“You’re my friend, Ethan.”
“Fuck being friends. I’ve never wanted just that from you. You know that,” he growled.
“It’s all I can offer,” she whispered. She might fantasize about him but panic started to thrum through her. This would end badly. She just knew it. Once he found his mate—and she doubted she was it—he’d be gone. Probably sooner.
“Bullshit.” Ethan closed the distance between them until he stood inches from her. She was petite so he had to look down at her.
He didn’t want her to feel as if he was towering over her intentionally but he liked the thought of dominating her in the bedroom. He couldn’t count how many times he’d fantasized about it.
Reaching out, he grasped her hips and pulled her tight against him. His cock pressed firmly against her belly. “You feel what you do to me? Anytime I’m near you, this happens.”
Her dark eyes flashed once as she nodded. She placed her hands on his chest as if she were going to push him back. But she didn’t. She just held perfectly still, as if she couldn’t make up her mind what she wanted to do.
When she didn’t say anything else, he threw all caution out the window and took a chance. She either rejected him or she didn’t.
He crushed his mouth over hers, catching her moan. For a moment her delicate hands pushed at him and he knew she was battling herself. Some demons were wreaking havoc inside her and if he knew what they were he’d try to ease them. Show her that he was different from whatever asshole who’d hurt her in the past. He couldn’t be sure but he guessed someone had or she wouldn’t be so hesitant to give them a shot. But he couldn’t force her so he waited and teasingly stroked his tongue against hers. After what felt like an eternity, her hands slid up and grasped his shoulders. No longer was she pushing him away.
Her fingers dug into him so tight that if he’d been only human, she’d have definitely left bruises. She was nervous. He could feel the tension humming through her entire body and in the way she gripped him as if her life depended on it.
His heart squeezed. What was she so afraid of? Definitely not him. He needed to soothe whatever fears she had but what the fuck did he know about that? He’d been a soldier. He didn’t know shit about real relationships. Sex, yes. Relationships, no.
Caro deserved better than him, but right now he didn’t care. He was a selfish bastard and she was finally giving him a chance. He might not know the right things to say but he’d figure it out.
All he knew was that they weren’t stopping at kissing tonight. He planned to make love to her half a dozen times before the night was through. When she woke up tomorrow morning, she’d feel him on her. In her. Her skin would be permeated with his scent. Hopefully she’d realize they belonged together.
Cradling her closer, he ran his hands through her thick hair and cupped the back of her head in a dominating but gentle grip. He wanted her to know he wasn’t going anywhere. Whatever she was afraid of, they could work out.
The longer he held her, the hotter his body grew and the stronger the scent of her desire grew. The sweet scent curled around him, making him dizzy with need.
Right now he needed to touch and mark her. Releasing her head, he slid his hands to the bottom of her T-shirt and began tugging it up. She froze and stopped kissing him.
“What are you doing?”
She sounded nervous and he desperately wanted to soothe her. If she wasn’t ready he’d stop but he knew she was. She just had to get past whatever issue was holding her back. “I’ve already seen you naked once today. I want to savor it this time.”
Her cheeks reddened and when she hesitated, he leaned forward and raked his teeth over her neck before nibbling on one of her earlobes. “You’re fucking perfect, Caro. Let me see you.” He inwardly cringed at his language but as he spoke, she relaxed.
“If you undress me, I get to see you too,” she finally murmured.
It was obvious she was still nervous but the fewer clothes they both had on, the better. Without pause, he stripped off his shirt.
Something totally primitive stirred inside him as she stared at his bare chest. Thanks to his stint in the military, he had his fair share of scars but she didn’t seem to care. Her gaze tracked over him with undisguised lust. She’d never looked at him like that and it made him shudder that she did now.
Before he could take off her top, she leaned forward and kissed his chest. Lightly, she traced her tongue over one of his nipples then tweaked it with her teeth.
He trembled at the feel of her mouth on him and though he wanted her to keep going, he wanted her bare to him even more. Seeing her naked earlier had been a tease of what he’d been missing out on. The need to see and lick those light brown nipples made him ache all over.
In seconds, he tore off her shirt and bra. Tossing them on the floor, he reached for her again. Her eyes were heated as she stared at him. Whatever had been holding her back before, she was ready to take the next step. This time he didn’t bother with the pretense of being gentle.
He reached around her and clutched on to her gorgeous ass. Then he hoisted her up so that she had to wrap her legs around him. Even with clothes on, he could feel her heat. All he could think about was burying himself inside her sweet pussy. The faster they got to her bed, the better.
As she sucked and teased his tongue, he headed for her bedroom. He’d never actually been in there but he knew how to find it.
He just followed her sweet scent. The farther he moved down the hallway, the stronger it got.
When she arched her back, rubbing her breasts against him and practically purring in delight, he tripped and lost his balance. It happened so fast but he managed to throw out a hand and take most of the brunt of the fall.
Instead of jerking her out of the moment, Caro simply laughed lightly under her breath as they tumbled to the ground. Then she grappled for the button of his jeans. She didn’t seem to care that they were on the carpeted hallway outside her bedroom.
He definitely didn’t. If he was honest, he was so afraid she’d change her mind that he didn’t bother trying to make it the rest of the way to her bed. Before he could let her finish undressing him, he needed to taste her.
He had been dreaming about this for too long.
Grasping her hands, he stilled them. “Not yet,” he murmured.
Her dark eyes shimmered with lust as she stared at him. But she withdrew her hands and watched while he slid her pants off instead.
The scent of her desire hit him full force. Do this right, he ordered himself when all he wanted to do was strip off her panties and thrust into her, foreplay be damned.
Her breathing became more erratic as he grasped the thin straps and slid them down her smooth legs.
“Just like I imagined,” he managed to rasp out. And she was. She made a sound as if to dismiss his words but when his gaze locked on hers she swallowed hard. “You’re perfect, Caro.”
Her cheeks reddened in that delicious way he loved but she didn’t say anything. He was glad because he didn’t want words now. Just wanted to taste and touch. When he’d fantasized about her pussy he’d wondered if she had hair and was pleased that she did. He didn’t like women bare and she had a perfect little strip of dark hair covering her mound. Even though he’d seen her in the backyard earlier, this was up close and personal and better than he’d imagined.
With one finger, he slowly parted her pink folds. Her pussy lips were wet and inviting. Running a finger along the slit, he bit back a moan when she shuddered.
His finger wouldn’t be enough though. Though he wanted to kiss a trail up her legs, tease her a little, he couldn’t right now.
Leaning down, he teased his tongue over her already swollen clit. She jerked at his kiss but ran her fingers through his hair and held on.
Feeling her clutch him as he began to stroke between her folds made his cock ache with an almost painful need for release. He fought it back, determined to give her pleasure. Show her they were meant for e
ach other.
Caro couldn’t believe she and Ethan were doing this in the middle of her hallway but for the first time in years she decided to let go of her inhibition. She’d been hiding behind her broken heart for too long.
She didn’t want to think about that though. When Ethan plunged his tongue inside her nether lips, she arched her back, urging him deeper. She needed this so desperately and she truly trusted Ethan.
As he stroked her, she didn’t hide her desire. Allowing a moan to tear free, she let him hear her need for him. “I want more.” The breathless words slipped out before she could stop herself.
She loved the feel of his tongue but it wasn’t enough. He looked up at her with those striking blue eyes and wordlessly slid a finger inside her.
Her body contracted around him and her head fell back. Before she could respond, he slid a second in and began slowly moving in and out. Her lips parted but she couldn’t think of anything coherent to say. Maybe words were overrated anyway. All she wanted was more of this.
More of Ethan.
He pushed deep inside her and held his fingers still before moving back to her clit. Her inner walls clenched around his fingers as she drew him into her. Everything about her body felt so sensitized. Something she’d never experienced before.
Not like this.
Her nipples tingled and itched and all she wanted to do was stroke herself, but she held back. She might trust him with her body but this was a huge step. They’d gone from having a friendly date to this. Letting herself go completely was a little scary.
As if he read her mind, he partially lifted his head and stopped his beautiful torture. “Touch yourself,” he murmured against her mound.
When she tensed he must have sensed it because he fully drew his head back and stared at her. “Now.”
The subtle command in his deep voice sent shivers rocketing through her. He’d never talked to her that way. But she liked it. Maybe too much.
Lifting her hands, she tentatively cupped both her breasts. He continued staring, those blue eyes like lasers burning her. Feeling emboldened by his attention, she lightly pinched one of her nipples between her thumb and forefinger. The grasping action made her clit ache even more. When she did, he began moving his fingers inside her again.
It was like the erotic sensation in her nipples was connected to what he was doing. With each stroke of his fingers inside her, her nipples tingled and tightened even more.
Laying her head back on the floor, she closed her eyes and began strumming her thumbs over both hard buds.
Ethan growled something incomprehensible and sucked her clit into his mouth with an abrupt, highly erotic tug. The action took her by surprise but only pushed her closer to orgasm.
Her inner walls continued to tighten around him with each stroke until finally it was too much. She didn’t know why she was trying to hold on to any sort of control, but she was tired of denying herself what she wanted.
When he lightly raked his teeth over her clit, she pushed over the edge and found that elusive bliss she’d needed for too long. The exquisite pleasure raced through her at lightning speed, making her entire body tremble.
Her legs tightened around his head but he didn’t seem to mind as he continued tweaking her clit. Finally she fell limp against the floor, breathing hard but still needing more.
She needed to feel all of Ethan inside her.
Something primitive inside her had wanted him since the moment she’d seen him stretched out and injured on that examination table—though she’d never tell anyone that. Now was her chance. She wanted him to claim her. Take control.
Ethan covered her body with his in a quick move. Her dark eyes were slightly dilated as she came down from her high, but he wasn’t done with her. Not yet.
Feeling those tight walls clasp around his fingers wasn’t enough. His cock would never forgive him if he stopped now.
Without moving off her, he shimmied out of his jeans and settled fully between her legs. She still stared at him with heavy lidded eyes. “That was amazing,” she murmured. She opened her mouth to say something else but he didn’t give her the chance to finish.
A year ago he’d have had to worry about putting on a condom but since they were both shifters, it didn’t matter. Thanks to their DNA they couldn’t give or get any diseases.
When he pushed the head of his cock against her opening, she reached down and grabbed his ass. Clutching hard, she dug into his skin and lifted her hips against his. As he thrust into her, he thought he’d die from the pleasure.
She was so fucking tight he knew he wouldn’t last long. Though there was never any chance of that. Not this first time and not with the way his balls pulled up so insanely tight and painful. Still, he wanted this to be very memorable for her.
Instead of thrusting into her until he was sated, the way his animal side demanded, he stayed deep inside her, savoring the feel of her tight sheath milking him. Even slick and wet as she was, the woman felt like a silk glove around his cock. She pulsed around him as if they were two puzzle pieces, perfectly fit together.
“Fuck me, Ethan,” she whispered as she stared at him with that soulful dark gaze.
Three words he’d never thought to hear from her and they made his cock throb in agony. A primal growl tore from his throat as he pulled back and slammed into her.
Her mouth parted invitingly as she let out a gasp of pleasure and he was lost. Crushing his mouth over hers, he let go, releasing inside her in long, hard spurts.
It felt as if he came forever as she milked him completely dry. He wasn’t sure how much time passed, but even after she’d taken all he had, his hips still blindly thrust against her.
When he opened his eyes he found he liked the satisfied half-smile pulling at the corners of her full lips. Yeah, he was going to keep that smile there for a long time.
Moving off her even though he hated to pull out of her, he reached underneath Caro and lifted her of the ground. He cuddled her close, savoring the feel of all that bare skin against his. Wordlessly he headed into the bedroom and placed her in the middle of the bed. Reaching out, he cupped her cheek and softly stroked her.
They weren’t even close to being done for the night.
Chapter Two
Caro opened her eyes and inhaled deeply. The scent of French roast coffee and bacon teased her nose. Her heart did a little flip-flop at the realization that Ethan was cooking breakfast for her.
Stretching her arms above her head, she smiled at the soreness she felt all throughout her body. Especially between her legs.
They’d made love too many times to count last night. The man had been a tireless machine. Not that she had any complaints. The delectable stiffness she experienced was totally worth it.
Even though she wanted to lie there for another few minutes she forced herself to get up. After putting on a robe, she headed for the kitchen.
She found Ethan standing at the stove with his back to her. Shirtless. Letting her gaze rake over the lines and striations of his very muscular back, she smiled. Not an ounce of fat on the man.
He glanced over his shoulder and smiled when he spotted her. “Morning.”
“Morning.” She wrapped her arms around her chest as she took a few steps into the kitchen, hating that she suddenly felt shy around Ethan of all people.
Too many old insecurities threatened to overwhelm her as she looked at him. What happened when he found someone else? His true mate? She’d lose not only a lover, but a friend. Her best friend if she was honest. Other than the members of her pack she hadn’t let too many people get close to her in the last century. Since they had to move to a new city every couple decades it was hard forming lasting relationships.
“What’s wrong?” He frowned and stepped away from the stove.
Not wanting to discuss it, she pasted on a bright smile and shook her head. “Nothing. Something smells really good.”
His frown lessened but it didn’t disappear. “There’s coffee
on if you want.”
“Great.” She averted her gaze and made a beeline for the coffeepot. As she started to grab a mug from one of the cabinets, she felt Ethan’s hands settle on her hips before she even scented him. He was getting a lot better at masking himself, she realized.
From behind, he lightly nuzzled her neck, sending a shiver rolling down her spine. “After breakfast I have to help Adam for a couple hours but I can come over and we can hang out for a while before the party tonight.” His words were low and sensual and there was no doubt in her mind what he wanted to do while they “hung out”.
She wanted that too but what happened afterward? Would they go to the party together? They’d just had sex; it wasn’t as though they were a couple now. But they were part of the same pack so even if she wanted to, it wasn’t as if she could avoid him.
“Uh, okay.” Why did she have to sound so unsure? She wanted to shake herself and snap out of the insecurities plaguing her but couldn’t. Fear of abandonment bloomed inside her now that they’d taken such a big step in their relationship.
His hands still loosely gripped her but he raised his head. “If you have plans then I can just pick you up tonight.” Now he sounded unsure, making her feel like crap.
“I…have a lot of errands and other stuff to do today so why don’t I just meet you there?” God, she sounded so lame even to herself.
He let his hands drop. “Sure.” She could hear the distance in his voice but she couldn’t find the words to make things right. Everything she thought of saying sounded silly and insecure and she didn’t want him to see that part of her.
Behind her she could feel him waiting for her to say something more but she just pretended nothing was wrong and started spooning sugar into her coffee.
* * * * *
Ethan slammed the door to his truck before stalking up the drive toward Adam and Paz’s house—well, his house too. Sometimes it was hard to remember that. Hell, sometimes it was difficult to remember he finally had a place to call home. As he walked, the front door opened and Adam strode out carrying Ethan’s tool belt.
DesireUnleashed Page 2
