Chapter 119: Rut

Chapter Twenty

Charlie

The rut hits without warning.

One moment, I'm monitoring protein assays on the lab computer, the familiar glow of the screen the only light in the sterile room. The next, my body is on fire. A wave of heat crashes over me, so intense it nearly sends me to my knees. My dick swells instantly, straining against the fabric of my jeans. Sweat beads on my forehead despite the cool temperature of the lab.

My pheromones explode—the complex scent of rain, salt, ocean, and storm, wild and untamed.

Cade.

The thought cuts through the haze, sharp and clear. I need to get to him. Now. I don't know why; I don't question it—I just know with every fiber of my being that I need him.

Somehow, I manage to grab my keys and stumble out of the lab, my vision blurring at the edges. Every step is agony as the rut consumes me, my body screaming with need. The drive to Cade's house is a blur of instinct and desperation, my hands shaking so badly I barely avoid swerving into oncoming traffic twice.

I don't remember parking. I don't remember walking to the door. I only know that I'm pounding on it, my forehead pressed against the cool wood as I fight the urge to tear my clothes off right here on his porch.

The door opens.

Cade stands there, wearing a soft sweater and jeans, his expression shifting from curiosity to concern as he takes in my appearance.

"Charlie? Are you—"

I push past him, the need too overwhelming to wait. "Jordan?" I manage to gasp out.

"Not here," he says softly. "He's at a friend's house for the night."

Relief crashes through me so hard I almost collapse. "Thank God."

Cade's eyes widen as my pheromones fully hit him. The scent of rain, salt, ocean, and storm fills his entryway, overwhelming the usual vanilla and cinnamon that clings to him. His breath hitches, his pupils dilating.

"Charlie, you're—"

"Rut," I grind out, my hands clenching into fists to stop myself from reaching for him. "Unexpected."

Understanding dawns in his eyes, followed quickly by something else. Desire. His own scent spikes suddenly—vanilla and cinnamon so strong I can almost taste it. A soft gasp escapes him as his body responds to mine, his heat triggered by my rut.

"You need—" he starts, but I'm already on him.

My mouth crashes against his, all finesse gone, replaced by primal need. His lips part immediately, a soft moan vibrating against my tongue as I claim his mouth. My hands grip his hips, pulling him flush against me. The friction of our clothes is maddening, not nearly enough contact.

"Charlie," he gasps between kisses, his fingers tangling in my hair. "The bedroom—"

"No," I growl, backing him against the living room wall. "Here. Now."

I drop to my knees before him, my hands fumbling with the button of his jeans. He helps me, his fingers shaking as we work together to free him. As I peel down his jeans and underwear, his dick springs free, already hard and flushed with arousal. The scent of his arousal intensifies, vanilla and cinnamon mingling with something deeper, muskier.

I can't wait.

I lean forward, taking him into my mouth in one smooth motion. Cade cries out, his hands tangling in my hair as I begin to suck him, my tongue swirling around the head before taking him deeper. I cup his balls with one hand, rolling them gently as I work his dick with my mouth, my other hand gripping his hip to hold him steady.

"God, Charlie," he moans, his hips rocking forward, fucking my mouth in shallow thrusts. "Your mouth—so good—"

I hollow my cheeks, increasing the suction as I take him to the back of my throat. His taste is incredible—salt and musk with that underlying sweetness that's uniquely Cade. I could do this for hours, lose myself completely in the taste of him, the feel of him in my mouth.

But the rut is demanding more.

With a final, lingering lick, I pull back, ignoring Cade's whimper of protest. I turn him around, bending him slightly forward as I spread his cheeks to reveal his entrance.

And then I see it.

Slick is already pouring from his hole, coating his thighs with glistening wetness. The sight sends another jolt of lust through me, so powerful I almost lose control completely.

"God, Cade," I breathe, my thumbs spreading his cheeks wider to see better. "So fucking wet for me."

I can't resist.

I lean forward, my tongue flicking out to taste the slick dripping from his entrance. The flavor explodes across my taste buds—sweet like vanilla with a hint of spice, utterly intoxicating. I moan against him, my dick throbbing in response.

"Charlie!" Cade cries out, his hands bracing against the wall as I lap at his entrance, collecting the slick on my tongue. "Please—"

I slide a finger into him, marveling at how easily he opens for me. His inner walls clench around me, pulling me deeper. I add a second finger, scissoring them gently as I continue to taste him, drinking down his slick like it's the finest wine. I curl my fingers, searching for that spot that will make him see stars.

"Right there," he gasps, his hips rocking back against my hand. "God, right there—"

I add a third finger, stretching him wider, preparing him for what's to come. His slick pours from him, coating my hand, dripping down my wrist. The taste of him, the feel of him, the sounds he's making—it's all too much. I can feel my orgasm building, my balls tightening with the need to release.

"Not yet," I manage to growl, pulling back slightly. "Want to be inside you when I cum."

I stand, my fingers still buried in his heat as I claim his mouth again. He kisses back desperately, his hips rocking against my hand, seeking more.

"Please, Charlie," he begs against my lips. "I need you. Now."

I don't make him wait twice.

With a growl, I lift him effortlessly, his legs wrapping around my waist as I support his weight. I press him against the wall, my dick lining up with his slick entrance. I pause for just a moment, our eyes locked, breath mingling between us.

Then I slide into him slowly, relishing the feel of his tight wetness around my dick. The stretch makes him gasp, his head falling back against the wall as I bury myself inch by inch inside his welcoming heat.

"God, you feel good," I groan, my forehead resting against his as I give us both a moment to adjust.

"You too," he breathes, his hands sliding up to grip my shoulders. "So good."

Then I begin to move.

Slowly at first, then faster as the rut takes over completely. Each thrust sends waves of pleasure through me, building upon itself until I'm mindless with need. Cade meets me thrust for thrust, his legs tightening around my waist as I drive into him again and again.

The sounds of our bodies slapping together fill the room, mingling with our moans and the scent of rain, salt, ocean, storm, vanilla, and cinnamon. I can feel Cade's hard dick between us, trapped against our stomachs as I continue to pound into him.

"Touch yourself," I command, my voice rough with desire. "I want to feel you cum around me."

He doesn't hesitate, his hand wrapping around his dick as he begins to stroke in time with my thrusts. The sight is nearly my undoing—Cade, completely lost to pleasure, his face flushed, his lips parted, his hand working his dick as I fuck him.

"Charlie," he gasps, his body tensing. "I'm close—"

"Let go," I growl, my thrusts becoming erratic as I chase my own release. "Cum for me, Cade. Now."

With a cry, he spills between us, his inner muscles clamping down around me as his orgasm overtakes him. The sensation is all it takes to push me over the edge.

I bury myself deep inside him with a final thrust, my body shuddering as I cum, filling him with my release. Wave after wave of pleasure washes over me, so intense it leaves me breathless as my knot swells, stretching him to his limit. He gasps from the sensation and grips my shoulders tighter.

For a long moment, we stay connected, our bodies trembling with aftershocks. I press soft kisses against his neck, his shoulder, anywhere I can reach as we slowly come down from our high.

When my knot goes down, and I finally pull out, Cade whines softly at the loss. I scoop him into my arms, carrying him to the bedroom where we collapse onto his bed in a tangle of limbs.

"Stay with me," he murmurs against my chest, his fingers tracing patterns on my skin.

"Always," I promise, and as I drift off to sleep with his vanilla and cinnamon scent surrounding me, I know with absolute certainty that I've finally found where I belong.