“You ready to shift back, sweetheart?”
“Yeah. Uh…how?” With everything that had been happening, shifting back hadn’t crossed her mind. Until now.
“Sorry.” His expression was sheepish. “Just concentrate on your human form. Walking on two legs. Using your hands and fingers.”
Closing her eyes, she did just that. A few seconds later, that green/gold light burst behind her eyelids again. When she blinked her eyes open, she was once more her human self. Roan had shifted back as well, his smile wide. And he was very naked. It was a sight she hoped to see many times.
“Did I tell you how much I greatly enjoy that look you give me?” He sauntered over and took her into his arms.
Warm. He was so warm. Smelled so good. Felt so good. She burrowed closer in his embrace. “And just what look would that be?”
His voice was close to her ear when he said, “The one that says you want me.”
She looked up into his glacier gaze. “I do, Roan. So much that I ache.”
That must have been all the encouragement he needed because he crashed his mouth down on hers, stealing her breath.
She whimpered at the power behind his kiss. At the sheer expertise with which he took her mouth. It was as if he wanted to devour her. She would gladly let him.
“Sweetheart,” he rasped as he came up for air. His eyes held a dim glow as he looked at her. “You’re like a drug. Ever since that first taste, I’ve wanted more.” His thumb came up and skimmed her bottom lip, making it tingle even more. “I crave more. Just looking at you makes me burn.”
No man had ever said that to her. Not even close. But then, she’d never met a man quite like Roan LeGuer. He was so strong, so capable. Yet not without his flaws. Those made him just that more appealing to know that despite his appearance, he was far from perfect. And he wanted her. She could see it in his flushed face and mildly glowing eyes. Feel it poking her in her stomach and singing loudly through their bond.
“I want you to take me, Rivera. To make me yours.”
Rivera blinked, the request rendering her momentarily speechless. “What?”
“I’ve done a lot of thinking these past nine days,” he began as he gently touched her cheek. “About a great many things.” He smiled ruefully. “But mostly, it was about you, about us, and how I needed to be a better Mate. To be the True Mate you deserved.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck with a small smile. “You’re everything I could have asked for and more, Roan.” She quickly rose up and kissed him before he could open his mouth. “It wasn’t the right time nor was it right to rush things. And since we both tend to use our intellect more in any given situation, well, waiting was the smart choice.”
He gave her a tight hug. Their warm bodies melded together perfectly. “It was,” he agreed. “But I could have lost you, Rivera. Lost you without knowing what giving myself to you would truly feel like. Not know your warmth. The feel of your silky skin. The beautiful music of your sounds as we make love. All of it, gone. And I would have gladly followed you knowing everything had been taken from me.”
“Roan,” she choked. “I…”
“No. I need to say this.”
She nodded, feeling tears well in her eyes.
“For nine days, I sat by your side. Long days and nights of wondering, hoping, and praying that I’d see you open your beautiful eyes and smile at me. Feeling our bond but getting nothing from it. Of being able to do absolutely nothing to help. It was the longest and hardest nine days I’ve ever experienced. Because no matter my strength, my power, not a bit of it mattered. None of it could help.” He grimaced and Rivera could see the weight of her ordeal sitting heavy on his shoulders. “I think the only good thing to come out of my time was the realization that without you by my side, nothing mattered. Not my success, my plans, or even the Pack.”
“How can that be a good thing? You’re the Alpha. Caring for the Pack is what drives you.”
“Before you came along, that’s all I thought I’d ever have.” He took a deep breath. “I had even convinced myself that my feeling for my sister-in-law were more than platonic.”
That threw her a bit. “Why would you convince yourself of that?” She didn’t pull out of his arms but she did put a little space between them. Hearing this sort of confession, she didn’t think she wanted to be that close.
“Because it was easier than being continuously disappointed about not finding my own True Mate. Knowing that I would be alone until I found her. However long that would take.” He gazed up at the night sky, expression one of guilt and shame. The feeling from their bond was even more intense. Then he looked back down at her. “And I was envious of my brother.”
She nodded, understanding somewhat of his dilemma. “Being twins, I’m sure the sibling rivalry was a given growing up. But I’m still not getting how you could make yourself care in that way for your brother’s True Mate. In the short time I’ve known you; you never struck me as the kind of man to covet or even take another’s Mate. Or interfere for that matter. And since we’re talking bout your brother, well, I’m sorry if I seem a little confused.” She was. She could tell the two were close. It just didn’t make a lot of sense to her.
“It’s because she was safe.” He let out another harsh breath, his frown deep. “By setting my unrequited feelings on her, I didn’t risk too much should I meet yet another female that wasn’t my True Mate. The drawback was feeling even more alone than before. It was better than having a string of meaningless affairs that would’ve went nowhere though. And after finding out I had a True Mate, there was no way I was settling for less.”
Seeing the logic, Rivera couldn’t help finally understanding where he was coming from. Seeing his brother so happy and Roan knowing he also had a True Mate was probably hard. But not knowing when or where she would be, or if she was even born, must have been painful. The ache of disappointment and despair had to have been great to push him to such a degree. It was the old “Devil you know” scenario. Better to hurt once than over and over again. Being Alpha with its responsibilities doubtless didn’t help either.
“Okay.” She placed a hand on his chest. His heart was beating fast and she could feel his apprehension and guilt through their bond. “It’s okay, Roan. I’m glad you told me. But where does that leave us?” She was almost afraid ask lest the happy ending she’d dreamed of be snatched away once more.
“Oh, sweetheart.” His smile was tender as he cupped her cheek. “It was meeting you that made me realize the feelings I thought I had for her were a lie. That I was protecting myself and using her as an excuse.” He shook his head with a rueful grin. “Talking with you, holding you, tasting you, it’s magic. Pure magic. No one, and I mean no one, can affect me like you do. These feeling I have inside, these are real, Rivera. And they’re all for you.”
A small gasp escaped as she felt some of what he was talking about through their bond. Joy, gratitude, pride, caring, yearning, arousal. There were more, of course, but it was a swirling mesh that made her dizzy trying to decipher it all.
“I can’t believe you feel all of that for me.” It wasn’t a declaration of love, but it was damn close. And they had time.
“No one else, Rivera. Ever,” he vowed. “Before I met you, I didn’t realize just how empty my life was. How I had been going through the motions and basically working myself into a stupor to keep from thinking about how alone I really was.”
“And now?”
“Now…” His smile was radiant enough to light up the world. “Now, all I want is you. Everything I can see and feel, is you.”
She touched his dear face, moved beyond words.
“Please, Rivera.” He took her hand, kissing the palm. “I need this. I need you.”
For the rest of her life, Rivera would remember this moment. How she fell just a little more for Roan. The feel of his warm lips as they touched her palm. The rasp of his stubble against her fingers. The look of utter want in his glacier eyes.
And how, after baring his soul to her, she wanted him more than ever.
“Are you sure?” No matter her needs, she wanted to give him the option to say no. Herself as well. She really didn’t want a repeat of their first attempt.
With his expression open and their bond singing, Roan got down on one knee, her hand still tucked firmly in his.
“Rivera Montgomery, will you do me the honour of making me yours? Of taking all that I am? I give it to you willingly without fear or hesitation.”
Staring down into those icy orbs, she nodded, her throat tight with emotion. “Yes.”
Rising to his feet, he picked her up, cradling her close in his arms. They didn’t say a word as Roan carried her back to the house. Going through the kitchen, Rivera noted that it was blessedly quiet. A good thing too. She wanted no interruptions.
Making his way up the stairs, Roan carried her to a door at the end of the hall. She reached out and opened it, Roan gently kicking it shut behind them after they were inside the room. It was done much like the one at the cabin. Only the furniture in this one seemed older and there were more windows. In fact, an entire wall showed the forest. The full moon cast it’s silvery rays, making the darkened room glow with a magical aura. Of course, the moon’s radiance was nothing compared to the light in Roan’s eyes. They were luminous as he set her on her feet beside the bed.
“How-“
“Shh.” She laid a finger over his soft lips. “No dominance games, no power plays, Roan. Just me, making love to my True Mate.”
She felt his warm lips lift in a smile as he nodded.
Taking her finger away, she rose up and kissed him. It was gentle at first, Rivera tracing his lips with her tongue. But as she slowly slipped inside his mouth, his minty flavour made her ravenous for more. She practically devoured him, exploring every inch of his mouth and getting such spine tingling sounds from him that it made her greatly anticipate receiving many more.
When they finally came up for air, they were on the bed with Rivera draped over Roan. She had no idea how they got there, but she wasn’t going to complain. He was exactly where she wanted him to be. Beneath her and more than ready. His hardness poked her in the ass as she straddled him.
“Sweetheart…” His voice was raspy with his arousal, lips red and swollen from her kisses. His cheeks were flushed, eyes glowing with icy flames and mahogany waves mussed from her fingers. He was the most beautiful man she had ever seen. And he was all hers. “Christ…the way you look at me. Never stop, Rivera. Never, please.”
Holding his gaze, she brought her lips close to his, sharing his breath. “Only you, Roan. Only you. Forever.” She sealed that promise with a kiss, taking his mouth with brutal passion.
Done with talking for the moment, Rivera wanted to use her mouth for something better. Like exploring every inch of her glorious True Mate. Using all her senses to go on a guided tour, she began at his neck and the top of his right shoulder. She knew it was a hot spot and wasn’t disappointed when a gasp escaped him as she kissed and licked his skin. It was warm and slightly salty with musky undertones. The texture went from prickly under his jaw to silky smooth when she reached his shoulder. The scent of his arousal was strong. Pine, a mountain breeze, and male. The combination went right to her head. And other parts of her anatomy.
Moving along, she followed her fingers, laying butterfly kisses on his chest. When her fingers rubbed over a nipple, Roan groaned. Not about to pass up an opportunity to hear more, she hovered over his left nipple while her fingers continued to rub the right one. Then, without warning, she latched on, sucking the nubbin between her lips.
“Oh God!”
His body stiffened and she felt his cock jump against her butt. But he didn’t touch her. He couldn’t. Not until the First Mating was over. So until then, Rivera was in the driver’s seat. She wouldn’t make him wait much longer though. Being in charge was a two edged sword. Every response she coaxed from him just pushed her need even higher. She could feel the wetness leaking from her core. The earthiness of it mingled with Roan’s, creating a potent aphrodisiac. It was the perfume of their love making. An aroma she felt positive they would be creating quite often.
“Please…burning…ache so good.” The tendons in his neck stood out as he threw his head back while Rivera continued to nibble, pinch, lick, and rub his nipples.
His fists bunched in the comforter. His breath came out in sharp pants. Sweat glistened on his tan skin in the moonlight. She couldn’t help letting out a moan at the sight of sheer bliss and passion on his flushed face.
“Mine,” she whispered as she rose up and moved back enough to feel that hard shaft. “Mine,” she said it a little louder, finally getting Roan’s attention. Her hand wrapped around his hardness and guided it to her weeping center. “Mine.” When her slick folds covered the head, they both gasped. “Mine!” She took her hand away and sat, taking all of him at once.
“Rivera! Yes, yours! Yours!”
That was all she needed to hear. She put her hands on his chest and began to move. It was slow at first because Christ, she felt so full of him. He seemed to touch every part of her. That fat head hit her g-spot just right and often.
“Roan,” she moaned as she ground down on him, rubbing her clit against his scratchy pubes.
Roan let out a choked groan, his illuminated gaze full of hunger and need.
Sitting straight up, she used her thighs to move up and down. It felt so good. That rigid length filling her up. She palmed her breasts, pinching the nipples. A zing went right to her core, making her speed up.
“God…please…close…so close.”
He wasn’t the only one. Rivera could feel that wonderful pressure building and building. She wanted to make it last, but it felt to good. Roan felt too good. Then, with a keening cry, she slammed down, grinding her clit against him as she rode out the strongest and longest orgasm of her life. A very masculine shout soon followed, the body under her going rigid as Roan too, found his release.
Totally spent and still trying to catch her breath, Rivera collapsed atop her True Mate. He too seemed to be out of breath, tiny aftershocks making his big body twitch.
When they were both calmer, Roan wrapped his arms around her, giving her a slight squeeze. Rivera sighed with contentment, still feeling his erection inside her. It hadn’t gone down even though he had just climaxed. It bode well for the rest of the evening.
“Thank you,” he said into her sweaty hair.
She smiled, not bothering to move. “You’re more than welcome.” She felt a rumbling laugh through his chest.
“Maybe I can return the favour.”
“Maybe.” She was definitely looking forward to it.
* * * *
Never in his entire life had Roan felt more content or more at ease. The initial fear he had of giving himself to Rivera seemed trivial now. And despite his short comings, Rivera liked him anyway. In fact, it was as if she respected him more because of them.
Roan nuzzled her sweat dampened temple, knowing he had to be wearing the world’s goofiest grin. He couldn’t help it. Nor did he care. His Pack was safe. His family was doing well and growing. And he had his True Mate in his arms. He felt like shouting his joy from the rooftops. Instead, he flipped Rivera over onto her back, his hardness still snug inside her channel.
“Going to return that favour now?” Her smile was impish as she wiggled under him.
He groaned with her movements, his erection slipping further into her. “Sweetheart, we may never leave this bed.”
A whimper escaped her plump lips as he ground his pelvis against hers. “Fine with me.” She then wrapped her long legs around his waist, locking him in place.
He thrust up, causing her to gasp. “Like that, sweetheart?” He continued to use shallow thrusts. Seeing that those, combined with grinding against her clit, was what she liked best.
“God, yes,” she moaned, those glowing golden amber eyes closing with bliss.
Such a sensu
al creature. She was beautiful in the throes of passion. That creamy skin flushed rose. Cherry lips kiss swollen. Golden hair tousled and damp with sweat. She was Aphrodite, goddess of love and desire. And all his.
Taking her mouth in a demanding kiss, he tasted her as he sped up his thrusts until he was pounding into her. She met every stroke. The sound of their slick skin slapping together along with their moans and groans of pleasure was the most beautiful music in the world. It couldn’t last.
“Roan…oh, God…yesss…” She panted.
The feel of her hands rubbing his back and her nails pricking his skin let him know she was close. He was as well. The pressure was building in his balls but he wanted her to go first. Palming a breast, he ground down, making sure to tilt his pelvis just right. She screamed, her core clamping around him as she climaxed. It didn’t take but seconds for him to follow.
“Rivera!”
Not wanting to crush her, he pulled out and collapsed at her side. He gathered her close, wrapping her in his arms. She snuggled against him, her head on his chest and let out a deep sigh. A few minutes later, her even breathing let him know she was asleep. He wasn’t too surprised. After going through the First Transformation, a Pack run, then two rounds of hot, sweaty love making, he’d be surprised if she hadn’t passed out.
Gently reaching down so as not to jostle her, Roan grabbed the blanket and covered them both. Then laying a tender kiss to her forehead, he tightened his arms around her and closed his eyes. He fell asleep with the scents of gardenia’s and their love making in his nose. And his True Mate’s warm body in his arms.
The next morning, Roan found a way to make his True Mate glad to wake up. After a lengthy and very sensual shower, the two got dressed and made their way downstairs. The aroma of good coffee and hot food lead them to the dining room. His mother, Flynn, Sasha, and Tala were there in the process of finishing their meal. Everyone else must have already eaten and started their day, Roan thought.
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