“That’s a small amount of comfort.” Knowing Gramps, he’d carry ammo in his pockets.
“Then how’s this? He’ll have the backing of the pack. No one will interfere. They know better.”
“Just like the females won’t interfere when you announce our mating?” She waited for an answer as she met his eyes, staring at him across the distance. The tic in his jaw and brightening of his irises were the only indication he was angry.
“That’s different.”
“I don’t see how.” Danger equaled danger.
“They won’t challenge you because I’m going to tell them what to expect if they win.” His voice deepened but otherwise he appeared completely calm. “Mating me will be the worst mistake any of them will ever make. I’ll make their existence a living hell.”
“Isn’t that cheating?”
“I’ve found my female.” His gaze swept over her. The grin that appeared on his face created butterflies in her tummy. “I’ll have no other.”
The man was part Neanderthal. Good thing she didn’t want him any other way. “You have a solution for everything, don’t you?”
“It’s part of the job.” Dipping his head, he glanced inside the refrigerator. “Damn it,” he snapped, closing the door and standing to open the freezer. “I knew I should have kept groceries at the cabin. This is fucking pitiful.”
Sliding from her stool, she walked toward him. Knowing he was so focused on her—that he wanted to feed and care for her—was a stark reminder that he’d been through hell the past couple of days. After she’d woken and went into the bathroom, she’d studied the mark on her shoulder—his mark. Not everything was about her and her family, big decisions concerned him too. If Jackson was willing to stand at her grandfather’s side when he faced Gavin, she’d trust him to take care of the aging yet indomitable man.
Speaking of age…
She wrapped her arms around his waist and rose to her tiptoes, resting her head on his shoulder. She took a look into the freezer. There wasn’t much in the way of actual food, just a couple of Hungry-Man dinners.
“How old are you anyway?”
“I suppose I can tell you. It’s too late to trade me in for a newer model.” He shifted a few of the dinners around. “I turned one hundred and fourteen last month.”
One hundred and fourteen? “Bullshit.”
“Nope.” He kept sorting, looking for a pot of gold at the end of a crappy rainbow. “You’re mated to an old man.”
“How about the pizza?” she offered, pointing at the enormous box. “I’ve heard it’s the breakfast of champions.”
“Breakfast of champions, my ass,” Jackson grumbled and pulled out the frozen food. “I should be shot for feeding you shit like this.”
“Don’t worry. You can make it up to me later,” she whispered, tilting her head to skim her lips over his neck, squeezing the arms locked around his midsection.
“Hmm.” He placed his free hand over her interlocked fingers and shuffled to the stove. He let her go only long enough to remove the pizza from the box, turn on the oven and place it inside. After he set the alarm near the dials he disentangled her arms, spun her around and gazed down.
Oh boy.
That look was in his eyes—the one that warned her he wanted to tear off her clothes and do all sorts of naughty things to her body.
“You’re damn right I’ll make it up to you.” One harsh yank forced her against his body. He wrapped an arm around her waist, cupped her ass and lifted her from the ground. “Starting now.”
“Bring it on, old man.”
He crossed to the counter, his movements as smooth as silk. She shivered when her ass made contact with the chilly surface, aware of how thin her panties were against the ceramic. Jackson parted her thighs with his hips, his fingers drifting around her waist. She raised her pelvis and he tugged at the scrap of lace guarding her sex, drawing the material down her legs. He dropped her panties, sank to his knees and pulled her forward. Her buttocks balanced on the edge of the counter, his mouth hovering inches from her mound.
Slowly he peered up, the heat in his stare so palpable it burned. “I’m not coming up until that alarm goes off. First I’ll pleasure you, then I’ll feed you. Afterward we’ll take things upstairs and finish what I started. I’ll show you just how young this old man can be.”
She gasped for air, dragging a greedy breath into her lungs. Then his face descended, his tongue slipped over her hot, slick flesh and she was lost in the most fantastically wicked of ways.
Who needed food?
This was heaven.
* * * * *
Jackson ran a finger along the surface of the water, engrossed in the woman who reclined in the tub, closed her eyes and sighed blissfully with a sated smile on her face. Despite his promise to take Chloe into the bedroom after breakfast, he’d decided to introduce her to his shower instead. He’d taken her against the wall, thrusting into her hard and fast, driven by her soft cries and whimpers. If she’d had any complaints she didn’t voice them, clawing at his back as she came, urging him to achieve his own release.
Afterward he’d drawn a bath, wanting her to relax and unwind.
Now he simply studied her. Enjoying the shared moment.
Her lids cracked open, revealing a flash of her green irises. When she saw him staring she grinned. “What are you thinking about?”
“You,” he answered truthfully and brought his fingers to her knee.
She laughed, the sound alluring and husky. “Is this where you give me a cheesy line about how I must be tired because I’ve been running through your head all day?”
“Afraid not,” he murmured, stroking her skin.
“Good.” She flicked her hand, sending beads of water over his chest. “I don’t like Velveeta.”
He considered returning her playful splash with one of his own.
Clever little female. “Just one more thing we have in common.”
“Why bother with dairy products when you can have the whole cow?” Her hand drifted over his, her wet skin soft and slippery from the hot water. “I’m assuming those are what you hunt if deer are scarce?”
The slight catch in her voice took him from relaxed to concerned. “I wanted to talk to you about that.” Now was the perfect time to clear the air. “Normally when wolves announce a mating the packs hunt in celebration. In this circumstance, I think it’s best if we do things differently.”
Large emerald orbs focused on him. “Define differently.”
“After we address the packs, we’re leaving.”
“Why?” He could see the confusion and fear in her gaze. “Are you worried something will go wrong?”
“No. I’m not worried about that.” Taking his hand from her knee, he slid closer to the tub. Extending his hand, he cupped her chin. “I want to enjoy the first moon with you and no one else. The night is a beautiful time and I want to show it to you. The pack can keep up pretenses after we leave. Besides, if we’re not alone we can’t play. And I can’t tell you how much I want to play with you, baby.”
Her brows softened, relief evident in her expressive face. “What kind of game?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.” His remark was greeted with a scowl. He laughed, stroking his thumb along her jaw. “You’ll like it. I give you my word.”
It didn’t take much to close the distance. His mouth brushed hers, sliding from side to side. She released a soft sigh, her lips parting in welcome. He slid his tongue into the crevice, tasting her sweetness. His body responded despite their earlier interlude. It was clear he couldn’t get enough of this woman. He felt the jerk of his quickly swelling cock, the erratic beating of his heart. He wanted to groan when she pulled away.