There was a light, almost teasing note in her voice. One corner of his mouth kicked up. “I’ve always been a little odd, chère.” That made her laugh, and Gator’s chest swelled as the sweet sound rushed over him.
Then she sobered again. “There’s no need for you to be kind. I know I’ve brought trouble here to all of you.” She started to turn away, but he once again moved and blocked her avenue of retreat.
“Kind? Mon ange, that’s one thing I’ve never been accused of.” He stepped forward and she took one back. He kept prowling forward until her back hit the wall. “Don’t you know I’m swamp trash. Meaner than a gator.” He placed his palms on either side of her.
“Don’t call yourself that.” Her frown deepened.
“What? Swamp trash?”
She nodded. “I don’t like it.”
“Your daddy did. And so did Pierre. He didn’t like his sons hanging around with swamp trash.” He leaned forward and nuzzled her neck. “And I know damn well your daddy would never have let me anywhere near you.”
“Did you want to be near me?” Her voice was breathy.
Gator brushed a kiss against her temple while desperately trying to ignore his raging hard-on. The muscles in his shoulders and arms tensed until they were shaking. “Oh, chère, you have no idea of what I want to do to you.”
Sylvie wasn’t cold anymore. No, she was hot. All over. How could she not be with Gator so close he was almost touching her? Well, he was touching her with his lips. For the first time in what seemed like forever, Sylvie was contemplating what it would feel like to have more than just his lips in contact with her. Her arm still tingled where he’d stroked it.
She swallowed heavily and fought the urge to run. She wanted to stop running and finally start living. And, she admitted to herself, there was a part of her that was soaking up the attention.
It was quite a revelation to find out that Gator liked her. And as much as she wished it wasn’t true, she knew he was right. Her father and uncle would never had allowed him anywhere near her. She’d always been a pawn in her father’s games and knew he’d eventually mate her to someone that would in some way benefit him. She’d just never thought he’d force her to mate with the likes of Andre Dubois.
“Come back,” he whispered against her ear. She shivered as his hot breath skimmed over the outer shell. “Wherever you’ve gone, come back to me.” Gator’s tongue stroked the curve of her ear before he used his teeth to gently tug on the lobe, pulling her back from the past.
Sylvie was hot, yet shivers raced down her spine. Her limbs were heavy and her breasts full. She’d never experienced anything like this in her life. This…this was what desire truly felt like. She licked her lips and bit back a moan when he nibbled at her neck.
He raised his head and stared down at her. She knew she should be frightened out of her mind. Gator was big and strong with broad shoulders and a wide chest. The tattoos that ran down his muscular arms only added to his fierce appearance.
“Touch me.”
She jolted slightly at the command. He was staring at her with those amazing blue eyes of his.
“I want your hands on me, mon ange.”
Sylvie licked her lips and Gator groaned. His eyes grew darker and a muscle under his eye began to twitch. Tension thrummed around them, but still he made no move to touch her with more than his lips.
He was putting the power in her hands.
And Sylvie realized she wanted it. She slowly raised her hands and rested them against his chest. He groaned and closed his eyes as if savoring her touch. His skin was almost hot.
She sucked in a deep breath and all she could smell was Gator. She loved his scent and was beginning to associate him with safety. And that just wouldn’t do. It was one thing for them to explore the attraction that sparked between them. It was quite another for her to rely on him for protection. She’d learned the hard way to depend only on herself.
For more than two years, she’d earned her own money and lived to please herself. There was no way she could go back to being dominated by a male werewolf. Yes, she’d missed pack life, felt as though a part of her was missing, but she wasn’t looking to mate. Never again would she give up that kind of control.
“That feels so good.” Gator pressed a kiss to her temple. “Go ahead and explore. Don’t be afraid.”
“I’m not afraid.” She was tired of being scared, of not taking what she wanted. Determined not to let past fears ruin the moment, Sylvie slid her hands up to his shoulders and down his arms. She let her fingers play over his tattoos, teasing the wolf images on his biceps.
“When did you have these done?” she asked. Most werewolves didn’t bother with tattoos. They didn’t show when the person was in their wolf form, and they were already badass and didn’t feel the need to copy what they considered a human custom. She liked them. Gator had always been different from the rest. It was one of the things she’d always admired about him.
“Some years back.” Gator was suddenly tense in a way that had nothing to do with sexual arousal.
Sylvie knew when a man didn’t want to talk about something. That was fine by her. His tattoos were his business. Still, she liked them. She narrowed her eyes and looked more closely. One of the wolves was definitely male. The other was more delicate. Female. Was it a tribute to some female? Maybe one he’d loved and lost.
She didn’t like that idea at all, and neither did her wolf. She shook off the unfamiliar pang of jealousy. What did she care if Gator had shared something special with another woman?
“You’re not mated, are you?” She was appalled she hadn’t thought to ask until now. She pulled her hands away as though his skin burned her.
He caught her hands and placed them back against his chest with his covering them. “Non, chère. I’m not mated. Never have been. If I were, I wouldn’t be here with you.”
Well, that was certainly blunt enough. But that was Gator. He didn’t pull his punches.
“I would never cheat on my mate.”
She believed him. And for a woman who’d been cheated on, that was a lure. Loyalty was important. And what the hell was she thinking? She wasn’t in the market for any kind of relationship, permanent or temporary. She was here to reforge a relationship with her brother and maybe find a place in this pack.
The last thing she needed to do was get romantically or sexually involved with anyone.
But she’d been alone for so long. A wolf in the human world was an oddity. There was no one she could share her secret with, no one she could trust. The human men didn’t interest her at all. She could smell their deceit and lies a mile away.
Gator slid her palms up and down his chest. “Don’t be afraid to touch me.”
“What are we doing?” This was crazy. She’d only arrived here a matter of hours ago and she’d already kissed Gator, or rather he’d kissed her.
“We’re getting reacquainted.” He brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. “Getting to know one another.” She wished she could tell if he was teasing her or if he was serious. She was in way over her head. She didn’t understand the rules of flirting.
“This is more than getting acquainted.” She wasn’t stupid. The bulge in the front of Gator’s jeans was a dead giveaway. “You want me.” It was time for her to be blunt too.
“Yes, I want you.” He kissed her cheek and then nuzzled her nose. “But I only want what you’re willing to give.”
Gator Rollins was the devil. He had to be. He tempted her so prettily, leading her toward the edge of a cliff. If she went over, she had only herself to blame. Of course, it didn’t help that she’d always wondered about him. When they were teenagers and older, he’d always caught her eye whenever he’d walked by. She’d felt drawn to him but had never acted on the impulse, instinctively knowing it would bring a wrath of trouble down
on them both.
He grazed his lips over hers. His tongue traced the curve of her mouth. Her heart pounded and her entire lower body clenched. She ached for more.
“This isn’t a good idea.”
“Maybe not.” He nibbled her bottom lip. “I’ll stop if you really want me to, but I’d rather not. You taste so good.” He flicked his tongue over the seam of her mouth and Sylvie was lost.
She parted her lips and invited him in. The rest of the world dropped away when his tongue met hers. She moaned and deepened the kiss. She’d been kissed before, but never like this. Gator slanted his head and consumed her like he was a starving man and she was food.
Every female hormone inside her surged to life. Her pussy began to throb. Without conscious thought, she leaned into his chest and rubbed her straining nipples against it. Even through the barriers of her bra and blouse, she could feel his heat.
The hard length of his arousal pressed against her stomach, a potent reminder of his masculinity.
Arousal burst into flames, scorching her entire body. Her wolf howled and began to roll around inside her as though wanting his scent all over her. She dug her fingers into his biceps as she leaned into the kiss.
It went on and on. The scent of his arousal was an aphrodisiac, making her even wilder. He caught her face in his hands and tilted it back. She went up on her toes to get closer. She wanted more and he gave it.
Their tongues dueled, their breaths mingled and she reveled in the power of the connection between them. How long their kiss lasted, she didn’t know. It might have gone on forever if he hadn’t suddenly pulled away.
Sylvie was left panting for air as Gator bent over, breathing heavily. “Gator?” Why had he stopped?
He raised his head and growled. His features briefly contorted before he brought his wolf back under control. Her arousal quickly turned to fear. What was she doing?
She knew the moment he scented the change in her. He swore and dragged his fingers through his hair, pulling at the ends. The muscles in his arms bulged and his chest rose and fell.
“Sylvie—” he began.
“No.” She cut him off before he could spout platitudes or make excuses. “That can’t happen again.” It was time for her to take back control of the situation. “I’m here for Armand, and that’s all.”
He straightened and seemed bigger and taller than only moments before. His scowl deepened and he growled again. “It can and will happen again.” He shook himself. “I didn’t mean to scare you, chère. Didn’t mean to let things go this far this fast.”
“It wasn’t all you.” She took responsibility for her own actions, no matter how ill-advised they were. “But it can’t be repeated.” She couldn’t think when Gator was touching her. He stole her ability to reason.
Her wolf whined, not liking this turn of events. Her wolf had always hated Andre and wanted to get closer to Gator. Much closer. The air in the room seemed to disappear.
She couldn’t let this happen again, not twice in one day and both times in front of this man. There was more than enough air. She wasn’t suffocating, no matter how much it might feel like it. Sylvie closed her eyes and pulled in one deep breath and then another. She did it again and again until she was calm.
When she opened her eyes again, Gator was standing next to her, his expression filled with concern.
Realization struck her like a lightning bolt. She wanted Gator. Really wanted him. She already had feelings for him. And that was dangerous.
He lifted his hand as though he was going to touch her face and then dropped it back by his side. “I won’t rush you, but we’re not done. Not by a long shot.”
Sylvie thought he might say more, but he stalked away, the muscles in his back flexing with each step he took. He opened the door and quietly closed it behind him.
She looked out the window and watched him shift. His jaw lengthened and his limbs cracked and reformed. Fur replaced his smooth skin. The man was gone, and in his place was a powerful black wolf. He glanced back at her, his blue eyes gleaming. Then he tilted back his head and howled.
Sylvie shivered. He sounded lonely. She could relate to that. She’d felt alone for so many years, even when she’d still been part of the Louisiana Pack she’d been isolated.
She placed her hand on the pane of glass and watched as he prowled from her sight.
Chapter Five
Gator raced through the woods, desperately trying to outrun his confusion and the demons from his past. Both were riding him hard. He’d come so close to dragging Sylvie into his arms. And if that had happened, there’s no telling how either of them would have reacted. Gator wanted to believe he’d stop if she protested, but he was too on edge to trust himself. And Sylvie wasn’t anywhere ready to take their relationship to the next stage.
No matter what she said, the connection was there between them. Neither of them could deny it. Her actions spoke much louder than her words. She trusted him on some level or she never would have allowed him to kiss her.
Maybe a step back wasn’t such a bad thing. They’d gotten hot and heavy so fast, but that didn’t seem to matter to him or his wolf.
He pulled up short when he arrived at the edge of a small stream. The water was lower this time of year than it was in the spring. He allowed the change to wash over him, embracing his human form. His wolf receded, leaving him standing naked and, damn it, still aroused.
He could still feel the press of her breasts against his chest, taste her sweet lips and smell her arousal. She could lie to herself, but her scent told the truth. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.
Gator raked his fingers through his hair and took a deep breath. Time. He had to curb his natural impatience and allow her to get used to him.
He’d have to court her.
For her, he’d dig deep and find the patience. She was worth the effort. They needed to spend time together. He could cook for her, maybe show her the surrounding woods. He’d love to take her running over the pack land and show her just how incredible it was.
He had a feeling she hadn’t received much pampering in her life. Her father had been an overbearing jerk and her mate a sadistic asshole. Was it any wonder she was wary of men? Thankfully, she loved her brother and knew not all men were cruel beasts.
He crouched by the water and let his fingers dangle in its path. The cool liquid flowed over his skin. He wondered if Sylvie had been wet for him. He licked his lips and could still taster her, warm and inviting.
Not helping. He groaned and stood.
He took several long breaths and pulled much needed fresh air into his lungs. All around him, the forest was alive with life. It was a good place. A safe one. Or at least it would be once they’d taken care of the problems with their former pack.
Gator shifted once again, reveling in the feeling of his limbs reforming, his shape changing. He was strong as a man but even more so as a wolf. Heavy jaw, sharp teeth and dense muscles all made him the ultimate fighting machine.
But inside both wolf and man was a heart that had always felt the lack of a mate, and not just any woman, but Sylvie.
He began to run once more. He knew the surrounding woods well and ran at full speed, jumping over downed trees and swerving around rocks.
Being friends with Armand, he’d always been aware of his friend’s older sister. Remy LaForge hadn’t approved of Armand’s friendship with him, so the two of them had usually met away from the rest of the pack. As a result, he’d rarely spent any time in Sylvie’s company. She was a beautiful woman, one who’d drawn his eye every time he’d seen her. But she was also his friend’s sister and therefore off limits.
He still remembered the night everything had changed. He growled low in his throat but kept running.
It was the night her father had announced her upcoming mating to Andre Dubois. The rest of the pack had been celebrat
ing while he’d been watching her. She’d looked so miserable, not at all like a woman anticipating mating with the man she loved or at least wanted.
She’d wandered to the edges of the crowd and he’d followed. It still made his heart ache to picture her standing under the stars with tears trickling down her face. She’d looked so alone that he’d considered going to her. He’d had some vague idea of comforting her. His wolf had almost gone crazy wanting to get closer.
In the end, he’d hesitated too long. Her father had found her and dragged her back to the sham of a celebration.
After that, Gator had manufactured reasons for them to run into one another, but he’d sensed nothing but fear from her.
He slowed down until he came to a complete stop beneath a large oak tree. She’d been afraid of him. Now he wondered if her fear had been for him and not of him. Or maybe it had been a bit of both.
Sylvie was a protector by nature. He understood now why she’d mated with Andre Dubois even though it was obvious she didn’t like the man. She’d been protecting her younger brother.
Gator began to move once again, circling around to head back to the house. He’d left Sylvie alone. Yes, Armand and the others were nearby, but she’d come here to forge a relationship with her brother, to try to reclaim her past, and they’d all left her alone.
Heart pounding, he picked up speed.
That certainly wasn’t going to encourage her to stay. Not if she felt like an outcast, a burden.
What if she’d decided to leave because she didn’t feel welcome?
He’d go after her. No matter how far she ran or where she went, he’d find her. And then he’d spend the rest of his days convincing her they were meant to be together.
The idea solidified inside him, locking into place like the slamming of a bank-vault door. Sylvie belonged to him and he belonged to her.
He’d been a coward all those years ago, not wanting to admit Sylvie was his mate. He hadn’t trusted his instincts and had paid the ultimate price when she’d mated another and died. And even if she hadn’t died in truth, he’d thought she had, and the emptiness inside him had almost swallowed him whole.
Wolf from the Past: Salvation Pack, Book 4 Page 5
