WILD LOVE

STORY EXCERPT

“She’s here.” Jacob kept watch, waiting for Robert’s pickup to come over the rise in the road leading to the small rental home that rested on the far corner of the Carr Ranch. He held the phone away from his ear and hit the speaker button on his cell phone.

“Was I right? Is she the one?” Jackson tried to hide his feelings, but Jacob could hear the excitement in his brother’s voice.

“You were dead-on, bro. And you sensed she was the one by just hearing her voice over the phone, too. Your ability never fails to amaze me.”

Every werewolf could sense his mate when he met her and a lucky few could sense their mate as soon as they came within a certain distance of each other. But only an alpha-alpha like Jackson could recognize his mate by the sound of her voice.

Jacob paused, listened to his inner wolf, and once again confirmed what he already knew was true. “Yeah. It’s her. I felt it the moment I saw her.”

“We were lucky Martin overheard her talking to someone outside her apartment and jumped in to tell her about Forever and our rental. Calling me on the spot so I could hear her voice was good instinct on his part. I hate to admit it, but I was starting to give up.”

The relief in his brother’s voice was unmistakable. He shifted the phone from one hand to the other. “Martin always did have a good head on his shoulders. Too bad he had to leave, but maybe that’s what fate had in store. Maybe he had to leave to be the catalyst to get her to come to us. Otherwise…”

He didn’t have to complete his sentence. All the Carr men had worried that she’d never come and they’d have to leave their home to find her.

It didn’t happen often, but when luck or fate or whatever deity the men believed in didn’t bring their future mate to Forever, then the men had to strike out on their own. If she didn’t come to them, then they had no choice except to leave the pack to search for her.

Werewolves who never found their intended mate ended up living lonely lives. On nights when the moon was full, those desperate men would spend the hours until morning howling to the moon, their hearts broken, their hopes destroyed.

“Jayden and I will be there in a few minutes.”

“No. Stay where you are. Let’s not overwhelm her right off the bat.”

Jackson’s tone dropped lower. “Says the man who got to meet our future mate first.”

“Yeah, well, I was the one who grabbed the keys when Robert called to say she might get here today. The early wolf gets to see his mate first, you know.”

“No, I don’t know.” His younger brother, Jayden, chimed in from somewhere near Jackson. “So? What’s she like? Is she hot?”

Leave it to Jayden to get down to the nitty-gritty. “I’ll fill you in on the details back at the house.”

“In other words, she’s not good-looking.” Jayden growled. “I know it won’t make a difference to us. A mate’s a mate, no matter what they’re like. But still, a man can hope.”

The less his brothers knew about the amazing appeal of their mate, the less likely they were to show up at the rental home and cut into his alone time with her. “You’re right. It doesn’t matter, so cut out the disappointment.”

“Yeah, well, anyway, just be sure you handle her right. Don’t scare her off with your ugly mug.” He could hear Jackson laughing at Jayden’s dig.

Jacob laughed, too, but his chuckle died away as Robert’s pickup crested the rise. A small car followed the pickup as the vehicles headed toward the entrance to the driveway.

“I need to go, bros. I’ve got a lady to show around the house. And trust me. I plan to give her the grand tour, including showing her around the bedroom.”

“No way, man. Don’t touch her until all of us have met her.”

“What did you say, Jackson?” Jacob made static noises. “You’re kshhh ing up. I can’t crrr you.”

“Don’t try and pull that old trick. Jacob, are you hearing me? You’d better keep your paws off her.”

“Can’t”—he made more static sounds—“crrr you. I’ll call kishhh later.”

Jacob grinned, turned off the phone, and shoved it into his back pocket. The two vehicles came down the dirt driveway and pulled to a stop in the circular drive. Robert slipped out of his truck and hurried to open Emma’s car door. She stepped out, a smile of thanks brightening her features.

Damn, but she’s beautiful. Maybe she’ll smile at me like that.

The Carr brothers had hoped their mate would be sexy, even gorgeous, but no one ever knew until they actually met. Even if she’d been less than pretty, they would’ve thought her amazing. Any prospective mate was appealing to the werewolves who would pledge to love her until the end of their days. But Emma was anything but unattractive.

ADULT EXCERPT

As soon as Jacob’s lips touched Emma’s, he knew. Something was wrong with her. He could sense a darkness, a sadness that held her hostage, yet he couldn’t put his finger on what it was. He also sensed that she wouldn’t reveal that secret. Not yet. Mates never kept secrets from each other. But he’d find out eventually, and he and his brothers would make it right.

Yet the only thing that mattered in the present was having her. The taste of her was beyond imagination. She was salty, spicy, and sweetness mixed together to create one incredible flavor. He whipped his tongue around hers, his dancing with hers, teasing hers to make her chase his back into his mouth. She moaned and pressed her body against his, the taste of the sound sweeping into him. He tightened his hold on her and deepened the kiss, needing to hear her sweet desire-filled yearning again.

She was perfect. The perfect size, the perfect amount of seductress and lady. After all the nights he’d lain in bed, wondering what his mate would be like, he realized now that he hadn’t come close. His expectation of what she was like was dwarfed by the reality of her.

He gripped her bottom with one hand, loving the way her cheek molded to his palm, then fondled a breast with the other hand. Sucking on her tongue, he found himself answering her whimper with a growl. She arched, pushing her breasts against him, her peaked nipples proving she was as turned on as he was. He skimmed his thumb over her nipple and she pushed harder against him.

The desire inside him roared to life, clawing, howling to get free and make her his. Fangs broke through his gums, and it took every ounce of strength he had not to change. But she wasn’t ready to see his wolf. He closed his eyes and forced the fangs to recede. Gaining control, he nibbled on her soft flesh and dug his fingers into her ass. Lifting her, he carried her to the bed and laid her on top of the quilt.

“You’re so beautiful.”

He was stunned to see a tear in the corner of her eye.

“Did I do something wrong?” Or was it something he’d said?

She clutched his shirt, holding it in a death grip, and shook her head. He smiled and, placing his thumb at the corner of her eye, wiped away the tear before it could fall.

“Whatever it is, Emma, forget about it for now. My brothers and I will make it better soon enough. Nothing can hurt you while you’re here, so don’t let anything get in the way of us.”

The sadness on her face washed away to give way to wonder. “But I don’t know you.”

He took her wrists and forced them above her head. Alarm gleamed in her eyes and, for a moment, he was afraid she’d tell him to stop. Could he if she asked him to?

“Yes, you do. You can feel it just like I can. If you didn’t, you would’ve told me to leave the first moment I touched you.”

Her nipples formed small pebbles against her shirt and her flat stomach showed between her top that had risen to bunch under breasts and the waistline of her jeans. He placed a tender kiss on her chin then traced a path down over the hollow of her neck and over the thin material of her shirt. Circling her hard nipples, he wet the shirt with his tongue and nipped at her buds. She thrust her breasts toward him, urging him to go on. Her whine of longing sent power rushing into his cock.

* * * *

Emma felt the cream leaking from her slick folds. Whenever Jacob touched her, another small orgasm ripped through her. She was more alive than she’d ever been, more alive than she’d ever thought she could be.

He pulled her to him, moving his leg between hers. She cried out and trembled, her heart beating faster. Her throat constricted even as she tried to drag in another breath. His leg bumped against her pussy, foretelling of what he could do to her, with her. She bucked, her body calling to his, her clit wanting his cock, her lips wanting his mouth.

He kissed her again, more demanding than the first time. Her pussy clenched, ready to accept him, needing to have him. She cried out in joy when he kept her two wrists in one hand then tugged her shirt higher. He yanked her bra down and she heard the rip but didn’t care. His hot gaze locked onto her exposed breasts. Growling, he sucked her tit into his mouth.

He shoved his leg harder against her crotch. She wrapped her legs around him and pushed back, thrusting against him, rubbing her aching pussy against the rise in his jeans.

Her mind warned her not to go on, that he was a stranger, but her mind had lost control of her body. Her body recognized him as her lover.

He lowered his head and whispered in her ear, “I want to fuck you and make you scream.”

She moaned, wanting the same thing. “Please do it.”

He chuckled then looked into her eyes. “Please fuck you? I will. I promise. But there are other things, other people you have to meet first.”

“No.” She hated the complaint echoing in her voice but couldn’t stop. If complaining didn’t work, she would beg him instead.

“Don’t worry. I won’t let you suffer.” In quick moves, he undid her jeans, pulled them to her ankles, and tugged them off her. Tearing her panties away, he bent her legs to her chest.

WILD FOR WOLVES

STORY EXCERPT

“Oh, no you don’t. The dare’s on. The next man to walk through those doors is the man you’re going to have to seduce. If that’s even possible.” Daniella popped a piece of chicken into her mouth, never once letting her smirk die.

“Is this a bet? Or just a challenge?”

Sandy shot Celia a look of disbelief. “No one said anything about a bet. In fact, I’m willing to call this whole thing off.”

“See? I was right. You are chicken.”

Sandy’s heart pumped against her chest as she tried to find a way out of the stupid dare. Could she fake an allergic reaction to the chicken? Maybe even a heart attack? Anything to get her out of the mess she’d walked right into. But she had to do something to stop Daniella’s torment. They were friends, but Daniella had acted like a bully too many times in the past. She had to put a stop to it once and for all.

“Fine. What do you want to bet? How about if I win, you promise to do all the housework for the next month? With your own hands. Not by hiring a cleaning crew.” Sandy sat up taller, already feeling more confident just by standing up to Daniella.

“Okay. And when I win—not if—you have to promise to run naked through the front yard of Tim’s fraternity at noontime.” Daniella sported an evil grin.

Sandy’s mouth fell open. “Are you kidding me? No, I could never do that.”

“Then I guess I win by default.” Daniella’s crystal-blue gaze met hers.

How did Daniella always get under her skin? She’d made some crazy bets with her friend but nothing as bad as this one. Yet what could she do? According to the rules of the game, she either had to go through with the bet or default to Daniella.

She dug deep and found the irritation she’d experienced earlier. “Fine. It’s a bet.”

A silence descended on the girls as each thought about the challenge. They ate their food and kept a watchful eye on the doors.

Sandy perused the other patrons and couldn’t help but notice that most of the people appeared normal other than a few with rather long teeth. The majority of the customers sat at similar tables with usually two or three men sitting with one woman. An older trio, comprised of the woman from the bathroom and two men, shared a piece of pie at the counter.

Several minutes later and Sandy thought she might just get lucky. Lucky as in getting out of the bet. She waved to Milly then pretended to write an invisible check to get their bill. “Well, I guess the bet isn’t happening. Only one person has come through those doors, and she wasn’t my type.”

Celia giggled and downed the last of her soft drink. “How about that? You got lucky by not getting lucky.”

Daniella snatched the check away from Milly then started to dig into her purse for money. “Damn. That would’ve been a good bet, too.”

“Oh, wow. Check out who’s about to come through the front doors.”

Sandy held her breath and followed Celia’s look. A man, as gorgeous as she’d ever seen, stood by the front doors, his hand pressed against the door, ready to open it. He was every woman’s dream. Shoulder-length golden hair curled around his ears while a day’s stubble caressed his strong chin. His grin spoke of fun-filled days and seductive nights.

Sandy let out a rush of air. “But we’ve already called the bet off, right?”

“Not so fast. I haven’t paid the check yet.” Daniella shifted in her chair to get a look.

Sandy stood up and pulled Celia with her. “Let’s get going, okay? As the cowboys say, ‘Daylight’s a-burning.’ We don’t want to sit around here any longer. Come on, Daniella.”

“Uh-uh. The bet’s back on.”

“But him? He’s just so…sexy.” Way too hot. She’d never get a man like him to go for her. Not with Daniella nearby.

“He sure is.” Daniella’s awed tone matched her feeling. She shook her head. “But a bet’s a bet.”

“Come on, Daniella. Let her off the hook. You’re expecting her to jump from the minor leagues and into the majors in one bold leap.” Celia reached out to take Sandy’s hand, her eyes growing even larger.

Two men joined the blond god. They were both dark to his light, both with dark hair, but they were just as handsome as the first man. The blond had mussed hair with that just-got-out-of-bed look, as well as an easy way of moving. One of the dark-haired men had his full head of hair combed neatly, and he moved with an air of purpose. The other man had his hair spiked in the front, giving his appearance more of an edgy, rocker look. They were all sexy as hell with strong, wide shoulders and a day’s worth of growth framing their square jaws.

“She only has to choose one, right?” Celia whispered, but Sandy could hear the urgency as well as the excitement in her voice. Celia pulled Sandy back into her chair.

She nodded. “Of course. Just one. You two can have the first two picks then I’ll take whichever one is left.”

Daniella’s laugh filled the room, turning heads their way. “Not a chance. That would mean you getting my leftovers again. This time you go first, and if they all come through those doors at the same time, then you have to get all three.”

All three? She had to be joking. Even Daniella, the self-professed Pickup Queen, would have a difficult time hooking up with three men at the same time. Sandy forced her mouth closed and tried to settle her breathing. Coming on to one man was hard enough, but three? She wished she could sink through the floor.

Sandy waited along with her friends, their gazes stuck to the front doors. As if in a dream, the three men turned toward the doors and entered the diner.

ADULT EXCERPT

She cried out when he undid her jeans and yanked them to her ankles. Kissing her breast one last time, he feathered more kisses down her stomach to tease her belly button. She looked down at him and silently urged him to keep going.

He trailed a wet path along her body until he reached the soft area above her mons. His hot breath eased through the lacy material of her thong. Pulling the thong aside, he skimmed one finger over her smooth, hairless folds then flicked his tongue over them.

Her body quivered and her legs threatened to give out. He held her up by pulling her legs toward him and supporting her thighs against his chest.

“What about the others?” Her words came out in a short blast of air.

“Don’t worry. Mark and Luke will keep the other two away for as long as they can. But they’ll want to have their time with you soon.”

His answer thrilled her more than she could ever put into words. Instead of speaking, she thrust her pelvis toward him, and he answered by sliding his tongue between her folds. Her juices exploded from her, and she loved the sounds he made as he drank her.

His tongue slid between the folds, and she let out a pure sound of arousal. One finger dipped into her wet well and massaged her already-throbbing clit.

“I can’t decide whether to finger-fuck you or eat you. So I guess I’ll do both.”

Pumping his finger into her pussy, he slid his tongue between her folds again and flicked it over her clit. Her legs gave out then, and she buckled to the ground.

Will grabbed her under her arms and carried her away from the horse over to a grassy area. His face was filled with lust, and the muscle in his jaw jerked from his need. “This isn’t over yet. When I say I want you, then I’m going to have you.”

He bent her knees, pushed her legs apart, and hooked her feet over his head to leave her jeans-bound feet locked behind his neck. Growling, he lifted her ass into the air. His dark brown eyes were flecked with bits of amber.

She should’ve been afraid or at least embarrassed, but she wasn’t. Yet still, could she let him take her out in the open? A slap on her behind had her sucking in air.

“I wish we had enough time to tie you up good. Then I’d flip you onto your knees and spank you until your sweet little ass turned pink.”

Her pussy tightened as she imagined him doing exactly that. She wanted him to tie her up and let Luke and Mark watch then trade places.

Whack! The second slap was harder than the first, sending a thrill through her.

“Tell me to eat you. You’re so wet right now I can smell your heat.” He spanked her again. “No. Don’t tell me. Beg me.”

She’d never begged a man to do anything. But with Will, she wanted to. If he didn’t suck her, she’d die of need. “Eat me. Please.”

“That’s a good girl.”

He dove between her legs and latched onto her pussy. He flattened his tongue around the delicate flesh, nibbling then sucking on her engorged clit. She bucked as the pleasurable zings raced through her body, and she lifted her pussy higher. Her pussy grew wetter, spilling her cream for him to enjoy.

He increased the movement of his finger inside her then added another. She cried out and dug her fingers into the grass. Her body tensed, readied for another release, then let her fly free.

She wouldn’t have believed she’d get finger-fucked and sucked on under trees in the middle of a pasture, but the sounds she made as Will ravished her swollen clit were real. She moaned and tried to reach for him, to take his hair and force him impossibly closer.

Instead, he jerked away from her. Grinning, he studied her, and his eyes glowed with even more amber.

“Please,” she whispered.

“Ah, now that’s a very good girl.” He lifted her legs off him and pushed her knees closer to her chest. Flattening his hand against her aching pussy, he watched her face, the lust in his driving her own need higher. All at once, he raised his hand and hit her buttocks again.

“Ow.”

“Good. I wanted that to hurt. But you like it, don’t you, baby? If you do, then ask me to slap you again.”

“Please. Do it again.”

WILD AT HEART

STORY EXCERPT

“This isn’t getting us anywhere. We have to tell her soon, if not today.”

The men grew quiet after Aiden’s statement. She could hear the sounds of ice clinking in a glass and someone crossing the room.

“How the hell could we have known about the rogue vampire? Shatland’s usually very good about keeping others out. You and Trent helped broker the deal a long time ago.”

A vampire? Did I hear them right? Or am I still asleep and having a nightmare?

Celia didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry. The cold man’s black eyes came to her and, once again, she felt the chill emanating from his body. If anyone ever looked like a vampire, he had.

“Let’s just be happy it wasn’t worse than it was. I hate to think what could’ve happened if we hadn’t found her when we did.”

“Aiden’s right. Let them take care of their own vampire problem. We need to focus on Celia. What are we going to say if she wants to know what went down?”

A vampire. Holy hell, that’s really what they said.

Celia took the last few steps to the bottom floor and followed the sound of their voices down the hallway to the doorway into a large study. Bookcases covered every wall except for the window. She glanced at the window, took in the land spreading away from the house, and then stepped farther into the room.

“Celia.”

Trent was out of the leather armchair and dashing toward her. Aiden remained where he was, leaning against a bookcase, while Steve rose from behind the oversized desk and moved toward her.

“Stop.” She gripped the doorframe.

“How are you feeling? We brought you to our home to take care of you. Sorry about having to scrap the picnic, but under the circumstances…well, we wanted to give you time to rest.” Aiden let his gaze run the length of her then back to her face.

Trent held out his hand. “Please, Celia, have a seat. You look like you’re about to pass out.”

She shook her head then let Trent take her hand anyway. The shock of the current that always came when she touched them surged through her and, in her weakened state, almost brought her to her knees. With Trent’s help, she made it to the love seat and dropped on the end cushion.

Steve covered her hand as she gripped the end of the love seat. “Do you need anything? Water? Maybe something stronger?”

She met his gaze dead on. “I want to know what the hell happened to me.”

The men checked each others’ reactions, and Aiden moved in to close their ranks. “Maybe that should wait for another time.”

“No, Aiden, I need to know now. I don’t understand. How did I end up in that alley with that strange man?” She lifted her arm. “How did I get hurt?”

The men gathered around with Trent on one side and Steve on the other side. Aiden sat in the leather easy chair and set his glass on top of a marble table.

“What do you remember?” Aiden’s narrowed his eyes and waited for her to speak.

“I–I’m not sure.” Did she even want to remember? Or was it better to leave the memory hidden in the gray mists of her mind?

“Do you remember getting out of the pickup?” Trent took her hand and squeezed it.

She could see herself slipping off the seat and heading toward a bakery. “I wanted to get some cupcakes for the picnic. As a thank-you for going to all the trouble.”

“Then what?” Again Trent squeezed her hand.

She dropped her gaze to the floor and forced the memory to the front of her mind. “The bakery was closed, so I started to go back to the truck. But this man…” She couldn’t stop herself from shaking.

Steve turned her toward him. “Celia, I want you to listen with an open mind. What we’re about to tell you will seem crazy, but it’s true. That man who took you into the alley? He’s not like other men. He’s a—”

“A vampire.” The shocked expressions on their faces almost made her laugh.

“You knew?” Aiden offered her the whiskey glass he’d held but hadn’t taken a drink from since she’d walked into the room.

She shook her head, both refusing the drink and denying that she’d known. “I didn’t until just now, when I heard you talking about him.”

Trent glanced at his friends. “And what do you think? Do you believe us?”

She wanted to say no, wanted to laugh at the preposterous idea, but she couldn’t. Even if she hadn’t heard them talking, she could tell from their faces that they were serious. If she hadn’t experienced what had happened in the alley, she wouldn’t have believed them. But she had. Even now she could feel the man’s cold touch.

“Yes. I believe you. He had control over me. Like he’d dived into my head and taken over.”

“He used mind control on you to lure you off the street and into the alley.”

As outlandish as it sounded, she knew Steve spoke the truth.

“Is it over? Can he still control me?” She shivered at the idea. The vampire had stolen not only her wonderful day with her men, but her sense of security as well.

“No. It’s over.” Aiden glanced at the others as though wanting their agreement.

Standing, she pushed away their attempts to help her to her feet and crossed over to the window. She clutched the windowsill to keep her balance. Taking a deep breath to steel her resolve, she confronted them. “Spit it out. What else are you keeping from me?”

ADULT EXCERPT

“Take her skirt off.”

At least Steve could talk. Trent doubted he could find his voice again with the image of her pussy filling his mind. Instead, he nodded, again checking if she was all right with the idea. He couldn’t stand the thought of not having her, but he’d never force himself on her. No matter how much his cock throbbed with need. He reached for the zipper on the side of her skirt and undid it as she lifted her hips to help him get it off. Her skirt followed her blouse to the floor.

“Damn.”

Again all Trent could do was nod. The black thong she wore barely covered her mons, and he was dying to see what was under the silky material. Clenching his teeth to keep from shifting, he dove down to the thin strip running from her pussy to her hip and tore it apart with his teeth. He tugged the remaining bit of her thong off then shook his head and threw it to the floor.

He couldn’t wait a second longer. He had to taste her. His cock pushed against his zipper, and he hurriedly undid his belt buckle and jeans to let them puddle at his ankles. Yanking a chair under him, he sat and pulled her closer.

“Oh, God.” Her words slurred into sexy sounds of desire.

She lifted her head the moment he pushed his face against her already-wet pussy. Her scent struck him, driving his need into overdrive. Pulling her folds apart, he found her clit and brought his mouth to it. She threw back her head in a silent cry and lay back as Steve, wearing only his open shirt, took her breasts in his hands then bent to lash his tongue over her tit. She moaned and tugged on Steve’s hair to keep him at her breast.

Trent spread her wide and took a good long look at her wet, pink pussy. He nibbled at her sensitive clit then swiped his tongue over the smooth skin to thrust into her pussy. Her cream tasted sweeter than he’d imagined, and he sucked, drinking in her flavor.

Here was the woman he’d fantasized about. She was his whole world, and he’d spend the rest of his life learning everything about her, every inch of her body. Pushing a hand under her buttocks, he found the tight muscles of her anus and sank a finger in as far as he could. She jerked, but he held her to him, putting her legs over his shoulders.

The hot aroma from her pussy had him breathing in deeply. Pushing a finger into her pussy, he attacked her clit again, tugging, pulling, making her squirm. He added another finger and her answer came in soft sounds of pleasure. Harder and harder he thrust his fingers, front and back, into her. More and more he drank her cream. His cock throbbed, and he vowed to make her come as many times as he could before he sank his cock inside her. If he didn’t get her off first, he might not last long enough to get her done. He wanted her satisfied and wanting to go again for Steve and, hopefully, Aiden. Making love to her on his own would be wonderful, but he liked sharing with his friends. Only then would the connection be cemented for life.

When he paused for air, he glanced up and saw Steve stretched over the table as he gave Celia his cock to suck. She took Steve’s cock into her mouth, and Trent’s own cock jerked in response.

“I’m going to make you scream when you come, Celia.” He moved her legs farther apart and pressed his face to her pussy again. Sucking, nibbling, he whirled his tongue over her clit, then along the sides of the nub where the sensitive wings of her spread out under her skin. He growled then drove his tongue into her pussy. The sounds she made sucking Steve’s cock echoed the sounds of him lapping up her juices. He pushed his finger in her ass one last time and heard her muffled complaint as he pulled his finger out.

At last, he couldn’t wait a moment longer. He had to take her.

Pushing the chair away from him, Trent kept her legs on his shoulders and pulled apart her folds. “You’ve got the sweetest pink pussy I’ve ever seen.”

He skimmed his hand over her clit then pinched it and loved the way she jumped. “Good. I love the way you respond to my touch.” Easing his cock to brush against her pussy, he dragged in a deep breath and forced himself to wait one more minute. “Fuck me, Celia. Fuck me as you suck on Steve’s cock.”