The Wolf's Heart
Page 17
Maybe she was overreacting. But when you found out your date was a werewolf, you should be allowed to have a hissy fit. It should be in the damn handbook. If not, she was writing it in with a large red marker the next chance she got. “I swear! All this damn time, I’ve been an idiot! You’re a werewolf! David’s one too, which I suppose explains his doggie-style attitude about life.”
“Lainie, let me explain, baby.” Marcus sat up and put his hands out in a placating gesture.
A mistake on his part, which she was sure he figured out pretty fast when she launched herself at him in a flurry of arms and legs and she wasn’t ashamed to admit, teeth.
“Ow! What the hell?” Marcus yelped, prying her jaws apart when she latched onto his forearm. He plopped her down on his thighs hard enough to make her grunt. “Stop it. Just listen to me, please.”
“No, I’m through listening. You’re gonna listen to me for a change, or I’ll…” She paused. What could she do? He was probably fifty times stronger and psychic to boot. A terrible thought occurred to her. “Can you read my mind?”
“Um, unfortunately, no.”
“Too bad for you.” She smiled and it must have been scary because he flinched.
“Have your say. Call me a monster, a beast and a son of a bitch, it’s all true.” He waited a beat. “But, you’re one of us, too.”
She opened her mouth to let him have it with both barrels when the last thing he said hit her like a ton of bricks. She was speechless and he took advantage of this very special occasion, as it didn’t come around often.
He quickly explained how her memories were buried deep down in her subconscious with the help of Joanna. At the mention of Jo’s name, her shoulders slumped.
She’d been betrayed by the woman she’d thought of as her mother. A web of deceit had been woven around her memories so tightly she didn’t really know what was real and what wasn’t, except him. He was real. Marcus was a part of her; she didn’t want that to change. “I’m one of you?”
“Yeah, in a way. You and others like you were created for our kind.” Marcus ran his hand through his hair, but kept his other arm around her waist.
She was very aware of the warmth of his body seeping into hers. Was that why he felt so right? Because if he wasn’t even human, why did it feel like they were supposed to be together? She shifted around to get comfortable and he groaned.
“Lainie, don’t do that.” His eyes were heavy lidded as he stared at her mouth. Did he actually think he was gettin’ some when they had so much to discuss? Of course he did, he was a man and all men were dogs— She stopped in mid-thought and clapped her hand over her mouth.
“What is it?”
“Um, nothing, carry on.” She snorted. He began to explain about the genetic factors, and why. When he said the word imprint, she jerked but he kept talking, glossing over that part.
She held her hand up. “Hold it, back up. What was that about imprinting?”
“Well, you are made for a certain family. Your body chemistry is the most compatible with them. They, uh—in laymen’s terms, you have a type and you stick with it.” Marcus gave her a sheepish grin.
“And what type is this?” She arched her brow at him. Before he could answer, she snorted. “Don’t tell me, I already know. Tall, dark and full of shit. In other words, you. I was made for you. This sucks. I want you to know that.” She folded her arms and blinked back the tears.
“Lainie.”
“No, it’s not fair that I can’t help wanting you this much.” Her voice quavered. “I’ve felt this way for so long and I never understood why until now.” With a bitter laugh, she added, “I’m your bitch, huh?”
“No, it’s not like that at all.”
“Whatever. Just tell me the truth. Was I or was I not made to want you?” To love you with my whole being, she added silently.
He rubbed his mouth and squeezed her waist. Dread bubbled up from deep within her belly. She froze and waited for him to say whatever it was he was trying to get out. It must be bad because his face was pale and his eyes were dark with what she would swear was pain.
When he spoke his voice was low and gravelly. “Close, but no.”
“What do you mean?” But she knew, deep down, she knew.
“Leave it to you to break training, ’cause you see, you were meant for a Bei, but not me. You were meant for dear old daddy.” He smiled. “You were supposed to be my stepmom. How’s that for a kick in the ass?”
Silence fell as she digested this bit of disgusting news. “Samuel?” She wrinkled her nose, then chewed on her fingernails and thought back over the newly resurrected memories. “Alright, gross.” She swallowed the bile that rose in her throat at the mere thought of Samuel’s touch before she continued. “The night you showed up, that’s what he was doing wasn’t it?” When he nodded, she added, “Thank you.” It was simple, but heartfelt. She couldn’t imagine the life she’d have led if he and David hadn’t come to her rescue.
“You’re welcome. Can I say something?” He rubbed her back, soothing her despite everything.
Unconsciously she moved closer. Before long, she was snuggled in his arms, her head under his chin with her arms around his waist. “Carry on, oh divine canine.” She snickered and kept moving around until he scooted back on the bed and lay down with her by his side.
He manfully ignored her little dig at his species except to inform her, “I may be a dog, but I’m top dog, darlin’.” His voice was low and warm, intimate. “I knew you were there because of my dad. I’d overheard them all arguing at the pack meeting one night about the so-called Breeders and how it was unethical. Of course, my father was all for it. But some weren’t. David was one of those who were opposed.”
“Of course,” Lainie interrupted, and they shared a look of commiseration about David. He was unique, that was for sure. She dropped her gaze, uncomfortable with the hunger she saw burning in his gaze.
“When we got you free, he said it was best you didn’t remember. I didn’t know about the imprinting thing then, but David did. He wanted us to be together, if nothing else, he knew I’d take care of you.”
“I don’t need you to take care of me.” Anger rose at his tone. “I’m not a little girl that needs protection. I’m in possession of my own mind and opinions.”
“Yeah, I know.” He smiled at her, his eyes filled with amusement.
“Don’t patronize me.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Kiss my ass, Marcus.”
“Now that, I would dream of, baby.” He gave her that disarming smile, the one that made her want to smack him then kiss him, so she hit him before giving him a quick peck on the lips that left them both unsatisfied. That was all he was getting until she had time to think on tonight’s revelations.
“I want to know how long you would have let me believe the lie.”
“Forever.” His answer and nonchalant shrug made her grit her teeth.
“Really? Then what, you’d knock me up and use me as a broodmare?” She went white with shock. Leaning toward him, she looked over her shoulder as if someone was listening. “Marcus!” She poked him in the chest.
He just lay there, looking dazed until she pinched him. That got a rise out of him. “What? Just say your piece; I’m tired of fighting about it.”
“Will I have them?” Panic rose up in her throat, making her voice squeak.
“Will you have what?” When she began to shake, he tightened his hold on her, pulling her close.
“You know that saying, ‘life’s a bitch then you have puppies?’ Am I gonna have puppies?” If he answered, she didn’t hear it. The roaring in her ears reached its peak and her lashes fluttered. The night’s events finally caught up with her. She slumped down and began to cry.
With a muttered curse, he pulled her into his arms and held her, rocking back and forth. “I’ll fix everything, somehow.” His mouth was right by her ear, his lips caressed her neck then her jaw. “I want you just as
bad you want me. It works both ways. I need you so much, I hurt.”
That was nice to know. With one last sniffle, she scooted around and spooned her body into the curve of his, marveling at the fit, like always. However, she did have the presence of mind to get in the last word. “I’m having you fixed.” Then she slid into darkness, leaving him to contemplate spending the rest of his life with a woman who believed in spaying and neutering her boyfriend.
Chapter Twenty-three
Lainie’s head rested on his arm. Her breathing was even as she slept. Marcus wasn’t so lucky. For one thing, she was soft and warm and her ass was pressed right against his cock. For another, his arm was asleep. He slowly moved it from beneath her head and she muttered incoherently before settling once more.
Though he hadn’t understood her words, the tone was clear as a bell. Be still or die. But he couldn’t rest, not while the moon was high and bright in the night sky. He looked at the clock and saw it was 2 a.m. Maybe a run would calm him down. Right now all he wanted to do was sink into her and fuck her until she screamed in surrender. Unfortunately, he was also angry, unsettled and confused, not a good combo for a man with more strength than was normal. He had to remember she was only human, and easily broken.
Lainie rolled onto her back and sighed. He frowned when he noticed she was still dressed in the same tattered gown from their evening out. He’d remedy that first, then go.
He turned her over on her side and stared at the back of the dress in consternation. Who in the hell put buttons on shit these days? Hello, zippers? Finally, he got frustrated and turned her on her back. It was ruined anyway, so why bother? With a big smile, he ripped the damn thing cleanly in half.
Lainie apparently didn’t agree, because she sat up and screamed. It wasn’t a frightened sound, more a howl of rage. “What the hell are you doin’ to my dress?”
“It was ruined, sweetie. I’m getting it off so you can rest more comfortably.” He was lying to her and himself, and he didn’t care in the least.
She didn’t buy it either. He loved her brain, but sometimes, he wished she were a little less able to figure him out. This would be one of those times. “Bullshit.” She folded her arms across her chest.
“Oh, yeah.” He practically drooled.
This position just pushed her breasts up a little higher. She was naked save for a pair of brief lacy undies that he wanted to remove, preferably with his teeth. She bounced off the bed and stalked toward the door to her room. Well, it was more a hobble because of the cut on her foot.
Poor baby, maybe he should offer to carry her. With that in mind, Marcus prowled behind her without making a sound. By the time he caught up with her she was at the closet door. At first, he thought she was just getting some clothes to wear but then he saw her bags and knew. She was trying to leave him.
“Elaine?” His voice deepened.
She squeaked and turned to face him while buttoning her shirt. “Go away.”
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“None of your business.” She ignored him, which only served to piss him off further. When she attempted to go past him with her suitcase in her hand, he wrapped his fingers around her wrist. He squeezed slowly and gently until she dropped the handle from her numbed hand. “You will take yourself back into our room, get in our bed and go back to sleep.” He leaned in closer and stared into her eyes. “Am I making myself perfectly clear?”
“Let me go.” She shook her hand, but he held on without even caring that she’d begun to cry. “Marcus. Let me go.”
“No, I can’t.” He wasn’t talking about just tonight. Surely, she knew that.
She lifted her hand and slapped him across the face. “Take your hands off me and get the hell out of my way. I’m not staying here as your bitch, your whore or whatever capacity you think I’ll fill. I won’t and you can’t make me.” By the end of her little speech, she was yelling.
The most frightening thing of all was that he felt nothing. Not anger, not regret, not even fear that he’d hurt her. Wait, there was one thing he felt and that was possession. She was his—that was all he cared about.
“That’s where you’re wrong, honey.”
She blinked up at him in confusion. “Wrong?”
He bent over slightly and jerked on her arm. She fell forward over his shoulder and he stood. “I can make you do whatever the hell I want.” He turned on his heel and walked back to the bedroom.
She rained blows on his back and when that didn’t work, she scratched him, drawing blood with her nails.
His muscles clenched automatically, but otherwise he just kept walking back to his room, kicking the door shut with his foot. He turned and locked it then walked to the bed, throwing her down. On the first bounce she was off and running toward the outer door. Marcus grinned and leapt across the full width of the bed getting there well ahead of her.
With a snarl, she turned and made for the balcony doors, intending to escape no matter the cost. At the end of his patience and endurance, he reached out and grabbed her hair, tangling his fingers in the long, wavy strands. He wound it around his wrist, effectively trapping her in place. “Sweetheart.” His tone was placating in the extreme, but he pulled on her hair so that she had to stand on tiptoe to keep it from hurting. “You know better than to run. I’ll just catch you and when I do, you know what happens.”
“Wh—” She wet her lips. “What happens?”
“I eat you up.” He picked her up again and this time when he put her on the bed, he was on top of her before she could attempt to move again.
Chapter Twenty-four
He stared into those green eyes of hers, so wide and frightened. “Now, where were we?” He ripped off the shirt she wore and threw it aside. He covered her breast with his hand and squeezed it before pinching her nipple between his fingers.
She shifted beneath him, stilling when his voice deepened. His mouth covered hers, and he pinched the peak even harder, twisting it until she whimpered. “Hmm. You taste so fucking good.” He licked her lips, sucking on the bottom one then nibbling it.
“Marcus, I—. Please don’t do this to me.”
“Don’t do what?” His fingers moved away from her breast and he slid to one side. He put one thigh over hers, pinning her legs down.
When she put her hands up to push him away, he caught them easily, holding them above her head.
“This?” He ran his fingers down her belly. “Maybe, this.” His fingers crept beneath the top of her underwear, stroking the bare satiny flesh of her mound. “Ooh, forgot you did that. But so glad you did.”
He spread the folds of her sex. She cried out when he thrust two fingers inside her, hard and fast. He twisted his hand, touching her G-spot, gliding across it repeatedly. When his thumb brushed her clit, she rocked against his hand. “You’re wet and slick for me, Lainie. Admit that you want me.”
“You are such a shit.”
“I know.” He sighed, but he didn’t stop. Instead, he kept it up until her body flushed pink and she clenched around his fingers when she found her release. “Beautiful.”
She moaned low in her throat and fucked his hand.
He ground his palm against the top of her mound, and she shuddered.
“Mine.”
“No.” She tossed her head from side to side.
He tightened his hold on her wrists and leaned down to take one of her nipples in his mouth. He sucked hard, pulling as much of her breast into his mouth as possible.
Her body undulated beneath his, rolling like the ocean. She came again and her scent filled his nostrils, teasing him with the spicy musk of her arousal. He released her breast. “Mine.” He added a third finger and kept fucking her.
Her thigh muscles jerked with each successive thrust. She was crying, sobbing her release with each breath. Her heart pounded in his ears and he loved every fucking minute of it. She belonged to him. “You are mine.”
“No, I’m not. Let me go. Please.”
Now she was trapped on her stomach, her sweet ass pressing against his abdomen.
With each shaking breath, her skin rubbed along his. “Say it,” he ground out, his fingers finding her underwear and ripping them off.
“No.”
“By the time I’m done, you’ll be screaming it,” he promised. His mouth moved to her neck, his tongue slid down the center of her spine. She trembled but otherwise didn’t move. Good, maybe she’d survive tonight. He licked his way down the base of her spine, stopping to kiss two tiny dimples on each side before he nibbled on the soft globe of her left cheek.
She made a choking noise and her fingers twisted the covers.
“My delectable Lainie. So soft, so sweet. So damn hot.” His throat hurt, he wanted to roar, to howl that she was his and she’d damn well stay where he put her. Deep down, he knew it wasn’t in her nature to be that meek little miss, but tonight, he needed her to be. “Lainie. Please, don’t fight me.” His voice lost its edge, becoming more of a plea. “I don’t want to hurt you.” He laid his cheek against the small of her back and stroked the soft flesh of her ass. Unable to help himself, he squeezed. His fingers drifted down between her thighs and found the soft folds of her sex still wet and hot for him. Ready. She smelled ready, she felt ready. No matter what her mouth said, her body sent off signals of a different nature.
With a low groan, he moved down between her thighs, lifting her hips up slightly. He turned and slid beneath her, his mouth finding her slit. When she screamed and writhed, he just held her still. His tongue flicked the little peak, spearing it and then circling it.