Alpha Doms Box Set: 9 Delicious Stories + 10 Sexy Heroes = 19 Reasons to Indulge

by Christin Lovell

  Worse. She wasn’t even the reason I was holding off. Granted, I’d been taking it slow because she was human, but it was my adoptive parent’s strict religious beliefs that had me waiting until after marriage.

  They’d taken in a baby, who turned out to be a pup; I’d been abandoned at their local church. With no conceivable way to have children, they decided to take me in and raise me as their own. They even moved halfway across the country for me to live with a pack, a pack I was now alpha of. I couldn’t disappoint them. They’d sacrificed so much for me; a few hormonal desires weren’t that much in return, but it was what they’d asked for after my first rebellion, a string of partying and sex with any willing woman.

  It went against every instinct I had; it forced me to deny every part of me, to turn my back on nature’s impulsive design of claiming the same day I meet my mate. But this meant a lot to them, to their moral and religious code of ethics. I had faith, I believed in their God, but I didn’t understand why He allowed the animals in us to control our desires if he wanted us to wait until marriage. Why would He design our physical instincts to rival our spiritual ones?

  I focused on Michelle. She wasn’t herself. She was typically assertive. She never steeled herself before facing me. She had a quiet confidence that others underestimated. I loved that about her.

  But now she was a timid woman unable to even look me in the eye.

  I frowned, my wolf silencing for a moment to assess our mate. “I need you to talk to me, sweetie.”

  She looked up at me through hooded lashes. Her full rose-colored lips were mashed together, not out of anger, but out of uncertainty. She didn’t want to say the wrong thing.

  “Come here.” I tugged lightly on her hand.

  Rather than welcome my embrace though, she stole her hand back. She stared at her plate, a wave of varying emotions passing through her eyes. “Do you… Um.” She fidgeted, working up her courage.

  I sat back, taking notice; listening closely. I put a firm hand on my wolf’s neck, ensuring he didn’t interrupt.

  She glanced up at me. “Do you not find me attractive?” Her brows stitched together as her lips slightly pursed. Now that the question was out there, she had the courage to face me. She didn’t look away.

  I lifted a single brow. “Seriously?”

  She swallowed hard, but sat quietly, continuing to watch me.

  Shit. She was serious. She really thought I didn’t find her attractive. I frowned. “You have no idea how bad I want you.”

  She gave me a small smile, but it wasn’t genuine. It was a wistful smile.

  Crap. I didn’t answer her right.

  —

  Chapter Two

  MICHELLE

  My heart broke as I gazed at Bryan. A part of me knew it was too good to be true. All my life I’d been told that I would have to settle, that I wouldn’t find the man of my dreams. When Bryan showed up at the art gallery that night, complimenting my work before asking me out, I thought I’d hit the jackpot.

  Six months later, I moved three towns over to be closer to him. Now, I was regretting that decision. I didn’t regret the time I had with him. We hadn’t done anything for me to regret. That was the red flag though.

  The way he looked at me was like he was waiting for something. After over a year of being together and never having sex, that was when it finally hit me. His wolf wanted me, nature told him that he wanted me, but he wasn’t actually physically attracted to me. He was waiting for that spark to hit him, but it never did.

  That had been a hard pill to swallow.

  Looking at him, I knew I was out of his league. All the confidence in the world didn’t give me enough balls to stand beside him with my head held high. He was gorgeous. I would always be proud of him on my arms. But in the back of my head, I’d know he’d settled. I would know that he had accepted what nature told him to, rather than what he wanted.

  I gazed at him. His brown hair was in perfect disarray. His lips were pouty with just the right amount of plump to them. His dark eyes seemed to pierce me as he studied me. I knew he was gaging me, trying to decide what I wanted to hear.

  His white t-shirt was thin, hinting at the lean muscles beneath. His pecks rose and fell, teasing me with their outline as he breathed. God, I wanted him so bad. It was pathetic.

  The closest we’d come to any sort of intimacy was kissing. I’d never been in his bedroom; he’d never been in mine. He kept me at arm’s length. The moment things got heated, he backed away, taking his warmth with him. He wouldn’t even hug me after things got carried away. It was this constant battle that kept me questioning his stance.

  He wanted me because his wolf wanted me, because nature told him he should. Physically, he was drawn to me, but he wasn’t attracted to me. He could kiss me because our eyes were closed. I could be anyone he wanted me to be then…or at least that was the conclusion I’d drawn. Why else would he avoid cuddling with me or touching me period outside of that?

  His answer proved my theory. He wanted me bad, but he wasn’t attracted to me.

  I slid my chair back and stood. I swallowed my emotions, swallowed the pain quickly stabbing my chest over what I was doing. “I’m sorry, Bryan, but I can’t do this. I can’t let you marry me.”

  He was on his feet in a split second, blocking my exit. “What? Why?” His tone rode a fine line between anger and panic.

  I stared down at the ground, working on breathing deeply and steadily. I needed to escape as soon as possible before I broke down.

  My stomach churned, anguish coursing through my veins, bumping my pulse up. He didn’t get it. I didn’t expect him to see it. He was too blinded by his instincts as a werewolf I assumed. He was doing what he thought he had to, not what he truly wanted to do.

  He cupped my face. “Look at me, sweetie.” His voice was calm despite his muscles coiling and flexing beneath his clothes.

  I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath, gathering my courage. I looked up at him, straight into eyes the color of bark, so deep and intense.

  “What’s wrong? What did I do? Talk to me, please.” His words were a gentle plea, so soft, so reverent.

  No. Why was he being amazing now when I’d prepared myself to walk away? It was this side of him that had kept me with him all this time.

  He didn’t touch me, but he was still gentle with me. He tended to every need I had. He stocked my favorite drink in his fridge. He watched more cheesy romantic comedies than I could count. He wrapped me in a blanket when I was cold. He took care of me when I was sick. He did all these great things, but he did it all from a distance.

  “You didn’t do anything wrong, Bry. But I can’t marry a man who, well, who doesn’t want me physically.” With trembling hands, I slid the ring off my left ring finger. It was that move that solidified it for me. It was that move that had the tears spilling over.

  With my free hand, I grabbed his wrist, pulling his hand away from my face. I pushed the ring into his palm and closed his fist around it.

  His breathing was labored, that much I heard. He threaded his fingers through my hair, cradling me tighter with his other hand.

  I chanced a look up at him. There was a storm brewing in his eyes. He clenched his jaw as he speared me with a pool of emotions in his intense gaze.

  It took him a couple of minutes to regain his composure. He held tight to me, not allowing me to escape. “What makes you think I don’t want you physically?”

  I dropped my gaze to his chest. I could still make out the muscles beneath, trembling lightly before he steeled himself. I knew it would be his wolf’s desire to break free should I really walk away. He’d told me as much. He warned me never to run away from him; he only had so much control, he’d said. Running incited his wolf; running would automatically make me his prey.

  “I’m going crazy here, Chel,” he clipped.

  Indulgently, I placed a hand on his chest, feeling the hard plains and dips of his body. “You want me because your wolf wants me.
You want me because nature tells you to want me, because I smell delicious and appealing, as a mate should. While you’re drawn to me instinctually, you’re not physically attracted to me.” I sniffed, the last of my tears drying as I faced the truth while speaking it; I accepted my cruel fate. God, I was always so much stronger than this. I took a deep breath, facing him head on. We both deserved more. “I can’t let you settle for me, and, likewise, I refuse to settle with a man who doesn’t love all of me, excess stuffing and all.” I patted his chest gently before pulling away. “Plus, no offense, but it’s been too many years. I may be fuller than most girls, but I have needs too.”

  He chuckled, his face splitting into a charming smile. Not exactly the reaction I was expecting. “Is that what this is about?” He quirked a brow, accenting his question.

  His reaction left me confused. Had I missed something? I frowned at the amusement plastered in his expression. “Define this.”

  He secured my left hand and slid the solitaire diamond ring back into place. He kissed the back of my hand. “Sweetie, I’ve wanted you since the second I laid eyes on you.”

  I sighed. He wasn’t getting it. “Bryan, take away your wolf, take away nature telling you to want me and ask yourself if you would still want me then.”

  “Of course I would.” He held my hands in his against his chest.

  He didn’t even hug me now, when I was ready to walk away. “Why?”

  “You want me to list the reasons?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re smart, you’re talented; you’re feisty and courageous.”

  “Stop.” I closed my eyes, fighting for patience. “I know I’m a good person. I know I have a personality and characteristics that someone could love. What I don’t have is the body.” I opened my eyes and faced him. “You care about me, Bryan, as a person. I get that. But you don’t like my body. Otherwise you would have touched it by now. You don’t even hug me for crying out loud.”

  His brows went up; his expression grew solemn. He gritted his teeth for a moment, his lips inadvertently pursing. He froze me with a single, knee breaking, earth shattering glare, so intense, so potent, it left me catching my breath. “I love your body, Michelle. I don’t hug you because I’m afraid I’ll lose control. I don’t dare caress your hips because I know I’ll jerk them against my erection so hard I’d bruise them. I’m petrified to go below the neck because I know once I do, I won’t be able to stop.” His tone was low, seductive and dangerous.

  He cupped my face harshly, ensuring I paid attention. “I fucking love your body, baby. I walk around with a rock hard cock twenty-four seven because of you. Every time you walk in front of me I have to fight the urge to slap your sexy ass. I have to stop myself from pulling you into my lap and groping you.”

  He leaned in close, his breath tickling my lips. His pupils dilated as he stared into my eyes. “The things I want to do to your beautiful body scare the shit out of me. Mark my words. Once we’re married, all bets are off. I’m going to kiss, lick and suck every inch of you.”

  My breath hitched as warmth flooded my pussy. I had a physical need before, but now it was on high alert. I couldn’t ignore it anymore. His words washed over me, sending jolts of awareness to every part of me before pooling low in my womb.

  He moved his lips to my ear. “I can’t wait to watch you writhe beneath me. I can’t wait to watch you fly when I make you come.” His whisper sent chills down my spine.

  He drew back, meeting my gaze; my eyes were wide with surprise I was sure. “Look at my crotch, sweetie. That’s what your curves do to me every time I see you and every time I think about you.”

  I dropped my gaze, shocked to see his cock bulging, straining against the zipper of his jeans. His dick was so enlarged that it pulled his jeans tight across his hips, and I’m sure if I moved behind him, his ass too.

  Goose pimples prickled my flesh as a chill chased down my spine. A tiny whimper escaped me as I stared longingly at it. My pussy wept, craving for him to slide into me. I wanted to wrap my body around him, feel his tongue on my flesh, his hands gripping my curves as we joined.

  I squirmed, biting my lower lip as I looked away from him.

  “Aw, sweetie. Come here.”

  He sat down at his chair at the table again, immediately sliding it back and tugging me between his legs.

  My body was alive, flaring with need. My pussy throbbed, my nipples pebbled, thrusting outwards against my bra. Material that once smoothed over my skin was now chafing it, making me further aware of my physical state.

  Bryan was so close. His cock strained against my thigh. I couldn’t help but shuffle my legs, inadvertently rubbing it. He hissed, his entire body shaking.

  I tried to take a step back, but he ensnared me, clasping his arms around my waist.

  “Please don’t move.” His words were a rough imploration.

  I frowned, observing him. His muscles flexed beneath his shirt against me, around me. His limbs quivered, as if his desire was as intense as mine, or possibly more. His breathing was sketchy, erratic short breaths that certainly didn’t fill his lungs.

  I jumped as a low growl escaped him. He clamped his eyes shut.

  Shit. How had I missed it? How had I been so blind to his struggle? It was as bad for him as it was for me. He really did desire my body.

  “Um, I think I should maybe go.” I forced the words out before we did something he would regret. I loved him too much to let him do that.

  At some point, I remembered him telling me about wanting to wait until we were married to be intimate. I thought it was sweet at the time. I thought it meant he respected me.

  But when he didn’t touch me for so long, when he didn’t caress my curves in a hug or playfully tap my ass when I teased him, my old demons returned. He was handsome; he was downright sexy when he gave me that intense glare he was famous for. That gaze melted my bones every time. That look sent me home to my vibrator and a cold shower every time.

  “I’ll lose control if you touch me, but let me help you.” He spoke through a tight jaw. He took another deep breath before I finally felt him begin to relax.

  “Um-“ I fidgeted, unsure of how I would feel afterwards knowing that I’d been relieved and he hadn’t.

  “I want to.” He caressed my cheek with the palm of his hand. “I want to make you feel good. I want to watch you come apart in my arms.”

  He gave me the penetrating gaze that always weakened my knees. Bolts of awareness sizzled my insides in all the right places, making me hypersensitive, overly conscious, of my body’s cry for what he was offering.

  I bit my lower lip hard, trying to push past my craving.

  He pursed his lips, narrowing his eyes as if I’d challenged him. “Don’t touch me,” he ordered.

  The moment I opened my mouth to respond, he drew his fingertip along my lips. The way his rough skin slid along my soft lips electrocuted me, killing my concerns.

  I gasped when he abruptly stood and pressed my lower back into the table. He reached around me, shoving our plates away based off the noise. When his focus slid back to me, I damn near came from his expression alone.

  He didn’t hold anything back. He let me see how badly he wanted me. He didn’t hide what he thought of me. That single look told me that he thought I was smoldering hot. That single intense glare told me he wanted to strip my clothes off and fuck me hard and slow, enjoying every second of our bodies pressed together.

  “Oh, fuck.” The curse fell haphazardly from my lips as he closed in on me.

  —

  Chapter Three

  BRYAN

  My wolf howled, leaping towards my surface. I clamped down on my muscles, steeling myself against his onslaught.

  I watched Chel predatorily. I observed as she swallowed hard, as her pulse raced at her throat. I narrowed my eyes, my cock throbbing at the sight of her tight nipples pressing through two layers of clothing. My mouth watered, the need to lave her pebbled peaks humbling me.
<
br />   She squirmed beneath my heavy gaze. I damn near purred as another whimper escaped her.

  I placed my hands on the table on either side of her, my arms caging her in. As I leaned into her, she leaned back, ever the smart girl I knew she was. I was no longer her fiancé; I was a predator going after what he wanted. She sensed that. Even though her body reacted to my moves, dancing around me, I smelled her arousal; her desire was thick in the air. The only fear she had was how good I was going to make her feel.

  I claimed her lips, immediately thrusting my tongue inside her mouth to taste her. Her flavor burst on my tongue, igniting my need, causing pulsing pains in my groin. I wanted her so fucking bad. These last fourteen months had been agonizing. I’d been walking on eggshells, so afraid of losing control. Even now, I didn’t dare touch her, in fear of surrendering to my physical cravings and to my wolf.

  As much as I wanted to trail my fingers over her, skimming her rounded curves, teasing her hard nipples, I refrained. Rather, I focused on my mission: to make her come. I could do that without the extra. Her arousal was strong enough that I didn’t need the extra, which was good considering I would probably come in my pants at the sight of her breasts. I was that close, wound that tightly.

  Her lips met mine, danced with mine, with fervor. She obeyed my order, opting to grip the edge of the table rather than touch me. That only further excited me. I’d had a feeling that she was slightly submissive, but this confirmed it. Damn, I couldn’t wait to get her in the bedroom for some no-holds-bar intimacy. The dominant alpha in me fucking roared with excitement.

  I moved one hand over her crotch, sliding it down over her clothes, across her pussy.

  She shuddered, her breath catching. She had to retreat from our kiss for a moment.

  The expression on her face squeezed my cock. Her lips parted in the perfect ‘o.’ Her quiet gasp had pre-come oozing from my tip as my wolf snarled at me, scraping my insides raw. We wanted to be so much closer to her.