Page 81 of Secrets and S'mores
“I don’t know what I expected, but she just wants to control me.” My fingers curl into his shirt in my frustration.
I love that he doesn’t try to justify Sienna’s behavior or argue with me. Sighing, I turn my head so he can nibble down my neck and run his tongue over my claim mark. He happily scrapes his teeth over the spot, forcing a soft groan out of me.
He pops up, a grin on his face. “It doesn’t matter. You don’t need her. She’s not the Alpha anymore. You’re about to be.”
Before I can protest, he brushes his lips against mine and then presses firmly, encouraging my mouth to open. All my worries fall away as he kisses me, as fervently as the first time.
A contentedness settles over me, and I happily scratch my nails down his chest, hoping to leave red lines under his thin shirt. He grumbles, nipping down on my bottom lip.
I want nothing more than to slip out of our clothes and ravage each other until he’s whispering my name like a prayer, but there’s too much to be done and I’ll be brainless for an hour afterward if we do that.
“As nice as this is,” I say, hating every word, “I have one more call to make, unfortunately.”
His hands knead over my shoulders, squeezing down my arm. “Want me to leave?
“Fuck, no,” I say, closing my eyes and straining my neck at the pinching pleasure he’s inflicting on my tendons. With one more kiss his hands drop away, leaving me desperate for more.
“Let’s get it over with. I have a list of things I want to try with you, and it’ll be really hard for you to make any calls while I do them,” he whispers against my skin.
“You’re not going to like this one.”
“Why?”
Hawk picks up the phone after the fifth ring, when I’m about to give up and end the call. My stomach jumps into my throat and I lean harder into Onyx. The warmth of his chest feels good against my side, banishing the shivers of anxiety.
“Ember? Is everything okay?” His voice sounds odd, unfamiliar. It’s been months since I spoke with him, but he feels like a stranger.
“Hi, Hawk.” My voice falters, and I feel Onyx’s hand tighten on my waist. “Well, not really. That’s why I’m calling.”
I should have called him months ago, to try and reconcile politically, even if we would never be mates.We could use his support right about now, but I doubt his family will give it.
“What’s wrong?” His voice is sharp.
“Orion.”
“What?” His voice lowers, sounding angry, as if he already knows what’s wrong with that one word.
“He challenged my mom and took over the pack,” I admit, praying he will help and that I’m right in trusting him.
“Oh, shit.”
“Yeah.”
“Sweetheart, I’m so sorry,” he says. I prickle at his pet name for me. There was never any affection behind it and I know that now.
“Hi, Hawk.” Onyx butts in, unable to help himself. He leans his cheek against my fingers gripping the phone, making sure his voice is heard. I press my lips together to keep from laughing at him.
“Uh, hi? Who is that?” Hawk sounds baffled. With a sigh, I press the button for speaker phone.
“It’s Onyx, remember me?” My mate puts on a friendly tone, like he’s reconnecting with an old friend.
“Sorry, no.”
“I’m the one Ember stabbed during the battle at Bracken Creek.”
Hawk coughs. “Oh, I don’t think I saw that.”
“Whatever, it doesn’t matter. But I’m Ember’s mate,” Onyx continues, the words tumbling out. My mouth falls open and he gives me a wink.
