“I can’t kiss my soon-to-be wife?” he asked. “No wonder I never wanted to get married.”
Jordan felt the color drain from her face, her heart sank, but Drew quickly pulled her back into his arms. “I’m sorry, I was just kidding,” he said. “I guess I need to think before I speak. But I need to make one thing very clear to you: as long as you’re my wife I’m going to kiss you.”
Jordan’s heart leaped in her chest again, but this time, it was with pleasure. Drew was grinning at her in a playful way, and she couldn’t stop herself from pushing him away again and saying, “Well, we’re not married yet.”
“That’s just a little detail,” he said, reaching for her again, but she slipped out of his grasp and ran.
He caught her in only a few steps, pulled her tightly into his arms, and kissed her. Passion leaped to life between them, and soon they were both lost in a kiss Jordan hoped would last forever. The feeling of Drew’s lips on hers already felt familiar, and deep inside her, the hope that had been slowly growing burst to life, sprouting in all directions and filling her.
The sound of Nick clearing his throat managed to penetrate the haze of passion around them, and they pulled apart. “If you two are done, I think it’s time for dinner. I’m assuming we have wedding plans to make.”
***Drew***
They walked next door as a group, greeting the kitchen staff as they went through, filled their plates, and settled at a table in the corner. Maggie didn’t waste any time getting the discussion going. “We can use everything we had planned for the barn party for the wedding; it shouldn’t be that hard to throw everything together. I’ll get the word out as soon as we’re finished with dinner.”
“I don’t want that man in the lodge; we’ll have to use the cafeteria,” Nick said, spearing a piece of meat and shoving it into this mouth. “I don’t want him here at all, but definitely not in the lodge.”
“I’m sorry, Jordan,” Maggie said, looking around the room. “We can dress it up a bit though.”
“I’m sure whatever we do, it’ll be fine,” Jordan said. “Thank you all for helping me.”
“You’re one of the family now,” Jake said from across the table. “We take care of family.”
Drew took her hand under the table and squeezed it; when she squeezed back, a thrill rushed through him and for the first time, he realized that it might not be so bad to be married to Jordan. She was full of life, always willing to try new things, and sexy as hell: a combination he found impossible to resist, and now he wouldn’t have to resist her any longer.
Imagining the wedding he’d never thought he’d have, he suddenly realized that what they were planning wasn’t exactly right, that something felt wrong. Then he suddenly understood what needed to happen. “You can plan whatever kind of show you want to put on for Jordan’s father, but we’re going to be married in the lodge.”
All eyes turned to him, including Jordan, who was staring at him wide-eyed. “But my father will see the murals,” she said, shaking her head. “I don’t want him to know about them.”
“Then we’ll have our own little private ceremony first,” he said. “I’m not sharing our wedding with your father.”
The sun was streaming through the windows the next morning as he waited for Jordan to come through the door. He’d been pacing nervously for ten minutes, his mind unsettled, part of him sure that he was making a big mistake, another part sure that it was the smartest thing he’d ever done.
When the door opened and she walked through, the simple white dress she wore making her blue eyes even bluer, he knew instantly that he was doing the right thing. Her eyes found his as she crossed the room, and he felt Nick slide up next to him.
“Last chance to back out,” his friend whispered in his ear, his voice full of laughter.
“No way,” he said.
Nick nodded. “That’s what I thought,” he said. “I’ll wish you good luck then.”
His eyes still locked on Jordan’s as she got closer, he said, “She’s all the luck I need.”
A wave of dizziness hit him then, quickly followed by a warm feeling, and he knew that for the first time in his life, he was in love. He understood that not only did he want Jordan, but he also needed her, that she was what had been missing for all his life. It didn’t make sense that of all the women in his life, she’d been the one who’d finally found her way into his heart, but she was there, and he’d keep her there for the rest of his life.
When she stepped up next to him, he smiled down at her, and said, “I’d tell you that this is your last chance to change your mind, but I won’t because I don’t want you to.”
“That makes two of us,” she said, smiling back at him.
He took her hand, lifted it to his lips, kissed her palm, then turned and faced the minister. The ceremony was short, but with each word that was spoken, he felt the promises he was making deep in his soul and knew that nothing would ever make him break them. The shifter inside him had bonded with Jordan, a bond that went beyond the physical, a connection between them deep in their souls, a gift he’d never expected to receive.
When the minister pronounced them husband and wife, he scooped her into his arms and kissed her. The air around them shimmered, and behind them, the mural changed, the black shadow growing smaller, but not quite disappearing. No one but Marley noticed, but she smiled and nodded her head, pleased with what she saw.
Only a few moments later, he felt a tap on his shoulder, and reluctantly let Jordan go. But not before he whispered, “Now that you’re my wife, I can do that whenever I want.”
Jordan giggled. “I guess that was our deal,” she said.
“I’m getting tired of breaking you two up,” Nick said, a huge grin on his face.
Maggie and Marley whisked Jordan away then, and he was left standing alone with Jake and Nick, an empty feeling in his stomach. Jake pounded him on the back. “Don’t worry, it won’t be for long,” he said. “Although I am enjoying watching you squirm.”
“I’m glad my discomfort amuses you,” Drew said, heading for the door into the dining hall. “Let’s get this over with and get rid of Jordan’s father.”
An hour later, he was turning to face the wedding guests as the minister pronounced them husband and wife again, but this time he was focused on Jordan’s dad, who had a nasty look on his face. He held Jordan’s hand tightly in his and smiled at the guests as he was supposed to, but the entire time he was watching for any sign that things were going to erupt. No matter how much Marley had assured him that the shifters were harmless as long as they were in Serendipity, he couldn’t let down his guard.
It didn’t take a genius to figure out that he now had a giant target on his back. He was all that stood between Jordan and her father, and if the roles had been reversed, he knew what he would have done. But he kept all that carefully hidden under a smile, a smile that concealed a man who was more than willing to kill if it meant keeping Jordan in his life.
Chapter Eighteen
***Jordan***
Jordan looked up at Drew and wondered what he was thinking. He was staring at her father, a challenge in his eyes that she didn’t like. But then the look disappeared, and he pulled her into his arms and kissed her, making the room erupt into whistles and catcalls. When he released her, she was breathless and a little wobbly, but smiled up at him as happiness filled her.
Her father rose to his feet and pointed at Drew. “You are going to be sorry,” he said. “No one takes what belongs to me and lives. You may have won this round, but I’ll be back, and I won’t be alone. All of you are going to be sorry you ever crossed me.”
Silence fell over the room, then the room began to fill with power, and the air above him began to shimmer. “Your time at Serendipity has come to an end,” Marley said. “Take your men and leave.”
He lowered his finger and stomped out of the dining hall, the door slamming behind him, his men scrambling to their feet to follow. When they were gone, Nic
k gestured to some men who had been standing by the doors, and they slipped out to make sure they left the valley.
There was a collective sigh of relief, and then the room exploded in conversation. Drew put his arm around her and led her over to a chair and helped her sit down. “Are you okay?” he asked.
She nodded, taking a second to make sure. “Yes, I’m okay. I’m still worried about you, though.”
“Nothing is going to happen to me,” he said. “I promise.”
Jordan would have liked nothing more than to escape the reception but didn’t suggest it because then she and Drew would be alone, and she wasn’t sure she wanted that either. She was still confused about Drew, still not sure which man she’d married: the one who didn’t think she was worth taking to the mill or the man who’d wanted a special ceremony.
Her heart felt so fragile that she didn’t think she could stand another rejection from him. She wanted him just as much as she ever had, but now she knew that she was falling in love with him too. Playboy or not, she felt a connection to him she’d never felt with any other man, and she was afraid that when this was over, he’d sever that connection and break her heart.
When they were finally able to leave, Drew helped her into a wagon for the short ride to his cabin. Ben had decorated it with empty aluminum cans, and they rattled as they bumped down the road. She wished that her heart was full of the kind of joy it should have been on her wedding night. But she knew that she’d never be happy until she and Drew had a little talk, a talk would hopefully keep her from getting her heart broken.
He helped her down from the wagon, and just the feel of his hand in hers made her question her decision to talk to him. So, she turned and faced him, but she was so embarrassed, she couldn’t meet his eyes. “I understand about the other night. I know I’m the one who started it, you don’t have to umm...just because we’re married.”
Drew burst out laughing. “Isn’t that the best part about being married?” he asked, then saw that she was serious.
He took her hand and pulled her up the steps and inside the cabin, then shut the door. “Okay, what’s going on?” he asked.
She didn’t want to tell him the truth, she already felt too exposed, but she knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t leave it alone. “I’m scared, okay,” she said, turning away from him. “I’m scared that my dad’s going to hurt someone at Serendipity. I’m scared he’s going to hurt you.”
Drew stepped over to her, leaned down, wrapped his arms around her waist, and rested his chin on her shoulder. “None of that is going to happen. What you saw today was only a taste of what Marley is capable of. Don’t forget, we know that he’s coming back; he told us himself, not a very smart move if you ask me,” he said, his breath tickling her ear and making goosebumps erupt on her arms.
His words soothed her a little, but then she the thrill of desire she felt when he kissed the back of her neck reminded her that her heart was in jeopardy as well. Forcing herself to turn around, she looked into his eyes. “Drew, what are we doing? I mean, I just need to know, so I’m prepared when it ends.”
Drew reached up and framed her face with his hands. “I wish I could answer that for you, Jordan, but I’m not sure I know. What I do know is that you’re safe here with me now and that’s all I need. We shared an animal passion the other night; tonight, I’d like to show you human passion. It’s there between us, Jordan; all we have to do is ignite it.”
Jordan knew that she was never going to be able to resist Drew; he’d been honest with her and that was all she’d wanted. She knew deep down that she could walk away, and he’d let her, but that wasn’t what she wanted; she wanted to be naked in his arms. Reaching for his hand, she took it and led him into the bedroom, and shut the door. When she reached for the zipper on the back of her dress, he stopped her and turned her around. “Let me do that,” he whispered.
***Drew***
Jordan trembled as he slowly slid her zipper down; goosebumps broke out on her skin, and he couldn’t resist lowering his head and kissing the back of her neck. She shivered and moaned softly in the back of her throat, and his body came alive, pleasure flooding his system in a burst that left him slightly breathless. It was only a mild shock to realize that the words he’d spoken were true.
He would have been happy just to know that she was safe, but he needed her in a way that was almost painful, and he understood the gift she was giving him. It crossed his mind to tell her then that he loved her, but it didn’t feel right, felt like it would sound like empty words to her, so he decided to show her how he felt.
Turning her to face the mirror, he let one strap of her dress slide off her shoulder. “I want you to see what I see,” he whispered in her ear, making her gasp.
When he slid the other strap off and the dress sank to her hips, he growled when her naked breasts were exposed, each stiff nipple tempting him. He pushed the dress to the floor, sliding his hands down her ribs to her waist then back up to cup her breasts. Jordan gasped again and leaned up against him, her legs trembling, her breath coming in short gasps when he took each nipple between his thumb and finger and rolled it around.
When she closed her eyes, he whispered, “Open your eyes, Jordan; watch me while I make love to you.”
Her eyes fluttered open and met his in the mirror; they were full of passion, and for a moment, he was tempted to bend her over and drive himself into her. But then she stretched her arms back and wrapped them around his neck, thrusting her breasts out, and he couldn’t stop the growl that escaped from his throat as all the blood rushed to his throbbing member.
With one hand, he teased her breasts, pinching her nipples gently between his fingers until Jordan closed her eyes and began mew like a kitten. “Open your eyes, sweetheart,” he coaxed.
She forced them open as he slid the other hand down across her belly, between her legs, and cupped her. “Are you ready for me?” he asked, sliding one finger between her folds and stroking her swollen nib.
Moisture coated his finger, warm and wet, and he began to throb harder between his legs, anticipation making it difficult not to satisfy himself. But the look in Jordan’s eyes as his hand moved between her legs made him rein in his passion. Her eyes were wide with pleasure, and she was moaning deep in her throat, his name escaping her lips in a whisper.
***Jordan***
Jordan was beyond being embarrassed; the sight of Drew making love to her had erased all traces, and she realized that only with him could she have been so brazen. Her body was throbbing with pleasure, wave after wave that grew with each stroke of his finger until she felt herself beginning to tumble over the edge. Gasping as her body tightened, the tingling deep inside her spreading, she found Drew’s eyes in the mirror and held them as her body bucked, and pure sensation took over.
As her vision cleared, she saw that Drew was still watching her with his eyes dark full of passion. He steadied her on her feet, then quickly stripped off his clothes, his erection springing free and making anticipation race through her. When he stepped up behind her and slid his throbbing member between her legs, she gasped and arched her back, making the tip slide against her button.
Drew groaned, slid one hand up her back and gently bent her over, then with his knee pushed her legs apart. His hands gripping her hips tightly, he slowly slid inside her, making her groan as they became one again. Deep inside her, a hard knot of pleasure began to form, and she felt her body tighten around him as he drove himself deeper inside her.
Desperate for him to be deeper, she spread her legs farther and thrust her hips up, inviting every hard thrust of Drew’s hips, which sent growing waves of pleasure rocketing through her. When he reached around and began to stroke her with his finger, stars exploded in front of her eyes and her body went spinning into space, every nerve in her body full of what only Drew could give her.
She heard Drew’s cries of pleasure, and they washed over her, sending thrill after thrill through her body. Then he stiffened and
tumbled over the edge with her, emptying himself into her with one final thrust of his hips. They stood locked in that position for a long time as their bodies stilled, their muscles twitching, their chests heaving, until Drew gently stood Jordan up and lifted her into his arms.
When he got to the bed, he gently set her on her feet, steadying her when her legs threatened to give way, pulled down the covers, and climbed in. She sank into the bed next to him, and he gathered her into his arms and held her tightly against him. Snuggling down into his arms with a sigh, she closed her eyes and let the feeling of satisfaction settle over her.
“That didn’t go quite as I’d planned,” he said, making her open her eyes and look up at him.
“I’m not complaining,” she said, grinning at him.
“Still, you made me lose control,” he said, shaking his head. “That’s never happened before.”
Jordan couldn’t help the little giggle that came bubbling out. “That’s a good thing,” she said, then felt her cheeks turning pink.
Drew rolled her onto her back. “You do know that it drives me crazy when you blush like that,” he said, looking down at her. “I’ll have to see if I can make you do it a little more often.”
Jordan giggled again. “Drew, stop,” she said.
But she knew he wasn’t done based on the mischievous look on his face. “Let’s see, what could I do to make you blush?” he asked, sliding his hand between her legs. “I could tell you that I love the way you moan when I do this.”
Jordan let out a little moan when his finger grazed over her most sensitive spot, and her face flamed. “Oh, that did it,” he said, then lowered his mouth to hers.
Chapter Nineteen
Mountain Wolf Playboy (Daddy Wolves 0f The Wild Series Book 3) Page 11