CHAPTER SIX

 

“How do you really feel about me being on your territory?”

Riktor stared at Mickey Shaw, a rival alpha. His comprehension of her words slowed. Her spicy perfume with a floral undertone and hint of pheromones fogged his brain. He licked his lips and tried to find a response.

Desire threaded his blood. Heat spread throughout his body. His engorged cock pressed against his fly, making his pants tight and uncomfortable. He wanted to reach down and adjust himself, but not in front of her.

“Show no weakness, boy,” his father’s voice hissed in his mind.

Riktor shook his head to dissipate his need to move closer to her, maybe reach out and touch her. He drank in her dark, seductive eyes, full lips, the delicate curve of her cheek, the constant throb of her pulse in her neck, and the rise and fall of her ample breasts pressing against her bodice. His palms prickled. A groan began deep his throat and came out in a low growl.

She lifted a thick brow. Her mouth opened and a soft rumble of response drifted out.

His ears pricked and the wolf within stared, its ears twitched, and its tail swished back and forth in a slow sweep.

“What do you want, Riktor?” Mickey moved toward him, hips rolling in a slow gait, her arms swinging back and forth by her side. “We can fuck, or we can fight, or we can just remain on opposite sides and watch each other in a stalemate.” She stopped in front of him. The tips of her breasts pressed against his torso but much to his annoyance, she didn’t lean forward to give him full contact.

His wolf whimpered as it endured the lust raging through him right now. Riktor’s cock jerked. He curled his hands into fists. His arms shook with effort to keep from reaching out to take her into his arms.

“I don’t want to fuck you,” he muttered with effort. Each syllable was clipped, but need laced his words.

She smirked. “So that’s not an erection pressing against my stomach? Or am I just being imaginative, hmm?”

Mickey reached up and trailed a fingertip along his shirt buttons.

Even through the plastic and fabric, he felt the heat of her touch. It branded his skin. His heartbeat raced, pounding against her rib cage.

“It’s that time of the month. The full moon and all. Pheromones heightened…” he blurted out. Heat flushed his face. “Fuck.”

She gave him a smoky chuckle. “Really? This isn’t my first full moon. I’ve experienced exactly what you’re going through. The horniness, the need for more meat, feeling more animalistic, more aggressive, everything irritating you.”

He jerked his gaze away and refocused on the room around them. “Are you comfortable here? If you want something bigger or smaller, I could move you.”

Mickey followed him, remaining so damn close and yet out of reach. “Very comfortable, even though the bed is a tad big for me.” Mirth lifted her tone. “We could ride out that time of the month together.” She reached up, placed her index finger on his chin and pushed his head down. “Much better. I love looking into those gorgeous, blueberry-blue eyes.”

Another blush of heat filled his face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, and no.” He moved away again, and this time his butt hit a side table.

“Nowhere to go, wolfman. Didn’t they ever tell you not to confront the big, bad bitch alpha alone?” She chuckled. “You still haven’t answered my question. Although, I can guess how you feel.” Her focus dipped to his belt and back up again.

Riktor fought the urge to cover his erection with his hands and cleared his throat. “I don’t like you being here, but I won’t kick you out.”

“And our attraction?” She took a step forward and again pressed the tips of her breasts against his torso again, daring him to act.

“Yes, I’m attracted to you, but no, I won’t sleep with you, not now or ever. Now back the fuck up,” Riktor ordered.

She took a step back. “Too bad. I really do need a spanking and some play time.” She spun on her heel and headed back to the sofa where she sank down and reposed against the plush pillows.

Riktor shut his eyes and fought against the burst of need. Tingles raced over his body. He fought back a curse. Somehow she knew about the Black Howl. “I take it that quip was courtesy of Everly?” Damn that asshole. No wonder he had been so nervous earlier.

She grinned. “I won’t reveal my sources. I will say that I’m not teasing you. I am serious. It’s been awhile since I’ve played, and you are just my type.”

Riktor shook his head. “And we have plenty of experienced Doms at Black Howl. I assume you know about it.”

“Oh, I know about it. I just know what I like and what I want. Call me stubborn, Riktor Brody.” She shrugged. “Let’s just say that I’ve had a crush on you for years and you’d make my year if you indulged me.”

Riktor let her confession sink in. “You’re kidding.”

Mickey grinned. “Nope. I’m sure this will come as a shock to you, but I had hoped that your father would’ve consented to a marriage contract for you and me. But he nixed it.”

Riktor stared at her. “What are you talking about?” He closed the distance between them to loom over her but kept himself from leaning down to crowd her space.

“My father wanted to make amends, so he suggested a marriage contract between us. This was a several years ago. You had just left college to rejoin the family business. Pa had just named me his heir. Your father said no. Everly told me you didn’t know.” She stared up at him. Her body stilled. Her gaze remained on him.

Riktor straightened up. “That bastard. I deserved to know!”

“But he said no, so…”

Riktor shook his head. “It’s my life. I might have considered it.” He sank down to allow the shock to work its way through his system. “What else did he keep from me? Who else did he try to sell me off to?”

Mickey sat up and leaned forward. “My father approached him, not the other way around. He just didn’t bother to tell you.”

Riktor focused on her. “And why are you telling me now?”

“I’m not your enemy, Riktor. I know you don’t believe that, given the threat I pose to you at the moment, but I want you to believe that I’m not here to take away your legacy.”

Riktor shook his head. “I can’t believe that right now. Not with my brothers’ legacy on the line. You are a threat, Michaela Shaw, and I can’t ignore that. You are here, and that’s all that matters.”

“Then we’re at an impasse, and I refuse to leave. So keep a close eye on me all you want, but in the end, you will see I mean you no harm.” Mickey sat back. “Oh, and you can call me Mickey. Can I call you Rik?”

Riktor stood up. “No. Not even my brothers call me Rik,” he lied, but she didn’t need to know that.

“Well.” Mickey followed suit and stood up. “I’m not your brother.” She winked.

Damn her, he actually liked her. Regret left a bitter taste in his mouth. He wanted to kiss the fuck out of her, feel her curves against his body, and find out if she really did need a good spanking like she claimed. The staggering power of his desire for her made it difficult to think clearly, to think of anything but taking her in his arms. Right. Now.

Instead, he forced himself to turn and head for the door. “Enjoy your stay here, Ms. Shaw. Let the front desk know if they can do anything to make your stay better.”

She followed him. “Oh, you know what you can do to make my stay much more pleasant, Mr. Brody, you just refuse to do it.” She laughed and closed the door behind him.

Riktor stood in front of the entryway for a few seconds. His erection continued to pulse and push against his fly. His body flared hot and cold, and his wolf wanted to go back in there and kiss her senseless and do a whole lot more.

“I’m in some serious trouble,” he muttered to himself.

 

* * *

 

“Russell Winthrop checking in.” Russell put his forearms on the counter and grinned at the woman helping him, making sure that she could see his extra sharp canines, filed to his specifications—his signature look.

She smiled back, but it didn’t reach her eyes, much to his annoyance.

“Welcome to the resort, Mr. Winthrop. Your room is ready. Do you have any bags you’d like to be taken up?” She stared at him, no emotion on her face whatsoever, not even a small tingle of fear.

“No, no. Do you know if a Ms. Shaw has checked in yet?” He leaned forward and moved a hand toward his pocket, bribe all ready to go. Charm and intimidation hadn’t worked, so why not try the thing that made the world go ’round…well, almost made it go ’round.

“I’m sorry, we don’t comment on who checks into our resort. For privacy purposes. Please, enjoy your stay.” The woman handed him the key card to his room.

Russell continued to smile and accepted the piece of plastic. “No problem, and I’m sure I will.” He turned and left.

Run, run, little bitch. I know you’re here, he thought and headed toward the bank of elevators.