by Dold, V. A.
Her entire body burned with heat that pooled low making her achy and needy. She couldn’t remember the last time just looking at a man made her this hot.
As if her hands had a mind of their own, they reached for him. Her fingers splayed wide across his chest, moving intuitively over him. She played with the buttons on his shirt as she considered removing the offending material to get to his bare skin. She wanted to just rub herself all over him, skin to skin.
Crushing her to him, he backed her toward the bedroom, devouring her lips. His tongue swept in and plundered her mouth with stark need. “Anna,” he breathed her name like a plea. “I’ll try to be as gentle as possible.”
Their bond had slowly grown over the last five years without them even knowing. Now together, the mating bond was becoming stronger by the minute. She wanted him with a need she had never felt before.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and without a thought lifted her legs and wrapped them tightly around his waist. He was hers and she was not ashamed to enjoy their sexuality. She had never had this feeling of freedom to enjoy herself without the taboos people put on sex. She grew up in a very religious family, and then had been belittled by men for her weight all her life. She felt none of that with this man.
Her hands roamed freely, memorizing every inch of him as intimately as he was memorizing every curve and valley of her. She was rapidly losing control as the passion continued to burn hotter.
He growled his approval and quickened his pace to the bed. She clung to him while he had one arm around her waist and one hand tangled in her hair. He urged her head back with gentle pressure, so he could lick and nibble her neck.
Both Cade the man, and his wolf, needed to make love to their mate. Having sex wouldn’t complete the ritual, but it would be enough until she was able to give herself to them completely.
He lowered her to the bed, his body following. Having magic to undress became his favorite gift. Removing their clothing by human means was too slow for him at this moment.
His chest rumbled as he brought his mouth back to hers before blazing a trail of kisses across her jaw and down her neck, pausing to nuzzle where his bite would be.
He fueled her desire with each caress. She laced her fingers through his hair, rubbing the silky strands between her fingers. Cade sensed the intensity of her desire burning higher with each caress he gave as she arched into his seeking hands. They both breathed heavily as he slowly nibbled and stroked every inch of her body.
Worshipping her, he slowly ran his palms to her hips and up her stomach to her ribs. Dipping his head, he traced each rib with his tongue as he made his way to her aching breasts.
She skimmed her fingers down his chest as he worked his way toward her nipples. As he drew closer, her fingertips skimmed his erection and he felt it jump, causing him to suck in a breath. She traced the length of him with her fingertips before wrapping her fist around him. He thought his head was going to explode in ecstasy simply from her caress.
“Cher, your touch feels so good, but you need to stop or this’ll be over before we begin. I have thought of nothing but making love to you in the flesh for five years. I want to make this incredible for you, but I need all the control I can muster to hold out.”
Anna gave him a pretty pout as she released him.
He lowered his head to continue the trail he was blazing to her nipples, the hard buds straining for his attention. Cade slowly laved her left nipple while he teased the right with his thumb and forefinger. Circling the taut peak one last time with his tongue, he took her into his mouth, suckling deeply. His wonderful torture had her arching, encouraging him to take more. Cade rumbled low in his chest in total ecstasy and bliss. Releasing the left breast he switched his attention to the right and repeated the ministrations, not wanting to leave a spot of her lovely skin untouched.
Kissing his way to her hips, he gently nipped and laved her hip bone, he ran his palm up her thigh, drawing a gasp from Anna as he reached her dripping core. Stroking her inner thigh, he gave her one long, slow lick. He felt her body clench as her hips moved in time to his attentions. He took his time enjoying her unique taste. His tongue plunged deeply bringing Anna almost off the bed as her body arched closer to his mouth wanting more.
He heard her whispering his name over and over like a prayer. Cade sucked her nub as he inserted one finger. He stole a glance at her face, she was biting her lip as if trying not to scream. He felt her fingers entwined in his hair as she moaned, her head thrashing back and forth. He pushed her climax higher and higher. Adding a second finger, he stretched her further while his thumb worked its magic on her nub. His thrusting fingers moved in and out before circling her clit in a rhythm pushing her over the edge. Cade sensed she was close, her hips were bucking wildly trying to take him deeper and harder. Suddenly her channel clamped down on him as she came hard, screaming in ecstasy.
Gradually the quaking of her body eased to fine tremors, she was so beautiful with that sultry look on her face. He loved the way she trusted him so absolutely. Cade’s wolf howled in satisfaction at its mate’s climax.
He continued to slowly lap at her until the pulsing and tremors subsided. Then he kissed his way back up to her lips, settling himself in the cradled of her hips. He captured her gaze with a sweltering look, as he licked his fingers clean. He was painfully aroused as he rubbed his thick, hot shaft through the slick lips of her opening.
He was a large man in more than one aspect and as hard as a rock, engorged with need. Maintaining eye contact he slowly entered her. Only an inch or two, he stopped, breathing hard, to allow her to adjust to his size. As Anna relaxed for him, he slid in a little further. He had to grit his teeth to gain control as he stopped again. “Are you okay?”
Anna was literally whimpering, “More, Cade, I need more.”
He drew back slightly and thrust in to the hilt, starting a slow rhythm that drove her crazy. With each deep stroke her moans became louder.
She wrapped her arms around him and clung to his shoulders, digging her nails in as her orgasm started to build again. She had never experienced pleasure like she did with this man.
He increased the speed of his thrusting as he felt her channel tightening on him in a mind-blowing choke hold. “Mon cher! You’re so tight.” His teeth clinched as he fought to let her climax first.
A few more deep strokes had her back arching as she clamped down on him screaming out her orgasm. Unable to hold out any longer, as she came, he joined her in his own release.
Cade carefully rolled to the side. He didn’t want to crush her with his weight. They lay, catching their breaths, trying to let their hearts slow. Reaching out, he tucked her against his side with her head on his shoulder. Once he was able to move again, he gave her the sweetest kiss she had ever been given. Gazing at her, love shone back at him in her eyes.
Cade gathered the bedding to cover them and cradled her in his arms as she fell to sleep. His wolf was practically howling a love song he was so content to have his mate right where he wanted her. Life was going to be fantastic with this woman by his side. To him, she was sheer perfection. He fell asleep with his nose buried in her hair and a sappy grin on his face.
Chapter 10
She heard the electronic room key trip the lock as he came back from his busy day.
Dropping his briefcase on the floor, he swept her into his arms. “I missed you like crazy today,” he said, rubbing his chin in her hair.
Laughing, she answered, “I missed you, too. Did everything go well at the site?”
“Perfectly. Construction will be completed a month ahead of schedule. Let’s get changed and enjoy our night on the town before you have to meet my family tomorrow.” He chuckled.
“Why did you laugh when you said that?” Given that he’d laughed, Anna wasn’t sure if she should be nervous about meeting them.
“I have an interesting but loving family. You will see for yourself at the barbeque. Don’t worry, I’m sure they’ll
adore you. Stefan already does.”
She decided to take his word for it and not worry. “What would you like to do tonight? I need to know what to wear.”
Cade got a glint in his eye, she just shook her head and started searching through her clothes.
“I was thinking we could have fun on Bourbon Street, walk around and see what we find to do. People watching there is almost as good as Jackson Square.”
“All right, jeans it is.” Anna grabbed her favorite pair of Lee comfort-stretch jeans and a pretty silk blouse. The fabric was the perfect shade of blue to really enhance her hair color and make her skin glow. She brushed out her hair and freshened her face. She hated makeup, only applied mascara on a daily basis. Cade liked her that way, he once told her a woman was more beautiful as natural as possible.
They were in the Quarter in no time, walking hand in hand. The crowds tended to start building after 7:00 p.m. They decided to take a table on the balcony of one of the restaurants on Bourbon and people-watch for a while as they sipped Hurricanes.
“About the family party, my house is on part of the family estate. When we go to the barbeque, would you like to see it?”
“I’d love to see your house. This is the first time I’ve heard you even mention having one.”
“I wanted to move you straight there after the whole Tim thing, but I didn’t think you were ready, so I didn’t say anything.”
“I’d love to see where you live. By the way, what should I wear for this barbecue? Are jeans and a T-shirt okay, or should I be dressier?” She really wanted to make a good first impression.
“Jeans sound perfect. Just so you know, a couple of my brothers will be there. Three of them are away right now, but Stefan, Marcus, and Simon are home.”
“Will there be any other women?” The party sounded like it was going to be all men with no women to chat with. She really wanted to get some tips on this whole mate thing and being a shifter.
“Well, my mother will be there, but so far I’m the only one of us brothers who has found his mate. Sorry, cher. If you want, I could have my mother invite some of the local female shifters.”
“No, I think meeting your brothers and parents will be enough.” She so didn’t want to meet a bunch of random people tomorrow.
Cade was busy watching a silver painted mime performing directly below their table. This was the perfect opportunity for Anna to test their link and see if he would feel her touch him. She closed her eyes and concentrated on visualizing her hand sliding slowly down his stomach and creeping across the front of his jeans.
He let out a hiss, and his head jerked up in shocked surprise. Anna burst out laughing at his reaction. “I guess it really does work,” she said as innocently as possible.
His eyes smoldered, Anna felt his large hands cupping her breasts. She let out a gasp and crossed her arms over her chest as if the barrier would help. He barked out a laugh of amusement. “Don’t start what you can’t finish, mon coeur.”
Anna tilted her head. “What does ’mon coeur’ mean? You aren’t calling me names, are you?” She knew he wouldn’t, but she had to tease him a little.
He shook his head. “Never!” and held his hands over his heart dramatically. “Mon coeur is my heart in French. Being a New Orleans native, I grew up speaking a bit of the old language.”
That made her smile. “Mon coeur. I like it.”
He took her hand in his. “Then I shall call you my heart more often.” He raised her knuckles and kissed them gently.
Anna concentrated again and visualized stroking his face with her fingertips. He slowly raised his eyes from her hand. “You’re getting the hang of sending touch very quickly. I knew you would.”
He looked thoughtful for a moment. “Try sending me an emotion.”
Anna considered that. What emotion should she try? She decided the easiest would be love. Not really having any idea how to send something as abstract as an emotion, she tried to simply project love to him. The fullness of her heart, the feeling of butterflies in her stomach every time she gazed at him.
His smile grew huge. “I felt that, cher.” He leaned forward like he was going to whisper a secret to her. “You love me.” He winked and sat back again.
Anna swatted at him playfully. Yes, she did love him. In the time they had been together, including their vision time, she had fallen madly in love with him. She had never felt anything like this.
She knew people would whisper and talk about her accepting his ring so quickly, but this was not a normal relationship in any shape or form. For one, he wasn’t human, and two, the whole mate, two-halves-of-a-soul thing caused the people involved to instantly want and need to be together.
Being mates was nothing like humans falling in love slowly over time as they got to know one another, she thought. Mates had an instant attraction and strong sexual need to be together often. Their very hearts and souls cried out for the other. The need was an immediate, deeply emotional connection. The getting to know your mate came second.
As she was thinking this through, something occurred to her. Was this normal for every mated pair? “Babe, have there ever been mates who, after they mated and got to know each other, found they really didn’t like the other person? What if they mated and after a few months hated each other?”
He smiled at her concerned expression. “No, cher, I’ve never heard of that ever happening. The two people are a perfect match in every way and encompass all the aspects the other person wants and desires in a perfect life partner.”
She exhaled a sigh with the breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. “I’m relieved to hear that. Because the way I already feel about you, I won’t be able to hold out much longer.”
He cocked a lopsided grin. “You don’t have to wait at all. I’ll be right here, ready to oblige you the moment you decide to complete the ritual.”
She concentrated on her hands in her lap. Why was she waiting anyway? Was it society’s pressures or her own doubts? She was pretty sure she was once again bowing to what the reactions would be from friends and family. They would say she was moving on too quickly. They had no idea she had actually been with him for five years. Why on Earth should others’ opinions even matter to her? In that instant, she realized she’d made up her mind.
A mating ritual was a private matter between the two of them and not recognized by human laws as a marriage, anyway. The ritual was stronger and deeper than a marriage ceremony. There were no laws governing a mating, or legal marriage license requirements. Now she’d have to guard her thoughts so, later, when they were in the hotel room, she could surprise him with the one thing he wanted most.
Cade sat quietly sipping his drink, watching the emotions flow across Anna’s expressive face.
He could spend hours quietly watching her and not get bored. He swore he could hear the wheels turning as she worked out whatever was going on in that beautiful head. She wore the expression of deep thought as her teeth worried her lower lip. In the blink of an eye, her face relaxed into a small smile of satisfaction. Whatever she had decided, she was pleased with it. He glanced away to the street performer before she caught him studying her.
They sat for about an hour longer people watching and enjoying Hurricanes before he suggested they stroll the street below and pick a place for dinner. He paid the bill and they headed out for the rest of the night.
Reaching for her hand, he threaded his fingers with hers as they walked and discussed dinner options.
Cade caught her thoughts as they made their way down the street. Anna had noticed all the women they passed would turn to watch him go by. He honestly didn’t care about any other woman but his mate. He smiled as she realized he only had eyes for her, no one else existed to him. She really liked the fact he didn’t check out every set of breasts that walked by.
He was so proud of her when she held her head a little higher. She was finally beginning to see herself the way he saw her. Chuckling as they continued down the st
reet, he gave her hand a little squeeze.
On the sidewalk, two bars ahead, he saw a man he knew, one he had hoped to see here tonight. They walked over to him and he made the introductions. “Etienne, this is my Anna. Anna, this is my longtime friend, Etienne.”
She extended her hand to shake his. He took it, and while holding it, respectfully gave her a slight bow. “I am honored to meet Cade’s beautiful mate.”
“It’s very nice to meet you as well.” How does this man know I’m your mate?
I’ll explain in a minute.
“Etienne, I may have need of your unique services in the next few days if you’ll be available.”
“Cade, as always, I am at your service. Simply tell me when, where, and who.”
Anna was seriously intrigued now. Who the heck was this guy and what were they talking about?
Cade said his goodbyes, and they continued down the street. Anna decided to wait until they were seated for dinner to find out what that was all about.
They spotted a restaurant with a cozy patio and made their way toward it to check out their menu hanging on the exterior wall. “What do you think, mon coeur? Does anything look good to you?”
“Sure does.” She wasn’t looking at the menu.
He growled. “What did I tell you about starting something you can’t finish. Now, behave yourself,” he said playfully.
Slowly she gave him one more once over and turned her eyes to the menu. “The barbeque shrimp sounds fabulous.”
That was enough to satisfy him, decision made. As they stepped through the main door, a hostess greeted them instantly as if she was dying for something to do. It was still fairly early and the dinner crowd hadn’t started to fill the restaurant yet. “Two for dinner?” she asked.
“Yes, and a patio table, please,” he said. As they walked to the table he whispered in her ear, “I preferred to eat outdoors whenever possible. My wolf is more comfortable in open spaces.”
They were promptly seated and settled in for a bit more people watching while they waited for their food. Across the street, a couple doors down, was a gentleman’s club. The bouncers and two of the barely covered young ladies were on the sidewalk working the few pedestrians milling around. Glasses of water showed up on the table, bringing their attention back to the server.