Page 29 of Runaway Mate
“He’s a loner, and reindeer—both pureblood and shifter—are not solitary creatures. They are almost always found in herds. Besides, he travels quite a bit between Mystic River, Kodiak, and the mainland. People come and go more at The Workshop than any place else. He also always seems to have ready cash.”
“He didn’t seem the type, but then I suppose you wouldn’t want to be seen as the type.”
Winter nodded. “Exactly. My second suspect is Marshall, the owl-shifter. He has the ability to gather and process information like a sentient drone. He is nocturnal so seeing him out and about at night wouldn’t attract any undue attention. Like Dash, he has the ability to fly—only Dash has to take a plane—Marshall just has to shift and spread his wings to go wherever he needs to be to meet or pass information to someone, and he doesn’t leave an electronic trail.”
“And the last?”
“That’s my wildcard. Dash and Marshall make far more sense.”
“Don’t keep me in suspense,” he teased.
“Will, the marten who tends bar.”
“A weasel as a mole?” he chuckled. “Kind of fitting, but on the other hand, they’re not known for their bravery. He is in a unique position to overhear a lot of things and like the others, could pass information along pretty much in plain sight.” Sean glanced over at her and saw her smiling at him. “What?”
“Nothing, really. I’m just enjoying having someone I can talk to about what I do and bounce ideas off of. I mean, I know I can do it with Colby, but he has so many things he’s trying to keep track of. I prefer to get a good handle on what I’m thinking and then pass along my best theories and have ready answers to questions he may have.”
“For what it’s worth, my money is on Will. I don’t like weasels. They’re like clever rats. I’ve never known one I could trust.”
Later, as they undressed, Winter seemed to become withdrawn. Before he could ask, she turned to him with tears in her eyes.
“What is it, sweetheart?” he asked gently, kissing her eyelids.
“I want you to know I never gave myself to gain information. I might have flirted now and again, but Colby made it clear I was never to feel I had to play the strumpet in order to do my job.”
“It never even crossed my mind that you or Reynolds would lower yourself in that way, although I will admit I had a pang or two of jealousy when I first saw you and Reynolds together. After all, I couldn’t imagine working with you so closely and not have you sharing my bed.”
“Eww,” she said, screwing up her face. “That’s disgusting. Don’t get me wrong. Colby is probably my closest friend, but I have never felt anything romantic for him or him for me. We’re good friends and he’s allowed me to become something I never could have had I remained in Scotland.”
Sean nodded. “I know. Don’t fret, sweetheart, we’ll figure something out.”
“You can’t give up your clan, and I wouldn’t ask you to…”
“Any more than you could give up yours. I promise, we’ll find a way that works for both of us. I won’t give you up.”
“That would no longer be at the top of my wish list,” she purred, as he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed.
He laid her down, staring at her as she spread her legs in invitation. Crawling up onto the bed, he positioned himself so his face was level with her sex. He slipped his arms under the backs of her thighs, curling them around her so he could feast on her honey. When he put his mouth on her, running his tongue around her clit and then her labia, he could taste how slick and ready she was for him.
Sean inhaled deeply, taking in her scent and fighting down the feral frenzy that threatened to take over. He kissed and nipped at her, spearing her wet heat with his tongue again and again, lapping up the copious amount of honey he found there, allowing it to coat his tongue and lips. Nothing had ever tasted as sweet as his fated mate. Nothing.
Winter’s fists clenched the bedclothes at her sides, and she arched her back, calling his name as her body shook before it went stiff and then relaxed. He reared up like a warrior of old come home to claim his prize. And she was—both his and his prize.
“Do you have any idea how gorgeous you are?” he whispered.
“I do, but why don’t you come show me, anyway,” she said with a seductive grin.
He moved up her body, covering her and making a place for himself between her thighs. He stared directly into blue eyes the color of the ice at Curaidh, eyes that now glowed with an ethereal fire. Slipping his hands under her ass, he held her steady as he drove up into her, pressing deep.
Winter’s back arched again, and she wrapped her arms around him, her nails digging into his back. That seemed fair. He had marked her; she ought to be able to do the same. He lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her deeply as he eased backwards and then allowed his barbs to release as he thrust back in, hearing her yowl.
“Mine,” he growled possessively.
“Yes,” she moaned as he pulled back, the barbs stiffening and scoring her pussy for the first time. “Oh, my God,” she cried as he pushed inside her again, the barbs softening and rippling along the walls of her core.
He repeated the motion again and again—the nubs softly tickling her spasming walls before he drew back, allowing the stiffened barbs to ravage her pussy. She’d be sore come morning but given her response, he didn’t think she’d chide him for it.
Every moan from her and groan from him began to build the bridge between them that no one else would ever be able to destroy. Each touch of their hands with each other became woven in the fabric of who they were and who they would become. When her pussy clamped down on him as she cried out and climaxed again, he began to pound into her until his own orgasm washed over him, and they spiraled into the ecstasy of forever together.
