Page 54 of Secret Wolf Baby

She had laughed and tossed her hair back over her shoulder, a defiant flame in her eyes. “There’s a reason I left, and it wasn’t because I was bored. They didn’t want me, so I don’t want them.”

She had sounded so strong then, so dismissive. But in later conversations, I could see how much the situation actually hurt her. She desperately wanted her parents to care about her. She knew the pain of not feeling wanted. She’d been forced to go back to it when she had Claire.

And look at her now. Over the last few days, I’d seen that old spark I’d fallen for reemerge, but years of rejection had taken their toll. It’s no wonder she would want to protect her daughter from a similar fate.

Her father isn’t the only one who rejected her,a voice in the back of my head sneered.You did, too. It’s no wonder she would worry you hadn’t changed. And besides, if you had been there for her all those years ago, if you hadn’t decided going into the army was more important, none of this would have happened. You would have had ten years with your daughter.

I closed my eyes as I let those words wash over me, knowing there was a kernel of truth in them. I let that bitter truth quell the anger still building inside me. When the anger finally subsided, I took a deep breath and turned to look at her.

“Audrey, I’m so sorry,” I said. “I’m sorry for what I did to you back then. But I was a stupid kid who didn’t know how to express what I felt, and I was selfish, too. I didn’t want to get tied down yet, and I was afraid that staying with you would do just that. I wish I could take it all back. I know I can’t,” I added quickly before she could interrupt. “But I wish I could. And I understand why you would wait to tell me about Claire.”

She blinked, as if she couldn’t believe what I was saying. Her lips parted slightly. “You’re not mad?” she asked, sounding hesitant and more than a little surprised.

“That’s complicated. Less angry and more hurt, maybe,” I admitted. “Frustrated that I could have had ten years with my daughter that I’ll never get to have back because of the way I treated you. But I understand. You didn’t want to risk her getting hurt in any way.”

She swallowed, eyes beginning to water. “I thought it was the right thing to do,” she said. “Now I don’t know. Maybe I should have told you sooner.”

“Does she know?” I asked.

She shook her head. I hesitated, the question I was dying to ask pressing on my lips. Worrying about the answer wasn’t going to change anything, though.

“Are you going to tell her?” I finally asked.

Biting her lip, she glanced away. “I’ve always told her that her dad went and joined the military after she was born, and we lost contact. That was the closest I could get to the truth with her. But I guess there’s no hiding it anymore,” she said. “She’ll find out sooner or later at this point. So, yes, I just have no idea how to explain that she’s been living with her dad for the last couple of months, and I’ve been hiding it from her.”

She started pacing, running her fingers through her hair. “God, how do I tell her any of this? She’s going to hate me and think I’m a terrible mother. I was just trying to protect her.”

I stepped forward again, hands cupping her face. A tear began trailing along the side of her nose, and I swiped it away with my thumb.

“If you think you made a mistake here, I can promise you that mine were ten times worse,” I said. “And I’m going to make it up to you. To both of you. I swear.”

I bent down, kissing first one cheek, and then the other, tasting the salt from her tears. My lips brushed gently across hers, lingering.

What started as a gentle, reassuring kiss turned deeper, more fervent. Her hands knotted into fists in my shirt as she pulled me closer to her. A primal snarl escaped my lips, andmy hand went to the back of her head, holding her in place as my mouth claimed hers. She melted against me. The feel of her breasts pressing against my chest made my cock twitch. I needed her.

Without asking, I lifted her up off her feet, keeping her against me. Her legs locked around my waist and I carried her to the bedroom. My mouth went to her neck, nibbling gently. The soft moan that escaped her and the way she leaned into it drove me and my wolf wild with hunger.

The instant we were inside, I kicked the door shut with my foot. Her fingers were tangled in my hair. I needed her, needed her in a way I had never experienced before. And this time, I wasn’t going to let her get away.

Chapter 18 - Audrey

He slid me down his body until my feet touched the floor. His eyes burned with a hunger that heated my entire body, and a longing and need kindled beneath my stomach.

He didn’t give me the chance to move or say anything. He pulled my shirt off with enough force that I heard a soft rip as he tore the fabric. I couldn’t care less because his hands were already on me again, roaming and caressing every inch of me, every curve and contour, until it felt like it belonged to him.

He unclasped my bra, tossing it to the side. He eyed me with hunger as his hands went to my breasts. I let out a soft gasp, my back arching instinctively as his fingers closed around my nipples, sending pulses of need and lust radiating through me until they settled between my legs.

Without a word, he pushed me onto the bed, hovering over me as he undid my jeans. I could smell his musk, and his scent drove my wolf into a frenzy. I watched with growing longing as his own clothes fell to the floor. His cock sprung out, fully erect and he clambered on top of me, pinning me to the bed.

Smirking, his hand slipped between my thigh, his thumb brushing against my clit. I let out a soft moan, my back arching in response. My eyes fluttered closed for a moment, relishing the sensation as his thumb flicked back and forth, sending new spasms of need and longing jolting through me. When they opened again, Jackson was smirking down at me.

“You like that, babe?” he asked.

Before I could even nod, his mouth went to my neck, nibbling just above my collarbone. I gasped as shivers radiated through my body. I writhed beneath him, relishing the delectable sensation.

His mouth went to my ear, his warm breath caressing my neck. At the same time he nipped at my earlobe, his fingers thrust inside me, causing me to gasp in delight. Then his fingers began pumping rapidly in and out, his thumb pressing on my clit. He grinned as he saw the mindless expression spreading across my face. He took one nipple in his mouth and bit gently, sending radiating waves of longing through my body, adding to the growing lust and need for release for him that was blossoming inside me.

Each thrust of his hand fueled the fire, intensifying that craving. His fingers weren’t enough. I needed more.

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