CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Two months later

Harley’s breath caught in her throat as ice-cold water drenched her; she felt the shock and chill all the way to her bones. “You bastard!”

“It’s just a little water.” Jesse chuckled, his water gun still trained on her.

“I’m a margay shifter; we hate cold water!” Her cat’s lips pulled back in a snarl.

“Stop whining. It’s scorching hot out here; you’ll be dry in no time.” Jesse jerked as water soaked the back of his shirt and jeans. “Hey!” he growled, spinning to face a laughing Eli, who was holding his own water blaster. “That’s cold!”

“That’s karma,” corrected Harley. Giving her a playful scowl, Jesse whipped off his wet T-shirt, so she said, “Maybe I should take off my own shirt—”

Jesse growled, unwilling to let anyone else see those luscious breasts that belonged to him. He pulled her flush against him. “You do that and I’ll spank your ass.”

“Then I’d have to smack the shit out of you. Would you like that?”

“You wouldn’t hurt me.” He rubbed his jaw against hers; there was no stubble, since she’d shaved him that morning. It had become their regular thing, and he liked it. “You adore me too much.”

Harley snorted. “Whatever.”

Wrapping his arms around her, he lifted her slightly off her feet. “My kitty’s all cranky.”

“Because you got me wet,” she clipped.

“Come on.” He settled them both on a double sun lounger. “You’ll be dry in minutes.” It was such a hot day that most of the pack had placed deck chairs and loungers near the play area to soak up the sun.

Derren and Ally were sleeping, the enforcers were placing bets on whether or not Bracken could eat his cake faster than Marcus could eat his, Caleb and Kent were each pushing a pup on the swings, and Kathy was lecturing Eli about his wolf’s habit of destroying her flowers. Nick and Shaya were disputing the benefits of following Shaya’s idea and opening some businesses on the neighboring land they now owned. After Hector’s death, his board of directors had voted to sell the territory to Nick. Jesse figured they’d done it because they would rather have Nick as an ally than an enemy.

Nick was still completely opposed to building any businesses on it, but Shaya didn’t appear to be backing down. Jesse had initially thought that the Alpha female wasn’t serious about her business idea. Maybe she hadn’t been initially. In any case, she was set on it now. It made sense for the pack to make use of all that land and to contribute to the community. Granted, they would probably need to hire outsiders, but that didn’t have to be a bad thing.

“Think about it,” Shaya said to Nick. “If we had a motel set up, both Ally and Harley could have stayed there instead of the guest lodges when they first arrived. Not that I’m complaining that they’re here. My point is that you moan about having outsiders on our territory. If we needed to provide anyone somewhere to stay in the future, a motel would be a good place for them to go. They would have our protection and be on our territory, but they wouldn’t be so close to the main lodge and the pups.”

“Yeah,” said Nick, rubbing his nape, “but . . .”

“But what?”

“But I don’t want a motel!”

“You’re being unreasonable!”

Stifling a laugh, Jesse pulled Harley closer to him and watched as the pups ran around, squealing, while Bruce playfully chased them. At least Nick had grown to accept the wisdom behind branching out, because there was no way Harley would have given up the club. She was due to open it under a new name in a week’s time. Most of the pack had played some part in getting it ready, treating it as their own.

“Keep doing that,” Harley purred.

Jesse smiled, increasing the pressure as he massaged her scalp. It reminded him of the night of their mating ceremony when she’d done the exact same thing as they sat on the porch swing. The day had been special for him but absolute torture for Nick, since so many outsiders had been on his territory: the Phoenix wolves, some shifters from the shelter, Harley’s cousins, Shaya’s father, Cain, Tess, Ally’s uncles, Lily and Shawn—who had actually been pretty well behaved—and, to Jesse’s extreme surprise, his parents.

Unfortunately, Jesse couldn’t go so far as to say that his parents warmly accepted Harley, but they had passed on their congratulations. She hadn’t cared about their lack of warmth as long as they accepted that he didn’t need to answer to them. It was only then he’d learned that she had paid a visit to his old pack with Ally and Roni. Not only had his mate confronted his parents, she’d given Kim a verbal smackdown just before delivering the news that the female was permanently banned from their territory.

He hadn’t been pleased to hear she’d done all that without telling him, but he’d been too happy that day to care. He’d silently laughed his way through the ceremony, amused by how she’d kept glancing at the nearest tree, looking so very tempted to escape. Neither he nor his wolf had been offended, well aware that she simply disliked being the center of attention.

The party had been . . . interesting, since Ally’s uncle, Dan, had taken a single look at Tess and declared that she was his mate. The human had been a little befuddled, but she hadn’t panicked. A month later the couple was happily mated and Tess had joined the guy’s pack. Harley was ecstatic that her aunt was no longer alone. To Tess’s shock, her parents hadn’t disowned her the way they had Lily. Harley suspected it was for the simple reason that Dan was loaded—something the snobs could respect.

“You bitch.”

Pulled out of his thoughts, Jesse looked to see Eli stomping toward Roni and Marcus, who were now snuggling on one of the loungers.

“Shush, she’s sleeping,” Marcus said to him.

“She’s also the embodiment of evil,” groused Eli. “I know you’re awake, Roni.”

With a long-suffering sigh, Roni opened her eyes. “Something wrong?”

Eli settled fisted hands on his hips. “How the hell do you keep cracking all my passwords?”

Roni scowled, affronted. “Don’t insult me.”

“What did she do?” Marcus asked Eli, smiling.

“She hacked my Facebook account again,” said Eli. “This time she posted a five-star review of a vibrating anal plug!”

Kathy gasped. “Roni!”

“I’ve got all kinds of people asking me if it’s best to start with small plugs and work their way up. How the hell should I fucking know?” Eli pointed at Roni. “I will get you back for this, heifer.”

“Stop swearing,” hissed Shaya, gesturing at the kids. Cassidy was cartwheeling her way to them with a skipping Willow behind her.

Eli sighed at Shaya. “I can’t help it; she drives me mad.”

“We all go a little mad sometimes,” said Willow.

Shaya’s smile froze on her face. She turned to Roni. “Tell me my child did not just quote Norman Bates!”

Jesse noticed Bracken looking suspiciously innocent. Rather than rat out his friend, Jesse whispered to Harley, still massaging her scalp, “Speaking of anal plugs—”

“The sooner we get this thing out of my ass, the better,” she hissed quietly.

He stifled a smile. “You should have known better than to think you could beat me at pool . . . although I did enjoy the rematch earlier.” The victor again won the right to be in control during the sex that followed. Jesse, however, hadn’t fucked her. He’d declared that he was postponing the session for a few hours . . . and that she’d be wearing an anal plug in the meantime. She’d acted pissed, but he knew it was exactly that—an act. Being the curious cat that she was, the whole thing intrigued her.

“One day, I will beat you. Then you’ll be in for some torture.”

He nuzzled her. “Aw, baby, I might believe you really didn’t like it if I couldn’t feel your pleasure through the bond.”

Harley flushed. “Sometimes I hate that bond.”

“No, you don’t.”

No, she didn’t.

“You know what, I think you’ve worn the plug long enough. Let’s go home.” He inwardly smiled as he felt excitement spike through her. Rising from the lounger, he pulled her upright. She held herself a little stiffly, shooting him a glare that said she’d like to see him move around easily while there was an object stuck up his ass. Keeping possession of her hand, he walked her back to their lodge. All the while, anticipation built inside her to an almost painful level. It was an anticipation he shared.

Inside the lodge, Jesse said, “I want you upstairs. Go straight to the bathroom.” She probably would have stomped her way up there if it weren’t for the plug. He followed her into the bathroom, where she faced him, hands on hips. “Still cranky, baby? Hey, there’s no call for hissing.” He rubbed his nose against hers. “Don’t worry, I’ll fuck that crankiness right out of you.”

Harley would have hissed again, but then his mouth closed over hers while his hand slid around her throat. Licking and kissing her, he gave her throat a little, but possessive, squeeze that should have made her bristle. It didn’t. Not when she was so wound up with the need to come. He pulled off her T-shirt and bra, and then she yanked off his own tee and tore open his fly. But before she could shove down his jeans, his arms slipped away from her.

“On your knees. I want to watch you suck my cock.”

Harley’s stomach clenched as his tone switched from teasing to dominant. The look on his face was predatory, and his eyes—gleaming with possessiveness—were so wholly focused on her that it gave her goose bumps and tightened her nipples.

“Now, Harley.”

And there he went pressing the defiant switch in her head. Her cat didn’t appreciate his curtness either. But he’d won the game, Harley reminded herself. She’d agreed to a rematch, she’d taken the chance, and now she had to pay up. Slowly sinking to her knees, she fisted the base of his cock and lapped at the head like the cat she was. Instead of teasing him, she wrapped her lips tight around the head and swallowed him down. She sucked hard, taking more of his cock with each pass, using every trick she knew.

Jesse bunched his hand in her hair. “Fuck, sweetheart, that’s it.” Her mouth was so hot it almost burned, sending agonizing pleasure coursing through him. He swore as she purred around his cock and the sensation shot up his spine. Hand still in her hair, he fucked her mouth. “I told you I’d do this one day, didn’t I?” Her eyes narrowed dangerously at the taunt and claws pricked his thighs, but that only spurred him on. “Your mouth was made for this, Harley. And I own it, don’t I?”

Harley dragged her claws down his thighs and let him feel the edge of her teeth—not enough to hurt but enough to warn him to cease taunting her.

“It’s mine and we both know it.” He pulled out of her mouth. “Up.” Slipping his hands under her shoulders, Jesse helped her stand. He ran his finger down her face, feeling the hot flush on her cheeks. Her cat eyes were blazing with both need and irritation, and her talented mouth was swollen from sucking him off. “Gorgeous.” His wolf agreed.

Smoothing her hands over his solid shoulders, Harley licked at his throat. “Fuck me.” She curled a hand around his cock and pumped him twice. “You know you want to.” His hands cupped her breasts, thumbs flicking her taut nipples hard, while she shoved down his jeans. He then pushed down her own as he sucked on her earlobe.

“Hold on to the counter,” Jesse rumbled into her ear, kicking their clothes aside. She did, and he licked the back of her shoulder. “Very good.” Eyes holding hers in the reflection of the mirror, he drove his cock inside her in one smooth thrust. Her pussy clamped around him. Fuck, she was burning hot and soaking wet. “I love how slick you get for me. Love all those little moans you make. Love how tight your pussy squeezes my dick.” He gave her a shallow thrust. “And I love you.”

Jesse fucked her hard, knowing how bad she needed it. Her head fell back, exposing her delicate throat, and her pussy squeezed him so tight it was torture. He kept slamming into her, ruthless and frantic. Then he twisted the anal plug, making her head shoot up, and her pleasure echoed through him. “Come, Harley.” But she already was; the orgasm hit her hard and fast, seeming to take her by surprise. Right then, he pulled out the plug and pushed his cock into her ass.

Eyes snapping open, Harley tensed a little. She’d known exactly what he was going to do, and she’d been prepared for the bite of pain, but the sensation of the head of his cock pressing inside her, stretching her to bursting, still came as a bit of a shock. He was just so damn thick, and she was a total newbie at this.

True mates had little trouble with anal sex because they were literally made to take each other any way they wanted. She’d say that she and Jesse were as emotionally tight as true mates, but that didn’t help with the situation they had here.

“Shush, you’re okay.” Jesse stroked the length of her spine, petting the worry out of her. “Push out as I push in. Good girl.” As she forced herself to relax, he slowly sank into her ass, keeping a mental eye on her through the bond. She felt so good, but it was a tight fit and he didn’t want to hurt her. “I’m all in, baby. You okay?”

“I feel . . . full. But not bad full.”

“We’ll take it slow.” Hands gripping her hips, Jesse withdrew almost all the way out. Just as smoothly, he gently pushed back in, burying his cock deep. He did it over and over, until she was moaning and demanding more. He fucked her a little harder, a little faster. Soon enough, she was cursing him for going easy on her.

“Harder,” she ground out, enjoying it more than she’d expected she would.

Sensing through the bond that she was in no pain, Jesse was fine with that. There was just one thing missing. “You know what I want to hear.” He needed to hear it. “Give me the words.”

“I love you,” she rasped, no hesitation.

“That’s my good girl.” He rode her hard, pumping in and out of her as bliss streaked through them both.

“I’m gonna come.”

“Do it.” Sinking his teeth into her nape, he thrust harder, faster . . . and then she was coming. Her ass tightened around him and her orgasm echoed through him even more intensely than her first had. Biting out a curse, he plunged deep and exploded, shooting jet after jet of come inside her. It was yet another way to mark his mate, and that gave his wolf a slither of satisfaction.

Jesse stroked and petted her as she came down from her orgasm, smiling when she purred. “You okay?”

“I can’t feel my legs,” she slurred. “Other than that, super.” Her cat was lazy with contentment.

“Good.” He licked at her claiming mark. “I told you I’d fuck that crankiness right out of you.”

Still no caution lights, she thought with a sigh.

“Just like I told you that you’d enjoy me claiming your ass. You came pretty hard,” he reminded her smugly.

Huffing at his smug tone, she said, “Dude, you’re messing with my postorgasmic buzz here.”

“I was just saying”—he kissed her throat, humming—“you should listen to me more often. I’m always right.”

“Is that a fact?”

“I told you when you first came here exactly what would happen. I said I’d claim you, and I did. I said you’d claim me, and you did. I said you’d come to trust the pack and settle here, and you did. I also said we’d imprint and be happy. We did and we are.”

“Hmm.”

He frowned. “What does ‘hmm’ mean?”

She shrugged one shoulder. “I guess I’m a little happy.”

“A little?” he echoed, disbelieving. His wolf blinked.

“Yeah, a little.” Of course she was talking crap, which was why she smiled. He didn’t share her amusement, which, in turn, amused her cat.

Although Jesse knew she was full of shit, he shook his head. He’d said it before, and he’d say it again. “You’re trying to drive me insane.”

“You still have no proof of that.”

Sighing, he turned her and nudged her forward. “Just get in the damn shower.”

She dug in her heels. “Not until you stop pushing me.”

So he stopped. “Happy now?”

As ever, that snippy tone made her spine snap straight. “As a matter of fact—”

“Good.” He pushed her into the shower stall and turned on the spray. “Stop hissing at me!”