by Tl Reeve
How is she supposed to do that if you keep blocking her?
He didn’t know.
Sayer parked next to the house and sat in the truck for a minute. When he got out, he decided to go in through the back so as not to wake her. He left his boots on the porch before entering the house. Silence welcomed him. He padded across the floor into the living room. Nothing had been used. Anger welled inside him. Had she gone to bed without eating anything? What the fuck kind of shit is this?
He stormed to her bedroom and opened up the door, allowing it to slam against the wall. Kizzy sat up with a start, pushing her long curly hair out of her face. His heart squeezed. His body tensed. Taking his shirt off, he stalked across the space. “You didn’t eat.” He stripped away the rest of his clothes then tossed her covers back to get in.
“Wasn’t hungry.” She tugged the blankets over her. “Go away. You don’t bring coffee. You don’t bring breakfast. You don’t get to join me in bed.”
“It’s my house. My furniture. Yes, I do.” He yanked the covers off her and got in. “There are things you need to know.”
“Oh really?” She shimmied across the bed. “Do tell.”
He growled. “Kizzy, stop.”
“Bite me.” She threw the covers off. “I don’t want you around me. I don’t even want to see you.” She stormed out.
“Well too bad.” Angry at himself more than her, he followed, not giving two shits about his state of undress. “We’re going to talk.”
She stood in the kitchen, making coffee. “We have nothing to say. Obviously, I’m living here and your not telling me about this, says tons. You don’t trust me.”
Bingo.
He crowded her against the counter. “Shut up.”
“Make me.” She stared up at him. Rage burned in her hazel-green eyes.
He slammed his lips down on hers and swallowed her soft moan. Her body softened, pressing closer as he wrapped his arms around her. Make her? Okay he would. He lifted her onto the counter and fit himself between her legs. “You are a pain in my ass. You ask way too many questions.” He pressed kisses to her jaw then down her neck. The tempting sugarplum scent grew thicker. His mouth watered. It would only take a second. He could close his mouth over the succulent flesh of her neck and place his mark there for all to see.
Do it. Mark her. Mate.
With a growl he ripped her shirt off, exposing her pale flesh to his gaze. All curves and suppleness. He could get lost in her for the rest of his life and not think twice about it. “Beautiful.”
She snorted. “You don’t do compliments.”
No he didn’t. “I want to suck on your tits till your pussy’s dripping.”
“There’s the asshole I know.” She speared her fingers through his shoulder-length hair.
He groaned. “I want to wake up with you.”
She placed her hand on his chest and pushed him back a bit. “Don’t say stuff you don’t mean. We both know you don’t want me.”
“Shh. Stop talking.” He gripped the waistband of her panties and ripped them from her.
“Not my Wonder Woman panties!”
“I’ll buy you new ones.” He covered her mouth with his and kissed her once more while he teased her.
He manipulated and pinched her clit before sliding two fingers into her tight passage. Damn. He pressed his face to her neck while he played with her, taking her closer to the edge. Her hands fisted in his hair, giving it a good tug as she grew closer to release. Her body tensed. She wrapped her legs around his waist, holding him close.
“Sayer.” Her breathy tone went straight to his dick.
“Tell me what you want.” He brushed his lips across the shell of her ear. “What you need.”
“You. I want you.” She bent her head, turning her face from his. “I shouldn’t.”
Sayer lifted her chin and gazed into her eyes. The pain and sorrow there rocked him. “You should.” Stupid words, but they were out of his mouth before he could stop them. He kissed her again, sipping from her lips as he removed his fingers then fit himself to her. In one thrust, he was completely seated within her. “Always.”
Chapter Four
Kizzy came awake in a blanket of warmth, startled by the press of a hard body behind her. Then she remembered their romp in the kitchen. God, he made it hard to break things off. He said the right things at the right moments, a total contradiction. She rolled over and studied the tattoos crisscrossing his chest and arms. She never had the chance to do so before. He always left before they got to do the whole cuddle thing.
She’d realized one thing after he left last night—he couldn’t have anyone else in his life if he left her at his home. No other woman showed up. So, why hadn’t he wanted to stay with her? Or do stuff away from the whole Elle thing? Was he embarrassed by her?
It wouldn’t be the first time.
All of the guys she liked turned out to be douche bags. They pretended to like the kids she took care of. They went to Special Olympic games or events with her, but when they thought she wasn’t paying attention, they ignored the kids. Took phone calls. Sent text messages. They were dismissive. Or worse.
Glancing up, she studied Sayer’s relaxed features. Would he do the same? For sure. He didn’t like most people. Kids probably weren’t an exception. She sighed. Why did she keep falling for the same emotionally deprived men? Why did she have to fall for this man? Why couldn’t she just quit him? She hadn’t meant for things to go as far as they had this morning but the minute he got into her personal space, all rational thought fled. Her hormones took over, and she became a little nymphomaniac.
Even now, she wanted him.
“Didn’t anyone ever tell you it was impolite to stare?” He opened an eye.
“Uh, sorry. Are you hungry? I’m famished. I could really eat. I mean, we did…you know. And I haven’t eaten since last night.”
“Would you like to go grab food?” He propped his head on his hand, reaching out to touch her hair.
His question had knocked her off-balance. “You’re asking me to do something with you?”
“Well, I can cook, if you want.” He sat up a little. The blankets covering him slid down to his lean hips, exposing more of his delicious body to her perusal. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“How?”
“As though you’re contemplating climbing onto my lap and going for round two.” He adjusted himself and smirked. “Obviously, I could go again, but you need to eat.”
Her throat went dry. She opened and closed her mouth several times. “I-I’ll shower. We’ll go get food.”
He grinned. “I suspected as much.” He tossed back the covers and rose, giving her a great view of his tight ass. Sweet baby Jesus in a manger. He is perfect. “You’re staring again.”
“No, uh…going for a shower now.” She scrambled out of bed and came to a halt as her gaze landed on the view out the window. “Holy cow. It snowed.”
“It did?”
She waved him over then pointed to the window. “See?” This close to him, her body came to life. Her nipples hardened, and her pussy ached. None of it was normal. She knew it, yet she didn’t have the ability to stop the wayward feelings. As if her body turned into a divining rod and his became water, drawing her to him, no matter how many times she got turned around. His arms came across her middle as he coaxed her in front of him. His chest brushed against her back. The length of his erection nestled in the cleft of her ass.
Giant purple clouds spread out like cotton across the sky. Their wispy ends floated back together, covering the midmorning sun. Every inch of her stood at attention. She craved this man, no matter what. Sayer bent his head and pressed a kiss to the juncture of her neck and shoulder then sucked on the flesh. She gasped. Her body tingled from head to toe as her sex clenched. Holy shit.
She moaned, wrapping her arm around the back of his neck, holding him there. He nibbled on the sensitive skin then lic
ked the sting away. She cried out and shuddered. Did he bite me? The prick of pain disappeared quickly adding to her confusion.
“Go get your shower. I’ll take mine in the guest bathroom.” He smacked her hip and stepped away.
The warmth of his body retreated, leaving her freezing. What the hell has he done? She touched the affected area and winced slightly. It didn’t hurt, per se. It felt weird. Alive. Tingly. Exposed. Off. She glanced in the mirror over his dresser and frowned. The hickey appeared a little more purple than red. Smaller, too. She expected the area to be huge and the skin to be bright red.
She turned to enter the bathroom and cursed. “Shit.” All of her clothes were in the other room. She hurried to the guest room. The sound of the shower going drew her attention. Should she join him or take her shower where he told her? Decisions. Decisions. She pushed on the door, opening it a bit more. The subtle, clean scent of shampoo filled her.
“Staring at my ass again?” His gruff voice carried over the cascade of water.
“No. Pervert. I came in here to get my clothes is all. Geez.” She nibbled on her bottom lip as he gave her another great view of his ass. Mmm, makes you wanna slap your momma.
“Still staring.”
“Ass.” She shoved off the doorframe. “I’ll be ready in a few minutes.” She didn’t know exactly what to wear since Elle had told her people were a little more conservative in town. She grabbed one of her Stormtrooper T-shirts, jeans, and her Chucks.
“You could have joined me,” he stated after turning off the water.
“My loss, I guess. I’ll be back.” She hurried to his room and closed the door behind her then locked it. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, he is the most confounding man I have ever met.”
Once she finished her shower and dressed, she joined Sayer out in the living room. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Do you have a wife or a girlfriend you’re squirreling away?”
He laughed—or it sounded like a laugh. Deep and rumbling, the sound skirted down her spine. “No.”
“Really?”
He laughed again. “Truth. No girlfriend or wife.” He ushered her outside.
The biting cold of fresh snow and cloudy skies nipped at her skin. She huddled down into her coat. “Good to know.”
“Suppose so.” He opened the truck for her. After she climbed in and fastened her seat belt, he closed her in then came around the front. “Why did you want to know?”
She shrugged. “This is the first time you’ve…you know, brought me to your house. Albeit forcibly, but still. It counts.”
He sighed. “Are you really going to be a girl right now?”
She glanced down at herself. “Hello. I have boobs. They’re a good indication of my being a girl.”
He growled. “I don’t bring anyone home. Okay? Better? Or do you want more information, girl?”
She folded her arms and stared at him. “Fine. No one comes to your house.”
“Fine.”
“You know what?” She tsked and turned her head, bouncing her leg. “You’re an asshole. I can’t figure out why I keep allowing you to have sex with me.”
“Because you’re addicted to my dick like I’m addicted to your pussy.” He came to an abrupt stop on the side of the road. “As much as you don’t want to be here, I didn’t want to bring you here.”
“Finally, the truth!”
He growled. “Why are you so damn infuriating?”
“You’re a prick of epic proportions. You’re yelling at me because I asked a question.” How the hell had they gotten off the rails again? The only time they seemed to be on the same page was when they were naked and in bed. Anything outside of the bedroom turned to shit.
“Because you want to know too much about me!” His chest rose and fell in hard pants, and she swore his eyes changed colors…glowed.
Nope. Not possible. You’re seeing things because you’re upset. “Well, when two people have as much sex as we’re having, personal questions are bound to come up.” She gripped the door handle. “I think I am going to walk back to….” Dang it, where would she go? She couldn’t remember how to get to Elle. “I’ll go to the diner. Then I’ll figure out how to get back to Charlotte in the morning. It’s quite obvious I’m just an outsider.”
She shoved out of the truck and sucked in a breath. The frigid blast of air bit at her lungs and caused tears to form in her eyes. She wasn’t crying. Crying meant she actually cared about him. Meant he hurt her. No, they were FWBs—friends with benefits, minus the friends part, too. WBs. She started down the dirt lane. She knew the road ended in the middle of town. All she had to do was find the turnoff for Elle’s place then she’d be okay. From there, she’d book a one-way ticket home.
The slam of his truck door startled her. She wouldn’t pay him any mind. “Damn it, Kizzy. You’re going to catch your death out here.”
Small ice crystals floated down from the sky. She’d risk hypothermia to get away from him. “You should be happy, then. No more Kizzy to fuck up your already shitty life.” She waved him off. She didn’t have time for him.
“Would you stop?” He grabbed her by the arm, halting her forward progression.
She wrenched out of his grasp. “I told you to leave me alone.”
His gaze darkened. His upper lip curled in a deadly snarl. “Not happening. You’re my responsibility here.”
“Well, I don’t need you being my…my…whatever the fuck you want to call it.” She fisted her hands at her sides. “Guard dog. That’s what you remind me of.”
He pushed her up against the bed of the truck and crowded her space. “You have no idea.” Sayer leaned down. “I won’t roll over and expose my belly for you.” He latched onto the place he’d nibbled at earlier. The pinch of his teeth turned her knees to water.
“I don’t want to see your belly.” She tried her best to ignore the niggle of awareness surging through her.
“No?” The rough rumble of his voice made her girly parts tingle.
“No.” She narrowed her eyes. “Let. Me. Go.”
“I can’t. Get back into the truck.”
Her panties dampened with his commanding tone.
“Don’t make me do something we’ll both regret out here.”
“There you go, trying to scare me again,” she scoffed. “I want to go home.”
He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, all the rage burning in his chocolate depths disappeared. “I’m sorry. This is your new home.” He led her back to the passenger side of the truck and helped her in. Once her seat belt was secure, he got in behind the wheel. “You’ll have a good life here.”
“Aren’t I one of the lucky ones?” she spat.
“You are.” He pulled away from the shoulder and continued into town. “If I’d had my way, you’d never have come here.”
“Too bad you didn’t get your way, then. I really can’t stand being here either.” She wouldn’t cry. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing how much his words cut her.
The lie rolled easily from her tongue, but the scent of her pain enraged the wolf inside him. It was all his fault, too. The ease in which she got under his skin pissed him off. She hadn’t done anything wrong, and yet he blamed her for everything. If she hadn’t followed Elle, you wouldn’t be in this situation. True, but he also wouldn’t have his mate. Which, technically, wasn’t what he had been looking for. Yet, in the few hours he slept, her body cuddled to his, he’d never known such peace.
Don’t even go there. He didn’t need the distraction of a female. Still, there she sat. Her face turned away from him. Her body tense. The smell of regret and anguish permeating the air. He opened his mouth to say he was sorry but quickly closed it. No. It’s better this way. The minute he said sorry, she’d forgive him, and they’d run through this cycle again and again. Tomorrow, he’d explain to Drew he would be responsible for her. Everything else…w
ell, he’d find a wolf more suited for her. Or find out if one of the human mates had a sibling who could use a companion. Get her as far away from the hills as possible.
The plan settled in his gut like a lead weight. His wolf showed him his back and howled in disgust. Gripping the wheel tighter, he concentrated on the road. The quicker they got all of this stuff done, the better off he’d be. A wolf like him didn’t take a mate, and he certainly didn’t have a human for a mate either.
Sayer found a spot in The Den parking lot close to the door. Throwing the truck in gear, he glanced at Kizzy. “This is The Den. Stay close.” There. He did his duty. Climbing out of the truck, he waited for her to do the same. When she didn’t, he stuck his head back into the cab. “Get out, Kizzy.”
“Fuck you.” She wiped her eyes, and though he’d scented it on the ride over, he hadn’t seen the physical proof of her pain. “I’ll do what I damn well please when I’m ready. Until then, go sit on a cactus and fuck yourself.”
Surprised by her candor and her venom, he stepped away. In the back of his mind, he realized he’d pushed her too far. Fine. When she was ready, or when she got too cold, she’d come into the bar. For now, she could sit out there. God forbid he tried to stop her. Although, leaving her out there meant she might also wander through town, get into shit she shouldn’t. See things she had no business sticking her human nose in.
“Fine.” He got back into the truck. “When you’re ready, we’ll go in.”
“You’re an insufferable dick.” She opened the truck door and got out.
He followed.
She made an exasperated sound and stomped her foot. “Leave me alone. You’re getting your wish. I’m trying to stay away from you.”
“I can’t.”
“What do you mean you can’t? You seemed pretty fine with telling me you didn’t want me around you. Are you fucking mental? Because if you are, they make pills for that shit. You should try them.” Her words cut at him like a knife.
The pure hate coming from her only served to make his point. Humans were bad. Humans did nothing but destroy everything good. What about you, tough guy? Aren’t you doing the same? No, he wasn’t. He had been trying to protect his pack from people like Kizzy. All they did was take, take, take. Nothing good came from them. “Are you done pitching a fit?”
