CHAPTER 3. “But I want to see you closer to me,” he insisted

Jeezus.

“I see you from here.”

“But I want to see you closer to me,” he insisted.

Ellis looked over at Jonathan. He smiled easily at her and left the room. She looked longingly at the door he’d just walked through, wondering if she could make a run for it.

“Don’t even try it.”

She turned back to Duggan and took a small step toward him.

“A little closer please.” He was very calm, almost taunting.

“I don’t want to.”

“But, Ellie mine, I want you to.”

Before she’d even noticed, he was there before her. His hand touched her sore cheek and she stood stock-still.

“Are you tender?”

“Not really.” For if she admitted it, would it give him fuel to hurt her?

“Your skin is discolored.”

“It’ll heal.” She was still blasé, hoping he’d drop it.

His hand left her cheek and wrapped itself around the back of her neck, pulling her softly into him. Ellie placed her hands on his chest.

Duggan pressed the barest of kisses to Ellie’s cheek. Lightly, like the gentle wings of a butterfly.

“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” he asked.

“No,” she answered. But still, her heart raced with something she couldn’t understand.

“I need you to greet me every day, Ellie. No hiding and hoping I won’t notice you. I will always notice where you are.”

“Can I go now?”

“Where are you going?”

Damned if she knew. But she wanted to get away, away from the warmth emanating from his body, the scent enveloping his skin, the confusing tingle she felt when he was near her.

“A bath. I thought I’d take a bath.” Spur-of-the-moment decision but it sounded good now.

“Okay. You can hide out for tonight, Ellie. I’ll bring your dinner up to our room later.”

She practically flew up the stairs.

Duggan watched her leave and then headed for the dining room.

It was just him and Jonathan for dinner. Not a usual occurrence but Duggan wanted the least number of people possible over until Ellie got used to her new life.

He sat across from Jonathan and reached for a plate.

“How’d it go with Ellie?” Jonathan asked.

“Not well. She was terrified the entire time I tried to calm her. I could hear her heart pound and smell her fear.”

“Well, you are a scary guy.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re the big bad wolf. You’re not exactly tender with a frail little human, Duggan. I’ve been with Ellie for five years. She’s been groomed for a socialite existence but she’s been alone her entire life. The socialite persona is an act, a sophisticated role she plays, nothing else.”

“I don’t know how to be kind. I don’t have much to do around humans. You’re her friend, you make her fit in.”

“See, that’s exactly it. You can’t make her fit in. You have to be patient while she does it on her own.”

“Patience?” Duggan slammed a fist on the table. Dinnerware clanked, on the verge of shattering.

Jonathan took a bite of his dinner. “God, you would have just given her a heart attack right now. No sudden movement around her, no loud sounds, no breaking anything. Just love her. Tell her you love her a lot.”

“She’s my mate. She knows I love her. Especially since I haven’t forced my attentions on her. I’m suffering for her.”

Jonathan grinned. “No woman’s going to see that kind of suffering as love. You have to tell her. Frequently. Trust me.”

Duggan finished eating in silence and looked at his watch. “She’s been up there over a half hour. I’m taking her dinner upstairs.”

He rose from the table and Jonathan placed his hand on Duggan’s arm.

“Give her a little more time. A week maybe. A week before you share her bed. Just keep loving her until then. Remember, calm, patient, loving.”

Duggan wrenched his arm from Jonathan. “I got it,” he growled.

Jonathan fought the urge to laugh. For Ellie’s sake it wasn’t funny.

Duggan went to the kitchen and found Patrick’s mate, Sophie. “I need food for Ellie,” he said with a scowl.

Sophie raised an eyebrow at his grumbling while she prepared the tray.

That was what he was talking about. Werewolves didn’t tremble around him. Why did his own mate? Perplexed, Duggan carried the tray upstairs to the bedroom.

Ellie was still in the tub trying to relax but not succeeding. The last thing that Duggan had said riled her up. He’d said he’d bring dinner up to our room. She’d assumed she’d have her own room. Sure he’d stayed in it last night but she’d still assumed it was hers. Before she got into the bath, she’d looked through the dressers. Through the closets. Sure enough, it was his room too.

She heard the bedroom door open and sank farther into the bubbles before Duggan reached the bathroom. He walked in, strode over to the tub and pulled the plug, draining the water around her.

Ellie sat up, her modesty forgotten with the shock of his overbearing handling. “What are you doing?”

Duggan reached for a towel, trying to ignore the pink-tipped breasts that gleamed wetly and rubbed gently along the bubbles. He fought for control as his cock tried to rise and he beat the urge down. It was going to be a very frustrating week.

“I’m getting you out. You need to have dinner.”

“I can get myself out. I got myself in.”

“Don’t push me, Ellie. Just stand.” There was something in his tone that hinted that he’d reached the edge of his patience.

Ellie stood.

Duggan blew out his breath. She was curvy and proud and was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Her curly red hair was piled on top of her head and her skin was the color of cream. Her breasts were full and pink-tipped, delicate and dainty. Pouty little nipples that would poke upward whenever they pleased. She was thin, yet rounded in the places a man wants curves. One small movement and he could reach over and taste the collarbone that beckoned to him.

A waist that he could wrap his hands around. More coppery curls down below, wet now, dripping with bubbles. Long, lean legs with the right amount of muscle. What he would give to smell her arousal right now.

But that was definitely a scent that was missing as she stood there, courageous and naked before him. He wrapped her gently with the towel and lifted her wet body from the tub.

“I’m getting you all wet,” she said softly.

A tug pulled at his heart as he realized that soft voice was her way of not setting off his anger. Did he terrify her that much?

“No matter.” His black turtleneck sweater looked darker where it was wet but the moisture would serve to cool his heightened temperature.

He laid her on the bed and gently opened the towel. Taking the edge, he began to dry her body. He took his time, patting even after she was dry. He wanted to learn every detail of her body and this was his chance. He studied the feminine, pink-tipped toes. Hot pink polish, a color that set his blood racing. Slender calves, a beauty mark on the inside of her thigh.

Her heart raced when he dried her torso area with her stiff nipples but calmed again when he took his time and did nothing else but dry her breasts “Turn over onto your front”

Ellie did as she was told, not even arguing this time. He picked up a bottle of lotion he’d bought, the one the saleslady swore a woman would like. He rubbed the lotion between his big hands and then began smoothing it onto her back first, then roaming further down her buttocks. He rubbed it in slowly, tenderly, because it was an excuse to touch her. Right now he’d take any excuse he could.

“Turn over.”

Ellie’s breath caught when he rubbed lotion into the front of her, from torso to legs. Still, he made no effort to touch her unnecessarily and eventually she relaxed. His rubbing was comforting and she was actually enjoying it. She had to keep reminding herself that he was a monster. Because right now, she couldn’t remember what that looked like. And a longing had started.

A feeling that wasn’t scary at all when he massaged the cream into her breasts. He cupped each one, wrapping his long slippery hands around them and sliding the lotion around, ending at the nipple. Then the pad of his thumb capped off each stiff nub.

She almost wished he’d spend more time there.

She almost wished she was brave enough to ask for it.

He left the bed and returned with a nightgown for her. A fresh one, in a royal blue. It would look good with her red hair but then he seemed to know what would look good on her.

He bunched the nightgown up around the neckline and slowly settled it over her head. He eased it over her shoulders and then watched as the silk slid over her now glistening skin.

“There’s nothing on earth like silk,” she whispered.

“There’s nothing on earth like you in silk,” he retorted. “I’m going back downstairs to make a few phone calls. Are you coming?”

“No.” The uneasy truce was over too soon.

Frustration tinged his voice again. He shouldn’t have given her a choice. “Okay. For tonight, you can hide out. But you remember the rules? You’ll greet me tomorrow night. And you’ll go where I go tomorrow night.”

She didn’t reply, so he left the room.

He could finish work faster if he had help, so he dragged Jonathan out to the office. Together they made the necessary phone calls. It took half as much time and they were finished by eleven. Which was good, since he was leaving the house at seven in the morning. He wanted to be home at a reasonable time to spend some of the evening getting his mate used to him. He could do this.

He entered their bedroom to see her still lying across the bed, her arm sprawled over her eyes, fast asleep. Exhausted.

She was a lustful pool of temptation. He’d seen her entire body naked and fought to keep his erection down. Now though, he could enjoy.

She would never know.

He eased the gown up over her legs. It slid against the sleek texture of her thighs and he inched it higher and higher. Soon her fiery curls were exposed and Duggan stared for long minutes.

She was beautiful there. As delicate as the rest of her. Pink flower petals that would open for him. He licked his lips, imagining her taste. How her lips would look flushed and swollen. Imagining her losing control and thrusting her pussy against his mouth for more pleasure.

He brought the silk higher, up over her waist, up over her breasts. The shiny material of her gown pooled over her luxurious skin, framing her luscious mounds.

Lord, how he wanted to take a nipple between his lips. Savor it, hold it between his teeth, tugging gently until she moaned for more. He whipped the gown over her head and left her on the bed while he quickly stripped himself bare. He should take a cold shower but he could infuse more of his scent onto her skin by holding her like this.

He lifted her and laid her beneath the sheets. Still she slept. He crawled in next to her and pulled her close, pressing her against his hot skin. He resisted the urge to explore the womanly softness between her thighs while she slept. He fought the need to feel himself and relieve the pressure.

Unless…that was another method of scenting her that she need never know about. He wrapped his hand around the ache in his cock and stroked. The purple head bobbed against her smooth buttocks with the movement.

Her ass was luscious, an upside-down heart. If he didn’t think he’d wake her, he’d slide his swollen erection between the hot warmth of her cheeks. But he’d have to make do with jacking off against her.

And imagine sliding his fingers through the lips of her pussy, exploring her body so intimately.

It was just a few minutes and he bit back his groan as his climax hit. Hot cum spurted gratefully from the tip of his cock onto her lower back, right above her sexy ass. He squeezed his sensitive member until it finished.

Then he smeared his juice into her back and buttocks. He pulled her close and pressed his quivering cock against her.

* * * * *

Duggan was gone when Ellie awoke. She sat in bed and noticed her naked state as the sheet slid down her body.

She decided not to shower. She’d taken an hour-long bath last night and told herself that she didn’t want to wash off all the expensive lotion Duggan rubbed into her skin. Truth was, she didn’t want to wash Duggan from her skin. It warmed her to think of how tenderly he’d dried her and the care he’d taken of her afterwards. She just wasn’t ready to admit it. Not yet. Hell, maybe not ever.

She went down to the kitchen where Patrick had just poured a cup of coffee.

“Like a cup?” he asked.

“Sure.” She smiled. “Where’s Jonathan?”

“Still sleeping. You’re up early.”

“Hmm. Well, if I’m awake, no reason he should get to sleep in. I’ll go wake him up.”

“You want me to start breakfast?”

“Okay.”

Patrick smiled at the new scent of his alpha on her.

She wandered upstairs with her cup of steaming coffee in her hands and opened the door to the bedroom she knew was Jonathan’s. She strode to the curtains and parted them, letting the early morning sun burst in.

It illuminated the sleepy man in the middle of the huge bed.

“Lord, woman. Ever hear of a gentle rub on the back to wake someone up?”

Ellie sat in a chair across from him. “Sorry.” She grinned. “Brought you coffee.”

“You’re drinking it,” he accused with a smile.

“It’s good,” she defended herself.

He stretched lazily. Stubble adorned his square jaw. He was as sexy as hell but yet he wasn’t Duggan. There was something about Duggan, even though he was scary. Something she couldn’t put her finger on.

“Gonna bring that coffee or what?”

“Will it help you get up and showered faster?”

“Yes, Bossy Ellie, it’ll do the trick.”

She brought him the cup and he took a deep drink.

“Ahh, that’s heaven.”

“What’s on the agenda for today?” she asked, going over to the window and looking out.

“You and I need to have wolf lessons. I need to teach you about our behaviors and tell you about the people we look after.”

“When?”

“After I get up and showered.”

“Well, do so already.”

“You just want to see me naked. You know wolves sleep nude.”

“Oh hell. Come get me when you’re done. I’ll be eating both our breakfasts,” she threatened with a smile.

Jonathan showered in record time and was downstairs in fifteen minutes. Ellie was indeed eating as promised. She waited as he ate the majority of his breakfast and then began firing questions.

“What’s up with Duggan? Why is he so standoffish?”

“He has a lot of responsibility. He doesn’t get to be a fun-loving guy.”

“And you are.”

“Yeah. And I owe it to my brother, Ellie. He’s never forced me to mate, he’s given me so much. I know he doesn’t want children and with me not bothering to mate, we both know what that means.”

“What does it mean?” Ellie asked.

“Usually a wolf king status is passed from father to the most alpha son. Duggan doesn’t have sons and I won’t have any. That means someday when he’s no longer strong enough to rule, instead of handing his title away, he’ll be fought for it. To the death.”

“You have to be kidding me! Why hasn’t he had sons?”

“He’s never found anyone he wanted babies with. Maybe that’ll change but if he hasn’t approached you with the conversation, I’m thinking he’s still resigned to no children. It’s not easy, carrying cubs and watching your mate go through it.”

“Jonathan, I’m not used to this. You and Duggan act as though I’m married to him, like I should share everything with him. I don’t feel that way. In fact, I’m more comfortable with you being a wolf than I am Duggan being one.”

“That’s only because you’re more comfortable with me. We’ve been friends for five years. You’ll become the same way with Duggan.”

“I don’t know. I did, at first, you know. When I first met him, I thought this is the one. And then after, after that night, I don’t know, Jonathan. I just don’t know.”

“Ellie, this is what I’m going to do for you. I’m going to leave you alone today to think. Think about that first day you met Duggan, the day when you were willing to meet with him even though he was a stranger. Forget about everything else. Forget about wolves and the ass you had married. Just think about those feelings.”

She nodded. “I can try that.”

“Okay. Just stay in the house, I’ll be around if you need me. I might go downstairs for a movie or if I go outside, I’ll let Patrick and Sophie know.”

He stood and left, leaving Ellie alone. She wandered through the house, exploring. Finding a large closet on the upper floor, she opened it to find a set of stairs.

She loved exploration, always had. She never thought twice about whether she should climb the stairs, she just did.

There was a door at the top and it was unlocked. An attic, a dusty old attic. Perfect.

Perfect for Halloween, maybe. Cobwebs filled the attic and an old antique mirror had so much grime she couldn’t even see her reflection.

Like most attics, it was filled with old stuff. Most intriguing was an antique writing desk. She sat at the desk and opened the top drawer.

A journal.

Written by a young Duggan, it clearly expressed his emotions. Above all, he wanted to protect Jonathan. He was afraid his little brother was a sitting duck for any alpha wolf who wanted a chance to rule. The wolf would take out his little brother, eliminating the possibility of Jonathan ruling should harm come to Duggan.

And harm was coming, for Duggan had discovered the plans.

It was why Duggan allowed Jonathan to leave Boulder and live among humans. While he was gone, Duggan eliminated the problem wolves.

Jonathan never knew he was being threatened. Duggan never shared it with him, wanting his baby brother to be safe and knowing Jonathan would insist on staying to help.

Ellie felt her heart swell. This was exactly the reminder she needed.

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