Alpha Ever After (Midnight Liaisons Book 5) Read online

  I take it from him and unscrew the cap...and then pour the water all over my front. It's ice cold but it feels so good against my skin. Once it's gone, I toss the bottle aside and then drag my hands over my wet t-shirt, making sure he can see the diamond-hard tips of my nipples that are just begging for his mouth. "Don't you want to touch me?"

  His hand rakes through his hair and he looks tortured. "More than anything. But you don't want this."

  "I can't stop it. I just hurt and ache and need," I say, and my hand goes back toward my pants again.

  "Savannah," he groans, moving back toward the bed. He catches my hand before I can stick it back in my pants again. "If I do this, you'll hate me."

  "I'll hate you even more if you leave me like this and one of your cousins finds me."

  That gets his attention. His eyes flare with a possessive gleam, and it makes me wet all over again.

  "I'm so needy," I tell him, and I tug at the wet shirt, desperate to get it off me. It bunches up at my neck, since I can’t move it over the stupid collar. Whatever. I leave it there. “Please, Connor."

  He stills my hands again, and the look that crosses his face is tormented. It's on the tip of my tongue to tell him I'm a virgin, but I suspect that will make his mind up in the opposite direction. So instead, I touch him. I reach up and caress his cheek, my thumb dragging over his lips. He's so beautiful. I can't believe I find a werewolf sexy, but just looking at Connor is making my pussy clench. He doesn't pull away when I touch him, so I trail my fingers down his neck, tease at the collar of his shirt, and then drop all the way to his cock. It's tenting the front of his pants and it's clear that he's erect and straining.

  And I moan, because I want this so badly.

  He pulls out his wallet and digs through it.

  "What are you doing?" I ask breathlessly, stroking my hand up and down his hard package. He's so big. He's also not pulling away like I’m offending him.

  "Looking for a condom." Connor pulls a small packet out of his wallet, studies it intently, and then sighs in relief. "Not expired."

  I hadn't even thought about birth control. Being a virgin, i've never really considered it. And male shifters can't make a woman pregnant unless she's in heat. If Connor has a condom, it means it's for dating humans, who might have diseases.

  The thought makes me oddly possessive. "Put it on," I demand.

  "We'll get there." He puts it down on the floor and then tosses his wallet next to it. "How about we undress first?"

  "Make it quick," I say, and tug at my own wet clothing again. It sticks to my skin and I'm sweaty and uncomfortable, but I don't care as long as I get laid in the next few minutes. Nothing matters to me right now except the need overtaking my body.

  He nods and yanks his shirt off over his head, and I suck in a breath at all that tanned, muscular chest. He's utterly gorgeous. I bite my lip and run my hand over his skin, and he groans and kisses my palm before undoing his pants.

  I'm a little shocked at the size of the cock that emerges from his boxers. Maybe it's because I haven't had sex before, but he seems huge. I can't stop stroking him with my hand, though, and with each touch, his movements get faster until he's ripping his clothing off.

  Awesome.

  "Now you," he says, and leans over me.

  I touch the collar at my neck. "I can't take my shirt off because of this--"

  His big hands go to my collar and he rips the material open, right down the front. I gasp in delight. "Yes. Keep going."

  He snaps my bra next, right between the breasts, and they spill free, sensitive and swollen. I touch my nipples and a hiss escapes me at how tender they are.

  "Take my jeans off," I tell him, and fumble with the zipper. I'm shaking with need. He tugs the heavy fabric free and then my soaked panties are the only thing left. I slide them down my hips, kicking them off, and then he moves on top of me. His mouth captures mine on a hot kiss, and his hand goes to cup my breast.

  I whimper because it feels less sexy and more...overstimulated. There's only one thing that can cure the way I feel, and foreplay's not going to do it. I wrap my legs around him as his mouth claims mine, and my hips buck.

  "Slow down, baby," he whispers. "We have all night. I've got you--"

  "Hurts," I tell him. This isn't fun for me. This is just a purely animal act. I don't want to explore or kiss for hours. I need relief. "Please, Connor. Just get inside me and fuck me. The heat is killing me."

  He kisses me on the mouth, over and over again. "We'll do it fast once for relief, and then after that we'll take our time. I promise."

  I nod, my nails digging into his back as I try to tighten my legs around him. "Hurry."

  Despite my clinging, he manages to reach over the side of the bed and then pulls out the condom. I release him just enough for him to roll it on down his length. He smooths the latex all the way down to the base of his cock and then moves over me again, his heavy weight oddly comforting as he lies atop me.

  "You sure you want me to go fast?"

  "So sure. Please, please Connor. Every second is agony." I can't stop writhing under him, my hips undulating with need.

  He kisses me again, and his hand goes to my hip, moving my leg around his waist again. I eagerly spread both of my legs, digging my heels into his ass as my arms go around his neck. I feel him fit the head of his cock to my entrance and I suck in a breath.

  "You wet enough?"

  I don't know - it isn't like I'm a pro. But I'm so ready to get this crawling need out of my system that I nod.

  He pushes forward and I suck in a breath at the sharp stab of pain. But it feels strangely...good. He's filling me. I dig my nails into his back and lift my hips, encouraging him because he's still moving too slow.

  "Christ, you're tight," he murmurs. "You okay?"

  I'm a mixture of pain and pleasure, but I nod. "More, Connor. Give me more."

  The breath hisses out of him and he surges forward.

  I bite back the yelp that nearly explodes from me, because that hurt. But once the initial flinch of pain is over, I feel...filled. The restless itching in my body is starting to abate. "Oh god, yes."

  "Fuck," he says, and starts to pull out. He sits up, ignoring my whimpers of protest. "Condom broke."

  "I don't care," I say, clinging to him. "I need you, Connor. I don't care about the condom."

  "But--"

  "if you stop now it's going to kill me," I tell him, and put his hand on one of my sensitive breasts. "Just take it off and keep going."

  His eyes widen, and then he leans down and kisses me fiercely. "You sure you want to do this?"

  At this point? I'd do it with anyone that walked in that door. I nod. I just want relief. I'll deal with the consequences later. "Just keep going."

  "Let me take this off, then," he slides out of me and then freezes. "You're bleeding."

  "I'm fine--"

  "Are you a virgin?" He stares at me, shocked.

  "Does it matter? I'm not now." I reach for him again, brushing my fingers down one strong arm. "And I'm still in heat. Can we please just get on with it?"

  "If you're sure..."

  I pull him down over me and kiss him. That convinces him, and I feel him pulling the torn pieces of latex off his cock. He gives it a quick stroke when he's done, and then slides back into me. His eyes close. "Damn, Savannah, you feel amazing."

  I don't answer him. I can't. My body's too tense and ready to explode.

  He moves then, stroking in and out of me, and I moan. It feels good. I twitch, and then wrap my legs around him again, pulling him in deeper. Connor strokes into me, gently at first, and then with increasing speed.

  "Harder," I encourage. "Harder."

  His skin is slick with sweat but he gives me what I need, and by the time an orgasm blasts through me, he's fucking me so hard that I'm being shoved across the bed with each thrust. A small scream escapes my throat when I come, and then Connor growls, sounding wolf-like. He surges and then his body quakes
with his own release, only to fall over me a moment later.

  I sigh, wrapping slippery arms around him. For the moment, I feel good. The heat doesn't feel like it's gone away, but the horrible itching under my skin has ceased. "Thank you."

  Connor brushes a strand of damp hair off my face. "I love you, Savannah. I’ve always loved you.”

  I am momentarily shocked into silence, because that's the last thing I expected to hear from an Anderson werewolf. I can't think of what to say. My mind is muddy and full of weirdness thanks to the heat, so I don't trust anything that I'm thinking at the moment.

  He touches my cheek gently. “I’m going to do right by you and our baby. I promise."

  I can't think about things like that right now. About the idea of having the child of an Anderson wolf. Of a baby that’s going to be part of this horrible pack. Of being a mother. Of anything beyond the scent of Connor in my nose and on my skin. Instead of answering him, I just lean in and kiss him gently on the mouth.

  He pulls me against him, his hand tangling in my hair, and takes control of the kiss, making it deep and possessive.

  And after a few moments, I forget about everything except his touch. The world can wait.

  5

  CONNOR

  By the time Savannah's heat is sated, dawn has moved into midday, I'm utterly exhausted, and the happiest man alive.

  Over and over, we've had sex. Rough sex. Tender sex. Slow sex. Quick sex. Savannah's heat demanded more and more, and just when I thought I couldn't take another round, she'd touch me and my cock would rise instantly.

  I look over at the sweaty woman on the mattress next to me. She's sleeping, as tired as I am. Her hair's damp with sweat and the mattress we lie on reeks of sweat and sex. We're almost out of bottled water, and I'm extra glad that I've been bringing by more with each visit, because we've gone through so much water that I'm surprised we don't float away.

  She gives a small sigh in her sleep and I press a kiss to her forehead, then roll out of the bed. I hate that she's still collared, but I don't have the key. It's something I'm going to have to confront my uncle about.

  Now that there's Savannah and the baby to think about, everything has to change. I can't be beta to him any longer. Not if he's going to interfere with our relationship. Our child might be wolf, or it might be cougar. I'll love it either way.

  Just like I love its mother.

  Making love to Savannah was like every fantasy I've ever had come to life. I'm humbled that she was a virgin, and it increases my possessiveness. I'm the only man she's ever known. I shouldn't care - I'd love her if she'd come to me virgin or not, but knowing that she trusted me with her body just added another level to things.

  I head out into the hall and pick up my phone, checking for messages. Sad to say, but I've been hiding my phone from Savannah. She's captive here, and if she got a hold of it, one quick call would take her out of my world forever. I can't let that happen. Not until we figure out how this is going to work out between us.

  I'll make it work. I don't care how. I have my mate and child to fight for.

  There's a message from Gracie. Check in. I told th othrs I'd watch her but u need 2 let me no whats going on...

  God bless Gracie. Despite the fact that Levi's her uncle, she doesn't like the kidnapping situation any more than I do. Not because she cares about Savannah, but because she worries that things are going to blow back on the pack...and she's not wrong. She knows that I've volunteered to spend time with Savannah and took her shift. She doesn't know all the details yet, but she knows I like Savannah.

  I'm sure Gracie can put two and two together. Maybe not the heat part, but I'm sure she knows I'm getting laid.

  I'm here, I send back. I've got the next shift too. No need to send anyone.

  The last thing I want is for someone to come by and smell the heavy scent of sex in the house.

  K, she sends back immediately. Will stall if I can. Uncle Levi’s out meeting with some1 so b careful.

  I will. She can count on it. Savannah is my everything, now. Let my uncle try and come between us. This time, I won't give in. Ever.

  As I contemplate this, my phone shivers with an incoming text. It's Gracie again. Uncle Levi just came thru. Says deal is on! Gonna pick up ur girl in the am. Says 2 have Savannah ready.

  Fuck. That's not enough time. I bare my teeth at my phone, frustrated. So soon? I want more time with Savannah. She’s my mate, cougar or not, and I want to crawl back into bed with her and love her for a bit longer.

  I worry what this deal means if we're really getting a female wolf member of the pack. Feels like shit's about to hit the fan.

  I dig around in the snacks I have downstairs and find one last bottle of water, along with a small bag of trail mix. I ditch my phone and bring both upstairs, dreading telling Savannah the news.

  She's still sleeping peacefully when I open the door, one hand curled under her cheek. I don't want to wake her up and give her the bad news just yet. I want to protect her for just a bit longer. So I set the food and drink down next to the bed, climb in, and cuddle up next to her.

  At least we have until tomorrow morning.

  SAVANNAH

  By the time daylight peeks through the clouds on day two of my heat, I can safely say the urge to mate is gone.

  Thank god. I'm tired of sex. I mean, it's great and all, but right now it's like ice cream for me - even ice cream gets old if you have to force it down your throat twenty-four-seven for nearly two days in a row.

  I stretch and yawn, glancing around the dirty, dusty room. Connor's curled up around my side, and the stiff cock prodding into my backside tells me that I must be the only one tired of sex. I pat his hand. "Connor?"

  "Mmm?" He kisses my shoulder and his hand tightens around my breast. "Hello, beautiful."

  "I have to pee," I tell him. "Can you leave the room for a minute?"

  He gives me one last kiss, then bounds out of bed and pads out of the room, seemingly all energy. Me? I feel wrung out.

  But that's over and done with, I suppose. Now I'll just have to live with the consequences.

  I'm not a virgin anymore. Whatever relationship I had with Chris? That's dead and gone now that I've slept with someone else. And if the odds aren't in my favor? (and let's face it, they haven't been in my favor much lately) then I'm also likely knocked up with Connor's child.

  I'm not entirely sure how I feel about that just yet. Granted, there weren't many options. I tug at the chain around my neck and grimace as I haul myself from bed.

  I take care of my business, then sit on the edge of the bed and wait for Connor to return.

  He does a few minutes later, and to my surprise, he's dressed and has a shirt for me. It's a button-up and flannel, so a bit overwarm for this weather. I don't need a long sleeved shirt. I need a shower. I wave it off and curl back up on the bed. "I don't want to put that on while I'm so dirty."

  "I wish you had more of a choice," he says, and I notice his expression is tight and unhappy. "But Levi and the rest of the pack are on the way."

  I take the shirt from him and shrug it on. "So early? What's the deal?" He doesn't answer right away and a sour knot forms in my stomach. "Connor?"

  He licks his lips and then rakes a hand through his still-sweat-damp hair. "They want to do the exchange this morning."

  The knot moves to my throat. It takes a moment before I can speak, and I automatically tug at the hateful collar around my neck. "They're letting me go?"

  "Yeah."

  "This morning?"

  He nods.

  I exhale sharply. "Wow, that is some shitty timing."

  He flinches, and the expression on his face grows shuttered. "Why is that shitty?"

  Is he joking? "Because of my heat?" When he continues to stare at me stiffly, I add, "Connor, it's not like I chose this. I didn't wake up and think, gee, you know what would be awesome? If I got kidnapped right before I go into heat. That'll sure save me an awkward conversation with
my boyfriend."

  "Boyfriend?" His voice is flat. “No need to bring him up again. You're mine." I can practically hear the growl in his voice.

  Seriously? Does he think I have Stockholm Syndrome? "You can't think I wanted this. Any of this."

  The look on his face says just that, and I inwardly cringe. “What do you call what happened between us?" he demands.

  "Making the best of a bad situation?"

  His nostrils flare and he looks so angry. And...dare I say it, hurt. The flash of hurt is quickly masked again, though. "You threw yourself at me."

  "Of course I did! I was in heat and my choices were limited! I wasn't in control of myself! It's not like I knew when you guys would release me, because then I might have been able to hold out..." My voice dies as a horrible thought occurs to me. Connor sure didn't fight hard against my heat. And no one's been by to check on me while it's been going on. That’s awful…convenient. “You knew they were going to release me.”

  His silence is damning.

  It hurts. My fists clench. "You knew they were going to release me today and you didn't say anything?"

  "I didn't know if it was a done deal," he says in that tight, angry voice. "I--"

  "Used me," I yell. "I can't believe you used me like that!"

  "You begged me!"

  I flinch as if struck. Of course I begged him. I was in pain from the heat. Did he think this was fun for me? So I hurt him, like the way he hurt me. "I had a boyfriend, Connor. I was saving myself for him. Now I might be pregnant with someone else's child. You've ruined my life." He doesn’t need to know the truth. The lie will hurt him like he hurt me.

  Agony moves over his face. "I love you, Savannah. I'll fix this--"

  Love? All he knows how to do is use and manipulate…just like the rest of his pack. I’m such an idiot. I fell for a pretty face, even though it belonged to the enemy. I should have known better. I shake my head. "I don't want you anywhere near me. Ever again."