“Come on.” She wrapped her arms around him and helped him to his feet. He took a step, the pain in his hip shooting through him with every step.
A beam dropped down in front of them and they swerved, barely missing it in time. They both hesitated, looking at the flames, getting worse. Both of them were dripping sweat from the heat.
Addison lifted her chin. “We can do this, Ethan.”
“I know we can.” He dropped a quick kiss on the top of her head. “Now run.” And despite the pain driving deep into his skin he took off, pulling her with him through the thick black smoke, weaving in and out until they burst out of the building into the snow.
He grabbed Addison’s precious face and kissed her, soot and all. “You came. I can’t believe you came.” Far away he heard the whine of sirens.
“I’m sorry I doubted you—us. I thought the mating bond made me weak, but I was wrong. It made me stronger. I’ll never doubt us again.”
He pulled her close to him and they hung on to each other. “I need you Addison.”
“I need you too. But I left the girls and those horrible men are on their way to get them. We have to head back.” She shifted to wolf and he shifted right beside her, loping through the woods. The pain of the brand on his hip receded as the shift took care of some of the healing and he ran next to his mate through the woods for the very first time. A shot rang out, followed by another one. They exchanged worried glances and put on another burst of speed.
Chapter Thirteen
Addison raced out of the woods, Ethan so close she could feel his fur brushing hers. Fear pushed her to run harder than she ever had before, her paws barely touching the ground as she ducked and wove through the bare winter undergrowth, finally emerging from the forest back at the warehouse. The same rusty old truck was pulled up at the front door, with the motorcycles parked all alongside.
She nosed Ethan and they crept up to the edge of the building. Sirens wailed in the distance and the smell of smoke from the fire carried through the woods. Being in the burning barn had killed her nose’s sensitivity and she had no idea where the men were, but she was afraid they were in the warehouse where she’d left her friends.
They cautiously approached the door, and were greeted by a fabulous sight. Inside the cage were Sven, Bart, and a bunch of other rogues. Sven was lying on the ground, Bart holding a bloody shirt to his chest. One of the other men lay as if unconscious. And leaning against the wall by the door was Eve, with Gabby at her feet and a pistol in her hand.
Addison shifted. “Where’s Trish?”
“Right here.” Trish came out from the shadow further along the wall carrying a rifle.
“What the hell happened? How did you get them in the cage?”
“We’d already gotten out of the building when they arrived, so when they went in, they left one man on watch.” Trish snorted. “One man against me. Never go against a Hunter bitch when her pups are in danger.” Her green eyes glowed. “I got the jump on him, Eve got his gun, and then the rest was easy.”
“Pups! I’m no pup,” Eve protested waving her gun.
“Whoa, be careful with that.” Trish gave her a hug. “When you can shift into a wolf, you’ll be just as strong as me. In the meantime, you’re a pup.”
“When I can shift into a wolf.” Eve snorted. “When pigs fly.”
Sounds of vehicles pulling up outside dragged Addison’s attention from her friends. “Did you call the police?”
Trish grinned. “I called Linc. That should be the lodge ambulance and a whole load of angry wolves.” She jerked her chin at the cage. “Those dudes are in big trouble.”
An hour later, hydrated, bandaged, with Gabby in the ambulance and the trouble makers taken care of, Addison walked into the lobby of the lodge. At the sight of the cozy couches, the giant fireplace, the desk staff—all still here as if nothing had happened—she sagged, her strength suddenly gone.
“Hang on.” Ethan’s arm came around her. “I’ve got you.”
She leaned into him, taking comfort from his steady touch. She looked deeply into his eyes. “I think you do,” she said, wonderingly.
Someone had found some paper scrubs for him and his wound had been treated. It was already healing due to his shift, but the lodge’s medic who’d treated him said he’d have the scar of the Double Z ranch’s brand on his hip for the rest of his life.
She caught a flicker of doubt in his eyes. “Addison, I know I’m a rogue with few prospects and no pack, but will you still consider me as your mate?”
“Hey, what’s this about not having a pack?” Trish walked up to them. Linc was right behind her, their identical grins making Addison realize just how much they looked alike, although Linc was definitely taller and a whole lot hotter in her book.
“We’ve been talking about it,” he said. “There’s no reason that a wolf like you should be packless. You’re one of us now, Blaywolf, whether you like it or not.”
“Me?” Ethan stared at them. For a moment, Addison thought he’d refuse. “Why? No pack takes in rogues.”
Linc shook his head. “We don’t take in crap like those guys you were hanging with, but if you’re solid, you’re welcome. What do you say? Can you go straight?”
Ethan grinned. “You bet.”
“Then here are your keys. We’ve moved all Addison’s things to the honeymoon suite.” Linc winked. “We think you’ll need the space.”
Addison blushed. “Thank you,” she managed to get out.
“Don’t mention it.” He jerked his head at Trish. “Come on little sis, let’s get you tucked up in your room.” He wrinkled his nose. “You stink.” She gave him a punch in the arm and they walked away, laughing.
Now, she was all alone with Ethan.
Suddenly shy she ducked her head. “The honeymoon suite. Wow.”
“They’re right. We’ll need the room.” Ethan grinned. “That is, if you’re willing to take the next step.”
The next step. The bite.
A shiver of excitement stole over Addison. She’d avoided this for so long. Prayed, as each male wolf had sniffed her at those ceremonies, that this day would never come, but now…heat flashed over her skin as she thought of what came next. “Do you want to?”
“Hell yeah. Do you?” His face got suddenly serious. “I don’t want to lose you Addison. I came too close today.”
She leaned up and kissed him, putting all the love and passion and fear from the day into the kiss. It all came pouring back to her, the seal of their bond sending electrical licks of excitement along her skin. She pulled back, just enough to murmur against his mouth, “Come on, let’s go before we shock the lobby.”
She felt, rather than saw, his lips turn up into a smile. And then they pulled only far enough away from each other so they could walk to the elevator, hand in hand, and head upstairs.
Chapter Fourteen
Ethan walked into the sitting area of the honeymoon suite and heard Addison’s gasp of appreciation. He’d thought the last hotel room he’d woken up in had been fancy, but this had to be the most expensive room he’d ever been in, but the funny thing was, he could care less. The only thing he could focus on was his mate. The way she stood—her sexy curves outlined in a pool of sunlight streaming in from the open curtains. The sparkle in her brown eyes as she turned and pointed out what must be a California king-sized bed in the next room, the fruit and cheese platter on the coffee table, the champagne.
For so many years he’d been alone, living with men who only banded together out of desperation. Sleeping with one eye open, just in case the shit hit the fan, with no one at his back. But Addison, she was about to be his mate in all the ways you could possibly be. She was about to take his bite.
“Ethan, you’re shaking. Are you okay?” She reached up and laid her hand on his cheek, sliding it back around his neck, her touch sending sparks straight through him. “Come here.”
He crushed his mouth to hers, and the sparks exploded. He had no word
s to tell her how grateful he was for her love, all he could do was let it pour out into her mouth. Finally, he could let go of everything he’d been holding back. All the fear that this amazing woman couldn’t possibly want a rogue wolf like him was gone. Addison wanted him—she’d chosen him, even before she’d known that her pack would take him in.
She’d chosen him.
He held her tight. “I’m never letting you go.” His wolf rolled through him, giving his words a rough growl.
“Good.” Her eyes flashed a deep amber beneath the brown, her own wolf rising to the surface and her scent grew stronger.
He buried his face in her neck, inhaling deeply of the sweet warm caramel scent of Addison. His mouth watered. “I need you.” He tugged at her coat. “You’re wearing way too much.”
She giggled. “Then let me go and I’ll take some of it off.”
“Sassy girl.” He smiled as he growled the words and finally released her. “You have ten seconds to strip before I’m coming for you.”
“Oh yeah?” She yanked off her coat and scarf and dropped them on the love seat. “And what are you gonna do if I don’t?” She put her hands on her hips, and flashed him a smile.
It rolled through him like an avalanche. This woman, with her saucy grin and saucy attitude, was his. His wolf growled, and he agreed. No, she wasn’t quite totally theirs yet, but he ached to sink his teeth into her and make her theirs completely.
“Ten.” He took off his own coat and tossed it next to hers. Then he started in on his shirt, pulling it off over his head. “Nine.” He sat on the chair and took off his boots, one at a time, each move a careful considered motion that said he had a plan. And that plan was Addison.
“Now, Ethan, maybe we should slow down, have some champagne.”
“Really, is that what you want?” He unfastened his belt and dropped his pants, letting his erection spring free.
She gasped, and licked her lips. “May—” She swallowed hard. “…maybe.”
“Then you’ll have to wait. Seven.” He pinned her with his gaze, staring her into submission like he would prey in the wild. “Six.” Naked now, he stalked her across the room. “Five.”
She shrieked and backed away, her laugh filling the room. “You’re going to have to catch me.” She was at the bedroom door, her breath coming in short sweet pants, her breasts heaving. The scent of her arousal filled the air and his cock got even harder.
“Four, three, two—one!” He pounced.
She ran, more excited shrieks coming out. He caught up with her by the large bed, encircling her waist and pulling her down onto the mattress. The down comforter fluffed around them as he rolled on top of her, pinning her to the bed, caging her with his arms on either side of her face.
“You still have your clothes on, woman.” His own breathing was short.
“I guess you’re going to have to take them off.” She grinned up at him, fluttering her lashes down over big brown eyes.
“Addison,” he whispered, and kissed her. This time it exploded, all the heat of their foreplay releasing into the kiss. Her mouth moved under his, with his. Her legs shifted, spreading wide, and he nestled between them, his cock pressing against her in a way that made him ache.
He paused in the kiss, reluctant to leave the softness of her mouth, but needing to see her naked. “Help me.” He tugged on her sweater.
She nodded. Together they stripped off her clothes until her glorious curves were uncovered.
“Let me adore you, my mate.”
“Yes,” she breathed out, the word almost a sigh.
Nuzzling the soft spot of her throat, he felt her pulse throb under his mouth. The need to bite her had him opening his jaw and grazing her skin with his teeth.
“Ethan.” She arched up beneath him. “I want—”
The softness of her body pressed into his hardness and he shuddered. He fought down the need to sink his cock into her—and then take her with the bite.
“I know.” He sucked in air. “But we’ll never be here again. Never have this moment. I want to savor this. Savor you.”
“Yesss.” Her eyes were half-open, their brown depths full of a deep whiskey gleam. “Touch me.” She ran her hands over his back, playing her fingers over his muscles. His breath caught.
“If you keep doing that, I’ll be inside you fucking you so hard, we’ll be done before we know it.”
Her lips curved up in a slow sensual smile. “Then we’d better get started because I’m only waiting for you so long, lover.”
He bent back to her body. Skipping the temptation of her throat and the need for the final mating bond, he slid his mouth down the full side of her breast, inhaling her scent as he ran over the softness. Moving his hand up, he filled his hand with her other breast, loving the way her flesh overflowed his fingers. He found the peak of her nipple and rolled it, squeezing it in time with her shudders.
He took her other nipple in his mouth, sucking and pleasuring her, rolling his tongue over the hard nub. She reached down between them for his cock, but he pulled away. “Not yet.”
She pouted, her full lower lip pushing out sexy and wet and he gave it a nip, the press of his teeth into her flesh sending electric pulses down to his groin. He groaned. “Temptress.”
She thrust her hips against his, her wet pussy pushing against him. “You’re running out of time, lover. I’ll only wait for you for so long.”
“Oh yeah? And then what happens.” He slid his cock along her wetness, rubbing up and down against her clit.
She groaned. “Then, I’ll just take you.” She lifted her ass up, spreading her legs wider, and he almost came right there, pressed along her folds and up against her belly.
Suddenly, it was too much. He had to be inside her. He moved back and into her, sliding into the slick heat of her pussy. She gasped in shock. “Ethan!” Her hips thrust up against his and he held still, taking the small movements she made.
“Addison,” he groaned against her neck. “Hold still, or I’m going to come.”
“Do it.” She was panting, her whole body rocking against his. “Take me, Ethan. Bite me and make me your mate.”
He wanted to, God how he wanted to. He needed this woman like he needed air, but he had to hold off, had to make sure the love of his life remembered this moment her entire life.
***
Addison hung on to Ethan. She could tell he wanted to come, wanted to pump into her and give her what she was asking for, but even as she felt his whole body shudder, he pulled out and off and rolled to the side. She didn’t hesitate, she moved on top of him, taking him deep inside her pussy.
He groaned. “Hold still, woman.” He put his hand between them and found her clit. Applying pressure he wiggled it, moving it back and forth. “I want you to come, Addison.”
A deep shiver went through her.
This man was amazing. She wanted to watch him while she came, see the love shining from those stunning clear blue eyes, but the pleasure rushing through her as she rode him, had her eyes falling shut in ecstasy. With every move of her body up and down on his cock, his sure touch took her higher and higher until everything deep inside of her exploded.
She leaned over him, and collapsed on top of his chest, his erection cradled deep inside her core.
“Now.” He thrust up and into her. She balanced on her hands. She could feel every inch of him as she rose and fell taking him deeper and deeper, every move he made rocking her like a train.
She hung on while he grabbed her hips and moved her faster and harder over his cock. “Ethan.” Was all she managed to say before another orgasm was upon her, taking her up and over. His body stiffened. Just as he poured into her his teeth sank into her shoulder and the sharp pain of the bite rocked through her coiling in and out of the pleasure racing through her body and her pussy tightened again, taking her over the edge.
Addison held on to Ethan as everything eased back. Her head was still whirling, up in the clouds from her multiple org
asms and she lay her head down on his chest, listening to the beat of his heart. Her mate’s heart.
A swell of love rushed through her.
This was it. They were mated.
His chest was warm under her and his hands moved over her back, smoothing her skin over her waist and down her hips. He cupped her ass. “I had plans for you. I was going to take you on all fours, take your mouth, take you every which way.” He waggled his brows up and down. “But you went too fast.”
“I couldn’t wait.” She wiggled a little on his cock. “But we could do it again.”
“Vixen.” He gave her ass a light slap. She giggled and relaxed into him again.
She didn’t want to move. Everything was perfect. She had her mate. She’d come up here to the ski resort to figure out how she was going to separate from her folks. She knew this would separate her for good, but at what cost? While she did want to get away from George and the frustration of living with her mother, she was very much afraid that this would mean that George would forbid Stella to see her at all.
She must have frowned because suddenly Ethan’s face went serious.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s not you,” she rushed to reassure him. “It’s that, here, everything is perfect, but we have to go out to the real world eventually and I don’t know how anything is going to go. I came up here to figure out how I was going to get an apartment, move out. Now I have to go back home tomorrow without any of those plans made.”
Ethan gave her a squeeze. “I can face anything with you, Addison. You’re my mate. Don’t you feel the same way? Like we can figure it out as long as we’re together?”
She lifted her head up off of his chest and stared into his eyes. His wolf glowed deep inside and suddenly, everything was alright.
“You’re right. We’re a team now, you and me.” A rush of relief filled her. “We can figure it out. I don’t need my parents’ permission to find an apartment, I just need you.” She kissed him, a deep kiss filled with all the love and strength she felt flowing through their mating bond. “You’re my mate, Ethan, and we can do it together.”
Sassy Ever After: Sassy Wolf and the Rogue (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 9
