Midsummer Heat (4 page)

“I think that’s it for the cards,” she said, pursing her lips as she looked at the ones left on the tray and the paper in her hand. “Those appear to be spare. I don’t think Riley had replies on them. We’ll put them down on the tables near the door, just to be on the safe side.”

“Okay,” Max agreed easily, content just to fetch and carry as long as he got to spend time with her. The fact that he’d secured her as his date for tomorrow’s wedding was the icing on the cake.

Contentment rolled through him as he leaned down, making it easier for her to pluck another ribbon from around his shoulders. He watched as she carefully wrapped it around the floral arrangement in the centre of the table, the heady scent of the lilies rising up as she moved them, to add a unique touch that was pure Kelli. She’d always been artistic, drawing and painting as far back as he could remember. He still had one of the first pictures she’d drawn him, of a full moon and two wolves underneath. She’d been six to his eight, but he’d kept it, hidden safe under his bed until he got his own place. Now it hung in his office.

Her lips pursed as she stood back, considering her work. The small expression and the way she nibbled her lip as she thought fascinated him. All he wanted to do was lean down and kiss the little expression away. Replace her teeth with his and nibble the soft, plump flesh instead. Unresolved lust roared through him and he shifted, trying to ease the pressure in his jeans.

He’d been hard since he’d kissed her yesterday, a permanent erection that showed no signs of abating any time soon. She was a fever in his blood, a compulsion he couldn’t deny or stay away from, even though she kept trying to push him away. Not too much now though, he thought in satisfaction. She’d hardly argued when he’d bargained to escort her tomorrow, just nodded tersely and helped him load his truck with the flowers. Now though, she kept sliding him little looks of interest he couldn’t ignore. Typical woman, saying one thing with her lips and another with her eyes.

“It looks great,” he told her as he put the tray down on the nearest table, careful not to disturb anything. “Now, come here.”

She eyed him warily, holding her piece of paper in front of her like a shield. He wanted to smile; as armor went, it was pretty ineffective. With effort he kept his amusement off his face, stepping into her when she didn’t move. He could have been an ass about being obeyed, but when his blood sang with the need to taste her lips again, he wanted her warm and willing, not pissed off and trying to knee him in the balls.

She tracked him all the way, but didn’t retreat. Instead she held her ground, watching him with those beautiful puppy dog eyes. Abruptly the image of a little girl, with her wide, doe-like eyes and his blond hair filled his mind and a wave of longing washed over him. He wanted that. Wanted her, wanted to see her pregnant, her belly swollen with his child.

“We don’t have time for this,” she complained, biting her lip again and looking around the room as if trying to find some excuse. There wasn’t one. The flowers were all in place, they had less than ten name cards to arrange and she’d have to be a magician to create room for more ribbons and garlands to go up.

“We’re done. Relax.”

His hands landed gently on her slender shoulders. He waited for her to flinch and pull away, evading him like she had for the last ten years. As running went, right out of town was far and fast. He didn’t want to make her do that again. She didn’t though, looking up to him for reassurance.

“You think so? I want Riley to be pleased.”

“I know so. Stop worrying.”

He pulled her against him, wrapping strong arms around her slender frame and holding her. He didn’t bother to hide the state of his body. Arousal permeated his scent, wrapping around them like a heady perfume. But she didn’t fight like he expected her to. Instead she sighed and rested her head against his chest, her small hands splayed over his ribcage and waist. Such a small thing but triumph surged through him as he dropped a kiss on the top of her hair and closed his eyes.

“It’ll be fine, love. I promise.”

Love conquered all. Sometimes it didn’t matter about a couple’s background, or how different they seemed. Sometimes all they needed was love. Kelli hadn’t believed it at first when she’d met Jenna, sure the flighty younger woman was just looking for an easy ride by getting married.

But now, as they took their vows, she could clearly see the love that shone in the bride’s eyes as she looked up at her groom, and the tender and protective way her brother took Jenna into his arms for the traditional kiss.

“Jealous?” Max murmured in her ear as she dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief she’d kept ready just in case. In the row in front of them, her mother was likewise occupied, tears streaming down her cheeks as she watched the youngest of her children get married.

“Me? No. Riley’s a terrible kisser.”

The sigh she got in response made her grin. An expression she didn’t hide as she slid the tall man a sideways glance. She had to admit Max sure scrubbed up well. The last time she’d seen him in a tux had been his senior prom.

She and her best friend Kristen had headed over to the Daniels house, taking something that Max’s dad, then the Stratton Alpha, wanted from her grandfather’s records. Max had been leaving as they arrived, dressed up to the nines in an expensive suit, a corsage box in his hand. She’d tried to get a look in the box, seeing a flash of red and white but he’d been in too much of a hurry, shooting them a charm-drenched smile before heading off to pick up his date.

April Horton. She remembered the girl’s name and the jealousy that that consumed her that the tall blond from a run-down trailer the other side of town had snagged the best looking guy in the pack. Not that April appreciated that. Like Kristen, she was as human as they came, unable to understand Max’s ‘other’ side. Not like Kelli. Even now the memory of his wolf filled her mind. Like his human form, he hadn’t filled out back then but the hint of power had already been there, the shadow of the man and wolf he’d become.

Back then he hadn’t filled the shoulders out, but he did now. The tux fit him like a second skin, the expensive fabric fitted and clinging in all the right places. It highlighted rather than concealed the power of the frame beneath, inviting the touch of her fingers to see if those muscles were really as hard as she remembered.

“Minx,” he breathed, catching her grin and moving closer. His gaze flittered over to the bridal couple as they emerged from their kiss, happy and triumphant. Jenna’s cheeks were flushed, growing darker and the congregation erupted into cheers and clapping.

“You’ll look beautiful in a wedding dress. Flowers in your hair. All dark eyes and soft lips.” His voice was low, a seductive murmur as he wove a spell around her.

Kelli shook her head, not thinking about her words. “We’re wolves, remember? No wedding.”

He grinned and she realized what she’d done. Admitted to him that she
had
thought about them getting married.

“I’d marry you, Kelli.” He slid his hand down her bare arm to shackle her wrist in strong fingers. The rough rasp of his promise dragged a shiver all the way down her spine as he held her still while the rows around and behind them emptied to follow the bride and groom down the aisle. “Here, with you in a pretty white dress, me in a suit. As many damn bridesmaids as you want.”

Heat flared in his eyes as his grip on her wrist changed. Went from hard to caressing as he swept his thumb over the pulse on the inside of her wrist. Gently he pulled her toward him, a smile in his eyes when she didn’t resist.

He was going to kiss her. The intent was right there in his eyes as his gaze dropped to her lips. She’d always thought he had beautiful eyes. The clear hazel color was clouded with heat and need, the faintest hint of amber, of his wolf, lightening the centers. The faintest hint of stubble darkened his jaw, the scent of his cologne wrapping around that of his wolf as he leaned into whisper his lips over hers in a soft kiss.

Just a kiss. That’s all it was. What harm was there in a kiss? Need surged and rolled, finding a willing home within her as she turned her lips up, seeking a deeper contact. A pleased sound rumbled up from the depths of his broad chest, a large hand cupping her neck and jaw as he moved in to deepen the kiss. She trembled as he parted her lips, opening automatically for him to sweep in, his tongue sliding and stroking along hers in a sensual dance.

Her arguments died a quick death. When he was touching her, kissing her, she had trouble remembering why this was a bad thing. Why she couldn’t just give in and agree to whatever he wanted. This…the spark between them…had always been there, just waiting to catch. She’d denied it before, run away because she couldn’t trust a ‘forever’ on the basis of physical attraction and his arrogant assumption. But if the forever part was removed? They could explore the physical without risk.

The idea took hold and put down roots as he tilted his head, ravaging her mouth with hot, deep kisses that left nothing to the imagination. Every erotic thought, longing or idea she’d had was there, a myriad of temptation in his kiss and he sought to entice her with his lips alone. It would be good, she knew it would. And if she was gone before midsummer, then he couldn’t claim her, now could he?

* * *

Fuck. She was going to be the death of him.

With the wedding reception in full swing, Max leaned back in his chair and watched the petite brunette as she circulated, chatting animatedly with the wedding guests as she renewed old ties and met those who had moved to the town in the years she was gone. She was a natural hostess, handling all situations with equal aplomb. The perfect choice as his female and a mother hen personality who would look after and nurture the pack. His pack, his female.

His hand shook a little as he lifted the glass in it to his lips. The rich, deep bite of scotch hit his nostrils a moment before he took a mouthful. The alcohol burned all the way down to light a fire in his belly. Fuck, he had it bad. It was the kiss in the church that had done it. Done him.

All he’d wanted to do was taste her lips again, with the image of her dolled up in her wedding gown fresh in his mind. Revel in the fantasies he’d had for years of claiming her, in both the pack and the human worlds. In his dreams she hadn’t run, but instead had been waiting for him at midsummer, all sleek limbs and curves before she’d changed before his eyes, assuming her wolf form and making him chase her.

For years he’d had that dream, but the last two nights it had changed. Instead of the slender gawkiness of youth, the slight un-coordination of a teenager, the Kelli of his dreams was the woman she was now. Satin skin and curves that would tempt a saint. Max was no saint though, and he had no intention of resisting.

He bit back a groan as his body reacted to the memory of the kiss as well as the dreams. In his mind’s eye he saw her waiting, acceptance in her dark eyes before she shifted. Then he was running, paws pounding over the hard dirt as he chased her down, the smaller female ducking and darting to evade him, teasing by slowing down so it looked like he was going to catch her, then speeding up again, laughter in her eyes. With a ruthless burst of speed he caught her, pinning her smaller form beneath his, teeth in her shoulder until she yielded to him. Accepted his claim.

She’d yielded in the church. Surrendered to him with a soft sigh and acceptance that had almost broken him. With everything he wanted for the taking, right in front of him, it had taken everything he had not to crush her against him, pull her down into his lap and impale her on his cock until they were both screaming in ecstasy.

As though she could feel his gaze on her, she turned from her conversation, looking around. He made no attempt to hide his interest, holding his glass up in silent acknowledgement. She ducked her head, a flush on her cheeks. He waited. Within a second, she flicked him another glance and the sultry heat there rocked him to the core. Max was no innocent, he knew when a woman was ripe for the plucking, and Kelli was way past ripe. Lust tightened his balls, his cock pressing painfully against his zipper. Screw waiting until midsummer, he’d have her in his bed tonight.

The evening dragged on forever. It seemed that everyone wanted to talk not just to the bride and groom, but to his date as well. Cooling his heels by the bar, he waited for her to come back from the ladies room.

“C’mon, Kelli,” he muttered as he looked at his watch. “Surely it can’t take that long to powder that cute little nose? Hey, buddy…” he lifted his voice to catch the attention of the barman, moving the two glasses in front of him to bring attention to them. “Just watch these for a second for me, would you?”

Stalking through the crowd, he headed for the corridor at the side of the hall. As if sensing he was a man on a mission, the guests, most of them wolves or some kind of shifter, automatically moved out of his way to let him pass. Only one stopped, caught like a rabbit in the headlights until he smiled, and extended an arm to indicate she should pass in front of him. He took a deep breath as she passed. Bunny shifter. How apt.

The low sound of growling reached his ears before he could lay a hand on the door. Beyond it was the short service corridor leading to the kitchen and the restrooms. Danger hung in the air, verging on palpable, as a low voice growled.

“I told you before, stay
away
from him. He’s mine.”

The voice was familiar, the sound alone enough to raise his tension levels. Bethany Fowler. Max grimaced, wanting to lean his head against the wooden frame of the door. Bitten wolves looking for a pack, she and her no good, layabout cousin, Dale, had moved into town. After hearing their tale of woe—bitten and abandoned—he’d agreed to them joining the pack.

Since then they’d been nothing but fucking trouble. From Dale getting drunk and picking fights with the local humans to Bethany getting two of the younger wolves riled up and fighting over her…if he hadn’t had an ulcer from dealing with pack issues before, he certainly did now.