Juan (The Juarez Pack Book 1) Read online

  Juan planned to lock his soul mate to him with the ties that bind. It wasn’t the ideal way to earn her trust, but he couldn’t live with the thought of her enjoying other males regardless of what he’d done. It galled him that he could have been her first and he’d thrown away the chance for loose females he couldn’t even remember. Not one of them had made an impression yet he had risked the most important thing to any wolf, his fated mate. The time had come to take control of a situation that was only growing worse. They were headed to where his mate slept securely thinking she had discouraged him too much to even show his face around her.

  That assumption was wrong as she would see soon enough. They drove into one of the suburbs of Springfield. The houses were nice but not expensive. It appeared that his mate lived simply. The house that they pulled in front of was the smallest one on the street. He was sure it was large enough for one person and it didn’t look like she had any security. As he walked closer, he stared at the door and it looked easy to open. The device he had in his pocket would come in handy. Although he wasn’t a locksmith, he had found it beneficial to have some of those skills.

  The pack owned many apartment buildings and so did his family. It wasn’t unusual for tenants to change locks and forget to give them a key. When they moved, it could be a headache to get access to the apartments. His father often had him and his brothers work on their rentals so they had all picked up some unexpected skills. This skill was about to come in handy when he needed it the most. He squatted down to be on level with the lock and he picked it. A soft click indicated the door was unlocked and he turned the knob. Relieved when it opened, he walked into Amee’s house. Her scent wrapped around him and he was instantly hard.

  So he could calm down, he breathed in deep several times. It didn’t help because her scent teased and lured him in. Her room was easy to find and he was overjoyed to find her in it still lost to dreams. He stripped and he lay down next to her trying not to think about her king sized bed and how many males had probably shared it with her. There would be no more of that, she would only want him when he was done. Now that he lay next to her, there was no doubt that she was his fated mate. Reaching out hesitantly, he ran his fingers down her arm and she moaned.

  Sliding the sheet free of her, he almost groaned when he saw she was naked. It would be so easy to just claim her right now without delay but he wanted her to find more pleasure in him than she had in the three wolves last night. That should be easy since he was her soul mate but he was assailed with doubts. No, he didn’t lack confidence in his abilities, he knew he could make a female howl with delight. The problem stemmed more from her ability to accept him after what he had done. She’d shown him that he didn’t really know her at all.

  His mind had a plan and wanted to move ahead. The battle is won by the bold and to the victor goes the spoils his brain insisted. But his heart ached and said you’ve hurt her and she’s not through making you pay. What if she finds a worse way to make you suffer? His logic won the war and he proceeded to arouse his reluctant mate. His body soon found that it could hold back no longer and he rolled on top of her as she shivered and moaned under him. She was slick with need as his hard cock breeched her entrance.

  “Oh, goddess you’re tight and hot,” he praised.

  He continued slowly shaking from the control he exerted. When he was finally totally inside her, he marveled at the perfection of the fit. Truly she was made for him and him alone. Her channel squeezed him and he had no choice but to move. It was utterly perfect and he’d never felt such a connection to anyone in his life. Others had described it, but they had been woefully inadequate in their descriptions. Faster and harder he moved as he panted as if he’d run miles. Riding the razor’s edge of release he tried to push Amee over into the abyss of pure bliss. He rubbed her clit and he felt her freeze and gasp just before she thrashed under him. A strangled cry broke from her lips and he let himself go completely. The orgasm rocked him on every level as he screamed her name.

  His teeth lengthen without conscious thought before he sank them into her delicate neck. Her blood was sweeter than wine which strengthened his orgasm. Her teeth sinking into his neck added even more potency. It was both the most humbling, the most beautiful and gratifying experience of his entire life. He felt it down to his toes and he hoped she did as well. It was hard to be sure but he thought they both blacked out for a few seconds. Once he was himself again, he wrapped her into his arms as they both fell asleep. There was no thought about tomorrow, no concern for the guys waiting outside. Right now there was only him and his mate. She was now his forever and she would never get away.

  It was unfortunate that the moment of reckoning would soon be upon him. He was waking although he preferred to sleep rather than to face the wrath of a mate who had been given no choice and who had even said she didn’t want him. The heat from her sweet body soaked into his and he felt desire roll through him. Maybe waking her up with his hands, tongue, or cock would make dealing with her ire easier? It would certainly make him feel better since he suspected it would be his last chance to indulge for a while.

  Stroking his hand down her body, she subconsciously recognized what he was to her and moved closer. It excited him when she did and he growled in satisfaction. His hands moved to her thighs where he found her slick and ready for his possession. He slid down and positioned himself between her legs with his face in her heat. Breathing deeply of her scent, he felt a warm feeling rush through him. His tongue flicked out taking a quick taste of ambrosia before he sank his face into her and he licked like he was starving wolf.

  Her moans encouraged him while her fingers threaded through his hair and pulled him in closer. His fingers mover to slide into her channel while his tongue licked her nubbin. She was moaning as her head was thrown back. Speeding up, he pushed her into a climax that shook her body. “Oh, my God!” she screamed.

  Sliding up her body he sank his hard shaft into her waiting channel. It gripped him preventing him from moving for a moment before she relaxed and he sank in to the hilt. He shuddered, pleasure coursed through him beyond anything he had ever felt before. The bond was strong and it reinforced the pleasure of their coupling. Had he understood how it would be and recognized what she was to him, he would have never left her. A groaned vibrated through him as his need forced him to move. He plowed in and out of her, every move feeling more euphoric than the last.

  Her legs lifted wrapping around him and her toes pressed firmly into the cheeks of his ass and urging him on. Faster, deeper, harder a voice inside chanted as he pumped into her. Need rode him and love filled him as he strove toward giving them both what they desperately needed. One more hard push and she flew apart and he followed her. He collapsed on top of her trying to catch his weight so she could breathe.

  It wasn’t long before she recovered and her anger was palpable.

  “What have done, Juan?”

  “I made love to my beautiful mate,” he responded.

  “We are not mates nor will we ever be,” she replied.

  “Wrong, Amee. We are mates and you can’t change that, not anymore,” he insisted.

  “Why would you do that?”

  “Because you are my fated mate. You feel it too, don’t you?”

  “I thought I did when we first met, but you proved to me I was wrong.”

  “No, Sweetheart, I was wrong.”

  “We’d never make it as a couple.”

  “You don’t seem to understand that we’ve bonded. Neither of us will ever be able to be with another.

  “W-why would you do that?”

  “You are mine and you’ll only be mine from now on.”

  “In other words you did it so I couldn’t be with anyone else even though you’ve fucked your way through your pack, your state and all the surrounding states? You a damn caveman and I’m not going to allow you to do this to me. I think you should leave now.”

  “Amee, please. It’s done and we are together now. Can’t you
give me a chance?”

  “You mean another chance? I gave you one and you showed me what it meant to you-nothing. Now that’s what I have left for you-nothing.”

  He’d not expected her to be so angry with him. It was obvious he hadn’t realized how badly he’d hurt her. The look on her face was a mix of hurt and anger. How he was going to fix things between them was beyond him. She looked too angry to even talk to at this point and even though he felt concerned about what she might do, he knew he needed to let her cool off.

  He pulled her rigid body into his embrace and kissed her until she melted into his arms. If only that would work with all their disagreements. “I’m going to see if I can locate my clothes and my phone. I’ll call Ryker to pick me up and I’ll give you some time to come to terms with things. I’ll come see you in the morning.”

  “I’d rather you give me a few days. You’ve taken a lot on yourself and now you expect me to fall into line,” she said resentfully.

  He couldn’t deny that he had made decisions that affected the rest of her life but he would do it again. She was his, but it seemed she didn’t want to be. There was no way he’d wait as long as she wanted. “I’ll give you two days.”

  She seemed to relax a little. “Okay.”

  He dressed and pulled his phone out of his pocket calling Ryker to come and get him. “I was afraid she’d killed you, Bro,” Ryker said.

  “I think she considered it,” he said with a chuckle. He really did think she’d considered to regardless of his attempt to laugh. “I need you to pick me up. She wants some time to deal with things.”

  “Juan, what did you do?”

  “We’re mated.”

  “Why do I get the feeling you made the decision and forgot to ask?”

  “We had an agreement.”

  “She voided it based on your unfortunate behavior.”

  “Well, we’re all in now.”

  “I hope for the best, but I can’t see this working out well.”

  “Just come here to get me.”

  “We’ll be there in thirty.”

  “Thanks.” Juan hung up and even though he was glad they’d be there soon, he didn’t know what he’d do for that long. It was obvious she wanted him gone and she sat at her computer ignoring him. She stiffened every time he came close to her.

  Would it always be like this? Could they find no common ground? Maybe someday if they had children it would melt the ice she’d put around her heart. For the first time in his life, he really thought about children as something to look forward too and not the fulfillment of his responsibilities or another obligation to see to. Now he was ready and she was not. He sat on a chair in her bedroom and watched her as she typed away on her laptop. Ariel had told her once what Amee did. It was something she could do at home and she made a comfortable living at it. That he’d never ask was just one more way he’d failed her.

  She had asked him about his home, family, business, and dreams. He had thought she’d been a good listener and had considered it her best attribute. Talking on and on about himself never finding out a thing about her, she must have thought him a pompous ass and yet she’d still agreed to mate. Now that he thought about it, he wondered why. At the time he had thought she was biddable and had agreed because he was alpha. Now he knew there had been another reason and he also knew no one in her family would tell him a thing. They all knew what he’d done and the effect it had had on her.

  Her hands were small but her fingers long and thin. They flew over the keyboard almost blurring as they moved. She was so focused, he suspected she’d forgotten he was there. Being overlooked never sat well with him. He stood up and prowled near getting a glimpse of some business work, shares and such on her screen. She jerked as if he’d slapped her and dropped the screen so it was blank. It was probably proprietary so he could understand.

  She looked up at him. “Did you need something?” A blush painted her face a pretty pink when she saw how he’d taken her question.

  “No, my brother’s on his way. I won’t be here much longer.” There was a pounding on the door. “He just saved you from my dull company.” Perhaps he expected her to deny he was dull, but she didn’t. “Amee, I’ll miss you.” He wanted to tell her he loved her, but she’d never believe him and trust was built one step at a time.

  “Good bye Juan.”

  She said it with such finality that he hesitated but what would she do, disappear? He nodded and headed to the door. When he opened it Ryker stood there ready to go. Juan realized he was starving and he directed Ryker to head to an eating place. They ended up at a Chinese restaurant that seemed to have its own stoplight. They went to the counter to order and sat down with their drinks to wait.

  “You want to talk about it?” Ryker asked.

  “I’m not sure,” he said and they were quiet until the waitress brought their food.

  He grabbed a crab Rangoon and dipped it in a sweet sauce that had pineapple bits in it. It was good so he ate quickly so he’d get his share because Ryker was hungry too. Talking was an option now that they’d taken the edge off their appetite. Ryker had a big steaming plate of chicken fried rice and he had cashew chicken Springfield style named for this very city.

  “I’m worried about what she’s planning and I feel a sense of impending doom. Can’t say why, how, or what, but she’s planning a nasty surprise for me and I don’t know what to do about it.” Juan dug into his food while Ryker looked thoughtful.

  “Let’s think about this logically. What can she really do? She can take a hit out on you or refuse to see you, but is there really anything else she can do?”

  “She can run, but I’ll find her. We’ve got people who are good at hunting and tracking. She’s wolf now and they would find her.”

  “Sounds like you’ve got it covered. Just wait and when you see her, you’ll deal with whatever she throws your way.”

  “I told her I’d give her two days to get accustomed to the idea then I was taking her home.”

  “Bet that went over well.”

  “She didn’t say much that’s why I’m worried. I expected screaming, crying, or fighting of some sort. There’s been no sign of that shy unassuming female I met originally until now. I’m not even sure she was ever what I thought she was, but she sure isn’t like that now. The plotting and planning she’s doing bodes ill for me.”

  “I can’t wait until I meet her. She sounds fun.”

  “You’re crazy too. Where’s the rest of the guys?”

  “They all got lucky and they’re tied up with their latest sweetie.”

  “You struck out?” He couldn’t believe it because Ryker was usually the first to hook up.

  He shot him a look of disbelief. “Hell no, Bro. Bite your tongue. She understood that I got called in to work. The rich asshole I work for pays well but he calls at all hours.”

  “Good cover story. So who did you tell her this rich asshole was?”

  “You of course. You’re my boss ain’t you?”

  “Only in a manner of speaking since we both work for our own family.”

  “You say tomato, anyway getting back to your mate. Are you going to tell the old wolf?”

  “Hell no! He’ll have his say and I don’t want to hear it. I’ll tell him when I have her and we’re on our way home.”

  “Won’t there be any problems with her just up and leaving? She’s got family, a house, maybe a job?”

  “The house she can keep or sell, maybe even rent it out. It’s a small house so it won’t take her long to pack. She’s her own boss, some kinda work from home gig. As far as family, they knew at one time she’d be leaving. So it changed and now it changed back. No big deal.”

  “I’m thinking you’re oversimplifying things. Don’t expect me to pick you up when it all goes boom.”

  “Little bro, you’re just blowing things up all out of proportion. Yeah, females can be complicated but moves don’t have to be. I’ll help her and keep her moving along. She’ll be out o
f that house in a day and we’ll be headed home. That’s when the real problems will begin.”

  “Okay, Dude, I won’t sweat it if you’re sure it’s alright.”

  They finished eating and hurried out. He let Ryker drive because to be honest, Amee had his mind messed up. The words he’d thrown out to Ryker had been just that, words. Talking the good talk wouldn’t make the situation any easier but he had to wait to see what she would do before he could nip it in the bud. For two days he would have to cool his heels until his mate was ready for him. A sharp pain hit him in the chest and he rubbed the spot over his heart. There had been some talk of a physical pain hitting a mate when they were separated. It had sounded crazy but here it was and it felt awful.

  Two days would give him time to prepare for his mate and he’d start by finding out more about her. The question was did he want to do it himself or let a professional handle it. He knew a bit about researching people but he didn’t really enjoy the work. Hands on was his favorite approach so he was more likely to be out collecting back rent, supervising remodeling or even assisting, and doing the yard work the large apartment buildings required about every ten days all year long.

  In the end he decided to have one of their in house investigators give him a full report from birth and include family connections. The more he knew, the easier it would be to bring her around to his way of thinking. His mind was leaning toward a campaign to seduce her. Flowers, champagne, gifts, and going on dates. Once he knew what she enjoyed, he would take her places she was guaranteed to enjoy. He could only hope those places wouldn’t bore him to tears.

  He managed to make it through the first day without being overcome with worry over his mate or drowning in boredom. The old Juan would have gone out on the town and found a female or two or three depending on how bored he was but that was something he would never do again. He could still drink, play pool, or gamble, but of those three choices only gambling appealed to him today and it was a two hour drive or more in whatever direction was chosen. That made Juan a very dull boy and that didn’t sit well with him. He wanted his mate and he wanted her now.