“Give me a minute, and I’m all yours.” He was completely on board with her repeat performance plan, but his spent dick could use a moment or two to recuperate.
Her lips curled upward. “For round two, right? Please tell me you mean round two, and not sleeping.”
“Whatever you want, Red. It’s yours.” He released his hold on her flaming mane to cuddle her close with both arms, burying his nose in her hair. God damn she smelled so fucking good, like sex and sweat and her unique floral scent. Jasmine, like her name. She squirmed in his embrace, rubbing her fine ass against his cock.
Inside, his wolf growled, and the sound trickled from his throat. He hardened in an instant, faster than he’d ever recovered before. An almost overwhelming urge to take her, bite and claim her rode him as hard as his now-aching dick. Mating energy flared to life inside him, a roiling inferno of need. Claim her now. Keep her. Care for her.
“Shit.” He desired nothing more than to sink back into her silken heat, feel her insides milking him as she orgasmed around him again and again, but not now, not with his wolf pacing ever closer to the surface, not with his rational mind’s control over the situation fraying by the second.
“Evan?” She patted his arm and tried to twist to face him, but he held firm.
His body had a mind of its own at the moment, and one hand cupped her mound while the other surrounded a breast.
“Oh.” Her husky moan ramped up his pulse. She melted against him, sliding her boot-clad calves against his legs.
His control shattered. “Mine.”
He took her down to the mattress on her back and sank his dick inside her sweet heat. His rational brain murmured, bad idea, but God help him, he couldn’t stop. The sight of her buck naked, wearing only those sexy high-heeled black boots, the ones she kept rubbing against his body, the feel of the slick leather…. Holding himself up by his arms, he pumped into her in mindless ecstasy.
“Yes, yes, there, God,” she babbled over and over. “It feels, oh God, yes.” She scratched her nails down his arms and chest.
Fuck, she’d marked him. The burn from her scratches as well as the sight of those red lines on his skin ratcheted up his desire to own her, body and soul. Woman and wolf.
He pistoned faster.
“Yes.” She locked her legs around him, hips raised, meeting him thrust for thrust. Then she grew silent and rigid in his arms, her nails digging into his back, all signs of her impending climax.
His balls burned. “Come now, Red. Right the fuck now.” As the first spurts of his seed spilled into her, she broke apart in his arms, neck arched, eyes rolled up in her head, eyelids fluttering. Her lips parted in her pleasure. No sound or air escaped her.
His own climax subsided, and he had the wherewithal to tell her, “Breathe, Red,” before he brushed aside her hair and sank his teeth into the soft, freckled flesh of her shoulder. Marking her. Mine.
Mating energy bubbled over them. Mina sucked in a huge breath and thrashed under him, her cunt squeezing his dick, already hard again. Her arms flailed wide. “So. Good. Can’t. Breathe.”
He released her shoulder, pulled out of her throbbing sheath, and rolled them to put her on top, straddling his thighs. Their hands slid and clashed as they both went for his aching dick.
Mina growled and smacked his hands away.
“Mine.” Her blue eyes were wild, glowing with her wolf. He and his wolf stared back at her, hands raised, waiting. Wanting.
She impaled herself on his dick.
They groaned at the joining, and, as the most fucking beautiful woman he’d ever seen in his life closed her eyes and set up a crazy swivel and slide on his happy cock, Evan’s entire world narrowed down to one thing. One wolf. One woman.
“Mina.” He positioned his thumb against her clit, giving her more friction while she rode him.
She opened her eyes at the sound of her name and sought out his free hand. “Evan.” Fingers entwined, gazes locked, her rhythm slowed, and their breathing aligned. Between one breath and the next, they both climaxed.
For the first time in his life, he fucking saw stars. “Holy hell, woman.”
Mina draped herself across his chest. “Holy heaven, Wolf Man.”
Her heartbeat boomed against his chest, matching his own. They were both damp and sticky, and they’d likely ruined his sister’s fancy bedspread. He didn’t give a damn. Contentment warmed his soul, and his wolf barked in agreement. She felt good in his arms. All soft curves and warm, satisfied woman. He stroked her hair, sifting the soft strands through his fingers, enjoying the play of light from the bedside lamps catching hints of orange and gold in her cherry-red locks.
This woman was all fire, like her hair. He liked it…liked her. A lot. His hand stilled, and he cupped the back of her head. New and foreign emotions washed over him. I like her. Smart, sassy, successful, hardworking, his equal in every way, and sexy and beautiful. My mate. In time, he could likely love her.
Love? What the fuck?
He plummeted from his sexual high. Hold on. This is a fling. Not a mating. Isn’t it? Fuck. He’d bitten her, basically claimed her in the most primal way, even if they’d exchanged no formal vows.
His wolf snorted. You said, “Mine,” dickwad. We claimed her. She’s ours.
He clenched his jaw to stop himself from uttering a string of curses. He’d agreed to her proposal of weekend sex, nothing more, but then he’d gone and let his fucking libido and his Goddamn wolf instincts steamroller over his good sense.
Shit. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Warm puffs of air tickled his neck—Mina had fallen asleep on top of him. Did she realize what had happened? Jesus. What a mess.
As gently as he could, even though she slept like the dead, he rolled her onto the bed next to him. She immediately curled onto her side, hands tucked under her chin. Sexiest fucking woman he’d ever seen. He unzipped her boots and slid them from her legs without so much as a peep from his sleeping beauty.
No, not his. She couldn’t be his. Not according to the terms of their agreement.
Fuck.
He rearranged the bed covers until he could slip her between the sheets. She let out a soft moan, kicked her legs twice then settled on her side again. He typically slept on his side, too. She’d fit perfectly in his arms, a warm bundle of—
This time he did curse out loud. “God damn it, no.”
He dressed in a hurry to get the fuck out of Dodge and opened the door to go hunt for a new sleeping space. But he needed more than a new place to stay. With the turmoil rampaging his mind and gut, he needed to run. He shifted to his wolf and stared at Mina ensconced in the bed. Her soft snores, her feminine scent, the smell of sex saturating the room urged him to stay, curl around her sweet, little body. Hold her. Keep her.
But he couldn’t. They had a plan, a contract, and they would abide by it.
He didn’t want a mate. She didn’t want one either. One fuck and done. Right? Right?
Jesus Christ, what had he fucking done?
Chapter Seven
Hammering. Too much hammering. Mina buried her head under a pillow. Too loud. Oh my God, someone make the pounding stop. Who on Earth would be working construction so early in the morning? Oh…half the thudding came from the pulse in her head. Ugh. One too many whiskey shots last night.
“Rise and shine, sleepyhead.” Ah. The other half of the thumpiness came from her bestie Lexi knocking on the nightstand.
“Go away, Lexi.”
“Hm, suppose I should say, ‘Rise and moan, Hungover Head.’” The bed dipped then bounced like a boat in choppy waters.
Mina groaned and tossed the pillow aside. “Lexi, stop. You’ll make me puke.” She blinked up at her friend perched next to her, grinning like the wolf who ate the hen.
Dressed in jeans, a long-sleeved black tee with one of her own kick-ass female, sword-wielding, anime game characters dead center, Lexi looked way too perky after their night of ine
briated fun.
“What time is it?” Mina asked.
“Time to get your ass out of bed and run around town with the girls. We have a million wedding details to handle before the rehearsal action tonight.” She offered Mina a black coffee cup with steam rising from its contents. “Your ambrosia. Triple strength. Three spoons of sugar.”
Mina sniffed, the roasted coffee goodness a balm to her achy head. “My hero.” She sat up and accepted the cup. “I love you.”
“I know.” Lexi’s calculating amber-eyed gaze swept over her then lingered on her shoulder.
On reflex, Mina touched the spot and winced. What the—
Heat rushed to her chest and face. Last night. Evan shafting her to the pearly gates of orgasm heaven. His mouth kissing her shoulder, his teeth tugging her flesh. Holy crap. Hottest sex of her life.
Lexi grinned. “Yep, I know the look. Details, please. Wait. Scratch that. He’s my brother.”
“Yeah,” Mina agreed. “We’re not going there.”
“Gimme the Cliff’s Notes version, rated way G, please.”
Mina sipped her coffee. “Let’s just say we made up.”
“I can see.”
Mina covered the spot on her shoulder. “Not. Going. There.” But then her mind did, in graphic, wonderful detail. A sigh escaped her.
Lexi smirked. “That good, huh?”
“Better.” She took another sip. “The mate thing really took it over the top.”
“Told you.” Lexi’s too-wise stare speared her. “Sure you want to have fleeting fun and then run out?”
“We made an agreement.” One she’d proposed. One she’d wanted.
“So break it.”
“I don’t know if he wants to.” Last night had been over-the-top amazing.
Evan had been so freaking sexy and attentive while they’d had massive sex, but then she woke up alone in bed.
“I mean, he’s not even here.” She glanced around the room. No sign of Evan’s overnight bag or his laptop, and her dress and boots sat on the bed next to Lexi. “He didn’t sleep here.”
Lexi shrugged. “No idea where he slept. Haven’t seen him all day.”
“All day?” How long had she slept after she passed out from sexual bliss? And why hadn’t Evan stayed with her? If he wanted to part as friends after their fling, his disappearing act seemed to indicate the exact opposite….
“It’s two in the afternoon.”
“Yikes.” She shooed Lexi off the bed and slid out. “Okay, let me get cleaned up, and then we can run all those errands for the bride and groom.” She snagged her phone off the bedside table. Nope. No messages from the Big Bad Wolf. Her chest constricted, and her lips turned downward.
“You okay, Mina?”
She forced a smile on her face. “Sure.” He hadn’t bothered to say one word after their intense coupling. Fling or not, his silence hurt her more than she would admit. To anyone. “I’ll be quick. Meet you downstairs.”
Mina appreciated the distraction of wedding errands, because she didn’t want to waste any further brainpower on Evan. After her shower, she’d texted him a short, “Hi, How are you today? Last night was fun.” He didn’t reply. Given the spotty cell service in the mountains, she gave him the benefit of the doubt.
Until he snubbed her at the rehearsal.
When she’d arrived at the town function hall with Lexi and Darci, her spirits fairly high after hours with the upbeat and happy women, she’d actually looked forward to checking in with Evan. But when they’d walked up to the men by the makeshift altar, Evan had looked right through her like she was the freaking Invisible Wolf Woman then excused himself from the group without a hello or a backward glance in her direction.
Having no role in the wedding other than creating the dresses, Mina had plastered on a wobbly, fake smile and found a seat in the back of the hall to watch the practice.
She shifted in her seat and glared a hole in Evan’s back while he stood next to Ross, performing his job of best man. What was his problem? What happened to parting as friends?
Her chest constricted.
Dominants were nothing but trouble with a capital T and that rhymed with Never Again. Okay, it didn’t rhyme at all, but she’d sworn off men, dominant men in particular. Time to renew her vows to herself. Work came first. And celibacy sounded better than a fling with a dominant who couldn’t even have the decency to say a parting, “Thanks, it was fun. Nice to meet you. Have a nice life.”
She scrunched her nose and stuck her tongue out at his back. His broad shoulders looked great in his denim jacket and his jeans hugged his ass like—
“Ugh.” She dropped her head in her hands. What had he done to her? Even when she was wicked pissed at him she still lusted after him.
“Problem?” Jake took the seat next to her.
Mina straightened. “No. Just tired.”
“You’re a terrible liar.”
“I know. It’s definitely not one of my super powers.”
He chuckled and followed her gaze to the stage. “He fucked up, didn’t he?”
No use in pretending. “Yes.”
“Stupid wanker.”
Mina laughed. Jake bumped her shoulder in a comforting show of solidarity, and they watched the rehearsal in companionable silence, clapping when the practice procession passed by them. Ross and Darci first then Lexi and Evan. Her bestie waved then blew a kiss to Jake. Evan, on the other hand, kept his gaze focused far from her. His stiff gait, stick-straight spine, and tight jaw telegraphed his tension.
A lump formed in Mina’s throat, and her eyes burned. Oh, hell no. She wouldn’t give the bonehead the satisfaction of seeing her cry. But when she stood to leave, a small pained sound escaped her. Darn it all.
Jake shot to his feet. “You all right?” He glanced at Evan’s retreating figure. Anger darkened his face. Anger on her behalf. Man, Lexi’s mate was the best.
She blinked to stem the tears. “I’m fine,” she lied. “Nature calls. Excuse me.”
She hurried from the room and down the hall to the restrooms. Had to get somewhere private before she lost it. She wouldn’t be the one to ruin Ross and Darci’s romantic evening. Everyone headed to rehearsal dinner now, but she couldn’t, not with Evan there. She’d hide in the bathroom, text Lexi she wasn’t feeling well then shift to wolf and make her way back to Lexi’s house.
Far away from Evan and his horrible behavior. Damn you, Evan.
“Mina.” Evan’s commanding voice sounded close, his footsteps thudding behind her.
Oh, absolutely hell to the freaking no. “Go away.” She picked up speed, eyeing the bathroom door. Almost there.
“We need to talk.” He caught up with her and gripped her arm. “Now.”
She whirled around and shoved him hard, forcing him back a few steps. “You are the poorest excuse for a male I have ever met in my life.”
“Mina, calm down.”
“Calm down? Whatever happened to common decency, huh? Our agreement to have some fun and part as friends?”
“I—”
“You what? What? You’re sorry? I don’t buy it. If you were sorry, you wouldn’t have behaved so abominably in there. Especially after what we—”
No. She wouldn’t tell him how great and special she’d considered their time together. He didn’t deserve to know. “You wouldn’t even look at me in there, Evan. Wouldn’t acknowledge me. You treated me like, like I’m nothing.” Her chin trembled.
“Fuck. Mina. Stop.” He closed the distance between them and cupped her face, and damn it, when his warm hands touched her skin and his annoyingly delicious masculine scent invaded her nose, she found herself too weak to push him away. Inside, her wolf whined. Great, they were both conflicted about the jerkenstein.
“Why, Evan?” Why did you act like such a jerk? Why did you hurt me? She couldn’t get the rest out for fear of her tears escaping.
“I am sorry.” He kis
sed her forehead and stroked his thumbs along the top of her cheeks.
She leaned into his touch, her anger ebbing. The hurt, though, still festered. “For which part?”
“I should never have agreed to your proposal. It was wrong, and I’m sorry.”
She reared back. The loss of his touch jolted her gut, but his words cut worse. “I don’t understand.” Was she the only one in the bedroom last night? She shook her head. “No. You enjoyed yourself last night. I know you did. What the hell got your jock strap in a twist after the fact?”
He continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “It’s the first and last time that can happen.”
“Damn straight, you insensitive asshole.” Wow, cursing a lot. Not her usual mode, but the man really pushed her buttons. So, fuck it. “Go to hell, Evan.”
“Let’s talk about this. Resolve it.”
“Nothing more to say. One and done.” She flipped him the bird and fled to the bathroom.
Chapter Eight
Evan wrestled with his tuxedo tie in front of the mirror of the makeshift dressing room, usually one of the function hall’s offices. His fingers refused to make a tidy knot, no matter how many times he tried. Lack of sleep sure didn’t help. He glared at his own reflection. Dark circles hovered above his cheeks, and were there more lines around his eyes? He looked like hell, felt like hell, and he deserved it.
Because he’d royally fucked up with Mina.
After he’d left her in bed and gone on a long-ass run in his wolf form to clear his head, he’d slept on the couch in Jake’s basement media room then spent the rest of the day with Ross, Jake, and both their fathers taking care of last-minute wedding business, armed with a lengthy “Do This, Dudes” list from Darci and Lexi.
Basically, avoiding Mina.
His steer-clear plan worked fine—and included ignoring her sweet text message—until she showed up at the rehearsal last night. One whiff of her floral scent followed by the husky sound of her voice as she’d joined them and said her hellos, and he’d almost thrown her over his shoulder and stormed off somewhere private, to take her long and hard and claim her all over again.
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