HOTSHOT BROTHERS: Coyote Shifters

by Hunt, Sabrina

  Curling up in the loveseat, I tried to read but just wound up fidgeting and readjusting my body. Finally I set it aside and began to play with my hair. Rayner was sitting on the floor beside me, sorting his laundry and folding it. The dim light from outside threw shadows over the tendons of his hands and the blonde hair on his arms.

  “Paige?” Rayner’s voice broke into my thoughts and I started. I’d been daydreaming about the feel of his rough hands on my face and I cowered into the cushions. “Did you hear me?”

  “N-no,” I said and tugged on my hair, unraveling the braids from last night. “What’s up?”

  “If it clears up tomorrow – we’ll probably head out then. That okay? Or no?” Rayner paused as I shrugged and nodded. “Is that a yes?”

  “Uh-huh. Sure,” I said, not listening. In my mind, I was wondering how on earth I was going to contain myself tonight. I’d already invaded his side of the bed last night in my sleep. No telling what I’d do next. Maybe I could say I wanted to sleep out here with Nim.

  “Are you upset because of this morning?” Rayner asked quietly, piercing through my flailing thoughts. “Paige, I’m sorry, I don’t know how–”

  “What?” I burst out and leaned forward, waving frantically. “No! Not at all! That was all–”

  I’d leaned too far forward and pitched headfirst out of the chair. But before my skull smacked into the floor, Rayner caught me and gently set me down so we were sitting face-to-face. Outside, the rain began to drum harder against the roof and the wind rose.

  “Damn, Paige, what’s going on?” he asked, eyes wide. “Did you drink too much coffee?”

  With a shaking hand, I pushed back my hair and shook my head. I couldn’t take that look in his eyes anymore – that shattered gray-blue. “It was my fault,” I murmured.

  “Your fault?” he echoed.

  “Oh, come on, Rayner!” I folded my arms and gave him a look. “I know you realized who moved in on whose side of the bed last night. It was all over your face this morning.”

  A sheepish and silly smile spread across his face. “Uh, well, I mean…”

  I was hugging myself now. “So don’t apologize,” I muttered. “That’s stupid. I should.”

  Rayner had the look of someone who didn’t know which way was up anymore. “Um. No, I guess it was fine. It was a nice way to start the day.”

  “I bet,” I retorted and clamped my hands tighter. If I didn’t, I’d be inclined to throw myself at him. The interplay of emotions, amusement, and confusion on his face was too much to bear. And behind it, that terrible grief. “It might happen again, so I’ll sleep out here.”

  Now Rayner looked cornered. “No, you don’t have to do that. We could put up pillows.”

  I gave him a look. “No. That won’t work.”

  “Then I’ll sleep out here,” he said and then he blinked. “Wait, why wouldn’t it work?”

  Unclasping my arms, I let out a weak laugh as I tangled my fingers in my hair. “It’s simple.” I found myself studying his face and losing track of what I was saying. “I want you.”

  Wait, what?! I screeched in my mind as I put a shaking hand to my head. I meant to say something about wanting to sleep out here. Or that I was a restless sleeper. Or…

  Rayner had frozen, his mouth open and his expression dazed. But a triumphant glint flashed in his eyes even as he struggled to respond.

  “I didn’t…” I floundered and then I went to get up. “I’m sorry.”

  “Paige–” Rayner caught at my hand and I slipped, plummeting into him. “Are you okay?”

  His heart was thundering under my palm and I threw my arms around his neck, burying my face into his chest. For the second time, he froze and his arms hovered around me.

  “No, I’m not.” I bit my lip and then let out a small gasp as Rayner embraced me tightly, pressing his cheek against the top of my head. “You’re going to hate me for what I did.”

  “Doubt that,” he rasped.

  “I snooped,” I confessed. “I read a page in your journal. I know what’s going on… I know–” My breath caught as he drew back and caught my elbows so I couldn’t escape. Tears hovered in my eyelids. “Your brothers are in trouble. You’re in trouble. I’m sorry, Rayner, I didn’t mean to do it... It fell out and I saw my name and–”

  His face was a study and he carefully replied, “What’s done is done. What else did you see, though?” Dragging a hand through his hair, Rayner glanced away. “But that wasn’t all of it. There are a lot of things you don’t know. I’m not sure if…”

  “No, tell me,” I said, getting on my knees and balling my hands into fists. “I want to know.”

  Lips twitching, Rayner shot me a sidelong look. “I bet.”

  I flushed and leaned forward. But whatever I was going to say got lost on the way, as I gripped the front of his shirt and slanted my mouth across his.

  Chapter 13

  Paige’s touch was the strike of a match.

  My hands found her waist, fingers locking onto her as the heat between us intensified. Logic was splintering and leaving only instincts behind. I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop it if I continued.

  But her lips were enticing me to give in. To forget. To have what I wanted for once.

  Holding on for a breath longer, I drew back and an exasperated laugh escaped me. “Damn.” I went to look away, but Paige caught my face between her hands and gave me a look.

  “Are you a masochist?” she asked, the light glinting off her glasses.

  “No. A realist. Paige–” She leaned in and nipped at my lips. A shudder shot through me as my pants became tight and my breathing ragged. “Listen, this… We can’t do this.”

  “Tell that to your hands, Thor,” she teased, letting her own trace down my neck to my shoulders. “And please, tell me why that is.”

  “Huh?” I realized my hands had slipped down and were gripping her ass. I let go and clenched my hands at my sides. “Please, Paige. It’s… Ah, I can’t think straight! You’re irresistible.”

  “Ha, I see that. I have to admit, I like this side of you.” Her voice was a purr.

  “Yeah, you like playing with fire,” I growled, digging my nails into my palms as her hands drifted over my biceps. “Now come on. Let’s get food.” I paused. “Or maybe I should leave…”

  “Rayner. No.” Paige’s voice became brittle. “I’m tired of this.”

  “I can’t give you what you want, Paige,” I said, a tinge of desperation in my voice and I raked a hand through my hair. “Believe me, there is nothing I wish I could do more.”

  “Why not?” Paige asked. “Do you even know what I want?”

  I met her eyes. “A guy who won’t let you down.”

  Her lips parted and she gave me a sad look, her hands falling away and folding together in her lap. “Rayner. You didn’t – I mean… We’ve already been through that. I understand now. And I also understand there’s a lot you’re not telling me. I bet if you did, then no matter what happened, you wouldn’t let me down.”

  Pulling up one of my knees, I leaned an arm against it and propped up my chin against my palm. “I appreciate the sudden vote of confidence,” I said wryly.

  “Hey. It makes a big difference when you have the whole story!” Paige flashed. “Or well, more of the relevant parts.”

  I winced. “You already know too much.”

  “Well, I think I don’t know enough,” she shot back.

  “Paige…” I shook my head and went to get up. “It’s better this way.”

  “Why?”

  “It just is!” I said through gritted teeth.

  “When was the first time you saw me?” Paige asked, in a low, intense voice.

  Staring at her, I realized in a rush what entry she’d read.

  I never dreamed I’d see her again, no matter how much I dreamed about her.

  My heart seemed to stop as an abyss yawned under me. I’d reassured myself if couldn’t be that one. No, the universe couldn’t
punish me like that.

  Before, I’d resolved to keep my cool with Paige. Now I was filled with a cold kind of rage. “Stop screwing with me.” The words burst from my mouth. “That’s – no. That’s cruel.”

  To my surprise, Paige smiled, a tremulous and soft smile. “No, Rayner. I’m not being cruel. Maybe I’m being selfish, though. I’m sorry. I-I wanted to hear you tell me about it. I read it in your voice, but I still wanted to hear it.” She paused. “And you should know the truth about how I feel about you. I panicked and lied the other night about that kiss.” A blush rose in her cheeks and my heart bounded. “That kiss – it meant everything.”

  Some small voice in my head was warning me this was a bad idea, that I had good reasons for keeping my distance, but it was drowned in a rush of heat.

  Moving closer, I said, “Then I should apologize, too. I was furious with you for saying that. But that all vanished the night you woke me up from that nightmare.” I sighed. “I couldn’t have stayed mad at you, anyways. I was mad at myself, though. I know I’m not that kind of a guy, but I didn’t want you to think badly of me. It hurt more than I expected and I lashed out.”

  “I know,” Paige murmured. “We’re dangerous when we try to keep up pretenses with each other. So let’s be honest.”

  “Okay.” Holding out my hand, I took Paige’s as she offered it. Her eyes were huge in her face as she looked at me. “Paige, I can’t make you any promises. I have no idea what’s in store for me, but there’s a good chance I won’t make it through the end of this month.” A tremble went through her and I squeezed her hand tighter. “This is why… I don’t want to hurt you.”

  In a way, it was a relief to say those words, even as it cut through my chest to see the way Paige’s eyes became glassy and her cheeks faded from rose to an ashen pale. Swallowing, she nodded and I braced myself. I knew what was coming.

  Careful, kind rejection. Platitudes. Or questions.

  “I don’t care!” Paige burst out and I started. Her free hand shot out and gripped my shirt. “I don’t care,” she repeated. “No one knows what’s going to happen. And if it was a choice between a million nights with someone else or alone – or this one night with you – you know what I would pick? What I would choose? What I do choose?” Her face became fierce. “You, Rayner.”

  Utter conviction rang in every last syllable and her amber eyes were almost gold as she leaned in closer. I couldn’t respond. I could only absorb this moment as a long-denied joy rose up within me. Then her hands fell and knotted together in her lap, as if to reassure herself.

  Reaching up, I slowly took Paige’s glasses off, folded them up, and set them aside. Then I leaned in, a smirk spreading across my face. “Is Nim all set?”

  “Wh-what?” She glanced over at Nim, who was sleeping on his back with his four paws in the air. “Oh. Yeah. He’s been out and fed.”

  Standing up, I pulled her with me, and then into the bedroom. Pinning her against the door once it was closed, I tangled my fingers into her hair and we stared at each other.

  The intensity in her eyes made my grin fade and I said in a rough voice, “You know I have feelings for you, Paige.” I let my forehead fall against hers. “Even that seems like a pale way to explain it. You’ve consumed me from the moment I laid eyes on you.”

  She splayed her hands on my chest, a shaky gasp escaping her. “Rayner. Did you think it wasn’t the same for me? That’s why I acted the way I did. I cared so much, it was consuming me. Those feelings for you. Wanting you.”

  With that, I kissed her, knowing there was no going back. She responded the same way, seemingly giving all of herself to me in that moment. And I drifted away, lost in this fire and passion. Before I’d thought I was the one who wielded fire, but now I wondered if it was Paige. If she was like a star – a living flame from the sky – one that was beyond me.

  She tasted like starlight, all sweetness and heat. I no longer held back. Bunching up her shirt, I all but tore it off her. Mine followed a moment later. Paige was not one to be outdone and it made me grin.

  “It’s not a competition,” I teased in her ear before pressing a kiss to her neck.

  Her hands were playing at the waist of my pants and then she’d unbuttoned them. Cool fingers wrapped around my instantly hard length and I heard her laugh. “Oh. I know.”

  I lost track of everything as she began to pump her hand and I laid my hands flat on the wall, over her head. I was trying to get a grip on myself. Then suddenly there was a whisper of air and her lips were wrapped around my shaft. When did she–

  Further thoughts were lost as I looked down, watching Paige on her knees, lavishing attention on me. A half-groan, half-roar rose up from my chest and she smirked.

  Moving faster now, I reached down to grip her hair on instinct and then shuddered as I came. Tugging my pants down, Paige watched as I kicked them off and then slowly rose to her feet again.

  “Come here,” I demanded, but she twisted away, shaking back her hair as she took me in.

  Paige’s eyes were dancing. “Rayner Hess in just socks. Oddly sexy.”

  Peeling off my socks, I shook my head and prowled towards her. She laughed as I pinned her against the wall, my thigh pressing between her legs. I silenced her laugh with a bruising kiss.

  Slowly letting go of her hands, I broke it off and then squatted down, picking her up with one arm around her knees and letting her fall over my shoulder. A squeak escaped her as I carried her over to the bed and then she gasped as I tossed her down onto it.

  In the next moment, I was yanking off her pants and panties while she undid her bra. Then I looked down at her, red hair touched with gold waving around her face, her dips and curves, long legs rubbing together and the pink rising in her chest and cheeks.

  Climbing over her, I studied her a moment longer, imprinting this image forever in my mind. Now Paige’s chest was rising and falling rapidly. I smirked a little as I bent down to kiss her.

  If I do die, at least I got to see this. Have Paige this once.

  “What’s that look for?” she murmured, reaching up to run her fingers through my hair.

  My smirk grew. “It’s cute how flustered you get when you’re such a goddamn goddess.”

  She went red. “I-I do not!”

  “Oh yes, you do. Most people think it’s probably you being aloof and above it all, but I’m pretty good at reading you.” I dipped my head lower and kissed the hollow at her throat. She gasped and arched into me. “And at making you blush.” My fingers ran lightly up and down her sides. “Wonder what else I might be good at?”

  Paige writhed as I let my thumbs circle her hardening nipples. “Ray-Rayner,” she gasped and then she mewled as I kissed her neck. “Oh-oh my god. Don’t stop.”

  “Not until I’ve tasted every inch of you and then some,” I murmured. “Believe me.”

  Chapter 14

  I had the sense I’d unleashed something – struck a match to a powder keg. And I was blazing with triumph and a little bit of awe that I’d done it.

  Rayner was so warm. Both in regard to his body, which was like a rock that had been in the sunshine all day, and in his attention to detail. As dominant as he was with his mouth, tongue, and hands, he took the time to whisper sweet and dirty nothings in my ear. Then, after caressing my breasts to the point of incinerating me, he’d lowered his mouth onto one, giving it his full attention.

  Suddenly he switched his mouth to the other breast and I arched up against him. There were sunbursts appearing in my eyesight and I gripped his hair. Moans and gasps were falling from my parted lips. Then I let out a keening kind of whimper as I shattered under his touch.

  Dazed, I realized Rayner was kissing his way down my stomach, his hands gripping my waist and holding me in place. I focused on breathing and trying to calm down.

  His tongue slid into the heat between my legs and the calm was gone. Crying out, I twisted under his slow and savory mouth, my body quivering uncontrollably under his touch.


  My hands were gripping the blankets, chest arching up, but Rayner only slid his hands down to my thighs to hold me even more firmly in place. His beard was scraping and tickling the sensitive skin, driving my senses to a wild, uncontrollable place.

  “Rayner!” burst from my lips. “Oh, like that. Oh, I don’t know if I can-oh! Yes, oh yes.”

  He kept going until I was enveloped in head-to-toe shaking bliss as I came undone. I couldn’t even move as the orgasm washed over me. When I opened my eyes, Rayner was hovering over me, smirking, but his eyes were a steely and intense gray.

  I shivered. There was a naked, urgent kind of desire in his gaze. At once, it made me starving for more, but also slightly nervous for what he had in mind.

  “That was…” Rayner said, his voice becoming rougher by the minute. “You need a break?”

  “No,” I panted, reaching for him. “Do you?”

  A languorous, sexy smile spread across Rayner’s face, one I’d never seen before, and it made my heart flutter in my chest. Our kisses were slower this time, lazier. His hands traced across me, up and down my calves, across my stomach, to my neck, and down my back.

  Then he broke away, his breathing heavy and the intensity ratcheted up a notch in his eyes. There was also a question there and he murmured, “Paige?”

  I nodded and he pulled me into a sitting position with him. His hands landed on my waist and he twisted me around, my head falling back onto his neck as his hard length brushed me from behind. His lips traced my neck as he slowly slid in and I whimpered, gripping his thighs on either side of me. We began to move against each other, savoring every second. Steady and slow.

  There was something about this position that was so intimate. His hard chest against my shoulders, his body enfolding mine in both a way that was both protective and vulnerable.

  One for lovers, drifted through my head and I closed my eyes.

  Sweat traced down my skin as we slid against each other, the fire building and burning. His muscles were contracting as mine expanded, creating a feverish and tortuous pleasure. Oh, I was wrapped in a sweet hell of satisfaction and I never wanted to leave.