by Celia Kyle
“He—”
“It doesn’t matter.” It didn’t. Not anymore.
“I’ll kill him.” His voice was harsh and dark, but his attentions were sweet and gentle. He peppered soft kisses along her chest, occasionally dipping to her abdomen.
All the while, he stroked her, his hands dancing along her thighs, sliding up to grab her hips and farther to stroke her back. Everywhere he touched felt electrified, as if her nerves had been asleep and finally woke.
Then… then his mouth found one of her nipples and his thumbs dipped to stroke her pussy. Honor moaned with the combined pleasure as the dual touches sent her arousal spiraling higher. Yes, she’d always enjoyed stroking herself, but this was so, so much better.
He teased her with his hands, his mouth, tormenting her over and over again. She arched, pressing her breast deeper into his mouth while she also spread her legs, hoping he’d continue his delicious torment.
And continue, he did. He gave her more. More of his tongue flicking her nipple. More of his fingers sliding and stroking her pussy. More and more pleasure.
Honor eased back, placing her hands behind her and leaning on them to remain upright. He moaned against her, easing closer and suckling harder.
“Grayson… Yes. Please.” She rocked her hips, searching for more pleasure.
He gave it and then some.
Grayson bit down on her nipple, tugging the small bit of flesh, while his thumb unerringly found her clit. He circled the nubbin, drawing ecstasy from the depths of her soul and sending it scattering through her body. His other hand came into play, teasing her opening, fingers tracing ’round and ’round, tormenting her with the barely there touch.
“More. Please. Need more.” She pushed her hips forward, silently telling him exactly what she wanted. He took the hint and a single, blunt finger probed her entrance, sliding through her abundant cream. “Yes,” she hissed. “More.”
Now he hesitated. Instead of giving her what she craved, he teased her with a rhythmic penetration. Slow and gentle he fucked her, no rapid thrust and no forceful push. His thumb continued to torment her clit, his mouth continued to suck and tease her nipple, but it wasn’t enough.
“Please. Grayson, I need more.”
He released her breast with a soft pop. “Tell me what you need.” He growled the words and yet he still sounded tender, loving.
Honor rocked her hips, fighting the urge to shy away from what he needed to hear.
“Tell me.”
She licked her dry lips. “More fingers inside me.”
“My fingers?” He grinned and raised a single brow.
“Yes,” she rolled her eyes, “your fingers.” He hadn’t pulled out of her, his single digit still deep in her pussy, and she rocked against his lingering hand. “At least two.”
“At least?”
Honor nodded. “I imagined your cock was long and thick, and bought toys.” She reached down and stroked his face. “I didn’t want to hurt our first time and I see”—she flicked her gaze to his dick and then back to his face—“that I did a good job when I guessed your size. So, yes, I need your fingers inside me. At least two. Though,” she shuddered, “three would be better.”
“Honor…”
“Please? Give me what I need?” His thumb circled her clit and she moaned with the bolt of pleasure.
“Always.”
Then he did. He licked and sucked her nipple and then pushed two fingers inside her, filling her. He pumped in and out, gently fucking her pussy, stroking those sweet nerve endings that had become used to her touch. But with him… they sang loud and clear.
Honor moaned and whimpered, enjoying his ministrations, reveling in his attentions. A third finger joined the other two, stretching her wide, and she gasped, trembling beneath the force of the pleasure.
That sound, the sudden feeling of fullness, had a memory rushing forward, a snippet of a different man’s hand, another woman’s body, the way the female sucked in a harsh breath and released it with a groan.
Angus reached for the woman, hand cupping her mound. Bianca sucked in a breath and released it on a moan. Her friend widened her legs and Honor watched as he finger-fucked her.
She froze, caught in the visual, and her heart stuttered due to something other than her mate’s touch.
Grayson immediately reacted to her stillness, pulling his mouth from her and meeting her gaze. “Honor?”
His concerned expression reminded her she wasn’t locked up, she wasn’t anywhere near London or a cage or…
“Love me. Just…” She slid her fingers through his hair and fisted the strands, urging him to bring his mouth back to her breast. “Love me.”
His attention remained on her face, those amber eyes gazing at her with concern, and she decided her focus would remain fully on her mate, on his movements. There was no risk of becoming lost in memories if she had her future staring her in the eye.
“Yes, like that.” He pumped in and out of her sheath, stroking her inner walls, stoking her arousal. It quickly rose hot and fast once again, pushing forward and engulfing her. He became intent on her pleasure, intent on pulling moans and groans from her one after another.
In and out, ’round and ’round, over and over.
She was lost to his mouth, his hands, and his fingers. He rubbed that sweet spot inside her and she screamed with the bliss it caused. “Yes!”
That had Grayson growling against her breast, more of his animal coming out to play as a wave of golden fur slid from his pores.
She kept her hold on his hair tight, grounding her further in the now and keeping her firmly away from the past. Everything balled together, forming an anchor that tied her to Grayson.
Gazes locked, she let him take her higher, let his touches and caresses pull her toward the edge of release. She focused on him, on the feel of his fingers inside her, the joy of his mouth suckling her breasts.
Pleasure grew, her pussy rhythmically clenching around his fingers, nipple hardening in his mouth. His thumb continued circling her clit, rubbing that bundle of nerves. She rocked against him, drawing even more of the bliss forward, and she moaned with his every thrust. When she whined, he growled. When she groaned, he purred. Back and forth the sounds traveled, shoving her toward release.
“Grayson, gonna come…” Now he growled, snarled, and sucked harder.
His pace increased to a rapid thrust and retreat, tormenting her even further.
She felt the tidal wave inside her rising, growing with every flex of muscle, and she waited for it to crest. It multiplied, the height skyrocketing, and she held her breath, knowing it would crash any moment.
And then… then it did. It cascaded around her, showering her with pure pleasure, and she screamed with the feelings, with the joy coursing through her veins. She tightened her hold on Grayson’s hair, holding him steady while the shudders of her release overtook her. Wave after wave of desire filled with ecstasy encompassed her and she was lost.
His hands never slowed, his mouth never easing, and she sobbed with each renewing spark of pleasure. She was overwhelmed, drowning in the sensations, trembling as the pleasure eased toward pain. It was too much and yet never enough. Never, ever enough.
“Grayson,” she moaned and tried to ease his mouth from her breast.
He snarled and refused to release her. “Mine.”
Honor released a shaky laugh, shaking with the continued bliss that coursed through her veins. “Always yours.”
This time he allowed her to pull him away and in the same move, he eased his attentions to her pussy. The rapid thrust and retreat, as well as the quick circles of her clit, slowed to gentle touches and soft brushes. Her spiking arousal floated down, slowly drifted away, and left the glorious lethargy that came after an amazing orgasm.
Grayson nuzzled her breast, his mouth and tongue still skating over her skin, tasting her. “How was that?”
“You have to ask?” She grinned.
He grunted in res
ponse, but never stilled his movements. He licked her chest and then sucked on the skin, tasting and nibbling her without using his teeth. He’d said no fangs and he’d kept his promise. Now it seemed she had one of her own to keep. Oh, she hadn’t said the words “quid pro quo” but now that she’d enjoyed his attentions she found herself itching to give him the same treatment.
“Grayson?” He hummed, but didn’t lift his head. “Grayson?”
“Hmm?”
“I want to touch you.” She whispered the words. He stilled and raised his golden gaze to hers. “Please.”
Then he did something she’d never seen before. He blushed. “Uh…”
Maybe he was worried about her. True, she’d frozen earlier, but she didn’t think it’d happen again, not if she focused intently on him. “I won’t freak out again. I’ll—”
“Lovely.” He reached up and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “I’m not hesitating because I’m worried about you. I’m hesitating because I came when you did. There’s not much to touch at the moment.”
This time she kissed him. “Then we can get you clean in the shower and maybe I can convince you to let me get you dirty again.”
And then, well, she did.
Chapter Ten
“Obstacles are not put in your way to see if what you want is worth fighting for, they’re there to see if what you want is worth killing for. My answer is yes. Always.” — Maya O’Connell, Prima of the Ridgeville Pride and woman who will totally kill your ass if you block the path to ice cream. Boom.
Grayson tightened his grip on the picnic basket as he made his way through the pride house. The place was packed, crammed full of the Prima’s guards, their mates, and cubs plus the males who called the pride house home. The walls were closing in on him, suffocating him with the press of bodies. He didn’t mind having others around when it was just those who actually lived in the building, but these added people were driving his cat insane.
The tension thrummed through him, growing with every step toward the back door. The handle on the basket creaked and complained about its treatment, but he didn’t care. As long as it made it to his destination in one piece, it didn’t matter.
Neal looked up from his place at the kitchen table, giving him a quick head tilt in passing, but Grayson didn’t slow. Nor when Carly turned to look at him or even when Maya raised her ice cream–coated spoon. Nope, he had one destination in mind and it sure as hell wasn’t here.
He burst through the back door, shoving it closed the second he emerged onto the porch. At least it was fairly empty here. North Carolina summers weren’t anything to sneeze at and most people stayed inside. Which was why Grayson wanted to be outside.
Free of the house, he took a moment to breathe, to pull in the fresh air and soothe his cat. He let his gaze travel over the patio, hunting his quarry. It took no time to spot his prey.
His mate was gorgeous. She lay relaxing on a deck chair, bare legs stretched out before her while she reclined in the sun. Her calm and contentment radiated from her. The heavy lines of tension she’d carried for weeks now a thing of the recent past. And with every session with Maddy, she got better.
“Hey.” He kept his voice low, afraid of scaring her.
They’d come to a compromise, discussed how he could help minimize her panic attacks while still having a healthy relationship. It started with being gentle, approaching her as if she were spun glass that would crack with a stiff breeze. Someday he could pounce on her, but for now, she was the most fragile thing imaginable. Once she knew who approached her, she was calm.
Slowly her eyes blinked open, the sleepiness caused by the sun leaving her.
“Hey.” She smiled and his heart stopped.
Damn, she was dangerous.
He moved closer, his gaze drinking in every inch of her. The clothes were from her parents’ house, dropped off the day before, and he’d never been so thankful for a visit from glaring adults. They knew he hadn’t mated Honor and were making their annoyance known. At least they’d brought clothes that kept her covered and sexy as hell. From her tight tank top, to her snug shorts and cute sandals, she was pure temptation to him. Which was another reason he’d planned their outing.
“Whatcha got there?” She sat up, her tank pulling taut across her chest while dipping to show him more of her cleavage.
Immediately his cock twitched and filled, going half hard in no time. Damn, all he could think about was her lush body against his as he slid his fingers deep into her wet pussy. Again.
Then his cock went from half hard to full hard. Fuck, fuck, fuck, he wanted her. This was not why he’d decided to get them out of the house. Sure, he’d hoped for a few kisses, but his eager dick wasn’t supposed to make an appearance.
Honor rose from the chair, slowly padding toward him, her hips swaying with each step. “Hmm? What’d you bring?”
The moment she was within reach, her arms went around his waist, and her curves were snug against him. She wiggled even closer and he knew the instant she connected with his cock. Not because a shudder of pleasure snuck into him, but because she froze in his embrace.
Grayson was quick to soothe her, rubbing a hand along her spine in what he hoped was a comforting motion. “Easy…” He leaned down, doing his best to keep his words for her alone. Damn cats with their good hearing. “Can’t help getting hard with you close, lovely. But that doesn’t mean my dick takes control. You know that. You remember that.”
She tilted her head back to stare into his eyes and he didn’t see a hint of fear. When he breathed deep, he didn’t smell any panic either.
“You being hard just surprised me.”
“Why?” He furrowed his brow.
Honor shrugged. “I dunno. No matter what we did, I’m still screwed up Honor Mauer and you’re… you.”
Not second-guessing himself, he lowered his head and gently captured her mouth in a smooth kiss. It wasn’t hurried, wasn’t meant to be a precursor to a fast and furious mating. It was slow, almost sweet. He lapped at the seam of her lips, but didn’t venture inside. He enjoyed the feel of her body against his, the simmering kisses, the way they tasted without devouring. His cock still ached, still demanded he strip her bare and claim her already, but he held the need at bay.
Gradually he eased the connection, pulling away. She whimpered and he smiled against her lips, giving her one last peck before ending the touch completely.
“You’re beautiful, courageous, strong as hell, and mine. That’s who you are, lovely.” Raucous giggles and teasing snarls inside the house reminded him why he stood on the back porch, basket in hand.
“C’mon.” He traced the line of her spine, gave her ass a tiny squeeze that pulled a small squeak from her, and then snared her hand. “I’ve got plans that don’t include the house.”
“Plans?”
“Uh-huh.” He tugged, getting her moving toward the steps.
“We’re not supposed to leave the area. Alex said…”
“You’re not leaving. Not really. We’re headed to our spot.” He glanced at her, waiting for any negative reaction, and didn’t see a thing. “For a little bit of alone time. Well”—he spied Ricker loping into the forest, his mate Maddy hot on his heels—“mostly alone time.”
“Grayson?”
He pulled until she walked beside him. “Ricker and Maddy are going to keep an eye out and Alex knows where we’re going.” Once again he couldn’t resist her lips and he lowered, taking a small taste. “C’mon, lovely.”
He wanted to shorten that endearment to four letters, a single syllable. Staring down into Honor’s trusting eyes, he knew he’d get there. First needed to be sure his feelings wouldn’t send her running in the opposite direction.
Once they resumed their steps, there was no reason for conversation, they both knew their destination. The race through the trees the other day was fast and furious. Today, they took their time, carefully skirting bushes and stepping over logs that barred their path.
It didn’t take them long to emerge into the clearing, and to cross to the largest tree that lined the area. He released her as he got to work spreading a blanket.
“Have a seat.” He beckoned to his mate and she immediately settled beside him, digging through the basket and setting things on the cloth.
“What did ya bring?” Her stomach growled and he was glad he brought enough to feed an army. Or, one starving mate.
“Your favorites.” He dug out deer jerky, strawberries, and pickles.
“How do you know my favorites?” She narrowed her eyes at him and he smiled.
“’Cause I know you.” He dropped a kiss to her nose. He couldn’t keep his lips to himself when it came to Honor.
“Or you called my mother.” She raised a single brow.
“I knew about the strawberries.” That brow didn’t lower. “And I called your mother.”
Honor snorted, a giggle quickly following the sound when she neared the bottom of the basket. “Penis-shaped cookies? Really?”
He shrugged. “I asked for peanut butter cookies and this is what Maya gave me. We are not discussing why she felt the need for them to be shaped like a dick.”
They also weren’t talking about Maya’s attempt at vagina cookies and her impromptu sex education class. It started educational and ended with crumbs when she realized the dicks were too big and the vaginas too small. Then the cubs wanted to know what a vagina was and then…
“I can imagine.” Honor popped the top on the container, snatched up a treat, and then slid one slowly, carefully between her lips. When she encased the cookie in her mouth and moaned, he thought his cock would explode. And the little witch knew it.
“Mmm…” She bit off the tip and then chewed, groaning. “Delicious.”
“You,” he pointed at her, “are a tease who needs to eat before she gets anymore cookies.”
The truth was, he needed a minute to calm down before he came in his shorts like a teen.
“Spoil sport.” She stuck out her tongue.
“No sticking it out if you’re not gonna use it.”
“Maybe I will.” She smirked at him.
