by Mandy Harbin
“I’d be happy to.” What she didn’t say was that this was something she had already decided to do anyway. Her sister was mated to Toby and she knew it might be an issue one day if they ever decided to have kids.
Rob started toward her and everyone else fell into the background. When he reached her, he stood behind her, rested his hands on her shoulders, and squeezed. “I’d like to have a word with Ariel alone, please,” he announced to everyone, and several seconds later, he faced Thomas. “Yes, Dad, I’m okay.” Ariel figured Thomas had spoken to him silently, but she was so thrilled this man was touching her, she couldn’t be sure she hadn’t just tuned Thomas out.
“Are you okay with this, Ariel?” Krista asked her, and turned to her sister. Ariel nodded, unable to find her voice. Rob squeezed her shoulders again and the gesture felt reassuring to her, not that she needed it. Just Rob touching her was enough to get her to do whatever he wanted.
And that thought brought her up short. She moved away from him as gently as she could. She would agree that she had feelings for him, but she couldn’t be the mate he needed. She missed him like crazy and felt like he was important to her, but she couldn’t lose herself in any relationship. Not again.
“We’ll be outside,” Thomas said, and turned toward the door.
Rob grabbed her hand and tugged. “That won’t be necessary. We’ll be in my cabin.”
The thought of being alone with him did things to her body she wasn’t ready to analyze. Though it didn’t matter at this point.
She had a feeling she’d soon begin to understand just what those things were.
Chapter Twelve
Ariel followed behind Rob, a protest on her lips that died as soon she gazed at his backside. Yeah, there was definite attraction. And she missed him. The least she could hope for was to clear the air with him and maybe pick things up where they’d left off—without the guise of testing.
They walked in silence to his cabin, Rob rubbing soothing circles on the hand that he’d held as they made their short journey across the estate. The cabins weren’t far from the main house. Just far enough to provide the necessary privacy they afforded those who inhabited them.
Once they arrived at Rob’s place, he pushed the door open and motioned for her to walk in. As she walked beside him, she smelled his woodsy scent, could see the traces of sweat on his forehead at his hairline, and lost herself in his beautiful eyes.
“Hi,” he breathed, gazing back at her. Time seemed insignificant, as if all that mattered was they were here together. Then he blinked and looked at the door above her head as he closed them in, shutting out the rest of the world. He stepped away, walking into the kitchenette, and Ariel followed him. “I, too, owe you an apology.” He turned to face her. “I mean, I still think I was in my right to be angry with you, but I should have given you the opportunity to explain. For that, I’m sorry.”
Ariel stepped up to him and gently ran her hand up his arm because she just couldn’t bear the thought of not touching him at this moment. “I’m sorry, too. I was wrong and I should have come clean in the beginning. I hope you can forgive me.” God, she didn’t want to cry. She didn’t want to win him over because he felt sorry for her or had a weak spot for women who cried. But she couldn’t help the emotion that poured out of her. He wrapped his arms around her.
“I’ve missed you so much, angel.”
She trembled, her body responding to the need that only Rob could satisfy…even if that need was just a comforting embrace.
“I’ve missed you too, Robbie.”
He groaned, nuzzling her hair as he breathed her in. “I want you. I need you.”
She reached up and squeezed his arms, trying to find strength to make sure he understood where she was coming from. If she learned one thing from this ordeal it was that she needed to be totally honest with him. She looked up into his eyes and braced herself for what she was about to say.
“I want you too, Robbie, but you have to know that I still don’t know if love exists.” When he frowned and opened his mouth, she covered it gently with the tips of her fingers. “Shhh, please let me finish. I feel like I’ve fallen for the illusion once before, and my protective side won’t allow me to do it again.” She let her fingers trace his lips, relearning the luscious feel of them once again. “But I-I’d be lying if I told you I felt nothing for you. Because I do feel something. I just don’t know what it is.”
“You can believe it’s not love if you want, but I know differently, angel. I know this because I already know I’m in love with you.”
She gasped, trying to step away from him, but Rob grabbed her wrist, halting her retreat. She shook her head. “No, don’t do this. Don’t ruin it before it starts.”
He pulled her back to his chest and gently rubbed her back. “It’s okay, angel. I’m not going to rush you. I don’t have to have a declaration of love or demand that you mate with me before you’re ready. I just don’t want to lose you. I’ll wait for you. As long as it takes for you to be ready.”
She pulled back, shocked. “You could be waiting forever, Robbie.”
His lips quirked into the sexiest smile she’d ever seen. “I doubt it. But that’s a risk I’m not only willing but eager to take.” He leaned down, his wet lips burning a path up her neck to her ear. “But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to go easy on you. I plan on exerting my dominance over you every time I fuck that sweet pussy of yours.”
Ariel moaned. She didn’t know if she believed he’d wait for her to feel the same as he did for her, but at this moment, she couldn’t deny her body desired him and her soul needed him. She tilted her head, seeking, and he gave her what she wanted. His mouth crushed to hers, releasing a groan that she swallowed and returned in equal force.
Rob bent and lifted her into his arms—his sexy, tanned, hard as steel arms—and carried her to the bed at the other side of the room, not once releasing her from the drugging kiss until he eased her onto the bed before him.
“You are so beautiful. God’s gift to me, my angel.” Rob removed her clothing, taking his time to kiss and lick every inch he uncovered while he continued to murmur praises as he worshiped her body with his hands and mouth.
“Rob,” she breathed. She was already shaking with need before he’d started this wonderful torture, but now she ached for more from him.
“Yes?”
“Please…” She dragged the word out as she undulated beneath him, trying to make contact.
He eased up and then slowly removed his shirt and jeans, followed by his boxer briefs—at a maddeningly slow pace. Once he was in his gloriously naked form, he moved to her again, kissing the hollow behind her ear, tracing his fingers along her collarbone, making her break out in goose bumps.
Ariel grabbed his head, her fingers unable to find purchase in his hair. God, he felt so good. She needed him to stop or she could come just like this. She needed him to focus on her breasts and her clit. The weeks away from him had left her too impatient.
“I want you to make me come.”
He chuckled against her neck as he moved south—thank God in heaven—but he stopped short of latching onto her nipple.
She groaned. “You’re killing me. Please touch me.”
Because if he didn’t touch her soon like she needed, she wouldn’t be able to stop herself from pushing him onto his back and climbing onto him like a wanton woman.
Hmmm… that idea had merit.
* * * *
Rob couldn’t take it anymore. His need for Ariel was so raw. He’d wanted to go slow, coax her to her orgasms like he loved, but he couldn’t deny his mate. Not when she begged and his lion demanded he tend to the one person in this world who mattered most. He growled as he swooped down and sucked her nipple and half of her breast into his mouth. Sweet Jesus, she tasted like honey. Her body arched off the bed, trying to get closer as she pushed his head down even harder. His little waif was stronger than she appeared. She always found the strength to get what she w
anted…not that he had the desire to deny her.
When she started rocking her hips against him, he shoved his leg between hers. He had to let go of her breast so he could grit his teeth at the hot, wet feel of her pussy on him. She was drenched, ready for him.
He had to taste more of her. He kissed and nipped at her skin as he sank lower. When he reached her sweet spot, he pushed her legs open and inhaled, moaning as he licked her gently—gently because if he ate her like he wanted, she’d be screaming with one orgasm after another and be too sore to take him. As much as he liked the thought, no way was he not fucking her tonight. He was going to be balls deep in her well into the morning. He had no doubt. So he took his time, licking her pussy, tasting her essence as she spilled onto his tongue and finger fucked her when she started getting a little restless.
“Come for me, angel. Let me feel it.”
Her body went taut when her pussy started to spasm around his fingers. She let out the cry that had his dick so hard it was already leaking on her leg. He thrust, trying to easy the ache, but knew his cock wouldn’t be happy getting off anywhere but in her welcoming heat. Rob crawled up her body and took her mouth as he grabbed his dick and rubbed the ruddy head against her slit.
“Oh God, Rob, I’ve missed you. Missed you so much.”
Unable to stop his body’s reaction to her confession, so close to the promise land, he pushed inside her, her pussy squeezing him like a vise as he penetrated her fully.
“Fuck, you feel good,” he gritted as he took her with long, slow strokes, knowing he wouldn’t be able to keep the pace for long. It was evident she had no intentions of him doing that either because she grabbed his ass and forced him to knife into her harder, faster. “Yeah, baby, like that.”
She clawed at his back and sank her little teeth into his shoulder as he fucked her like she wanted, like he needed, like they both demanded. His fangs descended and he had the urge to take her. Claim her. Right fucking now.
He roared instead, fighting the urge the complete their mating, and just relished in the feel of her, of her temptation surrounding him. She’d always be his little temptress, pushing his buttons and testing his boundaries. And that was okay too.
More than okay. It would be perfect, because it was perfect for them. What was normal for another couple didn’t suit what they needed, but nothing in Rob’s life was normal. He had no desire to force Ariel into some relationship because his brothers had followed that path. Rob and Ariel would forge their own. And when she was ready, he’d make her his mate in every sense of the word. Not a moment sooner.
When she screamed his name and clamped her legs around him as her pussy pulsed around his cock, he followed her into that erotic nirvana. He continued to hold her for long moments afterward. Just feeling her light spasms and hot breath on his neck.
Rob lifted his head and looked down at her. Her kiss-swollen lips shook as a small smile formed on her face. She reached up and gently stroked his cheek, and he couldn’t help but purr and lean into her comforting touch.
“I-I feel for you. So much,” she whispered, and Rob’s insides burned. She didn’t have to say the words that society thought was right. He knew exactly what his little waif was declaring.
I love you too, my precious angel. And when she was ready, he’d say the words aloud again.
They had all the time in the world.
Epilogue
“What do you mean you won’t take no for an answer? I just fucking told you no!” Jack yelled at his computer screen during his Skype session with Lillian Caldwell. She was nuts if she thought he was letting her work here.
“We’ve been working together for over a month now, Jackson. I’ve been giving your company our contractors’ information and contacting them on your behalf. You’ll just be paying me a salary now.”
“We already pay you! We’ve hired you as a contractor. Once we have everything we need, then you can move on to something else.” He took a deep breath, trying to find his fucking patience and realizing said patience must be out enjoying happy hour somewhere. “Your family made a lot of money selling us your land. You have the freedom now to do whatever you want.”
“You strong-armed us into selling it! And what the hell else am I going to do out in the middle of nowhere?”
“Bullshit!” Patience? Where the fuck are you? “You were going under and we were more than generous with our offer. We didn’t have to hire you afterward either. That was my father’s brilliant idea.”
“I talked to Mikaela Woods and she seems to think something could be worked out on a more permanent basis. She is your family’s attorney after all.”
Damn Mikaela. If she weren’t suffering from morning sickness this morning, he’d give her a piece of his mind. No way would Josh allow him near her anyway. Jack was the black sheep right now. And with good reason. Yeah, things had settled down after Ariel came back and she and Rob seemed to be working things out. Their dad had provided Ariel with a dedicated lab to work in and was putting her on the payroll so she wouldn’t have to continue working in Missouri. From what Jack had heard, she’d inquired with some colleges in Texas about getting her Ph.D.
So things were looking up, but Jack would never forgive himself for what he’d tried to do to Ariel. She’d said he wasn’t completely in control, but that didn’t help his guilt. He was the strong one around here, so the fact that he lost control so quickly didn’t set well with him. And even though apologies had been exchanged and everyone ate dinner together, Josh didn’t want Mikaela upset about anything, so he kept everyone away from her. Rob was super protective of Ariel since they weren’t officially mated, which meant Jack was to stay away from her at all times. It wasn’t said, but it was definitely understood. And because of what had happened with her sister, Krista didn’t have Jack on any BFF list either, which meant that Toby was always watching him, making sure he wasn’t about to board the crazy train again. Yeah, all might be well on the surface around here, but Jack was still treated like a pariah.
“I’ll have a talk with Mikaela and my father about this.”
“You’re putting me off. I know you’re just going to ignore me. Again.”
How the hell could he ignore her? She had the blondest hair he’d ever seen on a woman. It was almost white and her pale skin belied her years of working outside. Whenever he’d seen her on these conference calls both before and after the purchase of the Caldwell property, he’d always itched to ask how she was able to keep her skin a luminous alabaster. His had been darkened by the sun years ago.
“I’m not putting you off. See?” He reached into his father’s desk to pull out a notepad so he could write the message down. Not that he needed to. He just felt like it would get his damn point across that he intended to talk to his family about this mess. He tuned out Lillian’s beautiful eyes shooting daggers at him as he rummaged around, opening drawers, but then suddenly, a photo slipped out from a folded piece of paper. He stopped, grazing his fingers over it before picking it up.
It was of his mother. And she looked beautiful, young, and in the prime of her life before her illness took it away. He smiled sadly at the picture, remembering her in this state, which felt like a lifetime ago. She had always been the glue that held his family together and after she’d died, it had taken his father a long time to pick up the pieces and move on. But he’d eventually done so. He hadn’t any other choice.
Jack started to place the photo back where he’d found it, opening the old piece of paper to slip it back in. He glanced at the words and froze. It was his mother’s handwriting.
He read the first few sentences and felt the blood draining from his face, his fingers going numb. All his life, he’d wanted to understand the reason of his existence. Why he and his family were able to shift into mountain lions. It was something he and his brothers believed would never be understood because his father’s parents had died when he was young. They’d just have to live with it as best they could. But the assumption they’d
made, the assumption his father hadn’t corrected, was wrong. It wasn’t his father’s doing after all.
It was Mom’s.
The End
About the Author
After reading Danielle Steel’s Summer’s End, Mandy became hooked on reading romance. Of course she was probably too young to be reading books like that at the time, which made it that much better! She dabbled in writing throughout adolescence and justified studying it in college under that wonderful umbrella of liberal arts. Living in Arkansas, she figured writing was a dream and not a career, so when she went back to get her master’s degree, she studied business. It wasn’t until she was staying up late to write—after working full-time, spending time with the family, and studying mind-numbing business nonsense—when she realized something had to give. The love of writing prevailed. She still lives in Arkansas with a few classes shy of an MBA but is now a multi-published author living her dream. She can be found online at www.mandyharbin.com.
Table of Contents
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Epilogue
About the Author
Table of Contents
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve