Projected Pleasure (17 page)

“No, let me on top.” With such ease, she pushed him to the ground. Jordan stared at her, his expression shocked. She laughed looking up toward the moon, feeling her eyes burn from their glowing. In quick pulses, her body convulsed, making her shudder and dig her nails into his chest.

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A moan came from Jordan as he pulled down her pussy against the hardness of his cock through his jeans. “You’ve been holding out on me haven’t you, Marley? Helix is going to be so proud of you.

He’s you’re father, not that man in the forest. Just wait until he comes back and sees you.” Jordan moaned as his eyes began to glow. “Fuck.

I can feel you strengthening my body.”

Lowering her breasts against his chest, she began to kiss him cruelly. Jordan was more disturbed than she had originally thought, and that said a lot. He couldn’t truly believe, this person, Helix was her true father. Trying to focus on what she needed to do, Marley pushed questions away. “Me being strong turns you on, doesn’t it?

“God, yes,” he moaned into her mouth.

“Want to see how strong I am?”

“Show me,” he breathed heavily.

“If you insist.” Her hands cupped the sides of his face while she pushed her lips into his one last time. With a quick jerk, she felt him go motionless. Marley stood up on wobbly legs, staggering only a few feet before she became violently ill. Knowing she had just broken his neck caused her to become sick all over again.

Zachary and Cole burst through the trees just as she was walking back to his body to finish him off. The wideness of their eyes made her pause to rush to them. She wanted to scream against the conflicting emotions inside of her.

“I was afraid we wouldn’t get to you fast enough. How could you think we’d let you leave by yourself? If you weren’t so damn fast or stubborn you wouldn’t have had to do this. Are you all right?”

Zachary walked forward, crushing her in his arms while Cole gathered her clothing. “Yes, I’m okay. More relieved that it’s finally over. But we have to finish this or even with a broken neck, he’ll mend himself.”

Marley let the tears run down her face. She’d only cry now, and never again for what she did. Jordan needed to die. She continually
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repeated the phrase inside her head, using it to calm herself down and make it justifiable.

Turning, she saw Cole do everything Gerald suggested in their earlier conversation. She covered her ears against the sounds that threatened to make her gag, but she couldn’t tear her eyes from Jordan’s gruesome body, When she was sure his heart would beat no more, she collapsed into her husband’s arms. The fact that her rival would never live again pulled the weight off of her shoulders, leaving such lightness it felt strangely invigorating against the guilt.

Demetri would never have to worry about his future. Never would the threat of Jordan lurking in the shadows ever frighten her again.

Marley looked up, staring at the moon that lit up the sky above her.

There was no denying its power. The glowing sphere held her body immobile, entrancing her senses and mind. Suddenly, peace took over.

Sounds began to echo in the distance, but she was too captured by the world’s essence to even turn her head. Tingling erupted all over, and the ache was almost unbearable. Slowly, her hands came up to satisfy her need to be touched. Even though she was in physical pain, she noticed it diminished at the first caress of her fingertips.

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Zachary looked at the horrible scene that lay before him. Jordan was dead for sure this time, and Marley was in a world of her own in his arms. Her hands caressed her body so erotically that he fought to hold himself together.

Cole cleared his throat beside him, bringing his attention back to what they should be doing. He wasn’t taking any more chances.

Gently, he laid Marley on the ground and collected wood to make a big bonfire. Cole stood beside him while they watched the flames rise high in the sky. Quickly, he disposed of Jordan’s limbs into the orange glow.

When he was sure all was safe, he turned to Marley and knelt down beside her. Cole walked up across from her, mirroring him. The glow of Marley’s eyes was so bright it hurt to look at them.

“Love, talk to me. How are you feeling?” He watched her face for any expressions. The crackle of the wood broke the silence. “Marley, honey, look at me.”

Easily, so not to make any sudden movement and startle her, he rubbed the hair back from her face. Turning her head in slow motion, she gave him a dazzling smile. “Zachary, can you feel it? The moon, it’s amazing, isn’t it?”

Confused, he looked at Cole, and then back to her. “Yes, it is. But right now we need to take you home to clean you up. Do you think you can stand?”

“Of course.” Marley jumped to her feet. “I’ve never felt better.”

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“Cole, go and tell the remaining pack to watch over this fire and then to meet us at the house. I want Stephen here to make sure no one messes with anything.”

He nodded and ran off. The look on Marley’s face while she continued to stare into the sky turned his blood to liquid fire. She was beautiful and enchanting. The paleness of her skin glowed brightly against the illuminating green of her eyes.

“Are you ready? Cole will catch up.”

“Yes, let’s go home.”

Zachary helped her dress and wrapped his arm around her. They headed away from the light of the fire and into the darkness of the forest. A soft sound of someone approaching had them stopping so he could hear better.

“Don’t worry, it’s just Josie. I think she’s crying.”

He looked down to his wife. “Do you think she’ll be all right?”

“It’ll take a while, but I think time will heal her wounds. She just lost her brother all over again. I’m sure she’s trying her best to deal with that.”

More footsteps sounded in the distance, but he knew who this was. The soft smell of Cole’s scent drifted around them. Seconds later, Cole caught up and stood on Marley’s other side.

“Everything is being taken care of. Josie wants to stay with the pack at the fire. She didn’t say much, but I think she’ll be all right.

Kylie and Marley’s parents have met. Josie doesn’t think Kylie likes them too much, but so far everything is peaceful at the house.”

“Great,” Marley groaned. “I forgot how my mom can be sometimes. Let’s just get to the house.”

“Oh, Josie said Kylie put them in a downstairs bedroom. They’re already retiring for the night. But you’re right, let’s get home.”

They all morphed into wolves and ran back toward the estate.

Zachary watched while Marley led them, so much faster than he could have imagined. It was one thing to watch her from above while he
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projected, but to see it first hand as he ran to keep up with her was amazing.

At the edge of the forest, he watched her turn back into human form. Slowly, she turned toward him. He quickly caught up to her, and Cole joined them not seconds later.

“Are you sure you’re okay? Is there anything you need me to do?”

Zachary asked, caressing her face while he made direct eye contact with her.

“I told you, I feel great.”

“All right, if you say so. I’m going to grab you some clothes that aren’t so,” he looked at the gaping holes she must have made when she took them off, “revealing. Cole, take her to the back entrance, and I’ll meet you both there.”

* * * *

Cole watched Zachary sprint toward the mansion. His attention was drawn to Marley while fragments of her thoughts broke through his mind.

“I know you said you feel fine, and I’m sure mentally you do, but how about physically?”

He watched her hand press against her stomach. “It hurts a little, but I think I’ll be okay for now. I need to check on Demetri. After that, we’re really going to have to take care of this. Is everyone from the pack all right? Did anyone get hurt? I tried taking out as many of them as I could.”

“Everyone’s fine. They’re just worried about you. What were you thinking? You could have been killed. Do you know how worried Zachary and I were? If something would have happened…”

“But it didn’t. I did what I had to do. I knew you both would get to Demetri. The fewer wolves you had to fight, the quicker he would be safe.”

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Cole shifted his feet and looked toward the lights of the mansion.

“Something happened tonight. I can’t explain it, but I have a feeling things might work out between the three of us, but I could be completely wrong.” Cupping her face in his hands, he leaned his forehead against hers. “I don’t want to lose you. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Cole.”

The softness of her lips brushed against his with such tenderness his fingers slid back into her hair, pulling her deeper into the kiss. The taste from the tip of her tongue ignited inside of his mouth. He’d never stop craving her distinct flavor.

“We should go,” Marley whispered, pulling back. He watched as she doubled over holding her stomach tighter.

“I’m sorry. Here, let me carry you.”

Cole swept her light frame into his arms and started running for the back entrance. Just feeling her soft skin against his hands had his cock throbbing. Knowing her pain was because she wanted him buried inside of her only made the pulsing ache even worse.

They arrived at the back door where Zachary was waiting with Marley’s robe. His eyes were big while he looked at them.

“Is she all right? She’d never voluntarily let you carry her.”

“I’m fine,” Marley whispered, cutting off Cole’s response.

“How’s Demetri?”

“He’s good. Kylie already put him to sleep. Aria won’t leave his side, so they’re both sleeping in his room tonight. My sister, of all people, understands what you’re going through. That’s how she got pregnant with Aria. She said she’ll see you in the morning and not to worry about Demetri. She made Mark stay with them to guard the room.”

Cole watched Marley nod and felt her shudder in his arms. A soft moan broke through her lips. Quickly, Zachary covered her with the robe, tucking it around her body.

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“Let’s go. We need to get her showered fast. I don’t like to see my wife in pain. We’re going to have a long night, and we still have plenty to discuss.”

Zachary took Marley from Cole and gave him a quick glance.

“Tell everyone we’re not to be disturbed and then come back to the room so we can talk.”

Cole stood motionless as his best friend and alpha left. Tonight would determine his fate. If he couldn’t have Marley, he didn’t want anyone else.

Quietly, Cole shut the door behind him and headed to the large living area where most of the pack lay resting. Eyes focused on him while he walked into the room. Silence settled throughout the crowded space as they waited for a report. He knew what he was supposed to be telling him, but his mind wouldn’t work.

“How’s Marley?”

Cole looked over at Nikolas. “She’s all right, but you all know how it is when you get your first kill. Her count was very high tonight, and she’s in a lot of pain. Zachary has given strict orders that we’re not to be disturbed.”

“We’re? So you’re going to join them?” Nikolas stared at him questionably.

“Yes, he is,” Zachary’s voice broke through the room. “Marley has chosen him as her mate. Since my wolf has chosen her and her wolf clearly couldn’t choose me, she’s chosen Cole. If anyone has a problem with this arrangement, speak now.”

“Marley’s an Alpha?” Nikolas asked, standing from the leather recliner.

“Yes, she is,” Zachary stated.

A groan broke through Marley’s throat as she shifted higher in his arms. “Does anyone have a problem with the arrangement? I really must know. I couldn’t leave Cole to explain the privacy we all needed without knowing everyone was all right with the situation.”

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Cole couldn’t believe what he was seeing and hearing. What he thought was going to be a private conversation was being brought up before the pack before they even got the chance to discuss anything themselves.

“It’s okay with me,” Nikolas said, smiling at Marley. “If you’re ever looking for a replacement let me know.”

Cole growled while some people laughed it off. No one seemed to have a problem with it once the new third in command gave his approval. Marley nodded and looked toward Cole. Her green eyes shined brightly with tears, yet she was smiling.

“Everyone help yourselves to whatever you want. Nikolas, you’re in charge for tonight. We’ll all see you in the morning.” Zachary rushed out of the room and up the stairs. Cole didn’t waste any time.

He followed right behind him.

It was almost too good to be true. He couldn’t believe how everyone was so accepting of their relationship. The fact that Zachary accepted meant more to him than he realized it would. His heart beat throbbed against his chest as they entered the hallway. He could hear Marley insisting something with his alpha but figured out what it entailed when he saw them quietly peek in on Demetri and then head for their room.

Soon, they would be able to pick up where they had left off all those months ago. Back then it had felt so right, and now it was.

Together, they’d all reach the climax of pleasure they were meant to with each other.

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The warm water did nothing to calm Marley’s cravings. With every drop that fell against her skin, continual electric currents coursed through her body. A need so gripping clutched at the insides of her stomach as she watched Zachary stand at the glass door of the marble shower.

It took everything she had not to pull him in there with her. But with Cole waiting in the room she held back. She felt incomplete without her other mate. Quickly, she washed herself and got out. She was anxious to feel both of their hands all over her body. Just the thought made her body spasm.