Shannon sighed deeply and seemed to shake off the bad vibes these old memories were resurrecting. “The reason I’m telling you this is because growing up the way we did left scars. Rory’s so afraid he’ll turn out like our father that he’s refused to mate. But I think that’s only part of it. I suspect the real reason is that he’s never met a woman tough enough to stand up to him the way you do. He respects you. Yes, you aggravate and annoy the hell out of him, but that’s because he’s not used to anyone like you. No one’s ever stood toe-to-toe with him before, man or woman. He needs that in his life. You challenge him, and that’s a good thing.”
She grabbed Shay’s hand. “All I ask is that you give Rory a chance. With Nikolai being a vampire and me being a wolf-shifter, I didn’t think things could ever work between us. There were too many problems, too many reasons why we as a couple didn’t make sense, but it works. The Creator doesn’t make mistakes, so it will work for you too. And remember, this is more than about the two of you. There’s a baby involved now. One that deserves to know its father, and Rory is an excellent father. I know because he raised me.”
“Shannon, I have no intention of denying Rory his child. I know he or she will need both of us. As far as a relationship between us goes, even if I wanted to give Rory a chance, I can’t. I begin a new six-month assignment on Monday.”
Shannon dropped her hand like it was hot, and scowled fiercely. “Can’t you tell them you changed your mind? That circumstances have arisen that make it impossible for you to accept the job?”
“I wish I could, but the contract’s ironclad and there are no loopholes. It was so detailed I hired a lawyer to look at it before signing. The only reason I agreed to take it was because the money was too good to pass on. At least I’ll still be in the area.”
Shannon perked up, her manner suddenly intent. “What’s the name of the company that hired you?”
“Sparrowhawk, Inc.”
A strange expression crossed Shannon’s face, and her mouth dropped open. She seemed to convulse right before bursting into peals of laughter. “Spar…row…hawk…Inc.?” Shannon struggled to get out, still laughing so hard she was in danger of falling off the bed.
“Why? What have you heard about them?” Shayla was puzzled at her bizarre reaction, beginning to get annoyed.
“What…have…I…heard?” she gasped, laughing too hard to finish. “Oh God, this is too funny,” she added when she’d calmed, still wiping tears from her eyes.
Eyes narrowed in displeasure, Shay asked, “Mind sharing the joke?”
“Shayla.” She giggled. “You’re working for Rory.”
Hours later Shay entered the small church where the wedding was being held, still pissed that Rory had managed to outsmart and outmaneuver her. Able to think circles around most individuals, her ego was smarting at being bested. She refused to acknowledge the tiny spark of respect flickering to life deep inside.
Fortunately Kiesha had lain off. Shayla didn’t know what Alex had said to make Kiesha give her space, but it worked. Instead of nagging her, her cousin was giving her wounded looks, as if she needed one more person to worry about. Now she simply hoped Kee had enough sense to keep her mouth shut around Shayla’s parents. As traditional as her mother was, if she knew her daughter was pregnant, she’d turn this wedding into a double.
It didn’t help that she and Shannon were the last to arrive. Shayla strode up the aisle of the church, trying to ignore her churning stomach. Please, not again. The last thing she needed was for her morning sickness to reappear. She’d thrown up once already at the house, causing them to be late.
Scanning the participants standing at the altar, her gaze came to a screeching halt when it landed on Rory. Their eyes connected. Lust slammed into her so hard that she grabbed ahold of the pew to keep from toppling over.
Images of their last night together bombarded her mind in full Technicolor, with all the associated textures and smells. The present faded as she was thrust back into the past…
She lay on top of Rory, their legs tangled together and her head on his chest while she recovered from their last round of sex.
“I need to go upstairs,” she told him, lazily twirling her finger in his dense red chest hair.
“It’s still not safe. Besides, I like you right where you are.” His large, calloused hand stroked her bare skin from shoulder to hip.
“I like it here too, but”—she stuck out her tongue and licked his left nipple—“I don’t want to miss my flight. That means I need to pack tonight.”
He stiffened beneath her. “You’re not going anywhere.” It came out in a growl.
“Down, boy.” She patted his shoulder. “Don’t go all caveman on me. This was fun, but I have a job to do. Vacation time’s over.”
Rory gripped her by the shoulders and dragged her up his body until their faces were level. “You belong to me. Forget the job.”
“My job is how I earn my living.”
Rory’s grip tightened and a hint of fang showed at her words.
Shayla narrowed her eyes. “Watch the grip, wolf boy. Don’t make me hurt you. I belong to myself. No man owns me.”
“Mine,” he growled, his eyes beginning to glow.
“I don’t think so, Neanderthal. Them days are long gone.” She placed her knee right over his groin and applied a hint of pressure. “Let go or lose something very important to you,” she threatened.
Rory glared back, taking her measure. His eyes seemed to dare her to do it. More than willing to call his bluff, she applied steadily increasing pressure.
His anger a tangible thing, he released her. Shayla scrambled quickly to her feet and headed for the door, feeling his gaze drill a hole in her back. As she reached out a hand to grab the doorknob, she called back over her shoulder, “I figured you’d see things my way.”
Rory was on her in a heartbeat, driving her to the floor on her knees. He yanked her hands behind her back, forced her shoulders to the carpet, and kneed her legs apart.
His roughness caused her pussy to cream. “Let go.” Her voice came out a breathy moan. Oh yeah, that was convincing, she thought.
“Mine!” He drove into her tender muscles with one sharp thrust, sliding in to the hilt, and proceeded to set a punishing rhythm.
“No,” Shayla complained even as her pussy tightened around him, gripping him harder with each stroke.
“Mine! Say it!”
“I won’t!” She tugged on her arms, trying to free them. Then she leaped forward, attempting to escape. She wanted him and wanted this desperately, but needed to make him fight for it—fight for her.
Rory growled as her movement dislodged his cock, a sound so terrible it caused the hairs on her arms to raise. He caught her by the waist and pulled her back. “Submit!”
“Make me,” she foolishly challenged, twisting her body this way and that, trying to gain the leverage she needed to scramble forward on her elbows.
With a roar, Rory’s arm hooked her low around her torso, and her knees left the floor. He impaled her on his shaft and held her to him, his claws digging into her hips. His other arm caught her across the shoulders as he lunged forward and pinned her to the carpet, his teeth locked in the tendon between her neck and right shoulder. His body enlarged, expanding in and around her as he partially shifted.
Shayla screamed her pleasure. Yes! This was what she wanted. This was what she’d fought for. Rory, completely out of control.