‘I can promise you. I fit perfectly.’ I watch as her eyes take me in as I crawl up the bed towards her. Biting her lip, she smiles as I get close. I run my nose against hers, and her hands roam down my back until they get to my arse where she squeezes. I want to get inside her so badly. I know she is ready for me, but I lay my cock along the seam of her pussy lips and move, making the head of my dick rub against her clit. Her legs go around my waist, and her heels dig into my arse. I smile at the need she is feeling, wanting me inside her, despite not ever remembering us before. I push inside slowly, making sure she can adjust as I do so. The first time, I took it slowly, and she took matters into her own hands and forced me in. This time is different. I don’t smell fear, but I sense sheer determination and will. When I am fully seated inside, I stay still, looking down on her pretty face.
‘You okay?’ Biting that fucking lip, she nods enthusiastically, and that smile... Jesus, I could die a happy man right now.
‘I’m more than okay,’ she assures me. I move slowly and gently. Her little pants and gasps for air in my ear spur me on. I pick up the pace just a little bit.
‘Sweetheart, I’m sorry, but this is going to be over very quickly.’ She doesn’t say anything, just digs her heels in. I increase my speed and thrust, and she starts mewling in my ear. The sound seems to have a direct line to my cock because in a matter of seconds I am coming so goddamn hard inside her my vision blurs, and I’m sure I see fucking stars. I collapse on top of her. Both of us breathing heavily. When my senses come back to normal, I look into her eyes and see pure happiness radiating from them. Fuck, yeah. Even if she doesn’t remember us as we were before, she knows this feels right. I can see it.
‘I’m sorry it was quick. It won’t be next time.’
‘It was perfect.’ Her hand cups my cheek, and I lean down to kiss her. I’m still inside of her, and her walls are still quivering, milking me for every last drop.
HOWARD HAS MADE love to me several times tonight, and each time has been so intense and amazing, I can’t even begin to put it into words. I know that he is my life mate, and I know no amount of lost memories will ever change that. If I do remember—fine, but it doesn’t matter because I am his and he is mine—that much is certain. It cannot be disputed by anyone. No matter what life throws at us, that one thing is, and will always be, true. I don’t think I have ever felt so happy. I have felt like a piece of me was missing. I was sure it was my memory, but I know different now. It was always our bond, that connection we share. I was missing it. And now we have connected again, I feel it so intensely. It’s like my heart wouldn’t beat without his. It’s like an invisible connection that only we feel for one another, but it tethers us to the world and to each other. Without it… I think we would fade and die. Yes, it sounds dramatic, but it’s true. I know that I couldn’t carry on without him—my life would be forever lacking. Is that love? Or is it just our bond? What is the definition of love? Surely this must be the same? If not stronger and more intense?
I love him. I know I do.
His breathing has changed, and I know he is asleep. I feel so content and happy. I don’t have any intention of moving from this spot. My head is on his chest, listening to his heartbeat, and his arm thrown over my shoulder, curling around me. This is the best. The shrill ringtone on my phone cuts through the air like a knife and has me leaping up trying and failing to get to it before it wakes Howard up. He sits up, looking around the room like he wants to pummel the phone into the ground. I find it in my jeans pocket and check the screen.
‘Brody, hi,’ I answer, breathless.
‘Why aren’t you home? It’s past midnight.’
‘I wasn’t aware there was a curfew?’ I answer. Howard rolls his eyes and gestures for me to give him the phone. I turn away because I know how that will end. I hear him grunt behind me, but he stays put.
‘I’m worried. I want you home. Where are you?’
‘You have no reason to be worried. I’m safe with Howard, and he has two people on guard too.’
‘Will, why aren’t you answering my question?’ Howard’s hand brushes against mine, and I feel him grasp the phone.
‘Because we’re at a hotel and she feels embarrassed having to explain that to her fucking brother.’
‘Why are you at a hotel?’
‘Because we wanted privacy so we wouldn’t have to deal with this shit.’
‘I’d prefer you to bring her home, please.’ At least he said please, right? That’s good?
‘Look, I’m not being funny, but what you prefer is irrelevant. She’s my mate, and I’ll take care of her wherever we are.’
‘Is that a snipe at me?’
‘Take it however you want, Brody, but like I said: my mate—my responsibility.’
I can see where this is going. I gesture for the phone back. He shakes his head minutely, so I just take the damn phone instead.
‘Listen up the pair of you. I’m a big girl. I will do as I please, whether either of you agree or not. I am an adult, not a fucking child that needs taking care of. Got it?’ I eyeball Howard and wait for Brody’s answer. I’m met with silence. Neither one of them likes or appreciates my outburst, I can tell. But I can handle that.
‘Brody, I am staying here with Howard because it’s what I want to do. My choice. He isn’t keeping me hostage, so you can sleep easy. I’m in good hands.’ Howard smiles at that, and I hang up the phone. He comes towards me. I raise my hand.
‘Listen, buddy. I don’t need you to ‘handle’ my brother. I’ve been doing it all my life and think I am more than capable.’
He just folds his arms and stands looking at me, so I continue.
‘I am no one’s responsibility, and I can decide for myself what I want.’
He doesn’t move a muscle, just stands there, deliciously naked with his broad shoulders tense and his arms crossed across his chest. His penis is also standing tall, which obviously takes my attention, and I lose track of my thoughts.
‘You done?’ he suddenly asks.
I nod. ‘Mmhmm.’
‘Good, get back in bed.’
A little unsure if that’s the end of the conversation or just the beginning I climb under the covers and watch as Howard does the same.
‘Come here,’ he gestures for me to lie in his arms again, as I had been. I do, and just as I feel myself drifting off, he says, ‘You are and will always be mine to protect. You need to accept that.’
My eyes are so heavy, and my limbs tired from the sex that I don’t even have the energy to accept or deny it. It’s nice that he will protect me. That I am his. Just like I will take care of him. My mind drifts off into a dream. And I see myself in the future. Howard by my side as I cook in our kitchen for our children.
***
Howard
I wake up, and Willow is still wrapped around me. I can’t stop the smile creeping across my face. Waking up like this again is bliss. I should have taken her home last night but it was fucking worth staying away—we needed that time. The guys changed over in the night, and Harrison and Logan are now on guard. That’s why I feel bad, taking away people from the pack’s house. It was a selfish thing to do really, but Jared was okay with it. I texted him, and he said whatever it takes to make us come back happy. Jesus Christ, we’d turned into sappy motherfuckers. I guess finding your mate does that. I tighten my hold on Willow, and she lets out a contented sigh. That right there is everything. I feel the change in her as she wakes up, and then her eyes look up, meeting mine, and she smiles.
‘Good morning,’ she says smiling.
‘Morning, sweetheart,’ I say leaning down to kiss her forehead. She moves up my body and presses her lips to mine in a chaste kiss.
‘If you’re gonna kiss me, do it properly,’ I tell her smiling pulling her in for another.
‘Noooo, my mouth feels like ass.’
I burst out laughing. I can’t help it.
‘Well, mine too, but it will feel a damn sight better wi
th yours against it. Now come here.’ She’s trying to crawl away down the bed, but I pull her easily back. She straddles me and that morning wood is so damn hopeful, it twitches under her. She wiggles her arse against me seductively, and I growl in appreciation, making her giggle. I pull her hands towards me and up above my head so she has no choice but to meet my lips with hers. I lick along the seam of her lips, and that’s all it takes for her tongue to slip out and meet mine. Her arse is raised just enough that I can line myself up with her entrance. I do, and she stops above me with a worried look on her face.
‘What’s wrong? Are you sore?’ I try to move away but she pushes down a little, so just the head sits inside.
‘Nothing is wrong. It’s just new.’
‘Hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but this isn’t new. You’ve ridden me before.’
‘Was it good?’
‘Fucking perfect.’ She gives me a shy smile before biting down on her lip, and I slide deeper, thrusting upward slowly until I am fully seated inside her.
‘This is the best way to wake up,’ she announces as she closes her eyes in pleasure.
‘Couldn’t agree more, sweetheart.’ I thrust up hard, and she gasps, throwing her head back. What a fucking sight. With her back arched, she starts to move, getting into a rhythm with me, and rolling her hips like a pro. When her mewling starts, and she starts to slow, unable to take it anymore, so I quicken my pace. She moans out loud, and I know she’s on the precipice. With one hand on her hip, I take her clit between my fingers with the other and pinch it.
‘Oooooooh soooo goooood ahhhhhhh.’ Her knees start to tremble, and she curls inward towards me as the orgasm takes hold. I thrust harder now, needing to get her through it and come too. It doesn’t take much more, her pussy walls are clamped so tight around my cock, and that alone is enough to make me go over with her.
‘Fuuuuuuuuuuuck,’ I shout out as my body shakes in release. My fingers grip her hips so hard I know it’s going to bruise. But I can’t let go. It’s so intense. So goddamn good.
With a huge exhale she collapses on top of me, and I feel like jelly beneath her. I can barely keep my eyes open. With my dick still inside my female with our cum dripping down my shaft, I fall back to sleep with her head in the crook of my neck. Fucking perfect.
WE ARE JOLTED awake by a knocking on the door: Harrison.
‘Howard!’ he shouts through the door. Howard jumps up, and I pull the comforter up, covering myself. I needn’t have bothered because he pulls on his jeans and then opens the door just a smidge so he can see Harrison on the other side but Harrison can’t see inside. My stomach growls, making Howard look back with a worried look on his face.
‘Jared’s been calling you.’
He’s a man of few words I’ve noticed.
‘Yeah? Everything alright?’
I don’t hear him answer, so I assume he’s nodded or something. ‘Okay, well, we’ll get ready and eat and then we’ll be back for lunchtime.’
‘It’s five past twelve.’
‘Shit… fuck, we overslept. Sorry, man. We’ll be down in a few.’
‘Okay,’ he kind of grunts and leaves. I am up and pulling my clothes on super fast. We really have overslept. I’m sure we were supposed to check out by eleven a.m. I feel Howard’s hand slide around my waist.
‘I wanted to feed you in bed, but we have to get home.’
‘I can’t believe we slept so long.’
‘Well, we didn’t really sleep at all last night, so it’s not surprising.’ He shrugs his shoulders and smiles a naughty grin.
‘Those poor guys. We had them outside waiting for us.’
‘Hey, don’t worry yourself with that. It’s what we do—comes with the territory.’ He pulls his t-shirt on and starts to put on his shoes. I’m dressed now, so I sit on the bed and pull on my boots.
‘I had a really nice night. Thank you, Howard.’
‘Me too,’ he replies. I smile and bite on my lip as he stands, holding out his hand for mine. I lace my fingers through his, and I feel quite giddy inside. It’s freezing out, but the sun is shining. Howard puts his jacket over my shoulders, and I instantly feel a little warmer.
‘What about you?’ I ask. He must be cold too.
‘I’m fine, come on, let’s get to the car.’ I see Harrison and Logan get into their car as we reach Howard’s. We drive home. It’s not far, and we don’t say a lot, but I can sense that he wants to say something and doesn’t. When we pull into the drive, I get a small sense of sadness. Our bubble had been so perfect, and now it’ll be gone. I long for more time like that. He parks up, and I can see everyone in the kitchen. He notices too. He reaches out and takes my hand in his. Lifting it to his lips, he kisses my knuckles. ‘Waking up to you again was the best fucking feeling. I don’t want to be apart from you again, but… I understand if you want to keep your own room… for now.’
I smile because I know this is what he has been thinking about for the whole journey home.
‘It was amazing, and I’d like more of it too.’ How is it possible that I feel like I know this man so well, yet I barely know him at all?
‘Good because I would have just moved into your room anyway, but mine is bigger.’ He grins cheekily. We get inside, and everyone is around the table, eating lunch. Jared smiles as we walk in, hand in hand, and I see all the girls give each other huge cheesy grins, before turning and smiling at us.
‘Glad you’re home,’ Jared starts. I feel Howard stiffen a little beside me but he covers it and manoeuvres me to sit at the table, then he takes the seat beside me, putting his hand on my thigh.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘We’ve had some guests visit during the night.’
‘By guests, you mean the Americans?’
‘Yep.’
‘So?’
‘Nothing as yet. They’ve been skirting the perimeter but haven’t crossed it, nor have they done anything untoward, but they are letting us know that they’re here.’
‘How many?’
‘Four.’
‘And no challenge?’
Jared shakes his head in answer.
I clear my throat, and Howard looks at me.
‘What do you think they want?’ I ask.
Jared answers. ‘We killed two of their alpha’s. It’s likely they want blood.’ He shrugs.
‘Or?’
I can tell he’s thinking of other possibilities.
‘Who knows.’
‘They could want me?’ I blurt. After all its what he’s thinking. ‘Listen, just say whatever you’re thinking. I’m not an idiot. I know it’s a possibility. I can handle the truth.’
‘Listen, if I’ve learned anything from being bonded, it’s that females are not fucking idiots.’
‘Hell, yeah, you have,’ Devon pipes up making the table laugh.
‘I will always tell you the truth, but at this point, we just don’t know, and I’m not going to speculate. What we are going to do is meet them tonight and find out.’
‘Meet them?’ I ask incredulously. ‘Why?’
‘Because one, we don’t shy away from shit like this, we face it and we deal with it—that’s why we have our reputation. And two, I don’t like that they are dancing around our home, so I’m going to let them know that I don’t fucking appreciate it.’
‘Oh.’
Howard squeezes my thigh in reassurance.
‘Howard, Brody, and Harrison will be coming with me while Brad mans the surveillance,’ he tells the table, just as Brad walks in.
‘Umm, they’re here now…’ Everyone goes into battle mode.
‘How many?’ Howard asks,
‘Same four, but they’re just standing at the end of the driveway.’
Willow, I need you to go upstairs with the other females and stay there until I tell you otherwise, okay?’
I shake my head. ‘I’m a good fighter, you know it?’
‘I do, and I also know that will only ever fucking happen in
desperate times, now, please.’ Devon already has my hand, and she is pulling me towards the stairs. I fucking hate this.
Zoe, Maiya, and Imogen also follow us up the stairs.
‘I know it’s shitty, but we’ve got to stay out of the way so they can concentrate on the job at hand. If they don’t know we’re safe, they won’t be at their best.’
I understand what they’re saying, but I feel like this is my fault somehow, and I need to fix it. I don’t like that they are going and putting themselves at risk.
‘Honey, listen, there are four of them. I’m pretty sure Howard and Jared could deal with that small a number alone,’ Imogen says. ‘And we have a whole pack of well-equipped wolves, ready to throw down for anyone of our members. I’m not even a little bit worried for their safety, I promise. I’m only curious about what they want right now.’ She smiles sweetly at me, patting my arm as we enter into Devon’s room. She has an adjoining door and inside is a sitting area. Great for times like this I guess.
‘Wow, your room is huge,’ I say out loud by accident. Realising my mistake, I try to apologise.
‘It’s recent. It was another bedroom, but Jared had it worked on. It’s going to be a nursery eventually,’ she says patting her stomach.
‘Oh my God! I knew it!’ Zoe leaps around, and Maiya grins knowingly. Imogen waits until Zoe has hugged the shit out of Devon before offering her a hug too.
‘Congratulations,’ I tell her smiling.
‘How far along?’ Imogen asks.
‘Not very. It’s early days yet. We need to see the doctor and have an ultrasound, then we will know.’
‘Oh my god. I’m going to be an aunty!’ Zoe squeals. ‘I will spoil that baby so damn much,’ she goes on, making us all laugh.
‘I hope you will all be aunt’s.’
‘Hell yeah!’
‘Of course.’
‘I’d be honoured,’ we all say at once. I walk to the window, and I can see down the driveway. Howard, Brad, and Jared all walk down the long path. Brody is no doubt manning the surveillance. The girls all come to join me, and we watch in silence.
Fated Love (Stone Pack book 3) Page 19
