Chasing Paradise

Chapter 2

The sun was no longer visible on the horizon as Gwen dove under the water, using her thick tail to twirl and spin. Eyes closed, she let her other senses guide her. Her whiskers tingled from all the vibrations in the water. She sensed the gentle sway of seaweed on the ocean floor and a school of fish swimming behind her. When human, this skill wasn’t quite as strong, but she did possess a greater sense of her surroundings than other shifters.

She resurfaced and gently paddled on her back, keeping her nose and eyes above the water. The gentle waves supported her, and she let the peace of the ocean surround her. This was her favorite time of day. The guests were mostly inside, eating their dinner. A few lingered on the patio after watching the sun set, but the more vibrant colors had already disappeared, leaving behind a dusky purple glow.

Whenever she felt overwhelmed or stressed out, this was her escape, her haven. She loved her job, but it constantly left her feeling strung out and tense. Lately, she’d been restless. The senior romp members were putting more and more responsibilities on her shoulders and she reveled in it. But most days, she was stuck inside dealing with paperwork. In the past, she’d been able to interact with the guests, walk around the resort, and talk with the staff. Lately, she just hadn’t had the time and she missed the human interaction. She’d always felt separate from the others, but more and more often she found herself truly alone.

At an early age, Gwen had discovered she was different from other otters in her romp. While most pups spent their days playing, she spent her days swimming and reading. She’d never developed the flirting skills her friends and family had, and her more traditional views on love and sex had left her out of the dating game for most of her teen years. Whereas she was responsible and liked to think she worked just as hard as she played, she often felt like a mother, even to the older members of her community, reining in the hotel staff and forcing them to do their jobs. Even her own parents needed gentle reminders to pay the bills. It wasn’t that things wouldn’t get done. They would eventually. But eventually wasn’t good enough for Gwen.

Some days she was amazed the resort had succeeded as well as it had before she’d taken the helm. But she wanted more. The yearning to be a real mother, not just a figurative one to her romp, made her heart ache.

As the water rushed over her small body in a comforting caress, her thoughts drifted once again to the wolf. She’d managed to get very little work done after her run-in with him this afternoon. Whenever she closed her eyes the images of them naked and entwined played in her mind. By the time she finally called it a day, Gwen was annoyed, horny, and aching for his touch.

These foreign feelings left her off-balance. Sure, there’d been men who attracted her. Even some she’d bedded. But she’d always been able to separate work from play before. Never had someone consumed her thoughts so completely. It was annoying. If she hadn’t seen him walk off with the cheetah, she would seriously begin to wonder if she’d found her mate.

Inside her head, her otter yelled at her, telling her she had indeed found her mate, but the woman remained skeptical. She wasn’t naive enough to compare herself to the other woman, who had radiated sexuality with every breath, every step. There was no hope of competing against someone like that. Sighing, Gwen let her senses guide her toward a school of Coho salmon swimming close to shore. Slowing briefly as she neared, Gwen used her tail in a burst of speed, propelling her forward into the school. Her sharp teeth dug into her prey and she surfaced with a large fish.

Pleased with her find, Gwen paddled back toward shore to consume her meal.

Ethan walked out of the sliding glass doors and breathed a sigh of relief. The cool evening air soothed his frayed nerves as he leaned on the railing of the deck to stare into the darkening ocean.

He’d come to the hotel bar hoping to find female companionship for the night. There’d been plenty of opportunities. His genuine interest in people and friendly attitude tended to draw others to him, especially women. But not one woman inside had attracted him on a sexual level.

Worry trickled down his throat, settling heavy in his gut. The thought of having sex with any of the women he’d met tonight left a sour taste in his mouth. He hadn’t felt the vaguest tingle of interest.

Out of nowhere, an image of the serious-looking otter he’d met earlier came to him. The look of wonder as she’d gazed at him had caused her already round eyes to widen. The deep brown had pulled him in and held him captive. Her heart-shaped face was tanned but lighter than the other staff. Best of all, she had a slightly upturned nose and pouty lips just begging to be kissed. If only that encounter had ended differently. He could be in her bed, her legs wrapped around his waist this very minute instead of trying to solve his sudden disinterest in women.

Cute women had never appealed to Ethan before. He preferred sexy or beautiful. But something about this particular woman tugged at him. His mind wouldn’t let her image fade. He had to find out who she was.

Movement on the beach caught Ethan’s attention. He searched the waves, trying to figure out what it was, and saw a small wet otter waddle out of the surf with a large fish in its mouth. Maybe his imagination was playing tricks on him, but he somehow knew without a shadow of a doubt this was the woman. His woman.

He watched from the deck as she devoured her meal and started drying her fur with her mouth. What was it about this woman that fascinated him, even the most mundane things? Ethan stared, mesmerized while she puffed air into her fur. His focus paid off as the figure on the beach began to shift, the pops and cracks drowned out by the noise of the ocean. Straightening, Ethan sucked in a startled breath as the human woman’s curvaceous form took shape. As she lay on the sand panting after the change, Ethan absorbed every aspect of her body. A small groan escaped as his eyes moved past her hips and down her legs. He could only imagine how phenomenal those legs would feel wrapped around him, and he wanted to taste the salt from the ocean on those voluptuous breasts. As his imagination ran wild, his pants became uncomfortably tight, forcing him to shift his weight. Whatever had been ailing him all evening fled with the arrival of his mystery woman. There was only one thing he wanted tonight. One woman.

Suddenly, the form on the beach sat up and turned in his direction. How had she known he was here? He strove for a nonthreatening pose even as his wolf cried out for him to hunt and take. Scaring her wouldn’t help him accomplish his goals.

As she continued to stare, Ethan could almost feel her mind grappling with a difficult decision. He held his breath, anxious to discover his fate. Something whispered to him that the next few moments were vitally important. Eventually, she bushed the sand from her body, pulled on her clothes, and fiddled with her long, waist-length hair, pulling it back into the same drastic bun from earlier. The determination to take her hair down and run his hands through it burned in him.

Ethan let out the breath he’d been holding as she made her way to him, his eyes riveted on her hips gently swaying with each step. A breeze rushed over his face, bringing her scent with it. He breathed it in like a drowning man. The scent blended perfectly with the smell of the ocean. He licked his lips, tasting the salt on them and imagined he was tasting her. He wanted to bury himself inside her until she was as crazy as he felt.

When she stopped in front of him, her eyes locked on his and he was powerless to look away.

“Hi.” Her gaze shifted to the side as if searching for something to say. “I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself earlier, or thank you for saving me from the wall. I’m Gwen.”

She thrust out her hand to shake his, and Ethan stared at it. How would she react if he pulled her into his arms and ravaged those beautiful lips like he wanted to? Instead, he gave her a smile and shook hands.

“Actually, you did manage to thank me.” Utterly charming him in the process, too. The blush that stole over her cheeks only endeared her to him more. “I’m Ethan. Can I buy you a drink, Gwen?”

Her gaze drifted to the open doors behind him. “I probably shouldn’t. I try not to mingle with guests.” She continued to stare into the bar before glancing back at him, her doe-like eyes hiding nothing. She wanted to stay with him and was fighting an internal battle with her conscience. It would be easy to tip the scales in his favor.

With any other woman, he’d swing his arm around her shoulders, and guide her toward the bar with a charming smile. Instead, using his intuition as his guide, he cupped her cheek with his hand. Her eyes closed as she nuzzled her face against him but flew open moments later as he drew her closer. His other hand slipped around her waist as he tilted her chin up, aligning her lips with his.

As soon as his lips brushed against hers, his wolf growled low in his chest. Something about this woman captivated him. The need to touch her, taste her, move inside her, was unbearable. Resisting the urge to crush her against him proved difficult and he struggled to keep the kiss light.

Despite his resolution, the feel of her lips parting in silent invitation proved too much for his tightly-strung control. His tongue thrust inside, exploring her mouth as his arms pulled her tighter against him. Her hands closed into fists, pulling at him as if to draw him closer. Breaking away, he gasped for air, need setting him on fire. Gwen rested her head on his shoulder, panting as well.

“What say we skip the drink and go back to my room?” Ethan suggested, desperate to know her better.

“No.” Her quick reply was so unexpected, it took him a moment to process.

He stared down at her in confusion. No? He thought they had been on the same page. Her hands were still fisted in his shirt, her body a comfortable weight in his arms. Everything indicated she had enjoyed the kiss as much as he had. Hell, she’d practically melted against him. What had he done wrong?

Fighting the urge to growl, Ethan took deep breaths to calm his wolf. The woman sorely tested his laidback attitude. If she thought she was getting away from him, she was crazy.

With his charisma and handsome face, he wasn’t often without a playfellow. It didn’t hurt being one of the officers in his pack with significant influence. Women usually fell at his feet.

His sexual appetites tended to be fairly large, but the moment he’d met this woman, everyone else had ceased to matter. He wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anything in his life. It devastated him to think she might not feel the same way. Letting her go tonight would be one of the hardest things he’d ever done. But if that was what she wanted, he’d find a way to walk away. But it wouldn’t end there. Wolves were persistent when they wanted something and he wanted Gwen. Nothing would stop him from coming back until she was ready for him. He’d win her over eventually. No other outcome was acceptable.

“My room is bigger.”

It took a moment to process the meaning behind her words, but once he did, his soul leapt and he fought the impulse to howl. No waiting. Gwen would be his tonight.

Gwen’s mind whirled. What was she doing? Each step brought her closer to the elevators, but she couldn’t dispel her doubts. This was so unlike her. She never acted impulsively and certainly not about something like sex. Glancing back at Ethan, she bit her lip and wondered what it was about this man that made her ignore all her rules.

It wasn’t as if the rules regarding sex were strict or overwhelming, but she never jumped into bed with hotel guests, never slept with a guy on the first date, and she never had sex with someone without knowing what would happen the next day.

With Ethan, she pretty much threw all three rules out the window. But the moment he’d put his arms around her, nothing else mattered. Her otter glorified in this wolf’s touch. With each beat of her heart, the word mate thrummed through her body.

Each step closer to the private staff elevators brought a new doubt. Could she actually go through with this? No. It was too irresponsible. But as she turned around to apologize and call it off, she looked up into Ethan’s smiling eyes, already altered to his wolf’s golden shade. They glowed in the darker corridor, and her excuses died on her tongue. Some things were worth the risk.

Neither talked on the ride up to her floor, but the way his hand stroked her side reassured her as no words could have. Out of the corner of her eye, she studied him.

There was no denying he was handsome, probably the most handsome man she’d ever met and certainly the most handsome she’d ever been intimate with. But more than that, there was an aura about him that soothed her nerves, making her relax.

After her moment of hesitation, Ethan placed his hand on the small of her back just above the curve of her butt. The heat of his hand through the thin material of her blouse made Gwen shiver in anticipation of the night ahead. What would his skin feel like against hers with nothing in between?

Wiping her sweaty hands on her skirt, Gwen turned back around and led the way to her door. At least they’d have some privacy. As manager, Gwen had one of the suites in a separate wing to herself. Every glance back at Ethan reassured her she was making the right decision.

She expelled a breath, smiling at him over her shoulder as she walked toward her door.

“Here it is.” Her hand shook so badly trying to slide her key card into her door, she couldn’t manage it. Ethan’s hand, the one not currently caressing her butt, covered hers and helped guide the card into the lock.

The heat of his breath caressed her ear as he whispered, “Easy, pet,” causing another delicious shiver to run down her spine.

Ethan barely registered his surroundings as he stepped into the hotel suite. All his focus centered on the beautiful woman in front of him. Her tantalizing scent drew him to her as nothing had before.

“It’s okay, Gwen. We’ll take this at your speed.” He could tell she was nervous, that she didn’t do this kind of thing often, and for some reason, the thought pleased him. Which was strange. Never before had he cared about his lovers’ previous experience. Those thoughts hadn’t crossed his mind until now. But with Gwen, he felt…possessive. Just the thought of her with another man made his skin crawl.

“I know.” The soft words drew him back to reality and he wrangled in his wayward thoughts. There was here and now. Nothing else. The past didn’t matter. And right now, the need to taste her overwhelmed everything else.

Closing the door behind them, Ethan drew Gwen into his arms. Pulling her up his body, he gripped her hips, his hands splaying over the cheeks of her ass. Her hands rested on his chest.

Ethan’s eyes drifted upward, focusing on the hair piled at the top of her head. The damn bun had hidden her beauty from him at first. It needed to go.

Reaching up, he unwound her hair from its confines, letting it spill down her back. Her hair was glorious, long and thick. It fell to the small of her back, tickling his hand where it rested on her butt. He ran his free hand through the silky locks.

“Why do you hide all this beautiful hair?” Ethan tilted her face toward his, then, not waiting for an answer, claimed her lips.

“Ethan.” The word escaped in a breathy plea. Hearing his name whispered with such need drove his desire higher. He wrapped the thick strands of hair in his hand and took advantage of her open mouth. Thrusting his tongue between her lips, he explored the recesses of her mouth. When her tongue joined the play, he groaned, pulling back only to allow her teeth to lightly nip at his lower lip. Who knew the woman could kiss so well? Returning the favor, Ethan sucked at her top lip before diving back in.

Her hands fisting in his shirt as she tried to pull him closer, arching her chest toward him. Ethan pulled her hips tighter, his erection straining against his zipper. He had to get inside her soon, but not before he tasted every inch of her delectable flesh.

They were both gasping as Ethan pulled away. Pushing Gwen so she leaned against the door, Ethan slowly unbuttoned her shirt, kissing a trail down her torso with each luscious inch he revealed. Satin smooth skin quivered under his tongue wherever he kissed.

“Ethan, wait.” Gwen’s tentative hands stopped him as he reached her belly button. But he couldn’t resist dipping his tongue inside before stopping. There was hesitation in the eyes looking down at him.

“What’s wrong, pet?”

“The lights are on.”

Uh oh, please don’t let her get prudish on me now. He stared at her, trying to see past her anxious face into her soul. Her teeth worried at her bottom lip, but her eyes looked over his form appreciatively. It certainly didn’t appear to be a moral issue. So what was the problem? Reaching up, Ethan ran his thumb over the lip she tortured. He had plans for those lips.

“You’re beautiful, Gwen. I want to see you.”

“It’s just…I have a few more curves than your average woman. I–” Gwen stopped and took a deep breath, forcing her chest closer to his face. “I saw the woman you were with earlier. I don’t look like her.” The tentative whisper told him where the problem lay. Her self-consciousness showed in every tense line of her body.

But there was no need. His hands ached to run up and down her curvy figure. He couldn’t even remember why he’d once found Jacqueline attractive. All his thoughts focused on Gwen.

Needing to reassure her, he caressed her stomach as he whispered, “Your curves fit perfectly in a man’s hands. Never doubt that, Gwen.” The answering smile lit up her entire face. Seeing the joy his words had brought, he realized there wasn’t anywhere in the world he would rather be, and no one he’d rather be with.

Releasing the last button of her shirt, Ethan moved on to her skirt, slipping it off her hips to reveal black lace panties. He chuckled against her belly at the discovery. “Who would’ve thought these hid under your straight-laced suit.”

His tongue darted out, tracing her lightly tanned skin above the line of her underwear. A slightly salty taste infused her skin from her swim in the ocean. The new flavor drove his wolf wild.

“So good. I have to taste more,” Ethan whispered against her stomach. The little shudders darting down her body, causing her to quiver in his arms, delighted him.

Without wasting another moment, Ethan finished undressing her and lifted one of her legs over his shoulder, exposing her completely to his gaze.

“You are so gorgeous.” Ethan placed small kisses along her bare inner thigh before closing his mouth over Gwen’s clit and sucking deeply.

Oh, God. This was better than anything she’d ever experienced before. Gwen’s head fell back against the door with a thud but she barely felt it. All her thoughts were focused on the incredible things the man was doing with his tongue. Her hands fisted in Ethan’s hair as he teased her, kissing and sucking until she couldn’t stand anymore. As her leg gave out, Ethan caught her and lowered her to the floor. The movement was her only reprieve before his mouth returned to its teasing ministrations.

Gwen writhed, her breath coming in desperate pants. His thumbs pushed into her as his mouth continued to tease her clit. The man was good. No. The man was amazing. She cried out as Ethan pulled away, blowing cold air over her tender flesh.

“Please, Ethan. I need…” Gwen sobbed, unable to finish. Sex had always been pleasant. But not like this. Nothing like this. Her hips rose as Ethan found the perfect spot to nibble. She felt connected to him in a way she’d never experienced before. It was almost as if she could feel his pleasure which in turn heightened her own. She squirmed, her body tight as a bowstring. His teasing kisses against the inside of her thighs only pushed her higher.

“But I’m having so much fun. Your taste is addictive.” His tongue trailed down and replaced his fingers, plunging inside her.

Gwen groaned. If he didn’t let her come soon, she would cry, beg, scream.

“Please, Ethan. Next time go slow. I need you, now.” Her patience was at an end. Her inner animal demanded he fill her completely, her need for him almost desperate. She needed to feel his weight covering her, blanketing her in his strength. To be reassured by his body that he was real, that she had finally found her mate. That she would no longer be alone. Because she knew only a mate could know her body so well.

Ethan’s lips blazed a trail back up her body, claiming her mouth in a bruising kiss. The taste of her flavored his tongue making her moan against his mouth. His hands played with her nipples as his tongue plundered deeper.

“Are you ready for me, pet?” The teasing humor in his voice urged her to scream at him and beat her hands against his chest. He knew she was, damn him. Instead she groaned against his throat, no longer able to form words.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” His hands trailed down and held her hips steady as he worked himself inside her. He was so big! For a moment, Gwen feared he wouldn’t fit. She shifted in discomfort as he pressed insistently forward.

Eyes closed, Ethan rested his forehead against hers. Gwen felt the moisture where they were connected and knew she was well prepared. It was a tight fit, but a fit nonetheless. He was holding back. She could see it in the lines of his face and the way his body vibrated with barely checked desire. This wasn’t what she wanted. As much as she admired his consideration of her, she wanted this to be as mind-blowing for him as it was for her. This was the start of the rest of their lives. There could be no doubt.

Gwen clutched his shoulders to urge him on. He opened his eyes, assessing her before pressing forward until he was buried to the hilt. A low growl rattled his chest.

She burned where they were connected, and she couldn’t seem to get any air into her lungs. She squirmed under him, struggling to draw a breath but her lungs wouldn’t obey the command. Ethan filled her too completely.

He must have sensed her discomfort because without moving his hips, his hand slid down her body, his thumb circling her clit. She drew in an involuntary breath as a wave of pleasure crashed into her.

With her distress gone, Gwen wrapped her legs around his waist. Ethan pressed deeper with the new position, drawing another gasp from her. This time one of pure pleasure. He reached all the right places inside her with each slow glide, filling her deliciously.

Pleasure radiated through her body until Gwen bucked, driven on by mindless need. She begged him, but for what exactly she didn’t know. He thrust into her with increasing fervor. His fingers continued to tease, her toes curling as the sensations bubbling inside approached the peak of ecstasy.

Just as she was about to round the bend and tumble over, he stopped. Gwen sobbed as her pleasure settled. Her climax retreated. Over and over he teased her, bringing her to the edge before pulling back. He wouldn’t let her pass the brink of pleasure.

Whimpering against his neck, Gwen begged for release. Time and place ceased to matter. All that mattered was Ethan and the delicious ache he kept building upon. The more he pressed, the more frantic she became. How much more could she take? She clung to his sweaty shoulders, moving in time with each thrust. At last, he pushed her right over the edge.

Screaming his name as she came around him, Gwen felt him empty inside her as he grunted his release against her neck. His warm breath caressed her ear as they both struggled to catch their breath.

“Wow.”

Gwen wasn’t sure which of them uttered the breathless exclamation. She felt his hands gently caressing her hips and upper thighs. His lips nuzzled the sensitive skin behind her ear. Never before had she felt so…cherished. Loved.

“You’re incredible.” The soft whisper caressed her skin. “Absolutely incredible.”

Gwen smiled at the words and ran her hands slowly up and down his cooling back. A small coo of utter contentment escaped from between her lips. His hand reached up and caressed her cheek.

“You sound like a little bird.” He chuckled.

“Sorry. It’s just something otters do when happy.” She tried not to do it around non-otters. Other men had teased her about it in the past.

“Don’t be sorry. I like it.” He kissed her ear and another small coo escaped.