Wolf at the Door: Salvation Pack, Book 1

by N. J. Walters

  Jacque stretched out beside her and eased her head onto his shoulder. “I’m not going anywhere, chère.”

  She felt those words right to her core and knew he’d meant them. They gave her the courage to ask her next question. “Where do we go from here?”

  He ran his fingers up and down her arm. “Wherever you want to.” He paused and then added. “As long as you realize whatever you do you’ll be doing it with me.”

  A bubble of laughter escaped her. There was her alpha wolf.

  He shifted his body so she was looking straight at him. “You’re mine, Gwen. We belong together.”

  A sense of rightness settled over her and she felt her wolf rubbing against her skin inside her, as though the animal wanted to touch Jacque as well. “You’re right. We do belong together.” She leaned up and kissed the edge of his stubbled jaw.

  Jacque swore and kissed her hard, surging his tongue inward and stroking hers. As quick as the kiss began it was over. He pulled away and swore again. “None of that. Not until you’re one hundred percent better. No more stitches or bruises. Not this time, Gwen. When I make love to you again I want you with me all the way.”

  His words warmed her and made her skin tingle. It also gave her a reason to heal faster. “You’re on.” She settled back against his shoulder and set her hand on his stomach. She drifted her fingers lower until she hit his rather obvious erection.

  “Gwen.” There was a promise of retribution in his tone.

  She shrugged. “Just checking.”

  Jacque almost choked on a laugh. “No need to check, my sweet. I’m hard whenever you’re around.”

  And wasn’t that good to know. Gwen closed her eyes and settled down to sleep. The faster she got well, the faster she’d get what she wanted.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Jacque was driving her insane. Ten long days had gone by since the attack and in that time he’d done no more than sleep with her at night, which wouldn’t be such a bad thing except all they were doing was sleeping. The frustration was making them both short-tempered. It was ending. Today. She’d had enough.

  The others were no better. They wouldn’t let her do anything, not even get herself a cup of coffee. She’d managed to sneak her laptop into bed and work on her novel. Good thing too or she’d have totally lost her mind. Her novel was coming along nicely. Maybe it was because of all the inspiration she got daily simply by watching the men around her.

  Showered and dressed, she padded out of the bedroom on her stocking feet and down the hall to the kitchen. The damage done by the fight was long-fixed and everything was back to normal. Well, almost everything.

  “What are you doing out of bed?” The low, growl sent goose bumps racing down her arms. She turned and faced Jacque.

  “I’m tired of being in bed. All my bruises are gone and my fingers are healed.” She held up her hand. Her fingers had healed incredibly fast and the bruises had faded within days. Whatever changes her physiology had gone through, her ability to heal had been greatly improved. The scars on her neck would never fade completely, but she could live with that.

  Jacque put his hands on her shoulders and studied her intently. She could see the underlying worry in his gaze. Poor Jacque. It was going to take him a long time to accept she was fine and she wasn’t going anywhere. No time like the present to drive the point home.

  Gwen placed her hands on his chest, absorbing the warmth from his body. The navy-blue T-shirt he wore was stretched to the max by his broad chest and thick biceps. Her heart skipped a beat and her wolf rubbed against her skin on the inside. Gwen wanted to rub against Jacque in much the same manner and she let her hands explore the wide expanse of his shoulders.

  “Gwen.” She ignored the warning in his voice and continued to stroke his incredible body. Her fingers played with the hair at his nape.

  “What?” She kissed his chin, shivering slightly when the shadow of his beard scratched her face. He hadn’t shaved this morning and he looked rough and sexy.

  “You’re playing with fire,” he warned.

  “Ooh,” she teased. “I’m afraid of the big bad wolf.” An incredulous look covered his face, as though he couldn’t believe she’d said that. She grinned. Someone needed to tease him more often. He was too serious and needed more fun in his life. “I’m not wearing a red hood, but I am wearing a red sweater.” She looped her arms around his neck and inhaled his masculine scent, which was tinged with the fresh scent of the outdoors. “Does that give you any ideas?”

  He swung her around so her back hit the wall behind her. Then he leaned down until their noses were touching. “I don’t want to hurt you.” He wrapped his hands around her hips, holding her in place.

  “You won’t,” she promised him. “I need you.” She kissed him, licking at his lips until they parted. She teased his sharp canines with her tongue. “Oh, what sharp teeth you have.” She grinned when he gave a short bark of laughter. She longed to make him laugh, to bring some fun into his life.

  “All the better to eat you with, my dear.”

  Her laugh of pleasure became a moan as he nibbled on her neck. “Promises. Promises.”

  He growled and caught her mouth, really kissing her for the first time since she’d almost died. She shivered but quickly put the thought out of her mind. She was alive and she was here with Jacque. Nothing else mattered.

  His hands roamed up and down her sides, around to her back and shoulders before coming around to her front. Her breasts ached for his caress and she moaned when he finally touched them.

  “I love the feel of you in my hands.” His voice was thick with lust and she wanted his hands all over her naked skin. After everything they’d gone through, they needed to reaffirm life. Together.

  “I love the feel of your hands on me.” She shoved her hands beneath his shirt and stroked his rock-solid abs. “And I love the feel of you. So strong and hard.”

  He leaned back far enough to yank his shirt over his head and toss it away. Her mouth started watering at the sight of him half naked. His biceps were sculpted, his shoulders thick with muscle. Oh yeah, he was perfect.

  Jacque grabbed the hem of her shirt and tugged. She raised her arms over her head and helped him lift it away, leaving her only in her white lacy bra. He made a sound of pleasure in the back of his throat before covering her breasts with his hands. The contrast between the feminine lace and his tanned, rugged hands sent her temperature skyrocketing.

  She leaned forward and rubbed her breasts against his palms. It wasn’t enough. “Take it off,” she ordered.

  He traced the delicate fabric with his fingers, slowly working his way to the front closure. A quick flick of his fingers and the bra was open, the cups sliding away. He shoved the straps down her arms, exposing her totally to his view.

  “Your skin is perfect, pale and smooth.” He cupped her breasts in his palms, weighing them, caressing them.

  She let her hands slide lower, finding the heavy bulge in the front of his jeans. He sucked in a breath when she closed her hand around him through the heavy material. He didn’t try to talk her out of making love, not this time, and a surge of triumph shot through Gwen. He pushed his erection more firmly into her hand and she squeezed him.

  He kissed her then, a gentle caress, his lips grazing hers. He kissed her forehead, her cheekbones and her nose. “Sweet Gwen,” he crooned while he worked his way down her neck, paying particular attention to the scars on the side. They were still red and prominent, but she hoped they’d eventually turn white and blend with her skin.

  He paused and she gave his cock another squeeze, a not so gentle reminder not to stop. Jacque gave a snort of laughter and kept going. He laved her collarbone and his rough tongue lapped and teased her nipples into hard nubs.

  “I love your taste. Sweet and salty.” He tugged a nipple into his mouth and sucked on it. Heat shot to her core and down to her toes. Gwen groaned, wrapping her arms around his head and holding him to her.

  He w
ent to his knees in front of her, spreading open-mouthed kisses down her torso. He unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans, nuzzling the fabric out of his way and nipping at her hipbones. She wiggled her hips, desperate to get her clothing off so she could be closer to him.

  Jacque dipped his hands beneath the fabric of her jeans and cupped her ass roughly. His breath was coming hard and fast and the muscles in his shoulders rippled when he started to push her jeans down her thighs. He took her underwear too and soon she was totally naked.

  Gwen was thankful for the support of the wall behind her. Her thighs quivered and her knees were weak. She wanted Jacque so bad. Wanted to feel his skin against hers, his breath on her lips and his hard cock filling her. She wanted it all.

  He knelt at her feet and let his hands slide up her calves and knees, letting them glide to her inner thighs. “Part your legs for me.”

  There was no hesitation as she did what he asked. She wanted him to see how ready she was for him.

  “Beautiful.” He stroked his finger over her core, drawing a low moan of pleasure. “Tasty too.” His tongue followed the trail his finger had. He lapped at her slick folds, teasing them and dipping his tongue into the opening of her channel.

  Gwen gasped and grabbed his hair, holding him to her. Her skin was on fire and she was so close to coming it wouldn’t take much to push her over. She’d been attracted to him from the first, but it was even more intense now.

  Her senses had expanded, becoming more acute. His musky male scent filled her nose, as intoxicating as a fine whisky. The silky strands of his hair were a sensual caress as they slid between her fingers.

  She felt his every touch more sharply. The rasp of his tongue over her distended clit and the stroke of his fingers over her slick folds. It all pushed her nearer to the point of no return.

  “Gwen.” He said her name and nothing more. She sensed his growing desperation, his primal need to claim her.

  “Take me. Love me.” She moaned when he dipped two fingers into her channel. It wasn’t enough. “Jacque. I need you.”

  He surged to his feet and ripped open the front of his jeans. His cock sprang free, hard and ready. Gwen licked her lips, loving the fact he didn’t wear underwear. She reached for him, but he pulled back. “Not now. I won’t last.”

  His lips were pulled back on a silent feral growl. His eyes blazed with lust. But she wasn’t the least bit afraid when he lifted her as though she weighed nothing and positioned the head of his cock against her opening. “Wrap your legs around me.”

  She twined her thighs around his lean hips, crossing her ankles at the small of his back. He sank into her slowly, stretching her sheath, filling her until she didn’t think she could take any more. But she did. She took every last inch of him.

  He dropped his head into the curve of her neck. Both of them were panting hard. Gwen could feel her orgasm hovering just out of reach. She grabbed his shoulders and tried to lever herself up an inch or two before letting herself drop back down on his shaft.

  Jacque swore and began to move. His strokes were short and shallow, as though he was running out of time. She angled her body for maximum effect, loving the feel of his chest hair abrading her nipples, the slick slide of his cock in and out of her channel.

  He gave a roar, lifted her away from the wall and set her down on the table. The hard, cool surface hit her back, making her arch upward. She held on to his shoulders as he began to pound into her, fast and hard. Only her grip on his neck kept her from sliding across the smooth tabletop. The cords of his neck strained as he powered in and out. She clung to him, pushing her hips up on his downward stroke.

  Every cell in her body strained toward completion. Her wolf howled inside her as a cry broke from Gwen’s lips. Her sex tightened around his cock, squeezing it hard. Ripples raced down her sheath and she exploded, pleasure racing out from her core to encompass her entire body.

  Jacque swore and wet heat filled her core as he came. She kept her legs wrapped tight around him, not wanting to let him go.

  Jacque swore again as he struggled to get his breath back and slow his racing heart. What the hell had he just done? He’d taken Gwen like an animal in heat on the table, in the dining area where anyone could have walked in on them. Of course, the others would have most likely heard the noise they made and walked away, leaving them their privacy, but still.

  Gwen had been ill. Hell, she’d died for a short time. The least he could have done was make sweet love to her in the comfort of their bed. But he’d seen her, tasted her and lost all control.

  “You’re thinking too hard,” she told him, and he smiled in spite of his consternation. Gwen did that for him. She made him laugh and smile. She infuriated him and pleased him to no end. Their life together would never be dull.

  She gripped his hair in her hands and tugged until he was looking at her. Her eyes were slightly glazed with passion and her lips were red and damp from his earlier kisses. He kissed them again, unable to resist.

  She smiled beneath his lips and he pulled back. She paled slightly and he frowned. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” He eased out of Gwen, tucked his semi-erect cock into his jeans and zipped them. “I knew this wasn’t a good idea. I was too rough.”

  She shook her head and sat up on the edge of the table, grabbing on to the edge to support herself. “No. It’s not that. I just feel strange.”

  Her skin was damp and she shivered. He grabbed his T-shirt and started to put it on her, but she stopped him.

  “Like something is rippling beneath my skin.”

  Jacque stilled, almost too afraid to believe her. “What does it feel like?” He tried to keep the anticipation and excitement out of his voice. It wasn’t easy. Gwen’s survival of the almost-always-fatal bite of his father had left them with questions. There was no doubt Gwen was part werewolf now, but just how far it went was anyone’s guess. None of them had any knowledge to draw on so they were taking each day as it came.

  She shrugged and her eyes glazed slightly, as though she were looking inward. “Soft. Seeking almost.” She nibbled on her bottom lip, looking slightly afraid. “I think it’s my wolf.”

  Jacque combed his fingers through her hair, tilting her head back so she was looking straight at him. “It’s your wolf. She wants out. But it’s up to you if you let that happen. You’re in control.”

  “What. What does that feel like? Does it hurt?”

  He wrapped his arms around her and she buried her face against his chest. How could he explain something that he’d always taken for granted. But she was human, had never expected anything like this to ever happen to her. “It’s as natural as breathing. All you have to do is embrace the wolf. Accept her. Let her know she’s a welcome part of you.”

  Gwen wanted to bask in the post-coital glow of their first lovemaking in almost two weeks, but the sensations flowing under her skin were distracting her, like an ache she couldn’t quite quell. They didn’t hurt. But they were insistent. She was insistent, the wolf.

  Gwen would be lying if she said she hadn’t thought about this in the long hours she’d spent in bed recovering from the werewolf bite. It was easy enough to say she accepted the wolf, to enjoy the faster healing, potentially longer life, and the new more acute senses. But to actually think about morphing into a wolf was something else altogether. For someone who valued control over her life, it was the ultimate in giving over power to someone, or rather something else.

  We are one.

  The wolf didn’t speak to her as much as it was a knowing on Gwen’s part. Gwen sensed she’d hurt the animal with her hesitation.

  Give me a break. This isn’t easy for me.

  “What do I do?” she asked Jacque. His arms were around her and her face was resting against his chest. She felt the leap of his heart and the increased pace. He was excited about her changing. Or maybe he was apprehensive. She felt both emotions and it was hard to tell the difference.

  He lifted her off the table, set her down and took
a step way. She shivered, immediately missing his heat. He frowned. “Are you sure you want to do this now? It can wait for another time.”

  She shook her head. There was no point in putting this off, in allowing it to become an even bigger deal than it already was. “No. I want to try now.”

  The skin on her arms rippled and her jaw began to tingle.

  “Close your eyes,” he told her. “And picture your wolf in your head. Feel her wrapping around you, becoming you.”

  Gwen shut her eyes and listened to Jacque’s voice. It was easy to see her wolf in her mind’s eye. The creature was beautiful and strong. The wolf trotted toward her, not stopping but picking up speed.

  “You can do this, chère.” She heard Jacque’s encouragement as though it was coming from a great distance. Her wolf was all she could see or hear.

  Her heart thudded against her chest and sweat beaded on her temple. She opened her arms and accepted the animal spirit that had saved her life. They were one and the same now.

  Gwen fell forward on her hands and knees. No, not hands. Paws. Her skin bristled and warmth surrounded her. Bones cracked and reformed, but it didn’t hurt. It felt strange but not painful. Much like cracking her knuckles. Her jaw elongated and her forehead flattened.

  She took a breath and was shocked by the feel of her mouth, the sharp teeth and long tongue. She opened her eyes and the entire world appeared different, sharper. Sounds were louder, smells were more acute and her vision was far superior. Her vantage point was slightly lower on four paws rather than on two legs, but not by much. She was much larger than an average wolf.

  “Gwen.”

  She turned and faced Jacque. He slowly fell to his knees and opened his arms. She trotted to him and he touched her head, sliding his fingers over her neck and down her flanks. “Oh, Gwen.” He sat and pulled her into his arms, which shook as he closed them around her.