The Sea Wolf's Mate Read online

  She raised her hands. “You know what? I’m going to make a promise to myself right now. No talking about my ex while I’m on the first date in five years.” Her hands dropped. “Or make that ten, because—no, I’m not doing this. I’m enjoying the moment.” She took a deep breath. “Maybe I’m still not ready. Or I’ve left it too long. I should have done some practice… windows… before now.”

  Despite the anxious edge to her voice, she hadn’t pulled away from Arlo’s arm. And he didn’t want her to.

  “I’m glad you didn’t,” he said, and her hand slipped into his.

  “Oh?”

  “I’m out of practice, too,” he said, his heart hammering. Out of practice? Christ. That was one way of putting it.

  Jacqueline smiled. “Good,” she said. “Then no teasing if I mess it up.”

  “Oh my God,” she moaned some time later. Arlo’s toes curled. “Oh. God. Mmmm.”

  Her eyes were closed. Shivers of ecstasy made her eyelashes flutter.

  “This is incredible,” she breathed. “So much cheese.”

  She cracked one eye open and hunted out another crispy cheese dumpling from her bowl.

  “I’m really sorry,” she said as she lifted the dumpling to her mouth. “But after this, I’m wondering if I should—mmm—be asking Caro on a date instead.”

  Arlo’s wolf whined. He cleared his throat to cover it, even though he knew there was no way Jacqueline would be able to hear it.

  “Good luck,” he said. “Caro’s married to this place.”

  “Damn.” Jacqueline sipped broth from her spoon. “No wonder this is the only restaurant in town. Anywhere else would go out of business in a second.”

  “You know, I worked here for a bit when I first arrived in Hideaway. The couple who took me in wanted to make sure I had a skill to build a career on.”

  “They sound like good people.”

  “They… are. They’ve done a lot for Hideaway. They’re my pack,” Arlo said, his voice becoming more confident.

  “Your pack? Is that another—” Jacqueline cut herself off. “God, I must sound like the nosiest person in the world.”

  “What’s wrong with that?”

  “You live in a secret shifter town! Shouldn’t you keep your secrets… secret?”

  “Bit late for that.”

  Jacqueline bit her lips over a smile. “I guess.”

  Arlo put down his spoon and set his elbows on the table. “You saved Tally’s life without thinking. You helped those kids get to a place they’ll be safe for the rest of their lives. You’ve every right to ask questions about what their lives will be like.” Because you’re my mate. Everything you want, I’ll give you.

  Jacqueline bit her lower lip. “All right.” She was silent for a moment, and then: “So. Pack. That’s a shifter thing? Like a wolf pack?”

  “For me, yeah. Since I’m a wolf.” Arlo grinned, so fast and sharp he surprised himself, and then he realized it was his wolf grinning through him. Thrilled to be part of the conversation, buddy?

  Aroo!

  “A very handsome wolf,” Jacqueline said, straight-faced, and Arlo’s wolf spun around in delight as the back of his neck burned red-hot.

  “Pack is family. The people you’d do anything for. Some shifters, those of us whose animals are meant to live in groups, aren’t happy without pack around. Whether that’s someone to look after, or be looked after by. Or a mate, which is both.”

  If his skin wasn’t already burning, it would have caught fire at that. Jacqueline’s eyebrows drew together.

  Arlo’s jaw tightened. Oh God. I shouldn’t have said anything. Now she’ll—

  Arlo’s senses went on high alert. The restaurant was busier now than it had been earlier in the evening. Most of the tables were full. Guts and Caro were constantly back and forth from the kitchen, and she’d even managed to prod Tom into taking people’s orders.

  It was busy, but noisy. Even shifters would find it hard to pick out a conversation from a neighboring table. And other shifters weren’t as sensitive to emotions as he was, thank Christ.

  He could tell her. A bit. And later, when they were somewhere a bit more private…

  The restaurant door opened, letting in a burst of cool air from outside. Arlo shook himself. Why was this bothering him so much? He should want to tell her. Need to tell her. why was he so afraid?

  Jacqueline leaned forward. “So… A mate?”

  “Arlo?”

  Too late, Arlo realized who had walked in the door.

  15

  Jacqueline

  Jacqueline hadn’t seen the woman come in, but it was impossible to miss her now that she was standing right behind Arlo. She was short and curvy, with dark hair tied back in a braided bun and thick-rimmed glasses.

  She was staring at Arlo with an expression of grim determination.

  “Tess?” Arlo said, turning in his seat. He muttered something under his breath and turned an apologetic look on Jacqueline. “I’m sorry about this. I said I’d talk to her later, but…”

  Jacqueline recognized the woman now, although her hair wasn’t hidden under a hairnet anymore. “She’s your not-niece, right?”

  “Foster sister, yeah.” Arlo sighed and waved Tess over.

  “Hi,” Tess said, her determination fluttering slightly at the edges. “You’re… Jacqueline?”

  “That’s me.” Jacqueline shook Tess’s hand.

  “I’m sorry for running off earlier. I thought… I don’t know.” She wiped her hands on her pants and Jacqueline felt a pang of sympathy. Tess was clearly stressing about something—even if Jacqueline didn’t know what.

  “Tess, we’re a bit busy,” Arlo said in an undertone.

  “I know, I know you said later, but I’ve been sitting in the shop worrying all afternoon!” She wrung her hands together. “How long have you known? Did you only bring her now because you knew Grandma and Grandpa would be away? Oh, God, Arlo, why didn’t you say something?”

  “Tess-I-met-her-yesterday,” Arlo gritted out bullet-fast.

  “Oh!” Tess said. And then: “Oh-h-h.”

  Her eyes skidded slowly across to meet Arlo’s. Jacqueline could only guess what they said to each other, in that weird silent telepathy, or mindspeak or whatever it was, but Tess covered her mouth and groaned.

  “I am so sorry. I am going to go home, and hide in the pantry, and never speak to anyone ever again,” she whispered through her fingers. “Except…” Her eyes narrowed. “Maybe this isn’t terrible after all. Maybe this is the kick in the pants I need to put my plan into action.”

  “Your plan…?” Arlo buried his head in his hands. “I don’t want to know, do I.” It wasn’t a question.

  “It was nice to meet you!” Tess said to Jacqueline. She grimaced at Arlo, waved, and hurried away, her horrified panic replaced by determination.

  “She seems nice,” Jacqueline said as the door slammed behind her. “But what did she mean about you waiting until your parents were away?”

  Arlo looked abashed. “Tess thinks I’ve been hiding you away.”

  “Seriously? I know I joked about feeling like a teenager again, but…”

  “My folks are…” Arlo lifted his head. She couldn’t read the expression in his eyes. Half-amused, half-pained, half…

  Her heart fluttered.

  “Jacqueline, there’s something I need to tell you.” He paused and winced. “Several somethings. Can we walk outside?”

  It was a cool, still night. The wind that had whipped her hair into a knotted frizz earlier had died down.

  Jacqueline and Arlo walked arm-in-arm down the promenade.

  Whatever Arlo had meant to say, he wasn’t saying it.

  “So,” Jacqueline said, to break the silence. “Your folks?”

  “They’d be… surprised I was with a non-shifter.” Arlo’s voice was gruff. “But they’ll get over it.”

  He sounded strangely serious. “I guess opportunities to date humans are pretty thin
on the ground here in Hideaway,” Jacqueline said, lightly.

  “I’ve never dated. A lot of shifters don’t, unless…”

  Jacqueline’s heart thudded. Unless what? This is just a fling, right? Just a crazy, weekend, casual…

  …Meet his friends, see his workplace, personal tour of his hometown…

  Fling?

  She swallowed. If this was something that wasn’t a fling, then there were things she’d have to tell him. Awful things. Like the fact she couldn’t have children.

  The lump in her throat grew.

  She already felt so comfortable around Arlo. Like they fit together. Even his weird date, taking her climbing around the hills behind the town, had unlocked a part of her she’d almost forgotten about, stuck in suburban Dunston. Standing there looking over the town and the sea, panting for breath with the wind in her hair, she’d felt… free.

  Because I am free. No more mortgage, no more Derek. I’m free to do whatever I want and what I want is—

  “Jacqueline? Is everything all right?”

  Arlo’s voice was concerned. Jacqueline pulled herself together.

  “I…” She searched his eyes. Is everything all right? It is, isn’t it? “This weekend’s been so strange, and I…”

  Cocktails. Stupid dresses and high heels. The chance to be sexy again, to find out who I am now. That was the plan. That’s what this weekend was about, wasn’t it?

  She took a deep breath.

  I know what I want.

  She slid one hand up Arlo’s chest, slowly, and the thud of his heartbeat against her palm seemed to echo in her ears. She leaned closer to him and stood on her toes. Arlo’s eyes were like deep pools reflecting the night sky. His lips were an inch from hers—less—

  Arlo pulled her close and kissed her. His lips were soft, gentle against hers and then harder as she clenched her fist in his shirt. She wound her other hand up over his shoulder, holding herself up against him. Not wanting to ever let him go.

  She made a small noise of disappointment as Arlo’s lips left hers, and his eyes went dark with lust.

  Oh God.

  Desire surged through her, so intense her knees went weak. And from the expression in Arlo’s eyes…

  She got the feeling that whatever he’d been about to say, it could wait.

  Jacqueline licked her lips. “You know,” she said, her voice hoarse, “I never booked that bed-and-breakfast. I don’t have anywhere to stay tonight.”

  Arlo’s fingers tightened around her waist. “That’s where you’re wrong,” he growled.

  Jacqueline felt so giddy as they walked back to the Hometide, she was half-worried she’d walk straight off the wharf into the sea. She wasn’t entirely convinced that if she looked down, she’d see her feet touching the ground.

  Arlo handed her onto the boat and slipped the tie rope off its mooring. The Hometide eased through the waves. Arlo sat by the rudder and Jacqueline curled into his side, winding her fingers through his.

  When Hideaway Cove was a half-moon of lights lying on the horizon, he dropped the anchor and turned to her.

  “Jacqueline,” he murmured. “I want—ever since I first saw you…”

  He pulled her close, kissing her with a growl that made her insides quiver. Jacqueline kissed her back, gasping as he slid one hand up towards her breast… and stopped.

  “Hmm?” Jacqueline mumbled against his lips. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing’s wrong.” Arlo sounded out of breath. “I just…”

  His hand smoothed down her side, slow and sensual.

  “I don’t want to rush,” he said. “I want to know what feels good to you. I want to learn everything about your body, every…” He took a tense breath.

  Jacqueline ran her fingers through his hair as his eyes dropped. “What is it?”

  “I want to do this right. For you. I haven’t…” A brief half-smile flickered across his features. “I haven’t made a stained glass window before,” he admitted.

  Does he mean what I think he means?

  “What? But…” That’s ridiculous, Jacqueline stopped herself from saying, to this strong, careful man who’d let himself be so vulnerable in front of her. “I assumed… I mean, you built a boat… wait, this metaphor is getting out of control.” She sucked in her breath.

  “I did build a boat,” Arlo agreed. “I built a whole life here. It didn’t leave much time for… other arts and crafts.”

  His voice was still rough, almost ashamed, but the corner of his mouth curved in a tentative, hopeful smile. Jacqueline touched the dimple that formed in his cheek.

  “I want to learn about your body,” she whispered, trailing her fingertips down his cheek and over his jaw. “I don’t care what you’ve done, or haven’t done. It’s been so long I feel like I’ve forgotten it all anyway.”

  She kissed him until his breathing hitched and then murmured against his lips: “I want to explore it all with you for the first time.”

  Arlo groaned. “God, yes.”

  He stood up, lifting her in his arms. Jacqueline wrapped her legs around his waist and heat raced through her. “Downstairs?” she gasped. He nodded.

  It was a tight fit, but Arlo maneuvered them both down the ladder without so much as brushing her head against the ceiling. He put her down so gently Jacqueline still felt as though she was floating feet above the floor.

  This wasn’t her first time. She’d only ever been with Derek, but it wasn’t as though they’d had a dead bedroom. They’d had clumsy figuring-it-out sex when they first got together, exhausted wedding-day sex and increasingly good honeymoon sex, lazy sleep-in sex and crazy late-night sex and…

  …Rigorously scheduled sex, increasingly clinical sex, sex where she’d found herself thinking a turkey baster would be more efficient or at least more pleasant…

  But that was then. And this was now, and now she was with Arlo, and sex could be something thrilling and wonderful again, and her skin was singing with the need to be touched.

  And to touch.

  Arlo was watching her, still tentative. She stepped forward and slid her hands under his shirt. His abs were smooth and hard under her fingertips, his skin so hot she gasped.

  He shivered under her touch. “Too slow?” she asked.

  “Don’t stop.”

  Jacqueline looked up at him through her lashes. She smiled and kept exploring.

  Arlo had a dark treasure trail that disappeared behind his belt. She ignored it—for now—and moved her hands further up. When she got to his chest, she couldn’t hold back from pressing her whole palms against his pecs and sighing.

  “God, Jacqueline,” Arlo gasped. She pushed his shirt up further, pulling it off over his head and ran her hands over his shoulders, down his back, everywhere she could reach.

  “You’re incredible,” she murmured, kissing his collarbone and dipping her head to lay more kisses down his chest. “I can’t stop touching you.”

  He was so hot under her hands, firm and strong and unbelievably, inconceivably real. This was what she’d wanted for so long. What she’d been scrimping and saving for. Taking life by the horns.

  Or, in this case…

  The sight of Arlo’s treasure trail had sparked an idea in her head. She let her hands drift down until they reached his belt buckle.

  “I want to do something for you,” she murmured, and got on her knees.

  “You…” Arlo gasped and licked his lips. “I’ve never—you don’t have to if you don’t want…”

  “I want to. So much. Do you?” If he’d never been with anyone before…

  Jacqueline’s skin warmed. She’d never thought she would be the one with more knowledge about, well, anything.

  “Yes.” Arlo’s voice was hoarse.

  Jacqueline undid his belt buckle slowly, then his flies, and eased his pants down over his hips. Then his boxers. Like unwrapping a present, she thought, and…. Oh, lord…

  Arlo’s treasure trail and deep V led down to a cock tha
t made her suddenly ache inside. She wanted him inside her, filling her deep until she couldn’t control herself any more. She wanted to touch it, touch him. She’d barely touched her wine at the restaurant but she was drunk with joy at finally escaping the paralyzed shell of her life and daring to want something more.

  She stroked Arlo’s cock, running her fingers along the thick shaft and brushing her lips against its head. He gasped and she turned the brush into a kiss, tasting him, glorying in every shivering breath her mouth and tongue ripped from his body.

  She took him in deeper and Arlo moaned so deep she could feel it in her bones. He began to tremble and she pulled back, gazing up at him with her lips just touching his very tip.

  He collapsed to his knees in front of her and kissed her, his teeth grazing her hot lips. “Let me do that to you,” he begged.

  Jacqueline lay back on the bed. There was hardly enough room for Arlo to hold himself above her. He kissed his way down her body, tentative, pausing after he kissed each new part of her to see her reaction. When she gasped out loud as his tongue flicked over her nipple he did it again, harder, until she felt as though he’d barely need to look at her clit for her to come.

  He slowed down as he reached her stomach, tantalizingly gentle. He laid a trail of kisses down the crease of her hip and looked up at her.

  Jacqueline could hardly breath. The sight of him between her thighs, eyes hot, mouth hotter, almost sent her over the edge.

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  He lowered his head and kissed her.

  Sensation flooded out from Jacqueline’s clit to fill her whole body and then poured back, intensifying, until each kiss, each lap of his tongue, sent fire through her veins. Pleasure pooled inside her.

  “W-wait,” she gasped, and Arlo lifted his head. “I want you now. I want to come with you inside me.”

  He moved up on top of her, his body sliding against hers, his cock bumping against her thigh. His eyes were dark with desire.

  “How do you want me to—” he began, and Jacqueline gently pushed him on his side, so they were lying together. She draped one leg over his hip and slowly guided him to her entrance.