A Night Away

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  He gave Finn a bath, ended up wet to the skin himself, then re-diapered him. Finally, he got a bottle of breast milk ready for Finn and fed him while sitting in the arm chair. Maddox looked down at the blue-eyed kid noisily sucking on the bottle.

  “How on earth do your parents do this every day?”

  Finn didn’t answer, and Maddox shook his head.

  “I can see why they needed a break.”

  Finn let go of the nipple and looked like he was about ready to cry again.

  “That’s not what I mean, Finn. You know they love you. I was just saying they needed some Mommy and Daddy time.”

  Finn reached up and traced the long, jagged scar on Maddox’s cheek. He froze. No one had touched it before. They were all too afraid. They’d deny it, but they couldn’t hide their emotions from him.

  Finn looked into his eyes and patted his cheek before blinking and letting his hand fall. He latched onto the bottle again and closed his eyes.

  What was that about?

  His body relaxed marginally, and Maddox patted Finn’s bottom and rocked him. Finn’s mouth went lax, and the nipple fell from his mouth, a little dribble of milk running down his chin. Maddox quickly cleaned him up, burped him, and held him close, liking the heavy weight in his arms.

  When Finn slept, his emotions were muted, sort of like in a dreamy haze. Maddox relished it. He could feel the whole Pack as it was. The frustration running through his father’s veins at the thought of the Centrals, the lust and love running through Reed’s body during Hannah’s…um…time, the contentment running through Kade, the happiness running through Jasper.

  The quiet despair and desperation running through Adam. The fragile strength running through Ellie.

  Everyone but North.

  But the little bundle of Kade and Mel in his arms calmed him. Something that hadn’t happened in…well…ever.

  Hmm…

  Maddox closed his eyes and sank into the dark, lush armchair. Only twenty-one hours to go, and then they’d be back.

  Thank God.

  Chapter 7

  Kade woke up with a soft bottom pressed against his erection, and he closed his eyes again, sinking into his bliss. They’d made love two more times in the night. He felt sated, content, and oddly rested.

  Though they hadn’t slept too much, it was as if the idea of peace made him peaceful. What a novel concept.

  Mel moaned in her sleep and shifted so his cock lay nestled in the crease of her ass. His hips flexed, and she pushed back.

  His little wolf wanted more.

  Kade smiled and beneath the sheet, ran his hand up her naked thigh, over her soft belly, and cupped her heavy breast. She arched into him and turned her head so he could reach her lips, though her eyes were still closed. He lowered his head and kissed her, his tongue darting into her mouth, tangling with hers.

  Her sweet honey-vanilla taste burst on his tongue, making his already hard erection even harder. He ground against her and tweaked her nipple. She moved back and swiveled her hips, teasing.

  Without saying a word, he lowered his hand and lifted her leg. She shifted, and he entered her from behind, oh so slowly. They gasped together, their heartbeats and breaths synchronized. When his thighs lay flush against hers, his cock surrounded by her warmth, he stayed there for a moment, letting peace and their mating bond wash over him. One hand wrapped around Mel, cupping her breast, and the other one lay between her legs, circling her clit. He pulled back and then entered her again and then again. They rocked together slowly, leisurely, restfully. Kade closed his eyes and rested his head against the back of hers and came when she did, their bodies sweaty and loose-limbed.

  “Good morning,” he whispered.

  Mel laughed softly and turned in his arms. “I’d say.”

  He kissed her lips and jaw, nibbling along his way. “I think this is my favorite way to wake up.”

  She sighed and snuggled closer. “I wish we could do this every morning. But then I think about waking up and watching Finn wake. You know?”

  Kade squeezed her. “I know what you mean. We called Maddox yesterday—three times. Everything was going fine.”

  Mel chuckled. “Poor Maddox. He sounded so frazzled.”

  “True. How about while I make you breakfast, you can go outside where we get better service and call Maddox. We’ll shower, and then we can head home early.”

  “Are you sure? I mean, I know we aren’t supposed to head back until later tonight but…”

  “I want to see him too. I think this helped.”

  Mel smiled and bit his jaw. “I know it did. I feel energized and ready to start again.” Despite her words, a shadow passed over her eyes and Kade kissed her brow.

  “Let’s eat and plan. I have a few ideas on what to do for when we get back. Okay?”

  “Okay, I trust you.”

  “Good.”

  They got out of bed, and he threw on his jeans, sans boxer briefs. He liked the way Mel’s eyes darkened every time he went shirtless, so he thought he’d use that for a bit. Mel pulled on a sweater dress and wore nothing underneath it. He groaned and she winked over her shoulder.

  Damn.

  They needed food and to talk before they could leave. Okay, maybe they could make love first.

  Yep. That sounded like a plan.

  Kade shuffled to the kitchen and pulled out the food they’d put in there the night before. Willow had quickly packed an ice chest for their journey and had included her mouthwatering cinnamon rolls. His brother, Jasper, had found a perfect mate in her. Yeah, he and Mel could cook, but they were no Willow.

  He pulled them out and set the oven to warm. He started some coffee, then he pulled out some oranges and bananas. He peeled them and set them on a plate while the coffee brewed. When the oven buzzed, he set the buns inside and kept the door slightly ajar so they didn’t get too hot and burn. The smell of freshly brewed coffee teased his nostrils, and he groaned.

  God, that smelled delicious.

  The front screen opened and Mel walked in, a smile on her face, and a tear running down her cheek.

  He quickly put everything down and ran to her, his heart racing.

  “What? What’s going on? Why are you crying? Tell me.” He held her upper arms in his hands and looked down at her face.

  “Everything’s fine, Kade.” She lifted to her toes and kissed his jaw. “Finn and Maddox are fine. I just heard our little boy’s voice when he babbled into the phone, and I got all emotional.”

  He relaxed and pulled her to his chest. “I miss him too. We’ll be home later.”

  She sighed and wrapped her arms around his waist. “And then it will start all over again.”

  Kade patted her bottom and nipped her ear. “Then let’s do something about it.”

  “I hate relying on others though.”

  Kade kissed her temple before releasing her and went to the oven to pull out the rolls. He turned and found Mel holding two steaming cups of coffee in her hands as she sat at the table. He took a mug and sipped the hot brew, the spicy roast tantalizing on his tongue.

  Mel took a bite of the roll, a smear of frosting glistening on her lips. Kade fought the urge to lick it off. He had to talk about their plans for the future. They could make love again soon. Just not now.

  “Finn is growing up,” Kade said, and Mel nodded before licking her lips to get rid of the frosting.

  Must. Not. Bend. Her. Over. Table.

  “So,” Kade cleared his throat and continuted, “he will still rely on us but for different things. I think it may be time we wean him completely from you.”

  He held his breath and waited for her response. He knew her feeding Finn was a tremendous connection with their son, but it was killing her.

  She closed her eyes, and Kade wanted to crawl under a rock and die. So much for being an Alpha. As soon as he’d hurt his mate he wanted to run away.

  “I was thinking the same thing.”

  Relief spread through him, and he p
laced his hand on top of hers on the table. “And then I was thinking of employing Cailin.”

  “What?” She tilted her head, utter confusion in her blue eyes.

  “Well, you’ve been putting your whole life into Finn and the Pack, but no one has been there to give it back to you.”

  “Kade, I love being a mom. And acting as the Heir’s mate is truly rewarding and worthwhile. I don’t want to change that.”

  “I know. But I think it’s time that others know it’s okay to help you.”

  She stiffened.

  “And me. Honestly, I’ve been used to relying on myself and helping others. But maybe we can ask for help too.”

  “So how does Cailin fit into this?”

  “I was thinking maybe she could be our nanny.”

  Mel burst out laughing and almost spilled her coffee. “Kade. Your sister? Cailin?”

  “Hey, she’s great with Finn.”

  “I know; she’s amazing. But would she want to be a nanny?”

  “She wouldn’t have to live with us, or do much more than babysit daily. But it would give you time to do what you need and for us to be alone more.”

  She smiled softly and got up. What was she thinking? Would she feel like he was trying to take over?

  Mel pulled his chair back and straddled his lap. His cock perked up and slowly filled.

  “I think it’s a perfect idea. I know your family has been trying to help, but we’ve both been resistant.”

  “I know. I think we just wanted to prove we could do it all because we’re the Heirs.”

  “And yet, everyone else relied on us.”

  “Exactly.” He leaned forward and kissed her lips while gripping her ass in his palms.

  She shifted and rubbed against his now painfully-hard cock. “So,” she purred, “does Cailin know she’s been volunteered?”

  “Actually, it was her idea.”

  “Really?”

  “Really. She wanted to help out, and frankly, with the danger going on outside the den, she’s bored. She offered a few months back, and now I want to take her up on it. ”

  “Okay. So Cailin will help out with Finn, I can work with the Pack and not have to be three places at once, and you can actually start drawing again.”

  He widened his eyes. “How did you know I hadn’t been doing that?”

  She kissed him. “I know you, my mate. We’ve been neglecting a few things in the past months.”

  “Speaking of neglecting things…” he growled in her ear, loving the way her body shivered at his touch.

  With a quick look at the oven to make sure he’d turned it off, he stood up, his delectable mate in his arms. She licked and suckled his neck and tendrils of heat shot through him. He walked faster to the bedroom.

  So close. Do not drop your mate.

  He chanted that mantra to himself as they made it to the bedroom, Mel writhing in his arms. He laid her down and spread her legs.

  “You look magnificent.”

  She laughed and shook her head. “I look like the only time I’ve slept in the past year is last night.”

  “Beautiful.”

  “Okay, oh mighty Heir, tell me what you’re going to do to me.”

  He loved it when his Mel was like this. And he loved when she shivered and moaned when he talked dirty.

  “Well, first I’m going to strip you out of this dress. Inch by inch.” He ran his hands up her legs, the soft skin cool on his warm palms, and gripped the edge of her dress. He slowly pulled the dress up and off as she lifted her bottom and then her torso.

  Kade stood at the end of the bed and looked down at his naked mate. He took in her lean legs, her widened hips since the birth of their son, her soft belly, her breasts that could spill over his palms when he held their heavy weight in his hands. He licked his lips and imagined them on her rosy nipples that had become hard points, on her elongated neck, her jaw, her soft lips.

  God. He loved his woman.

  “And she’s our mate.”

  He growled in agreement with his wolf. Yes, she was their mate.

  Mel sat up and gripped his hips. He raised a brow. “Yes?”

  “You didn’t finish telling me what you were going to do.” She unsnapped his jeans and pulled them down. He stepped out of his pants, and she gripped his cock.

  “Mel,” he groaned.

  She stood and led him to the bathroom by his cock.

  “You said we needed to shower. I thought I’d help you out with this.” She let him go and bent over to turn on the shower.

  Taking advantage, he knelt behind her and bit one of the globes of her ass.

  “Kade!”

  He slapped her ass, leaving a red mark, then kissed away the sting. “You liked it.”

  “You bit me!”

  “I’m a wolf, darling. I like biting.” He bit her other cheek, and she moaned. “See? You like it.”

  “You’re bad.”

  “And yours.”

  “Oh yes, definitely mine.”

  He ran his palms up her legs, past her belly, and cupped her breasts. She gasped in his hold, her nipples pressing into his palms.

  The water from the shower pulsated, and steam filled the room. He stood up and pulled them both inside. Droplets ran down Mel’s body and wet her hair. He turned her around and licked a stream of water, lapping at her nipples. He closed his eyes and pulled her away from the stream so it wouldn’t get in her face. She pulled at him and moaned as he bit her nipple hard.

  “Kade!”

  He pulled back and smiled. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too. But please.”

  Kade maneuvered her until her bottom rested on the ledge so he was sure she couldn’t fall. He knelt in front of her and spread her legs. Her core glistened from arousal and the water from the shower. He trailed a finger around her outer lips, and she gasped. He lowered his head and kissed her, his tongue darting in and out and circling her clit.

  She rocked softly against his face, and he picked up the motion before she came. While she was still writhing, he stood and entered her in two quick movements. Her body fit around him like a tight glove, and they both gasped.

  Water beat down on them, and he pistoned his hips, loving he way her breasts bounced with each thrust. His balls tightened, and he came as she did. The water grew cool around them, and he laughed.

  “I guess we won’t be getting clean,” he whispered.

  “We may need to take a cold shower because I want you again.”

  “True.”

  They quickly washed in the cold water and got out. Kade dried his mate and kissed her skin.

  “Kade, stop. I can’t focus when you do that.”

  “I’m just checking to make sure you’re clean. It’s my duty as your mate.”

  She threw back her head and laughed. “Well, then, continue.”

  He licked her skin, loving her honey-vanilla taste, before he groaned and pulled back.

  “Okay, I need to stop. Let’s go get everything packed away and then head home.”

  “And see our Finn.”

  Images of his smiling little boy filled his mind. “Yes, that sounds perfect.”

  Chapter 8

  The SUV pulled through the wards surrounding the Redwood den, and a wave of peace settled over Mel from the pull of the Pack. This was her home. Yes, before she’d met Kade, she’d had a place where she lived, but it hadn’t been a home. The Redwoods and her family were everything to her. Though it had taken a night away for her to realize they were everything, she needed to be someone else as well.

  Someone just for her and Kade.

  Someone just for her.

  Kade reached out and stroked her hand before wrapping his palm around hers, tangling their fingers.

  “Ready to enter the wolf’s den?” he teased.

  “Har har.”

  “I know. Jasper’s the funny one.”

  “It’s true.”

  “I’m wounded, baby. Wounded. However, I’m g
etting anxious to see Finn.”

  She bounced in her seat and smiled. “We’re such dorky parents. I mean, we run away for the night and yet have to run home faster. What is wrong with us?”

  “We love our life, even though we need time to breathe every once in a while.”

  Their home came into view, and Mel smiled.

  “We’re here,” Kade said softly and squeezed her hand.

  Mel unbuckled her seatbelt the moment the car stopped and threw open the door. She glanced over her shoulder and winked.

  “Last one there gets to clean up Maddox’s mess,” she taunted.

  Kade growled and smirked before jumping out of the car. But she had a head start and beat him by mere moments to the door.

  “I win!”

  “Damn it.” Kade shook his head. “I’m afraid to see what they’ve done.”

  Mel laughed and opened the door, taking a step inside.

  “I resent that remark, dear brother,” Maddox said from the living room.

  Mel stopped in her tracks and held back tears.

  Her home was spotless. Absolutely and utterly spotless. Every toy was put away. Every piece of clothing gone. The room was dusted, vacuumed, and there were freshly cut flowers in wooden vases around the house.

  Kade nudged her farther in the room and shut the door behind them.

  “Maddox,” she whispered, “what did you do?”

  He shrugged and lowered his scarred face, clearly embarrassed. An unusual emotion from the usually closed off wolf.

  A soft cry made Mel turn around. Her brown-haired baby boy ran on chubby legs toward them. She knelt and opened her arms. He jumped and settled his weight against her, kissing her cheeks.

  “Oh, Finn. Did you have fun with Uncle Maddox?”

  He grinned and she kissed his lips, his cheeks, and his brow. She pulled back to look him over.

  “Did you grow?” Oh no. He couldn’t have grown in a day right?

  Kade reached over and pulled Finn into his arms. “You’re a big boy, aren’t you? Did you miss us?”

  Finn squealed and hugged his daddy. Mel teared up and stood to fall into Kade’s outstretched arm. God, she loved these men.

  No matter what was going on in her life and how many directions they pulled her in, these two would forever be her everything.