Shadow of the Wolf

Chapter Six

Lana woke up the next morning to a feeling of warmth. A heavy arm lay across her stomach, another under her head. She could feel Chris curled up behind her, spooning her, his breath gently stirring her hair.

“Chris?”

A snore was her answer.

“Chris?”

A deep breath huffed out, blowing her bangs into her eyes. She would have reached up and brushed them away but her arm was trapped under his.

“Chris!”

“Huh?” She turned her head to find sleepy gold eyes staring down at her. “Mornin’.”

“Why are you in my bed?”

He reached up and brushed her hair away from her eyes. “Because Gareth’s sleeping in my bed.”

She glared at him. “This isn’t Goldilocks.”

“Guess I can’t call you Teddy then.” He snuggled back down, tugging her closer.

“Go back to sleep.”

“I said separate bedrooms, Chris.”

“Yup. I have a bedroom.”

She nudged him with her elbow. “Go sleep in it.”

“But someone else is sleeping in my bed.” He pouted down at her, all sleep rumpled.

His voice was full of a sleepy rumble that had her insides melting into aroused goo. It took all of her willpower to keep from pressing her rear back against his hot erection, but after sampling him the other day, it was much harder than she thought.

Mm, much, much harder. She shook her head, trying to get visions of riding him in reverse cowgirl out of her head. “You’ve never shared a bedroom with your brother before?”

“Bedroom, yes. Bed, no. He hogs the covers and he snores, but the worst part? He tried to snuggle and called me Tammy.”

Lana choked. “No way.”

Chris shuddered. “Trust me. It was leave or face deflowering.”

“Look on the bright side. He didn’t call you Tommy while being all cuddly.”

Chris whimpered. “Are you trying to break my brain?”

She giggled.

“What time is it?” He rolled over slightly, checking the glowing numbers on the clock. “Six thirty? You’re a morning person? ”

She giggled again.

“You can’t be a morning person. No way would fate be that cruel.”

“Unlike you, I have a boss who expects me at work in the mornings.”

He buried his face in her hair. “Please tell me you at least make coffee.”

“That’s what most people drink in the morning.”

“Okay, I forgive you.” He placed a kiss on the top of her head. “Hey, Nurse Evans? I have this pain.”

She smacked his hip. “Go back to sleep, perv.”

“Don’t you want to take my temperature?” He gave her puppy-dog eyes, but his wandering hands were anything but puppy-like. His fingers were between her legs, stroking in slow, seductive circles.

“Chris?”

“Hmm?”

“You have to let go so I can get up.”

“One of us is up already.”

“Chris!”

He rolled on top of her, his cock resting against her opening. “You’re a morning person, remember?”

She licked her lips, the feel of his warm body drugging her. “I told myself no more surprise sex.”

One brow rising, he slowly thrust against her, nudging her entrance. “There’s no surprise here, Lana. We already know how good it can be.” He bent over her with a warm smile. “I promise you.” He licked her chin, the move surprisingly erotic. “This time?” He nipped her earlobe, pulling a shudder from her. “It will be better.”

She gulped. Her resistance was melting like butter in the sun. “Better?”

“Mmm.” The purring growl sent a shiver through her. “I plan on taking my time.”

He kissed the hollow of her throat. “I want to savor every inch of you.” He tasted the top of her left breast. “Find out what makes you shiver.” He sucked her nipple into aching hardness. One finger thrust into her pussy, stroking her in time with the suction of his mouth. She gasped, arching up into his hand and mouth. His thumb stroked over her clit with every thrust, bringing it to painful life. “I want to know what makes you scream, and how to get you to whimper.”

“I shouldn’t.” She fucked herself on his finger, fighting her body’s desires. Her body was winning, clubbing her fears to death with strong, steady strokes of one male finger.

And who the hell was she kidding? She shouldn’t, but she was going to!

He chuckled. “You should. You definitely should.” He slipped under the comforter.

Before she could even squeak, his warm tongue was lapping at her pussy. Over and over, gentle then hard, from her hole to her clit.

That was the last straw. Her brain threw its hands up in disgust and took a back seat to her libido. “Lick me. God, lick me.” She threaded her fingers through his hair, her fingers stroking, encouraging him. She’d given up her half-hearted protest in favor of the incredible sensations he was pulling from her body. He methodically stroked her with his tongue, his sighs and moans showing exactly how much he was enjoying his task. When her hips began moving, he encouraged her, his lapping tongue moving faster and faster until she was fucking his face, eager for the orgasm just on the edge of her senses. When it hit, she bucked up against him with a groan.

But he didn’t stop. He kept licking, kept sucking until her hips were moving again, her fingers clutching in his hair. Another, stronger orgasm started to build, frightening her with how badly she wanted it. She felt something enter her and knew from the stretch that he’d added some fingers, fucking in and out of her, driving the sensations even higher.

“Fuck me, fuck me, fuck me.” She could hear herself chanting softly, barely aware of what she was saying.

In answer he pulled her clit into his mouth, strumming it lightly until she was gasping her pleasure, the orgasm so strong her entire body bowed around his head, her fingers tightening in his hair until it had to hurt.

He waited until she sank back down onto the mattress before prowling up her body.

Once again the iris of his eyes was swallowed by the pupil, making his eyes appear black rimmed in gold. It was the sexiest fucking thing she’d ever seen.

He thrust into her, powering into her. This time it was his hands clenching in her hair. He pulled her head back, using her body with each and every powerful thrust of his cock. He growled softly and buried his face in her neck, biting hard enough to suck up a mark, his hips snapping faster and faster against her.

Once again she was going to come. It was building, higher and higher, his cock brushing that incredible spot inside her with each pounding drive into her body. She wrapped her legs around him, pulling him into her, grimacing when his hands tightened and pulled her head even farther to the side, exposing her vulnerable neck.

He picked another spot, biting and sucking, growling long and low against her, his cock moving so fast she knew he was about to come. She wasn’t far behind him, but this time she was determined he would go first. His panting breaths fanned her neck. “God.

Love. Coming. Come. My witch. Mine.”

Without thought she reached down and stroked her clit, her fingers brushing against the base of his wet cock. With a strangled moan he came, jerking against her in short, stabbing strokes.

She let go, her own orgasm washing over her in blinding waves, her body clutching his like it never wanted to let him go.

Chris slowly lowered himself beside her, his cock slipping out of her with a wet sound. “I think I could get used to a morning person.” He grinned at her, his chest heaving, his arm draping around her waist.

She shook her head at him, feeling too good to take issue with the male satisfaction on his face. Besides, making her come three times? She figured he deserved a little smugness. She glanced at the clock and winced. “I hate to tell you this but I have to get up.”

He snuggled into her, his knee between her thighs, his head on her chest. “No you don’t.”

“Yes I do, you big baby. I have to go to work.”

“Call out sick.”

“Can’t. I have a big project due today.”

“But you’re so warm,” he grumbled.

“Chris!”

“Fine.” He huffed, but he let her go, rolling onto his back with a pout.

“I’ll see you after work, you big baby.”

“Mm-hmm.” He was already curling up around her pillow. “Smells good.”

With a sigh, he slid back into sleep. She couldn’t help the smile that crossed her face.

“Sleep tight, wolfman.” She leaned over and kissed his forehead. “I like you too.”

Christopher woke to the sound of a loud thud. He stretched, grateful for the extra sleep Lana had—

“Get off me, you big ape!”

Christopher lurched out of bed, grabbed his jeans, and began shoving his legs into them. Lana sounded pissed, but worse, she sounded scared.

“What in hell is wrong with you?” Gareth was bellowing like a wounded bull. “You want to wind up a smear on the landscape?”

Gareth? What the fuck was he doing that Lana sounded scared? Christopher was at the bedroom door pulling it open when Lana screeched. “Let go of me!”

He thundered barefoot down the stairs just in time to see Gareth land on the floor, hands cradling his balls. “What the fuck is going on?”

Gareth was rolling around on the floor, his face a rictus of agony. “Owww.”

Lana flipped her hair over her shoulders, glaring at Gareth. “He grabbed hold of me and threatened to tie me up!”

“She was going to go to work!”

Christopher crossed his arms over his chest and glared at them both. “Work?”

“I wasn’t leaving the house!” Lana threw her hands up in the air and flounced onto the living room sofa. “I realized over breakfast that it would be too dangerous to go into the office, so I called work and told them I needed to telecommute for the next couple of days.” She waved her hand towards Gareth, who was just picking himself gingerly up off the floor. “Doofus over there saw me heading for the staircase to tell you what was going on, thought I was leaving the house and assaulted me.”

“I did not attack you!”

“You picked me up off the floor and threatened to tie me up!”

Christopher shook his head and headed past Gareth into the kitchen. It was too damn early in the morning to listen to his mate and his brother bickering without the fortification of caffeine. Besides, he bet Gareth had done exactly what Lana said he’d done. Big brother could be more than overprotective at times. He could be a real pain in the ass.

Christopher tried to look on the bright side. At least he knew if anything happened to him, Lana would be well guarded. The volume of the fight increased. He could hear Gareth threatening to stuff Lana in a closet for her own safety.

He winced. Very well guarded.

“Good morning, Chris. Need a mug?”

“Good morning, Annabelle. I would love a mug, thank you.”

She smiled serenely, ignoring Lana’s voice threatening to do more than just kick Gareth’s prized jewels if he ever laid a hand on her again. “Sugar? Cream?”

Christopher took a seat at the banquette and absently scratched his chest, stifling a yawn. “Yes, please. Do I smell Danishes?”

She put the mug in front of him, her expression merry. “Yes, in fact you do. Lemon, cherry or cheese?”

He picked up his mug and took a sip. “God, that’s good. Cheese, please, and thank you.”

“You’re a polite one. I like that.” She brought him a Danish and joined him at the table. They ate peacefully despite the battle raging on in the front of the house. He picked up the newspaper that was lying on the table, opening it to the sports section, settling in for a nice breakfast.

“Ugh! Your brother is impossible.” Lana stomped in and poured herself a cup of coffee.

“Yes, dear.” Christopher turned to the financial pages, handing Gareth the sports section.

“I am not impossible, you’re impossible.” Gareth stole Christopher’s mug, frowning when he saw it was empty.

“I didn’t play grabby with anyone.” She bit savagely into a Danish, glaring at Gareth.

“No, you just kicked me in my,” he darted a quick look at Annabelle, “man parts.”

“You were holding me up in the air and refusing to let go. What was I supposed to do?”

“Not kick me in my man parts? That would have been a good start.”

“How about next time you not assume you know what I’m up to?” Lana crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Gareth.

The mug got slammed down on the table. “You die, my brother dies. What part of this do you not get?” Gareth stood. “I’m going for a walk.” He stomped out of the room.

Seconds later they heard the front door slam.

Lana collapsed against the countertop. “He needs to switch to decaf.” She settled onto the bench next to Christopher. “Good morning.” She kissed him on the cheek, her lips sticky from the Danish.

Christopher held still for a moment, shocked. It was the first affectionate gesture she’d shown towards him on her own, and he was stunned by it. “Good morning.”

“You want more coffee?” She took his mug and stood, pouring him a cup. She grabbed a second mug and poured one for herself. “Another Danish?”

He looked over at Annabelle. “When did we replace my mate with a Stepford wife?”

“Ha ha.” She sat back down next to him. “I have to log in about thirty … no, twenty minutes now. Anything interesting in the paper?”

“Other than the Flyers winning last night, not really.” He smiled to himself when Annabelle winked and left the kitchen. “Now, how about a proper good morning?” He slid his hand around her waist and pulled her in closer to him. Her pleased look was distinctly feminine, full of secrets he was dying to uncover. He gave her a sweet, slow kiss, exploring her mouth, tasting the flavor of cherry and woman. “Mmm. Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

“I really need to ask this for obvious reasons. Does kicking a man in the balls always put you in this good a mood?”

She laughed. “No. I just … started thinking about what you and Gareth both said last night.” She put her arms around his neck and sighed. “I need to figure out how to accept this whole mate call thingy you Becketts do. When my car broke down during that storm?

I had the feeling it was the Lady trying to tell me something. When Cole was in those woods chasing me, I knew safety was in front of me, and when I saw the wolf I knew I’d found it. Add in everyone telling me I was the answer to your prayers and I know I need to try and work through this.”

He couldn’t help it. He stole another kiss, grateful beyond belief that she was willing to give them a chance. “Thank you.”

“Once this whole Cole thing is over we’re going on a real date. Understood? Just because you didn’t pay your dollar for the marriage lottery like everyone else doesn’t mean you get out of wining and dining me, got it?”

He could do that. “Do I get to seduce you too?”

She bit her lip, a slight flush to her cheeks, her eyes full of promise. “Maybe. If you play your cards right.”

He leaned in and took one more kiss. He could easily get addicted to the taste of her mouth. “At least I won’t be playing solitaire anymore.”

She wrinkled her nose at him. “That was bad, wolfman.”

He shrugged. “The caffeine hasn’t kicked in yet.”

She shook her head and pulled away from him with flattering reluctance. “Time to go to work.”

“Bring the laptop into the living room. I’ll set mine up there too and we can work together.” He followed her out of the kitchen, enjoying the sight of her ass swaying lazily in front of him.

“How do you know I’m not on the phone all day long?”

Huh. What does she do for a living? With everything that had happened in the last two days he’d forgotten to ask. “I don’t?”

She snorted, heading up the stairs. He followed after pausing for a moment to enjoy the view. “You’re lucky, because I’m not.”

“What do you do?”

She looked back at him with a smirk. “I’m an accountant.”

He stumbled. Somehow regimented numbers and tax laws didn’t really fit in with his vision of her. “Really?”

She wiggled her fingers at him from the bedroom door. “They say I’m magic with numbers.”

“Ouch.” He headed for his bedroom and grabbed his laptop case. Gareth might have stolen his bed but at least he knew better than to touch Chris’s laptop.

“Who do you need to get in touch with over the whole king business?”

“Not sure. I’ll fire off an email to my father, have him look into what’s going on.

Meanwhile I need to get some work done too. Do you mind music?”

She paused, putting the laptop down on the coffee table. “In general, no. Why?”

“I like to work with some playing in the background.” It helped set the mood for the work he was doing.

“You have headphones?” She sank gracefully to the floor, getting to hands and knees to plug the laptop in.

That luscious ass of hers was up in the air and she expected him to speak human?

The memory of the incredible sex they’d had that morning had him so hard he was surprised there was any blood left in his head. He figured there must be some left there though. He was still breathing.

She looked back at him over her shoulder, rolling her eyes when she saw where his gaze had landed. “Head. Phones.” Each word was accompanied by a wiggle of her ass.

He gulped. He hadn’t thrown his underwear on under his jeans, and now he was going to have a permanent zipper mark up his cock. “Uh.” He was definitely going to have to fuck her in that position. Note to self: pick up lube. He wondered if she’d let him talk her into taking her there.

He bet he could. After all he’d already had her twice when she’d been unsure. If she’d given him a firm no either time, he’d have backed off, threat of blue balls or not.

But she hadn’t. She’d given so sweetly, come so beautifully for him, he was permanently addicted.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” She sat up, sitting on her heels and holding out her hand.

“There. Hand me your plug.”

He blinked. It took him a second to realize she meant the electrical plug. She’d look so incredible with her ass plugged. “Here.”

She plugged in his laptop, giving him another show. “All done. The travel surge protector I had should work for now.” She squirmed around, sitting cross-legged in front of the laptop. She looked up at him with a grin, her eyes drifting lazily over his erection.

“Work now, play later.”

He sat down so hard he nearly bounced. “Work. Then play. Got it.” He stared at the blank screen. “What was I working on?”

She leaned over and whispered in his ear, “Turning on the laptop.”

He stared down at the top of her head, trying to ignore the way her shoulders shook with her laughter. It’s going to be a long day.

Lana reached up with her arms and stretched, her back feeling stiff from sitting on the floor. She scooted back and leaned against the sofa, pushing her legs under the coffee table. Chris’s music track had gone from Joe Satriani to Enya, the soft strains filling the room, his mouse moving in sweeping arcs across the mouse pad. “Wouldn’t that be easier with one of those drawing pads I’ve heard about?”

“Considerably, but I forgot to pack it.”

“Oh.” She stood up, more than ready for a bio break. “Want anything to drink?”

“Coke?”

“Sure, be right back.” She headed for the tiny powder room, relieving herself before heading to the kitchen. She grabbed two cans out of the fridge and slammed the door shut. She then promptly screeched.

He winced. “Sorry.”

Lana put her hand to her chest. “Fuck, Gareth, you trying to kill me?”

He had his hands shoved in his pockets and a sheepish expression on his face. “I’m sorry if I overreacted this morning.”

She handed him one of the Cokes and opened the fridge door, grabbing another one.

“In that case I’m sorry I racked you.”

He winced and followed her out of the kitchen. “I can tell my future mate that our children are little mutants because of you.”

“No blaming me for your wizardlings, dude.” She sat back down on the floor, handing Chris his soda.

He snorted and stepped over her, plopping himself on the sofa. “Hey, bro.”

Chris grunted, sweeping some magenta onto his design.

“Isn’t he just a little ray of sunshine when he’s working?”

Chris lifted his hand from the mouse long enough to give Gareth the bird.

“Ah, sibling love. Makes me glad I’m an only child.” She toasted them with her can before popping the top.

“Wait until you meet the rest of the family.”

Chris looked up, a frown on his face. “Do you two mind? I’m trying to work.”

“Sorry. So sorry.” Lana stood and tiptoed out of the room, making shushing noises at Gareth and bowing to Chris whenever he looked up. The reluctant amusement on his face made her overly dramatic posturing worthwhile.

She headed into the kitchen again intent on making sandwiches. Maybe feeding some meat to her grumpy wolf would tame him a bit.

Grammy came up from the basement, a look of concern on her face. “What is it?”

“I heard from someone high up in the witches’ council.”

Uh-oh. “And?”

“It’s confirmed. The wizard king is gravely ill. None of their healing spells are working. He wants to name his successor before he passes on, and he’s definitely considering someone from either the Becketts or the Godwins.” She shook her head sadly. “He even went so far to ask one of our specialists to look at him, but there was nothing that could be done for him. Poor man.”

“Do they know who he’s thinking of naming?”

“We’ve been scrying all day, but so far none of us has been able to come up with anything.”

“Which means either he hasn’t decided himself or he’s blocking any magical attempts to find out.”

Grammy nodded, grabbing the bread. “That makes sense. I’m certain the other kings would do the same.” She sighed, the bread dropping onto the plate. Lana took a good look at her, just noticing the dark circles under her Grammy’s eyes. “I’m too tired to cook tonight, sweetheart. Do you mind sandwiches?”

Lana thought about ordering in pizza but reluctantly decided against it. She had no idea if Cole knew where they were yet and she wasn’t willing to take chances. There were so many things he could do to the pizza, or the delivery man, that fell into the “not good” category. “I’ve already started making them. Why don’t you let me finish? Have a seat.”

“Thank you, dear. I will.” Grammy settled wearily onto the bench.

Lana called the men in to grab the sandwiches once they were done. Chris entered first, the frown of concentration gone from his face. He was even smiling. Lana saw Gareth wink at her before Chris swooped down, planting a hearty kiss on her cheek. “Did you have a good day at work, dear?”

She snorted. “Not too bad. You?”

“I had a very good day. There was this cute new girl in the office. I swear, I think she flirted with me a few times.” He was grinning down at her, cradling her body in his arms, swaying gently against her. But something manic was in his eyes, something wild and untamed.

“Really? Do I need to be worried about her?” She studied him closely, worried by what she saw.

He shrugged. “Nah. You’re much cuter, and you smell better.” He sniffed her neck, laughing when she playfully slapped his chest. He turned his head, his grin turning savage when he saw the sandwiches. “Roast beef.” He reached over and grabbed one, shoving half into his mouth in one go.

“Ew.” Lana stepped back. “Slow down, Captain Carnivore. You might choke on the gristle.”

Chris looked shocked for a moment before swallowing hard, making a weird face.

She thought maybe the beef got briefly stuck halfway down. Not surprising since she usually packed half a cow on her sandwiches. “Sorry.”

Gareth sighed. “I need a run too.”

The brothers exchanged glances. “Where?” Chris sat, pulling Lana into his lap and handing her a sandwich. “Eat.” When she squirmed to get more comfortable, he growled, tightening his arms around her waist. It was like he thought she was trying to get away.

She settled down, hoping it would calm her wolfman down.

“No place around here is safe. We’d have to head out of the city a ways. Thanks.”

Gareth smiled sweetly at Grammy when she passed him the lemonade, but his expression remained troubled.

“Do you two need to change every day?” Lana bit delicately into her sandwich. Rich tomato and tangy mustard burst over her tongue. Yummy. She hadn’t realized how hungry she’d been until she’d taken a bite. The moment she did the low-level grumble that had been rattling Chris’s chest ceased, and his big body eased.

What the hell?

“I wouldn’t go more than three days without changing. Things can get, pardon the pun, hairy if we don’t.” Chris dropped a kiss on her shoulder. “It’s been a while since I’ve had to deal with that problem. We might not be able to stay here too much longer.”

He sounded genuinely regretful. Considering the circumstances she couldn’t find it in her to call him on it. He was looking really uncomfortable. She decided to put him out of his misery. “Back to your place then?”

“I think so.” He rubbed his hand up and down her back. “I’m sorry, Lana. I should have thought of this. I wish I didn’t have to break my promise to you.”

She kissed his cheek, hoping to ease some more of the tension in him. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure there are some perks to dating a werewolf.”

“Like?” He settled her more securely on his lap. She could feel his erection growing under her bottom, a different hunger lighting his eyes.

“Hmm. Never having cold feet in bed again?”

Gareth laughed. “Yup, that’s the biggest perk all right.”

She put the sandwich down on the plate and wrapped her arms around Chris’s neck, focusing on him. “And you already come housetrained.”

His lips twitched. “True.”

“And if you chew my shoes you can afford to replace them.”

He looked ready to burst, either in laughter or indignation, she couldn’t tell which. “I am not a poodle.”

“Well, that’s good. I’m not really into yappy dogs.” She ran her hand teasingly down his chest and used her best seductive voice. “I like real dogs.”

Gareth’s head was on the table, his shoulders shaking.

Chris was still fighting a laugh when his cell phone rang. “Hello?” The tension she’d managed to almost eradicate once more tightened his shoulders, the laughter fleeing from his face. “What do you want, Cole?” She tried to hear what was being said but couldn’t.

All she could hear was a soft murmuring voice, but the tone came through loud and clear, the menace in the sounds dripping from the speaker. Chris’s eyes narrowed, his mouth tightening at whatever Cole was saying. “You really don’t want to do that, Cole. Trust me.” The last words were said in a low growl that sent shivers down her spine. Her wolfman was getting seriously pissed off.

When his eyes darted to Grammy, it was Lana’s turn to stiffen. “What?” She mouthed, hoping he’d be able to give her an answer.

“The Evans family is off limits. Don’t threaten them again. Do you understand me?”

He listened for a moment, his hand tightening painfully on her hip, his gaze boring into hers. “What makes you think he’ll pick you once he finds out you’ve been threatening innocent bystanders? Cole? Cole! Damn it!” He closed the phone and tossed it onto the table. “We have to leave tonight. He’s not only found out who you are but where we are.”

He exchanged a look with Gareth that worried her. “He said to tell you hi.”

“Damn. He’s stronger than I thought.” Lana shivered, grateful when Chris pulled her close, burying her face in his neck. “Can he hurt Grammy?”

His arms tightened around her. “I’ll protect you both. You have my word on that.”

She didn’t even have to think over everything he’d already done to protect her. “I know.” The soft wonder in his face was worth her show of trust. She smiled and fed him a bit of sandwich. Hmm. Maybe we can work this out after all.