Chapter Seventeen #2
“Who says I’m not willing?” She pumped up and down, loving the hard feel of him, like velvet over steel. The head of his cock was broader and darker. Thick veins roped the entire length of his shaft. What would he taste like? When she licked her lips, he groaned.
“You’re a dangerous woman, Kinley.”
Shocked, she reflexively clenched her hand tighter. “Me, dangerous?” It was absurd. She’d done her best to remain invisible in her pack, soothing over any small misunderstandings. Getting noticed meant attention, which was the last thing she’d wanted.
“Ease up.” He put his hand over hers, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “You just proved my point. You don’t see it, do you?”
“Explain. Don’t make me get rough.” She gave his erection another squeeze.
Groaning, he lowered his forehead until it touched hers. “You possess an inner strength that weaker men find intimidating.”
“But not you.”
“Hell, no. I find it sexy.” He wrapped his hand around her wrist and pulled her hand away before backing her against the shower wall.
His breath was hot against her ear, sending shivers racing over her wet skin.
“You’ll do what you believe to be right and damn the consequences.
That makes you both dangerous and unpredictable. ”
She wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or criticism. “I had to leave. I was dying there.” The truth poured out of her. It felt like a betrayal to her daddy, but it was the truth.
“They were crushing your soul, sweetheart. Rather than allow it, you revolted. That’s brave but risky. I can guarantee you got other folks in your pack thinking, maybe reassessing how things are being done.” He tugged at the lobe of her ear before spreading a line of kisses down her neck.
It was impossible to think about much of anything with Eli’s lips nipping at her collarbone. Once again, he’d taken control of their lovemaking. She leaned forward and bit his shoulder.
He laughed. “Done talking, are you?” He slid his hands beneath her bottom and lifted her off her feet. With the wall behind her and him in front of her, she was suspended in midair.
She wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck.
Dawn was fast approaching, every beat of her heart bringing it closer.
Without hesitation, he aligned their bodies and guided his erection into her.
Kinley buried her face in his neck and breathed through the slight discomfort as he forged a path inward.
Gripping a handful of her hair, he angled her head and kissed her, his tongue stroking hers in the most erotic manner. She rubbed her taut nipples against his chest, trying to soothe the ache in them.
“Let go. I’ve got you.” His rough promise broke the reins of her control. If their earlier lovemaking had been fast and furious, this was primitive and untamed.
She raked her nails over his back, needing everything he could give her.
With the cooling water raining down on them, he fucked her hard and fast. There was no finesse, only a fierce desire that might never be slaked.
He reached between their bodies and stroked between her legs.
She came hard and fast. Swearing, he followed.
He managed to keep them upright until the swelling at the base of his shaft went down enough that he was able to release her.
The water had gone icy cold. They washed fast and jumped out, not lingering, then dried off without talking.
Her hair was still damp when she all but stumbled into the bedroom, but she was too exhausted to care.
Eli pulled back the covers and she crawled into bed with him right behind her.
He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her against his chest.
“Dangerous.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “You started something that will change your pack and my family.”
All she’d wanted was to be free, to live a life of her choosing. She’d never set out to harm anyone, but unintentional or not, that would be the result. After today, none of them would be the same again. Closing her eyes, she burrowed closer to Eli for comfort and let sleep take her.
****
The sunlight streaming through the window woke her.
There was no sign of Eli other than the slight indent of his head on the pillow beside her.
Today was the day. That got her out of bed.
While she dreaded having to face Eli’s brothers after last night—maybe they hadn’t heard anything—hiding in his room wasn’t an option.
After a quick trip to the bathroom, she dug through her meager pile of clothing and paired plain black leggings with a dark long-sleeved shirt and the black canvas sneakers.
That was the best outfit she owned for sneaking around in the woods.
With her hair tamed into a short braid, she was as ready as she’d ever be.
The house was quieter than she’d expected, but there was someone in the kitchen. She hurried down the stairs, pulling up short when she realized it was Zach and not Eli. “Ah, good morning.” She glanced at the clock on the microwave and winced. It was still morning but not by much.
“Coffee?” He held up the full carafe. “Fresh pot.”
“Sure.” She tried to act confident as she slid onto one of the stools at the kitchen peninsula. “Thanks,” she added when he set the mug in front of her, along with the sugar bowl and a spoon.
“You want milk?”
“No, I’m good. Listen, I want to thank you for last night.” When he raised an eyebrow, she struggled not to blush, praying he’d been asleep and hadn’t heard the noise coming from Eli’s room. “For getting the money back from Duke.”
“Ah, that was my pleasure. I hate bullies and thieves, and he qualifies as both.” He leaned against the counter and sipped from his mug.
She couldn’t argue. “Technically, he’s alpha, so the money—”
“Stop right there,” he cut her off before she finished. “Your daddy worked for the pack and earned a salary. That was his money and you’re his daughter.”
“Thank you.” She dropped her head into her hands. “God, I’m going to need two t-shirts, one with ‘I’m sorry’ on it and another with ‘Thank you.’ I’ll have to wear them on alternate days. I seem to be perpetually saying one or the other.”
Zach threw back his head and laughed just as the back door opened and Eli walked in.
He scowled at his brother before his gaze landed on her.
He looked as big and formidable as ever.
Faded jeans clung to his powerful legs. He was naked from the waist up, displaying all those mouthwatering muscles she stroked last night.
He’d shaved but by no means looked civilized.
There was a dangerous edge about him that nothing could soften or disguise.
The scent of pine and fresh earth clung to him.
His feet were bare. He’d been out on patrol.
His sharp gaze went from his brother to her and the taut muscles in his shoulders relaxed.
She took a mouthful of coffee to cover the awkwardness of not knowing what to say.
Her stomach growled. She pressed her hand against it.
It was a false hope that no one had heard since both men were staring at her.
“You need to eat.” Eli glared at his brother. “She needs more than coffee.”
“I overslept and haven’t been downstairs five minutes.
” There was no excuse for that. Not given the seriousness of the situation.
She needed to pull her weight. “Besides, it’s not Zach’s job to take care of me.
No one needs to wait on me. I’m capable of feeding myself.
” She should eat, but her stomach was in knots.
Eli closed the distance between them, his scowl deepening. “You’re hungry.” It came out as an accusation.
“I’ll eat something. I promise,” she added. Nerves aside, she needed the fuel to keep her body running efficiently. When he continued to stare, she asked, “Was there something else?”
“Yes.” He dragged her off the stool and into his arms. The kiss was hot and passionate and entirely too short. Before she could catch her breath, he’d deposited her back onto her seat and was headed for the refrigerator. “Any new messages on the confiscated phone?”
Zach rubbed his hand over his jaw, unsuccessfully trying to hide a smile. “Confirmation they’re on their way.”
She rubbed her damp palms over her leggings and gathered her wits. “When are they expected?” Her entire body broke out in a sweat.
“Uncertain.” Zach pulled Ridge’s phone from his pocket and scanned the texts. “The convoy will be here sometime later this afternoon. I have a feeling Holden and a few of his buddies left well ahead of the group. Holden said he’d contact Ridge when he arrived.”
Eli set a plate with several roast beef sandwiches on it in front of her and removed the plastic wrap. “This should hold you over until we cook something.”
She eyed the thick sandwiches and swallowed heavily. Her stomach churned in silent protest. “I think I’m better off with plain toast.”
“You can’t be sick. Our kind doesn’t get sick.” Frowning, Eli placed his hand on her forehead. She caught him by the wrist and pulled it away.
“I’m nervous about today.”
He tucked his hands into his front pockets and rocked back on his heels. “You could always stay in the house.”
She shook her head. “You know I can’t do that.” While she dreaded today, she was no coward. It was time to face the demons of her past. It was the only way to have a future.
Noah trotted down the stairs dressed like his brothers in a pair of jeans. The Sin brothers were a good-looking bunch. He scrubbed his hands through his short hair and yawned. “I’m hungry,” he announced. When he caught sight of her, he smiled. “Hey, Kinley. Are they feeding you?”
“Trying to but she won’t eat.” Eli edged the sandwich plate closer to her.