Arctic Winds Page 6

  He ran his hand up and massaged her breast as his mouth sucked a trail down her neck. Jason paused briefly at the juncture of her shoulder where he suspected she would someday wear his mark before traveling down to her other turgid peak. He feasted greedily, loving the taste and feel of Samantha. She made the most erotic sounds in the back of her throat as she writhed beneath him. He could smell her arousal wafting up around them both.

  She was stronger than he thought, and in his surprise she almost bucked him off as she arched upward. He pinched her nipple and bit gently on the other one in warning, causing Samantha to yip in surprise before moaning softly. Jason smiled. She sure seemed to like that. He’d have to file that information away for use later. He wanted to discover all of Samantha’s hot spots, to know what sensations made her moan and which made her come apart in his arms.

  He continued to feast on her rosy pink nipples as his hands moved over her stomach and removed her skirt and underwear. Throwing them to the side of the bed, he cupped her mound. He thrust his finger inside her as he circled her clit with his thumb.

  “Ah, little heart, you’re wet for me already,” he groaned out, continuing to thrust his hand against her. Adding a second and then a third finger, Jason brought Samantha quickly to a peak and bit hard at her nipple as he felt her tumble over.

  “Jason!” she screamed as she came, riding his hand. Her body writhed as she rode out her pleasure. Jason wanted to feel her riding his cock as she came. He wanted to be buried deep inside her, feeling every quiver.

  “Beautiful.” He quickly grabbed a condom from the bedside table where he’d left them earlier and positioned himself at her wet entrance. “Look at me.” His voice commanded her to open her eyes. When she did, Jason felt a wave of possessiveness unlike anything he’d felt before. “All mine,” he proclaimed right before he thrust inside her.

  She was tight, like a silken glove squeezing him. He groaned at the amazing feeling of being buried inside her. Despite the tightness of her sheath, she easily accepted him and wrapped her silken legs around his waist, drawing him deeper. It was obvious she hadn’t been with a man in a while, a fact that pleased both the wolf and the man. Knowing he had to go slow, Jason grabbed her hips, trying to still their movement as she arched into him.

  “Jason! Move!” she half-screamed at him, clawing at his back.

  His wolf broke loose from the tenuous hold he had on it as he felt her inner muscles contract around him. He thrust into her hard and rode her fast. Just the feel of her made him want to shoot off like a teenager. He pushed harder and faster, desperate to feel Samantha come around him again before reaching his own climax. Jason nipped lightly at her shoulder, careful not to break the skin, but letting her feel the pressure of his teeth. She whimpered in pleasure, causing him to swell further as he thrust in and out of her feverishly.

  Jason ran his hands down Samantha’s legs, detaching them from his waist and pulling them up to his shoulders. The new position seated him further inside her and increased the pressure until it was a delicious ache. He could feel her getting closer and closer to completion and vowed she would reach ecstasy first. He reached between them and gently massaged her clit.

  Samantha’s short claws scraped down his shoulders, leaving trails as she came around him, screaming out his name in her ecstasy. He thrust long and hard, throwing his head back and howling as he emptied himself into the condom. Soon, he vowed, he’d be able to come inside Samantha and claim her completely as his.

  Technically, sexual intercourse, with or without a condom, wasn’t required during mating.

  It was a shifter’s bite that released the enzyme into their mate’s bloodstream that linked the pair.

  However, most shifters choose to mate while making love as the all-encompassing sensation strengthened the bond between them. Every bite thereafter was unnecessary, but reinforced the connection, which was why most mated shifters had small scars all over their bodies from subsequent bites. Not only did each bite give the pairs almost unbearably intense orgasms, shared by both partners, but it also deepened their love for each other.

  Jason knew it was too early to talk to Samantha about their mating, but he couldn’t help dreaming about the moment he knew loomed in the future. Their future. He couldn’t wait to mark her as his and to bear her mark in turn.

  Jason collapsed on top of Samantha, feeling completely content for the first time in his thirty-one years. She had responded perfectly to his every move.

  He hoped he hadn’t been too rough on her. He had wanted to take his time and make tonight special, but he couldn’t control himself once her heat enveloped him. Just being near her made his wolf howl, and he felt the overwhelming urge to seize her fully until even she couldn’t deny his possession.

  The heat of her desire had only increased his own. They fed off each other until their desire was one blaze, consuming them both in its wake. Wanting to make sure Samantha was okay, Jason levered himself up on his elbows and looked down at her.

  Samantha whined softly as he pulled away, but she didn’t cling to him. She opened her eyes and searched his questioningly. She must have liked what she saw because she smiled and Jason felt himself tumbling even deeper into love with her. Love? Jason was startled the word had crossed his mind this soon, but as he gazed at Samantha, he knew it was the truth. His feelings for her weren’t fleeting and they went well beyond lust.

  Jason rolled onto his back and pulled Samantha tight against him. She was stiff for a moment before curling into his heat. As her nose pressed against his side and she rested her hand lightly on his chest, Jason sighed in contentment and went to sleep.

  * * * *

  Samantha woke surrounded by warmth and the utterly male scent of her wolf. She smiled as memories from the previous night returned, then she snuggled deeper into the warm body lying next to her. Hers! “If that smile is any indication, last night was as good for you as it was for me.” She heard the deep voice rumble beside her as he stroked up and down her side with his large hand. She opened her eyes and looked into the green ones staring at her. He was propped up with pillows, and his arm was draped around her.

  “How long have you been up?” Samantha nibbled at her lower lip.

  “Not too long. Fifteen minutes maybe.”

  “Were you staring at me while I slept?”

  “Not in a creepy way.” Samantha felt Jason’s laugh rumble in his chest where she lay against him. “You know you make the cutest little noises in your sleep?”

  “I do not snore!”

  “No, it’s not snoring, more of an exhalation of air. It’s rather endearing, actually.” The smile he sent her way was filled with such warmth and emotion, Samantha couldn’t hold on to her anger.

  “Oh. I’m not sure what to say to that. Somehow ‘thank you’ doesn’t sound right.” Her anger had drained, but that didn’t mean she was above indulging in a little pouting. Jason laughed again and leaned down to kiss her lightly on the lips. He briefly tightened his hand on her hip before releasing her with a groan.

  “I wish we could spend all day like this. I would call in sick, but Laurie already warned me she’d have my head if you didn’t come in today. However…” Jason trailed off as his hand ran up her side and cupped her breast. He leaned down to sniff at her neck. “You’re kind of smelly.” Samantha froze. “Excuse me?”

  “Yeah. I wouldn’t even step outside smelling like that. Almost the whole town has increased sense of smell, you know. I think it would probably be best if you showered here. And just to be safe, I’ll help. I’ll make sure you wash—” Jason’s hand resting on her breast began to twist and pinch her nipple. “—everywhere.”

  Samantha laughed long and hard, finally onto his game. Jason whined beside her and sent her his best puppy-dog look, causing Samantha to laugh harder. It wasn’t until she felt him cup her mound and press a finger inside her that her eyes opened wide and stared up into his questioning gaze. “You do make a convincing argument.”

>   The grin he sent her was positively wolfish.

  Chapter 9

  She was late for work. Samantha ran inside expecting to get flack for being late, but Laurie sent her a knowing look and a wicked smile before going back to work. If Samantha had learned anything the past week, she knew that look meant she wasn’t in trouble, but she had no doubt Laurie would tease her all day long.

  Samantha couldn’t be upset, though. Last night had been much more than she expected, so much more than she had imagined possible. Being around Jason made her feel sexy and desirable and downright wanton. She’d never felt wanton before, but she decided she rather liked it.

  The only dark thought marring her morning was the depth of the attachment she felt toward Jason. She tried to tell herself they were only having fun but, looking back, she had been kidding herself since the beginning. Everything in her was drawn to him. He made her laugh and made her fox want to curl up against him and settle in. But settling in was dangerous. She had to keep reminding herself of the facts. Getting comfortable was dangerous. She knew he couldn’t be interested in more than a casual relationship with her. He was the Premier of the pack and therefore would have his pick of the alpha females, and would most likely choose the strongest to mate with.

  She wondered if she should end things before they got too serious. It was the logical choice, but her fox cried at the thought. Samantha couldn’t break things off, but she could try and shield her heart as much as possible. She’d enjoy Jason for however long he was willing to give her, but she’d never tell him how deeply she felt. By hiding the depth of her emotions, she would at least retain her pride, even though her heart might be a lost cause, because the more she thought about it, the more she realized it was already his.

  The day passed by fairly quickly and by closing time, Samantha was tired, hungry and desperately needed a shower to wash off Jason’s scent. As the day wore on, she had to endure countless comments from the other shifters who came in to get coffee and obviously smelled Jason on her skin. The more subtle of the pack had winked at her or gave her a knowing look, but she also had to endure the females of the pack who made snide comments to her. Samantha’s head throbbed with the beginnings of a headache.

  * * * *

  Jason paused in the entrance of Books and Crannies. He softened as he gazed at Samantha puttering behind the coffee bar. She really was beautiful, a soft and feminine beauty that made him want to pull her into his embrace and nuzzle her neck. What affected him more than that, though, was her caring and giving nature.

  He frowned as he saw her tilt her head to one side and massage her neck. Ethan mentioned something had been bothering her earlier when he had come in for a cup of coffee, but Jason hadn’t thought too much about it. When he dropped Samantha off this morning, she had kissed him passionately and smiled before hurrying inside.

  Jason shook his head and strode toward the counter. Samantha opened her eyes and despite the weariness Jason could sense, a smile lit up her face. He loved how open she was with her emotions.

  Jason leaned over the counter and placed a quick kiss on her lips.

  “How was your day, baby?”

  “Better now. How was yours?” She rolled her shoulder as she spoke.

  “What’s wrong with your neck and shoulder?”

  “Oh it’s nothing. Just a small headache.”

  “Have you taken anything?”

  “No, it’s fine. I’ll take something later.”

  Jason came around the counter and pulled Samantha flush against him. His lips pressed against her temple and he stood there for a moment savoring the feel and scent of her in his arms.

  “Let me take care of you, little heart. How ’bout we order some Chinese food and I give you a back massage while we wait for it?”

  “That sounds heavenly.” Samantha breathed out as she clutched his shirt and nuzzled his chest.

  “Aw, isn’t this cute,” a snide female voice sounded behind them. Samantha jumped and tried to hide her face against him. “Jason, shouldn’t you be dealing with real women? I can make you forget this nobody even exists.”

  “Cynthia!” Jason exclaimed, shocked by such rudeness from one of his pack mates. “What the hell is wrong with you? Apologize.” Jason’s voice deepened with the force of his command.

  Cynthia flinched at the authority in his voice as if receiving a blow.

  “Sorry, I guess.”

  As far as apologies went, it was pretty lame. Jason was on the verge of commanding a better one when Laurie joined them.

  “Get out of my store.” Jason had never heard Laurie’s voice sound so cold.

  Samantha tried to pull away from Jason’s grasp, but he held firm and turned to look at his sister as she spoke. “Jason, I was wondering if I could talk to you for a minute before you drag Samantha away.” There was an odd gleam in Laurie’s eyes. Whatever she wanted to discuss, Jason had a feeling he wasn’t going to be happy.

  “Samantha, why don’t you run up to your apartment and grab a change of clothes and anything else you need for the night. You won’t need any pajamas,” Jason murmured in her ear before she could pull away. Her smile dazzled him, but Jason could see the sadness lurking behind her eyes.

  Jason turned to Laurie as Samantha left. She eyed him shrewdly. “Listen, I hope you’re as serious about Samantha as I think you are.”

  “I don’t think that’s any of your business, Laurie. I appreciate you looking out for her, but what’s between Samantha and me doesn’t concern you.”

  “I just thought you’d like to know that pretty much every single female in the pack came in here and gave her a hard time today. Most of them were incredibly rude and some downright cruel.

  I even heard a few people call her a whore.”

  Jason felt his face mottle in anger, and he wondered why Samantha hadn’t told him herself.

  He needed to make sure his pack understood how important Samantha was to him. He would not accept this treatment of her. And he needed to find out why Samantha hadn’t told him anything about it.

  * * * *

  Samantha moaned into the pillow as Jason’s hands ran up her back, pressing in all the right places. “God, your hands are amazing.”

  Chuckling quietly, Jason leaned down to nibble on her ear. “Anytime you want my ‘amazing’

  hands, they’re at your disposal.”

  She shivered under his hands as they pressed into her naked back. He licked around the rim of her ear, causing another delightful shudder to work through her.

  “Tell me, little heart.” Jason paused and nibbled down the back of her neck, placing a love bite hard enough to leave indents on her shoulder. “Why didn’t you tell me what happened today at work?”

  Jason felt Samantha stiffen beneath him. She might not want to tell him anything, but her body couldn’t avoid him in their current position.

  “I’m not sure what you mean.”

  “Laurie told me you had a bit of trouble today with some of the pack.”

  “How did she… Oh right, wolf hearing. It’s not a big deal, Jason.” Samantha started to sit up and pull away, but Jason wouldn’t let her.

  “How can you say my pack disrespecting you like this is not a big deal?” He expected Samantha to be furious or at least upset. This calm acceptance of his pack’s rude behavior bothered him more than anything had in a long time. The wolf side of him had already declared Samantha to be his mate, and his human side was beginning to trust its instincts. His pack’s lack of respect toward Samantha, his mate and the future leader of the pack, infuriated him. Especially since she wasn’t even demanding what was rightfully hers.

  “Why should I get upset with people for speaking the truth?” Samantha whispered into the bedcovers. Even with his wolf hearing he had to strain to hear her, she spoke so quietly. Her back was tense beneath his hand.

  “What did you say?” Jason demanded, his anger increasing dramatically.

  “It’s not like anyone said anything unw
arranted.” When she pulled away from him and tried to sit up again, Jason let her. She turned toward him but wouldn’t look at him, staring at the comforter instead.

  “Explain,” Jason growled out, barely able to form words. When she didn’t speak, Jason grasped her chin and, careful not to hurt her, pulled her head up, fixing her eyes with his.

  “I just meant that…” Samantha stammered. “It’s fine, but it’s not like we’re not sleeping together. And I have only known you for a little over a week.” Samantha looked away. “And it’s not like we’re anything serious. But I’m okay with it. I…” She took a deep steadying breath and shook her head. “I don’t want what we have to end yet.”

  “Samantha, look at me.” Jason waited until her eyes met his again before pulling her into his lap and continuing. “Yes, we are sleeping together, and yes, we have only known each other a short time. But neither of those facts makes my feelings for you less than what they are. And we are something serious. I have absolutely no intention of ending what’s between us.” He felt her muscles loosen as her head came to rest in the crook of his shoulder. Her nose nuzzled his throat.

  “Jason?”

  “Yes, little heart?”

  “Make love to me.”

  Jason looked down at the woman who was quickly becoming the most important thing in the world to him.

  “With pleasure,” he said seriously before capturing her lips in a bruising kiss. When he finally lifted his head, both of them were breathing heavily. “But sweetheart, no more taking flack from anyone. If you want to give me their names and let me take care of it, fine, but my pack will respect you. Is that clear?”