Stubborn Mate Read online

  Chapter 6

  Emma woke up and smiled contentedly as she recalled the events from the previous night. The big lug had her trapped beneath him. She enjoyed the weight of his body against hers. Hard muscles pressed up against her back, butt and legs felt nice. Emma admitted to herself that if felt more than just ‘nice’. It felt...comforting. Natural.

  Sex with Kane had been phenomenal. He hadn’t been gentle, but he didn’t hurt her either. She actually found his loss of control exciting. Could she be the reason for his enthusiastic lovemaking, his loss of control? She wasn’t sure that was possible.

  Past lovers had been lackluster, paling in comparison to Kane. After a while, she realized most of them only bedded her because they either thought she was Ellie or hoped that Ellie would help them with their careers. So she began avoiding the ‘dates’ Ellie would set up for her. Kane was nothing like them. Was it possible that he wanted Emma for herself?

  Her bladder reminded her that she had other needs to attend to, so she wriggled out from under him and went back to her room. She used the bathroom, brushed her teeth and decided to take a shower.

  Kane woke up, scented Emma on his pillow and smiled. When he realized he was touching the bed and not Emma, he sat up and looked around worriedly. He got out of bed and went to her room and checked her bed. Finding it empty, he turned and headed for the bathroom. He opened the door and watched Emma in the shower, washing her hair. She was humming off key, unaware he had opened the door.

  He debated on whether he should join her. His bladder decided against it. Kane turned and walked back into her room, picked up her suitcase and carried it to his room. He placed it on his coffee table, used the bathroom, brushed his teeth and hopped into the shower. A quick shower and he’d be done before Emma. He intended to carry her back to his bed the minute she dried off.

  Emma dried off and wrapped the towel around her. She went into her room, intending to get dressed. Her suitcase was gone! She looked everywhere, under the bed, even in the small closet. It was nowhere to be seen. She turned as Kane walked through the connecting door, towel around his waist.

  “Someone stole my suitcase!”

  Kane smiled and Emma sucked in a breath. If she thought him handsome before, he was stunning now. Heat pooled between her legs and she felt a sharp stab of desire. Kane sensed her sudden arousal, his amber wolf eyes glowing for a brief moment before returning to normal.

  “Your suitcase is in here,” Kane stated and pointed to the coffee table.

  Emma shook her head and moved towards his room.

  “Why is my stuff in here?”

  “You are sleeping in here, so your things may as well be here,” Kane stated calmly.

  “Anyone ever tell you that you are an arrogant son of a bitch?”

  “No one would dare,” he replied honestly.

  Emma raised her brow and assessed his stance as she contemplated his answer. He was powerfully built, body covered in scars and when he scowled, he looked dangerous. IF she had any sense at all, even she wouldn’t tangle with this man. However, she wasn’t going to be bullied, either.

  “Just because we slept together last night doesn’t mean it’s going to happen again.”

  Emma walked past him to get her clothes. As she neared him, he reached out and grabbed her arm, turning her to face him.

  “You have needs. I will take care of them. No one else. I will kill any man that dares to touch you, Emma,” Kane said gruffly.

  His voice was deep and harsh, tinged with desire and jealousy at the mere thought of another man touching his Emma. He hoped she realized that he wasn’t threatening her, merely stating a fact. Would his possessive nature scare her away?

  Emma looked at Kane thoughtfully and responded, “I see.” She placed her hands on her hips.

  “And what happens when you decide to take care of your ‘need’ with another woman?”

  Kane was horrified.

  “I’ll never touch another female, Emma. You are the only one who can satisfy me. The only one.”

  Emma wasn’t so sure she believed him. Kane removed his towel, dropping it on the floor. He reached for Emma’s towel. She held onto it and shook her head as she turned away from him. Kane reached out and grabbed her by the hips, pulled her back so she was pressed up against him.

  “I want you, Emma. You want me too,” Kane whispered in her ear as he nuzzled her neck.

  He nibbled on her neck as he wrapped his arms tight around her waist. A loud knock sounded on her door and she barely heard Ellie calling out to her.

  “Do you want to see Ellie or would you rather I bend you over and fuck you on my bed?”

  Emma’s knees gave out and she was grateful he was holding her up by her waist. Did he actually say…? No man had ever said those words to her and she was surprised at how it affected her. She felt a sudden rush of wetness between her legs and she ached for Kane.

  “Emma? Do you want Ellie or do you want me?”

  Mouth dry, she wasn’t sure she could answer him. Kane could smell her arousal and he didn’t give her another chance to turn him down. He turned Emma around and picked her up, carried her to his bed and lay her down. He reached for the towel, tugged it off and dropped it on the floor behind him.

  “Spread your legs for me,” he commanded.

  Emma blushed, shook her head. It was broad daylight. There’s no way she would bare herself to him. He would see her. She kept her knees locked tight.

  “Don’t you want me to lick you?”

  Emma gulped and blushed even more. She refused to answer him. What kind of question was that anyway? What woman would refuse? Still, she was too embarrassed to have him do that in broad daylight.

  “Or perhaps you want to touch yourself while I watch?”

  “Kane!”

  She couldn’t believe Kane mentioned that. Impossibly, her face burned brighter. She was sure she was as red as a tomato. She covered her face, hiding from him in shame.

  “I would love to watch you pleasure yourself, Emma. But I like pleasuring you even more.”

  Kane touched her leg, leisurely glided his fingers up to her knee. He joined her on the bed, forced her knees apart and she fell backwards on the bed.

  “I’m going to taste you Emma. Then I’m going to fuck you with my tongue. Do you want me to stop, Emma?”

  Face hidden behind her hands, she shook her head. She still couldn’t face him, but couldn’t deny him either.

  Kane grinned and settled down between her legs. He inhaled deeply, enjoying her arousal, knowing he was the cause of her wetness. Using his thumbs, he spread her and looked at his lovely Emma. He licked her twice. Pushed his tongue inside her tight channel and wriggled it around.

  Emma uncovered her face and grabbed the sheet with both hands. She bucked her hips as he continued to press his tongue inside of her over and over again. One thumb rubbed on her clit, driving her mad. Tension began building and Kane raised his head. He sought her clit with his mouth, licked it, sucked on it and pressed his finger deep inside of her. He pumped it back and forth and Emma groaned as she rocked her hips.

  “Please, Kane. I need you inside of me. Hurry.”

  Kane sat up, slowly removed his finger and commanded, “Turn over. On your hands and knees.”

  Emma shook her head. There was no way he was going to look at her in that position. In the daylight! Her butt was too big and her thighs too flabby---.

  Her thoughts were interrupted as an impatient Kane flipped her over and moved her into position. I guess he doesn’t mind looking at a big butt or flabby thighs, she thought as he slid into her.

  She didn’t protest as he spread her legs, held her hips and entered her, thrusting into her deeply. Emma groaned as Kane slid into her. He was large and thick and filled her completely.

  She savored the full feeling and he withdrew suddenly. She pushed back, desperate to feel him fully inside of her. He thrust at the same time, hard and fast and nearly pushed her head into the headbo
ard. Emma braced herself and pushed back again. She loved the feel of his body slapping against hers.

  He plunged into her and she pushed back. They developed a rhythm and he pounded into her until her arms gave out. She dropped forward and he continued pushing his thick cock into her. This new angle pushed him deeper inside of her and he groaned, “Emma.”

  The sound of her name on his lips pushed her over the edge and her body convulsed. Emma’s body squeezed his and he pumped his hips, emptying his seed deep inside of her. Kane panted and slowly pulled out of Emma, allowing her to lie fully on the bed. He lay beside her and gently stroked her back. He enjoyed looking at the stark contrast of his large white hand against the light brown color of her smooth back. Emma lay on the bed, facing away from him, too sated to move.

  Kane felt guilty. He had been too rough with her again. He couldn’t seem to stop himself. Had he hurt her? Would she deny him again? Next time he would be gentle, even if it killed him.

  “Emma?”

  “Hmmmm?”

  “I’m sorry.” Emma’s head shot up, she turned and looked quizzically at Kane.

  “For?”

  “Being too rough. Hurting you.” Emma smiled and shook her head.

  “Of all the things you should apologize for, that’s not one of them. You didn’t hurt me. It’s been a while and I am a bit sore, but I’ll be ok. It was nice.” She grinned at him.

  “Nice? NICE?” Kane rolled her onto her back and she giggled. He covered her body with his, bracing himself with his arms on either side of her head.

  “I guess I’ll have to do better than ‘nice’.”

  He lowered his head slowly and pressed his lips to hers. She opened her mouth beneath his and her tongue entered his mouth. His tongue rubbed against hers, pushed into her mouth and she felt a tingle all the way down to her clit. She held his head, massaged his scalp as he kissed her deeper, passionately. She couldn’t believe how her body reacted to his kiss. Her nipples puckered. Emma felt as if lighting raced across her womb repeatedly as it contracted several times and her pussy flooded with desire. Granted, his naked, muscular body was pressed against her naked body and she felt his erection growing.

  Kane ended the kiss and rose up to look at Emma. Desire darkened her eyes and she licked her lips.

  “I should punish you for that comment.” Emma smiled at him wickedly.

  “Oh? What will you do to me?” Emma reached up and stroked his cheek, followed the line of one scar.

  “Tie you to my bed? Lick you? Make you lick me?”

  “I thought you were going to punish me. That sounds like a reward.” Emma smiled at him seductively, licked her lips.

  Kane looked at her in shock. His eyes glowed golden amber, the eyes of his wolf.

  “Don’t tease me, Emma. Please.” His voice came out a husky whisper.

  Emma caressed his face and said gently, “I’ll do it for you, Kane. But don’t tie me down. No handcuffs either. It’s not my thing. I don’t mind if you hold me down like you did last night. I liked that, a lot, actually. Just don’t…don’t take away my choices.”

  Emma looked at Kane earnestly and he nodded. It was too good to be true. She wanted him? Wanted to suck his cock? Suddenly, he ached to feel her mouth on his cock. He kissed her again, rolling them so that she was on top of him. Then the phone rang.

  Emma raised her head, recognizing her phone and the ringtone. She looked at Kane, puzzled.

  “Why does it sound so close?”

  Kane sighed and reached over to his night stand and picked up the phone, handed it to her. Emma shook her head. Of course he would move her phone into his room. At the moment she was actually grateful because it meant they didn’t have to leave the bed. She didn’t have to move off of Kane, either. It was Ellie, so she answered it.

  “He must be a hell of a lover to keep you in bed this late. It’s past noon.”

  “Ellie!”

  “Please don’t tell me you’ve been alone in your bed all this time, or I will be very disappointed in you.”

  “Ellie!”

  “Well?”

  “None of your damn business!”

  “That good, huh?” Emma could just imagine the grin on Ellie’s face.

  “Did you have an actual reason for calling?”

  “Why? Am I interrupting something?”

  “Yes, so spit it out already.” Ellie laughed heartily in the background.

  “Put your panties on and come over. I’ve got lunch and we have to discuss what we are going to do about these wolfnappers. I’ve done some research on the company you told me about, and we have a little problem.”

  “Oh? What did you find out?”

  “After much digging and bribing, I found out the company is owned by Steven Ellis.”

  “Son of a BITCH! I’ll be right over.” Emma hung up on Ellie. Her desire tanked the moment she heard Steven’s name. She moved off Kane and sat on the bed.

  “I’m sorry, Kane. I have to go see Ellie about the ‘wolfnappers’.”

  She shook her head, got up and dressed. Kane also dressed and stood by the door, waiting.

  “If it involves the people that kidnapped me, I want to be involved in this. Lucien will do whatever he can to help stop these people.”

  “Kane…I…look, I need to talk to Ellie alone. I promise I’ll tell you and Lucien whatever we find out. Will you be around?”

  Kane reluctantly nodded. He gave her his phone number and escorted her to Ellie’s room. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her tenderly. She smiled and rolled her eyes as Ellie opened the door and saw her in Kane’s embrace.

  “Not one word, Ellen Marie Barrington!” Emma stated as she slipped out of Kane’s arms and entered Ellie’s room.

  Baxter and Georges were already in the room. Kane wasn’t too upset at seeing them, since his scent was all over Emma. Inside her, too. He grinned at the thought and headed downstairs for lunch.

  Chapter 7

  Because she skipped breakfast and it was now past lunch time, Emma was famished. She ate as Ellie filled her in on the finer points of her research and subsequent bribery.

  “Is Derrick involved in this at all?” Emma really hoped he wasn’t, since he seemed to be genuinely in love with Ellie.

  “Not that we could see. He might have been there the other night because of his brother,” Georges responded.

  “Emmy, you know you’re our best shot at getting any info about other wolves.”

  “I know that, but damn, it! Why did it have to be Steven?”

  Emma swore and paced the room.

  “You know I can’t stand him. How am I supposed to ‘play nice’ with him?”

  “Emmy, you’ve been acting like me for ages. You’ll be fine!”

  “We’ll be with you, Emmy. We won’t allow him to touch you.”

  Georges didn’t like Steven, either.

  “I guess I don’t have a choice. What’s the plan?”

  They discussed the plan and she mentioned that Kane thought Lucien would like to be involved. They agreed to discuss the plan with Lucien, since it was his kind that was being targeted. Emma called Kane to set up a meeting with Lucien. A few minutes later, Kane called back to tell them they would meet the Alpha at his house later that evening.

  Georges and Baxter left and Emma and Ellie had some ‘girl’ time. Ellie teased Emma mercilessly until Emma remembered Derrick and did some teasing of her own. Best friends, they were happy for each other and each secretly hoped their friend’s relationship worked out.

  “My only complaint is that he never asks. He commands!”

  “Maybe he’s not giving you a choice because you’ll only say no.”

  Emma opened her mouth to argue then realized Ellie was probably right. Is that why he was so demanding? He was afraid she would say no?

  Emma hugged Ellie and returned to her room, intending to get ready for their meeting with Lucien. She walked into Kane’s room and went to her suitcase. Her clothes were gone! Sh
e shook her head as Kane walked in.

  “I don’t suppose you know anything about my clothes?”

  “I put them away.”

  “Put them... away?”

  “Your things are on the right side of our dresser. And I hung a couple of things on the right side of our closet.”

  After lunch he had returned to his room and put away her things. For some reason, it comforted him to see her clothes in his dresser, in his closet. Again, he stubbornly refused to think about why it was comforting to have her things in his space.

  “Our dresser?” Emma placed her hands on her hips and looked at Kane thoughtfully.

  “Actually, it belongs to the hotel, so it’s their dresser....”

  Kane was suddenly nervous. Would she be angry and storm out? Had he pushed her too far this time?

  Emma noted the way Kane refused to look at her. He ran his hand nervously through his hair, studied his feet. For the first time since she met him, he seemed uncertain, unsure of himself.

  “Kane? If you wanted to put my things away in here, why didn’t you ask me?” Silence.

  “Were you afraid I would say no?” Slowly, he nodded, still refusing to look at her.

  Emma stared at him, surprised at his answer.

  “I guess since you are so adamant about taking care of my ‘needs,’ you will insist that I stay here tonight and it makes sense that my stuff would be in here instead of next door. Thanks for hanging up my shirts so they don’t get wrinkled. It was very thoughtful of you.”

  Kane’s head snapped up in shock. Emma smiled at him and his chest felt tight. She wasn’t mad at him? She was planning on staying in his room? In his bed? Accepted that he would satisfy her desire? He walked over to her and kissed her, picked her up and carried her to his bed. Their bed. He lay on top of her, pushed his erection against her crotch.

  Emma moaned, “I want to Kane, I really do, but I’m still too sore. Maybe later?”

  She watched him carefully, hoping he wasn’t offended. Kane nodded.