by Mardi Ballou
Now he began to think about the future in a whole new way. They’d complete the formal mating rituals of his pack—even include any from her tradition if she wanted—and then she’d be part of his family. Family. Children. Huh, he’d never thought about the children he would father.
Of course, their specialness would extend to their children. He didn’t know whether to shudder or smile when he thought about any offspring they might have. Half-shifter, quarter-ghoul, quarter-empath. Their children would be unique. Now that he’d been with Lilith, he knew that no one else could be the mother of his children.
The pack wouldn’t accept Lilith as the alpha’s mate. He’d made his choice. If he couldn’t be alpha and have Lilith, he wouldn’t be alpha. After the bullet shot, he knew there was no contest. He’d choose Lilith, no matter what he had to give up or change.
Lilith and Dominique wouldn’t let him drive. Any other time, he’d refuse to get in the car until one of the women gave him the keys. This time he growled because he thought he should, but he was just as glad to be able to take it easy. Leaving the hospital exhausted him. In the backseat, where he could sprawl in an attempt to get comfortable, he caught a glimpse of Lilith’s profile. Since Dominique was going to conduct the interview, Lilith would drive.
Why wasn’t Lilith protesting about him even going through the charade of the interview? He knew being a demi-ghoul had messed with her self-esteem. Still, as his mate, even when he was ex-alpha, she had a community status to maintain. She had to walk tall. Though he hated to hurt her, he couldn’t help wondering how long the interview farce would have to proceed before she “got it”, before she realized she was the one?
“’What is your top priority in choosing the being who will be your mate?’”
Rafe sucked in a breath as a wave of pain rippled through him. “Shared values,” he replied. “She should also be beautiful.”
He thought he heard Lilith sniffle. Damn. She had to realize how beautiful she was.
“How do you define ‘beautiful’?” Dominique continued after she’d typed his answer on her keyboard.
“‘Beautiful’ refers to the woman inside and out. My top choice would be a blue-eyed blonde who cares so much for other people, sometimes she forgets to care about herself.” Lilith snuck a look at him. She had one perfect brow raised and he could see she was starting to wonder about what he was saying… He’d love to know the exact moment when she realized…
“Describe your ideal date—as in, where would you go and what would you?”
He laughed for the first time since before the battle where he got shot. It felt so good, he decided to do it again. “My first response is X-rated, so I’d better skip ahead to the second. Let’s see. I love excellent food, fine dining and romantic settings. So, I’d take Ms. Perfect out for dinner to a fine restaurant in a gorgeous place. Everything classy and subdued. We’d drink champagne and I’d sink my teeth into the biggest, rarest steak in the place.”
Lilith kept her face turned resolutely to the road. He quickly added, “Of course, I’d never fail to respect my date’s food choices and preferences—even if she was a bloody vegetarian.”
Lilith let out a whoop and nearly drove them off the road. Cripes, he hadn’t meant to have his answers kill them all. He just wanted to let out enough information so his mate one would know…
“I see,” Dominique went on as if nothing unusual had occurred. “And have you given any thought to which group your date or mate should come from?”
“Lots. My mate will be a vegetarian ghoul empath—and my mind is made up. No wiggle room.”
Lilith drove to the shoulder of the freeway and turned off the ignition. “Dominique, I think you’d better drive.”
She slid out of the front seat and got in to the back with him.
“You’re sure?” his mate asked, her eyes wide with wonder and the smallest tear in the corner. He wanted to lick that tear away.
“Never surer in my life,” he murmured. Despite his aching arm, his cock had sprung to full erection the moment she’d opened the door.
***
She wanted to kiss him hard. Oh, bloody hell, she wanted to do a lot more than kiss him, but she’d have to settle for that now, with Dominique in the front seat. Not to mention his injuries.
With great care not to jostle his arm, Lilith put her arms around his waist and brushed his lips with hers. He responded immediately, probing her mouth with his questing tongue.
When they came up for air, she withdrew. “I love the way your lips glisten from my kiss. So much better than the glisten coming from tears.” She trembled as his warm breath caressed her.
“What about your being the alpha?” Her voice quivered.
He stiffened slightly and she was afraid he hadn’t thought things through until he told her his thoughts. “I’ve paid my dues. Now that we’ve gotten rid of the Loups-Noirs, I figure things will be stable for a while. Buck can do the job. He’s always wanted to. So say yes.”
Lilith grinned. “I don’t know. Maybe you should persuade me some more.” She licked her lips in invitation. From the look in his eyes, she understood that he knew exactly how to convince her. “It’ll be three hours until we get back to the city. That’s too long. I know the perfect place for us and it’s a lot closer.”
“Sounds like heaven,” she sighed.
He nodded and whispered, “I’ll take care of everything.” More loudly he said, “Dominique, if you could exit the freeway at the next ramp. There’s something Lilith and I need to discuss.”
“I live to serve,” Dominique muttered.
“Where are we going?” It didn’t matter what he’d answer because if he wanted her there, she’d go.
“To my lair,” he said in a menacing big-bad-wolf voice.
She had full body goose bumps at the prospect. They exited the freeway. “Which way next?” Dominique asked.
“At the bottom of the ramp turn left, then right, then pull over.”
In moments, they were on the shoulder of a deserted road. “Thanks, Dominique.” He reached for the door.
“Wait a minute, Rafe. Where are you taking Lilith? Do you want me to wait for you?”
“That’s not necessary. Thanks for everything. You can head back to the office and close my file.”
Lilith’s heart fluttered. Though everything about being with Rafe glowed with romance, somehow she hadn’t expected anything so romantic happening today.
“Lilith, are you cool with this?” Dominique asked. “Should I mark your file ‘closed’ too?”
“I didn’t know I had one.”
“You do. And I’m not going to leave you here with Rafe unless it’s what you want also.”
“More than anything else in the world.”
“Romance is great, guys, but how are you going to get home?”
Rafe growled. “I’m in charge. I’ll get Lilith home when we’re both ready.”
Heck, right now she didn’t know or care when that would be.
Dominique waved as she drove off.
“So, Rafe, what and where is your lair?” They were in a wooded area. It always amazed her how woods and meadows could exist a short distance from the freeway.
He led her to a lone picnic table and sat her down. “I know it sounds like a joke, but this is my special place, somewhere I’ve never shared with anyone else.”
Lilith recognized the great significance of what he was laying before her. Not only the terrain but everything about being with Rafe was new to her, a heady atmosphere she could get drunk on just from breathing the rich air. “Thank you for inviting me in.”
Rafe put her hand over his heart. “I want you in every part of my life. Lilith Graves, I want you to be my mate. For life.”
She wouldn’t cry. “Are you sure?”
“One hundred percent. You’re what’s most important to me. I needed bullet shot to make everything clear. It is now. With you in my life, everything else will fall into place. Without
you, nothing would matter. So, I’ll resign. Buck Gravatt will be a great alpha.”
Though a little internal voice inside her questioned if he weren’t making too great a sacrifice, her heart and her gut were screaming one word—“yes”. Without any further hesitation or reservations, she accepted Rafe.
With Lilith by his side, he felt healthier and more whole with every step he took. The pain in his arm became a distant memory, along with emptiness, doubt and any hesitation about the rest of his life.
“Come on,” he encouraged her. “We have to walk a bit, but it’ll be worth it.”
She came with him so willingly. He hoped she’d always look at him with that same glow of trust. Please, forces that be, never let anything extinguish that light. He could sense her getting tired as they got closer to his lair, which involved climbing an easy hill. He’d have to help her get stronger.
Just after they’d stopped so he could rest, they came to his special waterfall. She stopped again, her face lighting up. The beauty of the sound and sight of the falling water had first seduced him to settle here. Impatient to show her the rest, he drew her onward to the small cabin he’d built himself. Just a kitchen, bedroom, small front room and bath. He knew and loved every inch. Over the years, he’d completely outfitted the place so he could spend days here with no need to leave. No telephone, no TV, no computer. He did have electric lights and a few basic appliances. It was an easy lope—just ten miles—down the road to the general store for perishables. Or not. There were enough canned and powdered foods for them to stay weeks.
“It’s perfect,” Lilith whispered, though there was no one near to eavesdrop.
He sensed that she understood everything about the attractions that drew him to this spot. “That was exactly what I hoped you’d say. Did I tell you about the bedroom?”
“No. But I can’t wait to hear.” She chuckled.
“I’m much more into showing.” He ran with her to the bedroom, which a huge king-size bed dominated. Luckily, he’d done a reasonable cleanup last time.
“Life mate, let’s seal our agreement in the best possible way.” He drew her to him for their first embrace in his special place.
She hugged him back so hard she took his breath away. When they broke apart, he showed her the large picture window opposite the bed and the huge skylight over it. He loved having sunlight and moonlight pour into the room and to have all the wonders of nature surround him—them—here. He held her hand as they surveyed the magnificent panorama. Then he took her in his arms and branded her with a searing kiss.
“Oh, Rafe,” she moaned.
His vegetarian empath demi-ghoul. He embraced all she was with gratitude and lust. His cock, half-erect since he’d first laid eyes on her, demanded precedence. With a thrill of dawning recognition, he realized there’d be many times for the two of them to make love here, in San Francisco or wherever the hell they wanted. There’d be many times to take it slow and wring every drop of pleasure from their union.
Right now, though, he needed fast and hard—and he sensed she did too. With his body and soul, he’d make her his. His teeth grazed over the soft skin of her face. Showing zero patience or finesse, he got them both naked. He needed to imprint her taste and scent on his inner man—and inner wolf.
He suckled first one breast, then the other, promising himself another time he would linger to savor her sweetness. At this moment, however, urgent needs had to be met.
“We have to be careful of your arm,” she whispered.
“I’ll be fine.” He’d have promised her anything.
“This will be best.” She pushed him off her and got to her hands and knees. “Take me from behind.” She looked at him coyly, the round plump cheeks of her ass glowing with invitation.
He groaned.
“I’m so wet for you. I just want you to fuck me and fuck me until I’m seeing stars.”
What was this? He’d expected their lovemaking to be a romantic interlude, but his mate was taking charge—and pushing them for a ride on the wild side. He loved that about her, too.
His cock close to bursting, he slid between her legs and right into her slick channel. Later, he’d taste her there and drink her up. But now, ah, the way her heat and tightness surrounded his dick had him ready to explode before he’d gone all the way in.
His stomach pressed tight to the crease between those gorgeous cheeks, Rafe willed himself to make this last, at least until he’d pleasured her. With his good hand, he reached between her legs so he could fondle her clit and massage her plump pink folds while he drove into her from behind. She anchored them both on the bed, which rocked with the increasingly rapid rhythm of their erotic dance.
Lilith pressed her clit against his fingers and rotated her hips. “That’s it baby,” he panted. “Do what feels good. When you move your ass like that, you give me so much pleasure. I want the same for you.” He gasped the last words, lost in a haze of sensation.
“Like that,” she panted. She lifted her head and leaned back, changing the angle of the penetration and bringing him perilously close to the edge.
He did as she asked, so grateful that she told him and showed him where she wanted him and what she wanted him to do.
Far too soon, she was there. Her lovely pussy contracted around him and she called his name as she gave herself up to her release. He wanted to change position now, to experience her ass with his cock, but his arousal and her sensuous response were too great. Totally lost in her, he exploded and pumped his essence into her again and again and again.
Both of them shuddering with the power of their come, they fell together on the bed, which now bore their musky scent. This was where he needed to be to heal, not in some sterile, lonely hospital bed. Here, with this woman, his mate for life, Rafe knew he was complete.
Epilogue
Lilith was more nervous and excited than she’d ever been before—and why not. This was the most important day of her life.
“You look gorgeous,” Dominique chided her. “But if you don’t stop pacing, you’ll wear a hole in the carpet.”
Dominique, her attendant for today’s ceremony, looked amazing—as always.
“I just can’t wait until it’s over.”
Her friend rolled her eyes. “Before you know it, it will be over and you and Rafe are going to leave for your extended honeymoon. I can’t believe you won’t even tell me where you’re going.”
“If I tell you, they’ll be able to force it out of you,” Lilith said. “If you don’t know, even torture shifter style won’t be enough to break you down.”
“I guess you’re right, though it’s hard for me to believe the council would resort to such underhanded tactics.”
“Believe it.” Lilith snorted. “As pack alpha, Rafe is on call twenty-four seven. Even though Buck Gravatt is covering for him while we’re gone, we’d still get constant calls.”
Dominique shrugged. “I guess by now you’d know the lay of the land.”
“I do. Rafe and I thought the council would let him step down when we announced our plans—in fact, we were sure they’d make him step down. Fat chance. They actually changed the by-laws to let me be his life mate. Can you imagine that?” She’d made herself a sacred vow she wouldn’t let tears ruin her mascara.
“Yes, I can,” Dominique whispered. “Because you’re worth it.”
Lilith swallowed back a sniffle as she hugged her friend. The music started and Dominique got into the procession behind the other attendants. Lilith knew Rafe was waiting for her at the end of the aisle so they could be joined together forever.
The procession began to move and she had to remind herself to breathe. Just a few more minutes.
“You’re sure this mutt’s the guy for you,” her father growled as he came over to take Lilith’s arms. As handsome as she’d ever seen him in the tux her mother had managed to convince him to wear, her dad squeezed her hand.
“I’m sure, Dad.”
He muttered something
in his ghoulish tongue.
“You promised, Dad. You’re on your best behavior today, right? For me?”
He muttered something more then did something Lilith had never seen before—wiped away a tear. She kissed his scaly cheek.
“I’m real proud of you, hon,” he rasped. “So is Mom. You want this guy, fine. But he’d better treat you right, or—”
Glancing down the aisle to where Rafe stood looking handsome and impatient, Lilith knew she’d found her perfect mate. “Thanks for saying it, Dad. It’s time.”
Her heart nearly bursting with joy and pride, with excitement at the future they were about to start, Lilith took her father’s arm and glided down the aisle to Rafe.
About the Author
To learn more about Mardi Ballou, please visit http://www.MardiBallou.com. Send an email to Mardi at [email protected] or join her Yahoo! group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RedHotRomance
Look for these titles by Mardi Ballou
Now Available:
Possession
Fangly, My Dear: Byte Marks
Coming Soon:
Fangly, My Dear: Playing with Matches
She’s his match—but he’s not in her business plan.
Byte Marks
© 2008 Mardi Ballou
A Fangly, My Dear story.
Hereditary witch Dominique LaPierre has always refused to use her powers, especially when it comes to business. Until now. Her new company, a computer dating service that hooks up the San Francisco human and para communities, thrives on crossing that boundary. Business is great despite opposition from the arrogant and conceited Antoine Thierry, a leader in the vampire community. And, to her irritation, she finds she’s got the hots for him.
Antoine doesn’t like or trust witches. Nor does he like the growing power of technology; real vampires, in his view, don’t need it to have a social life. Besides, if he can’t control the game, he doesn’t want to play—except with Dominique. The heat between them could melt down any hard drive. She pushes his buttons on every level, from the board room to the bedroom. But he’s holding out, especially when she looks to him to support her new business.