Destiny's Choice

by Kimberly Hunter

  With that thought firmly implanted, she hopped out of bed. Spying the in-suite bathroom, then her bag by the door, she quickly ran over and grabbed it.

  “Rivera! Dinner’s ready, sweetheart.” Roan’s voice came to her from the other room.

  She smiled as she took her bag over to the bed and rummaged through it, taking out her green and gold silk robe. “Be out in a minute. I want to wash up first.”

  “That’s fine, sweetheart. Take your time while I set the table.” The sounds of dishes and utensils rattling followed those words.

  “Thanks.” She couldn’t help the flutter in her stomach every time he called her sweetheart. Coming from him, the word sounded as if it were more than just an endearment. It made her feel special, wanted. Beautiful.

  She went to the in-suite, turning on the shower, and quickly stripping. A glance in the mirror showed a pink nose and slightly puffy eyes with a bad case of bed head. Ugh, what a sight! Turning her back on the image, she stepped into the shower and washed with the herbal soap and shampoo she found. After a thorough rinse, she turned off the water and stepped out. A big white, fluffy towel was hanging on a rack by the stall. She grabbed it, drying off then wrapping her hair up. Going back to the bedroom, she put her robe on then went through her bag again for her hairbrush. Unwrapping her hair, she used the towel to get more of the moisture out. She used the brush to smooth out the tangles and leave it flowing loose down her back. The warm silk and coolness of her hair felt good against her smooth skin. Sensual, even. Since the robe came to mid-thigh, she felt sexy as well. She just hoped Roan would feel the same.

  With a deep breath to steady her nerves, she stood and went to the door, stepping out of the bedroom. That breath came back out in a rush.

  “Oh, Roan.”

  Candles were scattered around the living room and kitchen, the table holding two tall tapers, their golden glow soft and warm. The table was set with fine white china, sparkling crystal, and gold flatware. Silver was a no-no. A bouquet of white and yellow roses made a beautiful centerpiece. But the man standing by the table with the shy smile was what really took her breath away. He seemed a little uncertain, his scent conveying nervousness. For this very confident and strong man to be nervous about pleasing her made Rivera feel like a queen. No one had ever gone out of their way to make her happy before. To see the effort Roan took made her more than just happy. Because she had a feeling this moment would be forever etched into her brain as the night she began to fall for Roan LeGuer.

  She padded quietly up to Roan and stood before him. His light eyes held a dim glow as they traveled over her silk clad body. The scent of his arousal became strong in the room.

  “You look…edible, Rivera.” His voice was gruff as he reached out, took a lock of her hair, and rubbed it between his thumb and forefinger. “And I’m quite…hungry.”

  A shiver of pure desire raced down her spine with those words. The softness of her robe rubbed deliciously over her hardening nipples, her core beginning to dampen with her need. Oh yes, this was what she wanted, this was…Her stomach chose that exact moment to let them both know it was empty.

  “Seems we need to feed one hunger before we can satisfy the other.” His grin was charming even though Rivera felt as if her face was going to catch on fire.

  “Sorry. It’s been a while since breakfast.” Her smile was sheepish.

  Pulling her close, he placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “No need to apologize, sweetheart. Although, I have to ask.” He looked down into her eyes, his own very serious. “Are you sure about this? We can wait. It doesn’t have to be tonight.”

  Rivera couldn’t help but laugh. “It was the robe, wasn’t it?”

  “That and the sweet smell of your need.” He chuckled. “Still-“

  She placed a finger over his warm lips. “This has been the worst day of my life, and trust me, I’ve had some doozies. If it wasn’t for you and your support, I’m sure that trying to deal with it all would have taken more strength than I posses.” Her finger traced his bottom lip with feather light strokes. “My past is filled with days I want to forget, memories I would gladly give up. I want to make new memories with you. I want to be able to look back at this day and not remember how it started. I want to remember how it ended. In the midst of your candles and table, your meal and soft music. And most of all, us. Just us and our beginning. Can you give that to me, Roan?”

  “Our beginning. I like that.” His smile was full of joy as he held her close, his erection pushing against the soft silk against her stomach. “Of course, since this will be our first time together, I will defer to you. But after, well, after, I’ll make sure to give you a memory that will never fade.” His lips then crashed down on hers, taking what was left of her breath.

  Surrendering to Roan’s kiss, Rivera let him devour her. She clung to him, needing, for the moment, his strength and utter dominance over her. It felt good. The kiss was deep and masterful with just a hint of roughness. The kind of kiss to get you revved up and wanting. She couldn’t wait to acquire more.

  When the kiss finally ended, they were both breathing heavy, the scent of musk, pine, and roses were heavy in the air. Her hands wandered lightly down his chest as she stepped out of his arms.

  “I’m glad you’ll defer to me this first time. I think it makes this night even more special.” She gently tapped her fingers against the erection trapped behind his zipper. ”But I do want to take my time.”

  “Rivera,” he gasped.

  “I hope we’ll both be shouting to the heavens before the night is over.” Giving the tent in his pants a light squeeze, she moved away, went to the first place setting, and sat down as a growling moan filled the room.

  Several moments later, Roan followed, taking the seat next to hers. His eyes held a brighter glow, his jaw clenched, and expression tight. His smile was genuine though as he served them both and poured two glassed of red wine. But Rivera could detect the faint scent of uncertainty again. It was subtle, letting her know that her True Mate was a little uneasy about not being in total control of their First Mating. It probably didn’t help that she was being more aggressive now that she knew he would be in her control. Not surprising, really. Being Alpha, Roan would be more dominant than any male in the Pack. He would have to be to keep everyone in line. Having that control taken away and yet needing to be claimed by his True Mate was no doubt making him feel a bit un-balanced. She sympathized, but that still wasn’t going to stop her from taking him.

  They ate in companionable silence. The tension built slowly between them with each bite of food and sip of wine. When the meal was finally over, Rivera was near vibrating, and her thighs were slick with arousal. But she helped him clear the table and put everything away and in the dishwasher. That done, she left him to blow out all the candles then went to the bedroom. Turning the covers back, she waited by the bed. She didn’t have to wait long. He stiffly came to her side, his face unreadable, body tense, and the scent of his emotions were too jumbled together to sort through. He was adorable.

  “Rivera –.”

  “Shh.” She laid her palm against his warm cheek. “I’ll take care of you, alright?”

  His lightly glowing gaze searched hers for a moment before he nodded, the tension finally leaving his body.

  Giving him a tender smile, she began to undress him. Each article of clothing was slowly peeled away; the warm skin it revealed was kissed and caressed, licked and fondled. When he was finally nude, she couldn’t help the deep moan that escaped. He was a work of art.

  The glimpses she caught at the waterfall and watching him get dressed after was nothing compared to the glorious male before her. She let her hands wander over what seemed acres of tanned skin covering hard and cut muscles. Her lips nipped at a hairless chest, stopping at each nipple to give them a reverent kiss. Going lower, she found his treasure trail, following it down to the true prize. A very hard cock that wasn’t too long but nicely thick. When she tried to wrap her fingers aro
und it, they didn’t touch.

  “Oh, God,” Roan moaned.

  Going to her knees, Rivera held that rigid length in her hand, pumping it slowly. She then moved in to taste it, wanting so much to have him in her mouth, the flavor of him on her tongue. Looking up, she caught his eye as she leisurely licked the crown. Musk, male, and heat exploded in her mouth.

  “So good.” She took one last swipe with her tongue before she devoured him, taking him down to the root.

  “Christ!”

  Not exactly the name she wanted to hear, but it was a start as she continued to suck and swallow Roan’s shaft.

  “Rivera…baby…cl…close.”

  If the trembling legs weren’t a sign, then the harsh breathing and clenched fists were. It was a major turn-on to see, but she had other plans. Plans that involved riding her True Mate and lots of screaming. From them both.

  Taking one last lick, Rivera stood, wrapping her arms around Roan’s neck, and pulling him down for a deep kiss. He groaned into her mouth, taking what she gave him. It was different than the earlier kiss in the kitchen, but no less powerful.

  “In the middle of the bed,” she told him after ending the kiss and giving him a slight push.

  He nodded, doing as instructed while he watched her slip off her robe.

  “God, sweetheart, you’re exquisite.”

  She didn’t know about that, but she was proud of her body. She was toned and fit, nothing sagged and what muscles she did have were defined in a feminine way. Her breasts, while not small, were still perky. Her stomach was flat, and her ass nicely rounded. Not bad for a one hundred and seventy- five year old Lupa. If she did say so herself.

  Simply smiling at him, she climbed on the bed and between his legs. “Hands above your head and keep them there,” she directed.

  With obvious reluctance, he did so.

  Roan was stretched out like a feast before her, and Rivera was going to gorge herself on her magnificent True Mate. Starting at his feet, she slowly worked her way up. She wanted to learn all she could about Roan and learn she did. His feet were ticklish and kissing the inside of his thighs made him moan. Nibbling on his hip bones caused him to gasp and buck and sucking his nipples got her a deep groan of pleasure. But his true hot spots were his neck and the tops of his shoulders. The minute she began her assault of those areas, he started to tremble.

  “Rivera,” he moaned deeply as she lightly bit down on his cartaroid.

  “You taste so good, Roan.” She breathed onto his skin between sips and nips. “You feel so good, so warm, and hard.”

  Laid out on top of him, Rivera covered Roan like a living blanket. She could feel and taste, touch and smell every inch of him. And to have him willingly bare his neck to her, the ultimate show of trust and submission, well, it sent her arousal through the roof. But even with all these responses, Rivera could still feel him holding back. She could see it in his expression. His eyes were closed tight, his knuckles white where he was grasping the headboard. That just wouldn’t do. They were True Mates and she wanted all of him. God knew he was getting the full package with her.

  Moving a bit down his body, she sat up, his hard shaft poking her in the ass. She braced her hands on his chest, getting closer to that rigid length.

  “You can let go now, Roan.”

  Eyes glowing with white heat popped open, his jaw clenched. “I…I don’t know if I can.”

  Not a lie but not the whole truth either.

  “Why not?”

  He let out a harsh breath, eyes closing then opening, their glow dimmed. “I…I’ve always been the dominant one in the bedroom. Submitting to my True Mate was never a question despite that. But now, I…I want to and I’m not sure how I feel about it.”

  “I see.”

  She should have known it was too good to be true. Why she was surprised though, she didn’t know. But she was. Roan was her True Mate, they were bonded. His submitting to her on their First Mating was supposed to be a gift, a sign that he really wanted her. Now she knew the truth.

  Climbing off him, she went and picked her robe off the floor, slipping it on and tying the sash with angry movements.

  “Rivera, wait.” He sat up quickly; about to leave the bed but she stopped him.

  “My life has gone to shit, my parents are monsters, and the only consolation out of all this is you. At least, that’s what I thought. But once again, the happy ending I’d wished for isn’t going to come true. Though why I should be surprised is even more of a shock, but there you go.” She swallowed back tears, not wanting Roan to see just how much his rejection hurt. “You made me believe, Roan. For the first time in my miserable life, you made me believe that finally, finally, it was my turn. That getting to this moment was worth the hell I lived through. My God, you even bared your throat to me.” She choked out. “But it looks as if you don’t really want me either.”

  “No! That’s not true.” He came off the bed, reaching out to her, but she took a quick step back, her expression making him stay where he was. “Sweetheart, I never said an untruth, I swear. I’ve been upfront with you about everything.”

  “Really.” She folded her arms under her breasts. “So this was what? A mistake? A trial run? A diversion?”

  “Of course not,” He snapped. “You’re my True Mate. I have more respect for you than that.”

  “Then what is it, Roan? Because I’m really getting sick of having the rug pulled out from under my feet.”

  “I…” His mouth opened and closed, confusion and frustration clear on his face. “I…”

  When he didn’t say anything else, Rivera just shook her head. “Figures.” She then retrieved her bag, getting out a tee and a pair of cotton shorts.

  “Rivera…”

  “Don’t!” She rounded on him. “Just, don’t.” Grabbing the spare blanket from the foot of the bed, she went to the living room. Once changed, she lay on the sofa, pulling the blanket over her. Trying to empty her mind, she closed her eyes. But sleep was a long time coming.

  Chapter Six

  Roan LeGuer, you are, without a doubt, the worlds biggest fool, he thought as he sat on the bed, head in his hands.

  He finally had his True Mate ready to claim him and what did he do? He panics like a scared virgin on prom night. And why? Because…because…Hell, he couldn’t explain it in his own mind why. There were way too many thoughts and feelings jumbled around to even begin to sort through them. Kind of sad really considering he’d been anticipating finally being with Rivera from the moment he knew she was his. Now, not only had she not claimed him because of his own stupidity, but making it up to her was going to take some serious thought. Possibly some groveling. Maybe even a little castigation.

  He groaned, rubbing both hands down his face. There was nothing he could do about it at the moment. Morning would come soon enough to beg for forgiveness.

  With that happy thought in mind, he stood then shifted, padding quietly to the living room and taking his usual place on the hearth rug. Rivera’s even breathing let Roan know she was asleep. But he could still feel the hurt and sadness through their bond. His wolf whimpered softly, wanting to comfort their Mate. Roan remained where he was. Any kind of apology wouldn’t be welcome at the moment regardless of the sincerity. No, he and his wolf would just have to console themselves with watching over her and being close should she need them. Not exactly the best plan for making it up to her, but it would have to do. His wolf didn’t exactly like that plan, but was mollified to stay close.

  Letting out a deep sigh, Roan closed his eyes. The scent of gardenias and fresh snow followed him into a light doze.

  * * * *

  A piercing scream rent the morning quiet causing Roan to jerk awake. He immediately jumped to his feet, shifting back to a man and looking around for danger. He spotted Rivera sitting straight up. Her face was sheet white, and her breathing was choppy. He raced to her side, and gathered her in his arms. She was shaking, her heart beating wildly as he pulled her onto h
is lap.

  “Shh, you’re okay, sweetheart,” he crooned. “Just a bad dream.”

  She stiffened slightly, but Roan, held on, refusing to let go. “Please,” he whispered into her golden hair. She needed this as much as he did.

  Gradually relaxing, Rivera leaned against his chest; her head snuggled under his chin.

  “You want to talk about it?” His hand stroked lightly up and down her spine. “It might help.”

  Her sigh was soft, but Roan, could feel the fear still hovering through their bond. “Just the usual.” She shrugged. “It was the time when one of those quacks thought I had bad blood. The leeches weren’t doing a fast enough job so he decided to slice small cuts on my arms and legs to speed the bleeding along.”