Alexandra's Legacy

Chapter Twenty-Four

Alex came awake in stages. It took her a second to remember where she was and, when she did, she wished she was still asleep. Yesterday’s scene replayed in her head. God, had she really stalked off and left Joshua and the rest of them standing there with their mouths hanging open?

Burying her face in her pillow, she tried to block the memory. Yes, she had. It had been worth the embarrassment just to see that.

She had no idea what had happened after she’d made herself scarce. True to her word, she’d stripped down to Joshua’s shirt and climbed into bed. She remembered stirring when someone had climbed in beside her, but since it was Joshua, she’d drifted right back to sleep. If he’d come with the notion of bedding her last night, he’d gotten a surprise. She’d been too exhausted to stay awake.

Now she really had to go to the bathroom and there was a muscled arm thrown around her waist. Joshua had gathered her close to him when he’d settled next to her and hadn’t loosened his grip the entire night.

Carefully, she inched over to the edge of the bed, which actually wasn’t that far away. Joshua was sprawled across most of the king-sized mattress. Although, she supposed she couldn’t complain. It was his bed after all.

His fingers curled around her waist. “Where are you going?” he mumbled.

“Bathroom,” she whispered, hoping he wouldn’t really wake up. He loosened his grip and she slid out of bed. The wood floor was cool against the soles of her feet and her toes curled as she stood there looking down at him. If she was staying they’d need to get an area rug or two.

Standing beside the bed, she stared down at Joshua. Most people appeared different when they were asleep—softer, more vulnerable. But not Joshua. Even in sleep there was no softening in his rough-hewn face. If anything all the harsh angles and planes were even more prominent. His shaggy black hair appeared even darker, cushioned against the white pillowcase. The plain white sheet had slipped down to his waist, exposing the long muscular lines of his back. She was pleased to note the wounds on his back were already healing and would probably be gone within another day or two.

Trying not to make any noise, she padded to the bathroom. When she’d taken care of her most pressing needs, she faced herself in the mirror. Her short hair was tousled, but she looked better than she had in a while. It was amazing what a good night’s sleep could do to restore a person. Her face was still pale, except for where colorful bruises marred her skin. Shadows still smudged the skin beneath her eyes, but overall she thought she looked better than she had yesterday.

Her skin began to tingle as she stood there. It had been doing that on and off all night, frequently waking her, but she’d been so exhausted, she’d managed to ignore it and fall back to sleep.

Alex unbuttoned the fastenings at the top of the shirt and shoved the material to one side, letting it slide down her arm. The furrow left by the bullet was still raw and tender, but it was healing. The long scratches from the wolf’s claws would probably leave scars as well, but they too were beginning to heal.

She slid a few more buttons free and stared at her chest. Bruises were visible from where her seatbelt had restrained her. Her face was still colorful, but considering what she’d been through, she wasn’t feeling too bad. Nothing a week or two of rest and food wouldn’t cure. Even her feet were doing better. The salve Joshua put on her wounds after her bath had worked wonders. Like the rest of her, they were still battered but on the mend.

Alex started to button the shirt again, but her hands stilled. Her skin began to itch wherever the fabric touched her body. Sliding the shirt down her arms, she let it slip off her body where it pooled around her feet. Her skin was hypersensitive and she moaned when she touched it. Heat began to seep through her like a living, breathing entity. Her breathing had quickened and she began to perspire.

She buried her face in her hands. What was wrong with her? Maybe she’d picked up an infection or something running around the woods?

Her womb spasmed and liquid seeped from her core. She raised her head to stare at the woman in the mirror. For a split second, she saw the face of a wolf semi-imposed over her face. Then she knew.

She was in heat.

This time there would be no reprieve. Once she took this step forward her life would be changed forever. There would be no going back.

Her breasts ached and she cupped them to try to ease the riot of sensations rocketing through her. It didn’t help. If anything it made things worse. Her nipples were diamond hard against her palms. She shifted her hands and that slight pressure on her nipples had her groaning. Liquid trickled down the inside of her thigh.

Stumbling out of the bathroom, she made her way back to the bed. Joshua was wide awake, reclining against the pillows as if he’d been waiting for her. The sheet was pooled around his waist but did nothing to hide his erection, which had tented the fabric. His wide, tanned chest was exposed and Alex growled low in her chest.

Joshua smiled and opened his arms.

She didn’t need a second invitation. She knelt on the end of the bed and crawled up his legs until she was sitting on his stomach. He wasn’t the best looking man she’d ever seen, but there was something about him that drew her. She never tired of looking at him and knew she never would. He was sexy as all get out.

And he was hers.

Placing her hands flat on his chest, she stroked his skin. Muscles rippled beneath her fingers as she slid them over the magnificent expanse. She loved the crisp mat of hair that spread from nipple to nipple, the way the band of hair narrowed as it bisected his stomach and headed toward his groin.

He groaned as her fingers brushed his nipples. “Are you certain this is what you want?”

Poor Joshua. She could feel his erection pressing hard against her bottom, but still he was honorable to the last. It was one of the reasons she loved him.

In answer, she leaned forward until her breasts brushed against his chest. Oh, that felt lovely. Better than lovely. Then she placed her lips against his, showing him what she wanted.

His mouth was firm and warm as it pressed against hers. She flicked her tongue over his lips as they parted, inviting her inward. And she went. Unable to resist his lure, she stroked her tongue into his mouth, groaning when he sucked on it. He rested his hands lightly on her hips, his fingers gliding up and down her sides until she thought she’d scream in frustration.

Her sex was hot and wet and screaming for release. She spread her legs wide and rubbed herself against the hard muscles of his stomach, seeking relief from the constant ache. The movement caused her breasts to skim across his chest and the crisp hair stimulated them further.

She had to pull her mouth from his when breathing became more difficult. “Joshua?” There was a tinge of fear in her voice. She didn’t quite know what to ask for. Didn’t know what, if anything, could ease the clawing need within her.

He captured her breasts in his hands, his thumbs stroking her distended nipples. “It’s all perfectly natural, Alex. Just go with it. Feel it. Allow yourself to sink into the heat.”

She felt his words like a stroke against her skin and arched her back so that her breasts were brought into closer contact with his hands. “It hurts,” she moaned as her vagina contracted again.

Joshua sat up in bed and lowered his head to her breasts. He flicked one and then the other with his tongue before settling his mouth over one and suckling. Alex threaded her fingers through his hair and held him close. God, that felt incredible. She felt the deep sucking motion between her thighs as if he were touching her there as well. Her hips moved of their own volition, undulating against the hard planes of his stomach.

She was close. So close. Release was just a caress, a touch, away. Her entire body tightened. Poised. Waiting.

He stroked his hands down her sides and inserted one of them between her legs. One touch. That’s all it took. His finger brushed her clitoris and she exploded. Tipping her head back, she cried out as heat surged through her. Her body convulsed as pleasure washed over her. She could feel his lips at her breast, his hand between her thighs as a gush of warm liquid flooded onto his belly.

When it was over, she slumped against Joshua and he wrapped his arms around her. She felt warm and content as she nuzzled her face against his neck. He always smelled so good, kind of outdoorsy mixed with a musky male heat. She snuggled closer and the heat that had subsided began to build again.

She groaned. “I thought it would stop.”

He nipped at her neck, making her gasp even as she tilted her head to one side to give him better access. “The only way to make it stop is if I take you. You need my cock inside you, filling you.”

His graphic words had her in a state of full-blown arousal as quick as that. “Then do it.” She pushed the sheet down and tried to take him into her, but he stopped her. She growled at him. And then was appalled at herself.

Joshua gripped her in his arms and rolled until she was beneath him. Planting her feet on the bed, she arched against him, practically purring with delight as his hard length stroked over the swollen folds of her sex.

Joshua laughed and smiled. She momentarily forgot all about sex in the presence of his happiness. It shone from his eyes, making him appear younger. He leaned down and kissed her nose, her cheeks, her forehead and her mouth. Soft kisses, biting kisses, hard kisses. She wanted them all and he gave them to her.

His tongue trailed a wet path between her breasts and he playfully lapped at her nipples. She shifted restlessly beneath him, but he trapped her against the mattress using his much larger and stronger body to subdue her movements.

“Joshua, do something.” She was so close to coming again.

“I need to claim you in the traditional way of our people.” He lazily sucked on her nipple, released it and then blew gently across it. He pressed his hips harder against her sex and she squirmed, trying to get his erection closer to where she needed it most.

Alex’s skin was coated in a light sheen of sweat. Overwhelming need pulsed beneath her skin. At this point she didn’t care what he did as long as he was inside her. “Anything,” she panted.

He sat back on his knees, his sex jutting out in front of him. Long and proud, it bobbed toward her. A blue vein pulsed with need and as she watched a bead of pearly white fluid seeped from the tip. She licked her lips, wanting to taste him.

His mouth was set and a drop of sweat slid down his temple. “On your hands and knees.”

She knew then what he wanted. How he planned to take her. And the idea of him claiming her in that manner sent a fresh wave of liquid heat rushing through her. She undulated in front of him, unable to move until the latest wave had crested and receded. But Joshua was finished waiting. He lifted her and flipped her onto her stomach.

Alex laughed at his unrestrained enthusiasm and then groaned as he pulled her up onto her hands and knees. She braced her hands on the bed and lowered her forehead to the pillow.

“Spread your legs.” It was more growl than command and she widened her stance, letting her knees slide over the sheets until she was fully exposed to him.

His fingers molded the globes of her behind, kneading that tender flesh as he leaned closer. “You are so beautiful. So pink and wet and ready. And it’s all for me, isn’t it, Alex?”

“Yes,” she groaned, gripping the sheet so forcefully with her fingers she was surprised the fabric didn’t rip. Blood rushed to her head, making it impossible to hear anything but their harsh breathing and the sound of her pounding heart. The ripe smell of sex and need permeated the air, along with the faintest scent of something spicy that sent her arousal spiraling even higher. “What is that smell?”

“You. Me. Us,” he whispered, punctuating each word with a kiss down her spine. His fingers stroked over her swollen folds, dipping into her slit and retreating again. She pushed her bottom toward him, encouraging him to do it again. His fingers continued to circle her sex. She could feel liquid arousal sliding out of her.

“That’s it,” he crooned. “Your scent is intoxicating. It’s telling me that your body is not only ready, but also willing to accept mine. And you are ready to accept me, aren’t you, Alex? Once you become mine, I will never let you go.” He withdrew his fingers and blew gently over her wet flesh making her vagina clench unbearably hard.

“Yes.” At this point she’d say anything, do anything to get him to finally fuck her. She needed him inside her. The heat and the aching need were becoming unbearable.

“I’ll take you whenever I want, wherever I want and you’ll never deny me, will you?”

“Never.” She gave him the words she knew he needed. She didn’t begrudge them to him, knowing instinctively that after what had happened, he needed to assert his claim in every way possible. His wolf nature demanded it.

His fingers dug into her hips as he pulled her back toward him. She sucked in a deep breath and began to pant as he pressed the thick head of his penis just inside her opening. “More,” she managed to gasp out between breaths.

“I claim you as my mate. Now and forever.” Joshua surged forward, not stopping until he was buried to the hilt within her.

She felt the slightest twinge of pain and then there was only heat. She tilted her head back and cried out at the pleasure of being filled by him.

“I can’t wait,” he gritted out.

“Then don’t,” she gasped.

He slid his hands upward and beneath her until he was cupping her breasts in his hands. Holding her steady, he shifted his hips, pulling them back until only the tip of his cock was still within her. He pumped forward, slamming back into her.

Her inner muscles softened to accept him, even as they rippled and clenched around him. It was amazing. There were almost too many sensations for her to take in at once. Her body was burning from the inside out.

Joshua continued to hammer into her body, but it still wasn’t enough. She needed more. Catching the mating rhythm, she began to slam her bottom back to meet his thrust. The slap of their flesh as it met added to their joining, heightening Alex’s pleasure.

Her lungs felt like they might burst as Joshua drove into her again and again. The smell of sex and spices grew thicker and her heart continued to pound harder and harder. She couldn’t take much more. Every cell in her body was screaming with tension.

Joshua slid one hand down between her thighs and stroked the bundle of nerves at the apex. She came the moment he touched her. Her inner muscles clamped down hard on Joshua’s shaft and he yelled with pleasure. Unbelievably, she felt him growing larger within her. He filled her so completely that the sensation was uncomfortable, bordering on painful. She tried to pull away, but was unable to dislodge him. His cock was locked inside her.

“Alex,” he growled. He was still growing within her. She could feel the head of his cock reaching impossibly deep. Heat flooded her as he came. Joshua tilted back his head and howled as he emptied himself into her womb.

Shivers raced through her body and she came again. This time the convulsions were so hard she almost dislodged him from behind her. He gripped her hard and pumped his hips in short, hard jabs.

She lost all track of time, but finally she collapsed down onto the mattress, shaken and spent by the intensity of their joining. Joshua came down on top of her, still locked inside her. He shifted slightly to the side so that all his weight wasn’t on her. His face was buried in her neck and his heart pounded against her back as he gasped for breath.

She wasn’t in much better shape. All her various aches and pains which had been forgotten in the heat of passion were now making themselves known again. She shifted, trying to get more comfortable.

Joshua groaned and levered himself up on his forearms. He kissed her nape and all the way down the curve of her spine as he eased up onto his knees. They both groaned when he pulled his softening erection from her.

He fell back against the pillows and drew her into his arms. His lips were soft on her forehead as he brushed his fingers over her cheek. “Don’t cry, my love.”

She hadn’t realized she was crying. She wiped her eyes, feeling emotional and stupid. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“It was the intensity and the beauty of our joining.” He peppered her face with soft kisses before cradling her back against his shoulder. “That and hormones. There is nothing wrong with you.” His voice, though soft, had an edge to it. “You are perfect.”

She laughed as she nuzzled his neck. “I’ll remind you that you said that when I’m doing something that gets on your nerves.”

He stilled and then he chuckled. “You are mine now.” There was a wealth of satisfaction and emotion in those four words.

“And you are mine.”

His arms tightened around her.

“I love you,” she whispered against his chest.

He shifted until she was lying on her back with him looming above her. His hand trembled as he pushed a lock of hair off her face. “The words, I love you, do not begin to express what you mean to me.” His eyes seemed to get even darker as she watched him. “You are everything to me. The air I breathe. My reason for living. You brought joy to a life of duty and responsibility. There is nothing I would not do to make you happy.”

“Oh, Joshua.”

He shook himself and gave her a lopsided grin. “And I may never say those words again as long as we live.”

She laughed, knowing that was what he’d intended. “It doesn’t matter if you never say them again. I know what you feel here.” She placed her palm over his heart.

Joshua slid his hand over her heart and smiled when he felt the heavy thud. “I claim you as my mate, Alexandra Riley Striker. Mine to keep until the day I die.”

“I claim you as well, Joshua Striker. Mine to keep until the day I die.”

As a tear slid from her eye, he leaned over and kissed her. Even though she was exhausted, the familiar heat began to slide through her body. “Again?”

He shifted so that she was beneath him once again. She could feel the heavy weight of his erection against her hip.

“Again,” he whispered as he traced the curve of her ear. “And again. And again.”

Alex parted her lips and sighed. His tongue stroked over them and she decided her body wasn’t quite that tired after all.