S. Yule - Lycan Redemption

“As tempting as that is, I can’t.”

“The offer will always be there. That and the getting-me-out-of-my-clothes deal.”

She knew he was teasing her, yet she was also certain that he meant exactly what he said. She had to get out of the barn and away from him for a while before she threw all caution to the wind and did something she’d regret. What? Like sleep with a totally hot man who just said he doesn’t sleep around? Yeah. That would be horrible, wouldn’t it?

He stepped even closer, crowding her personal space, and her body temperature shot up several degrees. He bent toward her, and she thought he might kiss her again, but his lips stopped a scant inch before touching her mouth.

“Are you among most women?”

She frowned for a moment, not understanding what he was asking. Then it hit her. She’d told him he was a man most women would be interested in.

“Um, I—um . . .”

He chuckled, caressed her cheek lightly with his thumb, then retreated.

“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” he said before getting back to cleaning the scattered hay from the floor.

“I’ll leave some sandwiches in the fridge for you. Whenever you get hungry, feel free to come to the house and get them. I’ll have a hot dinner ready tonight. I think we could all use it. I’m probably going to hang out with Patrick the rest of the afternoon since it doesn’t appear the rain is going to let up anytime soon. If you need anything, let me know.”

“Thank you.”

He couldn’t get the taste of her off his tongue. Nor did he wish to. No matter how many seconds, hours, years that passed from this day on, he’d remember her scent, her unique flavor. He’d never desired anyone, anything as fervently in his years of existence. That was saying a lot since he was older than fucking dirt. When she’d been pressed up against him, and her tongue had been dancing with his, he’d nearly lost his mind.

Even now his wolf howled for release, whined, and plead for its mate. He took a deep breath and turned his focus to the work needing done in the barn for the rest of the day. He hoped it was enough of a distraction to keep his mind off of Myka and what he wanted to do to her. It worked for the most part. The physical labor sidelined his lust, but he found himself thinking about all of the other things that made Myka a desirable woman.

The way she blushed. Her dedication to Patrick. Her sheer will and determination to be a good mother and provider. The way she laughed—a rich, genuine sound that warmed his soul. Her honesty and frankness. The way her blue-violet eyes seared his soul each time they rested upon him.

A low growl emanated from his chest. This was not going to happen. The situation was impossible. Every part of him wanted to stay, wanted to fight for what was his, even though it would be selfish of him to do so. His presence here invited danger to her doorstep. How would he cope if something happened to her or Patrick because of him? The answer was simple. He would go insane with guilt. But he didn’t want to leave. Not only for his own selfish reasons, but because she needed his help. Because Patrick needed him. Because whether she realized it or not, she needed him.

“It’s better that she is lacking help than hurt or dead.” He chastised himself as he hammered a nail into the last replacement board on the stall.

He stood and patted the gelding who’d been sniffing at him on the head.

“Sorry for all the noise, Buddy.” He smiled when the horse snorted, and reached out to rub him on the neck. “I bet you and Patrick get along wonderfully.”

He moved on to Chloe, Myka’s mare, next. She was bigger, but lean and muscular. He scratched her shoulder, and Chloe’s eyes half closed as if in bliss from the attention.

“A beautiful girl for a beautiful girl,” he murmured.

Although Myka was far from a girl. She was all warm woman and curves. He gave Sally, Pete, Dusty, and Lady quick rubs as well before putting the tools up and heading for his room in the back of the barn. The rain still fell in a steady sheet as it had been since morning. The soothing quality of rain had always called to him.

He stripped off his clothes and started the shower. After stepping under the warm spray, he rested his head against the cool tiles covering the walls. Why did he have to find the most wonderful woman in the world now? Why had fate put him on a dangerous path that could ultimately affect his mate? He’d lived hundreds of years without so much as a glimpse of a mate, and now that his life was fucked up, there she was.

Because life is great at knowing the exact moment when to fuck you, the exact moment it will have the most impact on you.

He had to leave. Tonight. If he didn’t leave tonight, he doubted his ability to do so later. He squeezed his eyes shut and thought of Myka. Those gorgeous eyes tinged with a hint of violet. The inky black hair that he longed to bury his face in, yearned to feel slide over his naked flesh as he took her. His cock swelled, and he groaned. Images of her tiny body packed with surprisingly curvy hips tauntingly flitted through his brain. And her tempting, perky breasts. He groaned. He was sure they would fit perfectly in his hands.

He thought of how he’d dip his head and swirl his tongue around her nipples, laving and gently nipping them into stiffened, rosy peaks. How she’d moan, arch her back, give him access to what he sought. She would be a generous lover, a lover who would give as much as she took. He wanted to eat her alive, nibble, lick, and suck every naked inch of her golden skin.

He reached down and encircled his engorged cock, amazed that there was any blood left in his brain, and stroked it from base to tip as he imagined sliding between Myka’s thighs and into the creamy heat that awaited him. She would be tight, and he’d stretch her to the point of pain, but in the end, they’d come together in unblemished unison.

He widened his feet and stroked his shaft faster. He laid his other palm flat against the wall and leaned against it. She’d be silky soft, and hot. Her muscles would clench around his cock in pulses. She’d tighten around him until he was nearly strangled. She’d cry out his name as she thrashed under him, and as he filled her again and again, he’d come inside her as she screamed out his name, clawed at his back, and came with him.

He grunted as he stroked up on his cock, and his release shot from the head in spurts of warm liquid that drenched his fist. He leaned his forehead against the cool tile as he panted. Walking away from her was going to be the hardest thing he’d ever have to do.

“Aren’t you hungry, Patrick?” Myka watched him push his food around on the plate.

“Not really. I’m tired.”

“It has been a long, dreary day. Although after our lazy afternoon together, I figured you’d be raring to go this evening.”

She smiled at Galen, who sat across from her at the table. He, unlike Patrick, had been enthusiastic about eating, and was currently working his way through a second helping. She didn’t know how he could eat so much and look as good as he did. Although to be fair, he had skipped lunch this afternoon. When she’d gone to see if he’d be joining them for dinner, he was standing at the doors of the barn, peering into the still-spattering rain. He was dressed in dark jeans that hugged him in all the right places, showing off every hard edge of his fabulous rear and long, straight legs. The dark blue T-shirt was no less flattering. It splayed over his wide chest and shoulders, and formed around his six-pack like a second skin.

His hair had been damp, and at that very moment, she’d wished that she was one of those types of girls who had one-night flings. She had no doubt he’d be pure heat between the sheets. But she wasn’t, and never would be, that type. She could never have sex with someone she barely knew, then walk away as easily as if walking away from a good movie she would remember fondly at times, but carry no emotional ties to.