Page 19 of Malcolm (The Sunburst Pack #1)

I NSIDE, THE COOL AIR of the house was a stark contrast to the desert heat. Malcolm watched as Larissa’s eyes adjusted to the dimmer light, noticed her tight shoulders, the slight furrow between her brows. Something was bothering her, and it wasn’t just their awkward situation.

“Can I get you something to drink?” he offered, more out of a need to do something with his hands than actual hospitality.

Larissa shook her head. “No, thanks. This isn’t a social call, Malcolm.”

The formality in her tone stung more than he cared to admit.

“Okay,” he said. “What’s going on?”

Larissa took a deep breath, and Malcolm leaned forward, drawn in by the intensity of her gaze.

“I was at the Desert Sunrise Diner today,” she began. “Hannah was there, talking to some of the younger pack members.”

At the mention of Hannah’s name, Malcolm frowned. “What was she saying?”

“She was…sowing discord,” Larissa said, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Questioning Nick’s leadership, implying you and I are too caught up in our own rivalry to notice what’s really going on in the pack.”

A low growl rumbled in Malcolm’s chest before he could stop it. The thought of Hannah manipulating their pack members, especially the younger ones, made his blood boil. But beneath the anger, there was a flicker of something else. Guilt, perhaps?

“I’ve been thinking about investigating what Gregory and Hannah are really up to,” Malcolm said. “Their return can’t be a coincidence. They’re planning something, I’m sure of it.”

“I agree. We need to work together on this. The pack needs us united, not divided.”

The irony of her words wasn’t lost on him.

United.

If only she knew how much he wanted that, in more ways than one.

“You’re right,” he said. “We should start planning. I’ve got some maps and notes in the living room. We can spread out there and start strategizing.”

As they moved through the house, Larissa’s scent filled the space between them and stirred his wolf, made him want to pull her close and never let go.

But he couldn’t. They had work to do.

They settled on opposite ends of the couch, a map of Sunburst spread out on the coffee table in front of them.

Malcolm tried to concentrate on Larissa’s words as she pointed out potential locations where Hannah and Gregory might be meeting their supporters. But his gaze kept drifting to her lips as he remembered how they’d moved against his own during that stolen moment on patrol.

“Malcolm? Are you even listening?” Larissa’s irritated tone snapped him back to the present.

“Sorry,” he muttered, shaking his head. “I was just…thinking about the implications of all this.”

Larissa’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she nodded and continued. As she spoke, outlining a plan to gather information from trusted pack members, Malcolm leaned closer. He told himself it was to get a better look at the map, but deep down, he knew it was more than that.

Their hands brushed as they both reached to point at the same location on the map. A jolt shot through Malcolm at the contact, and Larissa stiffened slightly. The tension in the room thickened.

Malcolm’s wolf was restless now, pacing just beneath the surface of his skin. It wanted to claim Larissa, to mark her as his mate. The human part of him wasn’t far behind, longing to pull her into his arms and confess everything he’d realized the day before.

But they had to focus. The pack needed them.

“We should start by talking to Anders,” Malcolm suggested, his voice slightly hoarse. “He’s got a good read on the pack dynamics, and he might have noticed something we’ve missed.”

Larissa nodded. “He’s got the respect of the older pack members, and the younger ones trust his judgment.”

“If we can get him on board…,” Malcolm began.

“The rest will follow his lead,” Larissa finished. She stretched, rolling her shoulders to ease the tension.

Malcolm’s gaze followed the movement, lingering on the graceful line of her neck before he caught himself and looked away. “Want some coffee?” he asked.

“God, no. I’m wired enough as it is.” Larissa rose, gathering their scattered notes into neat piles. Her fingers brushed his as she handed him a stack of papers, and that electricity jolted through him.

“We make a good team,” he said quietly, not moving away. “When we’re not trying to tear each other apart.”

Larissa’s lips curved into a wry smile. “Who says we’re not still trying?” But there was a roughness in her voice that hadn’t been there before.

Malcolm took a step closer, drawn by that hint of vulnerability. “Is that what this is? Another competition?”

“Isn’t it always with us?” Her breath hitched slightly as he moved closer still. The scent of her made his head spin.

“Maybe,” Malcolm said slowly. “But lately I’ve been thinking…” He trailed off, distracted by how the sunlight through the windows caught the gold flecks in her eyes.

“Dangerous pastime for you,” Larissa teased, but her voice was barely above a whisper. She leaned toward him, almost as if she was drawn to him like a magnet.

Her hair fell forward, and a fresh wave of her scent hit Malcolm like a physical force. He closed his eyes, trying to regain his composure.

When he opened them again, Larissa was staring at him. “Malcolm? Are you okay?”

He wasn’t okay. He was drowning in her presence, in the feelings he’d been trying to suppress. His wolf howled inside him, demanding action.

“Larissa.” Her name came out rough with need. “Tell me to stop.”

She lifted her chin, defiant even now. “Since when do I follow your orders?”

The last thread of Malcolm’s control snapped. He closed the distance between them, one hand tangling in her hair as his lips claimed hers. Larissa met him halfway, her kiss just as fierce, just as hungry. Years of rivalry and denied attraction exploded in a rush of desire and desperation.

Malcolm backed her against the wall, swallowing her gasp of surprise. Larissa’s nails dug into his shoulders as she pulled him closer, her body arching into his. The papers they’d been holding scattered across the floor, forgotten.

“This changes nothing,” Larissa panted when they broke for air. But her eyes had darkened with desire, her lips swollen from his kiss.

Malcolm grinned, wild and predatory. “Keep telling yourself that.” He ducked his head to nip at her neck, savoring her sharp intake of breath. “Still want to compete?”

Larissa’s answering smile was pure challenge. “Always.” She pushed against his chest, using his momentary surprise to spin them, reversing their positions. “But this time, I plan to win.”

The air between them crackled.

In that instant, Malcolm saw everything they could be together—not just as rivals or lovers but as true partners.

The thought should have terrified him.

Instead, it felt like coming home.

“Then show me what you’ve got,” he challenged, pulling her back in for another searing kiss.

The last rational part of Malcolm’s mind registered that they should probably talk about this, about what it meant for their future and the pack’s. But as Larissa’s hands slid under his shirt, her touch leaving trails of fire on his skin, he decided talking could wait.

They had more pressing matters to attend to.

Her hands came up to tangle in his hair, pulling him closer. As Malcolm shifted, deepening the kiss, he could taste her, feel the warmth of her body against his, and it was intoxicating.

His wolf howled in triumph, and Malcolm lost himself in the sensation.

As the kiss continued, growing more heated by the second, a small part of Malcolm’s mind wondered what would happen when it ended. Would Larissa pull away again? Would she regret this moment of passion?

But for now, he pushed those thoughts aside. He had Larissa in his arms, and he was going to savor every second of it.

Again, his lips crashed against hers, the fire between them searing away years of rivalry. As their tongues tangled, a heady scent hit him—the unmistakable aroma of Larissa’s arousal, sharp and sweet. His nostrils flared, drinking it in.

“Damn, you smell good,” he rumbled against her mouth.

Larissa nipped his lower lip. “Less talking, more kissing.”

Malcolm was happy to oblige. He pressed forward, walking her backward across the kitchen tile. His hands roamed her lithe body, marveling at how perfectly she fit against him despite their physical differences.

“Watch where you’re steering us, you big oaf,” Larissa murmured, but a smile undermined her words.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got you,” Malcolm replied, continuing to guide her with his body.

“Sure of that?”

His competitive nature flared. He’d show her just how capable he was of taking control. Malcolm deepened the kiss, pouring years of pent-up desire into it. To his satisfaction, Larissa matched his passion.

Just as he was considering his next move, Larissa bumped against the kitchen table. She let out a small “oof” of surprise.

“Sorry,” Malcolm said, breaking the kiss. “You okay?”

“Never better,” she purred.

Without breaking eye contact, Malcolm gripped Larissa’s waist and lifted her onto the table in one fluid motion. Her slight weight was nothing to his shifter strength, and he relished the way her breath caught at the display.

“Show-off,” Larissa muttered, but her voice was husky with desire.

Malcolm grinned. “You love it.”

He expected a sharp response, another volley in their endless verbal sparring. Instead, Larissa wrapped her long, athletic legs around his waist, pulling him flush against her. At the sudden intimate contact, fire flashed through him.

“Maybe I do,” she whispered, her usual cool facade cracking to reveal a vulnerability that made Malcolm’s chest tighten.

He braced his hands on either side of her hips, leaning in close. “What are we doing?”

She raised an eyebrow, a hint of her typical sardonic humor returning. “I thought that would be obvious, even for you.”

Malcolm chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. “Smartass,” he said. “This changes everything, you know.”