Ryker

My memories of Bailey were just as fresh as if they’d happened yesterday. I showed her everything, even the times when Kade would come along on our adventures through the woods. He didn’t like that she chose me over him. Reliving the past made me realize the betrayal of my pack went deeper than I imagined.

“I didn’t realize we were so close,” she whispered, nuzzling her cheek against my chest. If she kept fighting her feelings, I was going to have to force those memories into her mind. I really didn’t want to do that.

Holding her tight, I remembered doing the same thing when she’d cry in the middle of the night. “We were inseparable, angel. I know we were just kids, but that’s where our connection started. You trusted me then.”

“I trust you now,” she countered seriously.

“Only because I showed you the truth. But I have to say, I’m glad you haven’t fully given yourself to me. It shows your strength. You think before you act, even if there are forces pulling you in other directions. You will make a great leader.”

Twisting her body, she glanced down at me, crossing her leg over mine. “Thank you for showing me. I needed it.”

The wind blew a strand of hair across her face and I slid it behind her ear. “You’re welcome. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”

“Can I ask another question?” I nodded, waiting for her to continue. “What does Maret look like?”

I narrowed my gaze. “Why do you want to see her?”

“I want to see if it sparks something in my memory.”

“You’re not planning on paying her a visit are you?” I wasn’t about to show her so she could run to the north and confront her.

She laughed, but it was sad. “I have no intentions of seeking her out. I only want to see her.”

Closing my eyes, I focused on the memories of the last pack meeting before my family was banished. I was there with my parents and Kade was beside me. Maret was always close by my uncle, and that was where I looked. She had long, raven colored hair, but what really made her stand out were her eyes. One was green, the other brown.

“Did you get a glimpse of her?” I asked, opening my eyes.

She nodded. “I did, but I don’t remember her. I was hoping that seeing her would make something click in place.” Taking a deep breath, she focused on the water and a small smile spread across her lips. “Do you want to go for a swim, like old times? It might not be a frozen lake, but we can imagine it is.” Getting to her feet, she held out her hand, but I jumped up and ran toward the water.

“First one there wins,” I yelled over my shoulder.

“Asshole,” she thundered, chasing after me.

I loved her laugh, even when we were kids. Before getting to the water, I turned around and grabbed her around the waist, hauling her into the waves. When we surfaced, she slapped me on the arm, but I refused to let her go.

“You cheated!”

Chuckling, I pulled us farther into the water, spreading her legs to straddle me. “I never said I played fair.”

With her arms around my neck, she smiled and bit her lip. She rocked her hips against mine and I growled, growing hard in an instant. “I don’t either.”

The second she kissed me, all bets were off.

Bailey

“I’m ready, Ryker,” I moaned, sucking on his bottom lip.

He groaned. “Fuck, angel, you’re killing me.”

Glancing around the beach, as much as I wanted to give in to my impulses, having sex out in the open wasn’t our best option. “Let’s go inside.”

He kissed me hard, fingers digging into my hips, before he pulled back. “You’ll have to give me a minute.”

Holding back my snicker, I detached from him and waited until he calmed down enough to get out of the water. By the time we got up to the beach house, we were covered in sand. Before going inside, he grabbed me by the waist, pulling me into the shower. The water started out cold, cooling my burning skin, but it did nothing to calm the ache between my legs.

Without words, he ripped off my bikini top. Kicking off his shorts, he flipped me around. My hands went up on the wall as he knelt down and slowly pulled my bottoms to mid-thigh. Growling, he kneaded my ass and bit down on a cheek. Standing up, he grabbed hold of his cock and rubbed it between my legs.

“Yes,” I moaned as the tip hit my sensitive clit. Pushing my body into him, I shimmied my bottoms off and tightened my legs, making the pressure unbearable for both of us.

Leaning over me, he pinched my nipples and sucked on my neck. “Now. It’s going to be now,” he demanded.

Tilting my head to the side, I bit my lip and met his heated gaze, letting him know I was ready. He grasped my chin and kissed me before pulling back and thrusting inside. The harder he pumped, the closer I was about to come. Standing up straight, he grabbed my hips and pulled me back into him, making a smacking sound each time we connected. His low, strangled growl didn’t help because it turned me on even more. My nipples hit the rough siding as I bounced on him, making me crazy with excitement. I ached to find my release, but I knew he would stop the second I got too close.

Before I could give in, he pulled out of me and turned me around with the biggest grin on his face, his wolf eyes shining through. My eyes were glowing with need and he could see it; he found delight in it. “That’s exactly what I wanted to see. Can you see it in mine as well?”

I could and it was intoxicating. “Yes,” I growled, “let’s finish this.”

Lifting me in his arms, we kept our eyes on each other as he slid home. My back rubbed against the wall as he pounded into me. In just a matter of seconds, my release came fast and so did his. He shuddered in my arms, releasing his warmth inside me.

Grinning from ear to ear, I pressed my forehead to his. “That was amazing.”

His chest rumbled in satisfaction. “And it’s just the beginning.”

Bailey (Two Weeks Later)

“We can’t stay here much longer,” Ryker said. Coming up behind me, he put his arms around my waist, pressing his lips to my bare shoulder.

I finished braiding my hair and nodded. “I know. Our wolves are getting restless.” Without shifting, it was like being in a cage. They were trapped in our bodies. Being at the beach, there were no secluded places to run. “Have you heard anything new from the alphas in your council?”

“Not yet. I’m taking that as a good sign. I did talk to Cedric this morning while you were sleeping. Everything’s good there. However, we need to figure out a new place to go. Any requests?”

There were so many places I wanted to see, but we were limited to where our wolves could roam. “How about the mountains here in North Carolina? We can rent the car for a little while longer and leave in the morning.”

He kissed my neck and then turned me around. “We can do that,” he murmured, gazing down at my body. “Going for a swim?”

I had my bathing suit on, ready to head outside. “I am. Want to join me? We can christen the pool. We’ve done it everywhere else, why not there?”

Grinning wide, he squeezed my butt and winked. “As soon as I get back, I’ll join you.” He let me go and grabbed the car keys off the dresser.

“Where are you going?”

“To the store to get food for dinner. I won’t be gone long.”

As soon as he left, I locked the door behind him and went out the back door to the pool, setting my book down by the edge. Thankfully, the neighbors weren’t close by, so if we wanted to have a little fun in the sun we could. With it being early May, the water was cold for human standards, but it felt warm to me. I was used to the cooler temperatures.