They came to a cave and she gasped when Maggie continued to drive right through it. The scenery until then had just been woods. When they had driven only five minutes the cave opened up. What she saw took her breath away. They were in a small cove of sorts. There were beautiful mountains behind the rows and rows of log cabins.
As they got closer she saw that there was a small town there. There were people everywhere. There were also many animals as well. The car parked itself behind a huge log home. It was much larger than the rest. Maggie smiled at her and got from the car. Emily was amazed to see deer standing just a short walk from them. The deer looked her way, but they were not like regular deer. They were not scared and did not run away like most she had seen and they were really close; much closer than they should have been. She wanted to shoo them away and scare them off. She knew that there had to be a hunter in the small village somewhere and she couldn’t bear to see the beautiful creatures hurt.
Emily stepped from the vehicle and looked around. There was no way she was going to escape this place without a car of some kind and when she looked around she saw that there were but four vehicles in the whole town. They were all right there parked next to the little white car.
“Come on. Let’s go meet your new husband to be. The other women should be arriving later tonight and tomorrow.”
She grabbed Emily’s hand and acted like an excited little school girl as she dragged her to the door and then inside the home. It was beautiful and rustic inside. A man came into the room and she gasped. He was gorgeous with dark hair and dark brown eyes. His face had a five o’clock shadow growing and he looked surprised to see them.
“What are you doing here?”
“Jeremiah Isaac Copeland. You know better. How about you say hello?”
“Oh, I’m sorry mother. Hello, Emily. I am Jeremiah.” He smiled and she was taken aback by it for a moment. Her head turned sharply to the woman beside her at his words.
Chapter 5
“Mother? You mean you were looking for a wife for your own son?” Her eyes widened when she saw the guilty expression telling her that she was correct.
“Come on my dear. There is a lot for you to learn.”
Emily looked out the window expecting to see a beautiful landscape. What was there instead, however, had her instantly shrieking as she turned and tried to run. She watched in horror as the man she now knew as Jeremiah opened the door.
The bear made its way inside then at a trot. Emily knew they were done for. Here was this beast who was about to eat them all and he had just let it in the house. And what as worse was that the bear came in on all fours like it was a regular guest.
“You must be Emily.”
Emily looked around to see who was talking and she felt herself become faint when she realized that the words were coming from the bear. She must have had too much sunlight or she was still at the hotel and asleep. That must be it. She was asleep. All she had to do was pinch herself and she would come awake.
Gripping her skin between two fingers she did just that but she didn’t awake from the nightmare. Instead, she stared straight ahead as the bear began to change. The hair began to disappear and it seemed to be standing on its back two legs. The legs began to lengthen and then the arms. The snout pushed back into its face and suddenly instead of a bear standing in front of her there was a beautiful woman. Her eyes became round and wide as she stared at the woman. Her gaze moved over to Jeremiah’s briefly and finally after a few minutes it came to rest on Maggie once again in disbelief.
“Come sit down.” Her tone was strict and the girl’s eyes widened. Emily realized that the girl couldn’t be much more than 16. She was just a teenager and she was naked, but the biggest part was that she had just been a bear. She felt the tremor course through her at what had just happened. She was scared and shocked at once, but she couldn’t tell which was the greater feeling.
“She didn’t know?” The girl’s eyes widened when she realized what she had just done. Giving a guilty look behind her at Jeremiah the girl knew she was in trouble. She gripped the blanket he had thrown at her around her body tighter as she realized what she had done. She knew she was in deep trouble and quickly left. Emily would have felt bad for her if her emotions hadn’t had been in total chaos at the moment. There were a million things that were suddenly running through her mind just then about bears and shifting and being a part animal.
It was some time later that Emily sat in a quiet room alone. She had just found out that shapeshifters were real. And not just bears. Werewolves were real as well as other animals. Rabbits, panthers, tigers, monkeys and even frogs and other reptiles. It all makes sense now, she thought to herself, why there were no hunters in the village and why those deer had just stood there earlier. Also why she thought that they could sense something as if they were speaking to her? She hadn’t even thought it was possible, but there was the truth in front of her. That was the reason they lived so far away from the rest of the world and why they needed to search for their wives somewhere other than their community.
Maggie had said it was a curse and that they needed to find a match for themselves in other places. Now she knew what she was talking about. It was too much. She needed to leave and fast. There was a knock on the door. She knew that they knew she was in there and pondering what she had seen. She also knew that if she didn’t answer then they would come in to check on her anyway.
“Yes? Come in.”
Jeremiah walked into the small room and smiled at her. He made his way to the chair beside the bed and took her hand with his own. She felt the electricity shoot through her body at the touch. When she looked up into his face she saw that he had a strange look on his face as he looked at her. She realized that he must have felt the surge of power through their contact as well. Although he felt something she was sure, he continued to stroke her hand as he began to talk.
“I wanted to talk to you alone. I know my mother probably told you that I am the most remarkable man in the world and so forth but I wanted to get to know you. I am not asking you to marry me right now. I know there is a lot to take in. I just ask that you allow me to spend time with you so that you can know me and I can get to know you. If you want to leave after that then I will not stop you. I just ask that you give me and the people a try.”
She looked at him and then back down to their twined hands. His hands were large but gentle as they stroked hers. She nodded. She didn’t know what made her answer him. I should be trying to get out of there. He said he would let her leave but there was something that held her back. She couldn’t really describe it. Maybe it was something in his eyes or the way he spoke to her but she felt drawn to him in some sort of way. It was more than an attraction. It was a pull from within and it was one that she couldn’t deny or turn away from. She would stay if at least to find out what had her so drawn. What was this connection between us, this invisible force that makes me want to stay?
“I know it’s a lot to take in right now. I wanted to know if you would go for a walk with me after the celebration tonight.” His words were soft and gentle as he continued to look at their joined hands as he spoke.
“Celebration?” She didn’t know what he was talking about and she could hear the bit of fear in her voice. His eyes slowly raised to hers and he smiled at her.
“Yes. You see every five years the women go out in search of female companions and wives for the men in the camp who do not have one. This is the fifth year and all of the women are here, but one and she will be here within the hour. It is a celebration to welcome the women to our village and to show thanks that we have found these courageous and remarkable women to be in our lives and to make our village a better place to be.”
“Wow. You make it sound like such a privilege and honor to be one of these women. It sounds like you cherish them.”
“Yes, we do. These women give these men the ability to have a family and a woman to be by their side. In our community, the women are looked at
as being the most powerful. For they are pure. You will see at the celebration that the men will cherish their wives and put them above all other things and people. You will be one of the women of honor tonight. You will also be the one that most people will be looking at for you could possibly be our next queen. My queen.”
She looked up at his last words and she saw the desire in his eyes. Why me? There were plenty of other women in the world that would have been more suitable for him, she thought. There was, however, a part of her that was overjoyed that Maggie had chosen her.
“I would love to walk with you.”
“Good. I will leave you now then. Tonight will be a big night and my reckless sister and mother will come to help you get ready.”
“Ok.”
Chapter 6
Just as he said, Maggie showed up 15 minutes later with the same young girl she had met earlier. She smiled at the young girl as she looked at her sheepishly from behind her mother.
“Come on Isa. Tell Emily what you have to say.”
She heard the girl take a deep sigh as she slowly came from behind her mother to look at Emily guiltily.
“I want to apologize for my behavior earlier. I was not aware that you did not know about us yet or I would never have come in to see you that way.”
“Actually I think you are a gorgeous bear Isa.”
The young girls face lit up at her compliment. “Yes it’s really Isabella but my other brother Cole has a daughter who couldn’t say my name when she was little so she called me Isa. It just sorta stuck and I have been called Isa by everyone since then." She shrugged.
“Well, that is a very pretty name. So I am told that there is a celebration tonight?” Her eyes were directed at Maggie when she said it, but Isa was the one who answered for her.
“Oh yes. It’s wonderful. Lots of food and dancing and stuff. You will love it.”
The celebration was indeed wonderful and she loved the people that she met. Everyone seemed so nice and wanted to get to know her. It was the first time she felt wanted in a long time. She wore a long white dress that came off her shoulders. Her long hair was kept down and laid down her back in large waves. Her feet had on dainty little ballet slippers that matched the dress. She had taken a long shower and then gotten ready with Isa threading small white roses in her hair and Maggie doting on her.
She sat on a boulder next to the fire and watched the dancers swirl around the fire.
“Will you walk with me, Emily?” She looked up to see Jeremiah standing there. He had on jeans and a T-shirt. His hair was dripping with moisture from the ends like he had just taken a shower and brushed back from his face. His face still wore the small shadow of a beard and had that scruffiness appeal to it. He was gorgeous. Plain and simple and he took her breath away. His dark hair had large curls and one lay across his eye as he looked at her with a sexy grin on his face.
“Yes.” She finally squeaked in a voice that was foreign to her own ears as she placed her hand in his own. They made their way from the fire and the people slowly. He didn’t say anything for a long time as they made their way down to a beautiful lake. The moon shone over top the lake sparkling off the blue depths and she marveled in the beautiful sight. It was amazing and she was in awe with the simple beauty of the night. “It’s beautiful here.” She was glad to see that she had found her voice and she was no longer squeaking.
“Yes, it is. Come. Let us sit for a bit.” He made his way over to a large spot on the grass and sat before patting the ground next to him. She made her way over and sat down next to him.
She watched as he turned to her and she smiled up at him. His head dropped a little until his lips coasted over hers. She felt the jolt go through her again. She couldn’t help the moan that escaped from her as his tongue slipped into her mouth and made her want more.
His hands came down to her waist to pull her closer to him and then she felt him lower her to the ground until she was lying flat and looking up at him. His lips made their way down across her jaw line and then to nibble on her earlobe. She gasped when she felt the tip of his tongue probe the inside of her before he licked the sensitive spot behind her ear and made his way down her neck. He licked at the spot where her shoulder met her neck and then gently bit it causing her to moan loudly followed by his chuckle.
He hooked his fingers into the top of her dress and pulled it down to release her breasts. She didn’t have anything else on because the dress had been made where she didn’t’ need a bra. Her breasts spilled out of the dress with his actions and it was his turn to moan at the sight. The moon was full and gave off the light he needed to see her body. It glistened off her milky skin and he knew that he wanted her. He wanted her bad and his eyes met hers again. He saw there the reflection of what he felt.
Emily hadn’t felt this before. This strong passion and desire. She had felt something for Scott in the beginning, but it had been so long that she had forgotten what desire felt like. She did know however that it was nothing like this. She was now taking deeper breaths and sucked in a breath when his lips closed over a nipple to gently suck and nibble it in his mouth. She was writhing on the ground with need when he made his way over to the other side of her body to torture that nipple as well. She felt his tongue again as he licked a path in the valley between her breasts and then on the underside of each of them before lifting back up to take her lips again. She felt his hand as it coasted up the inside of her thigh pushing the skirt of her dress up and out of the way at the same time. He traced the edge of her panties with his middle finger before hooking it and pulling it downward. She raised her hips to allow him to pull the panties down her legs and off her body completely.
She felt his hand push her legs apart and she did just that giving him the access he wanted. His hand slid up to her folds and he slowly pushed is thumb against the small bundle of nerves there before moving it in a circular motion causing her to moan even more and push her hips upward. His finger slipped inside her to begin thrusting in and out of her body. She whimpered at the loss when he suddenly pulled his hand away. She was happy, however when she saw that he replaced it with his body.
She felt him slide inside her slowly as if careful not to harm her. He began to move within her slowly and she moaned with the newfound pleasure he was awakening in her. She moaned as she threw her head back against the ground not caring she was grinding it into the dirt underneath her. He began to move faster and faster inside her until they both shuddered with their release. He lay beside her quietly and then leaned up on an elbow to look at her.
“I am sorry. I didn’t mean…” He started.
“I know Jeremiah. I know you didn’t mean for this to happen. It is ok. Actually it is better than that. That was great.”
He nodded before rising and pulling his jeans up and buttoning them. She rose with the help of his outstretched hand and looked around. He held her panties out to her and she quickly slipped into them before turning and smiling at him. He didn't say anything just held his hand out to her. She took his hand and held it on the walk back to the village.
* * * * *
He left her at his house and told her that he had someone to see then kissed her briefly on the lips. She watched him walk away and stood there until the outline of his body was swallowed up in the dark shadows. She didn’t know what she had done tonight. It definitely wasn’t something that she had ever done before. Scott was the only person she had ever been with. She had thought that their sex life had been great in the beginning but she was beginning to see that sex with Scott like everything else was always about him. He hadn’t even cared if she got the release which she didn’t most times. He had told her that women didn’t always orgasm and it was normal for her to not be able to reach her peak. He had put it off as a problem that she had. She was beginning to think that maybe the blame fell more in his lap than hers in that department.
Chapter 7
The next day she couldn’t help the smile that played across her face. A few
of the people came to talk to her as she went for her walk. She kept hearing herself being compared to a woman named Desiree. When she had gotten back to the cabin she couldn’t help but wonder what the people had been talking about. She quickly went in search of Maggie. She knew everything and if anyone knew about whoever this Desiree was then she would.
She found her outside in the garden; the older woman smiled when she saw Emily make her way towards her.
“Why hello dear. This is a pleasant surprise!”
“Good morning Maggie. I was wondering if I could ask you a question?”
The older woman laid down the small rake she had been using and wiped her hands on her apron before giving her full attention to Emily.
“Of course honey. What is it you want to know?” The woman’s smile was kind as she stood there and waited for Emily to ask her question.
“I want to know who Desiree is? I mean I’ve heard a lot about her.”
She watched as the other woman took a deep breath.
“Yes. I was wondering when that would come around.” She lifted sad eyes to Emily. “Just remember my child that the past is something that is just that. The past. It does not make us who we are. You of all people should know and understand this. Unfortunately, my dear that is a question for my son. I do not feel it is my place to talk to you about his ex-wife.”
“Ex-wife?” Emily’s eyes grew wide with the other woman’s words.”
“Yes, but I think you should talk to him. Go on now. You will start to worry yourself if you don’t find out for yourself what happened.”
She nodded before making her way to the large house in the middle. She slowly made her way up the steps but before she could knock the door opened and Jeremiah stood there smiling at her. He held the door for her without a word as she walked through. Before she knew it her back was pressed against the door and he was kissing her deeply. She moaned deeply and kissed him back. When she was able to break free from his lips she felt herself searching for breath.
Romance: Seducing The Quarterback Page 42