“That isn’t what we’re doing, foxy,” he said, intentionally using the nickname to rile her. He wanted to see the fight he sensed was a part of her. He wanted her to fight for them.
She looked over her shoulder with a hot glare. “Are you trying to piss me off?”
“Is it working?”
Never let it be said he didn’t have a snappy comeback. He hadn’t felt so much like a grade-schooler since, well, grade-school. He took a deep breath and tried to read her scent. She was a jumble of emotion and sensation. Lust, regret, anger, a lingering hint of fear. That touched him in a way a woman’s fear never had before. He didn’t know how to make it go away, which might drive him to madness.
“Yes,” she said.
It took a minute for him to remember where the conversation had been going. He felt bad for getting distracted but not bad enough to let it go. He didn’t want her to have any doubt about his interest. Had no intention of walking away from her.
“There is nothing casual about this, Sara Beth,” he said, trying to pour all the sincerity he felt into the words.
He could confront her. He could demand his mate, and his more primitive instincts were clamoring for just that. He was a dominant predator. If he let that side of himself free, her instincts would make her bend to it. But that wasn’t enough. Forcing her to his will would never satisfy him. She had to stay with him by choice. Mate with him because that was what she wanted.
She turned around, tucked her hands into her pockets and gave him a wan smile. “It’s been a really long day, Patrick. I just want to curl up and sleep for eight hours.”
He nodded. He could see her fatigue, but he knew she wasn’t a woman accustomed to violence and danger. He didn’t think she’d sleep well unless she knew she was in safe arms.
“I know, baby. And that’s why I can’t—why I won’t let you sleep alone tonight. We won’t do anything you don’t want to. I would never take advantage of you, but at least give me the privilege of watching over you.”
She scowled, her brows drawn together in confusion. “I don’t get you. You’ve changed.”
He gave her a half smile and shook his head. “No, I haven’t. You just didn’t know me as well as you thought.” He’d always been a protector.
She huffed. “If you say so.”
A sudden gale battered the house. He’d wanted to get up the mountain before the storm reached them, but he was glad he hadn’t got the chance. He’d much rather be here with her, and if he’d taken her to the Guard’s compound he wouldn’t have an excuse to keep her so close. The bedroom was on the small side—the king-sized bed took up most of the space and faced a big fireplace. The lights flickered and he knew the power would go out soon. He stepped toward the door and nodded at the bag she’d dropped on the floor.
“You should get ready for bed before we lose power. I hope you brought something warm to sleep in.” Not that she’d need it. “Can you light the candles?” There were several on the mantle. “I’m going to bring in more firewood and I’ll make some sandwiches for dinner if you can get the fire started.”
There was a pile of wood waiting, but he knew from experience he didn’t want to have to go outside for it in the middle of a blizzard. The storm wasn’t forecasted to be that bad, but he’d had the sense all day the weather men were wrong. He stepped over to a small closet, pulled out two heavy quilts and set them on the end of the bed.
She was looking at him like he was crazy.
“Sara Beth?”
“You can’t stay in here with me.”
“You’d rather I freeze to death alone in the living room?” he teased.
She bit her bottom lip and he managed to repress a groan. He wanted to do that. He wanted to bite a lot of spots on her delectable, curvy body.
“It’ll be easier to keep the heat in here. It’s a much smaller space.”
She gulped. “Of course. Go on. I’ll get things ready in here.”
She moved to the mantle and lit the candles first, then gave him an impatient look as she bent to start the fire. “Well?” she asked in that grumpy tone that just made him want to grin.
Chapter Four
What was it about her? Every mood, every shift of emotion, and he was completely charmed. He decided the why didn’t matter as he left the room. He brought in all the chopped wood from outside. Some he piled in the grate in the bedroom, the rest by the fireplace in the main living area. It would be easier to transport from there. Then he set about making a simple dinner of ham and cheese sandwiches. He brought those, chips, bottled water and a couple of beers to the bedroom.
Sara Beth sat cross-legged on one side of the bed. She had the candles lit and a fire roaring. She’d spread the two extra quilts over the mattress and put on a long flannel nightgown. Her hair was tied on the top of her head and her computer was on her lap. She gave him a distracted frown when he entered with his haul.
“This storm went from a few inches to a blizzard in a matter of hours. They’re saying it’s one of the worst snow storms in years. It might be days before we get out of here.”
He shrugged. “That’s living on a mountain. We’re well supplied.”
She looked horrified. “I can’t work without power.”
“Once it clears, we’ll have limited power. Not enough to run the heat, but enough for some lights, to charge your laptop and limited stove use.”
She tilted her head and accepted the sandwich he handed her. “Solar?” she asked.
He nodded, swallowed a bite. “A generator too, but I’m not here much so it hasn’t been refilled in awhile. It might not last long.”
He wasn’t worried about that. He’d be able to produce enough power to cook—she could have a couple of hours a day on her laptop, and a light or two when it got dark. He wanted the rest of the time for himself. This sudden storm was the best thing that could have happened.
“At least we won’t starve or freeze,” she muttered, bending her head back to her computer.
When she opened her email program, he picked up the remote from his night stand and turned on the television mounted above the fireplace. He doubted the power or satellite would remain on much longer, so he might as well give her a bit of space to get used to his presence, right? He found a football game and settled back to finish his dinner and beer, but the longer he didn’t speak the more he felt her nervousness grow. Then the power flickered a couple of times before going out. She heaved a sigh, shut down her computer and lowered the lid.
“The net is out.”
He nodded. “No power for the router.”
She stood and carried her laptop to a small table in the corner. When she faced him again, she twisted her hands anxiously and bit her bottom lip. He’d never felt such a mixture of tenderness and lust. He gathered the remains of their dinner, stood and carried it to the door.
“Why don’t you get under the covers, baby? Even with the fire, it’s going to get chilly in here.”
He didn’t wait for a response before leaving the room. In the kitchen, he tossed the leftovers and got his satellite phone off the charger. Chances were good it wouldn’t work most of the storm. If they lost power later, charging the phone could be a challenge. He called to check in with Nico.
“Y’all okay over there?” he asked when the consort answered.
“Fine. We’ve got the girls in our bed and the fire going.” Nico paused. “What about you two?”
“We’re set.”
“Be careful,” Nico warned, and Patrick knew he wasn’t referring to the storm or Sara Beth’s stalker.
He should have been offended Nico was worried about how he’d handle the woman, and that he wasn’t offended told him more than he wanted to know about his state of mind. He took a deep breath. She was his. He might push her, but he’d never endanger her or hurt her.
“I’ve got it under control,” he said.
He hung up without saying goodbye and hoped like hell he knew what he was doing with Sara Beth. S
he wasn’t waiting in bed when he returned to the room. He was surprised at how disappointing that was, but he didn’t chase her down. He knew where she was. She hadn’t pulled the bathroom door all the way closed, and the flickering candlelight gave away her presence as much as her enticing scent. He wondered how long she planned on hiding. Sighing, he went back to the kitchen. In the pantry he found an electric camp light and a pack of spare batteries. He paused in the living room to grab the new spy thriller he’d just bought, then returned.
He set up the lamp, pulled down the blankets, and had started to strip when it occurred to him she wouldn’t appreciate the way he usually slept—naked. He wanted to challenge her, to intrigue and tempt her, but she was skittish enough he didn’t dare push his luck. He found an old pair of sweats in the closet and pulled them on. He blew out the candles, then sat on the bed, piled some pillows behind him and picked up the book. There was no willing away his erection, but the pile of quilts would conceal it well enough.
It seemed like forever before she came out. He was relieved to have an excuse to put the book down. He’d read the same page three times.
She didn’t say a word as she climbed into bed, lay on her side facing him and pulled the blankets up to her chest. She held them close as if afraid someone would steal them. No, that was wrong. It was like she considered them a shield. He turned off the electric lamp and mirrored her actions, except for the blankets. He kept them at his waist and was pleased when her gaze drifted over his torso. Her nostrils flared and her eyes were wide. She couldn’t hide her arousal no matter how hard she tried. But other than that he couldn’t get a read on her.
He was surprised that she had faced him, but she hadn’t decided if she could trust him yet. He wouldn’t turn his back on a potential enemy either. That irritated him as much as it made him proud.
“So what have you been doing the last, what? Fifteen years?” Patrick asked.
A half smile curled her lips and her eyes sparkled in amusement. “Seriously? Should I give you the long ten minute version or the short two minute?”
“Give me the really long version,” he said, serious where she’d joked. Her brows drew together in a scowl.
“Why?”
He shrugged, his instincts telling him to downplay his curiosity. “You have something better to do?”
“I guess not,” she conceded wryly. “It’s not exciting anyway. I finished high school, went to college and came back here to work in the family business.”
He couldn’t decide if she was trying to hide something or really believed she was that uninteresting. What the hell kind of men had she had in her life?
“No friends? Boyfriends? Vacations?”
“What’s with the inquisition?” she snapped. He wondered if her contrariness was habit or because of some past experience. She was an alpha’s daughter. She probably had people poking their noses into her business all the time. He wasn’t just anyone, however.
“Just passing the time, foxy. Quit trying to change the subject.”
She glared. “I work a lot. I bought a house a few years ago and restore it in my free time. There really isn’t much more.”
“When was your last vacation?”
She snarled. “I go the beach with some college girlfriends every summer.”
“That’s it?” He cocked an eyebrow.
“Weekend trips sometimes. Biloxi. Savannah.”
He grinned. “I’m sensing a water theme here.”
Her shrug was self-conscious. “So I like the beach.”
And he could imagine her there. Slick with lotion. Lazy and relaxed on white sand and under a hot summer sun. He wondered if he could talk her onto jet skis or deep sea fishing. Did she gamble?
“You like the casinos in Biloxi?”
She laughed. “I go for the beach and the sun. My father doesn’t pay me enough to throw money away,” she joked.
He smiled. She was starting to relax. “Have you been out west? Lots of sand there,” he joined in.
Her smile faded and she shook her head. Why the sudden acceleration of her pulse? The subtle scent of anxiety?
“I prefer to stay closer to home,” she said softly, but it was only part of the truth. There was more she wasn’t saying. He let it go for now, but he was determined to find out everything about her.
“You’ve probably been everywhere,” she countered.
“It’s in the job description.”
He was a wereeagle. They ran the Messenger Corp, carrying information and correspondence for all the shifter species all over the country.
“I haven’t traveled in years, to tell the truth. I have to stay close to Ajax.” He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a vacation, actually. “A weekend on the beach sounds pretty damned good,” he admitted.
Her expression was incredulous. “I can’t imagine the guy I knew being happy with that.”
He reached over to finger a loose tendril of hair. “I was a Messenger for a few years. We all have a turn at it. Honestly? It’s exhausting. You’re always gone. You don’t get much time for friendships or relationships. It was a relief to transfer to the Guard, and I always knew I’d serve Ajax when she took the throne.”
Her scent was heavy with disbelief. Her expression scoffing. What the hell?
“What is that look for, baby? What doesn’t ring true?”
“I’ve never known an eagle who wasn’t an adrenaline junkie,” she replied.
There was some truth to that, but it wasn’t the whole story. Sure, he’d been reckless as a teenager, had sought out danger even into his mid-twenties. He’d long since decided courting death was stupid, though.
She snorted. “You agree with me. I don’t even need to use my senses. It’s clear on your face.”
“Okay, fine, we have our share of thrill seekers,” he said, exasperated. “What does that have to do with anything?”
What does it have to do with us? he wanted to ask.
She gave a slight shake of her head. “Nothing. It’s just not like me so I don’t really get it.”
“Wait a minute,” he interrupted when she opened her mouth to elaborate. He thought he was figuring out why she was holding back and he didn’t like it one damned bit. “You’re fighting this thing between us because you think I’m an adrenaline junkie and I want the same thing in a woman?”
Her smile was big and relieved. “Exactly. I knew you’d understand.”
Oh, he understood her reasoning. It was just wrong. But first…did she realize she’d made an admission? He grabbed her under the arms and pulled her with him as he rolled to his back. There was no way she could miss his erection as she sprawled over him. Her eyes widened and he felt a surge of satisfaction. There was surprise in her gaze, yes, but also anticipation. Heat. He held her to him with a hand on her lower back, cupped the back of her head with the other, urging her close enough to kiss.
“So you acknowledge this thing between us?” he murmured against her lips.
She stared down at him, fear in her eyes making his heart ache. “It’s just lust. It doesn’t mean anything.”
She was wrong. It meant everything and was so much more than lust, though there was plenty of that. She wasn’t ready to believe him yet, but he wasn’t giving up. She was his and he intended to keep her.
“I know what I need in a relationship, foxy. Maybe one day you’ll figure it out,” he whispered.
Her. All he needed or wanted was Sara Beth. She pressed her fingers to his lips when he would have kissed her, her expression bewildered.
“Tell me,” she demanded.
“I want you just as you are, Sara Beth. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
“I don’t believe you.”
He nodded. “I know. But you will.” He nipped at her bottom lip, wanting so much more.
“Pretty conceited, aren’t you?’
He gave her a slow, lazy smile. “Confident,” he countered.
And he was done talking. Words wouldn’t
convince her of anything tonight, but he could sure as hell demonstrate how perfect, how explosive they would be together. He didn’t wait or ask for permission, just took her mouth in a demanding kiss.
Sara Beth had no idea what to make of his declaration, and he didn’t give her the chance to scoff. His kiss was nothing like the first one. The tender seductive man was gone. The lover who replaced him was dominant and sensual. His tongue stroked over hers, his teeth nipped at her bottom lip. She felt like he was trying to inhale her, to consume her, and she was more than happy to go along for the ride.
The sane, practical part of her voiced misgiving, but she ignored it. She’d probably never have this opportunity again, and after years of fantasies, she couldn’t stop. It felt too good being held in Patrick’s arms. He growled, flipped them over, then braced on his elbows and broke the kiss. His eyes were hot with a dangerous glint that excited her.
“I want you skin to skin,” he said in a voice guttural with lust. It was all she could do to nod. He reached for the hem of her gown and yanked it up, never pausing as he pulled the fabric over her head and tossed it aside.
“Dear gods,” he muttered half a second before leaning down and sucking one hard nipple into his mouth.
He nudged her knees apart and settled between them. She whimpered at the sensation of his soft sweats rubbing against her pussy. She was embarrassingly hot and wet. He moved to the side a bit and cupped her sex with his palm while licking her nipple. She tried to arch into his touch, rolled her pelvis against his hand. Desire and need made her desperate. She wanted to be penetrated, taken hard and fast.
He didn’t give her what she needed. Instead he kissed a trail from one breast to the other and lavished attention on her neglected nipple.
It felt so damned good that when he tried to switch again, she threaded her hands through his hair and pricked his scalp with her nails. His growl was more a satisfied rumble than objection and he pressed one finger inside her. Gasping, she matched the easy thrust-retreat rhythm he set until a second finger joined the first, and his thumb brushed over her clit. He rubbed the hard nub while sucking harder on her nipple as she felt the first spasms in her pussy. She couldn’t have held back the orgasm if she tried. It took hold and shook her, leaving her weak and replete when it finally passed.
Secret Passions: Forbidden Passions, Book 5 Page 3
