Hecate's Own: Heart's Desire, Book 2 (12 page)

“No! Bad dog!” Jo grabbed his fingers, the beginnings of a
laugh curling the corners of her mouth. “Don’t you dare, Zach.”

He felt like the Grinch when he got his awful, terrible
idea. Evil delight coursed through him, chasing away the weariness that had
begun to drag at him. “You’re ticklish.”

“Zachary Beckett, if you tickle me I swear you
will
regret it.”

Regret it? How could he? She’d squirm, she’d laugh, and most
of all, she’d
bounce
. The only thing he’d regret was that he hadn’t
found out sooner.

Zach reached for her again, intent on watching her squirm.

“Stay!”

Zach paused. “Stay?” What did she think he was, a poodle?

“I promise if you don’t tickle me I’ll make it worth your
while.”

His entire body felt electrified at the way she was looking
at him. When she licked her lips he moaned. “Seriously?”

She nodded. “So seriously.” Her hand crept down and cradled
his balls.

When a woman like Jo had you by the balls, you paid
attention. “What about your head?”

“I feel fine.” She blinked up at him and massaged his balls.
“Don’t you want to know what price I’m willing to pay to keep you from tickling
me?”

“Fuck yes.” Zach’s hands slid up her sides to cup her
breasts. God, he loved them, loved to watch the way her nipples peaked under his
touch.

“Lay back and let me show you.”

Zach’s inner monologue was reduced to
yesyesyes
as he
lay down, desperate for her touch. His cock stood at attention, waving madly at
the woman of his dreams. “Jo.”

She crawled over him, her long dark hair blanketing him with
cool butterfly touches. She leaned over his cock and stared up at him with
huge, heated brown eyes. She watched his reaction when she licked a long, slow
line up the ridge of his cock, flicking the edge of her tongue over the flared
head.

Zach groaned, his hands pulling her hair away from her face
so he could watch the erotic show his mate was putting on for him. “Suck it,
baby.”

Jo’s lips quirked before she took his cock in her hand. Her
mouth closed over the head of his cock, sipping at him with delicate little
nips and the lightest of suction. He thought the top of his head was going to
explode at the sensations. “More. Please, Jo.”

As if the please was what she’d been waiting for, Jo took
him all the way in, her nose buried in the curls at the base of his cock.
Zach’s head fell back, unable to bear the incredible sensations rocketing
through him. His mate had the most incredible mouth ever invented. He was the
luckiest son of a bitch alive.

She proved that as her head began to move, her lips firm
around him, her tongue, gods her tongue, driving him closer and closer to the
edge.

When she lifted her mouth from him he nearly cried out, but
then that tongue was on his balls and he wanted, no needed, her to keep going,
to keep the need boiling inside him on the edge.

“Fuck, Jo.”

She knelt above him and he released her, curious as to what
she’d do next. She flung her hair behind her and tweaked her own nipples. “Mmm,
fuck Jo.”

If he’d had two brain cells left to rub together he would
have guessed her next move. She licked her finger, dragged it along her
stomach, and began to stroke her clit.

Zach watched his mate pleasure herself for all of two
seconds before the urge to touch, to taste, became overwhelming. He scrambled
desperately for the bedside drawer, desperately hoping that…
Yes!
Note
to self: thank Chris tomorrow.
He snagged the box of condoms and ripped one
open, sliding it onto his aching erection with shaking hands. He reached for
her, flipping her onto her back, sliding along silken skin until his mouth was
next to her hand. He wanted a taste so badly he was shaking with it. “Allow
me.”

“Please.”

Zach shuddered at the need in her voice. The fact that he’d
been the one to make her moan filled him with pride and the need to possess.
He’d have a very hard time not trying to complete the spell tonight. Jo hadn’t
completely accepted him yet, so muttering the final words to the Beckett spell
would do nothing.

But he could enjoy this while he had it. He licked along her
finger, following the path she took, learning the way she liked to be
pleasured. She whimpered when he pulled her clit into his mouth, sucking on it.
She gasped when he stroked her steadily with his tongue. When he dipped inside
her she arched against him and buried her hands in his hair. And when she
teetered on the edge of orgasm he pushed her over, riding the wave with her as
she cried out her release.

Zach slipped up her body, hard and aching and more than
ready for his own release. “Let me.”

She nodded, tugging at his hips, urging him inside her. Zach
took the invitation and surged inside her wet heat, fucking her with everything
he was. “God, sweetheart, you feel so good.”

“Fuck me, Zach. Fill me.”

Zach’s heart stuttered. She’d given him permission to come
without her, and Zach’s body was on board with that one hundred percent. Before
he could stop it he was coming inside her, teeth clenched around a primal
scream of ecstasy so intense he saw stars.

He collapsed on top of her, sweaty, drained, and so happy he
thought his heart would burst. He kissed her throat, thankful for this
incredible woman who’d given herself to him. Her hands roved up and down his
back, soothing man and beast. He managed to flop to her side, his head on her
chest, before he drifted to sleep.

Chapter
Eleven

Morning sunlight streamed into her eyes. “Gah.” Jo reached
for the pillow to pull it over her head. Since when did her windows face her
bed?

She froze when her hand encountered a hairy arm.

Since when did papa bear sleep in her bed?

A deep sigh stirred her hair. “Morning, Jo.”

A hard, hot cock nudged her lower back.
Morning, indeed.
“Zach?”

“Better be, else I’m kicking someone’s ass.”

Memories of the night before streamed into her waking mind.
“How did the ritual go?”

He pressed a soft kiss to her shoulder. “I’ll tell you after
my caffeine infusion.”

“What time is it?” Jo glanced at the clock on the bedside
table. “Holy shit.”

“What?”

“It’s noon.” Jo sat up and scrubbed her face. “How did I
sleep so late?”

“You were hurt. Your body must have needed the rest.” Zach
rolled onto his back and curled his arms under his head. The move made his
biceps bulge. “Besides, we were up pretty late last night.”

“What’s this ‘we’ shit? I fell asleep while you communed,
remember?”

He grinned up at her, the lazy, sleepy look sending heat
straight through her belly. She felt her nipples tighten in response to that
look. “Do you have any idea how cute you looked?”

Jo rolled her eyes and her body out of bed. “Yeah well…
Zach? Why am I naked?”

“I like the view?”

She turned, one arm over her breasts, her hand covering her
pussy, to find Zach really
was
enjoying the view if the tent under the
covers was anything to go by. “Down boy.”

“Woof.”

Jo bit her lip to keep from laughing. “He’s not very
obedient, is he?”

Zach sighed. “What can I say?” He patted his cock through
the sheet. “He has a mind of his own.” He crooked his finger. “C’mere, little
girl.”

Jo backed up a step. “My momma warned me about wolves like
you.” Besides, she had to pee something fierce, and Mr. Woodie wasn’t about to stop
her from taking care of business.

Zach’s eyes lit up, literally. He crawled out from under the
covers, the movements slow and sensual. Jo was mesmerized. She was being
stalked like prey, and her body responded, tightening in response, ready to
flee the man standing at the side of the bed.

Jo held up one hand. “Stay!”

Zach paused.

“Bathroom?”

The bastard started to laugh.

Jo broke out her Brünnhilde voice. She
really
needed
to go, like, yesterday. “Now, Zach!”

He pointed. Unfortunately, he pointed toward the door, which
meant this bedroom did not have an en suite bathroom. “Damn.” She grabbed the
sheet and wrapped it around herself toga style. “Sit. Stay. Good wolf.”

He cocked an eyebrow at her and sat on the edge of the bed,
legs wide open, displaying that impressive, erect cock. He grinned and crossed
his arms. “Hurry back.”

Jo stumbled out of the room, unsure if she should head back
and take what she knew Zach wanted to give her or take care of business first.

“Morning.”

Jo screeched.

The bedroom door slammed open, revealing a very naked, very
aroused Zach to the world at large, and one pair of fascinated blue eyes in
particular. Jo was going to have to rip Gen’s eyes from her head. “What’s wrong?”

Oh hell.
“Um. Morning, Gen.”

“Oh. Good morning, um. Jo.” Gen visibly tore her gaze from
Zach’s naked body. “Bathroom?”

“Guys? What’s going on?”

Jo pinched the bridge of her nose and nearly lost her grip
on the sheet. “Morning, Gareth.”

“Good morning.” He sounded less than pleased. “Why are you
naked, Zach?”

“Jo screamed.”

Gareth’s expression cleared, like that explained everything.
For a Beckett, it probably did. “Well, she’s fine. What did you need,
sweetheart?”

It took Jo a second to realize Gareth was talking to her and
not Gen. “Bathroom.”

Gareth grinned. “Second door on the right.”

Jo grabbed hold of Gen’s arm and started walking. Gen’s gaze
lifted once more from Zach’s cock as she stumbled along in Jo’s wake. “C’mon.”

“But—”

Brünnhilde once more made an appearance. “
Now
, Gen.”

“Yes’m.”

Behind her she heard Gareth and Zach sharing a laugh at
Gen’s meek tone of voice.

Jo didn’t give a crap. Gen had stared at what was
hers,
damn it. She dragged the Own into the bathroom and shut the door. “That cock?
That’s mine, got it?”

Gen held up her hands. “I know that.”

“Then why were you staring?”

Gen opened her mouth, her normally serene expression
morphing into something akin to despair. “I…” Gen slumped back against the
door. “Are all the Beckett men so beautiful?”

Jo tilted her head.
What’s going on here?
“Gareth?”

Gen shrugged and looked away.

“Look, I have to pee
really badly
. Can this wait a
few seconds?”

Gen nodded and turned her face to the door, giving Jo some
privacy.

Jo finished up as quickly as she could, washing her hands
when she was done. “Change places?”

Gen moved and Jo took her place, fidgeting with her
makeshift toga. “Talk to me, Gen.” She didn’t know the warlock all that well,
but she could tell something was eating at the other woman.

“The Goddess sent me a vision.”

“And?” What did this have to do with Gen taking an eyeful?

“When all this is done, Gareth will hate me.”

Jo frowned and looked over her shoulder. “And?”

The torment on Gen’s face was absolute. “He won’t want
anything to do with me.”

The light bulb, usually so much faster, finally lit. “He’s
your mate.”

“As you are Zach’s.”

Jo’s shoulders twitched. Apparently she
was
in a
cheesy werewolf romance novel, because Gen’s words made sense. She was Zach’s
“mate”. She couldn’t deny it any longer. The need to be near him, to protect
him, to…
love
him, was nearly overwhelming. “Yeah. I am.”

“Imagine if Zach hated the very air you breathed, if all he
saw when he looked at you was the suffering of his loved ones.”

Jo shuddered. She didn’t think she could stand it if Zach
looked at her with hatred in his eyes.

“Now imagine if that hatred killed your mate. The curse
under which the Becketts live has been tamed, but at a price.”

Jo whirled around. “Price?”

Gen nodded. “The wolf demands its mate. If it doesn’t get
it, the curse eats the Beckett from within, destroying him. They die in agony,
their wolves howling and howling for something that never comes.” Gen buried
her face in her hands. “That’s what will happen to Gareth if…”

Jo’s ass hit the floor before she realized her knees had
buckled. “Has Zach done everything he needs to do to claim me?”

Gen’s eyes darted to Jo’s shoulder. “No.”

“What’s left?”

“The shadow of the wolf isn’t on your shoulder yet. It means
he hasn’t completed the spell. Once you fully accept him and he marks you, the
wolf is pacified.”

“How do you know all of this?”

“The vision showed me. Their emerald ring is the key that
opens the door. Once the ritual is begun, it is only a matter of time before he
must finish the spell or die.”

Jo stood, her head whirling and her heart pounding in fear.
“Enjoy your bathroom time.” She’d deal with Gen’s problem later.

Right now she had a man to claim.

Zach jumped as the bedroom door slammed open. “Mark me.”

Zach wiggled his finger in his ear, certain he hadn’t heard
that. “Excuse me?”

Jo slammed the door shut. She glared at him like he’d kicked
her puppy. “Mark. Me.”

He tried to play it off, not certain what it was she knew
and didn’t know. “With what?”

She growled. He damn near laughed, it was so cute. “Your
wolf needs to mark me? Fine. Do it.” She stopped. “Unless it means peeing on
me. Then we need to talk.”

He held out his hands, hoping that she’d take them and
explain to him what the hell was going on. “Jo? Come here, sweetheart.”

She came, dropping the sheet on her way.
Shit.
Talk
about distracting. Every enticing curve bounced toward him, reducing his IQ to
something resembling his gas mileage.

When she curled her arms under her impressive breasts,
lifting them even higher, he almost fell down and worshipped. “Marking, Zach.
Get on with it.”

He blinked. “Are you accepting me?”

One eyebrow lifted arrogantly. “That depends.”

Whimpering was not part of the whole macho code, but Zach
couldn’t help himself. “On what?”

“Whether or not you’re doing this because you want me. Let’s
face it, you weren’t exactly happy to see me at first.” She shrugged. “Then
again, the way we made love in the workroom? Much better greeting, I thought.
So…” Her chin lifted. “Hop to it.”

Zach felt frozen in place. Jo was accepting him?

“Zach? Are we doing this or what?”

The woman he loved was willing to take his mark, be his
forever?

“Zach, are you okay?”

Hell
yes.

Zach lunged, grabbing Jo by the waist and flinging her onto
the bed.

“Yikes!”

Zach ignored her yelp, crawling up her body in a frenzy of
need. He pinned her down to the bed, straddling her hips, holding her arms
above her head. “Mine.”

She blinked up at him, those gorgeous brown eyes of hers
darkening with want. “Yours.”

Zach swooped down and claimed those full lips in a kiss that
sealed his fate. Sweet and hot, her taste exploded on his tongue, marking him
as surely as he would soon mark her.

His mate.

His love.

She’d said yes, and he wasn’t about to turn away from that.

When she wrapped her soft thighs around him he damn near
came, all untouched. Just her skin against his had him on the edge. “Jo. Need
you.”

She nodded, spreading her legs even wider, impossibly wide.
“Take me.”

He slid inside her, grimacing at the slight wince she gave
him. She hadn’t quite been ready for him despite her words. “Sorry.” The last
thing he wanted to do was harm her in any way.

She licked her lips and shot him a wicked glance. “Make it
up to me.”

Staring at her mouth, he knew just what to do to ease the
pain he’d unwittingly inflicted.

Zach withdrew from her hot sheath, slid down her body, and
proceeded to kiss it better.

Jo damn near screamed at the sensation of Zach’s mouth on
her pussy. His hot tongue traced her lips, dipping inside her for a taste
before stroking across her clit, teasing her with light touches. She reached
down and tangled her fingers in his hair, desperate to get his mouth right
where she wanted it most.

Zach slid back up her body, surprising her. He took hold of
her wrists and pressed them gently back down on the mattress. “Leave them
there.”

She blinked. Zach wasn’t smiling. “Okay.”

She felt her body melt into the mattress as she gave over
control to her lover.

She shivered. Zachary Beckett was her
lover
.

“I want to see your wolf.”

He paused halfway down her body, a horrified look on his
face. “Now?”

She giggled. “Not
now.
After.”

He blew out a relieved breath. “Thank the Lady. I’m not into
that particular kink, thank you very much.”

She giggled again as he shuddered. “Neither am I.”

“Good.” He swiped his tongue across her belly button. “I’ve
got other kinks I’d rather explore with you.” He nibbled the inside of her
thigh, the slight sting soothed by a soft kiss. “If that’s all right with you?”

“I think I could get behind that.” She nearly lifted her
arms to reach for him but remembered his command at the last moment.

His eyes lit with approval. “And in front of it, and to the
side of it…” He bent down and took her clit into his mouth, sucking on it so
strongly that her body bowed off the bed in reaction.

Fuck. Much more of that and she’d scream the house down. She
didn’t want his brothers to know what they were doing.

A vision of Zach staring at Gen’s ass flitted through her
mind just as Zach sucked again.

Jo screamed. Fuck ’em. Let them know what her man was doing
to her, and how much Jo was enjoying it.
Take that.

Jo’s groans and whimpers seemed to spur Zach on. He doubled
his efforts, latching onto her like a starving man at a free chocolate
convention. He lapped, sucked, nipped and nibbled until she was nothing more
than a gigantic, throbbing need that only Zach could fulfill. “Zach. Please,
Zach.”

Zach sat up, took hold of her hips and flipped her onto her
stomach. “Want me, sweetheart?” He nudged at her until her ass was up in the
air, her head bowed down until her cheek rested on the pillow. She knew how she
must look to him, hot and wanting and the thought brought her arousal up even
further.

Only Zach would ever get to see her this vulnerable. He
would take care of her. She smiled as she heard a condom package tear, knew he
was taking care of her in more ways than one.

She whimpered and thrust her hips back, too far gone for
speech. Her hands clenched the bed sheet. She needed to be fucked, and she
needed it
now
.

Zach’s dark chuckle surrounded her. He rammed into her, her
passage more than wet enough to accommodate him now.

The pounding Zach gave her was exactly what she needed. It
didn’t take long before she was coming, toes curled, teeth clenched, her body
so tight she could barely breathe.

It wasn’t until the orgasm passed that she realized Zach
hadn’t joined her. He leaned over, his chest to her back, his hands sliding
down her arms until they curled around hers. “Feel better?”

She wiggled, earning a gasp. She knew her grin was every bit
as feral as his.