Coming ine box set, p.164
Coming in Hot: Rescue Me Box Set, page 164
Axel growled in her ear, his tenacious hold on his beast slipping as he continued his assault on her throbbing sex. Over and over he pulled his cock from her heat, slamming back in to her gripping walls hard every time, and the woman loved every moment of it if her cries and groans were any indication. If he wasn't careful, he was going to finish this before they'd even started.
"Do you like that, Cat?" he demanded of her. "Is this what you've been after? What you need?"
"Yes..." She moaned, panting.
He suddenly pulled out of her, a hiss escaping between his teeth, his cock throbbing, dripping their combined juices from the tip. Axel was absolutely beyond reality now. He was burning with need, intoxicated by her scent on him, around him, all vanilla and cinnamon saturating the very air he breathed. Beyond all rational thought anymore, he only knew he needed to have more of her. He was running on pure male animal lust now, and it was damned dangerous. But, he lived for danger.
Without warning, Axel flipped her over, lifted her hips upward and pushed the back of her head down so her cheek rested on the bed, her wrists clasped tightly in his thick, calloused grip. He ran his hand over her fleshy behind, marveling at the creamy softness of her skin. He smacked her ass, hard, watching as his handprint blossomed up on her pale globe, driving his need to mark her as his even higher.
He brought his hand down again on the other side of her ass. Watching her perfect dimpled butt cheek turn a slight shade of pink almost proved to be his undoing. He smacked her again, a little harder this time, and she swayed back and forth absorbing the sting in her generous behind, keening and pushing backward for more.
"Sir, yes. Please, sir, I need..." Caitlin panted, turning her head to look back at him from under thick lashes and pressing her beautiful ass back against his hand, searching.
Sliding his calloused fingers over the blossoming redness of his handprint on her bottom, he sucked in a breath. He loved the way the outline formed on her ass, almost glowed against her soft, pale skin. He leaned down to nip at the back of her neck, his five o'clock shadow chafing against her skin and leaving rosy streaks in the wake of his mouth as he moved over to nibble her shoulder. His wolf was so close to the surface; one slip, one bite and he would mark her for life. He reigned in the beast, forcing himself upward and away from her neck. Shit. He'd almost lost it there for a moment.
Grabbing his hard cock as he moved his other hand to rest on her thick hip, he lined his hardness up with her center and again pushed deep, groaning deep in his throat as her vaginal muscles clamped down on his cock.
She moaned as his fingers dug into her hips, his hands lifting her up and back to meet each deep plunge. He rocked his hips, stroking her pleasure higher. She keened as he passed over the same spot again and again, causing her insides to clamp around him as she reached the edge.
"Harder, please, Ax... Sir." Caitlin's hand clamped onto his hip, her nails biting into his skin, pulling him to her, and she threw her head back as her orgasm crested.
He complied, slamming into her heated core and bringing his hand down on her crimson derriere once more. She screamed again, calling his name as he forced her through one orgasm after another, pistoning in and out faster and faster.
"Axel!" Caitlin wailed.
Hearing her call his name sent him flying over the edge into oblivion. He pushed forward once more, his body stiffening as he released his seed deep inside her.
Breathing heavily, he pulled his still hard shaft from between her thighs, bent to scoop her into his arms, and flopped to his side on the bed cradling her against his chest.
Caitlin snuggled into the crook of his arm, turning her head to gaze up at him, eyelids heavy, panting, the flush of heat in her skin and the sparkle in her eyes affirming her pleasure as she flashed him a small smile before she yawned deeply.
"Sleepy," she slurred out.
"Good. Mission accomplished then." He grinned down at her and winked.
She turned her head back to the pillow, snuggling her behind up to his groin as he held her tighter to his chest.
Then and there Axel realized he truly had no idea how he was ever going to let her go. His wolf howled its displeasure.
Chapter Fourteen
Caitlin scraped up the last of her medium rare steak, slathering it through the remaining butter yellow yolk of the over easy eggs and popped it into her mouth with a groan. A high priced restaurant the Fancy Nancy was not, but damn did they make the best steak she'd ever eaten. Cooked to perfection, the juicy pink morsels literally fell apart in her mouth with each and every bite. Forking the final Cajun spiced home fry off the plate, she sighed in contentment and glanced across the table at Nicholas.
"When did Ax say he'd be back again?" she asked as she watched Nicholas' lips hover over the rim of the white porcelain mug, blowing across the top before taking a tentative sip of the steaming brew.
"Should roll in late tonight, I expect. Probably in the neighborhood of two or so, why?"
"Oh, no reason. Just wondering," Caitlin dropped her gaze. She felt on edge here alone with Nicholas. Like danger surged at every turn when she was around him, only not from him but rather her own heart and soul. She kept trying to push off the attraction she felt, this insane need to feel his hands roving over her body, imprinting his touch on her skin.
"And you're finishing up work in your office, tonight, right?"
Nicholas chuckled, "Yes, kitten. What's with the curious questions? You need someone with you at all times? A babysitter," he teased.
"No!" her sharp retort slipped from her lips before she could suppress the annoyed tone. "I'm simply deciding if I will watch a movie on that huge screen television you boys have or if a relaxing night in bed with a good book is the way to go."
"Well then, by all means be sure whatever you choose to do it's relaxing. You deserve it after the week you've had. I swear, I've never met someone so prone to little accidents as you seem to be. First the jello, then the fish tank, and then tonight when you set my kitchen on fire with fish sticks!" Nicholas flashed her a teasing grin, drained the coffee mug, and stood.
"I did not! They were just slightly over done, that's all. Your oven cooks at a higher temp so you can't blame me for that." Caitlin sulked at the accusation. She was a good cook, even if it was mostly processed foods. She'd made perfect pancakes, hadn't she? One little mishap and she got branded as a lousy cook. Geesh.
"I'll be right back," Nicholas nodded to the front of the eatery where Nan stood behind the till. "Just going to pay our bill and hit the men's room and then we can go." He strode off, leaving Caitlin strewing over his allegations, her mind wandering off on ways to prove to Axel and Nicholas that she really could cook. She had two days left in Landy's Gorge, plenty of meals she could prepare for the two doubters. She'd do it, too. Make them eat their words on the back of a roast pork dinner complete with roasted baby potatoes, crisp garlic buttered green beans, and a home baked apple pie, damn it.
Drifting off on the mental images of the food spread she intended to prepare to torment the men's taste buds and prove her skill, Caitlin startled when a willowy blonde sidled up to the table and slipped into Nicholas' recently vacated seat.
"Caitlin, right?"
The scent of the woman's strong perfume reached her nose and made it twitch. She rubbed the back of her and across the offended appendage, willing the impending sneeze to back off before answering the woman.
"Yes, I'm Caitlin. And you..."
"Rita McNary," the woman flashed a fake smile across the table. "Not going to mince words here, child, so I will come straight to the point. You don't belong here, and Doc is taken so you can just keep your money grubbing fingers off, you hear?"
Caitlin gasped, heat infusing her face. "What? No, you've got it all wrong. I—"
"You think you're the first fresh young thing to think landing Doc with your pert breasts and hungry gaze was sure thing? You're wrong. He may appreciate the goods, let his eyes absorb the sights, but he will always need an experienced woman to fit his needs so you may as well just give up with the blushing smiles and fluttering eyelashes, missy. Nick ain't interested in the likes of you." Rita ground out, flipping her brassy blond locks over her shoulder and sending another waft of choking fragrance Caitlin's way.
"Mrs. McNary, Rita, I assure you," Caitlin met the woman's gaze, breathing through her mouth in an effort to escape the nostril tingling aroma of cheap perfume wafting off the woman from attacking her senses. "There's nothing between Nick and me, and I am leaving in two days so you've zilch to fear from me."
The woman chuckled, her facial features becoming stony. "Not fear, dear, simply saving you the trouble. Stay away from my property and we will have no concerns about your safety, you get me? Nick is mine and I won't have some little tart who just happened into town thinking she has any chance at getting her clutches into my man."
A deep growl rumbled from the woman's throat followed by what Caitlin would swear sounded like a hiss. A flash of yellow followed by absolutely darkness passed in front of Mrs. McNary's eyes that send a chill skating down Caitlin's spine. Wow, this woman had it bad. Something about the way the woman stared at her like she was a piece of meat prepped for her next meal told Caitlin the best course of action was to simply assure the woman there was nothing between her and Nicholas, other than Caitlin's vivid imagination, but it seemed her reassurances weren't registering with the older woman.
"Rita, how nice to see you." Nicholas' gravelly voice appeared behind Caitlin, sending a rush of relief through her.
"Nick, darling, I just stopped by to wish your newest patient well on her future endeavors. I'll be on my way." She slipped from the chair and stood tall beside the table, flashing Caitlin a look of pure hatred. "Ta ta, dear. See you later, Nick," she purred, flashing a toothy smile above Caitlin's head to the man standing beside her.
"Always a pleasure, Rita." Nicholas ground out, his voice icy cold. He clamped a hand on Caitlin's shoulder and she swore she could feel a tension through the touch that hadn't been present earlier.
As the woman flounced away, sashaying her way through the door of the restaurant with an almost visual cloud of scent following in her wake, Caitlin drew in a deep, cleansing breath as the edgy pressure in the room seemed to leave with her. "Whew, what was that about?"
"Long story," Nicholas said through clenched teeth. "One for another time and place. Let's go." He grasped Caitlin around the upper arm, pulling her to her feet and leading her toward the door with a startling roughness she'd never encountered from Nicholas before. The change in the man made her nervous. Authoritative and demanding, yes, that was typical of the alpha wolf she'd come to know, but this tense and rough man simmering with some underlying emotion that felt like anger Caitlin could not yet pin down set her on alert. Something had Nicholas on edge all of a sudden, tarnishing the carefree and happy mood he'd been displaying only moments before as they'd shared dinner. Caitlin wasn't sure what to make of it, but something inside her said she needed to find out for both their sakes. This wasn't the caring and compassionate Doctor she'd come to know this week and she wasn't about to let this unusual and rapid change to his demeanor go without explanation.
She'd find out what was on his mind if it was the last thing she did tonight.
Chapter Fifteen
Nicholas tromped through the sticky, boot-sucking mud, lost in his thoughts of Caitlin and her being alone in the cabin tonight without Axel to keep her entertained. He'd been eying frequently lately as she sat reading in the evenings as he and Axel watched the game, or puttering in the kitchen as she did her best to work within its tiny confines and make a meal for the three of them, or even working the desk in the clinic with an efficiency he only expected from Melody-Anne, especially considering Caitlin was new to the position and didn't know all the ins and outs of his practice yet.
She was competent in a way he'd not expected, taking everything in stride even when Axel had brought in a wolf that was clearly in the midst of a hard labor and needed his assistance with birthing the pups. She hadn't said a word when they'd laid the beast on the very bed she'd vacated only days ago and set to work hydrating the beast and seeing to its comfort while Nicholas checked the mother-to-be over with his stethoscope, listening to the belly of the teeth baring she wolf without flinching.
Hell, he'd stood in the doorway to her room, watching the rise and fall of her chest through the moonlight filtered room until his cock throbbed and his balls pulled up tight at the sinful ideas that ran through his mind. He wanted her, no doubt about it, and he knew she'd been with Axel already so what held him back from letting her know was anyone's guess. The worst she could say was no. Of course, the idea of being with two men in the space of a week wasn't one many women would see as a plus and she could be completely revolted at the idea of sleeping with Nicholas, even if she planned to leave in a few days.
She's leaving.
That thought gouged out his heart, buried itself in his mind and stopped him in his tracks last night when he'd stepped into the room to brush back a stray lock of dark hair from her cheek. He wanted her. His wolf wanted her. Better to be without her at all than to taste the temptation and then be forced to let her leave, right? He growled at the thought.
"Nick, help!"
Nicholas turned at the sound of Caitlin's distress call and his negative mood all but disappeared at the sight of her standing in the mud one foot spread precariously far from the other. Clearly she'd run to catch up with him as he stomped off toward the cabin and with the rain that had plagued the little town lately the roads were a mess with sludge and puddles she couldn't possibly navigate easily in those high heeled black dress boots. Shame filled him at the thought that he'd been so caught up in his emotional turmoil that he'd neglected to see to her welfare while traipsing through the washed out, rutted paths.
Damn, fool. Get your head on straight. This is your patient and your friend. She deserves better than this.
His wolf growled at him, chastising him further for his lack of care and concern for the tiny woman he'd just rescued from certain death.
"Well, hell, kitten, what are you doing?" he laughed loudly at her even as he made his way to her side and grasped her soaked hand in his.
"Don't laugh," she scowled up at him. "It's not funny. I'm stuck in this muck and this rain and cold. Get me out!" Incensed, Caitlin lifted her left foot, trying to pull it free from the mud and only succeeded in pulling her foot from her boot, sending her off balance and tumbling into Nicholas' side.
"Here, I've got you," Nicholas said, grasping her about the waist to steady her. "Let's try to get your foot back in the other boot, okay?" He leaned down, reaching for the errant footwear at the same moment Caitlin shifted her small body and nearly fell from his grasp. He arched, reaching out to grab her, rolling to pull her to his chest even has the sodden ground rushed up to meet him. He landed ass down in a large puddle, Caitlin spanning his knees. Laughter bubbled up in his throat even as slick, cold mire slid down the back of his pants and muddy water soaked through his jeans to the skin in mere seconds.
"Oh my god! I'm so sorry!" Caitlin looked at Nicholas with shear panic reflected in her features. Rain dripped from her raven-colored strands down her face and chest, making the silk blouse see through in two very distinct spots under her light coat.
Nicholas groaned, licking his lips as Caitlin's nipples puckered and rose to thrust at the now transparent, wet fabric. The shiver that snaked down his spine had nothing to do with the frigid water and everything to do with the heat of the woman on his lap, his desire to bury himself deep inside her and watch her face as she screamed his name. The vision of the two of them spread out on his bed, skin-to-skin, bodies twisted in each other, made his cock ache. There was no way Caitlin couldn't feel the erection he sported, the throbbing heat that pressed behind his zipper.
"It's okay, little one. Just a bit of water. No harm done." He cupped her cheek in his palm, reveling as she turned her head to nuzzle against his heat. A possessive growl erupted from his chest as he captured her mouth with his and pulled her body to press tightly against his chest. He could taste her fear in the salty tears mixed in the droplets that covered her full lips and it sent his mind into overdrive. He'd kill her ex if he ever found the man for what he'd done to her. His wolf howled, ripping at his insides with its need to claim his mate.
Mine. Mate.
Caitlin pulled away, panting, her cheeks flushed despite the cold, eyes sparkling in the moonlit darkness. "I need to shower and get cleaned up," she said, her voice as icy as the drizzle that snaked down the back of his neck, effectively breaking the spell between them. "Let me up."
"Kitten, are you okay? If I hurt you—"
"I'm fine, Nick. Just let me up, please. I'm tired and I want to go to bed."
He handed her the errant, muck-covered boot, watching as she pulled it on over her now filthy sock, and then lifted her by the waist until she stood on her own. Rolling to his knees, he pushed himself up from the sludge-covered street.
"Caitlin, if I've done anything to upset you, please tell me." He brushed a stray piece of saturated, gritty hair off her flushed cheek and gazed down into her caramel orbs, searching for answers to her reason for pulling away from him but found nothing.
"I said I'm fine." Caitlin growled out and then stomped off through the puddles, leaving him behind to ponder her strange reaction. Something definitely bothered the woman and he planned to find out what. Tonight. But first, he needed to get this mud and dirt out of the places it had gone where it didn't belong. Twitching his hips to dislodge a particularly uncomfortable bit of silt, he sauntered toward the cottage behind Caitlin, looking forward to a steamy shower and some clean clothing.
Chapter Sixteen
