Indirect Lines: Halle Shifters, Book 5

by Dana Marie Bell

  She reached for her cell phone, only to find a big hand blocking her way. She screeched, scrambling back on the bed.

  “Whoa!” Barney grabbed hold of her and kept her from scrambling right off the other side and onto the cold linoleum. “What the hell?”

  “Momma.” Heather winced. “Ah. Hi, Barney?”

  He blinked, his expression amused. “I’m almost afraid to ask why that was phrased as a question.” He eased her upright, holding her arms, probably in case she acted like a lunatic again. “Why did you call for your mommy, Heather?”

  “Um…” She couldn’t tell him that she was freaking out over fucking…well, fucking.

  “Well?” He scowled. “No one bothered you while I was gone, did they?”

  “No!” Her shout startled them both. “I mean, I’m good. I’m fine.” She smiled, praying it looked natural. “I’m getting sprung, remember?”

  “Uh-huh.” He pulled away from her, releasing her arms. “So. Ready to go?”

  Nope. She took a deep, bracing breath. This was it. She was going to mate Barney, the stubborn Bear who haunted her nights and annoyed the hell out of her during the day. “Yeah.”

  His brows rose. “You look like you’re going to the gallows.”

  “Nah, just your be—I mean apartment.” She stood, her knees all wobbly with nerves. “I can do this.”

  He put his arm around her. “You know, I want to tell you I’m willing to hold off until you’re ready, but I’m not that nice a person.”

  “That’s a hell of a turnaround from you pushing me away.” She desperately wanted to go back to her uncomfy hospital bed. She was having a heart attack, right? No one’s heart could beat this fast without it being fatal.

  “Breathe, Heather.” He was frowning, holding her even closer as they edged out the door. “I lied. Nothing will happen until you give me the okay.”

  She hid her face in his chest. “I’ve gotta tell you something.”

  “If it makes you that red you can tell me in the car.” He waved to the nurses as they passed the station. Heather was too embarrassed to do more than smile as he guided them to the elevator. “I don’t want anyone else hearing your secrets.”

  Ah, there was her overprotective Bear. “It’s not bad. I hope.”

  “Doesn’t matter. It’s yours, and that’s enough for me.”

  That was sweet of him. She was about to press a kiss to his shoulder when a nurse came running up, pushing a wheelchair. “Ma’am, you can’t walk out.”

  “I’m fine, really.” Heather held up her arm. “Look, it moves and everything.”

  The nurse smiled. “That’s nice, but it’s hospital policy that you get wheeled out by one of our staff. Once you’re at the front door, your friend can take over.”

  “I could push her out now.” Barney was eyeing the wheelchair with a sly expression. “Bet I could get her to do wheelies.”

  The nurse rolled her eyes. “Ms. Allen, have a seat, please.”

  Heather eased out from under Barney’s arm and sat in the wheelchair. “Onward, ho!”

  The nurse didn’t laugh, but Barney did, so maybe that lame line was worth it. She bet the nurse had heard it more than once.

  Barney punched the button and waited silently beside her until the elevator arrived. The nurse gently pushed her in the empty car. Barney stepped in front of her, blocking the exit. While he doubted anything would happen, she would be vulnerable when the doors opened. If anything came at them, Barney would face it, not her.

  The nurse chatted quietly the entire ride down, talking about Heather’s discharge and reminding her about physical therapy. When the doors opened Heather was ready to leap out of the wheelchair and run for the front door, but with Barney’s ass blocking the way it wasn’t happening.

  Barney stepped out of the elevator and out of the way so the nurse could lead. He walked behind, his footsteps damn near silent for such a big guy. Then it was out the door, and the nurse was saying good-bye while Barney helped Heather into his car. He gave her a hand with her seatbelt and shut the door, waving to the nurse as he walked around the front of the car. He slid into the driver’s seat and started the car before putting on his own seatbelt. “Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

  “Amen.” She stared out the passenger window as he pulled out onto the street. She’d calmed a little, but her nerves were still trying to get the better of her. “I’m a virgin.”

  “I figured, what with your fear of men.”

  She glanced toward him, surprised to see him smiling. “Really?”

  He shrugged. “You were never afraid of me, though.”

  “You’re my mate.” It was instinct. She felt no fear when she stared at him. Rather, she wanted to climb him like a monkey and do wild things to him.

  “I freaked a bit when I found out that you’d been attacked.”

  “They went after Chloe, not me.”

  “No. Not that attack.” He passed by Max and Emma’s home. There were several cars in the drive and parked along the curb. It looked like the Alphas were having a meeting with the Pride. “The one when you were young. I wasn’t certain you’d ever be able to accept me.”

  Heather bit her lip. How to explain the moment she’d first seen him? He’d strolled through Glory’s front door, talking about protecting Glory from her stalker, but the moment he’d caught her scent… “You said crap.”

  “I told you before that I didn’t want a mate.” Barney pulled into his apartment building’s parking lot. He parked the car and turned it off, but sat still for a moment. “And you know why now.”

  “Yeah.” But still. That moment she’d seen him, caught his scent, no one else in the world would do for her.

  “And besides, you called me butt munch.” He smirked at her. “You were adorable.”

  She stuck her tongue out at him, making him laugh. “You’re still a butt munch.”

  “I know you can come up with something better than that. You have some pretty good sarcasm genes running through your family.”

  “True.” She tilted her head and began humming the Barney theme song, giggling like crazy when he covered up her mouth with his hand.

  “Anything but that.” His tone was pained. “I’ll forgive anything else, just…” He shuddered and pulled his hand away.

  “It could be worse.”

  “How?” He stared at her, his expression daring her to come up with something worse than what she’d already hummed.

  “I could ask where your buddy Fred is. And you really need to introduce me to Betty, Mr. Rubble.”

  “Hmph.” He cupped her cheek. “Still nervous?”

  Oh hell yes. She nodded, but closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. “It’s not as bad, though.”

  “Good.” His thumb caressed her cheek. “I’m going to make it a little less scary.”

  She frowned, opening her eyes. “How?”

  His fangs extended as he smiled. “Trust me.”

  “Oh shit,” she breathed as his teeth penetrated the skin of her neck. He’d given her the mating bite, binding them together for all time.

  That was her last clear thought before the orgasm ripped through her, the pleasure so intense she was left half-blind and shuddering in his arms.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Heather convulsed against him as the spasm rocked her. She was exquisite in her pleasure, her features taut has her nails dug into his biceps, drawing blood. Barney’s eyes changed, enhancing his vision. And what a vision she was. He couldn’t take his gaze from her face as she came down from the orgasm. Her cheeks were flushed, the green of her eyes turning golden as her Fox came to the fore. Her fangs descended as she licked her lips, her gaze glued to his neck where she would mark him. He had no doubt her mark would be on him before the end of the night.

  He was hoping for sooner rather
than later. He wanted to experience the high of having his mate’s fangs in his flesh. For all his earlier protests, he needed that mark more than he needed to breathe.

  His Bear needed her inside, in his den, naked against his sheets. She still wasn’t safe. He hadn’t caught the shooter or managed to invade the Senate archives. Having her out in the open, vulnerable, was making his Bear growly as hell.

  “C’mon, sweetheart. Let’s get inside.”

  She nodded, still panting from the bite. All females experienced orgasm at the bite of their mate, while males, from what he’d heard, wound up feeling the urge to make love to their mate. He was certain it was some sort of animalistic need to continue the species, but honestly he didn’t care that much. Not when Heather was hanging on his arm as he helped her out of the car, her legs too wobbly to hold her up.

  He got her up the steps and held on to her waist as he dug for his keys. His hands were steady as he opened the door. “In you go,” he murmured, guiding her into his tiny, one bedroom apartment.

  She sniffed, wrinkling her nose. “Smells like two-day old burritos in here.”

  “Bachelor pad chic at its finest.” He kicked the door shut and led her toward the bedroom. She could get the two-dollar tour tomorrow. Tonight, she was getting a first-class view of the bedroom. “In you go.”

  “Wait.” She twirled out of his hold, almost tripping over a pair of jeans he’d left on the floor. She held up her hand. “Um, can we eat first?”

  He blinked, then sighed. “Have a seat, Frodo.”

  She rolled her eyes, but she sat gingerly on the edge of his bed. Her hands grabbed the edge of his mattress so tightly he was sure her claws had pierced it. “Sitting.”

  He knelt in front of her and put his hands on her knees, ignoring the way she twitched under his touch. “Calm down, sweetheart. We’re going to do this at your pace. There’s no rush, okay?”

  She took a deep breath and blew it out. “Okay.” She unclenched her hands and placed them over his. Her nails were still claws, but she was careful not to prick him. “What do we do first?”

  He smiled. “We curl up on the bed and kiss.”

  She stared at him for a moment. “That’s it?”

  “I like to linger over my appetizers.” Her eyes grew wide as he tipped her back. “Scoot up, little Fox. Put your head on one of the pillows.”

  She did as told, kicking her shoes off in the process. “Now what?”

  Heather was so pale he thought she’d pass out if she stood. “Let me get my shoes off too.” He kicked off his sneakers and sauntered over to his side of the bed. He flopped onto the bed, laughing when she yipped. Her Fox was close to the surface, drawing his Bear to her. He rolled over onto his side and rested his head on his hand. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” She tentatively reached out and touched his arm. “I’m sorry I’m such a wreck.”

  He wanted to sigh, not because he was frustrated, but because she was. “Would you rather I show you my video game collection?”

  She smiled, thank God. “Are they anything like etchings?”

  “Only if you want to murder them.”

  Heather choked out a laugh. “Hello, artist here. So not killing the pretty.”

  “Hmm.” He leaned forward, planting a soft kiss on her tempting lips. “That’s good to know.”

  Her cheeks flamed bright red as brown bled away the green of her eyes. “Will it hurt?”

  “I don’t know, but I promise I’ll do my best to make sure it doesn’t.”

  She gulped. “I heard the first time hurts.”

  He couldn’t shrug her fear away. Besides, he knew nothing about virgins other than there might be some blood. “It could. I’m not sure. I’ve never made love to a virgin before.”

  Heather snarled. “You’ve never made love before.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Those cute little teeth she bared at him were going to bite him soon, hopefully in a good way. “I want to touch you.”

  The snarl went away, but her red cheeks only got brighter. She nodded once, sharply, but the hand she’d left on his arm started to tremble.

  “Thank you.” He wanted her to know he appreciated the precious gift she was giving him. He would be her first, and her last. The idea that his mate came to him untouched turned him on so much he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to slow down at the proper moments.

  His Bear growled low, letting him know that if Barney had issues, his Bear would be more than happy to remind him not to harm their fragile mate.

  Barney kept his gaze on his mate’s face as he lifted the hem of her shirt. For now, he’d keep his hand on her stomach, waiting until she became comfortable with his caress. The feel of her soft skin under his palm tempted him to move higher to feel her breasts resting in his palm and tease her nipples until they hardened, but he held back. For one, she looked like a prisoner facing execution. For another, his Bear was already growling, reminding him to go slow.

  She gasped when his fingers brushed across her side. He pulled her closer, kissing her closed mouth, waiting patiently for her to respond to his lips grazing hers.

  With a shiver she opened her mouth, accepting him so easily he was awed. He kissed her, not passionately, not yet. No, he wanted to keep this sweet. Her fear was still there in her trembling lips, her shivers against his palm. This wasn’t the time to rush, but to savor everything she gave him without pushing for more. This was her time, not his, and he would follow her pace.

  She kissed him, getting bolder the more he allowed her to move on her own. He’d said he wanted to touch her, but reality was he needed her to touch him. To want him. Without that, this would go no further than a petting session. He’d bitten her, claimed her, but she had yet to do the same. When it was time, when she finally claimed him, he would be ecstatic. But for now…

  Her hand left his arm and caressed his stomach, carefully pushing up his T-shirt. He moaned into her mouth, careful to do no more than that, but God it felt so good. Even that tiny caress was enough to make him rock hard and eager.

  He dared to move his hand, pushing her shirt slightly higher, to just under her breasts. His thumb caressed her ribs as the kiss grew hungrier, but still he restrained himself. He wanted to roll her onto her back and take control, but she wasn’t ready.

  He was going to blow in his pants like a goddamn teenager, and there was nothing he could do about it.

  “Barney,” she sighed against his mouth. He opened his eyes, watching with increasing hunger as she arched into his hand. The kiss was broken, her head tilted back as desperation contorted her features. He bit his lip, drawing blood. He had to touch her breasts, had to, like he would die if he didn’t get to taste her sweetness. He inched his hand upward, keeping her bra in place. Perhaps that would help her feel safer in his hold.

  Her moan of pleasure was his reward. Her face was filled with a yearning he’d seen before, but never before had it been so glorious. He cupped her breast, caressing her nipple with his thumb. The hardness of her nipple enticed him, but until she was as desperate as he was he wouldn’t do anything more.

  She lunged for him, taking his mouth, kissing him with clumsy earnestness. His mate was perfect in her demands, pushing him and tugging at him until he lay on his back. She was on top, straddling his waist, his hand still at her breast when she broke the kiss. “Now what?”

  “Anything you want.” He lifted his hands from her skin, smiling when she whimpered. He put his arms behind his head. “You’re in charge.”

  Her caresses were tentative, running up and down his torso with feather-light touches. The fascination in her gaze was slowly overcoming her trepidation. She kept glancing at his hands, as if he’d move them at any moment and put an end to her explorations.

  As if.

  The only thing he did was whip his shirt off, tossing it over the side of the bed. “You tell me what co
mes off next.”

  She blushed so brightly he was afraid she’d faint from all the blood rushing to her head. “Um. Fair is fair, right?” She slowly lifted her own shirt off, revealing a simple, silky black bra. Her breasts looked so pale and creamy against the dark material that he couldn’t stop himself from licking them, tasting to see if they were as sweet as they looked.

  Heather gasped, her head falling back. Barney grabbed her around the waist, keeping her from falling backward as she ground against him. God, she was going to kill him. He nibbled her neck, delighting in her soft cries.

  She whimpered and put her head on his shoulder. “Off. Take off my bra.”

  The words were so softly spoken he barely heard them. He did as she requested, unhooking her bra while he continued to pepper her neck with soft kisses and nips. His fangs were still extended, scratching at her skin. He could almost taste her blood on his tongue again, but now wasn’t the time to bite. No. He’d bite her again as he tried to enter her, to help ease some of the pain of making love for the first time.

  He cupped her bared breast in his hand, stroking over the hardening nipple, taking it between his fingers and pinching it until she was gasping again. Their jeans were beginning to irritate him, keeping him from the warm paradise he knew awaited him if he could just get her to undress completely.

  Patience, Bear. We’ll get there. But first he had to get her consent. If she told him to stop here, his dick might fall off in protest but he’d obey. She was his mate, his most precious person, the only one born for him. He could wait.

  “What now, sweetheart?”

  She clenched her hands on his shoulders. “I…I don’t know.”

  He smiled. “Want me to show you something?”

  She nodded shyly. “Please?”

  He’d figured she wouldn’t be able to go too far. It would be a while before his innocent mate began making demands of him in bed. So instead of doing what he really wanted to do, which was push her down and devour her, he spoke, telling her what was about to happen. “Sit back a bit.”