Redeeming Rue AP4

by R. E. Butler

  “You’re not dreaming, Rue, I promise.”

  He cupped her face and brushed his thumbs across her cheeks. He started to lower his head to kiss her when James cleared his throat and John remembered that they weren’t just planning to make love to Rue tonight; they had more permanent things in mind.

  John pushed Rue to the bed gently, and she sat down with a curious smile. John reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring that he had chosen for her. He and James went to one knee in front of her at the same time, both of them holding out their rings. Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open.

  “Veruka Jennings, I want to share the rest of my life with you. I want to make you happy and keep you safe. Will you marry me and be my mate?” James asked.

  Before she could answer, John said, “Rue, you’ve touched my heart in so many ways, and I can’t think of anything that I would rather do than spend the rest of my life making you happy. Will you marry me and be my mate, too?”

  She blinked, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “Yes. I don’t know how we’ll make it legal, but I will absolutely marry and mate you both.”

  She wiggled her fingers at them, and they both slid the rings onto her ring fingers. James’ ring was a simple solitaire, but John had chosen a ring decorated with nine small diamonds, the number of members of their immediate family, including Rue and Dom.

  She looked down at the rings, her eyes darting from one to the other, and then she slipped down onto the floor and into their waiting arms. “I’ve never been so happy,” she whispered against John’s lips.

  James growled softly. “Really? I think we can make you happier.”

  John chuckled as she gasped against his lips and kissed her once more. “That sounds like a challenge,” he said.

  John stood with her in his arms and climbed onto the bed, setting her down in the center. He kissed her softly, stroking one hand down her arm, feeling the silky warmth of her skin, and made the same lazy trek up her arm until he felt the smooth material of her dress that covered her shoulder.

  He broke the kiss and looked down at her. James took the moment of silence to reach underneath her and pull down the zipper on her dress. The black dress slipped from her as James tugged and John went to his knees and began to unbutton his shirt. They’d made love to Rue together more than once, but this was different. Special. They were engaged. Two males who had once never dared to believe that a relationship was possible were going to get married to the most amazing woman. He felt as though he was dreaming and he sure as hell hoped he never woke up.

  He tossed his shirt and tie aside and reached for the buckle of his pants, but Rue’s fingers stilled him. He looked down and watched as James tugged the dress all the way down her legs and discovered she was completely naked.

  “You weren’t wearing panties at dinner?” he asked in surprise.

  She chuckled. “Nope. And neither of you even checked to see what was going on under that cute dress.” She crossed her arms over her chest with a harrumph.

  James snorted as he got off the bed and draped the dress over the chair in the corner and began to strip. “I feel terrible. There you were, sitting through dinner just hoping to get felt up, and we were too gentlemanly to do it.”

  She giggled and her eyes danced. John leaned over Rue and planted his hands on either side of her head. “I promise I will always check to see if you’re wearing panties from now on.”

  Her hands cupped his hips as he lowered his head and brushed his mouth against hers. She smelled so sweet and sultry when she was turned on, and his cat purred in appreciation. The marks on her neck were proof enough she was theirs, but making her legally their wife was one more way to secure their future together. When they married, she’d be Veruka Fallon. His wife, his brother’s wife, the mother of his kids, and a member of the pride.

  She nipped his lower lip. “I just lost you there for a minute. What are you thinking about?”

  He looked at her and saw the most beautiful woman in the world. The pink blush of her cheeks, the small dimple at the corner of her mouth, the green eyes bright with promise.

  “Rue, I love you.” He’d never spoken such truthful words in his life.

  She gazed at him silently for long enough that he wondered if he’d made a mistake, if she thought it was too soon or the timing was wrong.

  She reached her hand to cup his cheek and smiled softly. “I love you, John. I never thought I’d be able to show my true self to anyone. I feel stripped bare with you and James and I’m not afraid of that anymore.”

  He kissed her, drawing her into his arms to hold her close. He wanted to shout to the stars with happiness. She loved him! He felt her undo his belt and slacks and shove them down his legs, reaching for his cock that bobbed hard against his stomach. He groaned into her mouth, stroking her tongue with his own as she grasped his cock and rubbed her thumb along the swollen head.

  Then he felt her hand grip his shoulder and push him away. He groaned again and blinked his eyes that had crossed with pleasure and happiness. She rolled to her knees and reached for James who was sitting naked on the end of the bed.

  “I love you, James Fallon. I didn’t think I’d ever find a male I could love – who could love me in return – and I’m one lucky woman to have two amazing males.”

  John shoved his pants off and tossed them to the floor and then rolled to his back as James told Rue that he loved her, his voice cracking with emotion. Rue broke the kiss and said, “I want to make love to you both, one at a time. Is that okay? We can do the threesome stuff later.”

  James kissed Rue and then pushed her until she turned toward John, silently giving John the first time of the night. Which he was thankful for, since his cock was already hard enough to pound a hole through concrete.

  Rue crawled to him, her eyes bright with promise. She walked her fingers up his chest and her leg slipped between his, her thigh catching the underside of his cock and brushing against his balls. He groaned and reached for her, rolling until she was under him. Her legs caged his hips, her feet locked in the small of his back and she giggled, brushing the hair from her face.

  “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our engagement than this.” She tilted her pelvis up and her pussy rubbed against his cock. His brain stalled out as he felt the silky evidence of her arousal, as she glided back and forth against him.

  He’d planned to get her off first, make her scream in pleasure a few times before they made love, but he couldn’t think of anything besides sliding home, deep inside her.

  Angling his hips back, he pushed into her smoothly, her silky walls clutching him, welcoming him. She arched her back, taking him all the way to the hilt, and he bent his head and kissed her nipples, sucking first one and then the other into his mouth and teasing the taut buds.

  Releasing one nipple with an audible pop, he looked at her eyes that were flashing to the bright blue of her cat and said, “You feel like home, Rue.”

  She sucked in a sharp breath and her eyes went solid blue as her fangs elongated. “Mine,” she breathed the word, scraping her nails into his scalp as she tugged him to her lips. “Home.”

  They kissed, a hard mashing of their lips as his cock twitched and she groaned. He slipped from her body, keeping his cock just at her sweet entrance, and then thrust forward. She moaned into his mouth, her hands slipping from his head to his back as he began a slow forward glide and retreat, loving every second of his slow seduction. She hugged him to her, the tight tips of her breasts rubbing against his chest deliciously, her pussy clutching at him. He steeled himself against the orgasm that threatened, wanting her to come with him.

  He captured her hand in his, twining their fingers and stretching it over her head. Then he slipped his arm under her hips and angled her body up. When he stroked into her, she gasped loudly, her mouth falling open. He gripped her to him, increasing the pace of his strokes. Her thighs clasped him tighter. She raised her other hand and bracketed his hand with both of h
ers.

  He twisted his hips and lifted her lower body higher off the bed, looking for the right angle to send her to heaven. He felt her pussy grip him tighter and he stroked into her harder, faster, their bodies slapping together as he pushed his own pleasure away until she’d had her fill. Her heels tightened on his back, her nails dug into his hand, and every thrust pushed him closer to the edge.

  He was so close he could feel his balls pull up tight against his body. He grunted out the words, “Come with me,” never stopping the pistoning of his cock into her tight pussy.

  She locked her gaze to his, her mouth open and her fangs glistening through her parted lips. She gnashed her teeth and whimpered as her pussy locked down on him. For a brief moment, time stood still between them and then she came with a flood of heat. Her back bowed, nearly tossing him from her body. He stroked into her tightening pussy, letting go and coming with her, filling her.

  She growled and shoved him to his back, snarling as she raised her head and bared her fangs. He knew without words that she wanted to mark him, and he tilted his head and gave her access to his throat. She struck, sinking her fangs deeply into his neck. He cupped her head with one hand, wrapped his arm around her, and held her trembling body close. She released her hold on him and licked the wound, purring contentedly.

  She lifted from his body, gazing down at him in rapture as she licked her lips. “Love you,” she rasped. He’d never known what real love between two people could be like. It was powerful and amazing. His cat purred happily and he grinned as the sound rumbled in his chest.

  “Love you, too, sweetheart.”

  She turned toward James with a playful growl, and John reveled in the burn of her mark.

  * * * * *

  James watched Rue crawl toward him, her eyes blazing bright blue and her lips parted to reveal pearly white fangs. He was reclining at the bottom of the bed, his legs out in front of him as he leaned on his elbows. She paused at his feet, kissing both ankles, and then slowly made her way up his body, kissing and nipping his legs, hips, and chest. She sat up and threw one leg over him, straddling him.

  His cock throbbed as she grasped it with one hand and rubbed it between the swollen lips of her sex. He reached for her, clasping her knees as she lowered herself down on him until their bodies met. She sighed deeply, lowering her head until her chin touched her chest. She lifted her head slowly and rocked on him.

  He moaned his appreciation of the snug feel of her pussy and gripped her knees. Leaning forward, she braced her hands on his chest, bending to kiss him as she rocked on him. Her tight heat called to a primal part of him, and he wanted to push her to her back and fuck her hard, but he resisted. She wanted to ride him, and he’d let her. Their eyes locked as she moved, her breasts bobbing, the tight nipples beckoning to him. He released her knees and cupped her breasts, pinching the tight buds between his fingers and thumbs. Her pussy clenched him, so he did it again. And again.

  She rode him hard and her nails dug into his chest, but he didn’t care. She could draw blood and he’d still love every second of their time together. Releasing one breast, he slipped his hand between their bodies and began to flick her clit with the tip of his finger.

  She shuddered and her pussy clamped down on his cock and his eyes crossed. He deviled the bud until she screamed in pleasure and her body locked down on him. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and James grabbed her and rolled her to her back, thrusting into her until he came, their bodies wed tight.

  Snarling softly, she sank her fangs into him, and he swore he came again as the sharp pain of her fangs slipped into pleasure at the thought of being hers forever in such a primal way. He held her close and reveled in the pure bliss that washed over him.

  He was hers forever, and she was his and John’s.

  She released his neck with a purr and licked the wound. He felt boneless, but he lifted her up the bed until her head was on the pillow next to John and then he collapsed at her side. Her fingers played across her stomach as she sighed with contentment.

  James nuzzled her throat. “Love you.”

  “I love you, too, James.” She giggled lightly and said, “How about round two?”

  Chapter 21

  Monday evening, Rue walked out into the backyard where the pride members were milling around. Everyone but Alek was there, because he had to work. Jericho and Lachlyn had offered to stay with Sam and the kids who were too young to shift.

  Rue looked back at the porch where Sam was kissing Aaron and Grant goodbye. “Why does someone have to stay with her and the kids?”

  “Because when she was first mated to Aaron and Grant, the females sent thugs to try to kidnap the kids and she almost died. It was a giant clusterfuck,” James said.

  Rue looked around at the pride members and noticed that Ray and Wesley weren’t there. “Where are Ray and Wes?”

  “They opted to skip coming out,” James said.

  “I’m afraid they’re going to give up on the pride and go back to King,” John said.

  “Because of Scarlett?”

  “The heart wants what it wants sometimes,” John said, shrugging. He tugged on the bottom of her shirt. “Are you ready to shift and hunt sweetheart?”

  She pulled off her engagement rings and tucked them into her pocket and reached for the button of her jeans. “Whoa, wait, hold on!” James growled.

  “What?” She froze.

  “Not out here, woman. Too many unmated males.”

  “But,” she said and turned and saw that Melody had walked with Tristan and Micah into the woods and hidden behind a tree. “Oh. I see. I haven’t shifted anywhere but my own house, but when I was a kid, the clans all shifted out in the open together, mated and unmated.”

  “Sorry, love, I might have to knock some heads if any of the cats see you naked.” James was smiling when he spoke, but his words didn’t sound all that teasing.

  “Really?” She undid the button on her jeans, and his and John’s eyes dropped to her waist and both of them growled. “All right, geez.”

  John snagged her behind the neck, drew her close, and kissed her. “You’re ours.”

  “I know.”

  “Tease.” He smirked.

  “I know that, too. But I’m still yours.”

  “Ugh, gross,” Dom said, rolling his eyes. “Race you to shift, Henry!” Dom tossed his shirt over Henry’s head, and Henry growled in feigned annoyance.

  Jilly said, “Dionne wants you guys to come over for dinner tomorrow night. I said Dad was working, but you and Uncle James could still come over.”

  “Sounds good. Tell Dionne I’ll call her in the morning for details.”

  “Could we go to lunch together? I’m in the mood for a bacon cheeseburger from Cherie’s.”

  “You bet, sweetie,” Rue said.

  Dom and Henry, fully shifted, pounced on each other and tried to trip Jilly as she returned to her mates.

  “We should shift, too,” Rue said.

  James lifted his voice. “Have a good hunt, everyone.”

  They pulled her into the trees so she was hidden from view, and they watched as she stripped and shifted into her form. For a long moment, she froze, unused to being in her form in public. The first time she’d shifted, her own people had attacked her. Once she had Dom, she hadn’t allowed herself the luxury of shifting outside of her house, afraid that someone might see her white fur and figure out that she was banished. The last time she’d been out in the woods in her shift she’d tried to kill the bastard who hurt Dom.

  Her cat was optimistic about hunting, anxious and exited. She pawed at the dirt and flexed her claws, stretching fully and whipping her tail back and forth. Sitting back on her haunches, she watched as James and John squatted down and touched her. They murmured praises over her snow-white fur. They scratched her ears, ruffled her fur, and gave her heated looks that had nothing at all to do with what she looked like in her panther form.

  With a yowl, she encouraged them to shift for he
r, and she watched as her mates stripped slowly, never taking their eyes from her, and shifted. Their fur was pale gold, their muzzles white-edged and dark brown. They were bigger than her shift, and their muscles flexed as they moved toward her on silent paws. Their noses pressed against her neck at the same time, one on either side, and a massive purr rumbled from her chest. She licked their cheeks, wishing she could talk in her shift so she could tell them how incredible she felt.

  James made a chuffing sound, and they headed off into the woods to hunt. Two cats streaked by them, one stark white, and she thought it was sweet that Dom and Henry acted like siblings who had been raised together their whole lives.

  Prowling through the woods, she was not surprised that James and John flanked her, keeping her between them as they let her lead where they went. She gave herself over to the cat and let her instincts go. She luxuriated in the feel of the night wind on her fur, the scents of earth and foliage and creatures in the air, and the brush of her mates’ bodies against her as they ran in tandem. She’d never been so happy.

  She ran until her lungs burned. Until they’d trekked the entire territory that the pride had claimed. She hadn’t caught anything, but she had given a few rabbits a good scare when she’d almost snagged their furry butts.

  Henry, Dom, Jilly, and her two mates met up with them, and the group headed back to the boarding house. Rue and her mates shifted into their human forms, dressed, and walked into the backyard.

  Jilly yawned and stretched, kissing her mates goodnight. “See you tomorrow,” she said. The boys looked as though they didn’t want to leave her side, and Rue knew what that felt like. She would have hated to have to spend nights away from James and John. Henry and Dom walked into the house with Jilly after saying goodnight and Rue looked at the dark house in silence.

  “What are you thinking about?” John asked.

  “That it sucks for them to have to wait three years. I know she’s young, but they’re mates.”