Chapter Four

Clint knew he needed to slow down. The couch in Sara’s living room was not the place for their first time together. But he was able to hold back his desire after hearing Sara telling him that it was him, as a man, that she was interested in.

He ground against her softer body while plunging his tongue inside her mouth. His wolf side had awakened and wanted to claim her. Sara shuddered under him and arched into his hands. Clint lifted away enough to push her shirt up and she helped him yank it over her head. He cupped her breasts and squeezed. She responded beautifully. Arching her back and moaning for him, Sara was an amazing sight full of want and arousal. He craved to have her come apart in his hands. To sate the hunger in her eyes.

He bent his head and teased her right nipple through the thin silk material that still covered her.

“Please,” she whispered. “I’ve been dreaming about this.”

Clint was glad to give her what she needed. He reached around and unclasped her bra, baring her body to him. Clint dipped his head to start to worship her. He slowly ran his tongue over her firm breasts and playing with her nipples.

She panted under his assault and urged him for more.

Very slowly, he slid his hands down her sides and started to pull the soft cotton pants from her hips. She planted her feet on the couch and lifted to assist him in removing the rest of her clothing. He shifted to the side in order to get the pants and her panties off, then threw them over his shoulder. He reached back and yanked his own shirt over his head so when he moved back over her, flesh met flesh.

The only barrier between them was his jeans. He would correct that soon, but first…first he needed another taste of her.

He settled between her legs and kissed her again. He didn’t think he would ever get tired of the flavor of her. He licked at the roof of her mouth while running his hands over her, mapping her body, familiarizing himself with every inch of her.

Sara gripped his sides, her nails digging in a little, and bucked up into him. His erection was so hard, straining against his zipper, Clint didn’t know how much longer he could hold back. This wasn’t how Clint had been picturing their first time together. His usual control was slipping from him.

“Don’t be gentle,” Sara whispered.

Clint stilled.

“I’m not some delicate flower you have to hold back with.”

He peered down at her. Her eyes were full of passion. Clint wasn’t sure that she even knew what she was saying though.

“I mean it.” Sara reached up to brush his cheek with the back of her hand. “I know what I’m asking. It will take trust on both our sides. Take a chance.”

He was too desperate to have Sara to deny either of them. Decision made, he grinned. She smiled back.

Clint brushed his fingers between Sara’s folds and, finding her slick and wanting, pressed one digit into her.

“Uh, Clint, please,” she begged.

Such a sweet sound.

He plunged his finger in and out, loving the way her hips lifted with him. His cock had been hard all night, but now if he didn’t get inside her soon, he would come in his jeans. He didn’t want that to happen.

Inside, his wolf half was clawing at him, need and want driving the animal into a frenzy.

“Clint!” she cried.

“Baby,” he murmured against her neck as he added a second finger inside her.

“I need you,” she told him, pressing up and digging into his back before reaching to his front.

Clint gasped as she cupped his erection through his jeans. Fuck, he almost came right then.

She rubbed him harder, drawing a low long moan from him. She undid the button of his pants and Clint rose onto his knees so he could help Sara get his jeans down. Once his pants were past his hips and to his knees, he kicked enough to get them off.

He urged Sara’s legs up toward her chest and lowered his face to tease her sweet pussy. She cried out and clutched his head. The bite of her nails against his scalp spurred him on.

Clint loved the scent and taste of this woman. Sara was also vocal. He liked that in a lover, knowing that he was pleasing his partner. He spent a few minutes satisfying her until she was shaking and almost sobbing. Then he scooted closer and placed himself against her center, his cock positioned and ready to claim her.

“Look at me,” he ordered and she raised her gaze to his.

Eyes locked on hers, he slowly entered her.

She was hot. Hot and wet, and as he pushed inside, so damn good and tight.

He pulled out and their moans mixed together.

He thrust back inside and was in heaven. Gently, he started to love her. In and out, hard short strokes, until he couldn’t control himself and started to plunge inside.

The slap of skin against skin filled the room as they rocked together. Sara met him stroke for frenzied stroke and scored her nails down his sides. The little bite of pain almost sent him off and he levered up enough to pound into her.

“Yes!” she screamed and her inner muscles clamped down as she climaxed.

“Fuck!” Clint didn’t slow down. He rocked himself faster. With the firm grip he had on her thighs, he felt each tremor of her body. Even though he was close, Clint needed to release the animal he’d been holding back.

With a shout, he allowed the wolf to the surface. He didn’t transform, merely let his senses flow. With shifter speed, he was able to take Sara to a whole new level.

Clint roared. He came hard. Spots formed in front of his eyes as he emptied into her.

Sara was calling him name in pure ecstasy.

He collapsed on top of her, trying to catch his breath.

“Holy shit!” she said with a laugh.

He roused himself to look at her face. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

Sara ran her hand over his cheek. “That was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced.”

Clint’s heart soared. God, he could fall for this woman. He rocked his hips very gently. He was still half-hard buried inside her, asking without words for more.

She raised an eyebrow. “Oh, hell, yeah,” she said and reared up before she latched her mouth to his.

Even with the sweat covering both their bodies, Clint didn’t care. Her hand slipped off his back to lay flat on the upholstery of the couch.

“I think we can do better than this,” he told her. Clint withdrew, chuckling when she whimpered and reached out to him. He caught her hand before pulling her up and over his shoulder.

“What…are you doing?”

“I think we need a shower before we find your bed,” he said.

“Okay.” She slapped his ass. “Do I have to hang upside down?”

“I like you like this,” he commented.

She grumbled something that even his enhanced hearing didn’t pick up.

Sara’s house was how he’d pictured it. The comfort and warmth surrounding him as he walked down the hall called to the place inside him that craved having a home of his own.

“This door.” She waved her hand and Clint turned to the open door. Inside was what appeared to be the master bedroom. Done in warn tans and browns, Sara’s room also had a large bed in the middle. He wanted to deposit her on top of the mattress but their shower needed to come first.

“Bathroom straight ahead,” she told him.

Clint continued strolling forward. Reaching the entry, he slid her down his body until they were once again pressed up against each other.

Sara threaded her fingers with his and tugged. “Come on.”

He entered the small blue-and-white-tiled room and grinned. There was no tub, just a large standing shower that would be big enough for the two of them. Clint sauntered over to turn on the shower while Sara pulled down towels from a cabinet.

“I hope you like it hot,” he said.

“With you? It’d better be steaming,” she replied.

He grinned. She walked over, then trailed her fingertips over his chest. “Come wash my back.”

Clint followed her into the stall. Closing the door behind them, he turned to Sara. She was already under the spray with the water running over her body. If he’d ever seen a more gorgeous sight, Clint couldn’t remember.

* * * *

Clint groaned as he came awake. Absolute and undeniable pleasure coursed through him as his raging morning hard-on was taken inside a warm wet mouth. He lifted his head to peer down at Sara, who took his length into her mouth again.

She gazed back at him, never stopping the amazing blowjob.

He threaded his fingers in her hair, stroking and encouraging her.

Sara sucked hard and that was all it took. Clint gasped, then was coming. She pulled back while finishing him off with her hand. Clint reached for her hand to bring her up as soon as his body stopped responding.

Clint kissed her deep and she responded with enthusiasm. He didn’t know how he’d gotten so lucky. If Clint hadn’t been sent to Riverwood, then ordered to bring the guilty shifters to the Council, it could have been months or years before he returned and met Sara.

Looking up, she smiled at him.

Clint almost felt guilty at how bad he wanted to wrap himself around Sara and never let her go. The possessiveness was new and a little bothersome.

“Did you sleep okay?” she asked.

He nodded, unsure how to express what he was feeling.

“Me, too,” she said. “And waking up with your arms around me was perfect. You were holding me so tight. Like you didn’t want me to disappear.”

“I’m sorry,” he managed. “Did I hurt you?”

She laughed. “Did you not hear me say it was perfect?” she asked. Sara smacked his chest. “Do you need coffee?”

Clint laughed. “First, I need you.” He rolled her over and onto her back. Covering her body with his, he began to play.

Sara stretched out, her skin glowering in the morning light, pulling at him. Clint kissed down her neck and his fucking cell phone rang.

“No!” he wailed.

She giggled. “At least we remembered to charge our phones last night.”

He sighed. Sara had an extra charger so he’d been able to plug his phone in. Now he regretted it. “That’s Kurt’s ringtone.”

“Answer it,” she said. “It’s fine.”

Clint grunted but reached for his cell. “Hello?” he said, not without frustration. He was horny again and Sara hadn’t gotten off yet.

“I need you back at the compound,” Kurt said.

“Now?” he said.

“Yes, the Council called a meeting.”

Clint looked down at Sara. “Fine.”

She nodded back before patting his chest. Clint sat up.

“I wouldn’t have called you if I didn’t have to,” Kurt said. “I’m guessing since you didn’t return home last night you’re still in bed with…”

Clint growled. “Don’t go there.”

Kurt laughed. “Just get back. I’ll wait at the back door.”

“On my way.” Clint pressed Disconnect before tossing his phone onto the mattress. “I have to go.”

“I figured.” Sara had already pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a tank top.

“I’m sorry our morning got interrupted.” He grabbed her hand to draw her between his legs.

“I guess you’ll have to make it up to me,” she teased.

“Oh, I will,” he promised. “Tonight?”

“Please.”

“I’m going to shift and run back. Can I leave my bag and clothes here?” he asked.

“Sure,” she said.

Clint rose before taking her hand and leading her toward the back door. He was going to shift in front of her and trust that she could handle it.

He took a deep breath as he reached the back door. This was where thing could go wrong. She enjoyed seeing him as a wolf, but what about the change? Would that freak Sara out?

“Hey.” She pulled him to a stop. “I can see you’re anxious. I want to watch, but if you’d rather shift in private, I understand.”

“I don’t mind. Just remember that it’s still me.”

“Of course, I will,” she replied.

Clint gave her one last kiss, making sure it was full of all the feelings he hadn’t voiced. When he pulled back, she was gasping for breath. Oh, yeah, he still had it.

He opened the back door and stepped naked out onto Sara’s beautiful deck. There was still moisture in the air from the cold front coming in the previous night. He turned and winked before dropping to his knees. It was too chilly to waste time. With Sara standing in the doorway, he called forth his wolf form.

The change rippled over him, and in a few minutes, he was seeing the world differently. He glanced up and saw that Sara had gone to her knees. She was smiling at him.

He shook out his coat before tromping over. Sara didn’t hesitate to scratch his ears.

“I’ll see you tonight,” she said. Then she placed a kiss on the top of his head. “Go.”

He nodded, then took off. Her gate was still open so he raced through it into the forest that separated Sara’s and the Council’s properties.

It didn’t take long. Clint had made the trek so many times that the route was familiar. As promised, Kurt stood outside the back entrance with a handful of clothes. Clint ran to him and before Kurt knew what was happening, he barreled into his best friend.

Kurt cursed. “Damn it!” He finally laughed.

Clint lifted his front paws to Kurt’s shoulders to lick his face.

“Ugh!” Kurt pushed him down. “Knock it off.”

Since there was work to do, Clint didn’t annoy his buddy any more. Instead, he settled down to transform back to his human form.

“What’s up?” Clint questioned, once he could talk. His voice was still a little rough and he needed to eat, but he was curious as to what had happened.

Kurt waved him to follow and Clint did. They went into the same room they’d been in before and he saw Tony was already inside, pacing.

“Hey, thanks for getting up early,” Tony said and shook their hands.

“No problem,” Kurt said.

Tony motioned for them to sit. Gage and Austin entered with a tray full of coffee cups.

Coffee was passed around and Clint couldn’t help but compare the brew to what Sara had served earlier. It didn’t even come close to Sara’s. He hid his smile behind his cup.

“Colt called last night,” Tony explained. “He and some of his new friends will arrive this morning.”

Kurt sat back and raised his eyebrow. “That’s quick.”

Tony nodded. “They’ve been told there are two shifters here causing the town problems and they need to be captured. Colt said his man got word from Perry Costa.”

“So, Perry is still running the show here? No sign of Dan Carter?” Kurt asked.

“And we’re the two shifters they’re coming after?” Clint inquired.

“Yeah, no word from Carter, and they were given pictures of the two of you.”

“What are the orders?” Clint questioned.

“Capture, alive,” Tony told them.

“At least they didn’t say to shoot us on sight,” Kurt stated.

Clint grinned at his friend. Capture? Oh, that wasn’t going to happen. There was a reason that Kurt had headed his own unit in the army and why Clint was one of the top hunters in the world. They worked well as a team.

Gage’s chuckle drew Clint’s attention.

“From the looks on your faces, I take it you’re good with being bait?” the Alpha asked.

Clint and Kurt both nodded. “Of course,” Kurt responded easily.

“Crazy-ass bastards,” Austin murmured under his breath. Everyone chuckled.

“Colt’s going to try to keep us appraised as best he can, but he can’t blow his cover. So unless your life is threatened, he won’t step in. You’ll be on your own,” Tony told them.

Tony drew out his phone and clicked a couple of buttons before he handed it over to Kurt. Kurt took a quick look, then passed the phone to Clint. Clint glanced down.

“That’s Colt,” Tony told them. “So at least you’ll know who he is.”

The picture was of a young, attractive man sitting at a table with a mug of beer in front of him. The man was smiling into the camera, obviously happy with life. Clint handed the phone back to Tony, who took it and glanced back at the picture. The soft expression on Tony’s face drew his attention. Clint recognized the look. He’d seen it plenty of times. Maybe not on his own face but on others.

Tony was in love with Colt.

He wondered if Colt knew or if he felt the same way. Being gay wasn’t anything that bothered Clint and he knew Kurt would feel the same. Kurt’s brother Kenny was in a relationship with another man and they both respected the hell out of Todd—the shifter who Dan Carter had kidnapped in Riverwood.

“As much as we want to get to Dan Carter, we need to treat Perry Costa as a threat. He’s obviously in charge here,” Austin added to the conversation. “Colt’s never even met Carter. But Carter’s son Bruce is coming down with Colt’s group, so that is going to put a lot of heavy power in one place. They have to be planning something big.”

Silence fell.

“There’s more,” Alpha Babcock stated as he joined them.

Gage stood and offered his seat to the Council Alpha, but Alpha Babcock waved him back down.

“I’m on my way to a meeting with the other Council members. I wanted to let you know that I just received a call from one of my guards in town. About fifteen minutes ago, the Church members began to show up in town.”

“How many members?” Gage asked.

“Around thirty or so,” Alpha Babcock answered. “And carrying protest signs.”

“They’re staging a protest in a town where they don’t even live?” Clint inquired.

The Council Alpha nodded. “Yes, and the publicity is a concern. That’s why a meeting has been called.”

Tony stood. He walked over to the large bay window. “What exactly are they hoping to do?”

No one had an answer for him.

Alpha Babcock cleared his throat. “I’ll give you a call later.”

Austin stood and went over to Tony. He placed a hand on Tony’s shoulder and spoke to the other man quietly. Things were moving fast and no matter what the Carter’s orders were, it was Clint’s job to ensure that everyone remained safe. The town of Lovington was supposed to be a place where humans could live without any fear. Now, Carter’s church was upsetting an agreement that had been working for many years.

“It could be a way for us to give in. Bring in the protesters and cause bad publicity for us until we agree to meet with them,” Clint offered. He was never that lucky, though.

“But if they want the two shifters that we brought up here, why would they want the attention? They can’t pull anything off if we’re being watched. It puts their own mission more in the open,” Kurt argued.

“That’s what I can’t get a handle on. When Perry Costa first appeared, he mentioned the two men we have in custody. But when he sent Colt and the others here, he didn’t mention them. Just wanted you and Kurt captured,” Gage said with a growl of frustration.

Tony and Austin walked back over and joined them. Tony’s expression was calm again. The man who’d fought the hardest to allow the shifters to become public deserved to catch a break. Clint would look out for Colt. Make sure that he returned home to Tony.

“You okay?” Clint asked Tony. He didn’t want to pry but hoped Tony knew if he needed anything, Clint would help.

Tony nodded and offered him a small smile. “It’s maddening. We worked so hard to make sure when we went public we were treated properly. We have the government behind us. Have friends in high places. Still Dan Carter is getting away with too much.”

“Hey, you did awesome bringing us all together,” Kurt assured Tony. “I was proud to have the wolves represented by you. We’ll take care of this mess and everything will be fine.”

“Then we need a plan,” Tony stated. “Let’s get this over with.”

Clint couldn’t agree more. He had plan for later that night and he wasn’t going to let Dan, Perry or any other bigot stop him from being with Sara again.

“Austin needs to stay out of sight,” Gage stated.

Austin snorted in response. “I appreciate you trying to hide my identity, but I’m in this. If I’m needed, I won’t hold back.”

“You have your Pack to worry about,” Tony said.

“And they’ll understand. Don’t worry about me,” Austin countered.

“Fine,” Kurt said. “Austin is out unless we need him. Clint and I will see about making more waves. If they want us, then they’re going to get us, all of us.”

Clint nodded. “I’m up for some fun.”

* * * *

Sara couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The small, quiet town she called home was overrun with people she had never seen before, holding up signs and chanting. There were protesters in the streets in front of her shop and the other stores on the block.

She glanced over at Cecil as they watched from the front window.

Cecil shook his head. “I can’t believe this,” he whispered. “Who are all these people?”

Sara wasn’t sure why he was whispering, but she nodded. It was an unbelievable sight. “I don’t know.”

Men, women and children were marching in the street and on the sidewalks, signs against shifters moving up and down, and every time someone walked or drove by, they would call out to try to get them to join in.

The coffee shop was empty. In fact, other than a few cars and some brave souls, the streets were almost deserted of locals. She turned her back to the window and stalked to the counter, her temper rising. She slammed her hand down. This was crazy. Surprised when the front door opened, she whirled around. She had no intention of serving any of the protesters and prepared to turn the person down for service.

“Dad!” She waved him over. “What is all this?”

He shook his head, pulling at the collar of his uniform shirt. “Absolute bullshit. And one of my guys called over the radio and said news vans were headed this way.”

“The news?” she gasped. “Damn, those aren’t even residents out there!” Anger had her clenching her fists.

“Don’t you get involved,” her dad ordered, pointing a finger in her direction.

She didn’t know what he’d seen on her face, but she couldn’t make him any promises. She wished she had Clint’s number. That was number one on her list the next time she saw him. Okay, maybe a kiss first, but then right after, she was getting his number. She hated to think that he might believe the residents were actually involved with this circus.

“I’ve already spoken with Kurt. They know what’s going on and want us to do our best to ignore it,” he said. “He hopes the residents will stay away from this clusterfuck. I’m going store to store to help make that happen.”

This was something not likely to be ignored. But it also wasn’t her place to push. “Coffee?” she asked.

He nodded and she began making his grande cappuccino with two raw sugars. Her dad grinned wide when she handed it over.

“I’ve got to get back out there,” he said. “I hope one of them does something illegal so I can arrest them.”

With that said, her dad waved and left. Cecil laughed and went to start sweeping up. Sara began cleaning the espresso machine. They’d been right smack in the middle of the morning rush when the protesters had lined up outside. Everyone had stood around in shock and just stared. Sara had walked outside with several of her customers while the first protesters had launched into their chant. What had astonished her most were the young children holding up signs and repeating the words of hate their parents were yelling.

That… It was wrong.

She was scrubbing the stainless steel steaming wand when the door opened again.

Six young men walked in and took a look around. Unease traveled up her spine and she darted a glance over to Cecil. Her employee looked back at her, wide-eyed, and scurried back to stand by her.

Cecil might be young, but he wasn’t stupid. He’d had a hard life already and Sara was very protective of him. She shifted forward enough that she would be the focus of the strangers.

One of the guys strolled toward the counter, staring at Cecil.

“Hey, pretty boy,” he said. “What’re you selling?”

Cecil shook his head and backed up.

“Can I help you?” Sara asked.

The man’s gaze went to her. He looked her up and down before he lifted his lip in disgust. “You the shifter slut?”

“Excuse me?”

He laughed, a nasty sound that grated her nerves and fit the horrible man.

“You need to leave,” she stated and crossed her arms over her chest.

He snorted. “You gonna make me? Or maybe the pretty boy behind you is?”

Sara was almost shaking, she was so pissed. “Yeah, yeah, I am.” She’d started around the counter when another man stepped forward.

“Come on, Rudy,” he said. “Let’s get out of here. The sheriff might come back.”

Rudy, the arrogant prick in front of her, frowned before looking over his shoulder at his friend. “You scared, Colt?”

The other man, Colt, dropped his head and shrugged.

“Pussy,” Rudy spat out, then turned back to Sara. “I’m here to give your boyfriend a message.”

Sara didn’t react. Clint had said he had been followed, so it shouldn’t shock her that these men knew about her relationship. But if they thought they could use her to get to Clint, they had another think coming. She wasn’t some helpless female who was going to go cry to Clint.

“Tell him that I’m coming for him. Gonna take him down like the animal he is.”

Sara glared at his back as the men left her shop. The one named Colt was the last to leave. He turned and winked. Sara sputtered. He lifted his finger to his lips in a be quiet gesture. She lifted her eyebrow in response.

Then the door was closed behind him.

“What was that about?” Cecil asked.

“I have no idea,” she replied. There had been something in the guy’s expression that made her think that Colt wasn’t like the men he’d been with.