by Unknown
Zach snorted. “Good luck with that.” He walked over to Jo and thought about waking her up. She looked so peaceful lying there. He bent down and picked her up, surprised at how little she weighed. “I’m taking Jo to bed.”
“Yours, I presume?”
Zach didn’t respond. He really didn’t have to. The worry that he’d accidentally cast a love spell on her had been obliterated by her support after he’d removed the hex. If he had accidentally cast a love spell it would have been broken at that point.
Instead, Jo had stayed by his side. That meant she was supposed to be his. Now he just had to make sure he didn’t move too quickly. He’d take things slow, let her learn to trust him. To love him.
Lord, let her learn to love him.
He carried his mate into his brother’s house and settled her for the night. She didn’t even stir when he undressed her. When he was done undressing he curled up against her naked back, content to breathe in her scent.
They were going to have to talk in the morning. If anything happened to Jo, Zach wouldn’t be responsible for his actions.
“Mmm. Zach?”
“Better be, or you’re in big trouble.”
He sensed more than saw her smile. “Right. Hey, Gareth.”
Zach’s brows rose. “Gareth, huh?” Oh, someone wanted to be in trouble. This could be fun. Zach poked Jo’s side. “Gareth?”
Jo’s wide-eyed, wide-awake look alerted him to another possibility for some fun. He wiggled his fingers against her skin.
“No! Bad dog!” Jo grabbed his fingers, the beginnings of a laugh curling the corners of her mouth. “Don’t you dare, Zach.”
He felt like the Grinch when he got his awful, terrible idea. Evil delight coursed through him, chasing away the weariness that had begun to drag at him. “You’re ticklish.”
“Zachary Beckett, if you tickle me I swear you will regret it.”
Regret it? How could he? She’d squirm, she’d laugh, and most of all, she’d bounce. The only thing he’d regret was that he hadn’t found out sooner.
Zach reached for her again, intent on watching her squirm.
“Stay!”
Zach paused. “Stay?” What did she think he was, a poodle?
“I promise if you don’t tickle me I’ll make it worth your while.”
His entire body felt electrified at the way she was looking at him. When she licked her lips he moaned. “Seriously?”
She nodded. “So seriously.” Her hand crept down and cradled his balls.
When a woman like Jo had you by the balls, you paid attention. “What about your head?”
“I feel fine.” She blinked up at him and massaged his balls. “Don’t you want to know what price I’m willing to pay to keep you from tickling me?”
“Fuck yes.” Zach’s hands slid up her sides to cup her breasts. God, he loved them, loved to watch the way her nipples peaked under his touch.
“Lay back and let me show you.”
Zach’s inner monologue was reduced to yesyesyes as he lay down, desperate for her touch. His cock stood at attention, waving madly at the woman of his dreams. “Jo.”
She crawled over him, her long dark hair blanketing him with cool butterfly touches. She leaned over his cock and stared up at him with huge, heated brown eyes. She watched his reaction when she licked a long, slow line up the ridge of his cock, flicking the edge of her tongue over the flared head.
Zach groaned, his hands pulling her hair away from her face so he could watch the erotic show his mate was putting on for him. “Suck it, baby.”
Jo’s lips quirked before she took his cock in her hand. Her mouth closed over the head of his cock, sipping at him with delicate little nips and the lightest of suction. He thought the top of his head was going to explode at the sensations. “More. Please, Jo.”
As if the please was what she’d been waiting for, Jo took him all the way in, her nose buried in the curls at the base of his cock. Zach’s head fell back, unable to bear the incredible sensations rocketing through him. His mate had the most incredible mouth ever invented. He was the luckiest son of a bitch alive.
She proved that as her head began to move, her lips firm around him, her tongue, gods her tongue, driving him closer and closer to the edge.
When she lifted her mouth from him he nearly cried out, but then that tongue was on his balls and he wanted, no needed, her to keep going, to keep the need boiling inside him on the edge.
“Fuck, Jo.”
She knelt above him and he released her, curious as to what she’d do next. She flung her hair behind her and tweaked her own nipples. “Mmm, fuck Jo.”
If he’d had two brain cells left to rub together he would have guessed her next move. She licked her finger, dragged it along her stomach, and began to stroke her clit.
Zach watched his mate pleasure herself for all of two seconds before the urge to touch, to taste, became overwhelming. He scrambled desperately for the bedside drawer, desperately hoping that… Yes! Note to self: thank Chris tomorrow. He snagged the box of condoms and ripped one open, sliding it onto his aching erection with shaking hands. He reached for her, flipping her onto her back, sliding along silken skin until his mouth was next to her hand. He wanted a taste so badly he was shaking with it. “Allow me.”
“Please.”
Zach shuddered at the need in her voice. The fact that he’d been the one to make her moan filled him with pride and the need to possess. He’d have a very hard time not trying to complete the spell tonight. Jo hadn’t completely accepted him yet, so muttering the final words to the Beckett spell would do nothing.
But he could enjoy this while he had it. He licked along her finger, following the path she took, learning the way she liked to be pleasured. She whimpered when he pulled her clit into his mouth, sucking on it. She gasped when he stroked her steadily with his tongue. When he dipped inside her she arched against him and buried her hands in his hair. And when she teetered on the edge of orgasm he pushed her over, riding the wave with her as she cried out her release.
Zach slipped up her body, hard and aching and more than ready for his own release. “Let me.”
She nodded, tugging at his hips, urging him inside her. Zach took the invitation and surged inside her wet heat, fucking her with everything he was. “God, sweetheart, you feel so good.”
“Fuck me, Zach. Fill me.”
Zach’s heart stuttered. She’d given him permission to come without her, and Zach’s body was on board with that one hundred percent. Before he could stop it he was coming inside her, teeth clenched around a primal scream of ecstasy so intense he saw stars.
He collapsed on top of her, sweaty, drained, and so happy he thought his heart would burst. He kissed her throat, thankful for this incredible woman who’d given herself to him. Her hands roved up and down his back, soothing man and beast. He managed to flop to her side, his head on her chest, before he drifted to sleep.
Chapter Eleven
Morning sunlight streamed into her eyes. “Gah.” Jo reached for the pillow to pull it over her head. Since when did her windows face her bed?
She froze when her hand encountered a hairy arm.
Since when did papa bear sleep in her bed?
A deep sigh stirred her hair. “Morning, Jo.”
A hard, hot cock nudged her lower back. Morning, indeed. “Zach?”
“Better be, else I’m kicking someone’s ass.”
Memories of the night before streamed into her waking mind. “How did the ritual go?”
He pressed a soft kiss to her shoulder. “I’ll tell you after my caffeine infusion.”
“What time is it?” Jo glanced at the clock on the bedside table. “Holy shit.”
“What?”
“It’s noon.” Jo sat up and scrubbed her face. “How did I sleep so late?”
“You were hurt. Your body must have needed the rest.” Zach rolled onto his back and curled his arms under his head. The move made his biceps bulge. “Besides,
we were up pretty late last night.”
“What’s this ‘we’ shit? I fell asleep while you communed, remember?”
He grinned up at her, the lazy, sleepy look sending heat straight through her belly. She felt her nipples tighten in response to that look. “Do you have any idea how cute you looked?”
Jo rolled her eyes and her body out of bed. “Yeah well… Zach? Why am I naked?”
“I like the view?”
She turned, one arm over her breasts, her hand covering her pussy, to find Zach really was enjoying the view if the tent under the covers was anything to go by. “Down boy.”
“Woof.”
Jo bit her lip to keep from laughing. “He’s not very obedient, is he?”
Zach sighed. “What can I say?” He patted his cock through the sheet. “He has a mind of his own.” He crooked his finger. “C’mere, little girl.”
Jo backed up a step. “My momma warned me about wolves like you.” Besides, she had to pee something fierce, and Mr. Woodie wasn’t about to stop her from taking care of business.
Zach’s eyes lit up, literally. He crawled out from under the covers, the movements slow and sensual. Jo was mesmerized. She was being stalked like prey, and her body responded, tightening in response, ready to flee the man standing at the side of the bed.
Jo held up one hand. “Stay!”
Zach paused.
“Bathroom?”
The bastard started to laugh.
Jo broke out her Brünnhilde voice. She really needed to go, like, yesterday. “Now, Zach!”
He pointed. Unfortunately, he pointed toward the door, which meant this bedroom did not have an en suite bathroom. “Damn.” She grabbed the sheet and wrapped it around herself toga style. “Sit. Stay. Good wolf.”
He cocked an eyebrow at her and sat on the edge of the bed, legs wide open, displaying that impressive, erect cock. He grinned and crossed his arms. “Hurry back.”
Jo stumbled out of the room, unsure if she should head back and take what she knew Zach wanted to give her or take care of business first.
“Morning.”
Jo screeched.
The bedroom door slammed open, revealing a very naked, very aroused Zach to the world at large, and one pair of fascinated blue eyes in particular. Jo was going to have to rip Gen’s eyes from her head. “What’s wrong?”
Oh hell. “Um. Morning, Gen.”
“Oh. Good morning, um. Jo.” Gen visibly tore her gaze from Zach’s naked body. “Bathroom?”
“Guys? What’s going on?”
Jo pinched the bridge of her nose and nearly lost her grip on the sheet. “Morning, Gareth.”
“Good morning.” He sounded less than pleased. “Why are you naked, Zach?”
“Jo screamed.”
Gareth’s expression cleared, like that explained everything. For a Beckett, it probably did. “Well, she’s fine. What did you need, sweetheart?”
It took Jo a second to realize Gareth was talking to her and not Gen. “Bathroom.”
Gareth grinned. “Second door on the right.”
Jo grabbed hold of Gen’s arm and started walking. Gen’s gaze lifted once more from Zach’s cock as she stumbled along in Jo’s wake. “C’mon.”
“But—”
Brünnhilde once more made an appearance. “Now, Gen.”
“Yes’m.”
Behind her she heard Gareth and Zach sharing a laugh at Gen’s meek tone of voice.
Jo didn’t give a crap. Gen had stared at what was hers, damn it. She dragged the Own into the bathroom and shut the door. “That cock? That’s mine, got it?”
Gen held up her hands. “I know that.”
“Then why were you staring?”
Gen opened her mouth, her normally serene expression morphing into something akin to despair. “I…” Gen slumped back against the door. “Are all the Beckett men so beautiful?”
Jo tilted her head. What’s going on here? “Gareth?”
Gen shrugged and looked away.
“Look, I have to pee really badly. Can this wait a few seconds?”
Gen nodded and turned her face to the door, giving Jo some privacy.
Jo finished up as quickly as she could, washing her hands when she was done. “Change places?”
Gen moved and Jo took her place, fidgeting with her makeshift toga. “Talk to me, Gen.” She didn’t know the warlock all that well, but she could tell something was eating at the other woman.
“The Goddess sent me a vision.”
“And?” What did this have to do with Gen taking an eyeful?
“When all this is done, Gareth will hate me.”
Jo frowned and looked over her shoulder. “And?”
The torment on Gen’s face was absolute. “He won’t want anything to do with me.”
The light bulb, usually so much faster, finally lit. “He’s your mate.”
“As you are Zach’s.”
Jo’s shoulders twitched. Apparently she was in a cheesy werewolf romance novel, because Gen’s words made sense. She was Zach’s “mate”. She couldn’t deny it any longer. The need to be near him, to protect him, to…love him, was nearly overwhelming. “Yeah. I am.”
“Imagine if Zach hated the very air you breathed, if all he saw when he looked at you was the suffering of his loved ones.”
Jo shuddered. She didn’t think she could stand it if Zach looked at her with hatred in his eyes.
“Now imagine if that hatred killed your mate. The curse under which the Becketts live has been tamed, but at a price.”
Jo whirled around. “Price?”
Gen nodded. “The wolf demands its mate. If it doesn’t get it, the curse eats the Beckett from within, destroying him. They die in agony, their wolves howling and howling for something that never comes.” Gen buried her face in her hands. “That’s what will happen to Gareth if…”
Jo’s ass hit the floor before she realized her knees had buckled. “Has Zach done everything he needs to do to claim me?”
Gen’s eyes darted to Jo’s shoulder. “No.”
“What’s left?”
“The shadow of the wolf isn’t on your shoulder yet. It means he hasn’t completed the spell. Once you fully accept him and he marks you, the wolf is pacified.”
“How do you know all of this?”
“The vision showed me. Their emerald ring is the key that opens the door. Once the ritual is begun, it is only a matter of time before he must finish the spell or die.”
Jo stood, her head whirling and her heart pounding in fear. “Enjoy your bathroom time.” She’d deal with Gen’s problem later.
Right now she had a man to claim.
Zach jumped as the bedroom door slammed open. “Mark me.”
Zach wiggled his finger in his ear, certain he hadn’t heard that. “Excuse me?”
Jo slammed the door shut. She glared at him like he’d kicked her puppy. “Mark. Me.”
He tried to play it off, not certain what it was she knew and didn’t know. “With what?”
She growled. He damn near laughed, it was so cute. “Your wolf needs to mark me? Fine. Do it.” She stopped. “Unless it means peeing on me. Then we need to talk.”
He held out his hands, hoping that she’d take them and explain to him what the hell was going on. “Jo? Come here, sweetheart.”
She came, dropping the sheet on her way. Shit. Talk about distracting. Every enticing curve bounced toward him, reducing his IQ to something resembling his gas mileage.
When she curled her arms under her impressive breasts, lifting them even higher, he almost fell down and worshipped. “Marking, Zach. Get on with it.”
He blinked. “Are you accepting me?”
One eyebrow lifted arrogantly. “That depends.”
Whimpering was not part of the whole macho code, but Zach couldn’t help himself. “On what?”
“Whether or not you’re doing this because you want me. Let’s face it, you weren’t exactly happy to see me at first.” She s
hrugged. “Then again, the way we made love in the workroom? Much better greeting, I thought. So…” Her chin lifted. “Hop to it.”
Zach felt frozen in place. Jo was accepting him?
“Zach? Are we doing this or what?”
The woman he loved was willing to take his mark, be his forever?
“Zach, are you okay?”
Hell yes.
Zach lunged, grabbing Jo by the waist and flinging her onto the bed.
“Yikes!”
Zach ignored her yelp, crawling up her body in a frenzy of need. He pinned her down to the bed, straddling her hips, holding her arms above her head. “Mine.”
She blinked up at him, those gorgeous brown eyes of hers darkening with want. “Yours.”
Zach swooped down and claimed those full lips in a kiss that sealed his fate. Sweet and hot, her taste exploded on his tongue, marking him as surely as he would soon mark her.
His mate.
His love.
She’d said yes, and he wasn’t about to turn away from that.
When she wrapped her soft thighs around him he damn near came, all untouched. Just her skin against his had him on the edge. “Jo. Need you.”
She nodded, spreading her legs even wider, impossibly wide. “Take me.”
He slid inside her, grimacing at the slight wince she gave him. She hadn’t quite been ready for him despite her words. “Sorry.” The last thing he wanted to do was harm her in any way.
She licked her lips and shot him a wicked glance. “Make it up to me.”
Staring at her mouth, he knew just what to do to ease the pain he’d unwittingly inflicted.
Zach withdrew from her hot sheath, slid down her body, and proceeded to kiss it better.
Jo damn near screamed at the sensation of Zach’s mouth on her pussy. His hot tongue traced her lips, dipping inside her for a taste before stroking across her clit, teasing her with light touches. She reached down and tangled her fingers in his hair, desperate to get his mouth right where she wanted it most.
Zach slid back up her body, surprising her. He took hold of her wrists and pressed them gently back down on the mattress. “Leave them there.”
She blinked. Zach wasn’t smiling. “Okay.”
