Out of the Darkness (The Cloven Pack Series: Book Two) Read online

  Kenna skips her way to our side with a big smile on her face. “Ready, ladies?” Taking a sniff of Kelsey and me, her eyebrows pull together. “Have you hobos been drinking without me?”

  “Ab-abso-absolutely not,” Kelsey stutters and I smile guiltily.

  Kenna places her hands on her hips and glares at us. “Liars,” she growls. Ben glares behind her and sends an accusatory look at Flint.

  “Come on, let’s go. Kenna has some catching up to do,” I say.

  Dragging both ladies by the arms, I pull them toward the bar entrance. Several people smoking cigarettes are scattered on the sidewalks as we pass by. After flashing our IDs to the guy manning the door, we’re let in immediately with our acting bodyguards in tow. We step through the door and are bombarded with loud music and strobe lights. Fire Proof by Coleman Hell blares through the speakers and vibrates against the walls. Kelsey smiles at me before dancing her way to the bar. That girl is always a blast to go out with. A sea of bodies bounces to the music as we pass the large crowd, following Kelsey to her destination.

  “Holy sensory overload,” I shout over the loud music.

  Kenna shouts back, “This place is packed.” She leans over the counter and flags down the bartender. She looks over at Ben and Flint. “You guys getting anything?” Both shake their heads as they survey our surroundings.

  Kenna sighs happily after she takes her three shots. “What’s next? Have you guys ever had Sex on the Beach?” The DJ`s techno version of Down By The River by Milky Chance rumbles the speakers on the walls, vibrating me to my bones.

  Flint leans against the counter, wiggling his eyebrows. “Sounds kinky,” he says to Kenna. His body shakes with laughter when she smacks his shoulder.

  “Sex on the Beach is a drink, you ass-wipe,” Kenna responds, trying to hold back a smile.

  She orders three glasses and we sip on them while watching the dancing crowd. I can barely make out the people unless a strobe light hits their face. All I can see is bouncing bodies that look like waves of an ocean.

  Finishing our drinks in a hurry, we order another round of shots. “Don’t you think you girls are overdoing it?” Ben growls from beside me.

  “Nope,” I say, popping the ‘p’. “We’ve got a lot of time to make up for and a lot of sorrows to drown.”

  After downing my shot, I glance in Ben’s direction. He’s glaring at me, causing me to roll my eyes. Deciding to piss him off with petty childish behavior, I give him a wide fake grin. His glare deepens, announcing me as the victor.

  “Definitely many sorrows,” Kenna adds, nodding her head.

  “We plan to get blind drunk, my friend,” Kelsey quips.

  Turning to Flint, I ask, “You sure you don’t want a beer?”

  Scrubbing his face, he sits on a stool. “Sure, I’ll have a beer. It’s going to be a long night.”

  “That a boy!” I yell, slapping my hand on the bar.

  Ordering him my favorite choice of beer and one more round of shots, the atmosphere of the bar and the effects of the alcohol begin to make their way into my system. I’m well on my way to making several bad decisions, and I’m completely okay with it.

  Wolf shifters have a slightly higher alcohol tolerance than those of humans. It takes a little longer to feel the effects, but with determination, we can easily get there.

  Hellfire by Barns Courtney rumbles through the speakers. I turn a surprised smile to Kenna. She grins at me and sways her hips all the way to the sea of dancing people. Barns Courtney is her favorite artist. I laugh at her antics as she dances toward the dance floor, Kelsey and I following her. I don’t like to dance, but, well … alcohol makes me brave.

  As the song reaches its first chorus, we’re dancing and brushing up against each other. The strobe lights play across our skin while we lose ourselves in the music and atmosphere.

  Surveying the dancing crowd, I spot three guys making their way over. Each one sidles up to the three of us. I smile at my new tall dancing companion who’s against my back. He returns the smile, grabs my hips, and moves us to the beat. I close my eyes and relax into him until Kelsey’s laugh reaches my ears. I look toward my Pack mates and see Flint and Ben chasing off the two guys that Kelsey and Kenna were dancing with. I suppose it isn’t considered appropriate to be on guard duty and have your mated female charges dirty dancing with other men.

  Flint and Ben take the place of the men who tucked tail and ran back to their buddies. Both our boys are quite intimidating and lined with muscle, so I don’t blame them for not resisting. They twirl the girls around and dance with them like a brother would dance with their sister at a wedding. It makes me snicker, but I’m not going to lie to myself—Kenna and Ben dancing together, no matter how platonic, fills me to the brim with jealousy.

  Kenna frowns at me when my emotions reach her. Giving a shake of her head, she silently tells me to ‘knock it off.’ I take a deep breath and ignore my urges to reach out and snatch Ben. Closing my eyes again, I wrap my hands around the neck of the guy behind me. He’s all too eager for the undivided attention and begins exploring my abdomen. I let him do as he wishes, because frankly, I need the distraction and wolf shifters are all about touch for comfort.

  I open my eyes again when the song changes and notice my Pack mates are gone. Surveying the area, I see them chatting at the bar. I pat my companion on the shoulder and excuse myself, leaving him on the dance floor to join the girls.

  “Are you drinking without me?” I accuse, placing my hands on my hips.

  In mock offense, Kenna rests her hand over her heart. “Of course not. We ordered you one for every shot we took. You just looked a little … busy is all.” She and Kelsey dissolve into a fit of hysterical drunken giggles.

  “I still think you girls need to slow down,” Ben growls.

  “It’s okay, daddy dearest.” I pat his shoulder. “All is under control.” I tell myself that touching him doesn’t affect me at all before I take my two shots to distract myself from doing it again.

  “I don’t know how you can do that.” Flint yells over the music, staring at me in disbelief. “Doesn’t downing shots like that make you gag?”

  “Not a whole lot does, my friend!” I reply.

  If his wicked grin is anything to go by, several dirty images flitted through his mind. Kenna slaps his arm. I’m sure she felt where his dirty mind took his emotions.

  We sit at the bar chatting for several minutes before I ask them if we plan to get back on the dance floor. Kenna and Kelsey want to stay and finish their martinis. Flint hops off the bar stool and grabs my hand. “Let’s go, hot momma.”

  Once on the floor, Flint stands in front of me, pulls me flush against him, and directs our tempo. His actions are carefully measured while he forcefully sways me into him, letting me feel his erection while it rubs me in just the right spot. He smells amazing, even though he isn’t wearing cologne. His hands are sure, his tempo confident. His eyes smolder while his lips relax and slightly part. I should really stop this before it turns into something I’ll regret. His movements are completely seductive and a side of Flint I’ve never seen. I mean, I know he’s sort of a player, but I’ve only ever received annoying childish attention from him. This is a different side of Flint. I see why people call him a lady’s man.

  I won’t sleep with a Pack mate, I chant to myself. My subconscious reminds my drunk mind to make wise decisions, but wise decisions are getting harder to make.

  I spare a quick glance to where Kelsey and Kenna continue to chat. Ben and I catch each other’s eye and he leans against the bar. Giving him a half smile, he continues to hold my gaze. In our silent battle of dominance, sizzling lust begins to build between Ben and me, but neither one of us back down or avert our eyes.

  Flint, noticing my focus is elsewhere, flips me around with my back to his chest. He continues to direct our dancing as his hand travels under my shirt, laying it flat across my stomach. I suck in a breath at the une
xpected touch. His breath tickles the skin on my neck and he gently bites down on my ear.

  Hearing mumbles behind me, I turn my head and see that Ben has made his way to us and Flint is frowning at him. Flint rolls his eyes when Ben finishes his sentence and bends to whisper in my ear, “My turn to take care of the two drunks at the bar. Thanks for the dance, babe. Save me another one.”

  Winking, he makes his way back to Kenna and Kelsey, leaving Ben and me on the dance floor. We stand staring at each other for a few awkward moments. The heat from our early staring contest is still zipping through my veins. I wonder if that had the same effect on Ben as it did on me.

  I don’t need to find out, I tell myself. Shrugging, I turn to follow Flint to the bar. Bread and Butter by Hugo rumbles the speakers about, lighting my face with delight—it’s one of my favorite songs.

  Ben grabs my hand before I can walk away from him. Twirling me toward his body, I let out a screech at the sudden movement. He roughly grabs my waist and yanks me to him. I’m about to object but he takes my arms and wraps them around his neck. I note how my body fits perfectly with his when he begins guiding our movements to the very dirty song.

  Holy shit, Bre. Kenna sends telepathically.

  I don’t respond to her shocked voice because I’m just as blown away as she is. Shooting questioning eyes to Ben, I dare him to supply answers to what this is all about.

  He bends down, whispering in my ear, “You think I didn’t notice your ‘come and get me’ eyes? If you want me, all you have to do is ask.” His impressive bulge rubs against my sensitive area while he keeps me flush against him like a second skin.

  “I don’t want you,” I breathlessly reply.

  “You don’t, huh? Then why can I smell your arousal? Why can I feel your nipples rubbing against my chest?”

  Shock rocks my system—this is the first time he’s ever paid me this kind of attention. My arousing dreams couldn’t have done a better job than this reality.

  He takes my shock to mean something else entirely. Shrugging, he says, “You have needs and so do I. Don’t think for a minute that a less dominant wolf than yourself will be able to satisfy you.” He’s indicating to Flint, who is, in fact, not as dominant as Ben or me.

  “Let me guess—you think you can satisfy me?” I ask, humor in my voice.

  “Without a doubt,” he says before gently but firmly capturing my mouth. He tastes as good as I imagined he would.

  His hand slides underneath my shirt and under the side of my bra. Brushing my nipple with his thumb, I gasp into his mouth and his tongue delves deeper. The way he’s kissing me—it’s like he’s trying to prove his point. And it’s working. My hand roughly grabs the short brown hair at his nape.

  Ben chuckles against my mouth. “Now see, if you did that to dear ole Flint over there, he would’ve backed down. I’m not going to back down, Bre. You can fight me for dominance all you want, but I’m the one in charge here.”

  I give him a sly smile. If he’s going to make me this horny and then expect my submission, I can surely do the same.

  Keeping a firm grip on the hair at the back of his head, I reach between us with my other hand and slip it under his shirt, skimming it along the skin on his back. When my hand reaches between his shoulder blades, I raked it down his back causing a moan to escape him.

  “Tricky little bitch,” he whispers against my lips. “You don’t like to be told what to do, do you, Bre?”

  Damn right I don’t. I may be the queen of distractions, but I don’t tolerate orders.

  I choose not to answer him but instead move my hand to his abdomen. My hand travels along his smooth skin and the abs I’ve dreamed about touching for years. The guy is ripped with muscle. I’ve seen him many times without a shirt on, but I’ve refrained from reaching out and touching him.

  Ben bends his head to my neck and nips while we continue to rub up against each other. It sends tingles of pleasure to every sensitive area on my body. My wolf is ecstatic that our mate is showing interest, but I’m not so trusting—sexual attraction doesn’t mean a damn thing.

  I whimper when the nibbles and licks become too much and Ben chuckles against my skin. Grabbing my hand, he leads me to the back of the bar. I spare a glance over my shoulder and my eyes meet Kenna’s, whose are wide with shock. I give her an unsure smile.

  What … err … I’ll keep Flint busy. Yeah … um … we’ll be here when you get back, Kenna sends.

  I watch as she tries to wipe the smile from her face before she turns back to Kelsey and Flint who appear to be bickering over another round of shots. I turn my attention back to the male that’s tugging me along.

  Pulling me into the private bathroom, he locks the doors and turns toward me. Our sexual energy bounces between us as we stand there facing each other, breathing loud enough to hear over the music outside the bathroom.

  Growling, Ben scoops me up and hoists my legs around his hips. Our mouths battle for dominance while he walks us toward the large vanity.

  Setting me down on the counter, he removes my pants. Once they’re removed, his hand travels up my leg to my sex and he roughly plunges a finger inside.

  I moan from the sensation and Ben whispers against my lips, “You’re already so wet for me, Bre.”

  Grabbing my legs, he brings my ass to the edge of the counter and swiftly bends between them. His tongue flicks against my clit and my head falls back from the ripple of pleasure coursing through me. He chuckles before his tongue circles the throbbing bundle of nerves, one finger still inside me.

  “Damn, you taste good,” Ben whispers before losing himself in his task.

  He growls against me and continues his feast. Trying desperately to not fall apart, I hold onto the edge of the counter with a firm grip. His nails dig into my legs as they quiver. His touch is like lava against my skin, sending ripples of pleasure to every corner of my body. It’s electricity and flames all in one.

  I’ve heard that when mates become intimate, the sex is the best they’ve ever had. I didn’t realize that any sort of foreplay would hold the same.

  Through my drunken state, my conscious picks up on my last thought. Mate. Ben is my mate and he has no idea. If we keep going—if we have sex—the mating will begin. This isn’t how I wanted this to happen. I can’t let it happen this way.

  Pulling Ben’s head from between my legs, I try to stop the foreplay. “Ben, stop.” When he doesn’t listen, but instead growls at my interruption of his feast, I try gaining his attention by yanking on his hair. “Ben! Stop!”

  He takes my expression into consideration and slowly stands. I quickly provide an explanation before I hurt his feelings. “This … we can’t … It’s not … I don’t want …“ I fumble my words, trying to think of a way to tell him without revealing that we’re mates and he’s about to begin the mating process. In my drunken state, my brain isn’t firing on all cylinders. I’m finding myself having a difficult time coming up with a valid and truthful excuse.

  “What?” Ben asks.

  I pull my pants back on and ignore my wolf, who’s growling her displeasure for refusing our mate. “I don’t want this.” Yes, I really do. Just not this way. “I – I just can’t. We can’t. It’ll be too much. I have to go.”

  Turning away from Ben’s confused look, I unlock the bathroom door and walk out. I squeeze my way through the mass of bodies to Kenna and Kelsey.

  When Kenna catches my eye, her eyebrows pull together. Ben and I hadn’t been gone long and she’s questioning why I’m back at her side so soon. How’d it go? She slurs telepathically.

  It didn’t.

  What do you mean? A frown takes over her happy expression.

  I stopped him.

  But … why?

  I wave down the bartender, planning to ignore her question for a while.

  This isn’t why I came here. My goal was to escape him, if only for just a little while. Not have sex in the bathroom and start the
mating he isn’t aware of. I grab the Long Island iced tea and take large gulps while Ben tells Flint he’s going outside to check in with Evo.

  Yes, please. Please give me some space to drown my internal fire and deal with my furious wolf. I have a new purpose for getting drunk now—drowning the sorrows from turning away my mate.

  Damn it. Damn it! This is not what I had in mind for tonight. I take another big gulp.

  Chapter Three

  Benjamin Grobin

  Driving home, Kelsey and Kenna are singing at the top of their lungs to a song I’ve never heard, which isn’t saying much. I don’t know a lot of songs and tend to stick away from music all together. I don’t have the time or the care for it. Not the way Kenna and Bre do—they always have some sort of music playing.

  With all the liquor Kelsey consumed tonight, I thank the heavens she didn’t get into any catfights. Kelsey and liquor are never meant to mix. Jeremy is going to be furious with us.

  All three women barely made it to the cars without support. They had consumed far more alcohol than I expected they’d hold. If their goal was to get blind drunk tonight, the mission was accomplished.

  Though distracting that they are, I pay Kenna and Kelsey no mind. Bre is riding with Flint, which I’m grateful for. I still have a mighty hard erection from her.

  I’ve never been turned down before, especially not in the middle of eating a chick out. I should’ve known better than to take advantage of her while she was intoxicated, anyway. But damn it if her eyes didn’t have that ‘come hither’ look to them … I shouldn’t have left Kenna and Kelsey’s side to join Bre in the first place. But now that Bre’s taste is on my lips and the memory of the feel of her skin, I find it difficult to focus on anything else.

  What had I done that made her want to flee the bathroom? She said that she couldn’t. Couldn’t what? Have sex? Maybe she’s turned off by having sex with another Pack mate. Hell if I know.

  “Kenna, pull your fucking head back in or so help me, I’ll pull this car over,” I yell over the music.