By the Light of the Moon Read online

  Cole held her gaze. His heart thumped at the mix of desire and hopefulness that swirled in her amber eyes. Eyes he'd been haunted by since she had booted that jackass of an ex out. What had that moron been thinking not wanting Harley in his life? She was a strong, smart and fun, sexy woman.

  And she made Cole ache for her in ways no woman before had.

  "You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." He meant it and every word felt scraped from his throat before it squeezed closed. How would he find it in him to walk away from her?

  Harley took two small steps towards him. Cole didn't move, couldn't take his eyes off her.

  She closed her hand around his wrist and guided it to her. "Touch me. Please." Harsh need echoed beneath her soft plea.

  Her eyes drifted shut when he lifted her breast into his palm. Cole raked his thumb across one erect nipple. Harley moaned, and the raw sound whipped his insides into action. Looping an arm around her waist, he hauled her down to his lap. He smoothed her hair back from her face, stared into her anxious eyes, then crushed her to him.

  Her mouth softened before he devoured her with a savage intensity that made him struggle to keep the animal inside him caged. Seconds later Harley parted her lips and invited him deeper. The teasing swipe of her tongue made his hips pitch upwards. Only his cotton shorts stood between his cock and pure hot bliss.

  She planted a palm against his chest, glancing away to draw in a breath, then brought her attention back to him. "I know that whatever happens is only for tonight, but you have to know.... I need you to know that I've wanted this, wanted you so much ...."

  He kissed her again, knowing he couldn't say anything to reassure her it would go beyond tonight, but for the first time in his life he wanted it to. She felt so right in his arms, he wondered how he'd ever be able to let her go.

  Harley straightened, bringing his hand back to her breast. "Don't stop. Not until the sun comes up."

  In the distance a wolf howled, but she didn't pay any attention to it. He made sure of that. Cole caught the greedy tip of one nipple with his fingers and tugged. He did the same with the other, holding Harley steady as she arched into him. Leaning forward, he trapped her nipple between his lips, raking it with his teeth before he sucked it into his greedy mouth.

  "Yes," Harley groaned, her head dropping back. "Your mouth... had I known...."

  He curled his tongue around the other one.

  She shuddered, her breath catching. "... I would have jumped you months ago."

  "Oh, yeah?" Cole drew lazy figure eights across her nipples. "What stopped you?"

  Harley smiled shyly. "I didn't think you wanted me."

  Cole took her hand and brought it to his cock. "As you can clearly tell, you were wrong."

  Her fist closed around him. "Good to know." Harley teased the head of his cock through his shorts, her grin widening. "Maybe I should take a closer look."

  Because he knew the minute she stroked her tongue down his shaft he'd want to come, Cole caught her hand. "Not yet."

  Shifting Harley around, he faced her outwards so she looked at the ocean, her perfectly sculpted ass cuddling his cock. He started at her shoulder, skimming his lips up the side of her neck.

  She turned her head, and he caught her luscious mouth with his. Cole cupped her breasts, both thumbs grazing the hard points as she rocked against him. He groaned at the bolt of lust that nearly speared him in two. He slid a hand down her belly, felt the muscles tighten under his palm. Circling her navel once, he moved lower, past her hip and down the inside of her thigh.

  Harley squeezed her thighs together. "I think you missed a spot." Harley caught his hand and settled it between her legs. "There. Right, there," she murmured.

  Cole tunneled through the curls, parting the slick flesh. "Is this what you want?" He swirled his finger over her clit.

  She jerked in his arms, her ass grinding against him in shameless response. "That would be it." Her voice was low and smoky as she shuddered.

  Up and down Cole glided his fingers along her slit, circling the swollen knot with slow, sweeping strokes. "Good. But just so you know, we're just getting started."

  * * * *

  Harley dragged in a breath and clamped her thighs together, desperate to keep his hand exactly where it was. Thick waves of pleasure ribboned through her with every short sweep of his thumb across her clit. And just when she thought the tight ache building in her core would implode, another gentle flick spiraled the exquisite tension higher.

  He pumped his fingers inside her, and Harley moaned long and loud, not caring who might hear. She spread her legs wider and at the same time pushed back against his cock until Cole's breathing quickened.

  Fingers bit into the inside of her thigh. "Don't make me embarrass myself," he pleaded, right before he sank his fingers into her heat again, over and over.

  Lifting her hips, Harley rolled into each thrust.

  "Why don't you help me out here?" Grabbing her hand from where she rested it on his thigh to steady herself, Cole brought it between her legs. "Let me see you touch yourself." He teased the pad of his thumb across her clit. "Please."

  Heat stole across her cheeks at the thought of him watching her do something she only did alone, alone when thoughts of Cole drove her to find some kind of release.

  His breath warmed her neck before his lips caressed. "For me." He slid another finger into her, and hot currents jetted through her. She'd give him whatever he wanted just as long as he didn't stop.

  With one hand between her legs, his other guided her fingers along her damp folds, his palm burning into the top of her hand. The combined intensity sent her simmering body into a rolling boil. His cock rubbed against her bottom and Harley dropped her head back against his shoulder.

  "Come for me," he coaxed, strumming her clit between her own fingers before he plunged harder into her center. Her inner muscles clenched as he rubbed the aching spot within, shooting Harley into a star-spotted oblivion that swallowed her whole.

  Cole swiveled her around, trapping her beneath him. He caught her mouth in a fiery kiss she felt echo through her entire blissfully sluggish body. He scraped his teeth across her nipple. "You don't want me to stop yet, do you?" Hungry brown eyes held her captive.

  "Absolutely, not."

  His devilish grin made her smile. A second later he sat up and stripped off his shirt. Propped on one elbow, Harley slid her palm up the smooth chest, knew it felt better now than in any of her fantasies.

  He caught her hand and brought it to his cock. "Do you see what you do to me, how badly I want you... how badly I want to make you scream my name?" His shorts came next and she admired his athletic frame against the silhouette of the full moon.

  Leaning forward, he hooked his arms under her knees and jerked her forward. On his knees, Cole bent his head to her thighs and stroked his tongue along the damp seam of her sex.

  Harley clawed at the lounge mattress beneath her, her hips arched as he gently licked her clit. She couldn't come again, not yet. It was too soon. But every slick lash of his tongue nudged her back towards the edge. She tried to wiggle away only to find herself imprisoned when his hands cupped her ass. She bit her lip, trapping a moan as his teeth dragged across the tight knot, tugging it between his lips. Two fingers slid into her again and she screamed, a second orgasm tearing through her.

  Cole hovered over her. "I've wanted to sink my cock into you for so long."

  It was her turn to tease him. She shook her head. "Not yet." Harley gripped his hips, tugged him up her body until his impressive erection hovered above her face. Flicking her tongue across the engorged tip, she lifted his sac into her palm.

  A deep groan rumbled up from Cole's throat. His eyes slid closed. "Do it again." He nudged his cock at her slightly parted lips and she opened, taking him in her mouth.

  Big, smooth and hard, just tasting him stoked the fire already burning anew deep in her core. She sucked and laved, sliding her filled palm up and down to match t
he hungry rhythm of her mouth.

  Cole's groans became strained as he braced his hands above her and sank himself past her lips. His hips rocked harder as he pumped his cock into her mouth. "That's... wait... I don't want to... not yet...."

  Harley curled her tongue around his shaft, teasing and nipping before sucking him deep.

  Cole jerked back, slid his hands under her ass and plunged into her in one powerful thrust.

  "Cole." Harley yelled against his neck, lifting her hips to meet him. Hard and fast he slid into her, and she clenched her muscles around him each time to keep him there. Over and over, he drove into her, his breathing as harsh and ragged as her own. For leverage Harley dug her heels into the mattress, cradling him between her thighs every time he drove into her.

  Cole slanted his mouth across hers and his tongue swept inside. Under the scorching assault, her body ignited, and every feverish thrust sizzled through her bloodstream.

  "You're mine," Cole growled fiercely before he kissed her again. He adjusted his angle, picking up speed. His body thundered against hers, hard, hot and fast.

  Harley tilted her head back. Primal brown eyes blazed down at her, a flicker of tenderness swirling amidst the desire. Her chest caught, her heart no longer thumping from just the charged currents that whipped through her. Now her insides tightened with the knowledge she was definitely falling for Cole. Hard.

  Very hard.

  Cole's mouth found Harley's at the same time lightning speared her core. Everything inside turned hot and twisted sharply as pleasure crashed through her.

  One last thrust and Cole tensed, his muffled groan more of a tortured howl. With her pulse hammering in her ears, Harley held tight to him. She didn't want the night to end. Cole brushed a kiss across forehead. For a moment Harley could only hope that the tenderness reflected in his eyes meant that maybe... just maybe, there would be more than just tonight for them.

  Afraid to believe, she didn't cling to the possibility, instead banished it from her mind as Cole rolled to his side and tucked her against his chest. She wasn't cold as the soft evening breeze caressed her skin. With his arm locked around her, she drifted off to sleep, wondering if the howl of wolves in the distance was real or all in her imagination.

  * * * *

  Harley stared down at him, smiling at the gentle snores that started a few minutes before. Sitting up, she poked his arm. "Wake up, sleepy head."

  Cole growled, snagged her around the waist, and pulled her close. "It's not morning yet."

  Her laugh bubbled out before he nuzzled her neck and her thoughts shifted to the very naked male tangled in the sheets beside her. "It's actually close to noon."

  He cracked open an eye. "Really?"

  Harley nodded, her chest tightening with the knowledge that when he got up, the incredible night she'd remember forever would be over.

  "I don't think there is any reason to get up, is there?" Cole's mouth curved into a suggestive grin.

  Not even the spark of desire in his eyes could stop her stomach from rumbling. "Food."

  "Ah." He closed his eyes again.

  Because she didn't want to be the one left in bed whenever he decided it was time to move on, she stood up first.

  "Not with the sheet, sweetheart." He caught the corner of it and tugged.

  Grinning, Harley let it go and smiled as he sat up. She dodged his groping hands. "I'll go, get us something to eat, and then you can have me for dessert." Harley waited, half expecting him to hold her to her one night only bargain.

  Cole lips parted in a devastating smile. "Sounds great to me." He flopped back in the bed, hands tucked under his head. "Don't be long."

  She pulled on a pair of panties and shimmied a blue sundress over her head. "You don't have to worry about that."

  Harley smiled as she left the bungalow. She wouldn't think about anything beyond the last few hours and whatever time she had left with him. No matter what came next, she wouldn't regret what had happened between them.

  Just outside the closest restaurant, Harley caught sight of the same woman she'd heard arguing in the resort's main lobby. Forgetting about breakfast, she followed the woman down a path that led past the pool. She called out, but the woman either didn't hear her, or ignored her.

  By the time Harley rounded the next bend the woman had vanished. Maybe she'd scared the girl off? Hurrying her pace, Harley jogged further down the trail, noting the cobblestones gave way to a dirt path. Around the next bend two piles of clothes were bunched at the side of the path. From the same fool who lost his clothes yesterday no doubt.

  Not knowing where she was going, Harley thought about turning around, but her curiosity got the better of her. More clothes were strewn across the path and she could only wonder if there wasn't some kind or orgy going on close by.

  Hushed voices reached Harley's ears. She slowed her pace, creeping forward so as to not give away her presence.

  "We burn it to the ground," an angry voice snapped.

  Someone snorted. "He'll hunt us down."

  "So then we take care of him, too," another voice chimed in, the woman's.

  Take care of who, Harley wondered?

  Something smashed against a tree--a glass? "Dash shouldn't have kicked Reginald off the island. Maybe it's time someone challenged the Alpha."

  "Forget challenging him. We just take him out."

  "Honor demands...."

  Someone growled. "Fuck, honor. Dash Windsor didn't honor my brother when he barred him from the island."

  Harley tensed. They wanted to take out Dash Windsor? As in murder him?

  "Maybe if Reginald hadn't gone to the press, he'd still be here," a calm voice reasoned.

  The sound of a fist striking flesh froze Harley in place and kicked her heartbeat into overdrive.

  "My brother would never risk exposing us. The journalist would have been under control if Windsor let Reginald handle it instead of sending him to Europe. Instead, we have her trooping under our feet as we speak."

  Jesus, they were talking about her.

  Harley took a step backwards and a twig snapped under her foot. She squeezed her eyes shut, her breath locked in her chest.

  The voices continued. They hadn't heard her. Relief whispered through her. Turning around, she knew she had to find Cole. Together they could go to Dash, to warn him.

  Harley stopped dead in her tracks.

  Three wolves stood on the path, blocking her escape.

  Chapter Six

  As a group, they stalked towards her.

  Fear iced down Harley's spine, but she didn't move.

  One more circled around the others. She recognized the gray and black one in point position from before. How did he get loose again? And where had the others come from?

  As she stared, the lead wolf curled his lips in a vicious snarl.

  How far would she get if she ran? One she might have stood a chance of escaping, but four. The odds weren't good.

  "Don't move, Harley."

  Cole circled around in front of her. Where had he come from?

  He squeezed her hand, but didn't look at her. "I need you to trust me, okay? Very, very slowly, I want you to edge farther up the trail."

  The words no sooner left his mouth than another low growl sounded behind them.

  Cole pulled her closer towards him as the wolves circled. "She has nothing to do with your feud."

  Harley gawked at Cole. "I don't think they speak English."

  Cole ignored her. "I suggest you back off. You know who I am. Think how difficult your lives will become if you fuck with me."

  The snarling increased.

  "Fuck," Cole growled. Keeping her close, he tugged his shirt off.

  "What in the hell are you doing?" Harley hissed. She could only stare as his shorts came off next. "Are you out of your mind?" Full-blown panic threaded her voice. "Cole?" He was losing it.

  He took her hand, but didn't take his eyes off the circling wolves. "I need you to trust me."
r />   "I ...."

  The large gray and black wolf lunged at them. Cole shoved her to the ground, the impact knocking the air from her lungs. She rolled to her side at the same moment....

  No. It wasn't possible. She did not just see.... He couldn't have....

  Harley blinked rapidly, unable to suck in an even breath as the man beside her only moments ago collided with the attacking wolf, only he was no longer a man.

  Werewolves?

  The hysterical thought bubbled into her brain and she might have screamed at the insanity of it if one of the other large animals hadn't pinned her in place with a laser precise gaze.

  She scrambled backwards, adrenaline drowning out the panic that would have immobilized her.

  This wasn't happening.

  The wolf circled, then charged towards her. Harley raised her arms to block the attack.

  The bronze colored wolf--Cole?--skidded in front of her, the sound of vicious snarls and growls filling the air.

  From behind him, the gray wolf struck, sinking its teeth her protector's back.

  Howling, he whipped around, shaking the gray wolf loose before launching at him. The other wolves stood motionless as though they cared who came out the victor.

  Harley was too scared to do more than inch away, couldn't take her eyes off the two wolves tearing at each other.

  The gray and black wolf howled as he was forced to the ground. Teeth clamped over his jugular, and Harley waited for blood. Instead, the dominant wolf held back.

  Brown eyes flicked towards her.

  Harley shook her head. No fucking way.

  More howls filled the air and Harley's heart pounded faster. Another group of wolves appeared and surrounded the smaller group. One moved towards Cole. Harley didn't think, just moved, grabbing the branch at her hand and swinging it at the approaching wolf.

  The silver wolf eyed the bat nervously, took a step back.

  "Harley, it's fine."

  Shifting her attention, she saw Cole on the ground, blood pouring from a deep wound on his shoulder. Behind him, where the small group of wolves cowered, three men and two women now stood. Completely naked.