“Lust, huh?” His mouth curled up at the corners and she longed to kiss him.
“Yeah, you are sexy, any woman can see that.” She tilted her head on one side. “I bet you have broken a million hearts.”
“Nope, not one.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “I’m always very careful with other people’s hearts,” he told her. “If ever I dated a woman and thought she was falling too hard and too fast, I’d back away. I don’t like seeing people hurt and knowing that they were not the one for me meant I would hurt them. Sooner or later.”
“There may be a little sprinkling of love mixed in with my lust for you,” Breeze conceded.
His smile widened. “I knew it. I knew you couldn’t hold out on me.”
She chuckled as she cupped his face in her hands and kissed his lips. Heat seared her mouth and she slid her tongue along his lower lip before nipping the soft sensitive skin with her teeth. He gasped and their kiss deepened, his tongue entwining with hers as his hands held her close to him. As her arousal kicked up a notch, she was aware of his hardness pressed against her thigh. There was no doubting his desire for her. A desire matched by her own.
Joey broke their kiss, leaned down, and scooped her up in his arms.
Breeze gave a small yelp of surprise which he ignored as he strode along the hallway and then carried her up the stairs.
“I don’t think I have ever been swept off my feet before,” she admitted as he paused at the top of the stairs. “That one.” She pointed to a door along the hallway. “Second one on the right.”
He surged forward, his muscles bunching as he tensed, shifting her weight in his arms so that he could open the door with a free hand. Shouldering it open, he aimed for the bed and laid her down gently. However, when she looked up at the hunger in his eyes, there was nothing gentle about his desire for her. The intensity was incredible, deep, complicated, and yet simple.
Breeze reached out for him and grabbed his hand in hers. He was strong enough to resist her pull at least physically, but he came to her, lying beside her on the bed. Turning onto her side, she cupped his face in her hands and kissed him.
“Are you okay?” She arched an eyebrow at him as he pulled back and took a deep breath.
“Overwhelmed, I guess.” He gave a low, self-deprecating laugh. “I’ve waited so long for you and I want it to be perfect.”
“I don’t ever expect anything in life to be perfect,” she admitted. “That way I’m rarely disappointed.”
“Thanks. I think.” She drew a smile from him, but she wanted more.
“Listen.” She laced her fingers with his and then drew his hand to her lips and kissed the back of it. Joey shuddered with desire. “It’s just us. And it’ll always be just us. I don’t care if we just lie here together. Or if we make love ten times or more.”
His eyes lit up at that thought. “Tempting.”
“Except I do have to work in the morning, and I do need to get some sleep.”
“It’s early.” He glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “I don’t think I’ve gotten to bed this early since I was ten.”
“You’re certainly not ten anymore.” She trailed her fingers down his chest. “Let’s just relax, take it slow, and see where we end up. Neither of us are young teens, we don’t have anything to prove to ourselves or each other. When you get to a certain age, you learn to expect all the wrinkles and bumps in the road.”
“What did I do to deserve you?” he murmured before he kissed her reply away.
“You must have committed some heinous crime.” She kissed his neck, but his clothes stopped her from going any further.
Tugging at the hem of his shirt, she got it so far up his chest before she gave in and undid the buttons, although it was frustratingly slow when she so wanted to run her fingers over his naked flesh.
When the last button popped undone, she pushed the shirt off his shoulders and Joey helped shrug it down his arms before balling it up and throwing it across the room.
Instantly she devoured his flesh, her fingers stroking, her mouth kissing and touching, seeking out his sensitive places as she pushed his arousal higher. She wanted him to burn with a need for her that was unquenchable. Although when she caught a glimpse at the fire in his eyes, she figured he was already there.
His raw naked need for her took her breath away. Yet he was perfectly controlled as he slowly unbuttoned her dress and pushed it from her shoulders. He kissed her creamy shoulders as she pulled her arms out of the sleeves of her dress, pausing once to collect her thoughts when her brain went blank. He had that effect on her. It was as if he could make her forget time and space.
A ripple of apprehension slid through her. Was this how her sister felt? Was this same depth of feeling the reason why she thought more of her relationship with her husband than any relationship with her son?
Joey cupped her breast in his hand and rubbed his thumb over her nipple, still encased in her bra. Unclasping the offending item of clothing that stood between two fated mates, he threw it across the room, where it landed on her dresser.
“Oops,” he murmured as he covered her nipple with his mouth.
“Good shot,” she complimented him as she hooked her fingers through his belt buckle and yanked it open. “You’re going to need to help me with these.”
“Sure thing.” He lifted his head and placed a hand on either side of his jeans. Wriggling, he pushed them down over his slender hips and kicked them off his feet.
“Better.”
“Nearly.” He leaned his weight on one elbow and hooked his fingers through the elastic of her panties. Breeze gulped as he practically tore them off and dropped them over the side of the bed. “Perfect.”
He slid his hand along the inside of her thigh, moving closer to the center of her need. Grasping hold of her own courage, she eased her thighs apart. Joey dipped his fingers between her legs, sliding inside her. She was so wet, as he moved his fingers in and out of her, the bedroom seemed to fill with the slick sound. A tremble of excitement filled her as her first orgasm rushed toward her.
Joey brushed the hair back from her shoulder and lowered his head, capturing her nipple in his mouth. She grasped the bedcovers in both hands and balled them up in her fists as he rolled his tongue around and around the taut bud.
The sensations of his mouth and his fingers drawing pleasure from her was almost too much. Her flesh was on fire, her insides melting from the heat of his touch.
She could feel each and every one of her nerve endings as they all connected in a matrix of pleasure that took over her senses. Higher, he pushed her higher, his teeth grazing her nipple, while his fingertips brushed her inner walls seeking out the center of her pleasure.
She was close, teetering on the edge. Joey brushed his thumb across her mound, finally pushing her over the edge.
“Oh.” She arched her back, her hand gripping his wrist as she fought to keep his hand between her thighs but fought to take it away. His touch was almost too much, and yet all that she needed at the same time.
He didn’t let up, pushing her further, taking his own pleasure in watching her come.
As her orgasm faded, she lay shivering in his arms. He kissed her, his mouth warm and tender on her feverish flesh, his fingers gentle as he helped her come down from her high. But she didn’t want to come down. Not yet, she wanted him to join her.
Pushing him onto his back, she moved to straddle him, her thighs on either side of him as if she were going to ride a horse. Instead, she was going to ride a bear. At least the human side of a bear shifter.
He placed his hands on her thighs and lifted her up. As he lowered her down, she guided him inside of her. His hard length filled her, her inner muscles straining against the invasion as he stretched her.
Breeze closed her eyes, keeping very still as her tense muscles slowly relaxed. It had been a while since she’d been with a man. The older she got, the pickier she got. Then when her sister began having
problems, dating had taken a back seat.
Now, she was in the front seat. The driver’s seat.
A smile crept across her lips as she rocked her hips back and forth, watching Joey’s reaction. He bit down on his bottom lip, his jaw tense as she added a small circular motion.
Empowered by his reaction, she rocked her hips more, lifting herself up and down a little as she moved.
He reached up and cupped her breasts in his hands and her inner muscles tightened around him. Oh, my, this was good. So, so good.
She closed her eyes, wishing she could put her emotions into words. But words didn’t matter right now, only sensations. Only Joey.
Adjusting his position, Joey sat up, holding her close as he closed his mouth over her breast. His hands went to her shoulders and he pinned her down as he lifted his hips and thrust deep inside her. Breeze cradled his head in her hands and their lovemaking took them rushing headlong toward a climax that shook her to the core.
She came wrapped around him, filled with the warmth of his essence. He jerked his hips up as she circled hers around as if they moved as one.
As he finally held her in his arms on the cusp of sleep, she acknowledged she’d given herself to her mate. Mind, body, and soul.
But he would not consume her. His love for her and the need for her to be happy would temper their love.
Chapter Nineteen – Joey
“I would ask you if you are okay,” he told Breeze the next morning, “but I can see that you are.”
“Can you?” She smiled, color creeping across her cheeks as she bit into a piece of toast smothered in butter and strawberry jam.
“You glow like you spent the night in the arms of your lover.” He chuckled as she covered her face with her hand and turned away. “Oh, goodness, is everyone going to know?”
He stalked across the kitchen and slipped his hand over her bottom, pulling her close to him. In gentle circular moments, he rubbed his hard length against her. “I want them to know. I want everyone to know you are mine.”
Her heart hammered against his chest and her nostrils flared. “I have to go to work.”
“I know.” He cupped her breast in his hand and rubbed his thumb over her nipple. “I want you to think about me all day.”
She glanced up at the clock and groaned. “I want you to lift me onto the counter and then make love to me.”
“I can do that.” He inched her toward the counter, his fingers edging around the front of her black slacks.
She pecked his lips, leaving behind the taste of strawberries. “Unfortunately, I have to go.” She grinned and ran her fingers across the front of his jeans, leaving him painfully hard. “But I know you will be thinking of me all day.”
“I will.” He sighed as she pulled away from him and finished her toast before drinking the rest of her coffee. “Can I see you tonight?”
“Would you like to have dinner with me and Tristan?” Breeze checked the time once more. “I hope I have time to pick Tristan up and get him to Angela, who looks after him when I work.”
“I can pick him up for you, if that helps. I don’t start work for another couple of hours,” he offered.
“Oh, that’s my phone.” Breeze whirled around, her eyes scanning the countertops as she looked for the source of the ringing.
“Here it is.” He grabbed it from next to the toaster and passed it to her.
“Oh, that’s not good.” Breeze tapped her phone screen and put her phone to her ear. “Hi, Angela. Oh, no, that’s okay. No, no problem. Let me know when you are better. Take care of yourself.”
“Is Angela okay?” Joey asked.
“No, she’s come down with a migraine and can’t take him today.” She stared at her phone. “I don’t have a backup plan. I should have by now, but…”
“Hey, it’s okay, I can watch him for the day,” Joey offered.
“I can’t ask you to do that,” she replied. “You have your own work to do.”
“It’s fine, Mac already offered me a few days off so that I could get my head together about finally having a mate.” He grinned at the surprised look on her face. “It’s common for things to take a couple of days to settle down. Judgment can often be impaired when you are hit with the thunderbolt of love.”
She chuckled and went to him, kissing his lips before she took hold of his hand. “I am thankful I am your thunderbolt.”
“Me, too.” He went to the coffee pot and poured himself more coffee. “Jane can give you and Tristan references,” he told his mate. “When Shawn has to go away or if he’s stuck for a babysitter, I am the one he calls.”
“Are you?” she asked. “And I expect Jane has a great time.”
“She does. I am the fun one.” He pointed his thumb at his chest.
“Are you sure?” Breeze asked. “I can wait until you call work and make sure it’s okay.”
“No, it’ll be fine. And if they need me to pop in for a couple of hours, there’s always someone at the house to take care of Tristan. There are a couple of kids who live there. They know how things are.”
“Okay, and thank you.” She checked the time again. “I’ll call Tristan and tell him you’ll be picking him up.”
“Okay. I’ll go get ready and go on over to Cougar Ridge.” Joey headed for the door. “Does he have any allergies or anything I need to be aware of?”
“No, nothing that I can think of.” She went to a drawer in the kitchen and took out a key. “This is a spare key for the house.”
“Giving me a key already, I must be for keeps.” He winked and turned away, but Breeze crossed the kitchen and caught hold of his arm.
“Thank you so much.” She kissed him. “And you are for keeps.”
Joey cupped her face in his hand. “I love you, Breeze, and I love Tristan. It’s who I am.”
“I like who you are,” she told him and then he let her go.
“Get yourself to work. I have your cell phone number, if there is any problem whatsoever, I’ll call you,” he told her.
“You’ll have to leave a message, I don’t have my phone on me when I am on duty.” She gathered up her purse, phone, and keys. “If it’s a real emergency, call the hospital and ask them to give me a message. Okay?”
“Absolutely okay.” Joey turned and went upstairs, he’d left his jacket draped over the chair in Breeze’s bedroom and he needed to wash before he went to pick up Tristan since he would not be going home to shower first.
“Lock the door behind you and I’ll be home about five,” Breeze called as she left the house. “Tristan can’t wait to spend the day with you.”
“See you later and don’t worry.” He listened to the front door close behind her and immediately felt the loss of her presence. Something he would need to get used to since they both had separate lives and a child to care for. They might be connected on a soul-deep level, but they were not connected at the hip.
Ten minutes later, he was leaving the house, heading for Cougar Ridge and an exciting day of hanging outwith Tristan. Luckily, Mac had been absolutely fine about him taking the day off, telling Joey it would be good for him to bond with Breeze’s nephew.
So, what are we going to do for the day? his bear asked.
I thought we could go on a hike and then carve some wood. Tristan could make something for the spring fair. I’m hoping he’ll like the idea of helping out at the sawmill stall. It’s always a good day and if he is going to live in Bear Creek, it’ll be a good way for him to get to meet people.
I do enjoy the spring fair, his bear said. It’s good to see everyone having fun.
I thought you liked the fresh honey for sale, Joey teased.
That, too. His bear licked his lips in anticipation.
Joey drove the truck up the steep road toward Cougar Ridge. He was not going to complain about having a day off when the weather was so nice. Neither too hot nor too cold, it was a good day to do almost anything outdoors.
“Hi there.” Joey knocked on Shawn’
s door and opened it up as he heard his friend shout to come in.
“How are you?” Shawn asked and handed him a cup of coffee. “The kids are in the back yard playing. Tristan is extremely excited about spending the day with you.”
“I hope he still feels the same way at the end of the day,” Joey said, suddenly nervous.
“Hey, you are Jane’s favorite babysitter. I can’t see that Tristan won’t feel the same way, too,” Shawn assured him.
“I don’t think Tristan is the tea party kind of a guy,” Joey replied as he drank his coffee.
“No, but he liked hiking yesterday. Over dinner, he kept talking about how cool it was to ride on the back of your bear.” Shawn raised his cup to Joey. “The boy loves you already.”
“Loves my bear,” Joey corrected.
“And your bear is a big part of you.” Shawn looked out of the kitchen window to where Jane and Tristan were playing. “He’s a good kid. He deserves the best.”
“I can’t understand his parents,” Joey admitted. “How could they ditch him like that?”
“Maybe they were scared.” Shawn pulled out a chair and sat down across the table from Joey. “Being a single parent is tough. Maybe neither of them thought they were up for the challenge and decided the best thing for everyone was if they could save their marriage.”
“I suppose you could be right, and you do have more of an insight into being a single parent than anyone else I know.” Joey drank his coffee thoughtfully. “My worry is what happens next?”
“For you and Breeze?” Shawn asked. “Having Tristan in your lives might put the brakes on your relationship, you know, slow things down, so you all have a chance to adjust.”
“That’s not what worries me,” Joey replied. “What worries me is if Tristan’s parents decide they want him back.”
“Isn’t that a good thing, for him to be with his parents?” Shawn asked.
“As long as it’s for keeps. What happens if they get back together as a family and then they decide it isn’t working again?” Joey shook his head bitterly.
“Then you and Breeze will be there to pick him back up again.” Shawn looked at his friend over the rim of his cup. “Or maybe you should give Tristan’s dad a good talking to and tell him to man up. This is his family and he’s letting it fall apart.”
Joey: Spring (Shifter Seasons Book 6) Page 14