“Dear Lord. Thank you.” Her breathing came hard, her damp hair stuck to the side of her face while she relaxed against the back of the chair, working to catch her breath.
When her phone rang, she jumped, her muscles clamping down on the toy still lodged deep inside her.
She chuckled. “Nothing like getting caught in the act.”
At the same moment someone knocked on her door. Sandy looked up, panic rushing through her. She glanced at her disheveled appearance in the mirror over her desk. “Oh shit.” She looked a wreck.
Chapter Four
“Hello?” Sandy knew she sounded out of breath when she grabbed the phone, and at the same time tried frantically to figure out what to do with her vibrator.
She never put her toys away without thoroughly cleaning them beforehand. It was a ritual, her caring for the precious objects that brought her so much pleasure.
Whoever was at the door knocked a second time.
“Mom. You sound out of breath.” Her daughter, Beth, sounded a bit rushed herself. But that was normal for her.
“I’m fine, dear.” In fact, her body still tingled, her pussy throbbed, and other than the growing frantic feeling she couldn’t subside, she really did feel fine. “Is everything okay with you?”
There was no other choice. She stuffed her vibrator, her thick cream still covering it, into her nightstand cabinet, silently promising the inanimate object a thorough cleaning later.
“Yeah. Ethan and I thought it would be nice if you could come for dinner tomorrow night. Does that work for you?”
“Sure, honey. What time should I be over?” Sandy grabbed her bathrobe, glancing at her tousled hair in the mirror with disgust.
She struggled into her robe while heading toward the front door.
“Is six okay?”
If she had more time she would have questioned her daughter. She never was invited over for dinner. Both Beth and her mate were so busy she wondered if they ever sat down to a meal together.
“Yes. I’ll bring a dessert.” She wasn’t too sure about her daughter’s cooking. At least this way she wouldn’t starve.
She tied her robe and opened the door.
Ralph Hipp stared at her. “One more minute and I was going to come in and make sure you were okay.”
“Don’t bother, Mom,” Beth said at the same time. “Jan Price is helping out at the house now. She’s a good cook.”
“Okay.” Sandy stared at Ralph, stepping back to allow him in only when he moved toward her.
“Great. Well I’ve got to run. Ethan can’t handle a committee meeting without me there.” Her daughter laughed, blowing kisses into the phone. “Bye, Mom. Love you.”
Any other time Sandy might have made a comment on how he’d managed to lead the pack for several years quite well before meeting her. But she simply nodded, her mouth suddenly too dry to speak, and watched Ralph saunter into her living room. The click in her ear reminded her to pull the phone away and push the button to hang it up.
Ralph took in her disheveled appearance, a grin threatening his lips.
She ran her hand through her hair, knowing she couldn’t look worse if she had planned it. Her hair was almost dry yet she hadn’t combed it. She didn’t have any makeup on, and she could only imagine what she smelled like.
No. She knew how she smelled. Heat rushed over her cheeks.
“Who were you talking to?” Ralph nodded at the phone in her hand.
Sandy moved past him to the bedroom, putting the phone on the cradle. “My daughter. I’m supposed to go to dinner over there tomorrow night.”
Ralph didn’t say anything but she heard him move in behind her. She closed her eyes, anticipating his touch. Warmth spread through her when his hands rested on her shoulders. The urge to arch back into him swept over her when his fingers gripped her, caressing her. Her robe did nothing to prevent how her body reacted to his hands on her. She might as well have been naked.
“And what have you been doing?” he asked, his breath sending fire through her at a dangerous pace.
“I just got out of the shower.” There was no way she could tell him she’d just fucked her vibrator.
Her heart raced in her chest when he ran his fingers through her almost dry hair. He tugged, pulling her head to the side. She looked up at him, his expression dark, powerful, all-knowing. That relaxed expression of his, the slight movement of his jaw, and his scrutinizing gaze made it hard for her to swallow, to think.
“You smell like a well-fucked woman.” The way he gripped her hair, turning her head to the side so he could see her face, made her feel exposed, vulnerable.
“Thank you. I think.” She did her best to hide how he made her feel. What she did on her own time was her own business.
Ralph smiled, turning her the rest of the way toward him. He pulled her to him, his hands sliding inside her robe.
She should stop him. His large rough hands on her flesh stole her breath. She gasped, and his mouth covered hers. Ralph kissed her differently than other werewolves had. He didn’t hurry. There was no hesitation. His possessive behavior encouraged her to relax in his arms, allow him the free rein he demanded on having.
After a very long minute, he allowed her up for air. “Show me what you were doing,” he breathed into her mouth, his teeth brushing over her lip.
Fire burned straight through to her pussy. His hands glided over her already overheated body, gripping her ass, caressing her back.
“I would rather not.” She barely got the words out, his actions doing a number on her already too raw senses.
Ralph turned her around, controlling her actions before she could organize her thoughts and stop him. He moved with her, his hands still under her robe. He’d managed to loosen her tie and move the material to the side so that she almost moved naked in front of him.
“Ralph. Please.” She managed to pull away from him, needing his hands off of her just so she could think straight.
“Don’t be ashamed.” He moved in on her but she put her hand up, wanting more than anything to be in his arms again but needing distance to clear her head.
“I’m not ashamed.” She took a deep breath and wrapped her robe around her. “What I do in here is private.”
“Then maybe next time you should close your blinds.” He walked around her, moving to her windows. He twisted the knobs on each of the blinds, closing them. “Almost anyone could stand outside and watch you,” he told her. “If someone were to come to the door they might be able to enjoy a show before knocking.”
He had seen her fuck herself. Embarrassment prickled through her. Its sour smell made her wrinkle her nose.
“You were out there watching me.” She should be outraged and ignore the bubbling excitement in her stomach that she’d had an audience. “Ralph Hipp. You had no right.”
He walked up to her, not hesitating, moving quickly enough that she barely had time to step backward. His hand cupped her jaw, lifted her face so that she stared into his penetrating gaze. She almost forgot to breathe, his predatory nature so strong it was overwhelming.
“The way you lay there. So focused. So in tune with what excites you. I couldn’t look away.” His bare honesty left her speechless.
She licked her dry lips, his words, his touch, drawing something to life within her. Something she didn’t recognize, and wasn’t sure she wanted to surface. No one had ever watched her play with herself before. And she shouldn’t be so turned on by the fact that Ralph had, that he admitted to it, and wanted to talk about it.
“You invaded my privacy. What you did was wrong.” She knew by his expression that her words didn’t faze him. “It’s against the law,” she added for good measure.
He raised an eyebrow. “Shall we call the pack leader?”
Dear Lord. No. The last thing in the world she could do was tell her brand-new son-in-law that their pack security man had stood outside her bedroom window and watched her masturbate.
The expression on he
r face must have been answer enough for him. “Sandy.” The way he whispered her name made her insides melt. “You will learn not to be embarrassed around me.”
She wasn’t embarrassed. She was annoyed. She had to be upset with him. Ralph was too much werewolf to allow to get out of control. He would manipulate her, control her, get her to do things she wouldn’t normally do. That last thought sent a rush of excitement through her so fast it took her breath away.
Her pussy throbbed, making her more than aware of how wet she still was. His hand stroked her neck, feeding the fire growing inside her. She wasn’t ready for so much domination.
“I don’t think I am the kind of werewolf that you think I am.” She had no idea how to get him to see this wasn’t her style. But somehow, she had to try.
“I know exactly how you are. You need to see how you are, too. You will open up, relax, learn to be the sexual creature that already exists within you.” He had managed to loosen her robe again.
When had he done that?
His hands moved down her front, cupping her breasts. Molten lava flooded through her, the heat more than she could handle.
He would take over, take her independence. His fingers scorched her swollen breasts, offering what she ached so desperately to have. His touch soaked her, filling her pussy with come. Her body ignored her mind. A raw, more primal side of her, buried deeper than the beast within her, threatened to surface.
“Ralph. I can’t do this.” She fought the desires growing in her, the cravings to have him continue to stroke her, bring her to the edge.
“Yes. You can.” His mouth nestled against her neck, his teeth brushing over her feverish skin.
His hand pressed against her belly, caressed her skin while he worked his way down to the source of her heat. A fever surged through her, drawing its strength deep within her. Something untamed, uninhibited, threatened to break loose. His fingers pressed against her pussy, stroking the freshly shaven skin, spreading her come over her tender flesh.
The air around her grew thick with her scent, his lust, and that carnal edge that seeped from both of them. He worked his way toward her hole, so recently fucked with her precious toy. A toy that had been safe, familiar and comforting. But now her body craved more, her mind exposed to a darker side of her, one that would accept being watched, being exposed. She wasn’t sure she could handle it.
“This is too much.” She would have to be the one to stop this.
Ralph’s fingers slid inside her, filling her, able to move quickly since she was so soaked. He plunged deep into her pussy, caressing the inner muscles in a way her toy hadn’t been able to.
“Oh. Shit.” Sandy collapsed into him.
She could barely focus on the muscles in his arm as they flexed when he drove deep into her cunt with his fingers. He kept one arm wrapped around her, supporting her, while the heat and strength of his body consumed her, taking care of her. His fingers plowed her pussy, building friction, fueling a fire she had tried to appease on her own.
Unable to stop the intense pressure, she rode it out, experiencing an orgasm more intense than her toys had ever offered.
“Ralph.” She cried out, clinging to him, digging her nails into his shirt, feeling the powerful muscles underneath.
“That’s it, baby. Come for me.” His voice turned gravelly, his beast surfacing. “You are going to experience more than you ever thought possible.”
Sandy crumpled in Ralph’s arms. Her orgasm, so much stronger than the one she’d just experienced before he arrived, left her spent, trembling. That and the tremor of fear that rode through her with nervous excitement. His promises thrilled and terrified her all at the same time.
Chapter Five
Ralph listened to the humans. Their emotions filled the air, billowing off of them like a strong breeze after a good rain. Clean and easy to read, he smelled their fears, their curiosity, their concerns.
“They say a blue moon only happens once every twenty years or so.” Danny Richards, owner of the local lumberyard, watched Ethan while he chugged on his beer.
“That’s what I heard.” Ethan held his spatula in midair over the ribs and steaks on the grill. He looked over toward the driveway when another car pulled in.
“They’re saying with it being a second full moon this Halloween, the partiers will be out in droves.” Danny had been one of the first humans Ethan had befriended after the pack took over this territory.
Ralph watched the red Volkswagen park behind the other cars in the long, wide gravel drive that ran alongside Ethan Masterson’s home. Sandy didn’t get out of her car at first. He guessed she was overwhelmed by the amount of people. Ralph had no idea Ethan had planned such a turnout either. He’d been looking forward to spending time with Sandy socially. But apparently Ethan’s new mate had turned their little gathering into quite the party.
“Excuse me.” He ignored the curious look his pack leader gave him, and headed toward Sandy.
She had her hands full when he reached her car, and he opened her car door for her.
“Thank you.” She smiled at him politely, and got out of the car, carrying an apple pie. The pie looked almost as good as she did.
Sandy wore jeans like she always did. They were faded, and hugged her trim figure and thin legs. Her pullover blouse also clung to her, and she wasn’t wearing a bra. His protector instincts kicked in full force. She was stunning. Every werewolf, and human, would be tripping over themselves at the sight of her.
She hadn’t put her hair back in a ponytail, but instead had curled it so that it turned under around her neck. And with a dab of makeup and perfume, she looked so damned good he almost couldn’t speak.
Aware of the fact that the men in the backyard were watching, Ralph took the pie from Sandy, and then put his arm around her. She stiffened immediately, and didn’t move.
“You’re putting your mark on me, werewolf.” Her tone was hushed, but her body language was loud and clear.
She didn’t like it.
“I thought I already had.” He turned into her, blocking her view of the house and the yard. He wanted all of her attention.
Her pretty green eyes sparkled in the sunlight. And her skin was aglow with life. More than likely the amount of times she had come the night before had done her some good. He was more than ready for it to be his turn. He needed to fuck her bad.
“I don’t recall agreeing to anything.” She took the pie, and then walked around him. “I take it my daughter is in the house.”
Ralph nodded once, watching her, searching her expression for any sign of why she was suddenly so cold toward him. She appeared a bit on the nervous side. Whatever the reason, he would find out soon enough.
The discussion lingered around Halloween throughout most of the evening. Ralph paid attention to the concerns of the humans and Ethan’s assurances that any werewolf parties would be well monitored.
Sandy distracted him though. For the most part, she ignored him, spending time with her daughter and the other women there.
The party had moved inside, the night chill sending them into the warmth of the Masterson den. He’d had about enough of socializing. Ethan had given him the small cottage next door that had belonged to the previous pack leader’s cousin, and it would take nothing to slip out the back door and call it a night.
He stood in the kitchen, pondering his next move, when Sandy walked in from the living room. Her smile faded when she saw him. “Enjoying yourself?” She sounded too polite.
He turned to face her, noticing her friendly tone didn’t meet her eyes. She looked tired.
“I didn’t expect so many people to be here.” Her confession was spoken quietly, in confidence, letting him know that in spite of her actions throughout the evening, she did feel she could confide in him.
“Your daughter likes to throw a party.”
She made a snorting sound and moved to put her glass on the counter. Her shirt hugged her body, showing off her trim waist. The way her jean
s hugged her ass made him want to haul her out the back door and next door.
Ralph moved in behind her, needing to touch her. “You should be proud of her,” he whispered into her hair, drowning in her scent.
“I am.” Sandy’s scent changed immediately. Desire swarmed around her. It faded slowly. She was fighting it.
“You’ve done a good job of raising her.” He wrapped his fingers around her waist, enjoying how narrow it was, the softness of her body, the sweet scent that was hers alone.
“We went through some hard times.” She wasn’t relaxed. Far from it.
Ralph conceded that she didn’t push him away. He would accept that for the moment.
She glanced over her shoulder, not quite meeting his gaze. He turned her, wanting to hold her, to feel her relax in his arms. She wanted him. Her emotions didn’t lie.
“You’ve done well with your den by yourself.” Over the years he’d watched her, she had never shown any sign of complaining. “And now that Beth is grown and in her own den, you can focus on yourself.”
“I am thinking of me.” She placed her hands on his chest, the gentle touch of her fingers through his shirt sent fire shooting through him. “And my reputation.”
He didn’t mean to tighten his grip on her waist as hard as he did. Her eyes widened, not with fear, but surprise. No one had ever questioned his impeccable reputation before.
“Are you implying you would rather not be seen with me in front of the pack?” He would not allow this pretty little bitch to suggest he wasn’t a proper date.
“No. No.” She shook her head.
“Good.” He didn’t need to hear anymore.
Lowering his head so that his mouth hovered over hers, her body heat swarmed around him. “You couldn’t ask for a better escort.”
Her mouth was so hot, her lips so moist. She tasted sweet, a mixture of brownies and coffee on her breath. Her hands pressed against his shirt, her touch branding him. She tried to push away, but he couldn’t let her go. The feel of her mouth, the way her tongue dashed around his, he needed more of her.
Things That Go Bump In the Night 2004 Page 3
