03-Strength of the Mate (28 page)

Dawson pulled back, looking at Adam with worry in his eyes. “Did I hurt you? I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“N-n-n-o, no. It feels good. I like it,” Adam said quickly, desperate to reassure Dawson.

When Dawson circled his hips, his cock brushed against different nerve bundles inside Adam’s ass. Adam pushed against him, each time Dawson slid into him. Gooseflesh rose on Adam’s skin. These were sensations he’d never felt before, always demanding a fast, rough fuck.

“Is this okay?” Dawson asked, breathing harshly through his parted lips. “Does it feel good?”

“Yeah. Yeah it does,” Adam whispered in reply. He was astounded by the gentle care Dawson showed him.

“Wanna make you feel good,” Dawson whispered in between biting kisses. “Do I make you feel good?”

“Uh-huh. Feels good.” It wasn’t only his body that was feeling so good.

Dawson slid his arms from beneath Adam. He skimmed his hands up Adam’s arms, gently guiding them down onto the bed. Adam grasped Dawson’s hands tightly when he twined their fingers. He stared up into Dawson’s eyes, astonished that neither of them looked away. Dawson used their joined hands to stretch Adam’s arms over his head. Adam kept his fingers tightly locked with Dawson’s, their palms pressed together.

Curling his calves around Dawson’s hips, Adam matched his rhythm. Dawson’s thrusts were strong and steady. Adam gasped when Dawson circled his hips every few strokes. He watched Dawson watching him, not sure what it was he hoped to see. Dawson’s firm grip on Adam’s fingers grounded him. The look of pleasure in Dawson’s eyes sent a thrill racing up his spine.

A rush of fresh blood flooded Adam’s cock. Heat spread through his hips as Dawson assaulted Adam’s senses. He was intensely aware of Dawson inside him, stretching him open with each slow thrust of his hips. It was more than that. Adam felt connected; he was alive.

Dawson’s weight against him, the firm grasp of his fingers, anchored Adam to the moment. His unwavering gaze obliterated all lingering images of dead brothers and wounded friends. Adam’s ghosts were banished deep into the shadows. An unfamiliar burst of feeling in Adam’s chest stunned him, and he struggled for breath. This wasn’t sadness, loss, or betrayal, and it scared the hell out of him.

Before Adam could hide from him, Dawson lowered his head, pressing his mouth firmly to Adam’s. He demanded entrance with a bold, forceful swipe of his tongue. Adam opened to him, licking at Dawson’s tongue aggressively. He pushed upward hard with his hips, tightening his inner muscles around Dawson’s cock. This was familiar ground to Adam. He knew how to use his body as a distraction.

Dawson’s pace picked up. His cock slid in and out of Adam’s ass with more vigor. Dawson’s breathing was louder, harsher against Adam’s cheek. Adam sucked at Dawson’s tongue, pleased with the low growl it earned him. His ball sac tightened, his own hard-on leaving wet smears on the skin of his belly. Heat built low in his gut, a series of frissons rocketing up his spine.

“Stay with me,” Dawson whispered between gasping breaths. “Stay here with me. Don’t pull away. Don’t hide from me.”

The ache in Adam’s chest flared. He nipped at Dawson’s lip, trying to tease him into another searing kiss. Adam didn’t want to know what Dawson had seen in his eyes.

He lost his grip on one of Dawson’s hands, only to have that hand wrap around both of Adam’s wrists. Dawson held him securely with a single hand. Adam arched his back, crying out in pleasure and surprise when Dawson reached between their bodies to grasp his cock.

Dawson assailed Adam’s senses, inside and out. Adam couldn’t catch his breath; he couldn’t relax into Dawson’s punishing rhythm. He slid his legs restlessly against Dawson’s, testing his grip on Adam’s wrists. Adam was trapped and all he could do was surrender to Dawson’s demands.

“Is this how you like it?” Dawson asked, his voice raw and strained. “Does this feel good?”

“Oh yeah,” Adam answered brokenly. He kept his neck arched and his eyes closed as the pressure built. “You’re gonna make me come.” Christ, it astounded him that Dawson knew just how to play him, when they’d only been together a few times.

“Let me see,” Dawson demanded. “Let me see how I make you feel. I wanna watch you enjoy yourself.”

Adam opened his eyes reluctantly. He chased Dawson’s mouth, trying to divert his focus with a kiss. Dawson stayed just out of reach. Adam made a frustrated sound. His balls kept growing tighter, drawing up closer to his body. Adam’s hips moved on their own, pushing against Dawson’s tight fist.

“I feel you getting close,” Dawson murmured. “I’m gonna make you come in my hand. You feel so good around my cock. So good. Let me see you. Let me see how much you like it.”

Dawson held Adam pinned to the bed. Adam writhed, trying to press himself against Dawson’s body. He reached for Dawson’s mouth, starved for another kiss. Dawson evaded him, stroking Adam’s cock relentlessly. He let his gaze wander over Dawson’s face, not quite meeting his eyes.

“Can you see how much I like this?” asked Dawson. “See how good I feel when I’m inside you? I love watching you come. Let me watch you. Let me see.”

Fucking Dawson and his damn hypnotic voice. Adam met his eyes, finally, and a violent tremor shook his frame. Dawson released Adam’s wrists, instead burying that hand in Adam’s hair. When Dawson smiled at him, Adam’s climax started to pull him over. That feeling in his chest damn near brought tears to his eyes.

“Shit, I think I’m gonna come with you,” Dawson said in a strained voice. “Oh, fuck.”

Adam gripped Dawson’s shoulders, burying his fingertips into the firm muscle. He breathed heavily through his mouth, watching bliss and affection chase across Dawson’s expression. Adam’s cock swelled, his sac tight against his body and pulsing. There was triumph in Dawson’s eyes when the first jet of come splashed onto his belly. Adam groaned as he coated himself with his own spunk.

Above him, Dawson moaned. His hand in Adam’s hair tightened. He trembled in Adam’s arms, liquid warmth flooding Adam’s body. Adam’s orgasm rolled through him over and over, Dawson’s hand milking the last of his come. He knew the ecstasy he saw in Dawson’s eyes was reflected in his own. Jesus, he knew just what Dawson was feeling because he felt the same damn thing. The intimacy of it scared the hell out of him.

They both relaxed, still breathing hard, and Dawson kissed Adam again. This one was slow and tender. Adam felt it clear to his toes. He went limp, Dawson’s weight pressing him comfortably into the bed beneath him.

Finally, Dawson ended the kiss. He sighed into Adam’s mouth. Pressing their foreheads together, Dawson chuckled softly.

“What?” Adam asked tentatively, still reeling from what he’d seen in Dawson’s eyes.

“I can’t believe you were holding out on me.”

“I was?” Adam asked in confusion. “What was I holding out?”

“This kissing thing. You sure took your sweet time bringing it up.”

Adam smiled against Dawson’s lips. “I thought you were smart enough to figure it out on your own.”

Dawson snorted derisively. “Just for that, I’m not going to kiss you ever again.”

“I’ll remind you that you said that, next time you stick your tongue in my mouth.”

Dawson pressed his mouth to Adam’s ear and whispered, “Play your cards right, that won’t be the only place on you I stick my tongue.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Adam shifted his weight from foot to foot. He held his clenched fists at his sides. He hid behind his sunglasses, but he knew the werewolves would be able to hear his pounding heart. Well, they’d be able to hear it once the helicopter on the landing zone cut its engines.

Beside him, Jason almost vibrated with excitement. There was no sign that he’d been shot, only two weeks ago. Adam envied how fast shifters healed. Paul stood on Jason’s other side, looking relaxed and disinterested. He was better at hiding his feelings than Jason, but Paul was just as thrilled about his visiting True Alpha and Dominant.

Adam took another deep breath as the chopper landed. Dawson took a step closer to Adam, bumping their shoulders together gently. Adam gave Dawson a wan smile. He knew he shouldn’t be nervous about Noah and Lucas visiting Camp Fallujah, since it was all about werewolf business.

Dawson smiled in return, and Adam knew it was meant to be reassuring. He just didn’t get why Dawson wanted him here, if this was all about werewolf business. His relationship with Dawson wasn’t a secret, but Adam felt like they were under constant scrutiny. No doubt Lucas and Noah would report back to Tim everything Adam said and did while they were here.

As the rotors slowed and the engines quieted, the flight crew climbed out. Dawson started forward. Paul and Jason were right behind him, spines straight. Adam jogged to catch up, falling into step with Dawson. Two distinct figures stepped down from the chopper.

Noah’s tall, muscular form walked with a slow, hip-rolling gate. Lucas was beside him, not quite as tall but just as hard to miss. They both had large packs slung over their shoulders, side arms strapped to their thighs. Their boots kicked up small clouds of dust.

Dawson approached Noah first, arms thrown wide open. Noah smiled down at Dawson, letting his pack fall to the ground. Their hug was brief, with the usual amount of loud back-slapping that Marines seemed to like. Paul saw his opening and took it, scooping up Noah’s discarded pack.

Lucas lowered his own pack to the sand, taking Dawson’s hand in a vigorous shake. “Good to see you again, Gunny,” he said with a wide smile.

“Welcome to Camp Fallujah,” Dawson said with a broad gesture toward their surroundings.

“You look good, Gunny,” Noah said. “Makes me less inclined to forgive you for making me search for a new Omega. Being pack leader agrees with you.”

“Yeah, I’m sure that’s what it is,” Dawson replied dryly. “Alpha, I’d like to introduce you to Sergeant Paul Mercer and Corporal Jason Rodriguez.”

Despite Noah’s friendly greeting, Paul and Jason were both stiff and formal in their replies. Adam bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling. He’d heard the military werewolves were in awe of Noah and Lucas. He’d also heard the way some of them talked about the two men, and Tim had told him some pretty funny stories. It was still strange to actually see it happening.

Dawson dragged Adam forward. He put a reassuring hand at the small of Adam’s back. “You guys remember Adam.”

“Absolutely,” Noah said, extending his hand with a smile. “Your brother said to tell you hello, and that’s the last time we’ll talk about him, unless you bring him up.”

Adam barked a surprised laugh as he took Noah’s hand. “Hello again, Noah.” Maybe he wouldn’t spend the next several days having to hear about how Tim would do things, if he were in Adam’s place.

Lucas shook Adam’s hand next. “Good to see you, Adam.” He surprised Adam by giving his shoulder a brief squeeze.

“Hope the trip wasn’t too miserable.” Adam hoped he didn’t sound lame.

“Not too bad,” Lucas replied. “Just long.”

“Let’s get you guys to your hooch, and get you oriented,” Dawson said as he backed away from the aircraft, gesturing for everyone to follow.

Adam started to drop back to the rear of the group with Paul and Jason. Dawson’s hand at the small of his back stopped him. It was like they were all old friends, catching up as they strolled along. Adam still felt like the outsider he knew he was. He listened closely, but had no idea who and what Dawson was discussing with Noah and Lucas.

“It’s been quiet since I won the Challenge,” Dawson replied to something Noah asked. “But the full moon run will be the real test.”

“Are you anticipating any real trouble?” asked Noah. “Is the defiance real, or for show?”

“A few of the biggest troublemakers are going to come at me, if they’re still here,” Dawson answered. “The majority of the pack is no trouble at all. The defiance is real, I just don’t know the cause of it.”

“Will these two have your back?” Noah gestured over his shoulder.

“Absolutely, Alpha,” Paul answered fiercely.

“They gotta get through us first, Alpha,” Jason added.

Adam glanced from one to the other, his concern growing with each word. He’d thought the fighting was over. Now it sounded like Dawson was still in danger. Was this shit ever going to end?

Dawson glanced briefly at Adam, giving his shoulder a squeeze. He turned back toward Noah. “How you decide to handle the tribunal might affect the full moon run. There might be nothing to worry about. The defiance is personal, though, directed at me.”

“Are the humans feeling safer now, Adam?” asked Noah.

Adam stared at Noah in surprise for several seconds. “They’re not dreading the full moon, like they used to. Like we used to. But everyone knows that’s the real test of how things have changed, if at all.”

“Have you personally had any trouble with that old group since Dawson’s Challenge?” Lucas asked.

Adam shook his head. “I was looking over my shoulder for the first week, but nothing happened.”

“I made sure a friendly werewolf wasn’t very far away from him,” Dawson said. “Carson was seen in the vicinity, but no one could say for sure he was stalking.”

“Are you serious?” Adam asked in surprise. He’d been so wrapped up in this thing with Dawson, he hadn’t noticed much else.

“Welcome to werewolf politics,” Lucas said derisively.

“Like humans are any better,” Noah remarked. “Still, victimizing humans really pisses me off. I don’t take that lightly.”

“I wish I’d realized that kind of thing isn’t normal,” Adam finally voiced what had been weighing on him in the last weeks. “I would have called you myself, when I first got here. Looking back, I don’t know where I got that idea. It seems ludicrous now.”

“You’re not to blame for anything,” Dawson said firmly. He rested his hand at Adam’s back again. “Several things went wrong within the
sippe
, that should have alerted Noah there was a problem.”

Adam was growing used to Dawson’s gentle touches. He’d gotten over being embarrassed when it happened in public. If he was honest, he liked Dawson’s willingness to publicly display their connection.