by Tyler, Jules
Now that they were on the same page, it was like a switch had been flipped on between the two of them and someone had cranked up the heat from simmer to slow burn. Stella found herself thinking about Brady's naked body out in the snow more and more throughout the day. The way that each muscle had moved as he had undressed for her, his cock standing partially erect, had definitely drawn her inner goddess upright. If that was partially erect, she could only imagine what he could do with it when it was standing fully at attention.
With that thought in mind, Stella felt pleasure pool between her legs as she licked her lips. It was going to be a chore to make it through today without doing something to relieve herself. How many times had she taken a cold shower to calm her needs since she had gotten here? Thinking about Brady's hands all over her body, his lips exploring every inch of her made her hot.
Fuuuuck, that would be delicious.
As though Brady had been reading her mind, he started tracing little circles from her knee where his hand had been resting up her thigh. Every movement was like heaven, a low whimper escaped Stella's lips.
Leaning over and nibbling her ear, Brady whispered in a husky voice, "Patience, love. I'll take care of both of us later, don't you worry. You're mine now, and your needs will always be taken care of."
Stella had to swallow down the moan that was stirring beneath the surface. This was not going to be easy at all if he kept saying things like that.
"You're not playing fair," Stella muttered under her breath as he slipped his hand between her thighs and rubbed it ever so gently over her tender mound before sliding his hand back down her thigh again.
"All is fair in love and pleasure, my love," Brady rasped as he reached down and pulled her legs onto his lap. "Just relax for now. We'll enjoy each other tonight when I take you back to the cabin."
"I don't know if I can wait that long," Stella whimpered. There was an itch, and she needed it scratched badly.
Mama Ally's voice from the kitchen startled them both, "Alright you two, let's get our grub on."
Tons of food, a pile of presents, and several hours later, Mama Ally had finally drifted off to sleep in her chair. Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Stella gave Brady a come hither look and he was sold.
"Go grab your boots. I'll grab some extra clothes for later and some leftovers. We're going to need to keep our strength up. Good thing there's no one staying in any of the other cabins, or we'd be keeping them up all night," Brady growled sexily as Stella stood to grab her stuff.
"What about the gifts? Should I grab them now?" Stella asked, not wanting to be rude or seem dismissive of all the things Mama Ally and Brady had gotten her.
"Leave them. We can get them tomorrow," Brady suggested, his eyes blazing, asking questions that only Stella had the answers to.
Minutes later they were walking through the door of the cabin, and whatever bit of restraint they had been holding onto snapped. Brady tossed his stuff and the containers that held the leftovers on the floor by his boots and pulled Stella to him. Running his hands down her body, he gripped the backs of her thighs and lifted her with ease. Wrapping her legs around him, Stella relaxed into his body as he pushed her up against the wall. A small moan escaped her lips as he stooped to lave his tongue over her budding nipple. Stella could feel the pressure of his tongue even with her sweater and bra on.
"Brady, I need you inside of me," Stella begged as he switched breasts.
"I need to be inside of you, my love. I need to know first, before I lose myself completely in you, if you want me to claim you, though," Brady explained before nibbling at her.
"Claim me, as in fuck me into oblivion? Yes, please," Stella said excitedly as she tried to get his lips closer to hers.
"That's only part of it. To complete the claiming, I have to bite you. This shows others that you are mine. Not only will you smell like mine, and the mark I give you will let other shifters know that you have been claimed by me and to stay away. A bite is the equivalent to a wedding ring. Just like the story said from when we were kids. Once I bite you, Stella, there's no going back," Brady hesitated as he looked her in the eyes to make sure she understood what he was saying.
"That's a really big step," Stella frowned. "I'm not sure if I'm ready for that, Brady. All of this is still so new."
"I understand. That's what I needed to know so I don't lose control and bite you without your permission. I'll never do anything without your permission, Stella. You're in charge here," Brady promised, pressing his lips to hers again.
"Thank you for understanding," Stella whispered as he walked her over to the counter and set her down.
"Anything for you," Brady rumbled as he leaned down and kissed her sensitive mound before rubbing his hand over it.
"Fuck, Brady, I need these clothes off. Need to be closer to you," Stella panted.
Watching as the fire in Brady's eyes burned brighter, the rims of his eyes glowing an icy blue color, Stella felt adrenaline dump into her bloodstream. The desire was building within her, and she was going to find sweet release.
Taking a step back, he licked his lips as he looked at her, "Strip for me, love."
Now, normally Stella would protest and tell him to do it, but something about the way he said it drew her inner goddess to attention in a way that made her feel empowered. As she slowly peeled her sweater off and slipped out of her bra, she watched as Brady languidly raked his eyes over her now naked torso. The urge to cover herself wasn't there, so instead, she let her goddess have control of the moment. Lifting her hands, she let them trace from her jaw down to cup her breasts. Gently she tweaked her nipples and watched Brady's eyes begin to glow. She was beginning to feel the excitement coursing through her veins intensify, so she slid off the counter and turned away from him so her backside was facing him. Hooking her thumbs into the top of her leggings and panties, she slowly slid them down, bending over as she did so to make sure he got the full show.
"Fuck me, you're so fucking beautiful, Stella. I could look at you like this all day," Brady groaned, running his hand over the bulge in his jeans.
Taking advantage of her newfound bravery, Stella stood and crossed to him, licking her lips as her eyes watched his pants grow tighter. Kneeling down in front of him, she made quick work of the button and zipper. A shiver of excitement shot through her as she watched his now rock-solid cock spring free when she slid his jeans and boxers to the floor.
"Oh, the things you do to me, beautiful," Brady said, a low rumble sounding from his chest as he did so.
Reaching up, Stella wrapped her hand around his member and ran her tongue over the tip before sliding her mouth over it. She found a rhythm leaning forward as far as she could take him in her mouth then backwards to where her lips were just wrapped around the head of his cock. Building the pace faster then slower, she found pleasure in pleasing him.
"Fuck sweetheart, you keep that up and I'm not going to last much longer," Brady hissed between clenched teeth.
Trailing her tongue along the underside of his cock as she pulled him out of her mouth, she grinned at him, "Should I stop?"
Taking advantage of the moment, Brady stooped and pulled her to her feet, "It's my turn to please you."
"Mmm, and how do you intend to do that, my love?" Stella purred, sliding a finger over Brady's lips teasingly.
Brady lifted Stella's index finger back to his lips and ran his tongue over it slowly before sucking it into his mouth. Stella rolled her head back and moaned, enjoying the pleasure as it intensified inside of her like electricity. Pulling her closer, Brady released her finger and brought her lips back to his. Their kiss was different than the others, this one was full of a hunger that needed to fed. Every kiss, every touch, all of it was fodder for the fire burning inside of them.
Quickly Stella tugged Brady's shirt over his head before he picked her up again, this time pressing Stella up against the wall. Kissing his way down to her breasts, he laved at one of her nipples before covering
it with his mouth, sending shivers down her spine. Stella felt his cock growing harder against her sensitive mound and began to roll her hips against it, the need to have him inside of her growing too great to wait much longer or she may explode.
"I never want to stop," Brady said, voice growing throaty with wanting.
Stella felt his weight shift slightly as he angled his cock to tease her folds, subtly lifting her and then lowering her, just enough so the tip was inside of her before withdrawing from her again. Her legs began to shake with pleasure. She was getting closer to climax but she didn't want to orgasm without him.
"Tell me what you want, Stella, tell me now," Brady growled in her ear.
"Take me, Brady," Stella gasped.
Brady lowered Stella onto his cock, and she arched her back in pleasure. Slowly he slid his cock into her, letting her feel every inch of him inside of her before sliding back out. Stella hissed in pleasure, pressing into him as she guided his mouth to hers again. Again, Brady guided his cock inside of her slowly and then back out. Feeling herself getting greedy, Stella rocked her hips against his cock in a rhythm of her own. Taking the hint, Brady picked up the pace, going harder with every thrust.
Stella felt herself getting closer and closer to ecstasy with each time Brady slammed inside of her. "Brady, fuck, this feels good."
Again and again Brady thrust into her until they both cried out in sweet relief. Wrapping his arms around her tightly, he took her into the bedroom and laid her on the bed. Stella felt the pleasure pulse through her body in waves as her eyes drifted close in Brady's arms.
"Wow," Stella whispered.
"Yeah, wow," Brady smiled, kissing her head as he pulled her closer to his chest.
Stella felt a warm sensation fill her chest as she slipped off to sleep with one thought in mind.
So this is what it feels to really be in love.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Brady leaned back against the pillows as he stared up the ceiling with a content smile. Everything was looking better with each passing day. Christmas Day had been a turning point for Stella. She started confiding in Brady more and the connection between them was growing stronger. For her sake, they were still taking it slow. As impatient as Brady's bear was being about it, Brady didn't want to push her too far, too fast. Just because she was ready to give this relationship a chance didn't mean she was quite ready to bond with him and let him seal the bond with his mark. The scars she had from Alaric were probably terrifying as it was. Brady didn't want to traumatize her more, so he kept it to himself that the only way to seal their bond forever was for him to bite the nape of her neck. Doing so would show other shifters that she was claimed by him and not to touch her.
Listening to Stella's breath, he could tell she was sound asleep. The worry of Alaric finding her was dwindling away day by day. Brady had already put a phone call in to his friend Jesse in Seattle to do some snooping for him and make sure that Alaric was staying put up there. Jesse had gladly put one of his MC brothers on the job. He had told Jesse he would have them keep tabs on Alaric from a distance and report back if there was anything he should know. That had been weeks ago. Now the snow was melting from the roads, and Stella had settled in to life up here. Brady would stop at nothing to protect her, but he was hoping it never came to that.
The sun was starting to peek through the curtains in the room, signaling it was time for him to get up and get some work done before Stella finally woke up. Slipping out of bed gently, he made sure to set Stella's head down on the pillow next to him so it wouldn't jar her awake. He stopped for a moment and watched her sleep. Her raven hair was falling down into her eyes. Now that it had grown out of the short pixie cut she'd had before, the color in her cheeks looked healthier now too. Mostly he just liked to watch her sleep because she looked so relaxed, her heart and head finally at ease from life's troubles, even if it was just for a moment. Brady sent up a silent prayer to the Fates, just as he did every morning, that someday she would always look like this.
Stooping down, he pressed a kiss to Stella's temple and breathed in her scent, making sure to memorize everything about it. As always, she smelled like a mixture of vanilla, woods, and now a hint of Brady's own scent. Heaving a small sigh, he tiptoed out of the room and into the cabin's living room. Sometimes it sucked being the only muscle around this place. He really needed to look into hiring some help.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Stella slipped on a pair of hiking boots that Brady had gotten her from their last trip into town and walked out onto the porch with her mug of hot cocoa to sit on the swinging bench Brady had installed for her. Inhaling a lung full of the fresh mountain morning air, Stella smiled to herself. This place was definitely home. Trailing her eyes across the campground's landscape, she thought about different ways that she could help pick up some extra income around here for them. Unfortunately, in today's age of continental breakfasts and soft sheets, there weren't enough people interested in camping out in the middle of nowhere to keep this place going steady. It seemed like every day that Brady came home from work he always had something to say about something else around here breaking. She knew he'd never tell her what the books looked like finance-wise because he didn't want her to worry, but she knew they couldn't look great.
She had made it her personal mission right after Christmas to start coming up with ways to spruce up the place while adding more clientele for the camp. Her end game? Stella wanted to make this place a simple retreat in the woods with four-star quality service. That meant she needed to help Brady get enough business this year that they could afford to invest some of the profits back into small renovations in the cabins and hiring a couple staff members to help Brady run the place. Eventually she wanted to build off of the lodge and put a small bar and a dining area in there. They'd need a cook, but she could run the bar no problem. It would also give her something to focus all of this extra energy into, because right now she could only watch so many movies. She could probably afford to pick up a couple of books the next time they were in town too so she could catch up on a few of her favorite authors.
Mama Ally wandered across the dirt road between the lodge and Stella's cabin and plunked down on the swing next to her.
"Good morning, Mama," Stella greeted her, resting her head over on Mama's shoulder as they swung.
"Well good morning to you too, sweetheart. You look deep in thought again. What's going on in your pretty little head?" Mama wondered as she pushed her foot against the deck to rock the swing.
"Oh, just thinking about some different ways that I can be of help other than working the desk in the lodge," Stella sighed, lifting the warm drink to her lips for a quick sip.
"Well, for starters, you could go to Boise with me today. This old mama bear needs to go get her toes done before sandal season is in full swing again," Mama giggled to herself.
Stella considered the offer for a minute. She'd been up here hiding since November and there had been zero hints of Alaric finding her. She really did need a trip to the city to get her out of this slump that she was in and she wouldn't mind getting her toes done and having someone trim up the hot mess that was her hair. Plus, with Mama Ally by her side, it could be a really fun afternoon.
"So...?" Mama nudged her playfully. "You gonna go with me, or am I gonna have to make a trip to Barnes and Noble by myself?"
"Alright, alright, I'll go with you. I think I have enough left from my cash stash that I can treat us to lunch too. Think we can stop by one of the cosmetology schools to get our toes done so that I can have one of their girls fix my hair for me?" Stella asked as they both stood to get ready.
"I think that will be just fine, darlin'. I'll go give Brady the heads up and see if he needs anything," Mama offered as she wandered off in the direction of the woodshed behind the lodge.
A few minutes later while Stella was getting ready to go Brady walked into the cabin. Stella turned to greet him, taking notice of the concern that was written all
over his face.
Frowning, she asked, "What's wrong?"
"Just not sure how I feel about you going to Boise without me is all," Brady said, looking rather perturbed about the situation.
"It's not like I'm going alone. Mama's going with me," Stella pointed out, rubbing a dab of styling gel through her hair to give it some semblance of style.
"Yeah, I know that should make me feel better, but Mama has a tendency to be a little… Flighty in situations that she should be able to be in charge. It's why I run the books now. A few years back, Mama misplaced a couple thousand dollars. Just about gave our poor CPA a heart attack. Luckily, I was able to find the receipt that accounted for that money and prove that it was a tax write off because it was major maintenance on the hot springs, but ever since, I worry that her mind is slipping. I just worry she won't keep a good eye on you or won't be careful enough without me there to protect you," Brady explained, leaning up against the wall in the small bathroom as he watched Stella continue to get ready for the day.