Forbidden Bond (7 page)

Times like these, he missed his pack. Running with his brethren allowed him, if only for a night, to forget what he’d left behind here. The endorphins of the physical exertion, the adrenaline of the chase temporarily burned away his human memories. What remained was pure animal instinct. Hunt or be hunted. Act or react.

But his brethren weren’t here.

He had to learn to cope with his present situation alone. No one could know that their rising alpha had bonded to a human. Eion had to figure out how the hell to get her out of his head, or he’d end up tearing both their worlds apart.

If he could erase the image of the less-than-overjoyed expression on Liv’s face when she had been given the ring, getting in his truck and never looking back would be so much easier.

If only he could convince himself she was happy.

That, unlike him, what had happened that day on the banks of Lake James hadn’t affected her, lingered inside her. She had been able to move on. That’s why he’d left. To give her the chance to do just that.

Except when she’d looked up at her boyfriend right after he’d proposed, something in Eion’s gut said Liv wasn’t as into the doc as he was into her.

A nagging suspicion itched inside his brain, begged him to scratch and bring it to the surface. But if he acknowledged it, found out it was true, what the hell was he supposed to do?

Eion dug his claws into the hard packed earth and came to a sudden halt. The question bloomed inside his head, refusing to be shoved back down. Could it be that twelve years and a few hundred miles away from him hadn’t been enough for his human mate to escape the bond that had formed?

A couple of hours later, Eion stepped from the shower, muscles past the point of exhaustion, brain numb.

Exactly how he wanted it.

With the heel of his hand, he swiped away a broad path of moisture from his bathroom mirror for a hazy view of his reflection. His gaze fell to the glaring coal-black Celtic circle inked deep into the tissues over his heart. He gripped the edge of the counter, staring at the out-of-focus image. Eion didn’t need to see the details to remember its every nuance. Within the Celtic knot was a wolf’s profile—its head tossed back, muzzle open, howling. The symbol along with the tribal bands wrapping his upper arms represented the blending of his Irish, Native American, and shifter heritage—the brand of a rising alpha. Eion’s lip curled and he shoved away from the tiled surface, exiting the bathroom.

As if he needed a tattoo to remind him of his fate.

Falling naked across his bed, Eion tossed a forearm over his eyes. He drifted into a fog to the hum of the ceiling fan overhead. Beads of water from his damp hair rolled down his temples and off his skin, soaking the sheets. But he didn’t care. The cool stream felt nice against his overheated flesh.

Soft fingertips trailed over his abs, along his ribs, and brushed the hairs on his chest. Eion stirred, moaned, enjoying the exploration. He dropped his arm away from his eyes and captured the pair of delicate hands.

“You got me,” she said, releasing a playful giggle.

Eion opened his eyes.

He blinked.

It couldn’t be…

“Liv?”

“Yes.” She smiled, and his heart swelled. Each beat filled his chest until he thought he’d rupture at the effect of one simple smile aimed at him. “Of course it’s me,” she added. “Who else would be here, ready to crawl into your arms?” With one graceful flick of her wrist, she tugged her robe free and straddled his hips.

He groaned and arched. The ache and desire to finally be inside his mate roared to life between his legs. Eion wrapped his arms around her, rolled, taking her beneath him.

“My Liv,” he whispered. “You’re so beautiful.” Eion slid his hands up her back, relishing in her smooth skin against his palms. At her nape, he sank his fingers into her hair and devoured her lips. God, he was so hungry.

The growl that ripped from his throat surprised even him. But it did little to deter him from the woman in his arms.

“Eion,” she gasped. “I’m yours. I’ve waited so long.”

“No more.” He followed the long line of her neck with his mouth to where it dipped at her shoulders. “No more waiting.” His gums tingled. His mouth watered. He pressed the evidence of his need into the warm vee between her legs. “Mine.” As if on their own accord, his lips rolled up and away from his canines right before he sank them into his mate.

The scream hammered like an ice pick against his ear drums.

Oh, God…
No!
Dear God. No. What had he done?

Eion jackknifed from the mattress, chest heaving. Whirling on his feet in the dark, he blinked, searching for the origin of the noise that had wrenched him from his bed. Searching for…her.

Then it hit him.

Slowly, as if lifting the leaded weight of his soul, he closed his jaw. The sound had come from him.

* * *

“It really is late. We both have work tomorrow,” Olivia said, adding
a hope you can understand
smile
.

“I know.” Taylor checked his watch. “But Kris is fine. And if he needs you, you’re only a phone call away.” The SUV released a single beep and the lights flashed, signaling Taylor had pressed the open button on his key fob. “Come back to my place for a couple of hours. Watch a little TV. Maybe another glass of wine—or coffee.” He laughed. “Whatever you want.” Taylor shrugged and gave her that cute half smile that she always found hard to say no to.

“Okay, okay.” She laughed. “Turn off that devilish grin of yours. I’ll go.” She plopped onto the passenger seat, and Taylor quickly joined her in the cab behind the wheel.

“So glad to see I haven’t lost my charm.” He winked and slid the key into the ignition.

“You’re awful, Dr. McDaniel.” Olivia punched his shoulder. “Just please remember to use your powers for good, not evil.”

“Always, my dear.”

Twenty minutes later, they pulled into the driveway of the small two bedroom cottage Taylor had rented when he’d moved to Little Crow. The cost of opening their practice had taken everything both of them had, so for now he’d settled on renting. It was a nice place and well cared for. Taylor seemed to like it, and that was all that mattered.

Olivia followed him from the car to the door. The implications of what Taylor really had on his mind tonight when he’d asked her back to his place grew larger and larger inside her head. She wasn’t stupid. Yes, he might turn the TV on when he got her on the other side of the door, but that wasn’t his primary objective.

Taylor was a man after all.

And after a few months of dating, he’d been more than patient with her excuses. Her heart pounded at the thought, and Olivia swallowed hard against the knot of apprehension in the back of her throat. Just because in the past she’d never been able to give herself completely to any man didn’t mean she wouldn’t be able to follow through with Taylor. She was capable of feeling desire, and Taylor was a fantastic guy. For him, she could do this, and maybe if she relaxed a little, made love with Taylor, it would make all the difference. They’d be even closer.

This is going to be great!
She smiled, but the effort felt weak.
Damn, can’t I at least lie to myself?

Inside, Taylor pulled the chain on the small lamp on the table by the door. A soft yellow glow cast the room in shadows. He moved forward into the room with ease, avoiding all the dark obstacles. Within seconds, a flicker of light from the TV filled the room.

“There.” Taylor tossed the remote back onto the coffee table. “Can I fix you something to drink?” He turned and headed for the kitchen.

“No. I’m good.” Olivia dropped her purse onto the table next to the controller. “I think I’ve had enough alcohol between the wine and champagne at dinner.” She released a short chuckle. “I really shouldn’t stay too long anyway.”

Taylor halted in his tracks, as if her words had sucked the momentum from his limbs. She mentally kicked herself. Her issues weren’t his fault. Then he rotated on his heels and sauntered back to where she stood. Gently, Taylor reached out and stroked the back of her arms.

“I’m happy you’re here even if it’s just for a little while.” He cupped her face. “But I can’t help but want more.” Taylor leaned in, his lips brushing over hers. “Stay,” he whispered.

“Taylor…I…”

“Shh… Don’t think. Let me do that for you.” He pulled her in close, kissing her hair, her neck. “Let me take care of you tonight.”

A tremor rolled through her body, shaking her arms and legs. Mistaking the reaction for arousal and not anxiety, Taylor guided her in reverse over to the couch and tugged at the hem of her blouse.

Relax
, she chided herself.

Up and over her head went her top. Olivia glanced down, fighting the urge to cover the black sheer lace that held her breasts and left very little to the imagination. She hadn’t seriously considered anyone would be seeing her in her undies tonight when she’d chosen the items. During the day and on her job, she was boots and blue jeans and didn’t mind getting her hands dirty. But underneath the tough layers, she was a woman who secretly loved her girlie lingerie.

“God, you’re so beautiful,” Taylor muttered, his voice rusty. Heat bloomed from her throat and raced upwards into her cheeks. Taylor stroked her face with the backs of his fingers. “That’s one of the things I love about you. You don’t even know how lovely you are. The effect you have on me.”

With one hand, he pulled his shirt free from his pants and maneuvered the buttons until the material parted. Placing his palm in hers, he lowered them to the cushions. The weight of his body covered her, the evidence of his desire hard and pressing into her groin.

Don’t think. Don’t think. Relax. Relax.

“Need you so much,” he muttered against the swell of her breasts. “You smell so good.” Taylor rocked into her. Olivia’s breath hitched, and she clamped onto her lower lip with her teeth.

Wrong.

So wrong.
It wasn’t supposed to feel like this.

The metallic taste of her own blood seeped over her tongue. Everything inside her rebelled against his touch as if her DNA proclaimed him wrong. She squirmed, needing distance—as if Taylor were some deadly virus seeking entry to her body.
Dear God, I’m crazy.

A warm hand covered her bare calf and moved higher, sliding along, inching its way up her leg, taking her skirt higher. Her pulse hammered a staccato beat in her ears. What was she going to do? Her vision blurred behind a veil of tears. She didn’t want to hurt Taylor, but oh, God, she couldn’t let him…couldn’t let him inside her. Her fingers dug into the starched cotton covering his shoulders.

At the junction between her legs, Taylor cupped her sex.

She jerked, gasped, swallowed back a cry.

Her cell rang.

Yes!
Her eyelids shuttered at the sound, and she grabbed Taylor’s arm. “I have to get that.”

Taylor popped his head up from where he nuzzled her chest. “Let it go to voicemail.” He stroked the apex of her sex, drawing another gasp from her throat.

Pushing at his shoulders, Olivia wiggled. “You know I can’t do that. It could be an emergency.” With a disappointed groan, Taylor lifted his hips, allowing Olivia the room to swing her legs free and escape. “Thank you.” Tugging her skirt back into place with one hand, she reached for her bag with the other, doing her best to control the tremor in her fingers.

Olivia plucked her cell free from the pouch, the name Kris glowing in the display. She tapped the screen and shoved the device to her ear. “Kris? It’s one in the morning. What’s wrong?”

“I hate like hell to call you, but one of the ranch hands just rang the house, and we’ve got one of the cows down. It’s not looking good, Livvy. Shit.” He huffed. “I wouldn’t have called, but you know we can’t afford to lose any of what little herd we’ve got.”

“I know. You don’t have to apologize.” Olivia twisted and glanced Taylor’s way. “I’m on my way.” She ended the call, and gave him her best apologetic smile. Taylor nodded and began to button his shirt. He didn’t look exactly pleased. Who could blame him, but he didn’t complain. He wouldn’t. One of the reasons why he was such a dear friend and didn’t deserve a head case like her for a fiancée.

Olivia explained in the car why she had to cut their night short, but Taylor barely said a word on the way home. In front of her house, he leaned over and grasped her chin, bringing them face to face. “I love you, Livvy.” Gently, he tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear and sighed. “I’m not giving up on us.” He dropped his arm and squeezed her hand, his smile tense. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to pressure you.”

She nodded. “It’s okay. The last thing I want to do is hurt you, and if we move too fast, I’m worried that’s exactly what I’ll end up doing.”

Releasing his grip, Taylor turned his head and stared through the windshield into the darkness.

Olivia brushed his nape with her palm, drawing him back to look at her. “I do love you. Never doubt that.” She smiled, hoping it was enough for now.

“I know.”

“I have to go.” Olivia grabbed the door handle. “We’ll talk later. Okay?”

“Yeah.” He nodded. “We’ll talk later.”

Olivia stepped from the vehicle, closed the door, and watched as it rolled away. God, she was really messed up. Something had to be wrong with her. Taylor was a great guy. Hell, even her brother liked him. And Kris had never liked any man who came around wanting to date his sister.

Why couldn’t she respond to Taylor’s caress like a normal woman? Unbidden, Eion flashed before her mind’s eye, his chest bare as he stood in her clinic. Her breasts tingled and her knees turned to mush. Olivia gripped the porch railing and sucked in her breath.

I really need to get my head examined. This type of fixation isn’t normal.

She had to let it go, or she’d never move on. Eion Mandrake wasn’t the man for her—no matter what her body told her. Her head knew different. He couldn’t be trusted. Not like she could trust Taylor. Taylor McDaniel was everything a woman needed in a partner and a lover.