Book 1 - Page 10 (1/2)

“You mean the wolf back.”

“Yeah, and that means you.”

Her eyes remained riveted on his b.u.t.tons while he worked to remove his s.h.i.+rt. When he pulled it off and dropped it on the floor, she stared at his dark-haired chest and chiseled abs. She sighed at the sight of his well-toned body. Already her hormones were set in high gear. She would be attracted to any male, she reminded herself, as much as she desired to mate. But she couldn’t help the feeling that this one stirred her like no other.

Her nipples tightened and her b.r.e.a.s.t.s swelled in antic.i.p.ation of his touch. She was sure the short curls between her legs were drenched with expectation, as much as she ached for him. d.a.m.n being in heat.

She folded her arms again and hoped to both stop what she figured he had in mind and still leave herself a chance of escaping him. “Volan won’t like it if you share a bed with me.”

“He doesn’t have to like it.”

She raised her brows to hear his defiant words. “So, does that mean you’ve finally grown some b.a.l.l.s?” If he were ready to fight Volan —

“Don’t, Bella. Don’t make anything more out of this than a bad case of necessity. You’ll run if I don’t stay with you. That’s all. You’re going home to the pack where you belong.”

She curbed the anger that simmered beneath the surface. He didn’t want her after all. He only used her to get in good with the leader of the pack. “Why didn’t you have Argos stay with me instead?”

“He’d have let you have your own way.”

She didn’t believe Devlyn for an instant. Sure, Argos had always been good to her, but she was certain he felt she’d be safer at home with the pack and wouldn’t have let her off that easily.

“And your cousins?”

“Any one of them would have tried to have their way with you. They’re immature and would lose their heads over the thought of you naked in bed with them.” He reached over to touch her belly. “As ripe as you are, your smell is an aphrodisiac.”

She slapped his hand away. His intimation that her alluring scent was the only reason the other males wanted her forced a chill of irritation across her skin. But h.e.l.l, maybe he was right. Maybe Volan was the only one who really desired her for a permanent mate. Her stomach rolled with nausea at the idea.

Devlyn walked over to the bedroom door and shut it. With a click, he locked it. But it wasn’t half as secure as the zoo cell. She smiled inwardly but glowered outwardly.

He returned to the bed, sat, and pulled off his boots.

Considering his words again, she observed his actions. “But you won’t lose your head over me?”

“I have a bit more control than that.”

Right.

She walked over to the bed and jerked the solid green comforter back. “Good for you, though I’m not removing anything more anyway.”

Crossing the floor in a flash, he pulled her around to face him. His unbridled actions signaled danger. She sensed he was close to losing control. He’d done it before when he kissed her, and the fire burned and the anger smoldered in his darkened eyes now like that day long ago. His gaze dropped to her lips as her heart sent the blood rus.h.i.+ng to her ears. He wasn’t as immune to her as he pretended. Why couldn’t she meet a human male who aroused her like he did? But Devlyn could never be her mate. He would always be Volan’s lackey.

She tried to pull away, but he shoved her back on the bed, making her sit. Glaring at him, she folded her arms.

He yanked off the cardigan sweater and then unb.u.t.toned her s.h.i.+rt. Once he’d pulled it from her shoulders and dropped it on the floor, he said, “I won’t sleep with something that smells like a human male.”

His gaze dropped from hers to enjoy her nudity. He smiled appreciatively.

“You’ve seen me naked before.” She slid into bed and then yanked the covers over her.

“It’s been a good long while and you’re a bit more mature now.” His eyes sparkled with intrigue and his lips still smiled.

She a.s.sumed he wouldn’t try to make love to her.

But then he dropped his pants and she saw his erection. He was one gorgeous hunk of a gray lupus garou. She hadn’t remembered him being that big. She wasn’t sure he could hold back and not attempt to mate with her. On the other hand, she wasn’t sure she wanted him to stop himself, either.

He yanked the covers off her. “Slide over.”

“Go around to the other side of the bed,” she growled.

“You’re on my side. But if you prefer to sleep here, too... “ Letting his words trail off, he climbed on top of her and pinned her to the mattress.

Clenching her teeth, she tried to wriggle out from underneath his hard, naked body, but his hands seized her wrists and he spread his legs on either side of her, boxing her in. His thick arousal pressed hard against her mound and liquid heat pooled between her legs.

“Like it here still?” he asked, licking her cheek.

Lost in the feel of him, his heart beating rapidly against her chest, his skin hot, his body hard, and his smell wild, out-of-doors, and musk, she fought parting her legs for him; the ache to have him penetrate her feminine folds was overwhelming.

His erection stirred and he swept his lips over the sensitive skin at her throat.

Was he having a difficult time maintaining his subservient position in the pack?