Penance (Dark Alpha #5) by Alisa Woods Page A

a not-so-subtle promise. She moaned, and her eyes drifted closed.
    “Is this what you want, little witch?” he whispered, his voice even huskier than he had intended. Maybe he could do this, even if the idea sickened him. He shoved that thought away.
    “Oh God, yes,” Circe breathed. She grasped hold of his cock through the jeans fabric, stroking him and making him harder. “I want all of you. Now.”
    He grabbed her hand by the wrist and pulled it away. “I’m going to give you everything you want and more.” He growled out the words, which just made her squirm against him. “But first, I want to be absolutely clear about what you’re giving me when we’re done.”
    “I already called the family. They’ll be here soon.” She clawed at his pants, trying to slip her hand inside. He pulled her hand away again then pushed her body flat against the desk, hauling her bare sex against the rough fabric of his pants while holding her hands over her head with one hand. It was the perfect position to torment and tease her, and his cock stiffened even more in response. Circe gasped with it as well, arching her back and shoving her breasts up.
    “Take me now,” she breathed, straining against him.
    “First, I want your promise,” he said, even as he ground against her and made her whimper. “You’ll help me with the family, you’ll do the spell, and you’ll speak nothing of this to Arianna. Ever.”
    Circe’s panting slowed a bit, and she lifted her head to look at him. “Spell?”
    Jak dipped his head to peer into her eyes. “The spell we discussed before? I do you, then you do the spell? And not a word to Arianna.”
    Circe frowned and stopped grinding against him. “Please tell me you don’t mean that dreadful spell where you end up dead on my floor. Because you’re far too delicious to waste with something like that.” She seemed to be scanning his face and the air all around him. Her frown grew deeper.
    “I’m sure you can find another wolf to threaten into your bed.” Jak gritted his teeth, but all this talk of him dying was having a serious negative effect on the state of his cock. He started moving it against her sex again.
    Circe dropped her head back to the desk and moaned. She was silent a moment, clearly enjoying the contact between her legs. But then she groaned in a way that sounded more like frustration than pleasure. Jak startled when she seemed to slip her hands free of his hold without any difficulty whatsoever. Then he jumped when she slammed both fists against the desk, one on either side of her body.
    He stepped back and frowned, not sure what was happening.
    Circe sat up, looking grumpy. She glared at Jak as she straightened her dress. “Why did you have to…” She waved at him. “…tell me all that?”
    “Tell you what?” He thought it was clear he was here for the spell. But apparently not, judging by the look on her face. Was it more complicated than he thought? Maybe there was something to the spell that made her hesitate to go through with it.
    Instead of answering him, she made a harrumphing sound and eased down from the desk. She tugged her dress into place then crossed her arms. “You’re willing to die for this girl.”
    It wasn’t exactly a question, but he said, “Yes,” without hesitation. He was still confused. “What’s the problem? You get what you want first. All I’m asking is that you don’t tell her that we…” He gestured to the desk. “That there was a certain exchange involved. Is that so much to ask?” There had to be more to this.
    Circe let out an elaborate sigh then leaned back against her desk. “I’m sure you think all witches are heartless and evil.”
    He knew better than to say anything, opting for a small shrug.
    She waved at him again, gesturing at something around his head. “Your aura is screaming your love for this girl. You’re willing to die for her, for magic’s sake. I may want your hot shifter body, little wolf, but even