Alpha’s Moon: A special forces shifter romance (Shifter Ops series Book 1)

Sadie

I don’t know how I get through dinner. I feel like there’s a giant neon sign above my head. SADIE DIAZ IS NOT WEARING PANTIES.

Deke’s the only one who knows. And the longer dinner and drinks stretch on, the more he’s dying to do something about it, I can tell.

It’s the first time in my life I’ve felt sexual power. Seeing him come undone with the blowjob started it. Now I’m receiving heated looks and low growls. Next time I lean in to laugh at something a guest beyond us said, I brush my breasts against his arm. His hard muscled arm.

The joke’s on me, though, because my nipples bead up beneath my dress.

Next I rub my foot against his long leg. He moves it, planting it in front of me. Then he puts his hand on my knee, and slowly slides his fingers up my thigh. My belly shudders in on a gasp. I’m afraid I’ll cry out if he reaches the apex, so I grasp his wrist just in time. His hand is so big, his long fingers are mere inches away from my pussy. My bare naked pussy.

My breath leaves and sucks in again. I’m feverish.

Beside me, Deke’s eyebrow flicks slightly, but other than that, he gives no sign that he was about to finger me right here, right now, right at dinner. Meanwhile, I’m a squirming mess. Unlike Deke, I don’t have a Sexy Seduction Stealth Mode.

“Are you okay, Sadie?” Brigit asks from across the table. “You look a little overheated.”

“Fine,” I gurgle and hold up my glass. “Just too much champagne. I might go get some water.”

“You have water right there,” Elana points to my glass.

“Oh right,” I grab it and rise. “I meant air. I need air,” I announce to everyone and scoot away from the table. I grab my cardigan, which I took off and hung on the back of my chair for dinner. I also make sure to hold my skirt down as I head out to the balcony, just in case it rides up.

The night has a bite to it, and it’s perfect. My heels clatter on the wood. I’m not dressed to stay out here long, but right now the chilly air and star-studded sky are what I need. I take a deep breath and another.

Then a shadow falls alongside me. Somehow Deke’s followed me without me hearing. His big boots make no sound on the wooden deck. Total Stealth Mode.

I check, but no one back inside noticed he’s slipped out here with me. They’re sitting at the restaurant table, talking and laughing with each other.

“You,” I accuse.

“Me.” He backs me up to the balcony ledge, where he bends me back and kisses me.

Heat rolls through my body, heady and potent, like I’ve drunk a draught of whiskey. The stars are spinning overhead when I pull away to gasp, “Deke. Someone might see.”

“Let ‘em see,” he growls. The rough stubble on his jaw scrapes my cheek. “Isn’t that why I’m here? To put on a show?”

I feel a flash of disappointment. Right. This isn’t a real date.

Only, damn—it was feeling so real. Is this all fake to him?

“You’re right,” I answer, acting as calm as I can. “Better kiss me again.”

“Oh, I’m going to do more than that.”

And he draws me deeper into the shadows. We move along the back deck, down the stairs and to a hidden corner that overlooks a stunning view of the range. On Saturday, the bride will get married with these mountains as a backdrop. But tonight they’re dark and somnolent giants, their rocky shoulders half blanketed with pine trees.

I follow Deke because he has a plan, but I stop a moment to take in the view.

“It’s beautiful out here,” I whisper. And shiver because what little heat I brought outside with me has dissipated, and I’m only wearing a cardigan against the chill.

Deke shrugs out of his button-down and tucks it around me, ignoring my protests that he’ll be cold. His white t-shirt shines in the darkness. He pulls me against his large chest.

“We should go back in,” I say, even though I’m warm and cozy now, swaddled in his shirt and arms. “You’re going to freeze.”

He chuckles, as if the idea of him being cold is a joke. “You’ll keep me warm,” he says and turns me back to face the mountains. His arms slide around me, and I lean back against his front.

“Not that warm. I’m in a dress and no panties,” I remind him. Judging by the giant hard-on poking my butt, he hasn’t forgotten the no panties part.

“Mmmm.” He nuzzles my neck. “You must be ready for your reward.” His lips brush my ear. “Put your hands on the railing.”

I lean forward to obey.

He flips up my skirt. Cold air gusts over my bare butt, and my entire body breaks out into goosebumps. His fingers caress my bottom, gliding over the chilled skin, exploring.

I shift from foot to foot, still holding position, aroused and excited but nervous. “Someone could come find us,” I whisper over my shoulder.

“I won’t let anyone see you,” he promises. His big hands cover my butt cheeks, squeezing and offering a little heat. “Besides, no one cares.”

“I guarantee Scott cares,” I say and immediately curse myself for bringing up Scott.

“Gonna make you forget him,” Deke says, and it sounds like a vow.

He brushes his fingertip between my legs.

“Already forgotten.”

He presses me forward, and now I’m leaning on the railing while he fondles my backside. He reaches under to find and stroke my labia with soft fingers. I rise to tiptoe, but his other hand holds my hips steady, so I can’t get away. I’m bent over with my butt sticking out and on display, exposed and offered up to this bad boy.

“You’re turning me into a bad girl,” I breathe.

His fingers pause. “I don’t think so. I think you’ve always been bad.”

He pulls his hand out from between my legs to give my butt a slap. I gasp. The sound seems to reverberate in the still air. My heart stutters, and I freeze, listening hard as if the sound will echo off the mountains. But it doesn’t, and Deke rewards my bravery with more pussy rubbing.

“You sucked my cock like a porn star. I think you have a real naughty streak.” His fingers continue to thrum between my folds, alternating with a few hard smacks that seem to jolt arousal through me. Then he goes back to stroking me to orgasm.

I go on tiptoe, grinding down onto his fingers, with the hazy light of the Milky Way rippling overhead, flung between the mountains and the opposite horizon like a diamond studded scarf. Cold fingers of wind caress my face, but I’m snuggled deep into Deke’s shirt and his scent where the chill can’t touch me.

“That’s it, grind down,” Deke orders, thumbing my clit as he slips a thick finger inside me. “Take your pleasure, baby, take it.”

I twist my hips, searching for the right angle, for more stimulation.

“Fuck,” Deke mutters. “Gotta taste you.” He drops to his knees behind me and spreads my legs wider and puts his mouth on me. His stubble scratches up my inner thighs as his tongue searches for my secret folds. I’m tipped to my front, nails digging into the wood, pushing my bottom back as I try to ride his face. It’s not the best angle, it’s a bit ridiculous, and I don’t care.

He growls and buries his face between my legs, holding my hips, half lifting me off the ground. “Fuck,” he says again and turns me to face him, propping me on the top of the deck railing at the same time. And then his dark head is between my legs again, my skirt flung up over my belly and bunching around my hips. My hands grip the railing, but Deke’s got me, somehow steading my legs as he eats me out. My thighs are propped over his big shoulders, his tongue is right there, and oh fudge….

I come, pleasure crashing down and making me bend double over his head. He shakes his head, scratching the sensitive skin of my inner thighs with his bristled cheeks before lapping at my pussy again. The chafing sensation is just this side of painful, and my abs clench with another wave of pleasure. And then I’m falling, wrung out, toppling over, totally boneless. Deke catches me, of course, and lifts me in his arms.

I hear footsteps and loud voices on the upper deck, but I’m too orgasm-drunk to care. I let my head loll against his shoulder as Deke carries me up the deck stairs swiftly and towards a side entrance back into the resort.

I hear a shocked giggle from someone who sees us, but I don’t know who it is.

“Too much champagne,” Deke tosses the explanation over his shoulder. I wave goodbye in whoever-it-is’ general direction and laugh against Deke’s t-shirt as he carries me over the threshold like a bride.

Deke

I have a hard time not growling at every person we pass on the way to the room. My wolf is damn pleased that I got her off, but the need to claim her is even stronger, especially with all the people around.

She tucks her head against my neck as I carry her, her breath even and smooth. She must be sleepy and relaxed from her orgasm.

Deposit the package and get out.

The thought forms in Rafe’s alpha bark.

Discipline is the only thing keeping us from moon madness.

I open the door to our room and tip Sadie down to her feet, giving her ass a light slap. “I need to get some fresh air,” I tell her.

She blinks at me, surprise and a touch of hurt flickering over her expression. “We were just outside.”

“I know. I need to go for a run. It’s, ah, the PTSD. I get restless, and it helps me sleep.”

Fuck, I feel like the biggest asshole for lying to her.

Sympathy sweeps over her features, and she reaches up to touch my face. I catch her hand and bring it to my lips before I can help myself. Her expression softens even more. “Is it okay with you? You’re okay here?”

“Yes, of course. I understand.”

Thank fuck. I change into a pair of gym shorts that I’d planned on sleeping in, but I don’t have running shoes, which is a bit suspicious. I settle for kicking off my shoes.

Sadie emerges from the bathroom where she washed her face and brushed her teeth. Her eyes fly wide when she sees my running attire. “Oh! Are you one of those barefoot runners?”

I didn’t know there was such a thing, but I nod. It’s not a lie.

“Wow. That’s incredible,” she breathes. “I’ve heard of it, and I understand the theory behind it, but it boggles my mind.”

Since I have no clue about the theories behind it, I move in and drop a light kiss on her forehead. “Don’t wait up.”

“Oh! Um, okay.”

I head for the door.

“You can sleep in the bed with me when you get back.” She sounds almost shy as she offers.

“Babe.” I don’t want to tell her no, but sleeping beside her is definitely not an option. Not if I want to keep her safe from me.

In fact, I don’t plan to come back to this room until the night is mostly over, and I’ve run myself into the ground.

I leave before she tempts me into staying longer and make a beeline for outside. I find a hiking trail and follow it away from the resort until it’s safe to strip and shift.

And then I take off up the mountain, running from Sadie. Running from myself.

Running until I’m sure it’s safe to come back.