by Wolf, Terra
"Well you can't stay here, so go on, get out. Go home by yourself if you insist, but whatever you're going to do, it won't be here. So go on, shoo!" Joanna said with a laugh, all but pushing Natasha out of her office.
"Okay okay! I'm going," she giggled, heading for the stairs. She would have to call a cab to come pick her up. Bryce was probably long gone by this time.
Yet, when she emerged onto the main floor, she found him over at the bar. The same waitress, that Maria girl, was hovering over him. A surge of jealousy flooded through Natasha, igniting a temper that had a long fuse. He was making out with her one moment, then flirting with another girl the next, as soon as he had left her!
Then she saw the way he shied away as the waitress leaned closer, his movements cringe worthy. Jake and the bartender were doing their best not to laugh, she saw, as the waitress tried to invade Bryce's space some more. As she watched he actually shifted chairs, but she just slid into the now-empty chair next to him, oblivious to the other men laughing at her.
Bryce wasn't flirting; he was trying to escape. She was still jealous, but her anger transferred to this waitress. Who the hell did she think she was? That was her man the intruder was trying to seduce. With a silent snarl, she propelled herself forward, like a bull charging its target.
A part of her brain, the rational part, told her that everything that was going on was crazy, but she was no longer listening. Her sights were fixed, locked on target, and she homed in like a heat-seeking missile, unwavering in its dedication. Bryce saw her coming, a smile lighting up his face.
"Back off," Natasha snapped, her face inches away from the waitress's, who pulled up abruptly in shock at the intrusion. "You," she all but barked at Bryce, before lowering her voice as she whispered in his ear. "Get up. Drive me home. Then fuck my brains out," she ordered, spinning and heading for the door, not waiting to see a response.
Seconds later, Bryce practically flew by as he raced for the door, holding it open for her as she passed through. The doors thudded closed behind her, committing her to the course of action her words had initiated just moments earlier. True, she knew she could stop at any time, but the parts of her that didn't want to stop were thoroughly in control at this point.
Even though the seat warmer wasn't turned on in his truck, warmth flowed out from between her legs, rushing up into her chest and face.
"I'm going to regret saying this, but are you sure?" he asked her as they drove along the city streets, finally breaking the tension-filled silence that had grown around them.
"Positive," she purred, tentatively reaching her hand out to caress his leg, careful not to get too close to the quickly growing bulge in his pants. The last thing she wanted was to cause an accident by groping him.
By the time they pulled into the parking lot she had Bryce worked into a fervor, his breath coming in short gasps as she inched closer and closer to the outline of his cock.
The truck came to a halt with rather more violence than normal as he threw it in park and raced around to her side. Natasha wasn't sure what to expect, but Bryce literally ripping the seatbelt out of its holder, as his other hand snaked around her waist, was not part of it.
He hauled her out with one arm, the muscles in it twisting and flexing as he lifted her with what seemed superhuman ease. She felt lighter than a feather as he held her pressed against his body, making his way to their rooms.
"My place or yours?" he growled, nipping at her neck, his hot breath washing across her skin, a stark contrast to the cold air that made her gasp.
"I'll take the door on the left, please," she teased, wrapping her arms around his neck to help him carry her. He didn't tremble at all, leading her to wonder just how strong he was.
"We have arrived at your destination," he replied as the door swung open to her room.
He set her down smoothly, though his hands never left her as they faced each other. Neither of them moved for a moment, staring into each other's eyes, soaking in the moment and the knowledge of what they were about to do. Natasha wasn't a virgin, but rarely had she felt such a connection with a man either. She was primed and ready to explode. It seemed that all Bryce would have to do was touch her and she would reach her peak.
"Slowly," Bryce commanded as she jerked into motion, ripping her clothes off.
She had intended not to take her time, but it seemed that Bryce had other ideas as his hands closed around her wrists, halting her movement. He gently pushed against her, guiding her back to the bed where she allowed him to push her down onto her back. Clad in half-undone pants that exposed her sleek, black panties and a bra, she shivered as his eyes roamed across her.
She waited for the inevitable look of disappointment that would cross his face when he realized that the woman he was about to have sex with wasn't a lingerie model. It had been an all-too-common theme most of her life. The men who truly appreciated her curves and ampleness were few and far between. With his athletic build and classic good looks, she doubted that Bryce was used to women of her stature.
But he never flinched as he took her in. If anything, she could swear that he began to bite his lip before he moved closer to her, his burning-hot lips scorching her skin as he made his way up her stomach, between her breasts, and neck before covering her lips with his.
The kiss was a slow burn. Neither of them rushed their movements, but instead savored the taste of each other, learning how the other liked it. Bryce was firmly in command, but he responded to her every motion or noise, mixing his wants with her desires in seamless harmony that drove her wild.
"I can't wait any longer. I need you to touch me," she gasped, pouting ever so slightly when his hands stayed in place on her wrists, where they had been all along.
But then in response to her need, he moved her hands above her head, where he ended up holding them with just one hand. The other, now free, began to roam freely across her body, exploring everywhere it could reach. She gasped when his hips shifted, grinding the hardness of his cock across her pussy. Despite the clothing between them, she could feel how large he was, and just how rock solid.
Natasha squirmed, trying to pull her hands free, but for the moment Bryce held them firmly where they were. Her pulse quickened, because she knew that with his strength, there was no way she could break free unless he let her. She was pinned and at his mercy.
"Holy hell you are sexy, woman," he growled deep in his chest, the timbre of his voice sending shivers down her spine, forcing it to contract and arch toward him.
His hand snuck under her, deft fingers unclasping her bra in one smooth motion. With her breasts freed, he pulled the bra up with one hand to where he had hers pinned. Unwilling to let her go, he simply left it there, before unleashing his hungry mouth on her chest. The warmth of his tongue surrounded one of her hard nubs, encircling it repeatedly in a slow, rhythmic movement that coaxed yet another loud moan from her throat.
"Bryce, that feels so good," she whispered, softly enough that he crept his head back toward hers.
Which was exactly what she wanted. When he was in range, she darted forward, her teeth nipping at his ear. He pulled away swiftly, grinning.
"Now now, did you think I was going to fall for that so easily?"
Without waiting for an answer, he gently, very gently gave one of her nipples a soft tug with his own teeth, eliciting a gasp from her.
"Are you going to play nice now?" he purred.
She shook her head, not trusting her voice.
"Somehow I'm not surprised," he told her. Then he clamped down again, the tiniest bit harder, to show that he was still in command before he moved on.
His free hand slid up the inside of her legs, like a bee drawn to the warm honey that was quickly soaking her panties as he touched and teased her. That was nothing compared to the pressure of his fingers dragging across the top of her underwear. His eyes were focused on her as he finally gave her the first taste of what she wanted.
When he finally pulled the flimsy materi
al aside and dipped a finger inside of her, she was close to exploding. His long, thick fingers felt amazing, but she wanted more. Natasha began to struggle, pushing her hips toward him.
"You need to stop that and fuck me right now, Bryce Holland," she commanded him.
"I agree," he said, abruptly letting her go to begin undoing his pants. She reached forward and all but tore his shirt off, forcing him to pause. In seconds though, he was naked, his long, smooth cock hanging solidly between his legs.
She reached out, grasped it, and pulled it toward her.
"Slowly," she told him, using her hand to line him up with her drenched opening, pulling her thong to the side.
He nodded. That was good, because it was going to hurt at first. Looking forward to the pain mixed with pleasure, she wrapped one leg around him, pulling him tighter to her.
"Oh," she said simply, eyes wide as the first inch pushed inside her.
It was large. Very large. Probably the biggest ever. The morning was going to prove interesting. But for now...
"More," she commanded, eyes rolling back into their sockets as the first inch was joined by several more.
Then, without warning, he pushed himself inside her completely.
Her insides quivered sharply. It was too much to handle. Ecstasy exploded out of her as her walls clamped down around him as his cock made her orgasm simply from being inside her. Hands wrapped around his head, she held him close. He stared at her, drinking in the way her face contorted with the climax he had given her.
Being the center of someone's attention, knowing that they were riveted to you, was an intoxicating bit of knowledge. As the cries and muscle spasms calmed, returning her to a semi-normal state, it became clear that he was still fixated upon her.
"Fuck me," she commanded, wanting to feel him slam in and out of her.
Bryce obliged, pulling out slowly, leaving that agonizing feeling of emptiness behind, until he pushed back in.
Her walls could barely handle the constant expansion from him. It had been a long time, and never before had she handled a man quite so large. With his face buried in her neck, her hands and feet wrapped around his body, holding him tight, he fucked her until she came again. But this time she felt him tense, his groan of pleasure longer and more enhanced as his cock pulsed deep inside of her.
A moment later, as she came again, warmth exploded inside of her as Bryce filled her with jet after jet of hot liquid, emptying himself as he cried out her name, the room filling with noises of pleasure from both of them.
When Bryce finished, he stayed on top of her, gasping for breath as he tried to recover.
"How do you do that?" she asked through her own frenzied breathing.
"Do what?"
"That. This. How are you so charming, so perfect? How is it that I barely know you, yet I feel like I've known you forever? It's like some kind of magical connection."
Bryce paused for a moment, his expression clouding over before he rolled off of her onto his side. He didn't leave—his body still pressed up against hers—but she still felt like the conversation had taken a sudden shift.
"This has to do with whatever it is, that stuff you can't tell me, doesn't it?" she said with sudden clarity.
He nodded unhappily.
She thought for a moment. "You said you can't tell me what it's all about, correct?"
Bryce nodded slowly again.
"Can you tell me why you can't tell me?"
"Thomas has forbidden it," he said without hesitation.
"Why has he forbidden it?"
This time Bryce paused, thinking over his answer and choosing his words carefully as he spoke. "Sometimes certain things are not ready for some people to know."
It was a cryptic reply, but she was sharp. She could see what he was getting at. "It's to protect you, isn't it?"
"And you," came the sober reply.
"Me?" she said with an arched eyebrow. "Bryce, you just slept with me, and," she snaked her hand between his legs, "if I'm not mistaken, you're about to do it again. I think we're past that point."
"We aren't," he said somberly, his tone extremely serious. That wasn't good. The lack of acknowledgement about having sex again meant something bad was going on.
"How bad is it?" she whispered.
"I don't know," he said, equally silently. "It's tough to explain, without saying more than I should," he continued. "Hell, I've probably said more than I should already."
"Should I be worried enough to leave town?" she said, sitting upright.
"No, that won't be necessary. It doesn't involve you, because you don't know anything. As long as it stays that way, you'll be safe."
"How can you know that?"
No response.
"Let me guess, you can't tell me?"
Nod.
"Can you at least fuck me again?" she asked plaintively.
Nod.
Chapter Eight
Bryce
"I can't believe you haven't been out here yet!"
"I've only been here a few days," Natasha replied. "I've been a little preoccupied."
Bryce smiled. He couldn't argue that last statement. The past several days it had been his fault she had been preoccupied. Whenever they weren't working, they had been together, exploring each other physically, talking about their pasts, and learning what they could of each other.
Tonight they both had the night off again, so he had brought her to the restaurant for dinner. The Silver Bullet, despite being their workplace, had some extremely good food, so neither of them had any regrets about it. After a second glass of wine, he had asked if she would walk with him. To his delight, she hadn't been in the maze yet. Knowing that Chase was on patrol tonight, and that he would warn them of anything ahead of time, he confidently took her out there.
"It's so beautiful. So perfectly trimmed too," she said, her eyes picking up on all the fine details of the carefully sculpted hedges and statues that dotted the maze.
That was something about her that he loved. She was sharp as a tack, far more intelligent than he had ever given her credit for at first. Not to mention feisty, he thought, the memories of their time together bringing a grin to his face.
"What's that proud look for, mister?" she teased.
"Well," he said, pretending to be deep in thought as they exited the far side of the small maze. "I was just thinking about—"
Deep in the forest in front of them, something cracked sharply.
"What was that?" Natasha asked nervously. It had been loud.
"I'm not sure," he replied slowly. "But let's head back inside."
"Agreed," she said, not arguing as he put a hand around her and forcefully urged her to move.
"Go around the maze, it's faster," he urged, directing her to the left, to skirt the hedges where they could then make a straight run for it.
Another crack was followed by an eerie keening sound. It was faint, but his hearing picked it up at the same time he noticed movement in the woods.
"Time to run," he said as calmly as he could, giving Natasha an urgent push to get her moving.
She took off as fast as she could in the snow. They were running through an unmaintained area now, so the snow was deeper. It came up to her shins, slowing her pace considerably. Bryce was able to shuffle to keep up, his head tracking the movement as it drew closer.
"Faster," he urged as the apparition closed on them. The building was getting closer. They would make it he thought.
Whatever it was, he couldn't make out any details about it. Simply a shape, vaguely humanoid, cloaked in shadow and darkness, racing along from tree to tree, several feet off the ground. Even though he couldn't identify the nature of it, he knew instantly it had to be the same thing that had left the marks in the trees.
It was also closing with horrifying speed. Bryce gritted his teeth as the two of them surged toward the building, once again regretting his vow not to reveal his true nature and abilities. If he was able to change, he would at l
east have a chance, though he picked the odds to be in favor of Natasha and him reaching the door first.
Then disaster struck.
In her haste to make for the door to the restaurant and the hoped-for safety, her feet hit a soft spot, and her weight took her over to the side.
The apparition was on them in a flash. Bryce threw himself in front of her, bracing himself for the impact. His wolf surged to the front, its unnatural strength, reflexes, and agility infusing his human form. Fur sprouted slightly in several places as he tightly held the wolf in check, the change only partially initiated. It wasn't something he liked to do, because it was tremendously tiring, but right now it would hopefully give him the edge to survive the fight.
Ten feet shy of him, the apparition surged up and lunged at him.
He let out a loud, challenging snarl and went to meet it.
Except it wasn't there.
The distinct, dull sound of flesh on flesh thumped, and the apparition was gone, rolling across the ground in a tangle of what he could now discern were limbs. Between them was another wolf. It was Chase, he realized, fully shifted.
There was no more time to process. Even as he blinked, the air whistled and the attacker slammed into the side of Chase. His wolf cried out in pain and teeth flashed as they bit down.
The apparition screamed. The scent of fear flooded Bryce's senses. He risked a glance behind him. Natasha was lying still, eyes wide with shock as she watched the fight. She didn't register as he called her name once, then twice.
Slap!
He regretted having to do that, but the flare of anger in her eyes as his palm made sharp contact with her leg meant he had gotten through to her.
"Get inside. Now," he said, the last word almost lost in the growl that came deep from within his throat.
She scrambled away from him, looking at him in fear as he began to change. Behind him, Chase yelped again. Whatever it was, his packmate needed his help, and his mate needed protection.
Bryce's form changed in a heartbeat. The largest wolf of the pack, he wasn't known as the enforcer and guardian for nothing. He towered over Jake in sheer physical size, who was the next largest. It was time to end this.
