by Bonnie Vanak
He had been quite disappointed and called me a frigid bitch, slapping my cheek for refusing to share my power.
But what I’d done to him later in the chaos and destruction had been far worse, more than he deserved.
With Nicolas I held back magick, but allowed myself pleasure. Moving his hands to my rock-hard nipples, I stroked his thumbs over the cresting peaks.
He needed no instruction. With one thumb lazily flicking one nipple, he bent his head and took the other into his mouth. The sharp contrast between the chilly water and his warm tongue aroused me further. I could not wait. I reached down for his penis, feeling the length in my hand, and cupped his balls, squeezing lightly. He moaned.
We kissed and then he nuzzled my neck, giving little bites I adored. His hand dropped between my legs, testing my slickness.
He sank a finger deep inside, and I clenched around him, needing more. Opening my legs wide, I pumped my hips upward in nameless need. But he did not acquiesce, only stroked my clit with the edge of his thumb until I panted and begged.
“Now, please,” I told him.
His erection pressed against my lower belly as he lifted me into his arms.
“No shrinkage,” I murmured.
Chuckling, he clasped my legs and opened them as I hooked my arms around his neck. I gave a little hop and the rounded tip of his cock prodded my nether lips. It felt thick and hard as before. He pumped his hips once, twice, and I gasped as his shaft slowly entered me.
“Definitely no shrinkage.” I gasped again as he penetrated deeper, his brow knit in concentration. Then he began to thrust slowly, as if we had all the time in the world, his mouth moving over the bare skin of my throat, dropping kisses there.
I loved this about Nicolas. He made love with such intense focus and drive.
He angled his thrusts against my clit, creating a friction that built the tension higher and higher. Nails digging into his muscled shoulders, I threw back my head and released a cry as I climaxed.
Only then did he allow himself to thrust harder and faster. With a soft grunt, he shuddered against me, his hot seed flooding my vagina. I clenched around him, wanting to keep him deep inside me, hold onto his warmth, though I knew it could not last.
Knew my time here could not last.
Dropping his head to my shoulder, he held me tight. Nicolas nuzzled my neck and whispered into my ear, his words clear even above the roar of the waterfall.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, Sienna. I could almost fall in love with you.”
Eyes wide, he pulled away from me, sliding out of my body. He muttered something about the emotion of the moment, getting lost in the heat of our lovemaking.
Suddenly the river turned cold and I shivered. Nicolas drew away as if realizing what he’d said. Muttering, he waded out of the water and dug into his backpack, pulling out clothing.
I dressed quickly as well, wanting to get back to the house. We returned, saying little to each other, as if we’d both regretted his words.
Love was a bad word. Love meant commitment and commitment meant revealing myself.
Revealing who I really was, and what I could do to all of them. Love was a lethal, single-edge sword that made people bleed.
I had been too long without companionship and the hot bliss of sex, I had let down my guard and drawn closer to these wolves.
In the heated throes of sex, Nicolas had forgotten my powers and how I could obliterate everything he cared about.
I only wished I could forget it as well.
Chapter 18
Long ago, I’d learned the art of discerning tension and how to diffuse it. The talent came in handy in my travels.
It came in handy at the Timber Wolf pack with Stephan and his inability to dine with us. I promised him we would get together later, if he brought a good bottle of wine from Grayson’s cellar.
Saturday night after eating dinner with Grayson and Nicolas, I excused myself to have that private glass of wine with Stephan in the Zen garden. By then the moon had risen, shining down like a new nickel upon the quiet waters of the lagoon. Stephan waited for me in the pagoda. A side table on one end of the chaise in the pagoda held a bottle of red wine and two glasses.
He poured us both wine. We clinked glasses and sipped. The taste danced on my tongue. I hadn’t indulged in any spirits in a long time, for I always feared losing control.
Stephan gave the wine in his glass a lazy swirl. “I’m a beer kind of guy, but I do love a good vintage as well.”
“You’re a gentleman, Stephan.”
He set down his glass and studied the lotus blossoms in the lagoon. “I’m a beast, Sienna. A wolf. A gentleman can have a romantic dinner with his date. I can’t.”
Maybe that was why Stephan enjoyed movies and fast bikes, to cultivate an image offsetting his fierce wolf. Sensing he needed reassurance, I locked gazes with him. “Any woman would be happy to spend time with you, Stephan. You’re loyal and considerate, and amazing in bed as well.”
Tension eased in his shoulders. “Are you saying that because I need to hear it?”
“It’s the truth.”
He nodded. “Thank you. I am a wolf, and I can’t change what I am. I’ve learned to accept it, just as others in the pack learned to accept their peculiarities. I just don’t like anyone seeing me eat. It’s personal.”
I wondered if each member of the pack had something setting them apart and asked him that. He nodded again.
“It’s why Grayson brought us together and gave us a home. We’re all different, not your typical wolf pack. Strength in diversity of character and physical makeup. For example, Nicolas turns more savage as wolf during the full moon. Grayson utilizes this by having him patrol on those nights. Gives him a sense of pride instead of feeling odd about it.”
I imagined Nicolas roaming the territory to protect his pack. Admiration for Grayson filled me. The alpha utilized what others might perceive as weaknesses, turning them into strengths.
“As for me, Grayson never pressured me to eat with the pack again, except when we hunt during the full moon.” Stephan sipped more wine. “Those are my favorite times.”
“What about Grayson? How is he different?”
In the soft glow of candlelight, I saw his expression turn guarded. “He’ll tell you, in time. It’s his story to tell.”
Huh. I’d heard the same from Grayson about Stephan. I wondered about the alpha.
“Grayson’s perfect,” he murmured, and I sensed no jealousy or animosity in his tone. Just facts.
“You’re pretty perfect yourself, wolf. But you do need to relax more.”
I knelt at his feet and placed my palms on his strong thighs. Then I unzipped the fly of his khaki trousers. He went still.
“Sienna, what are you…”
“Hush. I want to do this.”
His member was already half-erect, thick, with a vein running down the middle. Taking him in hand, I licked the tip. Stephan tasted like… salt and sweetness. Mmmm. How would he tasted with a little wine?
I splashed red wine over his cock and then took Stephan’s cock fully into my mouth and sucked, running my tongue over the base, thrusting back and forth. Judging from the groans, I was doing pretty good. Then his cock stiffened even more and he moaned.
He shuddered and ejaculated into my mouth. I swallowed the salty tang of his semen mingling with the wine on his cock.
When he started to reach for me, I drew back. “No. I’m fine. And I confess a little tired tonight. No sex for me. I just wanted to make you happy, and then enjoy your company.”
“Thank you, Sienna,” he said quietly. “You’re amazing and unselfish.”
“Not really.” I sat down again and held up my empty glass. “Payment for an amazing blowjob is more wine, wolf.”
He laughed and filled my glass. We sipped and he explained about the lagoon, how Grayson built it as a calming meditation area for members of the pack who needed a quiet escape.
The botanical
gardens were lovely and the meadows as well. But the forest called to my Fae spirit. “How far back does the property go?”
“About half a mile.”
Sweet. “And beyond the property line? Is there a hiking path to the mountain? I’d like to climb it.”
“No!”
Hand shaking, Stephan set down his glass. “Never go beyond the property line, Sienna. Grayson warded his territory to prevent outside forces from entering. It’s not safe beyond the fence.”
Huh. “Well, it’s not like I have a lot of time here. I promised you the weekend. That’s all.”
We resumed talking about the lagoon, but his reaction troubled me.
What was beyond the fence and why did Stephan seem terrified I’d go there?
Chapter 19
As much as I enjoyed my hunky chaperones, on Sunday morning after breakfast, I decided to explore by myself. I was presented with the perfect opportunity while Stephan and Grayson were preoccupied with a closed door meeting in Grayson’s study. Nicolas was nowhere to be seen.
It had been far too long since I’d indulged my Fae self in a stroll in a meadow. For months, city air had clogged my lungs.
The open meadow beyond the botanical gardens was dotted with clusters of houses Grayson had told me they built for the pack’s mated couples. A well-trod pathway led to the forest. Halfway there was a bricked enclosure that caught my eye. The wall was only six feet high, and I saw flowering trees encased by it. It seemed a large enclosure as well, perhaps one quarter of an acre.
A delicate scent of roses and jasmine coaxed further exploration.
The simple wood gate barred my way. I pushed the gate inward.
My jaw dropped in marveling wonder.
It was a garden.
Vines bursting with yellow and white flowers grew over the brick walls. Rose bushes and ferns grew in raised beds along the wall, and shy purple petunias with yellow centers flourished in another raised bed near a small copse of trees. The grass here was once green and well-tended, but it was dry like the rest of the grass on the grounds. There was even a small bricked area with a blue and yellow bistro table perfect for taking afternoon tea, or morning coffee. With the spectacular view of the nearby mountains and the sharp blue sky, it was perfect. Butterflies flitted amongst the flowers and bees buzzed through the air.
Still, plants withered on the vines, and the red and yellow roses along the back beds were sadly neglected. There had been a drought, I recalled. Clearly the plants needed water and attention.
At first I hesitated. Using my magick might send up a flare the Fionn would notice. But Grayson had assured me the perimeters were strong, and no trace energy left his land.
Focusing, I released a tendril of healing energy. Delight soared through me as the drooping roses burst into life, the petals silky and the leaves changing from dry brown to vibrant green. It had been a long time since I’d used Fae magick to heal plants.
Five seedlings in plastic pots waited to be planted. I noticed a white garden shed with windows in the corner. Soon I was happily digging out weeds and pruning the roses.
I worked alone for a while, my spirit connecting to the earth. I needed this, needed it more than I realized. It had been too long since I’d indulged my Fae needs of working outdoors and cajoling living things to grow. The dank smell of dirt and the cool breeze in my hair added to my delight.
For the first time in months, maybe even the years since I’d fled my home in Oregon, I felt truly happy and settled.
I could really like it here. Best I never let anyone know, or my three boys would convince me to stay.
Staying would endanger everyone here in the pack.
Sensing someone watching me, I glanced up. Nicolas squatted on top of the wall, perfectly balanced. Silent as his wolf, he looked down at me as a beast surveys a predator. Delicious heat curled through me as I recalled our lovemaking in the river.
Gesturing with the trowel, I invited him down. He made as if to jump, and the garden door opened. Nick put a finger to his lips, smiled and climbed down into a clump of bushes.
A little girl walked into the garden, dragging a battered blue bunny with one ear missing. She couldn’t have been more than seven or eight. Dressed in a lemon yellow shirt and bright pink pants, she wore sneakers with flashing lights.
“Hi.” I dusted off my hands. “I’m Sienna. Who are you?”
“Carmen.” She gazed around the garden as she hugged her stuffed animal. “Have you seen Nick? We were playing hide and seek.”
Biting back a smile, I glanced at the wall. “Perhaps.”
She frowned. “I like playing with Nick, but he always wins.”
I pointed to her shoes. “Maybe you should try hiding without those.”
“Oh! But I like my sneakers. Grayson bought them for me last week because mommy and daddy had to go to Denver for the conference.”
“Werewolf conference?” I’d never heard of anything like that, but then again, I seldom traveled in shifter circles.
“The witch’s council. They have to go once a year to meet with my grandparents.” Carmen’s lower lips jutted out. “My grandparents don’t like me.”
“You’re seem like a nice child. I’m sure your grandparents do love you. Maybe it’s because you’re far away.”
“They don’t want me anywhere close to them. That’s why we had to come live here. I have no power. Not like their other grandchildren. I’m a freak.”
She seemed so sad, I wanted to hug her tight.
“You’re not a freak, Carmen. You’re a very pretty little girl. And I’ll tell you a secret.” I waved her closer.
Looking intrigued, she approached.
“Nick’s in the bushes. If you take off your sneakers and give them to me, I’ll watch them for you so he can’t see you coming.”
Grinning widely, she slipped off her flashing sneakers and set them carefully on the ground next to me, and then placed the floppy-eared rabbit next to them. “Be quiet Bunny,” she told the toy.
I watched her tip-toe toward Nick. The bushes quivered.
“I see you,” Carmen yelled.
A large black wolf burst out of the shrubbery, wagged its tail. It lay on the ground, put its head between its paws and gave Carmen a mournful look.
“I won!” Carmen danced around, beaming at me. “Thank you, Sienna!”
Nick shifted back into human form, clothing appearing on his body almost instantly. “That you did, honey. I have to patrol the grounds. Why don’t you stay here and help Sienna in the garden?”
“Can I?” She seemed eager for company.
“Of course.”
Nicolas dropped a kiss on top of her head. The kiss he gave me was far less innocent, and much hotter, promising another tantalizing session in his bed.
Or perhaps outdoors. I had no preference.
His ass in those tight blue jeans looked mighty fine, too, as I watched him swagger off.
I turned back to the roses and Carmen. After she put on her sneakers again, I handed her the small rake and instructed her to till the soil.
She chattered as we worked, talking about her instructor who home-schooled her.
After a while I gleaned from her that the pack had a few other children, but they were older and “Other,” unlike her. “Teacher is showing them how to hunt today, so that’s why Nick offered to play with me.”
No wonder she was alone. I understood how awkward and alienating it felt being different. Carmen seemed to be a sensitive child. Even if the pack’s other children didn’t deliberately ostracize her, they would participate in activities strictly for shifters.
After working for an hour, Carmen grew bored and I needed a break. “Aunt Jenn made fresh lemonade this morning. And cookies,” Carmen told me.
“Lemonade it is.”
I accompanied her down the pathway leading to the main house. Grayson sat at the kitchen table, looking over paperwork when we walked inside. After pouring Carmen a glass of lemonade, I
joined him.
“Working on a Sunday?” I teased.
He didn’t return my smile. “Security plans for the complex. I’m adding patrols and more cameras around the perimeter.”
He kept his tone light, but I saw the concern in his eyes.
I didn’t want to alarm the child, so I mouthed the word. Why?
The alpha leaned back in his chair and scrutinized Carmen. “Peaches, the other kids are back. They’re downstairs in the rec room playing video games. Why don’t you join them? I want to talk with Aunt Sienna.”
Aunt Sienna? I tilted my head at him.
“Ok, Grayson. Can I have a cookie first?”
“You’ll ruin your dinner. We’re having your favorite – roast beef and mashed potatoes.”
“Just one. Please! I play better when I have cookies.” Carmen pouted. “I need the sugar.”
He laughed, a deep vibrant sound that sounded joyful and sexy at the same time. “Little scamp. You’re sweet enough.”
With a gentle tousle of her hair, he sent her on her way.
When Carmen left, his expression turned inscrutable. “Did you like the garden I created for you?”
I nearly choked on a sip of lemonade. “Created for me?”
“I borrowed the images from our dreamsharing. We did everything we could to make it grow, but the plants were dying. Until you came along.”
Knowing I had infused the garden with new life gave me a satisfaction I seldom felt since I’d been on the move. Plugging numbers into a data entry system as I do in the day job is hardly fulfilling for a Fae like me.
“Why did you take the time to do that?”
“I know what you like, and I wanted you to make you happy. Working with the earth makes you happy.”
That might be considered an invasion of privacy in some circles. Truth was, I felt flattered and touched he wanted to make me feel welcome in his home.
“Why do you want me happy here, Grayson? We barely know each other.”