by Sofia Grey
Without missing a beat, she followed his gaze to the edge of the crowded dance floor. The mass of bodies weaved and bobbed, blocking her view, but then she caught a glimpse. A man. Watching her.
The breath caught in her throat. The dancers shifted and blocked him from sight but not before she saw his eyes. Sapphire blue. Even in the darkness of the club, they were brilliant. She’d seen him for just a second, but his image was burned into her brain. Tall, with shaggy, dark hair down to the collar of a black leather biker jacket covered with zippers, his arms behind him as he lounged against the wall. A scruff of stubble graced a proud chin beneath full, sensuous lips.
Remembering Kurt, she dragged her attention back, only to find him gone. She faltered, picking up the rhythm again moments later, but not before the crowd parted and the stranger emerged on the edge of the dance floor. He stood there, thumbs hooked into his belt loops and Lillian saw the rest of him. Lean body, tight black jeans, black boots, and a gaze that cut through her. Blinking, she focused on the music, a driving rock song that pulsed through her, but she couldn’t ignore him. Her eyes were drawn to him without conscious thought and she found him with a hint of a smile on his face, the lips curling up in the corners. He lifted one eyebrow and then, when he had her full attention, he raised one hand and beckoned to her with his fingers.
Outraged, she ignored him and turned away. This was her dream, her dance floor. She called the shots. The music slowed, dropping to a hypnotic pounding that vibrated through her and she found herself getting lost in the music Everything faded but the beat rolling through her and she wanted to share the pleasure, to dance with someone. She thought of the guy with the biker jacket and glanced over her shoulder to see if he was still there.
He hadn’t moved. His stare ate her up when she turned back to face him but now the smile had gone. Again, he gestured for her to go to him. The cheek of it.
She was intrigued by his attitude. Normally men went to her but this one looked dangerous and sexier than most. Did she fancy a walk on the wild side? She took a step toward him, then another. Why not. It was only a dream. If she reached out her hand, she could touch him now, but she didn’t. Instead, she waited.
“Closer, Cariad. I won’t bite.” Her stomach went into free-fall when he spoke. Didn’t Cariad mean “darling” in Welsh? She knew it was a term of endearment. Deep, silky, and with the local accent that was music to her ears, his words washed over her. The smile emerged again and grew to a distinctly wolfish grin. “At least, not yet.”
*
Jake had slipped into Lillian’s dream as easily as a pair of well-worn jeans. She fit him perfectly and he took his time, drinking his fill of her beauty. She was magnificent. Jake had never seen another woman, human or wolf, to even come close. It wasn’t just her perfect skin that begged to be stroked; her hair heated his blood to fever pitch. Fiery red, the color of flames at the heart of a fire; he longed to run his palms across it to see it if burned as bright as he imagined.
His wolf growled at the thought of other men dancing with her, touching her, and he had the idea that this was her natural habitat, every bit as much as the woods and mountains were his. A momentary doubt assailed him. Were they too different? He studied her expression, the barely concealed outrage that softened to amusement. She stood before him, hands on hips, head cocked to one side.
“I’ve seen you before, haven’t I? Your eyes are familiar.” He strained to hear her words above the music.
He had to touch her. Reaching out, he placed a finger under her chin and tilted her head to meet his eyes. She didn’t resist. “Dance with me.” He had the ability to join her sleeping world but not to control it. If he could, he would already have her panting and naked, lust glazing her expression as he ravished her body.
She seemed to fight an inner battle at his words and then shrugged with one shoulder, lazy and careless. “Sure. One dance.” She jerked her chin free and took a step back. “But only because I like this track. Okay?”
Jake recognized the song although he couldn’t give it a name. A sensuous bass beat with haunting female vocals, the lyrics murmured about promises freely given. He noticed her lips moving as she sang along. Striding forward, he took her in his arms and guided her to the center of the dance floor, right under the spotlight. Her hair glowed a fiery shade, the ends sparking where they caught the strobe.
Her smile threatened to undo him, especially when she wrapped herself around him, one hand stroking the fine hair at the back of his neck. “You remind me of the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood. Are you going to eat me all up?”
Chapter 6
Lillian decided she must be crazy. She never danced with fans, not even in her dreams, but there was something about this guy. He was familiar and yet strange, all at once. His body was hard-packed muscle, if the feel of his chest was anything to go by, and she surprised herself again by not objecting when he held her close. Closer even than Kurt would.
The intensity in those blue eyes … it felt as though he could read her thoughts. She pressed her lips close to his ear. “I don’t know your name.”
“I’m Jake Bledri.” He pronounced it Blay-Dree. He waited a beat. “And you’re gorgeous.”
His breath warmed her throat and sent a tremor through her. Unbidden, her mind wandered and she contemplated how it would feel if he kissed her there. She blinked and tried to sound scathing. “You’re a charmer, but I’m immune to flattery. Thanks for the dance, Jake.”
“It hasn’t finished yet, Cariad. Are you so keen to get rid of me?” One of his hands skimmed across her hip bone and landed squarely on her butt, holding her in place with an iron grip.
“Hands off.” It came out as a squeak and Lillian cleared her throat to try again, but then he gave her such a delicious, teasing smile that she was dazzled. It promised sin and seduction and drove every thought clean out of her head.
“So, what’s your name?”
He sounded genuine. Lillian wondered if it was possible to meet someone who had never heard of her. Ella Hart was famous everywhere. She returned his smile with a teasing one of her own. “What do you think it is?”
*
Mine. Jake inhaled softly. He didn’t care what her name was, but if she wanted to play, he would go along with it. He teased at one of her corkscrew curls, watching with delight as it sprang back into shape and then darted her a mischievous glance. “Something … exotic. Hmmm. Angelica?” She shook her head. “Cherise?” Another shake. “Mimosa?” She giggled now and he redoubled his efforts. “Jasmine? Francesca? Pollyanna? India?”
“Jasmine sounds like a stripper name.” She pouted. “One last guess and if you get it wrong the dance is over.”
What? He was done with games. Slipping one finger under her chin again, he angled her lips to be ready for him. He wanted to gorge on her. Devour her. Make her mindless with need, but there would be time for that later. Jake grazed his lips across the corner of her mouth, flicking his tongue along the seam. Dear God. He burned for her already. This may only be a dream but his cock was in danger of being strangled by his jeans.
“Lillian.” Her name reverberated through him. His Mate was called Lillian and what a beautiful name it was. He observed her carefully, noting belatedly the shock in her eyes.
“Okay, you dick-wad. How the hell did you know that?”
*
Lillian tried to free herself from Jake’s arms—if—if that was even his name—but he held her easily. Resting his forehead against hers, he gave a little sigh and then whispered to her. “It’s all a dream. Your dream. None of this is real.” His gaze seared her when he drew back. The most real dream ever. “How else could I possibly know your name, Cariad?”
Put like that, it sounded reasonable. She took a quick breath. “Okay,” she relaxed again, “you’re just a figment of my imagination. I can buy that.”
“Uh-huh.” That wicked smile was back. Her heart pitter-pattered some more. “And since this is all make believe…” He
nuzzled the shell of her ear and she felt a surge of heat between her legs. “I want to go somewhere more private with you.”
“Where?”
She saw a flash of something in his eyes. “I know just the place. Close your eyes, baby.”
Chapter 7
The silence hit her first. The booming bass and background vibe of the club was gone. The dusty, slightly alcoholic smell was replaced by crisp pine and wood smoke.
Lillian opened her eyes and stared at the roaring fire burning in the grate and the snow-covered peaks peeping through the window. A full moon shimmered high in the sky casting a blue light over the mountains.
“I was hoping for Barbados,” she murmured, “but this has possibilities.”
Jake stood behind her, his hands resting lightly on her shoulders, his breath warm on the back of her neck. His touch ignited something deep inside and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe. “Where are we?”
“My place.”
Lillian peered around the room. Floor-to-ceiling windows ran along one side, smooth wooden floorboards with bright rugs breaking up the space. Spacious. A huge, squishy sofa and a cluster of bean-bag chairs dominated one corner, with an intricately carved wooden coffee table. Definitely a guy’s place. A wall mirror with an ornate frame and a series of carved animals lined up in pairs sat along the mantelpiece. Wood everywhere. She eased out of Jake’s hold and went to examine them.
“These are beautiful. I used to play with a set like this when I was a kid. Is there an ark somewhere?” She glanced over her shoulder at him.
“Yeah, but it’s not finished yet.”
She blinked, surprised. “You made these?”
He nodded—a hint of color showing in his cheeks. “My grandpa taught me. These aren’t as good as the ones he made.” He prowled toward her, his long legs eating up the space. “Come over here by the fire.” Taking her by the hand, he guided her to a thick rug and sat down, tugging her with him.
“You’re full of surprises, Mr. Wolf.” Lillian settled onto her knees facing him. “Is this where I say what big eyes you have?”
“If you like.” He sounded amused. His eyes were beautiful and utterly mesmerizing as they sparkled in the glow from the firelight. Why could she never meet anyone like this in real life? Sexy, with a hint of danger, she sensed a dark edge to Jake. The thought made her squirm. This was just a dream and she could be as daring as she pleased.
Looking him straight in the eye, she gave him her most confident smile. The one that had fans dropping at her feet and pledging undying love.
It worked. “Are you done talking, Cariad?”
*
Jake held onto his surprise when she called him Mr. Wolf. She couldn’t know what he was; it had to be a lucky guess. Kneeling before him looking adorable, her posture was submissive, her sassy mouth anything but. As he watched her, she ran her tongue over her lips. A picture flashed through his head of those lush, moist lips closing around his cock and he groaned inwardly.
He cupped her face with both hands, marveling at the softness of her skin. She was flawless. Her pale, creamy complexion had a spatter of cinnamon freckles across her nose, matched with toffee-colored eyebrows and strangely dark lashes framing those incredible green-brown eyes, eyes the color of fallen pine needles. Her eyes widened and her breath hitched, moments before he took her lips. The fleeting kiss earlier had only served to increase his hunger. Jake fought with himself to hold back from devouring her, his pulse pounding and every cell in his body calling to him. This was his Mate. His to claim, to make his own.
She made a soft, little noise when they connected, and opened her mouth to his eager tongue. God and all the saints, she tasted wonderful. He licked deep and long, dueling with her tongue and pouring himself into her. He slanted her mouth, went deeper and then softened the pressure, before taking her again. Sweet amber and heather scents swirled around her; he felt delirious, on sensory overload.
His wolf pushed him for more. Closer. He raised one hand to tunnel into her hair at the same time as she slipped cold fingers underneath his T-shirt. His stomach clenched at her touch, a thousand ripples of pleasure crashing through him. His wolf howled in triumph. Lillian.
Chapter 8
Lillian felt a jolt like static when her fingers brushed across the solid muscle of Jake’s abdomen. Heat poured from his skin, warming her, but she needed more. Scared that this amazing dream would end too soon, she explored his body with her fingertips—around his middle, up his back, skating across his stomach again. She reached for the top of his jeans, eager to remove them, and he groaned again.
“Jesus, baby. I need you.” His breath fanned her cheek. “I want to see you undress.” His voice was rough, husky with desire, and she swallowed. Was he just another lust-crazed fan, desperate to get into her pants? My dream, she reminded herself. She could play the stripper to perfection. God knows, she’d done it often enough in her music videos.
Lillian pushed to her feet and took a step backward to give herself some more space. She began to sing, soft and sensuous, a track from her latest album as she swayed gently, left and right. Jake’s eyes were fixed on her face. He looked expectant and so very desirable. She’d make this good for him.
The glittery camisole was first to go. She pulled it over her head in one fluid movement, dropped it to the floor, and kicked it toward Jake. His eyes widened and he stared at the lacy bra that cupped her breasts. “See me,” she crooned, “see the real me.” She bent forward. She knew her cleavage looked impressive and she pressed her breasts together to make them even bigger, then forward even more, tracing her fingers up her legs, one at a time, trailing them up her clingy suede boots.
She turned her back to Jake and played with her bra clasp before sliding the straps down her arms. A quick peek over her shoulder confirmed that he was enjoying the show if the intensity of his expression was any measure. “Love me…” She popped open the bra and turned to face him again, her hands holding the wispy lace in place. “Love the real me…”
Jake sat with one hand cupped over his groin. His hard-on was visible and Lillian felt a surge of excitement. “Love me…” She had seen his dick jerk the moment she released the bra and her breasts escaped. “Take me…” Right now she was more turned on than she’d ever been, the sultry lyrics resonating with her like never before. From now on, every time she performed this song, she’d remember this dream and the man who ate her up with his eyes.
*
Jake was transfixed. His Mate had the voice of an angel and a body made for sin. Where had she learned those porn-star moves? He was dying, sitting there, his cock iron hard and throbbing for release. She shimmied in front of him, her creamy, rose-tipped breasts quivering gently, her body clad in a microskirt and high boots. Sex on legs. His poor neglected cock threatened to explode when she began to play with her nipples. Sweet Jesus, he’d castrate himself on his zipper before she’d finished.
“Take me…” The need in her voice sang out to him, soothing and exciting his wolf at the same time. With her back to him again, she played with the zipper on her skirt, rasping it down and then up again, before opening it completely. There was a long moment where she held the skirt bunched in her fist, and then she let go, the slinky fabric swishing to the floor. Turning around, she nudged the abandoned skirt away with her boot and Jake saw her panties. He groaned. They weren’t panties … more a miniscule triangle of peach-colored lace with two wisps of mint-green ribbon over her slender hips. For a second, he fantasized about laying her over his lap and spanking that perfect, heart-shaped ass.
Her smile was angelic. The way she slipped one hand down the front of the lace and then brought it to her mouth, sucking each finger in turn, was slutty beyond belief. This was painful and his wolf whimpered, clawing inside him, demanding to take her. His mouth felt as dry as the Sahara Desert. He couldn’t sit still any longer.
Lillian wagged a reproving finger when he started to rise and he froze. He was convinced he�
�d lost the power of speech, his sanity being stripped away with every inch of perfect skin she exposed. He was pretty sure his tongue was hanging out. She winked and beckoned to him, gesturing toward her feet. The Alpha in him hesitated. The slobbering hound won.
“Touch me…” Her voice wrapped around him. He scooted forward, his ass still on the floor, and grabbed her ankles. Her startled giggle pleased him. Time for the wolf to take control.
Chapter 9
Lillian couldn’t take her eyes off Jake, his strong hands holding her ankles, and his delicious grin oozing confidence and power. As she watched, he slid his hands up her legs, and eased closer, shocking her with a long lick up the inside of her thigh. She fisted her hands, every muscle tightening. When he brushed his nose across the front of her panties, she thought she might faint it was so good. She felt a hot surge of moisture escape and knew Jake couldn’t have missed it. He inhaled deeply, his grin widening.
“My turn to play, Lillian.” His voice sounded even deeper, more growly and a shiver of anticipation ran through her.
“Everyone calls me Ella.” It came out as a gasp. Jake’s tongue flicked up her thigh again, taking her breath away.
“Everyone except me. Sit down, Cariad.”
She complied, curious to see what he would do next. Slowly, as though she wasn’t burning up with desire, he bent her legs at the knee and nudged them apart. “Now lie down.” The rug was warm and soft against her naked back and she lay for him, exposed and vulnerable. Trusting. “So pretty,” he murmured, stroking one finger across her panties. He kneeled between her thighs and slid his hands underneath her ass, positioning her exactly where he seemed to want her.
“Now, Cariad. You keep your hands by your sides where I can see them.” He paused, his blue eyes piercing in their intensity.
