“You’re beautiful,” he said softly as he brushed his lips against her cheek.
“Th-thank you.” She smiled shyly.
“I hope you’re hungry. This place has the best steak and baked sweet potatoes you’ll ever taste. Or if you don’t like steak, I’ve heard the lobster is good too.”
Her stomach rumbled, and her cheeks flushed. Zach grinned.
“Come on, gorgeous. Let’s get you inside.” He curved his arm around her waist and led her inside the restaurant.
“You l-look nice t-too.”
He smoothed a hand down his blue and red plaid tie. At least he now understood why Abril had insisted he wear it. Paired with Maggie’s dress, they were a perfect match. His wolf grumbled at the attention their mate drew as they entered the restaurant.
“Table for two?” the hostess asked with a smile.
“Yes, please.”
The woman motioned for them to follow her. Zach kept his arm around Maggie as they made their way through the restaurant to a table by the window. A candle flickered on the table, casting an intimate glow. Zach helped Maggie into a chair then claimed the seat across from her.
They each perused their menus, but Zach kept stealing glances at Maggie over the top of his. She nibbled her lower lip and her brow furrowed as she studied every selection. He wondered if she’d ever been to a place like this before, and wanted to make the night as magical for her as possible. After they had placed their orders, he reached across the table to grasp her hand, lacing their fingers together.
“Did you have a nice time with Abril today?” he asked.
She smiled broadly. “Y-yes. I really l-like her.”
“From what Weston told me, she enjoyed spending time with you too. Maybe the two of you can go out again sometime soon. She’s always going to the bookstore or having coffee at that little café on the corner of Main and Spruce.”
“I’d l-love to j-join her some time.”
His thumb caressed her fingers. “As my mate, the two of you will be family.”
She blinked and her eyes were a little glassy. “I haven’t h-had family in a l-long time.”
“You have one now. Even if you aren’t officially my mate right now, you’re still part of the Drake family. That makes Weston your brother-in-law and Abril, your sister-in-law.”
Her lips trembled.
“I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“H-happy tears.”
“I know all of this is probably moving along too fast for you,” Zach said, “but I’m trying to hold myself back and be patient. I would love nothing more than to whisk you out of here after dinner and claim you as my mate. The beast inside of me keeps pushing for more.”
She smiled. “You d-don’t have to h-hold back, Zach. I want y-you to be who y-you are. I know that w-wolves do things d-differently than most p-people. I w-wouldn’t ask you t-to deny who you a-are.”
“What are you saying, Maggie?” he asked, his heart thumping wildly.
“I’m s-saying that as m-much as I’m enjoying th-this date, I’m ready to b-be your mate. I spent the d-day watching W-Weston and A-Abril. I want wh-what they h-have. If I’m y-your mate, will we h-have a relationship l-like theirs?”
“As my mate, I will do everything in my power to make you happy, Maggie. I will give you everything you’ve ever wanted. I’m sure I’ll make mistakes along the way, but I’m never too proud to admit when I’m wrong. Your happiness and safety will be my top priority.”
Her cheeks flushed, and she nibbled her lower lip again.
“Wh-what about ch-children?” she asked.
“Do you want kids?” he asked softly.
Maggie nodded.
“We’ll have as many as you want. I can only hope they’ll be as beautiful as their mother, and if they’re even half as kind, I’ll consider myself blessed.”
Their food arrived, and Zach had to force himself to eat slowly and not inhale his meal. Knowing that Maggie was ready to be his was enough to make him want to rush home. The food was every bit as wonderful as his dinner date. It was enchanting watching Maggie enjoy her meal and to see her light up as they talked. He’d noticed that talking about her past always made her sad, so he tried to think only of the future.
Maggie’s eyes went wide when their server asked about dessert, and Zach was ready to order every item on the menu if it made her happy. They settled on chocolate cake, and Maggie insisted they share.
“I’ve n-never had ch-chocolate cake b-before,” she admitted shyly.
“Never?” Zach asked.
She shook her head.
“What about for your birthday?”
“I’ve n-never had a b-birthday cake.”
Zach felt like someone had punched him in the gut. “I promise that for your next birthday, you will have the best cake ever made. Any flavor you want.”
“Th-thank you.”
“When’s your birthday?”
“Ch-Christmas Eve.”
His eyebrows rose into his hairline. “Christmas Eve?”
She nodded, a shy smile on her lips.
“So, I have a very special mate with a very special birthday.”
“Sh-shouldn’t be a h-hard one to r-remember.”
“No, it definitely won’t be hard to remember.” Zach cut off a bite of cake and offered it to her. Warmth lit her eyes as she accepted it.
They finished their meal, and Zach paid before wrapping an arm around her waist and guiding her out to his truck. It was hard to mind the speed limit on the way home, but he did his best, only going over a few times. When they pulled into the drive, he felt as nervous as he had his first time with a woman. There had only ever been Del, and now there would be Maggie.
His hands shook as he unlocked the house and shut off the alarm.
Maggie followed him inside, her heels clicking on the floor. Zach wasn’t sure what to do first. Should he offer her a glass of wine? Or should he take her straight to the bedroom? No matter how hard he was, he would damn sure guarantee that they made it to the bedroom before he forced himself to slowly remove her dress. He’d love to rip it from her body and fuck her hard and fast, but she deserved so much more than that.
Maggie blushed and took his hand, then led him down the hall to his bedroom. She paused at the door.
“Abril s-said you’ve n-never had another w-woman here.” There was uncertainty in her eyes.
“No, there’s never been a woman here, except for Abril a few times.”
She glanced into the darkened room.
“Maggie, the only person who has ever been in that bed is me. And now I know why. I could have never asked my mate to share a bed that I’d used for sleeping with other women. It wouldn’t be right.”
She nodded and led him further into the room, flicking on the light.
Maggie chewed her lip again, something he’d noticed she did when she was nervous. She toyed with the hem of her dress before pulling the stretchy garment over her head and letting it fall to the floor. She kicked off her shoes and faced him barefoot, in nothing but her under things, and her cheeks as red as an apple. Maybe it had been just as long for her as it had been for him.
She audibly swallowed, and he moved closer, his fingers trailing a path down her arm. Maggie trembled, and Zach wished he knew what words to say to offer her comfort and reassurance. He wanted to promise her that this would be the best night of her life, but it had been so long since he’d been with a woman, it would be a miracle if he didn’t come the moment he got inside of her.
“I’ve n-never done this b-before,” she said softly. “W-will it h-hurt?”
His breath froze in his lungs. She’d never been with anyone before?
“It hurts a little the first time,” he said. “But I promise to be gentle.”
She nodded and fidgeted. “Wh-what do I do n-now?”
Zach curled a hand around the back of her neck and gently placed his lips against hers. He kissed her slowly, giving her time to pull aw
ay if she’d changed her mind. No matter how much he wanted her, if she decided she wasn’t ready, he would stop. Maggie’s hands gripped his shoulders as she moved closer to him, pressing close. He could feel her heart racing, and knew his was thumping just as wildly.
He felt more in one kiss with Maggie than he’d felt in all the blowjobs he’d ever received. Zach slowly eased the straps of her bra down her arms and popped the clasp in front, letting it fall to the floor. Her breasts grazed the front of his shirt, and he knew if he didn’t bring her pleasure first, then he’d royally fuck up her first time. He was far too eager to take his time once his pants came off.
Zach eased Maggie down onto the bed. She was so damn beautiful, splayed across his bedding. He reached for her panties and tugged them down her legs, watching as a blush covered her from head to toe. Not that she had anything to be embarrassed about.
Zach kissed every inch of her delectable body, starting at her cute little toes and going all the way to her kissable mouth. His hands caressed her thighs, slowly moving up her ribs to cup her breasts. They weren’t overly large, but they were perfect in his eyes. His lips closed around one pebbled peak, sucking and licking until she was squirming beneath him. Her nails raked his shoulders and back, making a growl rumble in his chest.
“T-take off your sh-shirt,” Maggie said.
Zach leaned back, wrenched his tie from his neck, and ripped his shirt open, buttons flying everywhere. Maggie giggled beneath him and he gave her a wolfish smile as he threw his shirt across the room. Her hands roamed his chest, and his beast hummed in approval. He claimed her lips again in a bruising kiss, laying claim to her as his beast demanded. He was hard and aching for her, but he knew it still wasn’t quite the right moment.
Zach spread her legs further and eased down her body until her thighs embraced him. Her pussy was pretty and pink, and oh, so wet. Zach trailed his fingers through her wet heat before spreading her wide. He lapped at her juices before gently sucking on her clit. Maggie cried out, and her back bowed off the bed. He didn’t know if she’d ever touched herself before, but knowing he was the first man to see her like this was enough to make his wolf howl.
He licked, teased, and sucked until she was crying his name. Her legs wrapped around him, her heels digging into his back. Zach brought her to the brink three times before finally letting her come. Maggie was shaking from the force of her release and gasping for breath as he kissed a path up her stomach and nuzzled the side of her neck.
“I’ve r-read about or-orgasms before, but I’ve n-never had one.” There was a dreamy look in her eyes as he gazed down at her.
“Do you think you can handle more?” he asked.
Maggie nodded and smiled softly.
Zach quickly stripped out of the rest of his clothes and tumbled onto the bed, pulling Maggie on top of him. She giggled and kissed his chest, his neck, and then his lips.
“If you’re on top, you can decide if it’s too much and stop whenever you want. It’s going to hurt, but I don’t think I can be the one to hurt you.”
She traced his lips with her fingers. “I w-want to s-see the wolf.”
He growled softly and let the wolf come to the surface. He felt the beast brush against him, begging to be set free. Maggie smiled as if he’d given her the greatest gift in the world and then she crawled onto the bed beside him, on her hands and knees. She wiggled her backside and grinned in invitation.
“I w-want you to t-take me this way.”
He was terrified of being too rough with Maggie, and he knew if he took her from behind, it would be hard to fight back the beast. But if that’s what she wanted, then that’s what she would get. Zach moved behind her and softly trailed kisses down her back before gripping her hips. He lined up his cock with her slit and pushed just enough for the head to slip inside. Maggie gasped and tensed a moment.
“I can stop,” Zach said, even though it killed him to say the words.
“N-no. Keep g-going.”
Sweat broke out on his brow as he eased inside of her, feeling her walls stretch to accommodate him. He stopped when he felt the barrier of her innocence.
“Maggie, I’m sorry, but this is going to hurt.”
He watched her hands fist the bedding, and then he thrust forward, sinking all the way inside of her. She cried out, and her body tensed. It was like a knife to his heart, knowing that he’d caused her pain. Slowly, she began to relax, and he moved with short thrusts until she began pressing back against him.
Zach gripped her hips tightly as he held onto what was left of his self-control, trying to bring her pleasure to replace the memory of pain. She grew wetter and hotter, driving his need higher. He reached around and found her slick, little clit and rubbed it with short, quick strokes. When Maggie cried out her release, her pussy clenching him tightly, he let loose. Zach drove into her with a blind need that he couldn’t remember ever feeling before. A tingling started in his lower back, and his balls drew up moments before he climaxed, his seed splashing her inner walls. The wolf rose up inside of him and leaned over Maggie, gripping her shoulder with his teeth. He bit, the tang of her blood making him growl while he claimed her as his mate.
He could feel the beast getting closer to the surface, and he withdrew from her body and flung himself off the bed. The moment his feet hit the floor, his body morphed, sprouting fur and fangs. He studied his mate, hoping he wouldn’t see fear or disgust in her eyes. She stared at him, her mouth open in surprise. Maggie cautiously moved closer and held out her hand.
Zach went to her, pressing his cold nose into her palm. The giggle he heard reassured him that she wasn’t upset or disgusted with him in the least. She ran her fingers through his fur and scratched behind his ear. Zach rubbed his body against hers, scent marking her as his mate. When the beast was satisfied that she was well and truly theirs, it receded, and his human half took control once more.
“You’re beautiful as a wolf,” Maggie said.
“And you, my dear mate, just spoke to me without a stutter.” He smiled. “Does this mean you’re finally not nervous around me?”
She shrugged a little, and her cheeks flushed.
“I think it’s safe to say my beast likes you. In fact, I think I could go so far as to say you’ve tamed him.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I was not the most pleasant man to be around before you came along. I treated Abril and my brother well, as they are family, but I’ve been a bit surly with everyone else. Women may have cried when Weston was taken off the market, but they may make a toast in your honor for shackling me to your side.”
She laughed. “You make yourself sound like a positive ogre. That’s not the man I’ve come to know.”
He wrapped an arm around her waist and held her close. “And who is the man you’ve come to know?”
“He’s kind. Patient. Very giving. And did I mention handsome?” She smiled. “Besides, as I recall, when Beauty tamed the Beast in the movie, she ended up with a prince. And I would definitely say that you’re my prince.”
“And you’re definitely my Beauty,” he murmured before kissing her.
“Does this mean I can have a library?”
Zach threw back his head and laughed. “My sweet mate, you may have whatever you want. If you wish to turn one of the spare rooms into a library, you’re more than welcome to do so. Fill it with every book you’ve ever wanted to read, or those you’ve read and adored. This house isn’t just mine; it’s your home as well. I want you to treat it as such.”
She traced a heart pattern on his chest. “Does this mean we’re married now?”
“In the eyes of my pack, yes.”
“And by human laws?”
“Does my mate wish to have a wedding? I’ve heard all little girls dream of their wedding day.”
“I never dreamed of weddings. I dreamt of freedom, and you’ve given me that and so much more. So, no, I don’t need a wedding, but do you think we could at least wear matching rings?
”
Zach hugged her tight. “We can do whatever you wish. I’ll wear a ring if you want me to, but everyone in my pack will now scent that we’re a mated pair. You have nothing to fear from any of them. You’re part of a very large family now.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“Thank you, Maggie. I know you think I saved you by finding you in that alley, but really, it’s you who has saved me. I thought I’d lost my chance to find happiness, but being with you gives me the greatest pleasure I’ve ever experienced. I had a mate before, but we were young, and what I felt doesn’t compare to what I have with you.”
She rubbed his chest. “You’ll always have her here, in your heart. I don’t want to take her place, Zach. But I’m glad that you were willing to give me a chance so that we could have a future together. I know you loved her, and I would never take that away from you.”
Zach kissed her again and lowered them back to the bed, where he showed her once more how incredible they were together. They made love long into the night, until both fell asleep, satisfied and holding tightly to one another.
The beast within curled into a ball and heaved a contented sigh. For the first time in over twenty years, he felt at peace. The beast finally had his beauty, and he was holding on tight this time. Nothing would separate them. Not even death.
~*~ The End ~*~
About the Author
Award-winning author, Jessica Coulter Smith, has been in love with the written word since she was a child. Her first stories may have been written in crayon, but now she’s a multi-published author of over seventy-five novellas and novels. Romance is an integral part of her world and spills over from her professional life into her personal one. When she went on that first date with her husband, she never expected to hear the words “marry me” pop out of his mouth—and judging by the shocked look on his face, he hadn’t meant to say them either. But, being the hopeless romantic that she is, Jessica said yes, and they’ve been married since 2000.
Beauty and Her Beast (Iron Hills Pack, #2) Page 6