Swipe Right for Love Page 5

  “Here you go,” I said as I opened the bag and held them out for her.

  “Thanks,” she said, taking three and putting them all on her stick.

  “So, you go for the burn, huh?”

  “Yup,” Katja replied as she placed her stick in the flame. “I like them burnt to a crisp, how about you?”

  “Same.”

  “See, I knew I liked you,” she said, and all I could think was, yeah, I really like you, too.

  Fourteen

  Katja

  It had been such a lovely day.

  More than I’d ever imagined when I’d agreed to come out for the trial. I hadn’t expected Bane. Not like this. To be so honest, open, kind, and interesting.

  I hadn’t expected to like him so much.

  I laid in the tent. Alone. Staring up at the material of the roof and replaying the last couple of days in my mind.

  I was in danger of breaking the rules we’d set for this relationship and really liking this man. Already. I was only a couple days in and my defenses were already crumbling. He was like no one I’d ever known, and I was sure I’d only scratched the surface.

  I couldn’t wait to see him with Sloane.

  My body started buzzing with need as I replayed the kiss in the lake.

  I turned my head and looked out the flap of the tent. I could see Bane lying there, near the fire, his gaze up on the stars above.

  He wasn’t asleep either.

  I wondered if he was as turned on as I was.

  If he was thinking about that kiss.

  The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to touch him. To taste him.

  I knew he wasn’t ready to have sex, Bane had been clear about that, but fooling around in other ways would be okay, right?

  Just a little something to take the edge off…

  My stomach dipped nervously as I tried to build up the courage to act on my desires. What if he turned me away, or worse, got upset with me for pushing things? All I wanted to do was give him pleasure, and maybe get a little for myself along the way. That didn’t make me a bad person, right?

  I wouldn’t push him into something he’d already said he didn’t want, but a blow job wouldn’t hurt. Would it?

  The thought of going over to him, taking his cock in my mouth and pleasing him until he couldn’t hold back had my body getting hot as my hands began to shake.

  I could do this. Just go out there and be assertive.

  I swallowed nervously, wiped my wet palms on my shorts, and eased out of the tent.

  Bane’s head turned toward the sound, and he watched me quietly as I moved toward him. I paused next to his sleeping bag, then dropped to my knees.

  He opened his mouth, probably to ask what I was doing, but I shook my head.

  I needed him to be quiet, or I’d lose my nerve.

  I slowly reached out. Both of our gazes tracked the movement, neither of us breathing as we waited to see what the other would do. Tension crackled between us as my fingers grazed his skin as I grabbed his waistband.

  Bane’s Adams apple bobbed when he realized what I was about to do, and his eyes darkened. I watched his face for denial, rejection, or any sign that he wanted me to stop. When he didn’t protest, I started to pull his shorts down.

  Bane lifted his hips to help me, and I pulled them down just past his butt, then stopped and looked.

  His cock was long, think, and very hard.

  It pulsed against his stomach, and I reached out, needing to feel him.

  Bane sucked in a breath at the first touch, the back of my knuckles running softly down the length of him. I turned my hand as I reached the tip and fisted my palm around the head, squeezing slightly as I moved that fist down, then back up.

  “Katja,” Bane said, his voice sounding choked.

  My eyes flitted to his face, then back down to watch what my hand was doing.

  I held onto the base of his cock, holding it upright as I bent forward. I ran my cheek over the silky skin, and Bane groaned in response, then I let my tongue follow suit, before placing my lips around the head and sucking.

  Bane’s hipped buck and he moaned, “Fuck,” and that was all the invitation I needed.

  I jacked him as I bobbed, my cheeks hollowing out as I sucked. The taste of him, coupled with the sounds he was making, and the feel of him beneath my hand had my pussy wet and pulsing with need.

  I shoved my free hand into my shorts and found my clit.

  At Bane’s strangled cry, I looked up at him to see his gaze alternating from what I was doing with my mouth, to what I was doing to myself, which only turned me on more.

  I moved my fingers furiously over my clit as I worked him over, and it didn’t take long before I felt my orgasm building. I moaned around Bane’s cock, moving my hand from the base of his shaft down to cup his balls, then gently roll them in my palm.

  “I’m gonna come,” Bane grunted, giving me enough of a warning to move if I wanted.

  I didn’t want.

  I sucked harder and rolled his balls some more, and as I felt him stiffen beneath me, my own hips bucked as I came against my fingers. Seconds later, Bane shot into my mouth with a shout, and I kept sucking until he began to soften in my mouth.

  I pulled my hand out of my shorts, helped Bane pull his shorts up, then dropped a kiss on his cheek and said, “Good night.”

  I went quietly back into the tent, zipped myself in, and got comfortable in my makeshift bed.

  I fell asleep quickly, my body relaxed and satisfied, with a smile on my lips.

  Fifteen

  Bane

  I slept better than I had in ages.

  Considering I was sleeping outside on the ground, that was pretty crazy.

  I’d been shocked when Katja had come out of the tent, her expression full of intent and had been about to tell her to go to sleep, when she’d reached for me and I’d lost the ability to think, let alone speak.

  The blow job had been the best I’d ever had, and I’d come so hard I thought I might pass out.

  It had been so long since a woman had touched me physically. Sexually. I hadn’t been able to control myself or hold off my orgasm. I’d been putty in her hands. Hers to do with as she wished, and the outcome had been glorious.

  I just hoped we were still on the same page.

  It was easy to get swept up in chemistry… this crazy attraction we had for each other. But I had to keep my focus on what mattered, and not lose myself in lust.

  I got up, packed away my sleeping back, and went to relieve myself in the woods and wash up before making breakfast. I looked toward the tent as I moved and saw Katja was still asleep.

  I shook off the image of her above me, her mouth around my cock as she masturbated. Focus, I reminded myself.

  The lake was shockingly cold, but I splashed water on my face anyway, needing to wake up fully before I started the fire. I washed my hands, rubbed my wet hands over the back of my neck and hair, then turned back toward the camp.

  By the time Katja had started to move around in the tent, I had the fire going and water starting to boil.

  “Morning,” I said when she peeked her head out of the flap.

  Her cheeks colored prettily and she replied softly. “Good morning.”

  “Coffee?” I asked as I poured some of the instant grounds out of a baggie and into a mug.

  “Yes, please,” Katja said as she stood and stretched.

  I tried not to notice the way her tank rode up, giving me a glimpse of her tanned skin underneath.

  I failed.

  “I’m just gonna go…” she trailed off, gesturing toward the woods, and I knew she needed to go to the bathroom.

  I said, “Okay,” quickly to save her from having to finish the sentence. She was obviously a little embarrassed.

  Katja gave me a small smile, then went off to take care of business while I poured the hot water into the coffee and oatmeal.

  By the time she’d come back, the oatmeal was ready, so I a
dded the toppings and handed her the mug.

  “I have some packets of powdered cream and sugar, if you’d like some for your coffee,” I offered.

  “I’ll take it black,” she said, so I handed her another cup. “This looks great,” she added, indicating the oatmeal.

  “Thanks, it’s Sloane’s favorite camping breakfast.”

  “I can see why,” Katja said after taking a bite. “It’s delicious.”

  I grinned, pleased that she liked it.

  Once we were done and had rinsed out our cups, I asked, “You ready to head out?”

  Katja nodded, and we set about packing up the camp.

  When our bags were packed, the fire pit was doused and all of our trash was in a bag I’d throw out on our way, we headed back toward the car.

  As is always the way, it felt like we got back much faster than it had taken us to get to the camp site, and our adventure was over. As I threw away the trash in the dumpster, and loaded up the Jeep, I looked around the park and realized I’d never be able to come here without thinking of Katja.

  Remembering this trip.

  We drove home, Katja singing along to the music she picked out for the road. Once we got to my house, we unloaded, started laundry, put everything away, and got ourselves cleaned up.

  We decided to order in pizza and watch a movie. Relax.

  Before the movie started, I shifted toward Katja on the couch and said, “I was thinking… on Saturday, I’m going to go up and get Sloane. I know it’s a little early, but I’m confident that you’d be a great addition to our family, and I’m ready for you to meet her. What do you think?”

  Katja put down her slice of pizza and smiled.

  “Really? I’m so happy you feel that way because I totally think this is going to work out, too. I can’t wait to meet her, but do you think she’d be disappointed to leave her uncle’s early?”

  I shook my head.

  “No, she loves spending time with him, but she’ll be happy to come home. Especially when I tell her that you’re here and explain why you’re here. I waited to tell her, since I didn’t know how this week would go. I figure I have enough time on the drive home to give her all the details.”

  “Okay then… great,” Katja said, then her smile dropped. “Is it weird that I’m more nervous to meet her than I was to meet you?”

  I chuckled.

  “No, I get it,” I replied. “But, I promise, things will be great.”

  “Cool,” she said, and we both turned our attention back to the TV and I started the movie.

  In truth, I needed Sloane here as a buffer. I needed the constant reminder of what Katja’s purpose for being here was, because without it, I was afraid I’d lose sight of everything, except the way she made me feel.

  Sixteen

  Katja

  Bane took me to the sale at Yonaweti as promised.

  They had some really great deals that I couldn’t pass up, especially if I ended up staying, but I did reel myself in a bit. I had a bit of savings, but it wouldn’t last forever, so I had to be smart about my spending.

  I realized I hadn’t talked to Bane about work. Was he expecting me to be a stay at home mom to take care of Sloane? Obviously, I wasn’t taking a job as a nanny, I’d be his mate, therefore, I wouldn’t get paid.

  I liked working, and having money of my own, so I made a mental note to bring it up later.

  But now we were headed to the pack meeting and barbecue, and I was extremely nervous.

  “Will there be other humans there?” I asked as we drove into town.

  “Uh, yeah, sure. Our community is pretty well integrated. There are humans who were born to inter-species couples, some who grew up in town, side by side with shifters, and there are the humans who married into the pack. Also, it’s not only wolf shifters who attend. Some of our friends are bears, and we’ll get the occasional mountain lion passing through.”

  “Oh, how do you know… uh, who’s who?”

  Bane shrugged.

  “I guess you won’t. Me? I can smell the difference, but unless someone were to shift in front of you, which they won’t do, you’ll never know. Does it matter?”

  I thought about it, then shook my head.

  “No, I’m just curious. I’m not quite sure what to expect and I want to be prepared.”

  “Understandable,” he replied. “Like I said, it’s a good mix of people. Don’t worry, they’re a pretty open and welcoming group, I’m sure tonight will go smoothly.”

  I nodded and remained silent, but as he brought the Jeep to a stop, my stomach fluttered with a flurry of nerves.

  “You okay?” Bane asked, and I turned my head to look at him. “Because if you’ve changed your mind, we don’t have to go. We can turn around and go back home. You can meet the pack later.”

  I smiled, thinking he was the most considerate man on the planet, then shook my head and said, “No, I don’t want to go home. I’m fine.”

  He nodded once, then we both hopped out of the Jeep and headed towards the building where the meeting would be held. Bane had told me that afterwards, everyone would go outside where the barbecue would take place.

  They’d built the facility a few years back when they realized they needed more space.

  Bane held the door open for me and we went inside. Everyone was already seated, and it looked like they were going to start, which was good. It meant I had more time to get myself acclimated before I had to start talking to people and answering questions.

  We went to the back and grabbed a couple seats on the end of the row.

  As a huge, I mean… gigantic, man walked to the microphone, the room got absolutely silent. Then the giant man grinned and said, “Welcome. Who’s ready to party?” and the crowd cheered.

  My nerves eased a bit as the man, who Bane told me was their Alpha and leader, spoke. It was easy to tell that the people loved him and he had their best interest at heart. He talked about what they could expect over the next few months, construction on a new youth center, the state of their council, in need of a new enforcer, whatever that meant, and the fact that they had a new newsletter which would be coming out monthly.

  Once the meeting was adjourned, everyone started filing outside, with Bane and I joining the pack.

  “Bane, long time no see.”

  I looked left to see Bane’s Alpha, the one who’d been running the meeting, walking toward us.

  “Nathan,” Bane said, reaching his hand out.

  Nathan shook his hand and looked at me.

  “And, who’s this lovely lady?” he asked, and I couldn’t help it. I blushed.

  His voice was very deep. Commanding.

  “This is Katja,” Bane said, seemingly unbothered by my reaction to his Alpha. “We’re… dating, I guess you’d say. Trying to see if we suit, and if she’s a good fit with Sloane. If things go well, she’ll become my mate.”

  Nathan looked surprised for a moment, then he grinned easily and said, “How very… scientific, of you.”

  I knew that most paranormals were passionate people, and like Bane with his first mate, Sarah, knew instinctively when they met their predestined, fated, mates. There was a pang in my heart at the reminder that Bane would never feel for me what he felt for Sarah, but I shook it off.

  Bane just nodded, rather than replying to Nathan’s unspoken question.

  Nathan allowed it and asked, “Where is Sloane?”

  “She’s with Grayson.”

  “Ah, and how is your brother doing?”

  “The same. Happy with his farm and solitude,” Bane replied.

  “Yes, well, give him my best next time you see him. Nice to meet you, Katja, I hope to see you again.”

  “Nice to meet you, too,” I replied shyly, then watched him walk away before whispering, “Wow, he’s intense.”

  “Yeah, comes with being the Alpha,” Bane said, then asked, “You hungry?”

  “Of course,” I replied with a small laugh, and we started toward the lo
ng table packed with dishes of food.

  Before we could get there, we were stopped again. This time by a pretty woman with long dark hair and caramel skin. She looked nervous and I wondered briefly if she was one of the women Bane had told me about. The ones that threw themselves at him.

  “Hi, Bane,” she said, her voice strong, but soft, as if she was forcing herself to talk to him.

  “Oh, hey Shonda, how are you?” Bane asked, then motioned toward me and said, “This is Katja.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Shonda said, giving me a sweet and friendly smile.

  Probably not one of those women then…

  “You too,” I replied, shaking the hand she offered.

  “Is Sloane here?” she asked Bane.

  “No, she’s with Gray,” he replied, then looked to me and explained, “Shonda watches Sloane sometimes, when I have a tour.”

  I noticed that Shona’s eyes had widened when Bane mentioned his brother’s name, and that she was clutching her drink so hard the plastic cup was scrunching in.

  “How’s Gray doing?” she asked, her voice trembling.

  I looked at Bane’s face, to see if he was catching on to Shonda’s obvious interest in his brother. He wasn’t.

  “The same. Happy being alone,” he replied, not noticing Shonda’s flinch. “I’ll tell Sloane you were asking about her, she’ll be happy. She loves spending time with you.”

  “I love spending time with her, too.”

  “Well, I’d better get Katja some food before she gets hangry,” Bane joked, and I punched him playfully in the arm.

  “Nice to meet you, Shonda, hopefully we’ll see each other again,” I said as Bane practically dragged me to the food.

  Shonda’s smile dropped and she looked down, looking so sad that I wanted to run back and give her a hug.

  Bane let my hand go when we got to the table, and as I reached for a paper plate, I felt a hand on my arm, and another voice. This one, not so welcoming.