“Where the hell are you?”
“A club. I’m getting something to eat.” He hadn’t told his brother about Meredith. He hadn’t told anyone.
“Should I be worried?” Joshua asked. “It’s not like you to voluntarily go into a crowded bar. Takeout is more your speed. And why are you still in Chicago? I figured you’d have been home two days ago.”
“I’m not ready to leave yet.”
The silence on the other end was deafening. After a long minute, Joshua finally spoke. “Should I send someone else?”
Those few words sent him reeling, but Isaiah absorbed the blow. It was the first time in his life his brother had ever questioned his ability to carry out any task. And damn it, it hurt worse than he’d thought.
“I need a few more days. Is that too much to ask? Alex will get her stuff.”
“Are you sure you don’t need me to come to Chicago?”
Isaiah released a low growl of warning. “If you don’t trust me to do the job, send whoever the hell you want.” He almost ended the call. Almost. But habit and instinct were too entrenched to be denied, so he waited.
“I’m worried about you, not the damn job,” Joshua snarled.
The anger flowed out of him as quickly as it had arisen. He’d been tense the past few days. Arousal was riding him hard.
He spent all his days watching for rogue werewolves and bounty hunters and his nights with a raging hard-on with no relief in sight. Meredith had been giving him the cold shoulder since the night of their dance. Still, he’d managed to steal several hot kisses. The woman wanted him no matter how she tried to ignore it.
“You still there?” his brother prompted.
“Yeah. I’m still here.” He appreciated Joshua’s concern, but the last thing he needed was his brother running around the city and maybe discovering Meredith and her pack. It was important to her to keep her small pack off the radar of the bigger ones. He respected that even if he wasn’t quite sure why she did it. There was safety in numbers. “I’m just tense. I haven’t seen anyone, but the back of my neck is tingling.”
“Good enough,” Joshua said. “Give it another day or two and, if you still feel that way, leave it and we’ll try again in a month or so.”
“Will do. Talk to you soon.” Tammy set his beer on the table as he finished his call with his brother. He clicked off and tucked his phone away. “Thanks, Tammy. Where’s Meredith?”
The blonde waitress was amused by his pursuit of Meredith and the way both her sons watched and glared at him all night long. It was nice to have someone on his side. Tammy chewed on her bottom lip. “Benjamin said she was sick. But I’ve worked here for almost a year and Meredith has never taken a sick day. She shows up every night, even if it’s just for an hour or two.”
Fear clenched his gut, but he let none of his concern show outwardly. “Thanks.” He sat back, picked up his glass and sipped his beer. Over the rim, he studied the men working behind the bar. Competent was the word that came to mind. Tough was another.
What had led them here? It was a question he’d asked himself about a hundred times over the past few days. Sitting on the rooftop by Riley’s Garage watching for bounty hunters and rogue werewolves gave him plenty of time to think. He was a man of action and all this downtime was starting to get on his nerves. He wanted an enemy he could face and fight.
Barring that, a bout of long, hot sex would do.
He shifted in his chair, doing his best to ignore the permanent bulge in the front of his jeans. He’d been forced to take himself in hand, so to speak, several times over the past couple of days. It eased the stress for a short while, but the moment he saw Meredith the sexual desire came storming back.
Where was she?
He didn’t bother to order anything to eat. He’d grabbed a pizza on the way back to his motel room and devoured it before he’d showered and changed. The only thing that could quench his hunger was Meredith and, so far, she was proving to be elusive.
The lean redhead with the tats and piercings worked his way around the room and headed toward his table. He hadn’t had much contact with this member of the pack. There was a barely suppressed air of violence surrounding him, as though he was hanging on to his temper by a thread. Teague was his name. He’d learned all their names and a little bit about them. Tammy was a font of information.
He seemed unlikely to be mated with gentle Neema, but there was no doubting the devotion between the pair. There was also no doubting that Teague would kill anyone who threatened his mate. Isaiah could respect that.
“You need to go home.” Teague wasted no time on pleasantries and got straight to the point.
He lifted his glass and took another sip of beer. “I’m just enjoying a drink.”
Teague clenched his jaw and frustration crossed his face. “You need to leave Meredith alone.”
Isaiah studied the younger man. They were all younger than Meredith. By how much, he couldn’t be sure. But none of them seemed that old. He’d guess most of them to be in their thirties or early forties, barely adults in his world where childhood ended in the early twenties. Because they lived so long, they matured slower, not hitting their stride until they were in their fifties.
There was still no sign of Meredith. Whether she was sick or just avoiding him, he had to know. He also didn’t want to stir up the pack. Anything could happen without her calming influence.
Draining his glass in one swallow, Isaiah pushed back from the table and stood. He was bigger and stronger than the younger man, but Teague didn’t back down. A grin tugged at Isaiah’s mouth. Teague reminded him of his younger brother, Simon, more guts than common sense.
“I’m going.” He held up his hands and Teague slowly eased back from the table. Isaiah felt several pairs of eyes on him as he made his way to the entrance. He waved at Tammy as he left. The music faded as he stepped out onto the busy sidewalk. The night air was cool with just a hint of a bite to it. The perfect night for a run.
His skin rippled as his wolf clamored to be released. Years of practice allowed him to master the beast and assert control. Hank watched from the doorway of Haven as he prowled down the sidewalk. Isaiah kept going for several blocks to make sure Hank hadn’t decided to tail him before ducking down an alleyway and doubling back.
No way was he leaving without checking on Meredith. The thought of her being ill was unacceptable. He wanted her to be healthy and happy all the time. An impossible feat, but he wanted it nonetheless.
Isaiah kept all his senses on high alert at he circled round the back of the building. The cool air did little to disguise the smell of garbage emanating from the dumpster, or the stench of fuel and exhaust fumes as vehicles of every description traveled up and down the road.
Then there was the noise. The constant hum from the electrical wires, cell phones ringing, music from the club, people talking and the rumble of traffic. There was never any peace to be found from the constant din.
He worked his way closer to the building, his sneakers making no sound on the dirt and gravel as he walked with care and purpose. A metal fire escape sat near the back on the right side of the building. It suited his purpose just fine. He bent his knees and then leapt. The muscles in his thighs and calves bunched and stretched as he jumped. He extended his long arms, hands ready. He hoped the bottom rung of the stairs was strong enough to hold his weight.
Metal bit into his palms as he made contact. Closing his fingers around the rung, he didn’t wait until he was steady, but reached for the next one and pulled his body up. In seconds, he was on the first landing, crouched next to a window.
He paused and listened. The noise of the city continued on around him. There was no indication that anyone had seen or heard him. Still, he waited another ten minutes before he was finally satisfied he was alone.
Easing forward, he peered through the window. The room was dark, but that was no barrier for him. He could see as well in the dark as he could in a clearly lit room. It was obvi
ously a living room. The sofa and chairs were a chocolate brown and grouped in a conversation area. A flat screen television perched on an entertainment center.
He shifted and looked further into the room and could see the kitchen. It was neat and tidy, but comfortable and homey. Much like Meredith.
His ears perked up as a low moan reached them through the glass. Meredith.
Placing his hands on the window, he applied a steady pressure until the lock gave with a pop. It would have been quicker to break the damn glass, but that might have brought someone running. It would also piss off Meredith if she had to replace her window. He’d fix the lock himself before he left.
Isaiah shoved the window up and threw one leg over the sill. He pulled his body inside and staggered, his back hitting the wall as a blast of erotic perfume assailed him.
Meredith was in full-blown heat.
As though dragged by an invisible rope, Isaiah headed toward the bedroom, his keen sense of smell leading the way. The door was closed, but he shoved it open. The panel hit the wall, bounced and started to close again, but he put out his hand to catch it before it hit him in the face.
The rest of the room faded around him as his gaze zeroed in on the woman writhing and moaning on the bed. The forest green comforters had been kicked to the floor and she was sprawled naked on her back, her hips undulating, her legs moving restlessly. Her fingers tugged on the sheets as her head rolled from side to side.
Her hair was a black curtain across the pale green sheets. Her skin was coated in a light sheen of sweat, making her skin glow in the light from the street lamp drifting in through the window. Her nipples were pebbled and her pussy glistened with cream.
Isaiah licked his lips in anticipation of tasting her. He’d never seen a more beautiful sight in his life.
Finally sensing his presence, she opened her eyes and stared at him. He didn’t move. It had to be her choice. She had to invite him.
Even if it killed him.
His cock was jerking and throbbing, wanting out from his confining jeans. His lungs worked hard to suck in much needed air. His nostrils hummed with her unique scent. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her.
“Let me help you.” He almost didn’t recognize his own voice. It was guttural, almost animalistic.
“I won’t let you claim me,” she gasped, panting hard between each word.
He shook his head. “I wouldn’t. Not like this.” And he realized it was true. As much as he wanted her to belong to him, he wouldn’t claim her when she was in heat, when biology was pushing them both toward it. He wanted it to be her choice.
He shook his head. What the hell was he thinking? He didn’t want a mate. There was no place in his life for one. Let alone one who came with so many built-in responsibilities. He’d proven when he’d allowed his sister to be taken by bounty hunters that he wasn’t fit to protect anyone. It was why he’d never taken the mantle of Striker with his pack. Why he’d devoted his entire life to protecting what family he had left, to the exclusion of all else.
Just the mere thought of tying himself down to a female, of staying in the city permanently, should have sent him running.
He took a step toward the bed.
She licked her lips, her hips arching. She moaned and Isaiah couldn’t hold back a groan as he was bombarded with another wave of sexual desire. Her scent was so thick in the air he could almost taste her on his tongue.
“Meredith?” He couldn’t wait any longer when she cried out. Pain tinged her cry of longing.
Isaiah yanked his shirt from the waistband of his jeans, dragged it over his head and tossed it aside. His lungs were working like a bellows now. In and out. In and out.
He kicked off his sneakers and tugged at the button of his jeans, but his hands paused on the zipper. Damn his misplaced sense of honor.
He strode to the side of the bed and reached down, cupping her face with his hand. “Look at me.” She closed her eyes and shook her head. He gave her a small shake. “Look at me,” he commanded.
She swallowed hard and opened her eyes. They were blue-gray pools of need. Like an ocean in the middle of a storm.
“Let me help you. I promise I won’t try to claim you.”
He could sense how torn she was. He slid his fingers down her neck, tracing her delicate collarbone. His hands hovered over her breasts, her nipples straining toward his palms.
“I won’t let you,” she panted.
He withdrew his hand. Pain tore at his gut and his heart ached at her rejection. He tried to swallow the lump in his throat but it was too large. He took a step back even as every instinct screamed for him to stay. His wolf growled and pushed against his skin, struggling for release.
Isaiah gripped his hair with his hands and tugged. He had to get out of here before he did something he’d regret for the rest of his life.
“Won’t let you,” she said again. “Not claim me.” She held out her hand to him. “Help me. Be with me.”
Happiness surged through him. She wasn’t rejecting him, just being permanently claimed and mated in the way of their kind. He could live with that. The happiness was followed by a bolt of lust so great it almost doubled him over.
He didn’t need to be asked twice. He dragged down his zipper and stripped off his jeans and socks. Since he didn’t wear underwear, he was now naked.
His cock rose up from the nest of curls at the base, strong and proud and more than ready to pleasure her. The thick veins pulsed and his shaft jerked as he crawled onto the bed. He kept going until he was straddling her on his hands and knees.
Reaching her hand up, she grabbed a hank of his hair and yanked him down to her. He gave a sharp laugh, her enthusiasm pleasing him no end. It quickly died when their lips met. Laughter faded, replaced by an overwhelming need that would only be assuaged when he had his cock buried in her hot sheath, fucking her until neither of them could stand it any longer.
Meredith didn’t know where Isaiah had come from. Like someone in a dream, she’d been lost in a maze, her sexual desire swamping her. It was worse than it had been in years. Her body recognized there was an eligible male close by. One she wanted in spite of the fact he was mostly a stranger.
Thankfully, her family knew what was happening. Hank would have told them what kind of shape she’d been in earlier today. She was confident they’d handle the club for the next two days. It certainly wasn’t the first time this had happened, even though it was one of the worst.
There was no way they’d tell Isaiah what was going on. They’d made no secret of the fact they wanted him gone for good. But somehow he’d come to her anyway.
He climbed atop her, holding his weight off her body, supporting himself on his knees and hands. God, she needed him. Needed his mouth on hers, his hands on her skin and his shaft buried deep in her tight, slick channel. Fisting her fingers in his hair, she yanked his mouth down to hers. She heard him laugh and then their lips met and nothing else mattered. He tasted musky and male and so inviting.
She tugged his head back and they stared at one another, both of them panting hard. Her body yearned to be covered by his. She sucked in a deep breath and took the plunge, knowing it would be too late to stop him once they started. She would have to trust him not to claim her.
“Help me.”
Isaiah growled and swooped back down, his mouth taking hers in a brutal kiss.
Chapter Seven
Meredith thought she could handle sex with Isaiah and maintain a safe emotional distance, stay slightly detached. After all, it was just sex between two consenting adults.
But she was wrong. His lips ate at hers, his teeth tugged on her bottom lip, his tongue invaded her mouth until the only breath she had was his.
Her head swam. Her body craved more. Everything else ceased to exist. There was only Isaiah and the pleasure he was making her feel.
With a growl, he pulled away and stared down at her. They were both panting hard. “You are so beautiful.” He lifted one of
his hands and smoothed it over her hair. He peppered her forehead, cheeks, nose and chin with kisses. He nibbled at her jawline, working his way to her ear. His sharp teeth nipped at her lobe, tugging on the small gold hoop she wore there.
Her skin tingled where he touched her. The sensation worked its way down her torso and settled between her legs. She smoothed her hands over his chest, loving the play of the thick muscles beneath his skin. He was so strong, so hard. His shoulders bunched as he leaned closer and used his tongue to trace the whorls of her ear. She sucked in a breath, loving the sensual caress.
She arched up while using her grip on his shoulders to pull him down. The firm plane of his chest brushed against her breasts. She sighed at the light caress. The tips of her nipples were red and her breasts ached.
“Touch me.” She hooked her right leg around his thigh and tugged until his body was covering hers. The hair on his legs tickled the sensitive skin of her inner thighs. His heavy erection pressed against her sex, wringing a moan of pleasure from deep within her.
He was so large. So substantial. She felt feminine, almost delicate next to his bulk. An unusual sensation for her considering she was only an inch off six feet.
He arched his hips into her, working his erection against her slick folds. She spread her legs wider to accommodate him and earned his praise. “Yeah, that’s it, baby. Let me in.”
Isaiah slid a hand beneath her, cupping her butt and raising her into his thrusts. The smooth, firm weight of his shaft rubbed against her clit, setting off a series of fireworks inside her.
She began to pant like she’d been running for miles. Every inch of her body ached and she knew she was close to coming. She wanted to hold out, to make it last. But she’d been primed by days of his teasing kisses and the sheer magnetism of his presence. Combined with the thick mixture of hormones coursing through her and it all proved too much.
She cried out, her eyes closing and her head kicking back, as the first spasm hit. Clutching at his butt, she silently urged him not to stop. He kept working his cock against her clit, sliding through the swollen, damp folds until she was spent.
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