His to Protect: Book 1 in the Bound to Him Series Read online

  “Your company obviously does well,” I said, breaking the silence that had settled between us. He grinned over at me and I could not help returning it with a smile of my own.

  “Some of it is family money, but yes, the company does well,” he replied.

  As he pulled out onto the main road, I watched out the window and took in the scenery around us. It was so vastly different from Kansas City, and we lapsed into a comfortable silence as I studied the landscape. I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that it startled me when Zeke spoke.

  “I’m sorry that things got awkward between us, but I don’t have any regrets,” he said in a voice that told me he meant it. I could not help smiling over at him.

  “Regrets? Me either. It just…it scared me,” I replied softly. “It was intense.” He laughed and looked over at me.

  “That is was,” he said. Then he reached for my hand. I slid my hand into his, and he turned his eyes back to the road.

  Chapter 7

  Ezekiel

  When we got to the resort, I helped Chelsea from the car. Once she had the crutches settled, I followed her to her door. I was not leaving until I knew that she was safely inside. Hopefully, she would ask me to stay for a while longer. I really wanted to spend more time with her. I wanted to know everything about her.

  My wolf was begging me to mate her, but I knew that would scare her even more. My wolf had known the first time that I held her in my arms that she was our mate, but I had been hesitant to accept that. She was human after all.

  I was the pack’s alpha, and they would never accept a human as their alpha’s mate. I was torn between my loyalties. One to my pack and one to the woman who was meant for me. Of course, there was also the fact that I changed into a wolf.

  How do you approach that subject with a human and not frighten her? Humans were not even supposed to know about us. If I told her what I was and she rejected me, I would have put the whole pack in danger, but I was not yet willing to let her go.

  When we got to her door, she opened it and I held the door open so she could make it inside. She turned and leaned against the door and looked back at me.

  “Would you like to come in? I haven’t gone to the store yet, so I have nothing to offer you,” she said softly.

  “The only thing you could offer me that I would accept is more of your time. I’d like to get to know you better, Chelsea,” I told her sincerely. She bit her bottom lip and I could not help smiling. I knew already that it was a nervous habit. Then she nodded and I stepped inside.

  We walked into the living area and she started to sit down on the couch, but I stopped her.

  “I’ll make myself at home, you go ahead and shower. It’ll be good for those scrapes and cuts,” I told her. She hesitated just a moment before turning and making her way into the bedroom. Before she could close the door, I got her attention one more time.

  “Chelsea, if you need any help, please let me know,” I told her, and gave her a look that meant I was serious. I heard her deep exhale, even from across the room, but she finally agreed.

  Once the door closed behind her, I sat down on the couch. The room was a bit cool and I wondered if she kept it that way on purpose. I liked sleeping in cooler temperatures. Checking the thermostat, I saw that it was set on 67 degrees. Then I walked to the fireplace and turned it on. Staring at the flames for a long time, I finally reached for the tv remote and turned it on.

  I wasn’t interested in watching anything, but the background noise was better than the silence. When I heard the bedroom door open a while later, I looked that way. Chelsea stuck her head through the door and looked at me, but she didn’t say anything.

  “Do you need help?” I asked her gently. She just nodded. I stood from the couch and walked towards her.

  “It’s this ankle and jeans. I just can’t do it. Getting them off was one thing, but getting them on is just too painful,” she replied softly, unable to meet my eyes.

  “Okay, lie down on the bed,” I told her gently, and she opened the door all the way.

  When I stepped through the door, she had just reached the bed. She sat down on the edge of it and leaned the crutches against the mattress. Then she laid back on the bed, turning her head away from me.

  I stepped towards her and picked up the jeans, trying not to notice the red, bikini panties she wore. My cock had its own mind, and I was glad that her eyes were closed. She was probably embarrassed, and I felt bad that she was so uncomfortable.

  As gently as possible, I worked the leg of the jeans over her ankle. I noticed that most of the bruising was almost gone and that surprised me. The sprain had been a bad one, and I was amazed that it wasn’t any more swollen than it was.

  My eyes went to the scrapes on her legs, and I realized that they were also healing quickly. A lot more quickly than was normal for a human, and that had me studying her even more intently.

  Once she was on her feet again, she pulled the jeans up and fastened them. I handed her the crutches, and we made our way back into the living room. When we were both seated on the couch, I turned to face her.

  “Would you have dinner with me? We can order in. Do you like Chinese?” I asked her. Her expression turned comical. It was way past lunch time and still a bit too early for dinner, but neither of us had eaten since breakfast.

  “I think that would be great. I saw a menu over there on the table to a place that delivers,” she replied, pointing to a narrow table along the wall next to the fireplace. I stood and made my way to the table and grabbed the menu.

  We perused the menu together, and after I put in the order, I put my phone back in my pocket. Then I turned to Chelsea and took her hand in mine. She didn’t pull away, and I saw that as a good sign. For some reason, I was desperate for her to trust me. Well, I knew why that was, but she didn’t.

  “So, you said that you searched for your birth parents. What did you find?” I asked her. She gave me another funny look, but then she answered me. It was more than just curiosity that had me asking.

  “Well, I only found my biological mother. She died when I was just a few months old. There was nothing that could tell me who my father was. He wasn’t listed on the original birth certificate,” she explained.

  “What was her name?” I asked her, trying not to sound too curious. There was a specific reason for my question, but I wasn’t ready to tell her that.

  “Marissa. Marissa Feldman. She was from Phoenix. I have no idea how my adoption took place in Kansas City. I just know that my parents adopted me when I was about two months old. I never found out anything else,” she said softly. I could tell that this was a difficult subject for her, so I changed it.

  “Do you watch any sports?” I asked her and she grinned. Ice hockey and football. A woman after my own heart. I would have to look into any hockey games that might be playing while she was in town. Hopefully, I could get her to go to one with me. I intended to spend a lot of time with her over the next two weeks.

  “Um…I need to call my parents,” I heard a few moments later. She seemed hesitant, but I already knew that she was doing it for the right reasons. I held her hand as she made the call.

  “Hi, dad. Mom there too?...No, I’m good…I didn’t do much today. Yesterday was quite intense with the hiking in the mountains, so I decided to take it easy today…Yes, tomorrow I’m going to see Tucson and make a plan for the rest of my time here…I’m having a wonderful time. It was good to get away. Just what I needed…Okay, I’ll call you tomorrow…Love you too.”

  I grinned over at her and she relaxed against the back of the couch. We spent the next half hour talking about whatever came to mind. Just then, there was a knock at the door, and I knew that our dinner was here. I stood and answered the door, leaving a large tip for the delivery driver. When I was seated once again on the couch, I set the food on the coffee table in front of us.

  “Chopsticks?” I asked her, and her smile grew even wider.

  “Definitely,” she replied eager
ly. I handed her a pair and then handed her the container of Szechuan beef that she had requested. I opened my chopsticks and my container of General Tso’s chicken.

  The conversation never ended between us, and I caught myself laughing several times. Chelsea had an amazing sense of humor, and there was never a dull moment between us. Whatever this was between us, it felt so right. Well, I knew what it was, but she had no clue, and I was not ready to broach the subject yet. Instead, I just accepted the time that we had together.

  It was several hours later that I told her I needed to get home. The look in her eyes changed to panic for a moment, but then she quickly schooled her features. I had no idea what that meant. She reached for my hand, and my eyes met hers.

  “Zeke,” she said, and I heard what sounded like desperation in her voice.

  “What is it, Chelsea? What’s wrong?” I asked her gently, my eyes searching hers.

  “I don’t want to let you go,” she replied on a whisper. I knew what she was feeling and why, but I couldn’t tell her. Not yet. It was just too soon.

  “Do you want me to stay with you?” I asked softly.

  I had no idea what it was like for a human, but as a shifter, and knowing that she was my mate, the desire to mate her was strong. I was not sure that if I stayed with her that I would be able to control myself, but I would try for her. I would do whatever she needed me to do.

  “Zeke, I don’t want you to go. Will you stay?” she asked, and I could see the hesitation on her face. She knew what she was feeling, but she did not understand it.

  “Chelsea, I want you. I won’t lie. I want you badly. If I stay, I don’t know…I don’t know that I could keep myself away from you,” I replied on a breathy voice.

  I had never lost control before, but this was different. I already knew that she was mine, and my wolf begged me to claim her.

  “Will you stay with me?” she asked again, and I knew what she was asking. She wanted the same thing. My response was to claim her lips with mine.

  The electricity crackled between us once again, and I knew that I would claim her, the pack be damned. Nothing mattered in this moment except me and her. Without breaking the kiss, I lifted her in my arms once again and carried her into the bedroom. I laid her down on the bed and looked down at her.

  “Are you sure you want this?” I asked her, needing to make sure that I had not misconstrued her desire.

  “I have never wanted anything more,” she replied, and I lowered my lips to hers once again.

  Chapter 8

  When my lips met Chelsea’s, the sparks were immediate, like lightning under my skin, but there was no pain, only pleasure. She ignited parts of me that I didn’t know could feel. I slowly lowered myself to the bed beside her and moved my hand to her waist. When she didn’t flinch, I slid my hand under her t-shirt so that skin met skin.

  My tongue plunged into her mouth and it seemed instinct took over. Her tongue met mine and her teeth grazed over my tongue, making me gasp at the sensation. My hand moved up her bare skin until I palmed her large breast, and I heard her sharp intake of breath. Then she moaned. The sound sent a shiver through my body, and my cock pulsed in anticipation of being inside her.

  I kissed her bottom lip and moved down her neck, kissing the sensitive skin there. Her breast pushed against my hand as she arched her back against me. I squeezed it then teased her already taut nipple with my fingers. I pulled back long enough to slide her shirt up and pull it over her head and down her arms.

  Her eyes were half closed, but she looked up at me through her lashes. My eyes fell to her red bra that I knew matched the red panties that I had seen earlier. I grinned as my lips met hers once more.

  Reaching underneath her with one hand, I expertly unfastened her bra and slid it down her arms, tossing it onto the floor. Her luscious breasts were finally exposed to me, and my lips left hers as I nibbled down her chin and kissed down her slender neck. Her bare breasts were my destination.

  When I sucked her nipple into my mouth, she gasped and arched her back off the bed, her head falling back against the pillow. Her hands went to the back of my head and her fingers clutched at my hair, keeping me in place. But that was okay. I wanted to take my time feasting on her sweet body. I had never wanted anything more than to bring her pleasure.

  While my tongue teased her nipple, my hand moved to her jeans. I worked the button open and unzipped them. When her nipple left my mouth with a “pop”, I looked down at her. There was passion and desire in her eyes, and I knew that she did not want me to stop.

  “I’m on the pill, and I’m clean. When I found out my ex was cheating, I got tested,” she said on a shaky voice. She could not have said any sweeter words. No condom necessary.

  I had grabbed several before leaving the house, hoping that we would end up right where we were now. There was no way that I would have pushed her, but she obviously wanted this as much as I did. After letting her know that I had also been tested after my last relationship, she sighed in relief.

  Carefully working her jeans down her legs and over her bruised ankle, I noticed again that the scrapes and cuts were noticeably healed, even from just a few hours ago. With only her panties on, I leaned back on my knees and let my eyes study her beautiful body.

  Reaching down, I trailed my fingers over her smooth skin and up to her hips. Hooking my fingers in her panties, she lifted her hips and I dragged them down her long legs.

  My eyes instantly went to that sweet treasure at the apex of her thighs. I ran my hand up her inner thigh and felt her legs trembling under my touch. Her eyes never left mine. When she pulled her good knee up and let her legs fall open, I lowered myself between them.

  Her hands gripped my hair as if she didn’t know whether to pull me closer or push me away. My tongue circled her clit before running along her folds. I sucked every inch of her skin before delving into her heat with my tongue. She was already so wet for me, and I could not get enough of her sweet taste as my tongue lapped at her before plunging inside.

  She writhed on the bed and her moans were music to my ears. Her hips moved in a rhythm with my tongue as it dipped in and out of her pussy, but I reached up and grabbed her hips, holding her to the bed. I teased her mercilessly until her legs were quivering around me. Then I kissed my way back to her clit and two fingers replace where my tongue had just been.

  Slipping my fingers inside her, she cried out as I pumped them in and out of her. She was so close, and I could not wait to watch her fall apart. I sucked her clit until she cried out once more, but this time she shattered and fell apart. I pumped my fingers into her and stroked her clit with my thumb as I watched her face. She came apart so beautifully. She was perfect, and she was mine.

  When her head rolled to the side and her eyes fluttered open, she had a lazy smile on her face. I stood from the bed and lifted my shirt, dragging it over my head and tossing it on the floor. Then I reached for the button on my jeans. My eyes never left hers as I slipped out of my jeans.

  Her eyes roamed my body, and I knew that she liked what she saw. My wolf kept me fit, but I enjoyed working out as well. With my job in private security, it helped that I was quite built, and I was proud of my body. But I had never been as proud as I was in that moment as her eyes looked me over in appreciation.

  “Zeke,” she said softly, and my eyes went to her mouth. “I need you,” she begged, and I was willing to give her whatever she wanted. I wanted to give her all of me.

  When I shoved my underwear down my legs, my cock sprang free. I was so hard right now, and I wrapped my hand around it and stroked up and down a few times as I watched her take in my length with wide eyes. She licked her lips, and I followed the movement of her tongue.

  One of these days, I would love to have those luscious lips wrapped around my cock, but for now, I needed to be inside of her. I stepped back to the bed and lowered myself onto it beside her, propping myself up on my elbow. Then I ran my lips over her shoulder, my hand going to her breast
once again.

  I wanted to feel every inch of her, but I was fighting my wolf who wanted me to claim her. Mate her. Pushing him down and trying my hardest to ignore him, I moved over Chelsea and lowered my hips between her thighs. The heat from her core against my cock had me hissing through my teeth to keep control.

  There was no way that I wanted to scare her, but I was quickly losing my self-control. Her hands ran up to my shoulders, and she pulled me towards her.

  “Please, Zeke. I need you inside of me,” she begged again, lifting her hips against my cock and trying to get more. I had never heard sweeter words.

  I lined my cock up at her slick entrance, and when I slowly sank into her, it was like nothing that I had ever felt before. It felt like coming home. Chelsea’s legs came around my waist, and she tried pulling me deeper, but I wanted to savor every delicious inch of her tight pussy squeezing my cock as I slowly sank into her.

  I knew that my cock was large, and I didn’t want to hurt her. I knew that I would have to go slow until she adjusted to my size. Pushing into her, I held back as much as I could, but it was testing my limits of control. Her body called to me and I was eager to answer that call.

  Her wet heat surrounded me, and I felt my arms trembling as I refused to move in haste. When I was fully embedded inside of her, I felt her body shudder beneath me. I looked down at her face. Her eyes were closed, but her expression was pure bliss.

  “Chelsea, open your eyes. I want you to watch me claiming you,” I whispered. Her eyes met mine, and I reached under her back and brought my hands up to grip her shoulders. Then I slowly pulled back.

  When I slammed into her, she gasped, and her nails dug into my back. I watched her face as I pumped in and out of her, claiming her and making her mine. She did not know what this meant, but now that I was mating her, I would never be able to let her go. I had never wanted anything more than I wanted her.