WARNING: Thanks to certain potty-mouthed individuals of the Pack, contains pretty strong language. Plus, this is where things finally start to heat up ...

XXXXXXXXX

Chapter XIV

Paul's pov:

"Why should I believe you ? When I ... When I told you, you said fuck all. Not a single fucking word, Sam. You just zoned out on me completely. So why the hell should I believe you give a damn about me ? You don't give a shi- ... mmmph !"

I knew I was in deep shit as soon as I felt Sam's lips claim mine. And boy, did he claim them ... It was nothing like I expected or imagined our first kiss to be. There was no hesitation on Sam's part. No sign of wariness. No fumbling. No accidental bumping of noses or any shit like that. Nope, it was none of those things. Instead it was a kiss borne of supreme confidence. Of undeniable dominance, intense need, burning hunger and raw passion. And it was pure Alpha male.

When his lips first came into contact with mine, I froze in stunned disbelief. Then, just as quickly I began to struggle in a half-hearted show of protest before letting myself be consumed by the kiss. And there's no denying that Sam Uley can kiss. Gods ! Can that imprint of mine kiss ... So, you can bet your ass I didn't struggle or protest for long. In all honesty, I couldn't ... didn't want to. All I wanted was to be swept away by his kiss. To be set alight by Sam's passion. His need ... and his desire. Any resistance or objections I had, simply vanished and were quickly forgotten. It took no time at all for him to coax a response from me and if I hadn't wrapped an arm around Sam's neck and pushed my slight frame restlessly against his huge, toned build, I'd've melted into a puddle of goo at his feet had he not held me so possessively, firmly and gently. My hunger for him suddenly flared. It burned fiercely. I became frantic for more of his touch. I craved it. Wanted more. I burned for Sam ... Needed him. Longed for more. Wanted, needed and loved him. In the end it got too much and gasping breathlessly for air, I weakly pushed him away as I gazed at him hungrily through lust-blown eyes.

It appeared he was equally affected. It was impossible to ignore Sam's huge, rock-hard shaft as it throbbed and nudged persistently against my belly. Our eyes met briefly before his dark, molten, whisky-hued gaze dropped to my mouth, making me giddy with anticipation. If I'm being honest, I was blown away at how fast Sam had gotten me so hot 'n' bothered for him. He'd done it without breaking into a sweat and made it look so easy. So effortless. Swallowing hard, I ran the tip of my tongue across my tender, swollen lips and desperately tried to control my breathing.

Sam raised his hand, then lightly ran a forefinger down my cheek before grazing my lower lip with the ball of his thumb. His eyes drifted over my body, going down slowly then back upwards at the same painstaking pace. The intensity and heat of his appreciative gaze, made me tremble. Brought out my flesh in goosebumps ... especially when his hands drifted down my flanks to rest on my hips, steadying me. The warmth of his palms seeped into my skin and had my blood coursing like wildfire through my veins.

"And you say I don't give a shit ? Damn, Paul ! You're all I think about ... You're on my mind 24/7. I don't just want you anymore, I fucking love you ... I'm in love with you, dumb-ass ! I could make you happy if you just give me a chance, yeah ?" And when he rumbled those words in that deep, raspy sexy voice of his and his hand rested protectively on the curve of my belly ? Fuck ! I knew I was done for ... That he had me. Well 'n' truly had me. For keeps ... or as long as he wanted me. Then ...

"The reason why I didn't say anything earlier about the baby is that I was trying to get my head around it, y'know ? It wasn't that I didn't want anything to do with you or the little one. I do. You just caught me unawares, 's all. I mean, you've known about it for a couple of weeks and had time for everything to sink in. I'm still processing it all- "

I felt myself grow cold and instantly tensed. There it was, the crux of the whole matter ... Sam had changed his mind. He was rejecting me ... and not just me, but our baby as well. Biting my lower lip, I hastily tore my gaze away from him and stared blindly at the floor, cursing my stupidity and raging, unpredictable hormones and praying I wouldn't breakdown and cry. Sam must've read my mind. Must've sensed what was going on in my crazy head. Could tell exactly what I was thinking just by looking at my stricken expression. He reacted quickly and spoke softly in a genuine attempt to soothe my fears.

"Hey ! Hey ! Paul ! Don't even think it. I'm not walking away from the pair of you. I'm not rejecting you or our baby. And I'm definitely not pissed about what's happened. If it means I get to be with you, that I get to have a family of my own, then ... Hell ! This is the best thing that's happened to me. I'm far from pissed, if anything you've made me so happy. All I want is you and now, knowing you're carrying my kid, that's just a bonus, Paul. It's not just you I want any more, it's both of you ..."

Suddenly, I felt oh-so tired. So drained of strength and emotion. I just wanted to go back to bed. Close my eyes. Fall asleep. And just forget about everything. And if I couldn't do that ? Pretend that none of it had ever happened. That I hadn't become a shifter. That I hadn't imprinted on my best friend. That we'd never fallen out. That I wasn't in love with him ... didn't need or want him. That he hadn't knocked me up and rejected me. Then I made the mistake of looking at him and saw the need, desire, longing and more importantly, the love that blazed in those shrewd, striking golden-brown eyes. The fact that I was the one responsible for that look left me stunned. That I, of all people, was able to make Sam feel so much. Damn ! I'd gotten him pegged all wrong. Right from the off ... I was such a dumb fuck ! This was no wind up ... No cruel joke. Sam was being honest with me. He hadn't lied. He genuinely wanted me ... and our cub. Despite me looking like shit, as well as being so screwed up and the Pack's worst and biggest ever fuck-up.

Feeling drowsy, I sighed and slumped heavily against Sam's broad, smooth chest, mumbling "Sam, I'm sorr- ... Sorry for being a jerk ... I'm just all over the place right now, I can't help it ..." Having misjudged him so badly, I felt subdued and unusually shy. I glanced up and saw Sam give me a lopsided grin, one which made my heart flip. Gods ! It's official, my imprint had turned me into a wuss ... made me soft. Pliable. Weak-willed. And the way he looked at me, as if I was the most precious, most important thing in his life didn't help matters either.

"Shhh ... it's ok. I get it. You're tired and you've been through a helluva lot, you're entitled to be a little whacked right now. C'mon, you look done in. I'm taking you back to bed, Paul. You need to get some rest ..."

And before I could do anything crazy like protest, he carefully picked me up and carried me back to his bed. I couldn't help but nestle against him. It felt so good to be held in his arms. To be so close. And despite feeling absolutely knackered, I was all too aware of him. Of Sam's strength, his warmth, power and build. How hard his toned body was, the smoothness of his skin which felt like heated silk. The steady beat of his heart and how evenly he breathed. Of how his woodsy, citrusy scent drove me wild. And how safe and comforted I felt in his presence. My body relaxed and I laid my head on Sam's shoulder, close to his neck and let my warm breath ghost over his skin as I gently, yet sleepily, nuzzled his throat.

Hope began to flare within me. Maybe, just maybe, my not-so-dumb, brave, persistent, handsome imprint stood more than a chance of winning me over after all.

XXXXX

For the second time in less than twenty four hours, I woke up feeling well rested and cocooned in warmth. Only this time, I was all too aware of the source of my warmth ... of why I felt so contented and so safe. A thick, sinewy forearm snaked around my waist, drawing me close until I lay flush with Sam's torso as his body spooned mine. Despite biting my lower lip, I couldn't for the life of me stop a huge grin from spreading across my face. I was finally where I'd yearned to be for the past two years ... Where I belonged. An overwhelming need came over me to see Sam's face and 'cause my will was no longer my own, that I was a slave to the imprint, I gave in to the urge ... I slowly turned in Sam's arms to face him.

If there was ever a word that'd exactly describe the look on my beloved imprint's face right at this very moment, it would be "tranquil." Sam looked at peace and so very contented. Suddenly, looking at him wasn't enough. I wanted - fuck, no - I needed to touch him. And 'cause I craved it so badly, I caved. I just couldn't resist the temptation. And if I'm honest, I didn't want to. Impulsively, I reached out and lightly trailed my fingertips down from his right temple, across his cheek. At first, my touch was tentative. Cautious. But I quickly gained confidence. By the time I reached his lips, I was captivated and failed to notice Sam had finally woken up and before I knew what was happening, he curled his tongue around my finger and slowly drew it into his mouth. His gaze was intense and full of hunger and the feel of his hot, moist tongue as it massaged and caressed my finger made me gasp. Then just as abruptly, he playfully nipped my fingertip before releasing it with a quick, gentle lave of his tongue to take away the sting. My breath immediately hitched and even if I wanted to - which I didn't - I was unable to break eye contact with him. A knowing, teasing grin slowly curved Sam's lips. It made him look boyish and if at all possible, even more attractive.

"Hey, trouble ..." Sam drawled, his voice still raspy with sleep. His hand came to rest on the side of my neck, its long, callused fingers slowly curving and lazily caressing my nape.

"H-Hey ..." I replied softly. Again, I felt awed by how my imprint alone was capable of making me feel shy. It wasn't the first time it'd happened and I doubted that it'd be the last time either.

I'm not sure how it happened exactly ... which one of us closed the gap between us. And honestly ? I didn't particularly give a fuck. All I cared about is that it happened and I'm glad that it did. Glad and more than happy. Hell ! Maybe "ecstatic" would be closer to the mark to describe how I really felt. Thrilled to receive his light, teasing kisses. To feel him playfully nip a path across my jawline then return to tenderly caress my lips. The increasing pressure of his mouth upon mine grew as he tugged, nibbled and sucked my lips before coaxing them to part so that he could plunder and ravage my mouth. All too soon the kiss consumed us. It grew darker. Intensely possessive. And heated. It burned with passion and was mindblowingly seductive.

Sam's hand left my neck and skimmed its way slowly down my body. His touch set my body on fire and soon, kissing was no longer enough. I wanted more. I craved more from him. When his hand finally reached my butt and he began to grind his hips against mine, that was it. I was lost. Groaning huskily, I coiled my leg around his and slid my hands beneath his boxers. Grabbing his taut, pert ass with both hands and revelling in the feel of it, I began to instinctively knead it. I must've done something right, something that Sam liked, as he gave a throaty, needy moan. The sound instantly sent a bolt of lust straight to my groin, making me harder than I already was. By now, Sam's lips were on my neck, roaming freely towards the mark at the base of my throat. The mark that he'd given me. The one that branded me his for all to see. His and his alone. The feel of his lips brushing, nibbling, suckling and caressing the mark made my toes curl. Had my heart racing madly. Made me want so badly. And when he began to lick that spot ? I ached for him. Desperately. His touch was driving me crazy. Had me writhing feverishly against his body like a cheap whore who had no control over her body or its actions. Breathing raggedly, I began to frantically paw at his boxers in a vain attempt to push them down his lean hips. To strip them away so that I could revel in the feel of his bare flesh without hindrance.

"Mine ..." Sam's voice abruptly broke the silence. Its tone possessive. Heated.

I froze. Sam's statement had me torn. Made me feel conflicted. Sure, what he said was true. I was his. I belonged to Sam. Heart. Body. And soul. Yet a small voice inside my head which belonged to my inner rebel protested half-heartedly. Reminding me that I was a free spirit and not meant to be anyone's possession. But the fact of the matter was that I wanted to be Sam's. To belong to my imprint. 'Cause when it came to the wire, I needed him. Pure 'n' simple. I needed Sam to want and love me as much as I wanted and loved him.

When I didn't reply, Sam placed his index finger beneath my chin and tilted it upwards, forcing me to meet his molten gaze. All the while he continuously brushed the mark at the base of my throat with the ball of his thumb.

"Mine," he growled softly once more and for the life of me, I didn't have the will nor the heart to argue with him. After all, it was true. I was his and I didn't have the strength to fight it anymore. Nor did I want to. To hell with my fucking pride. It made a cold and lonely bedfellow and I'd cut my nose to spite my face for far too long where my imprint was concerned. Swallowing hard, I nodded slowly and took a deep breath then finally quietly replied.

"Yeah ... Yours, Sam ... All yours ..."