Wolf on the Hunt (12 page)

The stench of the human hunters was faint, a sure sign they hadn’t been back. That was good. Maybe they were smart enough to let things go. Louis didn’t want to rely on their intelligence. Many times, a man’s common sense went out the window when he felt the need for retribution.

Louis had seen pure meanness in Fergus McLennan’s eyes before he’d followed the deputy’s warning and left. He wasn’t sure the man would go so far as to shoot Gray, but he didn’t think the hunter would have any problem killing Shadow.

He growled and then started back toward the house. He’d been out here for several hours. It was now full dark and Gray would probably be in bed.

His cock, which had subsided slightly, sprang back to full life at the thought of Gray all warm and cozy in bed. Did she sleep naked or would she wear some cute little nightgown? Maybe she’d wear cotton shorts and a tank?

He shook his head to clear his thoughts and forced himself to concentrate. He couldn’t afford to let his mind wander, to let his focus lapse, not with Gray’s safety in the balance.

The house was dark. He couldn’t help but wish she were still awake, waiting for him to come home. It was a fantasy he wanted to make into a reality. He wanted Gray waiting for him every night for the rest of his life.

He sat on the porch, leaned back against the post and stared up at the sky. The night was clear and the stars were studded across the blackness. The moon was waning and was about half-full. The light breeze was warm but felt much cooler after the heat of the day. The air was perfumed with the pungent scent of pine and the sweetness of the flowers that bloomed around the house. It was a beautiful night for late summer. He just wished he weren’t alone.

Then the knob on the back door turned. He swiveled his head around and watched as the panel opened. Gray stood there, outlined by the light of the moon. She was still fully dressed, wearing the same clothing she’d had on when he’d left her. She obviously hadn’t been to bed yet. Maybe she had been waiting up for him.

Louis held out his hand.

Chapter Twelve

Louis looked lonely. That was her first thought when she saw him sitting on the porch. The sense of relief that hit her when she realized he was back and safe was almost overwhelming. Gray was unable to resist the lure of his presence. She opened the door and took in the sheer maleness of his presence.

When he held his hand out to her, she was lost.

She’d had hours to think while he’d been gone. She could have packed up her car and snuck off like a thief in the night, and there would have been nothing anyone could have done to stop her. It would have been the sensible thing to do.

She’d stayed. That meant there was only one course of action left to her. She had to see where this thing with Louis led.

He swiveled on the step and pulled her down beside him, keeping hold of one of her hands. “I thought you’d be in bed.”

The husky, intimate tone of his voice made her nipples tighten. “I knew I wouldn’t sleep. Too much on my mind.” It was incredibly arousing to sit under the stars in the dark with only their hands touching. Heat pulsed off his big body, and she moved closer so their thighs, hips and arms brushed together.

“Understandable.” He rubbed his fingers over hers before entwining them again. “It’s been a hell of a day.”

She laughed and stared up at the sky. “It’s weird to think my life was completely different yesterday.”

“I’m sorry,
chère
.” He brushed his fingers over her face and she automatically turned toward him.

“I’m not.” Yes, her life was completely turned upside down, but at least she wasn’t ignorant to the facts of her birth any longer. “I’m sorry you were hurt.” He tightened the hand holding hers, but he didn’t interrupt her. “But I’m not sorry to know the truth about myself. I’ve felt like a freak for so long.” She gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Of course, according to you, as a half-breed I’m still a freak, but at least I know why I’m so different.”

His growl raised the fine hairs on the back of her neck. “You are not a freak. You’re a miracle.” He pulled her onto his lap and buried his face in the curve of her neck. His lips grazed her skin and she curled her fingers around his shoulders.

“It doesn’t matter,” she assured him. “I’m just glad to finally know that I’m not crazy. I’ve always seen the world differently than everyone around me.”

“You’re not crazy,” he assured her. He rested his forehead against hers. “Your senses are much more advanced than a regular human.”

“Do you have any idea how weird that sounds?” She’d been a regular human when she’d woken this morning, or at least she’d thought she was. “This is a lot to take in,” she reminded him.

“I know.” He sighed and gazed around the yard. “We should go inside. It’s quiet but I’d feel safer if you were in the house.”

Gray nodded and climbed off his lap. He stood and they went inside. Shadow was curled up on the chair in the living room and simply raised his head when they entered. Then the dog heaved a sigh and settled back down.

She laughed. “I think we’re disturbing his beauty sleep.”

“He’ll get over it.” Louis went to the refrigerator, pulled out a bottle of water and twisted off the cap. As he drank deep, Gray admired the strong column of his neck.

Louis drained the bottle and set the empty bottle on the counter. “You should be in bed. You need to get some rest.”

It was now or never. If she didn’t make her move soon, she’d lose her nerve. Gray gathered the tail of her tank top and peeled it up and off. She set the garment on the counter, her gaze never leaving his. Louis’s growl was so low and deep it was barely audible. It vibrated through her and she felt it more than she heard it.

“Be sure, Gray. Be very sure.” There was a dark warning in his words. He was near his breaking point. She could sense it.

Emboldened, she reached behind and unhooked her bra. Then she slowly slid the thin fabric away, leaving her bare from the waist up. He’d glimpsed her naked after her shower earlier this morning, but that was different. He’d been in his wolf form then, and she hadn’t truly known who or what he was. This was intentional. This was her choice.

Her skin warmed beneath his perusal. Her nipples tightened almost to the point of pain. Louis was so still. Even his chest barely moved.

She swallowed heavily. “Well, what are you waiting for?”

Her challenge unleashed him, and Louis pounced.

Louis felt the civilized part of himself shatter and his wolf surge forward. He barely caught himself from shifting as he grabbed Gray and tossed her over his shoulder. He wanted to take her to his home, to his room. Since that was too far away and he wasn’t willing to wait any longer, he strode down the hallway to her bedroom, walked inside and kicked the door shut.

Then he tossed her onto the bed. She gave a small squeal as she flew through the air and bounced on the mattress. Louis already had his sneakers off and the button of his jeans undone by the time she pushed herself up onto her elbows to stare at him. The plump mounds of her breasts momentarily distracted him. Her nipples were large and puckered and his mouth watered to taste them.

Then he noticed she wasn’t looking at his face. No, her gaze was on his zipper where his cock pushed against it, the bulge very visible.

He growled and slowly lowered the fastener. His cock fell forward, hard and full. It should have been a relief, but having the warm air and her eyes on him made him ache even more. He shoved his jeans down his thighs and stepped out of them.

Then he reached for Gray. She was only half-naked. He tossed her shoes aside and skimmed off her socks. By the time he reached for the waistband of her jeans, she already had them undone and was shimmying out of them.

He growled his approval and yanked them off. She was clad in a pair of thin white panties that made his mouth water. Through the fabric, he could see the thatch of brown curls that covered her mound.

He put one knee on the bed and levered himself over her. He left her panties on for now. If he didn’t, there was a chance he’d plunge into her and fuck her before she was ready. Her enjoyment was his goal. He wanted—no, he needed—her pleasure before he took his.

She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Hi.” Her smile was soft and inviting.

He was beyond talking, so he kissed her instead. Like every other time he’d kissed her, she opened to him and let him inside. His wolf preened. The beast wanted to roll in her scent, to coat itself in her essence.

Louis broke the kiss even though he wanted to stay. He was running out of time and control. He rubbed his hair over her jaw, her neck and shoulders. He nuzzled the valley between her breasts, letting his hair slide over her sensitive nipples, marking her with his scent. She tangled her fingers in his hair and dug her nails into his scalp.

He slowly raised his head and deliberately captured her gaze. Then he lowered until his mouth hovered over one delectable nipple. She made an incoherent sound and arched upward, bringing the tip the final distance needed. He lapped at the nub and circled it with his tongue before taking it into his mouth.

Her moan vibrated through him and his balls drew up tight. He wanted to play with her breasts for hours, licking and stroking them while her cries of pleasure washed over him.

His cock jerked, a reminder that time was of the essence, at least this first time.

Louis kissed his way down her torso, teased her bellybutton with his tongue and licked where the edge of her panties met her skin. Impatient now, he grabbed the fabric between his teeth, partly shifted until they lengthened to lethal fangs and ripped the garment from her body.

She tensed, but he didn’t scent fear. No, his senses were drenched in the sweet scent of her arousal. The musky, delicate scent permeated his very pores. He shoved her thighs apart and lowered himself between her legs. Her pussy was pink and swollen and wet, so very wet.

He growled and went straight for her clit. He needed her to come. Now.

The tiny nub of nerves was peeking out from its protective covering. He wrapped his lips around it and sucked. Gray’s hips shot off the bed. She might have dislodged him if he hadn’t had his hands wrapped around her thighs, holding her down.

“Louis.”

The desperation in her voice skated down his spine and settled in his balls. Her moans were music to his ears as he teased her clit with the tip of his tongue. The press of her nails against his skin was pure pleasure. Her feet moved restlessly as she pumped her hips up and down, desperate for what only he could give her.

Mate
, his wolf demanded.

Louis knew it was much too soon for that. This was the way to start to build the connection between them. Gray had gone her entire life thinking she was human. He knew her better than she knew herself. Beneath the veneer of civilization, there lurked a more animalistic side. She might not be able to shift, but that didn’t mean the instincts weren’t there. He had to believe she recognized him on that level, the same way he did her.

She cried out, the sound high and frantic. Louis eased one thick finger into her slick channel and almost lost it when the muscles contacted around it. She’d grip his cock so tightly. It made him almost lightheaded to think about it.

Gray gasped and tensed for one long second. Then she was coming, her entire body convulsing with pleasure.

Louis wanted to savor the moment of her release but he was too far gone. He surged up her body and drove his aching shaft into her sweet pussy. Her slick channel closed around him. The rippling walls of her sheath clutched at his cock.

He howled and came, his entire body shaking as he emptied himself into her, giving Gray everything that he was. The climax was almost brutal, pain and pleasure combined in the most exquisite way.

The base of his shaft swelled, locking him inside her hot depths. He collapsed on top of her and felt the sweetest satisfaction when she wrapped her arms around him.

Louis might have left Louisiana years ago but this was the first time he’d felt as though he’d finally found a home.

He sucked much-needed air into his lungs and let the sheer pleasure of being joined with Gray wash over him.

Gray was in shock. She’d had lovers before, but this had gone beyond simply making love. It felt as though Louis had stolen a piece of her soul, and in return, he’d given her a piece of his.

His cock jerked deep in her core, wringing another moan from her. He seemed to be getting bigger. She tensed and he rolled onto his back, taking her with him so she was sprawled on top of him with his shaft still locked inside her. The motion made her shudder as pleasure spiked from her toes to the top of her head.

She’d been right about one thing. Sex with Louis was off the charts. No other man would ever be able to compare to this experience.

He casually ran his hand up and down her spine, and she instinctively leaned into his touch. He gave a growl of pleasure. He had many different growls, and she was starting to be able to tell them apart.

“You’re still hard.” That was surprising.

The smile he gave her almost stopped her heart. He looked younger, more at ease and infinitely handsome. “I ain’t human,
chère
.” He cupped her bottom in his large palms and squeezed. “I can go for hours before needing a break.”

Gray didn’t know whether she should be worried or break into the “Hallelujah Chorus”. “Hours?” Surely she’d misheard him.

He squeezed her butt and then leisurely slid his hands upward to cup her waist. “You inspire me.” He lifted her a scant inch and then lowered her back down. The sensitive inner lining of her pussy responded to the stimulation. Pleasure and heat suffused her.

“By all means.” She managed to wave one hand in front of her. “Be inspired. Don’t let me stop you.”

Louis stared at her for a long second and then he threw back his head and laughed. His head tilted back on the pillow, exposing his strong neck. She leaned down and nipped it. His laugh quickly turned to a growl of pleasure.

“You’re teasing the big bad wolf.”

She laughed, delighted by this playful side of him. “I think you’re the one teasing me.” She purposely squeezed her inner muscles around his cock, and he swore and tightened his fingers around her waist.

“I’m trying to take things slow.”

She laughed again, unable to help herself. “This is you taking things slow? We’re naked in bed together and we only met this morning.” It was completely out of character for her to do something like this, but there was nothing that could have kept her away from him.

Louis cupped her breasts and played with her nipples. “
Chère
, if you knew what I wanted to do from the moment I first saw you, you’d understand that this is me going real slow.”

Her entire body hummed with desire. “And what is it you wanted to do to me?” The sultry sound of her voice made him shudder. The expression on his face grew harder and the heat in his gaze almost scorched her.

“You sure you want to know?” His voice was low, almost guttural.

She shivered and wondered if it was wise to be taunting him this way. He wasn’t a normal male. “Yes,” she whispered. “I want to know.” It was a craving deep in her soul.

He slid his hands around to her back and pulled her down until their noses were almost touching. “I want you on your hands and knees in front of me while I fuck you from behind.”

His words touched something deep in her core, some primal part of her she didn’t fully understand. Gray was filled with an almost unrelenting need to do exactly what he described. She whimpered and the hard look on his face gave way to something infinitely gentler.

“Shh.” He pulled her against him so her breasts were pressed against his chest and his arms around her. “I shouldn’t push you like that.” He kissed her temple. “Forgive me.”

This man was full of surprises. He was hard and tough, yet he was apologizing and holding her tenderly. She melted against him, unable to help herself.

“You confuse me,” she told him.

“If it helps any, you confuse me too.” He carefully pulled the covered elastic from her hair and then slid his fingers through her thick curls.