by Naomi Jones
She stared at him. Her amber eyes were filled with what looked to be curiosity. “Are you going to just stare? Or are you going to do something?” she asked.
Bryce moved so quickly she gasped. Pinning her against a tree, his nose slid across her neck. Bryce inhaled deeply a few times before moving away.
“You already know this is private property. The real question is, why do you keep coming back? What are you looking for?”
“Not what. Who,” she whispered softly.
“Fine. Who are you looking for?”
“My sisters.”
Bryce blinked a few more times and looked closer at her.
“Well, half sisters.”
“What’s your name?”
“Taniel. Taniel Hamilton.”
but wait…there’s more
Epilogue: Christmas Surprise
Regine could hear her own footsteps as she ran through the Colorado woods. The snow was falling heavily, but she was more determined than ever to make it to the cabin first. Strong winds shook the trees, blowing them back and forth, just shy of toppling them over. I’m going to win this race if it kills me. And it just might. She’d come out the victor ninety-nine times. Tonight would make it a hundred.
Nathan’s first mistake was to challenge her to a race. His second was allowing Regine to shift into any animal of her choice. Of course, she picked the cheetah.
Regine didn’t take her gift for granted, especially as it made Nathan a little jealous.
Right now, her gift was going to allow her to win—again. He’s lucky I didn’t choose to fly over here, Regine thought before picking up a little speed.
The challenge was always the same. It started with both of them staying for special occasions. Then evolved to anytime she had a two-day weekend. Depending on Regine’s schedule, Nathan would bring their bags to the cabin and meet her back at his home to begin the race.
This time the winner got to be pampered for the remainder of the Christmas holiday. Regine could use the pampering. The pack females felt better with her bringing their children into the world; she’d been putting in extra hours. Regine loved her job but these past few weeks had been exhausting. She looked forward to this weekend.
The wind picked up, but that didn’t bother her. The moon had been her guide thus far. The scattered branches and fallen trees were proof she was getting close. Though the cold air filled her lungs, Regine went even faster. Her first request would be for Nathan to run her a warm bath.
It was becoming difficult to see with the snow smacking her face. Just a little bit more, she told herself. You’re almost there. Then a light appeared in the distance. Knowing it was the cabin, she ran with whatever reserve energy she still had. It was close, but still felt so far. Not much farther till my bath. Regine stopped in midsprint as the cabin came into view. The lights were on, but no fire was set. Nathan hadn’t made it there yet. “Yes!” she screamed in excitement. Inhaling deeply, she checked for his scent and couldn’t find a trace.
Regine would’ve smiled in victory had she not caught sight of an oncoming wolf. His black-and-brown fur blew in the wind, but the snow didn’t dare touch it. It was as if nature knew not to fuck with this wolf. Too bad she wasn’t nature. The wolf stopped in midstep and looked dead at her. His golden-yellow eyes held an intensity that showed how ready he was. You’re not winning this one, Nathan.
Nathan cracked a slight smile, knowing Regine couldn’t see it. But she’d definitely felt his confidence. You’re in for a big surprise, little one. He watched her very carefully assess the hill. Nathan knew she’d jump. It was just a matter of time.
After tracking Regine for the past hour, he’d finally caught her scent and ran like a bat out of hell. Nathan decided to run through the rocky side of the woods because it was a shorter distance. Fewer trees and more boulders to maneuver through, but he made it just in time.
Regine took a few steps back. Then she did exactly what Nathan expected—she jumped with the grace of a true cheetah and landed on her feet. He was right behind her.
The determination he saw in those chestnut-brown eyes spoke volumes that made his heart race. He was doing the right thing. He slowed slightly, like he always did.
Regine got to the door and pushed it open. Shifting out of her cheetah form, she sported the cutest smile he’d ever seen. Once Nathan made it inside she closed the door behind him. Her feet looked frozen, her hair disheveled. The dirt and mud covered her chocolate skin, but all Nathan could think about was how beautiful she looked.
“Now, I don’t want to gloat. But I did beat you. Again. Na, na, na, na, na, na,” she said in a singsongy voice that had him laughing. “First things first. I’m tired, and could use a warm bath.”
“Regine.”
“Secondly, you are to say ‘yes ma’am’ anytime I make a request, because I know you hate it.”
“Regine.”
“Thirdly.”
Nathan shouted to catch her attention. “Regine!”
“What? I’m making my victory list.”
“You might want to walk into the living room.”
Regine, perplexed, slowly made it into the living room only to find it covered in her favorite flowers. They were hung all around the windows, and the scent filled her nose. The Christmas tree was already decorated with presents at the bottom of the tree. Little reindeer ornaments were hanging all over the place, and the mistletoe was just above her.
Walking to the huge bouquet of lavender roses in the center of the table, Regine slid her hands over them and smiled. She couldn’t believe he did this all by himself. Nathan had never celebrated Christmas until they met. Now they held a yearly contest to see who could make it out to his cabin first in order to celebrate.
“So how long have you been here?”
“Long enough to get this done.”
“Wow! You’re not gloating.”
“That’s because I figured out it’s better for both of us to bask in my victory.” Regine rolled her eyes anytime Nathan won a challenge because it always ended with sex. Everywhere but in the bed. In the time they’d been coming out to the cabin, she could count on one hand how many times he’d won. And he always made the same requests as her. Run me my bath. Serve me my dinner. Bring me my wine. And do all of it naked. Regine could only imagine what Nathan cooked up for them to supposedly bask in. Why do I have the feeling I’m going to be naked for this?
“How exactly are we both supposed to—” Regine’s words were cut off by the sight of Nathan on one muscled knee holding a velvet box. “Nathan…” She could see fear in those deep green eyes, but knew that wouldn’t stop him. He was an Alpha, and Alphas didn’t back down.
“Regine, I’m not the easiest man to deal with. I’ll be possessive of you. Other shifters will know you’re mine and mine alone. And since I won, the only thing I want is for you to say yes to being my wife. If you do, my Christmas will be complete. Regine Hamilton, will you marry me?”
No words could describe how happy she was at this very moment. The Alpha who only believed in mating for life was proposing.
“Yes. Yes, Nathan, I’ll marry you.”
Nathan breathed a sigh of relief; he’d worried that Regine might actually say no. Placing the ring on her finger, he lifted her without any effort and went to their bedroom.
“So, how ’bout that bath, ma’am?” He watched a mischievous smile form on her face.
“Only if you join me.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m glad I lost this challenge,” Regine admitted.
“Well…” Nathan deposited her on the bed and hurried to the bathroom to fill the tub. “I’m happy to say this Christmas challenge is one I’ll never forget.”
Nathan ran a bath for them to share. Regine sat between his powerful thighs. She smiled feeling his hands massaging her shoulders. Looking at her ring, she couldn’t believe the big brute who’d stolen her heart, had proposed. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to get married; it
was that she didn’t want to be the one to bring it up.
“What are you thinking?” Nathan asked against her shoulder before nibbling on it.
“What makes you think I’m thinking about anything?”
“You always get quiet. And you sigh every couple of seconds.” Regine smiled at how well he knew her. “So, are you going to tell me or do I have to order you to? Remember who won this challenge.”
“Fine. I was thinking about the first time we met. Do you remember that day?” She felt Nathan go stiff behind her.
Of course Nathan remembered that day.
“I recall not being the most welcoming.”
She turned and gave him an incredulous look over her shoulder.
Nathan smiled recalling how awful he’d been.
“You caught me at a bad moment. Regine turned back around and laid her head against his shoulder.
“That’s why I walked out on your meeting.”
Nathan laughed at how pissed she was..
“Did I or did I not apologize?”
“Yes. When no one was around. Besides you had other motives.”
“That’s partially true but you put me through hell with your stance on dating Alphas.”
Regine’s laughter warmed him. The pack felt complete whenever Regine came around. So was he. Their relationship began very rocky, but she was the only one who saw his softer side.
“Why do I have the feeling something else is on your mind?” Nathan asked while rubbing the mating scar he made on her shoulder.
She smiled. “Because you know me. And since you didn’t kill me like you first threatened, maybe we should start working on having some pups of our own.”
Regine listened to his rapid heartbeat with bated breath. She had been thinking about them having children for a while now. Most of the pack had at least two pups. Regine had helped deliver some of them. These past few weeks, watching babies and pups come into the world made her realize it was time to start a family.
“Nathan, did you hear what I said?” Regine turned to look at him and was floored by the volume of excitement in his eyes. He placed both wet hands on each side of her face before asking his question. “Are you sure that’s what you want?” Nathan asked, not even bothering to hide the enthusiasm at the prospect of being a parent.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, and I believe we’re ready. Unless you don’t want to.”
Regine screamed lightly when Nathan lifted them both out of the tub.
Before she could blink, he was laying her gently on the bed. “You don’t know how long I’ve waited to hear you say that,” Nathan admitted, before possessing her mouth with a bruising kiss. She released a soft moan when he pressed his erection against her thigh. Nathan’s hands were roaming everywhere.
“Nathan, we’re still wet,” Regine forced out before two powerful fingers found their way inside her wet entrance.
“Not wet enough,” he whispered as his fingers moved in and out. With all of his acute senses, Nathan still had to strain to hear the soft moans escaping her lips. Nathan was still getting used to the fact that Regine was such a quiet lover. Hearing her softly whisper his name during lovemaking was something he looked forward to though. But tonight was different. Tonight, he wanted to hear her.
He wasted no time taking a nipple into his mouth. Nathan’s tongue swirled and nipped at it making Regine arch into him. She pumped her hips against his fingers, and he knew her orgasm was coming. Quickly removing them, Nathan lowered his head and feasted on the cuisine between her thighs. Regine’s breath quickened with every touch to her clit, and he knew he found her spot. Nathan grabbed her thighs and spread them even wider, but he didn’t let go. You won’t have a voice when I’m finished with you tonight, he thought before working her spot even harder.
Regine clenched the sheets, trying to get her breathing under control, but she couldn’t think clearly. Nathan was eating her pussy like a man on a mission. He’d done it before, but tonight he seemed to have a goal in mind. And her body was his playground. Maybe the prospect of having a baby made him a little eager.
She screamed and bucked her hips, feeling her orgasm hit her like a strike of lightning. She shivered under Nathan’s grip, but he held onto her. “So good,” he whispered, greedily lapping up her juices.
Regine found herself unable to talk.
“I think you’re ready,” Nathan said.
She looked down at Nathan and saw his eyes darken.
Crawling between her thighs, he plunged his hard shaft inside her. Regine braced herself, trying to adjust to Nathan’s size. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she kissed him. Their tongues fought almost violently.
Easing out slowly, Nathan pushed back in. Regine yelped at the sensation. She went to cover her mouth, but he interlaced his hands with hers. Nathan lifted them above her head. “I want to hear you, Regine. No whispers when you come. Just let it out.” His request made her entire body shake with desire. He moved harder and deeper. Her moans grew louder.
This was a totally different experience for Regine. She’d always been quiet when it came to making love. The first night they’d had sex, Nathan barely looked at her because he thought she hadn’t been satisfied.
“Yes. Fuck yes.”
He groaned, burying his head against her neck. Regine’s mind reeled. The sweet torture of his cock would surely be the death of her. From every thrust to every pant, Nathan’s name echoed throughout those four walls.
“How many?” he rasped into Regine’s ear.
“What?”
“Children. How many?” Nathan never broke his rhythm.
“As many as you want,” Regine whimpered, feeling her orgasm rising from the tip of her toes. “Oh God, Nathan.”
She screamed to the heavens. Nathan was no better. He howled in that gruff voice. He pounded into her a few more times before sliding out and collapsing on his side.
“Wow,” Regine said, in between hoarse breaths. She looked over at her future husband and saw him sporting a big grin. “What is so funny?”
“You know I’m going to hold you to that, right?”
“Hold me to what?”
“As many children as I want,” Nathan said sounding a little too cocky for her liking.
“You caught me at a vulnerable moment.” Regine watched the smile spread across his face. “All jokes aside, I did mean it.”
“I know.” He’d gently caressed her cheek.
“A boy.” Regine saw the little confusion is his eyes and decided to elaborate. “I want a healthy boy first.”
“If it’s up to me, we’ll only have boys. I can imagine how crazy I’d go having a smaller version of you running around.”
“Please. You’d probably spoil her rotten.” She turned to her side and looked at him.
“I would because I’d love her just as much as I love you.” Her shock must’ve shown on her face because Nathan moved closer. In the whole time they’d been together, he had never said those three words. Regine knew he loved her, but to hear him say it brought tears to her eyes.
“I love you too, Nathan Romero.”
“This is the most vulnerable you’ll ever see from me, Regine Hamilton. You better live it up now.”
“Oh I plan to. Now let’s try to make a baby…or three” Bringing her lips to his, Regine felt him spread her legs. This night was full of surprises.
“Yes, ma’am.”
NAOMI
Trademark Acknowledgements
Nissan Motor Company, Ltd: Usually shortened to Nissan, it is a Japanese automaker headquartered in Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Japan. It produces a range of vehicles including Renault S.A. of France, Datsun, and Infiniti.
Murano LE: The Murano is a midsize crossover SUV sold by Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.
Naomi Jones
Reading is one of her favorite pastimes. One day, while watching television, she picked up a pen, a writing pad, and her journey began. It started with writing a little
at home…then during her lunch breaks. Now she has notepads and journals filled with stories that are just waiting to be organized and read.
Naomi resides in New York, with her husband and son, and loves horror movies. She also enjoys interacting with her fans through email.
Feel free to drop an email to Naomi at [email protected], or friend her at facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002404450470&sk=wall, or follow her on twitter as @njonesir.
Table of Contents
Title page
Glossary
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Epilogue: Christmas Surprise
Trademark Acknowledgements
Naomi Jones