He patted the seat next to him. “Don’t tempt me. We need to talk. After, I’ll make you scream again.”
A shiver of delight ran down her spine as she walked over to him. She took a seat next to him, folding a leg beneath her as she turned, facing him. “I don’t even know where to begin. I have so many questions.”
He cupped her cheek lightly and leaned forward, rubbing his lips against hers in a gentle kiss. Julie moved toward him, wanting to deepen the contact. Already her body hungered for his again, but he pulled away.
“You’ll have to wait to question me on my wolfish ways.” He skimmed a finger down her cheek and across her jaw before turning serious. “I need to know if there is any possible way your ex could be stalking you.”
Julie blinked, sitting back and keeping her gaze fixed on him. He’d switched gears so fast that she had to give herself a slight mental shake. “Why?”
“The other night when I went into the woods when we were at Harry’s, it was because I caught the scent of another male.”
Her head began moving back and forth as her pulse climbed. “No.” She stood up, retreating from the sofa. “No. It can’t be.” Her mind whirled as she stumbled over the coffee table. Before she hit the ground strong hands seized her upper arms and she was brought up against Luken’s hard, warm chest.
“Whoa, Julie. You have nothing to fear. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“No, you don’t understand.” She pushed against his chest so that she could meet his gaze. “Ivan’s in jail. They have evidence against him. They promised me they’d put him away for a long time.”
Luken ran his hand down her back in an effort to sooth her. “Okay. So is there someone out there who might follow you or stalk you other than Ivan? Maybe a guy who came into the bar or something?”
Her gaze fell to his chest as she thought back. She couldn’t think of any patron from the bar who would fall into the stalker category. Yeah, most of the guys got drunk and would occasionally try to grab her ass and such, but she couldn’t see any of them being a stalker.
Arik. Oh God. What if he’d found out about the money? She shivered as a wave of nausea rolled through her belly.
“What is it?”
She swallowed back the bile that threatened to choke her.
“You just thought of someone, didn’t you?”
“Arik Markovic,” she rasped. Her throat suddenly felt raw.
“I have a feeling Arik isn’t a very nice guy.”
She swallowed hard again. “He’s Ivan’s boss. And cousin, albeit distant. If it’s him I’m screwed.”
Julie pulled out of Luken’s embrace and made her way to the bedroom. If Arik had found out about the money she was a walking dead woman. She heard Luken’s footsteps behind her, but she didn’t slow. This couldn’t be happening. She flung the closet door open and grabbed the duffle bag in the bottom. The only thing she could do was run.
Luken grabbed her arm, halting her. “What are you doing?”
Julie tried to free her arm but he held her steady. “I have to go. He’ll kill me.”
Luken pulled her back into his arms. “Just calm down for a second and explain things to me. I can keep you safe.”
She wanted to believe him. Wanted to trust the security she felt in his embrace, but these weren’t just your run-of-the-mill bad guys. These guys had caused deaths for years and got away with it. They made it a practice of making others disappear. “I want to believe you, but I’m scared.”
He slid his hands up to cup her face. “I promise you can trust me. But you have to let me know what we’re dealing with. Tell me about Arik.”
She sighed, leaning into his body. He wrapped his arms around her and it felt so nice. Safe. “I don’t want to endanger you.”
He laughed. “Baby, you have no idea. Nothing is going to happen to me and nothing is going to happen to you.”
“How can you be so sure? This isn’t just one bad man. It’s the really, really bad man in charge of a bunch of really bad men.”
“Julie. I’m not only a werewolf, I’m an alpha. Do you know what that means?”
She shook her head and pressed her cheek tighter against his chest.
“I am in charge of a lot of other wolves. A small army if you will.”
She lifted her head to look up at him. “Really?”
“Yep. So when I said I’d keep you safe I wasn’t just pushing pretty words your way. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. We don’t know for sure this is Arik we’re dealing with. But I need to know why you would think that.”
She bit into her lower lip. Would he think her awful for taking the money? Did she really even have a choice to not accept his help? If Arik was indeed after her, then she didn’t have a chance on her own. But could she really put him in that position? “Are you sure you want in on this? I have a lot of baggage and I wouldn’t blame you for walking out the door now.”
He leaned forward and kissed her lips. The tenderness of the act made her chest clench. A warm tear tracked down her cheek.
He whispered above her lips. “I’m not going anywhere.” He brushed away the tear with his thumb. “Now tell me what’s going on.”
She let him lead her to the bed and took a seat next to him, dropping the duffle at their feet. Where to start? She sucked in a breath and let it whoosh back out between her pursed lips. “I did something stupid.”
She waited for him to interrupt, but he didn’t. He waited, giving her as much time as she needed to stumble through this confession. His patience only endeared him to her more. “When Ivan was arrested, Arik wanted the money that was stashed in our home. I took it to him. Most of it.”
“Hmm.”
“Hmm. Is that all you have to say?”
“Did Arik not realize there was some missing?”
“Yeah, but I told him I had to use it to pay for Ivan’s defense attorneys. Attorney fees are really high these days. I took a hundred thousand. I needed it to restart my life. I had nothing. That was a year ago and he let me leave, so I figured whether he believed me or not he was good with it.”
“I tend to agree somewhat. Drug dealers are really picky about their money, so if it’s been a year since you left then I am inclined to think he brushed it off. Unless he believed you and found out different. Has Ivan gone to trial yet?”
“I’m not sure. I refused to testify and they couldn’t hold me. I didn’t want to be the next missing person.”
“That may be the reason Arik let you go with the money. What I don’t like is that we’re basing a lot of our conclusions on assumption.”
“So what do we do?”
“We need to do some research. What state did you come from? We need to look for news related to Ivan. Surely this is a high-enough profile case that at least the local media should be on this, right?”
“Yes. At least they were before I left town. When I left, I cut ties. I didn’t follow the case or stay in contact with old friends. Well, honestly, none of the people I associated with at that time were my true friends. Most of the women I was around were nothing but trophies to decorate the arm of whatever man they were with.”
He took her hand into his and she turned to face him. “We need to be careful. And we can’t rule out someone local with some crazy infatuation. It could be just a coincidence that your past lends to the thoughts of something coming back to haunt you. But I won’t brush it aside either.”
Her gaze fell to her lap. “I don’t understand why you would want to help me. Most guys would be running in the other direction.”
Luken tipped her chin upward with his knuckle, bringing her gaze back to his. “I’m not most guys. There’s something about you, Julie. Something very special. And I want to keep you around. So what if you have baggage? So do I. Hello. Werewolf here.”
She laughed.
“Stop worrying. We’ll get through this. But I was wondering if you might consider moving in with me until things settle down. I woul
d feel better knowing you’re safe in my den.”
Wow. Moving in with him presented a whole new set of worries. No way would she be able to resist the sexual attraction that continued to grow between them. And she didn’t want to. Hell, even though she should be worried about her safety right now, her body still buzzed with the awareness of desire. It was hard not to notice how his leg touched hers from hip to knee. And what if more than sexual attraction started growing between them? He said until things settled down. “I don’t know.”
He smiled a sexy movement of his lips that held a delightful promise. “Maybe I could convince you?”
She sighed as his mouth came down over hers. Damn, if it wasn’t hard to think straight when he kissed her like this. She parted her lips, allowing his tongue to dip inside the depths of her mouth. The sensual slide had her relaxing and leaning into his warm body. His hands traced down her back and gripped her hips. Without losing possession of her mouth, he lifted her, and she found herself straddling his hips.
Luken released her mouth and trailed kisses down her throat as he tugged at the material of her dress.
“Oh yes,” Julie whispered as he pushed at his own pants, bringing his smooth, hard cock in contact with her slick labia. She rocked her hips, letting her wetness coat his length. He released a low growl and nipped at the flesh of her neck. There was no stopping the smile spreading across her face. She rocked her hips again and his fingers bit into her hips. “You like that?”
“Hell yeah, baby.”
Each rocking motion stimulated her clit in a wonderful way as his length slid through her wet slit. His gaze fell to where their bodies met and she moaned as he bit into his lower lip, watching her pussy dance along his cock.
She’d never rode the length of any man this way—had always had their cocks inside her as she’d rocked her hips. The silken skin covering his marble-hard erection teased her clit to perfection. She moaned as she tossed her head back and worked her sensitive flesh along his dick.
Luken’s hands left her hips and she cried out as he pinched her nipples with just enough force to bring her arousal even higher. Her hips undulated faster against him as he massaged her breasts.
“That’s right, Julie. Rub that pretty pussy against my cock till you come.”
Throbbing pulses racked her cunt, matching her accelerated heart rate. Her clit tingled as she creamed. So close. A moan tore from her lips and transitioned into erratic breaths as the pulses of climax swept through her pussy.
He gripped her hips, lifting her until she slid down onto his cock. Her climax reached a new peak as he moved her up and down on his erection. Julie gripped his forearms and held tight as he bucked beneath her. The orgasm continued to roll through her. As one wave ebbed, another began to crest. He fulfilled his promise as a scream ripped from her throat. Wonderful sensations flooded her body.
In the background she heard the phone ringing, but didn’t care. Her mind remained focused on each movement of his dick and the pleasure it would bring.
“Fuck, Julie. I can’t hold back any longer.”
Warm jets of cum bathed her insides and her cunt clenched around him as he half growled, half moaned with his own release. Her body became so sated she fell forward, lying across his chest. Their labored breaths mingled. His heart beat steady beneath her ear. So relaxed, her lids started to flutter closed.
“Juullllie.”
Her body tensed, and her eyes opened wide.
“It’s coming from the machine,” Luken said.
She scrambled from Luken’s body. She had to have imagined that voice.
“Julie, did you miss me? Pick up the phone, Julie.”
Her gaze shot to Luken’s and she could see his displeasure.
“Who is it?”
Her mouth opened, but the words wouldn’t come out. How in the hell had he called her? Found her? A sob tore from her. Luken got off the bed and started toward the kitchen.
“Are you fucking him, Julie? You know that’s considered adultery.”
She darted out the door after Luken and came around the corner of the kitchen as he grabbed the receiver and lifted it to his ear.
“Listen here, motherfucker.”
Julie panicked and reached for the base mounted on the wall. With a fierce tug she ripped it off. Her wide-eyed gaze met Luken’s once again and he frowned.
“I’m guessing Ivan?” He dropped the receiver and it clattered against the tile floor.
She swallowed, shaking her head. “I don’t know how…”
“How doesn’t matter. We need to move. Obviously he knows where you’re at and he knows about me. He might even be watching us now.”
“Oh God.” Her knees became weak and Luken grabbed her arm to tug her along behind him.
This wasn’t happening. How in the hell did Ivan get out of prison? Luken released her and she leaned against the doorframe of her bedroom as he made quick work of stuffing clothes into her duffle bag.
“We need to go.” Luken fastened his jeans and slung the strap of the bag over his shoulder.
“Your shirt and shoes are in the kitchen.”
“No time.”
She grasped his offered hand and followed him to the door.
“Listen to me. My truck is in the driveway. I want you to tuck your head and run to the driver’s side and crawl across as fast as you can.”
She inhaled a deep breath, focusing on the task he gave her. Things were serious and she didn’t have time to curl into a ball and freak out. She nodded.
He opened the door and she took off as he’d instructed. Bare feet slapped against the pavement of the driveway. Little pebbles dug at the soles of her feet, but she didn’t let it slow her. The jingle of keys reached her ears. She saw the headlights of his truck turn on and knew it would be because he unlocked the doors with the key fob. With quick movements she slung open the door and climbed inside. Her knee banged the gearshift on her way over the console but she didn’t stop. By the time she had righted herself in her seat Luken had already jumped in, fired up the engine and had it in reverse.
They sped out of the driveway as she reached for her seat belt. The rev of the motor seemed loud in the eerie quiet. Her gaze darted around, looking for any signs of trouble, but found none. Nothing seemed amiss. “Maybe we overreacted. Maybe he was just trying to scare us.”
A loud pop sounded a split second before the glass shattered behind her. She screamed as Luken’s hand gripped the back of her head and shoved her down. Nope! They hadn’t overreacted. Tires squealed as Luken mashed the gas pedal. She heard more shots.
Luken growled. “When I get my hands on that fucker, he’s dead.”
Bullets pinged the side of the truck and Luken released a stream of curse words. Her body trembled and swayed as Luken gave his all to the evasive driving maneuvers.
“Hang on, it’s about to get rough.”
She watched as he yanked the wheel and then they hit the first in a series of bumps. Her head jarred forward and collided with the dashboard. “Shit!” That was definitely going to leave a mark. Pain arched through her brain and she sucked in a breath between clenched teeth.
Luken released his hold on her head. “Try to brace yourself. Maybe sit up a little, but slouch in the seat.”
She quickly repositioned herself and caught a glimpse of the off-road scenery in front of them. Luken was dodging trees. She squeezed her eyes shut as he sped over another hill. At least gunshots were no longer peppering the tailgate. “Did we lose them?”
“Maybe. I’m about to get back on a road so we can put more distance between us and them.”
She cracked open one eye and saw a paved road in front of them. No longer having to fear a collision with a tree, she sat up a little more and paid attention to where they were headed. Her direction sense had never been great, but she would guess Luken had taken them into the empty field to the left of her gated community. The thought brought on a whole new set of questions. “How in the hell did Ivan
get past the guard at the gate?”
“They’re dead.”
Nausea rolled in her tummy. So much for no more deaths. And these could, in a way, be laid at her feet. A tear tracked down her cheek and she swiped at it.
“It’s not your fault.”
She glanced at him as the truck bounced then leveled as they returned to smooth asphalt. He peered in her direction before checking the mirrors and then refocusing on the road in front of them. “How do you know what I’m feeling?”
“It’s in your scent. Remorse. Regret. It’s not an exact science or anything. More like something you learn with time. The differences in scent are slight most times. But under the circumstances your moods are shifting violently so your scent changes are less subtle.”
“Oh.” There were so many things to get used to now. Her world had definitely been tilted tonight. Werewolves, exes, hell, what else? Would the fucking Easter bunny pop out of the woods next with a basket full of eggs? Her mind whirled as they sped down the curvy road.
A break opened up in the trees lining the asphalt and Julie sucked in a surprised breath. “Look out!”
“Shit!” Luken tried to avoid the collision, but the truck plowing through the field to their right collided with the bed. A big boom mixed with the screech of metal grinding against metal. The impact brought Julie’s side hard against the console. She cried out as the truck started to spin, but Luken regained control at the last minute and sped away from the other vehicle.
“Apparently they don’t have orders to take you alive.”
Luken’s words had her trembling. She watched as he punched a button on the dashboard. A sound chimed in the cabin.
“Call Javin.”
She looked at Luken for clarification.
“I need to put the den on alert. We have no idea how many are following us.”
She shook her head. “I can’t let you endanger your family like this. Just find some place to let me out. A bus station or something.” No way could she bring her past down on others’ heads.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re coming home with me.”
“Luken, I can’t ask this of you.”
When Lust Rules Page 6
