by Milly Taiden
Healed mostly, but too weak to shift back to human form, he closed his eyes and relaxed. They’d made it.
* * *
• • •
Josh woke, but didn’t move. He was in a place he’d never been before. Surrounded by the smell of his mate, he felt safe. The only thing he heard was the gentle popping of a small fire and the breathing of his mate snuggled against him.
He opened an eye. Like earlier in Candy’s office, he lay on the floor in front of a fireplace, his mate wrapped in his arms. After another breath, he realized he must be in her home. This was a nice surprise. But how had he gotten there?
The beautiful woman under the blanket with him moved, rolling toward him. Her eyes opened and they smiled. Stunning.
“Good morning, mate,” she said.
“Same to you, love,” he replied. “Are we at your place?”
“Yes. Mike said you’d be okay after sleeping for a while. Your wolf just needed time to recover since you let yourself get so . . . so far gone.” She choked on the last words. “Don’t you ever do that again,” she ordered. “You had me so scared.” A frightened sob entered her voice. He kissed her forehead.
“I’m sorry, love,” he said. “I was so worried for you. I didn’t know where you were or if Mikhail had you. I had to find you before anything else.”
“Well, we’re safe at my home. Mike’s men carried your wolf in and put you here. I figured we’d take a shower and go to bed when you woke. In about three hours, we’re meeting Bridges in the West Wing to debrief.”
“Three hours, huh?” he said, smelling his mate’s arousal as she slid her fingers along his bare chest. He must have shifted when he’d gained enough strength. “I do feel dirty. How about that shower now?”
“Are you okay?” Candy asked, watching Josh wince as he sat up.
He nodded. “Yeah. Ow, Christ. Fucking Mikhail. I guess I should be grateful it wasn’t that bad.”
She frowned. “Too close for comfort if you ask me.”
“I guess it could have gone a lot differently, but I’d do it all again to make sure you were okay.”
Candy moved to Josh’s side and slid her arm under his, helping him up. “Josh, you hardheaded mutt. We’ve got three hours to get you tip-top and I think the first thing you need is a hot shower. It’ll loosen you up.”
He slid his free arm around her waist and pulled her against his chest. “I’ve got a surprise for you too and it ain’t loose.”
She grinned against his lips as he bent to claim hers. “Really. Could it be your hard ass, or maybe its countermeasure, here.” She moved her hand around to grip the hard bar of his cock.
He took her mouth and kissed her, hungry and greedy. “All I’ve done is lie in this bed thinking about your sweet ass and how many ways I can tap it.”
“Really. And how many is that.”
“Care for a demonstration?” In one fluid move, he grabbed her waist and tossed her over his shoulder, not waiting for an answer.
Injuries forgotten, he kicked in the door to the bathroom and let her slide down his muscled chest.
“You’re still hurt,” she argued, taking a step back.
He shook his head. “When it comes to your body, I will never be that hurt.” He gestured to the bathroom. “You said I needed a shower, so turn on the tap and then strip.”
“I guess I can help, if you need me.” She stopped and opened a nightstand, pulling out a bottle of lube. “You mentioned ass,” she said innocently.
Pushing her to the tiled shower, he took the bottle of lube out of her hand and placed it on the ledge. “This will come in handy very soon.”
She laughed at the devil-may-care grin he gave her. “You’re a pervert.”
“Maybe, baby. But I have needs, too.” He wrapped his hand around his thickening cock. “Right now, I need your mouth on my dick.”
Candy turned on the spray, water sluicing down her body first. She turned to Josh. He stared at her with enough hunger in his gaze to make her pussy clench. He took two steps toward her. He swept them both into the warm cascade, letting the water continue to drench them. With his hands on her shoulders he pushed her to her knees. He pressed his cock to her lips and with a smirk she sucked him deeply. It amazed her how easy it was now, how the thought of his rock hard rod made her wet.
Gripping his shaft, she worked the hard length, running a curved palm over his head as her tongue curled under its ridged edge. Josh growled and tightened his grip on her hair, pushing his dick deeper. With a yank he pulled free of her mouth with an audible pop.
“Your body is soaked, babe. Now let’s see if your pussy is, too.” He cupped her chin, running his thumb along her mouth. “On all fours, love.”
Candy sat back on her heels and looked up at him. “What are the magic words, bossy?”
He grinned, sinking down to the wet tile along with her. He slid his hands into her wet hair and took her mouth, hungry again. “The magic words are ‘I want to fuck you so hard, you scream as you come.’ Then I’m going to spread you wide and fuck that fine ass of yours.”
The raw words had heat sliding down her thighs, the slickness mixing with the shower water trickling from her hair. She bit his bottom lip. “Well, since you put it that way.” She turned, dropping to her hands and knees.
Josh reached down and spread her juice wide. His thumb circled her clit as his fingers curled into her wet slit. “So fucking wet.”
She turned, shoving her wet hair from her face. “Lick me.”
Eyes on fire, he dipped his face to her pussy and dragged his tongue to her ass, ringing her tight hole. He growled lifting his face from her, and with a sharp yank, pulled her hips up and back. “I’m going to stretch you front and back.” He drove his cock into her pussy fast and hard and then pulled back, his fingers gripping her hips as he slammed his dick into her again, balls deep.
Candy cried out as he hit her G-spot, forcing an orgasm, quick and cruel. “Yes!”
Josh turned back to licking, driving her crazy with his magic tongue.
“More! God, Josh. If I had known sex with you was this fucking amazing, I’d have jumped you yesterday in your office,” she moaned.
He growled.
“Oh, god. Oh, Josh. Oh, yes, yes, yes!” Her words were little choked noises as waves crashed through her making her legs shake.
His entire body pulsed with need and he fisted her hair again, riding her as each thrust crested her closer to another climax. Her body shuddered again and her walls squeezed his shaft, the sensation pushing him toward the precipice.
He pulled out with a snarl and spread her cheeks. Then he grabbed the bottle of lube on the ledge of the shower and dropped a generous amount between her cheeks and on his cock. He slid his hand over his cock, spreading the lube on his dick. Her sexy ass came next. He rubbed the lube over the rim of her ass and dipped one and then two fingers in and out of her.
She moaned, her body tensing at first but as he continued to slip in and out of her, she relaxed to his touch. He curled a hand around her hip to rub it against her clit as he added a third and then fourth finger driving into her ass. She was panting and begging for more when he removed his hand.
“I’ve fucked your mouth and your cunt, now I want your ass.” Pressing his swollen head to her slick hole, he pushed, invading her body inch by slow, torturous inch.
She moaned, not wanting to wait and reared back so he slid deep in one full stroke. Holy fuck.
“Christ, baby. Hang on a second.”
He pulled back slowly and drove back in a smoother slide.
Her body squeezed his cock in a vise grip. “Tight. So fucking tight.” His words were half growl, half moan, and he pulled back slipping deeply into the snug sheath, his body rigid with the need to come.
“Goddamn! I’m going to come, Candy. I can’t—” he choked
.
“Do it, Josh. Fill me again,” she moaned, gripping the shower ledge.
“Where? Over your ass or inside?”
“Stay right where you are. Don’t you dare go anywhere. You finish right here.”
He reached down and cupped her pussy, his thumb working her clit. Her body clenched and she cried out again and with a guttural snarl he let go, his body emptying deeply. Josh held her against him, his cock pulsing with the intensity of his orgasm. He held her pussy clutched in his hand, her aftershocks rocking her until they both sank to the warm tile, letting the shower water puddle around them.
“You okay?” he asked.
She shivered. “Me? I’m not the one who got hurt.”
He chuckled against her moist throat, his still-hard cock jerking within her. “Oh, I’d say you got something just now. Good and deep.”
Candy leaned back against his shoulder. “So, are you loose or do you still need a little more?”
He grinned biting her shoulder. “Greedy. That’s what you are.”
She wiggled her ass and he slid from her body. “You’ve got no one to blame but yourself if I’m greedy when it comes to you.”
He turned her in his arms and skimmed a hand from her neck over her nipple. “Then I should be the one to pay the price.” His tongue darted to flick the stiff bud.
She laughed, arching her back, pressing her breast farther into his mouth. “You’re the one who said you live to serve.”
“Give and take, baby.”
EPILOGUE
Candy slowly walked her lineup, inspecting each of her men and women at attention. She made sure her scowl was stern. No easy offs here. A giggle was heard somewhere back in the line. She growled and a few more giggles erupted. Clearing her throat, the laughter stopped.
So far, the group had been fairly clean, a few smudges here, some sticky stuff there. Then she came to the male she knew would be the downfall of mankind.
“Junior Private Dubois,” she said, stopping in front of him.
“Yes, ma’am,” he squeaked, standing with his shoulders back, chin up.
“Boy, you are a complete mess. Look at you. Mustard on your face, ketchup in your hair. Juice all over you.” She shook her head. “Knowing who your father is, I would have expected as much.”
The boy looked up at her smiled. “Does that mean I win?”
Candy stepped back and saluted. The young boy returned the salute. “Junior Private Dubois, lead the battle cry.”
The kid took off running, yelling “Chargem!” and cannonballed into the decorated red, white, and blue community pool as the other neighborhood kids fell in behind him, screaming and laughing.
“Candy!” One of the moms waved her over to one of the food-packed picnic tables in the town’s park. “Come sit down before a baby falls out of your womb.” She rolled her eyes. Never had she sat so much in her life. Just because she had the whole pregnant thing going, didn’t mean her feet had to be up all the time, but she had to admit with each passing month, she did find reclining nicer and nicer.
Melinda, Parish’s mate, handed her another hot dog with relish. Since getting pregnant, she’d never craved meat as much as she had the past several months. She suspected that had something to do with her mate’s part of the pregnancy.
“Who won?” Melinda asked.
“No,” Kari cut in, pulling away from her mate Bryon. “Let me guess.” She turned to Candy. “Does the winner take after his father?”
Amerella turned to Frank. “See, Mr. Dubois, I told you your son was a walking laundry detergent advertisement.”
Frank feigned surprise. “My son?”
“Yes,” Amie said, “your son when he’s an animal. My son when he acts civilized.”
Frank snuggled up to her and whispered into her ear. “You didn’t mind the animal last night, all uncivilized.”
Candy settled onto Josh’s lap and joined in the laughter. She’d gotten to know all the shifters and their mates after Josh had taken her to his hometown shortly after her retirement from the military. She suddenly had a large family and was overwhelmed with love and support she hadn’t known possible.
All her life, being what it had been, she had never been a girly girl. But now, she had gained full confidence in being a woman and all she wanted it to entail. The women showed her how to apply blush to bring out her cheekbones, and she showed them how to paint their faces so they blended into the forest when playing paintball against their shifter counterparts.
They also had infamous sausage parties where Candy learned important skills her mate very much appreciated and which had gotten her in her current physical state.
“So, Mrs. Tumbel,” her mate nibbled on her neck, “how is your first July Fourth in civilian clothes feel?”
She wiggled farther into his arms. “Pretty good. Except I feel like a bloated whale.”
“But you’re one damn sexy bloated whale,” he said, rubbing his hands over her extended belly. He pressed his filling cock into her backside. God, she loved the feel of him hard against her. A whistle came from the sidewalk. They turned to see Colonel Dresden in his dress uniform and cane. The fruit salad on his chest was impressive. Candy hadn’t seen many as highly decorated as he was.
When he stepped onto the grass, she wiggled out of her mate’s arms and stood at attention, salute extended. The crowd quieted and several men and women also came to attention. Even all the kids in the pool clung to the side with one hand and saluted like she’d taught them.
As the colonel came to stand in front of her table, he returned her salute. He said, “I’d forgotten how many in this town have served their country in one way or the other.” He shook hands with her mate. “Director Tumbel, good to see you again. And all your team.” His eyes gleamed at her. “Well, Sergeant Tumbel, seems you’re well on your way to having your own platoon.”
Candy nearly choked. “Maybe the smallest platoon that ever existed. Three the first time out the chute may be the only time out the chute.”
Josh smiled. “Two girls and one boy. She’s used to having lots of boys around. She’ll want more.” Her brows rose to her hair line. Josh cowed a bit. He’d better, she thought.
The colonel smiled. “Director, I have something in the back of my car I need you to get. Now might be a good time.”
“Yes, sir.” Her mate kissed her cheek. “I’ll be right back.” Candy watched him hurry away, wondering what Dresden had brought with him. The colonel helped her to sit on the bench and joined her after shaking hands with the rest of the ALFA team.
“Men,” Dresden addressed the guys at their table, “again, the president sends his gratitude and thanks for your work that night of the dedication. He’s had a special plaque commissioned for the event with your names that will be in the old building since that’s where it all began.”
“The department dedication plaque is in the new building, right?” Candy asked.
“It is. It looks lonely, and over the years more will join it,” Dresden confirmed. He glanced at the guys. “How are the new recruits coming? I haven’t been over to see them yet.” He shifted on the bench and frowned, his hand on his cane. “Don’t get around as much as I used to. Getting old.”
Parish answered, “They are doing great, sir. We have a full class. First time in years. Several females also.”
“Good,” Candy said. “No more pilfering from different departments.” She looked pointedly at Kari. “Even if the best one happens to be elsewhere.” Candy winked at one of her new best friends. “You know, girl, these men would’ve made such a mess of that whole thing without you.”
The men groaned. They knew Candy and her woman gung-ho attitude. And she loved to tease them all with it. Just as a reminder that the weaker sex usually wasn’t.
Those sitting on the opposite side of the picnic table from her and Colonel D
resden looked behind her. Candy turned to see what had their attention. Walking with Josh were several adults and a few children.
She recognized the two older ones right away. They were her aunt and uncle on her mother’s side. Then her eyes fixed on the younger woman with a little girl on her hip. The woman was the spitting image of her mother before she’d died. One of the men looked like her father in the wedding picture that once hung in her childhood home.
Tears sprang to her eyes. Shaking hands covered her mouth as she glanced at Dresden smiling beside her. He nodded, not saying a word. He didn’t have to. She knew who these people were. Not able to sit any longer, she got to her feet and met them a short distance from the table.
She stared into the faces of two people she realized she’d loved and missed for the past twenty years. She gathered her little brother and sister into her arms and cried.
Josh stepped away, back to the table, to let his mate have a private moment with her family. He sat next to Dresden. “I guess her father passed away?”
“Yes, not long after Candy took the kids to her aunt’s. Police report says alcohol poisoning. Bastard drank himself to death.”
Josh sighed. He wasn’t sure if he wished the prick had done that sooner than he had, for Candy’s sake. Didn’t matter. The past was the past, and his woman was stronger for it.
“Oh,” Dresden said, “before I go, I wanted to let you know what we found out about the body you discovered under the house.”
“Oh, yeah,” Josh said, “who was it? Anybody important?”
Dresden said, “Ever hear of a guy named Hoffa?”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR