Licking her lips, she leaned down and swiped her tongue over the bulbous head of his shaft. “Damn, I love it when you do that,” he murmured, his voice strained. His biceps flexed and his stomach grew taut.

  “Then you’re going to love this.” Gripping him in one hand, she opened her mouth and took him in. He released a guttural growl that vibrated through her. Closing her eyes, she took a mental snapshot of this moment—the warmth of the sun, the earthy scent of his skin, the musky taste of his arousal, the flex of his thigh muscles beneath her, the pulse of his cock against her palm.

  Death had no dominion here. There was only life and love.

  I love him.

  It should have been impossible. They barely knew each other. But time wasn’t always the best measure of knowing. They weren’t fully human, were creatures who operated by instinct. Jesse’s wolf was more content than she’d ever been, preening and whining for more.

  They’d had more ups and downs in their short acquaintance than most couples went through in years together. Aaron LaForge had destroyed all the walls she’d built around herself. Not with brute force but with gentle persuasion and caring.

  His fingers glided through her hair, not forcing her head lower, but simply holding her. Tears pricked her eyes, but she blinked them back and concentrated on what she was doing. She dragged her tongue over his shaft as she pulled back and then lowered again. With her free hand, she cupped the heavy sac between his legs and gently squeezed.

  “I don’t want to come, not yet.” He tried to tug her away. “Let me pleasure you.”

  Tingles raced from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. She wanted that, too. Giving his cock one final suck, she raised her head and licked her lips.

  “You’re killing me,” he protested.

  “Wouldn’t want to do that.”

  He eased her off him and back down onto the ground. It was warm, the moss soft and cushioning. She was flying so high, she doubted she’d feel a boulder sticking into her back.

  Kneeling beside her, he started at her breasts. He lowered his head and licked and kissed and sucked her nipples until they were red as berries and ached unbearably. Then he worked his way down her torso. His tongue dipped into her belly button. He nipped at her hipbones, making her laugh. Then he settled between her thighs, wrapped his hands around them, and pushed them wide.

  “You’re so pink and wet and perfect.” His frank sexual assessment didn’t make her blush. No, it made her hot. He dipped the tip of one finger into her slit, teasing the sensitive flesh. On a moan, she dug her feet into the ground and shoved up, driving it deeper. Her core flexed and pulsed around it.

  “Oh, yeah. Just like that.” He added a second finger.

  Unable to bear the ache in her breasts, she covered them with her hands, rubbing her palms over the hard nubs.

  “Beautiful,” he murmured. Then he dipped his head and sucked on her clit. The suddenness of it shoved her right over the edge. Her entire body clenched. She cried out as she shook. Her core spasmed around his fingers. He kept moving them in and out, his lips and tongue teasing until she collapsed.

  Raising his head, he watched her, his blue eyes hot as flames. She was unable to look away as he rose over her, notched the head of his cock at her opening, and pushed inward, burying himself to the hilt.

  The invasion sent another blast of pleasure through her. Her core contracted and spasmed around his thick shaft as it stretched her. He filled her completely, joining them together.

  “Look at me.”

  She didn’t remember closing her eyes, but she must have. His face was above hers, his lips mere inches away. His shoulders were stiff, his biceps huge as he held himself still.

  “Stay with me.” His voice was hoarse with need. With their gazes locked, he flexed his hips, pulling back and then pressing forward. The rough stimulation made her suck in a breath. How could she be so close to coming after just having an orgasm? Aaron instinctively understood what she needed and gave it to her.

  Locking her legs around his waist, she rode the wave with him, moving her body in perfect harmony until they flowed together, much as the river flowed over the rocks.

  His thrusts became harder and faster, less smooth and then jerkier as he got closer to release. His lungs expanded and contracted as he sucked in air. A bead of sweat dripped from his temple. His lips were set in a hard line and his eyes narrowed. He looked to be in great pain but was poised on that ragged edge. She loved seeing him like this, sharing this vulnerable moment with him.

  Then she was flying. A burst of heat flashed through her. “Yes,” she yelled. On a deep growl, he shoved deep one final time, his entire body rigid. His cock jerked, his release flooding her. She had a moment’s worry about birth control and then let it go. Whatever would be would be. This felt too right to be wrong.

  The thought of a child, a dark-haired little boy or girl, made her heart fill to bursting. It wasn’t fair to even consider bringing a child into the world, not with her life in such peril.

  His shaft swelled at the base, locking him inside her and sending another spasm through her. Pleasure, sharp and sweet, engulfed her. When he collapsed on top of her, she wrapped her arms around him and held on tight.

  ****

  I’m crushing her.

  Aaron had to move. And he would. As soon as the feeling came back to his lower body. Giving a heave, he levered himself onto his side, taking her with him. Her eyes were closed, her hair plastered to her head. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips swollen. She looked like a woman well loved.

  He brushed his mouth over hers. His dick flexed. Moaning, she opened her eyes. “That was…” She shrugged and stared at his chest, as if suddenly finding it fascinating.

  “It was all that and more.” He tipped her chin up and smiled down into her flustered face. “Hey, beautiful.” He kissed her again simply because her lips were there and oh so inviting.

  “Hey, handsome.” His toes curled at her teasing. Coming here was the best thing they could have done. She was more relaxed, more playful than she’d been since he’d met her. The way she seemed surprised when she laughed told him it had been far too long. He was happier than he’d ever been. Having Jesse in his arms, in his life, felt right. They were two pieces of a puzzle who clicked to make them both complete.

  “You hungry?” His question startled a laugh out of her.

  “I could eat.”

  Gritting his teeth, he managed to pull out and then frowned. “I didn’t use protection.”

  She shook her head. “It’s as much my responsibility as it is yours. We should be fine.”

  It bothered him that he’d forgotten in the heat of the moment. Not that it would bother him if she got pregnant. Hell, he’d love it. But he didn’t like the idea that he might subconsciously be trying to tie her to him. Not cool. It had to be her choice. He wanted her to want to be with him because she loved him, not because they were going to have a child.

  “Don’t frown. It’s all good.” Brisk and all business, she got to her feet and strolled to the stream. Wading straight to the center, she sank down and then lay flat, letting it flow around her, her breasts bobbing above the waterline.

  He followed, sinking to his knees beside her, sighing as the coolness rushed over him. “If it happens, you won’t be alone,” he promised.

  “I know.” Those two words eased the ache in his heart. They spoke of a trust hard won.

  Scooping up handfuls of water, he washed away the sweat and scent of their lovemaking. She finished before him and waded back to shore. Sitting in a sunbeam, she dragged the pack over and began laying out their simple meal.

  He left the water and laid their clothes out to dry, after rescuing her bra from the water’s edge and wringing it out. With any luck, it would only be damp by the time they were ready to get dressed.

  He joined her and reached for a sandwich. Sensing her need to let it go, he sought another way to amuse her. “You’d like my mom,” he told her before taking a bite, enjoying the smoky ham and tangy mustard.

  “I’m sure she’s nice.”

  Aaron threw back his head and laughed. “Nice isn’t exactly the word I’d use. Stubborn, determined, focused, loving, and fierce come to mind. She and my dad are true partners.” Like he wanted to be with Jesse. “You’ll never guess what she does for a living.” It was a source of amusement and pride to the entire pack.

  She paused with her chicken sandwich partway to her mouth. “I figured she was like most of the females of my pack. Their males support them. If they do work, it’s usually sewing or cooking. On a rare occasion, a female will have an outside job, usually as a waitress or working at a store. None that I know of have any real education.”

  “That’s crazy. Education is everything. And today you can get a lot of it online. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of the women of my pack sew and bake and garden. They have an online store where they sell quilts and soap and other stuff they make. But we have artists and illustrators, too. And then there’s my mom.”

  Jesse licked her fingers, making his cock stir. She pointed at his erection. “Don’t get any ideas, at least not until I’m done eating. Now tell me what your mom does.”

  Loving how comfortable she was around him, he tilted his head to one side and grinned. “She writes paranormal romance. Specifically, she writes werewolf romance.” He waited, curious to see her reaction.

  She’d just taken a mouthful of water and choked, spitting most of it onto the ground beside her. “Are you serious?”

  Grinning like an idiot, he nodded. “Yup, she wrote mostly nonfiction when she and my dad met. That played into their meeting, actually, but that’s a whole other story. She writes under a penname, of course, and never does any public appearances. Her identity is hidden under layers of protection, but she releases two books every year. She keeps talking about retiring. I’m not sure she will. If she keeps at it, she’ll have to start under another penname, but that won’t be a problem.”

  “And your father, the alpha, allows it.”

  Now it was his turn to choke on his water. Thankfully, he managed to swallow. “I’d like to see him try to stop her.” It boggled the mind. “He wants her to be happy. Writing makes her happy. My dad and Armand, our tech guru, have found ways to protect her identity, allowing her to safely do what she loves.”

  “I’m not sure what to say.”

  He shoved the empty container back into the backpack. His stomach growled. That had only been a snack. He’d grill steaks when they got home. “My folks are special. Hell, the entire pack is special.” Maybe he was laying it on thick, but he wanted her to get to “know” his family. It would be easier to convince her to go home with him if they seemed familiar and not like strangers.

  “Don’t for one second think the men of the pack are weak. The ones that have done that in the past have paid dearly for their mistake. They love their mates and want them happy. It’s as simple as that. And loving them as they do, there’s nothing they won’t do to protect them.” For the first time, he truly understood their motivation. If anyone came after Jesse, he was going to kill them, and he wouldn’t lose a night’s sleep over it.

  Everything he’d learned in his life had been preparation for this moment. Every ounce of physical prowess and brain power would be channeled to keep her safe.

  The sun was low in the western sky. It had to be well past suppertime. He hadn’t bothered with a watch. His phone was in the backpack, but time was irrelevant. It was one of the ways his kind differed from humans. They didn’t run their lives by a clock. Time had passed because they were both dry.

  “You ready to get dressed and head back? I can throw some meat on the grill. Bake some potatoes. It’s a nice evening to eat on the deck.”

  She bit her lips, hesitating, and then nodded. “Sounds good.”

  Seemed she wasn’t any more ready than he was to let today go. “We’ll come back,” he promised.

  After stuffing the remains of their picnic into the bag, he joined her. She’d already tugged on her underwear and jeans. Rather than reach for his clothes, he caught her by the shoulders. “Hey, everything will work out. Whatever is coming, we face it together.”

  She pressed her hands against his chest, her face earnest, concern filling her beautiful blue eyes. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

  “It’s my choice,” he reminded her. “Come what may, I’d rather be with you than without you.”

  A small sound of distress escaped her as she threw herself into his arms, hugging him tight. “Promise me you’ll be okay.”

  He brushed his lips over the top of her head. “I promise I’ll do everything in my power to stay alive.”

  “That’s not what I asked you.” She tipped back her head and frowned.

  “It’s what I can promise. I won’t lie to you.” He tugged on the purple lock of her hair, loving the whimsy of it. “None of us knows what’s in store for us.” He slid his hands down her back and cupped her lush bottom, pulling her against his groin. “I want to mate you, whether it’s a day from now—” He kept a tight hold on her when she tensed at his declaration. “Or ten years from now. I told you before. You’re my destiny.” It was too soon to tell her that he loved her. She’d bolt for sure.

  After dropping a kiss on her open mouth, he released her and pulled on his jeans. The denim was slightly damp but manageable. He slipped his shirt on and stuffed his feet into his sneakers. Jesse continued to stand there, still as a statue, seemingly dumbfounded.

  “Ah, you might want to finish getting dressed. Not that I mind the view.” He cupped one of her breasts and squeezed.

  Released from her trance, she yanked on her shirt, stuffing her bra into her pocket. He grabbed the bag while she pulled on her footwear. When she was done, he slung one arm over her shoulders. “Don’t overthink it. Nothing has changed. Let’s go home. There’s a steak with my name on it calling to me.”

  Chapter Ten

  Nothing has changed.

  The man was out of his ever-loving mind. He couldn’t drop something that monumental on her and expect her to simply forget about it. She’d honestly never expected to trust a male enough to ever consider mating.

  Now it was all she could think about.

  She put one foot in front of the other but didn’t see where she walked. Without him guiding her, she might have wandered headfirst into a tree.

  Worse, he didn’t try to make conversation, allowing her to stew in her own juices. How had her life become irreparably tangled with his? What happened to her being a loner, depending only on herself?

  It was as though he’d cracked open the shell she’d constructed around herself and the woman she was always meant to be had slipped out. She’d tried to repair the barrier, but it was no use. Like Humpty Dumpty, the pieces wouldn’t go back together again.

  She swallowed heavily, not sure if she liked this change of circumstances. Trusting another person to be there was dangerous. It gave them power.

  Aaron absently dropped a kiss on the top of her head and gave her a squeeze, shattering her arguments. This afternoon had been the best of her entire life. Nothing else compared to playing in the stream and enjoying a simple picnic. Not to mention making love.

  Fun wasn’t exactly a part of her vocabulary. She almost didn’t trust it, but she sure as hell wanted more. This was how life was supposed to be.

  Her toe caught an exposed tree root, thrusting her forward. Even as she stumbled, his arm tightened around her, keeping her upright. “You okay?” he asked.

  “Just thinking.”

  The farmhouse came into view. The sultry, late afternoon heat weighed down on her head and shoulders. Bees buzzed around a patch of wildflowers. A bright orange-and-black butterfly flitted from petal to petal. It was the perfect tranquil setting. She exhaled, letting go of her worries.

  The cat, who’d been determined to go outside when they’d left earlier, sat sunning herself on the top step of the porch. “Hey there. Did you have a busy day?” When Jesse leaned down to pet her, Bast’s fur fluffed up and she hissed. She wasn’t looking at Jesse but behind her.

  Aaron dropped the pack and spun around.

  A gunshot ripped through the air.

  Aaron jerked backward. Blood bloomed on his chest. He hit the ground hard, bouncing once before settling.

  It unfolded a frame at a time, like it was in slow motion. It seemed to last forever but was only a split-second in time.

  Fury exploded inside her with the force of a volcano erupting. She’d been hated and hunted her entire life, had evaded attackers with knives and guns. Nothing she’d been through compared to this. Making a lightning-fast decision, she bolted to the left, away from the shooter, diving behind the side of the house for cover.

  “Run,” a male voice called. “I love it when they run.”

  Crap! This had to be one of those human assassins. Her wolf growled and howled inside her, demanding to be set free. It was time to go hunting.

  “Too bad about your friend.” Laughter followed.

  She was going to kill the bastard for that insult alone. Aaron was injured, but he’d be fine—as long as he didn’t take a headshot or a direct blast to the heart. She hadn’t seen where he’d been hit, but she had to believe he’d be okay. The alternative was too horrific to contemplate.

  Her chest constricted and pain radiated outward. It got difficult to breathe. Spots filled her vision. Pull it together. It was up to her to draw the assassin away.

  “Couldn’t have your friend interfering in my fun. You’re more of a challenge than most. You really know how to stay off the grid.”

  She kept moving, not allowing herself to be fooled into staying put by the conversation. From the tone and volume, he was steadily heading in her direction.

  “You cost one of my friends his life. Too bad for him. We don’t allow failure in our little group. We have a reputation.”

  Was this guy for real? The pride in his voice was sickening.