“Don’t sweat it. I’m giving you a hard time, relax. If that’s how you keep the pain away, I’m game.” Marley’s gaze shifted to Harris.
A low rumble vibrated in his chest.
“Did you hear that?” Marley pointed at him.
“All of them make that sound when they feel strong emotions.”
“I think it’s sexy as hell when he does that. Don’t you?” Marley swallowed hard as she stared at her lover.
“I agree.” She tried not to grin at her friend’s humor.
“What’s up with your friend downstairs? I hear she wants us to leave.” Marley cut to the chase, never one to mince words or dance around an issue.
“Uh, about that, well…” She cleared her throat as she searched for a way to delicately tell her friend the truth. The pack’s concern was valid. But she didn’t sense a threat from either of them. Marley wouldn’t harm anyone and Harris was in love with her. She didn’t believe he’d do anything that might put her in jeopardy.
“Don’t try to sugarcoat it. Spit it out.”
“The pack doesn’t trust your boyfriend because he betrayed the Order and turned Rogue.” The truth was probably the best policy with Marley. They were leery of outsiders they perceived could not be trusted. Unfortunately Harris fell into that category.
“He’s not going to hurt anyone here. You have to convince them of that.”
“How? They take issue with his betrayal.”
“What about you, do you trust him?”
“Obviously I do. Shit, I went with him to rescue you. If that isn’t trust, I don’t know what is.”
“She’s got a point. I didn’t think I’d be able to convince her to go with me and she did.” Harris smiled.
“What I think is irrelevant. We’re guests here, all of us. I do have a solution though. My mate has a cabin not far from here that you can stay at. I’m sure he’ll let you use it.” If Dane didn’t like the idea, she’d just have to convince him.
There was an air of sudden sadness radiating from her friend. “Will you and Dane be staying there with us?” Marley raised an eyebrow. All the playfulness was gone from her.
She hated this. Jenny draped an arm over her shoulder. “I need to stay here with Dane but I can visit.” Maybe she could somehow convince her mate to go back and stay with them at the cabin.
“Why won’t you stay with us?”
Wow, this was an uncomfortable conversation. She was caught in the middle by the people she cared about. But this was Marley. They had a history she didn’t have with the pack or Dane. Why couldn’t everyone get along? It would be a lot easier. She’d told Dane she’d trust him. Guess it was time to let him decide, not her.
“You are my best friend, you know that, right?”
“Of course, that’s why we’re going to stick together.”
“I would but where we stay is Dane’s decision. Not mine. I’ll talk to him though.”
“Why is it his decision? Can’t you make your own?” Marley obviously didn’t like the perceived control she assumed Dane had over Jenny.
“He understands the danger far better than I do and I gave him my word, I’d do what he believes is best.”
“Now you’re his puppet. It sounds like he’s a tad controlling if you ask me. What if we’re attacked while I’m going through my transition?” Marley crossed her arms over her chest.
“Don’t worry. Dmitri’s pack is patrolling the area. If Rogues enter this radius, they’ll drive them off. You’ll be safe.”
“Nothing is going to happen to you, babe.” Harris caressed her cheek with the back of his hand.
“I’d still feel better if you and Dane were with us. There’s safety in numbers. Remember what happened the last time? We were surrounded and then captured.” She pushed him away.
Ouch.
Marley could be tough on people sometimes. Harris was handling it better than Dane would if Jenny were to trample like that on his ego.
“It won’t happen again. I’ll be ready if they attack,” Harris said between clenched teeth.
“That’s not the point.” She dismissed him. “Do we have to leave right now? I’d feel better if we left after my transformation. At least if I’m one of you guys, I can help take out some of those motherfuckers.”
“You’re not fighting anyone,” he shot back.
“Since when did I give you the license to tell me what the fuck to do? I’ve got a newsflash for you, buddy, that’s not happening. And you’re damn right I’m going to fight if we’re attacked.”
“Marley…” He sighed. “We’ve been through this.”
“Don’t argue, you two. I’ll talk them into allowing both of you to stay here until Marley goes through the change. After her transformation, Marley can train with you and Dane, all right?” She hoped to derail an argument.
“You know I can fight.” Marley cracked her knuckles. “You might need a little training but I don’t.”
“We
both
need to learn how to fight like vampires, not humans. There’s a big difference.”
“Damn.” Marley kicked off the covers and leaned forward to massage her foot.
“What’s wrong?” Jenny asked.
“My feet hurt. They’re burning like I have a bad case of athlete’s foot or something.”
“It’s starting.” Harris frowned at Jenny as they exchanged worried glances between each other.
“I should go and give you two some privacy.” She decided it was best to let Harris take over before the pain got worse for her friend.
“Wow, this isn’t cool. Wait. I don’t want you to leave. You just got here.” Marley reached for her. She was trying to put on a strong front as usual.
“Trust me, it’s best if I take off now. You’ll be okay, don’t worry,” she reassured her.
“Fuck—okay.” Marley started to fan her feet.
“I’ll make sure she doesn’t suffer. You should go now. It’s getting worse and I don’t want to have to fight her to comply.”
Jenny nodded, hating to see the worry in her friend’s eyes. Usually when Marley got scared, it pissed her off and she came out fighting. She was a strong-willed girl. Nothing ever got to her—but as Jenny watched her friend, it was clear this wasn’t something she was prepared to deal with and it was starting to get to her.
“Okay, this shit sucks. My foot’s on fire. I need water.” Marley started to panic and hopped off the bed to head for the bathroom. “I’m going to stick my feet in some water before they fall off. Damn it.” She hobbled toward the bathroom and doubled over in obvious pain.
“Jenny, go now!” Harris took off his shirt. He picked Marley up and carried her back over to the bed.
“What the fuck are you doing? Let me go!” She tried to push him away.
“Marley, it’s okay. Harris will make it better, I swear to you. Trust him. We’ll talk later.” She traced from the room, knowing what Harris was about to do. She heard him growl loudly. She heard a lamp hit the floor and a loud thud.
Shit.
She hesitated. The pain must’ve gotten to Marley much faster than it had when she went through the process.
“Stop touching me or I swear you’ll be walking with a limp, asshole,” Marley shrieked.
“Forgive me.”
Jenny heard Harris’ frustrated grunt, the springs on the mattress creak. The tearing of fabric and Marley’s angry cries made her flinch. She remembered the pain and it appeared that Harris was going to have to force the issue.
“Damn it.” She walked away from the door, not wanting to hear anymore.
Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw a dark silhouette standing in the shadows, watching her. His masculine scent was comforting and familiar. She wanted to take refuge in his arms but resisted the urge. Her emotions were raw at the moment from hearing her friend suffer and having to tell her to leave. It sucked.
“How long have you been there?” She crossed her arms against her chest.
“Not long. Are you okay?” he asked.
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m worried about my friend.”
“She’ll be fine.”
“Wow, that was insensitive. Didn’t you hear her cry out in pain a minute ago? I need to find Ivanna so I can ask her if Marley can stay until the change.” She tried to step around him but he drew her against him. His hot breath tickled her neck.
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” He tried to kiss her.
“Not a chance of that. I told you I need to speak to Ivanna.” She frowned.
“You don’t need to ask her anything right now.”
“Yes, I do.” She tried to wiggle out of his grasp as he traced them back to his room and released his hold on her.
“No, you don’t.”
“You act like you’re the boss over all my decisions and it’s starting to really piss me off.” She went over to the bed and took a seat on the edge.
“I heard Dmitri’s mate was going to speak with you.” He frowned. “And I figured we should talk first before you approach her again about your friend since I know she was pretty upset with you.”
“I already apologized to her. If you knew she was going to talk to me why didn’t you warn me?”
“It’s not my place to interfere. And besides, I believe she has a right to be angry with you.”
“Don’t worry, I got an earful. She doesn’t hold back.” Jenny rolled her eyes at him.
“Ivanna is a strong Alpha female. It’s not like her to be easy on anyone she cares about, especially if they cross her. I’ve been on the receiving end of her wrath before myself.” He seemed amused by her irritation, which wasn’t helping his cause. If he was thinking about seduction, she wasn’t in the mood.
“Remind me never to do it again.”
“Be careful the next time. She might take a piece out of your hide.”
“Cute.” She gave him a dirty look.
“I’m serious.” He tried to keep a straight face but was failing miserably.
She guessed now was as good a time as any to ask him about the cabin. “Since I assume you probably heard most of the conversation, did you hear the part about them possibly using your cabin?”
“I did.” He gave nothing away. Why wasn’t he saying anything?
“And…can they use it? Please?”
“I’ll allow them to use it.”
“Can we stay there with them or do we have to stay here?” She watched his expression as he approached the bed.
“Your safety is my first priority. But I also realize how important Marley is to you and I don’t want you to be unhappy because I tend to make all the decisions. I’ll leave this one up to you.” He knelt down in front of her.
“You do love me.” She opened her legs to allow him to close the distance between them.
“With every breath I take.” He cupped her cheeks as he stared into her eyes.
“I hope you never doubt that my love for you is just as strong.” She snuggled against the firm planes of his chest.
“I’ve never doubted your love for me.” He gave her a gentle squeeze.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Then explain.” He lifted her chin.
“Ivanna told me I need to trust your judgment and not my own.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Sometimes it can be a bit smothering. But she’s right. I need to put you first and not risk my life or yours.”
He traced her bottom lip with his thumb. “You are everything to me. I only want you safe.”
“I know. That’s why if you decide it’s best for us to stay here, I’m good with that.”
“I will keep you safe no matter where we are. But in the meantime, it probably would be best that we stay here, if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind. I do have one request though.” She kissed the finger that continued to seductively trace her bottom lip.
“And what is that?” His voice became raspy.
“I don’t want them to leave until Marley has completed the change and regained her strength. Can you please talk to Dmitri and ask that they be allowed to stay for the time being at least?”
“I will speak to him.”
“Kiss me,” she whispered.
He leaned forward to capture her lips. The kiss was gentle at first but soon turned aggressive as he lifted her up and pinned her to the bed.
“Are you in the mood now?” He licked and bit her earlobe.
“Mm…hm.” She wrapped her legs around his waist and felt the swell of his cock pressing against her core. Her skirt rode up her legs and the only barrier left covering her sex was a thin pair of cotton panties.
He undid his jeans, reached between them and ripped the panties from her body. Their hips moved together, rubbing and nudging against each other. She sucked in a gasp of air when his cock found her entrance and surged forward in one sharp thrust that quickly sent her over the edge. Her sheath clenched and squeezed around his shaft as a powerful wave of pleasure swept over her.
She clutched his ass as he withdrew and slammed into her again. His tongue invaded, devouring her mouth as he buried his thick length deep inside her pulsating heat. She slid her hands over his rippling muscles, loving the raw power of him as he took her. He pressed her tighter, powering in and out of her. He hooked his arm under her backside for support, splaying her ass cheeks as he continued to fuck her.
“Oh…” She gripped his shoulders and let out a moan.