Coyote Home

by Rhian Cahill

  “You’ve just scared ten years off my life and you think it’s funny?” Rowan tugged the sheet away from her legs and with as much dignity as she could manage, got to her feet and straightened her clothes. She wished she’d stayed on the floor when she looked at Quinn. Lying across the bed on his stomach with nothing but a strip of cloth covering his ass, he was every woman’s wet dream come to life. Her slumbering coyote sat up, and Rowan breathed deep, only to suck in another lungful of Quinn’s scent.

  She fought to hold her beast back and remembered how hard it was when she’d learned to shift as a teenager. Using every trick she’d ever been taught, Rowan soothed the animal and held tight. Quinn needed to get dressed. In reality, it probably wouldn’t make that much difference but every little bit helped.

  “Get dressed,” she growled between clenched teeth.

  He scrambled out of bed, snatched his clothes from the floor and pulled them on without a protest. With all those muscles covered she would at least be able to look at him and pretend she was in control. Rowan eased back, unclenched her jaw and relaxed her arms and legs. Each small win over her coyote built her confidence, gained trust between her human and animal sides. But she needed to reward her coyote for behaving.

  “I need to shift now. I’m in control, well as much as I can be at the moment, but I need to let her go.”

  “Okay, change. I’ll be right here.”

  His unconditional support went a long way to soothing both her and her beast. Taking a deep breath, Rowan made her first intentional shift in six years.

  The snap and pop of bones moving filled the room, the last of the changes not as loud or as painful as the first ones. It still took her longer than it should for a coyote her age but the time had shortened since yesterday. Then again, they’d changed together. The first three times had been the beast inside breaking free. Rowan felt more comfortable, more connected to her wild side than she had before and with one leap, her coyote bounded onto the bed.

  Standing on four legs, she surveyed the room around her, absorbed the differences between now and when she was last here. Other than the bigger bed, the furniture was the same, even the quilt was the one handmade by her grandmother. Her gaze landed on Quinn. He’d changed, broadened across the chest a little. The lines beside his mouth and eyes could be from stress or laughter but they didn’t detract from his appeal. They showed character and life. A life she hadn’t been there to share.

  The need for him to hold her surged through her, to feel the heart beating beneath his chest and his strong arms wrapped tightly around her. Shifting back came easier, the speed with which she took human form sucked the breath from her lungs and she fell forward only to be caught before she toppled off the bed. A wall of muscle lay against her cheek, the drumbeat on the other side soothed Rowan’s need for closeness. The warm bands of muscle circling her back were like steel but she didn’t feel restrained. Quinn’s embrace was exactly what she needed.

  They went from holding each other to devouring in seconds. Rowan had no idea who made the first move but when their lips connected it was like being struck by lightning. Every nerve sprang to attention and her blood rushed through her body, filling sensitive tissue to the point of bursting. Quinn’s tongue lashed out, darted into her mouth to collide with hers. Rowan took all he offered and asked for more.

  Teeth bumped and scraped along lips and tongues, and breath became secondary to taking in the man holding her. Lack of oxygen forced them apart but didn’t stop the urge to take or the consuming need roaring to life inside her. They tumbled to the bed, legs entwined as hands pushed and pulled at clothing. From one breath to the next, Rowan’s only goal was to get Quinn naked. To feel his skin against hers—to taste every inch of him.

  Bare flesh met fingertips and she sighed with relief but craved more. Her hands molded every slope, every muscle, as they explored the changes in Quinn’s body. So much was the same yet different. Hungry for more, Rowan followed her hands with her mouth. She skimmed his chest, stopped at one pebbled nipple to draw it in between her lips. She sucked hard and Quinn’s hips thrust against her, his erection cradled by the softness of her stomach. Her hand traveled down his hard abs to delve inside his pants.

  She wrapped her fingers around Quinn’s cock, the hard length hot within her grasp. She stroked down to the root and cupped his balls before squeezing lightly. Mutual groans broke free as his sac pulled tight. Regaining her grip, she pulled her hand up to the tip, sweeping her thumb over the bead of moisture leaking from the slit. He pumped his hips and Rowan worked her hand up and down his rigid flesh, squeezing tighter with every thrust.

  Desperation clawed at her. The passion neither of them had ever been able to deny exploded. She needed to taste him. To feel him inside her. Tugging at his remaining clothes, Rowan freed his cock and fought to move down his body. Quinn’s hands circled her arms stopping her descent.

  “No. Christ. You do that and I’m a goner,” he panted.

  “I don’t care.” She twisted to get free but his grip was strong and he flipped her beneath him to stop her struggles.

  “Not this time.”

  He shoved her top under her arms with one hand and lunged for her breasts. All protests died in her throat as he sucked a nipple into his mouth, swirled his tongue around the tip and scraped lightly with his teeth. Her back arched, more of her sensitive mound filling his mouth. He let her go, sat back and reached for the hem of her top. In a quick tug he had it up and off and flung across the room. Her pants followed.

  Quinn proceeded to drive her wild. Touching and tasting her everywhere. No part of her was left out of his assault. Her nipples grew impossibly tight and her clit throbbed with arousal long ignored. The ecstasy bombarding her electrified her senses and aroused her coyote. Her beast stretched Rowan’s control and forced her to clamp down on the delicious sensations Quinn’s hands and mouth stirred. He pushed his leg between hers and spread her wide, exposing her for his wandering hand.

  Fingers probed her slick folds. Sliding deeper, they teased her. Two fingers circled her opening before plunging deep. Her hips left the bed, propelled up with the decadent pleasure his invasion brought. His tongue continued to lavish attention on her breasts, swapping between them to give equal care. Quinn pressed down on her clit at the same time he stroked inside her core and Rowan’s world shattered. With a scream she came. Her body thrashed as wave after wave of bliss rolled through her.

  And her coyote broke free.

  Quinn felt Rowan’s climax a second before she shifted. He threw himself to the side but wasn’t quick enough to stop her claws from slicing into his scalp. The lacerations weren’t deep and would heal without much bother but it would be one more reason for her to push him away. He knew her. She’d be devastated that she’d hurt him. Neither of them would come out of this unscathed and a few little scratches weren’t anything he hadn’t suffered before. Besides, he’d be damned if he’d let her do this alone.

  Quinn’s breath stalled in his throat as Rowan’s coyote pounced on his chest. She licked his face and neck, nipped at his shoulder with her teeth. Her canines would leave welts but didn’t break the skin. Frozen in place, he waited for the right moment to push her away. He didn’t have a problem with getting it on in coyote form but they both had to be that way. Gently he placed a hand on her head, entwined his fingers in her fur and gave a small tug. When she turned to look at him Quinn took the opportunity to move out from under her and shift.

  In his coyote form he nudged her with his snout and she quickly yielded to him. She rolled to her back, baring her stomach and throat, submitting to his alpha position. He was hard as granite and wanted desperately to claim his mate, but he fought his animal needs as he nuzzled her, using his tongue and teeth to soothe instead of arouse. If he gave in and took her now it would be a step backward in the path to control for Rowan. She needed his support and if that meant going without for now he’d do it.

  It took some time and he had a few bite
marks to show for it but she did settle, allowing him to take the time to look at her. Six years had changed her. The color of her coat was different—darker. Her physique was more muscular than it had been. Instead of a girl’s body blossoming into womanhood, Rowan now had the curves of a mature woman and that change was evident in coyote form. Quinn longed to be able to explore every inch of her. He’d done it once before, when they’d mated, and he’d do it again. Learn all the new parts of his mate.

  Curled up together, they lay quietly, the occasional nip or lick their only movements. Minutes passed and finally Rowan dozed. He waited a few more minutes before carefully removing himself from their tangle of limbs. Jumping from the bed he shifted back to his human body and scrambled back into his clothes, the more barriers between him and Rowan the better. Any extra time his common sense had to kick his brain into gear was a bonus.

  He thought about waking her and then decided to leave her while he grabbed a shower. He could also take care of the not-so-little problem that was tenting his sweats. Quinn shook his head. Who was he kidding? Jerking off would only add to his troubles. Nothing would ease his condition but Rowan and there was no chance of that anytime soon. Sliding a drawer out slowly to minimize the noise, he searched out another pair of sweats and T-shirt. The jeans he’d had on yesterday could stay where they were in the bathroom until they went home.

  Home.

  Quinn didn’t attempt to hold back the smile spreading across his face. To finally take Rowan home, as his mate, had been a dream he’d held close to his heart for over six long years. And now it was so close he could taste it. Stepping back over to the bed, he checked on the sleeping beauty who had held his heart for over a decade. A decade of pain and absence. What would the next ten years give them?

  With Brogan as sovereign and Quinn by his side as regal, they stood to have it all. Once Rowan gained control of her animal side and they went home to Whispering Creek, there would be nothing standing in the way. They could live as mates the way they should have been from the start. He felt sure the pack would embrace her with open arms when she made her arrival home known. Until then he’d be the one with open arms.

  Like last night, the cold water did nothing to cool his arousal. He stepped from the shower the same way he’d entered it—his cock pointing the way. Dried and dressed, he checked on Rowan again before heading to the kitchen and food. They kept the cabin stocked with staples but he couldn’t remember the last time they topped those supplies off. He found a packet of bacon in the freezer but no eggs in the fridge. The pantry did have a pancake mix though. He could whip those up while the bacon fried.

  Quinn busied himself with breakfast preparations and a glance at the clock told him it was more like brunch but he wasn’t getting into technicalities. The scent of bacon frying and coffee brewing filled the room. He lifted the last of the cooked bacon from the pan onto the plate and stashed it in the oven to keep warm while he made the pancakes. With fresh coffee now filling his cup, there wasn’t much more he could ask for.

  “Morning.”

  Ah…maybe one thing. He turned to find Rowan standing just inside the kitchen, barefoot and wearing another outfit similar to yesterday’s. Her apprehension brought a flash of anger and he tamped it down quickly so he didn’t worry her anymore. Why she’d be afraid of him now Quinn didn’t have a clue. For the moment he’d ignore it and act as though this was any other normal day.

  “Morning, Rowan. Breakfast is almost ready. Do you want a cup of coffee before we eat?” He moved to the pot, ready to pour her cup when she stepped next to him.

  “I can finish breakfast.” She lifted the bowl of pancake batter from the counter.

  “Oh no you don’t.” He snatched the bowl out of her hands and put it back down. “I’m cooking breakfast. You get to sit on that cute butt and watch.” He steered her toward the table in the corner. Before she could protest, he had her in a chair.

  Surprised by her easy acceptance, Quinn used it to his advantage and went back to fixing their meal. He poured Rowan a coffee, and remembering her comment about not taking sugar anymore, he left the brew black. Placing the mug on the table in front of her, he bent to brush his lips over hers. Ignoring the small jerk away his actions caused, he slid his tongue out and traced her lips from corner to corner. With a bit of pressure she opened for him and he dipped inside to taste. A few quick licks and he pulled back, ending the kiss.

  “Mmm…now that’s a good morning.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?” He looked down at her, puzzled by her apology.

  “For this morning when we were...well you know. I could have hurt you badly. I had no control over her.”

  He placed a finger on her lips, stopping any further words from spilling out. “Rowan, you did nothing wrong. She wanted her mate and I understand that. I’m fighting the same conflict inside, only I have more control at the moment. You have nothing to apologize for.” He had no intention of telling her about the claw marks on his scalp but now he understood her timid behavior when she first came in. He didn’t wait for her to comment. Turning back to the counter, he set about getting the pancakes cooked.

  Rowan sat sipping her coffee. Watching Quinn move around the kitchen with such ease was one more reminder of what she’d missed. When she’d left he couldn’t tell the difference between a fry pan and a spatula. Now he not only knew the difference but how to use them and if the aroma filling the room was an indication, he used them well. He dropped batter into the pan, testing if it was ready before he turned it over. It looked easy but she knew from experience one had to judge the timing just right or you wrecked the pancake.

  His sure competent movements spoke of familiarity and she supposed he’d gotten a lot of practice over the last six years. The muscles in his arms rippled with motion and the shirt molded to his back revealed more movement across his shoulder blades as he flipped another pancake. Her body heated, each nerve tingling with awareness as she absorbed the sight of Quinn. After this morning Rowan couldn’t believe just looking at him had her turned on again.

  The orgasm that had exploded through her had destroyed every bit of her control and let loose the animal who wanted only one thing. Her mate. She was shocked at what she’d done after shifting. They were lucky she hadn’t hurt him with the way she’d been nipping at his crotch. When he’d managed to move her away and shift, she’d wanted nothing more than to turn her back and let him mount her but he hadn’t let her. He’d kept her on her back and after she’d calmed down, let her roll to her side—curled beneath him. If she’d ever been unsure of his love, she was in no doubt now.

  Quinn’s behavior from the minute he’d slammed through the door yesterday had been nothing but loving and supportive. He may have tried to throw his weight around but he hadn’t forced her to do anything but accept his presence and that wasn’t such a hardship. The man was definitely worth looking at. And being taken care of wasn’t so hard to stomach either. To have that after being without for so long brought tears to her eyes and a lump to her throat. The only person to give her that kind of support since she’d left home was El.

  The move to Australia six years ago had been the best thing she’d done in her attempt to stay hidden. Not only had she remained safe but she’d met El. God, she’d only left her two days ago and she missed her so much it was a physical ache. Quinn and Brogan would go a long way to soothing that pain but Rowan knew she and El would be friends forever. They were sisters of the heart and if it hadn’t been for their friendship she knew without a qualm she never would have lasted this long away from home.

  Quinn’s hand on her chin startled her out of her thoughts. He tipped her face up and used his thumbs to wipe the tears from her cheek. Tears she hadn’t known were falling.

  “What’s wrong? Why the silent tears?” The concern in his voice matched that swirling in his eyes.

  She shrugged. “It’s all too much. I was thinking about us and how I’ve missed so much of your life.
”

  “I’ve missed yours too, Rowan. We both lost a lot over the time you’ve been away but I plan to make up for it every day for the rest of our lives.” He leaned forward, brushed a kiss on her temple, her cheek, her lips. “If you’ll let me.”

  “Oh, Quinn.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close. She wanted to hold and be held. No, she needed it. Required the reassurance this was real and that she was in his arms and finally home.

  “Shh…it’s okay. Everything will be fine now you’re home.”

  Rowan wanted to believe him. With all her heart she hoped he was right but there were still hurdles to overcome. She had to face the pack and explain her absence. Would they believe her when she told them of the threat to her safety? And what of the man hell-bent on having her to use her in his quest to become sovereign? Had he given up on his thirst to possess her now that Brogan had taken his rightful place in the pack or would she have another battle to fight after she’d gained control of her coyote?

  If Marcus still wanted her as his mate, regardless of the fact they weren’t destined to be together or that she and Quinn had mated, the battle wouldn’t just be over her possession.

  It would be for her life and Quinn’s.

  Chapter Four

  Quinn admired the way Rowan continued to face the challenges before her. He knew once she made herself known to the pack there would be more trouble. The council would want to know where she’d been and why she now wanted to return but they were the least of his concerns. She could handle the council and the rest of the pack for that matter, but he didn’t know how she’d deal with facing Marcus after all these years.

  Just thinking of him and what he’d done to Rowan had Quinn ready to kill. To rip the bastard to pieces.

  He wished he and Brogan had been able to convince the council the man shouldn’t be allowed to stay in the pack after they’d removed the senior Connelly, but until he did something worthy of exile they were stuck with him and all the problems he caused. If only Brogan had been sovereign at the time of Rowan’s attack, it would have been easy to persuade the council then. They’d just have to be careful because if Quinn knew one thing it was that Marcus would do his best to stir up more trouble.