Holiday Magic

by Tl Reeve

  “Every day brings a new battle for me,” she whispered, running her fingertips along the glossy finish of his kitchen table. “I’ve been conditioned to run. Even when I thought I was safe, I wasn’t. He always finds me.”

  “I want him to find you.”

  She sucked in a breath and pushed away from the table. Lance was there, though, grabbing her by the wrist to stay her motion. “Listen to me, darlin’. Listen to my words, not what you think you’re hearing. If he finds you here, I can put him away. I can make all of this stop forever.”

  She shook her head. “Y-you don’t understand. He’ll never go away. He’ll never stop coming for me. He’s obsessed. Police couldn’t even put him in jail and fuck the restraining order. He ignored it.”

  Lance liked a good challenge. “You’re safe with me, darlin’. I promise. I won’t let him get to you, and I damn sure won’t let him hurt you ever again.”

  The unmitigated fear in her blue eyes pissed off his wolf. He wanted to hunt the bastard responsible for putting it there then rip out his throat. The vicious ideas swirled in his mind as he contemplated every way he’d kill this Javier. None of them soothed the beast within though. If anything, he became drunk on bloodlust and high on mating heat. The wolf pushed against his skin, demanding some kind of release.

  “I yearn for the day when I can believe what people tell me.” Her gaze didn’t meet his. “But I have also learned the hard way what happens when you blindly trust someone.”

  Lance wrapped her in his arms. “Darlin’, I mean what I say and I aim to prove it.” Tipping her chin up, he brushed his lips over hers. He’d call himself every name in the book later, after he mated her, but for now, he had to show her physically she could trust him.

  His tongue ran against her mouth, and he groaned. Her natural heat along with the sweet pop of berries tickled his taste buds. Never in his life had he craved another being like her. With each swipe, he fell deeper into a spell she didn’t even realize she cast upon him. Although she didn’t know it yet, he was her wolf. Her protector. And after tonight, he’d make sure Javier died. Lance palmed her ass, lifted her, and coaxed her to wrap her legs around his waist. The apex of her thighs hit him just right and it took all his strength to carry her out of the kitchen before bedding her right then and there.

  “Lance,” she whimpered, rubbing against him.

  “I’m right here.” He gave her rear a good squeeze as he ascended the stairs to his room. He kicked open the door then headed for his bed. “I’m not letting you go.” Laying her out on the bed, he went back to kissing her. He couldn’t get enough of her.

  She fisted his shirt, her blunt fingernails digging into his chest as she clung to him like a life line. He grunted at the initial shock of pain, then sunk into it as adrenaline and arousal coursed through him. Shit, he should slow this down, be easy with her. The bruises from her accident stood out in stark contrast to her pale, creamy flesh. He hated them and it only served to ramp up his need to both claim her and destroy her ex.

  Lance pulled back to yank his shirt over his head. Her appreciative stare caressed his overly sensitive flesh as she took in each and every inch of him. With his wolf genetics, he didn’t have to work out too much, but the conceited part of him did so, just for show. He took her hand in his and placed it over his heart. “All yours.”

  She licked her lips and glanced away. “You shouldn’t say stuff you don’t mean.”

  He pounced on her, pushing her thighs wide, so he could fit between them. “I never say anything I don’t mean. You’ll learn that though. Later.” He kissed her again while flexing his hips forward so they touched more intimately. He burned for her, would become a pile of ashes and rise again to prove his loyalty.

  “Why are you doing this?”

  “Because you’re mine, Amity, and I mean to show you every fucking day if I have to.”

  * * *

  Wound tighter than a top, she worried any second he’d touch something inside her, and she’d be sprung. The room tilted on its axis with each lick and nip to her neck. Could be the concussion causing it. No man is this good. Totally. Yet, he continued to make those growling sounds at the back of his throat and he devoured every bit of her with his gaze while disrobing her, turning her insides to mush. Her heart galloped like a prized thoroughbred racing for the finish line. Her breath came in soft pants.

  He licked the hollow of her hip, then nibbled on her belly button while he pulled her pants from her body. She should tell him to slow down. They were moving awfully fast for only meeting a few days ago. And some of that time didn’t really count since she’d been unconscious in his spare bedroom all that time.

  Yet, when he ran his tongue along her skin, she lost the ability to form a rational argument for holding off. He nuzzled her sex and licked her slit through her panties. The muscles of her belly fluttered at the erotic sight. She ran her hands through his hair and marveled at its softness as she curled her fingers into his sandy-colored locks, holding him to her. Her world narrowed as she watched him pull her underwear to the side and dip his tongue into her channel.

  Amity gasped. Her hips came off the bed. The intimate touch was pleasure filled, and also held an intimacy she’d never experienced before. With Javier, it had been more of a way for him to work out his demons without beating the shit out of her.

  With Lance, it was filled with reverence and appreciation. He made love to her with his tongue. She squirmed with each dip and retreat of the appendage. The way he curled it—swirled it around her clit before sucking the nub into his mouth drove her insane.

  Fire raced through her veins and her belly coiled as she chased her orgasm. Then he added his finger. Oh my God. She swore she died and went to heaven—complete with clouds parting, bright, all-encompassing white light and harp music greeting her. Her mouth fell open on a silent scream as she tensed, and she rode his face through the best release she’d ever experienced. It stole her breath, leaving her completely limp and far more relaxed than she’d been for the past six months.

  He moaned while lapping at her slick flesh. “Beautiful.”

  Heat filled her cheeks. She ran her nails over his shoulders, scratching the flesh. He grunted and palmed her breasts, squeezing them. With his gaze locked on hers, he flicked and pinched her nipples with his fingers. Even if she wanted to break the invisible connection between them, she didn’t have a strong enough will.

  He’d ensnared her. Held her enraptured with his penetrating stare. He worked his pants open then pulled them down over his thick, muscular thighs. The idea of him not even bothering to take them off, instead, pushing her toward the middle of the bed and covering her, got her blood pumping.

  “Shouldn’t you take your jeans off?”

  “Can’t,” he groaned, nuzzling the side of her neck. “Gotta get inside you.” He hooked his arm under her leg and opened her. He fit himself to her entrance and pushed forward. Lance didn’t stop until he filled her completely, stretching her to the max. Her pussy rippled and flexed to accommodate him.

  Not only was he long, but thick too. He touched her in places she didn’t know existed. The erotic visage of seeing him thrust into her while his jeans clung to his legs, pushed liquid heat through her system. The flutter of arousal in her lower belly became a full-on inferno of bliss.

  She clutched him, hanging on for dear life. She didn’t have the ability to examine the emotional firestorm rocketing through her at the moment. She could only hold on as his tip bumped the right spot. Pleasure detonated within her. She shuddered and writhed beneath him. She was unsure if she wanted more or if it was too much. She cried out when his mouth covered her pulse point and sucked. The sensations overwhelmed her.

  “Lance,” she whimpered when his teeth scraped the sensitive area.

  “Darlin’,” he growled. “You’re so fucking tight. I could get lost in you every day.”

  “It’s too much,” she gasped, arching to him.

  “Not enough.” He s
pread her wider and damn if he didn’t slip deeper inside her.

  She jerked. Her eyes went wide. Her thoughts fled her. All she could do was feel. Enjoy the ride, and when it ended, she’d gather her shattered emotions. His thrusts became more demanding. Harsher. The sounds he made as he fucked her senseless only added fuel to the wicked storm building inside her.

  Pleasure came in waves like a tumultuous sea ready to sink anything in its way. With each peak, he’d back her down only to build her up again. She wanted to scream in frustration, demand he give her what she needed. What she deserved after all the heartache and hardship she’d endured. Instead, she took it. Took every bit of the power he infused into her body. Enjoyed the mutual gratification of this simple dance of give and take.

  Wrapping her legs around his waist, she licked his chest and collarbone. She nibbled on him. He shook above her. His hips stuttered as he held himself still. When he didn’t move, she ran her tongue up the column of his neck and drew the lobe of his ear into her mouth. He groaned. His thrusts resumed and turned punishing. The sounds he made became animalistic. He huffed and grunted like a bull in rut.

  Fitting his hand between them he found her distended clit and rubbed the bundle of nerves until she was gasping and meeting him thrust for thrust. The switch she worried he’d flip, jumped to the on position, and she was lost to it all. She gave over to him.

  “Uh huh, that’s it, Amity. Give it to me. I promise once you drench my cock, I’ll fill you. Make you mine. Make sure you never have to worry about some prick ever hurting you again.”

  He rolled his hips, giving an extra bit of something that had stars dancing before her eyes. With another flick of his fingers, she shot apart. She screamed his name while writhing against him with uneven thrusts. He groaned in her ear, setting her off once more. “Fuck yes, darlin,’ you’re soaking me.” His salacious words had her quivering and with one last thrust, he grunted, expelling a harsh breath. A rhythmic throb signaled his release as he clung to her.

  She couldn’t move. Her bones were liquefied, muscles completely relaxed. Heck, she wondered how it was possible to breathe after an experience like that. Had she died and gone to heaven? She raked her fingers through his hair as he caught his breath. Wow, she never knew it could be so good. It was official. Lance Wingham had ruined her for any other man. His dick had just become her drug of choice.

  “Wow.”

  He chuckled, lifting his head. “I’ll take wow, any day.” He kissed her lips twice before pulling out of her. “Stay still. I think we got a little messy.”

  A little messy? Oh no, they got really messy. Not only had they just stepped from rescuer and damsel in distress to lovers who obvious lost their heads, they didn’t think about protection. Nervous energy filled her. She’d never been so in the moment to forget something like a condom. Shit. Now what? She didn’t have a clue. Of course, one time didn’t mean insta-preggers, but if she played it too blasé, what did it say about her and would he think she did it bareback all the time?

  “You’re thinking too hard.” He came back to her side with a warm, damp washcloth and set about taking care of her. “What’s on your mind?”

  “We didn’t…you know.” She glanced down.

  “No, we didn’t. I’m clean. As for pregnancy, I’m not worried.” He shrugged, wadding the wash cloth in his hands. “But you are.”

  “Yes. I don’t do this.” She bit her bottom lip.

  “Neither do I, darlin’.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you.”

  She waited for the normal panic flare up she experienced every time she had to move on, but it didn’t come. The anxious tremble she always fought to hide didn’t rear its ugly head. No, quite the opposite. She was calm. She chalked it up to the amazing sex, however, something told her she could trust Lance and he’d never do anything to hurt her.

  Boy, I’m really screwed now.

  7

  Lance sat at his desk going over the calls and reports that came during his absence. Leaving Amity had been harder than he expected. The passion between them had exploded, sending him reeling. Then, he called himself all kinds of names for even contemplating mating her without explanation, and while she’d been hurt. But having his cock buried inside her…it had taken all his willpower to keep from biting her.

  He glanced out the window of his office in the direction of the diner where Amity was now and frowned. He didn’t like her being out and about, but Lucy promised to keep her safe.

  Still, somewhere out there, her assailant roamed. There was no telling where or how far he’d gotten. As bad as the storm had been, there were only about six inches of snow left on the ground.

  The thought had occurred to him that perhaps the guy left town, but with the little Amity shared about Javier, the idea didn’t hold water. Javier had an obsession to feed, and doing so included torturing Amity. Well, never again. Lance was sure the minute he let his guard down, the guy would come waltzing back into his mate’s life and pounce on the opportunity. Lance had to stay alert and on guard, even if it did make him sound paranoid.

  “I’m telling you, something’s not adding up.” Beck strolled into his office and took a seat in the chair across from Lance. “He had her dead to rights, and he didn’t pull the trigger.”

  Then there was only one reason for not killing her: the bastard was sadistic and enjoyed terrorizing Amity. He got off on her fear. He was the kind of person who couldn’t get a hard-on unless the victim was beaten and submissive. If he killed Amity, then his fun was over. No, the bastard wouldn’t kill her until he had someone else to torture.

  “He isn’t stupid.” He went over the scene several times in the last few days trying to piece together the guy’s motivation, other than being infatuated with Amity. And there wasn’t anything else that made sense. Javier would continue to hunt his mate until the prick died.

  “Yeah, you’re right he’s not. He’s proven it by causing us to run in circles and chase our tails while searching for him. He sat back into a slouch. “We have his scent, but so far nothing. And yesterday, Thorne found the exact same size footprints we followed the night of the accident, near the fence of his junkyard. You’ll never guess where though.”

  He had a feeling about what Beck might tell him. “Where?”

  “Near her mangled car. He didn’t even clear his tracks on the way out either. They went back to 35 and then disappeared.”

  “Did you find anything in the car you could have missed?” They’d retrieved her bag and suitcase of clothes from the trunk, most of it, though, had been ruined by the accident and the snow.

  “A GPS tracker. I’m not even sure she knew about it. It was in the glovebox behind a false front.”

  Lance leaned back in his chair. Son of a bitch. “How did we miss this?”

  “Because no one would know it was there without looking. I did it on a hunch to see if we were missing anything. It was blinking away, giving off a signal.”

  “Shit. He realized the car would be trashed the minute he hit it. What’s the point? Unless he wanted to make sure no one had decided to try to fix it for her to leave.” The guy kept to the fringes. Stalked his prey. If he’d been a wolf, Lance could understand it better. However, the guy had been human.

  “Maybe your mate knows,” Beck grumbled. “I found it. I can’t tell you his motivation.”

  True. He’d ask Amity later. Maybe if they could glean some more information out of her, they’d know how to deal with Javier. “Thanks. The deeper we get into this, the more complicated it becomes.”

  Beck grunted. “You’re telling me.”

  The door to the main part of the office opened. “Hi, I need to file a missing person report.”

  Duty called, yet when he breathed deeply, he caught the man’s scent. A growl rumbled in his chest and Beck sat up a little straighter. This was how he’d do it? Breeze right into the sheriff’s department and fill out a report. He stood, poised to rip out the man’s
throat.

  Beck stopped him. “I’ll deal with it. Don’t want him running this time, do we?”

  Fuck. Nope. They didn’t. “Deal with him. I’ll run to Lucy’s and make sure Amity is safe. Have Casper, Wain, and Rayce meet me there. Call Spear and have him track this asshole when he leaves.” He couldn’t force Amity to stay cooped up in his house, especially since she’d spent more time running than living, so when she asked if she could go with Lucy, he’d agreed. His sister would call if anything happened, and he’d been overly confident about their ability to protect Amity.

  “On it.”

  He waited as Beck exited the office and greeted the man. “I’m Deputy Beck, how can I help you?”

  Lance didn’t wait around to hear the sob story the fucker had to tell. Afraid he’d do something stupid, he walked out the side door to his truck. He scanned the parked cars searching for something out of place. Nothing.

  He got into his truck and started it. Then he waited. When his pack stepped out of the woods surrounding the sheriff’s department, he put his truck into gear and pulled away. He needed to get to the diner and tell Amity the truth about him being a wolf and the alpha of the Rosewood Pack, and if she wouldn’t accept him, he’d give her a head start by killing Javier.

  He might die without his mate, but at least, she’d be able to get away and start a new life in a new town. She could still fall in love. His wolf hated the idea of letting her go. He detested lying even more.

  When he pulled into the parking lot, there were only a few cars there. Most were the usual customers; the others were staff. Lance parked his pickup, then got out and headed inside. His thoughts scrambled and his heart raced. The potential for shit going sideways increased with each step he took. The realization this could all backfire in his face almost pushed him to run. He snorted. No self-respecting alpha would run from his duties.