Greatest Gift

by Moira Callahan

  Damn, she’d have to work on that, she wasn’t sure how she felt about him being able to read her with such ease. Throwing a look over his shoulder, she gave a tiny head shake. “Later,” she said quietly.

  Jakob adjusted in his seat and must have gotten a look at the kids draped over the banquet behind him because he gave her a wink. “I’m all for later, sweet cheeks.” Lifting a hand, he had the check a couple minutes later, and by her calculations left a seriously generous tip. She slid from the booth and proceeded him out the door, his hand settling on her hip. Holland wasn’t one to let some guy manhandle her, especially in public, but she found she was rather comfortable with Jakob staking his silent claim. She likely should nip that sucker in the bud but couldn’t quite work up the energy.

  At his truck, she turned to face him when he pulled her door open. Something else the man did that put him a step above others she’d ‘dated’. A loose term that given her last couple picks hadn’t been the sort to write home about. “I do have one question you can answer for me.”

  “Shoot,” he said, maintaining eye contact.

  She liked that, spoke volumes about who he was. “Are you usually this touchy feely? Not complaining, but I admit to a certain curiosity since I’ve never seen you like this with anyone else.”

  “Been checking me out have you?”

  Making a sound in her throat, she turned to get in the truck. “Never mind.”

  “Hey,” he said. Gently, he turned her to face him, and tipped up her chin. “I was only teasing, Holland. Mostly. To answer your question, I’m not normally this touchy feely. But with you, I feel this need to touch, feel, and many other fine terms I plan on pulling out someday soon. To simplify it for you, it’s pure instinct guiding me. Before you, I never wanted to be hands on, excuse the pun. With you, I need to touch you, to feel you close, and generally lay a claim. Yeah, yeah, I know, Neanderthal like behavior and all that. Sue me.”

  She hadn’t planned to mention that, but since he’d given her the opening. Holland watched him, he was waiting for her to take his lead and run with it. Instead, she put a hand to his chest, pushed up on her toes, and pressed a kiss to his rough jawline. “Thank you for explaining.”

  He gave her a suspicious look. She pasted on what she hoped would pass for complete innocence and waited. Finally, he muttered something she didn’t quite catch, and waved her into the truck. Feeling oddly triumphant, she settled back on the hump, and watched him walk around the vehicle, shooting her odd looks the entire time. Oh this was fun getting one over on him. She could totally get used to this.

  Chapter Ten

  Jakob was still trying to figure out what game Holland was playing later that night. She was working at the pub, tending to the regulars while he sat in a corner keeping watch. He didn’t expect any trouble, mainly because the guys that hung out there in the evenings were all good guys. They might moan and groan about their home lives, their jobs, or their latest reno nightmare the wife had gotten them into, but overall they were the sort you wanted at your back.

  No, he was trying to piece together how he’d found himself flat-footed earlier in conversation with her outside the restaurant he’d taken her to for breakfast. The woman had pulled a fast one on him and his brain was still piecing it together in an attempt to get up to speed once more.

  A chilled bottle appeared before him wrenching him from his thoughts. Looking up, he found Holland staring down at him with a worried expression. “You okay?” she asked. “You’ve been sitting here for a long time with a rather scary look on your face. The boys are trying to figure out who you plan to murder first.”

  Leaning to the side to get a look beyond her, he found all eyes on them. He flipped them the bird, and settled back into his seat. “Not planning to have to dig any graves tonight.”

  “Well, that is a huge relief,” she said. “Given the weather report I doubt you’d make much progress.”

  Shit, he hadn’t even heard the radio he’d been so deep inside his own head. “What are they calling for now?” Not that he was sure he wanted to know.

  “Basically, full white-out conditions on all highways, and they are calling it to snow another foot to foot and a half. The boys are finishing up their current drinks because I told them flat out I’m kicking their asses to the curb. We need to get home before this shit settles in solid on us.”

  “Fuck yeah, good plan. What do you need help with to get us out faster?” Pushing to his feet, he lifted the cold bottle for a long pull.

  “Sit your ass down,” she ordered. Stunned, Jakob complied without even blinking. “I’m nearly done with the majority. Once they are finished I need to do their tables, flip up their chairs, and sweep the last bit. Cleaners are in tomorrow morning, which means I don’t have to mop.”

  “Oh.” He didn’t have anything else to say to that. “Uh, okay.”

  Smiling suddenly, she came around the table to lean down, and press a kiss to his lips. Jakob wrapped a hand around her leg right above her knee. Opening up, he let her take the kiss wherever she wanted, and enjoyed every second. When she drew away he let out a small disappointed sound, and rubbed his hand up higher on her leg. “What was that for?” Not that he was complaining or nothing. She could damn well do that whenever the fuck she wanted.

  “Because you’re behaving yourself. Keep it up and I might give you another once you take me home.”

  “My place right?” Jakob needed to be clear on that point.

  For a moment, he thought she’d fight him, but finally she nodded. “Yes, your place. It’s closer for one, and I at least have some items there. It will work for tonight. Tomorrow we will be renegotiating.”

  “Works for me.” A quick squeeze to her thigh and he let her loose. Sitting back in his chair, he took his time drinking his beer while he watched his woman. And yeah, she most definitely was his woman. He’d gut any other male that thought to touch her.

  Not including the old guys who were her regulars. They all were married, happily despite the occasional bitch-fest they held when they all congregated at the pub. No, they were more like unruly uncles, and off the wall grandfathers than competition. Holland was comfortable around them, and so was Jakob. While they all watched him with the occasional evil eye, Jakob knew they’d have his back if it was needed.

  After finishing his beer, he toyed with the bottle until the last couple regulars headed for the door. Getting to his feet, he watched to ensure they made it safely to their respective vehicles, and then took in the worsening storm. He could barely make out his own truck parked five feet from the door. The town would be dead tonight, everything shut down, and everyone hunkered inside where it was toasty warm.

  Throwing the lock on the door, he went to help Holland. While she had said it wouldn’t take long, he wanted them the fuck outta there. The storm was settling in faster than he liked. And while that made him nervous there was something else rubbing him the wrong way. Something his wolf was picking up. What it might be he couldn’t say, but he trusted the beast, which meant he was going to do whatever was necessary.

  She shot him a look but didn’t argue with him for once. Jakob took the gift for what it was, and hustled them through her last chores before they locked up and headed for home.

  Jakob took the drive back to his place slow. The streets were slick under the new layer of fluff, dangerous for the unwary or uninitiated. And with Holland at his side, he wasn’t about to take any risks. She was his to protect in all ways after all. Not that he would mention that to the seriously independent woman who got him hot and bothered.

  Closer to his place, Jakob let the truck drift to a near stop, the wheels barely turning while they creeped forward. His wolf was pacing with his back up deep inside. Something was off and the animal side was picking up on it. Whatever it might be.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Turning a look her way, Jakob shook his head slowly. “I don’t know. Gut feeling,” he muttered. It was essentially the truth but di
dn’t really cover everything running through him. There was a lot that was pure instinct, things he couldn’t ever put into words.

  “Is it safe to go to your place?” she asked him.

  And there was the question in the moment that required an answer. If he chose wrong he could be taking them straight into a trap. “I don’t know.” God damn it, he hated having to say those words twice in a row. Jakob had a feeling he might well have to spit them out a couple more times before the night was over.

  Her hand landed warm on his wrist, and squeezed. The touch calmed the animal and Jakob had a moment’s clarity in regards to the situation. There was someone out there waiting on them, but the threat was minimal. His wolf was reacting because his unclaimed mate sat at their side. Jakob knew that shifters were not overly rational during the time they found their mate and they eventually mated them. It was the point, besides pregnancy, when a shifter was at his most dangerous in regards to his mate.

  He might be making the wrong call, but his wolf didn’t think so. Going with the instinct that had kept him alive, and trusting it to protect Holland too, he put the truck back into drive and proceeded to his house.

  While he hadn’t determined the threat and where it was coming from, he had to believe in himself to keep his mate safe. The threat could well be only perceived, an illusion because he and Holland hadn’t yet tied themselves to one another. Not that he would allow his guard down. He was willing to accept he might be overreacting slightly, but he’d rather look the fool and have Holland alive and well than dead at his feet because he hesitated.

  Chapter Eleven

  Holland didn’t know what was going on, but she could feel Jakob’s tension vibrating through the truck. When they reached his house she stayed in the truck instinctively knowing it was what he needed her to do. The grateful look she received when he finally came around to open her door was her reward. And folks thought humans too self-absorbed to listen to their instincts. She gave a small snort at that thought while slipping down from the seat.

  She stuck close to Jakob’s side, but stayed behind him half a step. Holland didn’t know why she did it but figured it was that same instinct guiding her again. When she thought it through it actually made sense. Staying close yet slightly behind let Jakob know where she was while still giving him room to react to a threat. If there was one.

  They made it inside his place unmolested. Which Holland was grateful for. Not that Jakob seemed ready to relax like she did. Stripping off her winter gear, she watched him prowl through the house to check the other doors and windows. Even when he seemed assured everything was secure Jakob still didn’t relax.

  Holland waited until he had the tea kettle warming before she put a hand to his chest. Instantly, her entire being became fully aware. She didn’t know what it was about the man that drew her in but she liked it while at the same time it irritated her. “What’s going on, Jakob? You said you had a gut feeling that made you slow down. Yet here we are. Are we safe here?”

  His arms slid around her to pull her in closer to his body’s lean strength and heat. Slipping her own arms around his waist, Holland rested her chin on his pec to keep her eyes on his face. About to prompt him again, she felt the sigh he let out, and the slight relaxation that swept through his body.

  “I don’t know,” he admitted in a grudging tone.

  Rubbing her hand up and down his back, she eventually slipped it under the light sweater he wore to press her palm to his back. She could tell he hated admitting he didn’t know the answer to something. And the worry making his grey eyes stormy in appearance had her gut clenching. Not that she could dump the blame on him. He was as human as the next person in many regards like the fact he wasn’t psychic and therefore couldn’t pull the answers they both wanted from the air. However nice that would be.

  “Well, I’m sure you’ll figure it out eventually.” Hopefully before the other shoe dropped, whatever it might be.

  All she got from him was a grunt that didn’t sound overly convinced.

  Holland pushed up on her toes and wrapped her other hand over his nape. “I can see the wheels spinning already, Jakob. Try not to push it. Whenever I have a problem I find focusing on something completely unrelated helps resolve it. Find something else to focus on for a while and maybe the answer will come to you.”

  His attention narrowed onto her mouth, she noticed. Suddenly, she realized how closely she was pressed against him. Right about the same time a large warm hand landed on her ass to pull her even closer. Holland felt her cheeks get warm and she looked anywhere but at him. She was saved from turning into a blathering fool by the whistle from the kettle.

  Jakob didn’t let her loose though. Keeping his hand where it rested on her ass, he shifted his stance enough to move the kettle off the flame, and turn the stove off. When she tried to back off she couldn’t, he wasn’t letting her.

  Peeking up at him, she found his attention fully on her even while she could see him pouring the water into the teapot in her periphery. Unsure what she should do, she bit her lip nervously, and found herself toying with his hair near his nape. The short strands were surprisingly soft. Sliding her hand up, she let his hair sift through her fingers until she got to a spot she could grip.

  When he continued to watch her, Holland followed her instincts to pull his head down toward her own. The heat from his breath had her lips parting, and then he took over. His mouth angled across hers and it was like an explosion going off. She grabbed onto his hair and held on. She had to, her knees going weak and a moan tearing free.

  Jakob lifted her off her feet. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she bit his lip gently. It was like whatever leash had been holding him back suddenly snapped. She found herself being carted through the house quickly. Holland didn’t care where he was taking her, all she wanted was to get closer to him. Nearly impossible with their clothing still on but she held out hope he’d have a solution for that too.

  Suddenly, he came to a stop, and pried her arms loose. Sliding down his body, she stumbled back a step and came up against the bed. They were both panting hard, and for a moment neither moved. “Jakob?”

  “Be sure, I won’t let you go.”

  She didn’t fully understand what was happening, but she definitely got his meaning. He was giving her the opportunity to stop what was happening and walk away. Only she didn’t think she could. While she wasn’t completely sure where this was leading she knew she wanted him. There, now, naked.

  Taking the initiative, she pulled off her sweater and tossed it to the side before toeing off her ankle boots. He didn’t move except to breathe. Holland knew she had his undivided attention when she went to work on her jeans. Pushing them down, she kicked them aside and pulled up her tank top.

  Before it cleared her head, she felt his hands sliding over her skin to land on her back. Dropping the top, she was pulled up against his bare chest. He still had his jeans on, but she was more interested in what he was doing with his hands. He moved them up her back to unhook her bra and draw it down her arms.

  She let it fall off. Only clad in her panties, she felt her nerves kick up under his scrutiny. Holland had always been happy with who she was. She’d never prescribed to the Hollywood myth on body sizes. But standing before Jakob, who likely didn’t have any extra fat on him, made her wonder what he was doing with her. Besides the obvious.

  “Beautiful,” he murmured.

  Her cheeks got warm at the compliment, and warmed further under the heat from his gaze. She squirmed a little, and earned a squeeze before his mouth pressed to her shoulder. His lips brushed up her throat to her jaw where he nipped at her with sharp teeth. Shivering, she wrapped her hands around his upper arms the best she could and held on.

  As he continued to nuzzle, lick and nibble on her throat, Holland let her head fall back. She likely should have put up some protest. At the very least demanded he take off his jeans. But she couldn’t quite work up the energy to say anything. Not with him shorti
ng out her brain like he was. A low moan ripped free from her throat and had him letting out a growl that sent a pulse to her clit. Tightening her hold on his arms, she fought to lift her head for a kiss.

  In the next moment, she was on the bed with his weight pressing her down. Jakob’s mouth moved lower to brush lightly to her breasts. Arching up in silent demand, she nearly whimpered when he blew a hot breath over her nipples. Again struggling to form words, they completely abandoned her when he finally took an aching tip into his mouth to suck.

  Gasping at the heat surrounding the sensitive bud, she clutched at his shoulders to hold him closer. The things he was doing with his tongue had her rocking her hips, her clit rubbing to his muscular thigh with enough force to ramp up her need but nowhere near enough friction to get her off. And then he was pushing off her.

  Ready to demand he return, Holland sat up to find him stripping off the jeans. Tongue-tied yet again, she started to pant when he straightened to show everything he had going for him. His cock was thick, long, and had a slight upward curve. The head was a deeper color and she could almost see it pulsing in time with his heart. She wanted his cock, in her mouth, in her pussy, wherever. But she wanted it now.

  Reaching out, she wasn’t all that surprised when she found herself flat on her back from a tug to her ankles, and her panties practically torn from her body. She’d never really understood how some women liked to be manhandled in bed. But in that moment, she completely got it, and wanted more.

  Chapter Twelve

  Her arousal perfumed the air to the point Jakob could barely hold back his wolf. Holland was everything he’d ever dreamed about having for his mate. Lush curves that said she was all woman, a brain, and a mouth that could deliver equal parts humor and sarcasm. He was halfway in love with her already and he barely knew her. In some ways he knew all that he needed, in others he wanted to know more.