“But the mark he gave me, it’s gone,” I said, touching the spot it had once been in.
“Loveless may have erased the physical sign of your bond, but it wasn’t strong enough to penetrate your heart, Shey. And I have a feeling that Vince won’t have a problem replacing it, if he ever got the chance.”
I looked up at Julian and smiled. Then it dipped. “What the hell am I supposed to do?” I whispered.
“What do you want to do?”
“I want him,” I considered, talking to myself. “I need him. It hurts, Jules.” I touched the corner of my eye.
Silence.
I moistened my lips and looked into Julian’s face. He had been such an amazing friend. A goddamn freak, but amazing nonetheless. He had saved me from my parents, and now he had saved me from myself.
I pressed my lips together. “I need to go back to Tuscany,” I whispered. My voice was firm. “I need to return to my Vinny.”
“Are you sure?” he questioned me.
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“If you wait long enough, he’ll come to you,” he suggested. “The two of you are mated, which means it’s physiologically impossible for you to stay away from one another. That pain you’re feeling, it’s yearning, and he feels it too. He’ll chase you if he has to, Shey. He’s a wolf. It’s in his nature.”
I listened to my best friend’s words of wisdom, but shook my head. I didn’t want it to be that way. It shouldn’t have to be that way. I was the one who had taken Loveless in an attempt to keep Vince away. I was the one who had tried to eradicate our special love. I should be the one to make it right.
“I’ll go,” I whispered. I caught Julian’s gaze. “I’ll go to him and prove that he is enough, because he is. I know that now. Nothing will ever make me doubt it again.”
Julian smiled and shut the rear door with a bang.
I grimaced. “What are you doing?”
“I need a ride back to my apartment,” he said buckling his seatbelt. He ran his hand over his spikes and checked his appearance in the rearview mirror.
“Are you serious? Your apartment is in the opposite direction. How the hell did you get here?”
He grinned, and I shot my hand into the air.
“You know what? Forget I asked.” I started the car and pulled out of the parking lot.
I maneuvered onto the main road and weaved into the whizzing traffic, and I smiled to myself. I now had a new mission, and for this one, I didn’t need Loveless.
Twenty-Eight
Vince
‘Brand New Day’
I stood at the parlor window, nursing my sixth glass of Macallan whiskey. I had been there for hours. It had become my nightly routine. I’d take my wolf for a run, tramping through the vineyard, covering every acre of the property. Sometimes I’d go beyond the border, running for hours, no finish line in mind. Then I’d come back and shower.
Remi had started finding me every night. A few times, he’d brought Roman with him. At first the visits got on my fucking nerves. They felt forced, like sympathy, which was the last thing I wanted or needed; but as the days went on, I realized that they were none of those things.
My brother had changed, and Roman was genuine. Our brotherly bond returned and strengthened. We talked, and laughed, and told stories. We told Roman about our childhood, and he told us what it had been like for him growing up as a wolf in Miami.
Then, Roman left Tuscany, and Remi would come on his own. Everything would go back to normal. Even my beast was quiet. It had been over two weeks since I’d heard his nagging voice. Yes, things were returning to normal and I was happy about this; but there was a gaping void; an endless pain. Suddenly, that had become normal. It was a new normal.
My shoulders caved and I pressed the glass against my bottom lip.
A knock sounded at the door, and I sniffed but did not turn around. “Come in,” I muttered.
Remi walked in and pushed the door closed. “Fratello, I was just checking on you,” he said. He always started the conversation that way.
“I am fine,” I answered, and I cleared my throat. Despite this, I was not convincing, and Remi knew that I was lying.
He walked over to the bar and pulled out a tumbler. He picked up the carafe, which was near empty, and frowned. “How much have you fucking had?” he asked.
I threw the remainder of my beverage down my throat and turned to face him, ignoring the burn in my chest. “Not enough,” I said. “We need more. The next time you go to the store to purchase gelato for your Sasha, make sure to pick up a case of Macallan. We’re running low.” I marched over to him and gripped the bottle from his hand. We eyed each other as I poured the contents of the carafe into my tumbler and walked away.
Remi scrubbed his hand over his face and followed.
I repositioned myself at the window.
“Drinking will not make the ache disappear,” he said. “Trust me, I know. You know that I know.”
I did not say anything.
“What are you looking for Remi?” he asked.
I chortled, my mouth tight. “Nothing.” I swished the dark liquid around in the glass. “To be honest, two weeks ago, when I first started coming here and doing this, I was looking for Shenique. I actually thought she might come back, but of course, she has not. Now, I suppose I only do it for nostalgic reasons.”
“She is like her sister used to be,” Remi said crossing his arms. “I thought the same thing about Sasha when she left me. I waited for three months, and even then she did not return. These women are strong, Vince. They are cut from a cloth weaved with steel.”
“You are right, she was very strong,” I agreed staring at my bare feet. “It was one of the things that I loved about her. She has been through many things. Even the purpose of her coming here was born out of sheer bravery.”
Remi squinted.
“I do not believe I ever apologized for plotting to separate you from your Sasha,” I muttered. “You were right about me. I was jealous and selfish. All I could think about was the way things were changing, but I could not see the way things were growing. I was wrong.” I hung my head.
Remi clamped his hand over my shoulder. “I am sorry for calling you those names, fratello,” he responded. “My mate is my number one priority. You now understand what this means, but you are my brother, and you always will be. Never doubt your role in my life. And never doubt that I will be irresponsible. I have a mate and a child to take care of. I cannot afford to be negligent.”
I nodded. I understood.
Remi’s jaw jerked. “And I am sorry for saying that you were not good enough to be a mate, for minimizing the love you have for your female. Of all people, I should have been the last to say any such thing. It is very obvious that you will not be like our father was to our mother.”
I consumed the last of my drink and set the tumbler down on the counter, but suddenly, I froze. My nose pricked and my head jerked to the window. Without thinking, I dashed over to it, almost tripping over the Sicilian rug.
Remi started to follow me, but another knock at the door made us both swing around.
Sasha rushed in. “Vince, oh my God, you have to do something!”
I grimaced, and started walking toward Sasha standing in the doorway. Then I stopped, turned on my heel and moved towards the window again.
“Fiore, what is happening? Are you all right?” Remi asked marching towards her.
“Oh, I’m fine,” she confirmed, and the grin spreading across her face reached her ears. “But Vince...” she pointed at me.
I was now stuck in the middle of the room.
“He has to do something,” she insisted.
I swallowed in disbelief. The last time Sasha had come in saying this, a strange woman had been standing in front of the mansion, banging and kicking the door. There was no woman at the entrance right now, but there was an aroma – her aroma. I could not mistake it even if I tried. My mouth watered at the thrilling sensation floodi
ng my nostrils. My eyes rolled away and I gripped the edge of the chair.
“He is drunk,” Remi said. “He has consumed an entire bottle of Macallan’s.”
Sasha laughed as Remi dragged her closer to him. “Baby, he’s not drunk,” she argued. “My sister is here.”
“How do you know?” I barked. I cleared my throat.
“Security cameras,” Sasha replied. “She is walking through the vineyard, approaching the house.”
Go to her!
My fucking wolf had awakened.
I raked my hand through my hair and searched the room for my sneakers.
Forget the sneakers!
The animal was aggressive. He was also right.
“I’ve got to go,” I said. All of a sudden, my breathing was harried and I did not know my left from my right. I growled.
Both Remi and Sasha laughed.
I glared at them before rushing past.
I trotted down the steps, skipping two and three in the process. When I got to the front door, I threw it open and allowed my wolf to rise to the surface. My eyes burned and my sight sharpened. I scanned the property for miles, and growled when I did not see her. I took off from the steps and started onto the lawn. I did not wish to run. I did not want to seem desperate. I wanted to act distant and aloof. Maybe I would pretend I was on my nightly run and act as if I had bumped into her coincidentally. I started to devise a tactic in my mind, but my impatient wolf was not on board. With little control, my body jerked until the animal erupted into existence, and instantly, he broke into a full-out sprint.
My breaths echoed in my ears and night creatures scampered out of my path. Each meter covered delivered a more intense dose of Shenique’s delicious scent. I could not reach her fast enough. It felt as if I would die trying.
Finally, her curvy silhouette emerged and I slowed my pace. It was like a shadow, and for a minute, I wondered if this was all an illusion.
She stopped walking. She was standing between the rows of vines wearing a black dress with thin straps that hung on her shoulders.
I approached cautiously, as if I was hunting prey. My head dipped down, and my body flattened.
A breeze picked up her wild mane and tossed it. A cloud uncovered the moon, which was round and full, and cast a perfect glow on her, making her look like a delicious angel.
She did not move. Not even when I was only feet in front of her, she only stood there, staring. I stopped a stood in front of her. My wolf trembled.
Shenique opened her mouth and then closed it. Her eyes dropped to the red earth and she closed them.
‘I believe you,’ she thought to me.
‘Our super power...’
‘It works,’ she confirmed.
My wolf huffed and condensation rose into the moonlight.
‘What do you believe?’ I thought back.
Her shoulders rocked forward, but her head remained bowed. ‘I believe that you are a wolf.’
‘You already know this.’
Silence.
‘I also believe that you love me,’ she added. ‘I believe that you are my mate. I believe that I cannot live without you.’
More silence.
Now, she lifted her gaze to mine. We stared at one another for several undefined minutes. No words or thoughts were exchanged, only powerful feelings. Pure love filtered through my body. It was so powerful, my wolf lifted its snout and howled. A cloud of purple mist shot into the air and swirled around my mate, and then I shifted, until I was crouched on the ground naked and overwhelmed.
Shenique ran and crashed into me. Our lips locked in a thirsty tangle. I fisted her curls and pulled her into my mouth. My tongue slid against hers and transferred all of my constrained need and emotion. I ripped the spaghetti strap off her shoulder and dragged the bodice of the dress off until her round breasts were exposed in the moonlight; and I took it in my mouth, sucking those deliciously tight peaks until her head flew back and she cried out in pleasure.
Oh, to hear her moan in this way. I had feared I would never hear it again, but her pleasure cries echoed in my head until it was all I could hear. My cock jutted against her, searching for her pussy. My mate ran her hands over my naked body, delivering shocks and demanding tremors out of me.
I had questions. Many of them, but they would have to wait. The only thing I needed right now was to fill her with my throbbing cock. Only then would I be able to concentrate.
I lifted her off the ground and stomped in the direction of the cottage.
Shenique threaded her arms around my neck and nuzzled my skin.
Both me and my wolf growled.
It took ten long minutes before we were at the cottage. I kicked the door open and strode into the house. I did not turn on the lights. When I reached the bedroom, I laid my mate on it and lifted the hem of her black dress over her waist.
I wanted to be gentle, but I knew there was no way I could be.
Shenique spread her legs open, and when I saw that she was not wearing any panties, I wiped the corner of my mouth. My cock would get wet in due course, but right now, I was fucking thirsty.
I buried my face between her slick folds and licked the taut nub between them. Shenique’s back arched and slammed against the mattress, and her hands raked my mussed hair. I sucked her clit, like it was the fucking Fountain of Youth. She poured her essence over my lips, and I slurped her, twirling my tongue in and around her sopping tunnel.
“Fuck me, Vince.”
“I will.”
Reluctantly, I moved away from her pearl and stroked my length, making it so hard, I thought it would shatter in my hands.
Shenique’s lip clenched between her teeth as she reached out to grab it, but I slapped her hand away.
“I must prove to you that I am enough,” I rasped.
“Vinny, you don’t have to prove anything to – ”
Her affirmation was cut short.
With a firm thrust, I shoved my cock inside of her tight hole. She released a high-pitched moan and raked her nails across the bedspread.
I pumped my cock into her; fed it into her pussy; stroked it in and out until her walls hugged it and her juices cascaded over my shaft.
I pulled my cock out and flipped her over.
Now, her ass was propped in the air. I palmed it before spreading her pillowing cheeks open and caressing the space with my tongue.
Shenique cried out in pleasure, and when I inserted my fingers inside of her, she rocked against my face. With my hands, I toyed with her clit. With my tongue, I stimulated her from behind, and in a matter of seconds, her body was shuddering against my face, yet I still had not released.
I turned her over and rolled my hand over my wet dick. Shenique erected herself and crawled over to me. Her eyes were heavy and lust-laden, and she licked her lips.
“Vinny, am I enough?”
“Carina, I told you. You will always be e – ” The complete sentence never left my lips.
Shenique covered my cock with her mouth. It was warm and wet. She lathered the head, running her tongue along the thick perimeter, and then she took it deep into her throat.
“Oh, fuck, Carina.”
She moaned, sending an erotic vibration down the shaft.
I gripped her curls and made her bob like she was searching for apples.
My cock swelled inside of her mouth.
“Carina, I am coming,” I called out.
She sucked longer, increased the pressure. She put her one hand at the base of my cock and stroked it up and down. With the other, she cupped my jewels.
“Merda!”
My sperm shot into her mouth, and she moaned, taking it into her throat. My body turned rigid and then it went limp. Shenique released my member and I pulled her into me. I covered her mouth, angry that our lovemaking had come to an end, and already eager to initiate another round.
I deepened the kiss. The remnant taste of my sperm touched my mouth. I cupped her neck and drew her closer, as if it were pos
sible. Finally, our passion slowed and she pressed her forehead against mine. When I noticed she was crying, I pulled back and thumbed her tears away.
I searched her face, almost completely overcome.
“I love you,” she whispered.
My eyes quivered. “What about Loveless?”
She chuckled and rolled her eyes at me. “Why do you ask so many goddamn questions?”
I smiled and pushed hair from her face. “What about our bond?”
Her eyes dropped and her mouth pinched. “It’s still there,” she said.
“But the mark, it is gone.” I tilted her head to the side for confirmation. Just as I remembered, the spot in which I had placed my love-bite was as smooth as the day she had been born.
In retrospect, it was material, I thought. Obviously, it did not mean anything. She had returned and she had confessed her love for me. It was all I had ever wanted to see and hear. I did not need a mark to secure our connection. I believed this with my whole heart.
“You’re right,” she agreed. “The mark isn’t there anymore. Loveless stole it.” She paused. “But we can fix that.” She slid across the bed until her back was pressed against the headboard. Then, she beckoned me with a crooked index finger.
Instantly, my canines descended and my eyes burned fierce.
Shenique’s eyes glittered.
I crawled over her until her frame disappeared beneath mine. I buried my nose in the crook of her neck, and my eyes rolled back.
“You smell delicious,” I murmured.
“Claim me, Vinny,” she requested. Her voice was a shadow of a whisper. “Make me yours again.”
“You were always mine,” I said. My words were smothered by her supple throat. I slipped my cock inside of her, and she moaned my name. I licked her neck, priming her skin. I delivered long, slow strokes to her heaven.
‘Are you ready, Carina? Are you ready to be mine forever?’
‘I’m ready.’
‘Mmm...’
I slid my tongue over her neck and then let my teeth sink beneath the surface of her skin. Shenique cried out and her eyes shot open. Instantly, a billow of purple mist erupted and filled the room. It was thick and dense, so much so, that I had to borrow my wolf’s sight to see my beautiful female. When I laid eyes on her, another orgasm shook me to the core and tears slid down my face.
Loveless: A BWWM Wolf Shifter Romance (The Alpha Series Book 2) Page 20