Burning Heat

by Mary Alice Pritchard

  “You’re arrogant, aren’t you?”

  “Just honest. I know I can make you scream in ecstasy. You’re body is made for it.”

  “I don’t scream for anyone. Maybe we should sit down. I need a drink.” She started to pull from his embrace.

  “Why?” He smiled down into the blue eyes and nearly moaned to see hers smoldering.

  “You’re getting too personal. We don’t know each other that well.” Her voice came out husky. He knew he’d affected her now. She couldn’t deny they were attracted to each other. Not with the way her body reacted to his.

  “Then let’s sit down and talk.” He lead her through the crowd to the booth and sighed to find her roommate there waiting on them.

  “Why didn’t you finish the dance? You look great together,” Dana complained.

  “I needed to sit down. It’s hot out there.” Cassy sipped her drink.

  Phillip sat beside her, pushing a little closer to her so she had to scoot over to the other side of the seat.

  “I’m just taking a breather then I’m back out on the floor. Golden boy over there dances like a dream.” Dana finished her drink and winked at Cassy before jumping to her feet and dancing her way to the floor and the golden wolf.

  “What would you like to talk about?” he asked.

  “I don’t know, maybe what do you do for a living? What pack are you with?”

  “I’m a computer programmer with New Technologies Industry. We service several large companies in keeping their computers up to date and in working order.” He smiled down at her. “I’m with Luca’s pack. I’m his first.”

  He felt her still next to him. It bothered her to hear he was first in his pack. “And what about you? What do you do and what pack are you from?”

  “I’m a nurse. I work at Kramer General Hospital. I’m with Jason’s pack. We moved here six months ago. The pack bought land west of town.”

  “Why did they move?” He picked up his beer.

  She shrugged and scanned the dance floor. “The Kansas area has gotten too over run with wolf packs and hunting’s scarce. Not to mention the influx of humans into huge neighborhoods that backed up to our land.”

  “Now we know each other. Unless there is anything more you wish to ask.”

  “Why don’t you have a mate or a partner? You’re alpha. Not too many alphas are available.” She finally looked into his eyes.

  “I had a partner, but she found her mate two months ago. I’m not one to take more than one partner. I like to be available at anytime for the one I’m with.”

  “Interesting. I’ve never known an alpha who didn’t have a harem of females. I lost my partner about four months ago. He found his mate.”

  “Then we are well suited.” Philip leaned in closer to her. “I’m going to kiss you now.”

  Without waiting for her to protest, he dropped his arm to her shoulders from where it lay across the back of the booth. Pulling her closer he bent and took possession of her lips and then took control of them. Her lips parted willingly and they explored each other’s mouths. He sucked on her lower lip and then lightly bit it before running is tongue over the roof of her mouth. She moaned and he knew he would have her soon.

  She pulled away first, panting and blushing as he gazed down at her. “That wasn’t bad.”

  “Ah… I see I’ll need to work harder to convince you we are made to be partners.” He tightened his grip on her shoulders for just an instant and then released to let her move if she wanted to. She didn’t.

  “It takes more than one kiss to know if we’re suited. I don’t want to pledge as partners until I’m sure.” She was a little out of breath and it aroused him.

  “Then we should explore a little more until you are sure.” He leaned towards her again but she scooted away, putting her back against the wall next to the booth.

  Laughing, he ran his hand along the back of her neck, trailing his fingers along her silky skin. She shivered at his touch. The sight of it aroused his wolf. The wolf liked the chase and ached to have her. Philip knew he couldn’t force her, but she would expect someone who didn’t give in or give up. She would want a strong lover and he would be that lover for her.

  * * * *

  His kiss turned her on and it was a tame kiss by her standards. What would he do to her when he really kissed her? When his hands touched her and trapped her against his body? . She’d wanted an alpha, but to be so far up the chain of wolves meant he would be able to command her in bed. She wasn’t sure she could give herself over to being totally dominated.

  God, she wanted him though. As much as she disliked one-night stands, she would be tempted to try it, just once. If she liked the sex, then maybe she would consider him for a partner. Would he accept that? Most males would, but an alpha might not agree to her conditions.

  Just the idea of how his hands would feel against her naked flesh had her wet and ready. Remembering the feel of him pushing against her while they danced sent her heart racing. Her hands itched to run over the bulge in his jeans, testing the length and width of him. Having him pressed against her had only teased her, promising so much, but she wanted more. She wanted to feel the hard length of him in her hands and in her mouth. Yes, she wanted him, but would he be too much?

  Dana flopped back into the booth panting and flushed. “I’m exhausted and we’ll be short staffed tomorrow night. Think it’s about time to head home.” She looked from Phillip to Cassie. “Unless you want to stick around a little longer?”

  “No, I need to go, too.” Cassy jumped at the chance to get away from the heady emotions Philip aroused in her. She needed to think.

  “I’ll see you outside and safely to your car then,” he offered looking from one to the other.

  “Oh, thanks! This neighborhood isn’t the best. We usually get one of the bouncers to walk us to the car.” Dana beamed across the table at him and Cassy resisted the urge to growl at her. Her wolf wanted to tell her friend he was hers, but she wasn’t going to give in.

  They crossed the dance floor to the door. Philip held on to her hand and she held Dana’s as they pushed the final few feet. Philip pulled each of them under one arm and nodded to the bouncer when he opened the door for them. The darkness crashed in around them once they’d passed the neon signs and walked into the parking lot with its dim streetlights.

  “This is our car. Thanks for walking us out.” Cassy smiled up at him and unlocked the doors.

  Opening the driver’s side door she turned to say goodbye, and he enfolded her in his arms, holding her neck with one large hand and pulling her against him with the other until she felt every inch of his erection. When he bent his head, she knew a moment of panic. It was gone at the touch of his lips to hers. They were light and feathery at first and then turned hot and hard. He took her lip into his mouth and then her tongue. His hand moved down to rest on her ass as he devoured her mouth. Then he moved back and smiled, holding the door for her and closing it after she finally managed to compose herself enough to collapse into the car.

  “Wow! I’d say he’s hotter than hot. He’s scorching. I know you’ve picked him now. Man you get all the luck.” Dana leaned back in her seat and sighed. “I think I’m a little more than wasted ’cause I thought for a second, only a second mind you, of fighting you for him.”

  Instantly her wolf lunged inside her and she growled low and dangerous. “Don’t even think about it.”

  “Hey, don’t worry. He’s too much for me to handle.” She smiled and scooted over against the door. “So you’ve found your partner. Thank God.”

  “I haven’t said yes yet. I’m still trying to figure that out myself.”

  “He’s an alpha for God’s sake. You wanted an alpha,” Dana said with exasperation in her voice.

  “But he’s a first as well.”

  “Shit.”

  “Yeah, shit.”

  Chapter Three

  Seven nights of endless patients left her little time to think about Phillip and le
tting him be her partner. But, oh, her dreams made up for lost time. They teased her each time she closed her eyes. She felt his body slide against hers, his mouth all over her breasts. His hands pulling her hair until she gave her neck for his pleasure. Heat suffused her when he nuzzled her there and then trailed kisses down her body to nip at her breast. Just as he pushed against her, nearly entering her, she woke up.

  Her body, hot and needy, burned to feel his touch. Her hands ached to hold him, feel him throb in her hands. She hated the way she wanted him. How much worse would it be if they had sex? All of this and they’d only kissed.

  “Hey, Cassy. You awake yet?” Dana slapped the door to her room.

  “I am now.” She grinned. Old lines but comfortable. Real. Not like the dreams.

  “Well, get your ass dressed and let’s eat. I want to hit the bars early tonight. My heat will start Sunday and I want to have some fun before I have fun.”

  Cassy laughed. The girl had a point. When in heat, the only thing on their minds for three to four days was sex. No dancing, no playing, just sex and lots of it. Nature’s way of assuring their survival. Too bad for nature they’d discovered birth control.

  Two hours later they finished up their steaks and relaxed with a glass of wine before heading out. Dana had her partner for the heat so she didn’t feel the need to prowl. She just wanted to party. Cassy, on the other hand, needed to make a decision… soon. She only had two weeks left unless she jumped cycles again. It didn’t usually happen with wolves, but with some, it caught them off guard pretty regularly, and it looked like she would be one of those wolves.

  “Let’s hit Baubles first and then go on to Screamers. I want to check in with Lance and be sure he doesn’t forget about Sunday.”

  “As if.”

  “Right, but I like reminding him. He’s a player, but he’s a great partner.”

  “He’s lucky you don’t care how many he screws. Most women do.”

  They laughed and said at the same time, “But, we’re not most women.”

  Baubles kept great domestic beers, but most of their mixed drinks didn’t compare to Screamers. Since she planned to take advantage of Screamer’s mixed drinks she avoided the beer tonight. Dana bounced away to cut in on Lance and his current dance partner. The other wolf growled, and Lance tried to reason with both of them but only ended up getting yelled at.

  “Okay, let’s go. He’ll be busy for the next few hours sucking back up to that bitch.” She nudged Cassy towards the door. “My work here is done.”

  “One day you’re going to meet another woman who won’t back down. I don’t want to fish you out of the alley with a busted face.”

  “That’ll be the day.”

  She felt him as soon as she hit the dance floor. His scent surrounded her. Sending a furtive glance around the room, she searched the crowd but didn’t see him. Then someone tapped her shoulder, and she turned thinking it would be him.

  “Like to dance?” The stranger oozed sex appeal, but underneath it she sensed something different.

  “Sure.” She let him lead and melted into the music. He could dance well enough and he did it without groping her. He smelled of strength and pine. He would be an alpha, his aura strong but subtle. Maybe he would be the right one as a partner. He didn’t seem to overwhelm her like Phillip did.

  “My name is Gregory and I’m very pleased to meet you.” He smiled and kissed her cheek.

  “Cassandra but call me Cassy. I’ve never seen you in here. Are you new?”

  “No, I’ve been here off and on for years. You’re the new one. I’ve never seen you before”

  A sudden jolt of awareness tensed her muscles. She missed the next few steps and stumbled into Gregory. He caught her; she felt Gregory stiffen then relax as she turned to look into Phillip’s face.

  “Do you two know each other?” Gregory tightened his hold on her hand

  “We just recently met.” Cassy dropped her eyes.

  Phillip stood behind her with one hand on her shoulder. “She belongs to me.”

  “She didn’t say she belonged to anyone. Maybe you should ask her.” Gregory’s eyes never left Phillip’s.

  “I’m right here and I don’t belong to anyone. What the fuck is with you guys?” She pushed between them and stomped towards the bar. Let them posture all they wanted to. She’d find someone who wasn’t into the whole control thing. Why did she need an alpha anyway?

  She’d barely ordered her drink before Phillip pushed between her and another woman at the bar.

  “Stay away from him.”

  “You can’t tell me who to dance with. I do what I want to do.”

  “He’s dangerous.” Phillip paid for her drink and ushered her out of the mangle of bodies at the bar.

  “And you’re not?”

  “Only to anyone who touches you.”

  “You don’t own me. Build a bridge and get over it.” She shoved away from him but he caught her elbow.

  “Even if you don’t want to be with me, please, promise you’ll stay away from him.” Strain edged out the anger in his voice. Cassy stopped struggling to look up at him.

  “You’re serious.”

  He drew in a deep breath and nodded. “Don’t trust him. I’m sure there are some women here tonight who will tell you he doesn’t play nice.”

  Cassy didn’t say anything. Instead, she shrugged and turned to look for Dana and their table.

  * * * *

  The sight of Cassy dancing with Gregory hit him hard in the gut. The bastard would use her as bait to draw him out. Anger threatened to let loose his wolf, but he forced himself to calm down. Anything he did would only make matters worse. The little she wolf would balk at demands or warnings. She didn’t take kindly to orders and would fight him over this. God, the fact that she should be his mate frightened him for the first time in his life.

  As soon as Cassy stomped off towards the bar, Phillip stepped closer to his pack mate. “Stay away from her.”

  “Or what?”

  Phillip growled low in his throat and flexed his hands. He ached to tear into the wolf. “She’s mine and I’ll protect her so be forewarned.”

  “But if she doesn’t choose you, you have no right to protect her.” Gregory’s smile taunted him.

  “She will. Until then, I’ll be close by to make sure you don’t hurt her.”

  Phillip turned to follow Cassy. He’d as much as challenged Gregory by warning him off of her. She had to come around soon, or he’d be in serious risk of loosing his place in the pack. But he wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt her.

  He let her walk away from him at the bar after warning her about Gregory, cursing when he lost sight of her in the crowd. Gregory had disappeared as well. He couldn’t afford to leave her alone with him in the club. The wolf wanted something and he would use her to gain it. She would be nothing to Gregory but a means to an end. He wouldn’t allow it.

  Dana swayed in rhythm with her golden haired wolf, but he couldn’t find Cassy anywhere. He sniffed, sifting out smells to locate hers and followed it to the woman’s bathrooms. Great. He’d stake out the bathroom until she emerged. That a female could reduce the first of a pack to waiting for her outside a bathroom floored him. He’d have laughed his ass off if one of his brothers ever told him that. Come to think of it… he had. Shit.

  * * * *

  Cold water helped to cool her anger. She ran the damp paper towel across her forehead and back down the side of her neck. What was it about male wolves that they had to turn into bastards when they met up over a female? Phillip turned her on like no one ever had, but he reeked of dominance and though she wanted a strong lover, she didn’t like the idea of being controlled. She would have to trust her partner with her life because once the heat hit, she wouldn’t be able to think for herself. He’d be in total control. The idea of being completely at Phillip’s mercy both frightened her and excited her beyond anything she’d ever considered.

  She’d trusted Jacob. He’d never let
her down, but he’d been comfortable. She wanted someone who’d stir her blood but wouldn’t hurt her, someone she didn’t have to direct but she could still say no to. She just wasn’t sure she could say no to Phillip. And if she did, would he stop?

  Gregory smelled of alpha without the added kick that Phillip wore as easily as clothes. She liked the way he didn’t push her or make assumptions. Only one dance and you know so much? What about that prickle of something not right? He piqued her interest, but she wasn’t sure if it was enough to consider him as a partner. She needed more time with him to know. Unfortunately, she didn’t have a lot of time available right now.

  Tossing the wet towel into the trash, she ran her hands through her hair and pushed open the door to join the masses. Phillip lounged against the wall outside the bathroom – waiting on her, no doubt.

  “I was beginning to worry.”

  “What the hell are you doing waiting for me outside the john?”

  “I was asking myself the same question. I honestly don’t know because it sure as hell isn’t your charm.” He cursed and then looked up as if praying for strength or patience or both. “Look, I’m sorry I’m so…”

  “Overbearing, conceited and demanding?” She pursed her lips and scowled.

  “Let me show you I’m really not any of those. Something about you brings it out in me. I want you, and I can’t help but try to make you mine. It’s the alpha in me and any true alpha would be the same way.”

  “No, not all of them.” She sighed and shook her head. “Let’s dance.”

  His mouth dropped. Before he could recover, Cassy left him standing outside the bathroom, already moving with the music.

  When his hands danced across her shoulders, she turned into him and let him guide her. His mouth trailed along her temple to her ear where he nipped at it with sharp teeth. One hand rested along the rise of her ass, lightly rubbing up and down as if stroking her. He took her other hand in his. Her ears rang with the sound of her pulse pounding a beat faster than the music. Hot liquid pooled between her legs and she knew she would go with him if he asked.

  He let go of her hand and splayed his fingers behind her neck, pulling her closer to his mouth. When their lips met, fire burned a path along her spine to smolder deep inside her. She drew in a ragged breath as his lips hovered above hers before renewing the kiss. His mouth covered hers, sucking in her bottom lip and teasing it with his tongue. The roaring in her ears drowned out the music and she only knew his mouth and the feel of his fingers just below her neck.