Chapter 16 - Lucas
I was so tired, and she wasn't letting up. She stared at me, her blue eyes holding still unmoved. I knew that she was stubborn, but this was on another level.
"Why don't I get that?" I said, repeating her words. She reminded me of myself when I first arrived in town. Having to protect yourself for so long, having to always have your shackles up because you never knew what was coming. It was exhausting, but I had left and could finally breathe. She was still acting like she was back in that pack, needing to look over her shoulder.
"Everyone needs someone," I said, trying to rein in my anger. "Believe it or not, Gina. I am trying to help. That is all I've done since the second that you got here. I'm helping you get this house, I'm giving you space, and I've opened my home up to you, but you being stupid and wanting to stay in this house when I know that there are people out there that could hurt you is just dumb."
"And you continue to see me as a fragile wolf when that isn't true."
"You can be both," I snapped because she was. Gina was strong, but she was no match for Logan.
"No," she yelled back. "I can't. I am not that little girl who didn't know how to protect herself."
"And you think wandering the woods is going to prove that?" I yelled. "You think getting hurt is going to prove you're powerful?"
I thought back to an hour ago and how my body had tensed up. I sensed someone was at the border, but it wasn't one of our guys. My wolf growled angrily, and as I scanned the area, I couldn't see anyone. But I knew. Ayden had told me enough to know it was Logan.
I couldn't stomach the thought of him coming this way and running into Gina. He'd tried forcing himself on one woman. What was to stop him from trying with another? Someone who had no idea what was waiting in the woods.
I took a step towards her and dropped my voice. Clearly, I wasn't getting through to her, so I would have to go another route. "Fine, you want to prove a point, so be it. Go walk in the woods."
She paused, confused by my change in direction. I took another step towards her. "Because clearly, you forget what happens in the woods, Gina. You forget what male wolves do in the woods when they are angry and have needs. When there is no one else around to stop them."
She swallowed, and suddenly, I watched the rage start to simmer in her eyes. Fear filled her expression, and she bit her cheek.
"You want to fuck around and find out to be my guest, but when you get pinned to the ground, and another man fucks you, and not a sweet fuck either, Gina. He will take what he wants, and you will end up taking it; however, he decided to give it to you. When that happens, don't come crying to me."
She took a step back, but I took another forward. She shook her head. "That…"
I stepped further into her space. I could smell the fear on her and the way her throat bobbed. "Are you trying to say that doesn't happen? You can't because you know that what I say is true."
She swallowed, her back hitting the wall, and I stopped in front of her. "I warned you that we had a dispute with the other pack, and I told you not to go near the damn woods! I didn’t say it because I wanted you to challenge me if I was lying or not.
Her throat bobbed, and I could see the way she sucked her cheeks in, biting on them. Had she thought I exaggerated about the rip between the packs? Did she not take my warning as seriously as she should?
"But you know, you're right. I shouldn't be trying to protect you. You're a strong, independent woman who knows best. So, fuck around and find out, Gina."
I watched tears build up, hating it. I didn't like using scare tactics, but maybe it would help her understand. She had no idea what waited in the woods for her—none of us did—and that was the dangerous part—that was the part she should be scared about.
"You're a terrible person," she whispered.
"Why, because I'm being honest? You don't think someone would pin you down in the woods and strip you naked? You don't think someone would thrust his dick into you even if you were crying? You don’t think someone enjoys doing that to women?"
Tears fell from her face now, and she looked away. "Stop." She shook her head, wiping her eyes. "Just…stop."
"Not until you get it," I said softer. "Get the fact that a man could and would rape you. You have no idea what lurks in those woods."
"I get it!" she whispered, wiping at more tears. "I'm a fragile wolf, and that's all I'll ever be."
I scowled, knowing I'd pushed too hard. I’d crossed a line I didn’t want to cross.
I reached for her, cupping her face. I suddenly couldn't stand the fear in her eyes. I wanted her scared but not terrified. I just wanted her to know how dangerous this all was. "No, that's not what I'm saying."
She started to cry, and I suddenly wished I could take my words back. Seeing her being cocky was better than watching her fall apart.
I rubbed my thumb, wiping at her tears. "Gina, you are a strong wolf. You have overcome so much and proved yourself ten times over. There were wolves who had more muscle and less to prove than you. But you have grown. You've made a living for yourself when everyone said you couldn't." I leaned closer. "But you are still a woman. And there are times when you need to understand that even if you're strong, you shouldn't be alone. You shouldn't be alone in this house so close to the border when we know what lurks on the other side. I was serious when I told you what happened. And I don’t want it to happen again."
She sniffled. "Why do you care so much? I'm sure by now you've repaid what you owe me."
I would never make up for what I'd done to her, and I would spend my life trying to. My wolf growled, wanting to be closer to her. I caged her against the wall and sighed. "Because you’re my mate, and I only want what's best for you, even if it's not me."
We both knew what we were to each other, but neither of us really spoke about it. I had rejected her all those years ago. But her eyes softened at the word mate.
"So, stop crying," I said, wiping her eyes once more. "Please, I can't stand to see you cry."
"Then maybe you shouldn't put those images in my head," she whispered, and I could see the fear in her eyes again.
I didn't like the thought. The thought of another wolf putting his hands on her, pinning her down as he took her. I knew Gina would fight, but some wolves were just stronger no matter who they were against. And if Logan was desperate, he could end up killing her.
"It got you to understand," I said softer, pressing my nose against hers.
Her body stiffened slightly, and her breath hitched as I placed my hands on her hips. The world seemed to freeze for a second before I softly brushed my lips against hers—a small apology.
"Does that make it better?" I asked, kissing her cheek next.
She slowly nodded, her fingers wrapping around the hem of my shirt. "A little."
I smirked, placing a kiss on her neck. "And does this help?" I asked, pulling a hand up, tugging at her collar, and placing a kiss there.
She nodded, her fingers tightening.
I pulled at her shirt, unbuttoning it slowly as I bit slightly onto her neck. A soft moan slipped from her lips, and my wolf purred with need.
Gina's breath was labored even though I’d done so little. I threw her shirt open, exposing a lacey black bra. I slipped my finger over the front, smirking at it. "Sexy."
She blushed and swallowed. I quickly grabbed her, hoisting her up, and turned us to the air mattress she had put together. We tumbled onto it as I pulled off her shirt, throwing it aside.
I kissed her chest, leaving a trail as I traveled down over her navel and her stomach. Gina's head fell back as her fingers gripped at my hair. She softly moaned with each kiss, her chest rising and falling.
"Do you mean it?" she whispered and I looked up at her. I tugged at her bra straps and raised an eyebrow. "Mean what?"
"Everything you said about me being strong."
I pulled her bra free, taking in her breasts and her nipples, which were hard. I slid my hands over them, cupping both her breasts. "When have I ever lied?" I asked.
She blushed, and I could see something new flicker in her eyes. Pride. It looked good on her.
She reached up, tugging me towards her, and brought her lips against mine in a hunger. The softness was gone as we were both pulling at clothes. We were both panting as I threw her shorts aside, her now lying just in her underwear.
She had unbuttoned my pants, her fingers tugging quickly. I chuckled, yanking them off for her and kicking them aside. I scanned her, really took her naked form in, and her breath hitched as she stared back at me.
I thought about the shower, and with all the lights off, it had been hard to look at her. But now, even with a low light, I could see everything. Gina had soft skin, but I could see muscles underneath it. She was small, but she clearly used what she did have.
I looked into her eyes, finding she was doing the same thing to me. Her eyes went from my face down, and I knew she paused when she got to my dick. A swallow tugged at her throat.
"You look a little stunned," I chuckled, placing my hands back on her waist.
She snapped her gaze up, a blush rolling over her face. "Well….I mean…it was dark before."
"And what, I'm hideous now that you see me?"
She rolled her eyes, a smirk tugging at her lips. "No, you… you're very fit. I mean, I knew you were always fit, but you just…" She fell silent, and I knew what she meant.
"As are you," I whispered, placing a kiss on her left knee. I kissed up her thigh, tightening my fingers around her waist until I got to her hip bone.
I could smell her need, and she squirmed. I could hear her breath labored.
I kissed her inner thigh and slid a finger into her. Gina moaned, her body tightening up. I bite hard onto her thigh, and her hand gripped at my hair as I slid another finger into her.
"Lucas," she panted my name, her chest rising and falling as I felt her tightening around my fingers. I knew she was getting closer with each thrust of my fingers. And before I let her fall apart, I withdrew my fingers.
Her eyes snapped to me as I leaned back. Her eyes went to my boxers, and my cock was hard. Painfully hard.
She swallowed, biting her lower lip slightly as I slid them down.
My cock sprung free, and she inhaled slightly. She moved, spreading her legs, almost seeming eager for what was coming next.
I hooked her knees, taking my cock and sliding it against her entrance. And when I looked at her, I expected her to be looking at me, but she wasn't. She was looking down, her eyes glued to my cock.
I couldn't help the smirk that pulled at my lips. For someone who’d had little sex experience, she wasn't shy about what she wanted. I slid into her, and Gina threw her head back, another moan leaving her lips.
I wanted to be slow and take however long I wanted, but I couldn't. When it came to Gina, I just wanted her. I had to have all her all at once. I wanted her clenching around me because that was the most amazing feeling I'd ever had.
I kissed her, taking her mouth like I would never be able to again. Gina wrapped her arms around me, her breath panting. "Lucas…"
I broke the kiss, staring at her. "Yes?"
She seemed unsure of what she was going to ask, but I could see something swimming in her eyes. Concern…no…not quite.
"I will pull out," I said, suddenly wondering if this was entirely a bad idea.
She shook her head. "No, I trust you…I.." She swallowed. "Can you…" Her eyes flickered down, and I suddenly knew what she meant.
I pulled a hand down and slid my finger over her clit. Her eyes sparkled, and I smirked. "That?"
She nodded, and I kissed her once more. It was nothing but our bodies smashing together, both of us panting, eager for a release.
I was close, and I could feel the way Gina was getting there herself. I braced my arms, and she threw her legs around me, making me pause for a second.
"Don't…" she said, shaking her head. "Don't."
"Gina, if you don't release my hips, I am going to cum inside you."
She shook her head. "I can buy stuff."
That was risky, but it seemed everything we were doing was just that. We were lying to get her house; we were being risky about fixing whatever this was between us, and instead of talking, we were sleeping together.
I unhooked her legs, pinning her knees. "I trust you," I growled into her ear. And I felt her body tighten like nothing before. She cried out, and as promised, I came inside her.
We both remained quiet for a moment, just panting to catch our breath. After a second, I pulled myself free from her and leaned back onto my knees. I stared at her, seeing marks now covering her body where my hand had touched. She had bite marks as well and a large, slightly bleeding one on her thigh.
"Shit," I murmured, reaching for her leg. "I was a little rough."
She smirked. "I liked it. For once, I wasn’t being treated like prey or a broken doll."
I stared at her, knowing that there was no going back. Whatever Gina and I had was either going to be so much better…..or so much worse.