“Put on the pants.” Her foot tapped on the floor as her gaze moved from his to the crumpled jeans at his feet and back.
“I don’t want to.” He folded his arms across his chest. “I’m not going.”
“Okay, fine.”
He was tempted to relax but something in her voice gave him pause.
Her eyes widened and her eyebrows rose. His female put her hands on her hips. “You can stay on one condition.”
“I’m listening.” Anything, she could name it and he would do it. Not just because he needed to please her again but mainly because he wanted to talk with her, laugh with her, find out more about his precious female. Although they had texted for months, he realized that he didn’t know nearly enough about her. Ross also longed to cradle her in his arms, to hear her breathing deepen into a rhythm as she slept.
“Tell me that you don’t feel anything for me, that you can walk away in the morning without looking back and you can stay.”
Fuck.
If he told her that, then he would be lying. The little vixen, she knew full well that he had feelings that went beyond just the sex.
“I can’t.” He could hear the disappointment in his voice.
The tension drained from her body and an almost inaudible sigh left her. “Get dressed and go. It’s for the best.”
“Best for whom?”
“Us…you. It would be best for you.” She spoke softly. “Now do as I say, please. Honor my decision. Respect me and leave.”
Ross sighed heavily. “I am a grown male in my prime, capable of making my own decisions. I am willing to risk it to be with you. You never know, you might surprise yourself.” He smiled at her. “I might just be the one you can do forever with. How will you know unless you try?”
She shook her head, her eyes wide. “No. You would be hurt and I would be hurt because I hurt you or you would hurt me. Nothing is forever. Nothing, Ross.”
“I disagree. It is one night, Becky. We could take it slowly. We could date.”
She smiled. “Tanya told me that vampires don’t date.”
“We don’t but I would be willing to give it a try for you, Becky.” Vampires either rutted freely with chosen partners or they mated when they found the right female. There was no in-between but if that was what Becky needed, then he would be willing to give it a try.
“That’s sweet. You’re sweet…” She shook her head. “It would be too easy to fall for you, just like with Rushe—” She sucked in a breath, her eyes darting across his face in a panic.
“The wolf.” He couldn’t stop himself from snarling the words.
“Forget I said anything. You guys are just too intense for me. Too much.”
“What happened to make you so fearful? Did someone hurt you?” Again he found himself snarling the last word.
She shook her head. “No, I told you, the opposite is true. I’m the one who does the hurting. Just because I don’t seem to be able to stay in a long term relationship doesn’t automatically mean I was hurt by some guy. Nothing made me like this.” Something flashed in her eyes before she looked away. If he wasn’t mistaken it was pain. For whatever reason, there was something that she was keeping from him. Maybe something she wasn’t even admitting to herself.
“It’s just that I don’t understand. Maybe you never met the right male. One that could satisfy you”—his voice turned husky—“both in the bedroom and out.”
“I’ll admit, sex with non-humans has been freaking mind blowing…”
He had to suppress a growl at her plural reference. That damned wolf had left his mark on his female. Ross just wished that she would allow him to stay, it seemed she needed to be convinced further that he was the only male for her.
“But as good as it was, I don’t think it would be enough to keep me. I have black magic after all. Although I might just have to look for a bigger freaking vibrator after this.” She mumbled the last. He didn’t understand to what she was referring so he ignored the statement.
Ross sighed. “I am willing to risk it. I want you to give us a chance.”
“I don’t believe in true love and happily ever after. I’m a human, we’re wired differently. There is no such thing as fated mates…that’s what romance novels are for. The whole thing is pure freaking fantasy. Look around you, Ross”—Becky did as she told him to do—“this is the real world.”
Ross kept his eyes firmly on her. “I don’t have to look around.” He paused, sucking in a breath. “I’m looking at you. An intelligent, beautiful, highly sensual female. I can see what I want and what I am willing to fight to have. I am not afraid of the future.”
He could hear her heart rate pick up, could see her chest heave. She chewed on her bottom lip and her eyes even glistened for a moment.
“I am a patient male. I will give you the time and the space that you need even if it kills me. I will go.” Just before he picked up his jeans, he saw a look of disappointment flash across her face before she pursed her lips and folded her arms across her chest. Ross donned his pants and pulled the tank over his head. “I want to take you out. One date.”
She sucked in a breath and by the way her shoulders pulled back and her body tensed he could tell that she was about to decline.
“Think about it. Don’t give me an answer now. I’ll call you.” He picked up his boots and made for the door, but as his hand touched the cold metal of the handle he paused.
He couldn’t leave it like this.
Ross turned and moving quickly, was chest to chest with her in less than a split second. She gasped, her eyes wide. He thread his fingers through her hair and kissed her. Quick and hard, ending on a soft touch of the lips. It almost killed him to pull away from such an enticing mouth, such a ripe body. From his female, but he forced himself to let her go. It was even harder to turn his back on her and to leave. Hearing her soft sigh of regret just as he closed the door was almost his undoing, but he forced himself to put one foot in front of the other.
Forced himself to leave what was his.
Chapter 8
Rushe had pushed hard making the trip to Becky’s place in record time. He craned his neck looking up at her apartment.
Now that he was here, a knot of nerves twisted in his gut. Maybe he should’ve called first. His wolf was restless, wanting him to move, to go to their female. It didn’t understand the need to pause, to regroup.
This was a human female, she wouldn’t fully understand his ways. He gave himself a mental shake. His human would be really happy to see him. Would most likely welcome him to her bed. His dick twitched at the thought of being inside her tight confines again, of pumping into her sweet pussy. His wolf whined.
By the way the passing human female looked at him, it was safe to say that he had whined out loud as well. She quickened her pace while glancing back at him as she made her way down the sidewalk.
He looked back up at Becky’s apartment. Once they had made love, he would be sure she was totally sated, they could spend time together and get to know one another more. There were so many things he wished to know.
“Are you just going to look up at her apartment all day?” Sawyer asked.
Rushe shook his head. “Not a fucking chance.” It was the final push that he needed to start walking. He ignored the elevator, taking the stairs four at a time and reaching her floor in no time. As he approached her apartment his hackles rose. He could feel his fur bristle and realized that he had started to shift.
“I take it that you can scent what I’m scenting?” Sawyer asked.
Rushe could hear the snuffling noises Sawyer was making. The shifter’s face was raised, his eyes glowed softly.
“Yeah,” Rushe growled. “Fucking bloodsuckers. What the hell were they doing here?” He could tell that the scent was left at least seven or eight hours ago.
“Maybe Tanya came to visit.” Sawyer said, his eyes returning to normal.
“That must be it.” He could scent various human female scents. One o
Even though his features pulled back to normal, his hackles stayed up.
Rushe strode to her door and knocked. “You stay out here.” He turned to Sawyer.
The other wolf’s eyes narrowed but he nodded once. “I’m not standing here all day though.”
“Just give me some time with her. Please.” He needed to find out what the hell was going on. The twisting in his gut turned to painful slicing. Something didn’t sit right about this whole thing.
“Fine,” Sawyer sighed. “Fuck her and then let me in.”
Rushe gripped Sawyer by the throat and shoved him up against the wall. “You don’t get to speak about my female in that way.”
Sawyer’s eyes widened and his mouth gaped as he struggled for air. Rushe had to force himself to release the other wolf, growling as he did.
Sawyer coughed a few times, holding his hands to his throat. “Sorry…I didn’t mean anything by it.”
Rushe nodded once then looked back at the door. There was no movement from inside. He knocked again, using more force this time yet trying hard not to put his fist through the wood.
“Alright…alright…” He heard her sweet voice. “I’m freaking coming already…it’s Saturday morning for god’s sake…” she mumbled under her breath as she approached the door.
“Oh fuck!” Sawyer whispered as the door opened.
Her scent hit him deep in the snout as it would’ve done to Sawyer as well. Rushe snarled. Becky’s eyes widened and she sprang back, gasping loudly.
“Stay.” He glanced at Sawyer before he moved through the door and closed it behind him.
“You scared the living shit out of me.” Becky put a hand to her heaving chest. Her heart raced so hard that he was sure it might jump right out of her chest. She wore a cute cotton nighty. It had a pink ribbon on the collar and a bunny on the front. Her feet were in hot pink, fluffy slippers and her hair was mussed. There was a crease on her left cheek.
He took in another nose full of her scent, trying hard to rein in his emotions. Rushe was sure she wasn’t wearing panties. The cloying scent of vampire accosted him. His nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply, unable to stop himself. Somewhere, far in the distance, almost gone, was his own scent. Rushe tried hard to focus on that.
“Come in.” Becky said while walking in the direction of her living room. “I guess we have some things to discuss.”
“You fucked a vampire,” Rushe blurted.
Becky turned back, her lip between her teeth. She took a deep breath. “It wasn’t planned or anything.”
“You knew I was coming back.” He tried to keep his breathing even, to keep the growl from his voice.
She shook her head. “Ward told me that you weren’t going to come anymore. He said that you would go and find your mate…I thought…”
Rushe nodded. “That is correct and here I am.”
She held up her hands. “Wait a minute…you think that I’m her…your mate that is?”
Although Ward had told him to take it slow, not to scare her away, things had changed. “Yes, Becky. You are my mate and here I am.” His eyes dropped to her thighs as vampire scent drifted to him.
“Oh god. How the hell did this happen?” She ran a hand through her hair. “Okay, well as you can see…smell…whatever…I fucked a vampire last night so I’m not your girl. Just for the record, I don’t normally go around falling into bed with guys. I’m sorry if I hurt you”—she let out a shaky sigh—“go, Rushe. Go and find the right woman. Someone that will make you happy. Someone who will love you forever…look after you…”
“Stop.” He couldn’t help but to growl the word. The thought of any other female was unacceptable to him. “I have no claim over you. You were very clear about where we stood with one another. I hate that you rutted that male, but I do not blame you for doing it. I need to know…” He clenched his jaw for a few beats, putting a firm leash on his wolf. He had to be fully prepared for the worst. “Do you plan on taking that bloodsucker as your mate?”
She rolled her eyes. “No way.” A look crossed her face and her scent changed subtly.
Fuck.
His female may deny it but she had feelings for the vampire. “I am a grown male. I can take it. I need to know, Becky, you must be honest with me. Do you plan on mating him?”
“No way.” She folded her arms. “He is insistent that he is my mate. Ross is nuts if you ask me…come to think of it, you are both freaking nuts…how can he claim to be my future mate when we don’t even really know one another.”
Triple cluster fuck.
He squeezed his eyes shut. His heart slowed…it felt like the world slowed for a few seconds. Adrenaline coursed through his veins. He opened his eyes, taking in his female. Her concerned face. The beautiful blue depths of her eyes. “Rushe, are you okay?” She asked, putting a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry. It was never my intention to hurt you. You’re such a sweet guy…”
He pulled himself to his full height. “I’m not a guy…or a tiger…or even a wolfie…I’m a strong male and I’m claiming you as my mate.”
Her eyes widened in shock and she shook her head.
“I know you want me, even if you don’t fully know or understand it yet. It’s something we will work on. Right now I need to enforce my claim on you.”
He put his forehead to hers. Becky clasped his upper arms. “But aren’t you angry with me? You can’t still want me.”
“You are mine, Becky.” He pulled away slightly.
“No…don’t say that. I can’t—”
“Don’t deny it…” He growled.
She pursed her lips while still clutching his arms, her little fingers digging into him. “What do you mean by enforce your claim?”
With great reluctance, he took a step back breaking their contact. “I will fight the vampire for you.”
“No.” She rushed forward, grabbing ahold of him. Her eyes wide with panic. “You can’t…please.”
“I am a good fighter. I am sure I will win.” Rushe smiled. “I’ll be back to claim you.”
“What, Rushe,…do you just plan to walk into their castle and fight Ross?” Her voice was shrill.
He nodded.
“You’ll be strung up…they will tear you to pieces,” she whispered the last.
“It’s good to know that you care.” He kissed her softly on the forehead. He would save a real kiss for when he returned.
“Don’t go, please. Don’t do it for me. I can’t mate you anyway so it would be for nothing, please. Come inside I’ll make you some tea.”
He smiled at her, wanting to ease her fear. “The vampires might be a bunch of dicks but they have honor. At least they used to have honor.” His mind went to Brant and what the male had done to Ward and Stephany. “I am sure they will allow me to fight”—his voice dropped to a growl and his teeth clenched—“with this Ross.”
A tear tracked down his female’s cheek, which she quickly wiped away. “You will die, Rushe. Listen to me, please….I beg you…” Another tear escaped, but she ignored it.
Rushe wiped away the moisture with his thumb. “I will be back and you will be mine…” He turned and strode from the room.
Part 3 is available on pre-order now
Author’s Note
Thank-you for reading the second installment of Unlikely Mates. This is the second part of a 3 part serial and episodes will be released every 3 weeks on average.
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I live on an acre in the country with my gorgeous husband and three sons and an array of pets including a ball python.
In my spare time you can usually find me typing frantically on the computer completely lost in worlds of my making. I believe that it is the small things that truly matter like that feeling you get when you start a new book or a particularly beautiful sunset.
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