Midnight Mistletoe (A Paranormal Romance) (Golden Pack Alphas) (3 page)

“Is that all you have to say after I’ve come all this way to surprise you?”

“Surprises are meant to be enjoyed.”

“Oh but I’m enjoying myself immensely.”

His gaze swept her body in one smooth, hot stroke and she clenched her fists in an attempt not to reach out and return the favor.

Either with a caress of her own or slap to the face. She wasn’t really sure.

Yes you are.

Ignoring her slutty inner voice she firmed her lips. Seducing a stranger to relieve her heat was a logical necessity. Engaging in any kind of flirtation with Marcus was just plain lunacy.

“Get off my island Marcus.”

“Does your pack have larger holdings than they’ve reported to the Council? I don’t believe this island is recorded.”

“I’m playing by school yard rules. I was here first so get lost.”

“I have every intention of leaving as soon as possible.”

“Oh please don’t let me stop you.”

His beautiful lips tipped up at the corners, and one perfect dimple dented his right cheek.

“I knew you’d be understanding. The plane leaves sharply at six tomorrow morning. I’ll see you then.”

“I’ll cheerfully be waving good-bye.”

“To the island.”

“To
you
.”

“I’m sure you’d like to, but it will rather hard while sitting next to me.”

“I’m not leaving Legrand.”

“Sorry to disappoint you
Gigi
, but you’re expected at home.”

“They can celebrate one Christmas without me.”

“Your parents seem to disagree.”

“Since when did you switch from pit bull to messenger boy?”

“Since your father decided to name a new alpha.”

“What!”

She jerked her sun glasses from her face and snapped up in her chair.

“Darius has decided it’s time to name his chosen successor. He plans on making his announcement tomorrow evening at the Christmas Ball.”

“That’s not possible. I don’t believe you,” she whispered her mind reeling in shock.

Her father was still young. He had years left to appoint the next ruler of the pack. Why would he choose now?

“My mother—”

“Is fine.”

He reached into his front pocket, pulled out a crisp folded note and handed it to her.

She took it from him with trembling hands.

Flipping it open she snorted at the two short lines written in her mother’s distinct scrolling handwriting.

Merry Christmas Baby-Doll, now get your ass home. Your Daddy’s gone crazy.

Clutching the thick paper in her hand she shook head.
Naming an alpha
. Her brain struggled to make sense of the news.

Whoever, her father chose wasn’t guaranteed the title. It only meant that he named the one he considered strongest of their pack—the one most capable of leading them when he stepped aside. His successor would have to survive any challenges from other pack members, but the defeat of a named alpha rarely happened.

But who had he chosen?

Her father discussed almost everything with her, always keeping her informed and involved in pack business. She quickly pulled up a mental list every possible candidate and dismissed each one. None of them were fit to take her father’s place.

This sudden decision only increased her suspicions regarding Marcus and his extended stay in Golden Valley. Had he been volleying for this position all along? Did that explain his relentless pursuit of her as well?

Looking back up at him she studied his face. As usual his expression was unreadable.

“It will take almost a full day’s travel to get there on time.”

“I have a plane chartered for the morning.”

“A private plane? Have you forgotten to declare a few things as well?”

“The Council pays very well.”

“Remind me to increase your rent.”

She looked down at the note crumpled in her hand.

“Why is he doing this?”

He shrugged his shoulders.

“I was only told to bring you back home.”

“You’re not exactly known for taking orders.”

“This request coincided with something I already planned on doing.”

“Fancied a vacation?”

“A hunt.”

She lifted an eyebrow at his statement.

So arrogant.

“The island isn’t known for game.”

“And you’re not known for you lack of intelligence. How long do you want to play at this Gigi?”

She bristled at his tone. It didn’t matter that he was right. As long as she felt like avoiding him, she would.

“How did you even find me anyway?”

She’d gone through painstaking measures to avoid detection, booking her ticket at the very last minute and leaving only a handwritten message to her parents stating she’d be back before New Year’s Day. When she’d arrived in the Caribbean, she island hoped using several ferries before stopping at Jost Van Dyke, using cash the entire journey.

“You made a mistake.”

“I never make mistakes when it comes to security and ensuring privacy.”

“In this case you made a big one.”

“What’s that?”

“You ran from a wolf.”

Her jaw dropped open as he turned and walked away.

She watched his sure striding steps, the muscles in his ass flexing and bunching in a taunting salute.

Snapping her mouth shut, she stood. The heat from the sunbaked sand grounded her—giving her a much needed link to earth as she struggled not to leap after Marcus and tackle the egotistical jackass to the ground.

Her vacation may have been cut short but she had every intention of fulfilling her quest.

Before she stepped on that plane tomorrow, she would have proven to both Marcus and herself, that he had no power or control over her.

Four

Georgia tilted her head back and let the cool, smooth shot of rum slide down her throat. Slamming the empty glass on the table she grinned at the sexy tourist sitting across from her.

He was handsome in an
Abercrombie and Fitch
kind of way. His thick, dark brown hair, a little longer than she usually liked, fell over his forehead in a sexy mess.

Scrunching her nose she tried to recall his name. She was sure it began with a J, something quintessentially American, like John or James or Joe.

Shrugging her shoulders, she shook her head and leaned forward. It didn’t matter, his name wasn’t exactly a necessity considering her plans for him. The cruise ship he sailed on would be leaving the port just before dawn, giving her only a few hours to get what she needed from him.

Her plan was simple.

If she was going to survive the next few days without jumping Marcus’s pussy clenching inducing bones, then she needed to make sure she got her heat under control. And the best way to do that was for her to find another set of bones to nibble on. And Mr. J-Man was the perfect candidate.

Marcus may have ruined most of her plans for the holidays but she still intended on proving at least one thing to herself—despite her attraction to him, she could still be with other men.

Roxy’s, the large, open aired beach bar was packed full of vacationers either drinking or gyrating on the dance floor to the heavy reggae beats played by the house band.

It wasn’t her typical scene, but she was there in need for a little distraction and satisfaction.

If her subconscious tried to tell her otherwise, she moved it aside with a determined shove.

Her gaze slid over her mystery man’s features. Despite his disheveled appearance he had the long vowel emitting drawl distinct to America’s upper east coast. From first glance she’d pegged him as a well off yuppie, looking to have some casual fun. Since she was of similar mind she’d had no qualms with pulling him away from his group of friends.

He had a broad chest, not overly muscular, but definitely fit. She reached over and traced a finger nail along his forearms. They were well defined, with bulges and sinew that showed the life of an active man.

Tennis or racquetball most likely, hmmmm.
That meant he must have a decent store of stamina stocked in his tall frame.

She loved a man with strong arms. Growing up with a den of wolves, made you appreciate all of the things a body could do, so idleness in men never really appealed to her.

And since she was in the mood for some vigorous exercise of her own—this J man would definitely fit the bill.

Licking her lips, she leaned in closer, not caring when the strap of her dress slipped down her shoulder.

“Do you want to dance?”

His gaze dipped to the cleavage exposed by the thin white material of her dress and gave a jerking nod. She gave a mental snort.

Men were always so easy.

To be fair, the dress was more than a tease. It was short, with a skirt that flirted around the middle of her thighs when she walked. The fabric was practically sheer against her skin, and she’d deliberately omitted a bra beneath the peasant style top, that fit close along her torso and cinched in at the waist.

When she’d first seen the dress in one of the local tourist shops, it reminded her of a naughty angel, and purchased it on the spot. To her way of thinking vacations were made for being a little wicked.

After her run-in with Marcus, she was determined to take the edge off her heat, and had dressed to entice.

She stood and led the man out onto the dance floor, making sure to let her hips undulate in an exaggerated sway. He didn’t need any further invitation. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he turned her to him, bringing her body tight against his.

Her nipples tightened in awareness as he titled her pelvis up, nudged her thighs apart with one leg and smoothed his strong hands down to the small of her back.

Perfect.

Her body craved this—a simple matter of biology and chemical reactions in the brain. She didn’t need to be around Marcus to be aroused.

A sigh of relief escaped her as they began to move to the music and he encouraged her to ride his thigh. He dipped his head and began to place sucking kisses at her neck. Her pussy clenched at every teasing bite, and she groaned as the song’s tempo increased.

She reached behind her and redirected one of his hands beneath her skirt. It clenched one bare cheek of her ass exposed by her thong as she moved against him uncaring that he could feel the heat of her against his thigh.

“Fuck.”

Not yet but soon.

She ignored his heated whisper and slung her arms around his neck, pulling him in closer, reveling in the feel of his hard erection against her belly.

“Let’s get out of here.”

She said the words in a low murmur into his ear. She’d barely completed the sentence, before he was nodding in agreement and leading her off of the dance floor onto the cool sandy steps of the exit.

She hurried him down the thin winding path next to the bar that lead to the boutique hotel cottages dotting the beach front. A cool breeze rustled through the arching leaves of palm trees, their trunks twinkling bright with string lights and mistletoe garlands along the walkway.

Under different circumstances, she would have given an appreciative smile at the island’s nod to the holiday season, but tonight, something else held her captive.

With every step, her clit began to throb in earnest. Pausing at the door to her suite she leaned against the exterior wall and pulled him to her.

God Yes
.

She brought her left knee up to his side and hooked her leg around his waist, encouraging him to grind against her. He wasn’t as tall as she usually liked, but that worked in her favor now, as his pelvis aligned with hers. He was thick and hard with arousal—the ridge of his penis rubbing against her in hot jerking movements.

When he reached down and palmed her ass she hummed in agreement and wrapped her other leg around his waist.

He dipped his head, his mouth seeking hers, but she turned, letting his lips graze her cheek. Her heat made sex a necessity, but she always made sure to control the level of intimacy. She didn’t want romance. Her only goal was to relieve the burning need triggering through her body.

She felt him hesitate for a split second before nibbling back down to her neck and sucking hard.

Reaching down she yanked at his shirt, ripping the fabric as she struggled to touch skin. She barely took the time to admire his smooth hard chest before snaking a hand down and tugging at his shorts.

Wrenching them down she cupped his stiff cock in her hand. It twitched in her palm as her moan matched his.

“You’re killing me here,” he said.

She smiled at him and squeezed again, relishing the power she had over him.

“Open the door,” she whispered.