Tension built inside her, and her breath hitched when his mouth covered her again to work in time with his fingers.
She found herself watching, her heart pounding as his index sank in and out of her slick walls while his tongue laved wicked circles around her clit, the pleasure growing until her head fell back and she bucked.
It was simply too much.
“Cade!”
Her orgasm rose up in a violent wave, feeling so damned good that she didn't even realize she was holding him against her, wantonly rocking her hips. She could barely stand the unrelenting pleasure, and had no idea how or if it could get any better.
But damned if she didn't want to find out.
Chapter 31
Cade didn’t stop until Ashley fell limp, giving a few languid laps to her sex that
made her twitch. He was so hard when her orgasm finally subsided that he was hurting.
Shedding his pants completely, he climbed over her, admiring the sight of her in his bed, chest heaving, eyes closed, and lips parted—utterly gorgeous.
“Cade,” she rasped, reaching for him. “Please, I need you.”
The desire in her voice overwhelmed him, his hands nearly shaking with the instincts pushing him to take her. With a deep breath, he reminded himself that she was a virgin and control was key, otherwise he'd hurt her more than necessary.
With the thought, he lowered himself, his erection pressing into her lower belly as he kissed her hungrily.
Ashley was uninhibited, lifting her legs around his hips and shifting against him. Cade grasped his aching member, positioning it until he felt her tight entrance, slick and hot against his aching flesh. Now or never.
“Be still for me, let me do this,” he murmured gruffly, feeling her stretching around the cap of his engorged shaft—the first step to both accomplishment and ruin of his goals. Her slick heat alone made him want to forget all control and thrust deep inside.
With a heavy breath, he sat back, grasping her hips in a tight hold while inching forward. Focusing on the potential of hurting her helped to stay his need to slam home too fast.
Ashley grasped his wrists, his name escaping her lips with a slight tone of alarm in her voice as he began sinking deeper.
“It's okay, baby, I've got you.”
Cade's voice was ragged from grappling with his control while Ashley stared up at him, virginal worry mixed with discovery on her face, at least, until he drew deeper inside of her. Then she squeezed her eyes shut and whimpered his name again, trying to stay as still as possible, her chest heaving before she sucked in a breath and held it.
Once he'd gone as far as he could without fully claiming her virginity, he leaned over her, pressing a kiss to her lips as she grasped him tightly. Her sheath sliding over him felt so damned perfect it was agony, causing his possessive urges to clash with the innate need to protect her from anything, including himself.
“You already feel so fucking perfect,” he moaned, drawing in and out a few times as she tensed, trying to help her along.
Blue Moon Page 25
