Page 27 of Forsaken Desire (Ruthless Wolves #1)

L ucian held the glass door of the hotel open for me. The same hotel he incessantly insisted I no longer worked at. On the entire car ride here, he’d been on a mission. Now I had a glimpse of the businessman, he had a way with words.

I smoothed my palms down the fresh outfit that had been delivered to his house. It fit perfectly, just as he did everything else, with precision and focus.

My mate was a force to be reckoned with.

“You can be my assistant.”

“You already have an assistant.”

“You’ll be my second assistant.”

So tempting . . .

I shook my head and tugged at the pashmina scarf knotted at my throat to hide the bite mark.

If he managed to convince me of that, he’d eventually have me at home. I couldn’t give in so soon in our relationship. Not to mention the fact that losing my job this quickly would be a mark against me as far as my parole officer was concerned.

Even though we were mates, there were plenty of fateds that hadn’t worked out. As rare as it was, it was still possible, which was why there were second-chance mates.

My short heels clicked on the tile of the lobby.

“You don’t have to do all this,” I muttered, sweeping past him. He quickly caught up, arm wrapping around my waist. We crossed the front desk, and Ms. Zhao, Sasha, and Karol watched us approach with gaping mouths.

I couldn’t deny it. I kind of hated them looking at him. I stepped out of his embrace and slipped behind the desk.

He stood on the other side.

“Come work from my office.”

“No,” I said firmly, rolling my eyes to the ceiling with a shake of my head. The gasps of the three women echoed around us.

I slid my phone into the drawer under the desk. Since I hadn’t walked, I hadn’t had to bring my backpack. “Shoo, I’m working.”

His frown became more severe. I raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to get walking.

He rubbed his thumb along his jaw as he stared at me without blinking. A beat later, he strode away, offering me a warning look. I didn’t look away from him until the elevator doors swung shut. It was like the room took a breath with how quickly Karol hurried over.

“What is going on?” Her eyes were wide, and she kept blinking like it could bring clarity to what she’d just seen. “How do you know the Alpha? Wait, let me backtrack. Why did you come in with the Alpha?”

“They’re fated,” Sasha murmured. Karol’s eyes almost popped out of her head, and she peeked at Ms. Zhao standing near the entrance, far enough not to have heard, but she was getting closer now.

Karol pointedly cleared her throat, and Sasha’s eyes flicked side to side with panic.

“Is it true you’re a convict?” she blurted.

My shoulders immediately tightened. I’d just gotten to work and these were the questions? Discomfort swirled in my gut. Maybe I should have taken Lucian up on his offer . . .

The phone rang and I sprang forward to answer it, grateful for the distraction

“Crescent Hotel, how may I help you?”

“Do you need anything?” Lucian’s voice echoed into my ear.

I frowned and peeked at the number marked on the compact corded telephone. An extension.

“No,” I replied slowly. Damn him, I was trying to be good, and all that hearing his voice did, was make me want to be in his arms.

I gritted my teeth and hung up on Lucian, a hot flush spreading across the bridge of my nose. A guest approached, and Sasha quickly ducked her head, scampering over to help him, copping out. I could only stand still.

Karol stayed, frowning in dismay. Was she mad that I hadn’t told her? Maybe she saw me differently now?

I pressed my hand to my stomach. Honestly, I didn’t expect the intense curiosity or questions. Or how quickly the news had spread.

“Miss Garcia, please take your break,” Ms. Zhao said as she reached us.

“I just got here,” I said, frowning.

Zhao winced and tucked her hair behind her ear. That was the most fidgeting I’d seen her do.

“I’m just following orders.” Her smile was pointed, but unwavering.

I sighed, giving in. Who was I kidding? Clearly, I couldn’t win against Lucian. Besides, I already needed my fix.

Stiffly, I walked around the counter, heading for the elevators. Karol was whispering something at Sasha, her face screwed with anger.

I jabbed the button and the silver doors opened. Once inside, I pressed the option to the highest floor. The scrutiny was too much and overwhelming. I would only get more of it. Lucian was wealthy, and the Alpha of Wilder Pack, the same pack I’d be the Luna of.

But based on the recent experiences, I wasn’t too sure I’d be accepted. Would I be a burden to Lucian?

My heart hurt. The doors swung open.

A wave of déjà vu slapped me across the face. I pressed my hand on the wall to steady myself. I blinked quickly and pinched the bridge of my nose. It helped me gather my balance, and I continued forward. Lucian had forced me into eating before we left, so it couldn’t be hunger.

Whatever the issue, I wanted to be in my mate’s arms. It was the only place I felt safe. I was close to jogging to his office. His secretary looked up as I turned the corner into the lobby, where the desk sat in front of his door. The younger male smiled politely.

“Hello, Mrs. Wilder.” He stood and opened the door for me. The title made me slow. I’d never met this man in my life. He must have seen the confusion on my face. “Mr. Wilder made it clear that you have full access.”

“Oh, thank you.” I cleared my throat and quickened my pace past him. He shut the door, and I inched inside the room. My mate’s gaze lifted from the file he was reading. The phone was held to his ear.

I’d fucked up. I should have let him know I was coming.

Sorry , I mouthed. He motioned me forward. I shook my head and gestured towards the door. I’ll come back later .

“Now,” he ordered. “Not you, Bruno.” With an eyebrow raised, he scooted his chair back and patted his thigh. No need to invite me again. I slid onto his lap with quickness.

With my nose against his neck, I inhaled. He smelled so good. I hummed, pleased to be near him. His arm banded around my waist, and he tucked me closer. It was a good thing he was such a large male, it allowed me a comfortable perch against him.

“No, I want someone stronger.”

A low buzz from the other end was all I could make out.

“I’m sure.” The little voice continued, and I pressed my hand against his chest, slowly trailing my fingers down the divots of his abs.

I poked my finger through the little hole between the buttons of his white, long-sleeved shirt and rubbed the silky skin.

His abs rippled with his breath, and the swell of his shaft pushed against my hip. I peeked up at him from under my eyelashes. His head tipped back, and I kept up the gentle caress of his skin.

“Yes, they need an example,” Lucian replied.

I sank my teeth into my lower lip, and I slowly inched off him.

His palm on my side squeezed, but I slipped off him.

My knees touched the ground until I settled between them.

He watched me, gaze riveted as he listened to the person on the other side of the call.

Keeping eye contact, I reached for his belt, undoing it with ease. The sound of the zipper mingled with his elevated breathing.

His cock popped free from the confines of his slacks. I loved that he didn’t wear boxers.

The sunlight coming in through the large window allowed me to see every inch of his shaft. A vein pulsated up the length, and a bead of precum accumulated at the top. A droplet slid down the side, and I followed the path to the bulge of his knot.

I exhaled slowly, gently sliding my fingertips against the initial swell at the base. This was the part of him that knotted him inside me.

I clenched my legs together to sate the gathering need. He was so big in my hand. I glided my touch higher, watching more liquid gather at the tip.

His lips parted, and I leaned forward to take him into my mouth. I had to stretch wide. With my hand above his knot, I squeezed, my fingers refusing to meet. He bucked his hips, driving his thick cock into my mouth. He hit the back of my throat.

I glided my tongue against the silky shaft with quick flicks.

“Yes,” he breathed, his shaft stiffening even more. I angled up on my knees and pushed down as far as I could while I squeezed his knot.

He grunted.

Jets of cum sprayed into my mouth. I swallowed the warmth as best I could, but the volume was too much, and it spilled from the corner of my mouth. His arm had flopped onto the chair’s armrest, making it so his phone was closer to me.

“ Alpha ?” The low voice came through.

“Fuck,” Lucian groaned and lifted the phone back to his ear. “What?” he hissed, none of the pleasure in his tone.

Instead of pulling away, I curved my tongue around his girth, licking up every bit of cum I could.

His hand slid into my hair, and his head tipped back again. Pleasure flitted over his features. His lips parted on a harsh exhale.

I suckled his cock clean, listening to the lull of his voice as he handled another call asking something about some permit.