by Faith Gibson
Dane was beyond blessed with his new family, biological and by virtue of the Clan. When he transitioned and Tessa was telling him everything would get better, he didn’t believe her. Now, he could look back and smile at how right she’d been. Everything was beyond better. The last few steps to making his life perfect were getting Marley home, mating with her, and then making her his wife. As soon as they could both clear their schedules, he was going to take her on a honeymoon anywhere she wanted to go.
Unable to keep from touching her, Dane sat next to her on the bed and held her hand. His shifter was being uncommonly calm around their mate. Dane figured the beast knew Marley was in no shape to have sex. When visiting hours were over, Dane convinced Lynnette to take Grace and Lucinda home. As much as he liked having Grace there, Marley needed to rest and relax without having too many people hovering. He promised to keep them posted as to Marley’s recovery, and when he had her settled at home, he’d invite them over. They finally agreed when Marley didn’t wake up to tell them good night. His girl really did need her rest.
It was another three days before Jonas felt Marley was strong enough to go home. The abrasions were barely pink, and the laceration on her head had healed remarkably fast due to Dane’s venom. Jonas removed the staples, and the spot was still tender and gave Marley a mild headache, but both issues would be completely gone in a few days. Jonas told Dane his mate was also doing well emotionally, and that was because she had Dane there with her. Jonas suggested Dane either tell Marley the truth of what happened or get her into therapy where she could remember on her own.
Dane didn’t let anyone know Marley was being released. The Clan had good intentions, and they had been a godsend in helping get their new home set up, but he wanted Marley to have time to become accustomed to their house and being in a new place before they ascended on her. Marley’s life had been turned upside down, and he wanted to tilt it upright.
Caroline happened to be at the hospital visiting Jonas, so she came upstairs to help Dane get Marley out of the hospital. She had sat with his mate while he went furniture shopping. Caroline was completely different than his adopted mother. Dixie Abbott had been wonderful to Dane. She still was. Dixie was older, but she had given Dane everything a boy could ever want, and he loved her. He talked to his mother on the phone at least once a week, and she was looking forward to meeting Marley.
Caroline was loving, but she was more like a friend than a mother. He hadn’t felt comfortable enough calling her “Mom.” That was probably due to Dixie being his mom and still being in the picture. He didn’t want to disrespect her in any way. Since he never had a father around when he was growing up, calling Jonas “Dad” came naturally.
Dane and Marley thanked Caroline, and she told them she and Jonas would check on them in a couple of days. As soon as Dane had Marley settled in his car, he said, “I have a surprise for you.”
“Really? You haven’t left me alone for five minutes. When did you have time to get me a surprise?”
“I might have had a little help.” Dane had already told Marley she was going home with him. He even told her in front of Cammie, so Marley knew there were no hard feelings.
“Well, don’t keep me in suspense, Chief.”
Dane was almost afraid to ask because her memory was still iffy, but he took a chance. “Do you remember me proposing to you?” he asked, lifting her left hand and kissing the ring.
“I do.”
“Do you also recall what we talked about on our way to Chez Vaison? I showed you several houses for sale in the area.”
Marley thought for a second and nodded. “Yeah, we both liked the same one. Is that what this is about? You want to show me a house?”
“Something like that.” It didn’t take long for them to reach their new home. After making their way down the long driveway that stretched between tall trees, Dane pushed the button on the opener and waited in front of the garage as the door rolled up.
“Why do you have the clicker?”
“The same reason I have the keys. It’s ours, Sweetness. Welcome home.”
“You bought me a house?” she whispered.
“I sure did. I didn’t want to start our new life together living in my little apartment, and no offense to Cammie, but I’d rather not share a house with your best friend.”
“No wonder she was all weepy.”
Dane shut the motor off and hurried around the car to help Marley get out. Having already seen the house, he knew what she was walking in on. He had been overwhelmed, and he knew about it. He picked Marley up and carried her through the door. “I know we aren’t married, but I feel it appropriate to carry you over the threshold into our new house. Our friends brought most everything from both our places, so hopefully it won’t take long to feel like home.”
Marley leaned her head against Dane’s. Tears were leaking from her eyes, but Dane knew they were happy tears. He’d felt the same emotions when he first saw everything in place. “It already feels like home, because you’re here with me,” she said before kissing him.
A mud room led into a spacious kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances. Both of them liked to cook, so that had been a huge selling point. Dane placed Marley on her feet and gave her plenty of time to look around at the house and furnishings. “I let Cammie and Trevor pick out the furniture. If there’s anything you don’t like, we can take it back and swap it for whatever you want.” The bedrooms were on the second floor, and Dane hesitated before taking her upstairs. He knew once he got her up there, he’d not want to come back down for days. “How about we rest for a little bit on the couch before we go upstairs? Are you hungry or thirsty?”
“I would love some pizza. No offense to your father, but hospital food sucks.”
“One pizza coming right up. You want the usual?”
“Yes, please. And I’d love a beer. I know there’s still medicine in my system, but I want a little normal in my life tonight, you know?”
“Like I said, anything you want. You’re home now, Baby, and I’m gonna give you whatever you want.”
“Even if it’s you?” Marley asked coyly.
“Especially if it’s me. I’m yours forever.”
“Thank you. Not just for the house, even though it’s more than I ever dreamed of having. But thank you for loving me. I never thought I’d find someone to make me feel so special.”
“You never have to thank me, but you’re welcome. I’ve waited a long time to find my forever, and you’ve given that to me, so thank you.”
Marley tugged at Dane’s shirt, pulling him down for a kiss. “We’re really doing this,” she said as she looked around again.
“We really are. Let me get the pizza ordered. You sit down and get comfy.” Dane was glad Marley wanted normal. The fates knew what they were doing in putting them together. Dane was a no-nonsense kind of guy. He liked a laid-back life, and Marley was the same. She was a down-to-earth kind of woman. His kind of woman. If he never took her to Chez Vaison again, she would probably be fine with that, but Dane would most definitely take her there at least once a year. It just wouldn’t be on the anniversary of their engagement. While that was something to celebrate, Dane refused to remind Marley of the day she was attacked. Her birthday was close to Valentine’s Day, and as cheesy and commercialized as the holiday was, he could see the two of them celebrating their love at the fancy restaurant.
After he placed a call for their food, Dane grabbed two beers out of the fridge and took them to the living room. “Do you wanna watch a movie or something?” he asked, sitting down next to his mate and handing her a beer.
Marley picked at the label. Without looking at Dane, she said, “Actually, I want you to tell me the truth.”
“About?” Dane knew about what, but he was afraid how Marley would react to the truth. Jonas had suggested being honest with her, and Dane had promised to never lie to her.
“About what really happened. I know I didn’t go back to your apartment. That all ha
d to have been a dream. I was driving your car though, right?”
“That’s correct. After we left Chez Vaison, there was a group of Unholy downtown. I stopped to try and keep them from creating too much trouble while I waited on backup to get there.”
“And? Dane, please. I’d rather you tell me what happened so I can deal with it at home with you here to help me through it instead of having the memories come back while I’m at work pouring hot coffee.”
Dane took Marley’s beer from her and placed both bottles on the end table closest to her. He then held both her hands while he told her everything that happened, at least as much as he knew considering he hadn’t been there. He explained how he had to listen while Mason relayed what was happening, unable to get to her in time. “Mason did his best to get to you before Jasper and I arrived. There were just too many for him to deal with alone. I’m so sorry I asked you to leave the area and drive back to my apartment. I should have taken you home. I’m sorry, Sweetness. I failed you.”
“Please tell me you caught the bastards!” Marley raged.
“We didn’t go after them. You were our priority right then, but Julian is working on locating them. Frey has already doubled patrols. Since the Gargoyles were seen with the Unholy, it’s only a matter of time until they show up again.”
“But they are Gargoyles. Didn’t you tell me the only way they can be taken down is decapitation?”
Dane was glad to hear Marley remembered what he told her when he’d been explaining about Goyles. “There are certain poisons that can incapacitate us, even full-bloods. Gregor and Tessa have gone in search of those poisons. They aren’t something you can order off the internet without drawing a lot of attention, especially if you’re ordering them in large quantities.”
Dane kept waiting for Marley to say something about the events which led up to her jumping, but she never did. “I don’t want to push, but did anything I explained spark a memory?”
“Not really. It kind of freaks me out to know I was taken, but I’ll take a few days to process it all. Oh, Dane, your car! I wrecked your Porsche!”
“Baby, it was just a car. It can be replaced. You can’t.”
Marley buried her face in her hands, but Dane pulled them away. He hadn’t even thought about the Boxster until she mentioned it. That’s how little it meant to him compared to his mate. She was all that mattered.
Chapter Eleven
When Dane got Marley settled again, she blurted out, “I feel you.”
He had no idea what she was getting at, so he asked her, “What do you mean?”
She tapped the side of her head. “In here. I feel you all over, like we’re already connected, but I can hear you inside my head. I heard Connor, too. How’s that possible?”
“Connor’s special. I’m not sure how he’s able to communicate the way he does. Dante could probably explain it. As for me, I gave you some of my venom when you were unconscious. Dad thought it would help you recover faster. He was right.”
“How did you do that? Isn’t it released through your fangs? Wait… Did you bite me?” Marley asked, grabbing her neck with both hands.
“Yes, right here.” Dane moved her fingers to the point on her shoulder where he couldn’t wait to sink his fangs again.
“That’s not fair. I wanted to be awake when we sealed the bond.”
“Since you weren’t aware of what I was doing, that technically didn’t bond us together.”
Marley frowned. “Even though I can feel you now?”
“Yes. I’d say that’s either from the first dose of venom or the fact that we’re fated to be together. We’ll do it again, the right way, when you feel better.”
The doorbell rang, and Dane got up to answer it. Julian was already working on having a gate installed. Dane wanted all the extra protection he could get for their new home. There would be lots of nights he had to leave Marley alone while he was out patrolling. With the open floor plan, he could see Marley on the sofa while he took the pizza to the kitchen and plated a couple slices for each of them. Grabbing a handful of napkins, he returned to the living room and sat down next to Marley.
Handing over her plate, Dane said, “Julian is coming by in the next few days to upgrade the security system. We’ll have Clan popping in and out, especially the mates. They’ll want to check on you and see how you’re feeling and how you like everything. How do you like everything?”
“I love what I’ve seen so far. I can’t believe they got our house furnished so quick.”
“Trevor was a man on a mission.”
“I love Trevor,” Marley said around a mouthful of pepperoni and cheese.
“Hey! I’m supposed to be the object of your affection.”
“Don’t worry, Chief. I love Trevor like a brother. I love you like a woman loves a man she wants to spend the rest of her life with. But there is one thing I need from you.”
“And what’s that? I already told you I’d give you anything.”
“I want to have sex. I know you said those fates are supposed to be the couple matching experts, but I think we need to find out first-hand if they were right. Are we compatible in every way?” She wiggled her eyebrows, and Dane almost choked laughing at her. Gods, she was so cute.
“Are you worried I won’t be able to please you? Is that what you’re implying? Because if it is, I take that as a challenge.”
Marley was definitely throwing down the gauntlet. She felt good for what she’d been through, and she wanted nothing more than to christen their new home. She knew if Dane had taken her upstairs when they first walked in to show her the bedrooms, she’d have taken one look at their new bed and asked Dane to seal the bond then and there. She also knew he would have refused, stating she wasn’t well enough, but she was. Her head still ached, but it was nothing more than a dull throb.
While she took a sip of beer, Dane seductively licked his fingers instead of using the napkins. Marley set the bottle down and grabbed his hand, sucking his fingers into her mouth one at a time, doing her best blowjob impression. It had been a long time since she’d performed oral on anyone, and then she hadn’t enjoyed it. All sex with Brandt was just okay. She’d only dated a couple of guys since she broke things off with him, and neither one of them had sparked a true interest that led to sex. Dane sparked a whole lot more than interest. He had her daydreaming of doing all kinds of naughty things she only read about in books.
Dane groaned with each suck on his fingers. When she swirled her tongue around the tip of his middle finger, he jerked his hand back. “Sweetness,” he warned, his voice dipping lower than she’d ever heard it, leaning over her so she had to lie back on the sofa.
Marley had never played seductress before, but she found she liked the way Dane responded to her when she was teasing him. She liked knowing she was the one causing him to get all animalistic. “Do you have handcuffs?” she asked.
Dane growled deep in his chest. “I do, but our first time is going to be about mating. We’ll play all you want after that.” Dane lowered his head and sucked on her neck. She’d never had a hickey in her life, but she wanted Dane to mark her. Her pulse raced faster the longer his mouth was on her skin.
“Then take me upstairs and get to mating,” she urged.
Marley could tell Dane was still hesitant, because he didn’t move to get off the sofa. “Chief, let me up.” Dane moved away so fast, it was almost comical. Instead of saying anything, Marley took their plates to the kitchen and left them in the sink to wash later. She was thankful she had a shower at the hospital so she didn’t have to worry about anything else delaying her getting what she wanted. Marley walked slowly back toward Dane, unbuttoning her blouse as she went. Letting it slide down her arms, she then unclasped her bra and tossed it to the floor. Marley straddled Dane’s lap, his eyes darkening as he took both breasts in his hands. When his thumbs brushed across her nipples, Marley arched into his touch. The movement had her rubbing against his erection. She placed her hands on his sh
oulders and rubbed back and forth, finding a little friction for them both.
“Take me upstairs. Show me how much you want me,” she urged. If he didn’t take her upstairs soon, she was going to rip his jeans off and take what she wanted.
Dane pushed her back and bent over, latching onto a nipple. Marley hissed at the sensation. God, the man was going to kill her before he ever got her fully naked. Her panties were already soaking wet.
When he released her nipple, he teased the other one with the tip of his tongue before blowing on it. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t.” Marley slid off his lap and held out her hand. Dane grasped it and allowed her to pull him up.
“I love your breasts. Whenever we’re home alone, I don’t want you wearing a bra.”
“Okay,” she readily agreed. If he wanted access to them, he could have it. She wanted his hands on her as often as possible.
Dane picked Marley up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her upstairs. “I was going to give you the nickel tour, but that’ll have to wait until later. I want you, Marley. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. Once I get you in bed, I’m not letting you up for anything other than food and the bathroom.”
“Don’t you have to work?”
“No. I’ve called in reinforcements for a couple of days.”
Dane stopped walking, and Marley looked around. A beautiful bedroom suite filled the large room, but she didn’t care about that. All she cared about was getting Dane inside her. “I want you, too, Chief. Now.”
Dane placed Marley on her feet and unbuttoned her shorts, sliding them and her panties down her legs. She hadn’t shaved, but he obviously didn’t care. Dane ran his hands up the backs of her legs as he licked his lips. Standing completely naked in front of him, she was proud of her body. Her breasts weren’t large, but they were perky. Her legs were toned from all the walking she did at work, and her stomach was flat enough. Dane urged Marley to sit on the bed and spread her legs; she didn’t hesitate. He’d already shown her how good he could make her feel with his fingers. She was ready for him to please her in every other way.