by Hazel Gower
Brandon felt his heart burst at his mate’s confession. Her mother had tears running down her cheeks as she got up and came to them and leaned down to hug his mate. “Honey, you do deserve that. You deserve everything. If you are happy and I can be promised of your safety I give my blessing.”
“Thank you. I said I would spend Christmas at home. He is going to spend the days up until Christmas and until I’m ready to move wooing me. Movies, dinners, and just getting to know each other.”
Jezebel’s mother looked at him and nodded. Her father and brothers were quiet. Brandon glanced to them to see guilty looks on her brothers’ faces as what he’d told them about the girls they’d brought and how Jezebel finally felt sank in. Her father just looked between his daughter, wife, and him and looked stricken.
Brandon knew the next couple of days were going to be hell waiting for Jezebel to agree to move in with him. Brandon would do it though. Jezebel deserved to feel wooed and special.
Chapter Ten
Jess looked in the mirror. The purple bruises had faded and were now a light yellow. Thanks to her new healing abilities, from being mated to a shifter, she was healing ten times faster than she usually would. Today she was spending the day with Brandon, and he was taking her bowling and ice skating. She was looking forward to both. She liked bowling, but had never really been ice skating. He’d given her the day yesterday to relax, think everything over, and recover. He’d come over with Chinese for dinner for everyone and then sat and watched a movie.
Her family had been quiet. They’d left her to think things over. Jess had heard her parents arguing once all the Prides had answered all their questions, eaten dinner, and left the other night. Last night they had all been cautious of Brandon, and as Jess went to bed she heard her parents arguing again. Jess was exhausted, and she was unsure she’d done the right thing in telling her parents everything.
Yesterday’s recovery day had been just what she needed. Jess had talked to Zeck. He was tired, scared and sounded very unsure of everything. Travis wasn’t doing as well as Zeck. Jess was really worried about Travis. Tomorrow was Christmas, and he’d been excited to spend it with his nephew and her. When Brandon dropped her home Jess was going over to check on him.
A knock on her bedroom door had her smiling. “Come in.”
Brandon came in, and her smiled died as she saw him. Under his eyes were black like he’d not slept; his blond hair was tousled and lifeless, and his skin didn’t look its usual olive color. Jess felt terrible. Had she been so self-absorbed she hadn’t seen how everything was affecting him? The rest she’d had yesterday had worked wonders. She’d noticed last night he was quiet but put it off to him getting used to everything she’d asked.
Going to him Jess pushed him down onto her bed and brushed strands of hair out of his eyes. Brandon leaned into her touch and took deep breaths in. “How are you feeling today, sweetheart?”
Jess sat next to him, and Brandon lifted her and set her on his lap wrapping his arms around her. How was she feeling? She was feeling a million times better, and she was happy he thought she was worth everything he’d gone through and was giving her everything. Jess was doing great, but he didn’t look so good. “I’m doing great thanks to you. How about we go to bowling today and can do ice skating another day. I think we could go to your house and watch a movie. You look exhausted.”
Brandon nuzzled her neck. “I’m feeling better now I’m with you, but I like what you suggested better.” He sighed and placed her back next to him, then got up. “Let’s go. I have a lane booked for in half an hour. By the time we get there and get our shoes on it’ll be time.”
Jess stood and took his hand. “Sounds good. Let’s go. I think whoever wins gets to choose the movie we watch later.”
Brandon grinned. “That’s a bit unfair for you. You’re only human, and I’m a superior shifter.”
“Superior to humans, hey?”
“Well yeah, because shifters are better at sports and almost everything.”
Jess couldn’t believe what she was hearing Brandon say. She yelled to her parents telling them she was leaving and would be back late tonight. She then opened the door and walked down to Brandon’s car. Brandon opened her car door, and she got in. He got in the driver’s side and started the car. “Okay, if you think you’re going to win and it’s unfair, how about we make it a bit more even?”
“How do you suppose we do that?”
“I can touch and say anything I want to you while you bowl as long as I don’t touch the bowling ball or your arm that throws it?”
Brandon glanced at her and raised her eyebrow. “I’m good with that. I still say it is unfair.”
Jess smiled and winked at him. “Don’t worry. I’m not.” Jess loved bowling. She, Zeck, and Travis used to play almost every weekend. When they’d been younger they’d even been in a bowling league. Jess debated if she should tell Brandon, but his comment about her being just human and him being a better a powerful shifter had her annoyed. Brandon needed to know shifters had a weakness and that she could do things just as well as he could.
Once they had their shoes on and were told their lane Jess went and carefully choose her ball and went back to Brandon. He looked better than he had at her house half an hour ago. His gaze followed her with lust clear in it. Jess felt empowered. No man had ever looked at her the way Brandon did with her.
Jess sat next to him at the computer as he typed her name, then his. “I’ll let you go first.”
Jess nodded and stood. She got her bowling ball and walked to the aisle. Lining her body where she wanted it she aimed and rolled the bowl smiling when all but two pins fell. Jess was a little rusty, but it shouldn’t take her long to warm up. Her ball came back up, and she reached it and walked back to her spot. Aiming her ball she rolled it watching it hit the remaining two. Turning she grinned at Brandon. “Your turn.”
Brandon got up and reached for his ball. Jess didn’t do or say anything. She wanted to watch him before she used the deal they’d made. He glanced back at her as he reached the aisle. She smiled and waved at him. Brandon turned back to the aisle and with way too much force threw his ball down. Jess winced as the ball hit the ground and rolled to the side. Brandon frowned and went to wait for his ball to come back up. This time he didn’t throw the ball as hard, but it still went to the side. He stormed back to the seat and sat next to her.
“Have you been bowling before?”
Brandon shrugged. “When I was a kid. I haven’t been in a long time.”
“What did you do when you were a teenager?”
“Helped hunt. I started at about thirteen, fourteen. When I wasn’t doing that I was doing some sport like football, lacrosse, and baseball. I also had to go to school, so I didn’t have much spare time.”
Jess felt her heart twist for the teenage Brandon. So much for being a kid. Jess knew it would have been hard with everything he had going on. She’d seen Sasha’s schedule, and she only did one sport, her dancing. Jess felt a little guilty she didn’t have any kind of sport or special thing she dedicated time to. She had drama, but she only did that at school, and she didn’t bowl anymore. “On your next turn I’ll teach you.” She got up, and this time when she rolled her ball she got a strike.
“I think I put my foot in it when I said shifters were better.”
Jess winked at him. “I kept back that I used to play in a bowling team. I’m good if I do say so myself.” She pulled him up. “Come on, I’ll teach you how to play. I’m sure you, being a superior shifter, will pick it up quickly.”
Brandon’s arms circled her waist, and he groaned against her. “I shouldn’t have said that. Shifters can sometimes get cocky.”
Jess moved out of his hold and pushed him before her. “I don’t know about all shifters, but you can get cocky. Come on, let me teach you how to bowl.”
By the fourth bowl Brandon didn’t need her help any more. She let him have a couple of strikes before she decided she’d use
her winner’s card. Jess was going to have some fun. With only two more turns each she was pulling all the stops out to win. Jess took her turn and waited for him.
Brandon grinned at her. “You going to play hard ball now?”
“I’ll make it fair. I’ll let you talk to me while I’m bowling, too.” Jess had had great practice with Zeck and Travis over the years yelling things and trying to distract her.
“Sounds fair.” Brandon picked up his ball and lined it up with his eyes.
Jess knew she would have to distract Brandon differently from how she’d done with her friends. As he was about to roll the ball she whispered, “I have no underwear on.” The ball went wide straight into the gutter.
Brandon stalked to her his eyes flashing gold. “That was cruel.”
Jess shrugged. “Get the ball.” He glared at her and got the ball. This time she started talking as he lined up. “I was naughty this morning.” She leaned in close. “I’ve been missing our nights together.” He lined the ball up, and as he rolled she said, “I thought of you all morning as played with myself.” Jess giggled as the ball went into the other lane. She gulped, and a golden gaze turned on her. “Argh, my turn.” Jess gave him a wide berth as she got her ball.
Jess took deep breaths in and stepped up to the aisle. She felt her body tingle as his body came up close to her. Slowly Jess had the ball ready only to jump as his smooth silky voice whispered, “I’m going to eat you.” The ball flew down the aisle and hit two pins. Turning, Jess found Brandon inches from her, his eyes a deep gold.
Jess licked her suddenly dry lips. “One more pin and I’m the winner.”
Brandon raised an eyebrow. “Get the ball. I like this game a lot more now.”
At the predatory look Jess wondered if she should have just let him win and played fair. Getting the ball she lined herself up waited a moment for Brandon. She was surprised to find him handing his bowling shoes back. Shrugging, she figured she’d won. Turning back to the aisle she rolled the ball down and got a strike.
Jess turned grinning only to take a step back at the look on Brandon’s face. Brandon held her bag and prowled towards her like an animal stalking his prey. She had nowhere to back up to. Still, he wasn’t supposed to come on with normal shoes. For a moment Jess thought she was safe, but he didn’t care for rules. Brandon grabbed her by the waist and carried her away setting her on a chair and undoing her shoes. “Change your shoes. We are leaving.” His voice was basically a growl.
Jess shivered in anticipation. It had been a while since they’d had sex. Jess was healed mostly from Saturday’s boogieman fight. Taking the shoes off she swapped her shoes as she stood his hands came to rest on her waist and he passed her bag.
****
The drive home he’d done in record time. His little minx had filled his car with her desire and lust so much so he was choking on it. Brandon was crazed as he pulled into his garage. He turned his car off and prowled around to his mate’s side. The garage door came down. Jezebel squealed as he picked her up and ripped her clothes off, eager to get to his prize. He made it to the kitchen where he growled at the sight that greeted him. Jezebel wore no underwear, and her bra was the skimpiest lace that held nothing up.
“Oh sweetheart, if I’d known you had this on we never would have made it bowling.”
Brandon set her on the dining room table. It was just the right height for the things he had in mind. Jezebel grinned up at him.
“Now where would the fun be in that? I have been anticipating this.” He groaned as she brought his hand down to her pussy. “Feel how much.” Brandon slid a single digit into her wet pussy. He closed his eyes, and if he was a dog he swore he would be panting right now.
“Fuck, sweetheart, you’re soaking wet.”
Jezebel nodded, and a sexy smile curled her lips. “What ya gonna do about it?”
Growling he dropped down and buried his face into her pussy. She groaned and arched into his tongue as it came out to tease her clit. Then he added a second finger, pumping in and out of her core. Jezebel’s legs wrapped around him pulling him closer.
Brandon savored her taste as her juices flowed. He pumped faster and lapped at her enjoying the cream she gave him. His body itched, and the clothes he had on felt too tight and restricting. He needed them off, and he needed to be buried inside her welcoming heat, but first she needed to come.
Adding another digit he stretched her, preparing her for his cock that was eager to take over. He let his teeth scrape over her puckered little bud and let his tongue slip into the end of her pussy. He purred as she yelled his name and her core quivered around his fingers. Lapping at her pussy he eased his fingers out sucking them into his mouth before he slowly nibbled his way up her body.
Brandon grinned over Jezebel as she gazed at him with passion-filled eyes. Her hand came up, and her fingers brushed his hair out of his eyes. “Mmm, and to think I was shy and innocent before I met you.”
Giving her a toothy grin he lined his cock up and spread her pussy lips sliding his dick home. Jezebel’s eyes blazed, and her head threw back. He moved her further down the table so he could drive deeper into her. God, she was tight. Gripping her hips he watched her tits bounce as he drove into her over and over again. Her little mewls and sighs drove his hunger for her higher until he didn’t know how much more he could take.
Jezebel was breathing hard and panting for breath. Her fingers searched for something to hold onto to. He leaned forward, and she wrapped her arms around him bring him down to her. As he pumped harder into her she groaned, “More, oh, please more.”
Her nails scratched at him, and he leaned down latching onto her neck and sucking just below her ear. That was what she needed. She forged up to meet his thrusts and dug her nails in as her core squeezed around him trying to milk him of everything he had. Letting himself go he drove down into her letting his head fall back and roared his release.
Bliss settled through him, and he basked in it knowing he’d held on and satisfied his mate. He soft cock slipped out of her, and he resisted the urge to lie with her.
Groaning, he realized they weren’t in the best spot. He leaned down and gathered his satisfied mate and walked with her straddling him to the bedroom.
When he eased them down on the bed she sighed in contentment and snuggled into him. “I love the way you make me feel,” she murmured sleepily.
Brandon rested his lips over hers, brushing them back and forth. “The feeling is mutual, sweetheart. I’m a very lucky man.” He kissed her gently and held her tight. His world at that moment was perfect.
Chapter Eleven
It had been too late to go visit Travis when she got home the night before. Today was Christmas. Brandon had wanted her to spend the night at his parents’ house and celebrate in the morning with the rest of his family. He’d even said her family was welcome for lunch, but Jess wanted to have time with her family, and she had said she would go visit Travis. She had spent the last couple of Christmases with him and his family.
Easing out of her warm bed she stretched her well used body. She loved the way Brandon made her feel. She never felt desired like just a look from Brandon could do to her.
Walking to the shower she turned on the taps and stripped getting in the shower. Jezebel’s mind flashed to images of yesterday’s crazed romp on the dining room table. Mmm. Who would have thought she of all people would be driving a man so crazy he took her on the table? Her body heated at the things Brandon did to her. The warm spray of water did nothing to cool her rising need. The man was lethal.
Ducking her head under the cool water she told herself to calm down. Today was Christmas, and she had a lot to do and get done. Switching the taps off she got out and opened the cabinet to get a towel out and wrap it around herself.
Walking back into her room she checked the clock, surprised to see the early time. Her brothers would still be asleep. She would go visit Travis before everyone woke and check on him.
****
<
br /> Jezebel had taken her mother’s car and driven to Travis’s parents’ house. Travis’s mother had welcomed her with a huge hug and sent her straight up the stairs to Travis’s room.
Quietly she entered Travis’s room and was shocked at the sickly man lying in bed. Travis lay on his bed, and he looked almost stark white. She came to his bed and sat on the edge. His eyes fluttered open. “I knew about them. Shifters.”
Jess couldn’t be angry with him, not with him in the state he was in. She held back tears as she reached for his hands. “I know you couldn’t tell me. I wouldn’t have believed you anyway.”
He closed his eyes and slowly opened them. “Merry Christmas. What did you get?”
“I haven’t opened anything. I got up and came straight here. I was just going to pop in and see you, but…” Jess trailed off. Travis looked a lot worse than Zeck. She couldn’t leave him. Her family would understand. Brandon would need some convincing, but she couldn’t leave her friend alone in his room here like this.
She leaned down and got her phone out. “I’m going to spend Christmas with you. Smile, I’m sending my parents a photo.” She forced a smile and took her picture and sent it to her brothers and parents saying, “Travis isn’t doing good. Look at him. I’m staying to look after him. Love you.” She turned to Travis. “All done. How about you tell me how you knew about shifters?”
Travis patted the opposite side of the bed. “Sit on this side. You have more room to get comfortable.”
She walked around to the other side of the bed and got on. “Give me a minute to tell Brandon what I’m doing.” Dialing Brandon’s mobile she waited.
“Morning, sweetheart, are you ready for me to come and get you yet? What did you get for Christmas?”
“I haven’t undone my presents yet. I thought before my parents woke I would come and check on Travis.”
“Oh, did you drive over to his house, or do you want me to come and pick you up?”