She clutched at his shirt. “He can do that?”
Colin nodded. Dialing his brother’s number, he put the phone up to his ear and waited while it rang, and rang, and rang. Finally, Alisdair answered the phone.
“Alisdair, it’s Uncle Colin. Is your mommy home?”
The young tot told him to wait a minute and Colin heard him walking with the phone. A moment later, Aislinn came on the line.
“Colin, is everything okay?”
“No, it isn’t. I told Connor I found my mate, but I didn’t give him any details. She’s in a bad way, Aislinn. The Skulls of Hell had her and tortured her. I can’t heal her without giving her my blood and I don’t have access to a syringe. I was hoping you could convince the sorcerer to come to our aid. I don’t want her travelling like this; it would be too painful for her, sitting in the car for hours on end.”
“I’ll contact him now. Expect him shortly.”
“That confident are we?”
She laughed. “He knows we’re going to need every able body for this war. If she’s your mate, she was chosen for a reason.”
“We’ll be waiting for him.”
Colin disconnected the call and told Kendall what Aislinn had said. And then they waited. And waited. A half hour later, they were still waiting. Colin was starting to worry that Aislinn had been wrong and she hadn’t been able to convince the sorcerer to help. But then there was a pop and a flash of light in the corner of the room and the man himself appeared. Colin knew for a fact Eric could appear at will without the Hollywood effects, but he had a feeling the man was trying to make an impression on Kendall.
“I hear my services are required,” Eric said, stepping close to Kendal. He tipped her chin up and studied her a moment. “Yes, you’ll do.”
Her brow furrowed. “Do?”
“The Skulls might have bested you the first time around, but you’ll have your chance for revenge, and have it, you shall. Now, what do you say we heal the damage they’ve inflicted?”
She nodded and lay down on the bed, her hands at her sides. She looked a little nervous and Colin climbed on the bed beside her. Taking her hand, he gave her a reassuring look. He knew from experience that what was about to happen wouldn’t hurt, but he felt the slight tremor in her hand just the same. Smoothing her hair back from her face, he smiled.
“Everything is going to be fine,” he assured her.
Eric rubbed his hands together, then held them over her body. A soft light engulfed her from head to toe, a warm breeze blew over her body. When he was finished, he caressed her hip, the side that bore the skull marking.
“I can heal everything but this,” he told them.
Colin growled. “You can heal anything. Take the mark away.”
Eric shook his head. “The instrument used to inflict this wound was forged in the fires of hell. It’s imbued with demonic magick, something that even I can’t break. I’m afraid the mark is here to stay. Only the blood of the one who forged the blade will remove it.”
Kendall bit her lip and looked up at Colin. “It’s okay.”
Colin growled. “Like hell it is. They marked you like property and I’m supposed to be okay with that?”
She traced his jaw with her fingertips. “We don’t have a choice, Colin. It can’t be undone, not without great risk.”
He sighed and squeezed her hand. The last thing he wanted was to worry her or make her feel less than she was just because she bore the skull marking. It didn’t make her any less beautiful in his eyes, surely she knew that? If not, he’d have to tell her, every day if necessary. There was nothing that could diminish her beauty. But he’d be damned if he’d give up. He’d get that blood one way or another.
Eric nodded to them both and disappeared much the way he’d appeared. Left alone, Colin stretched out beside Kendall and pulled her into his arms. Knowing that he would no longer hurt her, he held her tight, wanting to feel the soft curves of her body pressed against him. He wanted the imprint of her body on his.
“Now will you kiss me?” she asked.
He smiled. “Yes, now I will kiss you.”
His lips descended on hers, softly caressing, teasing, nibbling. Heat suffused his body as his tongue stroked hers, the taste of her exploding in his mouth. Rolling to his back, he pulled her across his body until she sprawled across his chest. He sank his fingers into her hair as he ravaged her mouth, needing more of her. No matter his desire to have her, he didn’t want to scare her by moving too quickly. Pulling back, he looked up into her eyes, eyes that reflected the same passion he was feeling.
“Make me yours?” she said softly.
“After everything you’ve been through today, maybe I should just hold you.”
“It’s because of everything that’s happened that I need you. Take away the horror of today by giving me something beautiful to remember.”
Colin kissed her softly. “I don’t know that I can be gentle. My wolf is demanding that I claim you, make you mine. I won’t be able to hold back.”
“Then don’t. The sorcerer healed me. You aren’t going to hurt me, Colin.”
He fought with himself, wanting to give in to her demands yet worried he’d be too much for her. He’d desired women before, but he’d never felt like this, so consumed by passion. He wondered if it would always be like this or if he would be more in control after he’d had her once or twice.
Kendall began pulling at his shirt, tugging it over his head. Her hands caressed his chest before moving to his shoulders. If he’d felt hot before, now he was engulfed in flames. Feeling her naked skin against his would probably make him combust.
“Don’t hold back, Colin.”
Ravaging her mouth with his, he slowly began to life her dress, exposing her body one creamy inch at a time. He’d already seen her amazing body once, but his heart still raced in anticipation. He’d waited his whole life to find his mate and now she was here. It seemed too good to be true.
Dropping her dress to the floor, his gaze caressed her from head to toe. He watched as she unfastened her bra and slid the garment down her arms. When it joined her dress on the floor, he reached out to cup her breasts, his thumbs stroking her nipples. Her breasts weren’t huge, but they were a nice handful, the skin silky smooth. Backing her toward the bed, he tumbled her onto the mattress, following her down.
Taking one rosy tip in his mouth, he suckled the point. Kendall threaded her fingers through his hair, holding him to her. Colin lavished attention on her breasts, teasing first one and then the other. When Kendall tugged at his hair, he looked up at her.
“What is it, sweetness?”
“I want you, Colin. I want to feel you inside of me.”
“I’m getting there, impatient one,” he said with a smile.
Flicking his tongue over her warm skin, he tasted and nipped his way down her body. When he reached the obstruction of her panties, he began tugging them off with his teeth, making Kendall giggle.
“I think there’s a more efficient way of getting rid of those,” she said.
He grinned up at her. “Oh yeah?”
Wiggling her hips, she shimmied out of the garment and kicked it off, leaving her bare to his hungry gaze. The sight of her shaved pussy made his mouth water and he couldn’t resist leaning forward and taking a lick. His tongue glided along her smooth skin, gathering the dewy moisture seeping from her slit. Cradling her hips in his hands, he pulled her closer, feasting on her in earnest. The tangy taste of her exploded on his tongue and had him going back for more.
Colin licked, sucked and nibbled until Kendall was thrashing beneath him. He felt her body tightening and knew she was close to her release. Wanting to push her over the edge, he eased a finger inside of her as his tongue danced over her clit. In and out, starting a steady rhythm he pushed her higher and higher. He pulled her clit into his mouth, sucking long and hard, and thrust his finger into her at the same time, making her shatter beneath him. Her body arched off the bed and her hands fisted
the sheets as her body drew tight. Colin continued to play with her pussy until she tumbled back onto the bed, boneless and panting for breath.
“That was... amazing,” she said breathlessly.
“That was only the beginning.”
Rising over her, he kissed her hungrily, sharing her essence with her. His cock was so hard it was about to burst from his jeans, but still he held himself in check. This was a moment Kendall would remember forever, their first time together, and he wanted to make it special. His kissed the side of her neck and grazed his teeth over her shoulder before pulling back to look down at her.
“You’re wearing too many clothes,” she complained.
“It’s my way of ensuring I’m a good boy.”
She laughed. “And if I want you to be a bad boy?”
He winked at her before standing beside the bed. “I aim to please.”
Quickly stripping out of his jeans and underwear and stretched out beside her, caressing her belly with his palm. She was so soft and silky he could touch her for hours and never grow tired. Looking into her eyes, he was mesmerized by her beauty. The knowledge that she was his filled him with a sense of peace.
Kendall rose onto her knees and gave him a wicked look before straddling him. He was surprised, but pleasantly so. He hadn’t taken her as the take-charge type. As her pussy brushed against his hard cock, he bucked against her. The head of his cock slipped inside of her and he nearly groaned as she sank onto him, taking him all the way inside. Wet heat enveloped him; her passage was snug and felt like heaven. As her hips rose and fell, his cock sliding in and out of her, he found himself reaching for her. She gripped his hands with hers, using him as leverage as she rode him, taking them both to dizzying heights.
Colin wasn’t sure how long he could hold out. He felt like he was going to explode at any moment, but he held on, wanting her to find her release first. Kendall’s hips rocked faster, taking him deeper, and then it happened. She threw back her head and called out his name, her body gushing as she came on his cock, and he allowed himself to follow her over the edge.
A little late, he realized they should’ve discussed protection, but what was done was done. He didn’t have an aversion to kids, actually wanted several, but now wasn’t the time for an unplanned pregnancy, not with so much on their plates already. He’d remember a condom next time, assuming she wasn’t on birth control. It was a discussion to have later, much later. Right now, he just wanted to hold her.
Kendall collapsed on his chest and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. He felt her heart beating against him and felt his heart match its rhythm. Pressing a kiss to her temple, he breathed in her sweet scent, wanting to memorize everything about the moment. He knew it would be first of many, but nothing could ever compare to this very minute. Having his mate in his arms, sated and happy from their first joining, was going to be one of his fondest memories.
Chapter Four
Sunlight filtered through the curtains of the motel room, waking Kendall. The bed was empty, and for a moment, she panicked. But then she heard the shower running and she realized her mate was still nearby. Her mate. She’d thought to never find him, and yet, by some quirk of fate he’d not only found her, but he’d saved her life. He seemed so strong and honorable, and from what she’d gathered from his conversation with his sister-in-law, he was brave if he was going home to face the Skulls of Hell. The thought of seeing them again terrified her, but she knew this time she would have Colin and his pack by her side. Together they would defeat them.
If she were completely honest with herself, she’d admit that she was a little nervous about meeting the pack. After all, she was going to be a small cat surrounded by wolves. But then, he’d said his cousin was half-fox. If the other woman could live amongst wolves and survive, so could she. While she wasn’t exactly the bravest person in the world, she didn’t back down from a challenge.
Would the pack like her? Would they accept her as Colin’s mate? She wasn’t sure exactly what would happen if they rejected her. Something told her that her mate wouldn’t leave his pack, which would leave her on her own once more. It wasn’t that she wasn’t used to being on her own, but after finding the one man in all the world who was destined to be hers, she didn’t exactly relish the idea of being without him. Just the thought made her heart ache.
The shower turned off and she sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. A glance at the clock told her it was still early. Normally, she would still be asleep at this time of day, but then, this wasn’t a normal day, was it? Today was the beginning of her new life, the first day of her journey to her new home. She still needed to call Sam and have him pack her things. Then again, maybe she should wait until she reached Ashton Grove and saw how things were going to play out.
The bathroom door opened and Colin came out in nothing but a pair of low-slung jeans, rubbing his hair with a towel. Kendall’s tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth as she tried not to gape at him. Her gaze caressed him from head to toe, memorizing every inch of firm skin and bulging muscles. Just knowing he was all hers made her fingers itch to touch, to explore.
He smiled at her, seeming either completely at ease with his near nakedness or completely unaware of it. She knew she must look a mess, her hair standing up in every which direction making her resemble a hedgehog, more than likely she had a pillow crease across her cheek. And yet, he looked at her with warmth, and dare she think it, affection. Kendall had no doubt he was feeling the same pull as her, that invisible tie you felt when your mate was near. Except, she hadn’t felt it. Why? She’d found him attractive, and there was definitely lust surging through her veins whenever he was near, but was that the same thing? Maybe she just wasn’t as sensitive to it as the werewolf was.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked.
“Yes, thank you,” she said, biting her lip. “If there’s something else for me to change into, I think I’d better follow your example and take a shower.”
He nodded toward a sack on the floor. “You’ll find some more clothes in there. You only have enough for today though. We’ll have to stop at a store and pick up a few more things, just to get you by until we reach Ashton Grove and you can have your things delivered. I figured we’d hire professional movers to pack and move everything.”
So he’d been thinking about it. That was a good sign. She still didn’t want to rush things, not knowing what to expect. After she met the pack, she’d make her decision, if they didn’t make it for her. She hated not knowing. Her future had been somewhat mapped out before the demons entered her life, and now nothing was certain, except that she’d found her mate. Aside from that, she felt confused and anxious. Her cat was pacing furiously inside of her, wanting to be free to run.
Gathering her meager belongings, she scurried into the bathroom and closed the door. It only took a minute for the water to heat and she stepped under the spray with a sigh of relief. The steam forming in the shower was already clearing her head and soothing her fragile nerves. Using the samples the motel had left in the bathroom, she washed, taking her time. Her fingers brushed over the skull on her hip and she paused. Colin had seen it and hadn’t seemed repulsed, but could she look at it day after day, remembering what happened? True, it marked the day she’d met her mate, but it held so many horrible memories. Would she ever be able to look at it as just a mark, something marring her skin that meant nothing? The sorcerer had said the demon’s blood would get rid of the mark. She’d be lying if she said the thought of going one on one with the demon didn’t terrify her, but she wanted that blood! She just had to figure out how to get it.
Kendall rinsed and turned off the water. Toweling herself off, she dressed quickly, shoving her dirty clothes into the plastic sack. She looked in the mirror. Her hair made her look like a windblown pixie, but without hair products, there wasn’t much she could do about it. There was a little more color in her face than there’d been last night, her cheeks a nice rosy pink. Once this
ordeal was over with, she was going to get her hair highlighted, get a facial, and maybe even a manicure and pedicure. She definitely needed to be pampered.
When she stepped into the bedroom, Colin was hanging up his phone. He turned to her, his gaze raking her from head to toe, a smile curving his full lips. She could see the desire in his eyes and it made her burn from the inside out, her cat answering the mating call of his wolf. Part of her wanted to throw herself in his arms and kiss him until they were breathless, but the other half of her was more cautious and warned her to slow down. Yes, he’d claimed her last night, but that didn’t mean she had to throw herself at him.
“I wasn’t sure if you want to get breakfast on our way out of town, or if you wanted me to bring something back here,” he told her.
“Something on the way is fine. I know you’re anxious to get home.”
He nodded. “For more reasons than one.”
Her brow furrowed in confusion. “I know you want to get to Ashton Grove before the demons do. What’s your other reason?”
He grinned. “To show you off, of course.”
She felt her cheeks warm. Having never had a mate before, or been around a wolf before, she wasn’t sure what to expect from him. Was this normal behavior for a werewolf who’d found his mate? Or was this just Colin being Colin? Whatever it was, she liked it.
“How long before we leave?”
“Now, if you’re ready.”
Kendall nodded. Her dirty things were in the sack and she was wearing her only clean garments, so there was really nothing for her to pack. She had a small bag in the trunk of Colin’s car, but it only contained one change of clothes and her hiking boots. And quite honestly, it was a little warm for jeans and boots. Her gaze strayed to Colin. Well, for her, she amended. Boots and jeans looked good on him. He wore the black kind of boots she associated with motorcycles and she wondered if he had one. It just served to remind her of how little she really knew about him.
Ashton Grove Werewolves (Boxed Set, Vol. 2) Page 21
