Paul was under one of the trucks in the shop. His hands worked at turning screws in patterns that he knew all too well. The muscle memory of the work allowed for his mind to wander as he worked.
It had been two months since they were able to take down Donovan and Jeremy had been rearrested. Even though Jeremy was 17 at the time of the initial arrest, he was tried as an adult, though he carried fewer charges than his brother for the same crimes. However, his escape managed to add enough on to his sentence that he would never be allowed out of prison. And, all of that was just for the charges in Oregon. So, facing life in prison anyway, Jeremy Price took a plea deal for the two assaults in Washington. They removed any chance of him ever being let out on parole. Facing a trial was pointless. He wouldn't get out anyway and they had him on camera for both attacks.
His older brother, Greg quickly followed suit. Once Jeremy folded, Greg didn't have a leg to stand on. Anna had just received the call from the attorneys the night before.
Paul couldn't be happier for her. It was over. All of it was finally over. Anna would not have to sit through testifying anymore. No more living through her trauma in front of attorneys and media outlets. The four men who sought to hurt her were dead or in prison. She could finally breath.
The metallic clang of car parts falling to the floor jarred his mind back to work. "Lahote, keep your focus on your job!"
"I'm on it." He called back.
Paul trudged his way back home after work. He hadn't slept well the night before. He could hear Anna pacing in her room, but she refused to just sleep next to him to calm down. Paul had taken Leah's advice and asked Anna to live with him on a more permanent basis. She did need stability, and he hoped that being with him would help the relationship grow gradually. It did. He gave Anna her own room so that she did not feel pressured. However, the offer was always open for her to sleep next to him as they had many times before. Just warmth and comfort. No sex. It was an offer that she made use of several times when emotions were high.
He just couldn't figure out why she couldn't sleep and wouldn't go near him the night before. The trials were cancelled, she should be happy. And, he honestly thought that she would want to cuddle as that closure finally hit. But, she kept her distance. It ate away at him. Not only did it disrupt his sleep, but he worried that she was pulling away completely. Had he really only been a protector as long as there was a threat? Now that the threat was gone, did she want to leave?
His mind was so messed up that Sam had even sent him home instead of patrol in the early morning hours. Still, Anna kept her distance.
He walked in the door, headed to take a shower before he went to go pick Anna up from work. However, he was stopped by the mouthwatering aroma of dinner. Anna looked up from the oven as he walked in.
"Go get a shower. I have a surprise for you." She smiled.
"Weren't you supposed to be at work?" He smirked.
Anna put her hands on her hips. "I called out. Now, up stairs before you ruin your surprise."
Paul laughed and ran up the stairs to start his shower. The warm water helped to relax his worry. She was there, and smiled at him, with a surprise for him. She wasn't leaving after all. Right?
He was so lost in thought that he barely registered the sound of the bathroom door opening and closing. "Anna?"
"Just stay there." She said hesitantly. Then, to Paul's complete and utter shock, she climbed into the shower with him. Stunningly, gorgeously naked. His jaw dropped.
"Anna…" He started. His wolf had jumped up excitedly.
But, she cut him off. "I am sure Paul. I have been for a while. I just wanted everything to be over first. I wanted to last night after the call, but, I didn't want this to be rushed. That is, if you want me?"
He arched a brow. "You know I do." He growled. "Is that why you avoided me all night and in the morning?"
She nodded. "I know you can smell things. And, I..."
'Claim her.' The wolf growled deeply.
The most intoxicating blush flooded across her cheeks, and down her chest to the tops of her delicious looking breasts. She chewed on her lower lip nervously as he looked her over with a heady mix of love and lust. Yeah, now that she was in front of him, he could definitely smell her arousal. It flooded him with pride that she was so ready for him.
Paul didn't want to rush her, to scare her, to hurt her. She had told him that she wasn't so delicate. But, he couldn't bring himself to rush into anything heavy. He would have fun exploring, testing, building up to boundaries and testing them over time. This, however, was a moment to remember. So, he slowly reached out to graze his fingers over her skin, watching her face as it flushed deeper red. He grinned as he watched shivers dance across her skin.
His wolf purred at her reactions.
Anna took hold of Paul's hands. She led one behind her waist as she stepped closer. The other, she placed on her breast. Then, she ran her hands along his arms, up over his shoulders, and into his hair as she pulled his face down to capture his lips with hers.
The kiss was soft and sweet, hesitant. It was their first kiss on the lips. Neither rushed to push faster than the soft, delicate caresses of flesh against flesh. Slowly, almost painstakingly slowly, did they press together more, providing more passion. Paul's mind was spinning as he finally remembered that he had his hands all over Anna's naked body. He had been so lost in their first kiss that he had lost track of everything else. But, once he remembered, he let his hands move.
The moment his calloused hands grazed across her hardened nipple, Anna gasped. Paul took the opportunity to deepen the kiss. Getting his first real taste of her. He growled at the intimacy of the moment. Nothing could have tasted better than his imprint. Not one of his fantasies of Anna over the months could hold a candle to the reality he faced.
Anna giggled at the growl, pulling them closer together, before she pulled her head back and tugged on his lip with her teeth. She took a deep breath and looked Paul straight in the eyes. Her eyes were dark and hooded with lust. Damn, was she sexy. She wasn't like any woman he had been with before. She unfortunately had more experience that Paul ever wanted to think about. However, she was still so innocent in her reactions to him. She was perfect. And, completely his.
"Not yet, wolf boy."
Paul whimpered. He was letting her take control, to set the pace. But, he did not want to stop.
She pushed him back under the shower. "Let's get you cleaned up first." She took the wash rag and some soap and began to scrub every inch of his body, as she did when he was injured. Only this time, she explored more intimate parts of his anatomy in the process. She was careful and precise, as if she was attempting to commit every muscle, tendon and vein to memory.
She chuckled at his moans and gasps of pleasure. But, it was when she cupped his body in her hands while she bit down on his nipple at the same time, that his sight blacked out, only to be replaced by flickering lights, like fireworks and his body spasmed, damn near close to an orgasm at first touch. How she had learned that trick about him months ago, he would never know. But, damn did it blow his mind when she did it.
"Anna…" He warned. "Don't get me too wound up yet. It's been a while for me. And, I want our first time to be special."
She stretched up to kiss his lips. "It will be." Then she kissed her way down his body until she took his erection into her mouth. His wolf was howling in pleasure. Fuck, was she addictive.
But, she pulled back just before he could tip over into ecstasy. "Not yet." She gave him one last lick and stood up.
"My turn." He pulled her into his arms while he turned off the shower and carried her across the hall to his bedroom.
Gently he laid her across the bed under him. Paul took his time, exploring every inch of her wet body. He paid special attention to every scar, with his tongue and lips. As if he could kiss away the memories. From the look in her eyes, he was sure that he did to some extent.
Anna smiled and giggled between her sounds of pleasure. Her soft murmurs and gasps made his erection jump for more attention. Then, he slid himself down to taste her most erotic center. Her head flew back as his mouth delved into her core. Her back arched and she called out his name.
Damn, there could truly be no greater sound in the world than Anna calling his name in pleasure. He wanted to hear more. To see more. To taste more. Until she exploded in her climax, her body tightened around his fingers as they plunged into her.
The wolf wouldn't stop. 'Claim her. She is ours. Claim her!'
Paul chuckled as he climbed up her body to attack her lips once again. He couldn't get enough of her full red lips, swollen from their explorations.
"Shit. Give me a chance to breath." She begged. "I've never…" She took more deep breaths. Paul knew. The bastards before had only taken their pleasure. They had never worried about giving her pleasure. He had guessed that a long time ago. That was why he would not rush things. He wouldn't ever, allow himself to be like them.
He kissed her again. "Don't compare things. Just focus on here, now, with me."
She nodded her head as she cupped his face and smiled. "I love you Paul Lahote."
"I love you more, Annabell Jacobs."
Anna wrapped her legs around Paul's waist.
He pulled back. "Are you sure about this?"
She nodded. "I want to share this with you. I trust you, completely."
At her consent, he slid himself into her body. Slowly, deeply, and then paused to let her get used to him. His wolf howled in triumph. 'Ours!'
They continued to kiss, gently, lovingly until she started to rock her hips against his. Then he slid out and entered her again.
Her back arched under him. He smirked as he repeated the motion, again and again, until she was begging him for more. Harder. Faster. Her body seized and shook as her climax sent her shattering into ecstasy, milking his own body as he joined her on the next stroke.
'Perfect.' The wolf grinned contentedly. 'Never let go.'
Paul pulled her into a loving embrace as they both came down from their high. He placed soft kisses along her neck and shoulder as she hummed. "I could get used to this."
He grinned. "Me too."
Anna rolled to look at him. "Don't think your surprise is finished, Mr. Lahote. I have your favorite dinner set on warm down stairs. And, I got some chocolate sauce and whipped cream for dessert."
Paul arched a brow. "And what is that chocolate and whipped cream supposed to go on?" Anna giggled and pecked his lips before running out of the room, still naked.
"Me! And, next time, don't hold back" She called behind her. "I want all of you Lahote. I am not caging you in. But, you will have to catch me first!"
He laughed as he got up to chase her. It was going to be a long night. And, he wouldn't give it up for anything in the world.
"Paul!" Anna's voice yelled as she ran up the road toward Sam's house.
Paul started to panic as he feared that something was wrong. It wasn't until he saw her smile and heard her laugh that he relaxed. Letting her run and jump into his arms in a flurry of kisses.
He laughed as she attacked him. "What is it baby?"
"Abbie! She's in remission. She gets to go home today!" Anna hugged him tightly as she cried tears of joy. He swung her around in his own joy as he shared in her news.
While Donovan had been after Anna, they agreed not to go to Seattle. They didn't want him to track them back to the children. Anna had told the Wilson's that it had to do with her step-family, which they agreed that for safety reasons, it was best to keep some distance. Anna was not entirely wrong since Jeremy had escaped. But, once, Jeremy was arrested again and Donovan was dead, Paul and Anna returned to visit Abbie every other weekend. Over time, they really became friends with the family and settled into calling Brandon and Rebecca Wilson, just Brandon and Becca.
Paul set Anna down on the ground as she started to excitedly tell Paul and everyone else at the house about how well Abbie had been doing. And, now that she was out of the hospital, Brandon and Becca were asking if they could visit La Push on the next holiday weekend. Paul quickly offered to have them stay at the house with him and Anna. That made Anna even more happy.