by Lynn Howard
And as much as he’d love nothing more than to have his hands on his beautiful mate, he needed to know if they needed to call the panthers in as backup. He’d call in every single fucking Shifter he knew to keep Hollyn safe.
Noah let his eyes roam her body from her strong thighs to her soft belly, her wide hips, to her small waist then up to her perky tits. Fuck, he loved looking at her. He loved touching her more. But he had to squash his libido for now, at least until he knew what kind of threat they were facing. For some reason, the fear she’d felt when she stepped outside was stronger and different than the fear she had of the traffickers.
“What was that back at the bar? For a second, you looked like you expected someone to appear out of thin air,” Noah said, crossing his arms over his chest to keep them for reaching for her.
When Hollyn realized Noah wasn’t falling for her little seduction act, she covered herself with her arms and turned to start the shower. Neither of them could stand to go to bed with the cigarette smoke in their hair and clinging to their skin.
“I don’t know.” She glanced at Noah over her shoulder. He stood with his arms still crossed and one brow cocked. “Seriously, Noah. I mean…it felt familiar, but I can’t place it. Whatever it was wasn’t comfortable.”
“Explain,” he said, finally pulling his own clothes off to join her. It was quicker for them to shower together so they could get to bed faster. At least it was on the nights they didn’t get carried away and ended up making love under the spray.
Noah stepped into the shower behind Hollyn and reached over her shoulder for his soap. Hollyn liked all the girly smelling shit where he just wanted to be clean. A bar of good old-fashioned Ivory was fine with him.
“I can’t. That’s the problem. It kind of…” She went quiet as she rubbed the soapy puffy thing on her arm. “It felt like magic, but not fire magic. Like I said, it felt familiar, but I just can’t place it.”
“Another Fairy?”
She turned and let the water sluice over her hair, her face, her shoulders until it dripped off her erect pink nipples. And Noah was suddenly having a hard time focusing on the conversation.
Her slender shoulders rose and fell as she stepped out of the spray, giving Noah a chance to rinse off as she squeezed the water from her hair. “I mean, I guess it could’ve been. But why did I feel it so strongly? Wouldn’t that mean they were close by? Did they not want me to see them or something?”
“Would another Fairy be a threat to you?”
“I wouldn’t think so. We pretty much stay hidden. You’d think if it was another Fairy, he’d want an ally. But you guys were with me. Maybe he was scared of you.”
That sounded feasible enough. According to Hollyn, the Fae were terrified of Shifters, and history had given them plenty of reasons as to why. The newcomer would have no reason to believe he’d be safe with the bears. Although, if they’d been paying close enough attention, they would’ve seen the Clan was protecting Hollyn, not holding her captive.
Noah tilted his head back to rinse the shampoo. When he lowered it, his eyes immediately found Hollyn, and her eyes were on his junk. Yeah. He was hard. He was hard any time he saw his mate naked. He literally had no control over his body when it came to her.
Hollyn slowly looked up at Noah through her lashes. “You know, I can help you with that,” she teased, reaching behind him to shut off the water.
With water still trailing down her body, she reached forward and wrapped her hand around his shaft, taking a long, slow pull on it. Noah hissed through his teeth and bucked into her hand. She could drive him crazy with a simple touch. Stepping closer, she kept her hand wrapped around him, stroking him slowly, and moved into his space, pressing her tits against his chest. He loved that. He loved the feeling of her softness against him.
Hollyn tilted her head back, her gaze dropping to his mouth. She raised onto her toes, but Noah bent forward before she moved too much and slipped on the slick tub. At first, the kiss was sensual and soft. And then it turned hurried and hungry, her hand moving on him faster.
His balls tightened and Noah jerked away from her. No way. He was not finishing without her. Not that he wouldn’t have taken care of her after, but he loved the way she felt clenching around his dick, the way her orgasm milked his own from him.
Gripping her hands in his, he threaded his fingers through hers and gently put them behind her back, caging him in his arms. She was at his mercy. His bear paced impatiently in his head. He’d already covered her in his scent three days ago, but with possible threats coming at them constantly, he felt the need to make sure everyone knew she was claimed. And since he couldn’t mark her, this was the only way to keep him from losing his shit and hurting Hollyn.
“Hi, Bear,” Hollyn said in a husky voice as she looked up into Noah’s eyes.
Oh, Noah was fully present. There was no doubt about that. But Bear was fully aware of everything going on and was ready to feel their mate in their hands.
Noah smiled as he took Hollyn’s lips again, releasing her hands so he could wrap his arms around her back and pull her even closer, if that was at all possible. He loved this woman. He loved that she accepted both sides of him, loved that she trusted him, trusted his bear.
Lifting her into his arms, he smiled against her lips when she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist. He stepped out of the tub, holding her tight against him, and carried her to the sink. No way could he make it to the bed; he was too close, too far gone.
The second the cool sink hit Hollyn’s ass, she reached between them and guided him to her core. She was warm and wet and ready for him. Noah slid in with ease and gritted his teeth as she squeezed around him, the delicious resistance pushing him even closer. Maybe this was a bad idea. He needed to work her some more, because with her wrapped around him, her tongue plunging into his mouth, her tits pressed up against him, he was about to blow his load.
And then reality hit him. Fuck. Condom.
When Noah pulled from her fully, she groaned her frustration and pulled her mouth away to frown up at him.
“Condom,” he growled out. Why was he already so fucking breathless?
Hollyn shifted to lower to her feet, but Noah had to take advantage of her at this height. As he lowered to his knees, her sex was lined up perfectly with his mouth. Hollyn smiled a lusty smile and leaned against the wall, her head touching the mirror. She threaded her fingers through his hair and urged him closer.
A surprised gasp tore from her lips when he gave her folds a long, slow lick then nipped at her swollen clit. Already he knew her body, knew what she liked, knew how she liked it. But he still loved to find new ways to make her squirm and moan.
Gripping her thighs in his hands, he pushed them further apart and toward her chest, opening her for him fully. He teased her clit, dipped his tongue inside, even teased at her back door. She didn’t seem to like that. He chuckled against her when she grunted and simply said, “Uh uh.”
Noah nipped at her thighs, making her squirm, then dove face first into bliss. He licked and sucked on her clit until her breathing changed and her muscles in her thighs tightened. She crested with his name on her lips, and, just as her aftershocks slowed, he stood and plunged to the hilt inside her heat.
He stayed there, relishing the way her walls clamped and released on him as the last of her orgasm made her twitch, and then he began to pump into her. There was no slow and sensual. Hell no. He pounded into her, determined to pull another orgasm from her before he found his own release. And it didn’t take long.
“Oh! Oh my…Noah!” she screamed as another wave gripped her even before the first faded away. She sat up and clutched at his arms, her tits bouncing against him. And that was all he could handle.
Noah pulled from her and trapped his dick between them, spilling on her stomach, on his, and gritted his teeth, moaning as each wave hit him. They’d never made it to the bedroom, never donned a condom, but at least he’d had a working brain cell le
ft and he made sure to pull from her.
He only stepped away enough to grab a washcloth and wet it in the sink behind Hollyn’s irresistible ass. He grabbed a handful before bringing the washcloth back around to clean them both off. They were covered in a sheen of sweat, but they could always take a quick shower in the morning. For now, he was whipped. And he knew she had to be, too.
His woman worked as hard as him, ensuring he had a partner in the bar, making sure he took breaks to sit with his friends while she took over the drinks. He loved to watch her interact with the customers, loved the wide grin she got after performing a trick and getting loud praise from the entire room. Loved her.
Once his mate was clean, Noah scooped her into his arms and carried her from the bathroom, using his elbow to flip off the light. His bear was rumbling with contentment. Although Noah hadn’t intentionally covered Hollyn in his scent – it was a last minute thought since he’d never retrieved a condom – his bear loved that she’d carry it for day.
Or until the next time Bear grew possessive.
Chapter Ten
Ever since they’d left Moe’s a week ago, Hollyn couldn’t shake the feeling of static clinging to her skin. The only time she didn’t notice it was when Noah had her so out of her mind with lust, the world could’ve burned down around them and she would’ve been oblivious. But times like this, when the bar was slow, when there was nothing to do, when there was no one waving her over or begging her to show them another trick, she was uneasy. And she knew Noah felt it.
She’d attempted to block him from her emotion, to shield him in a way, but it’d just made Bear frantic. He’d panicked and almost caused a fight within his own Clan. Luke was uber protective of Hollyn and Shawnee, of any female really. And he’d been hanging out on their porch a lot. In fact, he’d been there each time she’d woken up in the morning. Surely, he wasn’t sleeping out there every night.
Even with the extra layer of protection, she constantly felt like there were eyes on her, yet there was never anyone around. Even the bears couldn’t pick up the scent. It was creepy and made her wonder if she was paranoid from so many years of running.
“You almost ready?” Shawnee asked her. It was their official girl’s night out, and, just like Noah had mentioned, the guys weren’t hip on the idea of all the women out alone when they had no idea where the traffickers were.
It wasn’t that the guys didn’t think they could take care of themselves; Hollyn figured it was the fact they could get hurt or worse trying to protect Hollyn. That just made the guilt she’d been carrying for a few weeks grow.
“Yep. Let me close out my drawer,” Hollyn said.
“Go. I got it,” Noah said. Being as it was only the two of them who used the register, there was no reason he couldn’t take over. As she turned and pressed a peck to his cheek, all the women from Big River piled through the door.
“Party time, bitches,” Nova called out, her arms in the air. “Dad’s babysitting both girls tonight, so I’m going to have some fun.”
Callie smiled at Noah and Hollyn. “The guys said they’d pick us up tonight,” she said, as if letting them know they had a designated driver. Even if they hadn’t, Hollyn and Noah would’ve made sure they got home safely.
Hollyn watched as they filed in, each one looking like they were going out on a night in downtown St. Louis instead of another night at the same bar they frequented regularly. Nova wore a pair of skinny jeans that hugged her curves and a top that strategically hung off one shoulder, making Hollyn a little jealous of her full hips and boobs. Callie wore a pair of boot leg jeans and a sparkly tank top that dipped a little low in the front. Lola wore a cute t-shirt with a pastel unicorn across the front and a leather mini skirt. Peyton’s bleached white hair was pulled up into a knot, showing off all the purple streaks underneath. She wore a skin tight, cut way up to there mini skirt and knee-high boots. Emory, well, Emory dressed the way she always did, a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, but the ensemble just looked perfect on her.
Looking down at herself, Hollyn wondered if she should’ve brought a change of clothes with her. Oh, who was she kidding? She worked here all day. Why would she dress up for the place now? Besides, her usual work outfit was flashy enough as it was.
“Shots!” Nova yelled, then started to rap. “Shots shots, shotsshotsshots.” And that was apparently all the words she knew to that song. It didn’t matter. Her level of excitement was contagious. Before long, Hollyn was retrieving tray after tray of shots, nothing fancy, just straight up Jager shots, or Wild Honey, or whatever Noah decided to pour.
Emory jogged over to the jukebox and skimmed through the selection. “Noah, can I change the music?” He held up the remote, making sure she saw it since she’d already had a few, then tossed it to her. One after another, Emory made sure every song was a dancing song. And then she dragged the women onto the floor.
Callie was a little timid at first, barely moving, just sort of swaying. But Nova, she went all out, swinging her hair, lip syncing to songs and pretending she held a microphone and would hold it front of one of the other girls to sing.
Eventually, they were all bouncing around like fools and Hollyn laughed until she could barley breathe. “I’ve got to sit down. I’m burning up,” Hollyn yelled over the music.
“Shifter hearing.” Nova pointed to her ear. “No reason to yell, Tinkerbell,” Nova yelled and then froze.
Hollyn’s eyes immediately found Noah who was glaring at Nova. But if anyone else heard Nova’s nickname for Hollyn, they either didn’t notice or didn’t understand. They probably just figured it was another drunk chick being silly.
Hollyn turned back to Nova with wide eyes and shook her head.
Sorry, Nova mouthed.
That was what she’d been afraid of, what Noah had been afraid of, someone slipping in front of the wrong people.
On shaky legs, Hollyn made her way to the bar for some water. After her last hangover, she wanted to do everything she could to avoid another. And that included slowing down and staying hydrated. She downed the first glass and grabbed the spray to refill her cup.
“You doing okay?” Noah asked, his eyes narrowed at Nova for a second before turning to Hollyn.
“Yeah. Just hot.” And the alcohol was helping quash the staticky, pins and needles feeling on his skin.
“Better slow down or we’ll both be hurting tomorrow,” Noah said with a deep chuckle. She loved that sound. She loved when he let his guard down at work and was the sweet, sexy guy she knew at home. He’d also just given her a reminder of his direct link to everything she was feeling. Guilt. It felt like that had been her running emotion since day one.
As the girls continued to dance and laugh, she pushed that stupid guilt aside. These were her people. She shouldn’t feel guilty that they wanted to keep her safe. She’d do the same thing for every single one of them.
Downing her second glass of water, she handed it to Noah and jogged back to the girls. Maybe she’d just sweat some of the alcohol out of her system. Either way, she wasn’t done having fun, not yet. She deserved a night to let loose. They all did.
Every time Hollyn looked up at Noah, he was watching her. Whether he was pouring a drink, talking to a customer, or just leaning against the bar, his eyes were on Hollyn. There was hunger and lust there, no doubt, but there was so much more. As she sought out that thread that bound them, she could feel his love, she could feel his affection, but she could also feel his fear and worry. This was the first time Hollyn wished he didn’t work at Moe’s, didn’t own the place, because it would be so nice to pull him out onto the floor and dance with him, just enjoy each other and pretend nothing else was outside that door.
Hollyn raised her hand and gave Noah a finger wave with a huge grin. And then she opened the connection wide and let him feel everything, the way her heart beat to his rhythm, the way her soul cradled his, the way she couldn’t wait until they were home alone.
His slow smile was crooked and sexy an
d full of promises. He sent her a wink and turned to take another drink order.
“Where’s the pretty girl with the fire?” a woman called out to Noah.
He didn’t raise his eyes to Hollyn, didn’t tip the woman off that the pretty girl was in the same room. “She’s off tonight.”
“Well damn. What night is she working this week?” she asked, one hand on her hip. She turned to scan the room and Hollyn ducked behind Nova and Emory to hide from her sight. The last thing she needed was to be talked into performing when she was inebriated.
Hollyn scratched and rubbed at her arm as the woman turned back to Noah who was staring down at her with a scowl etched deep in the lines of his face.
“Don’t know if she’s coming back,” he said.
The old codger who sat at the bar all day, John, turned to face the newcomer. “Heard she moved to another state. Something about a big job opportunity.”
Okay. All that wasn’t necessary. Hollyn wanted to avoid being conned into working during girls’ night, not run off a customer.
The woman turned to John, pushing her dark hair over her shoulder, and stared at him for a few seconds. “You sure about that?”
John leaned away from her, his eyes going to Noah.
“She ain’t here. Don’t know if she’ll come back. You want a drink?” Noah said in that gruff tone he used with his customers.
The woman glanced over her shoulder toward the tables and in Hollyn’s direction, but she stayed hidden behind her friends. Just go, she mentally begged the woman as she once again rubbed her hands against her arms.
With a huff of breath as if she were so put out, the woman shrugged. “Guess I’ll have to catch the show another time.” She lifted her hand in a short wave to Noah and stepped through the door.
Hollyn finally stepped out from behind the girls and smiled at Noah as she shook her head. He nodded once, bent to John and it looked like he’d said thanks and handed John another beer. Hollyn a had a feeling that one was on the house.
