Surrounded by Woods Read online

  “That was amazing,” he breathed against her mouth before kissing her there.

  “Mmm-hmm.”

  He pulled his face back to stare at her. Her tousled, red hair was beautifully chaotic, her blue eyes the softest of sky colors, and her chest, neck, and face sported a luscious flush of arousal. She was a goddess. “You’re so beautiful.”

  She smiled at him and ran her fingers down his cheek. He leaned into her touch, suppressing the urge to purr at her caress. “We should probably head back.”

  Thank God she said it first because that was the next thing he was going to say. At least now he didn’t have to look like some jerk who wanted to fuck her and leave her. He’d love nothing more than to stay. The thought of leaving was making some unnamed emotion squeeze at his chest, but right now, she was way too much of a temptation to his feral side for him to stay around her. He knew making love to her would awaken all his desires, but right now he couldn’t seem to care enough to worry about all the repercussions. “Yeah, the others will be looking for me.”

  They got up, got dressed, and he escorted her out of the cabin and back to the main house. He rubbed soothing circles on the back of her hand as he held it, lost in his thoughts, trying to identify this crushing emotion that consumed him. He’d never felt anything like it before.

  And now that he wasn’t balls deep in her, he could think more clearly about what he should do. He hated the idea of avoiding her again. Even just thinking of doing that to her now made his animal roar inside. He couldn’t do that, but he had to figure something out before talking to his father because he knew his dad would want to send her away. Whether she left early or not, Josh had to face the fact that Mikaela would be leaving. She had a life away from here. That crushing, all consuming emotion was back with a vengeance.

  He walked her to her door, kissing her softly, longingly before escaping to his own room, the realization of his feelings almost crippling him.

  How in the world was he going to let her go when he was in love with her?

  Chapter Eight

  Mikaela got up early to have breakfast with the guys, so she could see Josh again right away. Last night had been the most powerful lovemaking she’d ever experienced. When Josh touched her, she melted into him, but what was even more wonderful was that he had the same reaction when she touched him. She wasn’t the only one feeling a connection and acting on desire, and that thought thrilled her. As soon as she got up, she realized she couldn’t wait for breakfast.

  She brushed her teeth, threw on her robe, and made her way to the third door on the left.

  Josh didn’t answer her soft knocks, so she eased open the door. He wasn’t in bed, but she noticed a light coming from underneath a door on the other side of the room. The last time she was in here, she hadn’t paid much attention to the details, but she figured that door led to his bathroom. She closed and locked the bedroom door and tiptoed to the other door. Yes! She heard the shower running, so she could just slip in and join him. She took off her robe and nightgown, letting them fall to the floor, and gently opened the bathroom door. The room was filled with steam, so she couldn’t see Josh.

  But she could hear him.

  The soft sounds of flesh on flesh, water squirting, and his low grunts told her that he was in there jerking off. Perfect.

  Luckily, the showers here were custom without doors, so she was able to step in behind him without making a sound. He had a hand braced on the back wall while he worked his cock in his other hand. Not wanting to freak him out, she figured she shouldn’t go right for his balls per his previous invitation. Instead, she rested her hands on his hips and kissed his back.

  Josh froze.

  Mikaela slid one hand up his chest and the other down his belly to his groin and cupped his balls. She squeezed and tugged on his sac.

  Groaning, he slowly started moving his hand again. After a few strokes, Mikaela wanted more from him. No, he wasn’t going to be spilling his seed on the shower floor.

  She maneuvered around him and dropped to her knees, running her tongue the length of his cock before he realized what was happening.

  He gasped, let go of his cock, and adjusted the showerhead so that she didn’t get pelted with water. When she kissed his engorged glans, his hands shot into her hair, and he bit off another groan. She licked the precome with relish, and his cock jerked in response. When she closed her lips around the head, his hands fisted tighter in her hair, and he groaned louder. She took him deep into her mouth, the head nudging the back of her throat.

  “Oh, God, kitten. I was already close before…” He groaned again, his hips rocking as he took over control. He held her head firmly while he fucked her mouth. She grabbed the base of his shaft to control his thrusts, hollowing her cheeks as she sucked him. She couldn’t take all of him, but she strained to take as much as she could, keeping one hand on his sac to fondle his balls. He moaned and fucked her mouth faster. She felt his balls draw up and knew he was about to go over, so she squeezed his sac and sucked in hard. He roared his release, pumping, pumping, pumping into her mouth, filling it with his come, and she swallowed everything he gave her. She kept sucking, licking, and swallowing until he was completely flaccid and bending over her head.

  She released him slowly, and he helped her stand, embracing her once she was upright to support the both of them.

  “Good morning,” she mumbled into his chest.

  He chuckled. “Yes, it is.”

  “I figured your offer to play with your balls was still open, so I took you up on it. I hope you didn’t mind.”

  “Uh-uh. You can play with my balls anytime.” He laughed. “You were already touching me in my fantasy, anyway. That’s why you surprised me. Your scent was on my mind.”

  My scent? “I’m not wearing any perfume.”

  “Mmmm…I know.” He nuzzled her hair.

  She smiled and pulled away, stepping out of the shower. Now that she’d gotten what she’d come for, she needed to get ready for breakfast.

  He grabbed her wrist. “Where are you going?”

  “I’ll shower after exercising, and I need to get ready for breakfast.”

  “But that’s not fair.” He leaned out of the shower. “I didn’t get to pleasure you.” The look in his eyes was a promise they’d both enjoy the pleasure he alluded to.

  She wrapped a towel around herself and kissed him. “You pleasured me many, many times last night. It’s the least I could do. Besides, you were going to come with or without me anyway.”

  “True.” He smirked, but there was a glint in his green eyes. Before she could register the meaning of his gaze, he grabbed her arm and hauled her into the shower, towel and all. “But since you’re here…”

  He yanked the towel off her while his lips found hers. His tongue probed for entry, and she opened up for him, loving the feel of his tongue in her mouth. He kissed her deeply, his hands sliding down her ribs, gripping her thighs to wrap her legs around his hips. He shoved her against the wall of the shower and rubbed his growing cock against her slick sex. They both groaned at the contact.

  “I’m going to fuck you, kitten,” Josh growled. “Do you think you can take me?”

  Whether or not she could, Mikaela was sure as hell going to try. No doubt about it! “Oh, yes, Josh. I want you to fuck me.”

  He slid his cock to her opening and pushed inside. She wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted up a little to let gravity help his invasion. She was a little sore from last night, but that only heightened the sensation for her. It didn’t take long before he was fully seated inside her, and they both sighed with the small victory.

  “God, kitten, what are you doing to me?”

  His plea was so raw that Mikaela felt her throat tighten. Even though she was unable to speak, Josh didn’t wait for a response. He started plunging into her.

  She held on tightly, listening to their shallow breaths and heated grunts, feeling his complete and total possession of her. He squeezed her as
s as he mercilessly thrust into her, pinning her to the wall. Even at the height of passion, she was able to discern that his earlier comment could be construed as a sign of emotional weakness, but his actions now were nothing short of domination.

  She gasped as her orgasm suddenly rocked her. He jostled her weight to one hand and lifted the other to grab her hair. His mouth closed over hers to capture her sounds of ecstasy, but then she was the one stifling his moan as he came. While he was still moaning with his climax, he pulled his hand out of her hair and ripped his mouth off hers, turning his face away. He pounded his fist against the tile and dug his head into his shoulder, whimpering.

  Mikaela turned to face Josh and nuzzled the back of his head, wondering why he was looking away from her.

  “Josh?” she whispered.

  He shook his head, but after several seconds, he looked up and slowly eased her down. He cleared his throat as he finally faced her and started to smile, but he quickly dropped his forehead to hers before kissing her softly. He was hiding something from her, but she didn’t understand what. She pulled away to ask him and saw blood running down his arm.

  “What happened?” she asked, pulling his arm under the spray to rinse it off.

  “I guess I bit down too hard to keep from crying out.” He gave her a half smile as he pulled his arm free, but then sighed, looking distraught and closing his eyes while resting his forehead against hers again. “Mikaela, kitten, we didn’t use any protection.”

  Ah, that explained it. Not a very responsible way to act, but at least it wasn’t as bad as he’d feared. She took a deep breath. “Not that I’m condoning that, but I am on birth control. And, er, I’m clean.”

  “That’s good. Me, too, on the latter.” He smiled briefly, but still kept his eyes closed. She figured he’d be relieved, but he really didn’t seem mollified at all.

  Why was that?

  * * * *

  Josh knew he needed to tell Mikaela something and fast. He didn’t have to worry about birth control or diseases. He could only reproduce with a mate, and his kind seemed impervious to any illness that affected reproduction.

  But coming inside her would leave a scent far stronger than if he were in his feline form and rubbed his scent glands all over her. His brothers, his father, would know as soon as they smelled her that he’d marked her with his scent. Even worse, his feline would sense it too. He already had enough control issues with fighting his feral self. When he was making love to her, he had to look away from her again to keep from sinking his fangs into her throat and taking her. He wanted to so badly that he bit himself to keep from biting her. And now he’d have to contend with the added attraction of his scent mixed with hers. She already smelled exquisite before.

  Now she’d be his own personal catnip.

  And his family would know.

  “Can you take the day off?” Josh asked her as he picked up the soap and started washing her.

  “Yeah, I guess so. Why?”

  “We have a cave at the south side of the property I’d like to show you.” And keep you away from the family until I figure out what the hell I’m going to do.

  She smiled at him. “That sounds like fun. We can head out after breakfast.”

  “No. We need to wait until the sun comes up before we head out.” He leaned down and kissed her gently, letting his lips linger on hers. “And, ummm, I was thinking I’d bring you breakfast in bed.”

  Her smile seemed an acceptance, so they rinsed off and got out of the shower.

  “So you’re not freaked out about the condom thing?” she asked timidly as they donned their robes.

  Josh took a deep breath and gave her a genuine smile. “Am I that transparent?” he asked with a small chuckle.

  She briefly smiled. “I just don’t want you to be worried.”

  Josh pulled her into his arms, stroking her back. “I just want to do what’s best for you, Mikaela, and losing control like that makes me feel like I let you down.” Which was the truth. She just wouldn’t fully understand the reasons.

  “Well, we’ll be more careful next time.”

  He growled playfully. “You keep talking like that, kitten, and we won’t make it to the cave.”

  After seeing her back to her room and telling her to snuggle back in bed, Josh went down to the dining room. His family was already eating when he walked in. Of course his dad gave him the third degree about dragging his ass this morning, but he just shrugged him off. He only had one opportunity to sell this, and he couldn’t muck it up.

  “I ran into Mikaela last night when I left,” Josh said casually, sipping his coffee.

  Thomas put his cup down. “What? When? When you were out running?”

  “Yeah. I shifted before she saw me, and we talked. She misses her fiancé and said something about spending the day in town to do some shopping to make herself feel better.” He sighed and looked down, hoping this shit he was trying to sell would be bought.

  Thomas cleared his throat. “You knew she was taken, Josh.”

  “It doesn’t make it any easier, Dad.”

  His brothers got up, and Thomas sighed, dropping his napkin and standing up, too. “C’mon. Working will take your mind off things.”

  Josh ran his hands through his hair and looked down. “I-I don’t feel like it. I didn’t get any sleep last night. I think I’m going to just go back to bed for a while. Do you think you can handle everything without me today?” he asked, not looking up.

  “Josh, don’t let this get to you. I—”

  “Too late, Dad. But you’re right… She’s taken, and she’s not going to be in the house today, so I’m going back to bed. I’ll meet up with you tonight for the run.” He pushed himself away from the table and headed for the door.

  “Josh,” Jack said, making as if to follow.

  “Let him go,” Thomas said. “We can handle it today.”

  Josh waited around the corner for them to leave, and then he snuck back into the dining room, made a plate, and grabbed some coffee. He made it back up to Mikaela’s room without detection and hoped his dad and brothers believed the story he’d fed them.

  When Josh walked in, he discovered she’d fallen back asleep. Looking at her with her naked shoulders exposed and hair strewn across the pillow stole the breath from his lungs. He set down the pilfered items and locked her door before shrugging out of his clothes. He crawled in bed behind her, snuggled up against her back, and wrapped his arm around her waist. She stirred but didn’t wake, and Josh was relieved. He could purr at this contact without worry.

  And he did until he fell asleep with her in his arms.

  Josh awoke later that morning to soft kisses on his cheek, and he couldn’t help but smile.

  “Good morning, sleepyhead.”

  He tightened his arms around her. “Good morning, kitten. I love waking up with you.”

  “Umm, I can tell.” Mikaela rubbed her hand down his chest and wrapped her fingers around his dick.

  He turned into her with a chuckle that quickly turned into a groan when she tightened her fist around him. He slid his hand up her thigh, hooked her leg over his hip, and lightly traced his fingertips along her inner thigh to her wet heat at the apex of her legs. She moaned and bent her head back onto the pillow. He closed his mouth over the beating pulse in her neck and sucked while sinking two fingers into her pussy, making her cry out his name. She pumped him faster, and he murmured words of lust through panting breaths.

  “I want you to come inside me,” Mikaela breathed.

  His guttural sound made her clutch him tighter. “Oh, fuck, we—I don’t have any condoms on me.” It amazed him that he was able to even say that.

  She stopped stroking him, and he made a small sound of protest, stopping his own ministrations. “Don’t stop! I’m so close,” Mikaela pleaded.

  Josh continued fingering her while he rubbed himself against her leg since she hadn’t started stroking him again. “Ah, kitten, I want to feel your hands on me.” She
gasped and grabbed his arm, and he could feel her pussy squeezing around his fingers as she came.

  She pushed his shoulders back and sat astride him, sucking her juices off his fingers. She started rocking against his cock. “Tell me how you want it, Josh. Say it.”

  He grabbed her hips to grind harder against her. “Oh, kitten, you’re going to make me come like this,” he rasped.

  “Is that what you want?” She grabbed his wrists and held them above his head. She eased up so that his cock barely made contact with her pussy. He knew he could pull his arms free, but he rather liked her taking charge. “Or do you want to come on my tits or in my mouth?”

  “Fuck, Mikaela, I’m going to come just from you talking like that.” He thrust upward to deepen the contact, but she moved up to prevent it. She leaned down and kissed his ear.

  “Say it, Josh.”

  “Your mouth. Put me in your mou—” He gasped when she quickly moved and took all of him into the wet haven he wanted. “Yes. Yes!”

  She sucked him hard, and he snapped up in the bed, pulling her hair up to watch. Her ass was hiked in the air, and he caressed it as he watched her suck him off. So damn beautiful.

  It didn’t take long. Within moments, he was biting down on his bottom lip to keep from crying out when he came down her throat.

  Josh pulled her to him, stroking her hair for what seemed like forever. Then needing to remedy the condom situation, he left to scour the cabins, collecting all that he’d found before returning to the warmth of her bed, her arms.

  They never made it to the cave. They spent the day in bed, talking, laughing, playing. Loving.

  His feline self had never been so content, and he’d never been as united to the animal as he was in this moment. He felt whole, and it was all Mikaela’s doing.

  But by the end of the day, he still didn’t know how he was going to explain everything to his father.