Black Hills Desperado (Black Hills Wolves, #3)(10)

“You don’t want this? I know you been feeling it since we left Texas.”

“Baby, I want this more than you can possibly know, but until you’re ready to commit to me, it’s not going to happen.” He reached past her, grabbed the door. “Put some clothes on. I’m renting another room.” This time he was the one to slam the door in her face.

Footsteps receded and Xio growled. “You did not just….”

Yeah, but he had. Her wolf howled.

You’re not helping.

Neither are you.

***

Marcus stared at the ceiling. The television blared in the background, but he didn’t have a clue what was on. He’d hoped the white noise would keep his wolf distracted from what it really wanted to do. His mind had been on one thing, and one thing only, since he’d started tracking her in Texas. He’d known from the first scent. She—the bank robber—was his mate!

He’d told himself he wouldn’t let it affect his job. But it had. He’d quit his career, given up his place as Beta in the El Paso Pack, and had driven her halfway across the country, toward a new pack, a new Alpha, and a position half the rank he’d held before.

For her. All for her. And what did she want? To use him and toss him away. He didn’t have to be a genius to see it. Some people waited all their lives and didn’t find their mate, and his had dropped into his life like a tornado, destroying everything in her path, and it didn’t look like she intended to slow down any time soon.

If it had been any other woman, he’d still be in the FBI, he’d still be Beta of El Paso Pack, and he wouldn’t be in this rickety bed alone. He might even have a couple females keeping him company. But since he’d first caught her scent, he didn’t want any other woman, nor wolf, regardless how they’d thrown themselves at him. Now that he’d found his mate, even if he’d been in the presence of naked females, he have been unlikely to notice them. But around Xio, it was quite the opposite. Marcus had a perpetual hard-on that nothing but the obvious solution would ease.

Who the hell had he pissed off in a previous life to deserve this?

Knock, knock, knock. There was a soft rap on his door and Marcus reached over and grabbed the remote, turning up the volume on the set.

The knock came again. Louder this time.

He sat up and looked at the door. If she kept it up, he’d break. He was a wolf, not a saint, and the woman was just asking for trouble.

“Marcus, open up.”

“No.” Why’d he say that? His erection had long since moved past painful. The lock rattled before the door swung open. He blinked as she stood in silhouette, breathing heavy, needy. His. Fuck. “That door was locked for a reason.”

“I picked it.”

“Picking locks. Another fine skill set you possess. Any other secrets you’d like to share with me?”

“Yes. I’m great in bed.”

“Bad idea, Xio. If you’re smart, you’ll back the hell out of here before I change my mind about being a good guy, f*ck you, and mate with you.”

“I want you. I want all of you. The good, the bad—though I don’t think there is much of that—but what there is? I want it. I need you, buried inside me.”

Every muscle in his body tensed. Now he was hearing things. Did she just say…?

“Marcus, I want you as my mate. I know this is crazy, but I can’t fight it anymore.” She shut the door and locked the deadbolt. “Please, claim me.”

He was on her, had her pinned against the door and his hand up the damp T-shirt in a second flat, noticing then it was the only thing she’d worn. He grabbed her wrists and pressed them over her head and tight to the cold steel, switching to one hand to restrain her. Inhaling, he caught the musk of her arousal and snapped his teeth at her.

Xio growled back in warning.

Let the mating dance begin. “I’m going to f*ck you so hard, honey, you won’t be able to walk tomorrow.”

“Put up or shut up.”

No innocent virgin for him. Probably a good thing, but thoughts about her being with other men caused his beast to roar. “You’re mine.” He grabbed the neck of her shirt and ripped it down the middle. Certainly not necessary, but damn, it felt good to be a little dominant, especially with this woman, who’d had him wrapped around her pinky at first scent.

“Marcus,” she whispered and ground her hips against him. “I need you.”

He reached down and tore his fly open, freeing his cock. The first time would be a hard rut. They both knew it, but he’d make it up to her. It was better they got this mating out of the way before they hit the Black Hills, anyway. Otherwise, any unattached male eyeing his female could send him over the edge. Once a she-wolf was claimed, the males could smell it and should know to back off. Well, they would if they had any smarts. An unmated female in her prime, denying herself a mate, drove single lobos nuts. They’d practically be able to taste the sexual frustration on her. And she was in heat, burning for his seed, pushing him closer to losing control of his wolf than ever before.

A sniff along her pulse and Marcus froze. What the hell? “Are you on the pill?” I smell it in your system.” Wolves didn’t need contraception.

“Yes.” It’s a precaution. My mother wasn’t a wolf. The human genetics make it impossible for me to control unplanned pregnancies.