Claiming Shayla

Chapter Seven

A brooding werewolf. Now there’s an interesting sight. Shay watched Rory’s reflection in the window.

“Shouldn’t we have called first and made an appointment?” she asked.

“No. Your cousin’s his mate. He’ll see you. Besides, I’d rather Kiesha not know we’re coming. She’s a bit…bloodthirsty,” he finished with a grimace.

“That’s what happens when you act without thinking, dumb-ass.”

“Evil bastard, asshole, and now dumb-ass. Any other names you’d like to call me, mate?” Rory asked in a silky, if menacing, tone of voice.

Shay pretended to think on the matter. “Hmm, that’s it for now. At least it is until the next stupid thing you do,” she finished.

“That’s it,” he muttered. “Tell me how you really feel about me.”

With a sigh, Shay scooted closer and laid her hand on his thigh. “Not you,” she admitted, “but your actions.” She rested her head on his shoulder.

He covered her hand with his own, and nothing more was said until they arrived. It was nice, Shay reflected. She’d heard of companionable silences, but this was the first one she and Rory had experienced. Only now that the clinic sat in front of them, he was tensing up. The shoulder she leaned on and the thigh her hand lay on felt like rocks. Deep inside where she was bonded to him, she could literally feel his aggression rising.

The small parking lot was rather full for a Friday afternoon, but somehow she didn’t believe that was Rory’s issue. Personally she hated waiting in doctor’s offices. They really should have called first and made an appointment, but it was too late to argue now. They’d driven almost an hour to get here, and he was determined that she see someone today. So it was sit here and wait or see his pack’s midwife.

Shay mentally debated the pros and cons of staying. Neither she nor Rory made a move to get out of the truck. She knew why she hesitated but had no clue what his problem was. Finally she asked, “What’s wrong?”

“He’s going to see you. Touch you,” he growled.

“Alex’s a doctor. That’s what they do, especially for this type of exam.” Shay didn’t particularly like the idea of Kiesha’s husband seeing her—the whole thing was creeping her out—but she couldn’t tell Rory that, not when she’d insisted Alex be the one to do the exam. Damn, now she was tense and the tiniest bit nauseated.

Rory snarled. Actually snarled.

Shay turned to look at him. Meeting his gaze, she realized Rory was no longer home behind those eyes. Rory’s wolf’s golden-eyed gaze stared back at her. Lord, spare me from possessive werewolves. “We can go home. I’m sure the baby’s fine,” she offered.

A growl rumbled from his chest. She could see the wolf’s possessiveness over his mate fighting with his concern for his cub. He couldn’t go inside with his wolf this close to the surface. He’d scare the staff, be kicked out, and then all hell would break loose. She needed to calm him somehow. Shay rose to her knees on the bench seat and rubbed her cheek alongside his, the way she’d seen wolves do, hoping to calm him.

It did and didn’t work.

Shay found herself plastered to Rory from chest to pelvis as he pulled her to him in an inescapable grip. Feeling his claws on her butt, she quickly shrieked, “Don’t rip my pants.”

The world tilted, and she found herself on the seat below him. As Rory attacked the button and zipper of her pants, Shay rose on her elbows, trying to see if there were any witnesses to what was surely about to take place. Having her body put on display once was enough, thank you very much. If the wrong person came along, they’d get arrested for indecent exposure. If that happened, Kee would tease her mercilessly, forever.

“Down.” One hand pressing firmly against her chest ensured she obeyed while his other stripped her pants and panties from her legs. At least he left her upper body clothed. Thank God for small favors.

A slash of his claws and his jeans fell open, revealing his already heavy and bobbing cock. Shay hoped he had another pair in the truck. Rory parted her thighs and then he was between them. “Mine,” he pronounced as he entered her with one determined thrust.

Good thing she stayed in a perpetual state of arousal with this man or she would never have been able to take him. If Rory’s wolf was running the show, all it was interested in was staking its claim. Come to think of it, that’s all the man was usually interested in as well. Then Shay lost the ability to reason.

Hours later Shay entered the house, still in a state of shock.

A whistling Rory closed the door behind her. “Guess I’d better get started on the nursery. With the way time’s flying, our cub will be here before we know it. I was thinking of opening the wall between our room and the one on the right. I can close off the hallway door and leave the only access through our bedroom. Just for the first year or so; then we’ll move him across the hall. I think two’s a good age, or sooner if you get pregnant again. I think we should have more than one cub, don’t you?”

He didn’t stick around for an answer. Instead he wandered up the staircase muttering about safety gates and baby proofing.

Shay drifted into the living room and sat staring out the picture window. She didn’t see the vibrant greens and browns of the surrounding hills and forest. All she could hear was Carol’s voice saying, “Well, you’re definitely pregnant.”

Shay couldn’t believe she’d forgotten Alex and Kiesha were gone on their honeymoon. Since they’d driven all that way, she’d agreed to let Carol, a nurse practitioner and certified nurse midwife, do the honors.

Thinking she was pregnant and having it confirmed were two different things. Nothing like hearing a heartbeat to drive home the fact that she was really going to be a mother. She didn’t even have nine months to get used to the idea. According to Carol, her pregnancy was progressing more like a shifter than human.

Normal gestation for a human female was forty weeks. For shifter females it was more like thirty. That meant in four to five months, she’d be delivering. Figured she couldn’t even do pregnancy like a normal human. But then, when had the word normal ever applied to her?

Her body jostled as the weight of Rory lowering to the seat beside her dented the cushions. “Somehow I’m sensing you’re not sharing my excitement.”

Shayla shrugged. “It just hit me. I mean, I knew I was pregnant. All the signs were there, but…I’m pregnant! This is really happening. What do I know about being a mother?”

Rory put his arm around her and tugged her to him. “I’m sure you’ll do fine. Every first-time parent feels that way. You think I’m not nervous about being a father?”

“Please.” She rolled her eyes. “If there’s any part of this equation I’m not worried about, it’s you. Shannon said you practically raised her. Our kid will be lucky to have you as a father. I’m the one most likely to make it need therapy.”

He tucked his face against her nape and squeezed her so hard the breath left her body in a rush. “Can’t breathe,” she gasped.

Immediately his hold loosened. After a while he raised shining eyes and said in a hoarse voice, “Thank you. You don’t know how much that means to me.”

“It’s the truth,” she stated, waving aside his gratitude.

He shook his head but didn’t argue. They sat in yet another companionable silence, each busy with their own thoughts. Rory broke it when he said, “I might have some experience with little girls, but I know nothing about raising boys. Being one doesn’t count.”

“Good thing it’s a girl.”

“Highly improbable. Shifters aren’t known for their female offspring. Most likely it’s a boy.”

“That’s what you say. Excuse me if I choose to believe Conor instead,” she told him.

He turned her face so that he could look her in the eyes. “Conor said we’re having a daughter?”

“Actually he said daughters, which I assume meant plural, not possessive, but I’m not sure if he means now or accumulatively speaking,” Shay said with a shrug.

“He’s a seer,” Rory murmured, speaking to himself. Then his gaze sharpened. “Did he say anything else?”

“You must fight to hold on to what is yours. Treachery surrounds you. Only by uniting together will you be victorious. Show no mercy. Your daughters’ safety depends on the decisions you make now.” Conor’s words flowed through her mind.

She debated. Alphas were protective of their packs. Kee and Conor had both taught her pack meant family, and as their leader, Rory was like their kingly father. But I’m Rory’s mate and as such, his first priority. If not me, then definitely our child. But still, she didn’t really know Rory. Yes they had amazing sex and yes she was pregnant with his baby, but…

“Shay…” His tone said he was willing to push until she told him the whole.

Shay weighed her response. Conor had said she and Rory needed to work together. Then she remembered how easily he’d dismissed her concerns about Ashley, and it tilted the scales against Rory. “Nothing you need to be concerned about,” she finally muttered.

“I don’t believe you.”

She arched one brow. “Sounds like a personal problem to me.”

Rory glared at her, his face slowly building to a fine red color. Shay met his stare calmly. She’d tell him when she was good and ready, and not a minute before.

He took a deep breath. “Shay, mates don’t withhold information from each other.”

“Really? It’s my understanding that mates take each other’s concerns seriously.” She shrugged. “Guess we were both wrong.” Shay rose and looked down at him. “Since it looks like I’m staying, I’m going to go unpack…in our room.”

He grabbed her hand as she walked past, pulling her to a halt. “I don’t know what the problem is, but I promise, one day you’ll trust me.”

Shay tugged until he released her. “Maybe. But will you trust me in return?” At the moment she didn’t think so. Their staring contested lasted a long while. Finally Shay turned away and walked off with her head held high.

Despite Conor’s warning, she had a brain. She was more than capable of handling things herself. It wasn’t in her nature to ask for help. She’d figure out who the threat was and bring Rory in only when absolutely necessary.

WHAT THE HELL’S her problem?

Rory watched his mate stalk away from him, bemused at how such a tender moment between the two of them could have turned into such a disaster. Pregnancy hormones must be kicking in. Let it go.

A minute later he charged up the stairs.

When he topped the rise, he found Shay contemplating one of the extra bedrooms. “If you prefer that room, I’ll be happy to move all our things in there. Might be a little cramped…”

She flicked an annoyed look over her shoulder. “I’m checking out the storage. I doubt you have enough space in your room for both of our clothing.”

“Our room,” he emphasized, making sure Shay was clear on that point. “And think again. I prepared.” He turned the knob and pushed opened the bedroom door with his hip.

“All the furniture is new. The dresser and nightstand on the right side of the bed are yours. I also cleared out half the closet. If you need more space, let me know and I’ll move more of my stuff to another room.”

As she shoved past him into the room, Rory took in the antique-looking cherry wood set he’d purchased. It had a low-profile, king-size sleigh bed, eight-drawer dresser, and five-drawer chest, which should be more than enough for them, but if not, there was still the empty two-drawer cedar chest designed for comforters. Being a shifter, with his naturally high body temperature, he never used heavy covers.

He noted Shay preparing to lift her suitcase onto the bed and gently nudged her out of the way. “I’ll get this and the other one. I don’t want you straining yourself.”

She snorted but stepped out of the way.

As Shay unpacked, Rory tried to define what he was feeling. It was like all the random dots that made up his life were finally connected into one big, glorious picture. His mate was here, in their room, taking her first major step to settle in to their life together.

“We need to call the pack together to celebrate our mating and the coming of our young,” he said as he sat on the bed near where she worked.

Shay looked up from the contents of her suitcase, a frown on her face. “Will they?”

Confused, he asked, “Will they what?”

“Celebrate. The few members I’ve met so far didn’t seem all that joyous.”

He scowled, feeling his ire rise at MacDougal and even Caleb’s reaction to his desirable mate. “I’ll deal with Mac later on the proper respect due an alpha pair.”

Her hair fell forward when she bent over the luggage, and she shoved it back with a muttered curse before lifting a stack of folded cotton shirts and carrying them to the dresser. “And will Ashley be sitting in on this lecture?”

Baffled, he reminded Shay, “Ashley’s a child.”

Shay snorted. “That’s what you say.”

“Shay, Ashley’s getting close to the age where she’s old enough to be mated. She wants strong pups and a mate strong enough to protect her. It’s a survival instinct. I’m the most powerful wolf in the pack. It’s natural that she would make a play for me. All females do. Eventually she’ll realize I’m not interested and move on to someone who is.”

Shay’s eyes narrowed. “While your little glimpse into the animal kingdom was fascinating, I don’t like her. I don’t trust her, and I always trust my instincts.” She punctuated her words by slamming the drawer shut.

Rory glanced at the furniture and then back at his mate, not liking the way the heavy mirror was angled, especially after the way Shay’s wolf had banged into it earlier. He went to make sure it was still secure. He didn’t want it to come crashing down, but he wasn’t so distracted that he couldn’t feel the jump in his mate’s emotions through their bond.

He thought about their earlier discussion along with her recent comments, and it clicked. Turning to lean his body against the wall next to the mirror, he watched his mate closely. “I can include her in the talk, but she’s not the real problem. Is she, Shay?”

“You think?”

Hmm, snarky answer. Even without the mate bond he’d know she was irritated. What concerned him was the underlying hurt he sensed that agitated both wolf and man. Asking outright what the issue was wouldn’t help. She’d only clam up like she had about Conor. He thought for a moment…

“Talking to the females might not be a bad idea. You’re not only my mate but their alpha-fem. It would be a good time for you to lay out your expectations.”

“Yeah, like it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve fucked him in the past, the alpha’s mated now so keep your grubby paws off,” she muttered en route to the bed to gather more items.

He smiled. “I can’t believe you’re jealous of Ashley.”

She stopped to glare at him. “I’ll admit I didn’t like the way she rubbed all over you like a bitch in heat—”

“I told you it meant nothing. It’s something shifter females do.”

“But according to Shannon, you’ve fucked your way through half the pack.”

His smile died. “I never touched Ashley.” Is that what she thought, that he messed with children? The girl was barely out of school.

“I never said you did, but it’s obvious she wants her turn with the pack’s stud.” Her expression turned to one of disgust. “Of course, that’s what happens when you mate with dogs. Always have to watch for leftover shit.”

For the first time Rory considered things from Shay’s viewpoint. He’d gone ballistic, and all his men had done was look at Shay. How would he feel if they’d rubbed their aroused bodies against her as Ashley had done to him? “I’m a bloody fool.”

“Nice of you to finally notice.”

He caught her around the waist and tugged her against his body, wrapping his arms around her hips to hold her close. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Suspicion was evident on her face and the way she held her body so stiff.

“For blowing off your concerns about Ashley. If one of my men dared to touch you the way she did me, I wouldn’t have been able to control myself.”

Shay shoved away from him, and he released his hold. She paced a bit before turning to confront him. “Don’t get it twisted. I’m not jealous of your perky little Skipper doll.”

Rory clamped his mouth shut.

“What you do with your harem is your business…”

This time he snorted. Yeah, like he believed that. His little she-demon would castrate him if his cock so much as stood at attention for another woman.

“…but I will not tolerate being disrespected, especially in my own home, in front of my face, and definitely not by that little twit!”

“You’re right.”

“Does she have any idea what I could do to her? I can screw up her credit so bad she’ll be an old lady before she untangled it all. I can have every law enforcement agency in this country and Europe looking for her, and she wouldn’t even know why. I can erase her Social Security number out of the system or report her as dead. Let her fix that!”

“No, you’re not jealous at all,” he murmured, withholding a smile. Damn, his mate was vicious. His perfect match in every way.

Finally she stopped ranting and hung her head. “Okay, I’ll cop to a streak of possessiveness, but not jealousy. I refuse to be jealous of that woman.”

Rory slouched and hooked his thumbs in the belt loops of his jeans. “And the difference between the two would be…?”

Shay raised her head and met his inquisitive gaze with a direct stare. “Jealousy is the result of one’s insecurity. My being jealous would mean I see Ashley as a worthy rival and feared her ability to steal you from me.”

He straightened and crossed over to stand in front of his mate. “Then I must be the most insecure man on the planet. The thought of someone desiring you, touching you”—he gripped both cheeks—“or smelling your luscious scent”—he leaned in close and inhaled—“drives me absolutely crazy.”

Then he kissed her because the thought of anyone else having Shay was intolerable.

“You’re not insecure,” she told him when he allowed her to breathe. “You’re a werewolf. Possessiveness is coded in your DNA.”

As he claimed her mouth again, he knew she was wrong. He was terrified of doing or saying something to drive Shay away, and ending up living the rest of his life mourning what might have been.

Rory left to cook dinner and organize his gathering. Shay finished unpacking. As she lined her lotions, perfumes, nail polishes, and other personal items on the dresser beside Rory’s, she contemplated the circumstances in her life that had brought her to this. Thoughts of being a mother made her realize she hadn’t heard from her parents since they’d left the reception.

She pulled her cell phone out of her pants pocket and dialed home.

“Dad,” she said with pleasure, happy to hear his voice and relieved he’d been the one to answer. “Just calling to make sure you made it home with no problem.”

“Sorry we didn’t call. Things got a little hectic, and I knew you were settling in on a new project. I didn’t want to be a pest.”

She scowled at the phone. “Dad, a two-minute call from you to say we made it home alive and in one piece is no bother.”

He laughed at her scolding. “As you can see, we’re fine.”

Shay pushed the empty suitcase to the floor and sat on the bed. “How’s your project going? You get it done?’

“Almost. Everything’s proceeding on schedule. I made up the time I lost by being away. What about you?”

She plucked nervously at the bedspread. “I don’t officially begin work until Monday. I’ll spend the weekend settling in.”

“Impressions of the people you’re working for?”

Professionally or personally? Shay winced, then bit back a chuckle at her discomfort, glad her father couldn’t see her face. “Not enough data to compute,” she lied. “But I admire their taste in equipment.” Shay always gave her clients three options when it came to purchasing the required hardware: cheap but functional, moderately expensive but will get the job done with a few added perks, and top-of-the-line. Rory had purchased top-of-the-line everything. The geek in her was impressed. The woman wondered just how much money the man had.

“Well, whatever the case, I’m sure you’ll whip them into shape soon enough.”

“Daddy! I’m not a tyrant,” she protested.

He laughed again, then said, “Speaking of tyrants, your mother wants to talk to you.”

“No, Daddy, wait! Tell her I’m… Hi, Mom.” Shay stifled a long-suffering sigh.

“Shay-Nei, how’s Rory? That’s one nice catch. You better hook him while you can. A man like that won’t stay single for long. His sister says you’re staying with him in his house. You’re a good cook. Cook for him. A big man like that eats plenty of food. Show him what I taught you and catch yourself a nice man.”

“Mom, he’s not a fish.” Wait till I see Shannon again. I have a few words for her.

“No, he’s a man, and just like fish, you need the right bait to reel him in.”

Shay rolled her eyes. “Or I could bash him over the head with an oar and drag him off to my cave.”

“Shay-Nei, not funny. You're already past prime childbearing years. Wait too long and you’ll be too old. Your father and I want lots of grandkids. There’s no time to be playing around.”

Sick to death of her mother hounding her, Shay let her anger do the talking. “Tell you what, why don’t I crawl naked into his bed each night while I’m here, and if we’re lucky, in nine months you’ll have that grandchild you’re so desperate for. Then I can send the brat to you and Daddy to raise and finally get some peace!”

She held the phone away from her ear while her mother yelled at her. She supposed the chewing out she got was deserved, but damn, enough was enough. A woman could only take so much, and Shay had reached her limit.

Before her mother completely wound down, Shay shouted into the phone, “Gotta go. Love you both. Tell Daddy I said take care.”

“Shay-Nei! Shay-Nei! Don’t you hang up the—”

With an evil grin, Shay pressed the button, watched while the phone powered off, then tossed it onto the mattress. She wanted to throw it, but it wasn’t her BlackBerry’s fault her mother was a nag. Instead Shay rolled over, grabbed a pillow, buried her head into it, and screamed. It felt so good she did it again.

The mattress dipped, jostling her. “Was that wise?”

Shay raised her head and glared when she saw the amusement on his face. “The woman makes me crazy.”

“That may be true, but she’ll remember this when you reveal that you’re pregnant.”

Shay tried not to look as guilty as she was suddenly feeling, but apparently she was unsuccessful.

His smile fled as Rory’s eyes narrowed. “When are you telling your parents about the baby, Shay?”

She shrugged. “Sometime before she begins school, I promise.”

Rory closes his eyes and rubbed his forehead. “Shay, don’t you think they’ll notice you’re pregnant at our wedding?”

Sitting up and tossing the pillow to the side, she aimed for nonchalance as she answered, “Since we’re not getting married, I don’t see that being an issue.”

He gripped her arm as she made to rise, halting her midmotion. “What do you mean, we’re not getting married?”

It was Shay’s turn to narrow her eyes. “You need a hearing aid?”

He scowled. “I can hear just fine, but your words make no sense.”

Shay shook him off and stood, taking a few steps to put distance between them. “We’re mated. That’s good enough.”

“No, it’s not.” His words came out slow and measured as he rose to his feet.

She placed her hands on her hips and tilted her head to the side. “Well that’s too bad, because I’m not marrying a man who doesn’t love me!”

Rory stared at her for a full minute, mouth gaped open like a trout, face turning redder and redder. Shay mentally counted. Five, four, three, two…

“Are you daft, woman? Not love you?” He threw his arms open wide. “You think I’d be doing all this if I didn’t?” he yelled.

She leaned forward and shouted in his face. “How the hell would I know? You aren’t the sanest of men. One minute you’re never letting me go, the next you’re calling Kiesha to come and get me and I’m supposed to think you love me?” She wanted to throw something at him.

“I already apologized for that!”

“When?” she demanded, furious now.

He dropped his hands to his sides as his mouth worked.

“Exactly.” She spun on her heel and walked to the dresser. No, too many weapons. She switched directions and headed to the window.

Behind her, Rory heaved a heavy sigh. Seconds later his image showed behind her in the glass she was looking at instead of through, his heat warming her back.

“Shayla, I’m sorry. I was wrong.”

Darn tootin’ you were.

“I love you so much it scares me.”

Uh-huh, pull the other one.

“When we met, I knew you were the one, my mate, and I fought it with everything in me. If it hadn’t been for events at the blue moon, I don’t think I would ever have claimed you.”

Shay frowned. Way to convince me, stud.

“But I did, and as a result I’m happier than I’ll ever be able to show. I’m also scared shitless that I’ll fuck up or worse, be the monster my father was and lose you as a result.”

That caught her attention, and she turned to face him. “Rory, you are not your father. How many times do I have to say it?”

He held her gaze. “Shay, you didn’t know him. You didn’t live with him. When I look in the mirror, I see his eyes looking back at me.”

“Well, look again or get your eyes checked, ’cause you talking like this is doing nothing but pissing me off. You think Shannon would love you if you were anything like him?”

“What about you, Shay? I’m wearing my heart on my sleeve here.”

She closed her eyes. Quit being such a wimp and answer the man’s question. When she opened them, he was still staring at her, waiting. “Maybe…I think…I don’t know, okay? I thought maybe I did, but then you went and got stupid on me and pissed me off. Then I didn’t know anymore. Bottom line, I’m not going to love you unless I’m sure my feelings are returned.” With her eyes, she dared him to complain.

Rory’s smile began in his eyes before spreading to his mouth. He stepped closer and put one arm around her waist. The other cupped her nape under her hair. His erection brushed her stomach. Why he was suddenly turned on she had no idea.

“You love me.” He sounded very sure.

“I said maybe,” Shay grumbled.

“That’s why you stayed and why you’re still here. It has nothing to do with the babe.”

She scowled. “Of course it doesn’t, asshole. You think I need you to raise my child?”

He smirked, and Shay, realizing what she’d said, stated hastily, “That means absolutely nothing.”

“Aye, it does.” He kissed the protest off her lips.

Rory stripped her shirt over her head and dived back into the kiss once her face was clear.

He backed away, pulling Shay with him until their progress was halted by the bed. “Don’t ever wear a bra. I love looking at your breasts. They make me hard.”

“Everything makes you hard.”

“You make me hard.” He sniffed. “And I make you cream. I can smell your arousal.” His smile was full of self-satisfaction.

“Beast.”

“Yeah, and you love it when I go wild.”

Since it was true, Shay didn’t see the point in arguing.

“Strip.” Rory sat on the mattress and leaned back on his elbows to watch.

Shay raised her eyebrows but obligingly removed her shoes, pants, and underwear.

“Now me.” He raised his arms. Shay straddled his lap and lifted his shirt over his head before tossing aside.

Rory bent his head, captured a nipple, and suckled lightly, releasing it with a pop. Shay grabbed his face and directed him to the other one. He toyed with it, then the folds of her sex, easily penetrating her with one, then two fingers.

Shay was lost in pleasure, riding his hand, when a stinging slap to her butt had her rearing back, fist clenched and raised, ready to strike.

“I’m not naked,” he reminded. One eyebrow arched as his gaze drifted from her face to her fist, then returned to her face.

Eyes narrowed, Shay lowered her feet to the floor and reached for the waistband of Rory’s jeans. She popped open the button, then eased down the zipper. The shiny, engorged head of his cock popped out, tempting Shay to taste.

She dipped down and swiped her tongue over the slit. When his hips jerked, she did it again, then engulfed the tip in her mouth.

Rory said something Gaelic that sounded like a curse as he lifted her off him. “Love, as good as that feels, I’ve something different in mind.”

He gently moved her out of the way and rose to remove the rest of his clothing. Then he lay on the bed and patted the mattress. “Ride me.”

Shay stood there, taking him in. He reclined like a pasha waiting to be serviced by his harem. Viewing all his manly glory—ripped abs and thighs, powerful arms and furred chest that couldn’t hide the underlying muscle, a thick, swollen cock standing at attention—Shay felt like a highly favored sex slave honored to be chosen by her master.

Rory groaned, the sound part frustration, part need. “Shay, I’ve been dreaming of this for weeks. I’m begging you, put me out of my misery.”

No, he wasn’t begging yet, but he would.

Slow and seductive, Shay sank to her knees between his legs. Beginning with his calves, she trailed moist kisses and nibbles to his inner thigh, stopping short of his balls. Ignoring his increasingly impatient demands, she worshipped his legs—stroking, caressing, and rubbing her needy breasts over every inch.

When she was satisfied they’d received enough attention, she moved to his stomach and covered the surface with the same. Rory gripped her by the upper arms to maneuver her into the position he wanted, and Shay bared her teeth.

“My way!”

With a hiss that sounded more feline than lupine, he subsided, dropping his hands to dig into the mattress instead.

Shay directed her attention to his chest and the reddish-brown nipples puckered there. Straddling his thighs to give her more leverage, she licked, tugged, and basically tormented the hell out of Rory.

There was a sharp ripping sound. A quick glance revealed Rory’s claws had sprouted. She smirked. “Hope you have money for a new mattress.”

“Witch,” he griped in a tight, husky voice.

“Yep, and loving every minute of it.”

Claws were good, but Shay wouldn’t be satisfied until he completely lost it. There was something about being wanted so much by a man that he couldn’t control himself that just did it for her.

Bracing her hands on either side of his torso, Shay nibbled her way to his throat. She pulled a pinch of skin between her lips and suckled until a bright red mark appeared. Kissed the hollow in his neck where his pulse pounded a rapid tattoo. Licked his Adam’s apple and then worked her way over to the protruding tendon connecting his shoulder and neck. As she played with it, moistening it with her hot breath and licking the sweat off his skin, Rory grabbed her thighs with his hand and thrust up with his hips. His cock slid through her slick folds, briefly catching on her opening before jumping free.

He growled.

Shay raised her head to look at him and saw eyes gone wolf and a mouth full of clenched fangs. “Want something?” she teased with a smile and canted her hips, cushioning his penis like a sausage between a hot dog bun.

“Fuck. Me!”

“In time,” she promised.

His grip tightened, and his claws stung as they pricked her skin.

Shay rocked her cradle back and forth, causing his shaft to stroke her clit at just the right angle. “We’ve never done it slow,” she mused, meeting his gaze.

Rory hesitated. She could see impatience and sheer need warring with the desire to give her what she wanted. Desire to please her won, barely, but the tide could switch at any moment. He grunted his assent and made an effort to relax. As a reward, Shay canted her hips and took him inside. Due to their angle, only the tip and a bit of the shaft sank in. Shay rode the head, patiently realigning their bodies whenever he slipped out. And she resumed tormenting his now straining neck with her bites.

“Take all of me!”

“Not yet,” she murmured.

Shay never knew the mouth of her vagina was so sensitive. She was enjoying him right where he was.

“Deeper.”

“Not…yet.”

“Too much,” he snarled.

“Quit…whining.”

Shay worked her way up to his ear and murmured soft words, erotic words, words of love and devotion. Words she’d never have had the courage to say if passion weren’t clouding her mind and lust giving her heart the boost it needed to override reticence born from an inherent need to protect herself. As she spoke, she remained in constant motion, riding the same two inches until her breath came in gasps, her eyes crossed, and beads of sweat rolled down her forehead.

She was so wet. Shay glanced between their bodies. Rory’s cock glistened with the juices flowing from her to pool in his pubic hair. Her scent, the smell of sex, filled the room.

Beneath her, Rory rumbled like a volcano. His dick lengthened and swelled until two inches became four. The swollen veins abraded her sensitive tissue like nubbins on a dildo, and Shay’s eyes rolled back into her head.

It was torture keeping to the same steady, slow pace. Everything in her wanted to move faster, go deeper, thrust down harder, but she clenched her teeth, dug her nails in his chest, and resisted. By God, for once they were going to take their time. She only hoped Rory knew CPR because her heart was doing its best to pound out of her rib cage.

“Come, Shay.”

“Not…yet.” Her voice broke, and she almost sobbed from the intensity of what she was feeling.

“Come!” He reached between them, delicately folded back the hood partially covering her clit, and strummed the bud with his claw. Once, twice, three times.

Shay’s muscles seized. She froze for one heartbeat, then another. Then she exploded. The force threw her shoulders and head back and ripped a scream from her throat. She lost sense of her surroundings. All she knew was the pulsing of her vagina and the pounding of her heart.

When Shay returned to awareness, she had seven feet of werewolf, drawn tight as a bowstring beneath her, and her head was pillowed on his pelted sternum. Shay licked her lips in anticipation and held on for the ride to come.