Lush (4 page)

I turned around, plastering an unaffected expression on my face as I stared at Graham. His auburn hair was dishevelled and his face was flushed. I could tell he had been for a run, could smell the adrenaline pumping through his body. I stared into his bright green eyes, trying to make myself realise I needed to start thinking about other males. I couldn’t lust after Chase and Xavier any longer, especially when they brought their mate to live with the pack.

“I…Well…I just wanted to know if maybe you would like to have dinner tomorrow night?”

I absorbed what he said, actually smiling at the sweetness of his invitation. I knew he wanted to have me in the most basic of ways, and it was only nature urging him forward, but I was surprised he would try and court me first instead of just blatantly offering to fuck me. I hesitated and I saw the disappointment flash through his eyes.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have bothered you again.”

He turned to leave and I held my hand out. “No, wait.” He stopped and turned to face me. “I would actually love to have dinner with you.” His smile could have lit up the whole camp, which in turn made me grin.

“Great. How about tomorrow night?
Seven?
I’ll even cook.”

I could hear the excitement in his voice and couldn’t help it when the same emotion pumped through me. Even if nothing happened tomorrow night sexually, I knew it would be memorable. “That sounds really nice, Graham. I’ll meet you at your cabin then.” We said our goodbyes and I watched him leave. I couldn’t help but think about how I had spent today. The image of being fucked by Chase and Xavier flashed through my mind and I instantly became wet. Several males turned to stare at me, lust clear in their expressions. I turned quickly and went into my cabin. The door had just shut behind me when I finally let myself break down and cry.

Chapter Five

I stayed in my cabin for the rest of the evening, ignoring the numerous knocks on my front door which I knew were invitations from many of the males in the camp. The mating heat had been tame, but I attributed my depression to balancing it out. I had seen Chase and Xavier through my front window carrying boxes to their cabin. I knew what they were doing, knew that they were preparing a home for their mate, a place that would be comfortable yet lavish for her. Not once did I hear from them, and after watching them off and on for the whole day, I finally fell asleep on the couch.

The next morning I got ready for my daily jog. I stretched before I stepped outside, not at all surprised to see several males in front of my cabin. This was really getting to be too much. I politely declined their offers and headed out through the thick trees. It was the perfect day for running, and when I heard the sound of running water, I followed it. The creek that ran right before me was crystalline and pure. The smell of freshness assaulted my senses and I took my shoes off and dipped my feet in. The water was frigid, the liquid coming straight from the snow-capped peaks of the surrounding mountains.

I sat there until my emotions were as numb as my feet. When I returned to the camp, I saw Chase carrying two vases filled with wildflowers. I swallowed roughly and averted my gaze as I headed back towards my cabin.

“Ophelia?”

I stopped and squeezed my eyes shut before I turned around and faced Chase. I put a fake smile in place. “Hi.” He set the flowers down and made his way towards me. I could smell an aroused and euphoric scent around him. It was clear he was excited about finding his mate.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch. I’ve been meaning to, but I’ve been pretty busy.”

“So I’ve heard.” I cleared my throat and shifted uncomfortably.

“Listen, Xavier and I would like to talk to you about everything that has been going on.”

I held my hand up for him to stop and straightened my shoulders. “Really, you two owe me no explanation. I’m really happy you’ve found your mate.” He didn’t say anything for the longest time and I wondered if he could smell my lie.

“Are you?” His voice had dropped lower and he took a step forward.

“Of course.
I know how long you two have been searching. I guess it was just luck that you both found happiness with the same person. I know how close you and Xavier are.” I lifted my hand goodbye and turned around. I didn’t make it a step when I felt his warm, big hand clasp around my wrist. I had to force the shiver of awareness down that his touch evoked in me.

“We should really talk about this.
All three of us.”

I didn’t need a sit down with them and an explanation that it was good while it lasted. I was a grown woman, one that was strong enough to get over this obstacle and move on with my life. I never considered myself a selfish or jealous female, but when I thought about them doing what they did to me to another person, I couldn’t help the wild emotions that bombarded me.

 
I opened my mouth to respond but I saw Graham walking by with an armful of grocery bags. I tugged my arm free and shook my head, telling Chase without speaking that everything would be fine, that I completely understood. “I’ll see you around, Chase.”

I jogged over to Graham and brushed my hand down his arm. I felt him stiffen, smelt his blossoming lust. “Here, let me help you Graham.” I took a bag out of his arms.

“Thank you. I hope you enjoy what I’m cooking.” I could hear the nervousness in his voice.

“I’m sure I will.” I didn’t miss how his gaze kept bouncing to Chase then me, or the way he audibly swallowed. I nudged him forward, refusing to look back because my heart was already broken.

* * * *

I stared at myself in the mirror, smoothing my hands down the sundress I wore. My hair was up in a loose ponytail and I had small pearl earrings dotting my lobes. I didn’t think I looked like someone who wanted to get fucked, but every second I stood running my hands down my body, I heated further. Already my panties were soaked, but I didn’t bother changing them, since the new ones would get just as wet.

I turned off my bedroom light and slipped on a pair of flats then grabbed the bottle of wine I planned on taking and headed outside. Thankfully there weren’t any males looming around my cabin. Graham lived in one of the newer, small log homes in our camp nestled deeper in the forest. Maybe that was one of the reasons he was so antisocial, or maybe he was just lonely because he was so far away from everyone else.

I followed a small path through the woods, the sounds of scurrying animals and the wind blowing through the trees causing a beautiful cacophony of noise around me. I spotted Graham’s home several feet away, the soft glow coming from the windows like a beacon. The closer I got, the louder the sound of animals in the brush grew. I looked around and inhaled, trying to catch a scent of what was around me. The wind made it impossible to catch the aroma of the wildlife, so I ignored it and moved faster.

As soon as I started making my way up the porch steps the front door opened and Graham stood there with a wide smile on his face. He stepped aside to let me in, and I handed him the bottle of wine. “I hope red goes with what you’re cooking.”

“That was thoughtful of you. It’s perfect.” He shut the door and set the bottle on the table. Two candles graced the tabletop along with sparkling crystal and gleaming silverware. “I made pork tenderloin, roasted potatoes, and homemade dinner rolls.”

When he opened the oven to show me his work, the smells were intense and heady. “You made everything from scratch?” I was impressed by his culinary abilities. He nodded and turned away, but not quick enough to hide the pink that tinged his cheeks. He was acting like he had never done this before. The thought was sweet.

He held my chair out for me like a true gentleman, and we ate while discussing things that had nothing to do with sex. I was surprised at how unaffected he seemed to be. It was as if my mating heat did little to him. That was my thought until he rose and I saw the erection that strained against his pants. I cleared my throat and wiped my mouth, averting my gaze from the massive bulge aimed right at me. I didn’t look at him to gauge his reaction, not wanting to embarrass him further.

We took our glasses of wine to the couch and sat facing each other. We didn’t speak for several heartbeats and I could tell he was uneasy. I honestly had no plans on doing anything sexual and was confident enough that I wasn’t leading him on. “Dinner was really lovely. Thank you, Graham.” He watched me, his gaze dipping to my lips, his expression turning stormy.

“You are so beautiful, Ophelia,” he murmured softly before swallowing audibly.

I felt my cheeks heat from his compliment and thanked him. I started to grow warm, and despite my mental reminder that I wouldn’t be having sex with him tonight, my body had other things in mind. It is difficult when your brain and body are at war. I honestly had no desire to be with Graham that way, but the mating heat made it impossible to stop the arousal inside me. I watched as Graham inhaled deeply and then set his wine glass down. I took another sip from my glass and shifted in my seat, sensing the desire pounding through him. It was an unmistakable feeling and scent, an aroma that instantly had my pussy clenching, my body aching and needy. I needed to get out of there or I would end up doing something I regretted.

I had the words poised at my lips, but before I could say them Graham was right beside me, his mouth on mine. He tasted like wine, warm, moist and fruity. I was stunned and couldn’t move as his tongue stroked my lips and urged me to open for him. It took all my willpower to move away from him. I sucked in a lungful of air and set my glass down.

“Is everything okay?”

I tried to clear my mind. I reminded myself that Chase and Xavier weren’t my concern anymore, that I should enjoy myself and take what Graham was offering. It was no use, though, because even if I wanted Graham in that way, my arousal had been doused. Graham moved closer to me and I was frozen. I could smell his arousal for me, could see the massive bulge pressing against his pants.

“I want you, Ophelia, so bad.”

“It’s just the mating heat, Graham. I didn’t come here for this.” I closed my eyes and clenched my hands.

“It isn’t, though. I’ve watched you, seen how lonely you are, just like me. We can make this work.”

I looked at him with surprise. Was he really suggesting a mating when neither of us were mates? “And what would happen when you found your mate? Or when I found mine?” He averted his gaze and I heard him swallow. It was a logical question, one that went through each and every
Luecross
member’s mind constantly.

“I’ve gone years without finding her. I have given up hope that I will. I want to start a life, have a family, and be with someone I can grow to love. We can make each other happy, and in time, we can learn to love each other.”

“What then, Graham? What if we do all of this and your mate comes along? What if we have children, grow to love each other, and she comes along? Will you leave me and
your
young?” He shook his head and inched closer but I stopped him. “No, you would take care of your children, that I have no doubts about, but you would be helpless to not go to her. I can never compare to your mate, you know this. What you are suggesting would only set us both up for heartache.” I stood and smoothed a hand down my dress. I know my words struck something deep inside of him by the way he kept his eyes towards the ground. “I’ll see myself out. Thank you for a wonderful evening.
And Graham?”
He lifted his head, anguish set deep in his eyes. “I really hope we can be friends. I’d love to spend time with you.”

He nodded and stood. “I’d like that. Thank you for tonight.” I embraced him because I knew he needed it and to be honest, I needed it too. He walked me to the door and when it shut behind me I stood and absorbed the sights, sounds, and smells around me.

I could have taken Graham’s offer, but I knew that in the end, one of us would end up getting hurt.

Chapter Six

I stepped off his porch and made my way back to my cabin. The sun had set and the night was in full bloom around me. My mind was elsewhere, so it wasn’t until the wind blew downhill that I sensed I wasn’t alone. I stopped and slowly looked around. Aside from the flora around me, I couldn’t see who was near. I inhaled, trying to catch what wolves were near me, but the wind suddenly changed direction and made it impossible to pick up on their scents.

“Ophelia.”

My name was whispered all around me and I couldn’t gauge where it had come from. I spun around, my heart beating frantically in my chest. I wasn’t frightened, but there was something inside me—something that felt wild, even tantalised me.

“Hello?” Silence greeted me and I shivered. There was a chill in the air that spoke of fall just around the corner. I started moving again, hoping that if someone wanted to play games with me they would see that I wasn’t in the mood. I could see the lights of the camp and picked up my pace.

“Ophelia.”

I felt warm breath tease the shell of my ear as they whispered my name. I spun around and was immediately pressed against a thick oak tree. I craned my neck and looked into the feral eyes of Xavier. They glowed in the darkness, the smell of pure male testosterone and eager arousal thick around him. “Xavier?” I was utterly confused. “What are you doing?” His hands gripped my waist and slowly started to inch their way up. I panted as my desire for him started to increase. “Xavier?” I whispered his name but he didn’t respond. His eyes were riveted to my lips and I felt his huge erection press against my belly. I could tell he was on the verge of shifting, that in-between when our human selves are uninhibited and working purely on instinct.