Seaton claimed her mouth once more, his kiss harsh and demanding as he took what he needed, and she was oh so willing to give it to him. She could feel his tremulous hold on his wolf and wanted to beg him to set his beast free, to be himself with her. Whatever he gave to her, she could handle. Just because she was confined to a wheelchair, didn’t mean she was weak. She was strong, strong enough to tame her wolf if need be.
He broke the kiss long enough to slip her dress over her head and drop it on the floor beside the bed. Leaning forward, Bellamy pressed her lips to his chest, kissing a path down those perfect abs. When the denim of his jeans brushed her bottom lip, she popped the button free, slid the zipper down and pushed the jeans down his legs. His cock was hard and straining against the thin fabric of his boxer briefs.
She watched hungrily as he toed out of his boots, pulled off his socks and stepped out of his jeans. She couldn’t help but lick her lips at the model-like body standing before her. As he pulled her into his arms once more, she wanted to purr in contentment. Feeling his skin against hers set her heart to racing, her pulse pounded in her ears.
He gently traced the scars on her legs from the surgeries she’d had, trying to repair the bones in her legs. They were faint now, but they were an ever-present reminder of the pain she’d endured, not just physical but emotional, as well. His touch, butterfly soft, touched her; that someone so large could be so gentle amazed her.
“To think that I could’ve lost you before I found you, not once but twice…” His gaze met hers, searching. “I believe it was fate that Hayden asked me to help track you that day. He could’ve easily chosen someone else.”
“But he didn’t, and I’m safe, here in your arms. I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be.”
He kissed her hungrily as his hands explored her curves, her body responding to him immediately. As his fingers slid over the slope of her breast and down to her ribs, her nipples puckered, wanting more attention. She grabbed his hand and placed it over her breast again. As he gently kneaded the mound, she slid her hand down his abdomen and cupped his arousal, stroking the steely length of him through his underwear. He groaned into her mouth and nudged her down onto the bed.
As she lay back, he kissed his way down her throat, down between her breasts, stopping only long enough to pop the front clasp on her bra, then he continued down to the edge of her panties, where he stopped. She could feel his hot breath against the scrap of satin and she wanted to beg him to put his mouth on her there. No one had ever done that before and she wanted him to be the first, the only.
With his heated gaze on hers, he kissed her drenched panties before hooking his thumbs in the sides and dragging them down her legs, baring her. Even though she hadn’t been with anyone in what felt like forever, she still trimmed and could tell by the flaring of his eyes that he was pleasantly surprised. His warm hands caressed her thighs before shoving them apart. Seaton settled between her legs, his mouth latching onto her pussy.
His tongue delved between the lips of her pussy, drawing a gasp from her. It felt different than she’d imagined, but oh so wonderful. She knew she was wet enough for him to take her, and he had to realize it too, which meant he was doing this for her. She was so turned on her whole body felt electrified. If he so much as touched her clit, she’d probably orgasm. But instead, he chose to tease her, his tongue circling the bundle of nerves, but never quite touching it, pushing her higher and higher. Her body felt like a tightly strung bow. Suddenly, he sucked her clit into his mouth, grazing it with his teeth, and she came, screaming his name.
As the aftershocks faded, he kissed his way back up her body, pausing long enough to help her remove her bra and dropping it beside the bed with her other things. He buried his face in her neck, inhaling deeply, and she knew he was taking in her scent. His tongue traced the shell of her ear before he nibbled the lobe.
“Are you ready for me?” he asked.
“More than.”
With a grin, he rose and stripped out of his boxer briefs. An impressive erection drew her gaze. Was that monster supposed to fit inside of her? She somehow doubted it was possible, but reading the intent in his eyes, she knew he was going to try. Wanting him desperately, she was willing to give it a go, and she fervently hoped that he did fit, because she thought she’d die if she didn’t have him inside of her right now.
Seaton settled over her, curving an arm around her waist. Positioning his cock against her slick folds, he slowly pushed inside. Bellamy felt him stretching her as he eased into her, filling her. He kept coming, not stopping until he touched her cervix. She’d never felt so full in her life, nor so complete. This was her wolf, her mate. Nothing could’ve been more perfect.
He drew his hips back and then plunged back into her again, then repeated the movement, a retreat and advance move that built up a delicious friction. He was tender and slow, loving her gently. She felt his muscles strain as he fought for control. While she loved what he was doing, she didn’t want him to hold back, she wanted all of him.
“Seaton, I want you. All of you.”
“You don’t know what you’re asking, Bellamy. You’re so small, and so tight. I could hurt you.”
She caressed his jaw. “You’d never hurt me.”
Claiming her lips in a searing kiss, he began thrusting into her harder and faster, pushing both of them until she felt her whole body tingle. She felt a tightening and then a release as her orgasm crashed over her, leaving her breathless and boneless. Clinging to him as if he were her lifeline, she felt him come deep inside of her. Too late she realized they hadn’t used protection. Truthfully, it had been the furthest thing from her mind.
She watched as a tattoo began winding its way down his arm from his shoulder, covering his right upper arm. If he didn’t know before now that she was his mate, he would now, but she hadn’t needed the mark to know. Bellamy wondered how he would react. Would he be happy to have found his mate? Or would he lament his bachelorhood? Then again, just because they were mated didn’t mean he had to accept her. He could still choose to live a solitary life. God she hoped not! It would cut her to the quick.
He kissed her once more. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”
She sat up after he’d stepped into the adjoining bathroom and glanced in the mirror over the dresser. Her hair was a mess, but she looked happy. She twisted to see the mating mark on her back and gasped. It wasn’t just a simple mark. It was the full mark, which meant she wasn’t just mated, she was pregnant. Not ready to have the whole baby discussion with Seaton just yet, she donned her clothes as quickly as she could and sat on the edge of the bed waiting on him to return. When he stepped into the room, he frowned, a wet rag in his hand.
“Why are you dressed?”
“I’ve been gone so long, I know my parents must be worried. Especially Papa. He’ll be doubly worried after the other day.”
Seaton tossed the rag back into the bathroom. “And it doesn’t have anything to do with this?” he asked pointing to his tattoo.
“I knew before now that you were my mate, so no, it doesn’t have anything to do with your mark.” She had to be careful with her words so that she didn’t lie to him. It really wasn’t about his mark. It was about hers.
“I don’t even get to see the mark on you?”
She smiled and held out a hand to him. “Why don’t you come by tomorrow afternoon? I promise to wear something that shows the mark.”
He still didn’t seem reassured.
“Please, Seaton. I promise, I’m not trying to run from you.”
“It isn’t that. I have no doubt that we’re meant to be together. I just want more time with you tonight. I’d love nothing more than to fall asleep with you in my arms.”
She melted a little at his words. “I’d like that, too, Seaton, but I have to play by my papa’s rules. It would be different if I lived on my own.”
He tipped her chin up and brushed his lips across hers. “I can’t tempt you to stay even a
little bit longer? Maybe give me another chance to make love to you again?”
Her cheeks warmed. “As much as I would like that, I don’t think it’s the best of ideas.”
“All right. Just give me a minute to get dressed and I’ll take you home.”
She waited patiently, watching as he pulled on his clothes. When he was finished, he smoothed her hair back from her face and kissed her softly. She curled her hand around the back of his neck, not wanting to let go. If things were different, she’d stay the night with him, but she couldn’t anger her parents. She might be twenty-three, but she still lived under their roof and had to respect their rules.
Seaton lifted her into his arms and carried her out to the truck. When they got closer, she gasped. Two of his tires were slashed. A knife protruded from one of them. Who would do such a thing? Was it meant as a warning for Seaton? Had he angered someone? Or was it tied in to her two gifts? Had someone followed them? A chill raced down her spine.
Seaton cursed and his grip tightened on her. “I’ll have to take you inside and call your papa to come pick you up. I’ll get the tires fixed first thing in the morning.”
She held on tight as he took her back into the house, but her thoughts remained troubled. Obviously something sinister was afoot. She just couldn’t figure out what it all meant. But maybe she wasn’t supposed to. Perhaps the person was toying with her on purpose, sending her things meant to upset her, giving warnings that she couldn’t understand, and it was all just leading up to something else, something bigger. She didn’t like that thought at all.
As if she didn’t have enough to worry about right now. Seaton was going to find out about the baby tomorrow, which meant she had less than twenty-four hours to figure out what she was going to say to him. He was going to be angry with her for keeping it from him tonight, but that couldn’t be helped. She felt telling him tonight would be a mistake. First, he needed to see her in her animal form.
Chapter Five
The afternoon sun warmed her fur as she lay on a blanket on the front porch. Her papa sat in the swing nearby, making sure no one harmed her or disturbed her. Once upon a time she could take care of herself, but with her injury she was rather helpless, even in her animal form. Seaton was coming, he’d called and said he’d arrive around two and it was now a few minutes after. She was anxious about his arrival, worrying about his acceptance of her. He was expecting a raven, not… well, not her.
His truck pulled up at the curb and he got out. She watched as he approached the house. The moment his eyes settled on her, he growled low in his throat. Her body tensed. She wasn’t sure if she was in danger or not. This was Seaton, after all. Surely he was just playing. He couldn’t really mean her harm, right?
His eyes narrowed and he growled again, the sound menacing, and she curled up tight, watching him with wide eyes. Her gaze darted to her papa, who was standing and, hopefully, coming to her rescue.
“You’ll cease your growling immediately,” her papa said.
“Why? It’s just a damn cat. I hate cats.”
Her ears wilted. He hated cats? She looked down at her immaculate black fur, fur she’d groomed until it shone just for this occasion. Her tail curled around her small feline body. She’d get up and run, but her back legs didn’t work even in this form.
Her papa picked her up and loved on her, rubbing her fur, scratching her behind her ears. “This isn’t just a cat. She’s part of the family.”
“Yeah, well. You can keep the damn thing away from me. I have yet to see what purpose a feline serves. Can’t say I care about the big ones any more than the small domestic variety.”
She watched as her papa studied Seaton a moment, felt his steady heartbeat, the rise and fall of his chest with each breath he took. He seemed calm, but she felt the tenseness in the muscles of his arms and hands and knew he was getting close to losing his temper with her wolf. She wanted to do something, make the situation better, but she didn’t know how. Seaton had refused her, reviled her. She did the only thing she could.
Reaching up, she gently batted at her papa’s cheek, getting his attention. When he looked down at her, his expression softened. She meowed, hoping he would understand what she wanted. It was time to return to her human form, and get rid of Seaton permanently.
“Stay here,” her papa commanded the wolf.
Going into the house, he walked back to Bellamy’s room and deposited her on the bed. Bending down, he kissed her gently on top of her furry little head then walked out, closing the door behind him.
Bellamy shifted and quickly donned a tank and super short knit shorts. If she was going to send him away, she wanted him to know what he was losing, wanted him to remember their incredible night together. She knew he would be confused, but she couldn’t very well tell him she was the cat, not without giving away her parents’ secret. And if he wasn’t going to be part of the family, there was no point in doing that.
In all fairness, she knew that domestic cat shifters weren’t common in Moonspell. Her true father had been a drifter her mama met and fell in love with. They’d had a brief affair and Bellamy was the result. Elaine had been dating Ely at the time, and even after telling him about the pregnancy, the raven had still offered to marry her. Bellamy couldn’t have asked for a better father.
As far as she was concerned, her birth father was just a sperm donor. She’d never even met the man, though she did know his name. Maybe one day she’d try to find him, just to let him know that she existed, but it wasn’t high on her list of priorities. Right now, the number one thing to do was send Seaton packing. If he couldn’t accept her cat, then he couldn’t accept her.
She wheeled her way through the house and out onto the porch. When Seaton saw her, he smiled so big she thought he might hurt himself. He wasn’t going to make this easy. She had to remember his hurtful remarks about cats, had to stay strong. It was better to turn him away now, while he just thought she was a wishy-washy bitch, than have him come to hate her because of what she was. She wouldn’t be able to stand it if that happened.
“Bellamy, I wanted to come by sooner, but I had to set up a few jobs first.”
She looked at her papa. “Papa, can you give us a minute?”
“Are you sure, Bells?”
“I’m sure. I’ll be in shortly.”
Her papa gave the wolf a warning look before ducking into the house. Seaton looked confused and Bellamy couldn’t blame him. Her behavior was erratic, at least, as far as he was concerned.
“Bellamy, I don’t understand. You don’t want me going in the house?”
“No, I don’t.”
“We can go somewhere --”
“No. I won’t be going anywhere with you. Not today, and not tomorrow.”
He frowned. “Is it something I did? I thought last night was good for you.”
She felt her cheeks warm. “It isn’t about last night. I’ve just come to realize that we’re too different. It doesn’t matter what the marks say. I release you.”
“Release me?” he growled. “What the hell? You think after just finding you that I want you to release me? What’s going on, Bellamy?”
“I told you. We’re too different. You’re a wolf, and I’m… well, it doesn’t matter what I am. The point is that the marks are wrong. We aren’t supposed to be mated to one another. Now, I’d appreciate it if you’d leave.”
She saw his jaw tense and watched as he ground his teeth together. He could very well take control of her chair and force her to his truck, make her go where he wanted, but she didn’t think he was that type of man. At least, she was hoping he wasn’t, because if he took her in his arms, she would be lost.
“Maybe you need a little reminder.” He jerked his shirt over his head and showed her his arm. “In case you’ve forgotten, we were marked, and while that doesn’t mean anything to you, it does to me. Whether you like it or not, you’re my mate, Bellamy, and I’ll do anything to have you by my side.”
“Seaton,
just because we’re marked doesn’t mean we have to stay together. Plenty of people don’t stay with their mates for one reason or another. You should be free to find the woman you’re meant to be with.”
“I am with the woman I’m meant to be with. Quit being so damn stubborn!”
“You don’t know what you’re saying.”
“I want you in my life, Bellamy. I wanted you even before we were marked. That has to mean something.”
She bit her lip, but didn’t comment.
“Fine. But just know that this isn’t over.”
Seaton stormed off, slamming the door of his truck and revving the engine. He peeled away from the curb, tires squealing. Her papa came out onto the porch and placed a hand on her shoulder. She hadn’t realized until that moment that she was crying, but she felt the wet tracks of tears on her cheeks and hastily wiped them away.
“Are you okay?” her papa asked.
“I’ll be fine. There are other men, right?”
“Yes,” he said sadly. “But there will only ever be one mate.”
“I don’t feel well, Papa. I think I’ll go lie down for a while. Will you tell Mama not to disturb me? I’m going to take a nap until dinner is ready.”
He smoothed a hand down her hair. “Of course, Bells.”
She made her way back to her room and lifted herself out of her chair. Stretching out across her bed, she gathered a pillow close and silently cried into it. Her heart felt like it was breaking. This should’ve been the best day of her life! A mate, a baby… instead, she ended up with a man who could never accept her, and a fatherless child. Whatever was she going to do? Well, she had nine months to figure it out.
* * *
A tap on her door drew her attention.
“Come in,” she called out in a voice hoarse from crying.
Rio entered the room, surprising her. She’d expected her mama, or maybe one of her sisters. What did the raven shifter want? It had become fairly common to find him in her home, but he’d never ventured into her room before. She didn’t feel threatened by him though, merely curious.
Romance in Moonspell Page 4