by Tl Reeve
Jasmine cried and clamped down on him. His salacious words left her desperate and turned on. “You’re so dirty.”
Rapier rocked within her and groaned. “That’s right, kitten. I am. Now, take all of what I’m giving you, like a good mate should.”
He kept at her until the sun began to set, then finally told her they were expected at the Raferty house for dinner. Rapier had lived up to his word too. She smelled just like him, not even showering could rinse it away—not that she wanted to. Unsure of what to wear to the Rafertys’ house, she dressed in one of her favorite oversized summer shirts with a tank top and a pair of capri pants. The shirt hung off her shoulder, exposing the bite mark and the colorful swirl of browns and yellows depicting the lion’s mane on her chest.
Rapier and she had them tattooed at the same time two months after their mating as a visual marking of them being mates and to show everyone they belonged to someone. She took pride in her tattoo and, on those long, lonely nights, it gave her comfort. Her lion had been out there somewhere wearing her tattoo, seeking comfort from it too.
“You look edible,” Rapier rumbled.
She grinned. “So do you.”
He wore a pair of loose fitted jeans that clung to his hips in the most lascivious ways. The top two buttons were open, and she could see the tip of his cock smeared with pre-cum. Her mouth watered. If only they had more time. She’d go to her knees and suck him off. Just like the good ol’ days.
“I see your wheels turning.” The cocky grin he wore didn’t deter her one bit.
“Oh?” She arched her brow and gave him a playful smile.
“I would love nothing more than to have your mouth on me...”
“But?”
He frowned. “We’re going to be late, and if you suck me off, I swear I’m fucking you again.”
She laughed. “I guess we’ll both have to suffer through dinner, huh?”
Rapier raked his fingers through his hair. “Fuck. Yeah.”
She turned to face him. “Well, we should get going then.” Jasmine ran her finger through the pre-cum on his tip then licked it. “Mmmm.”
“Fuck it. Kalkin can wait.” Rapier fisted her hair and pushed her to her knees. “Suck me off, kitten.”
A thrill of arousal made her shiver. “Yes, daddy.”
* * * *
They weren’t too late. Maybe by twenty minutes or something. Rapier knocked on the door and wrapped his arm around Jasmine, tucking her into his side. The girls were right in front of them along with Utah, Osirus, and Jenna. Saber, Cormyr, Rashid, and Wy were behind them, bringing up the rear. Jasmine had worried about Tate and Henry, but Rapier reassured her they’d be at Kalkin’s waiting for them. Later they would discuss making sure the boys were with them at all times, not splitting their time between the house and the orphanage.
“‘Bout time you showed up. We were going to eat without you,” Kalkin grumbled.
“We had shit to deal with,” Rapier replied. “Took a little extra time work it all out.”
Kalkin snorted, standing to the side. “I bet it did. Well, come on in.”
The table Jasmine had sat at with Danielle and Keeley earlier had been converted into a massive slab with several open chairs. Henry and Tate sat with Nico and Bodhi—at least she thought that’s what the boys’ names were. The adults were on the other side of the table, leaving three seats for Utah, Bell, and Zoe. Keeley’s twins, Colin and Ella, along with Danielle’s sons, Aiden and Nicolas, sat in a fenced in play area babbling to each other.
“We won’t bite,” Caden said, in greeting.
“Speak for yourself, pup,” Mackenzie teased as he stood. “Well, aren’t you both a sight for sore eyes.”
Jasmine left Rapier’s side. “You don’t look so bad yourself, old man.” She wrapped her arms around him in a loving embrace. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” Gone was the gaunt-looking man who could barely walk. Gone was the man whose shadowed past dimmed his brilliant cobalt-colored eyes. He’d put on a little weight too, not much but he appeared healthier and stronger. He also was the spitting image of his brothers.
The rough rumble of his laugh warmed her. “Me too, girl. Me too.”
“If you’re expecting a hug—”
“I know.” Mackenzie sighed. “You’d rather shoot me.” He eased away from Jasmine. “You really love inflicting pain on people, don’t you, Jenna?”
Her sister shrugged. “It’s what I do, and I’m pretty damn good at my job.”
“Shit.” Kalkin chuckled. “Let’s sit and eat. Food’s getting cold.”
Heat spread across Jasmine’s cheeks. “Sorry we’re late.”
Kalkin grunted. “No, you’re not. Mates come first.”
Keeley cleared her throat. “Not in front of the children.” She lifted her chin in the direction toward Bell, Zoe, and Utah.
“Did I do something wrong?” the little girl asked.
Utah shook his head. Grown up stuff. Not for little ears.
Bell giggled. “Sorry.” She turned her attention to Keeley. “I can sign for you if you want. Mom taught us.”
“That’s amazing,” Danielle said. “You’re a wiz at sign language.”
Bell beamed. Her little body puffed up with pride. “Zoe can too. Mom said we have a cousin who is special, and he talks with his hands. So, we had to learn to.” The whole time she talked, her little hands moved, forming every word she spoke.
I’m not that special, Utah signed.
“Uh huh,” Bell replied. “You’re magical.”
Jasmine laughed. “See, told you, Utah. You’re part of us now.”
“Great, so you’re all fucking mushy, except this one.” Kalkin hooked his thumb at Jenna.
“She’s just hard on the outside, gooey on the inside.” Jasmine arched a brow at her sister, throwing the gauntlet at her feet.
“You know what else is gooey?” Jenna shot back.
“This is your family?” Bodhi said, elbowing Tate. “They’re awesome.”
“Looks like you’re missing a few people,” Rapier stated.
Kalkin nodded. “Royce is on duty. Sage is with her mom helping with dinner for the kids, and Jace is with Blake and Loraine.”
“How’s she doing?” Rapier grabbed the beer Keeley had placed in front of him, and Jasmine wondered how many times Rapier and his brothers joined the Raferty family for dinner.
“Eh.” Kalkin shrugged. “She’s been home for a little bit, but she’s got a long road ahead of her.”
“She’s better, though,” Bodhi added. “She’s driving my dad insane, and Blake’s driving him nuts too.”
“It’s what mates do,” Rapier replied.
“I don’t know...”
“Give them time, kid. They’re mates.” Rapier took a sip of his beer. “Mates will always find a way.”
“Fucking sappy ass felines.” Kalkin shook his head.
Rapier shrugged. “Takes one to know one, canine.”
Chapter Six
Rapier slipped from the warmth of his bed, giving his mate a look of longing. Really all he wanted to do was climb back in and slide his raging dick back into his mate’s little pussy. A quick glance down showed his cock agreed with the idea.
“Shit,” he hissed, pressing a palm against the flesh, willing it to go down.
Didn’t help that he could scent her coming cycle. His lion could too. That damn beast had been pacing in his head almost non-stop. He didn’t care that he’d worn his kitten out last night with his dick or that Rapier’s cock was a little sore too.
It’s what happens when we’re without our mate for so long. His lion growled in his head.
Too bad, asshole, I’ve got plans this morning. Get your horny ass controlled. Our cubs are already weary of us. I’ve got no intention of waking Zoe or Bell up with a raging hard-on, Rapier informed the surly beast, who finally settled. If he could see the animal, he suspected it would give him the sad puppy dog face.
Rapier padded toward
the bathroom, where he took a piss then got a shower and brushed his teeth as quietly as he could. Jasmine needed her rest, and he was going to do everything in his power to make sure she got it.
Slipping into the jeans he’d grabbed before going into the bathroom, he pulled them on and buttoned them. His dick finally eased enough that his jeans weren’t choking him. On his way out, he snagged one of his soft grey shirts to wear. It’d been hard leaving Jasmine, but a promise was a promise. He glanced over at their bed and sighed. Jasmine’s beautiful chocolate-brown hair was spread all over her pillow, and she had kicked off some of her covers. Rapier swore he saw a peek of her pretty pink pussy before she rolled, her back to him now.
The little show had both him and his lion panting for more. Rapier took one step, then another to the bed before he stopped himself. Focus, asshole, you’re spending time with the girls today.
With a sigh of regret, Rapier opened the bedroom door. He exited the room, closing it behind him, and grimaced when the snick of the latch popping into place had been louder than he expected.
He strode down the hallway to the girls’ room to wake them for the day together. Their soft giggles surprised them. For sure, he thought they’d still be sleeping. He lightly tapped his knuckles on the wood, pushing it to, only to find Bell standing there in her girly pajamas.
Jesus, with all that blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and pale skin, Bell looked like one of those fairy princesses you see in the movies. “Good morning, princess.” He kept his voice low so not to wake the rest of the house.
“Good morning.” Bell hesitated for a split second. “Daddy.”
That warm fuzzy feeling came back, and Rapier swore his heart burst.
Smiling, he asked, “Zoe awake too?”
Bell stepped aside. Zoe sat on the bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Her dark black hair was a mess, sticking up in all directions. “She’s awake.”
“Can you girls get ready quietly?”
“Why?” Zoe inquired before getting out of bed.
“I thought it would be a good idea for us to spend some time together. I cleared my schedule, so we have the entire day.” He beamed at his girls.
Zoe rolled her eyes. Bell jumped up and down before replying. “Yes, we can!”
“How long do you need to get ready?” Rapier asked.
He knew he could get a shower, dressed, and out the door in under fifteen minutes.
“Half hour,” Bell chirped.
“An hour. Or forty-five minutes if I skip brushing my teeth,” Zoe proclaimed.
Rapier didn’t miss the mischievous twinkle in Zoe’s cobalt blue eyes. She was fucking with him, and he’d bet a dollar to donuts Zoe could be ready in fifteen minutes.
“You need to brush your teeth.” Rapier ignored the fact his oldest child was attempting to push his buttons. His little girl had a lot to learn. Better man had tried to do so and failed. “You’ve got fifteen minutes. If you’re not ready.” He glared at Zoe, suspecting she might attempt to push further and drag her feet. “You’re not coming with me.”
With a nod, he closed the door before making his way downstairs. Halfway down the heady scent of freshly brewed coffee hit his nose. Maybe he could get a cup down before the girls came down. Later, he’d have to thank Saber, who’d gotten up early to head to the site today. Saber was covering for him, so he could spend time with the girls.
Rapier had almost drunk the entire cup before the girls came into the kitchen. Bell was dressed like a little lady, with a light green skirt, a white tank top, and a sweater that matched her skirt over her arm. Zoe was in pale blue jeans with the knees ripped out and a Foo Fighter’s t-shirt knotted at the side. Zoe looked like the quintessential rocker chick. Rapier suspected as she got older, her tastes in clothes would be dark and wild.
“You plan on feeding us?” Zoe asked and before he could reply, she continued her gaze on her dark painted nails. “I think I need to forewarn you, I get hella hangry if I don’t eat. It ain’t pretty.”
Bell nodded her head in agreement.
“No, I thought I’d starve you to death.” Rapier rolled his eyes at his oldest. “Of course, I’m going to feed you. I thought we could swing by the cafe and get breakfast.”
“I guess that’ll work,” Zoe said in a droll voice.
Rapier knew she was unimpressed with his idea. He didn’t give a flying fig. He didn’t want to wake his mate, and making breakfast would. Turning, he dumped his remaining coffee down the drain, before putting the cup in the sink.
Zoe cocked a brow. Her gaze flickered back and forth from the sink to him, and she smirked. “Mom’s goin’ to have your ass for leaving that for her to take care of.”
“I’ll take care of your mom, don’t you worry about it, kid,” Rapier assured Zoe. “Do you always have a mouth like that, or are you trying to shock your ol’ man?”
Zoe snorted. “It’s how I talk all the time.” Her thin shoulders were straight, and her chin jutted out.
Rapier seriously doubted it. Jasmine might not give a flying fuck about his or his brother’s language; however, he seriously doubted his mate would allow their daughter to speak as such. He didn’t push the issue because Bell stood beside Zoe, looking worried. His youngest child was wringing her hands, and she glanced over her shoulder periodically.
“What’s up, Bell?” he inquired, willing to let the issue of Zoe’s mouth go because his lion, nor did he like to see his child in distress.
“Does ahh…does mom know we’re going with you?” Bell asked, nibbling on her lower lip.
“She is aware,” Rapier assured her. “We talked about it last night.” Still seeing the stress on her face, he added, “She encouraged it.”
Bell sighed and like that, her distress was gone, and she skipped out the open back door to his beat-up work truck.
* * * *
The drive into town was quiet and nerve-racking. At least for him. The girls sat in the backseat of his crew cab, talking and giggling to each other like they didn’t have a care in the world. They also completely ignored him. It just drove the stake deeper into his heart.
Anger raged through him, and he fought it back, not wanting to lose his shit in front of his cubs. This was all Raymond Quincy’s fault. He’d made Rapier lose ten precious years with his girls. It killed him and made him want to destroy Quincy. Too bad Kalkin wouldn’t let him have just five minutes with him. That was all he needed. Five, fucking minutes.
Because of Quincy’s actions, Rapier wasn’t prepared to navigate his own children’s lives. It fuckin’ sucked. They were almost grown for cripes’ sake. What the hell did they even need him for? They had their mom, and they had Jenna, both of whom had been with them every moment of their lives. He was just some guy who knocked their mom up, then left her to take care of herself. If Rapier wanted to dig deeper and be totally honest with himself, his knowledge of talking to a female was only went as far as to how to get her into bed.
Pulling into the half-full lot, Rapier found a spot and parked.
Bell and Zoe slipped out the rear door before he could turn the truck off and get out himself. Both girls were watching him wearily.
“I don’t bite, you know,” he all but growled.
Zoe chuckled. “Yeah, you do.”
Rapier sighed. He’d always have to be on his toes with this kid. “I’ll rephrase. I have no intention of biting you. Work for you?”
The girls nodded in unison.
Rapier gestured for them to go before him. Bell linked her arm through Zoe’s, and they all but skipped to the front door.
The Peshastin Café was hustling, but the girls found a spot over in the corner. Zoe already had her menu up, perusing it. Bell, on the other hand, was taking it all in. The Café was, for lack of a better word, eclectic. None of the silverware, glassware, or plates matched. Nor did the table clothes or cloth napkins placed on top of the tables. Even the chairs were mismatched, and the walls were filled with old rusted out license plates an
d street signs from around the county. Small white and colored string lights were draped around, giving the place an added ambiance. They also had outdoor seating, but in Rapier’s mind, it was too damn hot to sit out in the sun to eat.
It wasn’t much to look at, but the food was amazing. When the waitress arrived, she introduced herself before setting down three glasses of water. “What can I get you?” She flipped to a clean ticket on her pad.
“Can you give us a minute?” Rapier said. “I don’t think we’re ready yet.”
“Sure,” the waitress replied. “I’ll be back shortly.”
“Thanks.” Rapier smiled at the woman then glanced at the menu.
“What do you recommend?” Bell asked.
“They make a killer Blueberry oatmeal or Pear pancakes. I usually get a mix of the two, with a side of eggs, and a couple slices of bacon. I wash it all down with a glass of their homemade breakfast drink,” Rapier said, laying his menu on the table. “Honestly, princess, you can’t go wrong here.”
Bell nodded and gave him a small smile before going back to study the menu. Zoe, on the other hand, hadn’t said a word since they arrived. This was going fuckin’ great.
“Are you ready to order now?” the waitress asked.
“Sure,” Rapier replied. “Girls, you go first.”
Once their orders were taken, they fell into a not-so-comfortable silence. Two little girls. He didn’t know what to talk to them about. Didn’t know what they liked or disliked. Didn’t know what their favorite subject in school was, except that Zoe didn’t like history all that much. Rapier contemplated taking them to one of his construction sites, but what if they got bored? Why does this shit have to be so hard?
“Good morning, Rapier,” an older female voice said over his left shoulder.
Mrs. Martin. Rapier pushed his chair back, then stood, towering over the town’s former Alpha female. “Good morning, Mrs. Martin. How is the day treating you?”
“Better now that I get to see the two pretty additions to our town,” Mrs. Martin said, with a warm, welcoming smile on her full cheeks.