by Nancy Gideon
Sylvia chuckled. “You’ll find there are various degrees of equal here. Ignore them. Only one opinion is important.”
“Cale’s? Then I’m sunk.”
“No. Kendra’s. He rules our clan. She rules the family.”
Amber regarded the delicate blonde with renewed interest, wondering how such a dainty creature could control the disparate and rowdy bunch.
Seeing her perplexity, Sylvia smiled. “Don’t be fooled. I made the mistake of thinking she was fragile once, and she cut the ground out from under me then became my strongest supporter. You’ll like her, and she’ll like you because those she considers her brothers love you. Nothing else matters to her.”
“It’s that simple?” Mia looked doubtful.
“And that complex.”
Evie leaned against her mother. “Mom, I have to pee.”
Though she hadn’t felt the need to take her daughter to the bathroom since she was a child, Amber heeded that instinct in this uncertain company.
The plush bathrooms were out in the lodge’s foyer. After Evie gawked a moment at the luxurious surroundings, she quickly tucked behind full-length doors. Amber took that time to regard her wan face in the huge lighted mirror.
What did his family see when looking at her? She hardly made the best impression, pale face tight with worry and fatigue. At least Mia had the status of that diamond in her ear. She and Evie were complete outsiders, strangers unworthy of their fiercely protected ranks.
Evie joined her at the sink to wash her hands, asking as she met her mother’s weary gaze in the mirror, “When is Rico coming to get us?”
“I don’t know, baby. Soon, I hope.”
“Are we going home then?”
“Do you want to?”
Evie gave the question adult weight. “I like Colin’s sisters. They make me feel like family.”
A huge knot formed in Amber’s throat. “They’re very nice.”
“And I like Sylvia and Mia. I like not feeling scared. But I miss Rico and our apartment, and my friends at school.” She glanced up abruptly, catching Amber’s wavering gaze. “Are we staying here?”
“I don’t know yet. Would it be awful if we did?”
“I guess not. Not if we’re with Rico.”
On that, Amber could agree. With Rico beside them, they could endure anything. She bent to touch a kiss to the silky blonde hair. “He’ll be back soon,” she said to convince herself as much as her child.
Amber held open the heavy door so Evangeline could slip back into the hall, but the appearance of another figure blocked her own way. She took an uncertain step back as one of the Terriot princesses closed them off together in the foyer.
“We need to have a talk.” The coldly lovely female’s words were an order not a suggestion.
“I’m sorry,” Amber began with a hopeful smile. “I don’t remember your name.”
“It’s Terriot. That’s the only name that matters here. The only one that belongs here.”
Fawn. That was her name. Stephen’s mate. He was the one who’d summed her up with one long, lustful glance that surprised her after Sylvia’s assurance that once mated meant always loyal. But she’d also said not all Terriot princes shared the same standards. Apparently, that applied to princesses, too, for Fawn’s glare reduced Amber to common dirt not worthy of being beneath her feet.
“I’m an intruder. I don’t expect to be welcomed,” she began with a diplomatic smile. “This isn’t how I wanted to be introduced to the rest of Rico’s family.”
"Introduced? I know who and what you are. A half-breed nobody with a human's brat, desperate to snag a Terriot prince. In what world would that happen?” The ugliness of her words was eclipsed by the viciousness of her expression as she continued.
“Even though our queen has a soft heart, Cale knows better. He'll forbid it. I don't know what Rico's thinking, but I know what he's thinking with. Well, he can fuck you. He can shack up with you. We don't care. Just don't think that we'll let you pollute our family with your kind."
Shock trembled on the edge of humility, because she'd thought much the same about her and Rico together. But Evie.
Evangeline was no one's brat!
"Who in their right mind would want to be a part of what you are," Amber snapped, her bite sharp. "Over-weaned, over-privileged, over-inflated with your own importance. Why would I want my beautiful, intelligent child to rub up against your kind of inbred crazy? Being a Terriot is no prize. It's in opposition to everything I believe in. Do you know how hard your brother-in-law had to work to get me to consider being with him? To being worthy of my daughter? If there's a Terriot standard, he far exceeds it."
Fawn paled then flushed with fury, sucking a fierce breath to retaliate as the doors to the hall opened.
"Ladies."
The quiet intrusion separated them like an icy drench of water thrown from a bucket.
Fawn meekly bowed her head. "My king."
While Amber stood frozen, readying to bear the brunt of Cale’s temper at her less than flattering attack, it was Stephen Terriot’s mate who drew his lethal admonition.
"Don't pretend to know what I think,” he began softly, his tone slashing like sharp steel, “because what I know is we do not treat our guests with such disrespect in my name. Unless we want to live down to Ms. James' rather harsh judgment. I, for one, am hoping to change that opinion before my brother, your prince, returns. I’ve had this discussion with your mate and grow tired of it. I suggest you and Stephen make plans to move to Reno. Today. You can practice public relations there until you can prove to me that your tongue is no longer an unregistered and unappreciated weapon."
"But Reno-" she sputtered in dismay.
Cale's voice dipped lower. "There are worse places."
Fawn cringed. "Yes, my king. We'll make arrangements immediately." She nodded again and quickly hurried away.
Amber lowered her gaze, readying an apology now that she and Cale were alone. Never expecting to receive one.
"I behaved badly in New Orleans," the Terriot king began.
"No! You didn't. I understand your concern."
He cut her off. "I was an ass, and I apologize. My queen is trying to civilize me.” A tight laugh. “Not an easy job."
Amber expelled a shaky breath, afraid to comment.
"I feel like I'm losing my brothers," Cale admitted with unexpected candor. "But Kendra tells me I should see it as gaining new sisters." They shared a faint smile. "Rico's always been a bit of a wild-card, restless, not sure of what he wanted. Now, he's sure. And I'm glad for him. And you. Fresh blood will keep us from being so over-bred."
He grinned wide, relaxing her into a smile and an admission.
"I didn't want to come here. He insisted." She released a heavy sigh. "I'm glad he did. It's the first time I've felt safe in a long while. Now, I’m just worried about him."
"He'll be fine. His brothers are there, and they'll take care of each other. That's one thing family is good for."
A sad exhale. "Yours perhaps. Mine, not so much."
"I like your daughter." His comment surprised her and so did his wink. "She'll be of babysitting age by the time mine arrives." With that, he pressed her shoulder. "Let's get something to eat. Worry goes down easier on a full stomach.”
Her return at the side of their king drew quizzical looks but no outward comments, just as Fawn and Stephen’s abrupt departure fueled an undercurrent of unvoiced speculation. With a faint smile at the occupants of her table, Amber went back to her meal with quiet determination.
Until an odd strangle of sound from Mia caught Amber's attention. The other female rose from her chair, mesmerized. Amber followed her glassy stare to the other end of the room where three large figures came in from the cold, bundled in snowy outerwear and haloed by blinding daylight. As they stomped and shook off a blizzard of powder, Mia's trance broke with a gusty, "Colin!" She leapt from her chair to race into his arms, causing a minor avalanche of snow to fall
from his head and broad shoulders.
And if Colin was here . . .
"Rico!" Evie squealed, and as she ran to him, he dropped down on one knee to scoop her up for a tight squeeze.
"Hey, kiddo. One piece, as promised." His gaze rose to target Amber.
She wasn't aware of moving until he stood, Evie still clinging, and she found herself rushing into his embrace.
He was wet and cold and the most wonderful thing she'd held in her arms since the birth of her child. Vaguely, she noticed the third in their newly arrived party striding straight to their king after sharing a private smile with his very composed and patient, for the moment, mate.
"My king. All is well,"Turow Terriot assured.
Rico leaned back far enough for their stares to meet and mingle. Amber had only one thing to say to him.
"Yes."
"What?"
She gripped his freezing face in her hands, tugging him down so she could ravage his lips, warming him quickly with her insistent passion. Finally, he broke free, adorably dazed, to ask again. "Yes, what?"
Suddenly shy in front of the staring company, Amber stretched up to hug him close, whispering against his throat, "Yes, I'll be yours." Riding the hard jerk of his swallow.
For a long moment, Rico stood frozen, not even breathing. Finally, he exhaled shakily and pried her just far enough away to search her expression for the truth of her unexpected words. While unable to find his own voice, his body answered, immediately as firm and proud as one of their mountain pines where she pressed against him. He tried to speak, mouth comically moving without sound.
"I'd like a report from all of you," Cale was saying, pausing at his brother's strange paralysis. "Rico? After lunch. My office!”
Without taking his eyes off Amber, he held up a hand to acknowledge his king's command.
"Are you sure?" he asked her, voice soft and oddly fragile. The rest of the room fell away as the couple got lost in each other's stares. At her quick nod, his grin broke wide.
Colin cleared his throat in amusement, taking Evie's arm. "Looks like they need some alone time, little girl. How 'bout you come sit with Mia and me and my sisters? I’m starving."
Evangeline was young but she wasn't that young. Seeing the fireworks going off between the two adults she loved, she nodded, wondering how long it would be before she could start calling Rico "Dad."
* * * * *
“Where are you staying?” Rico asked, voice gruff. The air was so cold outside the lodge, it almost froze his words in the fog of his breath.
“Your room. At least we had toothbrushes this morning.” She teased him with a smile, clutching his hand with chilled fingers. “Let’s hurry.”
He didn’t need encouragement. They ran, slipping and sliding on the walk, shivering with cold and anticipation, holding to each other tightly. He feared if they slowed even for an instant, she’d change her mind.
He’d thought of nothing else during the four-hour charter and dangerously fast drive in silence up the icy mountain road with the sunrise following at their backs.
What if she says no?
He’d been a wreak of panic and nerves coming in out of the weather to find them all together, all those he loved. And then just the two who mattered most in his arms.
He almost thought he’d imagined her answer before he’d even asked the question. Even now, expectation and anxiety warred as they ran up three flights and finally were behind a familiar, yet frighteningly new closed door.
Amber stripped off her borrowed coat, letting it drop to the floor while wrestling his from him. Her panting breaths caught when she saw the blood.
“You’re hurt.” Her gaze flew up, darkening with concern.
“It’s nothing. I’m fine. I should shower. I’m a mess.”
“I don’t care, and I don’t want to wait.” Her palms cupped his frozen face, pulling him down to her urgent kiss. Tongues tangled wildly, spiking Rico’s hunger to have her. But caution and care had him pulling back.
“We don’t have to do this now.”
A ragged laugh. “Yes, we do. I don’t want to leave this room without knowing I’m yours.” A sudden draw of breath. “Unless you’ve changed your mind.”
A pause then his strangled, “Are you kidding?”
Rico gripped her rump in his big hands so abruptly she gasped, boosting her up so her legs could wind about his waist. He carried her to the bed where he’d discovered the answer to desire but never to love. Until now. Settling her onto the edge of the mattress, he went down to his knees between the spread of hers, resting his head upon the rapid rise and fall of her bosom. His raw inhalations released in low rumbles as instinct spiked, taking control, beginning to twist and ravage his features and alter his body. Making him something terrifying in her eyes. He kept his head bowed, struggling to suppress the savagery of his inner beast, the one that would lay violent claim to the female he prized above all others.
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
His low, tortured voice broke Amber from all her fears. “I want this. I want you.”
He continued to resist the inevitable, brutally-made frame shuddering as he struggled with what he was.
“Rico, let me see you.”
“No! I’ll scare you.” His head tucked, his face averted to hide the truth of what howled through him.
“I’m not afraid. I’ll never be afraid of you. Let me see who you are.”
Her hand cupped beneath his chin where his whiskers were now thick and coarse, lifting his face, that harsh, fierce face. When she didn’t recoil with fright or disgust, he finally brought his gaze up to hers, watching a strong reaction overtake her expression. Not at all the one he expected. Her eyes grew moist, her lips softly parted. Her breathing trembled.
“So powerful.” Her fingertips stroked the sharp ridge of his cheek bones, her thumb rubbing across his mouth, detailing the exaggerated sharpness of his teeth. “Strong enough to protect me and Evangeline from any danger.” She bent to kiss his furrowed brow, making lids drift shut over the lurid red of his eyes. “So fierce and beautiful and tender of heart. And mine. I want you to be mine. I love you, Frederick Terriot. I love everything about you, and I will never be afraid as long as I’m with you.” Her lips brushed his ear, where she nipped and seductively licked, whispering fervently, “Rico, make me yours.”
His hands caught the neckline of the shirt she wore, ripping it from her shoulders in one rough move. Her hands were at the hem of his, jerking it up and over his head, then adored the rugged landscape of his chest. When her palm cupped the startling girth of his sex where it strained against denim, she made an urgent sound, tearing down his zipper, peeling off his jeans to surround him completely with her fingers, urging, “Hurry!”
He stripped off her bottoms, hips rising as she stepped out of them, tugging her forward so she straddled him. His scorching gaze locked on hers, he lowered her over that impossibly broad crown, not stopping when she gasped at the first intense probing that stretched and burned until he wedged up inside, so unbelievably thick and hot and strong her body shuddered in the beginnings of a wild release.
As Amber’s fingers dug into his hair, gripping fiercely, his tongue stroked her arched throat and sleek, bared shoulder. As she came with strong, rhythmic spasms, pumping him like a fist, Rico sank his teeth to make his claim.
He’d expected her earth-shaking response, but not his own explosive eruption, spewing a lava-hot, endless stream followed by violent tremors that finally quieted into endless rumbles through his nervous system.
Finally, there was only the sound of their breathing, his ragged, hers soft and slow. Rico held her close. Amber . . . his mate. He waited. For something monumental to change. But he felt no different. Just tired and wonderfully drained.
Amber stirred, nuzzling against his neck, snuffling then going rigid.
“What’s that awful smell?”
He chuckled, too worn and weary to do otherwise. “I told you I needed a
shower.”
She gave him a little push away. “Go take one while I close my eyes for a minute. I’ve never been so exhausted in my life. Have you slept at all?”
“Not since . . . I can’t remember when.” His words trailed off, but before she could ask more questions he didn’t want to answer, he reached up to remove one of his earrings, placing it carefully in her ear. “I don’t need anything but you and our girl to keep me going.”
That “our” brought a sheen to Amber’s eyes as she touched the Terriot diamond. Cupping the back of his head with her other hand, she drew him to her softly parted lips. Had anything ever tasted as satisfying?
Rico leaned away, gaze caressing over his princess, heart clutching at the tenderness of her regard, at the slump of fatigue in her shoulders, one of which now bore his mark. The savage tears in her pale skin were already healing into scars forever branding her as his own.
His. Forever.
Showering alone wouldn’t have been his preference, but he had a lifetime ahead to steam up the bathroom with the female he loved. After he’d wiped the mirror clear, he grinned at the sight of his always handy collection of wrapped toothbrushes in the wastebasket. No need for those now. He had all the company he wanted or needed.
The sound of Amber’s quiet breathing from beneath the mound of his covers arrested Rico at the edge of the bed. His randy intentions fell away listening to her soft, exhausted slumber.
His. Here in his bed.
Since he couldn’t bear to wake her, he dressed quickly and went to meet with his king. Turow and Colin were already in Cale’s office, seated on comfortable adjacent sofas, so different from the rigid chairs that had faced their brutal father from across his desk. Cale surprised him by rising to embrace him, his hug fierce and binding though brief. His brother pushed away, frowning as he studied the terrible furrow across Rico’s brow, lifting his hands to examine the evidence of torture before muttering a low oath under his breath.
“It’s good to have you home, Rico. Sit.”
“Good to be here, my king.” He eased down on the couch next to Colin. “What did I miss?”