Mr. Red Riding Hoode

Chapter Two

“Steve?”

She opened the door of their cabin, his scent filling her senses with its warmth. He was in her home, his scent mingling with hers, his shoes resting by the front door. She shivered, hard, at the knowledge that her mate was finally hers.

She could hardly wait to pounce on him.

The snap of wood in the fireplace distracted her for a moment. It was night outside, the fire a welcome warmth as the snow fell in the darkness. She took off her jacket, hanging it in the closet before toeing off her own boots.

She tiptoed toward the bedroom, where her mate’s scent was strongest. If he was asleep she didn’t want to disturb him.

He lifted his gaze from the book he’d been reading. He held out his arms, his expression warm, welcoming. “Graciela.”

She smiled, fully aware that if Belle could see her expression, Chela would never hear the end of it. She loved that Steve called her Graciela. Only her family called her that, and even if her parents didn’t get along, she knew deep in her bones that all three of them adored her. A rare mating even among wolves, her father had two female mates. Neither woman was mated to the other, however, and when they’d tried living together it had been a disaster. After much discussion, some of it at volume, her father had chosen to live with his second mate and visit his first, Chela’s mother, on a monthly basis. It was an arrangement that surprisingly suited everyone involved, including Chela.

She could hear that adoration in his voice, knew he felt the same toward her as her father felt toward his mates. She’d craved that more than she’d realized, that neediness to be near her one special person. It thrilled her to know that Steve felt the same pull.

She crawled onto the bed and into his arms, snuggling as close as she could. She didn’t even realize how cold she’d been until his arms were wrapped around her. “Hi.”

He buried his face in her hair, inhaling deeply. “Hi.”

“Belle’s been keeping me busy.” And wasn’t that the truth. Belle was insane when it came to running Lowell’s, the restaurant she managed at the Lodge. While Chela adored working for her, there were times when she wished Belle had a full-time assistant instead of one very tired Omega. They’d discussed hiring someone Dave and Belle could share, and rumor had it Dave even had a friend who was willing to take the position.

The fact that the Beta laughed like a lunatic whenever he said it, however, had Chela worried. Apparently Charlie and Belle were a lot alike, a thought that both intrigued and terrified the Omega.

“Not too busy for me, I hope.”

She turned her attention back to her mate and cupped his cheek. “Never too busy for you, amorcito.”

He shivered. “No?”

She kissed him, eager for the taste of her mate. “Nope.”

He rolled them until he was over her, cradled between her thighs. “Want to show me how much you missed me?”

Chela grinned and pulled him down for another kiss. And another. God, she could kiss this man all day and consider it time well spent.

She shifted, arching her back so that he could raise her shirt over her head, tossing it somewhere on the floor. His own shirt soon joined it as he continued to kiss her. He was touching her all over, long strokes that left her skin sensitized. If she were a cat she’d be purring as he petted her sides before burying his hands in her hair.

The kiss turned more heated, more passionate as the heat between them erupted. Slow, lazy kisses turned devouring. He sat them both up, pulling her into his lap, her legs wrapped around him. Her bra joined their shirts, her hard nipples dragging through the soft hair on his chest.

She’d always liked her men smooth before, but Steve’s chest, with its light pelt of golden hair, mesmerized her. She dragged her fingers through it, using her nails on his nipples, smiling through the kiss when he hissed in pleasure.

She rubbed against him, the hard length of him tempting her even through both their jeans. She wanted them naked, needed him inside her in the worst way.

He pulled on her hair until she arched and bared her neck to him. He bit down, his human teeth dull, vaguely unsatisfying. She almost demanded the mating bite, wanting to feel his teeth slide beneath her skin, claiming her, but this wasn’t the time.

When he fucked her, she’d demand it. Only then.

He pushed her back down on the mattress, her skin mourning the loss of his, but not for long. Steve began massaging her breasts, paying special attention to her nipples. He tugged and pulled, rubbing his palms over the tips until she was squirming beneath him.

He watched her with the same ferocity a tiger showed its prey. “Fuck, you’re so beautiful.”

She arched a brow at him, smiling when he laughed.

He pulled back and began yanking off her jeans, licking his lips as her pussy was exposed to his view. “Oh, sweetheart. You know I love it when you go commando.”

She grinned. “I was hoping to be a late lunch.”

“Good thing, because I’m starving.”

Chela shivered as Steve ran his hand down her chest and over her stomach, petting her once more.

His thumb brushed against her clit, driving her insane with butterfly soft touches. “I guess it’s a good thing I skipped lunch.”

“Mm-hm.” Chela moaned as he kissed her inner thigh. The slight sting of teeth surprised her as he sucked up a mark, his blue eyes darkening as he watched her.

Chela quivered under his gaze. It wasn’t the mating mark, but it was a start. God, she craved the bite, needed it, was even willing to take it there if that was what he wanted.

Then all thought fled. He finally licked her pussy, marks forgotten in the wet heat of his tongue. He held her thighs apart, keeping her spread for him as he lapped at her. He slid his tongue over her clit with rhythmic strokes and she bucked against him, the pleasure building as he slid his fingers inside her, letting her feel the stretch.

Her thighs quivering, she came, crying out her pleasure as her whole body shook for him.

He kissed her once more, the tang of her climax flavoring it, before sliding his cock into her.

He hadn’t even taken off his jeans. The rough material brushed against her legs with every stroke, his ass and cock the only things bared as he plunged inside her over and over again. She held on to the edge of the bed as he rode her. The sound of the headboard banging against the back wall grew louder and louder as he took her.

They were gasping, moaning into each other’s mouths as he kept kissing her and fucking her. She’d wrapped her legs around his, wanting the feel of cloth against as much of her skin as possible.

When he tilted his head she struck, her fangs sinking deep into his neck right where it joined his shoulder. He did the same to her, and the orgasm that roared over her when he claimed her blinded her. The feel of his pleasure as her Omega gifts took over made her whole body seize with ecstasy.

He roared, his head thrown back, his blue eyes wolf-gold, his fangs tipped with her blood, and poured himself into her.

It was the most beautiful sight she’d ever seen.

Steve stretched, groaning as every muscle in his body complained because he was no longer under the nice, warm covers. He’d dreamed of rolling around on pristine white sheets with a certain brown-eyed girl all night long on that king-size sleigh bed. He’d woken twice to finish himself off, the urge to find Graciela and fuck her until she screamed so strong he’d almost left his room to stalk the poor girl.

Strangely enough, he’d never slept so well. He felt rested, ready to face the day.

More importantly, he was ready to find his brown-eyed girl and see if reality could ever match up to dreams.

He scratched his chest and opened the brown curtains. The entire room was a study in beige and brown, with dark wooden beams and dark-stained wood around the window. But instead of going kitschy, like he’d seen in other ski resorts, Rick had gone classic, with sturdy, dark wood furniture, warm tan walls and golden light that made the entire room feel more like a home than a hotel. There was even a gas fireplace surrounded with fieldstone right across from the bed.

Of course, there was also a television in a cabinet that doubled as a dresser, a small desk with a coffeemaker, and all the other amenities of a standard hotel room. But the room itself was lush, a place he wouldn’t mind calling home for a month. If the rest of the rooms were anything like this, no wonder Red Wolf Lodge was developing a reputation as a quiet retreat from the city.

He made his way to the bathroom, nodding approval at what he found there. The fixtures might have been bright white and chrome, but the tile beneath his feet was the same tone as the fieldstone around the fireplace, and the walls were a darker shade of taupe than the bedroom.

He brushed his teeth and showered quickly, eager to check out the restaurant’s breakfast buffet. If it matched the quality of the room, he’d be recommending this place to all his friends despite the cold.

He chuckled quietly to himself. Ben had been shocked that he wanted to use his free month during Christmas, but Steve and his accomplice had secret plans for his best friend’s wedding. Ben wasn’t going to know what hit him by the time he was done.

He toweled off and began to get dressed, grinning as he thought about the surprise he’d brought for his friend. It was going to be a very merry Christmas, at least for Benjamin Malone.

His cell phone rang, the private tone he used for his friends and family. He snatched the phone off the side table, pretty sure he knew who was on the other end. “Hello?”

“Good morning, sunshine!”

Steve grinned as that cheerful voice echoed over the line. It was his partner in crime. “Hello, Charlie.”

“So. Everything in place yet?”

“Not yet, but it’s getting there.” He almost dropped the phone as he struggled to do up his jeans with one hand. “Besides, I just got here yesterday.”

She sniffed dismissively. “I’d have stuff done by now.”

“Because you’re Supergirl.”

“Yup.”

He chuckled. The first time he met Charlene Lowe, the woman had marched past his secretary and into his office. Slamming the door shut behind her, she’d smiled at him sweetly and asked the one question guaranteed to make him tell his secretary to cancel the call to security.

“Have you ever banged Ben Malone?”

He was pretty sure if he’d said yes, he’d be in a New Jersey landfill in tiny little pieces. Charlie Lowe was just as protective of Dave as he was of Ben. After a moment of startled silence he’d laughed so hard he’d started crying. Instead of dying that day, he’d made friends with the blonde whirlwind, agreeing to her plan to surprise Ben and Dave but adding his own little Ben-induced tweaks that had her laughing maniacally.

Ben and Dave had no idea what was coming their way. He couldn’t wait. It was almost too bad the men had put the kibosh on any bachelor parties. Oh, the plans he and Charlie had been forced to abandon.

It would have been sweet.

“When do you think you’ll get here?” He picked up his shirt. “Hold that thought.” He pulled it on over his head, aware she was speaking but unable to hear her through the material of his sweater. “Damn it, Charlie. What part of ‘hold it’ don’t you get?”

“The part where I stop talking. Anyway, I have an interview with Belle Lowell for a position at the lodge in two weeks, so I’ll be up the day before that. We can meet for lunch and go over our evil plans.”

He sat on the edge of the bed and started pulling on his socks as she did her best evil genius impression. “An interview with Belle Lowell?” He started laughing. He could picture the two blondes working together. By the time they were done, the lodge would either run like a well-oiled machine or collapse under a metric shit-ton of estrogen and fury.

“Hey, now. I have it on good authority she and I will get along like gas and fire.”

He paused, his knee bent, rolled sock in hand. “That’s a good thing?”

“It depends on your point of view, I suppose. How do you feel about arson?”

He rolled his eyes and finished putting on his socks. “I like this place, so let’s try and leave it uncrispy, okay?” He tugged on his boots and stood, reaching for his red coat. He put it on while Charlie nattered about their surprise for Ben and Dave, the plans they’d already made behind the men’s backs. He made all the appropriate, precaffeine noises, letting her know he was listening even though she was going over things it was too late to change.

By the time she was done he had the beginnings of a headache. It had taken her half an hour to go over everything, and now he was not only decaffeinated but starving. “So I’ll see you in two weeks.”

“And I’ll be bringing that stuff we talked about.”

“Good. See you then.” He hung up after saying good-bye to his coconspirator, eager to head into the main part of the lodge and find some food. He glanced out the window at the snow, smiling at the sight of white covering the dark branches. They’d put him on the second floor, a pair of double doors leading to a private balcony that overlooked the pristine landscape. The slopes used by the Red Wolf Lodge were beyond the tree line, obscured from sight. He left the room with an eager step, ready for his first cup of coffee and some really good food. He nodded good morning to some other guests as he stepped into the elevator.

One woman in particular would normally have caught his eye. She was shooting him some serious come-hither looks out of deep golden eyes. Her blonde hair was caught up in a ponytail, and her red sweater showed off her assets nicely. She was a beautifully packaged gift of willing female, just the kind of snow bunny he’d hoped he’d find when he came up here to relax and unwind.

He wasn’t tempted in the slightest.

Huh. Now wasn’t that interesting.

He waited for the woman and her friends to get off the elevator, making a point of watching her hips sway as she walked away and toward the lobby. She had a truly mouthwatering backside that should have had him sitting up and begging.

Nothing. Not even a twitch of interest.

What the fuck? He stared down at his pants for a second in shock and almost wound up going back up the elevator. He stepped out into the hallway, ready for a good cup of coffee and possibly some therapist bills. He wasn’t a man-whore by any means, but he’d never had a problem showing interest in a pretty girl before. Especially one who was showing interest in him first.

Maybe he just needed some caffeine?

“Morning, Chela.”

Oh, now his body decided to show some interest. Just the sound of that name had his cock perking right up, ready to sing the “Hallelujah Chorus” in three-part harmony.

“Good morning, Ted.”

The cheerful affection in her tone had him scowling. He peeked around the corner to find Graciela standing there in a deep blue sweater, tight black jeans and snow boots, paperwork clutched to her chest. Her dark brown hair was loose around her shoulders, tumbling down her back in loose, soft curls. She stared up at a tall, black-haired man with smiling brown eyes, one who stood far too close to her for Steve’s peace of mind. The two of them were huddled in a corner, speaking softly, obviously unwilling to interrupt any of the guests with their chatter.

When the man spoke, Steve’s assumptions were confirmed. They were talking business. This Ted person must work with Graciela. “Is that the paperwork for the Cheong wedding?”

Graciela shook her head. “Nope. Pack stuff.”

Steve blinked. Pack stuff? Pack what? Was she going somewhere? He hoped not. He had every intention of getting to know her much better before his vacation was over.

Ted seemed to understand the cryptic statement, because he didn’t even question it. “Ready for the meeting tonight?”

She shuddered. “I wish Rick would listen to Belle and start having some of the Pack meetings indoors. Think about it. We could have snacks!”

Steve, confused as hell, tried to keep from being seen. What were they talking about? Pack meetings? Outdoors?

Something strange was going on around here.

Ted chuckled. “Can you imagine the looks on the guests’ faces when the fur began to fly?” He shook his head. “Nah. I’m pretty sure Rick’s going to keep those sort of meetings outdoors where they belong.”

Fur beginning to fly? Had he stumbled into a nudist colony? Maybe they were like the Polar Bear Club and liked being outside freezing their nuts off. He’d seen a few people wearing fur-lined jackets. Maybe they were members.

At least they wouldn’t be diving into a frozen pond or something. He was pretty sure Ben, at least, would object to that. Ben had always been sensible.

Graciela made the cutest face, like a kid who’d been told she had to eat her broccoli before she got the candy bar. “Pooh. Oh well. It was a…” She frowned, glancing around them and sniffing. Steve ducked back into the hallway, hoping he hadn’t been caught eavesdropping like a naughty little boy.

“Chela?”

He glanced back around the corner, unable to help himself. The expression on her face was one of warning. What were they really talking about? It was as if she wanted Ted to shut up, but all they’d been talking about was business, right? “I have to get the paperwork to Dave.” The forced cheer told him he’d been busted, but for some reason she wasn’t giving him away.

“Are you all right?” Ted’s tone was more suspicious than concerned. Damn.

Steve made his way back to where the corridor met their little corner of the lobby, determined to bull his way through this if it killed him. He strode right over to the two and picked up Graciela’s hand. “Good morning, Graciela.”

The flush on her cheeks was almost worth the embarrassment of being caught.

Almost.

“Who are you?”

The overprotective inflection in Ted’s voice didn’t sit well with Steve. Neither did the glare the other man was throwing his way. Steve would give him some slack, if only because he was trying to protect Graciela. Steve would examine why he was reacting this way later, when he was less embarrassed over eavesdropping like a sixth grader. “Steven Hoode. And you are?”

The man’s brows rose, his gaze darting to Graciela, who nodded firmly. “Ah.” The man took a step back, the tension in his shoulders easing. “Teodoro Pedroza. I work with Ben.” There was something, a menacing flicker that disappeared almost before Steve really acknowledged it was there, in the other man’s gaze. “Welcome to the Poconos, Mr. Hoode.”

“Ted.”

The warning in Graciela’s voice was clear, the command unmistakable. She took a step forward, placing herself solidly by Steve’s side. She was ordering her friend to back off in no uncertain terms.

To his credit, the man did so, but not before shooting Steve a look that told him clear as day that Graciela was loved and protected. The look he turned on Graciela only hammered the point home. It was full of brotherly affection that had Steve reassessing the relationship between the two. “See you tonight, Chela?”

“Tonight, Ted.”

Ted sauntered off, Steve watching him to see if he’d come back. Steve didn’t want the other man hovering when he asked Graciela on a date.

Steve maneuvered Graciela more firmly into the corner. “I gather dinner isn’t an option then?”

Those huge brown eyes blinked up at him in surprise. They were framed by the thickest black lashes he’d ever seen. “You want to have dinner with me?”

Dinner with her, and then her for dessert. “Yes.”

She bit her lip, her cheeks flushing delightfully. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t you want to eat with me? I’m crushed.” He gave her his best pout, pleased when she laughed. It lit her whole face up, taking her from merely pretty to stunning.

“Tomorrow night works better for me.”

He smiled, thrilled he’d gotten a yes out of her so easily. “Tomorrow it is, then.”

She took a reluctant step back, the look on her face full of regret and pleasure. “I have to go.”

He understood how she felt. He didn’t want her to go either, but she had to work, while he was on vacation. If their roles were reversed he’d hope she wouldn’t resent his business for pulling his attention away from her. “Go. I’ll catch you later.”

“I hope so.” She looked startled for a moment, as if she hadn’t meant to say that out loud. She cleared her throat before straightening her shoulders. “’Bye, Steve. Enjoy the breakfast buffet. The coffee is to die for, and I’m betting you’ll love the apple turnovers.”

God, she was adorable. “Thank you. Have a good day, Graciela.”

He watched her walk away, her stride businesslike rather than seductive, and wondered why he had the urge to follow wherever she led him.

He grinned. He might not have gotten the dinner date he’d hoped for tonight, but if Graciela was going to be dancing naked in the woods, Steven Hoode was going to be there.