by Vivian Arend
Tad scrubbed his hand over his face. “Is Missy okay? Where is she?”
Shaun held up a hand. “In a minute. First I need to tell you something else.”
“Damn it, Shaun, you’ve already told me I’m not only an ass for fooling around with Missy, I’m also responsible for messing up the pack. What other bomb do you feel the need to drop?”
His friend leaned forward in his chair, eyes serious, lips pressed together. “You haven’t messed up our pack. Missy is visiting and I haven’t been able to convince her to tell me where she’s from.”
Tad shook his head in confusion. “She told me.”
“Well, she must have trusted you more than you realized. Keil couldn’t even get it out of her and that tells me she’s either damn strong or damn scared about something. I also never called you an ass for fooling around with Missy but for stopping. Big difference, bucko. I need to ask you something. If Missy wasn’t a wolf would you have liked to make love with her?”
What was Shaun up to? “Of course. You know I’ve liked her since high school and I didn’t know she was a wolf. I had even decided that—”
Shaun held up his hand and jumped in. “Right. Let me get this straight. You would go out with Missy, even sleep with her as a human. What if she fell in love with you? Do you think you could have fallen in love with her?”
Tad didn’t understand where this was going. “Yes.”
“Then you won’t be upset to find out she didn’t care if FirstMate triggered a false mate because she’s always been a little in love with you and she figured it was far better to love you even if you didn’t return her feelings.” Shaun dropped his voice, shaking his head slightly. “She’s hurting bad right now, Tad. She’s in physical pain because of the damn trigger thing, but emotional pain too because you managed to turn her down.”
“Because I didn’t want to hurt her!”
Shaun pulled a face. “Well nice going on that one, Einstein. She saved your butt and she needs you. Now you can get all human shy and shit on your own time, but if you’re any kind of man you’re going to go and make things right with her whether she’s your mate or not.”
A crash carried from the kitchen into the bedroom followed by loud cursing. Shaun leapt to his feet and stomped to the door. “Bloody idiot, TJ, you burning the house down or making coffee?” He looked back at Tad. “Well?”
He was glad his brain wasn’t physically spinning anymore because it was doing a triple lutz trying to keep up with this conversation. “Well what?”
“Do I go get Missy or do you stay an asshole?”
He’s got to be kidding. Tad gestured to the bed and his shaky body. “You want me to seduce the woman when I’ve been sick in bed for three days?”
Shaun’s laugh was harsh and loud in the quiet room. “You were over the flu the first day. The rest of it is a side effect from your own stupidity. As soon as I bring Missy in here you’ll feel much better. Trust me.”
Did Missy really need him that much? If Tad were thinking more clearly in the first place, he wouldn’t have caused this trouble. It came down to doing the right thing.
Tad stared out the window. So much of the past couple of years for him had revolved around the pack and learning about being a wolf. He’d become so distracted by his need to become triggered, he’d left all his human goals behind. That had been a mistake.
He thought about the way Missy had grinned at him the first day they’d met so many years ago. The way her eyes lit with mischief when she’d teased him. The sound of her laughter. The touch of her hand. He caught himself smiling as he remembered how she made him feel about himself, like he was capable and trustworthy.
Holy crap, he was in love with her.
Tad took a deep breath as he realized he not only knew the right thing to do but that he wanted to do it. Longed for it. Even though Missy was getting a false-mate sign, he would make sure she never felt unloved. Really, it was no different than what his life plan had been before he’d found out he had wolf genes—meet a girl, fall in love, get married.
He turned back to face Shaun. “Where is she?”
“She’s in Shaun’s bed,” TJ said as he stuck his head into the room and anger streaked through Tad. Shaun caught a glimpse of it and shoved TJ into the wall.
“Smooth move, slick. Tad, it’s okay. I’ve been sleeping on your couch and one of the girls from the pack has been taking care of Missy. I haven’t touched her.”
TJ chuckled. “Yeah, no one touches her because it’s freaky to hear the noises she makes.”
“TJ!”
Tad made up his mind. “Shaun, I need to ask a big favour. Can I use your apartment for…well, until we don’t need it anymore? I’ll go over there. That way no one will have to touch Missy.”
Shaun let out a big breath. “Good decision, Tad. See, this is why I’m your friend. Can I help you?”
Tad reached to pull on his jeans then changed his mind. He wasn’t planning on being dressed for too long anyway. He gingerly slipped on the huge robe Robyn had given him for Christmas with Pilots Do It on the Fly embroidered on the back, and headed for the bathroom. “Give me a couple minutes to clean up. I can walk but you’re going to have to drive. If I got pulled over I wouldn’t know how to explain to the RCMP why I’m dressed like this in February.”
“Doesn’t anyone want a drink?” TJ asked as he held up the steaming pot of dark liquid.
Tad sniffed the air. “TJ, where did you get the coffee grounds?”
TJ pointed to a container on the windowsill.
Shaun coughed. “I shouldn’t drink any of it. Right, Tad?”
“Right. Unless you’re looking to develop strong foliage and bright green leaves.”
TJ sniffed the pot. “I thought it smelt exotic…”
Chapter Seven
The sound of hushed voices faded away behind the much louder sound of her heart pounding as blood rushed past her ears. Missy pulled herself upright and stared at the door of the bedroom.
Was he really here?
The door swung open and Missy bit back a small cry as Tad shuffled into the room, his skin pale, dark circles under his eyes. His scent flowed ahead of him and washed over her like a cool breeze, and for the first time since he’d left her Missy took a full breath.
“Hey.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “Hey.”
They stared at each other. Missy took in every change in his breathing, every change in his expression, as he watched her for what seemed like the longest time. Just being in the same room with him eased the pain a little, the closeness filling her with the hope she wouldn’t be deserted.
Then her breath caught in her throat and she gave a little sob. Maybe he was going to tell her he couldn’t be with her and—
Tad stepped closer. “Missy, stop. It’s going to be okay. I’m sorry. I was wrong.” He was right next to the bed now. She could reach and touch him if she tried. She dropped her gaze away and clutched her fingers together.
The bed dipped as Tad sat and Missy’s traitorous body leaned toward him in her need. Their shoulders brushed and the connection flared, the numbness erased from the edges inward as they touched for the first time in days. She couldn’t stop the rasping breath or the tears that started to fall, and then she was in his arms and it was all right.
Not all right like when the natural wolves helped save Tad from freezing. Not all right like when she managed to find her way to the one gas station on the highway operated by wolves so she could shift and ask for help before collapsing.
All right as in he was there and he was touching her, his fingers gentle as they traced the back of her neck, pulling curls free from her ponytail. His mouth touched her cheek and kissed away the tears while he murmured his apologies against her skin, soft like rose petals.
Tad pulled back and cupped her face in his hands. He kissed her, a tender brush of his lips on hers before looking deep into her eyes.
“I had no idea.”
M
issy nodded. The sweet sensation of his thumb caressing her cheekbone eased her sorrow. She closed her eyes to let the comfort of being back together with her mate soothe the raw nerves, the broken pieces inside.
“Missy, I need to tell you. I mean, I want to ask you.” Tad choked on his words and she flicked up her lashes to see his tear-filled eyes. The golden flecks within were larger than before as his wolf fought to rise to the surface. She smiled encouragement at him. “I don’t want this only for tonight. Just for FirstMate. I’ll understand if you find your real mate and need to leave someday, but I’ve decided if I can’t have you, I don’t want anyone else.”
Missy scrambled to find her voice. “What are you saying, Tad?”
“I want to marry you. Not as a wolf but as a human. I know it’s quick.” He brushed his thumb over her lips. “I think I’ve been in love with you since we were teenagers. I just didn’t realize it until a couple of days ago.” He dropped his head to rest his cheek against hers.
Missy’s heart swelled as the last of her fears disappeared. She knew they were true mates. For Tad to be willing to commit without that knowledge…
She kissed him.
Kissed his forehead and brushed her fingers over the worry lines to smooth them. Kissed his eyes, the corners of his mouth and along the firm length of his jawbone all the way to his neck. She planted small butterfly kisses up to his ear to whisper her answer.
“Yes. I love you.”
He wrapped her in his arms for another moment, his torso shaking as he took an uneven breath. When he released her he was smiling.
“Good. I love you too.”
Missy licked her lips.
“Oh no. That’s what started this mess.” Tad shook his head and covered her mouth with his hand. “I’ve got strict instructions about what we need to do, well, before we do anything.”
Missy licked the center of his palm, let her eyes show how much she wanted him.
“You are making this hard, Missy.”
“That’s the idea, Tad.” Missy giggled softly, her throat still raw, her body tight. But the pain eased. He was with her. He said he loved her. Her heart melted a tiny bit more.
Tad undid his robe and let it fall to the floor. He pulled off his T-shirt in one motion, and Missy stared in admiration as he stripped off his boxers to stand naked in front of her. He was thinner than most wolves, with hard, wiry muscles. A faint trail of dark curls started at his bellybutton and descended to the juncture of his legs where his cock rose, firm and erect, already weeping with desire.
“Take off your clothes, Missy,” Tad said as his hand dropped to circle his erection. Missy watched, fascinated as he stroked from root to tip, a steady motion that made her knees weak. “Missy? I need you naked.”
He needed her naked? Missy threw back the quilt with her hands and shoved it aside with her feet while she shimmied the oversized shirt she wore over her head and dropped it to the floor. In three seconds flat, she was naked and ready for him.
“Still no bra or panties? Hell, woman.”
Missy leaned against the headboard to watch Tad prowl his way onto the bed. He crawled on his hands and knees until he knelt beside her. He picked her up and placed her on his lap, trapping her between the wall and his body.
“I’m sorry, Missy. Because I messed things up we have to—”
Missy covered his lips with her hand. “Tad, no more apologies. I love you.”
He sucked her fingertips into his mouth and teased them with his tongue, his mouth hot and greedy as he took control. He kissed her, firm and demanding, his tongue sweeping without pause as need poured off him. Tad’s mouth remained on hers and her hands slipped over his shoulders. She massaged the strands of muscle under her fingers, loving the way their skin sparked where they touched. She felt him stroke his erection. Brushing aside his fingers, she circled his length with her own grasp. Tad pulled away from the kiss, his head falling back as his breathing increased in tempo.
“That feels so incredible, your hands on my cock. I want to touch you too. You know that, don’t you?”
“Soon. Let me help you first.” He needed release before they truly started. She brought her mouth back to his, savoring the taste of him on her tongue even as she burned for the velvet steel under her fingers. She stroked, rubbing the moisture that rose to the slit of his cock over him to ease the glide of her fingers down his length again and again, until he jerked in her hand. His lips froze for a moment against her mouth. The heat of his seed washed her belly and thighs where his ejaculate landed. He whispered her name, so soft and loving, tears came to her eyes.
Missy pressed a hand on his shoulder to direct him to his back. She straddled his waist and stared him in the eyes as she traced her fingers through the semen left on her skin, rubbing it in like a fine lotion.
“Holy Toledo, Missy. The sounds you’re making are killing me.”
Too caught up in sensory overload, she didn’t realize she’d made any noise. Scent rose between them like the most exquisite perfume, flowing in streams and linking together into a new combination. She reached down and grasped his hands, kissed his knuckles, nipped at his fingers before lowering them to cup her breasts.
Tad was the one groaning as he lifted their weight in his palms. Missy smirked at the expression of sheer delight on his face. Men and breasts. Tad gazed at her with a fascination similar to the one he’d shown while admiring her truck.
But not quite. This had more adoration involved.
He touched her gently, rolled her nipples between his thumb and forefingers until they peaked, hard and sensitive. His cock rose behind her, the wet slit nudging against her backside. Tad caressed her with his strong hands, brushing in big circles and small circles until she thought she’d go mad.
Tad rolled her off, placed her on her back and dropped his head.
“I need to taste all of you, Missy.” He lowered his mouth to her breast and licked. One hand snuck down to cover her mound, fingers parting her curls to slip into her sheath and circle around her clit. While his fingers continued to dance, his mouth suckled and nipped, lapping at her nipples until they were dark red against her body.
He kissed her. His mouth hot and demanding as his fingers continued to play her like a fine instrument. Every stroke, every touch, brought Missy more and more alive as the cold seeped away like a spring thaw settling over the land. The tension in her core grew higher as Tad added another finger to tease and touch. He curled around her tighter, his rigid cock pressed against her thigh, their bodies aligning and touching skin to skin.
More than the mere touch of his hands and mouth, his heartbeat and his emotions began to join with hers and connect them. Intimately. Completely. A deep connection of passions and needs, fears and hopes. It was the most intoxicating feeling, and Missy opened herself up as much as possible to enjoy the sensation. A flash of desire rolled over her and she climaxed, her sheath pulling at his fingers as he rubbed and stroked.
Tad covered her with his body, the hard head of his cock tunneling into her pussy as it continued to pulse. He watched her face as he angled his hips and pushed, his hardness gliding through her soft receptive passage. Tenderness shone in his eyes as he pressed until he was buried in her warmth, hips tight together, bodies one.
Around them the room faded until all she felt, all she saw was Tad. He was on her and in her, stretching her and filling her. He was inside her heart as he cradled her beneath him.
And then he was inside her head.
“I need you so much, Missy.”
He pulled his hips back with a slow draw over her sensitive tissues. Heightened awareness of her body increased the pleasure as he sank in again. The head of his shaft seemed to swell and press harder on the walls of her core on every stroke, the heat of friction creating an inferno. Missy opened herself more, wrapped her legs around his back, squeezing to add a jolt of pressure at the base of each of his strokes.
The tempo increased and Tad thrust harder, his torso supp
orted over her as they connected only at the hips. It felt so good, so right, but Missy wanted more.
“Touch me with your body. I want to feel every—”
“Did you just talk in my head?” Tad broke stroke and hung suspended halfway into her body. Missy protested, lifting her hips to finish the movement. She grabbed his head and pulled him down, sweeping her tongue into his mouth while she rocked her hips against him.
“Yes. Don’t stop. Oh please, Tad, I need more.”
He was on her like a wild thing, his body hard and touching every inch of her skin. His mouth feasted, hands dragging her closer while he sank in hard and fast. Each stroke drove her into the mattress. Missy scraped her fingernails down his back, tangling her hands in his hair as she tried to help him push deeper on every pulse. The air disappeared from the room, consumed by the heat of their lust. Missy cried out as her body jolted over the precipice. Tad thrust once more and stilled, joining her in release as his seed shot deep into her core and he groaned with pleasure.
Missy lost control of her emotions and a floodgate opened between them.
Every pain…erased.
Every sadness she’d felt, all her loneliness, all her fears. Washed away as Tad’s strength flowed into her. His love rested on her body like a tangible object.
His frustrations of being denied releasing his wolf for so long crashed into her heart, and she reached into him and soothed the pain away. They shared without words. Their hopes, their dreams, emotions running high as they built an unbreakable connection.
Tad held her close, their bodies still entwined. The sex was fantastic but this… No one had told him his first time with another wolf would be this incredible.
“Missy?” She stroked a hand over his face. The touch was intimate and gentle, and he smiled at her. “Does this mean what I think it means? Or is it a perk of FirstMate I was never told about?”