Goal: A Mate (Bachelor Auction #2) (11 page)

“May? Oh yeah, I heard about all the crap she’s been throwing. Ugh. But I get it. You’d be better dealing with her stepbrother, Alberto. He’s a werewolf, but he can talk her down.”

Kelly wanted to bang her head against the table.

“Alberto?” Fear filled Reenie’s voice.

“Oh yeah. It’s not really a known thing, but they were once siblings-in-law. They consider each other family, even after the divorce.” Lea dug around in her purse and produced a card. “Here, this is his number. Call him and see if he’ll be willing to do it. I don’t see why he wouldn’t.”

“And why do you have his card, Lea? Holding out on me?” Alec nudged Lea, who grunted.

“I’m taking tennis lessons. He’s teaching me.” Red patches appeared on Lea’s cheeks.

Reenie growled next to Kelly, who placed a hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Thanks. We’ll call.”

“Pancakes!” Madison returned, carrying a few trays of breakfast.

“You will talk to Alberto and
you
will fix this,” Kelly hissed in Reenie’s ear. “And
you
will find a way to not kill him. He’s
your
mate.”

“Madi, Lea’s been holding out on us. She’s been taking lessons with Alberto,” Alec called out, as he pulled Lea down into their booth.

“I know. Personally, I don’t think you need to lose weight.” Madison put down the servers and proceeded to set up the table.

“I’ve gained like fifteen pounds. I figure it’s better than slapping on a bathing suit and dealing with the matchmaking piranhas who stalk water aerobics looking for helpless single women victims.” Lea sulked but accepted the food.

“So you’re not hot for the werewolf in tennis whites?” Alec winked at Kelly.

“Do I look like the type who would go panting after Mr. Everyone-Wants-What’s-in-My-Pants?” Lea took a sip of water.

Reenie let out a snort of laughter, and Kelly relaxed.

“Sure, he’s cute and all, but not my type. He needs to be taken down a few pegs. Anyway, let’s eat and you two can tell me all about the available wolfy men who wouldn’t mind a little pussycat action.” Lea used her fork to cut into her stack of pancakes.

“You know, I think we’re going to be friends, Lea.” Reenie held out her hand to Lea.

“Well, of course we are. We’re sitting at your table and you didn’t kick us out. Now dish. I want all the details. I haven’t gotten laid since Clinton was in the White House.” Lea leaned forward.

“Liar!” Alec shouted. His voice echoed off the walls.

“Shut it, Hung Like a Horse. I need cock, and I’m not talking about a rooster.” Lea scooted closer.

Kelly glanced over at Madison who just shook her head. “We’re the only sane and mated ones here.”

Kelly didn’t ask how she knew; she just grinned. It was true. And if tonight went well, Brandon would claim her. After that…

Kelly stopped that train of though. She wanted to cling to the here and now, not worry about the future that awaited her.

Chapter Nine

Brandon lit the last candle. Kelly had called from Shadows to explain and apologize for ducking out on him for breakfast. She reported that she was on her way back. He forgave her, but promised retribution once she returned to the cabin. He waved out the match and tossed it in the trash before giving the scene he’d laid out for her “punishment” a once over. He hadn’t missed her mention of cock rings, and despite his reservations he’d put those with the vibrator and silver bullet. After a quick search, he’d also found some edible cinnamon oil. From experience, he knew that shit burned if left too long, but if used in small quantities it was OK. He knew exactly how he wanted to use it. A quick glance showed the tub of ice he’d made up had only melted a little.

He pulled on the bonds, testing them, and found they would hold even if she did use her werewolf strength to give her an advantage. Now for the woman… He went out and checked the window near the front door. A fire crackled in the hearth and the place felt cozy. He could picture them spending Christmases here surrounded by family and friends. Maybe they’d have a few kids.

Pain shot through Brandon’s heart. It wasn’t meant to be. Their transition from friends to lovers had been quick, but it felt so natural. They’d danced around their attraction to each other for years. Tonight, when the moment came, he knew it would go beyond all the fantasies he’d concocted over the years. He would use this time with her as part of his fantasies well into the future. There was no one else for him.

Reenie’s car pulled up, and Kelly scrambled out, saying something to Reenie before she shut the door and headed toward the cabin. Brandon had the door open before she was even a foot away. A grin on her face, eyes sparkling, happiness rippled off her in waves, boosting Brandon’s mood. He caught her up in a hug, lifting her off her feet, and taking a quick, deep kiss. She tasted like rich, deep chocolate with a hint of sweet. Tart strawberries, cool mint, and French pressed coffee. Delicious. His tongue dipped into her mouth, getting a deeper taste. With reluctance, he pulled away when his head began to pound due to lack of air.

She giggled, panting hard as he pulled his head away. “Hi to you too. Put me down. It’s freezing outside.”

He placed her on her feet and ushered her inside. Patience warred with eagerness to show her what he’d done. She stripped out of her coat, hung it up on the hook bolted to the wall. Then she removed her cell phone and placed it on a side table next to the couch. Finally she went over to hold her hands up to the fire.

“So, what did Reenie want?” Brandon came up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. Just the press of her ass against his groin brought a moan to his lips. Fire laced his veins as need pooled in his cock, thickening the shaft until his jeans felt tight and uncomfortable. She pushed her hips back, bumping his growing erection.

“She wanted me to meet with Madison Weston, the lioness who’s mated to Pierce. We found out why the cat shifters were after us. It seems they feel we were poaching on their unofficial turf.” She leaned back into him, allowing him to accept her weight.

Brandon snorted. “Doesn’t sound like a good enough response.”

“I can understand it.” She snuggled into him. “Think about if Pierce had gone to an out-of-towner to coach the local team instead of you. Wouldn’t you be pissed? Since you’ve made it a point to promote local talent to all the teams you were on?”

Brandon let her argument sink in as his desire increased. The constant rock and rub of her hips against his didn’t help matters. “Yeah,” he gasped out. “I can imagine being pissed.”

She laughed. “By that ridge I’m feeling, you can imagine more than that. Anyway, there’s a possibility we can nip things in the bud. Why’d you go see my father?”

“What?”

She turned in his arms. Her breasts pressed against his chest. She tilted her head back, exposing her neck to him.
“Claim. Bite. Fuck. Mate
,
”
the wolf chanted in his head. He lowered his mouth to nuzzle along her carotid artery. His nose traced the vein as her mating heat and musk rose up. He wanted to find the source, to tear her clothes to ribbons and bury his face in her core until she came all over his chin. With a growl, he nipped his way along her throat.

Kelly moaned and threaded her fingers through his hair, holding him close. He took his time, dragging his lips over her silken flesh until he reached the neckline of her sweater.

“Damn it.” Frustrated over the barrier between himself and her, he grabbed the hem and lifted it up her torso, up her arms, and over her head, dropping it to the floor before going back to what he was doing. She pressed herself against him.

“Brandon,” she murmured. “More.”

He ran his hands up and down her sides and over her back. His fingers touched the panels of her bra. With a low growl, he grabbed the straps and pulled. The silk and elastic broke under the force. He reached around to her back and did the same to the hook and eyelet closure, causing the scrap of fabric to float down to the floor. With bites and nips, he took his time moving down her body, tugging at small patches of flesh, marking her with red spots.

“Mine. All mine.” He cupped one of her breasts, holding the globe and lifting it up to his mouth while he traced the contours until he reached the center. First, he flicked the thick nub with his tongue. Teasing her until he drew tiny whimpers and mewling sounds from her as she wriggled against him. He tugged on the tip, drawing it deeper into his mouth. It wasn’t enough for him. He needed her to be louder, to really let go.

He released her nipple, stooped down, picked her up, and carried her through the house to the bedroom. With care, he deposited her on the mattress and went about securing her arms over her head before tying off her ankles.

She tugged on her bonds, looking from one to the other and then back at him. “What—?”

“I want you screaming, mate. I want you to give in to your passion. So I wanted to try something new.” He stripped out of his shirt, shoes, and socks. The pants would stay as a way to keep him in control. Getting naked would only give the beast an excuse to act out. With each second that passed, he could feel the animal trying to rise further and higher in his body. He flexed his hand, closed his eyes, and focused on his breathing. In and out, slow and steady. His heart pounded against his rib cage and his blood pulsed with arousal. Heat pooled in his groin and seeped into his dick. His balls throbbed.

Pinpricks of fire pinged around his body, bursting here and there and all over. Pain spiraled out of the center of his palms and up and down his arms. His legs shook as he struggled to stay upright. It was as if gravity were pulling him down to the floor. He rolled his shoulders and neck, determined not to lose control. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. His muscles twitched.

“Brandon, breathe. Focus on me, on what you want to do with me.” Kelly’s voice slipped past the tension and reached the center of him, touching his wolf. The animal paused, stopped, and cocked its head.

“I want you to kiss me, Brandon. Come here and kiss me,” she whispered.

He opened his eyes and moved forward, bent over the bed, lowered his head and touched her lips with his. The touch was soft and sweet, at first setting off tendrils of warmth from the point of contact that burned hotter with each second that passed. Her mouth opened and her tongue snaked out; he met it without reservation as it twisted and taunted him for more. He traced the ridges of her teeth, tickled the roof of her mouth. She giggled and pulled her head away.

“Now claim me if you can.” She waggled her eyebrows.

“Oh, you think I can’t? I’ll show you.” He straightened up and grabbed the bottle of cinnamon oil. “Tell me if it gets too much. Just say stop.”

She tugged on her bonds. A shredding sound cracked through the air. He winced. Maybe he should’ve used leather. To distract her, he shook a few drops out onto his index finger and traced a line from her chin, down the center of her throat and across her chest. After a second, she gasped. Her eyes widened and her pupils dilated. She swallowed.

“Brandon!”

“Do you want me to stop?” He had to know now.

“No. Just, act fast.” She wriggled around on the bed. He grabbed an ice cube and let the water drip on her chin and down her neck before touching it to her skin. She sucked in air and her movements slowed down. He followed the trail with kisses and licks, repeating the process, taking care of where he put the oil and using the ice and his mouth to soothe away the warmth. His tongue burned from the heat of the spice. He could only imagine what she was going through. She writhed, begged, and moaned.

“Brandon, more. Please, more.” The sound of her bonds ripping cut through the air. A glance at them showed they were hanging on by a thread.

To stave off a loss of control, he climbed onto the bed and straddled her waist. He slid down her body until he covered her. She lifted her head and met his mouth, but he didn’t stay there long. He moved down her body once more, this time with no oil or ice. He circled her breasts one at a time, pausing to dab oil on the tips before lapping it up. Then he used the cube, following it with more flicks of his tongue. She shuddered under him; whimpers, animalistic sounds, and whispers fell from her lips.

He blazed a path over her stomach to her mound, where he buried his face in her sex, lapping up her juices. Her hips rocked against his mouth. Her legs quivered and the bed shook underneath him. In the distance, he heard the faded sound of the last of the threads being ripped from her bonds.

She grabbed his hair and tugged. He allowed her to pull, trailing kisses up her body until his face was over hers once more. She grabbed his shoulders and rolled him onto his back. There was a wolfish grin on her lips and a glint of amber in her eyes. The wolf was ready and close to breaking out. Her musk swirled in the air along with his.

He groaned as she straddled him and ground her pussy against his groin. “Want this? Need this?”

She raked her newly sharpened nails over his chest. He arched his back and groaned as pleasure and pain flickered back and forth. She held him down with her strength alone. Kelly lowered her head until their lips were a whisper away. He lifted his hips and rubbed his erection against her pussy. She groaned and shut her eyes. Muscles strained against her neck and her body shook over him. He used this moment to grab her hips and roll on top of her, pinning her to the bed.

He grabbed her wrists and raised them over her head, holding them with one hand while he used his other to undo his belt and fly. Finally he reached in and pulled his cock out. He ran the flared crown over her slick nether lips. “Want this? Need this?”

She groaned and pushed her hips up. “Please, I need you. Fuck me. Take me. Mark me.”

Her mouth opened wide, and he saw her teeth had sharpened. She was ready to claim him again. Pleasure zipped along his spine. He groaned and positioned the head of his penis at her entrance. She tried to move down and take him inside of her, but he pulled back.

“Be still,” he snarled.