“You’ve got all sorts of stuff here; fruit, cheese, veggies, chicken.”
Ella pulled out a carrot and held it out to Wolf. He took it, nipping her fingers in the process. They ate like that for several minutes, forgoing the plates and silverware he packed.
“You hear that? It’s a woodpecker.” Wolf pointed out the red crested bird.
“I’m not that good with identifying birds. I’ve got limited experience in nature. You might have heard,” Ella laughed.
“I did,” Wolf grinned, recalling her story.
“I’m amazed by it though. I wonder how so many wondrous creatures are possible. I’m sure there’s a scientific reason, but I’m still amazed a woodpecker isn’t knocked silly, every time it slams its face into a tree.”
“Creation has come up with some pretty interesting things,” Wolf commented, amused by the image Ella conjured.
Wolf was enjoying the direction things were going with Ella. He was learning that there was more to her than meets the eye. The more Wolf discovered, the more he wanted to know about her. She was guarded and innocent, but also strong and talented. She’d taken care of herself for way too long. The way Ella reacted to simple things, like loaning her the truck, and the picnic, made him want to lavish her with everything her heart ever desired and then some.
Wolf could easily see himself sharing the pack’s secret with Ella; a thing he swore he’d never do with an Outsider. The only fear was how she’d react to the news, if he didn’t do things right. He’d grown up with horror stories of Shifters sharing their secret with disastrous results; lynchings, mental hospitals, suicides and broken hearts. Worse, were the tales of Shifters who rejected their nature and tried to live life as an Outsider.
“So, you played here as a child?” Ella drew Wolf out of his thoughts. “Your family seems close knit.”
“Yeah, sometimes we’re too close. How about you?”
“I’ve got more family overseas than here. It’s just my mother and sister, since dad passed.”
“Sorry.” Wolf recalled hearing her mention it before.
“No, it’s okay. My dad, taught me most of what you saw in the clubhouse. I loved helping him. It was good quality time.”
“I was a little surprised to see you in there. Since I met you, you’ve been dressed like you came off the cover of a magazine.”
“That’s my mother’s influence,” Ella laughed. “She’s the one with the fashion sense. Enough about me. What about your parents?”
“I’m ashamed to admit they moved to northern Florida several years ago. We have a bunch of old timers that retired near the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge. Although they come back for weeks at a time to harass me.”
“I bet it keeps you humble,” she said with a grin.
“You think?”
“No,” Ella laughed.
“So, tell me more about Sabine. Does she make you nuts, like Char does me?” Wolf asked.
“Sabine and I are Irish twins. We were born eleven months apart, the same year even.”
“You mean there’s another one of you walking around? God help the world.”
“Real funny. We’re not actual twins, smart alec.” Ella shoved Wolf. “Yes, she makes me crazy. Sabine sometimes pretends her mind is failing, but it’s a bunch of garbage. She is so rowdy. She’d give you all a run for your money. Her favorite pastime is trying to shock me.”
“Hey what a coincidence, that’s my favorite pastime too. What’s wrong with her?”
“Nice,” Ella replied to his smartass comment. “It’s some form of ALS. That’s the best the doctors can categorize it.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. They’re making progress with the disease, and she’s been doing well.” Ella crossed her fingers.
“Is she in the hospital now?”
“Yep. She’s on this experimental drug regimen, that seems to be working.”
Ella looked upbeat about her sister’s condition. Wolf couldn’t imagine it. Shifters didn’t get sick like Outsiders. It had to be an unbelievable strain on Ella and her sister.
“Well maybe I can take her for a spin on the bike some time, if she’s up for it.”
“Sabine would love that, but enough about her.”
Wolf’s phone rang and he glanced over on the blanket to see it was his friend Cain.
“You can answer it, I don’t mind,” Ella said, then gleefully jumped up and ran back over to the swing.
Wolf smiled at her, as he picked up the phone.
“Hey, Cain.”
“Hey, man. How’s it going?” Cain sounded strained.
Whatever had the president of the Reapers sounding like he did, had to be important. It eased some of the annoyance Wolf was feeling from the interruption. The sight of Ella happily swinging, also helped.
“Doing good,” Wolf honestly replied. “What’s up brother?”
“I hate to bother you so soon, but I need your help, if you’re up for it,” Cain said through the phone.
“Lay it on me.” Wolf pulled his attention from the sight of Ella kicking her legs as she swung.
“I got a girl at the stripclub, who’s boyfriend ran off with her kid. The fucker says she owes him for drugs, but the girl’s not into anything more than a little weed.”
“Do I need to head over there now?”
Wolf looked at Ella with a disappointed smirk. He’d go, since a kid was in danger. But if he had to cut his evening with Ella short, he’d be taking it out on the piece of shit kidnapper.
“Not quite yet. We’re waiting for the shithead to call back. Trip’s going to trace the call.”
“Are they Others, or one of us? Not that it matters.”
“Others, but she’s been a steady girl. Been loyal to the club.”
“I got you. Well give me a call when Trip’s got a location for me.”
“Will do. Thanks, man,” Cain replied sincerely.
“No problem.”
Wolf hung up the phone, and looked over at Ella still contentedly swinging away.
“That sounded like work,” she called out.
“Sort of.”
“I know you own the apartment, and seem to be the ring leader of this band of miscreants, but what else do you do?”
“I’m a private investigator.”
“Sounds exciting.” Ella swung as high as she could manage while chatting with him.
“It’s not really, but I’m good at it. I’ve got a nose for hunting people down.” Wolf tapped his nose.
“So, someone needs you?”
“Yeah. A kid was taken. They’re waiting on a call so they can trace the number.”
“That’s awful. Anyone who messes with kids should be shot.”
Ella wasn’t the violent type. Hearing that coming from her mouth was amusing.
“The asshole might get shot before this is through.”
“Is that what you were up to when I moved in?”
“Sort of. A friend went missing in Mexico.”
“Oh no.”
“Don’t worry we found him. The rotten SOB came back with a brand new old lady and her grandma.”
“Old lady? That’s not the most flattering phrase. It ranks right up there with ball and chain.”
Ella scrunched up her nose. She looked damn cute when she did that. Wolf got up and stalked toward the swing. Ella’s eyes widened. She squealed when he plucked her off the wood seat.
“Are you saying you wouldn’t be my old lady if I asked.”
Wolf tickled Ella’s ribs, making her squirm as he deposited her on the blanket.
“Wolf, stop. I’m going to pee,” Ella begged breathlessly, as he leaned over her.
“What’ll you give me, if I relent?” Wolf paused his tickle attack.
“How about a kiss.” Ella bit her lip nervously.
“Accepted.” Wolf rolled onto his back next to Ella.
“What are you doing?” Ella leaned up on one elbow and looked at him curiously.
<
br /> “You said YOU’d give ME a kiss.” Wolf grinned up at her.
“So, I did.” She smiled shyly.
Ella placed her hand on his chest, smoothing it back and forth over his pecs. Her touch incited a frenzied tempest. Nothing roused him the way she did. The only thing that came close was when his beast surfaced, or he let the throttle out on his bike.
As Ella’s lips gingerly pressed against his, Wolf was almost certain the tumult he felt within had spilled out all around him. He closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around Ella pulling her close, as he devoured her mouth.
Her kiss was hesitant at first, as it had been the last time. But Ella quickly found her courage, and when she did, it took his breath away. Ella drank from his lips, as her hands roamed his chest, in eager exploration. What he wouldn’t give to watch her fall apart in his arms.
Wolf found himself poised over Ella, her stunned expression quickly turned to want. Her pupils grew large, swallowing up the hazel green of her irises. Her long dark lashes fluttered as she stared up at him. Wolf watched Ella run her tongue over her swollen red lips. The sight of it drove him nearly insane.
“Oh, Princess, if you only knew what I was thinking,” he rumbled.
Wolf didn’t wait for a reply. The passionate expression on Ella’s face, full of want, and need unresolved, was enough. He descended and kissed her lips, then moved to tease her neck and ears, before returning to her mouth. Wolf couldn’t seem to get enough of her.
His arms caged Ella beneath him. Her full thighs cradled his hips. Wolf couldn’t help the rocking motion he made, grinding his aching cock against her heated valley. Ella gasped as his cock hit her clit, hidden beneath too many layers of clothes. Ella’s mouthwatering scent increased tenfold. It burrowed into Wolf, turning him near feral. His beast snarled, begging to be buried in the source of her delectable musk.
Wolf leaned on one forearm, and let his other hand caress Ella’s neck. She clung to him, as his palm travelled over her breast. Her nipple was a tight bead, poking through her thin bra and t-shirt. Wolf pinched the turgid nub as he rolled his hips, striking that spot that made her gasp.
The panting mewls Ella made, spurred him on. Wolf knew she was wet, but he was desperate to feel her desire, to taste her need. Wolf drifted lower, caressing the skin above Ella’s waistband.
“Wolf?” His name came out part question, part needful plea.
Wolf captured her lips as he flicked open the catch on her jeans. Ella held him tight, pulling him closer. His fingers descended past her lacey panties, past the narrow strip of hair, to the top of her cleft. Her clit was so swollen, the bead of flesh was straining from her slick folds.
The instant Wolf grazed her aching flesh, Ella cried into his mouth, and bucked beneath him. A powerful surge rocked him. It was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. It was like pure lust given a life of its own. His inner beast surged forth to take control. It was a battle of wills to keep himself in check.
He wasn’t entirely in control, because he found his fingers moving of their own free will. Exploring, stroking Ella’s swollen, drenched cleft. His fingers dipped into the well of her pussy as his thumb rolled her clit.
“Wolf, please. I can’t hold it.”
Wolf heard her frantic cry over the thundering roar in his ears.
“Let it go,” Wolf growled, the deep rumble of his beast consuming his voice.
His canines had extended. Worried he’d nick her lips, Wolf placed closed mouth kisses along the line of Ella’s neck, from her ear to her shoulder. Ella’s panted cries rose to a sweet symphony, as Wolf curled his finger inside her tight channel, stroking her hidden bundle of nerves.
Suddenly Ella went stiff in his arms. The look of tortured rapture on her face was a sight that would carry him for a lifetime. Ella’s sweet pussy clamped down on his seeking fingers, then erupted in a hailstorm of spasms. Her cry nearly pierced his ears as a burst of energy struck him. Wolf’s eyes widened as he was shoved back.
What the fuck?
Ella’s eyes flew wide, reflecting his surprise, then filled with horror.
“I’m sorry, Wolf. Oh my god,” Ella cried as she scrambled to her feet. “I shouldn’t have. I knew something bad was going to happen.”
“Ella what is going on? What’s wrong.” Wolf jumped to his feet.
“I can’t. I’m going to hurt you.”
Ella started sprinting toward the clubhouse. She didn’t even bother to straighten her clothes.
Wolf was hot on her heels, but Ella was faster than he expected, which was saying a lot since he was a Shifter. It was like she sprouted wings, as she ran past the clubhouse to the parking lot. Wolf slowed when she got in the truck and started it up. The look Ella gave him, as she pulled out of the parking lot, was filled with such sadness and pain, it leveled him.
He refused to let her just run off. As distraught as Ella was, she was liable to have an accident. Wolf hopped on his Harley and followed.
What in the hell happened?
Everything kept swirling in his mind, but nothing made sense. Wolf pulled up in time to see Ella barricade herself into her apartment. Wolf swung off his bike and his phone rang.
“Dammit, Cain, you have shitty timing,” Wolf barked into his cell as he stalked toward the apartment.
“Well it’s nice to hear from you too,” Iris replied.
Wolf froze in the middle of the sidewalk. Iris, Cain’s old lady, had the disturbing ability to see things. If she was calling, there was a reason. The last time she called him, it had been to tell him a premonition. Then she sacrificed herself to save Cain’s sister and niece.
Iris wasn’t a Shifter, but Wolf couldn’t exactly call her an Outsider either. Iris and Marisol were in a category all by themselves.
“Is everything alright?” Wolf couldn’t handle any more shit tonight.
“I was calling to ask you the same question, but from the sound of your voice, I think you already answered it for me.”
Wolf scrubbed his hand over his face.
“Iris is there any way you can tell me whatever it is you sensed, without all the convoluted riddles?” Wolf tried not to growl but he was at his wits end.
“Be nice, Wolf. Cain’s standing next to me making that snarly sound, and I don’t mean the sexy one.”
“I can hear him. Tell the kitty not to get his panties in a bunch,” Wolf knew his buddy could hear him. “Things are a little screwed up in my world. I don’t know what’s going on, and somehow I fucked up with this girl I’ve been seeing.”
“No, you didn’t fuck up. She’s the one with the problem,” Iris replied.
“What are you talking about?”
“Your friend isn’t comfortable in her own skin. She has to move past that somehow. The best way you can help her is by being yourself.”
“Thanks, Amazing Kreskin. You realize that could apply to almost anyone and any situation, right?”
“Yes, smartass. I know you think I see everything, but I don’t. Sometimes what pops into my head and comes out of my mouth, doesn’t make immediate sense. Try being me. All I know is, I was compelled to call you. I’m not sure what your girl’s issue is. I get the impression she’s had a hard time being herself her whole life, and since she met you it’s all come to a head. Just be yourself and you can help her move past this.”
“Thanks, Iris.”
“I’m sorry, Wolf. If something else comes to me, I’ll call.”
Wolf hung up the phone. His conversation with Iris left him more confused than before. Wolf still wasn’t sure what happened in the clearing, but it certainly wasn’t normal.
Wolf walked up to Ella’s door then halted.
Dammit, not another fucking quake. The apartment windows were rattling. The plant in the hall had dumped over, and the letters were dancing in the mailbox. I wouldn’t be surprised if a sinkhole swallowed me up next. That would be an awesome end to this night.
Several thoughts came rushing at Wolf all at once. Wolf t
urned and looked at the parking lot and the houses across the street. Everything there was still and quiet, but not here. Iris said Ella needed to MOVE past her issue. Wolf shook his head at his luck, and the unusual woman who’d ensnared him.
Ah, Princess, is this what you’ve been hiding?
6 Why Don’t You Stay
Ella
“You knew this was going to happen,” Ella sobbed as she fled to her bedroom. “You got careless, and selfish, and you almost hurt Wolf,” Ella berated herself.
Ella curled up on her bed and tried to hide, but she couldn’t stop thinking about the way Wolf was propelled back, or the shocked look on his face, when she lost control.
You got lucky this time.
The thought of what could’ve happened wrenched another sob from her. Ella choked, she cried so hard. Wright whined piteously next to her on the bed.
“I’ll be okay puppy.” Ella tried to soothe him, but she wasn’t even able to soothe herself.
Ella hit shuffle on her iPod. She had to drowned out her misery. It was making her sick. She couldn’t handle it if Wolf was sitting in his apartment listening to her bawling, wondering what kind of a nutcase she was.
“Oh god you’re pathetic,” Ella whimpered as Adele’s ‘Hello’ was followed by Bob Segar’s ‘We’ve Got Tonight.’ Her taste in music was downright depressing. By the second verse Ella couldn’t breathe through her nose, as she cried into her pillow.
“That’s an awfully sad song, Princess.”
Ella shrieked in shock, nearly knocking the nightstand over with her outburst.
Wolf stood propped against her bedroom door, staring at her with a grim expression.
“How did you get in here?” Ella struggled to sit up.
“How do you think? I own the place.”
“You need to leave.”
“I don’t think so, Princess. We’ve got a few things to discuss. The question is, are you going to talk to me, or try to run off again?”
“There’s nothing to talk about. This was a bad idea.” Ella gestured from herself to him.
“Is that your final answer?”
“Dammit, Wolf. You don’t understand,” Ella yelled. He was being so damn stubborn.
Beautiful Moves: A Motorcycle Club, Shifter, Romance (Shifting Steel Book 3) Page 9
