Protection: A Bad Boy Stepbrother Romance (40 page)

“I don’t care about mating. Shaw told me to fetch Jace, so I will. There’s nothing more to it. Now where is he?”

“In his office,” Maddie said with a shrug.

“And where is that?” Tessa said, trying to tamp down her frustration.

Maddie pointed to a smaller brick building beside the Armory.

“He’s on the first floor of the security offices.”

“Fine,” Tessa barked, leaving Maddie standing outside the infirmary.

Jesus. Maddie had just taken a major hit for the team, and her reward was getting that as a sister-in-law? Just great. Maddie sighed and headed to the Armory, hoping that this wasn’t a sign of how the rest of her day would go.

F
inding Jace’s
office wasn’t much of a challenge. His was the only door with a thin line of light seeping out the bottom. If she’d had any doubt whether it was his, the name COPELAND was on the door’s brass nameplate.

Tessa paused, trying to get a hold on her emotions. There was a drumming noise taking over her consciousness, intense and insistent. She felt her wolf stir, pleased at Tessa’s proximity to Jace. Tessa couldn’t even think enough to fight against the relief and pleasure creeping up on her.

She raised a hesitant hand, unsure if she should knock or just enter. The door swung open at the same time and Jace’s huge frame filled the doorway. Tessa had a heartbeat to look up at his face, to find his eyes dark with the same unbearable need she felt. He looked deranged, but she didn’t have time to be afraid.

Jace swept her up as if she were weightless, pressing his mouth against hers. The onslaught of his kiss was sudden and relentless, his tongue seeking entrance to her mouth. She moaned as her lips parted to give him access. His tongue swept over hers without pretense, rolling in the rhythm of his harsh need.

Tessa’s back hit something soft and she found herself pinned beneath Jace’s heavy form. She shifted and rolled her hips experimentally needing to be closer to him somehow. Jace broke the kiss and growled as he mirrored her movement, pressing his growing hardness against her softness.

Tessa let out a breathy mewl of pleasure and dug her hands into his gorgeous hair, writhing as she met his every thrust. Jace growled again into her neck and shifted for the barest moment. His hands brushed against the bare skin of her hip before Tessa realized that he’d untied her wrap dress to leave her in a lacy white bra and panties.

Tessa arched her back as Jace’s hand traced a path upward to her breast, searingly hot. He tugged the strap off her shoulder and pulled the bra down to free her right breast, then did the same with the left side. The second he’d freed her breasts, his big hands slid over them and cupped their fullness. Drawing a ragged breath, he nuzzled the creamy expanse of cleavage. The stubble on his face rasped over Tessa’s skin and she moaned, gripping his hair even harder. Jace began to add nips and licks to the nuzzling and Tessa thought for a moment she might die of pleasure. Then he turned his attentions to her nipple, flicking it lightly with his tongue before taking it in his mouth and sucking almost hard enough to cause her pain.

When Tessa cried out, Jace repeated his action on her other nipple, nipping and sucking. She became hyper aware of the dampness slowly spreading at the juncture of her thighs. Her body was in readiness and she didn’t want to wait a second longer.

She pushed against his chest, not expecting a real response. The next moment Jace was moving, somehow keeping Tessa pressed against his body and pulling her onto his seated lap. Her thighs spread as she slid down his lap to press against him, and her dampness pressed down on his cock through his jeans. She ground against him instinctively, her hands ripping at his t-shirt and yanking it up over his head. She didn’t even hear the material hit the floor because Jace was nuzzling her again, this time just where her neck met her shoulder.

Tessa ran her nails over his bare shoulders and back impatiently. She rocked her hips harder, eliciting a murmured curse from Jace. His hand grasped the hair at the back of her head and tugged firmly, forcing Tessa to further expose her neck to his ministrations. He nuzzled and licked mercilessly, and suddenly bit the side of her neck in a very tender spot. She convulsed and cried out again, loving his rough play.

He brought his hands down to her narrow ribcage and squeezed, just hard enough to make her exhale. The sensation heightened Tessa’s excitement even as it made her feel vulnerable, and she pounded her fist against his chest.

Jace slipped his hand down between them and brushed two big fingers against her softness through her panties. Tessa gasped and rolled her hips, trying to get him to touch her most sensitive spot. He pushed aside the scanty material of her panties, avoiding touching the throbbing ache he’d created and instead dipping his fingertips into her core. He probed gently, rubbing her own creamy response around to prepare her.

Then he slid a single large finger inside her, and Tessa nearly forgot to breathe. He gently worked his finger in and out before adding a second one, stretching her sheath slowly. Then he all but withdrew before sliding his fingers home forcefully, making Tessa let out her breath in little gasps as he did it several times. Jace slid his fingers deep and stroked her in a certain spot that had her toes curling as she cried out, shouting his name.

Tessa wanted to cry when he froze, then withdrew his fingers. He kissed her fiercely, then picked her up and moved to the side. Her reaction was nearly violent until he pulled her back onto his lap. As she straddled him, she realized that they were skin to skin now. He’d slipped his jeans off and at last nothing separated them. Tessa pressed down until the tip of his cock pressed against her entrance, and then she hesitated. She had never wanted anything so badly in her life, but her inexperience was a barrier between them. Biting her lip, she decided that the only thing to do was to press all the way down, taking all of his hardness at once.

As she started to move, though, Jace caught her hips and slowed the movement. She took him in just an inch before he eased her back up, and she protested. Jace growled and repeated the action until Tessa was panting, dripping with need. Then he slowly began to press her down further with each thrust, stretching her tightness in measures so that she could feel every exquisite inch of his penetration. Finally he slid all the way down his length, obviously fighting not to lose control.

Tessa couldn’t decide if she loved his control or hated it, but either way she needed more. Slipping her arms around his neck for balance, she began rolling her hips in a smooth rhythm. She could feel him struggle to keep her easy pace, shifting her body around as if he needed to find just the right angle before letting go.

He slanted Tessa’s body backwards and leaned back against the couch, and suddenly he was touching the same spot he’d reached with his fingers. She let out a breathy cry as a look of purely masculine smugness flashed over his features. He closed his eyes in concentration as he thrust into her, increasing the pressure as he his tip rubbed that same sweet spot with every motion. Tessa’s toes curled again and every muscle in her body tensed so hard that she shook.

Tessa stared down at Jace, enraptured, as he made every thrust with precision and intent. She watched as he bit his lip, concentrating. She wanted to lean over and kiss him but she didn’t dare interfere with the wonderful heat spreading outward from her softness and reaching all the way to her fingertips and toes. Her inner muscles began to clench, and she was all hot need and fiery sensitivity.

“Oh God,” she said softly, feeling her body beginning to unravel.

Jace groaned but kept his pace steady, rubbing and pressing the spot that was threatening to push Tessa over the edge.

“You want it?” he growled, his thrusts becoming punishing.

“Yes,” she whispered, trying to pinpoint the storm about to erupt in her body.

“Louder, Tessa. Tell me you want it,” he said, his voice sending chills down her spine.

“I want it. Oh god, I want it,” she said.

“Now say my name. Tell me who owns you, Tessa,” he snarled.

“Oh god, Jace. Please,” she shouted.

“Tell me what you want,” he demanded.

“Make me come, Jace.”

In a flash of movement, Tessa was lying on her back with Jace inside her to the hilt. He adjusted, automatically homing in on the center of her pleasure and hammering into her heedlessly. Just as Tessa knew she would explode, his fingers rubbed her clitoris.

Waves of hot pleasure shot through her body as she cried out his name again. He was still pounding against her, keeping the ripples of sensation alive. His thrusts were frantic now, barely keeping a rhythm and swearing to himself.

Jace tensed and an inarticulate cry escaped him. Then Tessa felt a searing flash of pain at her neck as he pumped his seed inside of her mindlessly. Opening her eyes, Tessa saw that his mouth was smeared with blood and saliva. She wasn’t sure what was going on, but she was adrift, weightless, boneless.

Jace collapsed against her heavily, breathing hard. They lay in silence for a handful of minutes, trying to regain their breath or must enough energy to talk.

Jace broke the silence with a loud swear. He pulled away and looked at her, then grabbed her chin and turned her head. Another curse escaped him as he brushed his fingertips over her neck. Tessa sucked in a breath as he did it, confused.

“Ow! Quit!” she protested, slapping weakly at his hand.

“Jesus. God damn it all,” he growled, releasing her chin and pushing off her body.

“What is your problem?” she asked languidly, unable to bring herself to care about much of anything.

“Just get dressed,” he mumbled, snatching up her bra and panties and tossing them at her.

“Nice. This is great,” she muttered, pulling the panties on and fastening the bra. Tessa glared at him as she snatched up her other clothes from the floor.

Jace had pulled on his jeans and shirt in silence, a deep frown on his face. He’d really screwed up now. He’d initiated the mating ritual without asking. Shit, he hadn’t so much asked her out on a real date yet. And now time was ticking; Tessa had to complete the ritual as soon as possible or suffer the consequences.

When Tessa found out what he’d done, she would be repulsed. What had Jace been thinking, mindlessly giving her the bite? All he could remember was a flash of possessiveness, an irresistible need to make her stay with him, to make her commit. Which was insane, because she wasn’t the one with the commitment issues.

His own fears had once again made him weak, and this time it had hurt Tessa. He should have told her he respected her, told her what an amazing Shifter she had become. But no, not Jace. He could never make it that easy on himself, or on Tessa.

Jace let out another string of curses. He didn’t even have the damned ring he’d ordered. He was counting on having something sparkly to soften the blow when he explained the permanence of mating between Shifters.

“Does this mean we’re on speaking terms again?” Tessa asked, only half joking.

Jace stopped and looked at her for a moment. She looked confused and a little hurt. His stomach twisted sourly as he realized he was causing her pain. He had to go get the ring and do this properly before he ruined everything.

“I have to go do something. Stay here until I return.”

Jace opened the door to his office and stepped outside, taking a deep breath. Then he simply took off without another word. He half-jogged to the exit and disappeared, leaving Tessa standing alone in the doorway.

W
atching Jace flee the building
, Tessa felt hot tears stinging her eyes as she tried to keep her lower lip from trembling. She was pathetic, and she hated it. She shouldn’t care about his rejection, wouldn’t care.

Spotting a ladies’ room at the end of the hall, Tessa slipped inside to try to make herself presentable before she had to face Kat or Shaw or anyone else.

Flipping the light on, she walked to the sink and gasped as she caught her reflection in the small mirror. The side of her neck bore a perfect set of crimson marks in the shape of a bite. The wound was neat and clean-looking, but when she touched it fresh blood welled to the surface.

Jace had friggin’ bit her. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and sought her wolf. The wolf was satisfied, and didn’t seem to want to answer Tessa’s summons.

Digging in her purse for the scarf she’d borrowed when Kat has rescued her from the infirmary, she looped it around her neck to cover the bite mark. The scarf was still just as hideous, but Tessa wasn’t about to walk around with the wound on display for everyone to see. It seemed private, somehow.

Jace’s command for her to stay put rankled, making Tessa aware that he was all too comfortable ordering her around again. Doubt filled her mind, plaguing her with uncertainty and cruel thoughts.

He switched from hot to cold with such frequency that Tessa couldn’t assume that he even liked her. For all she knew, Tessa was just one of many girls that Jace chased around. She pushed aside a little voice in the back of her mind that insisted that couldn’t be true.

Tessa needed someone to talk to, and this time even Kat wouldn’t do. She needed help catching up her own thoughts and needs. She needed to make sure that she was making the right decisions. She needed to talk to Camilla.

When she returned to Camilla’s room in the infirmary, she found Camilla wide awake. True to her word, Kat had stayed by her side. The Shifter female was filling Camilla in on what she’d missed in the last week. Tessa’s heart swelled, thankful beyond words that her new friend would be so thoughtful and considerate of Camilla’s needs.

“Tess!” Camilla shouted, the second Tessa entered the room. Kat shuffled out of the way and Tessa flung herself on her sister. Steeling her nerves, Tessa promised herself she wouldn’t start sobbing again. This was a happy reunion, and everyone had come out of it safely.

Kat cleared her throat.

“I’ve caught Camilla up on all the action as best I can, I think,” Kat ventured.

Tessa released her sister and turned to Kat, overwhelmed with gratitude.

“Thank you so much, Kat. I know you’ve been here for ages, so I can take over if you want.”

“And miss the gossip about Jace? I think not,” Kat said, pulling up a chair on the other side of the bed.

“Kat wouldn’t tell me anything about you and this Jace character other than to say that she approves of him. I’m going to need some details, Tess,” Camilla said, giving Kat a wink.

Tessa’s face colored, and she was at a loss for words.

“I’m not— I don’t know what’s going on with us. I don’t know what to tell you. Besides, you must have a million questions about Shifters and the Den and this whole life…” Tessa trailed off.

“No, I think I’m pretty good. Between James’s version and Kat’s version of everything, I think I’ve got my bases covered,” Camilla said with a nonchalant shrug.

“Aaaaaand you’re not freaking out right now?” Tessa asked. “You can tell us if you’re freaking out, you know.”

“Please. You might’ve had your head stuck in the sand all this time, but I’ve always known we were different. I just didn’t know how different we really are,” Camilla said.

“Cami…” Tessa said, eying her sister.

“She’s fine,” Kat cut in. “So out with the gossip. Did you find Jace?”

Tessa’s blush was an answer in itself, and Kat and Camilla burst into giggles.

“Tessa the virgin finally let a guy warm her up? I can’t believe it,” Camilla said, her tone teasing.

“Come on, like you’ve ever… done that,” Tessa retorted, embarrassed.

“Uh, yeah. Ages ago, Tess. Remember Julien from St. Katherine’s Prep School?” Camilla said with a smirk.

“The French exchange student? Camilla, you didn’t!” Tessa protested, but she was hard-pressed to keep a serious expression.

“Anyway, back to you. How was it? Was it romantic, or was it wild? I bet it was wild, he sounds like kind of a heathen,” Camilla teased, making Tessa’s cheeks flame.

“We’re not talking about this,” Tessa insisted.

“At least tell us if you two have worked things out,” Kat said. “I want a happy ending. I want you to stay with us, both of you.”

Tessa sighed and her shoulders sagged a bit.

“I’m not sure. After we… he just sort of ran off. I’m not really sure what I did wrong,” Tessa replied slowly.

“Just let me know when you want me to kill him, Tess,” Camilla offered.

“I’ll help you, Camilla. I’ll be damned if Jace Copeland is going to drive off a couple of females I actually like,” Kat said.

“I was hoping… if Shaw lets me, that is… I was planning on staying with the pack anyway,” Tessa said. Kat clapped her hands and cheered, but Camilla gave her an appraising look.

“What about Boston?” Camilla asked.

“What about it? I feel safe here, and I like the people. That’s more than I can say about our collection of frenemies in Cambridge,” Tessa said, crossing her arms.

“What about all your save the rain forest charities? What will you do down here for work? You’ll go crazy without something to do,” Camilla pointed out.

“About that…” Kat started in.

“Yes, about that,” Tessa cut in. “I’m going to be working with Kat. She basically runs the whole pack, and I’m sure she could use a hand.”

Kat gave Tessa a grin, and shot Camilla a speculative look.

“I could use more than one, actually,” Kat suggested.

Camilla rolled her eyes with a laugh.

“Jeez, my first day here and I’m already being drafted into service. Well, I am pretty awesome…” Camilla said, pretending to admire her nails.

“So you’ll stay?” Tessa asked.

“At least until you’re settled. We don’t have to decide our entire future right now, Tess.”

Tessa laughed and gave Camilla another hard hug, then leaned over and hugged Kat. The girls all laughed, relaxing.

“I can’t help but think this is the start of something either very great, or very terrible,” Kat said, her eyes gleaming.

Tessa caught Camilla’s eye and winked, smiling. She couldn’t disagree with Kat; life would only get more interesting from here out.