Wolf Leader (Wolves of Wisconsin Book 5) Read online

  Fifteen minutes later, give or take, Byron was back, offering his hand to help her off the porch steps. “If you’re ready, we can head out.”

  “Excellent,” Celine smiled. “Do I need to bring anything?”

  “Um,” Byron said. “Sometimes people bring cameras or a recorder of some type. Other than that, we provide water, snacks and life jackets. Have you ever gone canoeing before?”

  “When I was much younger, but I’ve heard it’s much like riding a bike.”

  “Let’s hope so,” he smiled. “Either way, we’ll figure it out.”

  They started the tour on the lake and Celine took several pictures of the huge expanses of mountain ridge that rose up like giant pillars on the edge, between them the water ran out toward the lagoon and a run-off toward a large river that naturally fed the lake.

  “This is stunning,” she said, standing in the canoe to snap pictures.

  “Just remember to keep your feet far apart,” Byron warned. “Or we’ll both go swimming.”

  “Is the lagoon secluded?”

  “It’s private enough,” he said. “If you and your boyfriend want to use it.”

  “Oh,” she chuckled. “Max isn’t dating any of us. He prefers men, but I was actually asking, because I have quite a hankering for…you.”

  ***

  Byron nearly bit his tongue trying to reel in the arousal that slapped him back in his seat. Was it normal for women to just come out and say shit like that? He had no idea, but here was a woman who seemed to know exactly what she wanted. The fact that she wanted him was incredibly erotic.

  “I didn’t mean to offend you,” Celine was saying as Byron tried to stop the ringing in his ears.

  “You didn’t,” he said, his dark eyes meeting her pretty green ones. “I just…I’m not used to having a woman just come out and say that she’s interested…like that.”

  “Oh,” she said, sitting down. “I guess I’m just used to knowing what I want and going after it.”

  “Usually that’s an admirable trait,” he smiled.

  “But not now?”

  “Now,” Byron said, touching her hand. “Now I want very much to use my hands on you, everywhere.”

  “And how far is it to the lagoon?”

  “Far enough that we can anticipate something a little hotter than the cool dip in the water.”

  Byron rowed easily, his strong arms cutting the oars through the water with practiced grace. Still, he didn’t rush. The mere fact that Celine was as interested in him as he was her added a nice punch to his already raging hormones.

  The lagoon was a perfect place for a clandestine rendezvous and he was already anticipating the feel of her warm flesh under his hands as the water ran over her lithe body.

  “Tell me something interesting about yourself,” he said, breaking the sexual tension that singed the air between them.

  “I’m a country girl who lives in the city. I have an intense love affair with nature and can completely understand why you would choose to live here year-round.”

  “It seems to suit the three of us just fine,” he said. “We were in the service together, saw a lot of nasty shit and didn’t really have it in us to deal with the swarm of humanity in the city. So, we took our earnings and bought the set of cabins around Bear Lake. The first two years were rough and we barely came out on top. By the fourth year we were swamped with reservations, especially during the summer months.”

  “It’s a gorgeous place,” Celine smiled. “I can see why it draws you in.”

  “It’s my favorite place to be, most of the time.”

  Five minutes later, Byron reached the opening to the nearly secluded lagoon. Neither of them said a word as he steered the canoe under the natural canopy of vines that hid the sparkling water and separated it from the river outlet. “Welcome to Bear Lake Lagoon.”

  “Byron,” she whispered, awed by the utter peacefulness of the small watershed.

  “I’ve always thought this was a magical place,” he said, stepping out and lifting her out as well. “Now I know it is.”

  Her sharp green eyes met his and it seemed almost as if time stood still for them, waiting perhaps, for one of them to make their move.

  ***

  Byron had never in his life been so remotely affected by a woman and he still didn’t know what it was, exactly, about Celine that had reached out and snared him. All he knew, was that he wanted her with every fiber of his being. More than that, he wanted her in his life, in a permanent sort of arrangement. He figured he’d start with the first and work toward the permanent part.

  Gently touching Celine’s chin, he bent his head and took her mouth slowly, letting her get just a taste of him before he changed the kiss to one of need and heat. She opened to him slowly, her flavor seeping into him like silk as his tongue felt the sweet slide of hers. She seemed to need the slowness, so he drew her up against him, cupping her tight ass in his hands, as he’d dreamed of doing earlier that day.

  “Byron,” she breathed, although to him it sounded much like an erotic moan and it sent his hormones running. Patience, he told himself, trying not to rush either of them. Her long legs wrapped around his hips and Byron slid her down so she’d feel him and know that whenever she was ready, so was he.

  Bumping his hips forward he pressed his bulging cock against her mound, eliciting a moan that he gladly swallowed as he deepened their kiss.

  “Jesus, Celine,” he growled, letting some of his animalistic need seep into his voice. The urge to mate was something beyond human as he ran his hands over the length of her back, removing her life jacket as he did. Seeing her in a bikini was a nice boost to his arousal, but the man and the bear wanted her naked and writhing before he would be satisfied.

  His mouth clamped over her breast, feeling the hardened tip with his tongue and reveling in the way her body seemed to arch toward him, her breath already fast and a touch impatient. Then his hands were undoing her ties and letting the material float over the water. Her panties came next and finally, Byron was able to drink in the sight of her in just her skin. He noted the jolt of heat that went through him when he saw the soft curls of her mound, beckoning him to feast on her.

  ***

  Celine had had lovers before, but none who seemed consumed by the idea of having her. Men who were more concerned with their orgasm than with pleasing her. Byron was wholly different, his mind and attention seemed to focus on making her come before he’d even really touched her and damn it was working.

  Grabbing his large hand, she pressed it to her, glorying in the way his thick fingers seemed to fill her in ways no one had ever touched her before. Her body stretched to accommodate him and the idea that she had yet to know the fulfillment of his obviously hard cock barely registered as he began to build her up.

  Her swollen clit throbbed before his thumb touched her and sent her spiraling into that first hard and heady orgasm. Weak, Celine rested her head on his chest and smiled when he began to show her his body’s need. She felt the way his cock pressed against her inner thigh, as if begging for her attention. How could she deny him when he’d already pleasured her so deeply?

  Wiggling, Celine finally stood on her feet, her hands working quickly to undo Byron’s swim trunks. When they were finally loose, she yanked them down and promptly took the length of his hard cock into the warmth and wetness of her mouth. Her tongue circled the smoothness of him, enjoying the way he throbbed at her touch.

  Then his hands were in her hair, tugging and releasing each time she took him into her mouth. She tasted the salty tang of his readiness before she finally released him. His hands quickly turned her around so her back faced him, his hands coming down to gently rub the taut curve of her ass. Then his cock was between her legs, his tip pressing into the swollen slit of her womanhood.

  When she bent forward, Byron filled her, pressing deep as she gasped at the ripe fullness of his cock inside her. Celine knew instantly that she’d never been with a man as large and l
ong as Byron and the thickness of his shaft added a thrill that she’d hadn’t expected. Each time he filled her the sensations mounted, growing exponentially as she met him, her ass bumping his hips as his balls slapped rhythmically at her wet clit.

  His large hands guided her hips back and forth as he set a pace that was both easy for her to meet and beautifully erotic. She could feel the heavy weight of her breasts as the shook back and forth with their lovemaking and Celine knew an instant’s elation before she was soaring, her climax so full and complete that his name tore from her mouth as he filled her and stiffened as his own orgasm hit home.

  ***

  Byron was rarely speechless but holding this breathtaking woman in his arms was doing the job. How had he gone from imagining her next to naked just this morning, to having her around him by this afternoon? Was he dreaming or was he just calling into existence what he wanted.

  “I’ve never been with a man like you before,” Celine said. “To clarify, I mean I’ve never been with a man as large as you before.”

  “Are you hurting?” he asked, now concerned.

  “No,” she smiled, pressing a kiss to his well-muscled chest. She played lightly with his chest hair, newly aroused just touching him. “No, I’m not hurting. I just…I wanted you to know that while I’ve had lovers in my past, no one’s ever filled me quite to fully, or pleasured me quite so completely. I’ve never met a man who could give me two orgasms, let alone before he ever got him rocks off.”

  “You might find I’m not like any man you’ve ever known,” Byron said, aware of how true his statement was. “I don’t suppose you could stay for a while, after your sisters leave?”

  “Oh,” she said, sitting up a little, her green eyes smiling. “Camille and Rebecca aren’t my sisters, at least not biologically. We went to college together and were friends from our freshman year. Max was our resident advisor and it didn’t take long to see that he had a thing for men, although for a while he denied it. As it became more accepted, though, he finally admitted his sexual attraction. He’s been seeing a man named, Robert, for a while now. Robert just wasn’t able to get time off work to come with us this time. Speaking of, do y’all happen to host weddings or receptions?”

  “We’ve never actually thought about the lake being a wedding destination, although I’m sure we could handle it. I’m just not sure we want to head that way, yet.”

  “I can understand that. It could totally change your business model and that’s something that needs to be thought out and planned rather than just thrown around.”

  “I agree,” Byron smiled, tasting her mouth again.

  “I suppose I should let you get back to helping your friends handle all the campers you have.”

  “If it’s any consolation,” Byron said. “I’d much rather just hide out here with you.”

  “That’s very good consolation,” Celine grinned. “How about I meet you in your cabin tonight?”

  “I share a cabin with Jess and Kevin, but I can come for you at your place near eleven or so if that suits you.”

  “Absolutely,” Celine said, pressing a warm, heated kiss to Byron’s lips.

  Chapter 4

  They rowed back to the dock, after putting their clothes and hair mostly back in place. They didn’t expect people not to notice their disheveled appearance, but hopefully no one would make a point to say anything.

  “You screwed him!” Rebecca said, her voice translating her astonishment.

  “Who wouldn’t?” Camille asked. All three of them are pretty hot!

  “Jesus, we just got here!” Rebecca said, still in disbelief.

  “I can’t explain why I’m so drawn to him, but it’s a very mutual feeling and I honestly could use a distraction like this. Isn’t that what vacations are for? Living life to the fullest, at least for a while.”

  “For the most part, but I’m not sure it means, go have a fling within hours of meeting someone.”

  “Did you at least use protection?” Camille asked.

  “I’m good on my birth control,” she scoffed. “But thanks, mom.”

  “Did you ever think about STD’s?” Rebecca asked, clearly not impressed.

  “The man’s built like a damn tree, I wasn’t exactly thinking about asking whether or not he tested positive for anything but a hard-on.”

  “Maybe you should talk to him about it before your next romp.”

  When Rebecca stomped off, Celine sighed. “What the hell’s her problem?”

  “Don’t worry,” Camille grinned. “Becca’s just pissed, because she’s not getting laid and as far as we can tell, there’s no hope of that happening for a while.”

  ***

  Kevin noticed that Byron was unusually quiet while he strung extra fishing poles with new line. Usually talkative, it was odd for him to be so silent. “What’s up with you?”

  “Nothing,” Byron said, as he continued to string more fishing poles. “Why?”

  “Because you’re not being yourself and I’ve noticed a certain brunette walking around who tends to look your way whenever she’s close enough to see you.”

  “Is that so?” Byron asked, his face straight as an arrow.

  “Sweet mother,” Kevin sighed. “You’ve already had your hands on her, haven’t you?”

  “And if I have?”

  “I thought we talked about this? Didn’t we make explicit rules about keeping our professional and personal lives separate?”

  “Look,” Byron said. “I know how it works okay? At the end of their week, she’ll return to whatever life she had before she crossed my path. But, for the first time in my life, I can’t ignore how she makes me feel and I’m not talking about physically. She’s smoking hot, any idiot could say that. I’m talking about on the inside. I can’t, literally, can’t turn away from this.”

  “Well,” Kevin sighed. “It’s your deal. Just don’t come blabbering to me about it all when she does leave.”

  “I won’t,” Byron said, knowing full well he’d keep it all locked away when Celine walked out of his life.

  ***

  It always amazed her how incredible she felt after washing off the days’ dirt. She spread lotion over her skin and let her hair dry naturally as she dressed. She’d chosen a special pair of matching bra and panties, hoping Byron would like them.

  Then there was the faintest of taps against her window and she smiled when she turned to see Byron standing outside her room. She slid the window up and laughed. “We’re not teenagers anymore, you know.”

  “I’m long past my teen years, but I didn’t want to disturb anyone else, or let our secret out, if you weren’t sharing.”

  “I’m a woman,” Celine laughed. “We always share, even if it’s a little reluctantly.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” he said, offering a hand to help Celine out her window.

  He led her up a moonlit trail that had a very romantic and secluded feel to it and for probably the first time in her life, Celine didn’t question her own safety or sanity. She’d never felt safer with anyone than she did in that moment and somehow, knowing Byron was with her made everything seem clear and right.

  When he stepped into a small alcove-like clearing, Celine tugged his hand, stopping when he turned toward her. “Second thoughts?” he asked.

  “No,” she smiled. “I think maybe that’s part of my problem. I don’t do this…I don’t sleep with men the first day I meet them and yet, I can’t not see you.”

  “Celine,” Byron said, quickly pulling his thick, black hair back into an unruly ponytail. “I can’t say I’m a saint. I’ve done things in my life I’m not proud of, but one thing I’ve never done, is use women carelessly. I can’t quite explain what happened to me when I saw you earlier today. All I know is that you fit me like no other woman ever has and I’d venture no other woman ever will.”

  “Byron,” Celine said, tears pooling in her eyes. Lifting up on her tiptoes, Celine pressed her mouth warmly to his, trying to push all o
f the feelings she had into that kiss. His large hands engulfed her waist, yanking her up so he could feast on her and she basked in the love that swamped her. A love so fierce that it took her breath away, so she had to pull back and rest her head on Byron’s broad chest.

  “Celine?”

  “I’m okay,” she said unsteadily. “I just…I just need a minute to breathe.”

  ***

  When she looked up into his face, Byron felt his heart squeeze tight in his chest. Here was the woman who’d be his life mate and the love he felt for her was brutal in its intensity. “Stay here with me,” he found himself asking. It wasn’t what he’d planned for tonight, but now he couldn’t reel the thoughts back in.

  “I am,” she smiled.

  “No, I mean stay here with me, even when your week ends. Be with me.”

  “Byron,” Celine grinned. “I can’t just drop my life to- “

  “Why?” he asked, almost desperately. “You don’t have to work if you don’t want to. You can help us with the campers and I’ll put you on the payroll. We’ll build a house away from the main cabins and we- “

  “Byron,” Celine said calmly. “I love the idea of living out here with you, so close to nature. But I’ve got a whole life back home and I just can’t- “

  “No, I get it,” Byron said, forcing the bitterness down so it wouldn’t cloud his voice. “I can’t blame you for knowing what you want and going after it.”

  “I didn’t mean- “

  “It’s alright,” Byron said, squeezing the ring in his pocket until the diamond cut into his palm. “Listen, I don’t think either of us were expecting anything other than sex tonight, but I’m just not in the mood at the moment.”

  “We can sit and look at the moon and stars,” Celine suggested.

  “Actually, I’m out much later than usual and with a hike tomorrow, I should take you back to your cabin and turn in. I’ll have a hell of a day tomorrow as it is.”