She ran her hands along his shoulders, over his steel-hard pecks and down to his six-pack abs. When she reached his belt, she tugged on the strap. The creak of the leather echoed in the space between them.
She scooted down his thighs, gripped his jeans, and released each of his buttons in quick succession. The bulge in his underwear strained against the material. She gripped him through the BVDs.
He groaned, and the muscles in his abdomen tightened from strain. “Gods, you’re tormenting me.”
Issac was rock hard beneath her palm. A thrill of feminine delight traveled along her nerves, and a short laugh burst from her. “Only a little, and I’m just starting.”
He sat up, grasped her around the wrists, and tugged her to him. A moment later, he flipped her over, and she lay on her back on the soft comforter.
He nipped her ear, and his soft laugh tickled all the way to her bottom. “But I’m not done with you yet. I said I wanted to pleasure you.”
There was no way on Earth she’d turn him down. She bit her lip. “Well, then. By all means.”
A satisfied grin brightened his features. He gripped her pants, pushed down the zipper, and helped her wiggled out of her jeans then tossed them over his head. The metal button hit something hard, and the sound ricocheted around the room before the material landed somewhere out of sight.
A soft giggle eased from her throat.
His gaze drew from her eyes and raked over her breasts, past her hips, and lingered at the juncture between her legs before traveling down her thighs. The crown of his impressive erection protruded from his opened jeans, and moisture beaded along the tip.
Chloe held her breath. What would it be like to have him inside her?
He grasped her thighs and swept delicate kisses up one leg then the other, leaving a trail of tingles in his wake. She relaxed into the cushions, but her leg trembled from his gentle caresses.
He reached the juncture between her legs, slipped his tongue along her seam, and pressed against her legs, opening her to him. His gaze rose to meet hers. A kind of reverence she had never seen from a sexual partner reflected in his deep brown eyes. He nuzzled his lips against that special place and licked her. She shivered and nearly came right there.
“Issac…” She flailed her hands then gripped the comforter tight. “Now who’s torturing whom?”
A warm chuckle eased from him. The vibration traveled along their connection, lighting her up inside.
She threw her head back into the pillow and writhed beneath his blissful onslaught. Tension wound deep inside, coiling tighter and tighter.
Chloe had never experienced anything like this. Issac’s thoughtful consideration was something entirely new and unexpected. He broke through the remaining bonds around her heart.
“Oh god, Issac.” Her legs trembled uncontrollably, and she crested over the edge. Lights exploded behind her eyes, and a wave of bliss flowed through her on a warm, endless stream. After several long seconds, she collapsed into the bedspread, her muscles as loose as Jell-O.
Issac drew away, and cool air replaced his warmth. He licked his lips, and a wide, happy smile bloomed across his features, his shyness all but gone. “Ready for round two?”
Chapter Twelve
Issac ran his palms up Chloe’s supple thighs, over her smooth hip bones, and back down again, admiring every sensual curve. A thin sheen of sweat coated her skin, and she glowed like a radiant goddess in the firelight.
“Round two?” Chloe’s soft laugh eased into his senses, stroking him on the inside. “That can’t happen.”
He tensed, and his fingers tightened on her thighs. Would she reject him? Right here, right now? His heart pounded loud in his ears.
Chloe sat up and pushed his shoulders. If not for the adorable smile on her lips, and the gleam in her eyes, he would’ve believed the insecurities threatening to derail him. Even as it was, doubt lingered.
“What are you doing?” His words came out gruffer than he’d intended.
“It’s my turn.” She gripped him through his open fly.
A rush of blood tightened his already engorged flesh to the point of pain. Gods, her touch lit him up like a firecracker.
His inner wolf growled, the sound a low rumble in his chest. Mate… Make her ours…
A part of him agreed, but he wouldn’t claim her without consent. That was wrong on all kinds of levels. He’d have to keep a close watch on his wolf.
“Take these off,” she whispered.
With shifter speed he stood, yanked off his pants, underwear, and socks in one fell swoop, and then returned to the comforter and straddled her.
“Oh, my.” Chloe’s soft words echoed in the space between them. An appreciative smile curled her lips, her attention riveted on his erection.
Issac’s lungs expanded as he drew in a long breath, and he seemed taller, stronger, and bigger under her watchful assessment. Energy radiated from her in waves, and he soaked up every last bit like a man in a desert desperate for water.
She clasped her fingers around his erection and stroked him from his balls all the way to the tip. Tingles followed in her wake, and the pressure of an orgasm built at his core.
“Come here.” She gripped his shoulders and tugged him on top of her.
He straddled one knee between her legs, the other alongside her thigh. As he wrapped her in his embrace, his erection pulsed painfully between them. Realization of what they were about to do hit him like a brick. The muscles in his arms and back tensed.
Chloe furrowed her brow, a line forming between the lovely arches. “Is something wrong?”
“I don’t have a condom.” He hadn’t been with a female in a very long time, so carrying condoms hadn’t been a big priority in his life. “Be right back.”
He scrambled to his feet, bolted for the sideboard, and yanked open the drawer. An assortment of pens, pencils, and miscellaneous junk skittered and rolled against the drawer’s wood grain. Please, let there be one left here by Jarik.
Issac rummaged through the jumble and spotted his prize. Tension drained from him on a quick exhale. He grabbed the small foil packet and held it up. “Got one!”
He returned to Chloe’s side in a rush and knelt next to her. With fumbling fingers, he tore open the package, retrieved the condom, and rolled it on. The thin material ripped.
Issac’s stomach tightened into a hard ball, and he tore the shredded remnants away. “Shit.”
He glanced at the packet resting on the stone hearth. With his keen wolf eyesight and the fire’s glow lighting up the wrapper, he read the expiration date printed on the foil. It was over a decade ago. He should’ve known.
“Hey, hey. It’s all right.” Chloe rose to her knees and cupped his cheek. An amused gleam formed in her eyes. “I don’t have any STDs or anything like that, and I’m still covered from my last pregnancy shot.”
“I’m clean, too.” He blurted. Heat flared along his cheeks. Damn, he really hated his shy side.
“That’s good, then.” She stroked him from tip to base and back again, her touch almost more than he could handle. Then she trailed her fingers up his abs, across his chest, and over his shoulders where she coaxed him back down to the floor.
Issac cradled Chloe in his arms and brought his lips to hers in a bruising kiss. This woman with her warm, accepting ways brightened his world, filling in the void that had remained empty for so long. If only she would stay and become his mate.
He kissed her long and slow and caressed her sex. With a tenderness she deserved, he slipped his fingers along her warm, wet core and guided his erection inside.
They fit together like they were made for each other.
He broke the kiss and met her tender, accepting gaze. Hyper-aware of their skin touching, their breaths matching, their hearts beating as one, he wanted to tell her how much she meant to him, how in such a short amount of time he’d fallen for her hard, but the words bottled up in his throat.
“Tell me what you’re thi
nking.” She brushed her fingertips over the slight stubble on his chin and along his bottom lip.
He swallowed past the lump, and his words came out husky. “You are my sun. When you are near, you brighten my day with your gorgeous smile and warm laugh. I could soak up your energy for eternity and never tire of it.”
Chloe’s bottom lip quivered, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “No one has ever said anything so beautiful to me before.”
Issac’s heart expanded, swelling with love for this woman who had crashed into his life with her broken down car. If he thought he’d had a chance to protect his heart, he was wrong. He’d just lost that battle.
With a sexy smile on her face, she tilted her hips then wrapped her legs around his waist. A natural rhythm started between them, but soon he took control, easing in and out with slow, deliberate movements.
“You’re teasing me.” Chloe raked her fingernails down his back, scoring his flesh and sending tingles of sensual fire all the way to his balls.
He buried his face against her neck. Her unique scent burned into his nostrils, branding into his very soul. “Tit for tat.”
Chloe’s ragged breaths built in frequency, rising with their carnal rhythm. The slap of flesh against flesh competed with the fire’s crackle. Their pace increased with each heartbeat, along with his love for her.
“Issac…” Chloe tightened her grip on his shoulders as her release swept over her, pulsing around him.
Love for her tore through him, stealing his breath, his thoughts, his entire soul. Lost in everything that was Chloe, he crested to his own release.
Mate… His wolf growled from the recesses of his mind.
Passion gripped him, and Issac’s canines elongated. Before he could stop himself, he sank his teeth into the tender spot between her neck and her shoulder.
Chloe cried out, but then she relaxed against him and held him close.
Cold fingers of dread skittered down his spine, hammering at each vertebra along the way. What had he done?
He retracted his canines and licked her skin to seal the wound. Caught up in the moment, he’d let down his guard, and his wolf had surged through, claiming his mate without hesitation and without her consent. Disgusted with himself, bile rose in his throat.
“Um, nice. Will there be a round three?” Relaxed in his embrace, Chloe stroked his hair.
He didn’t deserve her kindness, not after what he’d done, but he couldn’t bring himself to tell her. There was no way he’d force her to remain with him. That wasn’t in his nature, and she’d made it clear she intended to return to Seattle.
She’ll want to stay with us. She’s our mate.
If only Issac had his wolf’s confidence.
“I’d do anything for you, Chloe. Anything at all.” He meant every word. After rolling onto his side toward her back, he cradled her.
It wasn’t long before the relaxed sound of her breaths turned into soft snores. Tomorrow, he’d come clean and tell her the horrible truth of what he’d done to her. Like it or not, she was his mate. He prayed she didn’t hate him for it.
Chapter Thirteen
Chirping birds roused Chloe from the best sleep of her life. Not willing to open her eyes yet, she snuggled deeper into the warmth that surrounded her. A happiness she hadn’t known existed spread from her soul and expanded into her chest. As she inhaled, a familiar masculine scent filtered into her senses along with an incredible sense of peace and rightness.
“Good morning.” Issac’s voice penetrated through the fog in Chloe’s brain, fully stirring her awake.
“Good morning to you, too.” She opened her eyes.
Sunlight streamed through the windowpane and onto the fireplace hearth. A few remaining coals burned a vibrant red.
Issac’s arm lay draped over her waist as he spooned her front to back. Memories of their evening together returned full force. Her sore muscles reminded her of just how much she’d enjoyed their lovemaking. His passion had ranged from gentle and tender to wild and fiery. Shoot, he’d even nipped her on the neck, and she’d relished his utter need for her.
She rolled to face him.
Issac brushed his fingers along her cheek, a look of pure reverence in his eyes. “You hungry? I think there’s still a little stew left, but it’s cold.”
Her chest tightened. Issac put her needs first. She rose to one elbow on the faux rug. Sometime during the night, probably after her bathroom break where she’d studied Issac’s rambunctious mark on her throat, he had tucked the comforter around them to keep them warm. Once again, his kindness stole her breath away.
“I could go look for something else, but I think we already—”
She placed the tip of her finger over his lips. “I’ve got this. Be right back.”
As she slipped from under the comforter, the chilly morning air assaulted her naked skin with a force that raised goose bumps along her arms. “Dang, it’s really cold.”
She grabbed her underwear, shirt, and pants and dressed as fast as she could.
“Don’t hurry on my account.” Issac’s masculine voice carried across the room. “I like the view.”
She glanced at him. Damn, with his broad shoulders, firm biceps, and ruffled hair, he looked absolutely delicious. Maybe she shouldn’t have dressed so fast. Shoot, maybe she shouldn’t have dressed at all.
Her stomach rumbled, reminding her that neither of them had eaten much last night. She rifled through her backpack and retrieved the two granola bars.
She snagged the water bottle she’d opened last night from the table and held up her victory. “Breakfast!”
In the time she’d taken to search for the food, Issac had risen and donned his pants. He approached her, a wall of pure, masculine strength. A coy smile played across his features.
“Now that’s something to celebrate.” He accepted one of the granola bars and ripped open the wrapper.
She leaned against him, and he put his arm around her waist, holding her close. They ate in silence and both stared through the window. Snow blanketed the trees and the clearing outside the cabin. Sunlight reflected off individual crystals, turning the view into a beautiful winter wonderland.
She was so happy, thanks to Issac. Eager to tell him her feelings, she finished the last bite of her granola bar, chased the food down with a gulp of water, and handed him the water bottle.
“Chloe, there’s something I need to tell—”
“You know, I have to say—” She laughed. “Guess our minds are in synch. What did you want to tell me?”
He took a sip from the water bottle and shook his head. “You go first.”
A flutter of excitement churned in her stomach as if moths had somehow found their way in.
“I know we’ve only known each other for a short time, and I wanted you to know that I don’t normally…” Her cheeks heated, and she hated her blatant show of embarrassment. “I don’t jump in bed with every guy I meet.”
He set the water bottle on the table, then cupped her chin. As he slid his thumb over her cheek, he stared into her eyes. “Hey, I never once thought that of you and for the record, the last time I slept with anyone was longer than I care to admit.”
Her tense shoulders relaxed, and she released the breath she hadn’t realized she’d held. “You’re different from so many other guys. Special. It was important to you to please me. I won’t forget that.”
He flinched, but his gaze never wavered from hers, and he continued to brush her cheek with his thumb. “You’re the special one, Chloe.”
She shook her head. “When I’m around you, I feel calm, grounded. It’s like you’re the sun, and I’m a planet circling your orbit. I’m not so lost and out of control.”
“You really feel that way?” His eyes flicked back and forth as he studied her, as if he wasn’t sure he could believe her.
“Of course. Like I said, you’re different, special. Not anything like Chad, my ex. He conned me into marrying him, but when I found out he
’d deceived me, I left him. I hated the bastard for what he’d done to my life, how he told me I wasn’t good enough, and I vowed to never go through that again. You’re nothing like him. You’re kind, caring, gentle—”
Issac broke away, his back turned to her, snatched his shirt from the floor, and drew it on. His stiff shoulders bunched beneath the material.
A rush of heat flared up her neck and into her cheeks. “What’s wrong? Did I say something…”
He shook his head. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
Confusion wracked her brain, his 360 whipping her around at racetrack speed. “Wh…what was it you wanted to tell me earlier?”
“It’s not important now. Hey.” He forced a smile and ran his hand through his hair. “I’d like to go for a run in wolf form. You game?”
She glanced from him to the snow through the window and back again. “In the snow?”
He nodded, his features beginning to relax. “There’s nothing quite like a run in fresh powder. Besides, it will give your wolf a chance to stretch and learn how to handle herself outside.”
Chloe tapped her finger against her lip, but then raised her palms. “All right. Count me in.”
Issac’s shy smile returned once again. “Perfect. You’re going to love it.”
She wasn’t sure of that, but she placed her trust in his hands. After all, he’d rescued her from her broken down Mustang and from the rogue. Shoot, if she couldn’t trust him, who could she trust?
Chapter Fourteen
Issac tugged on Chloe’s hand, drawing her into the clearing outside his cabin. The snow’s surface glimmered in the morning sun like a thousand tiny diamonds. Its beauty never failed to mesmerize him, and his chest ached, from both the breathtaking sight and from what had transpired in the cabin.
He’d intended to tell Chloe about the bite, but after she’d mentioned her ex and how he’d deceived her, he couldn’t bring himself to confess to his deed. Damn his wolf.
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