Marked (3 page)

“Half-human,” Jackson corrected and narrowed his eyes, lowering
his voice. “And keep that information to yourself. I’ll address the pack when
I’m ready.”

“You can’t hide her forever.” There was a warning in
Declan’s tone, one that Jackson didn’t appreciate.

“I don’t plan to,” Jackson reprimanded the Beta with a snarl.
He put the male in his place by looking him in the eye, forcing Declan to lower
his gaze. “I need some time to sort things out before I present my mate to the
pack.”

“Then I suggest you hurry. I have an appointment in fifteen
minutes.” Declan took another step back, retreating into the hallway. “I’ll
deal with the pack until the full moon.”

There was a reason he trusted Declan. Despite his annoying
tendency to run off at the mouth, the Beta was always reliable. “I’m taking the
car. Put my bike in the garage and cancel my appointments. If there’s an
emergency call my cell. I’ll be in touch.”

Bending at the waist, he slid his arms beneath Chloe’s legs
and back and lifted her to his chest. “Come on, sweetness.”

“Whoa, wait.” She squirmed against him, slapping at his
chest. “I can’t leave with you!” When he tightened his grip, she screamed,
“What do you think you’re doing? Put me down! Right now!”

“Oh man.” Declan laughed and moved to the side, giving
Jackson room to pass. “You’re going to have your hands full with that one.”

“Laugh it up,” he grumbled, wrestling with the female who
was struggling to break free. If he’d had more time he would have been patient
with her. Unfortunately he didn’t have that luxury. “One day this’ll be you.”

“Let go!” Chloe shrieked. “Get your hands off me!”

She landed an elbow to his gut but he didn’t stop, striding
for the door. He had to get her out of here while he could. If word got out
that he’d found his mate—that his mate was
human
, for fuck’s sake—he’d
have to deal with the pack, the current discord with Gavin Worthington
and
his
mate’s moon heat.

Don’t get ahead of yourself. Focus on one thing at a
time.

They made it to his car without incident but the instant her
feet touched the ground she tried to run. He caught her with ease, forcing her
against the side of the vehicle. There was no time like the present to
establish who was boss. He wedged his thighs between hers so she could feel the
hard ridge of his cock. Her eyes went wide, her full lips parting in surprise.

“I understand this is confusing but what you’re feeling
isn’t going to go away. You need this.” He shoved his hips forward, pushing his
pulsating length against her belly, grinding his teeth at the contact. “Over
and over again. And you need it from me.”

“This is crazy,” she whispered, fingers shaking as she
rested her hands on his chest. The sweet smell of her pussy drifted to his
nose. She might be shaken but she was also hotter than the asphalt in summer.
“We don’t even know each other.”

“Yes, we do.” He lowered his head and nuzzled her nose. “In
fact, you and I have spent a
lot
of time together. I distinctly remember
you sucking my cock a couple of nights ago.” She gasped and her whispered
seductively, “Remember what I said? Do you remember what I promised?”

Her cheeks turned an attractive shade of pink. “It was just
a dream.” She shook her head, breathing heavy.

“Not just a dream,” he corrected and brushed his lips
against hers. “It’s called dreamsharing. There’s a difference.”

“Dreamsharing?”

Lights appeared down the road and he pulled away. In seconds
he had the passenger door open and his mate seated in the car. She brought her
trembling hands together in her lap, shifting from side to side.

“I’ll explain everything. You have my word. I just need you
to trust me, Chloe. Give me a chance to tell you why you feel the way you do.
There’s a reason you found me.”

“I just came here for a tattoo. I need to call a cab and go
home.”

Fucking hell.
“If you want a tattoo I’ll give you
one. And if you want to go home after we’ve talked, I’ll take you. Right now we
have to go. Do you understand? We can’t stay here.”

He slammed the door closed and rushed around the car. Panic
made him think she’d bolt. Thankfully she didn’t, remaining safely inside the
car. The headlights down the road weren’t far away now. Declan’s client was
probably going to pull into the lot within seconds.

“You promise to take me home? You’re not going to do
anything I don’t want?”

“Baby, if that’s what it takes to get you to listen to me, I
give you my fucking word.” He removed the keys from his pocket and shoved them
in the ignition. Time was ticking down. Each second created another risk he
wasn’t ready to take. “Now buckle your seat belt. We’re getting out of here.”

To his immense relief, she did as he asked. He managed to
put the car in reverse and pull onto the road just as a car slowed down and
stopped in front of his building. Despite his enhanced vision, he couldn’t see
through the tinted windows to identify who it was.

Worry about that shit later.

He put the car in gear and hit the gas, shifting in his
seat, trying to get comfortable as he rushed from the shop. His board-stiff
cock strained against his pants, his heart hammering a dent in his chest.
Another minute and he’d have had to explain the situation to Chloe with
witnesses to cement the deal. Not something he was keen on. Thank God she’d
listened and didn’t try to run. At least now he had a leg to stand on.

Talk about cutting shit close.

Chapter Two

I’ve officially lost my mind.

What in the world had possessed her to get into the car and
drive to Jackson’s home? Why hadn’t she fought? Why had she sat quietly without
questioning his motives? It hadn’t taken long—no more than ten minutes—to make
the trip. But during that time she’d found it hard to concentrate. His enticing
cologne seemed so much more powerful in the confines in the car, wrapping
around her like a comforting cloud and making everything hazy.

Hazy
. Now there was a word to describe how she felt.

From the moment he’d touched her at the tattoo parlor,
nothing had made sense. It was as if something had come to life inside her,
taking over rational thought. She’d wanted to argue or deny what she
experienced but couldn’t formulate the words. All she could think about was how
wonderful he smelled, how
amazing
his fingers felt against her skin.

How delicious he would taste.

The dampness in her panties increased as she stepped past
the threshold into his home. It was impossible to think clearly when she
visualized the dream he’d mentioned. They’d touched each other before, using
their hands to give each other pleasure, but they’d never used their mouths.
Until he’d challenged her, daring her to get on her knees and suck his cock.
She’d balked at first, embarrassed at the thought. Then she remembered it was
only a dream. She could become unleashed. Lust had taken over and she’d given
him exactly what he asked for.

Heat rushed through her bloodstream like liquid fire at the
remembrance.

She’d sucked and licked, finding that she wanted more of his
taste in her mouth, anxious to feel him surrender to his desire. There wasn’t
enough—not nearly enough. He’d groaned in pleasure but stayed still, allowing
her to take her time and explore. Just before the dream had ended he’d promised
to do the same to
her
. Just thinking about it had gotten her soaking
wet.

He’d growled and started pumping into her mouth, telling her
to get ready…

She’d woken writhing and sweaty, so close to climax she
could almost taste it. He’d been venturing to the land below, his teeth raking
against her skin, when her eyes opened and she greeted a new day. That was the
last dream she’d had of him. She went to bed each night hoping for his return,
only to wake horny and unsatisfied the next morning.

Now he was here—walking, breathing and very much real.

Jackson swept past her into his home. She admired his form
as he strode by the living room and vanished around the corner. The place
definitely belonged to a man. The flooring was dark wood with rugs throughout,
the furniture made of black leather. A large plasma television was mounted on
the far wall, enormous speakers bolted on each side of the room.

He reappeared with beer bottles in each hand. She took the
one he extended to her, trying to get her hormones under control. He’d said
he’d give her answers and explain what was taking place. For some strange
reason, she did trust him. Who was she kidding? A part of her recognized him,
even if it made no sense whatsoever. Everything that had transpired between
them had been real.

They were dreams but weren’t.

How in the hell is that even possible?

He lifted the beer to his lips and she quickly did the same.
The tang of the beverage hit her tongue, the flavor strong and somewhat bitter.
She forced the drink down and lowered the bottle, staring at Jackson in
disbelief. He didn’t stop drinking, his throat constricting with each swallow,
until the bottle was empty. She gawked, unable to focus on anything but him.
Another wave of heat rushed through her, making her lightheaded.

“Keep looking at me like that, and I’m going to give you
what I promised, Chloe girl.” He lowered his hand and growled, gold eyes
sweeping over her. “I’m trying real hard to be a gentleman but you’re testing
my control.”

“I…” She tried to think of something to say, realizing she
was alone with this gargantuan man inside his home. He could do anything he
wanted and she wouldn’t be able to stop him. Not to mention he
was
a
werewolf.

Not smart. Not smart at
all
.

“I think the best way to go about this is to tell you
straight.” He met her gaze. “Give me your hand.”

She wasn’t sure which he wanted until he reached for her
left wrist—the wrist with the birthmark. Before she could stop him he’d shoved
her jacket back, revealing the crescent shape.

“Correct me if I’m wrong but I think you wanted a tattoo
right here. Over this mark.”

Shit.
How did he know that?

“Maybe,” she hedged, scrambling for the right thing to say.
“Maybe not.”

His eyes slitted and he growled, “Don’t lie to me.”

“So what if I did?” Trying to feign indifference was
impossible. The space felt too small with him in front of her. “It’s just a
birthmark.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. It’s not just a birthmark. It’s
the mark all wolves carry when they’re born. This means one of your parents is
were,” he said and swept his thumb across the skin.

She clenched her teeth, trying not to groan. For the first
time the mark didn’t burn. If anything his touch alleviated the sting, making
the damn thing hum. A shiver ran through her, electric tingles starting where
he touched and sweeping up her arm.

“You don’t have one.” Her eyes drifted over his body. During
her dreams, she never saw anything aside from tattoos on his magnificent body.

“It’s here.” His fingers drifted to the hair behind his ear
and he turned his head. Sure enough a small crescent shape was revealed, just
below his hairline.

“This can’t be real.” Her heart raced, panic warring with
desire. “There’s no way. I’d know if one of my parents could shift forms and
howl at the moon.” She tried to yank her hand away.

“Apparently not.”

The amusement in his tone pissed her off. He might find the
situation funny but she certainly didn’t. “Listen, Mr. Ego. I would know if—”

“I thought you were from one of the packs in the area when
we started dreamsharing,” he continued as though he didn’t hear. “If you were
human you wouldn’t have this. When I saw it, I assumed you knew what you are.”
He caressed her birthmark, sending a flash of fire through the erogenous zones
of her body. “There was no way to know you’re only half.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” She pressed her thighs
together, mortified when her sex started to throb. She should be terrified, not
ready to fuck like a rabbit. Her nipples hardened into points, the lace of her
bra becoming restricting and painful. “And I
am
human.”

“You’re half-human, and it’s not necessarily bad.” He lifted
his head, his lips curving into a grin. “Just different. It changes the game a
bit.”

“I hate to break it to you.” She considered shaking him.
Here she was, off balance and agitated, and he was referring to the situation
as a game? “But this isn’t Monopoly. Not even close. Do
not
pass go. No
two hundred dollars for you.”

“Excuse me.” His wry grin should have made her furious. Not
horny. “Bad choice of wording.”

“How about you tell me the truth?”

“You’re going through your first moon heat,” he whispered,
moving closer, the warmth from his body radiating like a furnace. “That’s why
you found me. You knew your time was near. It’s instinctual.”

Denying his explanation was her only defense, even though a
part of her knew it was a barefaced lie. Something
was
occurring between
them. No one had ever made her feel like this, turning everything she knew
upside down and inside out.

“Maybe it’s instinctual for you but it isn’t for me,” she
argued. “I didn’t come to find you. I came to get a tattoo. The dreams…our
meeting…it’s serendipity.”

“Listen, sweetness.” He invaded her space, pressing his much
larger body against hers. “You can keep lying to yourself but it won’t change
what’s destined to happen. You came to me—you
chose
me.”

He released her hand and cupped her chin in his palm,
forcing her to meet his intense gaze. His touch was gentle, his closeness
comforting. It was hell not to squirm, to remain passive in his hold.

“Did you come to my shop for a particular reason? Or did you
feel compelled to come there? Better yet, have you been feeling like yourself
lately? Have you noticed changes you can’t explain?”

How did he expect her to answer those questions when he was
so close she could almost taste him? His alluring scent called to her, tempting
her to rip off his clothes to view the hard flesh beneath. Her eyes drifted
closed as her heart thundered in her chest. She licked her lips, remembering
how delicious he’d tasted, how wonderful it had felt when he’d circled his arms
around her as their lips met in her dreams. A tidal wave seeped from her pussy,
her clit so sensitive she wondered if she’d climax with a simple shift of her
legs.

Pull yourself together. Answer him.

“I wanted to come to The Wolf’s Den,” she confessed, her
voice shaky. “I don’t know why.”

When she tried to turn her head, he prevented her from doing
so. His fingers were firm but gentle against her jaw. “Open your eyes. Look at
me.” She forced her lids open, shocked to discover his eyes were no longer gold
but almost yellow. “Tell me about your parents.”

Her parents? The shift in topic disoriented her for a
moment. She quickly got her thoughts in order. “My mother died when I was a
baby. I never knew my father. Why?”

“I’m just trying to figure this out.” He took a deep breath
and asked, “How old are you?”

“Twenty-two.” If he was going to ask questions, so was she.
“How about you?”

His sexy, kissable lips formed into a sinful smile. “Old
enough.”

“What kind of answer is that?”

“The best you’re going to get right now,” he replied, his
voice taking on a husky lilt. “Who raised you?”

God he was arrogant. Even worse? His attitude made her
hotter.

“That hardly seems fair,” she snapped, increasingly annoyed.

“Answer me.” He wasn’t asking for an answer now, he was
demanding one. His fingers tightened on her chin, his irises shifting color
from yellow to amber.

“My grandparents. There. Happy?”

“Your mother’s parents?”

She nodded, finding it difficult to inhale. She wanted to
remain angry but her entire body betrayed her. Ripples of desire scorched the
inside of her skin. This was nothing like her dreams, where she’d had some
measure of control. If he didn’t move away from her she’d tell him anything he
wanted to know or do anything he told her to. Her pride didn’t mean squat,
logical thought flying out the window.

“I should go.” Something inside her rebelled, hating the
words, rejecting the possibility. “My family will be worried.”

“Your grandparents, I presume?” His voice felt as though it
swept through her. No one had ever made her as edgy and aroused as this man.
Not even close.

“Yes,” she whispered, clinging to his arms to remain on her
feet.

Sexual need pounded at her, her blood drumming in her ears.
In her fantasies she made love. She didn’t go buck wild, wanting to be fucked
long and hard.

Until now.

“This isn’t like me.” She shook her head, trying to clear
mental cobwebs woven with lust. “Something’s wrong. I don’t feel right.”

“Nothing’s wrong. It’s the moon heat, and it’s only going to
get worse. You’re in the early stages.”

He had to be joking. This was going to get worse? She was in
the
early
stages?

“You should probably give me some space. I think I’m coming
down with something.” That something being her ravenous libido, with his cock served
on a platter as an entrée.

Damn. When did the room become so warm? Was it this
difficult to breathe before?

Fear hit, rolling like thunder through her. What would
happen if she let things progress between them? He obviously wanted her as much
as she wanted him. What would the repercussions be if they spent a night
together? Would her life ever be the same again?

“Shh, easy,” he murmured. “Don’t be afraid. You’re safe with
me. I’m going to take care of you.”

She shook her head at his statement. They didn’t know each
other—not really. Yes they’d shared dreams—extremely explicit and naughty
dreams—but if she wanted to understand what was happening she had to take care
of herself. She couldn’t depend on him for anything more than answers.

Her mind combated the champagne fizzles raging through her
body, attempting to give her some semblance of restraint. She tingled in places
she didn’t know existed, her nipples and pussy so hypersensitive she couldn’t
stand it.

“I don’t even know you.” Like an annoying parrot, she kept
repeating herself.

Way to go. Charm him with your dizzying intellect.

She wanted to wince, knowing she probably appeared as silly
as she felt.

“Yes you do. I’d say over the last few weeks we’ve gotten to
know each other
extremely
well.”

Her nails dug into his chest as her fingers curled. Wasn’t
that the rub of it? She did know him. Technically—in her dreams, at
least—they’d already gone past second base with a speedy rush for third.

“Remember the first time we met?” She trembled when his lips
feathered over her forehead, the heat of his mouth warming her skin. “You were
so nervous and tried to run from me. I thought you knew who and what I was to
you. If I’d have known why you were scared I would have handled things
differently.”

Memories assailed her, of the first time she’d met him in
the land of dreams. It had been inside a bar. She’d found it odd, since she’d
never been to a bar and had only seen them on television. He’d been leaning
against a wall, as though he’d been waiting for her. She hadn’t been able see
his face. Not that it mattered. She remembered the way her heart had pounded,
how panic had set in even though she’d known it was only a dream.