by Cali MacKay
Greyson shoved Thayer out of the bathroom, and slammed the door before turning back to her. “Juno…”
“Shouldn’t you be off pummeling each other or something?” Yet even as she took in his bloody lip and the gash on his cheekbone, her heart ached and a fresh wave of tears fell.
“I’m not going to fucking apologize to him when he was the one being an ass—although it’s fucking killing me that we upset you, when it was really nothing more than a bit of testosterone-fueled venting. Because the truth is, we both feel horrible about what happened to you, and…we both feel responsible. But the last thing we want is to upset you.” He stripped himself naked in a matter of seconds, stepping into the shower, clearly not caring if Thayer was still around. With a strong hand gripping her hip, he pulled her close, covering her mouth in a kiss that eased some of her anger. “Please forgive me?”
“I don’t blame you for what happened to me—nor do I blame Thayer. But I refuse to just stand there watching you guys beat the crap out of each other. And I know he pushes your buttons—but you let him get to you, instead of remembering that you guys used to be friends.” And the last thing she wanted was to get in the way of their friendship and cause problems with a pack who were their allies.
“You get that he wants to fuck you, right?” Anger and jealousy flashed in Greyson’s gold eyes and his jaw set in a hard line.
“And? What does it matter? Unless you don’t trust me not to fuck his brains out?” Juno ignored the fact that Greyson looked like he was going to have an aneurism—right after he tore Thayer to shreds.
“You know I trust you—and if you say you won’t, then I believe you.” He cursed under his breath with a shake of his head. “But just because you won’t fuck him doesn’t mean you don’t want to.”
“I love you, Greyson. No one else. And after everything that’s happened, I consider myself damn lucky that I can deal with even your touch, let alone another man’s. So whether he wants me or not doesn’t matter one bit, unless you think he, too, is going to force me into something I don’t want.” She had to suppress a shudder, even though she doubted Thayer would ever harm her in that way.
“No…I don’t think he would. He might be a pain in the ass, but he’s not like that.” Greyson let out a weary breath, and pulled her close, his muscular body brushing against hers, so his ever-present erection was trapped between them. “It’s just that the thought of another man’s hands on you…it’s making me fucking crazy.”
“It’s not like I had a choice in the matter.” That was the worst part about this nightmare. Even though Flint was long gone, she was still dealing with the consequences of what had been done to her—and she wasn’t the only one struggling with it.
“Of course not, love…and what happened to you—that’s on me. I was supposed to keep you safe, and I didn’t.”
Chapter 12
Greyson was still struggling with his guilt, even though he knew Juno didn’t hold him responsible. And instead of making things easier on her, he was being an asshole and taking his frustrations out on Thayer—even if he deserved it.
“I don’t want to dwell on it anymore, Greyson—and I need Thayer’s help, so please…just let it go.” Wrapping her arms around his neck, she went up onto her toes and kissed him, her wet curves pressing against him as his cock ached to take her. “Go make your peace with Thayer, and I’ll be out in just a minute. And then, once he’s gone, I can show you just how much I want no one but you.”
Ignoring the ache in his cock, he kissed her one last time and then after toweling off and tossing his clothes back on, he headed to the living room, where Thayer was helping himself to another whiskey.
“How is she?”
“Frustrated and still dealing with the consequences of what was done to her.” When Thayer handed him a glass, he was grateful for it.
“Fuck, man…I really am sorry for what was done to her. But I truly want to help her get the information she’s looking for, though I’m not sure how it’ll help, especially now that she’s a shifter.” Thayer took a long draw from his glass, his brow furrowed in thought. “You said it didn’t go well when she shifted?”
“No…it didn’t. I don’t think she was humanly conscious or aware of what was happening when she was in wolf form—and once she’d shifted back, she couldn’t remember any of it.” She’d been so freaked out about it. And yet he knew she’d have to do it again soon.
“I’m happy to help if you want to try to work with her on shifting.” They sat back down, and by the looks of it, Thayer had done his best to clean up anything that had gotten knocked over during their struggle.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m not sure she’ll be up for it anytime soon.” And if Greyson needed help, Thayer certainly wouldn’t be the person he’d turn to for help. And it went well beyond the fact that Juno would be naked. She’d also be vulnerable to their primal instincts and base urges without really knowing how to control them, and there was no fucking way he wanted Thayer there complicating things.
Before he could let his thoughts stir up his anger again, Juno wandered over, her hair still damp. Thayer got to his feet and started to apologize, but she waved his words away. “I don’t want to dwell on it. But…I’ve also given things some thought and though I truly appreciate your offer to help me find out about my kind and how the Change might affect me, I think I just need to step back from all of this for a little while.”
Thayer looked like she’d struck him in the gut with a two-by-four. “If it’s a matter of your safety—”
“It’s not. I just have other problems to deal with at the moment. I’m sorry.”
***
Greyson was caught off guard by Juno’s announcement, and now that Thayer was gone, he knew he’d have to figure out what was going on. Ever since the abduction, she seemed to be all over the place—not that she didn’t have every right to be confused and messed up after all she’d been through. But it left him more than a little worried. He’d thought she was dealing remarkably well, but now…he wasn’t so sure that was actually the case. And that meant it was time he told her everything.
Yet first…he needed her to know just how much he loved her.
He scooped her up off the sofa into his arms and carried her to their bedroom as she held onto him, nestling her head in the crook of his neck, her lips trailing kisses up to his ear. His cock was already straining against the zipper of his jeans, aching to be freed so he could sink into her sweet pussy, and yet tonight, especially, wasn’t about him. It was about making sure she knew she was his whole world.
He laid her down on their bed, stripping himself of his own clothing first, and then kneeling before her as she tossed her shirt aside, and he grabbed the waist of her leggings, pulling them down along with her panties. Fucking hell, she was beautiful…and before long, she’d be even more gorgeous as her body started to change, their child growing inside her. And yet, he was damned worried about how she’d react.
She had already said she wasn’t ready to be a mother, given how complicated and dangerous things were at the moment—and that had been before her kidnapping. The fact that she’d been sexually assaulted only added to the uncertainty of the matter, and he wasn’t sure her reaction to finding out she was pregnant would be a good one.
Pulling him from his thoughts, she brushed his hair and pulled him to her, catching his mouth with a hungry kiss, her tongue darting between his lips as he nestled himself between her legs, her knees falling to the side, ready for him to take her. And fuck…he wanted her something fierce, even as he forced himself to take things slow.
Ignoring the wanting ache in his cock, he trailed kisses down her neck and over the slope of her breasts, running his tongue in a teasing circle around her nipple and sucking it into his mouth as he pinched the other. She let out a groan and arched her back toward him in offering, sinking her fingers in his hair and wrapping her legs around his waist. With her nipple caught between his teeth, he flicked h
is tongue at the nub of flesh, though he didn’t linger too long, wanting to taste her on his tongue.
Trailing kisses over the curve of her belly and the hollow of her hip, he nestled himself between her legs, loving how she opened up for him and urged him on with her needy whimpers. Slipping a finger along her delicate folds, he let his fingers tease her opening, running his tongue over her clit, her breath catching with shallow gasps. “June bug…you taste so fucking good. And you’re so wet…”
He slipped a finger deep inside her, curving it as he slowly thrust in and out of her, hitting that sweet spot as he sucked on her clit, her fingers sinking into his hair and tugging him closer as her hips rocked up to meet his mouth, trying to quicken his pace. “Greyson…please…I need more…”
Increasing his pace, he added a second finger to help fill her, and then pressed another finger against the pucker of her ass and past the tight ring of muscle, loving the gasp that escaped her lips, knowing she was so close. When he sucked on her clit in time to his thrusting fingers and teased the swollen nub with his tongue, it was all that was needed to push her over the edge, as she cried out his name, her legs tight around his body. Yet he didn’t stop or slow until he’d coaxed every wave of pleasure from her body, kissing his way back up the curves of her body to her lips.
“Sweetness, you look so fucking gorgeous when your cheeks are flushed from having just come.” He brushed his fingers over her cheeks and stole another kiss, her mouth hungry on his, as his cock slipped back and forth against her slick heat, pulsing and ready to take her, even though he forced himself to hold back. His balls felt heavy with his need, and his cock ached, desperate to have her—but in the end, as their kiss deepened, he could only hold back for a moment more.
With a single thrust, he took her, sinking in fully to the base of his cock, his head spinning with how much he loved her. Her body was so tight, so slick, so ready for him, and despite his best intentions, there was no way he was going to be able to take this slow. Each thrust was a punch after a long slow slide, though his control was tenuous whenever Juno was involved, and now was no different, especially when she was wrapping her legs around his thighs, pulling him in deeper, harder, faster.
Fucking hell…he wasn’t going to last at the rate they were going. He hooked her leg up over his shoulder, taking her deeper, as their tongues clashed in passion and need, his balls tingling and heavy as the energy of his orgasm started to build. He swallowed each of her tiny little moans, pushing her closer to that razor’s edge, knowing she was close once more.
“I love you, Juno…” It was as if his words were what she needed to hear to unleash her orgasm—and his—her cries slipping past her lips as she came, clinging to him as he let loose, pumping his cum deep inside her with a few more thrusts, holding her as she quivered in his arms and he slowly covered her face in kisses between deep breaths.
“I love you too—even if I’m scared that what we have is going to fall apart.”
Chapter 13
Juno couldn’t quite figure out what was bothering Greyson. She didn’t know if it was the aftermath of his fight with Thayer or if it was…everything else. Though it was hard for her to deal with what had been done to her, it’s not like this was easy for Greyson either, especially when he was still holding himself responsible, even if she wasn’t.
Pulling free of her body, he laid back and cradled her against him, kissing the top of her head as she nestled deeper into his muscular embrace. “What we have will never fall apart, Juno…not when you’re my whole world. I’m not saying things will always be easy, but we will get through whatever gets thrown our way—together. And no matter what happens, just know that I’ll always do everything I can to keep you safe and make you happy.”
She pulled back to look at him, and saw a worry there in his eyes that she hadn’t expected to see—and it reminded her that she’d turned his life upside down. “If you’re worried about me—don’t be. I know I’m still a bit messed up and there’s a lot we need to sort through, but I’m dealing with things. I don’t want you stressing out.”
“To deal with everything you’ve been through…you’re stronger than any woman I know. But as long as Flint is out there, as long as the bears want blood, I’m going to worry about keeping you safe.” He let out a weary sigh, even as he tilted her head back and stole a lingering kiss. “That’s why I’m going to challenge Kiernan for the position of alpha.”
“What?” She pulled up out of his arms, confused and more than a little worried. “I thought being alpha was the last thing you wanted.”
“It was. But…our situation has changed, love.” His eyes flashed gold as he cupped her face and ran his thumb over her cheek, looking both worried for her and far too determined. He’d made his plans, and by the looks of it, there’d be little chance of getting him to budge. “I need to keep you safe, and the best way to make others think twice about coming after you again is for me to become alpha. There are too many people out there who think Kiernan isn’t a strong enough leader, and that in turn makes our pack look weak—and when the pack looks weak, we’re all at risk.”
“But Kiernan…” She couldn’t help but groan, feeling like they were betraying him—especially after he’d come to her aid. “He’s going to hate you for this. You can’t.”
“I can—and I will. It’s the best way to keep you safe, and that comes first, above all else.” When he pulled her close, she let him, though she was more than a little annoyed with the whole thing.
“You never asked for any of these problems, Greyson—and now, you’re going to tear apart your family. Not only will Kiernan hate you for it, but Cullen will too. And what if it ends up dividing the pack? What then?” Kiernan had to have supporters of his own. That meant the pack members would be forced to choose between the two brothers. “Because that sure as hell won’t make the pack stronger.”
“They’ll be divided—but only until the next alpha is determined. Though to be honest, I don’t think the pack will truly rally behind Kiernan if he wins, even if they should—and that’s part of the problem.” His shoulders tensed as he ran his hand across his thickly stubbled chin, still frustrated—though it felt like there was still more…though how things could get worse, she didn’t know.
And that’s when it occurred to her… “How, Greyson? How’s an alpha chosen?”
The lines in his face tightened as his eyes locked on hers. “We fight for it.”
She felt like he’d just gutted her, her eyes stinging with tears at the thought of him being injured—or worse. “Tell me this is a point-based fighting system, and I won’t be burying you if you lose the fight.”
“I won’t lose, June bug.” He bent his head to hers, their foreheads touching as he nuzzled her and stole a kiss, though it did little to calm her.
“And what about your brother? My safety isn’t worth all this trouble.” Cullen would hate her, and she doubted he’d be all too forgiving of Greyson either.
“It wouldn’t have to be to the death. But…whoever lost the fight would have to leave the pack.” Greyson looked miserable—and yet his set jaw and hard gaze also told her that he’d made up his mind and there’d be little chance of getting him to rethink this.
“You can’t do this, Greyson. Please, don’t.” She refused to be the reason his family got torn apart. There had to be another way. A way that wouldn’t involve Greyson becoming alpha. “You didn’t even want to be alpha.”
“What I want is to keep you and my child safe, Juno. Nothing else matters.”
***End of Part Three. To find out what happens next, continue with Part Four, which is now available for pre-order and is the last part in this serial. For updates on new releases, please sign up for my newsletter. Wishing you all the best. — Cali MacKay ***
Have you read them all?
Book Series by Cali MacKay
The Billionaire’s Temptation Series
Seduction and Surrender
Submission and Sur
render
Love and Surrender
Deception and Surrender
Ravage and Surrender
The Billionaire’s Seduction Series
Passion and Surrender
Obsession and Surrender
Scandal and Surrender
Temptation and Surrender (available as a preorder)
Forbidden – The Townsend Twins Series
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
The Silver Moon Pack Series
Greyson
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
A Maine Island Romance Series
One Sweet Summer
For Love or Treasure
Sweet Danger
The Highland Heart Series
The Highlander’s Hope
A Highland Home
A Highland Heist
Also available as a boxset (The Highland Heart Collection)
The Pirate and the Feisty Maid Series
Part One, Two and Three only available as a boxset
Jack—A Grim Reaper Romance (prequel- For One Last Kiss
