“Okay, hold it. Every one of you. Over here now,” Joe ordered.
Someone had to take charge or this was going to be the pinnacle of pathetic. His father looked offended, but Joe was done playing games. He stood his ground and pointed at the other males who finally, with many grumbles, joined him.
“What is it you wish to say, son?”
Joe shook his head. “If I leave this up to you guys we’re gonna get creamed. Not one of you has a clue in hell about what to get our females.”
“I resent that. I know your mother well.”
“And Carly and I are True Mates too.”
“Well, I’m not proud. Just tell me what to buy for Mother and I’ll do it,” Jake grumbled with Jules nodding emphatically.
“Father, you know that Mother always buys the presents. I’d be willing to bet she even buys her own presents.”
“She does not. I get her things she adores.”
“After she gives you a list?”
“I receive no list.”
“Hints, then.”
The old wolf’s lips tightened as he thought about it. Eddie laughed.
“And Eddie. When has Carly ever worn a scarf?”
“In the winter.”
“You weren’t looking at knitted winter scarves.”
“They’d look good on her.”
“I’m sure they would but would she be the least bit impressed?”
“Well, no.”
“And Carly buys the gifts for Mandy right?”
“Yes, that’s one down for me.”
“Check with Carly. I bet she expects you to get Mandy a gift too.”
“But…” Eddie paused, obviously checking and then he began to scowl. “I’m going to kill my mate when I get home.”
“I take that as a yes.”
“Yes.”
“We need to pool our knowledge or we are going to come up wanting and that would be humiliating for all of us.”
“We could just get them jewelry,” Leo suggested.
“I intend to get Mandy a ring. But that’s not all. And buying nothing but jewelry isn’t going to be enough and you know it. One little bitty box? Seriously?”
Leo sighed. “You are correct.”
They formed a huddle and discussed their options, finally coming up with a game plan. First they hit Feldspar Jewelers to buy appropriate gifts. Joe knew he wanted to get Mandy a True Mate Ring and he received input from all four of them about what kind of ring to buy. He wanted something like an engagement ring, but he couldn’t afford diamonds. Not right now. His father offered to buy it for him but he refused. This was for him to do.
The silver-haired woman smiled at him. “What do you need?”
“A True Mate ring.”
“Ah.” It was obvious she had experience with these kinds of purchases.
“I can’t afford diamonds, but I want it to look like that.”
“What about quartz? It comes in a variety of colors and we have a number of lovely rings in stock. Amy Feldspar does the faceting on the quartz herself and even sets positive energy into the stones.”
“That sounds good, I’ll look at them.”
The jeweler lifted out a tray of rings. “What size does your mate wear?”
Joe opened his mouth then closed it again. He looked at Eddie, who shrugged. “Damn. I have no idea.” Joe pulled out his phone to send a text to Carly, Eddie stopped him.
“She can’t keep secrets.”
“But she’ll know Mandy’s ring size.”
“Mandy? Mandy Goldwolf?”
Joe’s eyes lit. “Yes, do you know her? Does she shop here?”
The owner laughed. “Yes, she’s a customer. Let me see if I have her ring size on file. I usually try to keep notes about things like that.”
“I’d be forever grateful.”
The woman checked the computer and pulled up the information. “She’s an eight.”
“What do you have that works with that?”
“Chocolate diamonds are popular now, so you could go with a smoky quartz.”
She set a tray of those on the counter. Joe looked at them and closed his eyes to imagine them on Mandy’s finger. Finally, he shook his head.
“I don’t see her in brown.”
“Rose quartz is a pink stone. Lemon comes in a variety of yellows and of course there are clear and white quartzes, which would resemble clear and white diamonds.”
“Can I see all of those?”
The jeweler nodded as all the males leaned over to look at the rings as she placed trays on the counter. The stones in dark pink or dark yellow he immediately ignored. He wanted pale colors. He liked the clear and white quartz, but they seemed cold and Mandy was a warm person.
He waved the clear and white quartz rings away so she took them off the counter. He studied the pale yellow and pale pink stones. He was drawn to a rose-colored heart. He picked it out of the tray. The heart was a good-size stone set in rose-colored gold.
“Hearts are so cliché,” Jules complained. “Especially at Valentine’s Day.”
“Yeah, go with something different man. A square or teardrop,” Jake agreed.
“A teardrop? I don’t want her to cry.” The more Joe stared at the ring, the surer he was that this was it. It was like it called to him. He handed it to the jeweler. “This is the one.”
She smiled. “Good choice. One of the things that we Feldspars tend to do when we create the design is to encourage the Lord and Lady to call the right owner to the piece.”
“I sure felt called. I think Mandy will like it.”
“She doesn’t wear much pink,” Eddie told him.
“She has it in her closet though.” He remembered from looking for a dress for her to wear to meet his parents.
Eddie shrugged. “It’s your neck.”
Joe smiled. “She’ll love it. It’s not super expensive but it suits her.”
The jeweler nodded. “The True Mate connection is already taking hold. She’s bought a lot of rose quartz in the past.”
“She has? Why didn’t you say so?”
“Because it’s your purchase and it’s important for you to make the decision.”
“You think she’ll like it?”
The woman looked at him, studying him with her eyes crossed. He frowned. What the hell? Then her eyes refocused.
“You’ve chosen well.”
She laughed as he looked at her funny. “I unfocused my gaze so I could read your aura.”
“Oh. Okay. Hey, could you wrap that?”
“Sure,” she laughed. “Any other shoppers?”
The males all bought something and had their purchases wrapped, and signed cards. They bought necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets. The store did well from them before they moved on. This time to a women’s clothing store. Joe found Mandy a sexy nightgown by Lady Cyn fashions. It was a deep burgundy color. Eddie and Leo bought lingerie for their mates too, but Jake and Jules opted for less controversial purchases for their mother, Carly and Mandy. Jake and Jules had decided to just gift all the ladies equally since they were family now.
As the males left the store with their purchases, they caught sight of the females on the other side of the street. The ladies had bags and bags of stuff as they waved. The guys waved back, faking smiles.
“Crap,” Joe muttered. “I thought we were done now, but it doesn’t look like it.”
“Yeah, look at all the stuff they have,” Jules griped.
“Language, Julian.”
“But Father…” Jules shut up when he caught Leo’s expression.
“Females,” Eddie muttered in disgust. “They could shop all day.”
Joe thought about it. Mandy’s room had a book shelf full of romances. “Bookstore.”
“Do they have one here in town?”
“Yeah. And that’s a good idea. Carly reads too.” Eddie slapped him on the shoulder.
“As does Maria,” Leo agreed.
“Well, I’m ga
me,” Jake agreed. “So where is it?”
For a good portion of the morning, the men wandered from store to store buying whatever they could carry. Whenever possible, they had the store do the gift wrapping and they signed the cards. God help them if the gifts got mixed up.
Joe received a text from Mandy. “She says they’re ready for lunch and suggests we all meet up at the Country Steakhouse.”
“Meat. I could go for some meat,” Eddie approved.
They dumped their packages into the trunk of the car they’d driven into town and piled in for the drive over to the restaurant to meet the ladies. Lunch was filled with laughter and fun. After they returned home the men put their gifts under the tree since that seemed like the best place to put them. All three females frowned.
“What?” Joe asked.
“You didn’t wrap them yourselves?” Carly asked.
“Why should we?” Leo asked.
“After all, they’d look really horrible if we wrapped ‘em. Be realistic,” Eddie argued.
Mandy bent to review the presents. “Looks like you took care of us very well. But didn’t you buy any presents for each other?” She looked up at Joe.
He exchanged looks with the other males. Finally Eddie said, “We’re fine. We don’t need to get each other anything. You don’t give other males a gift for Valentine’s Day unless you’re gay and you’re buying for your sweetheart.”
“Quite true,” Leo agreed.
Carly and Maria exchange looks. “Oh, no. I don’t think so. But if you need an excuse, just consider these as Christmas gifts…two months late. Anyway, have fun going back out this afternoon.”
“Shit,” Jake sighed.
Leo opened his mouth to reprimand his son, but then he closed his mouth again. Joe was sure his father agreed with Jake. He knew he did.
Chapter Fourteen
Mandy rolled over in bed and opened her eyes. Joe lay beside her. Warm and asleep. She cuddled up to him. It was the thirteenth. Yesterday, Tom and Sharon had stopped by for rehearsal and they’d gone out to the studio Eddie had built in one of the outbuildings in the back of her property. They practiced for the concert and started talking about what they wanted to do on their CD, the first that would include Joe.
Mandy had sneaked in to listen and even taken some photos of the band rehearsing. She’d exchanged grins with Joe’s brothers when they had slipped in to listen too. Leo and Maria made other plans for the day. Leo had taken Maria off so they could sightsee and spend the day together. When Mandy had gotten tired of the band’s stops and starts, and she had plenty of rehearsal shots, she went out to take pictures of the picturesque snow-covered streets of Whitewolf and the store windows decorated for Valentine’s Day. She even drove up into the mountains to get some great nature shots.
When she came back to the house, the band was still rehearsing. In spite of herself, she’d been drawn back to listen to them play, and for the first time in years a part of her yearned to participate. To perform with her mate. What fascinated her the most was that even though Eddie might be the band leader and founder, Joe was the manager. He directed the rehearsal sessions and kept them all on track—just as he had when they’d broken down their equipment after the concert. And watching Joe run through guitar riffs inspired her on many levels. Musically and sexually. He was just really hot when he got in the zone.
She laid her head on his shoulder and ran her fingers lightly over his chest. The only bad part about yesterday was that she’d stayed up talking with her parents and Joe had gone to bed early. By the time she joined him, he was fast asleep and she hadn’t had the heart to wake him. But damned if she wasn’t going to this morning. Two days without sex was long enough! She wanted to make love to her True Mate.
She stretched, rubbing her breasts against his chest. He sighed in his sleep, turning toward her so Mandy slipped a thigh between his legs and nudged gently against his half-hard cock. He reached for her and pulled her closer, thrusting his hips. She stroked his chest, running her fingers through the hair there and brushing his nipples.
“Ah yeah,” he muttered, still humping her leg.
She chuckled, cuddling closer and pressing her face into his throat. Her tongue snaked out to taste him. He lifted his head, his fingers tangling in her hair to hold her close. She leaned back to look up at him and his eyelids fluttered open. Slowly, his eyes focused and he smiled. Such a sweet smile.
“Mandy.”
“Good morning.” She ran her fingers through his long dark hair and kissed his chin.
“Morning.”
He lowered his head and took her mouth in a deep, warm kiss. She opened for him, their tongues twisting. Teasing as they parted then came together again. Mandy licked the inside of his lips and he groaned, plundering her mouth. Taking control. Rolling her to her back and rising over her.
“Yessss…” she moaned.
Warm kisses trailed down her neck and across her breasts before he tasted her tight nipples. Savoring her flesh. She arched into his mouth as electricity hummed in her body. Thrilling her. He flicked at her. Sucked her. Bit. Teasing her body. Learning her needs. She spread her legs, tugging Joe between. His hard cock grazed her pussy, drawing a moan from her. She raised her hips in invitation.
“Ah, angel. You’re gonna kill me.”
“But what a way to go,” she sighed.
He chuckled, then groaned when her wet slit brushed the head of his cock. He probed. Rubbing the head over and around her clit. Mandy lifted her thighs along his hips and wrapped her legs around him. Grasping him tight.
“Fuck me, Joe.”
He reached down to stroke her, spreading her wetness. Finding her clit he pressed and she gasped, jerking under his touch.
“Is this what you want?”
“God, yes. Don’t stop.” Her breath caught. She moaned as he kept up a steady caress, teasing her tight clit even as his cock started a dance with her pussy. He dipped inside. Just the tip then withdrew. Over and over until she begged. “Please, Joe. Oh baby, fuck me.”
“Not yet,” he growled. His rode her, staying just far enough away that he tormented her. Aroused her. But didn’t sate her.
Mandy thrust her pussy upward, her fingers digging into his back. Joe leaned over her, lips trailing along her skin. He sucked her nipple back into his mouth. Drawing on it even as he rubbed her clit and teased the entrance to her pussy.
“You’re so wet, angel. I love how slick you are. All for me.”
“Take me, Joe.”
She threw back her head, arched her back and raised her hips. Open and inviting. Desperate for his penetration. She needed him to fill her. To pound into her until they climaxed. But he was in control…and his command of their lovemaking was a total turn-on.
“Give me more,” she cried.
He eased his cock about halfway into her and she dragged herself onto him, enveloping his hard, thick erection in her wet clasping channel. He groaned, finally losing the fight to remain in control, diving inside her. Their hips slammed together and she sobbed into his mouth as he kissed her.
She clenched her fingers in his hair, holding them together in any way she could. He drew back and plunged inside her again. Driving forward as she accepted his invasion. Receiving his body in hers.
She pressed hot kisses along his skin as he fucked her. They ground together, mashing her clit in just the way she needed. She rolled her hips as he sank into her. Moving together. Soft cries. Deep groans. Moans of excitement.
It was more than she could take. Her clit tightened. Throbbed, as her pussy clasped him tightly. He hammered into her, clutching her close, his head pressed into her neck.
“Fuck yeah. Give it to me, angel. Come.”
She screamed, gripping him tight as waves of release shook her. Muscles spasmed and she shuddered. Clasping his cock in her pussy. Clenching and releasing as pleasure rose and ebbed and rose again. All the while, he stabbed into her. Finally, he went rigid and then his cock jerked. His hips b
ucking into her as he came.
They collapsed together. Gasping. Lost in bliss. This was what being with your True Mate was supposed to be like, damn it. She pressed a kiss to his cheek. Slowly he lifted his head to meet her gaze.
“God. I want to wake up like this every morning for the rest of our lives.” He rolled off her and stretched, raising his arms over his head.
“That works for me.”
He chuckled and kissed her. Joe pulled her over into his arms. Cuddling her. Cradling her close and caressing her damp skin.
Mandy ran her fingers over his arms and bit her lip. She needed to know why he hadn’t touched her but she was afraid to upset their closeness.
He kissed her forehead. “What’s up? I know you’re thinking hard about something.”
“Have you been mad at me?” She met his gaze. He looked confused.
“Mad? Why would I be?”
“Well, you haven’t made love to me for two days. I kind of wondered.”
“Oh, that.”
“Yeah, that.”
He kissed her. “I’m sorry. I’ve been so wrapped up in the talk I had with my father, I really wasn’t thinking about anything else.”
“I pushed you into it. I’m really sorry, Joe.”
He caressed her face. “No, angel. Don’t apologize. You did the right thing.” He seemed lighter somehow. “He’s proud of me.”
“Who? Your father?”
“Yeah.” Joe looked into her eyes. “He said it out loud. Actually said that I have and I do make him proud. He’s never said it before.” He shook his head in disbelief, but his smile was huge and he glowed.
“I’m glad he finally told you.”
“Me too. Mother told me he was proud of me, but he’d never said it himself.” He looked down at Mandy. “And if it weren’t for you, he might never have said it. So thank you. Even if I never hear it again, he finally said it.”
“Good. Now let’s go get a shower.”
He waggled his brows at her. “You up for round two?”
“Hell, yeah.”
“Cool.”
Mandy threw back the covers, climbing out of the bed. Joe lay back, savoring the view as she shivered in the cold morning air. She grabbed her pillow and threw it at him.
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