Hungry Like the Wolf

  She spent the rest of the afternoon and the evening rush in a daze, her mind flipping over the possibilities of what could become of her and Nigel. She wanted him, wanted him even more now than she had two years before. Her body ached with the need to be close to him. Her heart ached with the need to open to his.

  She had panicked after their lovemaking that morning. Now, with time and space to think, Claire knew that a relationship with Nigel would be completely different from her life with Taylor. Nigel wasn’t going to be Alpha, so she wouldn’t have to assume the role of the Alpha’s mate. She wouldn’t have to subjugate herself to an archaic way of thinking. She could be with the man she loved without losing herself because she wouldn’t be a part of the ruling couple.

  Chapter Six

  “No way in Hell, Dad.” Nigel stood before his father, his hands planted on his hips.

  “I didn’t come home for a new job title. I came home for Claire.”

  Thomas smiled and shrugged his shoulders. “It doesn’t matter why you’re here, son. What matters is that you are. When Taylor died you became my successor.”

  “I’m not Alpha. I don’t have the stomach for it. Let Chris or James take the job. I don’t want it.” Nigel paced the floor, as was his habit when he was agitated. “I hate all the damn politics, the infighting. Thanks for the offer, Dad, but I’ll pass.”

  Thomas sat back, his mouth curved in a serene smile that drove Nigel crazy. His father always looked like he had a secret just waiting to come out.

  “Nigel, you worry too much. Things are not the way they were thirty years ago. The Pack has moved into the new century. The infighting rarely ever results in a challenge; the others have discovered they enjoy a peaceful life more than tearing one another apart over trivial matters.”

  Crossing his arms, Nigel repeated. “I don’t want it.”

  Thomas’ fist slammed down in the desk. “Dammit, Nigel, enough already. What are you so afraid of?”

  “Nothing! I’m not afraid of anything.”

  “Okay, then. You don’t want the responsibility, is that it?” When Nigel remained silent Thomas sighed. “Sometimes you have to sacrifice your desires for the greater good. I’m getting older. I want to hand over the reins to my son. That is you.”

  “Sacrifice my desires?” Nigel heard the bitterness in his voice and couldn’t care that his father heard it, too. “Dad, I have sacrificed more than you will ever know for the good of the Pack.” His anger was growing by the second, his tone coming dangerously close to disrespect toward his father and insubordination toward his Alpha.

  “Son, I do know. I also know that you weren’t the only one to suffer for the Pack. Taylor sacrificed as well. Now it’s time for you to honor your brother, correct my mistakes, and take your place as Alpha.”

  “Taylor?” Nigel hadn’t heard a word beyond the ludicrous idea that Taylor had suffered. “What on earth did Taylor sacrifice? He had Claire. My Claire. So tell me, what did he give up, Dad, and why the hell are you trying to force me into a position that will make the rest of my life one long, bloody sacrifice?”

  His father suddenly looked very tired, and much closer to his seventy years than he normally appeared.

  “Because you were meant to be Alpha, not Taylor. Because he was first born, I spent his entire life trying to force him to be something he wasn’t. And, just like you, he used the Law as his excuse not to tell me what he really wanted until it was too late.”

  “Dad, what the hell are you talking about?” Nigel dropped into the chair in front of his father, feeling like he was missing crucial pieces of the puzzle and wanting to understand what his father was trying to tell him.

  “Son, you were meant to be the head of this family. Taylor knew it and accepted it, but in my pride, I chose to ignore it. I made a terrible decision, Nigel. One that hurt both my sons, and one I may never forgive myself for. Let me atone for that mistake by giving you your rightful inheritance. Take your place as Alpha, according to the Law and according to what’s right.”

  “I think you need to explain to me exactly what you mean, Dad.” Nigel let his gaze bore into his father’s tired eyes.

  “That story’s not mine to tell, son. Talk to Claire. Then search your heart. I know you’ll do what is right.”

  ———

  Golden light glowing from the windows greeted Claire when she returned home that night. The sound of Duran Duran flowed from the stereo, leading her into the bedroom.

  Her heart began to pound when she entered the room, which had been turned into an oasis of soothing sensuality, bathed in the light of dozens of candles that were scattered over every flat surface in the room.

  The feelings Nigel awakened in her terrified her down to her soul. She wasn’t one to easily panic; Claire prided herself on being level headed. Nigel had smashed that selfperception to smithereens with one kiss. But she’d spent the day considering the situation, and now she felt ready to face her fears.

  Strong hands cupped her shoulders, and Claire leaned back into Nigel’s hard body.

  His lips grazed the base of her neck where it met her spine. The sultry melody of the song Come Undone filled the air, and Nigel’s hand moved to her hip, guiding her into a sensuous sway. Claire closed her eyes and breathed him in, his scent filling her head, his touch arousing her senses. They were doing nothing more than swaying to the music, and she was already primed and ready for him.

  She couldn’t stand not being able to touch him. She turned in his arms and let her hands land on the solid wall of his chest. Her fingers curled into the soft fabric of his shirt, and she whimpered as his cheek brushed hers. The subtle scrape of his day’s growth of beard abraded her delicate skin and she reveled in the heat it left behind.

  Firm lips ghosted up along her jaw line. His tongue traced the shell of her ear, the tip dipping inside.

  “I missed you, Luv,” the deep rumble of his voice trembled through her body, making her even softer for him. Even wetter.

  Her smile was instant, but she didn’t even try to speak. The moment was too perfect and her stumbling would only screw things up.

  Instead she touched her mouth to the base of his neck. He murmured his enjoyment, and she opened wide and sucked at his skin, marking him like a teenager making out at the movies. She gripped the bottom of his shirt and he pulled back long enough to remove it. As soon as the material was free Claire wound her arms tightly around his back, holding on for dear life as he moved in for a kiss.

  What a kiss it was. It began sweet and oh-so tender, but quickly ignited into a desperate melding of mouths and tongues. Time and again they broke apart, struggling for breath, only to attack again with renewed hunger.

  Claire had always thought the term being kissed breathless was a pretty exaggeration. Now she knew better. Nigel stole her breath, giving her his own in return.

  The intimacy was almost painful, and Claire finally had to pull away. Nigel gave her space, while still holding her close. He cupped her face in his hands, his amber eyes glowing down at her with such seething emotion that her knees shook.

  In that moment, Claire wanted to give him everything. Holding his gaze she knelt before him, fumbling with his leather belt. His eyes blazed when she finally managed to unbutton his fly, and her mouth began to water in anticipation.

  —

  Nigel stood frozen as he gazed into her pretty face. He ran his hand down the silky strands of her hair, wallowing in the pleasure of watching her eyes slide closed in enjoyment. Breathless, he watched her, waiting motionlessly for her next move, when every dominant instinct he had was howling at him to bend her over and mount her.

  He knew she was enjoying his torment by the little smile that tilted her rosy lips, and by the way she drew out each movement, taking things painfully slowly. Peeking up at him through her lashes, she hooked her thumbs into the waistband of his jeans and pulled them slowly down his legs, shifting back just enough for him to kick them aside.

  Still watching
him, she leaned in to touch the perfect pink bow of her lips to the smooth skin of his hip. Nigel jumped at the contact; it was pure sin the way her tongue felt licking over his flesh. The electricity she induced was killer. She was his mate. His mind knew it, his heart knew it, and his body certainly fucking knew it.

  “Touch me, Claire.” Was that his voice so close to begging? He didn’t really care.

  All he cared about was how soon he would feel her mouth on him. She didn’t disappoint as her hands pushed his boxer briefs down and his shaft sprang free. She gave a little hum of approval as she looked at him; her tongue darted out to slick moisture along her bottom lip, and he felt his own mouth go dry.

  “Please, Luv. I need you.” He’d beg if that was what it took. Pride and control meant nothing as her hazel eyes darkened and connected once again with his… She opened her mouth and took him in.

  His growl of reaction was louder than he meant, but it didn’t deter his woman. She just smiled and took his hard flesh deeper into her sweet mouth. Just when he thought his eyes might be beginning to uncross, she reached one small, strong hand between his legs to cup his balls, letting the tip of her forefinger venture back to test the satiny ridge directly behind them.

  “Oh, fuck, Claire.” Her hands were diabolical and, damn but her mouth was like heaven. She moved slowly back and forth over his hungry cock, sucking hard on the upstroke and swirling her tongue along the ropy veins on the down stroke. His cockhead was weeping with pre-cum, and she lapped at it like it was the sweetest cream. Nigel’s hands combed through her hair, tugging and urging her to take him in more deeply, more fully.

  “Open up, Luv, take me all the way in.” His demand seemed to give her the little push she ne