by Vella Day
She hadn’t either. “I never told anyone other than Ainsley. Even she doesn’t know much of it either.”
“Have you been able to shift?” he asked, his voice carrying a hint of horror.
She shook her head. “I’ve tried, but she refuses to surface. It’s as if she’s blaming me for not listening to her about Jared. And I can’t blame her.”
Ronan lifted the hair off her shoulder. “Listen, we didn’t come out here to dredge up bad memories. I shouldn’t have asked why you’d distanced yourself from this beautiful place.”
“You needed to know why I’ve been keeping to myself.”
His eyes widened. “I figured being accused of murder would put a damper on anyone’s spirit.”
He was a nice man. “Thank you.”
I want to see him naked, her bear said, sounding like her old self, and Blair smiled.
“What is it? Did you remember something?” Ronan asked.
“I didn’t want to get my hopes up in case I was wrong, but I’m pretty sure my bear has been rousing since you came to my office and told me I was cleared of the murder charge.”
Chapter Twelve
‡
Ronan’s emotions were all over the place. Hearing about what that asshole did to Blair made him want to drive to Atlanta and confront the bastard, but knowing that her bear awoke after three years gave him hope that she might believe they were fated to be together.
He inhaled and then smiled. “I actually can tell. Your bear just added gold to your scent. I like it.”
“You can tell she’s awake?”
“I can sense a difference. I can feel your bear teasing my wolf now, and I like it.”
Blair wiped the tears from her cheeks. “You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that.”
“So has your bear forgiven you?”
“I haven’t asked, and I’m not sure I want to know.” Her cheer dampened. Way to go Ronan.
As much as Blair acted as if it was all in the past, it never would be until she had that talk with her family. As far as he was concerned, telling her two brothers would be the hardest conversation she’d ever have. Being highly protective, they both would want to see Jared dead, and if it weren’t against the law, they might go after him.
It was the loss of the baby that stirred something deep inside Ronan. Growing up, he’d made so many promises to himself about what kind of dad he’d be. Barring something unexpected happening, he’d always be employed, come home sober, play with his kids, and always make sure they knew they were loved beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Now that he wasn’t traipsing around the country and sitting in a car waiting for his bounty, he could settle down—with Blair.
Her aura has some darker reds mixed in with the pink. It’s a sure sign her bear wants you.
Ronan stood and held out his hand. Blair placed her palm in his and stood. “If your bear has returned, do you want to try to shift?” She inhaled, and the colors of doubt surfaced. “It’s okay if you don’t succeed the first time. Your bear might need to wake up fully for a shift.”
She stroked his face, and his wolf rejoiced. “When I first met you, I was highly attracted to you, but I didn’t trust myself.”
“You had a good reason not to. The last man treated you wrong, but what about now?”
She smiled. “I’d like to try.”
Hell yes! His wolfed growled.
“Sounds good.”
“How about we put our clothes on those rocks behind that tree?” Blair asked, suddenly avoiding eye contact.
Was she shy? Most shifters didn’t think twice about nudity, but if she hadn’t shifted in years, he could understand she might be.
“Works for me.” Wanting to let her know everything would be okay, he grabbed her hand and led her over to a more secluded area.
Blair undid the top button of her shirt then twisted to the side as she slipped the material down her shoulders. Not seemingly in a rush, she folded her blouse and placed it on the rock. Was she having second thoughts? As much as he wanted to tell her she had nothing to worry about, for once he kept his opinion to himself.
When Blair reached behind her back to unhook her bra, Ronan’s wolf began to pant and howl. “Let me,” Ronan said as he swatted away her hands.
When she stiffened slightly, Ronan’s heart squeezed. He wished he knew what to say to make things easier between them. Instead of using words—which were not his forte—he leaned over, pressed his face against her hair, and inhaled, praying she wouldn’t pull away. They were mates—or would be soon—and he needed to convince her and her bear how wonderful it could be.
His fingers stopped undoing the clasp for a moment as he let the colors swirl in front of him. Pretty colors. Pinks, purples, and a hint of lime green—her favorite. Dare he believe she was turned on as much as he was?
Just as soon as he unhooked her bra, Blair twisted toward him, and his wolf demanded they shift. Wait a little bit longer, Ronan begged.
“Ronan?”
Their breaths mingled, and his hands traveled to her shoulders to pull down the straps. Wanting her so badly, his mind fuzzed. “Yes?”
“It’s really true, isn’t it?” she asked.
He didn’t want to presume anything. “Do I think what is true?”
“That we are mates?”
His mouth suddenly turned dry, forcing him to swallow. “I know we are.”
The smile that followed was like the sun peeking out from a dark cloud.
As much as he wanted to strip her naked and take her right there, he had to be careful. While Blair no longer faced a murder charge, the incident most likely still shook her. And then to have her bear wake up had to confuse her even more. Dare he hope it was because her bear wanted them to be together?
Yes, yes, his wolf chuffed.
Ronan finished lowering the bra straps and then placed it on top of her shirt. Holy goddess. She had the most perfect breasts he’d ever seen. Her nipples were meant to be licked, caressed, and stroked. At that thought, a sea of blue sparks shot off his body, and she giggled.
“I keep forgetting you are Wendayan,” she said, her eyes wide with wonder.
“Part Wendayan, though I think of myself as mostly wolf.” He stood up taller.
She leaned in closer. It was as if she’d finally made the big leap to trust him. “I like wolves. They’re fast, sleek, and powerful.”
“I can show you powerful right now if you like?” He’d let her decide if he was talking about their possible run or about what he really wanted—to make love to her, thrusting into her with abandon.
When she looked up at him, his vision turned nearly white from all the colors blending together—heady, heavenly, and full of happiness. This was where he needed to be. His gaze zeroed in on her lips, and he couldn’t help but kiss her. Blair wrapped her arms around his neck and moaned. His bones cracked, and his blue sparks went crazy. After kicking off his boots and unzipping his pants, she acted as if she had no idea he was desperately trying to undress, because she kept kissing him, swiping her tongue around in an intricate dance that caused fire to burn deep within him.
He couldn’t take it any longer and broke contact. Keeping his focus on Blair, he stepped out of his pants and discarded his briefs.
She grinned when she spotted his cock—a cock that wanted her worse than anything. “Let me finish undressing you,” she said.
She could have asked him to eat dirt and he would have obliged. “Okay.”
Being with his mate like this was an unimaginable experience. Two people, fated to be with each other, were about to forge a bond so close and so intense it defied description. Except for when he was young, Ronan had never known such a sense of belonging.
Blair slipped her hands under his shirt and agonizingly slowly dragged her palms up his chest, burning a path of seduction. Hurry, he urged, but she clearly wasn’t interested in speeding through the foreplay. She seemed determined to torment him. When her hands reached hi
s shoulders, the shirt had barely moved. Needing to help, he lifted the hem and slipped the T-shirt over his head.
Blair stepped back and ran her gaze up and down his body. “Oh, my. What big—” He smiled and ran his tongue along his canines that had sharpened. “Teeth you have.” Blair laughed and Ronan chuckled.
“All the better to eat you with, my dear.” He wiggled his eyebrows and winked.
Blair laughed again, and her joy altered something inside him. He sensed his mate hadn’t let go of her emotions in a very long time.
“I see I’m overdressed,” she said.
“Would you like my help?”
She shook her head as she unbuttoned her blue pants and kicked off her shoes. Ronan’s eyes must have widened as he drank in her beauty. Her long, sun-kissed auburn hair cascaded over her shoulders, the tips kissing her breasts. And her hips were so lush and full.
“You’re drooling, Ronan,” she said with exceptional glee in her voice.
“I can’t help it.” He grabbed his cock and stroked it.
“Hey, that’s my job.”
Ronan glanced upward, wondering what he’d done to deserve her. “Do you think anyone will stop by? It’s not exactly a private spot.”
“Only a shifter would be here. When he hears your moans and groans, he’ll know better than to interrupt.”
He smiled. “And you, my little bear, will be silent? Don’t you think I can make you scream so loud every bird will be beating a path out of here?”
She dropped back her head and laughed once more. While sounds didn’t become colors, if they did, her laugh would be diamond white—pure and perfect.
“I guess we’ll have to test your theory. Hop onto the rock and spread your legs for me,” she said.
Normally, he took control, but for Blair, he’d oblige.
Don’t you dare go off prematurely, you hear? Ronan didn’t trust his wolf around her.
It’s been so long, his wolf whined. Her scent is making it extremely hard. Such pretty colors.
He had to agree. Try.
Ronan jumped onto the cold rock and gave her access to his cock. As if she was born a bewitching siren, she leaned over and dragged her tongue from his balls to the tip. Her breath curled around his cock, and he emitted so many blue sparks that he practically glowed. He’d never seen anything like it before.
She looked up. “That’s really cool.”
Ronan was pleased her experience with Wendayans seemed to be limited. “You have a lot of colors swirling around you, too. They are so beautiful. I wish you could see them.”
“Me too.”
As if she couldn’t wait to get back to driving him crazy, she grabbed his cock and pumped her fist. What a different experience it was compared to when he’d been in charge. Ronan had to inhale to keep from exploding though. Closing his eyes, he let the heat, the excitement, and the passion bathe him in wonder. His sparks snapped as they flew off his body.
When she drew his dick deep into her mouth, he grabbed a handful of hair and tugged. Just as she predicted, his groans rent the air. But then she did the unthinkable. Blair cupped his balls and squeezed. It was too much. Not able to stop his climax, he exploded in her mouth.
Embarrassed at the loss of control, he tried to pull back, but Blair drank him in. While it seemed impossible after being with her for a short time, his love bloomed.
When his cock finally stopped pulsating, she withdrew. Blair looked up and smiled, and his heart became hers.
“I guess you liked that,” she said.
“Liked it? I loved it. It was amazing, but now it’s your turn.” His cock was still as hard as the rock he was sitting on, but he had to taste her—taste his mate. Ronan jumped to the ground. “Time to finish getting you undressed.”
Her unbuttoned pants were easy to remove, but he left the black lacy panties on. His wolf wanted him to rip them off and sink into her right away, but she deserved more. Running a thumb along the top, he inhaled her scent.
“I thought you said something about returning the favor,” Blair said, sounding more flirtatious than ever before.
“I want to savor this moment and enjoy the splash of colors radiating off your body.”
Her eyes widened. “I never pictured you as a romantic.”
He chuckled. “I’m not usually, but around you, I become a different person.”
She stroked his chest. “I like both sides of you.”
“I’m glad.” Ronan knelt down in front of her, and then hooked his thumbs in her panties, willing his wolf not to rush.
Her sexual perfume was wreaking havoc with his vision though. So many colors—all so tantalizing. Ronan did a slow reveal, forcing himself not to take her too quickly. When her mahogany curls popped out, he had to beg his wolf not to sharpen his nails.
Hurry, his animal begged.
Ronan couldn’t wait any longer. He tugged off her panties, and as soon as she stepped out of them, Ronan leaned over for the feast. Warmth, light, and something amazingly wonderful filled him, and he never wanted to leave her side.
*
When Ronan opened her folds and swiped his tongue across her opening, Blair had never been more excited in her life. She might not be a Wendayan, but something seemed to be shooting off her body—or else it was his sparks kissing her skin. Her bear had certainly woken up!
And his kisses? A man with a beard added a lot to the experience. She loved the roughness and the sensual feel of the bristles. Now those same bristles were tickling her inner thighs. With all the licks and touches, Blair wouldn’t be able to last much longer.
Needing to touch more of him, she ran her hands over his head, the texture softer than she’d expected. When Ronan slipped two fingers into her and curled them, she lifted onto her toes.
“I’m so close,” she panted.
Blair had never lost control, but with Ronan, she couldn’t help herself. It was almost as if he were some god who’d come to this realm to tease and delight her beyond reason. Waves of pure bliss skittered across her body. The moment he sucked on her clit, she lost it. Her body shook as her climax took hold. Her breath caught, and the near scream that escaped must have caught the attention of half the animals in Silver Lake.
Ronan leaned back on his haunches. “Beautiful,” he said. With their gazes locked, Ronan stood. “I can’t wait any longer. I have to have you, Blair.”
He drew her close, their naked bodies pressing hard against each other. Every bad decision she’d ever made seemed to disappear. With her bear cheering her on, the kiss that followed made her lightheaded. It was as if all of her memories of anyone but Ronan were being erased. As the hair on his chest grew stiffer and fuller, her nipples tingled.
Ronan broke the contact. “I want to kiss you for hours, but my wolf and I need to be inside you.”
Before she could respond, he lifted her up by her rear, allowing her to wrap her legs about his waist. With a free hand, he grabbed his shirt and spread it on the rock behind him. He then lightly pressed against the soft fabric.
“Yes,” she whispered.
This seduction was surreal. Blair had never made love outside like this, but being with Ronan seemed so right.
With her arms around his neck, she delved into the heat of his mouth. His moans made all of her thoughts flee. When Ronan placed his cock at her entrance, her anticipation soared. His nostrils flared as if he was drinking in her scent and mixing it with his own. The moment her bear awoke, convincing her they were mates, she threw away all objections as to why they shouldn’t be together. Now Blair wanted him more than life itself.
She dropped down on his cock and despite being slicker than rain on glass, he was too big.
“It’s okay,” he said, clearly understanding her dilemma. “Just relax.”
Ronan dragged his lips up her neck and shivers of delight followed in its path. Every one of his touches set her body on fire, and she couldn’t get enough. Blair must have diverted her attention to the wonderful sens
ations on her neck, because when he pulled out and entered again, he slid in farther, sending a torrent of ecstasy sizzling through her.
“That feels so fucking good,” she said.
Ronan smiled. “You should be me,” he whispered as he held on tight and sucked on the shell of her ear.
As if every creature in the forest was witnessing this monumental union, the birds began to chirp and animals raced to and fro. Joy speared her. Then Ronan twisted his head, and with his face close, she tasted him again. The moment their lips touched, he drove into her once more, taking her closer to that glorious climax. Their lips seemed to meld together with that drugging kiss, and her own feral desires took over. Blair pressed her feet against his thighs in order to join in the frenzied coupling.
Colors brightened, and the world seemed to stop. The air seemed crisper. Cleaner. Bolder. More alive. Holding onto him, their bodies met then retreated. Like her need for water and air, she had to have Ronan, completely and forever.
As if some magic hand was whipping them into a frenzy of desire, they fucked hard, and they fucked fast.
When he broke the kiss and dragged his lips to her neck, her climax claimed her so hard, she couldn’t breathe.
“Ro-nan!”
His orgasm followed a second later. Cocooned in each other’s arms, she buried her face against his shoulder, feeling more secure than she ever had in her life. He ran his hands up and down her back, soothing her and whispering how wonderful it had been. If she’d had more energy, she would have found the words to tell him the same thing. Nothing had felt so right. Ronan was her mate.
We finally found him, her bear said, sounding so content.
Blair wasn’t sure whether her legs lowered to the ground or Ronan pulled out, but soon she was standing.
“You up for a dip?” he asked.
“Totally.”
“Maybe your bear will want to go for a run afterward.”
“Wouldn’t that be nice.”
Ronan grabbed her hand, and together they ran to the water. Without stopping, he charged into the lake, and Blair had no choice but to follow. Even though she enjoyed the cold, the chilly water shocked her. “Brr.”