“Fascinating.” She nodded, looking so beautiful, the light of the sun making the green in her eyes brighter than any leaves in the forest.
“And as for how we mate…” Grayson exclaimed, surprised at the warmth on his cheeks as he tried to explain it in the simplest of terms. “We just have to have unprotected sex.”
Her gaze lit up in excitement. “Well then, what are you waiting for?”
“I… I just wanted to make sure. April, will you be my mate?” This was it. She could still say no to him now. And even though, logically, he knew they’d come far enough to know what her answer would be, the slightest possibility she could say no made his chest tighten.
“Of course I will,” she said eagerly, hands clasping at his flannel shirt and pulling him forward. “Now kiss me like you mean it, you silly wolf.”
At that, his lips crashed over hers, an answer and a promise at the same time. And when she opened her mouth, bidding him to enter, he slid in with his tongue, slowly entwining his with hers. April’s body pressed into his, fingers still clutching Grayson’s collar as her grip tensed with each flick, each thrust.
Very soon, she would be his forever.
But first…
While he kept their kiss held tightly, his hands went to work undoing the buttons of her shirt, pulling it aside and then reaching behind to unclasp her bra. Just as he ran his tongue along the roof of her mouth, he reached his hands beneath her loosened bra and pressed his thumbs into April’s nipples.
She moaned against him, the sound muffled but still music to his ears. Their kiss intensified, and as it did, he squeezed her breasts in his hands, letting the roughness of his palms stimulate her and increase the intensity of her experience.
Then finally, he broke the contact with their mouths, and April gasped in a long breath of air, as though she’d been underwater the entire time and only now had surfaced. But Grayson didn’t let up, shrugging her out of her clothes and pulling off her jeans, leaving her just in her satiny green panties.
Fuck, she was gorgeous.
A blush of arousal had crept from her cheeks and was spreading down her body, and he lowered himself to her belly, kissing gently down to her hips.
“I honestly never thought I’d have sex in a tent trailer. But it’s kind of hot.”
“Well, maybe Ol’ Bessie can come with us when we move into a proper home. Keep it for fun times.” He finished with a lick of his tongue along the inside of her belly button, making her squirm. When he looked up at April, though, her eyebrows screwed in bewilderment down at him.
“Ol’ Bessie? Did you just name my trailer?”
“Well, you didn’t, so I had to.” He knelt back on his heels, looking down at her for a moment.
“That’s a horrible name for a trailer!” She threw her hands up in mock offense, oblivious to how much she was turning him on with every movement.
“I think it’s just right.” Grayson put his arms down on the cot on each side of her, lowering himself and surrounding her. As he did, he watched with amusement as April’s eyes darted to the side in arousal.
“I’m… I’m not ever going to call it that.” Her breath was racing in anticipation, fire in her gaze as she did her best to avoid his.
“Just be mine, forever, and I’ll be happy.” He was whispering directly into her ear now. The tension in the air was so thick a blade of grass could cut it.
“Yes,” she uttered.
Then Grayson’s hand was over her center, stroking over the thin material of her panties and on her clit. Her hips bucked against him, but he kept her trapped with his thighs on her. And as he let his finger caress her in a heated rhythm, his mouth was at her other ear, licking up the soft shell and back down to her lobe.
But she was already close to coming, hands grasping him desperately to hold off a tsunami of his making. As he pressed her small nub, her entire body jolted with energy, even the slightest friction more than enough to take her all the way.
Then, with one last kiss at her neck, he held her sex with his entire hand, and April came. The trailer rocked as she screamed out his name in release, and she pulled her body into him, arms and legs everywhere as she flailed desperately.
All of Grayson’s senses soaked in the experience of his mate’s orgasm. The feel of her soft body against him, trembling from the intensity of the overwhelming sensations going through her. The aroma of forest and pine permeated by his mate’s unique scent that was as familiar to him as his own hand. The taste of her skin, her lips, still on his mouth.
April gradually came down from her release, gaze fixed on him eagerly.
He slid her panties off and lowered himself to the base of the cot, spreading her thighs as he did. Thankfully, the trailer was just big enough for him to be between her legs, and he licked at her clit voraciously as her limbs began to thrash.
But he took his time, kissing her lightly and alternating using the tip of his tongue, then the entire length of it up her slit. Her hands gripped the side of the trailer and a leg of the cot beneath her, anything to hold on to as he pushed her body to its very limit.
Grayson looked forward to doing that every day for the rest of their lives together.
Then with one last, delicious lick, she came again, and Grayson held her close, leaving her nowhere to run but into the storm of wonderful release and satisfaction.
By the time she was done, he could tell his mate was already starting to tire. Which made sense, given the number of things that had happened today.
Mate! His wolf demanded insistently, one last time, unable to wait any longer to claim April.
And from the hungry look in April’s eyes, he wasn’t the only one.
Grayson shed his clothes, letting them pile on the floor beside him as he crawled on top of her, positioning himself between her legs. Outside the trailer, the forest continued lazily with its afternoon as wildlife hummed around them.
But inside, Grayson could focus on nothing but his mate. The way the light kissed her face and made her look like an angel. The way her hair fell over the edge of the cot in brunette waves. The way her lips pursed, ready to share the next moment with him.
Then, with a slow, slick motion, Grayson thrust into April. Her eyes closed, upper teeth biting her lower lip as she braced, then relaxed into heady pleasure. Grayson’s own body, tense from a very long day of ups and downs and incredibly aware of his mate’s pleasure and only further aroused by it, was already poised to come at her command.
But he was going to wait as long as it took to make April come one more time.
His rhythm was fiery, metered so that with each withdrawal, he thrust into her a little quicker. April seemed to go wild with pleasure, mewling and moaning louder with each second. Her hands raked up and down his back, settling onto his shoulders, the bite of her nails in his skin an erotic contrast to the tight, wet friction between them.
The hinges and joints of the trailer groaned from their motion, but it thankfully held steady as Grayson felt his entire body start to go numb, his toes and fingers buzzing and so hot he could barely feel them anymore. April, too, struggled for breath between each thrust, so overwhelmed with pleasure it didn’t look like she’d hold on much longer.
Then, with one final motion, he sheathed himself completely inside his mate, hip to hip, skin to skin, soul to soul, and April came. And as she cried out his name over and over into the quiet woods, Grayson felt his control slip out of his hands, pumping into April while the feel of molten metal coursed through his veins and lit him ablaze.
In his mind’s eye, his wolf howled, long and possessive, announcing April as their mate forever. But the image was fleeting, the sight of April’s body rocking beneath him in ecstasy, chest heaving as his member jerked inside her over and over, wringing every bit of pleasure possible from his muscles.
Even when his body had finished, his mind was still with April, watching her as little aftershocks tickled at her, pleasuring her even after the curtains had been
drawn on the main event. Then he slowly withdrew, lying beside her on the bed, both of them exhausted and still catching their breath.
“That was amazing…” April said, licking her lips as he curled himself around her. “Can we do it again later?”
Grayson chuckled, stress seeping out of him as days of wondering and worrying and years of loneliness were slowly left behind. “Of course. Mate.”
“Mate… I like how that sounds. So primal, almost feral,” she said, analyzing it while he just enjoyed the feel of their bodies together.
A cool breeze blew through the tent, and he pulled a sheet that had been bunched up at the base of the bed over them.
“April works, too, of course.” She nestled into his body, relaxing against him.
“I love you, April.”
“I love you, too, Grayson,” she whispered, already drifting with a relaxed yawn into a much-needed nap.
Grayson just propped his head up with his arm, his other arm around her while he kept watch for them.
Mine, his wolf still insisted. It would probably be saying it forever, and that was just fine with Grayson, because it was true.
Purrfect for me
Purrfect For Me
Hunter Raines is restless. Now that his friends are mated, the cougar inside him is pacing, ready for the next adventure. But everything changes when curvy, sweet Kelly walks into the bar, hiding secrets and radiating fear. Hunter's cougar is ready to pounce on whatever is threatening her, and Hunter is pretty sure that he just found a reason to stay in Silver Lake forever.
Chapter 1
Hunter Raines sat at the bar, sipping his whiskey mournfully and wondering what his friends were doing right now with their mates.
They’d come out here for a job, but things had gone sideways, and now at least two of his friends looked like they were planning to stay.
So perhaps it was time to move on.
He’d always had wanderlust, traveling from place to place and enjoying the journey. He’d stayed with Garrett and Grayson for so long because they travelled for work, and well, he liked them.
But now they had other things, people, to focus on, and Hunter was a lone kitty once again.
Which, if he thought about it, wasn’t so bad.
“Drowning your sorrows?” Mina, the bartender, asked, walking over to him. She looked to be in her mid-fifties, with dark hair and pretty green eyes. She was also happily married, as most women seemed to be in this town.
“Nah, no sorrows here,” Hunter said. “Just changes.”
“Ah.” Mina topped off his drink. “Thinking of moving on now that your friends are hitched?”
He shrugged. They weren’t officially hitched, but they were mated, which was even more serious in the shifter world. They wouldn’t have much time for him anymore, and that was fine for him as long as they were happy.
He’d just have to find a new way to do life.
“I’d set you up with someone myself if there was anyone here,” Mina said.
Hunter sort of wished there was someone around that he could play with, but he also had avoided making connections before because he didn’t think it was fair if they weren’t the serious kind.
For some reason, settling down didn’t sound so bad anymore. He kind of wanted what his friends had. The kisses, the cuddles. Having someone to come home to. After years of traveling the country, none of it sounded too bad.
Perhaps it was time to find a lady somewhere and settle down.
He was slowly turning his glass on the counter when the door to the bar opened, letting cool night air blow inside, drawing attention.
And when Hunter saw the person walking in, he knew that attention would be kept.
It was a woman, and she was striking. Any woman walking into this bar was a shock, but this one was more shocking. She had dark hair in tight curls that framed her face and just barely brushed the tops of her shoulders. Her face was heart-shaped, features incredibly feminine, with big, vulnerable brown eyes and long lashes and a small mouth with full lips. Her cheekbones were high, and there was a natural flush to them, showing even on her darker skin tone that seemed to radiate with warmth.
Her body was lush, covered in a trench coat to her knees, where he could see skinny jeans tucked into ankle boots in black leather.
He couldn’t make out much of her body, but what he could see made him (and probably every other guy in the bar) not want to look away from her.
But he knew it was rude, so he gave her a small, welcoming wave and turned back to his drink, hoping she would sit at the bar.
As a shifter, Hunter wasn’t really interested in getting involved with anyone unless she was his mate, and as of now, Hunter didn’t know that about this woman. Not yet.
She took a seat a couple stools down, gave him a tight smile that didn’t reach her eyes, and waved down the bartender.
Damn.
He was used to women trying to schmooze him or hit on him, won over by his friendly smile and his generally harmless appearance. Yes, he was tall and naturally muscled like most shifters, but he tended to have a casual demeanor about him that put people at ease. And he’d heard that his pretty-boy charm and blond hair made him less intimidating.
Not to this girl, apparently.
A few other men tried to make an approach, but she waved them away with a polite but firm smile, obviously not interested in making any kind of connection.
Interesting.
“And what are you doing here, darlin’?” Mina had come out to take the woman’s drink order, and Hunter had to lean in slightly to hear what she was saying.
“I… I just moved here,” the woman said.
“Mina,” Mina said, putting out a friendly hand to her. “I’m the bartender, and if you’re living here, I’m sure we’ll be good friends. Always nice to have another woman around.”
The woman looked around nervously. “Yeah. I mean… there aren’t many of us, are there? I suppose because it’s so far away from civilization.”
“Hey,” Mina said, looking mock offended as she folded her arms. “We’re civilized here, aren’t we, Hunter?”
He gave her a wink, gladly taking the invitation to join the conversation as he got up and moved over to the stool next to the newcomer. “I’m Hunter. It’s nice to meet you.”
The girl gave him a smile that looked more like a grimace and reluctantly shook his hand with a dead fish grip.
“And you are?” Mina asked.
“Oh, sorry,” the woman said, looking caught off guard. “How rude of me. It’s Kelly.”
No last name was forthcoming, so Hunter just looked at Mina and shrugged.
Mina pulled a beer from the tap and set it in front of the newcomer. “Here’s your drink, on the house. I’m assuming you’ve been on the road. Nothing to eat?”
Kelly hesitated, then nodded.
Mina smiled. “I’ll be right back with a sandwich.” Then she disappeared into the kitchen, leaving just Hunter and Kelly at the bar.
“Um.” Kelly glanced sideways at Hunter. “So she’s friendly.”
“Yeah,” Hunter said. “Mina’s good people. And as you saw, always happy to have new girlfriends around.”
Kelly sighed. “I doubt I’ll be much of one. I’m planning to live kind of a ways out of town. I like my privacy.”
“Oh? Where at?”
She gave him the address, but he didn’t recognize it. “I’m just looking for some peace and quiet. That’s all.”
Hunter wanted to try one of his many lines on her, but he didn’t. As much as he liked to flirt and to see a pretty woman smile, he could sense it wasn’t the right time for that.
She was guarded, maybe more than anyone he’d ever met. So what was the reason for that?
Mina came back with her food, and she ate quietly, as if trying to avoid drawing any more attention to herself.
Hunter wondered about the reason for that. He didn’t see a ring, and she appeared to be alone in a new town, la
te at night. He should probably just leave her alone since she seemed to want that, but there was something about her that just drew him in, and he didn’t know why.
“So where are you living?” Mina asked, plonking her elbows on the bar and leaning in to listen.
Kelly gave Mina the address, and Hunter watched as Mina’s eyes widened and she stood up abruptly.
“Oh, honey, no. Not that old place.” She shook her head, dark curls bouncing. “It can’t even be safe there.”
Hunter’s ear perked up at that. A woman unsafe? He couldn’t have that.
“I… I think it’s safe,” Kelly said. “It was just what I’m looking for.”
“It needs work,” Mina said. “I can’t even imagine it’s up to code.”
“It is, just barely,” Kelly said. “I had it inspected.”
“The inspector must have been blind, then,” Mina retorted, wiping her hands on a towel before serving another beer. “I’m telling you, girl. It ain’t safe. It’s so far from everything, too.”
Kelly smiled softly. “That’s exactly what I’m wanting.” She pulled out her wallet and paid for her dinner, leaving a twenty on the counter. “Thanks for everything. Hopefully I’ll see you soon.”
Then she hopped off her stool and walked out of the bar, hips swaying alluringly as she left.
Mina gave Hunter a narrow-eyed look that said he’d better go after Kelly. Not that he needed it. He’d already planned to go on his own.
He jogged out of the bar and let the door swing shut behind him. He saw Kelly walking in the darkness toward a car parked on the other side of the street.
He quickly caught up to her, putting his hands up when she turned around, startled by his approach.
“What are you, a stalker?” She put a hand on her chest. Her ample chest, he noticed.
“No,” he said. “Just wanted to make sure you got out to your car. It’s late.”
She cocked her head, folding her arms as she stared him down. “I know your type, Hunter. Cocky. Player. You probably come on to every new girl in town, and she probably falls for your game. But I’m not here looking for a booty call. So you can just take your charming self somewhere else.”
Built Fur Love Box Set Page 30
