Enemy Mine

Chapter Nineteen

Emory was about to ask Mary what she was up to when she reached for the hem of her shirt and pulled the garment over her head. Since she’d been forced to remove her bra to allow Doc to tend her wounded shoulder, there was nothing to keep her breasts from view. The mounds were full and pale, her hard nipples a soft pink. He knew if he gave the rounded swells his undivided attention, he could take the color to a darker shade.

The thought made him hard as a rock.

“What are you doing?” His throat felt as constricted, becoming almost as tight as the jeans that encased his cock. It was difficult to think clearly when all he wanted to do was to take his mate to the floor and fuck her long, deep and hard.

Mary grasped the ties of the sweatpants. “What does it look like?”

The instant she dropped the clothing from around her waist and the cotton pooled at her feet, he knew his mate was turned-on. She didn’t have on underwear and her scent rushed to him, stirring his wolf, flicking a switch inside him. He bit the fleshy part of his cheek, trying to do the right thing, to think with his head and not his dick.

“Your shoulder—”

She kicked the sweats from her feet and walked to him. “Doesn’t matter.”

He wanted to argue, he really did. Or at least that’s what he told himself when Mary closed the distance, carefully wrapped her arms around his neck and went to her tiptoes to kiss him. She felt so soft compared to him, so tiny. His arms wrapped around her waist of their own accord, urging her closer. She came to him willingly, pressing her body to his, her breasts flush against his chest.

“You’re killing me,” he whispered against her lips, meeting her eyes. Her pupils were enlarged, the heavy fall of her lashes fluttering as her lids lowered. “I want you so much I ache with it.”

She clutched his shoulders, dragging her nails along his shirt. “There’s no need to ache. I’m here. I want you too.”

This close he could smell the metallic scent of her blood. Through their flourishing connection he could also feel her discomfort. Their emotions bled into each other’s now, the wolf residing within each of them. Where he was worried for her welfare, she was excited to be in his arms, her desire at full throttle. There was no anxiousness on her part, no doubt.

“You’re hurt.”

When he attempted to pull away she refused to let go. “Then make me better.” She didn’t look away, her brown eyes determined, the hidden meaning in her words crystal clear. “Take the hurt away and replace it with something better. I know you can.”

Her words rushed straight to his head, making him dizzy. “If you’re saying what I think you are, make sure you mean it.”

“I want you to finish what you started. Make love to me. Take the final step.” She brushed her lips against his and moved away. “I need to know nothing will come between us, that you won’t ever let me go.”

“Never,” he vowed, shaking with pure emotion. He’d never let her go. Even if she wanted him to. He couldn’t exist without her. “You’re mine. You were mine the moment we met.”

Memories of the past assailed him, of Mary at the café, young, sweet and full of life. Back then she was nervously aware of him, taking sly glances in his direction when she thought he wasn’t looking. Now she was more secure in herself, more confident. She didn’t look away, meeting his gaze, her eyes brimming with passion and certainty. The atrocities she’d suffered had only strengthened her, bringing them to this point in their lives.

He closed the distance, placing his lips against hers. The kiss he intended to be sweet and soothing became harsh and unyielding, his tongue winding into her mouth when she opened to him. The truth struck him—a slicing blow to his heart. He could have lost her. If her uncle had succeeded in his plan, this moment would never have come.

He pulled away to tell her how he felt, so she knew it before things went any further. “I love you, you know.”

“I know.” She presented him with the smile he adored, her cheeks flushing. “I love you too.”

He’d waited for those words for so fucking long, but he had to be certain they came from her and not their connection. As much as he hated to do it, he blocked her bond with the wolf, shutting that portion of himself down, although it was difficult to suppress. He didn’t want any influence over her or her feelings. He had to know what she said came from her own heart and wasn’t a reflection of his own emotions.

“Tell me again.”

What started as a startled frown on her face changed into a look of dawning comprehension. He knew he’d left himself vulnerable to this woman. She could accept him or reject him. The choice was entirely hers to make.

Tell me again, he thought to himself, the seconds ticking by like hours. Tell me that you love me. Show me that you want this.

Moving closer, she whispered, “I love you.” Then she brushed her lips against his cheek. “I love you.” His skin tingled as she exhaled softly against his skin, making a path to his ear to repeat, “I love you.”

“I’m glad to hear it. More than you can possibly know.” His voice cracked but he didn’t give a shit. He could be weak around Mary. He didn’t have to pretend that she didn’t affect him, that she didn’t have the power to bring him to his knees. “Hold on.”

He brought his hands to her hips, holding her against him, feeling the intricate structure of the bones beneath his fingers. Mindful of how fragile she was, he lowered those hands until they cupped her ass. The fleshy globes fit his palms perfectly, allowing him to lift her with ease. She groaned when his cock made contact with her pussy and wrapped her legs around his waist, snaking her arms around his neck.

Mindful of her shoulder, he carried her to the bed and placed her on top of the crumpled sheets. Coming down over her, he nipped at her full bottom lip. She groaned and pushed her pelvis against his, the heat of her cunt evident even through his jeans. He let his control go, allowing the wolf to come to life. The connection between them flared, her lust slamming into his.

“More,” she pleaded and arched her back, rubbing her nipples against his chest.

When he tried to pull away to remove his shirt, she whimpered and held on tight. He growled low in his throat, forcing her hands away from his neck and over her head. Then he looked down at her. Up until this point he’d been tender and cautious. If she started pushing his buttons she’d find out precisely what he was capable of.

“Careful, sweetheart,” he warned, chest heaving, his balls tight and ready to burst. “You don’t want to push me.”

Something dangerous flared in her eyes. “Actually, I do.”

Even with her hands trapped above her, she was able to lift her head. He hissed when she bit him on the chest, just an inch or so above his nipple. She wasn’t gentle, her teeth digging into his skin despite his shirt. He threw his head back, silencing a victorious howl of approval.

As quickly as she’d bitten him, she let go. “Stop hiding. I know you’re holding back.”

It was true. He’d been holding back. But for a damn good reason. “I don’t want to frighten you.” And he didn’t. Not when things were going so well. One wrong move and she might turn from him. He wasn’t willing to take the risk.

“You don’t see me pushing you away, do you?” she asked in a mocking tone. “You’re the one who’s frightened, not me.”

His wolf immediately rose to the challenge. His blood ran hot and the chill in the room felt like winter air on his skin. Was she telling the truth? Was she really prepared to know him body and soul? There was only one way to know for certain, and that was the final stage of the bloodbond. He owed it to both of them to find out.

He let go of his mate and tore his shirt from his body, the loud ripping sounds echoing inside the room. Mary didn’t flinch, remaining where he’d left her, watching his movements as he tossed the shredded material aside.

“You want me?” he asked, his cock throbbing as his heart raced.

Their gazes locked and she didn’t look away. “Yes.”

Take her. Show her how good it will be between you.

He wasn’t gentle when he severed eye contact to take one of her nipples into his mouth, allowing his teeth to graze her skin as he suckled. She mewled at the contact and he felt her fingers in his hair, tugging at the strands. Encouraged, he released her nipple and moved to the other, using the same forcefulness.

“Yes,” she moaned, rocking her hips, her legs still twined around his waist. “All of you, Emory. I want all of you. Don’t hold back.”

Her scent called to him, the slick heat between his legs beckoning. He wanted to lap at her honey, taste her arousal and feel her essence coating his tongue. She unwound her legs as he made his way to the triangle of blonde curls below. He left little bites here and there along the way. Each nip was hard enough to leave a circular pink mark but not break the skin. By the time he arrived at his destination, all he could smell was Mary. The heady fragrance of her cunt surrounded him, filling his nose and senses.

“Look at me. I want you to watch while I give you this.”

She trembled as she lifted onto her elbows but did as he asked, her brown eyes darker than usual. When he was sure she wouldn’t look away, he examined his prize.

“You’re so wet, Mary,” he murmured and used his shoulders to part her thighs, revealing her glistening folds. Her clit was swollen and protruded from its hood, the lips of her pussy puffy and pink. He stroked her inner thighs, building the anticipation, knowing they were both on the edge.

“For you,” she said and gasped when he blew a stream of air against her clit.

Instead of taking his time and drawing things out, he lowered his head and parted her labia with his tongue. Then he licked upward, tasting her as he went, gliding along her vaginal folds until he reached her clit. Glancing up, he saw that she continued watching him. The red tint to her cheeks indicated she was embarrassed, but he wasn’t going to let that stop him. She’d said she wanted all of him and that was what she was going to get.

This was exactly what he wanted.

He took the rounded pearl into his mouth and sucked, looking at her all the while, rubbing his tongue along the sensitive tissue as he brought his hand to the mouth of her pussy. She bit her lip, straining as she continued balancing herself with her arms. Tight ripples greeted his fingers as he slid two inside her heat, the flexing walls of her cunt squeezing him tight.

Now, sweetheart.

He didn’t have to vocalize what he wanted, using his touch to send her over. As he worked her sheath with his fingers, he continued flicking his tongue over her clit and waggled his head. A hot rush of liquid coated his fingers and paved his way. She threw her head back as she cried out. Her pussy pulled at the fingers inside of her, holding them in a velvety soft grip as she came. Her thighs trembled on either side of his shoulders, the muscles straining. He didn’t stop feeding her orgasm until she sank back against the pillows, her chest rising and falling as she panted.

He moved from the bed and tugged at his jeans to free his straining cock as he toed off his boots. The animal in him wanted to feel those same ripples of fire dancing along his dick, to watch as she came with him buried inside of her. Mary lifted her head just as he kicked his jeans and socks away. He wasn’t prepared for what came next, to see her roll forward and come for him on her hands and knees.

“Your turn,” she purred and wrapped her fingers around the base of his cock, squeezing as she brought her fingers upward to the crown. Pre-cum escaped the narrow slit in the head, forming a shimmering bead. There was no fucking way he was going to argue, not when this wet dream of a female looked ready to devour him whole.

He waited to see what she’d do next.

At first she stroked him, learning his body. With each return to the top, she increased the pressure, the width of his cock too much for her fingers to wrap completely around. Slowly she lowered her head and licked the slit, taking the shining pearl of semen at the top into her mouth. He thought he’d come on the spot when she closed her eyes as though she was savoring his taste.

Fuck.

Before he could tell her to take him between her heart-shaped lips and suck, she did. Her mouth was blistering hot and wet, so fucking good he couldn’t help but pump his hips. She started at the head, using her tongue to caress the underside, timing it so that her hand mirrored the movements of her mouth.

He groaned, twining his fingers in her hair. “That’s so fucking good, sweetheart. Suck me harder. Take me deep.”

Mary’s corresponding moan traveled down his cock, her head bobbing as she tried to take him deeper as she increased the suction of her mouth. He gritted his teeth, determined to hold back instead of fucking her mouth as he longed to. This was his mate’s time for discovery, to learn what she liked. If it killed him, he’d let her tackle her growing sexuality at her own pace.

She continued licking and sucking and he lifted her hair away from her face to watch. A few of the blonde strands escaped, cascading around her cheeks and drifting to her bare shoulders. Glancing down the length of her back, he focused on the indentions above her buttocks. One day he planned to have her ass up in the air as he fucked her from behind. He’d trace the curves with his thumbs, paying attention to the tiny dimples.

By the time Mary pulled away, a fine sheen of sweat coated his skin. It had taken all of his willpower not to spend himself inside her hot little mouth, to give her what he was certain she wanted to receive. She placed her hands on his thighs and moved upward, using his body for balance as she rose to her knees. When he met her eyes, he saw doubt and worry.

The fingers he had in her hair fisted as he gently forced her head back. “You undo me,” he rasped and wrapped his free arm around her waist as he leaned in for a kiss.

She relaxed, sagging against him as their lips touched. Their tongues met, parted and returned to each other. He tasted a hint of himself and he assumed Mary would taste herself on him as well. The knowledge shook the cage that trapped his wolf, bringing it to the forefront of his being. He had to finish the bloodbond now. Once done, his mate would be his forever.

Climbing on the bed, he lifted Mary at the waist. She hung on as he moved them back, maneuvering her legs so that when he came down on top of her his hips rested between her spread thighs. He basked in the visual of her blonde hair against the white pillows, the way her gaze drifted over his face. When those beautiful brown eyes stopped on his it seemed as though the world stood still. He lifted his hand and cupped her cheek. She leaned into the touch, a small smile appearing on her face.

“Are you sure you want this?” He wasn’t sure he could stop even if she asked him to but he’d do his damndest to accept her choice.

She closed her eyes, nuzzling his palm. “Yes.”

He shook with relief. The wolf didn’t want to wait. It wanted Mary here—now. He reached between their bodies to test her readiness, finding that her pussy was wetter than before. Humming his appreciation, he fisted his cock and guided the head to her lips, running the crown along her slit. She was so slick he slid easily past her labia, the tip sucked into the blistering warmth of her sex. Inch by inch he slid inside, parting her soft, gripping flesh with the hardness of his own until he was seated fully within her. Something inside him changed, the tension that had taunted him for so long fading to nothing.

This wasn’t a dream or wishful thinking. He was with Mary Shepherd. She wasn’t afraid of what he was. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.

Finally the time had arrived.

There was no going back.

Mary stifled a moan as her body became accustomed to Emory, feeling him buried so deeply she wasn’t sure she could move. She drove her pelvis upward, surprised to take more of him as she did. He was so long and thick, the friction deliciously maddening. She let a small cry escape when he nudged a place inside of her, one that was sensitive and tender.

“There it is. Right there,” Emory said and slowly drew back, dragging his cock along that electric place inside her.

She tried to bring him back, unsettled by the loss. He kept a good portion of his shaft within her, rocking his hips. Then when he eased his way back in, he shifted so that she felt that rub again in that same spot. Only he wasn’t done. The way he’d settled also ensured he brushed her clit with the shallow stroke.

“Oh,” she gasped, wrapping her fingers around his biceps.

Emory lifted his head, dark strands of hair falling close to his brow. His eyes had changed color again, becoming the gold she found mesmerizing. She’d felt a strange sensation, as though the wolf was inside Emory but communicating with her.

“You like that?” he asked, irises shining brightly, contrasting beautifully with the shadow lining his jaw.

“Yes,” she replied, breathless at the sight and feel of him.

He continued looking at her as he started to move, sliding in and out of her body, making sure he stroked her clit each time he returned. When he brought a hand to her right buttock, guiding her to rock with the movement, she started rising up to meet his thrusts. She resented the twinge of pain that spread through her shoulder, the dull ache much harsher than when they’d started. Fortunately the pleasure muted the intensifying throb, giving her something to latch on to. If what Ava had said was true, the injury would soon be a distant memory anyway.

Emory appeared to be memorizing her features, watching her closely. His thrusts became more forceful, pushing her into the pillows. She tried to keep up the pace, allowing the hand on her ass to assist her. Each time he pulled away she felt empty, only to find completion when he slammed back inside. Her body grew warm, heat spreading from her belly outward. She recognized the tingling prickle in her muscles, knew she was coming closer to the bliss Emory loved to give her.

“Finish it.” She didn’t stop moving, writhing beneath him. “Bring us together. Make me yours.”

The tic in his jaw warned her that he was going to give her what she asked for. She braced herself for the pain, remembering all too well how the bloodbonding had felt before. He brought his hand between them, using his clever fingers to stimulate her clit. Within seconds she quickened, falling over the edge. This time her cry of release was a mixture of ecstasy and pain, created by the orgasm rushing through her body as Emory’s wolf seemed to slide beneath her skin.

Ignoring the molten fire in her shoulder, she lifted her head and pressed her forehead into his chest. It felt as though fur glided against her inner flesh, using enough force she worried she might actually shift despite Emory’s assurances she wouldn’t be able to. She felt hot but cold, as though ice were coursing through veins that were boiling. The smells she remembered returned, the multiple scents of wilderness and rain and wolf permeating the air. Her body stung all over, like invisible needles were piercing her skin. She closed her eyes, pain wracking her body, and felt tears winding down her cheeks.

Emory’s hoarsely whispered, “It’s almost over,” came too late.

In an instant—as though a light had obliterated the dark and left nothing but clarity in its wake—the sensations and smells evaporated. The pain vanished, exchanged for something else. A primal lust she’d never felt before surged through her. She didn’t want Emory sweet and soft. She wanted him to take her hard and rough, using all the carefully maintained strength at his disposal.

She didn’t understand why she pushed him away. All she knew was she had to get on her hands and knees, to tempt him to take her as he so desperately needed. It wasn’t a telepathic connection. Rather it was as though she could sense what he needed without being told, guided by an instinct she hadn’t possessed previously. It didn’t take much to get in position, her ass presented to him as she faced the wall, her hands clenching in the sheets.

His growl crept along her skin, ramping her excitement. “Fuck yes,” he snarled.

When he touched her, she did something else she didn’t understand—she started to fight him. Writhing and squirming, trying to get out of his grasp. He in turn slapped her ass, growling deeper and placing a hand on the back of her neck.

“Oh no you don’t. You’re mine, Mary. Tell me that you’re mine. Tell me that you belong to me.”

Inside, she screamed what he wanted to hear, so she was stunned when she snapped, “No.”

He clucked his tongue, applying pressure to her neck, forcing her head into the pillows. “That won’t do. If you want this,” he pressed his cock against her, rubbing the hard length of hot flesh against her pussy, “you’ll surrender to me. Right now, angel eyes.”

Two sides of her warred. She tried to get the words out even though something prevented her from doing so. Confused and frustrated, she finally managed to say, “Help me.”

“You’ll never shift but you have a part of my wolf inside you,” he said, keeping her pinned in place. “It’s fighting for control. You have to give yourself over to me. Tell me what I need to hear. Force the beast in you to its proper place. Tell me who’s in charge.”

She wanted to scream but she couldn’t. Her body betrayed her, continuing to squirm beneath Emory. “Y-you,” she stammered, forcing the one word past her lips. Once she spoke, she found it was easier to talk, the struggle within her diminishing. “You’re in charge. I belong to you.”

“That’s right.” He released her neck and ran his hand down the curve of her spine. “You do.”

This time when he moved behind her, his cock found its haven. He barreled into her, forcing her to take all of him. Stars spotted her vision, the fight leaving her body. She sank into the pillows, her arms going limp. Skin slapped against skin, each pump of his hips driving him closer to the edge. When he wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing her back to his chest, she went willingly. Her knees rested on the outside of his thighs, allowing him to maintain momentum.

One hand cupped her breast while the other drifted to her sex. He took the moisture from her pussy and brought it to her clit, rubbing the hard bead. She didn’t think it was possible to climax again but she was wrong. Her body jerked, her nipples hard and pointed, the air cool against them.

“One more,” Emory ordered. “Give me one more, Mary.”

She focused on the sensations taking her over, immersed in raw feeling. His cock teased her, gliding in and out, stretching her with each return. Soon the tingles from her clit intensified, traveling to join the warmth in her abdomen.

“Emory.” She moaned, concentrating on how good she felt, on how amazing it would feel when she came for him like this. Waves of fire crashed through her and she clawed at the hand he’d placed over her breast. She arched her back and thrashed, caught in a maelstrom that seemed to carry her through the ceiling and beyond.

His lips brushed her shoulder. Then she felt a sharp burn as his teeth sank into her skin. His cock jerked inside her, hot jets of semen bathing her womb. Goose bumps tickled her arms when he roared, the sound muffled by the skin trapped against his mouth. He didn’t stop moving, pistoning his hips as his cock surged within her a second time and another searing flash of heat followed. She didn’t let go of his hand, gasping for breath as he slowed and finally stopped.

When he pulled his teeth from her shoulder, she winced. He murmured an apology and started lapping at the skin, bathing the aching punctures with his tongue.

She was too tired to move when he shifted their bodies so that she landed on the pillows in a heap. He moved behind her and pulled her into his arms. She smiled and brought his hand to her mouth for a quick kiss. If she got to choose the path of her future, she wanted each day to consist of this. She’d cherish each and every moment, knowing she was fortunate to have the opportunity. Exhaustion sapped what energy she had left and she felt her eyes grow heavy.

“Any regrets?” Emory asked against the top of her head.

She had a lot of regrets, but not about what they’d done. The choices she’d made couldn’t be changed. All she could do was learn from her mistakes. And she intended to enjoy every single minute with the man in her bed. A man who belonged to her just as much as she belonged to him. A peace settled over her knowing that, an awareness that she would never be alone again.

She yawned, blinking to stay awake. “Only that it took us so long to get here.”

“I love you,” he whispered.

Even hearing those words couldn’t prevent sleep from taking her. Still, she managed to echo the sentiment before she closed her eyes.

“I love you.”