Tormenting Her Mate (My Wicked Mates Book 3) Read online

  “Absolutely.”

  “I might be able to save you some time.”

  “Oh?” Dr. Frasier’s eyebrow cocked up.

  “I don’t have any experience as you call it.”

  The doctor frowned. “You’re a virgin.”

  “I am.”

  Dr. Frasier chuckled and stood. “Well, that does shorten our conversation, my dear. Let’s proceed to your room and I shall be on my way.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” She led him up and the examination was over in moments, his gloved hands verifying what she’d told him to be true.

  “Birth control?”

  She shook my head. “There really hasn’t been a need.”

  “Ah. That’s fine then.”

  He didn’t prescribe her any, much to her surprise.

  “Thank you, my dear. You have a good rest of your day.” He saw himself out and she began to wander the house, trying to chase the chill from her bones.

  She heard singing as she started on her tour, wandering from room to room. She enjoyed her independence. This wasn't what she expected when she’d agreed to come here last night, but she didn't have much time to think about what it was supposed to be like.

  The house was tastefully decorated, if not a little sparse. The masculine tones of gray, off white, black, and beige nicely done. Guest bedrooms, offices, and even a billiard room, but nothing really told her much about her secretive host. There was one locked room just down the hall from hers that she guessed might have been Marcus’s room.

  More doors led to a dining room, and then down the hall, she opened the door to another world. It had to have been three stories tall. Tracks with ladders ran around the edges of the bookcases with a stairwell leading up toward the top. Iron railings flanked the second and third floor, with books as far as the eye could see. It was magnificent.

  Comfortable chairs and reading tables dotted part of the floor. A large, wooden, antique globe was positioned in front of a large window overlooking a garden.

  It was incredible and she didn’t know what to look at first. It was like someone had built a room out of the pages of her most fond desires and given her a key.

  “I'm glad you like it.”

  She stepped back, startled. “You're here.”

  Marcus moved into the room, the sleeves on his white button-down dress shirt rolled up his arms, his tie hanging loose around his neck.

  “I'm sorry. I had some business to attend to. I didn't intend to keep you waiting.”

  Why was he apologizing to her?

  “I wasn't. Mrs. Patterson suggested I wander the house. It’s lovely. Oh. And your doctor friend showed up. That was…interesting.”

  “Ah.” He slid his hand into his hair and grimaced. “Yes. Forgive me. I wanted to make sure…”

  “That you didn’t bring home someone who had…issues?” She countered, her eyes narrowing at him. “I don’t, if that’s what you wanted to know. Healthy as a horse, thank you very much.”

  For a moment she considered letting him see her teeth but thought the better of it.

  “I’m glad to hear it.” His lips quirked into a smile and for a moment time fell away and she saw the boy she remembered.

  Rigo emerged from the hall and the illusion shattered.

  “What is it?” Marcus snapped.

  “There’s been a situation.”

  Marcus’s eyes hardened. “Not here. I’ll meet you in the den.”

  The bodyguard nodded, vanishing as fast as he’d come.

  “I have to go.”

  “Don’t let me keep you. I’m sure you have a good many things taking up your valuable time.” She’d been alone this long. Maybe he hadn’t really wanted her. Just like everyone else. She was a pawn on a chessboard and he would move her around until he got bored with her.

  He shot her an irritated look.

  “Feel free to wander the grounds. I may or may not be joining you later.”

  Astrid ran her fingers over one of the desks and she wondered how long it would take him to make good on his threat. That she would spread for him whenever he wished it.

  Waiting wasn’t her strong suit. Part of her wanted to test him. To kiss him and see how far he would go. But she didn’t have anything to fall back on but the smut novels in her phone. None of them had really prepared her for this. Sweet romances with a white knight and a happily ever after just didn’t fit this scenario.

  And how did she know he really meant what he said?

  “Is it what you anticipated? Being here?” He moved toward the globe and spun it, the continents whirling beneath his powerful hands. A lock of his hair fell across his forehead and she had to resist the urge to brush it up and out of his face.

  She swallowed and her mouth went dry.

  “No.”

  “Did you imagine it would be different?”

  She wasn’t entirely sure how to answer.

  “Yes. I didn't expect this.”

  He met her eyes, his face unreadable.

  “I had this place built. Books have always been the best way to escape. What else can take you to a new place and get you away from your life for a while? There's something to be said for that.”

  He couldn’t have put to words what she had been thinking any better. Books had often been more real to her than anyone else in the world.

  Except him.

  But no book could prepare her for the rush of heat that swept through her at the dangerous storms brewing in his eyes and the bizarre predicament she now found herself in.

  Virgin sells self to keep stupid brother alive.

  How would that be for a plot in a romance novel?

  Ah, but she bet he didn’t have books like that in his perfectly orchestrated library.

  Astrid swallowed, feeling the heat creep up her face. But then, most of her interactions with him had lasted no more than a few minutes at a time. She had a feeling that was about to change.

  Her inner fox rubbed along her skin and she shivered.

  “You sound like you have some experience,” She offered, taking in the array of titles that filled the shelves.

  In all kinds of things, she thought, lowering her eyes to consider the wood grain on the desk.

  “I do. Did.” He cleared his throat. “Living with my father gave me more than I ever would have liked.” He turned away and walked toward the window looking down at the garden below.

  That didn’t sound bitter. Not at all. But she understood it. At least, in part.

  He had his own demons. That was clear. And she wondered what he saw when he looked at her. Did he still see the frightened girl he rescued or did he see her as she was now? And what, if anything, did he intend to do with her while she was here?

  A spinster cat lady with a job in a bookstore. That was her life. Until last night. Now she wasn’t sure what she was, other than bought and paid for, and it didn’t leave her much room for comfort.

  And then that made her think of her own assumptions. He was a crime lord. Of what, she had no idea but you didn’t traffic in things that incurred as much debt as Charlie was in by selling golf clubs. Marcus was not a boy. Not anymore. But what did she see when she looked at him?

  Her judgment was still out on that one. He held her brother’s life in his hands. But was there more to this than he was telling her?

  It still stung that her own brother succeeded in selling her to pay off his debt. If it had been to anyone else, she would have walked out of that room and left Charlie to his fate. At least, she’d like to think she would. But he was her brother. Stupid. Greedy. And she’d always come to his rescue.

  But then she saw Marcus.

  Time melted away and all she remembered was the way he made her feel in the boathouse. Safe. Like he wouldn’t let anyone harm her. In all the years since, he’d unknowingly become the yardstick to which all potential dates had been measured. And they’d all come up wanting.

  So she was insane for agreeing to this.

  Yes.<
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  One month in Marcus’s arms. Or even an hour would have been worth it.

  All she could do was take one day at a time and try to get to know the man in front of her. Shades of the boy she used to know… The boy who helped her in the lowest point of her life was still there, but she also saw a caged wolf ready to pounce. And there was no doubt in her mind that she was the prey.

  She wasn’t going to make it easy for him. Not by a long shot.

  He paused. “I want to make one thing clear to you. You came here by your own choice.”

  “Like I could have said no?” Her voice sounded strained, even to her.

  “You could have.” He leveled a glare at her and moved toward the open doorway. “You aren’t a prisoner here. You can leave at any time.”

  “So, I could just leave?” She stared at him, disbelieving. “After all that?”

  “You could. But you won’t.”

  “You don’t know me.”

  “No. I don’t. But that, my sweet Astrid, is going to change.”

  “Is this when you throw me to the floor and take what’s yours?” She asked, the sarcasm dripping from every word. And when he paused at the door to gaze into her eyes, she saw the truth of his wolf shining in their depths and took a step back, everything inside of her telling her to run, that she had been a fool to let her guard down, even for a moment.

  He spun away, stalking from the room without a word and she flew out into the wide expanse of the garden, letting her fox fly free in the gauzy light of the early afternoon.

  Chapter Eight

  Marcus left her in the library but everything in him wanted to leave work alone, claim her mouth and put it to better use than giving him a rash of shit.

  Rigo was at the computer in the den, his lips drawn into a thin line. Hector was on the phone, talking rapidly to what he assumed was one of his guys in Spanish.

  “Tell me.”

  “Lopez made a move on one of the warehouses near the shipyard. I have reason to believe Charlie and his crew of hackers was involved.”

  “Fuck.” He moved to the window and Hector met his gaze.

  A movement distracted him and he turned to find a small brown fox darting down the garden path into the main part of the garden.

  His wolf perked up and began to whine.

  Astrid.

  Suddenly, he didn’t care what had happened with Lopez. He wanted to be out there in the sun frolicking with the woman his animal had chosen for their mate.

  No. That they had chosen.

  But Hector droned on and he had to tear his eyes away from where the little fox had last appeared to pay attention to what he was saying.

  “Two dead. There was a fire. The guard and the warehouse manager were still inside.”

  He closed his eyes and rubbed his hand over his face. “What else?”

  God bless, but her ears were enormous.

  But the rest of her was just as tiny and petite as he’d imagined her to be.

  Perfect.

  “The warehouse was empty when it went up.”

  Ugh.

  That meant he’d taken the shipment. While some of his endeavors were a little under the radar of what could be considered legal, the imports in the warehouse were not.

  Fucking pack business. He rolled his shoulders and tried to shake off what could be a dangerous distraction.

  “Hit him.”

  “Already done.”

  Ambrose stalked into the room, his face grim. “He had someone watching the house. I came up on the prick when I drove up. Recognized him from one of the jobs last year.”

  “And?”

  “And he’s no longer a problem.” Ambrose’s lips pulled back in a snarl. “The fucking coyote is going to keep testing you, Marcus. He thinks you aren’t man enough to take over your father’s operation.”

  “Not after today.” Rigo shook his head. “We took one back.”

  “One isn’t enough. Ever heard the saying don’t bring a knife to a gun fight?”

  “I don’t think we’re only dealing in knives any more. Do you?” Lopez was going down. He had no choice. He broke the rules and drew first blood. Now he got to send one of his to the morgue.

  “No. We aren’t. Get your shit under wraps, Marcus. Things are about to get ugly.” Ambrose angled his head at the garden then blew out of the room, already on the phone to his guys.

  “You two, get me a bead on Astrid’s brother. Something tells me he’s more involved in this than we think.” She hadn’t even been here a full day and already things were blowing up around him.

  Charlie had to be involved. He would fucking bet his life. But what he wouldn’t do was put Astrid in danger. Not when he’d just got her where he wanted her.

  Had she made it back inside after her jaunt in the garden?

  Leaving the den, Marcus wandered back into the library and found her sitting down with a book clutched in her hand.

  “Have a good run?”

  “Like to watch?” Her eyes narrowed but he chose to ignore her comment.

  “Has your brother tried to contact you?”

  “No.” Her nose wrinkled and she frowned. “Why would he?”

  “I have reason to believe he might. If he does, I need you to tell me.”

  “Okay. I made the choice to be here.” Her words were brave but he caught the tremor in her voice.

  “Is this what you want?”

  “Does it matter?” Astrid replied with a sardonic twist of her lips. She unfolded her legs and stood, the unread book falling into the chair.

  It did matter. If she thought he was anything like his father…

  He was next to her in two strides, his arms around her, forcing her back toward the top of the chair she’d just been sitting in.

  “Do you want to leave? Is the idea of being with me so repugnant?”

  Her mouth opened and she gaped at him.

  “Don’t say something you’ll regret.” He captured her mouth with his and as she parted her lips, he pushed forward, exploring her with his tongue. Cock straining against her stomach, he watched her eyes grow large as she felt the ridge of his erection press against her.

  “No,” she whispered. “I don’t want to leave.”

  Relief slid through him. Maybe there was hope. He was a selfish bastard to hold her up to her side of the bargain, but he would go mad if he didn’t taste her sweetness, and soon.

  “Do not fear me, little one.” He kissed her again and when she moaned in his arms, her breasts pressed against his chest, he moved back. She had on too many clothes.

  Marcus didn’t know how he would keep the raging desire for her in check but he would. She was fragile, as if one snap of his hands could break her. His animal could swallow hers in two bites.

  Sweet little fox.

  She opened her mouth to speak, but he pressed his lips against hers to silence her. One day seemed like an eternity for how long he’d wanted her.

  “Now,” he whispered.

  Her breath uneven, she nodded.

  “These jeans have to go.” With a deft movement, his fingers had the snap apart and he jerked the denim down her long legs and left it there to pool at her feet.

  “Kick them away.”

  With a quick move, she dispatched the pile of clothing, leaving her in an overlarge tee shirt and a pair of cotton panties. The shirt was over her head in moments, and the bra a scrap of lace at her feet the next.

  He flipped her over so she was bent over the chair. The thin, white, cotton panties did little to hide the fine, heart shape of her ass.

  His fingers fumbled with his tie and he flung it to the floor.

  “Please…” she moaned, her breasts hanging over the top of the chair. Her hair cascaded down her back and around her shoulders.

  “Please, what?” The buttons of his shirt were dealt with and he slipped it from his shoulders, letting the fabric pool on the floor. Moving behind her, he pressed against her ass, letting her feel what she did to him.
From the first moment he saw her, he wanted her just like this, splayed out in front of him, and now it was happening. He had to hold it together long enough to give her the pleasure she deserved.

  “I don’t know…”

  “Don’t you?”

  “No…” Her voice trembled.

  He slipped a finger underneath the elastic of her panties, testing her for wetness. She was slick with want and it was all he could do not to fill her right that second with his full to bursting cock.

  “No? I think you’re lying, little Miss.” His finger slid into her wet heat and she moaned, wriggling beneath him.

  He was going to have to fuck her or he’d never be able to think clearly. She deserved better, but God help him, he was only a man.

  His wolf paced, urging him forward, ready to bury his teeth in the soft part of her to let everyone know she was theirs.

  “You want more of this?” He moved his finger inside of her and she arched her back, a mewling noise spilling from her lips.

  “Yes,” she bit out. “I can’t stand it, Marcus. Please.”

  “Please, what?”

  He was pushing it and he knew it, but she had to be the one to bring this one step further. If it was any other woman, the panties would have been off and he would be pumping away in her hot little cunt. But this was Astrid.

  That didn’t mean the panties could stay. He slipped his finger out of her and with one good yank, ripped the aging fabric from her body.

  The first thing he was going to do was get her some clothes that did her form justice.

  Her legs moved apart and the hard ridge of his cock pushed against her, the fabric of his pants the only barrier between them. He wrapped his fist in her hair and pulled her head back so he could place a kiss on her neck.

  She still smelled of sunlight and flowers.

  “You’re mine. You’ve always been mine.”

  He wrapped his arm around her, two fingers slipping inside of her heat. She gave a little gasp and lifted her ass against his arousal.

  “Please…”

  “Tell me what you want.” He tugged her hair and she moaned, writhing against him as he slowly moved his fingers in and out of her. That was something they would explore later in depth.

  “I want.” Her breath came in short little pants as he rubbed her clit, sliding deep within her folds, teasing her entrance as he pulled out completely.