Mastered by a Wolf Read online

  “Really? So soon?” A blush colored her cheeks. “What I meant to say…”

  “Don’t sound so afraid,” he teased her as he took his seat. “I don’t bite.” Not in my human form.

  “What I meant to say was I didn’t realize the roads would be open. All the snow…it seems impossible to make it to Tower Bridge let alone out of London.”

  He heard the wonderment in her voice. “You’ve never been outside London, have you?”

  “Nay.” She nibbled on her lower lip for a moment. “When I was a little girl, I dreamed of living in a cottage in the country, but I gave up those fantasies a long time ago.”

  “Seems your fantasies are coming true.” And I plan on opening you to many more.

  “We’ll see,” she responded. A small smile graced her lips while a fresh blush rolled up her cheeks.

  The heady scent of her heat hit his nose. “What are you thinking?” He propped his ankle on his opposing thigh. The crotch of his pants grew uncomfortably tight.

  “Nothing of import,” she hedged.

  He eyed the seductive sway of her hips as she walked to the mantel and put her coin purse down. “I insist.”

  A devilish twinkle shimmered in her honey-brown eyes. “I was thinking about what you proposed while…you…showed me the press.” She bowed her head. “About what…you ken…once we journeyed to your home.”

  Thinking back, he recalled telling her he was going to tie her down and fuck her arse. “Have I tied you in a knot?” His wolf paced. His body grew bowstring tight with sexual anticipation. Again, he wished he could read her mind.

  Her tinkling laughter filled the room. “’Twould appear so.” She moved to the settee and sat. It took her a moment to adjust her skirts and then she folded her hands in her lap. From every angle she was the epitome of gently-bred young lady. She peeked at him through the veil of her lashes. “I am curious—about things.”

  “Are you?” He was determined that once they arrived in Kent he was going to satisfy all her curiosities and live out a few of his private fantasies. “Is there aught you wanted to ask me—specifically?”

  “I—” She squirmed.

  Cut off from continuing their conversation by the tea arriving, William stared at his life mate. Horace took his place by the door, ceasing their short but highly intriguing and entertaining chat filled with double entendres. “I should leave,” William stated before Eliza had even had a chance to pour out a cup of tea. He felt her father’s presence enter the parlor.

  “Nonsense,” Daniel Dogood said. “I’ll not hear of it. The weather is foul and ‘twill only get worse after dark. You’ll stay the night. We have an extra room in the servant’s quarters. ‘Twon’t be the lap of luxury, but you’ll be warm and dry.”

  William steered his gaze to his future father-by-marriage. “I appreciate your kindness.” He held up his hand when Eliza opened her mouth. He’d already informed his father that he was going to stick close to Eliza until they made it to Kent. His sire had agreed with him that Eliza was in danger of vampire attack now that she carried his scent.

  Daniel sat on the opposite end of the settee. William sighed softly. “I know my parents will appreciate your gracious offer. I may be a man full grown, but my mother frets mightily about me traveling down a lane after dark let alone a fair distance through a snow storm.” He shook his head. “‘Tis an aspect of women I will never understand. That they have to agonize over nothing until they are fairly ill.” But in his case, his mother had every right to fear him traveling at night when the vampires were overtly active.

  “Aye,” Daniel agreed. He chuckled. “They are an oddity. Women, you know. Believe me, they worry about the littlest details and have the mind-boggling ability to build a mountain from an unwanted speck of dust if the mood strikes them.”

  Eliza poured tea for all of them. He shook his head when she held up the delicate Limoges pitcher holding cream. Taking the cup from her, he took a sip and focused his attention on Daniel’s face. “Again, thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Dogood.”

  “You are quite welcome, William.”

  * * * *

  Eliza was a ball of raw nerves. Oh my. Oh my. Oh my. Simply knowing William was sleeping a short distance away from her room had her imagination running rampant. The notion of him tying her down—of doing unspeakable illicit acts to her body—made her wet for him.

  Undoing the belt of her robe, she let the strip of cloth slide across her palms before she shrugged out of the garment. She laid her robe across the bottom of her bed.

  “Miss, would you care for a cup of warm milk afore bed?” Amy inquired. ‘Twas a customary question as the maid filled the bed warmer with hot coals from the fireplace.

  “No, thank you, Amy.” Eliza slid into bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. A cold shiver ran up her spine. How many times have I been nigh frozen today? Too many to count. Eliza felt Amy slide the bed warmer beneath the mattress. She envisioned William’s strong frame lying beside her, and his hands caressing away her chills.

  “If I might be so bold, Miss. I think ‘tis a fine match. You and Mr. Cope marrying, that is, Miss.” Amy said as she snapped the bedding down.

  “Aye, ‘tis a fine match.”

  “I shall miss serving you, Miss Eliza.”

  “I’m sure you’ll be fine.” Eliza smiled patiently. “I know Constance can be a handful, but hopefully she’ll wed her dearest Robert soon.”

  “Miss?”

  “One can hope, Amy.” Rolling onto her side, Eliza closed her eyelids. Hope. ‘Tis a wonderful thing.

  “Aye, Miss. Good night, Miss.”

  “Pleasant dreams, Amy.” She heard the door close. Flopping onto her back, Eliza fantasized about riding William’s fingers. Of their own accord, her hands caressed her stomach. She spread her legs, remembering when William had told her to do the same, his luminous gaze centered on her crotch. A throb etched down the soft walls of her pussy.

  Her fingers brushed through the thatch of curls at the juncture of her thighs until she found her clit. Trying to mimic exactly how he’d touched her, she sucked in a sharp gasp as her index finger swirled over the sensitive nub. Her other hand gripped her breast, tweaking her nipple between her thumb and forefinger similarly to how he’d teased the hard bud.

  “I hope you are thinking of me,” William’s deep voice broke through the passionate haze she’d wrapped around herself.

  Her hands immediately stilled. Her gaze flew to the door. “You shouldn’t be in my room.”

  “Nay, I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t resist seeing you one last time tonight.”

  “That’s a very sweet sentiment.” She bit her lower lips as she removed her hands. ‘Twasn’t easy to appear prim and proper knowing she’d been touching herself. The smell of her musk drifted over her. Her gaze fell to the bulge tightening the front of his pants. Clearing her throat, she slid her legs closed. “Was there anything else you wanted?”

  “Nay, but I’d watch you touch yourself more.” He nodded toward her body. Turning, he slid the bolt home. “I’d appreciate seeing you finish what you started.” His powerful legs brought him toward the bed. She gulped against the dryness choking her breath when he picked up her robe, removed the belt and leaned against the bedpost. Her heart skipped a beat when he tested the strength of the belt by jerking the strip with his fisted hands. “Touch yourself, slave.”

  “Do you think this wise? My papa is not far. Neither is Constance,” Eliza responded in a shallow whisper.

  “Do you wish me to punish you?” Gripping the corner of the bed covers he pulled them off her body. “Do you?”

  She shook her head. Passion rolled through her.

  “Take off your nightrail.”

  Rushing to do as she was told, she pulled her gown off and placed it on the pillow beside her. She licked her lips as she repositioned herself on the mattress to give him an excellent view of her nether region. Remembering how he’d ordered her to sit upon the counter in h
is father’s shop, she levered her torso up on a straight arm. She arched her back. ‘Twas positively lewd to consider she engage him in such an unethical antic and unabashedly sexy to know her father was only a few doors down the hall at the same time.

  “Touch yourself, slave.”

  There was something seductive about him being fully dressed while she was as naked as the day she was born. Goosebumps rose on her arms. She spread her thighs, exposing her pussy to him. Gingerly, she swept her fingers down her tummy again and found her slick folds. She ran her fingers across her slit.

  “Slide them into your hole, slave.”

  Her thigh muscles twitched and her breath came in short gasps as she complied. One finger then two dipped into her drenched channel. She tried to set a steady pace, tried to rub her clit the same way he had, but ‘twas difficult. She was a novice. Trembling with need, she was desperate to find her own release. No matter what she did, she couldn’t set the right rhythm or play with her clit the right way. Her passion needed a master to strum her with the expertise of a violinist laying a bow to a Stradivarius to bring her to a climax.

  She didn’t care whether he delivered her satisfaction through slaps against her bum or his cock driving into her. “Help me.” Her breath hitched, and her heart banged hard in her chest. “Help me, Master.” A small cry escaped her lips. “I need you.”

  “Lie back with your head over the edge of the mattress.” He came around the bed and slid her into position when she didn’t move fast enough. “Aye, that’s nice.” Brushing his knuckles down her cheek, they continued their path until they came to her nipples. Laying a swat to her tit, she moaned. “Shh, slave. Remember, your sire is down the hall.”

  Through narrowed eyes she saw him release his erection. She’d never seen the like. ‘Twas enormous.

  “Put your hands over your head and clasp your fingers.” He pinched her nipple hard. “Don’t move and don’t make a sound. Do you understand, slave?”

  Nodding, she winced when he laid a light slap to her breast. It wasn’t hard enough to really hurt, but it added to the tantalizing thrum coursing through her veins. She lifted her hips. Her pussy wanted to be filled with his manhood.

  He leaned down. “Open your mouth. You will lick my cock. You will suck on it. You will enjoy this, slave.”

  Her eyes widened. Are you jesting? Still, she parted her lips. I’ve never heard of this. He maneuvered his cock toward her mouth. She licked the tip. Before she could think to protest, he slid his cock between her lips. My God.

  “Take it down your throat,” he rasped.

  With his hand in her hair, he eased his cock over her tongue and down her throat. Her hips swayed to and fro. He set the pace as he slid his cock in and out of her mouth. Wonderful twinges strolled down her feminine walls. His fingers left her breast and trailed over her tummy. Aye. I want it. Please.

  “Spread your legs wider. I want to fuck you hard with my fingers.”

  Her eyelids slid shut when he thrust harder into her mouth. She licked the underside of his cock, and he groaned. His fingers reached the goal, and he slid two into her pussy. His thumb flicked over her clit.

  Clasping her hands so tight she’d nearly lost feeling from her wrists down, she met the pace he set. Tremors tripped down her pussy. So close.

  “Are you going to climax for me, slave?”

  She almost nodded aye. Oh my. Please.

  “Do you want me to fuck you?”

  To answer or not? Gasping for air, her pussy clenched down on his fingers.

  “Tell me, slave.”

  “Please, Master,” she muttered. “Please.”

  He spun her around so her legs dangled over the edge of the bed. “Look at me,” he commanded. “Keep your hands above your head.

  Staring at the strong planes of his face, Eliza blew out a breath. Her thigh muscles jumped as he stripped off his trews and kicked them aside. God, I want to touch you. I want to get closer to you.

  “You are gorgeous,” he murmured as he positioned his cock between her legs. Leaning down, he planted a soft kiss to her lips. “You are mine.” Without another word he plunged into her.

  He set a wild pace. The delightful friction caused by his shaft sinking deep into her channel then pulling back until only the tip sat within her grew. The base of his cock hit her clit with precision. He laid his hand across her lips to muffle her screams of ecstasy. Oh, aye. Oh, aye! Oh, Aye!

  “Come for me,” he rasped.

  Contractions ripped down her. She clamped her thighs against his hips. Her hands released their hold on each other so she could hug him. Wrapping her arms around his shirt-clad shoulders she hung on with all her might when his thrusts grew harder, faster.

  Her second climax shot through her before the first had let off and every inch of her tingled from the power of her release. “Ah. Ah. Ah.”

  He growled. His seed soaked her. Propping his weight on his elbow, he kissed her cheek. Their gazes met and locked. “Did I hurt you?”

  Holding him close, she shook her head. “Nay.” She lingered in his arms for a few more minutes, enjoying the glow surrounding her. He slid from her and helped her up. She snaked her arms around his waist. Laying her head against his chest, she heaved a sigh when he brushed his callous hand over her bottom and up her side. “You should go back to your room. Papa might awake and check to make sure you are there.”

  “He hasn’t. I can hear him snoring.”

  “You have the most amazing hearing, William.” She snuggled closer. Caressing his heavily muscled back, she quelled a yawn.

  “We need to talk.”

  “About?”

  “My hearing and other things.”

  Chapter Six

  Honesty is the best policy when you are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

  William knew he’d have to broach the subject of his paranormal status early in their relationship. ‘Truthfully, it wasn’t a matter of if Eliza discovered he’d been infected with Wolf’s Bane but a question of on which full moon she would catch him in his werewolf form.

  ‘Twas no different than the way his parents had uncovered the truth about him. He’d visited them, swearing he’d never come to London again after seeing them one last time, and had been forced to beat a vampire away from the shop’s stoop.

  His mother had been horrified. His father appalled. He had no recourse against their terror nor did he try to appease them. He was what he was. Simple as that.

  They’d come to grips with what he was, though it had taken considerable time. The situation eventually resolved itself on the grounds that he hadn’t asked to be infected and he vowed to never consume human flesh. The mere notion disgusted him.

  But that had been well over two decades ago and before he’d met Eliza. He’d never experienced the pull of meeting a life mate, though he’d pondered how the unknown woman might receive him.

  The only aspect he hadn’t considered was how strong the mating would come or how his instinct to protect Eliza—and to possess her—would affect him. His discipline was a shambles. By God, I nearly bit you.

  And the desire to mark her as his territory wouldn’t let off. He wanted the whole world, paranormal and normal alike, to know she was his until death separated them.

  The prickling pain of his werewolf form overtaking his body caught him by surprise. “Damn me.” He settled her delectable bum on the mattress. Sniffing the air, he got a whiff of a vampire’s grotesque bouquet. ‘Twas a vampire he knew not only by sight but by scent. The one who’d tried to corner him when he’d come to London but a few short days ago. “Hide in the cupboard and don’t come out until I say ‘tis safe.”

  “What?”

  “Eliza, go!” He jerked his shirt off. Ignoring her startled gasp which he assumed was caused by the hideous scar marring his shoulder blade; he gave her a little shove toward the wardrobe. “Close the door and if my enemy begs entry, deny him.”

  “You’ve lost your senses,” she said. “Hide in
the cupboard? I dare say I couldn’t fit in it if I was a child.” She laid her hand on his chest. “There’s no room.”

  “Eliza, find somewhere, a privy or servant’s room makes no difference, with a door to hide behind.”

  “What has you fearful?”

  “You don’t want to know.” His body curved inward as his transformation came over him. “Go, before you are caught in the melee.”

  “Are you hurt?”

  “Go!” he shouted. His arm struck out as he pushed her further away. The sound of the ropes suspending her mattress groaning as she landed on the surface hit his ears. “Get away from me,” he snarled through his gritted teeth.

  “William?”

  “Hide. Do it now.”

  Steering his head to the side, he watched her grab her robe and sprint from the room. “Aaaahhh!” His morph was in full tilt. His bones lengthened, his face contorted. The excruciating pain of shifting from a man to a wolf raced through him.

  “Papa.” He heard her rattle the latch to her sire’s bedroom door. “Papa, come quickly.”

  “Nay!” he roared. ‘Twas too late. Her harsh banging on her father’s bedroom door echoed through the house. He turned his gaze to the bay window in her room. Outside the mullioned panes a vampire glared back at him. A silver dagger was clutched in its hand. “What do you here?” he asked with a snarl.

  “I’d ask you the same thing,” the vampire retorted. He waved the blade at the window. “Let me in so we can discuss it.”

  “Never!” William shouted.

  “Be gone from here, vampire,” Daniel’s voice brooked no disobedience. “You know you are not welcome on my property.”

  The vampire shrieked and flew away.

  “What?” William asked as he changed back to his mortal form. He stumbled. The energy it took him to shift sapped much of his strength. His gaze sought out Daniel and then Eliza. What the bloody blue blazes?

  “Papa, help him,” Eliza shouted. She rushed to his side. “You shouldn’t have done that, William.” Easing his arm across her slim shoulders, she waited for her father to take his other side. Together they assisted him onto the mattress.