Pack Territory Page 2

She grinned.

  He waited. Since he’d become Alpha, he’d learned patience. It didn’t take more than a minute. Tasha started to fidget, shifting from foot to foot.

  She rolled her eyes but answered finally. “You’re hands on. There’s a good chance that Crystal’s in the city, so it would only make sense to check it out.”

  All Adam could concentrate on were the words ‘hands on’. It was just a reminder of just how hands on he wanted to get with Tasha…which was the last thing he should be thinking about.

  “I knew you’d want to go to the city yourself, so I want to come with you,” she restated.

  “Absolutely not.” There was no way he was going to take a female and place her in any danger. Yeah, that was a good excuse.

  “You need me to go with you.” She tossed her head and he watched as the black silk strands swept off her shoulders.

  “I need you to stay here,” he argued.

  Tasha frowned as she dropped her bag and fisted her hands on her hips. “Do you expect my sister to just get in the car with you because you order her to? She’s a teenager, she still knows better than that.”

  Adam hadn’t thought about that and didn’t like that she had. “I’m her Alpha. If I tell her…”

  Tasha laughed and the sound had his cock lengthening.

  “She’s also a teenager who feels lost right now. The Pack Alpha is not going to change that.”

  She was right. If Crystal was feeling confused enough to travel and stay with a man she didn’t know, being her Alpha wasn’t going to matter much. If he took Tasha, at least she would be there to help him handle the teenager.

  He studied her, wondering how long they would keep playing with fire. Sooner or later, one of them was going to snap. The attraction between them was burning.

  He sighed, knowing he didn’t have any other choice. Plus he could use the time to talk to her about taking Crystal to see Marissa.

  He picked up the bag she’d dropped. “Get in the car.”

  She didn’t gloat. Rather, she just nodded, turned and opened the passenger door.

  ———

  Tasha let out a sigh of relief as the tall buildings of the city came into view. Sitting next to Adam and having to keep her hands to herself had been torture.

  He had kept the conversation light and Tasha knew he was trying to keep her thoughts away from her sister. He’d succeeded in keeping her thoughts away from why they were going into the city because she couldn’t stop staring at his hands as they gripped the steering wheel.

  She fantasised about what those hands would feel like on her body. She could almost feel those strong hands spreading her legs and moving up her thighs to her bare mound.

  Oh, she could imagine his skilful fingers teasing her opening as her own juices leaked out and coated his fingers. He would push those digits inside and her body would tighten.

  The resulting orgasm…

  “Tasha?”

  Tasha’s head snapped around as she realised she had drifted off. Her panties were soaked, and if she could smell the arousal in the small confines, she knew Adam could too.

  He cleared his throat twice before he spoke. “We’re here.”

  She knew she wasn’t imaging the huskiness of his voice when he shifted in his seat, doing nothing to hide the enormous erection tenting his jeans.

  Tasha tried to pull her gaze away from Adam’s lap but found herself licking her lips. His low moan had her lifting her eyes to his face.

  He started to lean forward and Tasha’s eyes flickered closed. Their lips were only a breath apart when someone pounded on the passenger window. They jumped apart and Tasha looked over to see a tall man smiling and waving at them.

  Adam groaned and unbuckled his seatbelt. “That’s my friend, Cain.”

  Tasha unbuckled her seatbelt and the other man opened her door for her. Her arousal disappeared as heat burned her face in embarrassment. Another moment and there was no telling what Adam’s friend would have seen. She’d been more than ready to throw caution to the wind and climb onto Adam’s lap.

  She shook her head and ignored the wide teasing grin on Cain’s face. She also refused to look at Adam. It was going to be a long visit.

  Adam glared at Cain but his friend only continued to bounce on the balls of his feet and grin. He could see Emily and Tony, Cain’s older brother, waiting at the front of the apartment building so he placed his hand on the small of Tasha’s back and led her forward.

  He greeted Emily with a kiss on her cheek and shook hands with Tony. While Adam wasn’t as close to him as he was Cain, he had a lot of respect for Tony—everyone did.

  “I didn’t know you were in town,” he greeted the other man.

  Tony clapped a hand on Adam’s back then turned to lead the way inside as he answered. “Had a meeting earlier with the Alpha Council and our friendly government officials.”

  Well, that explained it. Recently, the Council had decided to come out of hiding and let the public know that shifters really do exist. The government was helping the paranormals come out to the world.

  “The government?” Tasha asked.

  While all shifters knew about going public, only a few knew about the help they were getting help from the government. They reached the elevator and Tony glanced at Adam before answering Tasha.

  Adam nodded in approval to tell her.

  “We’re getting a little help with going public,” he told her.

  “From the government?” Tasha clarified.

  The elevator doors opened and they stepped inside. “Tony here will be the face of the Packs. When it comes out to the public that shifters exist, he’ll stand in front of the world and let them see we’re as normal as them.

  Tasha seemed to think about that, so Adam gave his attention to Cain. If he was still resting his hand on her back, no one needed to notice.

  “Did you get any more information for me?” he asked Cain.

  “Sure did,” Cain said just as the elevator dinged and the doors opened.

  They walked down a small hallway to an open door. Adam glanced at Cain but it was Emily who answered his unasked question.

  “Cain was so excited to see you, he ran out the moment you pulled up,” she explained.

  Cain threw his arm around her shoulders and hugged her tightly. “She’s kidding,” he addressed the group, as Tony and Tasha laughed.

  Adam’s heart warmed. With the faint blush on Cain’s face, he had the feeling Emily wasn’t the kidder.

  Adam sat next to Tasha as Cain, Emily, and Tony discussed the best way to move forward in finding Tasha’s sister. Cain had been able to get an address to go along with the name and phone number. Being the Enforcer of his Pack, Cain had very good investigative skills.

  He’d also found out that Mike Lawson had a minor criminal background. Mostly petty theft and some drug charges, but it was enough to reinforce that they needed to get Crystal back as soon as possible.

  “No one was at the apartment last night went I went by,” Cain told the group. “But when I talked to some of the neighbours, they gave me the names of a couple clubs he likes to frequent.

  “Crystal’s too young to get into any of the clubs here,” Tasha argued.

  Adam reached over and held her hand. “We’ll find her.”

  Tasha nodded and blinked back tears.

  “Why don’t you guys set up a plan and I’ll show Tasha to the guest room,” Emily said, standing.

  Cain stood also and Adam didn’t miss the hand he ran down his mate’s back. Cain winked at him when the girls walked out of the room.

  “I have to say I never thought I’d see you like this,” Adam admitted to his friend.

  Cain sat back down crossed his big arms over his chest. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Adam held his hands up in a mock surrender. “Nothing, man, you just seem to be so…so…”

  “Whipped!” Tony added when Adam trailed off.

  Cain’s eyes narrowed and Adam le
aned back to get out of the line of fire. Then the big Enforcer surprised him by smiling. “Just wait,” he said, still grinning. “Just wait until you meet your mates.”

  Tony groaned, but Adam looked towards the hallway where the women had disappeared. Was it possible? He didn’t know much about mating. His mother had died when he was still young and he only had a handful of memories with her.

  He didn’t know if Tasha was his mate or not, but one thing was certain. He had never in his life had such strong feelings for anyone like he did Tasha.

  The attraction he’d felt for women in the past paled in comparison to the hot, burning need that consumed him when Tasha was around.

  He hadn’t realised he’d drifted off into his own thoughts until he heard Cain and Tony laughing.

  ———

  After an unsuccessful day of searching the city for a sign of her sister, Tasha changed into a tight pair of low-rise jeans and a revealing purple cami. She hadn’t brought anything to wear to go out clubbing looking for her sister. Luckily, she was about the same size as Emily, and the other woman had loaned her some clothes.

  She brushed her black hair until it shined and applied more make-up than usual. Looking at herself in the mirror, she decided she didn’t look too bad.

  The door opened behind her, and she turned towards her Alpha. His mouth dropped open and he stared at her breasts. Excited by the attention, they stood out for him. She would have been embarrassed if he wasn’t sporting an impressive erection beneath his black slacks.

  Tasha looked him over as his eyes continued to bore holes into her. At just six feet tall, he was shorter than the other two men in the apartment, but to her five-foot-four frame, he was just right. He wore all black—slacks and a long-sleeved, button-down shirt. His dark brown hair fell over his forehead and her fingers itched to grab hold of it.

  He must have been thinking the same, because before she knew what was happening, his long strides brought him closer and his hands found their way tangled into her hair.

  “If you don’t want me to kiss you, you had better tell me now,” he told her in a husky voice.

  Tasha couldn’t deny what she wanted so she licked her lips and nodded. “I want you to.”

  His eyes narrowed for an instant before his mouth slammed down on hers. His tongue pushed between her lips and she gladly opened for him.

  Adam immediately took control of the kiss, dominating and pulling her into an erotic dance. Their tongues stroked and played and their bodies pressed intimately together until she could feel his arousal rub against her stomach.

  She moaned into his mouth while his hands moved down and cupped her bottom. Tasha pressed up against him, needing some relief for the ache of her throbbing pussy. Lifting one leg, she wrapped it around his waist and started to move. He nipped her bottom lip before sucking it into his mouth. He shifted one hand from her ass to between her legs. Her vision darkened when he pressed his thumb against her swollen clit.

  Her body tightened, she was close enough to release to almost taste it. Her sex pulsed in need to be filled, and her nipples tightened into hard nubs. Pure pleasure heated her skin, then someone cleared their throat. Surprised, she jumped away from Adam.

  A blush stained her face as she looked over to see Cain standing in the open doorway.

  She’d practically humped herself to orgasm on her Alpha. Never in her life had she acted so wantonly and slutty. Plus, she was frustrated, needy, and confused. She peeked at Adam.

  He didn’t look much better as he panted and adjusted himself. “You have the worst timing,” he complained to the other man.

  “Sorry,” Cain told them, but the grin on his face didn’t match his words. “We’re all ready and waiting in the living room, but if you two need a couple of minutes…”

  Adam growled at his friend and Tasha looked up at him. His eyes were glowing but he seemed to be gaining control over his body. “No, we’re ready.”

  He offered his hand to Tasha and she took it as he led her out of the room.

  No one said anything as they went meet by the front door, went downstairs and got in the cars, but they would have been able to smell what had been going on.

  Embarrassed as she was, she was also disappointed that they’d been interrupted.

  Adam winced as the loud music assaulted his ears. This was the third club they’d visited and he was getting tired of the crowds and music.

  There hadn’t been a sign of the girl. The group had split up to hit all of the clubs on the list. This club was the last one on his and Tasha’s list. He’d spoken to Cain and Tony, and they weren’t having any better luck. Cain had refused to let Emily come with them on the search, and to Adam’s surprise, she’d agreed. Maybe the two of them were getting the mating thing down.

  Tasha pointed to the back of the club, and with a heavy sigh, he nodded. They circled the club, looking for the teenager. When they almost reached the back corner, Tasha grabbed his sleeve and tugged.

  “She’s here!”

  Adam took in the men who sat, surrounding the girl, at the table. The female had her elbows on the table, looking miserable.

  “I can get her out of her, but if they fight me, it can turn ugly.” He pulled Tasha close to speak in her ear. “I’m going to call Cain and Tony. Stay over by the wall and keep an eye on her.”

  Tasha nodded and moved to the back wall. It would give her a good view of the table but keep her out of their sight.

  Adam went out front and made the call before returning to Tasha. She was still in the same spot, trying to keep an eye on her sister while a large bald man in leather was hitting on

  her. Adam felt a growl start deep in his chest and clenched his fists, trying to control his temper. Pushing through the crowd, he walked up to the two and leaned close to Tasha and pressed his body into hers.

  “Hey, baby,” he said loud enough for the other man to hear.

  Playing along, Tasha rubbed her body against his and ran her hands over his chest. “What took you so long?”

  Adam brushed his hand over the low-cut top she wore, feeling her hard nipples. Then he looked over at the other man. “Can I help you?”

  The big man shook his head and walked away. Tasha leaned into Adam and laughed. “I think you scared him.”

  Adam nipped her ear. “Good. Now keep an eye on your sister.”

  Tasha nodded and Adam moved his body more securely in front of hers, giving her just enough room to turn her head and watch the teenager.

  A savage need to mark the woman in his arms almost overtook his body. He didn’t know if it was the call of a mate, but every instinct inside him screamed to make Tasha his. And only his. Adam fought the instinct but didn’t think it would hurt if others knew she was taken. He started at her chin and ran his tongue up to her ear. Tasha shivered but didn’t take her eyes off her sister.

  Sucking her lobe into his mouth, he nibbled the soft skin. She moaned and pressed against him.

  “Your skin’s so soft. I’d like to mark with my mouth, with my hands, my body,” he whispered.

  Her gaze still on the table, Tasha moved her hands down his chest to where he was straining against his zipper. She moved them up and down before squeezing him.

  Adam thrust into her hand and latched his mouth onto the side of her neck. His cock was hard enough to pound nails and, after being interrupted earlier, was practically begging to be released.

  Knowing that if she continued to touch him he would lose it, Adam captured Tasha’s wrists and moved them up over her head. She moaned again arching her body to him.

  When her eyes started to flicker closed, he teased his tongue on the shell of her ear before whispering, “Keep your eyes open.”

  “Ugh,” she complained but complied.

  Pleased, Adam moved his mouth from her ear downward, licking and sucking her skin.

  A prickle of awareness invaded and told him Cain and Tony had arrived. Pulling away from Tasha, he grabbed her chin. “We will finish
this.”

  Her dark eyes lit up and she licked her lips. “Promises. Promises.”

  Catching Cain’s gaze, Adam nodded to the table. Cain and Tony moved from the front door in that direction, and Adam grabbed Tasha’s arms and held her close as they walked to the table.

  They all approached the table at the same time.

  “Tasha!” the young girl greeted, surprised.

  The rest of the table turned towards them.

  “Let’s go, Crystal. I’m taking you home,” Tasha told her sternly.

  Adam didn’t miss the look of relief that flashed over the teenager’s face as she stood. Before she could move away from the table, the man on her left grabbed her wrist.

  “We’re not done partying, honey. Sit back down.” He yanked and the girl fell into his lap.

  Adam growled, but before he could react, Tony leaned closer to the table. “Let the girl go.” When the man laughed, Tony glanced over his shoulder. “You see those two men over there.”

  Everyone looked, and indeed, there were two large tattooed men only a few feet away.

  “Those are the bouncers of the bar. Now, while they won’t appreciate you bringing in an underage girl, they probably won’t kill you.” Tony straightened and raised his voice to make certain everyone around the table could hear the rest. “These two?” He motioned to Adam and Cain. “I can’t make that promise.”

  The man let go of Crystal and she scrambled into Tasha’s arms. Adam nodded to Tony, knowing he would take care of the situation, and ushered the two females out of the bar.

  Crystal cried in her sister’s arms while telling them how sorry she was.

  Chapter Three

  Adam watched Tasha hold her sister while the girl cried. They were back at Cain’s where they’d taken Crystal into one of the guestrooms.

  “I’m sorry.” Crystal sobbed. “I just wanted to see what it would be like outside of the Pack.”

  Tasha patted her back and kept her voice calm. “I know, honey. But you can never do that again. You were very lucky that nothing bad had happened.”

  “I know! But after I got to the city, I was too scared to call you,” Crystal explained.