Call Of The Moon (3 page)

His body grew taut, and he grumbled, “You aren’t going to distract me with sex, either.”

“Who’s trying to distract you?” she whispered, her lips trailing a line up his jaw. “You promised me sex.”

And he was more than willing to deliver, despite the warning bells clanging in his head over her abrupt change of heart. He should pause to explore that, but there was no longer a scent of fear lingering in the air and he didn’t have the inner strength necessary to push her away. Pushing her onto the bed and fucking her brains out, he could handle.
No
was not currently in his vocabulary.

He claimed her mouth in a fiery kiss, and it was only his restraint gained from months of abstinence that allowed him to keep it gentle. He was doing just fine until she unsnapped his jeans and slid her hand down his pants. Once her fingers wrapped around his cock, his wolf side roared into dominance. Chloe was its mate, and it demanded that he claim her
now
.

“Ah, Christ,” he muttered, reaching for the zipper on his jeans. Without releasing her mouth, he pushed them off, backed her up to the edge of the bed, and followed her down. They slithered up to the top of the bed, the musky smell of her cream filling the air. He had to taste her.

Sitting back on his heels, he tugged off her plain cotton underwear and lay down between her thighs on his belly. For a few seconds, he was hit by a sense of unreality—he’d waited months to get here—before her glistening folds beckoned him and he dipped his head for the first taste. She moaned, thrusting her hips, and he was immediately lost in the wonder of her.

He wanted to draw out this first experience, but he was ready to explode. Dipping two fingers into her wet pussy, he found her clit with his tongue and flicked it experimentally. He only had minutes to learn her body and was thrilled when hard pressure on the nub had her bucking against him. She spasmed around his fingers when she came and he could just imagine that delicious sensation around his cock.

He withdrew in anticipation of seating himself inside her to his balls, and inched up her body, kissing and nibbling as he went. He paused at her breasts, which were still covered by a plain white bra, to suck one hard nipple into his mouth. His teeth clicked metal. God help him, it was pierced. His tongue swirled over it and her back arched up off the bed, a low cry coming from her throat.

He’d explore that later. For now, he couldn’t wait any longer. Trembling with need, he moved over her and positioned his erection at her entrance. He claimed her mouth as he thrust into her. Her fear immediately swamped him.

He lifted his upper body and rested on his elbows. “Baby, Chloe—it’s okay.” Her eyes flew open at his words. He dropped a kiss onto her forehead and took several deep breaths, holding her gaze. Shifting to move off her, he was surprised when she grabbed his hips. Her fear was receding, but it was still more than he could take. She licked her lips and let go of him.

“Maybe if I was on top…”

He choked out a laugh and rolled onto his back, catching her waist and pulling her to straddle him. Her cunt brushed his dick and he sucked in a sharp breath.

“Whatever you say, baby. You’re in charge.”

Her eyes narrowed on him, suspicion clear in their sexy brown depths.

“For now, you mean.”

He rested his head on his arms and grinned. “For now.” She shifted, her pussy sliding over his cock, and his entire body flexed. Blood rushed into his ears and it took every bit of control he had and then some not surge up, roll her over, and drive into her. She watched him nervously, her bottom lip tugged between her teeth. He couldn’t take much more and decided to nudge her along.

Reaching for the snap on the front of her bra, he popped it open and stared. She had thin gold loops through both nipples, with a small pink ball threaded through the bottom. His mouth watered. He slid the bra straps down her arms and tossed it to the floor before reaching up and gliding the tip of his thumb over one nipple. When she didn’t move, he flicked the tiny bead in the loop and gave it a slight tug. She gasped and arched into his hand.

His eyes flew to her face. She was breathing hard with her head thrown back, her lips parted, and her eyes closed. She was wearing a blissful expression.
So beautiful
.

She grew wetter, slick enough for him to easily slide inside when he shifted and found her entrance with his other hand. She pushed back against him and he gritted his teeth against the orgasm that threatened to overtake him. Fascinated by the rings in her nipples, he concentrated on pulling her torso close enough that he could suck one into his mouth. The bitter taste of metal combined with her own sweet flavor. It was uniquely Chloe, and he loved it. His teeth closed over the ball and he tugged on it carefully. His reward was instantaneous. Her pussy clamped around him, and she cried out in the silent room, her body shuddering with her orgasm.

Releasing the ball, he circled the nipple with his tongue. Once her spasms subsided, he gripped her nape and hauled her down for a rough, possessive kiss at the same time he thrust his cock into her.

Fast sure strokes pushed him to the edge, and he came. It was the most intense thing he’d ever felt, seeming to rush through his body and out his pores. He felt reborn.

The kiss changed as his heartbeat gradually slowed, from something fierce to loving, and finally he released her. Sliding out of the warmth of her body, he pulled her down next to him and rolled them onto their sides. Spooning her from behind, he wrapped his arms around her with his hands flat against her tummy. He felt rage rise inside him again when he felt her scars and with effort, pushed it away. It wouldn’t help her now. One hand crept up her stomach to her breasts, palming their weight, learning her curves. With soft fingers, he traced the rings.

“When did you get these?” he asked.

“Five months ago.”

He tugged on one gently, and she groaned in response. “Why?” She shrugged. “It was just something for me, something personal.” He sensed that wasn’t her complete answer. “What else?” Sighing, she turned her head and looked at him over her shoulder. “Is nothing private with you?”

“Not when it involves my mate, no.” He frowned and waited her out in silence, switching to finger the other ring.

Finally, with a huff, she went on. “I read it would increase sensitivity. I wasn’t very sensitive before. I liked how they looked, so I went for it. I didn’t notice you complaining.”

“If you were so determined to stay single, why would you bother?” She didn’t answer him, and the smell of her arousal rose as he continued to play with her nipple rings.

After a moment, he went on. “Maybe you were ready to accept me sooner than you thought.”

“I don’t know if I’m ready now, Billy.”

“I think you are,” he whispered in her ear, lowering one hand to dip between her folds. She was wet and warm for him. He lifted her top leg over his hip, and guided his cock into her. Rocking an easy rhythm, he returned to her breasts. The rings were a serious turn on, even more so knowing when and why she’d gotten them. He’d been resigned to spend weeks gaining her trust. He hoped this was a sign it wouldn’t take so long.

After a few more strokes, his ability to think dwindled to nothing, and he reached for her clit, rubbing in fast hard circles and willing her to come as he fought his own release. She didn’t let him down.

Her pussy squeezed around him and she came, crying out his name. He was right behind her.

Afterwards, they both lay quietly panting until sleep claimed them.

Chapter Three

Chloe knew before she opened her eyes that she was alone. The house felt empty. With no sounds of another person’s breathing or moving around, it seemed devoid of life where once it had been her refuge from the storm. Determined to keep from getting maudlin, she climbed out of bed and headed for the shower. It was still dark, and a glance at the clock showed it was just before six. She hurried. The sun was about to rise, and she liked to watch it slip over the horizon with her morning tea on the back deck. Besides, it was Saturday and she would soon have company.

The shower stall was wet, but the room was cool. Billy had been gone awhile.
Way to go,
Chloe. You managed to make it a whole two minutes without thinking about him
. She groaned.

How was she going to be able to walk away on Monday if he was on her mind as soon as she woke up?

Turning the faucet to hot, she stepped in and dunked her head. Water streamed over her hair and she imagined it washing away all the bad stuff from the past year. If only it were that easy. She hurried to clean her hair and her body, smiling at the soreness between her legs. The sex was great, at least. She could get used to that aspect of her bond with Billy pretty quick. Frowning, she stepped out and looked herself over in the mirror. No bites, as he’d promised, but why did she feel more connected to him than ever? Without that chemical bond she shouldn’t, should she?

Bending over at the waist, she wrapped a towel around her hair and stood, drying off quickly. She walked into the bedroom and glanced at the clock again. Five till. Pulling on clothes as she went, she headed toward the kitchen. The teakettle was already filled and sitting on a back burner on the stove, and a note was stuck to the fridge with a magnet. She turned the knob on the burner to high and picked up the piece of paper, studying his unfamiliar scrawl.

Had a morning meeting. Back soon. –Billy

Well, that explained his absence. She grumbled. What happened to spending the weekend with her? Convincing her to come home and accept his bond?
Her anger rose in time with the whistling kettle.

She reached
for three mugs just as a knock came from the back door. Looking over, she waved Joanne in while she poured and fished tea bags out of their canister. At least some things weren’t changing on her.

“Where’s Hector?” she asked.

Her friend waved a hand in the air. “At some meeting with the other Betas.” That explained Billy’s disappearance.

“He’ll be along soon.” She picked up a mug and turned to the door. “Let’s wait outside.” After stirring a lump of sugar into her tea, Chloe followed her and settled into a cushion covered deck chair next to her. She stretched her legs out in front of her and sighed, taking a long look around.

She’d come to love the little house and the swamp surrounding it. It would never compare to the Smokies, of course, but it came in a close second. She would be leaving it soon, either to return home or move on to some other place. That would mean leaving Billy, and she clenched her jaw against the sadness that threatened to engulf her. Just because she liked him, just because the sex was good, didn’t mean she could live with someone trying to completely take over her life. Again.

“We missed you at the party last night,” Joanne said, interrupting her thoughts.

She glanced over with a guilty start to see the other woman watching her over the rim of her cup.

“I was there, but I didn’t stay long. Said hello to some old friends and came back here.”

“Hmmm. You saw one old friend in particular, I’m betting.” Chloe blushed. Was she that transparent? Joanne did know her well, having spent the last several months helping her work through the emotions that had debilitated her when she first arrived in Florida.

Their Saturday morning sessions were sometimes casual, sometimes painful. Recently, Joanne had tried to convince Chloe that her next step was to face Billy and their meetings became much less formal, with her mate, Hector, often joining them. Chloe would miss their Saturdays, and the easy camaraderie that had sprung up between the three of them. She sighed.

“I saw him, all right. He was waiting for me here when I got home.” Joanne sat up quickly, her eyes roving over Chloe’s exposed skin.

“You look unharmed.” She arched an eyebrow. “No bite marks. Visible ones, at least.” Chloe laughed. “He would never hurt me. And no. There was no biting.”

“And yet, you’ve spent months hiding from him.” She took a drink of her tea. “You don’t seem very afraid for a woman who went to such lengths to avoid her mate.” Chloe rolled her eyes.

“He’s known where I was the whole time. It’s not like I was really hiding.” She paused. “I’m not afraid of him really. I’m more afraid of…us.”

Joanne nodded. “After what you went through, that’s understandable. The question is, can you move on from the past?” She paused. “Hector met your Billy. He was impressed.” Chloe slouched in the chair. She didn’t know if she was ready to hear this. “He’s very well liked,” she agreed.

They fell silent, watching the sun’s light penetrate the surrounding vegetation as the area came alive. It wasn’t long before Hector appeared on the path that joined their houses and jogged up to the porch. Pausing to drop a kiss on his mate’s lips and say hello, he disappeared into the house. He was back in seconds with the third cup filled with tea and grabbed a chair on the other side of the table.

“How are you this morning, ladies?” he asked.

Chloe smiled. She wasn’t sure what the story was behind Hector’s coming to Florida, but the fact that he’d been born an urbane New Yorker was still more than evident. Before she could answer him, the door opened behind her and with effort she resisted turning around to watch Billy’s approach.

She knew it was him by the way her heart began to pound. He pulled out the chair next to her and took her hand, his thumb rubbing soft circles over her knuckles. A tendril of heat unfurled in her belly.

“I don’t think I approve of you smiling at my mate that way, Hector,” he joked.

She tried to pull her hand away and couldn’t resist a snarky rejoinder. “I’m not your mate.”

“That’s just a formality,” Billy reminded her.

His tone was teasing, but when she turned to meet his gaze, she saw his determination to make it so. She shook her head, unable to frame a reply that wasn’t completely bitchy or wimpy. Why did it always have to be one or the other? She couldn’t seem to find any middle ground anymore. The conversation went on without her contribution, which was a good thing because the longer she sat next to him, the more aware of him she became.