“The Chicago P.D. should give us a salary,” Draik announces with a smirk. “Did you see that fuckhead? He shit his pants!”
“Not the first time,” Curragh chuckles.
On a laugh I say, “Pretty sure he won’t be robbing those old people at the home anymore.”
“I’m guessing he quits tomorrow,” War chuckles, closing the industrial door of our building. Alisa’s at the top of the stairs on the second floor waiting for him.
“Hi guys. Go well I take it?” Her hands are on her hips and her blue hair’s now pink, and a lot longer. “You’re in a good mood.”
Draik passes by her, heading for our place. “War jumped on the guy from the ceiling after he bounced off a wall. It was fucking hilarious!”
War runs past me and Curragh to grab his girl. I wish I was numb to my jealousy by now. But I don’t think I’ll ever look at a happy couple and not wish I was with Emily.
“You coming for a drink?” I ask my oldest friend.
“Kara’s waiting for me. She said she’s wearing a Cat Woman suit for me tonight.”
“Shut the fuck up,” Draik chuckles over his shoulder from up ahead. At Curragh’s face, he loses the smile. “Seriously?”
“Seriously. And if she doesn’t do it, I’m going to go out and buy her one tonight. I’ve had my mind on her in that leather all night long.”
“Plastic,” I mutter. “It’ll be plastic.”
“She said it was leather so leather it will be. Bye.”
“Later.”
War just waves to us with Alisa thrown over his shoulder, her hair hanging from gravity. The engagement ring on her wedding finger sparkles in the light as she waves, too. They’re young so they’re taking their time with the actual wedding.
When Draik and I go inside, we’re smiling with the residual feeling of accomplishment. That guy working for the retirement home was a basic type of thief. He befriended them and used them then made off with their inheritances, claiming to be their kids with the paperwork to ‘prove’ it. He was smart for a while, only leeching off the ones who didn’t have visitors. But he got sloppy. They all do, crooks. And you get caught when you get sloppy.
“I think we’re empty,” Draik calls back to me as he heads for the liquor cabinet. “I could go for a booze run.” He opens the door and says, “Oh wait! I spoke too soon. Lookie here. A half full bottle of Jameson. Your favorite.”
“Great. Bring it over.”
We both freeze and look toward the door as a sound rings in our eardrums at the same time. Footsteps we don’t recognize have stopped in front of it. Exchanging a look with my friend, I head over. “I’ll get it.”
As I reach for the doorknob I inhale deeply and my heart stops. I swing open the door.
“Hey.” I guess I sound as stunned as I am.
Emily stands on our mat, nervously wringing her hands. There’s no ring on them. I know she started dating someone. I’m glad it hasn’t gotten serious. Yet. So, why is she here? She’s wearing a new pencil skirt and button up, with flats, and her purse is over her shoulder. Her hair smells of shampoo, her skin of heaven. And that heart of hers is beating fast.
“Hi Xavier,” she whispers, blinking to her hands.
“You okay?” I almost reach out and touch her shoulder, but I hold back. “Something wrong?”
She meets my eyes, looking worried. “Yeah. Something’s wrong.”
My heart starts slamming with anger. “Is it the kids? What happened? Are they hurt? Just tell me who and where and —”
“— Michael and Sofia are fine.”
“Oh.”
Draik grabs the keys and walks up. “I forgot I’m supposed to be at Kelly’s house. She’s going to be pissed. Good seeing you Emily.” He gives me a meaningful look and vanishes.
“Subtle,” she smiles, glancing to me.
“Not his thing. Knowing when to make himself scarce he’s good at. Come in.”
She hesitates, but walks in slowly, soaking in the loft. “This is exactly how I would have guessed you’d live.”
“We don’t need much.”
“Nobody really does,” she smiles, being polite.
“What’s wrong?”
“How’ve you been?”
I’m not going to push her. “Good. You?”
She nods with a raised eyebrow and crosses her arms. All I want to do is pull her into my arms and never let her go. My wolf is going crazy. This is torture. But it’s better than when she’s not here.
She smiles and holds my look. There’s a lot of strength in her eyes. I think she wants me to see that she’s changed. But I already know it.
I’ve been watching over her. I’ve seen her over time become less traumatized, more relaxed, and finally, smiling. She’s been calm and different most of the nights I watch over her lately — maybe for the last month and a half or so. When she leaves work. When she walks from her car to her apartment. A small relaxed smile is on her face. Most nights she’s by the window that faces the street after the kids go to sleep, sitting in that chair and reading a book for hours. I see her frown sometimes, but most of the time she looks peaceful.
“I’ve been good, Xavier. I have the kids in therapy. I’m going, too. I’ve learned a lot about myself since I saw you last. They’re learning to trust me now.”
“Yeah?”
Tucking a shiny lock of hair behind her ear, she nods a little and glances away from me. “Yeah. I had a lot of work to do on myself.”
“Did David help you with that?” My jaw ticks. He’s the hotel manager she’s been seeing some nights. He’s never stayed the night yet. I dread the time he will, knowing I can’t do anything about it. Every time he’s over or when she’s met him for dinner with the kids, it’s been fucking hell for me. Absolute, painful, fucking hell.
“David?” she asks, frowning.
She’s surprised I know about him, of course. She thinks I haven’t seen her since that night on the roof. She’s very wrong about that. I haven’t missed one day.
Her eyes narrow slightly. “Yes, he has. He’s helped me very much.”
My chest feels funny and my stomach turns over. Some stiff suit with a Honda Civic is going to have my mate. I bite the inside of my cheek and nod. “Good for David.”
A sarcastic smile flashes over her and she rolls her eyes. “Where were you last night?”
I stare at her, blinking hard. “What dya mean?”
“You weren’t watching over us. You’ve been there every night.”
Silence.
“You knew that?”
“Yes, Xavier. I know you’ve been stalking me.”
My hackles fire up and I grate, “I’ve been making sure you’re safe. You and the kids. It’s what I’m meant to do and just because you don’t want me doesn’t mean I won’t do my job.”
Her eyes flicker and she frowns like she’s angry. “Then where were you last night?”
What the fuck? She’s enjoying this then. She wants to keep me as her slave. Fine. I have no other choice but to be whatever she needs of me. But I don’t have to like that she’s going to fuck some other guy and use me for protection. Through grinding teeth, I tell her, “I was there, Emily. Just like I always will be.”
“No, you weren’t. I always see you by nine-thirty.”
“I was late. We were…on a case. Wait, I’m confused. Are you seriously here to bitch me out for not stalking you?”
“For not keeping us safe,” she whispers, her eyes on the hardwood floor. It’s like that was the hardest thing she’s ever had to say.
My chest expands on a deep inhale as if I haven’t breathed in over seven months. I pull her into my arms and kiss her hard on her soft, precious lips. I can’t help myself. She’s right in front of me. If she doesn’t want me kissing her then she’d better stay a good twenty feet away at all times.
She resists me for a fraction of a second then grabs the back of my head and makes the kiss harder. On a deep and urgent rasp, I tell her, �
��I will always keep you safe.”
With tears falling down her face, she laces her fingers into my hair and whispers, “I thought you gave up on me last night.”
“Never. Even if you marry David, I will be there every night.”
“Xavier! That would be horrible.”
“Tell me about it.”
She smiles, her green eyes liquid as more tears gather. “David’s gay!”
I frown and pull my head back a little in surprise. She’s wrapped in my arms, but I have to see her face because I can’t believe what she just said. But why would she lie? “What the fuck? How come I didn’t know that?”
“That’s what my sister said, too.” At my confusion, Emily smiles and explains, “He’s her ex-husband. He came out of the closet after she had the girls. He just moved here temporarily with his company to fix a hotel that wasn’t — oh, who cares! I wasn’t dating him! He’s family and he’s been trying to be a good influence on the kids after what happened. I’m not his type.” Her eyes dance with mischief as she adds, “And he doesn’t have fangs and fur, so I guess he’s not my type either.”
Xavier
My eyes close as I hear those words. “Are you ready?”
“For what?” she whispers.
“To be mine forever.” I take possession of her mouth. We kiss like two people who thought we might never be together. It is the most emotional and painful kiss of my life.
I lift my woman up and she murmurs against my lips, “The couch.” Without hesitation, I carry her there and am about to lie her down when she shakes her head, pushes off from me and turns around. A flirtatious wink over her shoulder tells me what she wants. My cock goes rock fucking hard and I pull up that pencil skirt and rip her panties right the hell off with one hand. Her breath hitches and I bend down to bury my face in her ass, reaching my tongue to her hot, wet, delicious little cunt. She moans as I lick her for a very long time. Her folds quiver as an orgasm shoots through her body. I shove in two fingers and lick her anus as I finger-fuck her fast and hard. She starts screaming my name. When she can’t take any more, I bite her asscheek. She yelps and watches me over her shoulder as I rise up and drop my jeans.
“Oh my God, I almost forgot how big you are.”
“No, you didn’t,” I smirk, palming myself and eyeing her arched back and sweet ass. “Say it.”
She holds my eyes. “Fuck me.”
“That’s good, too, but that’s not what I want to hear right now.” I give her a playful swat and watch her cheeks jiggle. Mmmmm…my woman is amazing. “Say it.”
“What do you want me to say?” she whispers as tears fall down.
Oh shit. Why did I swat her butt like that? I wasn’t thinking. “I’m sorry baby. You upset I spanked you? I was being playful.”
“No no no! I’m crying because I’m happy,” she smiles.
“Oh…good.”
“Spank me again.”
I give her a firm swat. She grins at me. I can’t help but smile back, but then I look at her body and get real serious. I want to fuck. I need to claim this woman NOW.
“Say it.”
Her smile vanishes and she whispers the words I’ve waited almost eight months to hear. “I haven’t been with anyone since you. I’m yours, Xavier. Only yours for as long as you want me.”
I groan, grab her hips, crane her ass up and plunge my cock into her sweet little pussy. It’s so tight and slippery, and the moan she makes when I fill her all the way to her core is so fucking hot I want to cum right now. But there’s no way I’m going to do that. “You’re mine! You will always be mine. I claim you tonight and every night after this. I am yours.”
“Forever,” she whispers on a moan as I work her pussy in all kinds of ways. I circle my hips, I pound deeply, I go slowly, I go fast. I reach down and stick my thumb on her anus and tickle it. She cries out as her body starts shaking. “What am I doing to you?”
“You’re ruining me for all men.”
“You will never fuck anyone but me, Emily.” I groan as she starts to cum. “You and I are going to explore each other every night, and we will never get tired of it. I won’t let us.” I groan and throw my head back as she cums on my cock, clenching her pussy walls until I can’t talk.
But I won’t let myself cum yet. I grab her full hips and hammer into her in strong, deep strokes. She moans again and again. Her hair is bouncing. Her body is jiggling. I’m staring at her like she’s a seven-course meal and I’m used to fast food.
I’ve found my soul’s match.
My mate.
Emily twists and looks at me over her shoulder. Her hair is a mess. Sweat is beading down both of our faces. She has dried tears on her cheeks with mascara betraying their path. Somehow her looking all fucked up — literally, and by me — turns me on like nothing else ever has. She wants me. She hasn’t been with anyone else and she wasn’t dating anyone after all. I’ve never been so fucking hopeful in my whole life.
As I feel myself nearing the edge, I groan, “MARRY ME.”
“What?” she gasps. “Did you just say what I think you said?”
“Oh God,” I groan as my length starts to throb with the onset. “Fuck. You feel so good. Marry me.”
“Yes! Oh God!” A scream of ecstasy escapes her lips as I start ramming her. “HARDER! YES, I’LL MARRY YOU! HARDER!”
Grunting I tear off my shirt and throw it to the floor. Sweat is dripping down my chest. Emily looks at me like I’m the most gorgeous thing she’s ever seen and she’s making that sexy-as-hell orgasm face. She’s a fucking goddess. I am the luckiest guy to ever walk on Earth.
With long sure strokes I slam her cunt, stealing her breath with each inward thrust as I hold there. “Say WIFE.”
“Wife. Wife!”
“Oh fuck!” I groan and start to work her body to my own pleasure now. I don’t hold back. I fuck her like the animal that I truly am until I feel her pussy vibrate with the third orgasm. She screams my name, but it isn’t until she screams, “HUSBAND,” that I lose it. I spill my hot seed in her very core, so deep it will stay in there forever. I want it to, so that she never forgets who she belongs to. My shaft throbs long and hard until I collapse onto her back, reach around, rip open her buttons and tear her bra in half so I can palm her breast as I gasp for air. We’re both bent over the couch. I’m still inside her. And I never would have gotten up if I didn’t hear the footsteps.
“Shit,” I mutter, kissing the back of her neck. “We have company.”
Suddenly self-conscious, she whispers, “Draik’s back? There’s no Kelly is there.”
I don’t want to pull out yet. I don’t want to leave her body. I kiss her back, stalling. “You know his name?”
“You guys shouted it when he got shot.”
“Right. There’s a Kelly. But he didn’t go see her like he said he would.” As I slide my shaft from my favorite place into the cool loft air, I call out, “HANG ON YOU FUCKERS.”
“OPEN THE DOOR.”
“Jesus, Draik.” I run over to my dresser and grab a t-shirt, throwing it to my mate. She’s frowning as she quickly puts it on and tucks her torn shirt and bra in the couch cushions. I run over and grab her panties before she gets to them. “Those are mine. And nice try on the couch tuck, but that won’t fly.” I grab her bra and shirt, run for my jeans, yank them up and run to the dresser where I shove her things in it. I’ll breathe them in later. Zipping up, I glance over to Emily to find her staring at me with awe. I just used all my preternatural speed. Didn’t even think to hide it.
Excited, she whispers, “How fast can you really go?”
“NOT FAST ENOUGH!!” Curragh bellows, and then a key turns in the lock. “Fuck, make us wait forever!” The door swings open before I even head in that direction.
Curragh, Kara, Draik, War, and Alisa all stroll in, smiling wide. Draik has three bottles of champagne, and he pops one open with one hand as he approaches me with a huge grin. “Looks like someone’s getting married!”
/> “What the fuck,” I laugh as he pours it over my head. Emily yelps as he covers her next. War and Alisa whoop and holler. Kara and Curragh are more subdued — they just stand beside each other and smile.
Laughing, Emily leans against me and I put my arm around her. “Future wife, this is my family. Family, this is Emily. That’s Kara and Alisa. Those are the jerks they love. Their names are Curragh and —”
“Howard Peters,” she finishes with a smile at him. He nods to her, eyes dancing with happiness.
“We call him War, actually. ‘Howard’ at the lab only.”
War weaves his fingers with Alisa’s and explains, “To keep things professional there. Nobody knows what we are.”
Emily looks at me. “They do?”
“Their mates? Yeah.” I kiss her nose.
Kara says, “I’ll tell you the story sometime.”
“It’s a good one,” Alisa smiles. Even though those women are very different, they love each other like sisters now. I can’t wait for them to get to know Emily. I know they’ll get along.
“OKAY!” I shout, getting serious. “What’s up with the interruption. I was busy.”
Curragh smirks. “So the whole city heard.”
Emily buries her face in my naked chest, mortified. “Oh my God.”
“Yep! That’s my lady. She’s not quiet. Open up the other bottles. Let’s celebrate!”
Emily
ELEVEN WEEKS LATER.
“You can’t have shakes every night.” My voice is firm but not harsh. “I’m sorry, but I have to put my foot down.”
“But Zavier says he wants to make them for us!” Sofia tells me. She points to the kitchen area of our new loft apartment. He turns around and shrugs. “See?! He wants to!”
“Well, Xavier wants to spoil you silly. I however want you healthy.” She pouts and runs off to the door that the guys built between the two apartments we now call home.
Following her, I throw Xavier a look. He grins at me and leans against the kitchen sink, crossing his arms to see what I’ll do. I will never get over how handsome he is. I can’t wait to grow old with him. I bet he’s going to be the most dashing, gray-haired old guy I ever saw.
Werewolves of Chicago: Xavier Page 16