by Zoe Chant
Sidney bit her lip. She desperately wanted to reach out and touch him.
It was insane. He was a complete stranger. She didn't even know him! But since the first moment she'd seen him, she hadn't been able to stop thinking about him. He was incredibly handsome, all rugged and masculine with his scruffy chin and his tousled, dark hair. Also, he'd cleaned up well.
For the meeting with her friends, he'd dressed in a white shirt and black jeans, and he'd charmed them all from the moment they first walked into the bakery. He'd be the perfect date for the wedding. She really couldn't ask for anything more.
And then the kiss had happened.
She was still breathless, confusion entwining with the helpless desire for him that hadn't left her since that very first meeting. What did the kiss mean? Was this still all part of the pretense to Kayden?
She wanted it to be more. She wanted it to be more with a desperation that scared her.
She'd had many relationships. It exasperated her mother, but it was true: Sidney had tried again and again to find the perfect man to settle down with. It hadn't been her fault that it had never worked out—for some reason, after a few months, all those men had invariably begun to show their true faces.
Sidney wanted romance. Sidney wanted passion. She wanted the kind of love that was all-encompassing. She didn't want a man to stay with her out of obligation or duty, and she didn't want the kind of love that burned out quickly. She’d seen too many romances turn into the sort of relationship where the couple didn’t even really talk to each other anymore.
Sidney had always wanted more. She wanted to be loved for herself. And she wanted a man who'd still tell her that he loved her when they were old and walking along the river hand in hand to feed the ducks.
Surely that wasn't too much to ask. Unfortunately, so far every man in her life had thought it was.
“No need to apologize, that was fun.” Kayden gave her a quick, amused look. “Don't worry, I can see why you needed a date for the wedding. Your family is... intense is the right word.”
“Sorry for that,” Sidney began, grimacing as she wondered what her sister was telling their mother right now.
“Don’t apologize. I like that! Families should be large and loud. And if you do all your fighting over cakes and dresses and dates, that means that you've got all that love and support left for the important things.” He tilted his head questioningly at her. “Don't you?”
Sidney frowned. She'd never thought of it like that.
She loved her family. She wouldn't want to be without them, although they also knew exactly how to drive her mad. But still... She knew her Mom meant well. No matter what the problem was, she could call her Mom day and night.
And Karen... Even though she never let them forget that her life in the city was perfect, Sidney knew that she cared for her, deep beneath that old sibling rivalry. Back when Sidney and Timothy had split up, Karen had listened to her cry for hours, and then whisked her away for a weekend in the city with her glamorous friends.
Sidney had felt really out of place, but it was the thought that counted. And all the free margaritas that weekend.
“You're right,” she said with a wistful smile. “They're loud and obnoxious, and most of the time I wish they could just behave like normal people—but I love them. They're my family. And I know they care for me.”
Kayden gave her a low, pleased laugh. “My family's the same. Big and loud and in the end, the more we fight, the more we love each other. That's important. Not the fighting, but that in the end, you're still there for each other.”
Sidney released a deep breath as Kayden pulled into her driveway.
“I didn't hire you for the wisdom, but I think I should have! Thanks,” she murmured, flushing again as she looked at him. “I really mean it. I love them, but they drive me crazy sometimes. Maybe what I really need is a voice of reason to get through all of this.”
“The quiet in the eye of the hurricane?” Kayden murmured, and then reached out to cup her cheek with his hand. “I can be that for you.”
Sidney shivered. She couldn't look away from him. The sun had vanished behind a cloud, and in the sudden gloom, there was a wildness to him that reminded her of that moment when she'd first seen him.
She couldn't quite say what it was.
It was something about his eyes. Not the scruffy beard, not the tangled hair that was just a little too long, not even the insane strength of those hard muscles. It was his eyes.
She was so close that she could see a ring of light circling his pupils. It looked like a band of liquid gold against the brown of his eyes, filled with the burning heat of wildfire. She'd never seen anything like it. She felt as if she just looked at it long enough, she would sink right into him. She'd be able to read his thoughts, his desires, his dreams in that molten heat of his gaze...
A sudden, loud boom resounded.
Shock made her straighten, then look at the sky. “Another thunderstorm! There's never this much rain in the summer. And there's only two weeks left to the wedding!”
“Better it rains now than in two weeks, then,” Kayden said quite sensibly. Then, with a fierce grin, he pulled her close to kiss her.
“I've wanted to do that during the entire drive.” The words came out with a sexy little growl. “Now come on, let's get those chairs out before we get completely soaked.”
Sidney squealed when the clouds began to release their burden. Rain came down heavily, like a curtain of water, and within seconds, they were soaked to the bone.
“This wedding is cursed!” Sidney called out over the distant, rolling thunder as she fetched another chair from the van. “There's no way we can have the reception outside! I need to call Cleo again—”
Kayden laughed and easily put down a stack of five chairs in her garage. When he stepped outside where the rain hit him once more, he looked up into the cloudy sky. Just at that moment, the sun broke through the clouds. It lit Sidney's garden with golden light even through the veil of rain that kept falling.
“It's just a summer shower,” he called back and spread out his arms. “It'll be over in a moment. Come on, the rain's all warm!”
He turned in a circle, his eyes closing even though he kept laughing as the rain was drenching him.
Sidney's mouth went dry. She forgot what she'd been doing. She forgot the sister she'd been trying to impress; she forgot the chaos of the wedding preparations.
All she could think of was the way Kayden's shirt had turned translucent in the rain. It clung to him like a second skin, hugging his virile chest. Through the wet fabric, she could make out every chiseled muscle: the hard, broad planes of his pectorals, the small, erect nipples, the hills and valleys of his perfect abs.
Rain dripped from his hair. The strands had soaked up the water, so that black tangles framed his handsome, rugged face. Droplets gleamed on his stubble, then dripped lower, trailing down his throat.
She imagined following that trail with her tongue, her hands parting the shirt so that she could follow it further down.
When his eyes opened, she could see the same fire shining in his eyes that had drawn her in before. It called out to her. It was as if through the golden aureole of his pupils, she could see a part of his soul. He was a complete stranger—and yet she suddenly knew without a moment of doubt what he was thinking. What he was feeling.
Desire thrummed thick and hot between them. Sidney's knees felt weak. As if in a fever dream, she could almost feel his large, strong hands caress her body, taking possession of her in a way that no other man ever had. His thumbs against her nipples, playing with her until she moaned. His mouth on her breasts, his tongue hot and demanding...
She moaned. She couldn't say what was happening, but at this moment, it didn't matter. What mattered was that this thing between them was real, this connection sizzling like lightning. There was some strange, wild power at work here.
She moved towards him. Once more the thunder resounded in the dist
ance, the storm moving further away. The sun shone more brightly now from the gap between clouds, although it was still raining fiercely.
Then she was in his arms, and their lips met.
She groaned—or perhaps it was Kayden who had made that sound, low and full of hunger. She couldn't say. It didn't matter. All that mattered was his touch.
Where his fingers slid over her skin, heat sprung up. It was like being hit by a million tiny bolts of lightning at once. Her skin prickled. Her body moved against him instinctively, demanding what the heat in his eyes had promised her.
She was wet. The ache between her legs throbbed, and when he slid his knee between her thighs, she moaned in approval, rubbing shamelessly against him. A high hedge shielded her driveway from view, but even without it, she didn’t know if she would have been able to resist the force of nature that drove them into each other’s arms.
Once, she'd seen a documentary on TV about the call that made birds cross half the globe to find their summer home, and that made fish swim upstream to their birthplace.
She felt like that right now. Like something ancient and wild had taken control of her.
She wanted to be his. She needed to be his.
And she needed to know that he was hers in return.
His fingers slid over her cheeks, wet with the rain, guiding her lips to his mouth once more. His tongue was hot, and she moaned, her arms clutching at his strong shoulders.
“I want you,” he said at last, the words little more than a low growl.
He sounded wild, dazed, a hint of danger vibrating beneath the possessive words—but Sidney was not afraid. In his eyes, she could still read that unmistakable message: he truly wanted her. He needed her as much as she needed him. He'd defend her against anyone and anything.
“Yes,” she gasped, and then moaned when his hands slid up beneath her wet shirt. “God, please! I need you!”
Touching skin to skin was almost more than she could bear. Her inner walls clenched; she could feel more wetness trickle from her, her folds slick with it.
He shook his head, droplets of water flying from his hair. His eyes held her captive. The rain had slowed to a gentle drizzle, but she did not even realize it as they stumbled inside.
As soon as the door fell closed behind them, his hands were on her skin once more. He pulled the shirt from her while she yanked at his. Together, they stumbled into her living room. They landed on her couch, still dripping water everywhere, but Sidney didn't care what happened to her furniture right now.
When Kayden unzipped her jeans, she raised her hips and then wriggled out of them in impatience. Her nipples were aching. Her skin felt tight and hot. As she watched, he popped open the buttons of his jeans.
From his pocket, he drew a small, square package—she would have laughed at his optimism, but she had no breath left even to reassure him that she was on the pill as well. So instead, she just nodded, and then reached out her arms for him.
“Claim me,” she breathed. She didn't know where that word had come from, but it made Kayden freeze for a moment, his eyes widening. And then, the fire she'd seen in him seemed to erupt.
He pulled off his own jeans, the wet fabric clinging to his skin. He looked just as she remembered from that very first moment right here in her house. He was a vision of virile manliness. Defined muscles flexed beneath his skin every time he moved. His skin was tanned; a pleasure trail of dark hair ran downward from his navel.
He was erect, and Sidney had to swallow at the mouthwatering sight. He was large, flushed with blood for her. She allowed her legs to spread in invitation as she imagined him inside her, barely able to hold still as she watched him.
At the sight, he groaned. He worked the condom onto his erection—and then he was finally in her arms.
His skin was hot as she arched against him, her arms winding around his shoulders to hold him close as their lips met. In her need, she panted against him, little gasps of desire while he slid against her. His shaft was hard as a rock and so large that she squirmed with instinctive need. His fingers trailed down her side. Then one of his large hands curved around her hip, and with a groan of appreciation, he began to slide inside her.
He was large. Jesus, he was large!
Sidney's eyes widened. She had never felt anything like it. He filled her completely, but she was so slick with need for him that he could slide in and out easily. Every thrust filled her more deeply. She moaned every time he rocked into her, her hands grasping at his shoulders, biting back a cry that wanted to break free—and then he covered her mouth with his. With one hard thrust, he slid inside completely.
Sidney bucked up beneath him, her thighs coming up to clench around his waist as she cried out. Nothing had ever felt so good. It was as if she was on fire inside. Every time he moved, sizzling heat ran up her nerves. She throbbed around him, aching, needing, completely filled by him.
The tousled strands of his hair brushed against her cheek every time he moved. He was wild, possessive—there was something of the feral animal within him. And yet he was the gentlest man she had ever been with.
His eyes were completely focused on her. The brown of his pupils had completely turned into molten gold now. He watched her every reaction as if to soak up every moan, every gasp, learning how to drive her completely wild as he took possession of her.
She was claimed. She didn't know where the word had come from, but now she knew that it was true.
Droplets of rainwater were still dripping from his hair. He smelled of clean sweat—something dominant and masculine, and beneath it all, there was the scent of rain and wet earth and pine needles.
Back in the bakery, he'd been the perfect date. She'd loved the attention, and even more, she'd loved her sister's reaction.
But that hadn't been the true Kayden.
This was the true Kayden. There was something ancient and powerful in the way he made love to her. The fire that she'd seen in his eyes was now rushing through her own body, threatening to devour her. But she wanted to be consumed by it. She wanted to surrender to this passion that had burned through all she had thought she was. Nothing mattered—nothing but this steady climb towards ecstasy, his body straining against hers as they became one in a way she hadn't known was possible.
She was moaning. She tilted her head, her teeth brushing against his skin. She couldn't get enough air, she couldn't get enough of him, she needed—
His thumb found her clit. He circled it, playing with her, driving her higher and higher until the muscles in her thighs twitched. Her back arched against him, her walls clenching around the large shaft that filled her so completely. His finger was slick with her juices as it teased her, and then the touch became more demanding and she had no control left.
She cried out, her entire body convulsing as she came. Her teeth closed around his skin, biting down as she shuddered through the most intense climax she had ever experienced. She could feel his muscles tense as he came himself, that powerful body straining against her one last time as he gasped her name in desperate need.
Then it was over. She clutched at him dizzily, weak shudders still rolling through her body. She felt completely exhausted. She was sweaty and her hair was dripping rainwater and her limbs refused to move.
And she also felt completely content and at peace, as if she'd suddenly found something she'd been missing all along, without knowing it.
Her teeth had left a small, red mark on Kayden's shoulder. She smiled a little to see it. Kayden might have claimed her—but she'd also claimed him.
Somehow it felt right.
Chapter Four: Kayden
The next day, Kayden gave the distant trees a guilty look. He really needed to return to his clan. They had made camp about an hour's run north from here—but there, Blood Claw, their old alpha's Second, had picked up their trail.
Kayden had needed to protect his clan's location. They'd all escaped the clutches of Iron Fang together. If one of Iron Fang's enforcers found them
now, they’d lose their new-found freedom.
A few strong fighters had decided to follow Kayden towards a life of liberty, but they all knew they couldn't fight all the soldiers Iron Fang would send after them if he found out where they were hiding.
That's why Kayden had run away from where the others had made camp. He'd drawn Blood Claw after him by laying down a false trail. Blood Claw had hunted him long enough to give Kayden’s clan time to find a new hiding place.
When Kayden had first scouted the area, they'd settled on four different, well-hidden spots where they could reassemble, in case anything should happen. It might take Kayden a day to check them all, but he didn't doubt that he'd find his clan still waiting for him.
Of course, what they didn't know was that Kayden had not only escaped, but also begun to scout the small town and find out how it was run.
Perhaps I got a little distracted, he admitted silently. But on the other hand, thanks to that wedding I now have a good excuse to mingle with the people here.
His bear huffed. We found our mate and claimed her. No one will dare to challenge us! And if they do...
No. Enough fights. I won't have it, not in my clan, Kayden replied with determination.
Iron Fang's rule of their clan had been brutal. Kayden wanted a better life. They all deserved a better life.
I haven't led them to freedom only to become the next Iron Fang. Whatever I do, I'll do it because it’s for the best of the entire clan, not just for me.
His bear made a sound that was almost a laugh. We lead now. We'll be challenged eventually. Or perhaps we will need to challenge...
Once more Kayden looked with worry at the forest that stretched all around the small town of Linden Creek. When they'd first arrived here, he thought that he'd smelled the faint scent of another bear. It hadn't been Blood Claw's scent; it was too old for that.
No. The scent had to be that of a stranger. But it hadn't been strong enough to give Kayden any useful information. Perhaps a shifter had wandered through the area weeks ago and left again. In what they had explored of the wood, they hadn't found other trails.
