Pick your poison:Secret ~ The PiercesAs the World Caves In ~ Matt MalteseAdeaMy fingers dance along the soft hair that curls at the nape of Shane’s neck. Normally, I’d take this opportunity to kiss up his neck or enjoy the lack of distance between us, but I’m so frustrated, I can’t. Instead, I want to twist and pull the strands. By the Goddess’ grace, I somehow manage to hold back. I know he’d think I was joking with him and I’m not in a playful mood.There was something off about his promise. I can feel it in my bones. I knew he meant every word, but the look in his eyes was off. There was more. If only I could talk to Max. The other half of my mate wouldn’t hide things from me. He would answer my questions to the best of his ability.After the time I’ve spent with Shane, doubting him filled me with guilt. Even though I know he isn’t being completely honest with me. He’s holding back. While my mate says he wants to mark me, swears he will in every way possible, I’ve come to know
Drunk In My Mind ~ Benson BooneAdeaA range of thoughts and emotions flit through me as I wonder how Gabe is here and then why. A fiendish idea comes to mind and an equally devilish smile spreads across my face. Because there was only one reason Gabe would be here this morning. Dropping my phone, I moved to get up, my leg shifting when I’m held back down. Shane’s grip had tightened, and he was refusing to let me get away. I definitely didn’t miss the hardness digging into my belly.“Down, boy. I’m out of commission. At least for a few hours,” I giggled.Everything was sore. And when I say everything, I mean everything. Irritation stared back at me and I crossed my arms in front of my chest. Huffing, I glared defiantly up at him. He jerked his head to the side, his curls danced away from his forehead. I don’t know why he’s being a butt, but I’m not going to let him have his way. Gabe is downstairs and I’m going to find out why, no, exactly who kept him here.“Let me go.”“No,” he murm
Scatterbrain ~ EmeiShane’s hand shot out, connected with Gabe’s chest, and pushed him back. Leo caught him, and my brows furrowed as I wondered if he was part of Shane’s pack. I didn’t remember him ever telling us where he came from, and maybe that was bad on our part. My eyes dropped to my best friend. He looked disheveled, but his eyes were worried as they took me in. He wore a baby blue dress shirt, but the buttons didn’t line up because one side hung lower than the other. He wore shorts I knew were his because they were tight and showed every curve of his body.Lifting my leg, I moved to step forward but didn’t even budge an inch. Because, of course, Shane held me still. Turning to once again tell Shane to let me go, my eyes widened when his face was a lot closer than I was expecting. He leaned down, his hair covered his forehead, and that one curl bounced right in front of his eye. I already knew what he was going to do. He grabbed my cheek possessively and kissed me. I smiled i
I am not okay ~ Jelly RollAdeaKorra caught her scent before I could, and she was seething. Alarm bells were going off. There was a female in our mate’s suite. I didn’t know when it happened, but we had claimed not only Shane, but this area as ours. Only those we allowed were permitted to be here, and this woman wasn’t supposed to be here. My wolf snarled and snapped her fierce jaws at the uninvited guest. Normally, I can keep her under control, but right now, it felt like we were one and the same.Her anger, her hate, her pain, her need to draw blood—all of it was mine.My eyes trailed up from her red Jimmy Choos, along her thin yet muscular legs, to the white skirt that left nothing to the imagination, past her breasts that were barely covered by an uncountable number of diamonds. Red-kissed lips with a perfect cupid’s bow jutted out in a pout that matched her heels, blue eyes that instantly zoned in on Shane, and too-straight princess blonde hair flowed down her back.Still, she wo
My skin heated, and it felt as if my blood were boiling. I don’t know which part I was more angry about. This woman being here in my space, the supposed plan to remove her from the premises, or the way Shane called her name. Was it a nickname? Maybe it was all the above that truly pissed me off. My gaze locked with Gabe’s and I gave him the ‘Am I the only one insane here?’ look, but he just shook his head reassuringly. So either I wasn’t, or the two of us were both equally crazy. Turning my focus back to Beka, I waited impatiently for what she’d say. My lip curled as she softened her eyes and pouted.“When you didn’t come back, I was worried. On top of that, you didn’t answer any of my texts.” She hunched her shoulders, making herself appear smaller. We’re taught this at a young age to show an aggressive male we were weak and meant no harm. My skin crawled as she leaned into him, invading his space. I bit back the whine in my throat as my insecure thoughts swirled through my mind.Is s
Go to Hell ~ LetdownAdeaThe silence was deafening. It was so still, you could hear a pin drop. Just an arm’s length away, his slow breaths filled the silence as Shane hovered behind me. I refused to look at him just yet. My emotions waged war within me. Did I want to yell or cry? I needed a moment. Closing my eyes, I took several deep breaths, trying and failing to calm myself down.Breathe in.1…2…3…4…Hold.1…2…3…4…Exhale.1…2…3…4…The damn breathing thing thing wasn’t working. Back when Gabe and I first came here, he taught me this breathing technique to help with my panic attacks. Instead of pushing thoughts of him away, it did the opposite. Every time I inhaled, I got lungfuls of Shane, his presence surrounded me. Demolishing the wall of safety I tried so hard to build up. As if he heard the wall come tumbling down, he stepped closer. The heat came off of him in waves, cutting through the short distance and caressed me. It was so hard to be mad at him, but my mind and
Aphrodite ~ Sam ShortInstinct told me I needed to protect myself. The need to wrap my arms around myself was strong, but Shane was everywhere. He lifted me and I wrapped my legs around his waist. My hands rested on his chest. He pressed a kiss to my hair, my forehead, my nose. Even as I wanted to escape this wretched feeling in my chest, I couldn’t help but burrow closer. My lashes fluttering to a close as he murmured my name. I swallowed the lump in my throat and let my hands fall as he placed me on the table.The sweet happiness that made me so giddy I ran from him was gone. And in its place a small hole. Pettiness, anger, and jealousy clawed at my chest. His shirt had ridden up less than an inch more and I would be on full display. My gaze trailed up the ridges and dips of his abdomen. Beneath the light, I noticed the light markings of scars on the back of his biceps and arms. Muscles turned to broad shoulders, but my gaze locked on my mark.Shane is mine.Always has been.Always
Shane’s eyes held mine and I tracked the movement of his tongue as it slid along his bottom lip. His head dipped as he lowered himself, as if he couldn’t get close enough. And I watched as he ran his hard, flat tongue up my spread lips. I fought the urge to close my eyes and throw my head back. The need to revel in the pleasure Shane gave me was strong, but I couldn’t. His eyes darkened as he closed his mouth and his throat bobbed. And I was thankful I kept my eyes on him. His lashes fluttered as he savored my taste. Shane was more beautiful than the paintings hanging on the wall. He was a work of art and I could stare at him for hours, days, weeks; however long I could.“More,” I demanded.A rumbling sound sent goosebumps down my arms. My lips parted as his mouth opened and his pink tongue darted out. My thighs shook as I watched it flick over my clit. I widened my legs; needy for more, so much more. My fingers curled against his scalp and I pulled on his hair. Willing him to give me