To Save His Mate (8 page)

Lacy was sure, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that she’d never experienced anything like that before, but she was even more certain she never would again, at least, not with anyone other than Ethan.

Thoughts of him were hard to dispel—they were certainly more pleasant than what she
should
be thinking about—but Lacy forced herself to recap what she knew so far.

There were two victims, both male, and both potentially involved with Angel at some point. That would mean her partner, Bruce, had done the dirty with the resident slut, as Renee called her.

Lacy sincerely hoped he remembered to bag the goods. Just because there’s a pretty, well-kept exterior doesn’t mean the person wasn’t harboring all sorts of crotch-rotting diseases. A shudder passed through her, and she quickly steered her thoughts elsewhere. It had been a long day, and tomorrow would likely be the same. Sending up a little prayer that no attacks came, Lacy finally allowed herself to drift off to sleep.

Chapter Nine

It was Thursday, all had remained quiet on the shoot site, and Ethan found he was genuinely looking forward to playing poker with Adam and Jose that night. He and Jose had exchanged some friendly smack-talk over the upcoming game, and Ethan had to admit, he liked the guy.

For the last few days, Ethan and Lacy had been virtually inseparable. Logan claimed their chemistry was likely to set the pages on fire once the pictures went to print, and Ethan couldn’t agree more.

He couldn’t believe how much he’d grown to care for her in such a short amount of time. Within a week, he’d begun to crave her. He could feel whenever she was nearby, and his wolf insisted on seeking her out every time.

Figuring out if she felt anything for him, other than lust, was proving to be damn difficult. Lacy was so focused on the case, that a lot of their time “together” was actually spent brainstorming potential suspects at the shoot.

For some reason, she seemed to be stuck on Angel, but Ethan couldn’t see it. The petite model simply didn’t fit the bill.

Angel was small. She looked as if a good breeze could topple her, and Lacy thought she was a murderer? Most killers were extremely arrogant, so sure that they were smarter than everyone else, but Angel was as insecure as they came.

Actually, her insecurities were probably what had her hopping from one bed to another with the male models. But, regardless of whether it was insecurity or she just had the morals of an alley cat, Ethan still couldn’t bring himself to see her as a killer.

Angel was still trying to check on the two models who were still hospitalized—though nobody would give her any information—so she was obviously capable of having feelings for the men she bedded.

Perhaps, she simply feared being alone?

Regardless, Ethan had his eye on the burly man in charge of the lighting. He was clearly not the usual person to handle the job, since Landon was having to talk the guy through everything. With him being new, Ethan was in the same boat, but with the way the other man kept looking around, often not paying attention to the instructions he was being given, it made Ethan wonder…could this man be a suspect?

Who was he kidding? At this point, everyone was a suspect.

“Ethan!” Turning, he noted Logan prancing across the clearing and groaned. It was too early for this. “Listen, we’re going to start some of the swimsuit shots today, so—”

“If you’re even
thinking
of asking me to shave, wax or use any other form of hair removal, the answer is no.” There was no way he would walk around, greased up, like those magazine models he’d seen in the past.

Hell, he still had
some
pride.

“Um, well, go see Allie in wardrobe and see what she has for you today.” Logan paused, and Ethan knew the man just couldn’t resist. “You really would look fantastic if you let them…”

A low growl sent the little twerp scurrying off with a yelp, and Ethan couldn’t help but smile, mostly because he could feel Lacy behind him.

“What did you do to Logan?” Her sweet voice was like a balm, immediately calming him and soothing his frustration with the photographer. How did she do that?

Ethan turned, fully intending to answer her, and would have if he hadn’t just swallowed his own tongue.

Lacy had apparently already been to the women’s wardrobe tent, because she stood before him in a tiny gold bikini, looking like a bronze goddess with her tan skin and chocolate brown hair hanging over one shoulder. Her full breasts were barely covered by the little triangles of fabric tied together with some sort of thin, floss-like string.

Ethan allowed his eyes to travel leisurely over her trim little belly to the equally small triangle tied at her hips, then down over her killer legs and further to her dainty little feet, one of which was currently tapping out an aggravated rhythm.

“Are you done ogling me yet?” she snapped, though her eyes betrayed her amusement.

“Do you honestly think any man would be able to resist? Hell, Lacy, do you even know how amazing you look right now?” Her blush told him she knew but wasn’t used to having it pointed out so bluntly. “Listen, I’m lucky to be standing at the moment because every male instinct I have is screaming for me to drop to my knees and worship at your feet, but my common sense—or survival instinct—is warning me against doing that.”

“Smart man.”

“In public anyway. In private, I can’t make any promises.” Ethan watched as desire flashed briefly in her eyes, and he smiled. “Take a walk with me.”

“Now? You need to get changed. Our shots are right after Angel and Jose.”

“They just headed out, so that gives us at least thirty minutes. Let’s go.”

Taking her hand in his, Ethan led a sputtering Lacy into the trees surrounding the shoot. Once they were out of sight, he quickly scanned their surroundings with his heightened senses before turning and pulling her sweet body up against his own. Her short breaths fanned over his lips as he moved closer before she finally leaned forward and closed the gap.

Just like every other time, the sparks between them ignited into an inferno. However, this time, with Lacy in a state of near nudity before him, Ethan couldn’t help himself. He had to touch her.

Aware of her exposed, tender skin, he leaned back against a nearby tree and pulled her to him, keeping their bodies flush as he struggled for control. The feel of her full breasts pressed against his chest fired his blood and had his wolf panting in his mind.

“Lacy, I’ve got to touch you,” he breathed against her lips, his knees nearly buckling when she gave him a small nod before pressing her mouth to his once more.

Keeping one arm around her waist, Ethan slowly ran his other hand up her side, his thumb grazing the underside of her breast. A small moan escaped her throat as she arched, seeking more.

She reacted to his touch in such a way that his wolf gave a low growl of approval, which only spurred Ethan on.

When she began kissing him with a little more force, Ethan cupped her breast in his palm, using his thumb and finger to deliver a gentle pinch to her nipple and it immediately hardened.

The sweet scent of her arousal hung in the air now, wreaking havoc on his libido. He wanted to touch her, to feel her against him and explore her body, but now, the urge to see her come for him was almost overwhelming. He wondered what she’d look like. Would she throw back her head in abandon? Was she one of those women who came with a long moan, or was she a little more vocal? He sincerely hoped it was the latter.

Skimming his hand down her side, over her hip, to her thigh, Ethan took in the feel of her satiny skin. Her entire body felt as though it were made of silk. He knew the models had been waxed, and his mouth watered as the thought of her being bare—
everywhere
—went through his mind.

His fingers trailed back up to her hip, tracing the edge of her bikini bottoms before he cupped her mound, moaning at the heat he found. Good grief, the woman would kill him. He’d have a serious problem getting his dick down before their photos, but he was a man on a mission, and that mission involved Lacy shattering in his arms.

She made no move to stop him, so Ethan took that as consent and slipped his middle finger under the fabric.

Damn,
she felt so soft and smooth, and his hips bucked forward with a mind of their own. When he slowly traced the seam of her labia, Lacy’s head dropped back, her breaths coming shallow and quick.

Beautiful.

Parting her folds, Ethan slid his finger down to her opening before drawing her slick juices back up to her clit. The little bud was swollen and erect, and he enjoyed the tremor that passed through her as he gently rubbed the tiny nub.

“Pull your top to the side, Lacy. Let me see your beautiful breasts.” Shit, he was practically snarling at her, but there was nothing he could do. His beast was dangerously close to the surface, though he seemed content to just watch for now, leaving Ethan with at least a little control.

Lacy looked up at him with her expression slightly dazed and her lids heavy. He’d put that sultry look in her eyes, and Ethan smiled. She seemed to study him for a moment then her gaze moved down to his lips, and she leaned in for another scorching kiss.

At first, he thought she hadn’t heard what he’d said then he felt her hands slide between them and pull the small triangles of fabric to the side, leaving her erect nipples rubbing against his chest.

What he wouldn’t give to be anywhere else but here in the woods right now. Somewhere private, where he could strip them both completely bare and finally have her beneath him. Sadly, today was not that day.

Their time was short, but he knew how to make the most of it. A woman’s G-spot was a wonderful thing, and he knew just how to hit hers from this position.

Continuing to kiss her, Ethan eased one finger inside her snug little channel. She was hot and tight, causing his dick to throb beneath the zipper of his jeans.

This was sure to create a horrific case of blue-balls, but it would be worth it.

Lacy couldn’t breathe.

Ethan had her as his willing prisoner, his hands torturing her with their exquisite touch. When one thick finger delved inside, she couldn’t stop her hips from jerking forward, wantonly seeking a deeper penetration.

What was happening to her? He was making her wild with a need like she’d never experienced. Lacy wanted to get closer, wanted to climb is hard body, strip them both down to their skin and explore every delectable inch of him.

As his fingers worked their magic below, his lips worked theirs on hers before moving on to her neck. He blazed a hot trail down to her collarbone, nibbling gently, never breaking the rhythm he’d set with his finger, a pace that made her hotter by the minute. It was hard to concentrate on anything but the sensations running through her body.

When his warm mouth covered one hard nipple, Lacy would have melted to the ground if not for his strong hold around her waist. He continued pumping his finger into her, adding another before speeding up his pace.

She felt her release approaching, building low in her belly and…

“Oh, God! Ethan!”

He curled his fingers toward her pelvic bone and kept up his assault, rubbing over her throbbing clit with his thumb now as her orgasm exploded. His lips covered hers, taking in her cries as he held her close, never letting up and wringing every bit of pleasure he could from her trembling body.

When he slowly pulled his hand from her bikini bottoms, making sure they were back in place, Lacy felt her face heat with embarrassment. Had she really allowed Ethan to finger-fuck her in the middle of the woods? What the hell had she been thinking? Anyone could have walked up on them!

She hadn’t been thinking, and that was the problem. Whenever this man got within arm’s reach, her mind seemed to shut down, reason and common sense taking a backseat to lust and some animal attraction she had no idea how to deal with.

Quickly righting her top, Lacy took a step back on shaky legs, struggling to even out her breathing. “I can’t believe we just did that.”

“You’re amazing, Lacy,” Ethan replied, his voice little more than a husky growl. “The way you respond to my touch is beautiful.”

“Oh, God!” Lacy buried her face in her hands and shook her head in embarrassment.

Having heard him step forward, she wasn’t surprised when he pulled her hands down. “Look at me.” At her hesitation, he added, “Now.”

Why did his low spoken order make her insides quiver? “What?”

“I’d like to do that again,” he said softly, and Lacy’s body responded with a resounding
yes.
“In private, so I can explore your body the way you deserve.” He inhaled deeply, his eyes closed. “The smell of your arousal is going to haunt me now. Your scent is so sweet.”

Okay, that sounded a little gross, but at the same time, her body clenched in anticipation. Did she want to allow this to go that far? He was just supposed to be a part of her cover so she could finish this investigation. She was
not
supposed to be falling for the man.

Too bad, her heart and her head weren’t on the same page.

Ethan was a complete gentleman, opening doors, always looking out for her comfort and needs, very affectionate and caring. In short, he was just too good to be true. And that was why Lacy was trying to keep herself guarded as much as possible.

She already knew, once this assignment was over, it would hurt like hell to leave this place—and Ethan—behind, so she did the only thing she could think of. She changed the subject.

“We should head back now. I’m sure Landon will be looking for us soon.”

Ethan merely smiled knowingly, before taking her hand and leading the way back to the dressing tents. Of course, he was too much of a gentleman to call her out on it. “After tonight, I’ll be looking forward to our date for Friday.”

“Dinner, right?” Perfect. She could handle having dinner with him. At least, they’d be in a public place and she’d have that much of a buffer. The man was absolutely lethal to her hormones. Like dropping a match in a puddle of gasoline. Every time the man touched her, however innocent the gesture may be, her body went up in flames.