Riding Red Read online

  “How was your day at the bakery?” I ask, strolling in.

  “It’d be a lot better if you stopped scaring everyone away. Never thought you’d be one to upset your mate, Dom.”

  Her words make my heart clench and my wolf sit up.

  “I don’t hurt her,” I protest, appalled at the very idea that I would even do such a thing.

  She snorts, and it’s an unladylike sound. She rolls her eyes and turns to make her way up the stairs to get away from her brother and me. I reach out to stop her, wanting to know what she means by ‘hurting my mate’ but quickly pull my arm back. The idea of touching another woman, even someone who’s nearly a sister to me, makes my stomach cramp.

  “Gwen, how am I hurting her? I’m trying everything I can not to hurt her.” My words make her stop her retreat, and she turns to look back at me.

  “She’s new here and thinks the whole freaking town hates her, Dom. I mean, come on. She’s alone here, she’s just lost the only living relative she had, and now you won’t even let anyone near her. Yeah, you’re being a dick and hurting her.” With that, she turns, her blonde hair bouncing as she stomps up the stairs.

  “Fuck.”

  “Glad to see I’m not the only one she lays into,” Stone says from behind me, making me turn to look at him.

  “You look like hell.” I take in his wrinkled flannel shirt, his overgrown beard, and the dark circles under his eyes.

  “Yeah. Three weeks on the road from pack to pack will do that to you,” he says, dropping his big body down on the sofa and kicking his feet up on the coffee table. He takes a drink of his beer and then sighs. “Want one?”

  I’d love one, but it’d take me twenty to get drunk, and either way I’d end up on Ruby’s stairs. At least if I’m sober I won’t knock down her door trying to get in and scare the shit out of her. After the verbal blow from Gwen, I’m really wishing I could pound back a few.

  “Nope, I’m good.” I take the chair across from him, hoping this will be a quick chat. Not much has gone on around here. Well, not much I care to share about at the moment.

  “How is everything? Besides you letting my sister take that job in town. Oh, and the fact that you found your mate, two things you seem to have left out of our weekly chats.” I can hear the slight irritation in his voice but no real anger. Either he’s as tired as he looks, or he isn’t as bothered about it as he lets on.

  “I had to let my mate buy the bakery. I didn’t have a choice. She would have been gone, and I would have had to follow her. I couldn’t let her leave…unless you wanted to get a new beta.”

  “I know, I know,” he says, polishing off his beer and getting another. The message is clear. Where my mate goes, I go. If that meant leaving my pack, then I’d be gone without a second thought.

  “But did you have to let her hire my sister?”

  “I can’t control your sister any more than you can, Stone.” I see the stress on his face. He worries about her more than he should, but with both their parents gone I can see why. They lost them at a young age, and I’m sure Gwen hardly remembers them. Stone is more like her father than her brother.

  Losing parents is hard on shifters because they usually follow each other to the grave. When one goes, the other will soon go next. I used to think it was terrible that fate would do that to people, but having only known Ruby a short time, I don’t think I would want to live without her either. She’s already ingrained in me. But it looks like all I’ve done is hurt her, and here I was, not even hours ago, scolding Xavier on being a good mate.

  Stone doesn’t respond to me, but there really isn’t much to say. He’s about to get a whole new reality check when Xavier comes knocking on his door. No, scratch that, I have a feeling Xavier isn’t gonna knock on a door to get to his mate. He’ll most likely tear it off the fucking hinges.

  “She’s going to find a mate soon. You’ll have to let her go,” I say lightly, trying to ease into this conversation.

  His face actually looks somewhat happy and makes me feel a little more comfortable. Until he opens his mouth. “I made some really good alliances while I went from pack to pack checking in with other alphas. I got to meet a lot of good shifters too. Some were looking for a change of scenery, and a few of them I’m planning to invite here would be a good fit for Gwen. I’m really hoping one will be her fated mate. I think I’d be at ease with her being with one of them.”

  That’s great. All we need is Stone to bring in shifters he hopes will mate with Gwen.

  “Speaking of mates, I really need to get back to mine,” I say, standing up. “Like I said, not much happened while you were gone, and there was no stopping Gwen from working at the bakery. Trust me, I’ve been in the place. Nothing is going to happen to her.” I try to reassure him because he needs to get some rest. Maybe he needs to let his wolf out for a good run before we get into the whole Xavier and Gwen thing.

  “Was what Gwen said true? You keeping the pack from meeting your mate?” Stone asks, raising an eyebrow at my odd behavior.

  “I haven’t scented her or marked her. She doesn’t know what we are.”

  “Why the fuck not? If I found my mate—”

  “I know. You’d storm off with her. I’ve been hearing it from everybody.” The defeat is clear in my voice. I’m fucking up here. “I’m just worried. My wolf went a little nuts like he’d never done before when I saw her. She’s human, and I was barely holding my skin. I feel like if I touch her I’ll fuck her, and you know what will happen then. She’ll go into heat, and I hear that can be painful. When I first met her it was still almost three weeks until the next full moon, and I couldn’t do that to her; I’d put her through three weeks of pain. So I thought it was best I suffer on my own.” My cock can’t find release, not until it enters her for the first time. No matter how many times I try, the orgasm never comes.

  If I would’ve taken her that first day, she would’ve been in heat for three fucking weeks. I tried to stay clear of her and allow the full moon to get closer, but I can’t stay away. My wolf doesn’t want anyone else near her if I can’t have her, so we’ve been parking our asses outside her bakery day and night. Now I’m seeing she has interpreted my behavior as being assholish. This is all so fucked.

  I run my hand over my face, trying to lessen the tension I feel building.

  “Looks like we’ve both had a rough few weeks.”

  I nod my head in agreement. “The toughest and best three weeks of my life.” I might be miserable at the moment, but it will be worth it. Soon I’ll have my mate, and she’ll be all mine, for the rest of our lives. As for tonight, it looks like I’ll be sleeping on the stairs. Again.

  5

  Ruby

  I flip the lock on the door and turn the sign to ‘Closed’. It’s Friday night, and we’ve had a great day. There were a lot of people stopping by the bakery on the way out of town. Something must be in the air, because it feels like everyone is clearing out. Halloween is tomorrow night so maybe people have plans. There aren’t many places to stay that are close to the national park, so anyone visiting for the day would have to leave in the early evening in order to make it to the next town at a decent hour.

  Gwen and I made lots of goodies all morning, and almost everything sold. I wanted to take Gwen up on her offer to go get a drink tonight, and I’m even more excited because it’s been a day to celebrate. There still weren’t any locals, but I’m trying not to dwell on it or let it get me down. Gwen keeps telling me to be patient.

  I take one last look out the window before reaching up to pull the shade. I see Dominic talking to someone across the street. Almost as if he senses my stare, he turns, meeting my eyes. From this distance I can barely make him out, but suddenly I see his eyes brighten. It’s almost like they’re glowing. They’re doing that weird thing they did last night. I swear, the sunsets in this place cause people’s eyes to go funny.

  The more I stare at him, the stronger the pull is to him. I don’t understand what is wr
ong with my body. All day it has felt as if my skin has been charged with electricity. I’m so sensitive and tingly all over. I kept rubbing my arms, feeling the hairs on them rise up like I was chilly, but I didn’t feel cold. I’m having the same feeling now. Something inside me wants to open the door and bolt into Dominic’s arms.

  I shake off the idea and pull the shade fast, shielding me from his view. I turn around and smile at Gwen behind the counter. Maybe she knows what’s going on.

  “Does it feel to you like everyone is getting out of town?”

  She makes a non-committal humming sound and goes back to wiping down the counters.

  “Seriously. It feels like something’s in the air. Didn’t you notice how all the tourists just bolted this afternoon? It’s almost like something is pushing them out.”

  She looks up from the counter and shrugs her shoulders. “I think people are just trying to get out before the weekend. I’m planning on getting out of here first thing in the morning.”

  “Really? Why? You didn’t say anything earlier.”

  “Oh, no big reason. Just going to visit a friend in Bryson Peak. And it’s that time of the month.” She mumbles the last part under her breath and turns to head to the back.

  God, her periods must be bad if she’s got to go stay with a friend when she gets it. Oh well, not my business.

  I walk to the back with her and help clean up the kitchen. Once we’re finished, we close the register, lock up the back, and go upstairs to my apartment to get ready.

  “God, I would love a place like this,” Gwen says when she walks in.

  “I’m actually hoping I can get a new place soon. This just isn’t as isolated as I wanted. Hey, maybe if it works out you can rent it. You live with your brother, right?”

  “Oh my God, that would be amazing! I would love to have a place of my own. The way he hovers over me is ridiculous.”

  “Well, I’ll keep that in mind if I decide to move.” I go over to my closet and start flipping through clothes. I look over and see Gwen stripping down, clearly not shy about her body. I wouldn’t be either if I had her figure. Big perky boobs with a slim body; who would want to cover that up? Hell, I’d probably run around naked if I were her. “What did you bring to wear?”

  “I wanted to go with something fun so I brought my leather pants and spiked heels. I’ve got two shirts, but I don’t know which one to wear.”

  “I’ll probably just wear a dress,” I say, going through my rack of clothes. “I’m so short most pants are too long. Which one do you think?” I pull out two dresses, one navy and one dark purple.

  “Oh, the navy would look great with your hair,” Gwen says, standing there naked and holding up two shirts. “Should I go with the crop top to show off my belly, or with the tank top to show off my tits?”

  I can’t help giggling, thinking she’s really wanting to get wild tonight. I bet her brother doesn’t even know she’s going out. “Go with the stomach. If mine was flat I don’t think I’d ever wear a whole shirt again. I would just cut the bottoms off all of them.”

  “Are you kidding me? I’d kill for your curves. Men love a woman they can hold on to. Meanwhile, I have zero ass and chicken legs.”

  I just shake my head, smiling. “I guess we all want what we don’t have.”

  I go to the bathroom, choosing to be a bit more modest. My navy dress is perfect for a cool fall night. It has a cowl neck and hangs off one shoulder, showing off my neck and collarbone. It clings to my body and comes down to about mid-thigh. I’ve got knee-high dark brown boots to wear with it, so it’s comfortable, but I still feel cute.

  Thankfully, my curly red hair is somewhat manageable today and hangs down my back without looking ratty. I apply a little make-up, thinking I might as well go all out and put on bright red lipstick.

  Once I’m finished I step out of the bathroom, and Gwen whistles at me. I feel my face heat, and I’m sure my cheeks are as red as my hair.

  “Thanks,” I manage to mumble as I look Gwen up and down. She straightened her blonde locks and put on some heavy eye make-up. Her cropped shirt reads ‘I Love Dracula’ across the chest, and her black leather pants fit her like a second skin. She’s got on a pair of blood red spiky heels that I would kill myself in, but she looks like a rock star in them. “Damn, girl. You’re smoking hot!”

  “Thanks, chica. I doubt I’ll find the one tonight, but it can’t hurt to try.”

  “The one? You mean you’re looking for a husband?”

  “Something like that.” She winks at me, grabbing her clutch off my bed. “You ready?”

  We choose to walk to the closest bar so we don’t have to drive. We head out the front door and walk about a block to the Wolf’s Den.

  Gwen seems to have a bounce in her step, and I look over at her and see her beaming.

  “Are you excited about going to the Wolf’s Den?” I ask.

  She flips her blonde hair over her shoulder and giggles. “Oh girl, you have no idea. You’re going to love it.”

  “Have you been there a lot?”

  “No, my brother would kill me if he knew I was going here tonight.”

  I smile, already having that suspicion. “Then why do you think I’ll love it?” I ask as we get to the front door of the bar.

  Gwen reaches over, grabbing the handle and opening the door for me. “Just trust me. You’ll have a good time.”

  * * *

  “Have a good night,” I say for the fifth time in a row. As soon as we walked in, Gwen sat me down at the bar and told me she was going to shoot pool. I can see her from here, and she waves over at me every now and then before going back to her game with a few guys. I thought this was supposed to be a girls’ night, but instead I’m kind of on my own. I say ‘kind of’ because every minute since I’ve been here, men have been coming up to say hello. I’m surprised at the attention, but I’m even more surprised at how fast they get up and leave when I tell them I own the bakery.

  I’ve been slowly drinking a beer, not really wanting to get too tipsy on my own. I know Gwen is here, and she seems to know everyone, but I don’t know how much longer I can take this. As I think about getting up, I feel someone else sit down beside me.

  “I own the bakery, so go ahead and go.”

  “I’m well aware, and I’m not going anywhere.”

  At the sound of Dominic’s voice, my body goes soft. It’s like his presence melts everything away, and I’m just a puddle of need. What is going on with me? Every time I’ve thought about him today, I’ve gotten these crazy hot flashes and an ache between my legs. I swear to God, it’s like I’ve been close to cumming all day.

  I turn on my bar stool, and when I do he moves as well so my legs are between his, and we are facing one another. He leans in close and squeezes his legs so they’re pushing mine together. I feel some of the ache between my legs lessen. It helps my need slow down, but it also makes it deeper, as if my desire is growing stronger.

  This is the first time he’s touched me, and I feel his heat work its way up my legs, into my stomach and to my chest. My whole body is warming from his touch, and I close my eyes, thinking maybe I’ve been drugged.

  “Just relax, sweets. I just need to rub on you a little.”

  “What?” I ask, shaking my head. I’m foggy, and it feels like I’m floating, but my mind is clear. It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever felt. Like pure pleasure is being rubbed across my skin. I close my eyes again and feel a moan slip past my lips when his hands touch my arms. Feeling his strong arms pull me to him, I come down from the bar stool and stand up with him.

  “Come with me, sweets. I need you.”

  I open my eyes as he pulls me to the back of the bar. I feel the tingle where our hands are connected, and it’s as if I’m floating behind him. If just his slight touch feels this good, I’ll do anything the man says. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Gwen smiling at me, but I don’t have the ability or the inclination to stop and explain anything to her. I’m too
happy to care about anything other than Dominic.

  He pulls me through a door. It closes behind us, and I see we are in a dark room. I can’t tell where we are or see much of anything. It’s pitch black and I can’t see my hand in front of my face. Suddenly, I see the silver glow of Dominic's eyes, and while I should be terrified, it calms me. I feel Dominic press me against the wall, and my arms instantly go around his neck. I don’t tell my body to do any of this, it just does it on its own.

  “I’ve had enough of watching men talk to you. I have to do something to keep people away from what’s mine.”

  “Am I yours?” The fog I’m in is wonderful, and it makes me want Dominic to claim me as his. I feel myself wanting to rub against him and have him rub against me. It’s like everything inside me has taken over, and any objection I’ve ever had has evaporated.

  “Yes.” The word comes out rough, but it goes straight to my nipples and clit, making the most sensitive parts of my body come to life. Suddenly, I’m aching more than before, and I let out a moan.

  “Fuck. Not yet, sweets. Just a taste tonight.”

  “Please,” I moan, and I don’t know what I’m begging for. I don’t have any control over my body or my words.

  Closing my eyes, I lean my head back against the wall, exposing my neck where my dress dips down. I don’t know why, but I feel like showing him this should make him do something. I have the sudden urge to have his mouth on me, biting me.

  “No.” His teeth are clenched, and he’s fighting against my want.

  He presses his big heavy body against me, and feeling his weight there calms some of my need. He moves up and down, rubbing against me, making the sweater dress material rub roughly against my nipples. They harden, and I rub back, wrapping my arms around him, trying to bring his body even closer to mine. I pull my leg up and hook it around his hip, pulling the heat of his cock against me. I’m breathing hard, and the heat of the room and our bodies rubbing together has a drop of sweat rolling down my neck.