An Alpha's Path

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  “Was it serious?” She couldn’t believe out of all the things he said that was the one thing that popped into her mind. And frankly, did she even want to know? This was a first date for crying out loud.

  “It could have been, but it just didn’t work out. She is with someone else, and I am free to pursue other… avenues.” He kept pausing before some words as if he were trying to decide what to say – as if he were keeping a secret from her. Hmm...

  “I’m glad, however, that things took this turn because now I’m on a date with a lovely woman.” He flashed her a wicked smile right as the waiter brought their entrees.

  “Enjoy your meal, Melanie, even though you have more rabbit food than meat.”

  She laughed, enjoying his odd sense of humor. They quieted while they began to eat.

  ****

  A few bites in, Kade noticed that Melanie barely touched her food. Nervousness emanated from her skin. Fear even. He, on the other hand, fought his wolf to tone down their hunger for something other than their meal.

  The honey vanilla scent sat across from him. His wolf was beyond pleased and ready to jump across the table and mount her.

  The man however, was a little more cautious. Relief flooded him when the sweet honey vanilla scent radiated from the beautiful goddess from the photograph. He was on a blind date with his future mate. How fucking awesome was that?

  His brother and Larissa were either sneaky geniuses or very lucky. They both were scary beyond all recognition sometimes, but amazing nonetheless. He owed the matchmaking duo an apology, but later. First, he had to get to know Melanie and get her upstairs. Even if they didn’t have sex tonight and only talked, he would be fine. Because they would have hundreds of years to get to the dirty fun part.

  And yes, she was his mate. The mating urge rode him harder than anything he ever felt. Kade was not letting this one get away. He’d do anything in his power to make the blond pixie in front of him want to spend the rest of her soon-to-be-long life with him.

  With that goal in place, his wolf subsided a bit.

  Don’t screw this up. This is the one, Kade.

  Kade just smiled at his wolf and brought his attention back to his date.

  “Are you done eating? Or would you like some more time?”

  She bowed her head again, as a cute and damn sexy blush rose to her cheeks. He wondered if she blushed like that everywhere. She was wearing a sexy black silk and lace number that only accentuated her slightly curvy figure. She was a tiny thing that he knew could fit against him just right.

  He could only imagine how she would look with her pale, creamy skin against his darker, bronze skin. Watching her lashes brush her cheeks as she glanced down at her barely touched meal he knew he wanted to kiss any fears or anxiety she carried away.

  Mate? I think it’s time to go upstairs. Don’t you?

  He couldn’t agree more with his wolf. But he didn’t want to rush her. No matter what happened tonight, they would be going upstairs – that was a guarantee. What they did once they arrived however – was up to the woman in front of him.

  “You look as if you have the same appetite as me.” At the sound of his voice, her head popped up from whatever deep thoughts she was thinking. “What do you say we take a walk around the property?”

  “Oh, okay. I guess I am just not that hungry tonight.” She smiled sheepishly as she set down her fork and any pretense of enjoying her food.

  “Let’s go then, the check is taken care of, so we can take our time tonight.”

  She smiled timidly again and grabbed her wrap and black, beaded bag. He fluidly rose from his seat and offered her his hand.

  “Where would you like to walk to?” Kade, again, toned down his wolf and waited for Melanie’s reply.

  “Our room?”

  Her face was still stunning with the shade of beet red it became at her surprising, yet not unwelcome, announcement.

  His wolf growled in agreement and preened for attention.

  He gave her a smile that promised sinful and wicked deeds.

  “That sounds like an outstanding idea, Melanie.”

  Chapter 3

  Kade led her toward the elevator through the atrium, with his hand against the small of her back. The warmth of her delicate body radiated through her thin dress and with to his wolf senses, he felt her heart pounding and her breath coming in almost shallow pants. She was aroused, but also succumbing to nerves and fear, the scent wafting from her skin. The need to reassure her pounded through his body, and even though his wolf practically begged to have her, he agreed.

  Kade clasped her small, silky soft hand in his larger, more calloused one and entwined their fingers together before giving it a comforting squeeze. Mel smiled up at him and warmth bloomed in his chest. She was so small, so fragile. His.

  The elevator chimed and a couple walked out. They eluded sex and drowsiness, and he wasn’t the least bit jealous. He was about to be in the same room as his mate.

  As the elevator rode up to the twenty-first floor, he tried to make small talk but neither of them was interested. He chuckled under his breath, feeling like a teenager again. Too bad it was almost a hundred years since he was one.

  They finally entered their room, aptly named the Dreams Room and closed the door with a resounding click behind them. The room was draped in white and cream silks. There were linens surrounding the open and airy bedroom with candles barely lit where the linens gaped open. The bed was almost bare except for fluffy white pillows and a luscious white comforter. That was good; he didn’t want his claws, if they did make an appearance, to destroy too much.

  Once they both took in their surroundings, Kade led Melanie toward the center where she abruptly halted and turned around.

  Her eyes were huge and she was barely breathing when she spoke hurriedly.

  “I changed my mind. I don’t think I can do this. I mean it’s not you. It’s me. Oh hell!” She slapped her hand to her forehead then covered her eyes. Kade bit the inside of his cheek to stop from laughing. She was really too cute with her deep blush and the way she bit into her plump lip.

  “I mean, you are great looking. Fabulous in fact. But I’m sure you know that. You must have woman throwing themselves at your feet in droves, but I don’t think I can do this. I don’t know why I even signed up for this, let alone tell you we should come up to the room.” If she continued to talk, she would rationalize herself right out of the room and out of his life. His wolf and he snorted silently. Yeah, like that’s going to happen.

  “Melanie. Calm down. It’s okay. We have this room, but nowhere does it say we need to utilize it doing any acrobatics. Well I guess we can try to do cartwheels and those backhand flip spring things that gymnasts do but I don’t think that is required either. If you want to talk, we can just do that.”

  A look mixed of laughter, relief and disappointment ran across her face. Damn, her face was expressive. When they finally did go to bed together, he was going to love watching new emotions run across her face when she came.

  It was her disappointment he needed to address first. One giant step and he could crush his body to hers and feast on her until she came. His blood pulsed through his veins, and he held himself still so he wouldn’t shake with desire. He had to reassure her that she wasn’t the least bit unwanted.

  “Now don’t look at me like that,” Kade’s wolf growled at the thought. Fuck, if she gave the okay, he would be on top of her, his cock encased in her pussy in a heartbeat. She was fucking jaw-dropping. “If you were to say ‘let's go for it’ right now, then I would be there because believe me, you are sexy and I do want you. But I also don’t want to do anything that would scare you or that you are not ready for. We can just talk or watch a movie. We can even go for that walk we discussed but opted out of. I am really enjoying getting to know you, and I don’t want this night to end just yet.”

  Kade took a tentative step toward her and removed her wrap and purse to place on the couch in the corner before t
aking her hand in his.

  “I have an idea. Why don’t you go take a bath and relax? I promise I won’t enter the room - unless you ask for me.” A sly smile lifted the corners of his mouth as kissed her palm. Her skin was warm against his lips. “Once you’re done, you can come back out and we can do whatever you want. No pressure.” He spread out his hands to convey his easy going attitude and gave her his best innocent expression.

  For a moment, she didn’t look like she believed his face or his body language, but the words may have made a tiny chink in her armor.

  “No pressure? I don’t think that will happen. But a bath does sound decadent. It’s been awhile since I’ve taken long, relaxing soak.” Her eyes brightened more and more as the idea took hold.

  “Okay then, when you’re in there I’m going to order us some snacks and see what they have for movies. We can just veg out and get to know each other some more.”

  Her answering smile could’ve blinded some men. “That sounds like a fabulous idea.”

  She picked up her larger bag that the bellhop brought up earlier and gave him one last smile before heading to the bathroom and shut the door softly.

  Kade took a deep breath of her honey vanilla scent that was more concentrated in the enclosed room and almost shook with anticipation.

  He practically glided to the phone to place their orders and smiled to himself. The night may not be exactly how he expected so far, but he wouldn’t want to lose a single moment of time with his mate.

  ****

  Melanie took a deep breath as she gave herself a good look in the mirror. This bathroom may be the greatest and most luxurious thing she’d ever seen, but she barely gave it a second glance.

  What the hell was she doing? There was a gorgeous god standing in the room that she practically ran from. What the hell was she doing in here?

  All throughout dinner, she couldn’t seem to string two coherent sentences together. She resembled acting like a ditzy, shy deer in the headlights. It was no wonder Kade was just fine with not having sex tonight. Oh, he may have said that he wanted her, but he didn’t seem to fight for it.

  Oh, that was just great. Kade was considerate of her feelings, yet here she was, making him the bad guy. This whole experience made her a wreck. Maybe Mel wasn’t experienced with men, but she was experienced with meeting people and communicating with another human being. Tonight was a once in a lifetime opportunity to have wild and passionate sex with a near stranger. And oh yes, just looking at Kade, she knew it would be exactly that. She grew damp just thinking about him, and what wicked things could await her if she would just say yes.

  And honestly, what was stopping her? Going through with this would leave her with an amazing and glorious memory. She needed more of those. The need to hear she was beautiful, sexy and wanted overwhelmed her. Mel didn’t want to be the “smart” one anymore. She squared her shoulders and looked at herself in the mirror once more.

  Oh yes. Once through that door, the needy and long ignored woman in her was going to go out there and tell Kade to fuck her. It was what she wanted – what she needed.

  Mel took a steadying breath and changed into more comfortable attire. Comfort wasn’t to be found in that slinky dress and Fuck-Me heels. If she were going to make a new memory, she was going to damn well do it in an outfit she liked. Grabbing the door handle with a firm grip, she thought about what was beyond it. The passage led to maybe not her destiny but defiantly an amazing night.

  Chapter 4

  Kade looked over his shoulder as the bathroom door opened. Melanie changed into a new more comfortable outfit. The top and leggings she put on did little to hide her delicious curves and only increased his desire for her. “Decided against the bath?” Kade’s breath became shallow as he watched Melanie practically prowl toward him, even as his eyebrow slightly lifted.

  “Uh huh. I also decided that you sounded like a much better way to pass the time and relax me than taking a bath.” She smiled a purely seductive grin, though he could still read the hesitancy in her eyes.

  He took a steadying breath and nodded. Words seem to fail him – and the wolf – at the moment.

  Kade stepped toward her and brushed his knuckles against her cheek. The responding shiver brought his wolf back to attention.

  “We still need to have our first kiss, Mel.” Another half step and their bodies brushed, feather light. The anticipation of what was to come proving more erotic than he ever dreamed.

  His fingertips traced across her eyebrow and down her cheek before resting on her lips. They were silky and smooth. The tip of her tongue tentatively slipped out to lick his finger, and he moaned.

  Leaning forward, he brushed his lips against hers, so lush and ripe he almost came right there. His body melted against hers, losing himself until there was no division between them. Her taste fuzzed his brain, he was slowly losing it. But what the hell, this was his mate, and this was their first kiss.

  It was a kiss so sweet and so promising that the sexual tension seemed to hum throughout the room.

  He licked the seam of her lips, and she opened for him and moaned. Dear God, that honey vanilla would kill him. His other arm came up from behind, and he dug his fingers in her hair in a gentle yet possessive grip. Mine.

  When they finally broke apart, they were both breathless, and the corner of his mouth lifted.

  ****

  Kade’s arm wrapped around her as he slowly and methodically ran his hand up and down her back. Shivers of need racked her body. Oh my, he’s amazing. He led her toward the bed and sat her down gently before joining her. His warmth brushed against her skin through the thin peasant blouse she wore. Another ache ran down her spine, and she took a deep breath and inhaled his scent. Masculine pine and forest invaded her senses, causing her head to swim. She wanted taste him again. Mel wasn’t so hesitant and scared anymore. Well, maybe it was a new scared, but she was anxious to see what came of it.

  Kade’s hand brushed the underside of her breast and her breath caught. Goosebumps rose in the wake of his hand as it slid down to cup her bottom. She snuggled closer into to him and moved her hand onto his chest in small circles. His heartbeat under her palm increased and his breath quickened. Mel raised her head to look up at him – his pupils dilating in his forest green eyes.

  “I’m glad that you decided against the walk.” His voice had deepened and taken a rougher edge to it – almost a growl.

  The rough tips of his fingers walked against her skin as his hand brushed underneath her shirt. A gasp escaped her, as she felt them splay against her back. Kade lowered his head and captured her lips. His tongue ran the seam of her lips and she parted them. He kissed her fiercely before moving his lips to her chin and then kissing a trail down the center of her chest. His mouth reached her breast and he clamped his lips on her nipple through her shirt. A moan tore from her throat, before she let him strip off her blouse. His tongue delved into her mouth with fevered passion. He undid the front clasp of her bra and her breasts released heavy and ready. Kade went back to her mouth and kissed her deeply. She gasped into his mouth and arched against him. Her nipple pebbled against his touch and she shuddered again.

  Kade continued to devour her mouth as he kneaded her breast. She ran her free hand up his chest and neck and dug her fingers into his hair and scalp. He released her mouth and Mel groaned. A soft laugh left his lips before he kissed under her jaw and traced a fiery path down her neck and then back up to nibble on her ear. Her breath came in short pants as she felt his heated breath whisper against her and she moaned.

  Her lover moved her body so she lay down, all the while touching her. He rested between her legs and bent down to look directly in her eyes. His pupils were so deep with desire that she could only see a small rim of green. For a moment, she thought they glowed but it must have been a trick of light. She arched against him and ran her foot across his calf. He swallowed hard and bent to capture her lips again, kissing her fully and then lowered to kiss her chin, her
neck, and collarbone.

  He went back to her breasts, scraping his teeth against the rosy flesh. Mel gasped and moved against him. Kade pulled her nipple through his teeth and suckled before biting down. He released her and the laved the sting. Shudders racked her as he turned his attention to her other nipple and repeated the process. Her desire pooled deep inside her womb and she clenched her legs around Kade trying to ease the ache. A deep masculine chuckle vibrated against her, and he moved downward to kiss her belly slowly. Moving further down, he ran his tongue against the top of her leggings. She moaned and tried to wrap her legs around him but he steadied her. His hands glided up her legs to the waist band and began to pull her leggings down. Mel lifted her bottom to allow him easier access. Kade groaned and pulled them completely off, staying on his knees a moment longer to look his fill up her body as she lay wanton before him. He lowered himself and placed his mouth directly on her pussy through her black, silk panties. Kade breathed in and suckled her clit and she came without his direct touch on her skin. The landscape shattered beneath her eyelids while stars blanketed her vision, and she screamed and moaned. He twisted his hands in the sides of her panties and lowered them slowly down her legs, climbing back quickly and parted her legs wider. He sat back on his haunches to gaze at her. Mel blushed, feeling open and awkward under his scrutiny.