Sanctuary (A Hunted Novel Book 1) (11 page)

Nate leaned back in his chair scrubbing a hand over his chin. “Forging property deeds and making it appear like someone is moving...” he trailed off shaking his head. “If that’s true, that means they have people working with them to cover our murders up. They could be in areas of the government and law enforcement. They’re even more dangerous than we thought,” he mumbled aloud.

Tess scowled. Truth be told, she hadn’t thought about it too much. She’d been pissed at the news, but hadn’t had time to dwell on it due to being on the run.

“This whole thing runs a lot deeper than any of us realized,” he growled, smashing his fist down on the table. The cans rattled, and the peaches tipped over, spilling thick sticky juice all over the table.

Tess picked up the can, placing it upright, then stood to grab a few paper towels. “You really think they’re working with humans?” Tess whispered. If that was true, then hunters could attack them without repercussion, because their actions would be swept under the rug. She shuddered at the thought.

“In this day and age, they probably need outside assistance to cover up everything. What better way than to do that. Hell, who knows, high levels of government could be involved.”

“It wouldn’t surprise me,” she murmured as a thought struck her. “Think about it,” she whispered. “The attacks the past five years have intensified. They’re going after high profile shifters. Prides like my family who hold a public image. They have to be working with someone.”

Nate nodded and covered his face with his hand. “It’s a definite possibility. I’ll have to run that by Sanctuary,” he groaned.

“Not looking forward to that call?” she smirked, trying to lighten the mood.

“Not really. I’m going to get an earful before I can even get one word in,” he complained.

“I understand. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting them,” she teased.

“It’s not so bad,” he argued with a chuckle.

Tess’ brow rose in question. Was he serious? “We’ll agree to disagree.”

“Enough doom and gloom for today. We’re going to have to figure out this movie thing,” he grinned, bringing up their previous conversation.

Tess plopped back down in her chair, her bare foot skimming over his as she got comfortable. She swallowed at the contact. Her belly fluttered as desire pooled in her core.
For goodness sake it’s just his foot.
A wave of anticipation rolled over her.
I need to feel him.
  She reached out with her toe again, but his foot had moved. Tess’ breath hitched as she met his mesmerizing gaze. She could get lost in the depths of his eyes.

“What do you think?” Nate questioned.

She swallowed, willing her heated body to calm down.
Get a grip. He’s a wolf.

“If you can make it work, then I’m all yours,” she agreed.

“Challenge accepted,” he beamed as he stood up from the table. “Give me an hour.”

Tess shook at the word challenge. Yes. A challenge. Her cat wanted a different kind of challenge. Closing her eyes, she suppressed her urges as she smiled to herself, watching him walk out of the kitchen. The past few days had been a nightmare, but meeting Nate had woken her up from the horror. He was the light at the end of the tunnel. Friend or something more, she was glad their paths had crossed, and she knew she couldn’t do anything to jeopardize their friendship. Having a fling with him would put him in a tight spot with his pack and Sanctuary. After everything he’d done, it wouldn’t be right to give into temptation, even if she really wanted to. Too bad it wouldn’t be as easy to convince her feline half. Her cat desired the wolf. She shuddered at the thought as visions flitted through her mind.
Stay strong, Tess. Stay strong.

N
ate opened the door for Tess as he led her into the TV room. He smiled and motioned to the large couch. She took a seat and got comfortable.

He picked up the remote and eased down onto the opposite end of the couch. As much as he’d like to sit close to her, Tess’ perfume was intoxicating. He could be easily overwhelmed with desire for the werecat. Better to watch the movie at a distance. With the click of a few buttons, he brought up the red Netflix screen.

“You did it,” she laughed as she shifted so she could look at him.

“It took a little work.”
Liar. You spent the better part of the afternoon rerouting wires and fiddling around with this.
He handed the remote over to her. “Ladies choice.”

She leaned forward, her fingers grazing over his as she accepted the controller. He gritted his teeth as heat engulfed him. His cock hardened at her touch and his wolf roared to life, ready to claim her. He inhaled sharply. The desire for her seemed to be getting worse. Would it be so bad to give in? He could get her out of his system and then he could mate with a nice wolf in a few weeks. Would she be open to the idea? If they both agreed to a fling with no strings attached, it could work.
No.
He groaned inwardly. One night with Tess wouldn’t be enough.
I still want her.

“I suppose I should spare you the sappy romance,” she teased, drawing him from his thoughts.

What did she say? Think. Romance. Right. “You don’t strike me as the type of girl who likes those,” he replied.

“I could go for a good action flick,” she agreed. “How do I do this exactly?” she asked looking down at the remote.

He scooted closer, his shoulder bumping against hers. His length throbbed against the restriction of his pants. She looked up at him, and her breath caught in her throat. He watched as her tongue darted out to wet her lips.
So close—so beautiful. I want to taste her. I need to. Make a move.

“How do I...” she trailed off, locking gazes with him. “Nate.”

He growled low in his throat, enjoying the sultry way his name rolled off her tongue. “Tess.” He reached up and brushed strands of hair from her face. The silky locks slid through his fingers.

When she didn’t recoil, he moved closer, cupping her face with his free hand. His thumb traced tiny circles over her smooth cheek.

“Your pack won’t approve,” she spoke quietly.

“I don’t care what they think,” he answered honestly. He didn’t care. For years, he’d been following laws that made no sense to him. It didn’t bother him to break rules that he didn’t believe in. Tess was... there were no words to describe whatever was happening between them. The urge to claim her, to take her was driving him insane. He had to have her. Now.

Tess bit her lip, seemingly unconvinced.

Nate brushed a finger over her soft, plump lips. “They don’t have to know. It can be just tonight. No strings.”
I’m such a liar. There is no way one night will be enough. We can sort that out in the morning. Maybe she feels the same.

Tess nodded with a sigh. Needing no further encouragement, he leaned in pressing his mouth to hers. Her lips were softer than he imagined. They were so full, and they moved harmoniously against his.
More. I need to feel every inch of her silky skin.

He growled, pulling her closer, needing to feel her plush body pressed against his. Her mouth parted, and he slipped his tongue into her mouth, exploring every inch that she allowed him to.

Tess gripped his shoulders and shoved him back. He frowned momentarily confused until she slid one of her lithe legs over his waist and straddled him. Her lips found his again. The light kisses quickly changed to heated nips and feverish clashing of tongues. Their teeth gnashed together as they both fought for control. Her nails dug deliciously into his shoulders, marking him as hers. He reveled at the thought as the urge to make her his filled him.

He gripped her waist firmly, lifted her, and then laid himself over her on the couch. Tess mewled beneath him, her hands raking up and down his back, lifting the hem of his shirt up, and over his head.

Yes. I need more. I need her. Claim her.
His hands found her sweater, and he tore it open, severing the fabric in two. She shrugged out of it, depositing the garment on the floor. Next, she lifted her t-shirt up and over her head.

His hands went to the seams of her black lace bra, tracing along the edges of it. If he didn’t calm down the desire to take her, the moment would be over too fast. He wanted—no needed to savor their union.

Nate’s fingers trembled with desire as he hooked one strap under his pointer finger and tugged the bra down exposing her breast. He repeated the action with the other side. Tess’ chest heaved as he leaned forward, taking one taut nipple into his mouth. He licked and suckled the one side before turning his attention to the other.

Her digits fisted in his hair, holding him firmly in place.
That’s it Tess show me how you like it.
He trailed his fingers down her belly and worked at the button of her jeans before releasing her zipper. His digits wiggled as they trailed down into her panties and cupped her mound. She bucked against him when his thumb pressed against her clit.

He growled at the feel of her. She was so wet—so ready for him. Sinking a finger into her tight core, he began a slow and steady thrust as he kissed his way back up to her lips.

She gasped as he pushed another finger into her slick folds. “You feel so good,” he murmured as he claimed her mouth again.

She tugged on his jeans, quickly flicking his button open and lowering his fly. Her cool, soft hands fumbled for a moment before grasping his cock in her hand. He groaned as she slowly pumped him, and simultaneously ran her thumb over his tip.
Good God, if she keeps that up this isn’t going to last long at all.
His lust surged to the surface.
Take her, fill her, worship her, maker her yours. 

He grasped her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze as he pulled it away from his dick and pinned it above her head.

Tess’ eyes narrowed as she met his gaze. Her hips continued to rise, grinding against his palm. He smirked at her as he dipped his head down and kissed her.

She panted against his mouth and he deepened the kiss.
She tastes so good.

He cried out as Tess raked her nails down his back. What was that for?  His back burned, and he was certain there were long angry scratches all the way down to his butt. She grinned up at him as he tensed. Her hand clutched his wrist and pulled it out of her pants. With a flip of her hips, he fell, toppling onto the floor. He blinked confused until he saw her hovering over him, her feet on both sides of his hips.

Her hands went behind her back as she unhooked her bra and deposited the lacy garment on the abandoned couch. Next, she rolled her pants and panties down, stepping out of them and then kicking them to the side. She dropped down, sitting on his knees. Leaning forward, she shoved his pants and boxers out of the way and bent down, taking his cock in her mouth.

His hips bucked up in surprise.
She’s dominating you. She’s an alpha too. She’s not going to submit to you.
His dick hardened more at the thought. He’d never been with another alpha before. Hell, he’d never had a woman who took charge in bed before. Excitement coursed through him. As they joined they would both be fighting for dominance—both vying for control, both staking their claim on the other. The wolf in him craved the dominance—it both wanted to claim Tess and allow her to have her wicked way with him.

Tess hummed against his cock and he lost all rational thought. He fisted his hands in her hair and pulled her head back. His dick popped out of her mouth, and she blinked down at him as she sat up. He lifted his hips and using his free hand, he shoved his pants down as far as he could get them before kicking them off altogether.

Nate sat up at the same time that he grabbed her hips and lifted her up. It wouldn’t hurt to let her have some control, for now. Tess smiled as she lowered herself down. She rubbed her core against the tip of his cock, teasing him for a long, agonizing moment. He stifled a groan. His length throbbed painfully, begging for some much needed friction. It needed to be in her, feeling her tight, wet heat. Her eyes locked on his as she slowly lowered herself down on him.

***

T
ess hissed as Nate stretched her. She bit her lip, giving her body a moment to adjust to his length. Her body pulsed as a raw hunger grew in her belly. She leant forward and kissed him, and began to rock her hips.

His cock filled her perfectly, and she cursed under her breath as he ground up into her. He’d let her have control. She knew it wouldn’t last, but damn it she was going to enjoy it while she had it. She licked his lips, thrusting her tongue into his mouth. Her teeth nipped at him hungrily, and her body hummed with delight.
Yes. This is what you need.
He was so deep, and it felt glorious.

One of his hands slipped between them and he placed his thumb on her clit, gently massaging her tender nub. She pushed harder against him, allowing him to go deeper. Tess moaned as she struggled to take air into her lungs. Her breath came in soft pants as she moved against him.

Nate rose up to his knees, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He smoothed a hand over her belly as he pushed her back. She lies down, the icy tile doing little to cool her heated skin. Nate pressed down on her clit as he withdrew to the tip before plunging back in again.

Tess screamed, her back arching as her body opened to him. Her core ached deliciously as it began to tighten. She squeezed her legs around him tighter and gripped the legs of the couch and coffee table in each of her hands. A shudder of desire coursed through her. She was ready to submit to him now. Ready to let him claim her, mark her, make her his.

Nate lifted her hips higher off the floor and she groaned as he impaled her deeper. She thrashed around the floor as her body ached with need. He withdrew again and slammed back into her, hitting just the right spot. She screamed again as her vision darkened. Nate repeated the action over and over again as his hands went to her breasts. She whimpered as he kneaded them, pinching her nipples between his fingers. His grip tightened around her sensitized breasts and she hissed, realizing she would have bruises.
He’s marking you too.
Her body hummed with excitement.
Mine. My wolf.