N. Walters - Finding Chrissten

Hank was a revelation to her, reminding her that not all men were abusive jerks. Intellectually, she already knew that. After all, she had two brothers who were both examples of what a good man was. But in her heart she’d feared they might be the only ones. Irrational, to be sure, but considering everything she’d been through she’d cut herself some slack.

“Sleep.” He eased down onto the bed beside her. He was on top of the covers and she was tucked beneath. She felt warm and safe and cared for.

“Wake me early.” She needed a shower before her brothers showed up in the morning. Craig might not notice anything different, but Quinn would surely smell the essence of her climax on her skin and nightgown.

“I will.”

She knew he understood without her having to explain it. Hank seemed to understand her better than anyone else she’d ever met. She snuggled against his body and released a sigh, totally relaxed.

As she started to drift off to sleep, she wondered what it would be like to touch his skin, to have the muscles rippling beneath her palms. What would it be like to touch his cock and make him come?

Maybe it was too soon for them to have intercourse, that’s assuming she could even find the courage to do so, but there were other things they might do. If she was brave enough to reach out and take them, the possibilities were limitless.

Hank tilted his head down and let the cool water rush over the back of his neck and down his body. He was so hot he was surprised he wasn’t steaming. The cold shower did little to alleviate the sexual arousal riding him.

With his eyes closed, he could still see Chrissten when he woke her this morning. She’d given him a sleepy, sexy smile that had made him want to roll her onto her back, slide into her hot depths and fuck her until they both screamed with pleasure.

Instead, he’d gotten her out of the bed and into the shower. It had been pure torture to have to listen to the rush of water over her skin and know she was naked behind that closed door, rubbing soap over her lush breasts and between her slick thighs.

To distract himself, he’d changed the sheets on the bed and aired out the room. Chrissten had still been in the shower when Bethany had come knocking on her door, and Hank had taken the opportunity to slip away, needing some time alone.

He hadn’t gone downstairs, had not wanted to face any of the others yet. Instead, he’d gone up to the roof and watched the city come to life, the traffic getting thicker as the morning went on.

When his body was finally under control, he went back to his apartment, grateful to find the women were gone downstairs for breakfast. He’d slipped into the shower and cranked the water up to cold.

Which was where he found himself now. Shivering but still aroused.

“Fuck it.” He turned down the cold. The water warmed gradually and he lifted his face, letting it cascade down his front. His cock was at full attention, the cold shower had done nothing to alleviate the persistent ache. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this horny. He hadn’t been this bad when he was a teenager. There was something about Chrissten that kept him on edge and his body primed.

He grabbed the cake of soap from the ledge and rubbed it between his large hands. When he had a substantial lather, he dumped the bar back into the tray and grabbed his cock. There was only one way to get rid of his hard-on since he didn’t anticipate having sex anytime in the next ten minutes.

He gripped his shaft and squeezed. Soapy bubbles frothed from between his fingers and coated his penis.

He closed his eyes and reveled in the pressure. It felt good, but it wasn’t nearly enough. Visions of Chrissten ran through his mind like a movie. Chrissten smiling. Chrissten sleeping. Chrissten’s soft, lush breasts and long, shapely legs. Oh, yeah. Picturing her naked was easy. Her image was burned onto his brain.

Hank pumped his hand up and down, the soap making it slide easily. His testicles were tight. Heavy. He’d almost come a couple of times last night, but somehow managed to keep it together. He deserved a medal for that.

He wanted Chrissten so bad he could taste it. He licked his lips, easily remembering the salty, sweet taste of her skin. He’d wanted to go down on her and bury his face between her slender thighs. But that would have been too much too soon.

Patience. He needed to woo her with patience. Even if it killed him.

His hand jerked up and down, pumping hard. What would her hand feel like wrapped around his cock? The warm water caressed the head of his shaft. It was all too easy to imagine it was Chrissten’s hot mouth closed over him.

He groaned, hips jerking as he came, white liquid spilling onto his hand before being washed away. He didn’t stop until he’d drained himself. He knew the temporary relief wouldn’t last, but it was welcome.

The water was turning cold again. “Shit.” The hot water had run out. Hank grabbed the soap and made quick work of washing himself. As soon as he was rinsed off, he turned off the water. The silence surrounded him. He grabbed a towel and rubbed it over his head before wrapping it around his hips.

The mirror was covered in a filmy coating of steam and he used the side of his hand to swipe enough away so he could see himself. Pale blue eyes stared back at him. Determination was etched on his face.

A layer of thick stubble covered his jaw. He rubbed a hand over his face. He definitely needed to shave. He couldn’t kiss Chrissten without leaving a mark on her skin. He hated being away from her for even five minutes. Intellectually, he knew she was safe enough downstairs with the others. There were at least three pureblooded males and several other half-breeds watching her.

Still, Hank knew he wouldn’t feel settled until he could see her with his own two eyes. He grabbed his electric razor and started to shave. The quicker he finished here the quicker he could see Chrissten again.

Chrissten’s gaze kept sneaking back to the door that separated the club from the stairwell to the apartments upstairs. There was still no sign of Hank. It surprised her that he hadn’t joined them for breakfast. Of course, he’d spent all night watching over her. The man was probably sick of her by now. He had a life of his own. Things to do. He couldn’t be with her all the time.

The entire pack was here with the exception of Hank. Joshua and Alex were here as well. Thankfully, Donovan Brody was absent. Chrissten wasn’t up to dealing with her biological father until she’d had her coffee. He was expected later today.

Her stomach fluttered and she placed her hand over it to try to settle it. She had to be realistic. Hank didn’t belong to her, wasn’t her man anymore than she was his woman.

Yes, last night had been wonderful, but nothing could ever come of it. She was mated until death to another male.

But that didn’t stop her from wanting and wondering.

“You feeling all right?” Bethany leaned over to whisper softly while the rest of the men chatted about the scores from last night’s baseball game. The season was barely underway but the men were already into it.

“I’m fine.” The last thing she wanted was for anyone to discover what was going on between her and Hank. “I didn’t sleep well last night.” Partly truth. Partly a lie. She’d slept great once Hank had joined her in bed, holding her in his arms.

“Bad dreams?” Sympathy tinged Bethany’s voice. Anger shot through Chrissten. She knew her friend meant well, but she didn’t want anyone pitying her.

She straightened her shoulders and forced herself to shrug. “It’s nothing.” It was time for her to start making plans. She could feel Bethany’s gaze on her but didn’t look at the other woman.