37. Kaycia
Chapter 37
Kaycia
“U gh! I can’t seem to get started on anything today!” I toss my brush down in frustration after staring at the canvas with red blooming across it for over half an hour. It’s reasonable for me to still feel shaken up after everything that’s happened over the last week, but nervous energy courses through me this morning. The call with Kelly reassured me that the number of pieces I dropped at the gallery are enough, but even though I decided that I didn’t need to create anything else for the exhibition, I can’t help but feel lazy by not creating to make up for what was damaged. I’ve spent so much of my time since I arrived in Argent creating and focusing on work that taking a break feels like I’m wasting valuable time.
“What’s wrong?” Shane asks, walking in through the front door after a series of beeps from the keyless entry pad. He told me earlier he was going to scout around his property, just in case anyone was snooping around, and made me promise to keep the doors locked until he got back.
“Nothing. I just can’t focus.”
“Anything I can help with?” he asks, nuzzling against my neck while the few pieces of hair that have fallen from my bun tickle my skin. The scrape of his grown out stubble on my sensitive skin is electric.
“I just have all these jitters and can’t seem to clear my mind. Ouch!” I laugh and pull away, rubbing the spot near my collar where he’s nipped it with his teeth.
“I could help you focus on something,” he whispers against my ear, raising goosebumps when he slides his hands beneath the fabric of my shirt, slipping them through the oversized arm holes to caress my skin and cup my breasts. “Maybe getting out in the forest would help you.”
“Are you suggesting a hike? Or something more physical?” I tease, but my smile fades when I turn my head and see his eyes flash golden. My tummy flips and my skin flushes as he runs that hungry gaze over me.
“Have you ever been chased, Kaycia?” he rumbles, pulling his hands free of my shirt.
“ Chased? Is this some Little Red Riding Hood/Big Bad Wolf fantasy?”
“Do you want me to eat you up?” Shane answers, nipping again at my neck and making my core go molten. My mind scrambles a little and I can only answer with a breathy chuckle. “How about I give you a head start? If I win, I get to do whatever I want.”
“And if I win?” I ask, staring up at his dark eyes. Only a slim ring of gold surrounds the dilated pupil.
“I always find my prey.” His voice is a low growl as he begins pulling his shirt over his head. “Better get moving.”
I scramble to my feet with a giggle and dart out the front door.
The sun is warm on my face as I look around the yard, trying to decide which part of the tree line to enter. We’ve hiked around Shane’s property a few times, but always on a deer path with him leading the way. Do I follow the same path or make my own? How serious is he about this? Glancing over my shoulder I can see him through the glass, unbuttoning his jeans with a wide grin, the gold of his eyes glinting through the pane.
I fight the squeak rising in my throat as I round the back of the house and head through one of the less-groomed paths through the tall trees at a brisk jog. The leaves rustle on the wind and smaller creatures run for cover as I dash down the trail, doing my best to avoid loose rocks and tree roots. Sweat beads on my brow as I run, looking over my shoulder under the dappled light of the forest. A howl from the cabin floats on the breeze and my heart rate ratchets up with excitement as I try to run faster, my breath coming quick as I decide which way to turn.
A smile creeps across my lips when another howl rises on the wind, my heart pounding harder in response. But then, that thrill turns to panic as I wonder, What exactly does he plan to do if he catches me? Will it be in his human or animal form?
My heart stutters as my steps stumble on the uneven ground and I look over my shoulder again. Gray fur darts between the heavy trees as Shane weaves through them in the distance. My breath hitches again when the flash of gray appears in my periphery faster than I anticipated. Then, Shane is there—a huge wolf with its tongue lolling—standing in front of me on the path, giant paws sinking in the soft earth.
The sight steals my breath for a second, fighting my natural human instinct to flee at the sight of a predator. I step to the right and the wolf moves to block me, matching my movements as he prevents me from escaping. I swallow, apprehension and anticipation warring within me as Shane’s wolf forces me to walk backward toward the trees.
A gasp involuntarily escapes my lips when the rough bark of a tree bites into my back unexpectedly. Before I’ve caught my breath the wolf is close enough that I can feel the tickle of his fur on my bare legs. In a blink, he’s shifted, standing in front of me in his naked human form, sweaty and panting with a grin stretched across his handsome face. The happiness in his expression is etched in the crinkle of his eyes as he leans toward me.
“Told you I always find my prey,” he murmurs through rapid breaths, the tone making my heart flutter and my thighs clench in anticipation. Shane takes another step forward, inhaling deeply as he places a palm against the tree near my cheek. “Mmm…your scent tells me you’re excited that I did.”
Shane inhales once more and then I’m pressed against his warm body, arms wrapped around him as I pull his mouth to mine in a rough kiss. He holds me close, pressing his thigh between mine, and grinds against me. Capturing my moan with another heated kiss, Shane runs his hands over me, reaching under my shirt to caress my back and breasts.
“Come on,” he says against my lips, leading me down the dirt trail toward a clearing.
“Are we hiking? You’re not wearing any clothes.”
“Maybe you’re just wearing too many,” he replies, squeezing my ass cheek when I catch up. “I’ll be fine, it’s not a long walk.”
Once we exit the tree line, I’m breathless for reasons beyond running through the woods. The clearing opens to a bubbling creek bed with a small field of yellow, pink, and purple late-season wildflowers that overlooks the mountains beyond. It’s beautiful.
In the center of the field awaits a blanket, extra clothes for Shane, and picnic supplies.
“ This is what you’ve been doing all morning! How did you know I’d run this way?”
“I didn’t.” He shrugs. “I figured you’d either run and play along or that I’d just bring you on a hike. I had much more fun this way.” He cuts his eyes to me, licking his lips.
His lightly tanned skin gleams with a sheen of sweat in the warm sunlight and heat radiates from him where our arms touch. Turning toward him, I pull his mouth back to mine and jump up to wrap my legs around his bare waist so he can carry me to the blanket.
Laying me down on the thick fabric, Shane settles between my thighs and draws a contented sigh from me when he drags open-mouthed kisses down my throat. When he raises up, holding himself above me on his palms, I wiggle enough to pull my shirt off, tossing it aside along with my bra, and pulling him back down to lavish kisses against his lips. His stubble scratches my skin, leaving me tender where his lips have touched and marking a map of his adoration on my flesh.
“Shane,” I pant, arching my back to get more friction from his naked body.
“What is it?”
“Take my shorts off,” I whisper. His chuckle is soft against my throat as he kisses lower and lower.
“Always so impatient,” he teases.
I whimper in response when he grinds against me. It doesn’t take long before he’s unbuttoned my shorts and pulled them and my panties off, leaving us both bare in the warm, golden light.
“Gods, Kaycia. You’re beautiful,” Shane breathes, his hands tracing my curves and exploring the places he’s learned make me gasp and melt under his touch. “I…” He pauses, looking down at me with blown pupils. The soft expression on his face makes my heart race and heat flushes my cheeks. “I’ve never felt like this before. It’s like I can’t get enough of you,” he confesses.
“I know,” I admit. “I feel the same way. Is this what Raquel meant when she said you were bonded?”
“Kind of.” Shane breathes against my throat, trailing kisses down to my collarbone. “When shifters fall in love we tend to fall hard. Bonding is just one step further. When we bond to someone we’re more attuned to them, more protective. Like she said, it’s stronger in wolves.”
“Ah, I see.” My chest tightens at the explanation. I may not be a shifter, but whatever I feel for him has to be just as strong.
“Come here,” he murmurs, then surprises me so that I let out a little shriek followed by a round of giggles as he rolls on his back and pulls me atop him. “I want to watch you. I want to see what I do to you.”
In the past, I might have been nervous or covered up more, but with Shane, I know he’s not going to judge me for what I desire or make me feel like I’m not sexy enough to be with him. Instead, I slide against him, relishing in how he feels when I tease him. Watching him lay his head back with a groan makes me feel powerful knowing that I can make him feel as good as he makes me. I plant kisses across his chest, licking and teasing him, coaxing a laugh as I drag my fingernails across his abs until the laugh turns to a moan when my hands reach his cock and circle it, stroking over him.
Satisfied at the amount of teasing he’s endured, I straddle him and slide against him while my need coils low in my belly. Each time I circle my hips, I slide my clit across his length until I feel my pleasure nearing. Shane watches me with hungry eyes, biting his lip and letting me seek what I want. Tension coils low in my belly until I come undone without him even entering me. I bite my lower lip, a breathy laugh escaping as I lean forward trembling.
“Someone liked being chased, too, huh?” Shane teases, sliding his hands over my hips until they wrap behind me and grip my ass.
“Apparently, so,” I agree. “Your turn.”
Rising up, I guide him to my entrance, then slowly ease him inside me. His grip on my hips tightens and his breath comes quicker as I tease him, sliding him back out until he’s practically panting with want. When I finally seat myself completely, he moans, fingers gripping so tight they might leave bruises. I smile at the thought of his marks on me. As I ride him, his eyes glow gold, watching my body limned by the golden hour light. He slides a hand up my belly, teasing my breast while I cup the other, teasing my nipple with a shuddering breath as I rub my clit.
“That’s right, show me what you like,” Shane murmurs, gaze intense. “I want to watch you come before I fill you up.”
His words are almost my undoing, unleashing a feral moan from me as I drag his hand from my breast, bringing it to my mouth, and sucking his index and middle fingers between my lips while I continue to ride him. Being with him seems to unlock some instinctual part of me, allowing my body to take what it wants without second guessing anything. Shane’s gasps and moans send liquid heat coursing through me as my muscles tense. When I shatter around him, head thrown back with pleasure, he pulls his hand free of my lips. Grabbing my hips he takes control, moving them for me and speeding our rhythm so that I brace myself with my palms flat on his chest until he reaches his own climax.
“Gods damn, baby girl,” Shane’s voice is low and raspy as he holds me close to him, arms wrapped around me gently. My head is tucked against his shoulder, but I can feel him nuzzling my neck and hair. “I love you, Kaycia.”
“I love you, too,” I reply.
Warmth surrounds us on the blanket even as the sunlight fades. I can’t tell if it’s the residual late summer heat or just the emotions between us that make me feel so comforted. We spend the rest of the evening laying on the blanket, exploring each other’s bodies, nibbling on the picnic, and watching the fireflies dance for our last evening together before I return to Argent.