Alpha Pack 4 - Hunters Heart (15 page)

than Rowan had been, even after meeting Blue.

“I’ll show you after we eat, if that works for you.” He

wanted to at least savor a nice dinner before she rejected

him and ran home to her father.

“All right.” She gave him a tentative smile. “I can’t wait

to see.”

She was trying, he’d give her that. “My wolf is anxious

to meet his—to meet you.”

Taking a sip, she studied him over the rim of her

wineglass, and he sweated that she’d caught his near-

slipup. If she had, and he thought she must’ve, she didn’t

say anything.

He laid the meat on the grill and tended it as they talked

and refilled their glasses. He learned that she held degrees

in fish, wildlife, and conservation biology from Colorado

State.

“I’m part wolf and I’m not sure I even know what that

means,” he joked.

She laughed. “That’s irony, I suppose. What it means is

I studied topics like ecology, forestry, fish and freshwater

ecosystems, mammalogy. You know, easy stuff like that.”

“Sure.” He snorted.

“Then for my master’s, we delved into more specific

areas such as conservation biology and genetics,

ecotoxicology, wildlife population management, and so

on.”

“I’m impressed,” he said. “I like a smart woman.”

Her bronzed cheeks flushed. “Thanks. But I’m just a

regular person carrying on my father’s work.”

“What work is that, specifically?”

“He was a part of the government’s conservation effort

in the eighties to save the wolf population in the Shoshone

from extinction. The program was a success, and now I’m

a member of a small group that keeps track of the wolves’

progress. We make sure they’re still thriving all over the

forest.”

“You have a cool job. I’ll bet you’re good at it,” he

praised.

“I love animals,” she said simply. “It’s easy to be good

at a job you love and believe in.”

“True. I have one of those myself.”

“I just protect wolves.” She waved at hand at him. “You

protect the rest of the world.”

He started to protest, but she was right. “That doesn’t

make your contribution any less. What you do is so

important,” he said earnestly. “If the ecosystems fail, there

will be nothing left for guys like me to protect. People like

you have to prevent that from happening.”

He’d struck exactly the right chord with her. But he

wasn’t simply trying to get into her good graces. He meant

every word. He valued her work, and wanted her to know

that. She did, and her elation trickled to him through their

bond like liquid sunlight.

“Thank you for that,” she said softly. “I can’t tell you

how many people, even friends, don’t think that what my

father and I do constitutes a
real
job.”

“Well, they’re assholes,” he growled. “They’re part of

what’s wrong with the planet.”

Her expression became one of playful amusement. “So

fierce. I think I like it when you get all rumbly like that.”

That surprised a laugh out of him, and he had to remind

his poor cock yet again to behave. “Then I’ll make sure to

do it often.”

They chatted until the chicken was ready; then he

decided to set the table outside. The weather was great, so

they might as well take advantage of it. He brought out

plates, utensils, tortillas, shredded cheese, and all the rest

of the goodies they needed for their meal. Placing foil on

the grill, he laid down some tortillas, loaded them with

chicken strips, onion, and cheese, then browned them on

each side. In moments, they were ready to eat.

“Mmm, this is fantastic! You could make me fat, feeding

me like this.”

“You’ve got a long way to go before that would ever

happen. You’re perfect.”

“No, I’m not, but thank you. I love what I see, too.” She

took another bite and swallowed. “I have a thing for

blonds.”

“A thing?” His brows shot up.

“Yes, I know. How cliché, right? But I adore blond

men.”

If he had any say, her days of adoring any man but him,

blond or purple, were over. “I like silky black hair myself.

Just like yours,” he murmured. “I’m partial to brown eyes

and bronzed skin. A whole lot like yours.”

After that, they pretty much rode a rising tide of arousal

that simmered in the air between them. They cleared the

plates, brought everything inside. They stacked the empty

plates in the sink, and he told her he’d do them later.

“Right now, there’s something I’m much more interested

in doing,” he said, turning her to face him.

“Is that so?”

“I want more of those kisses, because I’m a greedy man.

Am I wrong in assuming you feel the same way?”

“You’re not wrong at all.” Her eyes searched his. “Kiss

me before I go crazy thinking about tasting you again.”

“Just kisses?” he asked, wanting to be sure.

“And more, if you want.” She sucked in a breath. “I

need you.”

“You have me.”

His mouth covered hers and gave her what she’d asked

for. Delved his tongue into her heat, tasting spicy wine.

All woman. She pulled back first.

“Oh, Ryon. Make love to me,” she whispered. “
Now
.”

He blinked, unable to believe his ears. What he’d done

to deserve such a priceless gift, he didn’t know, no more

than he knew how to go about telling her the rest of the

truth. Putting that out of his mind, he concentrated on his

woman. Could he
please
her? Whether his experience was

a blessing or a curse, he wasn’t sure.

They only got as far as the living room before he

stopped. Undressed her slowly, revealing each beautiful

layer of Daria. In wonder, he eased her to the floor and

then skimmed his palms down the graceful curve of her

neck, to her slim shoulders, careful to avoid bumping her

casted arm. The limb was probably okay, but he couldn’t

be too careful. He brushed his fingers across the swell of

her breasts, her puckered little nipples. Marveled at the

sensation, the pleasure of touching her at last.

Fascinated, he rolled the taut peaks between his fingers,

pinching them lightly. Bracing her weight on her elbows,

she leaned back, spreading those long, toned legs. Offering

herself to him.

Her pink slit glistened, begging for his attention, and he

groaned. Drinking in her natural beauty, his heart pounded

at the base of his throat. She was all tanned skin, curvy

breasts, and lean hips, a dark nest of curls at the vee of

welcoming thighs.

He stood next to her, unzipping his jeans, pushing them

past his hips. His erection sprang free, hot and hard.

Throbbing to the point of real pain. Already, a drop of

cum beaded at the head of his penis. He and his wolf

strained, eager for fangs and cock to be buried deep, to

shoot inside her heat.

But he couldn’t claim her properly. Not until she knew

she was his mate.

Smiling, she sat up on her knees and tugged his jeans to

his ankles, pulling them as he stepped free. She laid them

aside and wrapped her fingers around his erection, stroked

and swirled the pearly drop around the head of his penis.

He gasped at the wonderful, wicked bolt of desire

sweeping him.

“Daria, I’m not going to last,” he croaked. “I can’t—”

“Shh, it’s okay. Don’t hold back.”

Her tongue laved the tip, licking away the sticky

wetness as she continued to pump his shaft. He shuddered,

balls tightening, the heat rising in his loins, on the verge of

losing control too soon. Her other hand found his sac,

kneaded gently, and his breathing hitched.

Unable to help himself, he let his gaze drift down to

watch. The sight nearly undid him. Beautiful Daria,

kneeling between his spread legs. Working his cock with

her silky touch, her warm, wet little mouth. Taking

obvious enjoyment in reducing him to a mindless puddle.

Demanding all of him.

Oh, yeah. She can have me. Whenever, however she

wants
.

She took his length deep, sheathing his cock to the very

base. He buried his hands in her hair, closing his eyes in

ecstasy. Hers now. All hers.

“Daria! Oh, God.”

He pumped his hips slowly, in tandem to the pull of her

sweet mouth. She sucked eagerly, teeth scraping, tongue

sweeping the ridge of his penis. So damned good. He

wanted more. Harder, deeper. How could she take all of

him? He didn’t want to hurt her.

Then he wasn’t capable of thinking anymore. She

grabbed his hips, urging his thrusts. There was nothing but

the rising throb of heat threatening to burst him into a

million pieces. Blow him apart.

“Yes, baby, yes!”

He gave himself over. To Daria. Gave her what they

both wanted. Fucked her mouth, hard and fast.
Just like

that, fuck yeah, so good . . .

With a hoarse cry, he stiffened. Shot down her throat,

pumping on and on. Riding the waves crashing through him

until he stood trembling on legs that barely held him

upright.

When the last of the aftershocks had faded, she released

him and wiped her mouth with the edge of her discarded

shirt. His rubbery knees folded and he sank down in front

of her. She looked at him with a saucy grin, and his heart

turned over. For a second, he’d been afraid of how she’d

react to their lovemaking.

Unbidden, a surge of raw emotion took him by surprise.

For the first time in as long as he could remember,

happiness swelled in his chest. And a fierce

protectiveness. His mate.
Mine
. He didn’t want to try to

examine the powerful feelings any further right now. But

looking at the ominous cast on her arm, he knew he’d send

the white bitch wolf responsible straight to hell.

“Mmm.” She slanted him a sexy look. “I loved doing

you. I think you’ve corrupted me.”

“I hope so.” He enjoyed her laugh. “It occurs to me that

you didn’t get any attention.”

“What are you going to do about it?”

“This.”

Taking her chin, he kissed her. Reveled in the dark

flavor of himself on her lips. Him, and no one else. Ever

again. The knowledge aroused him all over again, his half-

softened cock waking anew. Thank God for shifter

stamina.

He laid Daria back gently, following her down.

Cradling her, he pressed butterfly kisses to her lips, nose,

chin, forehead. She rested a hand on top of his head,

running his hair through her fingers, and he loved the

sensation.

Dipping lower, he turned his attention to her breasts.

Capturing one tight pebble in his teeth, he groaned, sucking

it. Feasting like the starving man he was. She arched into

him, gripping his head, gasping encouragement. He

swirled one peak, then the other, as one hand skimmed

down her flat belly.

His fingers found the springy nest of curls, and lower

still, to her wet sex. Her thighs parted for him, hips urging

his touch. He stroked the hot, sensitive nub, the pouting

lips, slick and ready for him. Suckled her breasts, teased

her clit until she writhed, unable to take any more.

“Ryon, please,” she moaned, yanking his hair. “I need

you inside me.”

He lifted his head, regret spearing his gut. “Shifters

don’t need protection for STDs, but we do unless you

want to risk a small complication.” He didn’t add that a

wolf shifter could not impregnate anyone but his mate—

and that she was at risk.

“I’m on the pill, and I’m healthy,” she insisted, eyes

searching his.

Her words sent a thrill through him. “Daria, sweetheart,

are you sure?”

“Yes! Please, just make love to me.”

He needed no further encouragement. Positioning his

body over hers, he guided the tip of his penis to her moist

opening. Worked it in slow, making certain he wouldn’t

hurt her.

And in one long, delicious stroke, pushed deep. Her

tight sheath gripped his cock with silken heat. She clutched

his shoulders as he began to pump. In as far as possible,

his balls rubbing against her bottom. Relishing the feeling

of being buried inside her. Then out, inch by wicked inch.

Skin deep, inside her again. Wanting to crawl in and never

come out. Fusing their souls.

Never, ever anything like this. The power of their

connection, that physical bond, shook him. Humbled him.

She was a gift, a treasure. Mindful of her arm, he held her

close, making sweet love to her right there on his living

room floor.

Her nails dug into his back. “Oh, yes, yes. Faster!”

The feral wolf in him came undone, howled in triumph.

Mine
. He barely resisted sinking his fangs into her

shoulder. Clutching her tight, thrusting hard, their bodies

slapping together. Hot, blazing, burning him up. Higher

and higher.
Going to freaking explode.

“Come with me,” he demanded.

Hips bucking, she cried out. Her release shattered him.

Seated deep, he let her carry him over the edge, into