“Nothing is preferred, but if you must…that purple dress of yours is my favorite.”
I smiled. He remembered the little things, and it was one of the parts I loved most about him.
“I can do that.”
He growled deep in his chest. “Good. I have to go take care of some things but Cash and the others are right at our new house if you need anything.”
He kissed me once again and not being able to help myself I hooked my leg over his hip, not wanting him to go, even an inch away.
“Save that for tonight, Wendi. I’ve got to go. I love you.”
“I love you back,” I said and watched him leave. What a sight that was.
Alone and with not a lot to do, I decided to broach the bull in the room, the file on top of the refrigerator. I sat on the couch with it and flipped through document after document, not seeing anything new, but also tearing up at the old information about my parents.
The last document was a big picture of a tree and it looked photocopied—more than once. I pulled the piece of paper closer and looked at the scribbling.
Above my parents, two limbs, was a name and I jumped to standing.
No fucking way.
Why hadn’t she told me.
No, it had to be a mistake.
Tears of anger and confusion welled in my eyes and I wiped them away to look at the document again.
My mother had a grandmother named Mirella.
Someone better start spilling the truth. Like now.
Chapter Twelve
As I’d thought before, unlike my old life, every day here was different and I had so much to absorb, I barely found time to do it. Could Mirella be my great-grandmother? Or was it too great a coincidence? I had no way of knowing, but if she was, she’d need an invitation to the wedding. The wedding!
Holy heck. We were getting married in a month or possibly sooner. It did occur to me that we’d have to pick a specific date so we could set things up. I didn’t want the huge weddings I heard the girls at school dreaming of. Those celebrations took a year, sometimes two to plan. I wanted a very special day and a beautiful dress. A cake with so many tiers it touched the sky and lots of champagne.
And music. So we could all dance. Then, once I’d safely set my dress and veil aside, a fun through the forest. No wolf gathering was complete without a fun run. It would be magical!
But…while they’d all made their desire to wed me clear, one glaring exception.
Something I planned to inform each of my mates of when I spoke with them.
A girl wants a formal proposal. With a token. I mean…I was hardly going to expect four engagement rings but maybe they could do something else. A memento of the day?
Anyway, that was just silly, and maybe I wouldn’t inform them after all. How many girls had four such amazing guys who while they had not gone down on one knee were very clear in their desire to marry her.
Brandon’s flirting earlier had been more intense than usual. They’d all let me know they were willing to wait until I was ready to make love, but I’d allowed my doubts to hold me back. I mean, the virgin and the four hot dudes. And I’d seen them all naked…they had nothing to be embarrassed about in the below-the-waist department.
But they’d never shown me anything but love and kindness so logic insisted they would show the same love and kindness, and care when we made love for the first time. Please to all the gods and goddesses.
With those ideas in mind, I marched over to my dresser and pulled out the pretty silver lace panties and matching bra I’d bought one day with Christie. Time to put up or shut up. Watch out, Brandon. I met you first, so I guess it’s only fair that you get to be the first.
Despite my pretty undies, I was nervous as all get out, like a cat on hot pavement, and my mate was no fool. He watched me as we sat at our table at the diner, chatting about inconsequential and sharing an after dinner sundae with extra whipped cream. A tower of whipped cream. Fortunately my nerves did not stop me from wanting chocolate and ice cream and nuts, but unfortunately, my hands were starting to shake as the “momentous event” drew closer.
Brandon scooped up another bite and fed it to me. “Wendi, if you don’t watch it, I’ll eat the whole thing. Is something wrong?”
“Mmm, what?” I savored the sweet richness and tried to focus on that. “No, everything is fine.”
“Then why aren’t you eating dessert?” He shoveled a big spoonful of their homemade vanilla ice cream with a drizzle of hot fudge into my mouth. “Are you okay?”
I held up a finger while I finished swallowing the treat. “Yeah, I’m fine. More, please?”
He complied, but since I’d never encouraged this sort of thing before, he still watched me. “You sure nothing’s bothering you?”
I shook my head, wondering when they’d added pecans to their chopped nuts. A masterful stroke. “With a dessert like this and such wonderful company? What could be wrong?”
Brandon set the spoon down and reached for me. In full view of the entire town who seemed to be promenading up and down the sidewalk tonight, he pulled me into his lap and cupped my chin. “Talk to me.”
“Feed me?”
“No more ice cream for you until you tell me what is bothering you.” He cuddled me closer and frowned. “You’re shaking. Are you sick?”
“No.”
“Then what? Brandon turned to peer out the window. “I don’t see any of those Rattlecreek bastards out there. Has someone hurt you? Threatened you?”
Although it made no sense, I hadn’t shared my big decision with my mate. Which was kind of unfair, but I guess that last bit of fear was still holding me back. Like…if I didn’t say anything I could still change my mind. But as I snuggled into his arms, and his warmth and scent enfolded me, it melted away. I wasn’t going to sleep with Brandon to get it over with, or because I felt like I had to.
I wanted him with every fiber of my being. I wanted him in my arms, in my bed, and in my body. Threading my fingers through his hair, I tipped my face back and drew him in for a kiss. For the first time he held back for a moment but then he pressed his lips to mine and all that chocolate and cream sweetness of our dessert was on them. The world was gone, all other concerns were gone. Only my mate and I existed, and when we finally parted, he searched my face.
His smile lit up his eyes. “Tonight?
I nodded. “If you want to.”
The next kiss removed any doubts. As if the bulge in his jeans wasn’t clear enough.
Goddess help me. There was no going back now.
Chapter Thirteen
“Let’s go to my house.” Brandon’s voice was hoarse, and for a moment I thought he was going to try to carry me out in very Officer and a Gentleman style, but fortunately he seemed to agree with me that we were already a spectacle, so he kissed me again, deeper and more thoroughly before letting me stand up beside the table. “I love you, mate.” His eyes burned with the passion I only hoped I was worthy of.
“I love you, too.” So much. I was shaking even harder now. But it was okay. My wolf was doing backflips inside me, so happy for us, and it was time to step forward. To reach for the future. To learn what all the other girls at school giggled about. With their single, solitary boyfriends for the most part.
Pikers.
My chest was tight, butterflies fluttering in my stomach, and blood pounding through my veins. Just like the girls in the romances I’d spent so much time reading before I’d
Brandon threw some money on the table and caught our server’s eye. He pointed to the money, and she waved. We were out the door and on the motorcycle in a minute flat. Maybe less, and my careful rider left tire marks as he tore down Main Street. If the local police had seen it, he’d have gotten a big citation, maybe even hauled in.
And wouldn’t that have been tragic!
He kept reaching down to pat my thigh and give it squeezes. I wrapped my arms tight around him and rubbed my cheek against his back. It wasn’t far from to
wn to the pack lands, but it seemed to take hours with what lay at the other end of the trip. And yet it was passing fast. I was completely torn between wanting to do it and to run away.
Why would I want to run away? Since I was panting after them like a horny wolf most of the time.
Hey! Seemed I’d offended my wolf.
Sorry.
Chill out. It’s time and past time.
What if I disappoint him? What if he regrets choosing me.
Like that could happen.
They’d seen me naked, too, of course. Shifters always did. So you’d think it wasn’t nearly as scary for me as it might be for another girl with my minimal experience. Especially with someone I’d been dating for months. And had made out with pretty heavily.
But this was different. I wouldn’t emerge the same, and I knew it. My damn wolf had no qualms whatsoever, which made sense since she’d been rooting for this to happen since I first became aware of her. And probably since the day Brandon showed up on my doorstep to summon me to meet with his brother the alpha.
For just a moment, I thought of his other brother. Tris’ name came up in every conversation I had with my bestie. Tris was outside planting some tomatoes. Tris’ washer broke down so I offered to let him use yours, I mean ours until the part for his comes. Tris invited me over because he accidentally grilled too many burgers.
Yes, because that could happen. It’s so difficult to count the number of burger patties you’re putting on the barbecue. Had she finally met her mate? And where had he been for however long he’d been gone?
Brandon seemed not to want to discuss this aspect of his family. And right now he was turning up the drive to his home, a smaller version of the house Moss lived in, although it was very nice. What would they do with their houses when the new one was built? More investment property? Rent them out to pack members?
Investment properties, I reminded myself. We were becoming land barons.
The engine cut off and all thoughts I’d escaped to in order to stay calm enough not to shake myself right into falling off the bike went up in smoke. Brandon climbed off the bike and tugged off his helmet. He ran a hand through his hair and stashed the helmet in one of the saddlebags before lifting me off in his very strong arms. Then he unfastened the strap under my chin and lifted off my helmet.
“You’re so beautiful tonight, mate.”
My cheeks burned. “It’s the moonlight. Everyone looks good in the moonlight.”
He shook his head. “Not like you.” After stowing my helmet in the other saddlebag, he took my hand and led me toward his home. I’d been here, of course, but never overnight. At the doorstep, my steps flagged. Brandon paused halfway inside. “What’s the matter, mate? Have you changed your mind?”
“Oh, no of course not.” I licked my dry lips. “I just…won’t Moss worry if I don’t come home?”
“This is your home, too,” he said, drawing me into his arms. “At least until we have our own all together finished.”
I didn’t think it was the time to discuss whether he’d rent or sell it then.
“Also, I texted Moss.”
What had he told him?
I started to ask, then stopped. It was time to trust my mate’s good sense of which he had a lot.
Instead I let him scoop me up in his arms and carry me into his cozy two-bedroom home and straight to the bigger of the two bedrooms where he laid me on the bed and sat beside me. “You’re sure you’re ready?”
“Yes.” I’d never been more sure. He unwrapped me like a gift. One piece of clothing at a time. Kissing every inch of my body he revealed. Telling me how much he loved me with each item he removed. Finally, I lay there in my silver lace lingerie. If I’d ever doubt his admiration for my body, his expression of reverence and fire—a combination I never thought I’d see—cleared up any worries.
“Brandon, you know I’ve never.”
“Yes, mate. We all know. And I’m so honored to be the first, but with each of us, it will be its own first.” He stroked my cheek. “And you know that, don’t you?”
“I think I do, yes.”
He replaced his fingers with his lips, kissing my cheek and forehead, my nose, and finally my lips. He kissed me for a long time, until my worries fell away. His hands did not lay idle. Brandon touched me in ways I’d only read about, eliciting feelings I’d only dreamt of. Or maybe not. Nothing in words could have prepared me for my mate’s love.
He kissed his way down my throat sucking and nibbling as he went, until he reached my breasts where he unclipped the front hook and my bra fell to the sides.. Cupping them, he lapped at the nipples, hard as diamonds, and I arched my back into his mouth, wanting more craving more. His fingers skated down my abdomen to my mound and then lower, moving the lace aside and finding my clit. Circling, circling…. He lifted his head and met my gaze. “You’re so ready for me, mate. So wet and your arousal is perfuming the air.”
“Please now.” I writhed under his seeking fingertips. “I can’t wait any longer.”
He jumped to his feet and tore his clothes off, back on the bed beside me before I had a chance to really appreciate his form. Of course, that was fine this time.
He lay over me, his cock nestled into my pussy, the tip right where it needed to be. “It might hurt the first time, mate,” he warned.
“I don’t care. I just want you.” I wanted him inside me, part of me, and then he was. Just the least bit at first, then pressure, so much pressure. I tensed, but he soothed me, stroking my face and murmuring soft encouragement.
“Now.” The anticipation was too much. “Please!” Then something tore inside me, sharp pain, like a knife…but then it was gone. And he was all the way inside, filling me, stretching me. I wrapped my arms and legs around him and he retreated then drove inside again, slowly at first and a little faster with each plunge.
I cried out, rising higher toward someplace I’d never been before. I’d never have believed there was more pleasure than they’d all given me already, but with each stroke Brandon rubbed against a spot deep inside that triggered a whole new kind of delight. I cried out and dragged my nails down his back as I tipped over the edge and fell into a pit of dark, soft velvet.
“Wendi!” he roared, and hot semen poured into me, driving me even higher. Again! He sank his teeth into my shoulder, marking me and sending me over the edge.
Who knew?
Not me!
I just hung on and prayed vision would return eventually.
It might be worth it if it didn’t.
Chapter Fourteen
I woke the next morning alone. As I stretched out my arms and legs, all the sore parts of me yelled out for attention but then quelled. I supposed my shifter healing was kicking in already because as I showered, they were mostly already gone.
Brandon was in the kitchen, cooking of all things. I smelled eggs and bacon and toast.
I would’ve preferred him in my bed this morning, but there was plenty of time for snuggling.
And here I’d thought once I had sex, it would quell some of my need. Turned out, that sex was gateway drug, to well, more sex. I wanted my mates more than ever now I knew what sex entailed.
I tossed on my dress from the night before, minus the bra and panties, and walked out to the kitchen when the front door opened. I stopped dead at the entrance to the kitchen as all of my mates walked in.
Embarrassment flooded my veins. I gripped the doorframe and stepped backward, intent on hiding, you know, for the rest of my life.
“Oh no you don’t,” Brandon caught up to me after three steps and wrapped his arm around my waist.
“Oh, yes I do. I can’t…” I said, then buried my face in his chest so I didn’t have to face the music, the humiliating twang of I’m not a virgin anymore. The walk of shame
They all chuckled, making me groan and try to back up again.
“They are just here because they knew we didn’t go back to Moss’ last night and they were concerned. Ever
yone here loves you, Wendi. You know this.”
I blew out a breath against his bare skin and turned my head a little to look at my other mates and found nothing but care and concern.
Escher winked at me. He was the sniffer of the bunch and I knew he could scent me and what we’d done. But he remained rock steady as I took in his form.
This was clearly the part I wasn’t prepared for. No matter how many times I’d thought about it and mulled it over in my head, it wasn’t enough.
“Go to them. They were worried about you,” Brandon whispered in my ear and then kissed the top of my head.
Time to be a big girl.
“Good morning,” I said to Moss first, and he opened his arms wide for me.
“Good morning, my mate. You look absolutely beautiful.”
I moved to Cash who took me into his arms and whispered all kinds of loving things into my ear.
They cuddled me for a few minutes until I broke free and turned to Escher. We faced each other until he cocked his head at me. “Why are you not touching me, mate? Why do you not come to me?”
Tears came like unstoppable rivers from the corners of my eyes as I shrugged but didn’t move. The rest of the boys had gone to help Brandon with breakfast, leaving Escher and I to stand off.
My bones shook in my skin. I didn’t know what he thought of me.
And not knowing kind of shattered me.
If anyone would tell me the raw truth, it was Escher. So I braced myself for the worst and yet, hoped for the best.
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly. It was like there was a wall between us but I had the feeling it was only on my side.
“You’re killing me,” he whispered, and the wall crumbled. I never wanted to hurt him. I closed the distance between us and circled his waist with my arms, laying my face against his chest, taking in his warmth.
My wolf relaxed and wallowed in the sensation of his nearness. I felt safe with each of my mates, but Escher was like a fortress of safety and protection all on his own.
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