“And that’s why she’syourgirlfriend,” I whispered, taking another sip.
“That’s right. She’s mine.” Cain continued to drink, staring into the dancing flames of the fireplace for what felt like hours. I could see his mind stirring, something brewing behind those dead gray eyes of his. Slowly, he began to fade off into sleep as light droplets of rain tapped the windows.
Chapter
Ten
ALASKA
Adeep huff startled me as I shot from the bed, frantically searching the darkness for the cause of the sound as I panted with a sudden alertness. Rain tapped heavily against the window of my room, thunder gently rolling outside. Alastair licked my face, immediately calming me. I snapped my fingers, the small candle on the nightstand immediately igniting in a pale blue flame that illuminated the humble bedroom.
Alastair brushed his head against my face, nestling closer as I stroked his head. “Easy,” I whispered as his heavy body weighed on mine. I glanced at the small digital alarm clock, noticing the red single digits. “What’re you even doing awake at this hour?” The sky was dark, the storm adding an extra layer of uneasiness.
Alastair quietly hopped from the bed onto the floor, his nails tapping against the wood as he walked to the door and looked back at me.
“Seriously?” I groaned. “At this hour?” He tilted his head and gruffed.Of course.
Groaning, I stepped from the bed, wearing only a thin, silky black nightgown as my bare feet touched the floor, a soft creak rippling through the wood as my weight shifted. The air wascold, prickling my skin. I rubbed my hands across my arms in an attempt to warm myself. My body halted, hesitating a moment as I glanced down at the brass door handle.Was Cain still awake? Had he calmed down from the chaos of the night? Or had he simply passed out from drinking… again?
Alastair nudged me, shoving the incessant questions to the back of my mind as his golden eyes gazed up at me, faintly glowing, showering me in a calm warmth. I smiled, slowly opening the door as he pushed past and left the room. My limbs froze, waiting a moment as I listened into the night, hearing only the taps of his nails against the wooden floor. Relief.
Alastair circled the hall, impatiently waiting for me to join him. Together, we slowly stepped down the hall and into the living room, the floor slightly creaking beneath the weight of our bodies. The crackles of the dying fire popped, quickly followed by heavy snores.
I glanced around, lightning crackling as it illuminated the country styled living room to reveal Cain, passed out cold, sprawled across the leather couch. Seeing him unconscious and unaware was oddly relieving. As I stepped back, my foot kicked one of the numerous empty beer bottles, causing it to roll, clanking into another, the loud sound causing me to freeze with fear. Cain stirred for a moment but quickly fell back to sleep as he continued to snore. My body eased, turning to find Lazarus now standing in front of me, shirtless. His sudden appearance startled me.
My hands covered my mouth as I tried to silence my loud gasp. Alastair sat next to him, completely unbothered by his presence. “What’re you—”
Lazarus raised his finger to his lips, hushing my words. He glanced behind me at Cain, the light from the dancing maroon flames soaking his skin in a warm palette of red that only enhanced his striking attractiveness. He gently touched myarms, guiding me away. We stepped to the hall, Alastair still sitting in the living room as his head tilted at the sounds of Cain’s heavy snoring.
“What’re you doing awake at this hour?” I whispered harshly, forcing my eyes away so as not to stare at Lazarus’ bare chest.
“I should be askingyouthe same question,” he teased, smiling as my cheeks flushed.
“Alastair needs to go outside—”
“You didn’t plan on taking him outside all by yourself, did you?” he whispered. I didn’t answer. “Alaska,” he sighed, “it’s the middle of the night, it’s storming, and who knows what might be roaming around outside? You shouldn’t be wandering around in the dark by yourself. I’ll take him.” Before I could say no, Lazarus had walked away. He silently caught Alastair’s attention, directing him to the front door as the two of them quietly stepped outside together, the screen door squeaking as the hinges moved.
Cain snored loudly, startling me as I realized the two of us were now alone in the living room. “Fuck this.” I cautiously scuttled to the door and stepped outside.
Lazarus was leaning against the heavy wooden railing of the porch, facing away, watching as Alastair galloped in the rain, full of joy. “It’s nice to see him like this,” he spoke smoothly over the loud storm.
I nodded, approaching the railing, watching as the abnormally large wolf played in the rain. Lazarus turned his head and looked me up and down, his gaze heavy and sensual. It traveled along my skin, lingering as he obviously enjoyed the sight of me, standing here, in my thin nightdress. The electricity in the air thickened as our eyes locked. I could feel my cheeks burning, my hands slowly beginning to glow with desire. I quickly tucked them behind my back, hoping he didn’t notice.
Lazarus grinned. “No reason to be shy, darling. We both know I knowexactlywhat that means.” He raised a brow, his smile melting me.
I bit my lower lip, my cheeks fully flushed as he inched closer, backing me against the porch railing. A soft gasp escaped my lips as my spine hit the damp wood, causing one of the dainty straps of my nightgown to fall gently to my elbow. Lazarus placed his arms on either side of me, his tattooed chest hovering over as he leaned in close, the tips of his brown hair brushing my face as his scent filled my lungs. “You know you never have to beg me to please you.” He leaned in closer, whispering further into my ear, his breath tickling my skin. “So tell me, what exactly would you like me to do to you, darling?”
My hands burned with longing as I squeezed my fists, trying to force my emotions aside. “W-we…” I stuttered. “We can't.”
Lazarus moved, raising his head as he looked down at me, his brow raised. “Oh?” His thumb touched my chin, raising it ever so lightly. “And why is that?”
I swallowed hard. “Cain,” I whispered.
Lazarus’s smile returned. “Yourboyfriendis currently passed out cold on the couch, dead to the world. Nothing can wake him.” His hand gripped me sweetly as his mouth ran along the skin of my neck, his breath hot against my flesh, causing my core to vibrate. “Besides, I can keep quiet.” His lips stopped, hovering over mine. “Can you?” His playful challenge only added to my appetite.
“I guess there’s really only one way to find out,” I teased, staring into his chestnut eyes. Lazarus smirked, wasting no time as his lips slammed into mine, breaking all my internal restraints as an intense carnal desire fueled me. My arms raised, brushing his hand away as they wrapped around his bare neck, pulling him closer to my body.
His hands slid up the side of my nightdress, grabbing my waist as he effortlessly raised me to sit on the thick ledge of the porch railing. Cold raindrops fell from the tin roof, dripping down our bodies as we continued to consume one another, our breathing increasing with each lust filled second. My legs wrapped around his waist, forcing him closer as he pressed against my body, his arm firm against my back, holding me atop the railing. My fingers weaved through his long hair, gliding along the back of his neck as his lips began to wander from mine. He kissed my exposed skin, licking the rain droplets from my collarbone, his mouth falling to my chest as his fingers gently glided across the silky material of my nightgown, purposely stroking my pierced nipple. His touch was sensual and delicate, only arousing me more. My legs tightened around him as his mouth kissed along my sternum and back to my neck, his hands leisurely lifting my nightgown as he continued.
