When they reached the steps to the porch, Colin swept her into his arms, making her laugh and throw her arms around his neck. He was always doing things like that, or giving her unexpected hugs and kisses, taking her by surprise. He had to be the sweetest man she’d ever met, and the most caring, as he always worried about her. Kendall knew he wanted to keep her safe, would do anything to keep her out of the war if he could, but he was letting her do her part, however small that might be, and she thanked him for it. If he’d been domineering, things wouldn’t have worked out so well between them.
Colin unlocked the door and pushed it open. After they crossed the threshold, Kendall nudged the door shut and reached over to lock it. Taking the stairs two at a time, he carried her upstairs to their bedroom. She played with the hair that curled over the edge of his collar and studied his face. She’d thought him handsome from the very first, well, once she’d realized he wasn’t going to hurt her, but he seemed to become even more handsome to her as the days passed, even more important than he’d been that first night.
He carefully laid her on the bed, the sheets still rumpled from that morning’s quickie. She watched as he quickly stripped his clothes off, seemingly in a hurry to be with her. Kendall reached for the hem of her dress and eased it up her body and over her head before tossing it on the floor to join his things. His hand circled her calf and slid up, his palm grazing her thigh as he reached for her panties. With his eyes on hers, he began tugging them down her legs. Her heart raced in her chest in anticipation of what was to come. With trembling hands, she popped the clasp on her bra and slid it down her arms, tossing it aside.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said, his gaze caressing her from head to toe and back again. The heat in his eyes scorched her.
“Now that you have me naked and at your mercy, what are you going to do with me?” she asked, licking her lips as she eyed his hard cock.
Colin wrapped an arm around her waist and flipped them so that she sprawled across his chest.
“I thought I’d let you have control.”
She smiled and kissed him, nipping his chin before working her way down his rather impressive chest and abdomen. But the part of his body that most intrigued her at that moment was standing up and saying hello and she grasped him with both hands, loving the feel of him, soft skin over steel, as she stroked his cock.
“Are you sure you want me to have control?” she asked.
He groaned. “If you’re going to keep doing that, then yes. Definitely yes.”
Straddling his legs, she leaned down and licked the pre-cum beading on the head of his cock. She loved his musky taste and scent and greedily wrapped her lips around him, easing down his length until she felt him bump the back of her throat. Colin’s hands burrowed into her hair, gently holding her as she paid his cock extra special attention, her mouth moving up and down in slow, long strokes. Kendall reached a hand up to his chest and pinched his nipple. His hips bucked in response and she smiled around the mouthful she was currently enjoying.
Reaching between his legs, she cupped his balls and gently rolled them, eliciting a groan from her rather submissive mate, not that she was fooled for a moment. In a heartbeat, he could flip her and pound his cock into her, taking complete control. And she’d let him. But for now, he was letting her play, letting her have her way with him, and she was thoroughly enjoying it. Her lips slid down the length of his cock again as she gently squeezed her hand. She felt his balls draw up and tighten and knew he was close to his release, but she didn’t want that, not yet. Oh, she wanted him to enjoy himself, but there was no way she was letting him come unless he was inside of her.
Releasing him with a pop, she crawled back up his body.
“Jesus, Kendall. You’re killing me.”
She smiled. Grabbing his cock, she guided him into her as she sank onto his hard length. He stretched and filled her, making her feel complete. Closing her eyes in ecstasy, she placed her palms on his chest. His heart thumped against her palms in a reassuring rhythm. Rocking her hips against his, she set a steady pace. Colin’s hands gripped her thighs before sliding up to settle at her waist. As she rode him, a fine sheen of sweat coated her skin. She could feel herself tightening, getting closer and closer to orgasm, but it seemed just out of reach. As if sensing what she needed, Colin reached between their bodies and rubbed her clit in small, slow circles. Gripping his hips with her thighs, she tossed her head back and screamed his name as she came harder than ever before. She was coming down from her high when she felt him surge up inside of her one last time.
A little late, she realized they hadn’t used a condom. For that matter, they never seemed to remember. Every time they were together, she wanted him so desperately that protection was the last thing on her mind. She only hoped it didn’t result in any little wolves of manuls anytime soon. They had enough on their plates for the time being. Not that she didn’t want children with him, because she did – some day.
Collapsing on his chest, she panted for breath as he wrapped his arms around her.
“Maybe I should let you take charge more often,” Colin said.
She laughed and hugged him tight. “It’s definitely something I’d like to do every now and then. But I also like it when you’re in charge.”
Colin kissed her. “You can have me any way you want me.”
Kendall snuggled against him, content. She had everything she wanted right here. A good man, a nice home, and a good group of friends and family. The things her life had been missing up to this point had been delivered that fateful night that Colin found her on the highway, and she would be forever grateful.
Chapter Eight
Practice wasn’t going at all the way she’d envisioned it. They’d been armed with rubber knives so they wouldn’t hurt one another and she’d been paired against Lucas. He’d been friendly before practice began, but once the fighting started, he was focused and determined. She’d ended up on her back too many times to count. She got in her fair share of hits, but she had yet to knock him completely off balance, and she was determined to do that very thing.
They circled one another again, the knife gripped firmly in her hand, her jaw set, eyes narrowed. In a move so fast she barely had time to process it, much less react, Lucas ducked left then moved right and stuck his knife between her ribs. She groaned and dropped to her knees. He tapped the underside of her chin with the rubber blade.
“Need a break?”
“No, I need to not suck.”
He laughed. “You’re actually doing pretty well. I have an unfair advantage.”
“How’s that? Sure, you’re a wolf, but it isn’t like I’m not a shapeshifter, too.”
“I had my share of street fights in my younger days, so I’ve had practice. And then there were the fights within my pack. The alphas three sons used to pick on me. It’s part of why I had no problem coming here when my help was needed, and why I stayed. There wasn’t really anything for me to go back to. I mean, yeah, I have family and friends there, but I was miserable.”
“So you’ve fought for real?”
He nodded. “Not usually with weapons though.”
“Well, I still feel a little bit better.”
“You should. The fact that you’ve gotten past me several times shows that you have real promise. If we had more time, I bet you could be a top notch fighter.”
She smiled. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
“So... one more time?”
Kendall nodded.
“Okay. Now this time, watch my hips. That’s how you’ll determine which way I’m going to go. It’s after you know where I’m going that you need to worry about my hands.”
Kendall braced herself and held her knife at the ready, and then she waited. When Lucas began to move, her gaze dropped to his hips. He started to the right, but then she noticed the shift as he moved left. But he wasn’t done. Just as she started to prepare for a left attack, he shifted again and came a
t her head on. Using her arm, she blocked his attack and stabbed him in the gut with her knife.
Lucas laughed and rubbed his stomach. “Good. Much better.”
“But you’re still standing.”
“Yes, but if that had been a real knife, I’d be dying. So, you won!”
She smiled. “Yeah, I guess I did.”
Lucas high-fived her. “Now are you ready for a break?”
“Oh yeah. I’m dead on my feet. I swear we’ve been at this for hours.”
He laughed. “More like an hour.”
Harper joined them at the coolers and snagged a bottle of water.
“You two seem happy.”
“I beat Lucas!” Kendall said cheerfully.
“You did better than me, then. Levi’s been kicking my ass since we started. I think I might have gotten in one or two licks, but other than that, he’s been untouchable. I can only hope I’ll fair better against the demons, but it’s doubtful. I hope Gabriel has his fiercest wolves guarding us weak women.”
Kendall shook her head. “You’re not weak, you just need practice.”
“Yeah well, that’s something we may not have a lot of.” Harper nodded toward Connor and Aislinn, who seemed to be a heated discussion. “That doesn’t bode well.”
“Everyone argues at some point.”
Lucas shook his head. “Not those two. Connor thinks the earth orbits around Aislinn. So if they’re arguing, you can bet it’s about this war. And for things to be that tense, it means it’s happening sooner rather than later.”
Kiera joined them. “You know, I was thinking... what we need is a little fun. All of this hard work can’t be good for us.”
“Fun?” Lucas asked.
“Yeah. Maybe a small party or just grilled out steaks or something. Anything to get our minds off the near future. I think it’s time to live in the here and now, at least for one day,” Kiera said.
“I think that sounds like a fabulous idea!” Kendall smiled. “We could all bring something. Chips, drinks, hamburger patties and buns. It doesn’t have to be steaks. I’m sure everyone wouldn’t mind chipping in.”
“Put me down for two pies and a cake,” Harper said.
“You know I’m hopeless when it comes to cooking, but I’ll bring my grill over and help Gabriel prepare everything,” Lucas offered.
“I don’t cook. Not well, anyway. But I’d be happy to bring a bunch of paper plates and napkins.” Kendall smiled. “And of course, I’ll help you get everything set up, if you want.”
Kiera nodded. “Sounds like we have a plan. Now to get the other mates in on this.”
She motioned to Chloe, who had shown up rather reluctantly, and Marin, who seemed to be kicking Terrell’s ass. When the women joined them, she told them of her plan, and they immediately agreed to help.
“You think Gabriel’s going to be okay with this?” Chloe asked.
Marin snorted. “Since when has he ever told Kiera no?”
Chloe smiled. “Good point. She has him wrapped around her finger.”
“Oh please. Like the two of you don’t have Cole and Michael wrapped around your fingers. Those two would do anything for you and you know it.”
Kendall wondered if Colin was like that with her. Did he feel the same for her as Cole did for Marin, or Michael for Chloe? She knew those two loved their mates and that she and Colin weren’t quite there yet, but did he feel that same devotion? She wanted what they had, that certainty that he would do anything for her, not because he had to but because he wanted to.
She watched as he fought against Ramsey, surprised that he was able to get the upper hand with someone so much taller than him, but Colin easily knocked Ramsey to the ground and pretended to slit his throat. They got to their feet and started again, this time with Colin initiating the attack, and once more, Colin won. She was proud of him, her very own warrior. It eased her mind a bit, knowing that he was so adept at taking care of himself in a fight. She was going to have enough to worry about when the fighting came, like how to get the demon’s blood that she so desperately needed.
The fighting continued for another fifteen minutes, then Gabriel brought it all to a halt. Sweat glistened on everyone’s skin and more than a few were puffing pretty hard. They deposited the weapons back into the cardboard box, which Gabriel hefted and placed in the back of Kiera’s SUV. After everyone chugged some water, Kiera told the alpha of her plans.
Gabriel frowned. “Are you sure that’s a good idea right now?”
“I think everyone needs to have a little fun and relax a bit,” Kiera said. “You won’t have to do anything except show up and cook on the grill. I’m sure a few others won’t mind helping prepare the hamburgers. If we have three or four grills going, you’ll be done in no time and can kick back and relax with everyone else.”
Gabriel leaned and kissed Kiera. “If that’s what you want to do, then we’ll do it. You know how to notify everyone.”
“Why not just tell them now?” Chloe said. “Everyone’s here.”
Gabriel looked around and nodded. Moving away from the small group, he called everyone to attention and informed them of Kiera’s plans for a party. The backyard would be crowded with over thirty pack mates present, but no one really cared about that. Kendall watched as their faces went from tired and wary to happy and excited. It seemed Kiera was right, the pack did need a way to let off some steam, other than practice fighting.
Colin came to stand beside her and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Did you have anything to do with this?”
She smiled. “No, but I did offer to bring plates and napkins.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I’m glad you’re settling in. I just wish things were better, more at ease. But it seems you’re making friends just the same.”
“I really like your family. I haven’t had a chance to get to know the other women in the pack yet, but I’m sure I’ll like them, too.”
“Come on, let’s go home. I don’t know about you, but I’m hoping for some peace and quiet for the rest of the night.”
“A quiet night at home sounds nice.” She smiled, knowing quiet was the farthest thing from his mind. He’d spent nearly every night making love to her.
Colin got his brother’s attention. Connor was looking rather haggard and Kendall wondered if this war wasn’t going to age him considerably. He seemed to be carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. Probably the price of knowing more than most. She was certain Aislinn was sharing information with him, at least a little, and probably swearing him to secret. Why she didn’t know. Surely if they knew every detail, they would be better prepared and the outcome would be much improved. But what did she know.
“Hey bro,” Colin said. “We’re going to head out.”
Connor nodded. “We aren’t far behind you. Aislinn’s been so focused and so worried that I was thinking about taking her and Alisdair out for dinner tonight.”
“I’m sure they’ll like that. I’ll touch base with you tomorrow.”
Connor frowned. “Won’t I see you at practice?”
“Maybe. I know we should attend every session, but I don’t want to get so caught up that we forget to have fun. I think Kiera has the right idea. Mixing in a bit of fun here and there could be good for us.”
“Or it could make us sloppy.”
Colin shrugged. “You do what you have to, and we’ll do what we need to do. As it is, I’ve let work slide since being back. I have jobs I need to start.”
Kendall had wondered about that, but she hadn’t said anything. She figured if he needed to be working, he would be. But now that he mentioned work, she knew she needed to touch base with her publisher and let them know about her change of circumstances and see if she had any projects pending. Of course, it would help if she had her laptop. They’d been so busy, Colin hadn’t gotten around to hiring those movers yet. And honestly, he had so much on his mind, she wasn’t going to bring it up. It would be taken care of sooner or later. May
be he’d let her use his laptop for an hour or two a day so she could get something done.
“I guess I can’t fault you for that. It isn’t like I’ve shut down the construction company,” Connor said. “Life must go on.”
“Exactly, and that’s what we’re forgetting. We’re getting caught up in the details and missing out on the big picture.”
“All right. I see your point. Enjoy your evening and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Colin clapped him on the back before taking Kendall’s hand and heading for the parking lot.
Once they were settled in Colin’s car, Kendall placed her hand on his thigh. “So what are we doing tomorrow if we aren’t fighting?”
“I thought we could make some calls and get your things moved here and I’d set up a job or two for the upcoming weeks. I’ve had emails and phone calls coming in and I need to get around to responding to those people, otherwise I might lose their business.”
“Would you mind if I used your computer to do some work? Just until my things arrive.”
He lifted her hand and kissed the backs of her fingers. “You can use anything of mine you want. Matter of fact, I think I have a netbook in the office closet that you can have. I bought it when we first moved to Ashton Grove and used it maybe a month before buying my computer. It’s all yours if you want to use it. It has Microsoft Office on it, if that’s all you need for your editing work.”
She nodded. “That will suffice. A netbook will be just fine, at least until I get my laptop back. I have to admit, I’ve missed it, sort of like leaving a child behind.”
He laughed.
* * *
They pulled into the driveway at home and when they went inside, Colin went straight to his office to retrieve the netbook for her. It was such a small thing in the scheme of things, but if it made her happy, he would give it to her gladly. Truthfully, there wasn’t much he wouldn’t do for her. He just hadn’t told her that yet. How did you tell a woman you’d just met that you would move heaven and earth for her? If she were to be taken from him, if she didn’t survive this war, he didn’t know what he would do. It would devastate him.
Ashton Grove Werewolves (Boxed Set, Vol. 2) Page 26
