Racing Home (Dirt Track Dogs Book 3) (Paranormal Wolf-Shifter Romance) (11 page)

Running her hands up his rippled abs, she bent, kissing his chest and neck, her tongue swirling out to trace the pattern of his burns. They were a badge of courage, and she’d give them their due. He hissed in pleasure, his fingers digging into her hips, encouraging her to ride him. But she barely moved, continuing her mission to kiss every inch of his scars.

A helpless sound rattled his throat and his hips left the bed as he thrust upward.

She nibbled the curve of his jaw until she reached his ear, where she pulled the lobe between her teeth before whispering the truth.

“This is
so
much better than cheesecake.”

Chapter Twelve

Blister froze, her words catching him off guard. Better than cheesecake? Damn fucking right, it was better than cheesecake.

Annie pulled back to give him that sweet, sweet smile he’d come to depend on.

He loved her. Fuck him, but he loved her to the point of aching.

She planted her hands on his chest, rising up so only his tip was still inside her hot sheath. Catching her lip in her teeth, she brought her hips down quickly, her eyes closing in ecstasy.

“You are. So. Fucking. Gorgeous.” His voice was feral, but he didn’t try to hide it. He was done hiding from her. Tonight he was giving her everything. Tomorrow, they’d figure out what to tell people. He was still determined not to bring any shame to her.

She shook her head, tucking her chin against her chest so her hair tumbled over his face, while she kept her rhythm.

But he surged up, flipping their position again, and pinning her to the bed. He brushed the hair from her eyes so he could stare into them. “You are beautiful to me. Don’t ever shake your head at that again. Understand?” He thrust his hips to drive his point home, but the way her  body gripped his cock brought so much pleasure he was nearly blind from it.

“Okay, but—”

“No buts.” Whatever she was going to say was cut off as he pounded into her.

There was only his body meeting hers. His heart finding solace in hers. His soul becoming one with hers.

His orgasm was near as she clenched around his cock. Her body locked up, tensing for release.

“It’s time,” he gasped. “Come for me again, angel. Let me feel you throb around me.”

And like that she exploded, pumping him so good it stole his breath.

His wolf had waited long enough. He nuzzled her neck, choosing the perfect spot to mark her. If he did it closer to her shoulder, she could cover it with her shirt and no one would notice, but his animal didn’t like that idea. He wanted that beautiful symbol of their bond on display for the whole fucking world to see.

He’d do her shoulder. It was the right thing. Better for her.

At the last second though, he changed his mind, his teeth piercing high on her neck.

His mate went limp, as pleasure overtook him. With a desperate grunt, he spilled into her, imprinting her with his scent, marking her to completion.

Mine
. His wolf howled inside, and Blister felt a multitude of wrongs being righted. Inner wounds being healed. What was once a hurt animal was now strong and healthy. Vital, and ready to fight for his mate at the cost of every fucking thing.

He’d never lose another person he loved. Not without going with them. Rogan didn’t know how to fight for love like Blister did, and he’d never make those mistakes again.

‘Til death. Annie was his.

He slowed to a stop, carefully releasing his sweet mate’s neck. Tenderly, he licked her wound, holding her close while the aftershocks of her orgasm retreated.

When their breathing evened out, he slid from her body, hating the separation but already anxious for the next time. Rolling onto his side, he gathered her near.

“How do you feel?” he asked, dragging his lips over her shoulder.

She snuggled back into him, her ass fitting perfectly against his spent cock.

“Like I’m yours,” she said, drowsily. “Does my neck say ‘Belongs to Blister’?”

A laugh burst from his throat. It felt foreign but he liked it. He actually liked it. Or maybe it was just because he was happy.

“That’s exactly what it says, angel.”

***

After a week, the bed was still a problem. But Blister was trying. Annie could see that. Just last night, he’d even fallen asleep next to her instead of staying awake. And this morning, he woke her with sweet kisses that had turned into more. Not only that, but he’d moved a few things into her house.

Slowly but surely, he was settling in. And even if his reluctance was a little disturbing, he made up for it by reassuring her of their mating bond every chance he got.

She was his whether he shared her bed or not.

But they were already making progress on that so she wasn’t worried.

This, however…

This was not good.

She stared at Blister across the oval of Cedar Valley Speedway. He was getting ready for a run, but that wasn’t what had her chewing her thumbnail to nothing.

Once the storm debris was cleared from the track and the repairs finished, Dirt Track Dogs organized a county-wide charity race. The proceeds would go to help families who’d lost homes in the storm.

The whole thing made Annie proud to be one of them. The place was jam packed and every one of the dogs was racing today. She’d never seen Ella so excited to get back on the track. Even the crew of cats had turned out.

This should be a day filled with beer drinking, hootin’ and hollerin’, octane-fueled fun. But instead, Annie stood by the fence trying to sort out what was wrong with her mate.

He glanced her way just before he slipped his helmet on, and his eyes softened.

That tiny hint of recognition calmed the sense of unease plaguing her soul, but she wouldn’t truly feel better until they were alone and could talk it out. He needed to explain why he’d avoided her all day.

Every time she’d attempted to get near him, he’d found some excuse to walk away. The worst was when she’d sidled up to him and tried to hold his hand during Drake’s run. The look of horror on his face made her stomach feel sick. He was acting like they were strangers, and it hurt.

None of it made sense. His pack knew they’d mated. They welcomed her to the family like she’d always been one of them. The cats knew too. And she’d mentioned it in passing conversation at Red Cap.

She settled into a seat next to Tana. Maybe when he was done racing they could talk. For now, she needed to cheer her man on. He was running against Beast and three other guys from around the county.

Annie looked across the fence to see Punk lay one heck of a kiss on Beast just before he helmeted up.

Annie sighed. “That could’ve been us…”

“But he’s playing?” Tana asked.

Annie nodded, tearing her eyes away as Punk started for the bleachers.

“He’s acting like a damn cat right now.”

Annie raised a curious eyebrow. “So you noticed Blister being all weird too?”

Tana nodded. “He threatened to cut off Owyn’s balls if he looked at you, but now he’s all ‘who’s the cute blond chick who keeps trying to hold my hand’.” She clucked her tongue. “Sketchy, sketchy, I tell you. Claimed, and then set aside. Just like the cats do. That’s exactly why I’m not letting any male get his claws in me.”

Annie frowned. “The cats don’t mate for life?”

Tana laughed. “Oh, they do. But the males think it’s okay to have a harem of females at their beck and call. Their mate is only used to produce young and make them look good. Like I said, claimed and set aside.”

“But Renner’s mated, right? He seems to love his mate. He talks about her all the time.” In fact, he left before the races because he wanted to get back to her.

Tana cocked her head to the side, giving an unsure shrug. “Renner and Beth are different. But they aren’t the norm, I’m telling you.”

That sounded horrible. But that wasn’t what was wrong with Blister. He told her he’d want no woman besides her, and she believed him. This was something else.

“Wow. No wonder you’re sticking around here.”

Tana smiled. “Someone’s got to build Beast and Punk a house. I imagine one more night of wild fucking, and that tin can trailer they’re in won’t make it. Dude’s too big.”

Annie grinned. “I don’t know. It made it through the tornado.”

“True that.”

The roar of engines grew louder, drawing their attention to the track. Blister’s car was black, with the DTD logo across the hood. Number 48. And it was leading, with Beast close behind.

Annie grinned wide, her worries forgotten for the moment. That was the beauty of the speedway. People could come from all walks of life, with all sorts of problems, but a few minutes of tires spitting dirt could make even the saddest person light up with excitement. The problems would still be there later, but the track had a way of making them look smaller.

They rounded turn one, and Annie stood to cheer. He was going to win this one. She knew it. The result didn’t matter since the race was for fun, but that didn’t keep anyone from being competitive.

Punk glared at her from a few seats down and Annie shrugged. “My man’s better than your man,” she yelled, sticking her tongue out.

She narrowed her eyes, jumping to her feet to holler for Beast.

“You get laid and now you think you’re queen of the track?” Punk asked with a smirk.

“Don’t need to be,” Annie quipped. “I’m queen of his
motherfluffin’ bed
.”

“Ohhhhh!” Tana hooted, covering her mouth with one hand and throwing her fist in the air. Then she paused. “Wait. Did you just say ‘motherfluffin’?”

Annie grinned, nodding, and Tana rolled her eyes.

Coming around on the last turn, Blister was still in the lead, with Beast’s nose at his front wheels. He rubbed him a little, gaining a few inches, but the finish was too close for him to get ahead.

Annie cheered, and Punk did too. The crowd was loving it, and getting their money’s worth.

Climbing down from the stands, Annie went to go meet Blister. She reached him just as he was removing his dirt spattered jacket, and not thinking, she lunged for him.

He tensed, moving so she ended up in an awkward sideways hug that lasted all of two microseconds before he stepped out of her grasp.

What the heck was that? She looked like one of those race chicks that irritated her so much. Like she was throwing herself at someone who wasn’t interested instead of her lover. This was all wrong.

“Blister, what is wrong with you?” She let her confusion and hurt come through her voice this time.

He frowned, and looked around. As if he was looking to see if anyone was watching.

Dread gripped her. “Are you
embarrassed
of me?”

It couldn’t be that. He adored her in private, why would he hide their relationship in public?

Please don’t let that be it
.

Finally he gave her his full attention, his eyes fiery with emotion. “Fuck no, angel,” he snapped. “If I was embarrassed by you, I wouldn’t have put my mark in your pretty neck.”

She sighed, feeling relieved but still confused. “Then what is this? Why are you acting like we’re strangers?”

He threw his jacket on the seat of his car before taking her by the arm and guiding her behind the fence, through a line of car haulers, until they were hidden behind one of DTD’s. Pushing her back against the side of the hauler, he nudged her legs apart with his knee, took her face in his strong hands, and kissed her. He pried her lips open, licking at her tongue like he did when they were making love. He tasted like hot male, and dirt, and he set her on fire with hardly any effort.

She let his attention soothe the disjointed feeling she’d battled all day. But when he pulled back, she couldn’t let it go. Ignoring the problem would cause it to fester, and she wouldn’t have anything between them.

He’d tell her right now, or she was leaving. No point in sticking around the track if he was going to pretend she wasn’t there.

“What is wrong?” she demanded, trying to catch her breath.

He eyed her, his middle finger brushing a random curl from her face. He seemed to consider telling her, but then shook his head and stared at the ground.

Annie pushed at his chest, and slipped past the cage of his arms. “I’m going home then. I won’t do this anymore.”

She took two steps before his hand wrapped around her wrist, pulling her back to him. His arms banded around her waist and his cheek touched hers as he whispered, “Don’t go.”

“Tell me what’s wrong.”

Seconds turned to minutes, accompanied by his heavy breathing.

“Don’t be mad…”

Crap. That sort of start never preceded good news.

“I didn’t want anyone to know about us. That’s why I’ve been keeping my distance.”

She stiffened at his confession, and he squeezed her tighter, his face still hidden in the curve of her neck.

“But people already know.” Her voice was small and she hated it.

“Yes, our friends. But not people in the community. I didn’t want people around town finding out.”

“But… why?”

He sighed, rubbing his nose along the bend between her neck and shoulder. His tongue was soft as he licked at her mark. Careful. Reverent. Like he was saying a prayer before finishing his confession.

“I don’t want them to think less of you for being with me.” His quiet words deflated her, and she forced him back so she could look into his eyes.

“Blister, no…” She shook her head.

“I know how people are, Annie. I told you before, I don’t want to bring anything bad into your life, and that includes people’s negative opinions of us.”