“Stay.” The single whispered word hit with the force of a blast of lightning. He stilled and his lips curved against her skin.

  He scooped her into his arms and carried her down the short hallway to the bedrooms. She didn’t have to point the way. With his keen sense of smell, he went directly to hers and kicked the door shut behind them.

  Instead of laying her on the mattress, he released her legs, keeping his arm around her shoulders to steady her, so she was standing alongside the bed. Her room wasn’t huge, but it had always been more than adequate. With him in it, it seemed to shrink. He dominated the space and everything in it with his larger-than-life presence.

  “I’ve wanted to do this all day.” Without hesitation, he caught the hem of her tank top and pulled it up. She raised her hands to help him. The built-in bra meant she wasn’t wearing one underneath.

  “You take my breath away.” He tossed the top aside and pressed his lips to her shoulder. His fingers trailed down her arms to her wrists and back up again, raising goose bumps in their wake.

  Her nipples tightened, her breasts swollen and heavy. With a moan, he licked a path across her collarbone and then downward between her breasts, teasing but not quite touching where she ached.

  “Your red hair glows in the sun.” He nuzzled the underside of one breast, making the breath catch in her throat. “Your skin is so soft.”

  “Not so soft.” She held up her hands. They were calloused, rough in spots. There were no scars or burn marks, thanks to her werewolf heritage, but not even that could keep up with the daily hardship she put them through.

  He captured both hands and brought them to his mouth. “Strong and capable and sexy as hell.” He punctuated each word with a kiss, finishing by drawing her forefinger into his mouth and sucking.

  Her core clenched and she whimpered. “Nicholas.”

  His big body shuddered. “I love the way you say my name.”

  Bailey’s heart skipped a beat when he said the “L” word. What would it be like if he said it for real and meant it? Don’t think about it. This was about sex, about two adults who cared about each other enjoying themselves, not about declaring undying love and devotion.

  He was a silver-tongued devil, but he honestly meant the things he said. That was enough. She tugged one of her hands free and grabbed a fistful of his shirt. “You’re wearing too much clothes.”

  Growling, he straightened, dragged the garment over his head, and dropped it at his feet. She splayed her palms over his magnificent chest, tracing the lines of the muscles. He opened his mouth, but she placed her hand over it and shook her head. Talking was overrated. She wanted to feel.

  A shove sent him down onto the bed. With a ragged laugh, he toed off his sneakers. She did the same and kept going, yanking off her shorts and underwear. He went still, his eyes growing hot.

  “Come here.”

  She shook her head. “You’re not naked.”

  It was shocking how fast he unzipped his jeans and whisked them off. Big and wholly masculine, his chiseled form swallowed the double bed. His feet hung off the end. With his arms splayed, he took up the entire width. His legs were like tree trunks, thick with muscle. But it was his cock that drew her attention. Full and thick, it flexed under her regard.

  “Come here,” he ordered again, his voice little more than a rough growl.

  Her scalp prickled. Putting her hands and knees on the mattress, she crawled onto the bed between his spread thighs. She licked her lips as she gripped his shaft with one hand and fondled his balls with the other.

  “Fuck, that feels good.” His entire body bowed off the bed. He reached over his head and gripped the wooden headboard. Biceps flexed and clenched. His abs tightened into bands of corrugated steel.

  Giving a hum of agreement, she dipped her head down and swirled her tongue around the flared head of his shaft. His musky, salty taste sent a bolt of longing through her. Her core began to pulse. Her nipples ached. Turning him on was having the same effect on her.

  Their eyes met and something flared between them, an understanding, a depth of emotion beyond sheer physical pleasure. Not willing to examine it too closely, she dipped her head lower, taking the head of his shaft into her mouth and sucking. Liquid seeped from the tip.

  Crack!

  Startled, she raised her head. Nicholas was holding two pieces of wood in his hands, her headboard damaged. It would have been funny but for the smoldering, intent expression etched on his face.

  This was a hunter. A predator scenting prey.

  He dropped the wood, surged toward her, and took her down onto the bed.

  ****

  Lust was a wild beast ripping through him. Beneath it stirred something stronger and darker.

  Mine!

  This female was his mate, his woman, his wife. The way she touched him drove him crazy. Her arousal hung heavy in the air. His fangs dropped, the primal side of his nature demanding he mark her. Growling, he shook his head. He would not betray her trust.

  Dragging her to the center of the bed, he dove between her thighs. She was wet, her desire sweet and spicy, calling to him. He nibbled and licked and sucked until she was writhing and moaning his name.

  It wasn’t enough.

  He captured her clit between his lips and flicked it with his tongue. Using two fingers, he penetrated her, splitting them to stretch her.

  Her heels thumped on the bed. Grabbing handfuls of his hair, she tugged him closer. A howl of triumph roared through him. Her breathing was ragged, harsh gasps that warned she was close.

  “Now,” she ordered.

  He growled, sending the vibration through her. Nicholas dragged his fingers from her hot, wet core, stimulating the sweet spot inside her. Her cries of pleasure rang in his ears as he tasted her sweet release.

  He surged up the bed, piercing her with his shaft. She not only took him without hesitation—she welcomed him. Home. Closing his eyes, he swallowed heavily. It had been days since he’d had her. In his darkest moments, he’d wondered if he ever would again. Holding himself still, he gritted his teeth as her sex rippled around his cock.

  It felt good. Too good. “Shit. Wait. No condom.” There was one in the back pocket of his jeans, which were about a million miles away. He started to pull out. A promise was a promise. Lunging over the side of the bed, he retrieved the square packet, ripped it open, and rolled on the protection. With a sigh of relief, he plunged back in again.

  The need to turn her onto her front, mount her from behind, and mate her was a pounding in his veins, a whisper in his brain that grew louder with each passing second.

  No! He would not do that to her. It was her choice. It had to be. A woman like Bailey couldn’t be taken or coerced. She was a partner, a strong woman who’d stand beside her man for a lifetime.

  Planting his forearms on the mattress, he began to rock his hips, slowly at first but getting faster with each thrust.

  Not to be left behind, she wrapped her legs around him and gripped his shoulders, angling up to meet each downward stroke. A perfect, unforgettable moment in time. He hovered on the cusp of release. He clenched his jaw to keep from telling her he loved her.

  Burying his face in the pillow, he howled as he came. Her core clenched around him. She’d orgasmed again. Pleased, he slumped, covering her, letting her take most of his weight.

  Once again, things had gone faster than he’d planned. He felt around with his hand until he found one of her breasts and cupped the mound, teasing the nipple with his thumb. Her sex fluttered, and they both moaned.

  “Too much.” She pushed his hand away but twined her fingers with his. He turned his head to the side and watched her chest rise and fall with each breath. Her breasts swayed and his cock stirred. “You can’t be serious,” she muttered. The look of disbelief in her eyes made him chuckle. She looked totally debauched, her hair damp and disheveled, her lips swollen, her cheeks flushed, and her skin glistening with sweat.

  She looked good enough to eat … again.

  He flexed his hips, about to assure her he was deadly serious when a sound caught his ears. He wanted to beat his head against the mangled headboard. Talk about rotten timing. Still, it could have been worse. If they’d come home five minutes ago, it would have been downright painful.

  “We’re about to have company,” he warned. Even though he was still swollen at the base, he clenched his jaw and pulled out. One of these days, they were going to have an entire day or night to make love. Maybe an entire twenty-four-hour period—with suitable breaks for food and sleep, of course.

  Bailey moaned and blinked. “What?”

  Her befuddled state made him feel a little better. He removed the condom, tied it off, and tossed it into the small trash can next to her bedside table. Grabbing his jeans, he dragged them on. “The kids are home.”

  She jackknifed up in bed and yanked the sheet to her neck, the modesty a huge departure from earlier. “Oh, my God.” Horror filled her gaze. “They can’t see me like this.”

  “Why the hell not?” His good humor and overall good feeling was dissipating fast.

  “I don’t have men in my bed.”

  “No, you have a husband.” He grabbed his T-shirt and pulled it on.

  She scrubbed her hands over her face. “I’m making a mess of this.” Her gaze turned pleading. “I’m not ashamed of us or what we’ve done. The boys understand that we’ve been together, but it’s not the same thing as them coming home and finding us in bed together.”

  Her genuine distress softened his anger.

  Leaning down, he caught her chin in his hand. “I’ve got this. You take a shower and get dressed.”

  The back door slammed and Emmett called out, “We’re home.”

  Sighing, Nicholas reached under her bed and pulled out a bag he’d snuck in earlier when he was bringing in the groceries. “I bought you a little something while we were in town today.” He set it on her lap. “It’s not much.” He’d never bought anything for a woman, not one he wasn’t related to or who wasn’t pack. He didn’t count the wedding ring. She considered that more a prop.

  “For me?” Her genuine wonder shoved his doubts aside.

  “Just a little something. Open it,” he encouraged when all she did was stare at it.

  Emmett’s voice was a little louder. “Hey, why don’t we go outside and take care of the cows and chickens before supper.”

  He made a mental note to thank his brother-in-law later. He’d obviously clued into what was going on. Only Eliza’s voice rose in protest. The other two teens likely suspected what was happening.

  “Bailey.” His saying her name seemed to startle her out of her stupor.

  “Right.” She opened the bag and peeked inside, blinked twice, and then pulled out the bar of soap.

  “It’s oat and honey based with a lavender scent. All natural.” He cleared his throat. “I thought you’d like it.”

  She clutched it to her chest like another woman might a diamond necklace. It was a sharp reminder of how much she’d done without. Things were tight when you were supporting a family of five on one salary.

  “Thank you.” Her throat rippled. “For this and for remembering the condom. In the heat of the moment, I forgot all about it.”

  “You’re welcome.” His voice was husky with emotion. He wanted to drag her into his arms, but that would lead to more lovemaking. “There’s another present in the bag.”

  Keeping the soap in one hand, she reached into the bag with the other. “Candy.”

  He shrugged. “I figured chocolate would melt. This is all natural, locally made. I got an assortment. There’s honey and vanilla, and—”

  She launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. The box scrunched between them. When she sniffed, his heart clenched.

  “Bailey?”

  She shook her head. “It’s perfect.” Tears welled in her eyes, but she was smiling. “I’ll share the candy with the kids.”

  He shook his head. “No, you won’t.” Anticipating such a thing, he’d taken measures to prevent it. “I bought extra. Put it in your nightstand. Share them if you want.” He opened the box, chose one of the honey candies, and slipped it between her lips.

  “Oh, it melts in my mouth.” She licked her lips and gave a hum of pleasure.

  Wanting a taste, he took her mouth, slipping his tongue inside. It was brief as the voices from outside reminded him time was short. “Perfect.” He wasn’t talking about the candy.

  Standing, he adjusted his jeans and picked up his sneakers. “Take your time. I’ll start dinner.” The last thing he wanted to do was leave her, but now was the time to prove he could put her needs and those of her pack ahead of his own.

  His last glimpse of her was of her sitting naked in the bed with a simple bar of soap and box of candy hugged to her chest and a tear rolling down her cheek.

  ****

  “I’ve found them.”

  Rasmus Caine, alpha of the Missouri Pack, slammed the axe he was using to chop wood into a stump. “You’re sure?” he asked his one and only son.

  Noah nodded. “I monitor all the government agencies and get alerts when anything suspicious arises.”

  He nodded sagely, even though he didn’t understand the technology. They were wolves. What did they need with human toys? Yet, they weren’t without their uses. Noah had proved adept at using them, took pride in his skill at what he called hacking. He didn’t object because his son also used those skills to pad the pack’s finances. Taking money from the unsuspecting was satisfying. “Talk to me.”

  “A CPS worker in West Virginia filed the paperwork on a case. Last name Smith, but first names Bailey and Emmett. They’re the right ages, too.”

  Rasmus laughed. “Their tainted blood makes them weak. They should have changed their first names.”

  “That’s not all.” Noah leaned against the woodpile, a smile on his face. “Seems the case also involved a fifteen-year-old named Waya.”

  “And?” He had more. Rasmus could see it in his eyes.

  “It means wolf in Cherokee.”

  He threw back his head and laughed. “If she thinks some kid is going to protect her, she’ll be in for a rude surprise.” His daughter had betrayed her heritage by mating with a human. He spat, as even thinking the word left an ugly taste in his mouth.

  Wolves were stronger, but they were outnumbered. Rasmus kept his small pack safe by maintaining an iron grip and keeping outside influences to a minimum. He’d be damned if he’d allow his bloodlines to become diluted by those two abominations his daughter had borne. His daughter and mate had paid the price. It had taken six years, but he’d soon have his vengeance and put this chapter of his life behind him.

  “Call up the men. We leave tonight.” He’d take four of his strongest with him and Noah. Bailey, and anyone with her, wouldn’t stand a chance.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Bailey popped a candy in her mouth, letting the sugary sweetness melt on her tongue. Honey and vanilla goodness in one little bite. She closed the half-empty box and tucked it back into her nightstand.

  True to his word, last night Nicholas had not only had supper started by the time she’d showered, he’d also provided more candy for dessert. The excitement over the CPS case being closed had dominated the conversation, muting other, more personal questions until they’d cleaned up from their celebratory meal of burgers and salad.

  Emmett had cleared his throat, his cheeks a bright pink, uncomfortable but determined. Saving him from having to ask anything, she’d announced that she and Nicholas were remaining married—for now.

  Maybe because she’d been flying high on the CPS win, coupled with the out-of-control hormones from being near him. The reasons might be complicated, but it boiled down to one thing—she’d agreed.

  “Too bad I’m in love with him,” she muttered as she gave the comforter on the bed one final tug and left the bedroom. That put her at a disadvantage, as she saw it, gave him a much surer footing in their new relationship.

  And maybe she had to stop looking at their marriage as though there was some sort of spreadsheet or checklist keeping score of wins and losses.

  The fact was she’d been drawn to him from the moment they’d met. Everything he’d said and done since had only deepened that attraction. He seemed seriously committed to making their marriage work.

  She couldn’t quite figure out why. Oh, she was decent looking, but she came with four major responsibilities, not to mention a grandfather who wanted her and her brother dead. And even though the CPS debacle was behind them, she was harboring two more kids. If they found out… Well, that didn’t bear thinking about. She and Nicholas needed to discuss options.

  Halfway down the hallway, she slumped against the wall. She was already including him in decision making. When had she started to depend on him? He made it so damn easy.

  Forget the way he made her entire body sing. Each time they came together was a master class in pleasure. He treated her like a woman. She’d been sister and caretaker for so long she’d forgotten what it was like to get a hitch in her throat when a hot guy attracted her, for her heart to beat faster and anticipation to rise.

  Whatever barriers had remained around her heart had toppled under the onslaught of scented soap and sweet goodness. Even now, the scent rose from her skin and the taste lingered in her mouth. It was like having him near even when he wasn’t around.

  Maybe that had been his plan. Sneaky wolf.

  He was full-blooded with a pack behind him. There were packs scattered across the country that would eagerly welcome new blood, especially an alpha’s son. Could he be content with her small brood?

  “Good morning.” As if thinking about him had summoned his presence, Nicholas appeared in the hallway and brushed a kiss over her lips. “You slept late.”

  Because she’d tossed and turned all night long. After having explosive sex and all his talk about making their marriage real, he’d bunked out on the couch like he’d been doing since he’d arrived.