by Amy Star
His Jane was drunk as a skunk and turned-on to boot. All thoughts involving a serious conversation about the timeline of their engagement flew out of Vincent’s head. All he wanted to engage in right now was foreplay. As if she could read his mind, Jane smiled a sexy little smile and waltzed into the room, her curvy hips and ample breasts swaying with the movement.
“Guess what, Vincent? Tonight I made friends. I made friends, I drank champagne, and I got my groove on. It was awesome,” Jane said approaching Vincent’s side of the bed. “And you know how I want to end this night of kicking ass?”
The question was obviously rhetorical, but Jane’s eyes still flashed to Vincent’s in question. Gauging the level of Vincent’s interest, Jane raised an eyebrow and reached out to shut the laptop and move it safely out of the way. Pulling back the covers, she finally answered her own question. “I want to fuck you till you call my name. Because I’m going to be the First Son’s Mate and I deserve that kind of adoration.”
Vincent’s deep laugh rumbled out in response to the unexpected answer. Confidence looked good on Jane.
Jane leaned forward and drew Vincent up to standing, his over seven feet giving him the perfect view of her cleavage as her hands went to the buttons on his shirt. Vincent watched as her manicured fingers popped button after button and then spread the edges of his shirt wide. She seemed to take a moment to enjoy the view of his muscular chest and washboard abs. Jane ran her hands over the terrain and Vincent shivered in response to the touch of her cool hands on his warm skin. As her hands drifted lower to his waistband and her mouth dropped to the skin of his stomach, Vincent could feel his abs tighten reflexively in response to both the sensation and anticipation.
Slowly opening his zipper, Jane followed by placing one whole hand on each of his hipbones and pulling his jeans down, while simultaneously feeling every curve and hollow of his legs. She kissed the tip of his erection as she dropped to her knees on the floor. Going commando had it’s benefits, Vincent thought on a growl.
Vincent had closed his eyes thinking that Jane would immediately stand up after the full-body depantsing was done, but his eyes flew open as Jane’s warm mouth returned to the tip of his manhood. Placing another chaste kiss on its tip, Jane smiled and actually nuzzled the throbbing erection. Kissing her way down its length, she pulled her dark hair into a messy knot on top of her head. Vincent felt himself pulse as Jane prepared to get down to business. When her lips parted and drew him into her mouth, Vincent thought he would perish right there on the spot.
He felt the muscles of his back and ass tighten with the need to hold himself in place. Ever so slowly, Jane drew him back out of her mouth before bringing him in again like sucking down a popsicle in summer. Vincent stared, mesmerized, as he watched her cheeks suck in with the effort of pulling him back in and letting him slip back out. He was just getting used to the push and pull of her technique, when Jane changed it. Bringing a hand to the soft skin of his balls, she massaged the tender area in her hand while pulling back up and flicking her tongue around the head of his erection.
Vincent groaned so low he swore he felt the bed behind him shake with the base of it. Nothing in this world felt as good as her mouth at this moment. He looked down to find Jane staring up at him from beneath her lashes. She oozed sexuality and looked like a damn goddess on her knees. Vincent decided to end the practice before he lost control, but Jane switched it up again, now pulling him in and out of her mouth while moving her head from side to side. The twisting sensation made Vincent see stars and he could only endure the motion for a minute before he pulled himself from her delicate grip and dropped to his knees himself.
Jane’s face was a surprised “O” that was accented with a gasp as Vincent tore the expensive lace from her skin, simply shredding the delicate fabric. Vincent looked at her hungrily before lifting her up and throwing her on the bed. With no warning and no holds barred, he went down on her with abandon, the werebear in him needing to taste his mate.
As Vincent licked up and down the folds of Jane’s womanhood, he devoured both her salty taste as well as the moans that were freely escalating. Vincent judged that Jane was enjoying the figure eight motion his tongue was completing, and decided that slipping two fingers into the warm wetness of her could only improve matters. When Jane almost jumped off the bed with the first flick of his fingers, Vincent knew he’d done well.
Grinning at her with satisfaction, Vincent pushed her high and fast. Jane’s pleasure wasn’t his only motivation, he wanted fulfillment of his own. By the time Jane was begging for release, Vincent felt his own control slipping. He stood up and moved between her legs, draping her ankles over his shoulders. Gripping her hips, he lofted them into the air and drove into her swift and hard. Again and again and again, he slammed into her, the smack of her ass against his skin the soundtrack for their lovemaking.
Beyond the point of no return, Vincent reached down and gave Jane what she needed to fall over the edge of her orgasm. A press of his thumb to her most sensitive area ended in a scream of release from Jane. Vincent, too, rushed toward his own orgasm, and when he felt Jane’s hand snake between their bodies to fondle his balls, he came in a rush, shouting Jane’s name just as she demanded.
Jane smiled, satisfied on so many levels, before allowing her hand and body to melt into the bed. Boneless, satisfied, and still quite tipsy, Jane was drifting off to sleep before Vincent had left her body. Reaching down, Vincent scooped her body into his arms and moved her to the middle of the bed before sliding between the cool sheets himself. As he wrapped her body in his own, he promised himself that tomorrow he’d speak to her about the official announcement before they left for Midnight Ink. Then he breathed in her gardenia scent and let himself follow her into their dreams.
--- --- ---
The next morning, Vincent made sure to wake up first and order breakfast in. He tried to wait for Jane to wake up and join him, but as his eyes tracked the progress of the clock, he started to worry that she wouldn’t be up in time to have a conversation before they headed off to Midnight Ink - and he had a client coming in as soon as they opened. Going back into the dimly lit bedroom, Vincent gently shook Jane awake and into a hangover. He watched her as she stumbled to the bathroom to drown her regret in having consumed too many glasses of champagne in the hot steam of the waterfall showerhead.
Vincent hedged his bets by handing in a cup of coffee to Jane as she sat on the teak bench of the shower in the warm humidity. Her eyes looked clear if a bit tired, and her smile boosted his confidence that the morning's talk would go well. Vincent left her to the soothing spray and opened his email to run through a little correspondence before he had his talk with Jane.
The first email stopped him in his tracks. It was an unofficial request from the Mezzanotte Board to complete the mating process with Jane.
Vincent felt sick to his stomach. The email was time stamped at 9 am and mentioned that Jane herself had confirmed her engagement with a group of were women the night before and they were recommending that the wedding happen as soon as possible so as to fully protect Jane from the advances of other Werebear Clans.
The second email was from his father, which coldly chided him for allowing the engagement to get out before the official press release and wedding date. Vincenzo moved on to iterate all of the ways in which this had opened up Jane to enemy attack. Vincent slammed the laptop shut as Jane walked out of the bedroom dressed in a pair of skinny leather pants and a cropped blazer over a plain white t-shirt, though the rhinestones on both her necklace and stiletto pumps made up for the ostensibly casual attire. She was obviously sporting a fair amount of make-up, because she looked far fresher than she had a half an hour ago.
Vincent took a deep breath of his mate’s scent and reminded himself to stay calm. This conversation had to go well. “Pour yourself some more coffee. I ordered up eggs for you, though the other tray is pancakes and you can switch me breakfasts if you like.”
Jane took a
deep sip, finishing off her first cup of coffee before lifting the lids on both plates and sitting down to the eggs. Vincent walked over and kissed her before sitting down to the pancakes. “I thought you deserved a breakfast fit for the mate of the First Son after last night,” he teased.
“I had hoped you would be impressed with my performance,” Jane retorted with a blush.
“Hmm, I was more than impressed, though I might have to see a repeat of the show before confirming my opinion. A matinee perhaps?”
Jane brushed him off. “Not today my friend. I need to rebuild my strength,” she said taking a big bite of eggs.
“Speaking of being the mate of the First Son,” Vincent said taking Jane’s hand and worrying at the engagement ring, “we have to set a date.”
Jane took a sip of coffee as a stopgap and told herself to stay positive. “Well, I thought we’d have a longer engagement, so I’m not sure it makes sense to pick a date right now. Would they be happy with a month and a year perhaps? I always liked the idea of getting married in the fall.”
Vincent shook his head. “Actually, my love, we need to pick an actual date.”
Jane gave a half frown and picked up her cell phone to sift through the calendar app. “I mean, I guess we can pick one at random...if we need to change it later when we pick a venue it can’t be that big of a deal, right?”
Vincent squeezed the hand he still held. “Jane, look at me.” Vincent waited until her green eyes locked onto his. “Jane we need to get married sooner than I know you wanted to.”
Now Jane fully frowned down at the app before looking back to Vincent. “How much sooner?”
Vincent took a deep breath. “As soon as possible. In fact, if you were open to getting married in private and holding a reception later that would be best for all involved.”
Jane’s eyes narrowed. “Who all is involved in our wedding besides us?”
Vincent became aware that he had made a critical error in mentioning other people. “Well, you are marrying into the ruling family of the Clan...there are a lot of people to consider when it comes to our marriage.”
“No, I don’t want to consider anyone else when it comes to our big day. I joined meetings and societies and causes for everyone else, I said yes to an engagement ring for everyone else, I’m studying day and night for everyone else. This wedding is mine. It’s mine and it’s yours and I refuse to consider anyone else when it comes to celebrating our mating.” Jane finished by crossing her arms over her ample chest, a sign that there was going to be very little that would move her to change her mind.
But Vincent had to try. “Jane, traditionally, matings happen very fast. When both parties are werebears they don’t need to take the time to integrate like you’ve been doing. This isn’t abnormal.”
“Actually, Vincent, it is. Last night at the Society Meeting, all of the women were saying that they needed time to get to know their mates before they actually married them. This is normal, my feelings are NORMAL.”
“Nothing about this is normal, Jane,” Vincent spat. “Being the mate of the First Son and future leader doesn’t give you the grace period enjoyed by normal werebears.”
Jane sucked in a breath. “So you’re saying there’s no room for my own feelings and opinions in this conversation? I have to bow down, yet again, to tradition, the board, and you, to find happiness in life?”
“You need to listen to what I’m saying, Jane if you want a life. Things aren’t as they seem. There are things going on politically that you aren’t aware of.”
Vincent was grasping at straws, trying so hard not to tell her about the threat that had been made on her life. On top of all the stress, he didn’t want to add that, but it was looking like he had no other choice. He was about ready to let it slip, when Jane suddenly stood up.
“You know what, Vincent, I need a little air. I can’t have this conversation right now - it’s too much for me to reason through.” Jane strode to the front door and grabbed her purse.
“Jane wait! Just listen to me, it’s not safe!” Vincent tried to call after her, but the door slammed in her wake.
Vincent dropped into his seat and sighed. Checking the time, he realized that Jane was probably just headed to grab a latte before going to open Midnight Ink. In all of their fights, Jane had never once shirked her job. She’d put him through hell many a day, but she was always there and there wasn’t enough time for her to go outside the Casino before the day started. Vincent would just have to try the conversation again later.
Jane stood in the Starbucks line awaiting her triple venti mocha Frappuccino, frantically texting Carrie. She needed to vent her anger before starting into eight hours with that man. Jane knew she was unloading faster than Carrie could respond, but she just needed to let someone know what had happened. She needed someone else to assure her that her feelings were not abnormal.
Carrie did what any best friend would do, and assured Jane that she was right. Then she suggested that perhaps Vincent was receiving pressure of a different kind that not all werebears get during the mating process. In fact, only one werebear a generation gets the type of pressure Vincent was under. Jane knew Carrie was right, and as her mind cleared, she wondered if there wasn’t more behind Vincent’s insistence that they get married ASAP…
Jane looked down as she heard a ping indicating a new text.
Carrie: “I got the front desk today. Spend a little time alone.”
Jane looked up at the baristas brewing the caffeine in front of her, considering. Ping, new text.
Carrie: “Seriously, don’t go back to the apartment to wallow and study. Shop. Get a pedicure. Bring me lunch for my break and we’ll call it even.”
Jane smiled, thinking this was just the day she needed, one all to herself. Swiping her drink when it was done, Jane walked out onto the Casino floor and turned toward the front entrance and its taxi stand. At the very least, she’d get that mani/pedi before grabbing lunch and relieving Carrie of the front desk job. At the taxi stand, she pulled out her phone to thank Carrie for taking over, when someone tapped her shoulder. Turning to see what was happening, Jane never saw the person’s face, because suddenly the world went black.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Vincent was surprised to see Carrie behind the marble front desk at Midnight Ink when he walked in for his first appointment of the day. He was even less happy to see that she was giving him the stink-eye.
Flipping her hair, Carrie skipped the greeting, “You need to lighten up on her you know. This is all a massive change for her.”
Vincent sighed, of course Jane had told Carrie everything. Maybe a member of the Clan would understand better. “I really wish it didn’t have to be this way, but things are beyond my control...you have to know that, right?”
Carrie stared at him for a long moment. “Yes. I get that things are hard for you.” Carrie paused, flipping her long dark hair before she continued, “I convinced Jane of the same thing. Remember to thank me later that she’s out right now, getting her nails done rather than putting you through hell here at the front desk.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh, don’t thank me too much, buddy, I still think you’re in the wrong. There is no reason why, even as First Son, you need to get married within the first year of your mating ritual. Giving her less than four months is downright crazy!”
Vincent scrubbed his face. “There are extenuating circumstances.”
“Uh huh. I’m sure I’ll be hearing all about them after you try having a real conversation with the girl...you’ve put her through the wringer lately, and she knows she’s not aware of everything that’s going on. Now, I don’t need to know all about it. But for the sake of your relationship, if I were you, I’d tell Jane about it.”
Vincent gave Carrie a nod. “Yeah, I think it’s time too. I feel like I’ve just made a mess of it all, trying to keep stuff a secret. I thought I could fix it all without it impacting Jane, but instead the secrets have just blown it all to
shit.”
“The shit has definitely hit the fan, my friend,” Carrie said giving Vincent a long look, “but I don’t think you’ve done any lasting damage. Jane loves you. She’s trying to use all of her female rationalization skills to wrap her head around your demands...it’s just that she’s hit a wall with them. Listen, I made Jane promise to bring me a sandwich for lunch. I’m sure she’s planning on replacing me at that point, but I think I’ll stick around. You don’t have an afternoon appointment - do you think you could swing a relaxed afternoon with Jane? Spend time at the pool or something...you guys need a date night.”
Vincent walked over and pulled Carrie into a big bear hug. “Thank you for being such a good friend, Carrie. I know Jane needs it, but sometimes I forget I need it, too.”
“Aww, you’re welcome, Vincent. I love you both.”
Vincent dropped a kiss on the top of Carrie’s head and turned when the front door opened to admit his first client. Excited for the tat and energized by the conversation with Carrie, Vincent decided that today he was finally going to fix things with Jane.