Mayhem: The Order of the Wolf, Book 5 (6 page)

Chapter Twelve

Dave’s idea had been beyond brilliant. In an attempt to salvage the tour, the genius manager had concocted this foolproof plan to get Hannah right where Mayhem needed her—in his home and hopefully in his arms before the night was through.

The rest of the pack and their mates were headed to Vermont, where their home base was located. Mayhem, and hopefully Hannah, would follow along shortly. Mayhem owned a few mansions at various ends of the country to minimize the hotel stays, which were less than ideal for werewolves. Vermont was by far the best, with acres of forest to run. The California home was spacious, had gardens—beautiful gardens—but it wasn’t the same. Mayhem was itching to get back to the woods, especially before the trip overseas.

He just needed to convince Hannah that what he’d told her that first night had been the truth. She was his; they belonged together. Fairytale stuff. Didn’t women love that?

Not according to any of the mates. Summer, Aubrey and Darcy had all warned him that it would be a tough sell—getting Hannah to leave her family, leave her job, her friends, all for a man she just met? One she was steaming mad at? One she believed used her and tossed her?

“It’s not gonna be a cakewalk, brother.” Darcy had said.

Not a cakewalk, but Mayhem wasn’t out for the count—he had an ace up his sleeve and it started and ended with her ties to her job.

Did he feel bad that the interview was a ruse?
Hell no!
Not if it meant he got to speak with her, hopefully touch her—at least see her. After doing a little digging, he knew she’d likely lose her job if she didn’t come back with an interview, and he knew she was no reporter…but he didn’t intend to be parted from her after tonight. Once she became his mate, she’d never have to worry about money, security or love ever again.

She’d be his just as surely as he would be hers.

As for his wolf, the time would come to show her that side. Not yet, not tonight. He planned on taking things very, very slowly. To gain back Hannah’s trust, he’d do just about anything.

The driver had left to pick her up at twenty to twelve so Mayhem was expecting them at any moment. Dave had offered to escort Hannah into Mayhem’s private wing of the house. So there, in his cozy living room, Mayhem waited. So anxious that he couldn’t actually sit still and ended up pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace.

“I should have lit that,” he mumbled as he looked at the dead fireplace. “It would have been romantic.”

But he knew it was going to take more than romance to convince Hannah to stay. It was going to take a fucking miracle.

As he made yet another turn around the room, he caught a whiff of mouthwatering deliciousness and knew she’d entered the building. She was here. She had come. Until that very moment, he hadn’t been sure she would. His heart started hammering, threatening to explode out of his chest with both excitement and anxiety. He needed to see her, hold her. He turned toward the door, doing everything in his power to wait for her to come to him. A moment after that, he heard the distinct sound of voices coming from the hallway—Dave’s cheery voice punctuated by Hannah’s hesitant one.

As the pair came into his line of view, he couldn’t help but gasp at the sight of her. If it was possible, she’d grown more beautiful in the time that they’d been apart. His heart revved up even faster, his cock hardened. She was casually dressed in a pair of jeans and a cotton T-shirt, her hair tumbling loosely over her shoulders, and he couldn’t tear his gaze away.

Hannah, on the other hand, was doing everything in her power not to look at him.

“Hannah,” Dave said as he motioned into the living room, “can I get you something to drink before I head out?”

Hannah frowned. “You’re leaving?”

“Don’t worry. Mayhem will be on his best behavior.”

Dave’s reassuring smile annoyed Mayhem and he stifled a growl. He motioned for Dave to leave, his impatience at getting Hannah alone growing by the second.

“Hannah.” Mayhem moved toward her as Dave nodded and left. “I’m so glad you agreed to come.”

She snapped her gaze to meet his, fury shining in their green depths, her face flushing with anger. “Agreed to come? You’re kidding, right? I had no choice but to come!” She took a step back, her hand raised in warning. “If I don’t get this interview right, I’m going to lose my job—all thanks to you!”

Mayhem winced as he moved in her direction, reaching for her shoulder. “I’m sorry about that. I truly am, but I needed to talk to you.”

“I knew this was a mistake.” Hannah shook her head, both hands raised against him. “Keep things professional? Yeah right. This is so not going to happen.” She spun on her heel and quickly beelined out the door and into the hallway.

He was on her in a second, halting her escape by trapping her between his arms against the wall.

“Don’t go.” He didn’t care that he sounded like he was begging. He’d drop right down on his knees and plead his heart out if it meant she would stay.

She stared up at him, eyes wide, breath coming out in short pants he knew had nothing to do with her attempted sprint.

“I can’t stay here…with you.” A blush rose to her cheeks but she didn’t look away. “It’s too much.”

“Too much what? Too much lust, too much love?” he demanded. “Nothing I said to you was a lie. Nothing. Think about it, why the hell would I go to this much trouble trying to get you back if I didn’t have feelings for you?”

The look she gave him was scathing. She didn’t believe him, and she was going to leave.

Desperation propelled him to action. He crushed his lips down on hers, stealing a kiss as he plunged his tongue into her mouth. Even though she resisted at first, it didn’t take long for her to kiss him back, brutalizing his mouth just as he was hers. He ran his hand along her hip, squeezing the curve of her waist before quickly sliding his fingers to the button of her jeans and popping it open. He was delving into her panties a second after that. Sliding one, then two fingers, deep into her wet, warm pussy.

“You want this,” he breathed as he thrust his fingers into her, the tightness of her jeans forcing his palm against her clit, giving her the friction she would need to come for him.

She rolled her head to the side, her eyes partially closed. “This is wrong.”

“You don’t believe that. You want this. You want me.”

He slid his fingers out before ripping her jeans and panties down her legs, then spun her around so that her ass pressed against his cloth-bound cock. With one hand, he held her hip, rubbing the hard length of himself against the crack of her delicious mounds. With the other, he cupped her breast, kneading and squeezing, pinching her pert little nipple as she moaned and writhed before him. “Tell me to stop, Hannah, and I will.”

But instead of breathing a word, she arched her back, pushing her beautiful ass harder against his throbbing cock. That was all he needed. With a quick one, two, he had his button open and zipper down. His cock exploded from his pants like a predator seeking prey, and he prodded her pussy with the head, giving her mere seconds to adjust before thrusting all the way to the hilt.

He groaned in ecstasy as her sheath gripped him so tightly he thought he might die from pleasure. He slid his hand under her shirt and pushed her bra up so he could cup her breast again, teasing her nipple with a few rough swipes before twirling it between his finger and thumb. He couldn’t stop his thrusting from growing urgent. His need to mark her as his was so intense that he had to bite his own lip to keep from sinking his fangs into the tender flesh at her neck. His wolf bellowing within.

Mark her! Make her ours!

She rocked into him as he pumped, her legs spread as wide as her jeans would allow, her back arched in a beautiful curve that only showcased her heart-shaped ass.

It didn’t take either one of them long to tumble into blissful release. He gave a throaty bellow as his orgasm burst from his cock, her pussy milking him for more. They rocked together, riding every last wave of their climax.

She pushed back and twisted away. Leaving his cock semi-hard as she quickly bent and pulled up her panties and jeans.

“This was a mistake,” she blurted. “I can’t believe I fell for it again!”

Chapter Thirteen

Mayhem looked furious, but she didn’t care. Let him be angry. She’d done it again. Fallen for his charm and sex appeal like a wanton slut. Enough was enough.

“Fell for what again?” He shoved his penis back into his pants and quickly zipped up, a gesture that under normal circumstances would have sent her into a fit of embarrassed giggles. Not now though. Now, in a sick and twisted way, she actually mourned the loss. “You didn’t seem be having second thoughts when you were rubbing yourself up against me a few minutes ago!”

Hannah flinched as her anger seemed to fall out of her grasp. He was right. She’d basically begged for it. It wasn’t fair to blame him. Her throat thickened with emotion, and she shook her head. “I’ve got to go. This was a mistake. From the very beginning, it has been a mistake. Just…” She licked her lips, her face getting hot. “Just tell me that you’re not diseased or anything…like you haven’t been with anyone else since we’ve been apart.”

Mayhem shook his head. “I’m not, Hannah. And I haven’t been with anyone else. You have nothing to worry about.”

She nodded as she bowed her head, unable to look at his beautiful face for a moment longer. “I’m going to go, then.”

But before she could take a step away, he entrapped her again, his hands bracing the wall on either side of her. She snapped her gaze up from the floor to see panic flashing across his face.

“Don’t go, Hannah.” He cleared his throat. “You make me feel things…strong, powerful things.” He looked down, sucked in a deep breath, let it out slow then speared her with those sparkling eyes of his. “I’m in love with you.”

She blinked hard, her mind stuttering over his declaration. “Huh?”

“You’re right. It was all a mistake…” With another deep breath, in and out, he continued. “I had to leave before dawn that first night we were together. I’d waited too long and I had to go before the sun rose. I didn’t even have time to leave you a message explaining. And then that note that Dave sent was totally not what I wanted to say.” He pushed himself back, releasing her from his cage. “Believe me. I wouldn’t have left you for anything if I could have avoided it.”

She stood speechless, her mouth gaping as she tried to make sense of his words.
Had to leave? Before dawn? What?
“I don’t under—”

“If you stay, I can explain everything. I promise you, I’ll make sure you understand. Don’t go.”

He was so genuine in his expression, in his tone, she felt her heart melt a little for him. But only a little.
Shit.
“Fine, I’ll stay, but I expect complete disclosure. I want to know everything.”

“Everything. I promise.”

With his arm curled around her waist, he quickly ushered her back into the spacious living room. Now that she had a chance to focus on something other than her anxiety at seeing Mayhem again, she could appreciate the grandeur of the space. Obviously the man was wealthy, but it was the subtle things that really stood out to her as being luxurious. Like the gorgeous granite fireplace and the dark walnut built-ins, or the intricately woven tapestries on the walls—the ones depicting beautiful wolves frolicking in the woods. And another tapestry, set apart from the rest, showcased a gorgeous woman warrior, with an arrow in one hand and a knife in the other.

Hannah walked toward that one, captivated by the look of determination on the warrior’s face. This was a woman nobody would forget. “Who is this?”

Mayhem stood next to her, his hand pressed gently to her lower back. “That is Alkaia the Mighty of the Huntress clan. You might know her as an Amazon warrior.”

“An Amazon? You mean like the ones in Greek mythology?”

“Yes, that’s right. She’s known as the wolf slayer to my people.”

Hannah frowned as she glanced over at Mayhem. “Wolf slayer? Your people?”

“Too fast, too fast.” Mayhem mumbled as he shook his head. He cleared his throat, then motioned to the larger of the two couches behind them. “Why don’t we sit down?”

Hannah’s frown deepened. She knew instinctively that Mayhem was deflecting something important but not understanding what.

“Okay.” She walked to the couch and sat, instantly melting into the cushion, the black leather so soft she couldn’t help but rub her fingers over it again and again.

Mayhem sat next to her, so close that almost every part of his body touched hers. She didn’t move away. She might have been wary, but she wasn’t going to deny she craved his touch.

He turned toward her, quite unexpectedly wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her into his lap, her back pressed against his chest, her head naturally resting on his shoulder.

“Everything I said to you the first night we met was true. I do believe in love at first sight and I am in love with you. Madly. Hopelessly. The past few weeks have been unbearable,” he said.

Hannah gulped, her heart thudding, wanting so desperately to believe that, unable to at the same time. “I don’t know what to say. It all seems so…fast.”

He nuzzled her neck and she wanted to give in to him, to get lost in his words, in his body. Love at first sight didn’t exist but infatuation did. That was all this was. They were attracted to each other—infatuation was easy to fall in to.

“Mayhem.” She pulled away as best she could, moving her head to the side, shifting her neck away. “Stop.”

He froze, his eyes blazing with intensity when she looked back at him. “I love you,” he whispered.

She pulled further away, a part of her not wanting to leave but knowing she needed distance. She extricated herself from his warm touch and moved to sit on the chair opposite him. She wouldn’t say those words to him. They meant too much and he’d hurt her already, still hadn’t explained himself.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t say that to me again.”

He flinched and she felt kind of bad, but it needed to be said. His words were powerful—those words could make her melt. She needed to be strong. Mayhem was the wrong kind of man for her and he had secrets, she could feel it. She didn’t like secrets—they led to deception and then to broken hearts. Hers, her father’s. Love hurt too, especially when you gave it with your whole heart.

“I can’t deny my feelings for you. You may not understand it but we’re meant to be together. I know you feel it too,” Mayhem said.

Hannah licked her lips, her body shivering. She wanted it. God, how she wanted it. To be loved. To be cherished. “I’m not denying that I’m really, really attracted to you. I’ll admit that I—” she gulped as she scanned him “—I crave you. I think about you all the time.”

He was smiling again, leaning forward so his solid forearms rested on his thighs, hands loosely clasped.

“But that’s not love.” She shook her head when he opened his mouth to speak. “You said you would tell me everything. I’m willing to entertain the possibility of seeing you again, but only if I get a satisfying answer for your behavior.”

He sighed, unclasped his hands, leaned back and looked her right in the eyes. “I left that morning before dawn because I had some commitments I couldn’t avoid.”

“Commitments?” It was none of her business, really—who the hell was she to question him?—yet, she felt like that answer was the crux of whatever Mayhem was holding back.

“This is going to have to be a two-way street, sweetheart. You say it’s not love. Fine, I say, you don’t get full disclosure until it is.” He cocked an eyebrow, daring her to argue.

He was once again commanding, his attitude exuding power. It was the Mayhem from the first moment she had seen him the night of the launch party. The one that made her knees quiver with fear. His more vulnerable romantic side suddenly shielded by strength, power, control. Appealing, yes, but in a different way.

“Fair enough.” Hannah couldn’t blame him for holding back. She was slamming a few doors closed herself, but she did mourn the loss of his softer side, wanted desperately to utter those words and get it back. But he probably knew that.

He leaned forward again, his hair down, cascading around his shoulders. It made her ache for him in other ways too—all over again, just the look of him. He had to know the effect he had on her.

“What I will tell you, and what you need to understand, is that I wouldn’t have left if I could have avoided it. There is nothing, nothing more important than you are to me,” Mayhem’s words were full of conviction.

She stood, suddenly nervous, her hands shaking slightly as she paced. “You don’t know me! How can you say that about someone you don’t even know?”

And why do I feel the same way? My god, I feel the same way!

“Some things, some aspects of my life are hard for me to explain.”

“You mean, like the women? The fans? I’m assuming that the note I got, those tickets, standard practice right? That’s why Dave sent them, because he thought I was another one of your nightly conquests.” And that was what really bothered her. She’d been tossed aside so easily. Right after she’d fallen hook, line and sinker for his sweet words. Words she wanted to believe. What woman wouldn’t, especially from a man like Mayhem?

He stood, halted her pacing with a hand on her shoulder. Fingers under her chin so he could lift her face and lock eyes with her once again. “There are no other women. Never again. There is only you. If you’ll have me.”

“This is insane,” she mumbled as she pulled her face away, flopped back down on the chair.

He dropped down to one knee, at eye level once again. “We’ll take it slow. Whatever pace you want, just as long as you agree to see me again.” He grasped her hand and brought it to his lips for a tender kiss. “You might think I’m crazy but this isn’t infatuation. I know you’re the right woman for me. My heart knows it too.”

He looked so earnest, those blue eyes once again holding nothing back when he spoke. She sensed it, felt it actually, right to her bones. He believed what he was saying. The question was, did she?

He stretched up and slid between her knees, pulling her closer to him as he spread her legs wide enough to accommodate his big body. “Let me make love to you properly, Hannah. Let me worship you tonight.”

The words. The look. Damn it. Hook. Line. Sinker.

With a sigh, all she could do was nod, a quiet gesture so contrary to her roaring heart. He picked her up by the waist and stood. Instinctively, she wrapped her legs around his hips and her arms around his shoulders, loving the feel of his strong body as he slid his forearm under her butt to hold her up.

“Hannah,” he breathed as he stared into her eyes.

She laid her forehead against his, their lips nearly touching. “Mayhem.”

He kissed her then, a tender stroking as his tongue slid into her mouth, caressing her so delicately that her heart nearly burst from the pleasure. He walked as they kissed, his lips never leaving hers, even when he laid her on his bed, the satin sheets already pulled down and waiting for her.

They helped each other remove their clothes, taking their time to explore every dimple, every cut of muscle, every freckle and curve. She loved the feel of the rigid lines of his stomach, the definition of an eight pack so erotic under her roaming fingers. She trailed her hand down, kissing a path over his abdomen, teasing with her hair as she moved toward his cock.

And quite a prize it was. Gleaming with a bead of pre-come, his penis rested against his stomach, hard and twitching as she moved ever closer. She slid her hand over the length of him, circling with her thumb and fingers, then wrapping her palm and sliding back up. Mayhem hissed in a deep breath, his body torquing as she darted out her tongue to lick away the offered drop.

She wanted this. The sight of him so obviously aroused. She glanced up at his face, watching his lust-hooded eyes as she opened her mouth and took his head in, gripping with her lips as she slowly slid more of his glorious penis into her mouth. He moaned as she pulled her lips back up, using her tongue to swirl around the most sensitive areas, suckling as she pushed him to the brink of release. He threaded his fingers into her hair and tugged her up, forcing her to reluctantly give up her prize. She licked her lips and smiled.

“That feels good, sweetheart, but I’m dying to slide into your sweet little pussy.”

His words stroked her as his gaze ravished, sending a jolt of excitement deep into her core. “Take me then, Mayhem.”