Hannah whisked her panties away, but kept her socks on. The wind washed over them and she shivered.
He reached for her, pulling her into the warmth of his body. “God, you’re gorgeous, Hannah. But why? Why now? Why here?”
She rested her palms on his chest and peered up at him. “Because I love you and I want to mate with you.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
In spite of the late afternoon sun, Hannah was feeling both cold and more than a bit silly standing in front of Reece wearing only her socks while he was fully clothed. Still, she was determined to see this through. She knew this was what Reece wanted. It was what she wanted too.
Now all she had to do was convince him of that. A circumstance she hadn’t foreseen. She’d figured he’d jump at the chance to mate. She should have known better. He’d been surprising her since the moment they’d met.
“I love you,” she repeated. His nostrils flared and the evidence of his arousal was a blatant outline pressing against the front of his jeans.
“Why now?” he repeated.
She rubbed her hands over her arms and reached for her sweater. She wasn’t having this conversation naked. Reece swore and dragged her against his larger, much warmer body. “I’m sorry. I’m being an ass.” He banded his arms around her, hugging her close. She rested her cheek against his chest and listened to the thundering beat of his heart.
“No, you have every right to ask considering I’ve been so ambivalent about mating.” She eased back so she could look at him. “Not about you. You had to know I cared.”
He ran a finger up and down her cheek. “I know.”
“It suddenly occurred to me that I was being like my father. Withholding love.”
“You’re nothing like him.” Reece’s words were fierce. “He left you when you were still a kid.”
“I was an adult in the eyes of the law,” she pointed out. She felt the need to defend her father. He’d made mistakes, but he hadn’t had to raise her. He’d given up years of his life to make sure she was protected. And he hadn’t always been so aloof.
“That doesn’t make it right.” There would be no dissuading Reece about this so she tried to soften his stance a little.
“We were closer when I was younger. The older I got, the more he withdrew.”
Reece blew out a breath. “Fine, but I don’t want to talk about him now. I want to talk about you. About us.” He slid his hands down her spine and cupped her behind. “Tell me again.”
She knew what he wanted, what he needed. She wrapped her arms around his neck and stared into his deep blue eyes. “I love you, Reece Gallagher. And pretending that I don’t won’t make me hurt any less if things don’t work out between us.” She probably shouldn’t have added that last bit, but she was through holding anything back from him.
“You still have doubts about us?” He lifted her right off her feet and held her easily in his arms. She twined her legs around his waist, even though she knew he’d never let her fall.
And wasn’t that a metaphor for their entire relationship? He’d never let her fall.
“No, I don’t have doubts. Most of the time. You’ll have to cut me some slack. I’ve never been in love before.”
He knelt with her still in his arms. He reached around her and spread her clothing out on the ground. Then he leaned forward and deposited her on top. She released her hold on him and lay back. The air chilled her skin, but she was more able to control her body temperature now that she was totally healed. With all the rest and good food, she felt better than she had in her entire life.
Of course, sleeping with Reece every night hadn’t hurt either.
“You want to mate?” He slowly pulled his T-shirt over his head, exposing a broad expanse of tanned, firm skin. He tucked the still warm shirt under her head and she inhaled his masculine, musky scent.
“I do.” She knew he deserved more of an explanation so she searched for the right words. “You burst into my life like a battering ram.”
He stilled with his fingers on the button of his jeans. He leaned forward and placed his hands on the ground by her head. “Maybe,” he conceded.
She laughed, unable to hold it back. “Definitely,” she corrected. “I was scared to death of you. I didn’t know if you’d try to kill me.”
His eyes darkened. “I’m sorry about that.”
“That’s okay. It didn’t take me long to realize you’re a protector at heart.” She rested her hand in the center of his chest. “It’s your nature.” She licked her lips. His gaze followed her tongue. “I knew I was attracted to you and that the feeling was mutual.”
“It was and still is.” His biceps bulged as he leaned down and brushed his mouth over hers. He knelt over her, gently caging her in without touching her.
She was breathless when she spoke again a few minutes later. “Then I feared what you felt for me was brought on by the situation. That you felt responsible for me.”
His jaw tightened but he nodded. “You didn’t know me well enough to think any differently.”
She knew it cost him to admit that. “What I’m saying is that I know you better now.” She touched his face, his shoulders, and chest, needing the contact. “I know you’re loyal and giving. I know that my heart races whenever I see you.” She took his hand and laid it against her breast. “I know I want you.”
“This is forever, Hannah. Be very sure I’m what you want. I’m overprotective and that’s not going to change. It’s who I am.”
“It’s what I need. I need someone who I know isn’t going to walk away if things get tough.” She gave him a mock scowl. “But don’t think for one minute I’m going to let you order me around.”
His lips twitched. “The thought never crossed my mind.”
“Liar,” she teased. “I know you’ll worry about me, but I know you’ll be the first one encouraging me when I want to stretch my wings and try something.”
“Hannah.” He said her name. Just that. And it was perfect. She knew the time for talking was over for now.
“Make me yours. Be mine.” This was an equal exchange. Both of them were making a commitment for life.
He groaned, gathered her in his arms, and lifted her until she was straddling his lap. He kissed her like there was no tomorrow. She tasted desperation and joy and love all bundled into one fiery caress. His hands skimmed her back and waist. She returned the kiss and the touch. She loved how his muscles rippled beneath her hands. His skin was warm, almost hot. She knew the wind was cool around them, but she couldn’t feel it. Having Reece so close was like having a personal space heater.
He pulled away and placed a dozen kisses on her face before kissing a hot path down her jaw. He nuzzled her neck and playfully nipped. She gasped and then moaned, her entire body going liquid.
She might not be able to shift, but she was a wolf where it counted. She loved the slight roughness of his touch and the wildness in his eyes. This was what had always been missing with her human lovers. Reece was all wolf and he was ready to claim his mate.
Reece feared he was dreaming, but if he was, he didn’t want to wake up.
Hannah’s fingers dug into his shoulders, and her breasts pressed against his chest. Wind brushed against his back.
Shit, they were outside. He was about to take her in the middle of the woods. “We should go back to the house,” he managed to get out in between kisses.
“Why?” The word came out of her more as a moan.
Why? What had he asked? Oh yeah. “Nicer. Warmer.”
She shook her head. “Here. It’s where we belong.”
He wasn’t about to argue with her. She’d told him she loved him and wanted to mate with him. He was through waiting.
He eased her back down onto the ground. She arched up when the coolness of their discarded clothing hit her skin. It wasn’t a blanket bu
t it would have to do. He took advantage of the fact her breasts were pushed upward and captured one pert nipple between his lips.
She gasped and undulated her hips. Her legs were still wrapped around his hips like a vise. Damn, she was hot. He loved the way she responded to his every touch. Over the past week, he’d gotten to know what she liked, what turned her on.
He wanted to be a smooth lover, but right now he was all wolf, acting totally on instinct. He could smell her arousal and it was driving him crazy. He had to get inside her before he came in his pants.
Reece wrapped his hands around her upper thighs and pushed her legs away. She tried to bring them back. “No. I need you on your hands and knees.” Mating was primal and he needed to claim her that way.
She hesitated and then nodded. He helped her turn and come up on her hands and knees, facing away from him. He admired the long, delicate slope of her back and the firm globes of her ass. She was slender but strong. And she was his.
He nudged her thighs apart and admired the erotic picture she made in the autumn sunshine. Her pussy was all pink and moist. He growled and undid his jeans. There wasn’t enough time for him to take them off. He just shoved them down his hips. Since he wasn’t wearing any underwear, his cock jerked forward. The cool air skated over his erection but did nothing to cool his ardor.
He moved into position and eased his shaft between her legs, rubbing it over her slick folds. She shivered and pushed her behind toward him.
“You like that?” He slid his shaft back and forth over her sex, making sure to rub her clit with each pass. He wanted her as wild for him as he was for her.
“Yes. God, yes.” She eased back and forth on her hands and knees, working with his rhythm. His cock was coated in her juices. The scents of their arousal mingled and became one.
He clasped her hips in his hands. “I can’t wait any longer,” he told her. He nudged her entrance and then sank deep. She welcomed him home, engulfing him in her wet heat.
He growled and leaned forward. He dropped his hands to the ground beside hers. His big body covered hers, protecting it even as he claimed it as his own.
Her hair hung over one shoulder, leaving the other bare. He nuzzled it and raked his teeth across the sensitive area. She shivered and tightened around him. He had to take several deep breaths to get control of himself.
“Next time I’ll go slower,” he promised. He’d barely touched her full, firm breasts, and hadn’t taken the time to taste her pussy. His cock jerked inside her, reminding him time was running out. He wanted to get this right.
He tilted his head back and howled, allowing his jaw to morph until his fangs were present. Claws ripped through his fingertips and he dug them into the ground for stability. He caught her nape gently between his powerful jaws and sank his sharp teeth into her skin.
Hannah gasped and stilled. He tasted blood and his wolf was satisfied. His cock seemed to get even bigger, locking him inside her. Reece slowly withdrew his fangs and licked her skin, sealing and healing the wound. The scar would stay. No one quite knew why it didn’t fade over time, but the mating mark remained.
It was a mystery and one he didn’t care to solve. All he cared was that Hannah was officially his in every way possible. She’d made a commitment to him and would keep it. The animal side of his nature retreated beneath his human flesh once more.
Her inner muscles clamped down around his shaft. He groaned and began to move. He pumped his hips in and out, fast and hard. There was no build up. No going slow. He wanted to hear her scream her pleasure.
He reached down between her legs and stroked her clit. She gasped and began to buck against him. He drove forward, burying his cock to the hilt. She gave a low cry and her pussy rippled around him, squeezing him until he couldn’t hold on any longer.
His howl echoed around them. He let his head hang forward as he continued to work his hips back and forth in quick, short strokes. His balls tightened and then his orgasm roared through him.
Hannah cried out again. Her body reacted to his and spasms rocked her. His arms almost gave out, so he lowered them both to the ground and rolled so they were on their sides. He was still locked inside her and was in no hurry to leave.
Reece made sure her head rested on his arm and that she was lying on their clothing and not directly on the hard ground. They were both breathing hard. Hannah occasionally shivered. He tightened his hold on her and pulled her more firmly against him. He didn’t want her to catch a chill.
He kissed the top of her head and admired the scar that had already formed on her neck. His dick flexed and his arousal began to build once again. He forced himself to withdraw from her. He wasn’t taking her a second time on the cold, hard ground.
Plus, it was late afternoon. Anyone could have come along and seen them. He wanted to have all the time in the world to touch and kiss and caress Hannah for their next round of lovemaking. They’d head home soon, but for now, he simply enjoyed this quiet moment.
Hannah’s shoulder ached but not in a bad way. More of a reminder, really. Reece had marked her. She was mated—something she’d never dreamed would happen. Surprisingly, she felt closer to Reece. She hadn’t really expected that.
The mating had worked on both sides. She felt an invisible thread joining them, one of commitment and love. She could sense his wolf’s happiness and it made her smile.
Her entire body tingled, although the aftershocks of her orgasm had finally abated. She wanted to stretch and run and shout, but that would mean she’d have to move, and she wasn’t ready to do that just yet.
Reece’s cock flexed inside her and then he withdrew. She almost protested but figured they could both use a break. The mating had been extremely emotional as well as physical.
“You okay, sweetheart?” Reece combed his fingers through her hair.
“Mmm.” She stretched her legs and then sighed.
He nuzzled her neck right where the mating mark was. “Does this hurt?”
She shook her head. “No. I’m just very aware of it.”
“So am I.” He growled and pressed his erection against her spine. “I want to take you home and make love to you for hours.”
She shivered as her pussy spasmed. “Sounds like a plan to me.” They still had a lot to work out between them, but they had all the time in the world. For once, she decided not to worry about tomorrow.
Then a thought occurred to her. “Should you have asked Jacque about this before we actually did it?” She wasn’t sure about the protocols for matings in a pack, but it stood to reason that the alpha should be involved in some way.
Reece came up onto his knees, and she turned to face him. His jeans were down around his knees but they were still on. So were his boots.
She burst out laughing. “Really? You couldn’t even take your boots off?”
He scowled and yanked up his jeans. “I was in too much of a hurry.” He grabbed his shirt and pulled it on. “Get dressed or you might end up flat on your back again.”
“As threats go, that’s not one designed to get me moving.” It was fun to tease her wolf. He growled as she slid her panties on. Then he stood and walked to the edge of the cliff to look out over the pack land.
Hannah took her time dressing. As soon as she smoothed down her sweater, he turned around and held out his hand. She went to him and leaned into his body.
“This is your home now,” he told her. “Here with me.” His kiss was soft and gentle and filled with love.
Her heart swelled and a sense of rightness came over her. “And this is your home.” She picked up his hand and held it against her heart. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Let’s go home.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
When they stepped into the yard, Sage was waiting for them. He studied Reece for a long moment, and Hannah was almost certain they were communicating wit
h each other. Then Sage glanced at her neck and smiled.
“Congratulations.” He walked forward with his arms wide open. No matter how many times she saw them together, it still gave her a jolt. They looked alike but were different in so many ways.
Sage swooped in and pulled her into his arms. “I’m happy for you both.”
She tentatively hugged him back. She still wasn’t used to being around a touchy-feely pack, but she was getting used to it. And a part of her loved it.
“Let her breathe,” Reece admonished. Sage laughed but let her go.
“Does Jacque know?”
Reece shook his head. “No.” He snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her back against him, as if he couldn’t bear any separation. “I suppose we should go see him.”
“Yeah. But you should tell Uncle Elias and Sue first.”
“Tell me what?” Elias stepped out onto the deck off the kitchen, and walked toward them. The resemblance between him and the twins made it more than apparent they were related. The major difference was in the color of their eyes. Elias had dark brown ones, where Reece and his brother’s were blue.
“Hannah and I are mated.” He urged her forward. She kept her eyes on Elias, wondering how he’d feel about it. She was practically a stranger to the pack. She’d only been here a little more than a week.
Elias smiled and his gaze softened when he looked at her. “Congratulations.” He held open his arms. “Welcome to the family.”
Family. It was what she’d always wanted and never thought she’d have. She glanced at Reece.
“Go on,” Reece urged. She stepped forward and into Elias’s arms. Tears pricked her eyes when he closed them around her.
“I’m glad Reece found someone to love,” Elias whispered in her ear. She knew Reece and Sage could hear what Elias was saying, but it gave the illusion of privacy. All she could do was nod. She feared if she tried to speak, she’d make a fool out of herself by bursting into tears.
“What’s going on?” Sue stood on the deck looking worried.
Wolf in her Soul: Salvation Pack, Book 8 Page 27
