Bryce Evans (8 page)

“
Let’s just say that he saved my ass one time from being skinned by the natives in Africa,” Mace replied. 

Cade burst out laughing as he pointed at Mace. 
“Skinned is not the word I would use, Mace.  It was more like they wanted to eat the shifter to see if he tasted good.”  Damen and Josh had already heard this story so they laughed, too.

“
So I was wondering if you have found a job yet?” Mace asked as he watched Reece’s reaction.

“
No, Alpha.  I plan to start looking tomorrow after I got Star settled in the house,” Reece answered.

“
Well I have a job proposition for you.” Damen smiled, he loved how Mace and he were on the same wavelength with each other.

“
What type of job, Alpha?”  Everyone sitting at the table could tell that Reece Phillips was just as much an Alpha as Mace.  Certain wolves put off energy and vibes that you could see and feel when you were around them.  Mace knew that Cason probably felt threatened by Reece.  That’s why he banned him from the pack when he was seventeen years old.  He was afraid that Reece would challenge him. That had to be the reason why he allowed him to leave the pack with Star.

“
Damen has a lot of work and with all the new people coming into the pack and into town, there is a need for another Beta.  I would be offering you that position,” said Mace. 

Reece just stared at Mace.  He had just met the man and he was already offering him the position of Beta.  He would share those duties with Damen. 
Does he know I’m his mate?  Is this why he is offering me the job? 
Reece didn’t want a handout just because they were mates.  Reece shifted in his seat. 

Cade, Declan, and Josh watched and waited to see what Reece would do.  Cade and Declan already knew about Reece
’s tours in the SEALs and Cade knew that if Jackie Bennett said he was top notch, then Reece Phillips was the shit.

“
Have you lost your mind, Alpha?  I mean, don’t you want to talk to Damen about this more.  I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes and I sure as hell don’t want to piss off the man who has helped me more than anyone in my entire life,” Reece blurted out.

Damen spoke up before Reece could continue. 
“We have already discussed it, Reece.  The thing is, I need the help, and I don’t have to talk to Mace to really know what he is thinking.  We are connected and you’re not stepping on my toes.  Plus I could use the help especially in the security department.  So what do you say?”

Reece was flabbergasted with the offer.  He didn
’t know how to answer Mace.  “I don’t know what to say.  I never dreamed I would be offered that position.  Don’t you have someone else in the pack you can pull from?” asked Reece, not wanting to offend the other men in the pack.  He didn’t want everyone thinking the only reason he got the job was that he was the Alpha’s mate.  He looked over at Josh, looking for his reaction. 

“
Look, Reece, nobody in the pack has your type of training and experience.  I know that Damen needs the help.  We try to help with some of the work, but he needs an Alpha male to help him and let’s just be honest, you fit that bill.” 

Reece couldn
’t believe Josh was saying that.  He knew Josh was a good wolf, but he wasn’t Beta material.  However, Reece knew that he had the qualifications. 
If Josh is saying this, then maybe it’s not because we are mates,
Reece sighed knowing that he needed to talk with Star.  He knew she was seventeen years old and could stay by herself now, but he would be gone a lot with this job and wouldn’t be home until late most of the time.

“
Can I talk to Star about this first before I give you my answer?” asked Reece. 

Star was standing at the door listening when she spoke up. 
“Reece, you can do that job and we both know it.  I will be fine so don’t you worry about me.  I trust that you will take care of me.  Don’t miss out on this opportunity.  Ralph Cason wanted you gone from the pack for that very reason.  He was afraid that one day you would challenge him and he couldn’t have that.  Mom and dad knew it, too.  They had hoped one day you would come back and make a stand, but they knew how evil Cason was and it wouldn’t have been a fair fight.  Cason and his people would have all ganged up on you or even worse.  So don’t you pass this opportunity up.  I’m seventeen years old, Reece; I’m not a little girl anymore. I feel safe here, Reece.”  Star looked over at Mace then asked, “I would assume, Alpha, the position of Beta pays a pretty good salary.” 

Mace couldn
’t help but laugh at the little wolf.  “Why yes, Star, it pays very well.”  

Reece smiled at his sister then looked at Mace. 
“Yes, sir, I would be happy to take that job.”  Everybody got up and shook Reece’s hand, congratulating him on his new job. 

“
Oh yeah, by the way the job starts day after tomorrow,” Damen smirked.

Lexy hugged Jacob before he left her cottage.  “I will see you in the morning at Adrianna’s house.  Oh yeah, don’t eat because Adrianna always makes a big breakfast for all the Protectors and me and you now.” Lexy smiled at Jacob as he walked to his truck.  She waited until Jacob got into the vehicle before she closed the door and locked it.  She was dead tired and only wanted to crawl into that big comfy bed and sleep, so she stripped her clothes off then went into her small bathroom and took a quick shower.

Lexy couldn
’t stop thinking about the brooding Alpha.  He never really spoke to her except when he grunted or snuck up on her and scared the ever-living shit out of her.  But she couldn’t stop the feelings that crept up into her heart. 
Nobody said you couldn’t look, Lex.  He is good looking and way out of your league, but he is so yummy. He must have any woman he wants. Just remember, you don’t want to be a notch on his bedpost like all the others and there are others.  Somebody who looks like that isn’t a saint.

Lexy couldn
’t stop herself because as soon as she thought about Mace, her body started warming up.  As she rubbed the soap up and down her body, she closed her eyes, dreaming it was Mace touching her, before she knew it, her fingers were inside her, moving in and out in a frenzy of lust.  Lexy could feel the orgasm rushing forward.  She grabbed the shower bar and held on as waves of pure heaven ravished her body as she thought about Mace touching her in all the forbidden places.  She couldn’t control the scream that came from her mouth as she rode the tremors screeching through her body.

***

Mace was watching Damen and Declan back out of his driveway when he heard the small scream coming from the cottage where Lexy was staying.  He took off running toward the cottage, praying nothing was wrong with her.  When Mace arrived at the back door, he opened it carefully, scanning the living room area.  She left the back door unlocked.  The lights were turned off as Mace stopped to listen for any sounds or foreign smells, but all he could hear was a shower running in the bathroom.  Mace crept into the bedroom as the door to the bathroom opened with Lexy standing with a towel in her hand.  Both Mace and Lexy’s eyes met as she realized she was standing naked in front of Mace. 

“
Wh-what the fuck are you doing here?” Lexy screamed as she dropped the towel when she fumbled with it trying to cover her body. 

Mace watched as Lexy finally succeeded in wrapping the towel around her, covering up most of her body.  Mace couldn
’t answer Lexy.  His cock had gotten hard as a rock and was trying to push its way through his blue jeans.

“
You are the sexiest woman I have ever seen,” he blurted. He watched as Lexy blushed and then looked down at the floor.  “You should never...”  Mace couldn’t get what he wanted to say out as he stared at the woman.  He took two steps toward her, grabbed her around the waist, and pulled her into him, then kissed her lips as she moaned into his mouth. 
I have to have her.  Just a taste.  That’s all and it will make my wolf happy.  Damn.
  Her skin on the back of her neck felt warm and Mace knew that he had to have her.  He licked her lips, gaining entrance into the sweetest mouth he ever tasted in his life, tasting like strawberries and caramel.  Lexy grabbed onto his chest as the towel that covered her fell to the ground.  Mace’s hands reached down further until they landed on her ass.  He squeezed her ass cheeks then lifted her up until she wrapped her legs around his waist. 

The kiss then turned into the most passionate kiss she ever had.  Before Lexy knew it, Mace had her laid out on the bed, kissing down her neck, leaving little nips with his teeth as he went. 

The heavy breathing filled the air in the small bedroom.  Moisture flooded between her legs as she rubbed against Mace’s jeans. 

Mace growled, smelling her sweet arousal in the air. 

Lexy couldn’t think straight as Mace continued to kiss his way down to her breasts, latching onto one, sucking it into his mouth.  Lexy groaned then pushed her chest higher into the air trying to get Mace to keep the feeling going through her body and mind. 

Mace was about to push one finger inside of Lexy
’s heated passage when a cell phone started ringing beside Lexy’s bed.  The ring startled Lexy, causing her to pull away from Mace. 

“
What’s wrong?” Mace asked as Lexy pushed him away from her.  Lexy got up and grabbed the towel she had dropped on the floor, wrapping it around her. 

Lexy couldn
’t believe she did that. 
He must think I’m a whore now.  I just let him have his way with me.  Then I rubbed myself on him like a dog in heat.  Oh God, what have I done?  They will kick us out of the pack now.  Poor Peter will never forgive me for this. 
Lexy’s mind was running a mile a minute.  She couldn’t think straight. 

Lexy couldn
’t even look up at Mace she was so embarrassed and afraid that she had messed up her mom’s and Peter’s chances of a real life now.  The ringing stopped and Lexy jumped back.

“
What’s going through your head, Lexy?” Mace asked as he slid across the bed toward her. 

“
Please forgive me, Mace?”  Lexy held her hand out halting any further movement from him.  “Please don’t kick out my mom and dad for this.  I will leave and you will never have to see me again.  Don’t punish them for my stupidity.”  Lexy couldn’t finish before the tears were running down her face and the sob rushed out of her.  She ran to the bathroom, locking the door behind her.  She leaned against the door crying so hard she couldn’t catch her breath.  Lexy felt weak again.  Years of self-doubt came crashing down on Lexy.  She couldn’t stop being weak-minded in everything. 
Stop this, Lexy, now.  You are acting weak.  No more, no more.  No More.
  Lexy chastised herself.

Mace stood staring at the closed door unknowing what to do or say.  He was stunned on why Lexy reacted this way.  Walking to the door, he leaned his head against the door listening to Lexy crying.  He thought even as an Alpha, he still
had no idea why a woman cries about everything. 

“
Lexy, please stop crying, baby.  You didn’t do anything wrong.  This was my fault and mine only.  I would never kick out your parents.  You never have to worry about that, Lexy.  Please open the door and talk to me.  I want to make sure you are okay.”  Mace listened and Lexy had stopped sobbing, but she was still sniffling, just not as loud.  He could tell she was on the floor now in front of the door.  He pictured Lexy curled up in a ball, lying on the floor, shivering from the cold.

“
Lexy, I’m sorry, baby, really I am.  I won’t kiss you again, I promise, I won’t ever touch you again.  This is my fault and I never should have done that to you.  You are so beautiful and when I saw you, I just couldn’t stop myself from touching you.  So don’t you worry about your parents or you having any problems from me.  I’m leaving now, Lexy, so you can come out of the bathroom and get into your warm bed.  Lexy, I’m so sorry, baby,” he said, distraught at upsetting her.

"Please, leave." said Lexy.

Mace walked out of the back door making sure that he locked the door behind him and beating himself up as he walked toward his house.  Mace couldn’t believe that he broke into her house and just about had sex with her. 
What are you doing, Mace?  Shit, man, come on, she wasn’t in pain or scared when she screamed.  You knew the difference.  You just wanted an excuse.  Now look at the girl crying on the bathroom floor begging you not to get rid of her parents because of what she did, and she didn’t do anything either.  It was you, Mace, just you.  Stop letting your wolf tell you what to do. 

Mace walked into his house slamming the door, stripping his clothes as he walked toward the shower.  He had her smell all over him.  Her smell was intoxicating enough, but now he could taste her on his lips.  Mace growled and punched a hole in his bathroom wall.  The
drywall fell to the ground leaving a hole straight through to the other side of the wall.  Mace looked down at the mess on the floor.

‘
Fuck, Fuck, Fuck, you stupid son of a bitch.  Why can’t you leave her alone?’
Mace asked his wolf.

‘
That is impossible,’
said his wolf.

Mace turned the shower on cold, jumping in, not feeling the cold water rushing over his heated flesh.  Mace took in deep breaths trying to calm him and his wolf down.  He could still feel her soft body as he stroked up and down her stomach and breasts. 
“Fuck!  Stop thinking about her and calm your mind,” Mace yelled aloud. He was still hard for her. "Fuck!"

***

Yes, yes, Lex, it was his fault.  He said it was his fault.  You never asked him to come into your house.  Well it’s his house, but it is yours right now.  Suck it up.
  Lexy lay on the floor looking up at the ceiling.  She knew she had screwed up and needed to get off the floor, but she couldn’t bring herself to get up. 
Come on, Lexy, get off the damn floor, and get yourself together.
Lexy got up from the floor, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.  She grasped the edge of the sink then looked up at herself in the mirror.  Lexy shook her head trying to get herself together. 
You can do this, Lex.  Just forget it ever happened, just as Mace said.  Stop being a pussy and start taking up for yourself.  If you want to have sex with him because he obviously wants to have sex with you, then just do it.  But I was saving myself for my mate.  Nobody does that anymore, Lex, nobody. 
Lex glared at herself in the mirror trying to give herself a pep talk. 
Lexy, you have survived Cain and you are a strong witch because of it.  You have a new home and a new job.  You have a friend who actually likes you.  Stop feeling sorry for yourself and pick your fat ass up and go to bed and this is the last time you will discuss this.  You did nothing wrong.  He came in here.  Yeah, he did hear me scream, but it was in ecstasy. 
“Stop talking to yourself, Lex,” she hissed aloud at herself in the mirror.  She walked over to her bed then crawled under the sheets, willing herself to go to sleep without thinking about Mace and what he felt like kissing her all over her body. 

Needing a distraction to look at, she pointed to the ceiling and chanted a spell then threw up her hands as she watched a galaxy of stars appear.  It was an easy spell that they taught first year witches on how to put yourself to sleep. 
Instead of counting sheep, she would count the stars.  Lexy started from the left side.  “One, two, three, four, five.  As Lexy got to twenty stars, the exhaustion of the day came and her eyes fluttered closed.