Chapter 0002

Ethan

As we drive to my house, I glance at the woman, remembering when I’d first seen her.

I’d scented her the moment she walked in. A light floral and vanilla scent that immediately had my wolf’s attention. A delicious, strong scent that had me looking her way as well.

“Talk to her,” my wolf urged, but the glint of a diamond on her finger had me staying in my chair.

“She’s married,” I growled inwardly. It didn’t stop my eyes from wandering over her gorgeous body, though.

Her hair stuck out in a few places as it dried from the rain. The tear tracks were clear on her cheeks as she downed glass after glass of bourbon. The scent of sadness wafted from her, nearly overpowering her natural, addictive scent.

“She’s ours,” my wolf told me, pushing against my restraint.

As I watched her, I realized she’s beautiful... for a human.

The soft lighting of the bar illuminated her fair skin and honey-brown hair. Curves filled out her dress in a delicious landscape I’d love to get my hands on. Even from across the room, her scent calls me, but it’s faint.

What would it be like if I were next to her?

I need to know.

“Go,” my wolf urged again. The bartender grabbed her. This time I didn’t stay seated, and seconds later, I lunged at the man who has dared to put his hands on my woman.

“MATE,” my wolf snared as I reached the bartender’s side.

“The lady said let go,” I growled and snatched him back by his neck. Throwing him to the ground, I stepped between them. He had no right to touch what was mine.

Slamming my foot into his side, I sent him rolling across the floor wheezing before turning to my mate.

Fiona

Gentle hands slide my dress off, revealing my black lace lingerie. Then Ethan’s fingers slowly brush against my shoulders, sending pleasurable tingles through my body.

His hands brush down my collar and to my breast, fingering the thin material.

“Special occasion?” Ethan’s rumbly voice makes my breath catch in my chest and my heart thuds against my ribs.

Heat burns through my body, contrasting tonight’s bad memories.

“No,” I murmur, leaning into Ethan as he cups my breasts. “I just like the feel of lace.”

He spins me around, pinning me to the wall and trapping my hands above me. One dark eyebrow lifts, almost as if he’s displeased. Does he mind? Shouldn’t he be happier the sexier I dress?

“You’re mine,” he growls, the rumble sending heat straight to my pussy. “Only I get to see your body.”

Then his lips are on mine, his hands cupping my ass as he lifts me, wraps my legs around his waist, and carries me to the soft mattress to lay down.

“I…” My words fade into a moan when Ethan rolls his hips. I buck, wanting more of his touch, and whine when he pulls away.

“Patience,” he says, and I watch as he quickly unbuttons his pants, pulls them off, and tosses them to the floor. My heart stutters then races even more as he crawls over me again.

“Ethan.” My voice rasps as if I hadn’t had water for an eternity.

Then his lips are on mine again, his hands cupping my breasts, his thumbs brushing my nipples. I moan into his mouth and lift my hips, needing more. Pleasure rolls over me as his fingers trail lower, finally meeting my pussy.

“So fucking wet for me,” he growls.

“Oh, God,” I whimper. Two fingers fill me, curling and pumping until I cry out. Pleasure builds like a wave until black spots fill my vision, and I can’t hold on any longer.

Digging my fingers into his shoulders, I yank him closer.

“I want you,” I pant. “Ethan—”

“Mate,” Ethan whispers. The warmth between us melds, and in a frenzy of movements, his lips find mine again as he grips my hips and enters me.

Our bodies move in a primal, scorching dance.

Panting, I flop back on the bed to breathe through the heavy wave of pleasure. Ethan pulls me into his side and buries his nose in my hair, inhaling. I smile and inhale as well, finding his unique pine scent appealing.

“You smell like the forest,” I mutter, nuzzling into his neck and taking in the scent again. I’ve never smelled anything so nice.

“How do you feel?” Ethan asks, ignoring my question.

“Amazing,” I murmur, leaning into him. Ethan’s fingers trace the lines of my arms absently as he hums in response. His touch feels electric.

I’ve never felt anything as strong as the pull when Ethan touches me. Jack never made me feel the heat and need like Ethan.

Since we met, Ethan has been constantly touching me. It’s like he can’t get enough, and it’s nice. I feel wanted but confused too because I’ve heard he’s always surrounded by beautiful women, so why me?

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I mumble and peer up at Ethan.

He doesn’t accept the answer because he rolls us over and before I can say anything, his lips are on mine again.

The heat that had died down rears again, taking over my entire body as his touch and spicy scent consume me.

“You were made for me,” Ethan groans against my lips.

“Take me.”

Ethan growls again and flips me to my hands and knees, yanking me back and reentering. I yelp as pleasure slams into me, nearly blinding me.

“Oh, God. Yes, Ethan!” I cry, clutching the sheets as Ethan drives into me. My vision blurs and fire burns through my body. The world tilts as an orgasm breaks me apart, turning me into a puddle of goo.

“Fuck,” Ethan groans and then pulls both of us down to the bed. Exhaustion falls over my body like a blanket, pulling me to sleep. He’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met and I wish we could stay like this.

***

Turning over, I stretch and open my eyes to find the spot next to me empty. The sound of the shower running in the bathroom alerts me to Ethan’s location, and I sigh. I should probably slip out while he’s in there.

This couldn’t possibly mean more to him than one of his usual one-night stands.

Sighing again, I grab my phone and find a message from Isla. It’s a bit early for her to message me, so I unlock my phone and pull up the newspaper notice.

My heart nearly stops when I read the notice. In thirty days, my mother’s money will be transferred to Jack. How is it so soon? How did I not realize it before?

Jumping up, I throw my clothes on and dial her number as I rush from the room.

“Hey, you saw it?” Isla asks the moment the call connects.

“Yeah. This isn’t good, Isla. He can’t get that money,” I tell her.

“What? Why?”

“He’s with Jessica! They planned everything, Isla. They’ve been screwing around behind my back and now he’s taking my mother’s money,” I tell her. “I caught them at the party last night.”

“That asshole!” She shrieks. I nod and slip out the front door, looking around. I have no idea where I am.

“I told him I wanted a divorce,” I say, and she lets out a string of cuss words. She’s so loud that I have to pull the phone away from my ear. Her rage makes me feel better because I have someone on my side.

When I lift the phone back to my ear, Isla is ranting, “That slimy, good-for-nothing, two-timing piece of trash ought to watch his back because if I see him, he’s dead meat. And I know Jack’s law firm doesn’t allow office romances—violators get fired. You could use the footage from last night to report them.”

“That’s a great idea, Isla.”

I hadn’t thought of that, but she’s right. He needs to be taught a lesson.

“How was your night after that? What happened?” Isla asks as I begin walking toward the street.

“I…” My mind reels as images from last night flash through my head. “I went to a bar and then I slept with Ethan Montgomery.”

“THE Ethan Montgomery?!” She shrieks, “Billionaire hottie, Ethan Montgomery?! Oh my God! Really? Ethan’s one-night stands are always with supermodels or celebrities,” she exclaims, making me stumble over my own feet. I knew that, had seen it on the news and heard it from Jack, but I didn’t want to think about it.

“He came up to me, and with the help of alcohol, we ended up in bed,” I tell her and then admit, “And his kissing skills are impressive.”

“He kissed you?! Only a select few know this, and I just found out recently—” she pauses, and I groan. “Ethan never kisses anyone when he has sex.”

My mind reels.

“What?”

No, she can’t be right. Ethan definitely kisses. Honestly, he kissed me more last night than Jack ever kissed me.