CHAPTER 1. For the one who wondered if I could write racier

SHARED BY WOLVES

Rena Marks

For the one who wondered if I could write racier.

Special thanks to my editor, Helen Woodall, on this one.

CHAPTER 1

Ellis Rae Morgan was getting married. She should have been excited but she wasn’t. She should have been happy but she wasn’t.

If anything, she was numb enough to not feel. Didn’t allow herself to feel, because she knew she was just trading one hell in for another.

At least it would be a different hell from the one she was serving time in now. A change of pace and scenery.

She swirled the expensive champagne in her glass, lost in her thoughts. The cut crystal glass was elegant and pricy, nothing but the best for her father. She downed it in one swallow and flagged a server for another.

“Number three? Would you like me to just hang out?” the server asked sarcastically. He’d be fired in an instant should her father hear.

Yet the impudence tore a smile from Ellis. “How about if you stop serving pansy amounts and fill the damned glasses? Better yet, bring me the bottle.”

“Ellis Rae Morgan, that’s hardly the proper way to behave. Why, you were not raised to be common folk. Perhaps fraternizing with the servants needs to stop.” Jonathan mimicked her father’s voice perfectly.

It wiped the smile from Ellie’s face. “Oh Jonathan. What will I do without you?”

He was suddenly just as serious. “I’m going with you. I’ll resign. And I’ll take up residence in Boulder with you.”

“I thought you hated Boulder.”

“Of course I hate it,” he said cheerfully. “It’s why I left. But it’s time for me to return anyway. I have—family still there. Maybe your new husband can be persuaded to hire me.”

“My father will hardly give you a reference.”

“Ellie, stand up for yourself. Put your foot down. If you can allow yourself to be sold into a marriage with a man twice your age just because he fancies a trophy wife, you can insist on bringing along your own staff from home.”

“Ellis Morgan, my darling, splendid party! And where is your handsome groom-to-be?”

Jonathan discreetly faded into the background as Ellie allowed herself to be air-kissed by a matronly society queen. She tried hard not to wrinkle her nose at the strong alcohol smell emanating from the woman’s pores.

“With Father, I’m afraid. Men and their business deals. They’ve retired to his office.”

“Well, my dear, that will certainly need to stop when you’re married. As lovely as you are, I can’t imagine he’ll have anything else on his mind.”

“Stop? Whatever for? It’s business, as I said earlier. And I do have a shopping habit he’ll need to support,” she returned dryly, knowing the statement was expected of her.

“Well said, my dear. I do believe you know what you’re doing. After all, you are certainly marrying into enough money.”

The busybody moved on and Ellie allowed herself a small grimace. She certainly did know what she was doing. She was getting herself out of her father’s house, where he was willing to sell her to the highest bidder. On the flip side, she got to choose those bidders and she had chosen Brian Reed. The lesser of the current two evils, Brian needed a wife to quell the rumors spread by an ex. Ugly rumors that suggested he’d never touched his previous wife but kept a secret lover instead. That in itself wasn’t all of the scandal. The scandal was the hint of passion with the same sex. Added to this were rumors of bedroom perversion, spoken in scandalous society breath.

Ellie believed it. Oh, not the exaggeration of bedroom perversion but she did believe Brian was hiding a male lover from the public. He was pompous, wanting her merely for her looks and proper upbringing. She complemented his own pampered good looks and she knew there wasn’t any passion in his eyes when he remembered to look upon her.

In fact, she hated to walk into a room when he was present. It wasn’t so bad in the beginning, before she had time to notice the vanity. Lately she had become more aware of it, and irritation festered with each passing minute. His eyes took note of every light and shadow available and he positioned himself to be seen in the most flattering pose. He generally couldn’t resist speaking to her with a pretentious air and heaven forbid if a mirror or window was present. He would forget to look at her while he spoke and watched his own reflection instead.

It wouldn’t be long now. Their engagement had been announced months ago, the wedding preparations had been finalized. Next weekend would be the actual ceremony. Ellie sighed and looked around for Jonathan to continue their conversation.

But he was nowhere about.

* * * * *

One week later, the marriage was over and done with. Ellie and her own staff flew to her new home on Brian’s private plane. Boulder. Where Jonathan had grown up and now was back, for she had taken his advice and insisted on bringing her own people

Brian showed her directly to her suite, where she could “freshen up”. His words. Obviously, she looked a fright.

“This will be your suite, my dear. My rooms are down the hallway. Ah, I thought I might point out a somewhat delicate matter. You and I don’t know each other very well and of course you won’t expect a consummation of the marriage right away. I don’t have a very strong appetite in these matters…”

“I’m so glad,” Ellie cut in. “I don’t either. It’s so—common, isn’t it? The sharing of rooms? I’m so glad you had the wisdom to give us separate suites.”

Brian gave her a cunning smile. Ellie pretended not to notice, just as she pretended to not know that Brian would have friends visiting his suite.

“Anyway, Ellis, I’m sorry for the lack of honeymoon. I simply could not get away for any length of time but I hope you’ll be fine with a simple reception party to introduce you to my neighbors and business associates.”

“I understand perfectly. And I’m fine with your decision.” She pretended to not know that her “reception party” was actually a business gathering for him.

“Ahh, my dear. I do think you’ll make the perfect wife,” he murmured.

I’ll bet, Ellie thought as she smiled innocently.

Brian leaned over to kiss her cheek politely. “The dinner party will be in about an hour. I’ll see you downstairs?”

She nodded, a little too eager to get rid of him. Brian walked to the door but looked back. “Oh and Ellis? The green cocktail dress?”

Once again, Ellie nodded. Pompous bastard. Color-coordinating their outfits.

She dressed in a mere half hour’s time and made her way downstairs hoping to catch up to Jonathan. Unfortunately, her friend was nowhere to be found.

Duggan Baddeaux stared at his wristwatch in boredom. It was too early to break away, not if one didn’t want to call attention to the fact that he was antisocial with the humans.

His heart began to race. His skin tingled, charged and alive. Glancing up the staircase, he watched as a red-haired, green-eyed woman descended the stairs. She wore a stunning green velvet cocktail dress, the brilliant emerald matching the shade of her eyes.

He knew her immediately. It was right there, laid out in the open. She was meant to be his.

Damned if Jonathan hadn’t been right. He felt it in his gut and wondered how heartily the fates were laughing. He, the big, bad alpha wolf, matched with a delicately frail human mate.

She descended the stairs warily, her emotions high but only he could tell. He thought about following her, waiting for a chance to speak to her, to introduce himself. Although he was sure she would recognize him just as his hungry soul recognized hers.

His eyes never broke contact as she made her way down the stairs and began to walk toward him.

Ellie walked down the flight of steps to find her new husband in the midst of a crowd of men.

“Ahh, here is my lovely new wife,” Brian proclaimed, taking her elbow. “Ellis, my dear, I’d like you to meet my business associates. This is Bill Arnweister and Oscar Sargent. And this is Duggan Baddeaux, a neighbor of ours. Gentlemen, my wife. Ellis Rae Morgan-Reed.”

Ellie shook each hand in the introduced order. When she got to the last man, he surprised her by bending at the waist and kissing her fingers instead.

An incredible sensation began where his lips met her skin. Heat flooded her body, flames melting the juncture of her thighs.

Her passage moistened.

The man raised his head and instant horror filled Ellie at the knowledge in his eyes. He knew exactly what she was feeling.

Who was he?

And yet another realization hit Ellie. This man was familiar to her. There was something about those eyes. Incredibly green in a tanned, ruggedly masculine face, he was the epitome of male. In fact, he looked a lot like Jonathan.

“Do I know you from somewhere?” she asked, puzzled.

Her new husband laughed. “How could you possibly?” he asked in a condescending tone. “You arrived today, pet. This is Duggan Baddeaux, his property directly borders ours.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Ellie murmured and hoped her cheeks didn’t look as hot as they felt.

Green eyes gazed into hers. “The pleasure is all mine.”

The party was dragging on. Ellie had mingled and socialized with complete, utter strangers and was secretly hoping it would just wind down. She was exhausted from the day’s events, after all, she had attended a wedding ceremony.

Her own disaster.

She didn’t know what was wrong with her. She was acting like a teenager with a crush. She was drawn to the only tanned man in the house. He made other men appear pasty white in comparison. Although to be fair, it wasn’t just the tan. His shoulders were broad and he was tall, the combination was stunning. But she was a married woman and needed to stop discreetly trying to catch a glimpse of Duggan Baddeaux.

But a man like that looked like he could satisfy a woman. Make her purr. She nearly grimaced when she thought of her own husband, one of the pasty pale.

There was something about their neighbor, some connection she felt. He was extremely handsome in his own way but not in the manner she was accustomed to. He was rugged and hard, had probably never waxed or exfoliated a day in his life. She doubted he’d ever even had a manicure.

And the thought of those long, ruggedly masculine fingers curled into her slick passage made her want to sigh in delight.

She wouldn’t have even thought twice of him back home. She would have thought he was uncouth, barbaric. The now familiar knot of desire coiled in her belly. Who was she kidding? She would have been just as magnetized at home as she was here.

She sighed and slowly raised her glass up to her lips for a small sip. She could definitely understand why all the society queens smelled like alcohol. She was on the way herself.

“And why would a new bride linger by herself in a corner?”

She knew who was speaking by the tingle of nerves that shot through her.

“Is there a better place, Mr. Baddeaux?” she asked, without turning to see him.

She was not aware that she had sensed him. Just as she was unaware that he was pleased she could.

“Naturally, Ms. Reed.”

“Call me Ellie.”

“Ellie. Your husband prefers Ellis. I’m Duggan.”

“I’m afraid I’m not yet used to Ms. Reed and I prefer Ellie.”

“How long have you been married?” Duggan asked.

Ellie glanced at her diamond watch. “Five hours.”

She had the satisfaction of watching his jaw drop. “Five hours? And you’re already left unprotected?”

Strange choice of words. “My husband is a busy man.”

Now that she could see more clearly, there was only a vague resemblance to Jonathan. Same dark hair and both had green eyes but Duggan Baddeaux had eyes that were the exact same sparkling emerald as her own. Between them, the eye color was the only thing that matched, whereas she was a redhead, his hair was dark. Jonathan’s eyes were a deep, murky green, not bright like theirs.

“Ms. Reed? Ellie? You’re staring.”

Ellie snapped back to awareness. “Oh how rude. I’m so sorry. But your eyes, they’re the same color as mine. It’s so unusual, I’ve never seen anyone else with this shade of green.”

“I’d call yours emerald,” he said, his voice husky, the very eyes that she gazed into looking deeply into hers.

Ellie smiled, a bit sadly. It was just her luck. She finally met a man she was uncontrollably attracted to after she’d been married for five hours.

“As I’d call yours.” Her laughter was forcibly light, tinkling across the room. Ready to change this conversation into a casual play of words. Banter that meant nothing.

“I brought you another glass of wine.” He held out a glass for her.

“And here I’m not even finished with my first.”

“No matter. Here, trade me.”

Duggan took her glass of wine and handed her the full one instead. He then very carefully turned the glass to the area where she had been sipping from and, placing his lips on the same spot, downed the rest.

“Now you’re finished.”

Ellie watched mesmerized as his tongue traced over his lip, catching any last drop. He handed the empty glass to a passing server.

“That was very naughty,” she whispered at him.

He smiled wickedly. “I can be naughtier.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I have a feeling I can be just as naughty.”

“Then we’re two peas in a pod. Where have you been all my life?”

“Unfortunately, we met a little late. Six hours too late.”

“Certain events can be manipulated. One doesn’t have to live with a bad decision.”

“I haven’t had a chance to decide if it’s a bad decision or not. I’m only five hours in.”

Duggan leaned in. “Of course it’s a bad decision. How well do you know your husband, Ms. Reed?”

“I don’t.”

Duggan raised his eyebrows questioningly.

“I don’t know him. At all,” she continued.

“More the reason to leave then. For all you know, he may be a pervert. Sadistic, even.”

The tone of his voice suggested he knew what he was talking about. He reached out and touched her discreetly, just a hand on her elbow. Skin on skin. Electric fire rose at the contact and liquid heat poured into her gut.

Ellie gasped and met his eyes. It was unnatural but thrilling at the same time.

“You feel it? The spark? The zing? That we’re meant to be together?”

“I don’t know if that’s what I feel.”

His eyebrows rose at her statement.

“There’s definitely something there though,” she conceded.

“Let’s explore it. Meet with me, be with me.”

“I can’t. I’m married.”

“We won’t do anything you’re not comfortable with. Let’s just talk and visit. See what we have in common. That’s all.”

She was starting to sway. Temptation was so sweet. Was this how people became cheaters? Was it the thrill alone?

There was no one around. Duggan leaned in, just a little closer. For the kill.

“Meet me later, Ellie? Please?”

She watched his lips as he whispered. The gleam of his white teeth beyond those full lips. He’d be a sensual kisser.

She knew she shouldn’t. He was trouble. He was irresistible. “Where?”

“Retire early. I’ll be in your suite waiting for you.”

She nodded, slowly, not believing that she was committing to this. Then she turned and walked away.

She sought out Brian an hour after that. When she felt it was safe. “You don’t mind if I slip away, do you? I’m exhausted from all the traveling.”

“Of course not, my dear. I doubt that anyone will notice.” He’d had a little too much to drink. The sarcastic tone in his voice startled her, this was a side to him she hadn’t seen yet. She inclined her head regally and allowed his perfunctory kiss on her cheek.

Brian obviously noticed his attitude and tried to be more conciliatory. “I’ll make your excuses if anyone asks.”

She nodded and turned to leave. As she made her way down the hallway to her room, she wondered at the snide tone of voice Brian had. She opened the door to her suite to darkness. She turned on one small lamp by the door.

It illuminated Duggan sitting in a chair across from her.

“Good thing it was me,” she said, her voice shaking. The excitement of sinful ecstasy.

“I knew it was you, Ellie.” His voice was deep, measured.

She didn’t ask how. He rose and glided across the room, stopping inches away from her. He reached out with one hand, caressing her cheek. “You should be mine, Ellie.”

Feeling brave, Ellie turned her head to kiss his palm. It felt so natural, as if she’d done it before.

He placed his hand on the back of her neck and pulled her to him. “One kiss, Ellie. Please. Just one?” he whispered.

She could agree to that. Just one kiss.

She should have known better.

His lips met hers and they both paused at the sensation. It was better than expected. They fit perfectly. They opened their mouths at the same time and tongues met. Greedy now, they ground their lips together, gasping for breath, neither one willing to break the one kiss they were allowed. Ellie wrapped her arms around his neck, locking him to her. His hands pulled her by the waist closer to him, so close they were nearly one. Those same hands wandered, caressing the soft skin of her back and smoothing the feel of the velvet over her shapely bottom.

Pulled her into the bulge in the front of him. Pressing it against the swollen nub at the triangle between her thighs.

How would that bulge feel naked against her? Her flesh would be slick with moisture, coating it.

Finally, finally, Ellie was the one to pull away in desperation. Concern that she might go further and worry that she shouldn’t.

“Duggan, stop. I just got married today,” she gasped.

He stopped but left his hands at her waist, trying in vain to control his breathing. “I’m not going to apologize for what should have been mine, Ellie.”

“You have to stop talking like that. Who’s to say we should have been together?”

“Feel it, Ellie. Feel.” Duggan brought her hand up to his chest, to feel the racing of his heart. It thundered beneath her hand.

“All right. I admit there’s something more going on than I can explain.”

“You’re not ready to hear what’s going on, Ellie. Just trust me when I say you and I were meant to be together. No one else can do this to me. No one else can do this to you. Not like this.”

His hand still held hers over his heart. Ellie felt the warm, muscled chest and wanted nothing more than to lift his shirt and feel the bare skin.

“Ellie, give us a chance. Tell Reed you’re having second thoughts. Or better yet, don’t tell him anything. He’s dangerous. Come with me. Live with me. Annul your marriage or divorce him and give us a chance.”

“Oh God, Duggan, it’s too much to think about. I get married, find out it’s a big mistake, meet a stranger who asks me to come live with him. There’s just too much going on.”

Duggan knew it wouldn’t do to become exasperated. He was used to issuing commands and having them followed, not having someone weigh the pros and cons.

People just accepted his word. She was worried about being strangers? Maybe it wasn’t her fault. Perhaps humans couldn’t sense a mate. He was about to try another tactic but they heard a door slam down the hall. Drunken footsteps, a stumble and a curse and then another loud slam.

Brian was nearby. And she was in danger.

His instructions were rushed, hoping she would understand the urgency. “Meet me in town tomorrow. Two o’clock. We’ll get coffee. Just two neighbors running into each other. We’ll be in a public place. You won’t have to worry about me losing control. I won’t touch you or kiss you.”

“I don’t know. It doesn’t sound like a very good idea.”

He buried his face at her neck, letting her feel the warmth of his breath on her skin. Hoping this wouldn’t be the last time he held her close. “Please, Ellie. I need to see you again.”

He knew she agreed because she had the same burning desire. “All right. I’ll meet you tomorrow.”

“Promise?”

She smiled. “I promise.”

Поиск по сайту: