Time stood still for Claire as she huddled on the ground in horror. Her teeth began to chatter, her legs refused to move, and her heart squeezed into her throat to beat in painful clarity. She was going to die crouched down next to her porch if she didn’t get out of here quick.
She inched her way closer to the railing and slowly stood, never taking her gaze off the unbelievable battle taking place in front of her. They fought at the edge of the darkness where the outside light barely reached. The gruesome sounds of flesh being torn mixed with the thundering in her ears would echo in her mind for years to come.
The two beasts rolled back into the shadows, and Claire forced her body into action. She grabbed onto the railing and heaved herself over. Without a backward glance, she shot across the porch and ran inside, slamming the door shut behind her.
Claire rushed to the hall closet and snatched up Dexter’s double-barrel shotgun. Her hands shook so bad she could barely check to see if it was loaded. With a flip of her thumb, she released the safety, cocked it, and hurried back to the door.
The silence that greeted her was almost as eerie as the memory of those glowing yellow eyes. Claire shivered and peered outside, squinting against the glare of the porch light. She snatched up her cell from the table by the door. The sheriff’s department was ten miles away. It would take them at least fifteen minutes to respond, and Jaxon was still out there somewhere.
Chapter Seven
Pain sliced through Jaxon’s shoulder as he rolled to his side and got to his knees. His breath came in shallow gasps as multiple shudders passed through his body. Shifting was never easy, but to endure it while injured gave a whole new meaning to torment.
A deep growl escaped him as he thought of the terror in Claire’s eyes when she’d faced that wolf. If not for the amount of alcohol in his system, he would have sensed the rogue Shifter long before he’d had the chance to breach her property line.
After doing a quick perimeter check, Jaxon had taken to the woods, tracking the stranger’s scent when he’d heard Claire whisper his name. He’d almost been too late. Another growl rose up with the thought of how close she’d come to being hurt.
Jaxon took in as much air as his burning lungs would allow and pushed to his feet. He needed to get back to the house in case the rogue wasn’t as injured as he thought and the guy decided to circle back around.
Why would someone want to hurt Claire? More anger poured through him, and his teeth lengthened. Heat burned behind his eyes, his vision sharpened, and hair sprouted on the back of his hands.
It took an immense amount of effort for Jaxon to stop his body from shifting. The pain of keeping his wolf contained far exceeded his injuries. With extreme determination, he managed to stay on his feet. His wounds would heal, but his heart would never forget the image of his beautiful Claire curled up in a ball of terror next to that porch.
By the time he broke through the tree line, some of the more shallow cuts had closed up and the deeper ones were beginning to knit together from the inside. How was he going to explain away the blood or his lack of clothing, for that matter?
* * * *
Claire was standing in the doorway holding a shotgun in one hand and a phone in the other when Jaxon rounded the house. He came to a stop, slowly lifting his arms away from his sides. “It’s me, Claire.”
She set the weapon down and rushed off the porch to his side. “Oh, my God. Where have you been? There are wolves out there, Jaxon. I thought you were dead.” The tears swimming in her eyes tore at his heart.
“I know. I ran into one in the woods. Let’s get you inside before he comes back.” Guilt tightened his gut. He was just as responsible for her fear as the rogue.
“You’re naked.” She looked away but not before he noticed the blush staining her cheeks.
“It’s a long story,” he murmured, taking her hand. “Come on.”
They entered the house, and Claire’s fingers tightened around his. She tossed her cell onto the couch and tugged him toward her bedroom.
A big, flowery comforter lay half on the floor as if she’d stumbled from bed with it wrapped around her legs. Her essence surrounded him in a haze of mystery and warmth that left him weak with need.
She let go of his hand and rushed to fix the covers before patting the mattress. “Lie down.”
Jaxon lowered himself to the bed, jerking the sheet over his lap to hide his growing erection. The last thing he needed or wanted was to make an uncomfortable situation worse.
“I’m going to grab some bandages. Are you thirsty?” She touched his forehead with the palm of her soft hand, and he noticed it shook.
“I’m okay, Claire. You don’t have to fuss over me.”
He wanted like hell to ask her about what she’d just been through, but he couldn’t, so he hedged. “How did you see the wolves?”
“I couldn’t find you, Jaxon. The howls…the godawful sounds. I’ve never been so scared in all my life.”
“I’m sorry, sweetness—”
“You wouldn’t answer me. I thought you were hurt, or worse…dead.”
“I went out for a smoke—”
“In the nude?” she interrupted in a high-pitched voice.
“I sleep naked, Claire.” When she just stared at him wide-eyed, he continued. “I heard a noise around the side of the house, so I grabbed my knife from the truck and went to investigate. That’s when I saw the wolf.”
“Don’t you ever do anything that stupid again. I aged ten years tonight. And there were two that I saw. We need to call the police.” She turned to go.
“Wait.” What the hell was he supposed to say to that? Jaxon wondered. Don’t call the cops, Claire. You have a Shifter in your bed with wounds that will be healed by the time they arrive. Instead, he said, “This is a small town. Do you really want them to see me here? It’ll be all over Scruples before the open sign lights up this morning.”
Something flickered in her eyes. “You’re right, of course. I’ll be right back.” With that, she left the room.
Jaxon tried not to read too much into the emotion that radiated from Claire. If he didn’t know any better, he’d think his statement about the police finding him here had hurt her somehow. But that would mean she felt more for him than she let on. It was ludicrous to consider. Or was it?
He shook off his thoughts and leaned back against the headboard. She’d been through a horrendous experience tonight. If he’d been a few seconds later, she could have been killed. Rage threatened to consume him again. The rogue’s scent was burned into his brain forever. No matter how long it took, Jaxon would find him and kill him.
Chapter Eight
Claire couldn’t seem to get out of there fast enough. The pain over Jaxon’s words echoed through the walls of her heart in aching finality. As many times as he’d stayed the night in her home over the years, it never once occurred to her that he may not want it known.
Something became clear to her as she grabbed a soda from the kitchen, hurried to the bathroom and rummaged through the medicine cabinet. She wasn’t good enough for Jaxon Sanders.
She honestly didn’t think Jaxon looked down his nose at her by any stretch, but his family had big plans for him that didn’t include a college dropout or the daughter of a convicted felon.
After gathering all the supplies she could carry, Claire made her way back to the bedroom and shut the door behind her.
Jaxon stared at her from his position on the bed. “You don’t have to do this, Claire. I really am fine. Get back in bed. You have to be up in a few hours.”
Claire approached him with a smile she didn’t feel. “I got you a soda.” She dipped her chin toward the bundle in her arms.
“Thank you.” He plucked the red can from its spot among the medical supplies.
“Slide over.” She set her burden on the side table before taking a seat next to him. It took considerable effort not to throw herself across his chest. He had no idea what he did to her. She’d always been good
at hiding her feelings from him. Her emotions were raw from everything that had happened tonight, and she needed to get a grip.
Claire busied herself with opening bandages. She could feel his gaze on her as she wet a washcloth with alcohol.
She glanced up at the soda he held. “Do you need me to open that, big guy?”
He grinned. “I wouldn’t hear of it. You’re holding the alcohol.”
“Wuss.” She shook her head and began wiping the blood from his shoulder. The cut wasn’t as deep as she’d originally thought. Thank goodness.
“This is going to sting. I’m sorry.” She gently cleansed the wound as best she could before covering it with a bandage. He didn’t even flinch.
“You need to see a doctor,” Claire demanded as she inspected him for more injuries. “What if one or both were rabid?”
“Stop worrying. I’ll have it looked at. I’m just glad you didn’t get hurt.”
“Where did they come from? You are the only person I know who has wolves, and they are nowhere near the size of the ones I saw.”
His gaze softened. “Come here.”
Claire plucked the soda from his hand, put the washcloth aside, and curled up to Jaxon’s side with her head on his chest. The feel of his warm skin against her face was heaven to her. She could lie there breathing him in forever. But she didn’t have forever. Only here and now.
Jaxon’s arms came around her, solid and strong. How could something that felt so right be forbidden? The feel of being in his embrace, if only for a short time, was better than every fantasy she’d ever imagined.
His body went completely still. The thundering of his heart echoed beneath her ear to drown out her rapid breathing. An aching need for him washed through her, and she moaned with the power of it.
“Please.” Jaxon’s deep voice resonated throughout the room. That one word held a wealth of meaning for Claire, and she took it into herself to cherish forever. He wanted her. That was all she knew or cared about in that moment.
She slowly skimmed her thigh up his leg. The slide of skin on skin lit a fire low in her stomach, burning her from the inside out. “Yes.”
“Are you sure?” He had yet to move.
Claire raised her head to take in his shadowed profile. His eyes were closed, and the tension radiating from him only added to his appeal. “Make love to me, Jaxon.”
He was on her before she could blink, his hips settling between her thighs. His mouth covered hers in a gentle suction that left her breathless. Claire had never been kissed with such passion. He possessed, dominated, took, and owned.
With a slide of his tongue across the seam of her lips, she opened for him. The first touch of his tongue against hers brought every nerve in her body to life, and she reveled in it, kissing him back with a freedom she’d never experienced before. It was beautiful, sensual…perfect.
Claire moaned into his mouth as he tilted his hips and ground his erection against her. The foreign feelings going on inside her body intimidated her yet were too incredible to shy away from. This was right. It was fate… It was her first time.
To be a virgin at twenty-eight years old was unheard of in today’s society and even frowned upon in some circles. But Claire was nothing if unconventional. She’d never wanted anyone but Jaxon inside her body. The very thought of another man taking her felt wrong on so many levels. Her mind and soul knew it as well as her heart.
She broke off the kiss. “Jaxon? There’s something I have to tell you.”
His rose up on his knees, taking her shorts with him, tossing them on the floor. “If you want me to stop, I will. I’ll fucking die, but I’ll stop.”
Claire watched in awe as he began opening buttons on the front of her pajama top. She noticed his hands were unsteady.
“I don’t want you to stop, but there’s something I should tell you first.” Doubt surfaced, leaving her insecure, naked…afraid.
“There’s nothing you can say to make me not want you.” He gently peeled her top open, exposing her breasts. “Beautiful.”
“Jaxon, I—”
He dipped his head and nuzzled her. His lips skimmed over her nipple before he sucked it into his mouth.
Claire’s back bowed off the bed as overwhelming sensations scattered through her in no particular direction. She latched onto Jaxon’s hair, holding him tight against her. How had she gone through life for twenty eight years without ever experiencing this kind of passion? Sure, she’d kissed others, even made out with a few, but nothing to this degree. And in that moment, she’d never been more grateful.
He moved to the other breast, giving it equal amounts of attention, and Claire’s mind blanked. She didn’t think, just rode the tide of awareness to a mysterious place where no one existed but Jaxon Sanders.
Her nipple slipped free of his mouth, and her hands tightened in his hair in protest. A deep, sexy laugh escaped him.
He gently nipped the pebbled tip. “You like that?”
Claire could only groan in response. She had no voice left or willpower, for that matter. Jaxon had complete control of her, and she gave it freely.
Chapter Nine
Jaxon had never felt more humbled than he did in that moment. The woman of his dreams had surrendered herself to him with complete abandon. There was no hesitation, no coy remarks or games, just uninhibited want shining from her eyes. The fact that it was directed at him was astounding in itself, and he’d do everything in his power to make sure she didn’t regret giving herself to him.
“Gorgeous.” He kissed his way down her body, stopping to dip his tongue into her sexy navel. She squirmed beneath him, silently asking him for more.
The scent of her arousal invaded his senses, alluring in its sweetness. His beast stirred from deep within, craving…seeking.
Jaxon wrapped his big hands around her thighs, spreading her open to make room for his shoulders. He settled between her legs, allowing his gaze to drift down to her exposed sex. He’d never seen a more sensual sight.
A growl escaped him as she tilted her hips slightly, offering herself to him. He dipped his head and touched his tongue to her soft outer lips. The low noise that came from her throat fueled his desire, and he closed his mouth over her sex. He circled the sensitive bundle of nerves with his tongue before gently applying suction.
Her hips bucked, and her hands locked into his hair with a grip that bordered on painful. He didn’t care. He let go of her legs and brought his hand around to insert a finger inside her.
“Jaxon.”
The sound of his name being wrenched from her drove him over the edge. Beast and man fought for dominance, his breathing grew ragged, and his heart beat in his ears. Heat burned behind his eyes; his muscles rippled with the effort of holding back the shift.
He forced himself away from her moist heat and dragged his tongue up her body. The urge to mate was stronger than his will to refrain. She may hate him for it later, but he could no more stop it than he could stop loving her.
“Jaxon. There’s something I should tell you.”
He covered her mouth with his. He didn’t want to know. Nothing mattered to him in that moment but claiming her. He didn’t care how many guys came before him. He would be the last, and he’d kill any man who dared to touch her from that moment on.
The head of his erection touched the soft, wet heat of her opening, and Jaxon broke off the kiss. “Wrap your legs around me.” His voice sounded unnaturally deep to his own ears.
Jaxon gritted his teeth to keep from thrusting and slowly began to penetrate her. Her hands flew up to flatten against his chest, causing his beast to rumble in protest. He couldn’t look at her for fear the evidence of his wolf would be clear in his eyes. “Relax, baby.”
Her soft cry surprised him as he thrust forward and met with a wall of resistance. Jaxon went completely still. “Claire?”
“I tried to tell you, Jaxon. I’m sorry.”
The tears in her voice brought his head up. Stunned didn’t begin
to describe what he felt in that moment. It didn’t make any sense to him. Of all the guys she’d dated over the years, she’d never given herself to any of them? “You’re a virgin?”
She turned her face to the side and nodded.
“Claire. Look at me.”
When she didn’t move, Jaxon tucked a finger under her chin and tugged her gaze back to his. He swallowed around the lump in his throat. “I have no words to describe what I’m feeling right now. I’m honored.” And he meant it. His chest swelled with pride in the knowledge that she belonged only to him. His love, his life…his mate.
“Please don’t stop.” There was no hesitation in her voice.
“I don’t plan on it.” He brushed his lips across hers. “I hate like hell to hurt you.”
“You won’t. I trust you.”
Her words were a kick to his gut. He would cause her pain, of that he had no doubt. He was a big man, and this was her first time.
He kissed her again. “I need you to relax as much as you can. It’s going to be uncomfortable for a minute, but the pain doesn’t last long.”
“It’s okay, Jaxon. I want you.”
She brought her legs around his waist and laid her palms on either side of his face. Jaxon held her gaze as he withdrew and slowly entered her a little more, repeating the process several times, giving her time to adjust to his invasion.
He slid his hand between their joined bodies to softly stroke her swollen flesh. Claire moaned, straining against him, never breaking eye contact. The feel of her heat, her wetness, her passion nearly pushed him over the edge.
Jaxon watched in amazement as her pupils dilated with a growing orgasm. He covered her lips with his own and flexed his hips, breaking through her hymen in one swift thrust.
She cried out against his mouth. “Oh, God, Jaxon!”
His muscles shook with the effort of holding still. The feel of her squeezing him and accepting him was beyond anything he’d ever imagined. “I’m sorry, sweetness. I won’t hurt you again.”
Knowing Claire (The Possessed Series Book 1) Page 3
