Wolf Pack (6 page)

Chapter Four

Cole turned off the shower before he reached for the towel from the warming rack. His bathroom was pure luxury and he’d enjoyed pampering Kendra the night before. He’d soaped and cleaned her up before he’d taken her to his bed and gotten her dirty once again.

He chuckled. Kendra was completely delightful. Strong and smart, and the way she submitted to him was perfect. As he swiped the towel over his skin, he peeked into his bedroom. Kendra was still sprawled out on her stomach in the middle of his bed. If they didn’t have such a pressing case, he’d keep her there all day.

He snagged a faded pair of sweats off the chair in the corner and pulled them on before leaving the bedroom. As soon as his bare feet hit the wood flooring in the hall, both of his dogs perked their heads up. “Come,” he told them.

His house was only two bedrooms with a living area and kitchen. Just a small property of a little over a thousand square feet, but it was his, newly remodeled before he’d moved in. He hadn’t had to change a thing, and that gave him the opportunity to spend all his time working and fighting against those who hurt shifters.

Now that he’d met someone he could see himself spending time with in his sanctuary, he actually looked forward to the day. He strolled to the back door and opened it for the dogs. They ran out, eager to stretch their legs and relieve themselves. While they did their business he gave them fresh water before filling both food bowls.

He probably spoiled them a little too much but he only bought the best food available. That reminded him that he wanted to check out the doggie boutique. Maybe he could talk Kendra into going with him. Once he had breakfast ready for his babies he started the coffee pot then let them back in.

Familiar with the routine, they went straight to their dishes. Cole opened the refrigerator and peered inside. He’d love to take Kendra breakfast in bed but other than beer, water and an old gallon of milk there wasn’t much he could offer her.

He glanced at his watch. Maybe if they had time he could take her to the diner that was close to the Coalition. Jamie swore the place had the best food and the few times Cole’d been there he hadn’t been disappointed.

With that plan in mind he slammed the fridge closed.

He jumped back and gasped. He hadn’t heard her get up or enter the kitchen. She was dressed in one of his T-shirts and the hem of it barely covered her. Fuck, she was gorgeous.

“Morning.” She lifted an eyebrow and smiled.

Words were so unnecessary. He wrapped his arm around her waist and yanked her up against his body. Cole slammed his mouth down on hers and demanded she open for him. Her fingers dug into his shoulders as she clung to him. She tasted of mint and passion. She’d obviously brushed her teeth but the underlying flavor that was all hers was what called to him. There was something wild inside her that he wanted to call to the surface.

He rumbled deep in his throat.

Kendra lifted her head. “Damn, that’s sexy,” she said, then hopped up and wrapped her arms and legs around his body and kissed him.

Cole stumbled for a moment but was easily able to correct his balance. He strode over to the counter and set her down on it before he lifted his mouth from hers. “Are you feeling friendly this morning?”

“Friendly?” she repeated. “That was a bad line.”

He nodded. “I know. But I’m working on limited brain cells here. Every time I touch you I can’t think of anything else but being buried deep inside you.”

“Well,” she said while spreading her thighs. “Let me help you decide what to do next.”

Her shirt rode up high, revealing every delicious inch. “There’s my sexy vixen,” he said as he played with the hem of the shirt she was wearing.

“Even when I want to drop to my knees and worship your cock, I still have a mind of my own.”

Her confession was sweet, arousing and just as corny as the line he’d given her. “I know that. I find this side sexy.”

The way her eyes lit up and she smiled made him glad he’d told her that little secret. “Really?”

“Yes,” he promised her. “I told you last night how difficult I can be. That doesn’t mean I want someone who follows every direction that I demand. I believe there is a place for every stubborn, submissive and inquisitive part of you with me.” He couldn’t believe the confessions he kept making to Kendra.

A little freaked out, he stepped away.

“No.” She grabbed his arm. “You can’t take back what you said.”

“I’m not,” he snapped.

She cocked her head to the side.
Cute.

“I don’t know why I keep telling you these things,” he admitted.

He wasn’t surprised when she put a hand on his chest and pushed him away. Without meaning to he’d totally ruined the moment.

She cupped his face. “You feel this connection just as much as I do,” she said.

Cole found himself nodding.

“Taylor tells me when two strong shifters come together it can be intense in the beginning,” she said.

That was information he’d never heard before. “Why?”

She waved one hand around. He noticed that she did that a lot when she spoke. It wasn’t something he’d caught before but it was only another quirk he liked. “Something about connection, pack and other stuff that I probably should have listened better to.” Kendra appeared sheepish.

“I can accept that,” he told her. “For now.”

“How about you accept this for now,” she said while she sank to her knees.

“What are you doing?” he asked, even though he had a pretty damn good clue.

“It’s my turn.” She grasped his cock and stroked him.

Cole rose up to his toes before relaxing. Kendra leaned in and took the tip of his cock into her hot mouth. He hissed out his pleasure. She swallowed and he laid his hands on the back of her head. He didn’t push or hold her tightly. Just the connection as she pleasured him was enough.

She pulled off him before taking him down once again. Over and over, she sucked him until he was trembling with the need to release.

“Stop!” he ordered. He didn’t want to come in her mouth. Instead he gripped her under the arms and dragged her up. He kissed her as he forced her down to the floor. She was already wet and ready for him when he fingered her folds.

“Yes, Cole, hurry!”

He climbed between her legs and positioned himself at her entrance. He pushed in slowly, closing his eyes to enjoy every second. She was tight and hot and perfect. He would never get enough of her.

Very slowly, he withdrew before thrusting back in. Her nails scored down his back but it felt wonderful. He plunged inside until sweat covered his body and he knew he was close to coming.

“Go over, give me your pleasure,” he demanded.

Kendra cried out as she climaxed and her inner muscles clamped down painfully on his cock. His rhythm faltered and he threw his head back and howled as he emptied himself in her.

He caught himself on his hands, bracketing her head. With great care he lowered his mouth to hers. He’d hold on for only a minute longer before the reality of their jobs, obligations and everything else interrupted.

For the first time in a very, very long while he wished for an Alpha. For someone to go to and ask questions. He knew Taylor would be willing to speak to him, especially with whatever was going on between him and Kendra, but he wasn’t in the least bit comfortable with that scenario.

Cole closed his eyes and rested his forehead against Kendra’s.

* * * *

Kendra walked into the diner that Cole had told her about and was instantly charmed. It was a small business but the smells coming out of the kitchen were already making her mouth water.

“There’s a free booth.” Cole pointed to the back.

She threaded her fingers through his and tugged him forward. “How’d you find this place? It’s cute.” The red vinyl booths and white tabletops were vintage and the entire place was bustling.

“Jamie and Brandy come here all the time. It’s close to the library where she works and they had their first date, a cup of coffee here,” he explained.

“And Jamie is the bear shifter?” she whispered.

“Yes.” He motioned her into the side facing away from the door and sat in front of her.

Kendra angled herself so she could keep an eye on the area around her. Cole had told her all about the friends he’d made and the other teams in the Coalition. The day before, she’d only met the shifters who worked directly with Cole, but she was looking forward to meeting the others.

“So what’s good here?” she questioned while picking up a menu.

“Everything,” he replied with a smile.

“Cole, it’s good to see you again. And who have you brought to meet me?” An older woman with long brown hair stood by the table beaming.

“Hello, Anna.” Cole waved a hand toward Kendra. “This is Kendra Brown.”

“Hi,” Kendra greeted.

“You are a pretty one, aren’t you?” Anna replied.

She blushed. “Thank you.”

“How about we start you off with some coffee, darling?” she asked.

“Please,” she answered.

The waitress set down two white ceramic cups and began to fill them with the coffee pot she held in her other hand. The scent of the brew drifted up to her, and Kendra took a deep breath.

“Oh, that smells good,” she said.

Anna beamed. “If you’re not sure what to order, I recommend the breakfast special. Eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns and two pancakes.”

Cole nodded. “Sold.”

“Me too,” Kendra agreed.

“Great, I’ll have it right out to you,” Anna promised. She patted Cole on the shoulder before she left them.

“Come here a lot?” Kendra teased.

“I don’t really eat at home. So when I find somewhere with good food and great people I tend to stop there often,” Cole said.

There was nothing wrong with that. Kendra enjoyed cooking and looked forward to doing so with Cole. He had a fantastic kitchen that was any cook’s dream.

“So,” Cole said. “Why don’t you start filling me in on what is going on with the pack and the attacks?”

She glanced around. “Can we talk here?”

Cole took a deep breath. “There are three shifters in the place but none of them are paying any attention to us.”

“Okay, everything I told you yesterday about the case is what I have. Trent going missing and then the attacks starting here has to be connected. Taylor asked me to look into the attacks before I’d even heard of Trent’s name,” she said.

“So the pack’s not involved?”

“Of course not!” she shouted.

Cole raised an eyebrow.

Kendra leaned forward. “How could you believe that? Taylor is a good Alpha. He would never allow anyone, pack or rogue, to be hurt,” she whispered harshly.

“I don’t know your Alpha or his intentions,” he told her.

Huh, well, he had a point, but still. It stung that anyone would think the pack would be involved in the attacks. “You could, though. Taylor told me he invited you to the pack.”

He shook his head. “That’s a discussion for another day.”

They would discuss it, eventually. She wouldn’t press him this morning but they’d have to talk about her place in the pack. She was inside the inner circle and Taylor and her pack mates were important to her. “Taylor has some of his best trackers helping me find Trent,” she confessed. “I called him as soon as I received his file.”

“So is he involved?” Cole questioned.

“I really don’t think so. I’m worried about him. He turned in his boss for killing people so I don’t see how he can be okay with innocent people getting hurt.”

“Zak sent me some information about Trent’s old boss. Shawn Langford was his Alpha. Not only did he turn in his employer but the very person he was supposed to protect. The pack will want revenge,” Cole said.

“Why Lake Worth?” she questioned. “I haven’t been able to figure that out yet. Trent has no connection to the area that I can find.”

“We’re working on that. Mitch and Adam are digging deep into the city’s archives. There has to be something,” Cole explained.

“Are you ready to eat?” Anna arrived with a tray of food.

Kendra realized that she hadn’t even started on her coffee. As Anna placed the dishes on the table, Kendra added sugar to her mug and drank.

Anna laughed. “I’ll bring more coffee too.”

“Oh my God!” Kendra couldn’t believe the array of food in front of her. She picked up her fork but didn’t know where to start.

Cole chuckled. “Don’t give it too much thought. Just dig in.”

Kendra didn’t even look at him. She started with the eggs and flavor burst on her tongue. There was pepper, spice and cheese in every bite. She tried the bacon next and it was perfectly cooked, crispy and delicious. “This is so good!”

“Thank you, dear. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

She grinned up at Anna.

“Here’s some more coffee,” Anna offered. She refilled Kendra’s cup, then Cole’s.

“Thank you,” Cole said.

Kendra nodded.

They finished eating in silence but it was comfortable and she was feeling great about the day ahead.

Anna passed by again to give them more coffee. This time Kendra was able to fix her drink and lean back.

“So what now?” she asked.

“We head to the office and see what the others have found. Then we track down Trent by any means necessary,” he said.

“Sounds like a plan,” she agreed.

* * * *

The Coalition was organized chaos with agents bustling around, phones ringing and shifters working together in protecting and serving. Cole kept his hand on Kendra’s elbow as he directed her to his office. He pushed the door open, and Kendra stepped inside. Everyone in the room stopped talking and looked at her.

“Uh, hi.” She waved.

“Yes!” Luca Perez, the coyote shifter she’d met the day before, yelled and jumped up.

Kendra flinched back but Cole’s chest at her back stopped her from really going anywhere.

“You owe me twenty bucks.” Luca pointed to his partner, Abilene.

She shook her head but pulled out some cash from her back pocket and tossed a bill to Luca. “You’re a jackass,” she told him.