“I decide that. Before I go any further, I want to know exactly what I am to you.
“Werewolves retain many of the primitive animal instincts of their wolf half. One of those instincts is to create and continue the genetic line, passing our wolf genes on to the next generation. Wolf genes are passed down the male line, but only females with certain genes can give birth to a werewolf.
- That makes sense. Clara didn't tell me that.
“We are guided to these females by scent. A potential mate gives off a very distinct odor. They are very rare, and it is not unheard of for a wolf to go a lifetime without finding a mate, especially when the genes are recessive and can disappear from a bloodline. Wolves believe there is only one mate for them in the world, and that mate is drawn to them as much as they are drawn to her. Josh's eyes met mine. “That's why we both ended up here. It's fate, the universe, as you call it, trying to bring us together.
"But we didn't know each other!" I didn't even know I had this… wolf gene.
"Yes, but you weren't meant to go on that dig, were you?"
I remember you said that Neolithic archeology was not your field.
I thought about my conversation with Professor Hicks.
"You mean Becky Masters wanting my place on the dig in Sicily might not have been an accident?"
- There is?
I explained briefly about Becky's accident and how I ended up taking her place on the DownMoor dig.
“I don't particularly like Becky, but I hate the idea that I was somehow responsible for getting her to the hospital.
- It was not your fault. Luck smiled. The universe finally saw a chance to bring us together, and events fell into place to do so. This happens to many wolves. It happened to my grandparents too.
You mean... do you think we're meant to be together?
Josh nodded solemnly.
- I think. Does it scare you?
"Yes," I whispered, reaching out and running my fingers over his cheek, tracing the beard line across his jaw. - No. Maybe… I don't know. It feels right, and it scares me. I can't explain why, but I believe it.
“You don't know how pleased I am to hear that. Josh growled and claimed my mouth in a fierce kiss. Heat surged through my body as his tongue slid over mine. My core throbbed with desire. It had been a long time since he'd been inside me. I really wanted him.
I broke the kiss after a few moments, panting hard.
“I still have questions.
"Can they wait?" Josh leaned down to kiss me again.
I shook my head, even as my body screamed in protest at being ripped away from Josh yet again.
“If I'm your mate, why does Caleb think he can claim me?
“As the son of my father's older brother, Caleb would technically be alpha of any new Lowe pack. This means that he has mating rights over the females in the pack, even if they are mates of others. That right is usually not exercised, but Caleb seems particularly interested in you. Josh leaned forward and caressed my bare thigh, just below where the towel stopped. “Can't say I blame you.
My entire body shuddered, but I needed to know more before I let him tear my towel.
“But I'm not in this pack. I didn't agree to be part of any pack.
“For wolves like Caleb, what you think doesn't count. Josh laced his fingers through mine. “That's why I'm going to have to fight him, to establish order for our pack. After establishing me as an equal rival, he won't come after you. He will have to treat her with all the respect due a member of his own family.
“I don't want you to fight him. Did you see his arms? They are like tree trunks. He could snap his neck as easily as opening a jar of pickles.
I'm not afraid of him or his pickle jar-opening skills.
Josh flexed his arm muscles. “I can take care of him. - He is your cousin. Maybe you can try to be nice to him.
“That's not how wolves work. Besides, I don't trust him.
- Why not?
Josh shrugged.
“All kinds of reasons. Why did he only appear in my life now, when the paintings came to light? How could he have been out there all these years without my dad knowing about him? Why did he never try to find us?
"For the same reason you never tried to find him." He thought he was the only one...
“I don't want to talk about Caleb anymore,” Josh growled. He cupped my chin in his strong hand and pulled my face to his. “I have something else in mind.
- What is it?
Josh's lips crashed against mine, all of his desire welling up in the kiss. His lips forced mine, his tongue bombarded me. I put my arms around him, and all thoughts of Caleb and mating and caves flew from my mind. My heart was pounding as I gave in to the urgency and hunger of our kiss.
As our kiss heated up, Josh led me back into the bathroom.
“I like the idea of you all wet,” he whispered, coming up behind me and turning on the shower.
I leaned in to kiss him and he snatched the towel away from me. Steam rolled from the shower, leaving my skin hot and slick. Josh slid his hands down my torso, his fingers leaving trails of fire across my sensitive skin. He ran a single finger between my legs, along my slit, and my core thundered with pleasure. God, I wanted him now.
“Hey, we both have to get naked. I threw myself at him and grabbed the edge of his shirt, pulling it over my head. I slid my hands over his muscular torso, enjoying the way his tattoos moved as he did, the colors changing. “Pants next,” I said, taking his belt. I fumbled with the buckle as Josh's tongue attacked mine. I could already feel his cock pressing against the zipper of his jeans.
- As you wish. Josh tugged at his jeans, kicking them away. Underneath the underwear, his cock was proud. I pulled it off, bending over him as he left. The head of his dick bobbed right in front of my eyes.
The length still shocked me. It was so big it looked like it belonged on the set of a porn movie. I've never been with a guy this big before, nor have I looked at a cock and wanted to touch him so much, wrap my mouth around him and feel him push against my lips. I tentatively reached out with my tongue and touched the tip.
Josh moaned. The sound made my core race with pleasure. I felt powerful. I took the head in my mouth, enjoying the taste of him. Warm, earthy and slightly salty. I'd never given it much thought before — Ben found it hard to relax and enjoy himself, and I'd done that with other guys I'd been with more out of a sense of obligation, but with Josh, I couldn't wait to get my hands all over the place. your penis.
I caressed him slowly, alternating my mouth and my hands. Josh's fingers threaded through my hair.
“Allora…” he groaned. God, I loved it when he said my name.
I ran my tongue along the length of his shaft, marveling at the size of him. My hands pumped faster as my tongue circled the tip, pressing against the small V just below the head. Josh tangled his fingers in my hair, his breath hitching as the muscles in his legs tightened. Knowing I had that effect on him made my entire body flush with heat.
- Enough of that. Josh breathed. With a grunt of effort, he grabbed me under the shoulders, lifted me up and into the shower.
The rush of hot water over my flushed body made me shudder with pleasure, but not as much as when Josh climbed in next to me and wrapped his arms around me, his tongue darting into my mouth.
Josh pulled me to him, the heat of skin against skin searing through my body, igniting every nerve, ending up in flames.
He guided me under the stream of water, adjusting his head so that a light patter of water dripped over our bodies.
“Oh my God,” he said, taking the soap and loofah off the shelf where I kept them. — You are a very dirty girl.
- I have just had a bath.
- Pretend. Josh rubbed the soap over the loofah, making a nice lather. He alternated blows with the sponge and with his hands, drumming his fingers on my body. His touch sent shivers of pleasure through me as he lathered my shoulder blades, lathered my lap, just grazing the tips of my nipples. I moaned. Of course I would.
“I'm filthy. I need more soap. I leaned my back against the side of the shower, bracing myself as he soaped me from head to toe. Josh let go of the shower head and used it to wash off the soap, licking and kissing.
I moaned as he tipped the shower head against my nipple. The jets slammed against my sensitive flesh, bringing a whole new range of sensations. The heat, the pressure… it was part pleasure, part pain, all wonderful. Josh moved his head to the other nipple, alternating water pressure with sucking and blowing until I begged for more.
- As you wish. He dragged his head across my stomach, slowly inching lower. And then, he continued, leaving me dripping wet.
“Josh…” I growled in frustration, my heart pounding with need.
The shower head was pushed between my legs and the jets of hot water hit my most sensitive parts. I hit the wall as pressure built up inside me. Who would believe he could do this to my body with just water?
Josh moved the shower head down my legs, teasing the sensitive skin between my thighs as he pushed a finger inside me. I groaned, thrusting my hips forward, not even caring that I was begging for more. He pushed a second finger inside and then lifted his head, pressing it hard against my clit.
“Josh…I…I…” I took a deep breath.
- Yes? He pulled his head away and pressed a finger to my clit, moving it in slow circles, making me soft when I desperately wanted it. Just when I thought I couldn't take it, he pressed his head between my legs again, hitting me with the full force of the jets.
It took me over the edge. The world exploded. I melted, my body turning into molten lava and flowing down the drain. Red welts formed behind my eyes, and for a moment I was lost.
When I got back, I was on my knees in the shower, clinging to Josh's legs. He looked at me, stroking my damp hair, a satisfied smile on his face.
“I knew it was good. - He smiled. "But I didn't know it was so good."
“It's my turn now. I was going to wipe that smug smile off his face. I grabbed the loofah from the corner of the shower and stood up, holding it for support while my legs were dangling dangerously. I lather it up, running it over my chest, following the soap line with my hands as he had done. As the water washed away the soap, I kissed a trail along his chest. He kept his eyes fixed on me, his expression intense.
As I ran the sponge over his throbbing penis, he sighed:
— Allora. “He grabbed my shoulder.
I grabbed the shower head and crossed it over his shoulders, his chest, the insides of his legs, anywhere but where he most wanted me to touch. Two could play this game.
When he let out a frustrated groan, I knew I had him. I aimed the hot jets directly at the tip of his cock, letting the warm water wash away the soap. He dug his fingers into my shoulders. When his cock was completely clean, I aimed the spray at the wall and brought it to my mouth. First the head, which I circled with my tongue, and then the shaft, deeper and deeper, pulling it back as far as I could.
Josh ran his fingers through my hair, his eyes boring into mine as he watched me pick him up again. His facial muscles tightened as pleasure coursed through him.
He tasted clean, hot, and utterly masculine. When my mouth rolled over his cock, he hardened between my lips. He was hard for me.
Josh continued to watch me. I've never seen a guy do that before. The eye contact was so sexy, sucking on Josh was making my body ache for him all over again. Between my legs, I throbbed with the need for him.
I pumped him faster, using my hand along the length of his shaft as my tongue licked and sucked the tip.
“Allora,” he groaned. -, please. I'm so close. I want to be inside you.
My entire body flushed with pleasure. At the moment, nothing would make me more satisfied.
I removed my lips from his and carefully stood up, not wanting to slip. Josh leaned out of the shower to retrieve the condom from his jeans pocket and put it on. His lips found mine, his tongue probing deep, hungry for me. He wrapped his powerful arms around me, smothering me with his heat. The water hit us as the shower churned beneath us, completely abandoned. We didn't need the heat anymore.
Josh lifted me easily, pressing my back against the tiles. I wrapped my legs around the trunk, pulling him closer. He aligned himself and, with one thrust, entered me, his shaft filling me to the hilt. I moaned in pleasure as we clicked together like two puzzle pieces that had met their match. I dug my heels into his back, driving him deeper inside me. He sighed in pleasure.
“You're so hot, Allora. He braced himself against the tiles with one hand, the other cupping my ass. He started pushing into me. Slowly at first, our bodies moving together. Josh built up a steady rhythm, his body fitting mine perfectly.
Heat flooded my body, seeping into Josh's touch and rising inside me. I've never had a guy before who made me feel like this, like the sex act itself was something I claimed for myself. I loved the power of his body, watching his muscles expand and contract with concentration as he thrust into me.
Pleasure surged through me, heat bubbling like a boiling kettle. I dug my fingers into Josh's shoulders. He buried his face in my neck, his teeth sinking into my neck, finding the same spot where he had bitten me earlier. The pain coursed through my body, becoming one with the pleasure welling up inside. I fell over the edge, my body shivering from the heat. Fire seared through my limbs, lighting every nerve, shooting out wave after wave of pleasure.
My muscles tightened around Josh's cock. He pushed harder, his fingers digging into my ass. A low growl rose in his throat. Every muscle in her body tightened like a snake getting ready to strike.
When he came, he sank his teeth into my shoulder. Pain raced through me, joining the ecstasy in my veins, taking me to a new level of pleasure.
Josh collapsed against me, his body shuddering, his breath labored against my neck. He withdrew slowly, his arms still supporting me.
“Wow,” he said, heavy-lidded.
- Yes. Wow really.
Slowly, Josh got me to my feet and then leaned back against the shower wall. I turned off the water, replaced the shower and opened the door. Water pooled on the floor, the shower mat and all of our clothes completely soaked through. We managed to throw soapy suds on the ceiling and mirror. I didn't want to clean myself. I wanted the mess to stay there forever, to remind me of what had happened.
I wrapped myself in a towel and handed one to Josh. Without him inside me, my body felt empty, devoid, but still warm from his touch. I was soaked in his scent, high on his taste and the power he gave me.
Josh took my hand in his and kissed my knuckles.
"Are you still mad at me?"
"Absolutely furious," I replied as I sank into his arms.
Nothing made me hungry like good sex. Which meant that, now, I was hungry.
Sadly, I thought as I searched the kitchen cupboards for a frying pan and pulled ingredients out of the fridge, if I stay with Josh, I'll probably gain a hundred pounds.
Funny, but I didn't even care. What we just did in the shower… wow. My body still tingled from head to toe just remembering it.
Maybe being his mate wasn't so bad after all...
Our clothes were completely soaked from our shenanigans. I put everything in the dryer and dressed in leggings with a cardigan from my closet. Josh walked around with just a towel wrapped around his hips, which I had no problem with.
While I made pasta with bacon and mushrooms, Josh paced around the small apartment, looking at the photographs of archaeological sites that lined the walls, my father's books stacked on the shelf. He stopped for a long time in front of the portrait of my father that hung above the fireplace.
“You have his eyes,” Josh said, his voice husky. I knew he was thinking of his own father. “He seems like a very kind man.
"He was," I said. “He was gruff and distant and sometimes I got the feeling he really didn't know what he was supposed to do with a daughter.
But he was very kind.
"May I ask how he died?"
“He worked in a factory in Crooks Crossing. It was an old place and all of the company's managers lived in London so there wasn't a strong management presence and the place was kind of run down. A lot of equipment broke down or failed, and it was always in the paper because of accidents at work. One day, my father was working on a machine and a critical part fell out, blocking the mechanism. He needed to fix it quickly as the product was still going down the line. Then he raised his guard and reached inside. “I cleared my throat. “The part was dislodged and the mechanism basically sucked it in.