5 Chapter 5: Prove It

"Riiight. So, if you're a Werewolf prove it."

"Excuse me?"

Hands on her hips she glared at him. She could forgive the whole chauvinistic rant about a female's purpose being to produce live young. After all her own grandfather had told her time and time again that she needed to get married and have babies. But there was no way she was giving in to the whole Werewolf thing. So, yeah, let's see you get down on all fours buddy! Damn if that didn't turn her knees to jelly too.

"Prove it. Now."

"I can only change during the full moon."

"Really, isn't that a little cliché?"

"Rumors sometimes hide truth, Carlotta, and the moon will be full very soon. Believe me I know. Her phases are ingrained on my very soul, mmm," his head hovered over Charley's bare throat and he inhaled deeply.

"You smell like heaven."

Heat kindled in her belly and worked its way up through her entire body. He inhaled again and moaned like she was a fresh batch of cookies. Charley backed up another step. It was not a good move.

The back of her legs hit the bed and she sat down abruptly. The folds of her borrowed robe flew open and revealed long, shapely legs. He reached forward and took her hands, effectively stopping her from rearranging the fickle fabric. He was so warm! She glanced up. His eyes. They were glowing!

Charley sucked in a breath. Was it too early for Stockholm syndrome? Because right now all she wanted was for him to close the distance between them and well- she didn't know what exactly, but yes, she wanted it alright. He inhaled again.

"I know you find me desirable, Carlotta."

"Conceited much?" she tried to shake it off, pretend it wasn't there. But it was no good. He seemed to know what she was thinking.

"It's not conceit. I can smell it. Mmm. No, don't move," his voice was a low dark bass that throbbed up her spinal column.

"Why not?" she crossed and uncrossed her ankles, her nervousness growing with each step he took.

"Your scent. Every time you move, I get more of it. Oh God, um listen. Carlotta-"

"No one calls me Carlotta," she spoke softly, completely enthralled by his face.

He squeezed his eyes shut and kept his head back as if he were trying to create space between them. A losing battle as his body leaned towards her. Another deep breath.

"Everyone calls me Charley," she hated the way her voice shook, but she couldn't deny the tiny tremors of excitement that vibrated all over her body.

"Really? That's a shame. Carlotta is a beautiful name. It suits you," he moved closer. It was as if he was being pulled by some invisible force. He opened his eyes. They seemed to glow a shade darker than their usual icy blue. Maybe it was a trick of the light?

Charley licked her parted lips. She leaned back further onto the massive bed. It was as if she had no control, her body was reacting to his in a way that was new to her. And she liked it. Her elbows dug deep into the plush mattress as Rafe's massive body loomed over hers.

"I am sorry, Carlotta, that I can't give you more time. I must be mated before the meeting on Christmas Eve. I'll give you anything, everything you've ever wanted. I have money and power. After we invalidate this charge that my rule is illegitimate, I can try and give you your own life. But right now, I need you, Carlotta. Will you help me?" his voice was mesmerizing.

Charley wanted to give him, well, everything. It was absurd! But still, she felt herself nod as he lowered himself so that his body hovered ever so slightly over hers. Like a big dark dream.

"I don't want your money or power," she spoke in a voice she hardly recognized.

It was happening so fast, like a force of nature. Charley wondered if she could still be dreaming. How could her body react so strongly to a stranger?

"Anything you want, I'll give you anything." Mine. She's mine.

"I don't care about that stuff, Rafe, I have no family-"

"Shhh, it doesn't matter. I'll give you family, Carlotta. I'll give you anything. Just say yes, please, God, say yes."

Charley was captivated by his sudden vulnerability. He needed her. Nobody ever needed her before. She worked forty hours a week cutting cold cuts and scrubbing counters. It was a dead-end job, and she knew it.

After her grandfather passed away, Charley was left alone in the world except for Buttercup. But this man, this gorgeous giant who believed he was a Wolf, needed her. She felt it.

"I'm sorry it has to be like this. So sorry, but I have to, they'll know if we don't, if I don't-," he whispered his words so close his breath mingled with hers.

Charley wanted to taste him. She wanted, she didn't know what, but oh yeah, she wanted. His lips brushed hers once, then twice. His tongue flicked out across her lips and she gasped.

"Mmmm, you taste like cherries," he groaned, and he kissed her again. This time his tongue dipped into her warm mouth and she opened for him with a soft moan.

"It's my Chapstick," she whispered.

"No, Carlotta, it's you," he licked her lips and kissed her again. He pulled back and she groaned her disappointment.

"I can't help this, I'm sorry. Your pheromones are so strong and with the moon this close, it's hard for me to stay in control. I need you. I'm sorry. Say yes," his voice rumbled, and Charley nodded.

"Yes, oh yes," she whispered.

Charley barely understood him, but she knew she was saying yes, and God help her she meant it too. The things he was doing to her were incredible. His hands had an easy strength as he lifted her and peeled back the covers. Charley wanted more. She wanted him.

He pushed her gently onto the mattress and grazed her neck and chin lightly with his teeth. Charley clung to him, awash in a new kind of passionate haze she had never experienced before. His long hardness pressed against her thighs and he continued to lick and nip her mouth and neck while he undressed her.

She knew she should fight him. She should struggle to hold onto that virginity she had saved for the one man she would marry. But not even her twelve years of Catholic school could have prepared her for this onslaught of feeling.

How could she fight against something that felt soooo good? Why should she? It didn't matter. She still had to try, right?

"Oh God. Don't-," Charley's whisper was agonized. She moved her head from side to side against the soft pillow.

"Don't?" Rafe lifted his head, his blue eyes blazed as he fought to control himself.

"Don't-," Charley whispered again.

"Carlotta, do you want me to stop? Carlotta? -,"

"Don't, don't, oh, don't stop, please, oh please, don't stop," she felt his relieved smile against her full breast.

"Thank God, oh, thank you," he breathed his reply and took her plump nipple into his mouth. A delighted gasp escaped her lips.

What was he doing? Tugging, sucking, licking, nipping. His tongue seemed to paint a picture across her body. She writhed under his expertise, wanting more. His hands left hot trails of desire along her taut body.

Charley's skin burned and Rafe seemed to know what she needed. He switched his attentions almost before she knew she wanted him to. Caressing, stroking, and squeezing her in ways she had never dreamed could happen to her.

Growing up with only an elderly grandfather hadn't left her much time for boys as a teenager. She attended Catholic high school, took some community college classes, and worked at Junior's part time. Then her grandfather discovered he had cancer.

She quit school, worked more hours at Junior's, and took care of him until he passed away two years ago. That brought her life up to date. She lived alone, with her cat. Worked, read books, and very rarely dated.

But here she was. A twenty-five-year-old virgin about to have sex for the first time ever with her kidnapper, who by the way thought he was a Werewolf. Whoa.

Okay, she knew she'd have to deal with a whole lot of reality the minute she woke up from this nightmare/dream. She'd worry about it then. She'd even check herself into a mental health clinic just as soon as she got home. She'd do anything as long as he didn't stop what he was doing right then.

"I can smell your need, Carlotta, can you feel mine?" he pressed against her, his body hard and throbbing. She strained towards it like he was some goal she wanted desperately to achieve.

"Do you like this?" he growled and licked her with his tongue in long strokes from the tip of her rosy hard nipples down to her navel, and then lower to her inner thighs. She couldn't speak, she just moaned and gripped his hair in her hands. She left them there since he didn't seem to mind.

His hot breath hovered over her core and she flexed her hips instinctively. Charley couldn't think. She wanted something, craved something she couldn't describe. His big hands cupped her breasts as his teeth gripped the elastic of her white lace panties.

She felt a tug and knew they were gone. Ripped off with his teeth. Oh my. She felt his chest vibrate, a deep rumble as he slowly, reverently lowered his head.

His hands moved to part her. He looked at her, all the while slowly stroking her thighs. Charley's mouth hung open. She couldn't believe what he was going to do. What she was going to let him do.

His eyes locked on hers as he lowered his mammoth head and kissed her there. Once, twice with his full lips. He looked up, gave her a carnal smile. His lips glistened with what she knew was her own moisture.

Then his long, thick tongue snaked out of his mouth and he licked her. The groan that escaped his throat rivaled her own. He lowered his head and lapped her. Sucking, licking, and nipping gently with his teeth.

Charley gasped and ground herself against his mouth shamelessly searching for something, some pinnacle she knew she had to reach. And then she did. White hot flames seemed to burst beneath her closed eyelids as he worshipped her body with his hands, his lips, and his tongue. She yelled her first ever release.

Rafe purred his contentment as he continued to suckle. Slowly, soothingly. She was lost in sensation as he changed position and removed his clothing.

Rafe needed her. Now. He cupped her buttocks, lifting her, and positioned his swollen head at her moist opening. He tensed and entered her slowly.

Charley felt him push inside of her. The sting was brief, but the sense of connection, of communion, was strong. Him, I've been waiting for him.

"Carlotta," he murmured. He had to go slowly with her. He rubbed his finger in tiny, feather light circles, oh so gently, so tenderly over her throbbing sex.

Charley moved and Rafe sucked in a deep breath as he pushed even further inside of her. His eyes bore into hers. He needed to watch her as they joined. Her scent filled his nostrils, the Wolf in him demanded he claim her. Now.

"Rafe! Please," Charley thrusted upwards, but his large hands captured and stilled her.

"Easy, baby," he whispered and shifted. He cradled her gently in his arms and watched her every reaction as he fully pushed into her.

She felt him stretch her. Her soft body accommodated his pulsating strength. The tremendous rightness of it brought tears to Charley's eyes. She reached up and held his face as he filled her.

She pulled down his head. He allowed her to, his expression tense, until she kissed him. He groaned and opened for her. Her soft tongue tangled with his.

Rafe thought he would explode. For the first time, she initiated contact. He was completely at her mercy. He stilled and waited for her to command him. A Wolf always listened to his mate's desires. Something inside of her must have known it too because she nipped his lip and pulled on his waist. He groaned aloud and thrust into her. Mine.

He pumped until her cries filled his ears. He growled and his hot seed filled her. Making her gasp. He had never felt so satisfied, so complete, as he did in that moment.

"Are you okay?" he trailed soft kisses down her throat and up to her mouth.

Charley could hardly believe what had just happened. It was better than anything she had ever read about. And she had read some mighty descriptive romance novels in her day. She kissed him back, loving the weight of him.

"Mmm, better than okay."

"Good, cause I'm not finished yet."

Rafe moved inside of her and she felt him swell instantly. Charley's eyes flew open.

"Is that supposed to happen so soon?"

"I'm a Werewolf, we heal quickly."

"Oh, -"

"But I don't think I could ever get my fill of you, sweet Carlotta," he breathed her name into her mouth as he joined with her.

Charley held on tight as Rafe drove her to the edge of sanity. He seemed to know exactly what she needed in ways she didn't know herself. My destiny.

Their bodies were slick with sweat. Rafe cradled her face in his big hands, kissing her as he sank into her welcoming warmth. She bit down just above his collar bone, gasping his name, and damn, if he didn't pump harder. Her spasms milked him, and he threw his head back, roaring his completion.

After what seemed like an eternity Charley opened her eyes. She was utterly spent, but not even exhaustion could stop the smile that spread across her face like sunshine.

Rafe moved down her body. His lips trailed soft kisses as he went. She missed his warmth. She wanted to pull him back on top of her. She should be ashamed, but shame was not how she felt. Not at all.

She watched as he tended her. Rafe's tongue snaked out and licked her thighs soothing her sensitized flesh. She couldn't move as she watched him. His dark head moved up and down as he ministered to her hot skin.

She wanted to hold her knees closed, suddenly embarrassed, but she had neither the strength nor the will to deny him. He parted her legs and looked at her with such reverence in his gaze that her heart skipped a beat.

She lay before him completely exposed. Charley sucked in a breath as he bent and licked away the remnants of her first time. He kissed her thighs then moved up ever so slowly to her most sensitive flesh. First, he tended her, then he moved with intent.

Charley gasped and arched off the bed. She undulated against his clever tongue. Her breathing grew heavy. Rafe knelt between her thighs and cocked his head to the side. She could feel the pressure build up in his powerful body as he waited for her response.

She reached up and grabbed his long hard length with both hands. His skin was like velvet. She cupped him and pumped him once, then twice. He threw his head back and groaned. A very satisfying sound. Charley bit her lip then placed his swollen head at her center.

"Are you sure I won't hurt you?"

"I'm sure, Rafe. I want this, I want you."

"Mine," he growled.

Charley moaned at the pleasure of him filling her. He was so strong. Hard, large, and sinewy. Like some sort of ancient warrior god.

Charley on the other hand, was soft and curvy. Her body full of dips and valleys. Her skin ivory to his bronze. Rafe kissed her full breasts, and she threw her head back, her hair cascading around her in wild disarray.

She never thought much about her looks. Never thought there was a reason to. She knew she was considered much larger than the norm. Advertisements and the media of the day continued to plaster pictures of ultra-skinny waif like models all over the place as the thing to aspire to.

Super-thin girls and women who were concerned with the size of their "thigh gap", a thing Charley could not possibly measure on herself as it was non-existent. She was always fond of food and when she was younger, she often felt bad about her weight. Dieting hadn't worked. She certainly wouldn't take pills or have surgery to fulfill society's standards of beauty.

In the 50s, she would have been perfect. But Charley couldn't complain. She was healthy, her yearly physicals stated as much. She had the odd date here and there. Guys in high school had told her she would be pretty if she lost some weight, but she shrugged them off and stuck to herself.

And she was glad. Now more than ever. She was in bed with a man who looked and moved like a god. And Rafe, well, he made her feel beautiful.

His expression was both fierce and humble as he traced lines along her collarbone, neck, and face with his long-fingered hands. He leaned down and kissed everywhere he had touched. Worshipping her with his mouth.

She met his lips and touched them tentatively with her tongue. Rafe had to work to control himself. He could hardly believe her response to him. Could she really be his true mate? Mine. His Wolf growled inside of him and he gripped the pillow behind her head so hard it popped.

Down feathers flew around her head and she laughed. Rafe smiled too. Beautiful. Her scent, her taste, her passion, the waves of emotion that rolled off her, he'd take it all. She was his.

"You are beautiful," he nuzzled her neck just as she ran her nails down to his buttocks. And squeezed. His ability to think froze. He was insatiable, but only for her.

"Grrr, Carlotta, I don't think I can be gentle if you do things like that, you should stop-" he growled in her ear. But his mate shook her head and squeezed harder.

"I don't need gentle, I need you," she wrapped her legs around his waist.

This was crazy. Charley knew it. Later, I'll think later. Right then she only wanted to feel. She waited her entire life to feel something half as real.

Rafe knelt in front of her, still joined he lifted her legs and put them on his shoulders, going even deeper inside of her. Charley gasped.

He ran his long fingers over her sensitive skin and moved. More. He seemed to sense her needs. When he moved inside of her it was like poetry.

Charley did the only thing she could think of. She held on and when she reached the height of their passion she cried out.

"Carlotta," he exhaled her name and Charley watched him as he exploded inside of her.

It was the most intimate moment of her life. Staring into the clear blue eyes of her very first lover. Her only lover.

They had made love. She may be a novice, but she knew this was more than sex. The way he looked at her in his moment of release melted away whatever protection she had built around her heart.

"Rafe, mmm," her voice sounded dreamlike and far away.

"Hey, baby, you hungry?" he cuddled her and kissed her shoulder.

"Actually, I think I'd like a shower," Charley she felt around for her robe. Her cheeks burned. She couldn't quite meet his eyes.

Rafe wasn't having any of that. The last thing he wanted was for his new mate to feel shame after what they experienced together. He turned her head to face him, she had such beautiful brown eyes.

"Of course, but first I need you to hear something. I, I apologize."

Her heart stopped. He was sorry they made love. She was shameless! Having sex with her captor. And loving it! And he was sorry.

"No, never for making love with you. I'd never apologize for that," as her heart resumed its beat, she wondered if he was reading her mind.

"What you gave me was a gift and I'll treasure it. Always. But that's why I need to apologize, for not being sorry."

Sorry for not being sorry? Well, that's new.

"Carlotta, my men took you without your permission and I just jumped you! I need to apologize for that. It's just that I can't because I am not the least bit sorry that you're here with me right now."

"Oh, thank God," she said and jumped into his arms.