“You read that in a book.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t sparkle or burst into flames in the sun. I bet you read that too.” He continued before she could voice her thoughts. “I don’t shift into a wolf. My bloodlines aren’t pure enough. I don’t have a tail, nor do I howl at the moon when it’s full. I don’t kill people to drink blood but yes, I need it. We buy it from blood banks. There are always employees willing to make some extra income by selling contaminated blood instead of destroying it.”
“Contaminated?”
“We can’t catch human diseases. Contaminated blood doesn’t affect us. They can’t use it on humans so they believe they are helping medical research by selling it and reinvesting the profit.”
Her lips parted.
“We set up a fake research company with a small office for deliveries. It avoids suspicion.”
“You really drink blood?”
“Yes. You will too after we mate.”
“That’s gross.”
He fought to hide his amusement when she purposely refused to acknowledge the part about mating. “You’d only drink mine. I promise you’ll enjoy it.” His dick hardened thinking about her at his neck or chest, taking from him while he fucked her.
“Why? I mean, if you want to turn me into a vampire, couldn’t I drink anyone’s blood?”
She was so enchanting and had inner strength he respected. His words disturbed her, she was afraid, but she was attempting to be brave. “I don’t want you to be fully vampire. You couldn’t withstand the sun. My blood will protect you from having that weakness.”
“Because you’re also a werewolf?”
It was difficult to follow her thoughts. Many of them were streaming so quickly he could only catch a word or two. Jasmine was smart, something he already knew. She was trying to make sense of it all, using books she’d read and logical guesses to fill in the blanks.
“Exactly.”
Mate. That word kept popping into her thoughts and he concentrated harder, attempting to focus on just the ones on that subject. Mate. Sex. God, he’s hot. It wouldn’t be so bad. Who am I kidding? The guy would probably blow my mind with sex if he didn’t suck me dry of blood and kill me first.
“I barely know you. I need to think about this,” came out of her mouth.
I love his eyes, regardless of what color they are. And his chest. He’s so big. I wonder if he’s one of those guys who are all muscle because he uses steroids. Did it shrink his package to a tiny size? Don’t you dare glance at his crotch. He’s watching and he’d notice. That would be so embarrassing. Are you kidding? Who cares about that? He says he’s a vampire who is also a werewolf. Of course, I’d have to be attracted to him, right? Of all the men to pick to obsess over. Good going, Jas. Oh my god. How can this be real? Do I run? Scream? Fight? What the hell do I do? I’m so out of my league. Shit! He’s staring at me and his eyes are glowing again. Can he really read my mind? That disturbs the hell out of me. Who could date someone like that? There’d be no privacy at all. What relationship could survive that? Shit. I think he is reading my mind. La, la, la, la, la. Does that even work? Maybe I should start singing nursery rhymes. I know I’d want to get the hell out of my head if I had to hear them.
Chase shielded her thoughts to prevent them from reaching him. He had expected her reservations about becoming his mate but not how bothered she’d be by his ability to read her mind. He decided to make it clear there really wasn’t a choice. She was logical. “Your life was already taken. It belongs to me now.”
He regretted the words instantly when she lunged at the weapon, waving the curved point of the poker at him. It was the wrong approach.
“Get back!”
“Sweetheart, you couldn’t hurt me with that.” To prove his point, he moved fast, removing it from her hold before she could gasp. One arm wrapped around her waist and hoisted her off her feet to pin her against the wall. “The important part is that we’ll be together.”
Her hands flattened on his chest as her eyes widened with fear. He hated her reaction but could understand. He dropped the poker and slid his fingers into her hair to protect her head from the bricks if she attempted to pull back.
“Let me go.”
“I can’t. You’re mine, Jasmine. I wanted you when we met but I didn’t want to introduce you to the darker side of life. Someone else did that when you were taken.”
“You could make me forget it all, couldn’t you?”
“Yes.” He lowered his gaze to her mouth, wanting to kiss it. “But you were almost killed. It could happen again. I’m not willing to risk that. I wanted you and destiny brought us together for a second time for a reason.” His gaze held hers.
“Destiny? You believe in that?”
“Yes.” He was tempted to read her again but resisted. It made him feel guilty, considering she was probably singing Old McDonald or some other childhood song inside her head right now, believing it would protect her from that invasion of privacy.
“I don’t.”
“Not yet, but I’ll convince you.”
“I don’t think you can.”
“Kiss me.”
He’d show her there was passion between them. It had always been there but he’d resisted it when they’d spent those four evenings together. Seeing her in that basement, understanding how close she’d come to death, changed that. She was everything he’d always wanted but she deserved better than living in a dark world. She could have died and good intentions be damned.
The second her mouth parted to voice a protest, he was there. Jasmine’s lips were as soft as they looked when he covered them. She gasped but his tongue muffled the sound as he asserted his dominance to his mate. White-hot fervor rolled through him when she kissed him back, her hands fisting his shirt. The animal side of him snarled, wanting to claim her.
Chapter Three
No one had ever kissed Jasmine the way Chase did. It wasn’t just lips coming together. Her entire body seemed affected by each thrust of his tongue against hers. A spark of warmth turned into a burning need that flared to life and slowly spread to her lower belly. His fingers tangled in the hair at the base of her neck and tugged her head back to gain better access. Carnal images were forced into her mind.
She clawed at his shirt, tearing at the fabric in desperate need to feel skin. One of her legs wrapped around his waist to hook over his muscular ass. It was as if pure lust poured out of him and into her. Jasmine couldn’t get close enough—rubbing against him, she moaned. She’d gone from frightened to burning alive with sexual need.
Her back flattened against the wall as Chase’s body pressed tighter to her front. His pelvis ground between her thighs, rubbing his trapped, stiff cock along the seam of her panties.
The nightshirt she wore rode up, only the thin barrier separating them. The rigid length of his cock brushed back and forth, heightening her desire to feel him inside her. It was insane yet it all made sense. She didn’t want to question—just feel.
This was the guy she’d fantasized about almost nightly. He had been a gentleman, holding her hand while they’d traipsed around woods in the dark, and he’d always opened her car door when she’d met him. He made her laugh with his quick wit. Chase had been mysterious with his short replies about his personal life but he was a good man. She’d known the difference after dealing with a lot of clients who hit on her at the first opportunity. Not once had he made her uncomfortable or afraid.
It had been the complete opposite instead. She’d felt safe with Chase—protected and comfortable. He was smart, talking about books he’d read and current events. They had things in common. He loved to watch the same action films she did and enjoyed cooking. He’d listened to her as if what she said mattered and he was attentive. She’d just really liked him. It had been disappointing when he hadn’t asked her out after she’d dropped hints that she’d welcome more time spent together. And his package was impressive, not small at all.
His hi
ps slowly rocked against her clit, drawing her closer to climax. It felt so good she almost bit him when the pleasure grew too strong. He seemed to know it too as he tore his mouth away to shift attention to the column of her neck instead. Hot, wet kisses trailed from under her ear to the top of her shoulder where the nightshirt stopped him from going lower.
Teeth raked her sensitive skin and she moaned louder. She was pretty sure those were fangs and they felt amazing. He could bite into her but no fear rose over that concept. Instead she almost wanted to feel them just for the sake of knowing anything of his was inside her.
He untangled his hand from her hair, gripped the nightshirt and shoved it higher as he adjusted his body to put space between their hips. A slight tug was the only warning before her panties were ripped away. She opened her eyes to watch them sail across the room. It was a speak-now-or-this-is-happening moment as he worked his zipper open to free his cock. She wasn’t a virgin and knew silence implied consent.
She wanted Chase Woods. Right or wrong, crazy or not, she wasn’t going to say no. He didn’t do what she expected. Instead of entering her, his fingers explored her sex. She was wet and ready but he pressed his thumb over the bundle of nerves, drawing circles over her clit. She moaned louder as the pleasure grew more intense, digging her fingernails into his shirt where she clutched at his shoulders to help support her weight, which he held with one arm. It seemed easy for him.
“Jasmine,” he rasped, slightly out of breath. “Say yes.”
“Yes!”
She had wanted him for a long time—too long. It had taken months for her to abandon all hope that he’d call to ask her on a date. It had been depressing. He wanted her now though, and it wasn’t just a one-night stand. He was looking for a mate.
“Wait,” she panted, suddenly filled with questions before they went any further. The memory of their past gave her pause.
He growled in frustration but stopped kissing her and his thumb stilled as he pulled his face back until their gazes met. “What?” His eyes narrowed as he peered deeply into hers. “Yes,” he said, obviously reading her mind. “I’m serious about the mating. We’ll live together here where you’ll be safe. I’ll still have my job but you’ll never have to worry about me cheating. You’ll be it for me, the only one I want.” He paused. “How can you be sure? Mates are bonded. You’ll be able to read my thoughts and feelings. We’ll feel a type of addiction to each other that nothing else can compare to.”
“Do you have to keep reading my mind?” She glared at him, irritated. She didn’t want to think about that.
“Sorry. I want you too.” He adjusted her in his arms, pinning her tightly to the wall again. “I’ve wanted you since we met and I really need you to agree to spending your life with me.” A smile tugged at his lips. “Yes. You’ll live a lot longer. We could have hundreds, if not thousands of years together. No, we won’t grow bored of each other. The bond won’t allow it. The sex will be incredible and we’ll be emotionally intertwined. Two becoming one is how it’s been explained to me. We’ll have our own identities but we will complement each other.”
“I’m a little afraid,” she admitted. “This is going way too fast.”
“I know, but I can’t give you the time you want. There’s no way you’re leaving here without becoming my mate. I almost lost you once and I won’t risk it. You’re too vulnerable as a human to return to the outside world. There won’t be dinner dates and courtship first to assure you it’s the right choice.”
“What if I regret it after it’s done? We don’t know each other that well. Can’t you give me a few days? I haven’t seen you in almost a year and there was a lot you wouldn’t tell me.”
A pained expression crossed his handsome features. “You can’t leave here but I understand your need for time to make the decision with confidence.”
“What do you mean I can’t leave?” That alarmed her. Was she a prisoner?
“No, you’re not a prisoner,” he answered, still seemingly aware of what she was thinking. “It’s not safe for you to be anywhere else.”
“I have a life, a job.” A dozen other objections filled her head. Her friends and family would worry if they didn’t hear from her. Who would pay the housekeeper and the gardener? They’d call the police if she went missing. “You can’t expect me to give up my entire world to live in yours.” It was too much for any sane person to ask of another. “We need to discuss this.”
He glanced down between their bodies and growled. “There is plenty of time for that later. Do I have to keep my hands off you?” He looked up, reading her again. “We make love while sharing blood to mate. I’ll bite you to take yours while you drink mine to seal the mating bond.”
“You already gave me your blood.”
“To heal you. We have to exchange blood and sex at the same time to lock the mate bond.” He ground his hips against her again, this time nothing separated them. “I can’t get you pregnant. We’d have to be mates first for it to take. I don’t need a condom. I don’t have any diseases.”
All her questions and insecurities fled at the feel of Chase’s thick cock sliding against her bare clit when his pelvis pressed against her. Pleasure had her shaking in his hold, clutching him frantically just to keep grounded. He rubbed their bodies together in a slow, erotic dance, their hips rocking together.
She’d worry about the future later. The man she wanted most was making thought impossible as he seduced her. Chase was doing a fantastic job too. Need and desire conquered logic.
“Say yes.” His husky demand against her ear was too sexy. “Let me in.”
She couldn’t speak, too overcome with passion, but she managed a sharp nod. She wanted him and no way would she deny the sexual chemistry and mind-blowing orgasm he silently promised.
He kept moving, torturing her with each stroke of his rigid flesh sliding against her clit. He felt big, extremely hard, and knew how to take a woman to the edge of losing her mind enough to beg. It was on the tip of her tongue to do just that when he shifted her a little higher.
“Wrap your legs around my waist.”
She adjusted her thighs higher, wishing to feel skin instead of his shirt. Part of her regretted they weren’t naked. It would mean halting what he was doing though, separate to strip, and she was too close to coming to do that. She ached from the need and wasn’t strong-willed enough to find patience. She had none when it came to Chase Woods.
He growled low, an animalistic sound that just turned her on more. It reminded her that he wasn’t all human. It wasn’t a deterrent. Instead it just heightened the desire for him to take her. His pelvis shifted away but then he was back. The broad crown of his cock nudged against her wet vaginal opening and paused.
She wiggled, rolling her hips with him poised there, wanting him. “Chase,” she urged. “Please?”
“There’s no going back,” he swore in that same rough tone. “You’re mine.”
He suddenly shifted and grabbed her ass with both his big hands while his hips slowly thrust upward. Jasmine moaned at the feel of him entering her. He was as wide as she’d estimated and the feel of being stretched and taken was all-consuming. She was wet, ready, and the nerve endings inside her pussy sent ecstasy straight to her brain as his cock completely filled her. It barely registered that she cried out his name.
“Fuck,” he snarled. “I knew it.”
She wondered what that meant somewhere in the back of her mind but then he was moving inside her, withdrawing, slamming home deep, over and over. There was nothing but their heavy breathing, sounds of their bodies slapping together, and the eager need to reach that wonderful place they both sought. It hit Jasmine first, the climax tearing through her with such force she wondered if she’d survive. Her body trembled and Chase followed when her vaginal muscles clamped around him, fluttering from her release.
“Son of a bitch,” he panted, his body shaking too.
She felt him coming. Strong jets of semen filled her. She could
feel every blast as he groaned and his face buried against her throat. It just drew out her own climax and she was sure he felt a little bigger, as if that were possible. His thrusts tightened into sharp jerks.
Chase barely remained on his feet. It was a miracle his knees hadn’t buckled but he’d been too afraid of Jasmine getting hurt if they crashed to the floor. She was his weakness in every sense, both physically and emotionally, the way he felt with her in his arms.
He’d known she was special the moment they’d met and those indications had grown with every minute they’d spent together while searching prospective properties. It had been tough walking away from her when their business concluded but she’d been too sweet to horrify by introducing her into his world.
He’d chosen to let her go rather than damage her sweet innocence about all things Others. It would have been impossible to hide his true nature from her if they’d dated. He wouldn’t have been able to keep his hands off her and she would have noticed when his eyes changed color and his fangs grew during the heat of passion. Making her forget by controlling her mind had been an option but long-term exposure to memory wipes could damage her sanity.
The rogue had changed all that. She could have died and Chase wouldn’t allow it to happen again. Her job put her at risk of meeting unpleasant strangers and giving them opportunity to harm her when they were alone. He should have seen it coming but had been too focused on protecting her from the harsh reality that humans were lower on the food chain than they assumed.
Any residual doubts of her being his mate were gone. His werewolf traits weren’t usually dominant but they had flared to life with a vengeance. The animal inside him recognized her for who she was—his. His dick was aching, swollen still—even after coming so hard—and wouldn’t be leaving Jasmine’s snug pussy any time soon. I get it, he told that part of himself. She’s mine. I’m paying attention so you don’t have to lock inside her.
It was tough to turn around and walk to the bed. He really did feel shaky and weak. It was another symptom of her being his mate. Nature’s way of bitch slapping the toughest of his kind came with physical symptoms to emphasize it, making them realize they weren’t complete without someone to share their lives with.