Designs on a Warrior woea-4

by Marisa Chenery

  He kept his forehead against her chest. “What trick?”

  She softly moaned when he did it again. “That. You just keep coming.”

  “It doesn’t bother you?”

  “God, no. It keeps you hard inside me.” She tried to move, but Wulfric pushed down on her hips, stopping her.

  “Don’t,” he said on a gasp. “Just stay still.”

  Considering his cock hadn’t shifted when she’d tried to move on him, Cydney did as he said. She wondered if the swelling was a byproduct of his ability to have back-

  to-back orgasms.

  After what seemed like a full minute, Wulfric lifted his head and looked at her.

  He’d stopped coming and his cock had gone down enough for her to feel it have some give. “Are you all right?” he asked.

  She nodded, feeling a little confused by the worried expression he wore. “Yeah.

  Why wouldn’t I be? That was the best sex I ever had.”

  One corner of his mouth lifted as he gave her a crooked grin. “So you liked it?”

  “I’ll put it bluntly. If I hadn’t, you wouldn’t have gotten a second round out of me. I don’t know how you learned to come the way you do, and I really don’t care. All I do care about is it makes for some great sex.”

  A look of relief washed over Wulfric’s face. “I have to say you’re making this a lot easier than I thought it would be.”

  “I’ll take that as a good thing.”

  “Definitely,” he said as he shifted her off his lap and onto the mattress. “So do you think you’ve tested out the bed enough?”

  “For now.”

  “Good. You still have to look at the en suite.”

  Wulfric slid off the bed. He turned, scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bathroom. Once inside, they put the shower to good use, not leaving any hot water for anyone else in the house.

  * * *

  “So you were serious about giving me free rein to do whatever I want to your bedroom?” Cydney asked.

  “Yes. Do you really think I can make the right choices? After all, I don’t mind the look of the room the way it is right now.”

  They sat on Wulfric’s bed—dressed again—eating the Indian food he’d called to have delivered. Cydney put another bite of buttered chicken in her mouth and chewed as she gave the room another look over.

  Once she swallowed, she said, “You’re right. You’d make it worse, not better.

  When do you want me to get started?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “Depending on how late it is when you drop me off at Maggie’s place tonight, I guess I can come up with something by then.”

  Wulfric wiped his mouth with a paper napkin that had come with the take-out.

  “I forgot to tell you, I have to work tonight. Actually, I work most nights. So I have to drop you off fairly early this evening.”

  She eyed him. “You couldn’t have been working last night if you were at the nightclub.”

  “I was. Remember how I told you I looked for someone? That’s part of my job.”

  “And what exactly is your job?”

  “I hunt down what you would call undesirables and make sure they get what they deserve.”

  “What? You mean like a bounty hunter or something?”

  Wulfric chuckled. “Or something. And Raed, Algar, Garrick, Dolf and Brand all do the same job I do.”

  Even though she hadn’t met the other men except for Dolf, Cydney had a feeling she’d find the others were just as built as Wulfric and his best friend. If they were all bounty hunter types, they would have to be to chase down bad guys.

  “Are there really that many undesirables in Norwich that all of you need to be out there?” she asked.

  “You’d be surprised,” Wulfric said. “Let me put it to you this way, we never seem to run out of prey to hunt.”

  Now he sounded like a big game hunter. “I’ll take your word for it. Since you will be dropping me off early, I should be able to come up with a design plan to show you tomorrow.”

  “Good. I’ll pick you up in the late morning and you can start working your magic on the room.”

  Cydney shook her head. “You have a lot of trust in me, considering you’ve never seen any of my work before. For all you know I could be into the real far off, eclectic styles.”

  Wulfric leaned across the bed and gave her a hard kiss before sitting back down.

  “Like I said, design it as if you were doing it for your own self. Pretend you have decided to move in with me. Think of how you would like it if you had to live in this room day after day.”

  “All right,” she slowly said. “That’s a different approach to doing a room design, picturing it as a place I’m going to live in. But I’ll go for it.”

  “I can’t wait to see what you come up with.”

  Right then, the sound of a baby’s cries could be heard through the closed bedroom door. Wulfric put aside his plate and slid off the bed. Cydney watched him open the door and step out into the hallway. He reappeared a few seconds later with Petra in his arms. Something about seeing him handle such a small infant had her insides fluttering in a good way. The way he cradled the baby against his chest while he smiled at her, Cydney knew Wulfric would be a good dad someday. Nothing like her own who didn’t really care if she lived or died.

  Wulfric lifted his head and looked at her. “Would you like to hold her?”

  “Ah, I don’t know,” she said hesitantly.

  “Not into babies?”

  She shook her head. “No, it’s not that. I just haven’t been around any. I’m an only child and I really don’t have many relatives I’m close with.”

  Petra grunted in Wulfric’s arms, causing him to sit cross-legged on the bed. He shifted the baby, so she sat up on his thigh and he supported her chin on one of his hands while he used the other to tap her back.

  “So your parents didn’t have any other kids?” he asked.

  “No. My mom passed away when I was fourteen. And my dad never remarried.”

  “Sorry to hear about your mother. Are you close with your father?”

  She snorted. “Not really. The only close relationship I have with him is with his money. Other than that, he isn’t there for me. My dad would never be what you would call a nurturer, by any means, and it only got worse after Mom died. I think he gives me whatever I ask just to get rid of me. I’ve been left to my own devices since I was fourteen.”

  Wulfric met her gaze and something lurked in his eyes she wasn’t sure she wanted to see. “I’m here now. You don’t have to feel as if you’re alone.”

  Petra’s loud burp broke the moment that had descended over them, which Cydney was thankful for. They both laughed.

  “Wow. That was a whopper,” she said.

  Wulfric bent and kissed Petra’s pouty, little lips. “She really can let them rip.” He picked the baby up and put her bottom on his crossed legs while he cradled her upper body with his arms. He smiled at her. “And I bet your little tummy feels better.”

  As Wulfric continued to talk nonsense to Petra, Cyndey watched him. What she’d seen in his eyes earlier, she could have sworn it looked like something close to…love? She really didn’t have much experience when it came to that particular emotion. There was no question her mother had loved her, and had shown it often, as if she had tried to make up for her father’s lack of it. But feeling it for a man she dated, it hadn’t ever happened.

  What she felt for Wulfric was different, though. She really liked him, and it wasn’t all to do with the great sex. Did she want something more meaningful than regarding him as her British boy toy? She didn’t know. But if he wanted things to be more serious, she’d have to watch herself. She had a return ticket to Toronto and she had every intention of using it.

  Chapter Six

  Later, after Wulfric had dropped her off at Maggie’s parents’ place, Cydney sat in their guest room on the bed with a sketchpad and colored pencils in front of her. />
  She’d already roughly sketched out the dimensions of Wulfric’s bedroom. With a color palette in mind—nothing in pink as she’d threatened—she’d drawn where she wanted the furniture to go, coloring in the walls and each piece.

  First thing tomorrow, she’d get rid of that god awful dresser, and rip up the disgusting shag carpeting shortly after. As for the furniture, she’d have to get Wulfric to take her shopping. She had a vague idea of what she wanted, but not familiar with the stores around there, she wasn’t sure she’d find anything.

  A tap at her door pulled her out of her design plans. “Come in,” she called.

  Maggie opened it and step inside. “Hey. Wulfric dropped you off early.”

  “Yeah. He has to work tonight.”

  “I see.” Maggie came closer and sat on the edge of the bed next to Cydney.

  “What are you working on?”

  She smiled as she turned the sketchpad for her friend to see. “I have my first design job. Wulfric wants me to totally redo his bedroom.”

  “Are you serious? It could just be a ploy to get you into bed.”

  Cydney rolled her eyes. “No such ploy is needed. I’ve already been in his bedroom and his bed.”

  Maggie giggled. “I guess that was dumb of me. Of course you would have already slept with Wulfric. You’ve always been a fast worker.”

  “Especially when it’s something I want. But really, he is getting me to redesign his room. You should see it now. It has green shag carpet and a puke-green dresser that I swear has to have come from the 70s. And what is worse is the man doesn’t think it’s all that bad. His family has told him otherwise, numerous times.”

  Maggie’s brow furrowed. “Wulfric still lives at home with his parents?”

  “No. He has roommates he calls his extended family. They all live together like a family would.”

  “Oh. He must live in a big place, especially since the room you’ve sketched looks pretty large.”

  “It’s one of those manor homes.” She told Maggie the name of the street Wulfric lived on.

  Her friend’s eyes widened. “Crap, he must be loaded, Cyd. Those manors are exceedingly expensive.”

  “Apparently, Wulfric and his family are all loaded. There are nine of them living together, married couples and all.”

  “So you met his family then?”

  “Not all. I didn’t get to meet one of them. They were all nice, though.”

  Before Wulfric and she had left the manor, he’d introduced her to the others who had returned. The only one she hadn’t gotten to see was Brand. Apparently he liked to spend his days and early evenings in and out, but lately he was mostly out.

  “I guess if you have your design project you’re going to be kept busy,” Maggie said.

  “I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Of course not. Wulfric is your first real client. Besides, it’s better you start off doing a job for someone you’re fairly close to. That way if you mess things up it won’t be so bad.”

  “Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence. I’m not going to mess things up. Believe me when I say even if I did, Wulfric wouldn’t notice. His taste is that atrocious.”

  “You’ll still have your work cut out for you, if you’re doing all of it yourself.”

  Cydney gave her a pleading smile. “Or you could find it in the goodness of your heart to help out a bit.”

  Maggie held up her hands. “Stop right there. Don’t even bother asking. You’re my best friend, but that does not mean I’ll be willing to pick up a paintbrush anytime soon.”

  “What if I were to tell you Wulfric has a single friend, one he lives with, whom I think would be a perfect match for you. Dolf is built like Wulfric and just about as tall.

  I’m sure Dolf could be convinced to help out alongside you. Would that get you to change your mind?”

  Maggie put her finger to her chin as if she thought about it, then dropped her hand. “Tempting, but no. Decorating is your thing, not mine. But feel free to introduce me to Dolf any other time.”

  “I don’t know if I should now.”

  Her friend stood. “Whatever,” Maggie said with a laugh. “I’ll leave you to your work. Oh, will Wulfric be working tomorrow night?”

  “I think so. Why?”

  “Ali, Carol and I are going back to the nightclub again and I thought maybe you’d like to tag along.”

  “I’ll see. Since someone,” Cyndey gave Maggie a pointed look, “won’t lend a hand, I might stay longer at the manor to work, if Wulfric allows it. The three wives will be there, so it wouldn’t be as if I were alone there.”

  “Well, suit yourself. The offer still stands.”

  “Thanks. I’ll let you know one way or the other sometime tomorrow.”

  After Maggie left, Cydney focused back on her sketchpad. It really would be ideal if she could work on Wulfric’s bedroom while he was out at his job. She didn’t want to spend the majority of her holiday working on it. And the faster she got it done the longer she’d have to focus on Wulfric. That decided, she made a mental note to talk to him about it after he picked her up the next day.

  * * *

  Stephen, the newest pack leader of the werewolves sired by Fenris the wolf, watched two members of his pack manhandling the mortal woman between them. Her screams of fear were music to his ears. They escalated in volume once the two males shifted to their werewolf forms. He didn’t worry about anyone overhearing her. They were underground inside their den.

  He looked around the central cavern they were in. Others of the pack stood on the sidelines watching the show. This was new to them, the same with his leadership.

  He’d taken it over by killing the former pack leader, Nathan. His bringing Nathan’s severed head back to the den had been all the proof the others had needed to follow him.

  One of the first things he’d changed within the pack was the lack of females. No longer were only males allowed in the den. Nathan’s rule about not changing any of the opposite sex into werewolves, Stephen kept in place, but he had nothing against his pack having some fun with them. Just so long as they did it here where no one could see them. All he needed was for the Anglo-Saxon god’s warriors to catch wind of it and the games would come to an end.

  Not that Stephen really gave a fuck about the warriors. Nathan had been too obsessed with them for his own good. As far as Stephen was concerned, the less interaction the better. From his days of being a mortal criminal on the streets, he’d learned not to draw attention to himself so long as he wanted to continue doing what others thought was wrong.

  After Nathan’s last failed attempt at capturing one of the warriors a month before, Stephen realized there was no way he could completely rid himself of them.

  They were too strong and their god protected them too well. Just so long as they didn’t come after him directly, he couldn’t give a fuck what they did. So what if they killed off some of his pack members during their nightly hunts. It wasn’t as if more mortals couldn’t be turned.

  And he had bigger fish to fry. Now that he was a werewolf, and immortal to boot, Stephen intended to continue the lawless activities he’d enjoyed as a mortal. Only this time, he wanted to be the man on top running the show. With his whole pack at his disposal, it wouldn’t be hard to set himself up as head of a crime ring.

  Turning away from the entertainment, Stephen went to the smaller cavern that was now his. The sight of the woman, and her screams, made him hungry for some playtime of his own, but he didn’t want anyone’s leavings. Tomorrow night he’d go out and look for a mortal woman to enjoy.

  * * *

  The next day, Cydney dressed in her oldest pair of jeans and t-shirt she’d brought with her from Canada. She was prepared just in case Wulfric wanted her to get started on his room right away. Though she hoped they’d be able to indulge in each other for a little bit first. She found she now craved his touch. After she’d gone to bed, she’d played through her time spent with Wulfric in her head. It c
ouldn’t have been a more perfect day. Actually, there was a lot about him she thought was perfect.

  Having already prearranged the time for Wulfric to pick her up that morning, Cydney went downstairs to search for some breakfast. Maggie was in the kitchen with her parents. They sat at the table and looked her way when she stepped into the room.

  Maggie’s mom motioned to the counter. “There are some fresh baked blueberry muffins, or I can whip up some eggs for you.”

  “The muffin is fine,” she quickly assured her. Cydney took one off the cooling rack and put it on a plate she’d taken out of the cupboard. She sat in the empty chair next to Maggie.

  “So,” Maggie’s dad said, “I hear you have your first designing job, Cydney.”

  She nodded and swallowed the bite she’d taken of the muffin. “Yes. I’m actually pretty excited about it.”

  “And she’s excited about who hired her too,” Maggie added with a giggle.

  Maggie’s mother sighed. “Well, could you blame her? I’ve met Wulfric and he’s definitely something to get excited about.”

  “What does that make me?” Maggie’s dad asked. “Chop liver?”

  “Oh no, dear,” his wife said. “You know you’re all I’ll ever want. But I can still appreciate a man as good-looking as Wulfric.”

  Cydney wasn’t used to this type of banter between husband and wife. Even while her mother had been alive, her parents hadn’t acted this way. She didn’t think her father could ever loosen up enough to have allowed it.

  “Anyway,” she said, “Wulfric will be picking me up soon. Since I have a lot of work to do mostly by myself, I might not come back until very, very late tonight.”

  Maggie’s mother stood. “In that case, I should give you the spare key. That way you don’t have to wake any of us to let you in.”

  As Maggie’s mom went to get the key, Maggie turned to Cydney. “What about the nightclub tonight?”

  “I don’t know, Mags. I got to thinking after you asked me. If I don’t want to spend most of the holiday working, I should get as much work done in a day as I can.”

  “All right. I understand. Just don’t work yourself into the ground trying to get it all done.”