Lone Star Lycan Page 7

  With Quinn everything was new and real.

  Her hands swept his belly and lingered over the muscles there. Joe sucked in a breath. She was so close to the waist of his jeans. His cock thrummed with impatience, aching, needing the warmth of her touch. Why in the hell had he waited so long to move in on her?

  But then she was unsnapping his jeans and he opened his eyes to watch her. She glanced up once and their eyes locked. “Do it,” he said, his voice grown sharp with need.

  He heard the rasp of the zipper as the crickets chirped around them and the dragonflies droned. His cock sprang free from the awful imprisonment, throbbing, needing her touch. Impatient with the slow stripping, he drew away long enough to yank his boots off and throw them aside. The jeans were pushed down and discarded too until he stood there as naked as she.

  Well, except for the panties. They were goners.

  With a savage growl, he tore the worthless scrap of silk at the sides and settled his hand over her pussy. “God, you’re wet. Soaked. Damn it, Quinn, I love this.”

  Quinn made a whimpering sound as she sank back against the tree. He stroked her, dipping his fingers into her wet flesh. Reaching out she took his cock in her hand and moved it down, then up his length. He wanted to bawl like a baby as the intensity of the simple touch threatened to unman him.

  He looked into her eyes and felt the power of her lust meet his own with a smack of certainty. “I’m gonna fuck you, Quinn. Hard.”

  “Yes, Joe. Oh, please.”

  “Don’t move.”

  She obeyed as he grabbed up the jeans and fished out a condom. He tucked it in his teeth. Ignoring her gasp, he picked her up and carried her to the back of his truck which was parked close by. He released the latch with one hand and lowered the door to the bed of the truck then set Quinn on her feet. He set the condom aside. He didn’t need it yet.

  “What…”

  “Turn around Quinn. Put your hands here.” He placed her hands on the lowered door and stepped back to look at her. “Spread your legs.”

  His voice had gone hard and he hoped he didn’t sound as scary as he felt. He sent his eyes on a slow study of the long lines of her flawless back and over her luscious ass. Unable to stop himself, he let his hands stroke over her warm skin. He teased the curve of her waist and squeezed the globes of her mighty fine backside. “Spread ‘em more, darlin’.”

  Quinn widened her stance. Placing a hand between her shoulder blades, he gently pushed. “Bend over.”

  “Joe?”

  “Come on, honey.”

  When she complied, he stepped back to look. The petals of her pussy were pink, glistening with moisture and impossible to resist. He dipped his fingers over the heat of her, gathering the wetness. Spreading the globes of her ass, he trailed one wet finger up through the shadowy cleft to press the puckered rosette before sending his finger into her. “Easy,” he whispered, when he felt her stiffen, go still. “Relax and let me feel you here.”

  He heard her sigh as he slowly drew that single finger in and out. “I’m going to take you here but not now, darlin’. I’ll save it for later.” He withdrew his finger and sent another finger to her drenched pussy to plunge deep.

  Quinn cried out and a surge of savage possession filled him up. Bending low, he tasted the flesh of her back, rained kisses down her spine and dipped his tongue into the dimples above her ass. He set his teeth in the soft mounds, over and over, biting only lightly at first, then harder as Quinn squirmed beneath him.

  Joe went to his knees, heard her gasp, as he gripped her thighs and buried his face against the steamy, layers of her pussy. Again and again he tasted her there, sweeping his tongue over her softness. He released her thighs and tenderly parted her labia with his fingers. Her sweet little clit throbbed against his tongue and he drew it into his mouth to suck. The wild scent of her lust threatened to send him over the edge and he hadn’t even started fucking her yet.

  He knew she needed to come. Joe released her clit then speared his tongue deep into her channel. Quinn’s inner muscles flexed around it as if she’d keep him there. His fingers found her pulsing clit and he pressed it repeatedly as he stabbed in and out with his tongue. He felt her body stiffen, then let go as she came apart with a soft cry.

  Satisfaction rose, along with the primitive urge to claim as he reached out for the condom. Quinn’s breathing was heavy. Almost frantic, he tore the package open with his teeth and, standing behind her, covered himself. Taking himself in hand, he dragged the head of his cock through the wet flesh of her pussy. Sliding slowly through her moist heat was the hardest thing he’d ever done. He wanted fast and wild. But he didn’t dare terrify her with the awful lust that churned through his belly.

  Gritting his teeth, he continued the torment until he circled the head of his erection at the entrance to her body. God, this was torture. It was killing him. And then Quinn pushed back against him and it was enough. With a low sound, he entered her, just the head of him.

  “Please, Joe. Please.”

  “Ah, hell, honey.” He pushed hard, fighting through the tight sheath, until he was seated to the hilt. His balls pressed flush against her cunt and he rotated his hips, loving how tightly their bodies fitted together. Her inner muscles grabbed hold of his cock and he started to move, slowly at first.

  Quinn’s fingers were spread out against the bed of the truck, flexing and clawing as he pounded deep and hard. Reaching for the front of her thighs, Joe lifted her until her toes left the ground. He spread her out and thrust deeper, harder, holding her body exactly where he needed it to be.

  She came again with a scream and then he withdrew and flipped her to her back. The bed of the truck was high off the ground but he was a giant of a man and for him her pussy was at just the right angle. Joe grabbed her knees, spread her up and out and entered her again.

  Her pussy was still pulsing from the hard orgasm as he continued his slow, hot, fucking. With each thrust, her breasts moved. Her hair was spread out like a fan of light against the darkness of the truck. But when she settled her laser-bright gaze on him and he saw her eyes shining in the night, he lost his hard-won control. Faster and faster he speared through her, feeling sensation whip hard through his belly. It crawled up his spine and over his scalp as he pounded and thrust. The slap of their bodies was like sensual music and it caught him up. Quinn moved in perfect counterpoint and Joe felt his balls draw tighter.

  Like dry-lightning flashing over the prairie, he came and as if from a distance, he heard Quinn’s resounding cry. Possession and need balled together and released like a million tiny fireflies buzzing through his body. And as he sank against her and drew her up, he felt as if he’d finally come home.

  * * * * *

  As they lay together beneath the wide expanse of Texas sky, Quinn curled against him and let her fingers drift over Joe’s washboard abs and upward to tease and play in the hair on her chest. A contentment such as she’d never felt before settled around her heart. Joe had fetched a light blanket from the back of the truck and tucked it around them both. His arms were wrapped around her, his muscular legs twined with hers. His body heat drew her as she settled her nose against his chest and just breathed him in.

  Joe threaded his fingers through her hair and pressed her even closer as he bent to press a kiss to her forehead. “Does this mean you aren’t mad at me for ignoring you for three days?”

  “I’m still a little ticked off, cowboy,” she said, as she gently yanked a bit of his chest hair. “After the thing in the office, what was I supposed to think? Hm?”

  He sighed and hugged her tighter. “I’m sorry about that. You kind of had me all twisted up inside, Quinn. You were talking about leaving and I just didn’t want that to happen. Thought if I backed off and left you alone, you wouldn’t feel so pushed.”

  She leaned back a little and looked up at him. “I felt ignored and tossed aside, Joe. You blew me off.”

  “I’m an ass.”

  “Not arguing a
bout that.”

  Joe laughed and reached down to give her butt a smack. “Sassy woman.”

  “Ow!” When she jerked, her bare pussy rubbed seductively against his thigh. “You’re bad.”

  “You have no idea.” Joe rolled with her until she was pinned beneath him. He looked down at her, grinning wickedly. “So have I convinced you?”

  “To stay?” she sighed. “It’s tempting Joe. Since Mom died I’ve only had my business to keep me tied there and frankly, business sucks. I’d been planning to hang on until after Christmas but I don’t think it’ll help.”

  He frowned. “It means a lot to you?”

  Suddenly she realized that it didn’t, not anymore. “Maybe once. Losing Mom was hard and I guess, more than anything, I wanted something that belonged just to me.”

  “Now you have the ranch.”

  “Yes. I’d be crazy not to consider taking what my father wanted me to have but I still have so many questions. Why did Mom run away from him and never tell him he had a daughter?” She shook her head. “I need to know everything before I make any decisions.”

  Joe went solemn then nodded. “Okay. Think I can help you with that. How about we head back and we’ll settle in for a long talk.” He seemed to hesitate and added. “You taking me to your bed tonight, darlin’? Because this shaky little peace we have now will be blown to hell and gone if you say no.”

  A feeling of lightness and belonging swept her. She grinned. “I wouldn’t dream of saying no.”

  “Good. I want to hold you all night, Quinn. I want to wake up beside you in the morning and sink into you again.”

  “Ah, man. Oh, Joe. You do have a lovely way with words.”

  Minutes later, they headed back to the ranch and he stopped his truck next to the back door of the ranch house. When he kept the motor running, Quinn gave him a questioning look. “Aren’t you coming?”

  “In a minute. I need to stop by the house and get some more rubbers.”

  Happiness bubbled up as she grinned. “Get plenty, big guy. We’re gonna need ‘em.”

  Joe was still chuckling as she hopped out of the truck and made her way into the house. Quickly, she refrigerated the remains of their picnic and headed through the living room. A table at the base of the stairs, held a small lamp that served as a night light. With a quick flick of her fingers, she turned the knob sending a soft, muted glow through the room. Then she headed upstairs in a rush.

  Kicking off her sandals, she ran into the bathroom and turned on the shower. She wanted to be squeaky clean for Joe. Beautiful too. She didn’t have much in the way of sexy undies with her but she’d figure out something. She turned to face her reflection in the mirror and laughed when she got a good look at herself. Her little top was inside out and her skirt was zipped but not buttoned. Pitiful.

  Feeling light of heart, she stripped down and stepped into the shower, carefully soaping every nook and cranny. She trailed the soapy sponge over her sensitized breasts and belly. She drew it between her legs. The scent of vanilla and lavender proved soothing to her nerves as warm water and steam cruised a path over her skin.

  Every inch of her felt alive and brand spanking new.

  Knowing Joe would be coming soon, she finished the shower, dried herself and smoothed a fresh smelling lotion over her skin. Next, she gave her hair dryer a workout and when that was finished, she brushed her hair and stepped into the bedroom wearing only a fluffy white towel.

  The dim night-light she’d turned on earlier gave a cozy look to the room that had once belonged to her father. Funny how it suddenly felt hers. She felt no ghosts lurking to arch a ghostly brow. She felt no condemnation. Just acceptance. Since her dad had seen fit to leave the ranch to both Joe and her, together, he must’ve had something up his sleeve. Maybe this had been his hope all along. She liked to think so.

  Heading to the dresser drawers across the room, she rummaged through her undies but found nothing suitable for seduction. Then she laughed. Seduction wasn’t necessary with this man. He was the kind of guy who didn’t need a bit of sexy lace to turn him on. All Joe needed was smooth, clean skin and acceptance. She had plenty of both.

  Giving up she padded back toward the bed, intending to drop the towel and slip naked between the sheets. A blast of wind whipped through the room and frowning, she looked up to see the balcony doors were open like they’d been that first night when the wolf had visited her. She started to go to close them but in the end, decided against it. She knew the beast belonged to Joe and he might come looking for his master, assuming such an animal could ever be mastered.

  Smiling a little, she turned back toward the bed as her heartbeat accelerated to a rapid pace. Anticipation hummed in her blood. Quinn reached down and grabbed the bedspread along with the top sheet to fold it back invitingly when she heard a sound. She jerked. The rattling noise reached her again and just a she started to move back, she froze.

  The rattler coiled in the middle of her bed stared her straight in the eye, flashing its fangs. Several inches of rattle shook behind it.

  Jesus! God! Jesus! God!

  Quinn opened her mouth on a soundless scream as the snake launched itself at her head and sank its fangs into her throat.

  Chapter Seven

  For a second or two, Joe considered packing a small bag but he didn’t want to get his hopes up that Quinn would ask him to stay longer. If he had his way, he’d clear out the contents of his small house and move lock, stock and barrel into the Big House which, after all, belonged to him.

  Careful.

  Tonight with Quinn was a breakthrough and he was smart enough to know he had to go slowly. He still didn’t know how she would take the news that she was half werewolf and belonged to him. He took a quick shower and shoved his damp hair back from his forehead then shrugged into a fresh pair of jeans. After he pulled on a clean tee shirt, he stuffed a handful of condoms in his back pocket. Nerves, sexual anticipation, rocked him back on his heels. Immediately hard just at the thought of taking her again, he stepped through the front door.

  A scream rent the air.

  Quinn!

  A chill along with hotter-than-hell rage, swept over his skin and his gums throbbed with the need to kill, to protect. With the athleticism of his kind burning through his veins, he sped barefoot across the lawn and up the balcony stairs. Fear riding him hard, he stopped in the open doorway to Quinn’s room and froze.

  Blood ran from a wound in Quinn’s throat as a rattler coiled on the bed preparing to strike again. Its ominous hiss was terrifying. Electricity snapped and sizzled in the air as, unbelievably, Quinn shifted wildly from human to wolf. He hadn’t known until that moment that she would be a half-breed who could actually shift into beast form. Many like Quinn, with a purely human parent, couldn’t unless they’d been mated in a consummation. Joe shifted instantly, leaping to the bed to head off the deadly reptile. Catching it in his teeth, he flung it to the floor and followed it down biting it in half with a snap of his jaws.

  Turning to Quinn who lay on the floor, naked and still bleeding from the bite, he padded over and sniffed, before licking the wound and gazing into her panic-stricken eyes. They were wild with pain and shock. Instantly, Joe shifted and gathered her up in his arms. She lay limply in his arms until he settled her in the middle of the bed.

  “Ah, darlin’,” he whispered. “Hang on. You’ll be okay. I promise.” He glanced at the twin fang marks and watched the wounds bubble as powers she didn’t know she possessed pushed the venom from her system. Immediately, the holes closed, leaving Quinn shaking and gasping for breath. His heart went out to her and if he could’ve, he would have kicked his own ass for keeping her identity secret for so long. “Let me help you, honey. I’ll be right back.”

  Joe went into the bathroom, wet a soft terry washcloth with warm water and came back to sprawl on the bed beside her. Whispering to her, he dragged the cloth over her face in soothing motions before cleaning blood and dried venom from her throat. He tossed it
to a bedside table and leaned over her again. Her eyes were swimming with tears and he thought as sure as hell his heart was going to break. “You’re safe. The snake is dead and your natural ability worked just fine. The poison is gone and the wounds are closed.”

  “What the fuck? Oh. God.”

  “Shh. Shh. Gonna be all right. It’s okay.”

  Her eyes went wide as she reached for him, digging her fingers into his shoulders. “What the hell are you talking about? Nothing’s okay. Nothing. What happened here?”

  She was trembling all over, reaction setting in, so he did the only thing he could. Joe moved up beside her and dragged her against him. God, he was shaking too. Someone had put the damn rattler in her bed and he had a pretty good idea who would do something like this. He’d kill the fucking she-wolf if he ever got his hands on her.

  Lying against him, Quinn shook like a leaf, clinging and he knew that she didn’t know whether to scream or cry. Cussing worked. She’d done a little of that. Whatever. He held her close and trailed his hands over her naked back.

  He didn’t know how long she clung to him but finally, she drew back and looked at him. She was as pissed as hell, yet tears leaked steadily from her eyes. “Start t-talkin’, Joe. You know what happened to me, don’t you? My body did something weird.”

  “You shifted,” he said simply.

  “Shifted?”

  “Yeah.”

  Quinn blinked at him and wiped the tears from her face with the backs of her hands. “You’d better explain right now before I s-slug you.”

  He wanted to smile but he didn’t. Instead, he did the only thing he could. Rolling out of the bed, he stalked to the middle of the room and dropped his shields. He prodded her mind and her eyes widened. When finally she opened to him, firmly connected, he shifted into his wolf. Mentally he shared with her the physical experience of the shift, filled her mind with images of hunting with the pack. Through the beast’s eyes, he saw her look of amazement. For a second or two she sat completely still and then slowly, she went to her elbows and knees and literally crawled toward the foot of the bed. When she reached the end, she stretched her arm toward him.