The Touch of Her Hands [The Wind River Pack 3] (Siren Publishing Classic) (15 page)

He reached into the cabinet below the sink and handed her a washcloth. “Call me if you need anything. I’m gonna check my e-mail.” He walked to the door, looked at her one last time, and left, closing the door behind him.

Aurelia released the breath she’d been holding and had to grab onto the sink to keep her balance. She was beginning to remember more of her healing attempt, and what she remembered troubled her. Something wasn’t right with the child, but she couldn’t put her finger on what it was. Maybe Zack was right and she just needed a little sleep. If she could try again, and succeed, his family would welcome her.

Aurelia’s fingers trembled as she peeled off her clothes and stepped into the blessed warmth. She sat down, dunked the washcloth, and squeezed it over her shoulder. The sluice of water down her back made her groan. She didn’t even care that her braid was getting wet. As the tub filled, she reached back and turned the dial on the timer. The water came to life, churning around her, massaging a hundred different areas of her body at once. Sighing, she turned off the water and leaned back, laying her head on the back of the tub, letting the jets of pulsing water work out the kinks in her muscles. Smiling, she closed her eyes.

* * * *

Zack glanced at the clock and cursed. He’d promised to give her some space, but enough was enough. She’d been soaking in the tub for almost an hour. He’d hoped she would get out when the Jacuzzi’s timer went off, but it had started back up almost immediately. Now, he was beginning to get worried. He’d not heard the sound of more water added to the tub, so he knew things had to be cooling off. He’d told her she could soak as long as she wanted, but now he just wanted her out.

Frowning, he moved to the bathroom door and eased it open, just wide enough for him to stick his head inside. Growling softly, he found his mate sound asleep in the churning water.
Hell, she could have drowned while I paced the damn floor.
Zack switched the jets off and watched as her eyelids slowly opened. He rubbed his thumb lightly across the back of her hand where it rested on her stomach while she stared into his eyes, letting her hand remain passively under his. “You’re turning into a human prune, love. You’ve been in here almost an hour. You ready to get out and get some sleep in a real bed?”

Aurelia sighed and sat up, shivering as the room air touched her wet skin. Zack grabbed a towel off the rack and helped her stand, wrapping it snugly around her body. He took the second towel and squeezed the water out of her braid. “I keep a hair dryer here for when my sister comes to use the pool. You wanna dry your hair before we go to bed?”

“That’d be great.”

Zack opened the cabinet under the sink and pulled out a hand-held dryer and plugged it in. He watched as Aurelia undid her braid, the hair falling almost to her waist. When she reached for the dryer, Zack touched her hand. “Can I do it?”

She shrugged and turned around. Zack switched on the unit and began blowing the hot air toward her scalp, combing through the brown, silky strands with his fingers. It was several minutes before it lay, slightly curled and dry against her bare shoulders. He laid down the dryer and slipped his arms around her waist, burying his face in her neck. “Let’s get some rest, love. I need to hold you tonight.”

* * * *

Aurelia nodded. “I’d like to cuddle up with you.”

Zack released his hold and grabbed her hand, pulling her from the bathroom into the dark bedroom. The bed was large and took up most of the room. On a small nightstand she could see a digital clock glowing softly in the shadowy darkness. The time read four thirty.

She turned to Zack. “You have an old T-shirt or something I can sleep in?”

“I do, but I’d rather you sleep without it. I’ve been fantasizing about sleeping up close to your bare skin.”

Aurelia felt a tingle between her legs and licked her lips. “Okay, I guess I can do that. I’ve never slept nude before. I was alone in the cabin the last couple of years, and I was always afraid of intruders. I didn’t wanna make things easier for them.”

Zack caressed her cheek. “You’ll never have to worry about anything like that again.”

She smiled and climbed onto the tall bed. Yawning, she stretched out and snuggled back into the warmth of the covers. The bed linens smelled softly of lavender and were smooth to the touch. Zack joined her on the mattress, rolled her to her side, and backed her up against him, settling his hand on her breast. Her eyelids drifted closed when he pressed his lips against her naked back. He lay with his stomach nestled tightly against her curled back, one hand under her pillow, the other cradling her breast. Feeling totally protected, she let the darkness slide over her.

* * * *

Zack woke to the feel of his mate thrashing in the bed. He found her fists clenched in her hair and eased them away, running a palm along her arm. He pressed his chest against the curve of her back until he couldn’t stand her whimpers any longer.

He stroked her hair, caressed her shoulder, and braced himself to rest his cheek on the back of her head and waited for some sign that she understood he was there and she wasn’t alone. Suddenly, she gasped and sat up in the bed. She squinted and then blinked a few times before flopping backward like an old rag doll, covering her eyes with a forearm. Her quiet sob nearly broke Zack’s heart. He cradled the back of her head and forced it into the hollow of his neck and made her stay that way, her muscles quivering and straining until she gave in and he felt her fingers dig into his back.

“Shhh, you’re okay. I’m here for you.”

“I failed them,” Aurelia sobbed. “I wasn’t able to help the children. What good is this so-called gift if I can’t use it to save the lives of three innocent children? Dr. Jackson was right about me.”

Zack frowned and let his hand rub up and down her back. “What did Dr. Jackson say about you?”

Aurelia hiccupped. “He said I was a freak of nature and that I’d never be able to function out in the real world. I’d never fit in, and he was right.”

Zack leaned back so he could look into her eyes. “He was wrong, so very wrong. You’re not a freak any more than I am. We’re just different. We both have gifts that a lot of people wouldn’t understand, but that doesn’t make us any less valuable. You’re my mate and an important member of this pack.”

She took a shaky breath. “But I don’t have to be.”

“What are you saying?”

Aurelia looked away. “I won’t hold you to anything, Zack. You told me that some shifters marry when they don’t find their mates, and live happy lives. I could go back to my cabin in the mountains, and you could find someone that your pack could respect and accept.”

Zack felt his coyote growl.
Mate her! Mate her now!
“You’re the only one I want to spend my life with. You’re my mate, and there will be no other for me. My pack already accepts you. Remus told me last night how special you are and warned me to take care of you.”

“He did?”

Zack kissed her shoulder. “Yeah, he did.” He felt his cock twitch at the same time his canines began to ache. “It’s time, Aurelia. It’s time for me to claim my mate. Will you let me? Will you join your life to mine in the way of my people? Now, tonight, right here in this bed?”

Aurelia looked up at him with wide eyes that looked suspiciously damp. “Are you sure, Zack? You told me this is for life so there’s no going back.”

He caressed her cheek. “I’m sure, love. Please, say yes.”

She looked at him for a moment, a ghost of a smile chasing across her face, and then nodded once. “My answer is yes. I wanna be yours, Zack, for always. Please, make me yours, now.”

The bed frame creaked softly as Zack moved closer to Aurelia’s body. He could hear the faint hum of the clock on the bedside table. He kissed her eyelids softly and then framed her face with his hands as he bent toward her parting lips. Slowly, they mated their tongues together.

When Aurelia’s legs began to move restlessly, Zack moved his lips to her neck and nibbled at her throat. She made a low sound of approval and tilted her throat to give him better access. His palm rubbed her nipple through the thin cotton sheet and then closed gently around the soft globe.

Aurelia’s hand moved experimentally, pressing down and then curling into the muscular skin of his chest. Zack slowly pulled down the sheet, revealing the soft swells of her breasts. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. He eased his tongue out, sweeping across her cleavage. Aurelia leaned close and kissed his chest, the brush of her lips sending a searing heat along his nerves straight to his groin.

Breathing harshly, he cupped one of her breasts in his hand and thumbed her nipple. “I want you, Aurelia. So much.” Bowing his head, he laved at it hungrily while kneading the other one between his fingertips.

* * * *

Aurelia laid her cheek against the hard muscle of Zack’s upper arm and caught the elusive, spicy scent that clung to him. His big, warm, gentle hands eased up the length of her rib cage and hovered at the base of her breasts. She caught both his hands and pulled them up. “Touch me, Zack, please. I want to feel your hands on my body.”

Zack traced her softness, teasing the tips of her breasts until her body trembled with the need to be touched. His work-roughened fingers created a rasping sensation against her nipple, making it stand up taut and straight. She arched her back, filling his palms with her small, firm breasts. Moisture pooled between her legs, and she could feel it begin to slick her thighs.

Zack squeezed her nipple hard, and she could feel little tremors of excitement course through her. “Oh, God. I’ve never felt the things you make me feel.”

“It’s only the beginning, love. You’re mine.” Zack lightly bit her erect nipples and then soothed them with his moist tongue.

Aurelia caressed his hard, muscled chest, pausing to pinch his flat nipples before moving lower to touch him more intimately. Leaning close, she pressed her lips against his chest and then licked a path down toward his waist, breathing in his scent.

Zack grabbed her hands and pulled her up. He cupped the back of her head and threaded his fingers through her hair, tilting her head for a kiss. “None of that, love. If you keep that up, it’ll be all over before it starts.” He captured her lips with his and kissed her deeply. Abruptly, he tore his mouth from hers and rolled, carrying her with him until she was straddling his belly.

* * * *

Aurelia giggled. “What are you doing?”

Zack shoved his fingers into her hair and pulled her down to his chest. “I’m loving you.” He covered her lips with his for a brief kiss and then pulled back. He trailed his tongue up to her ear to nibble on its lobe while her fingers played over the sharp contours of muscle in his chest.

Pushing her upright, he cupped her breasts and gently squeezed, letting his fingers tweak her pebbled nipples. Leaning forward, Aurelia flicked her tongue across one male nipple a couple of times, eliciting a harsh sound from Zack’s chest.

He pinched each nipple in turn before his mouth took over and the sucking began. Aurelia gasped and dug her fingernails into his scalp.

“Easy, love. Did I hurt you?” Zack pulled her head down to his shoulder and rubbed her back.

“No, you didn’t hurt me. Everything feels so good. Don’t stop.”

“I don’t think I have the patience to carry on for long before mating you. My coyote is really anxious to seal the deal.”

Aurelia rose up and gazed into his eyes. “Are you sure you want me for a forever mate?”

“Damn straight.” Zack flipped her onto her back and took her earlobe between his teeth and gave it a small tug. “You’re mine, woman. Nothing is gonna change that now.”

She ran her hands over his back and buttocks. “You’re mine as well, Zack. Forever, from this moment on.”

Zack cupped her face in his hands and studied her flushed face. He licked and then gently bit her bottom lip before pushing his tongue inside her mouth. He took her lips in a demanding kiss as he lifted her so he could grind his erection against her pussy. Sliding down, he rubbed his cheek against her breast and then took one small nub into his mouth and suckled.

Aurelia groaned, her head thrashing back and forth on the pillow.

“I’m sorry, love. I can’t go slow. I need to claim you, now.” Zack bit her lightly on the shoulder and then slid down her body. He nudged her thighs apart and used his fingers to comb through the fine pelt of dark curls and spread the lips of her sex. He could smell the moisture pooling between her legs. He plucked and teased her clit, slipping his finger inside, moving it slowly in and out. Aurelia gasped and thrust herself against his hand, beginning to ride it.

“I can’t wait to lap up all your sweet juice,” Zack said, his heated breath stirring the hairs protecting her pussy. He heard her groan as his tongue made the first swipe, her juices exploding over his taste buds. The cry that was torn from her was little more than a hoarse gasp. He drilled his tongue as deep as he could, savoring the flavor of his mate. Needing more, he flicked her clit with the tip of his tongue and then sucked it into his mouth, letting his fingers slide in and out of her sheath. Aurelia screamed and convulsed, her inner walls clutching at his fingers as she came.