I release him and walk to the other side of the counter, “I’m moving to Tennessee.” Better to get it over with quick, like a band aid.
“I figured you would,” he finishes placing the pepperonis and then starts on the cheese. “So when are you leaving?”
“In a couple of days, but we’ll come back to visit and you’re more than welcome to come see me there.”
“I’d like that, doll. What are you going to do about the cabin?”
“Well, I was hoping you’ll keep an eye on it for me. I don’t want to sell it and we could stay there when we come back to visit.”
“So you’re already a we?” He asks still focusing on the pizza.
By agreeing to go with Pike to Tennessee I guess I’m also agreeing to become a we. The thought frightens the day lights out of me. What does it really mean to be a we with an Alpha wolf? Ugh! This is all happening so fast, but I’ve already committed myself to the move so I won’t let my insecurities make me back out on my word.
“Yeah, I guess we are,” I answer watching his expression, which is giving nothing away.
He doesn’t answer for several minutes while he finishes topping my pizza with extra cheese. I watch him turn and place it in the oven then he turns back to me and says, “Bloom, I’m going to miss you fiercely, but as much as I hate to admit it, I believe this is going to be good for you. That man out there has brought the light back to your eyes and I can’t fault him for that. If he can make you happy I won’t try to stop you from leaving.”
Walking around the counter I throw myself back into his arms, “Billy, I needed you to understand. I love you so much.”
He has one arm wrapped around me while the other strokes my hair. “I love you too, Bloom Michael. And I promise I’ll be coming to see you. I have to come and make sure those wolves are treating my girl right.”
“Like I’d let them treat me any other way,” I reply, grinning up at him.
“No, I guess you wouldn’t.” He releases me then says, “Go back out to your guests so I can finish up your order. Or else I’m gonna put you to work.”
Chapter 25 – Pike
~ Right beside my mate ~
My mate wasn’t lying when she said Billys had the best pizza, dang I ate two larges by myself and three slices of his homemade apple pie. Thank goodness my shifter genes give me a fast metabolism or I’d be well over 500 pounds. When we finished, Billy came out and told us all bye, he pulled me aside and told me to keep Bloom safe. Which of course I plan on doing, but I don’t need to be rude so I agree I will. He asks if he can visit once we get settled in Tennessee and I let him know he’s always welcome. I understand what he is to my mate and like I told her, I don’t want to keep her from the people she loves.
On the drive home Emily tells Bloom more about living in a pack and I let myself enjoy the feel of her beside me. Last night I almost lost her to some psycho stalker and the thought rocks me to my core. My wolf wants nothing more but to hunt him down and honestly my human side isn’t fighting him on it too much. The only thing stopping me is Bloom. I can’t leave her unprotected while I go after revenge. She needs my protection though I doubt she’ll admit it and I need to know she’s close so my wolf will stay calm. Eventually, we’ll be able to be apart but that won’t happen till I know Trace is no longer a threat and we’re safely back with my pack. I have Tucker tracking Trace down, Bloom figures he’s skipped town after what he did last night, but the predator in me knows he hasn’t given up. If anything he’ll be more determined to get his hands on my mate.
After parking in front of the cabin I get out and pull Bloom out my side of the car, since she’s sitting right beside me in the middle. Taking her hand we walk up the steps, unlock the door, step into the living room and then I drop onto the couch pulling her down on top of me. She giggles as she cuddles in closer to me.
Taking a seat in one of the recliners Emily huffs, “You two do realize that I’m super tired and you’ve taken over my bed for the night, right?”
Bloom props herself up and looks over at Emily, “I wouldn’t make you sleep on the couch when there’s the spare room now that Billy cleaned out da …” A wistful expression crosses her face for less than a heartbeat as she thinks about her Dad then she clears it away replacing it with a smile and continues, “It’s not much but it’s just been cleaned and I think he even put new sheets on the bed. So you’re more than welcome to use that room while we’re here.”
“That sounds perfect. Thanks, Blu!” Emily gushes.
“No problem, plus your brother will need the couch to sleep on anyway.”
Sliding out from underneath her and standing I snarl, “The hell I am!” She must have lost her mind if she thinks I’ll be sleeping on that couch.
She stares up at me stunned for all of two seconds before she rights herself on the couch and flatly asks, “And where the heck do you think you’ll be sleeping?”
Crossing my arms over my chest I answer, “Right beside my mate.” Where I belong!
Standing she mimics my stance by crossing her arms and staring up at me, “The hell you are. I’ve never had a man sleep in my bed before and that’s not gonna change tonight.” Well, I like hearing that no other man’s been in her bed, but still, I’m her mate.
“How quick you forget darlin’, I’ve been sleeping beside you all week.” I uncross my arms and reach out to place my palm to her cheek.
She pulls back. “That’s not the same Pike Masterson and you know it. I thought you were a freaking dog!”
“I am not a dog!” I growl then lifting her up, I throw her over my shoulder. “And I will be sleeping right beside my mate tonight.” Emily giggles causing me to remember we have an audience. “Goodnight, little sister. Make sure the doors locked, please. I kind of have my hands full.”
Kicking her legs and scratching at my back Bloom demands, “Put me down now!”
“Scratch a little lower, will ya darlin’? I have an itch I can’t reach.” I chuckle and wink at my sister who laughs at the two of us some more.
“Scratch yourself, you overgrown dog!” She still kicks but stops the scratching.
“I’m not a dog,” I correct, swatting her butt which causes her to go still.
“Good gir…” I start to say but I’m stopped short when Bloom hauls back and slams her elbow into the back of my head.
“Don’t ever smack my ass again!” She growls then continues to try to wiggle free while I’m stunned. By sure will, I keep her on my shoulder as I head us toward the bedroom.
Emily’s laughing so hard I can barely understand her when she calls after us, “Goodnight, big brother. Goodnight, Bloom.”
Resigned to her fate, for the moment, Bloom stops kicking and sighs, “Goodnight, Emily.”
I kick the door shut with my foot, toss her on the bed and then spread myself out beside her. She jumps up and throws her hands on her hips all the while glaring at me.
“You arrogant, over bearing, pain in my …”
“Now, now darlin’, a lady doesn’t use that kind of language.”
“And a gentleman wouldn’t throw a lady around like a sack of potatoes, so you can bite me!”
I arch an eyebrow and a wolfish grin overtakes my face. “My pleasure, mate, just show me where you’d like it.” Her checks become flamed and I grin wider at the delicious thoughts that are going through her mind. As mad as I may make her, she still wants my mark and I want to see it on her.
I slide to the edge of the bed and grab the loops in her jeans to pull her closer. She drops her hands from her hips but keeps the glare on her face as I circle my arms around her waist and look up at her with puppy dog eyes.
“Oh, I don’t think so mister. If you think I’m gonna forgive you just because you mention marking me and give me that look you are sadly mistaken.” She tries to remove my arms but I tighten my grip pulling her closer to my chest.
“Darlin’, I really am sorry. But I need you to see it my way.”
&nbs
p; “And what way is that?” She asks crossing her arms in front of her to put some distance between us, once she realizes she isn’t getting out of my arms until I decide to let her out.
“Twenty-four hours ago you were attacked and I could’ve lost you and I haven’t ripped the man apart, yet, like my wolf is demanding. So until this threat to your safety is over, I will be glued to your side and if that means I sleep beside you so be it.” Though I would’ve insisted on sleeping beside my mate even if there was no threat.
“Pike, you do remember I can read your thoughts too, right? So I heard that unspoken part.” She reminds me looking awful proud of herself for catching me.
“Sorry darlin’, but that doesn’t change the fact that there is a threat and I’ll feel much better if I know I’m in here protecting you.”
“Fine, but there will be no funny business. Mate or not, I am not ready for … that.” Her cheeks blush a little and I reach up and brush my thumb along the pinkened spot. The fact that I can make her body react to me even in these little ways makes me long for our bonding to be complete so I can have her completely. I won’t push her, because I know she’s not ready, but someday she will be and I’ll take great pleasure in seeing if the rest of her body blushes like her cheeks.
She clears her throat. Dang she must have caught those thoughts as well; I really need to remember to block my mind.
“Umm … I need to go get changed and brush my teeth.” She steps out of my arms and goes to her dresser and pulls out some night clothes. She turns to me before heading out the door. “You can get changed in here. I promise to knock before I come back in.” Then she slips out the door shutting it behind her.
I don’t think she’d like it if I sleep in my boxers so I grab my bag out of the living room and find a pair of pajama bottoms Emily packed me. I strip down then pull them on and decide to go without a shirt. I can handle the pants but I know a shirt will get tangled in the sheets and make me uncomfortable, plus without it I have a good chance of feeling my mates hands against my bare chest. Climbing into the bed I make myself comfortable as I wait on her to join me. She’s dressed and has brushed her teeth but I can hear her giving herself a pep talk and it makes me smile.
Come on Bloom, you can do this. It’s Pike, your mate … your very attractive mate. You’re just going to sleep beside him, nothing else. You both will have clothes on. Oh crap, what if he sleeps naked? No, he wouldn’t do that. Would he? Ugh! Alright suck it up. He’s probably listening to this little rant and laughing at you.
“Pike?”
“Sorry darlin’, I can’t help myself. You are pretty darn adorable when you’re flustered. If it helps put you at ease, I promise I have pants on.”
“That does help, a little. I’ll be right there.”
The door opens slowly and she steps in then closes it back. She has on white cotton sleep shorts that have popsicles printed on them and a red racer back tank top and I have to say it may be the sexiest thing I have ever seen. I push the cover back from her side and pat the spot on the bed beside me. She climbs in and I don’t hesitate pulling her into my arms so her head lies against my bare chest. To my surprise she relaxes, letting out a contented sigh as she tangles our legs together so we’ll be closer.
“Tennessee?” I love when she calls me that.
“Yes, darlin’?”
“Will you tell me what it’s like to be a wolf?”
Her question shocks me and I lean back so I can look at her face, something isn’t right. “What’s wrong?”
She waited a few moments then says, “I keep wondering why I never shifted. From what you and Emily have told me, I definitely should have and now that I know that I feel like I’m mourning the loss of a huge part of myself.”
“Your wolf.” I run my fingers through her hair pushing it away from her face.
“Exactly! Today, I started realizing that there is another side to me, my wolf side, and she’s probably always been there making me stronger and protecting me. I just never gave her any notice, but now I really want to know why she never came out. Why can’t I shift?”
“I’d like to know that too, darlin’, and I promise as soon as we get home we’ll talk to the Elders. One of them should be able to help us figure out what’s keeping her in.”
“Thank you.” She lightly kisses my chest and says, “Good night, Tennessee.”
I kiss the top of her head. “Good night, darlin’.”
Chapter 26 – Bloom
~ Till the good lord pulls the last breath from my body ~
When I wake up I find myself tangled around Pike. It feels so right to be there and I’m not ready to move yet so I snuggle back in and lay my head back against his chest. His unique scent surrounds me like a favorite blanket and I sigh at the familiarity. I can’t believe how much my life has changed in the past week. I’ve gone from being so depressed I can barely get out of bed or stop crying to not wanting to get out of bed because I’m content wrapped in the arms of my half man/half wolf mate.
“Half man/half wolf?” Pike grumbles still half asleep.
“I can’t think of a better way to say it. How are you so in tune to my thoughts while you’re asleep?” I playfully poke his side.
“Shifter or just plain wolf, would work darlin’. My wolf keeps an eye on you even when I’m asleep. He has to make sure you’re safe,” he explains then kisses the top of my head.
“Tell him to relax, he needs to sleep too.”
“He’s a supernatural being, darlin’, as long as I get sleep he doesn’t have to.”
“Interesting,” I reply honestly.
“So what do you have planned for us today?” Pike asks as he stretches his arms over his head. I feel the loss of his touch and my wolf screams for me to pull him back to us. Instead of listening to her I roll out of bed and grab my robe.
“Well, Bonnie’s coming over and I need to talk to her about going with us. Then I’ll probably start packing.”
He props himself up on his side and watches me for several moments. “Are you going to be okay if Bonnie says no to going?”
“She’ll say yes.” I hope.
“But say she doesn’t.” He’s still watching me closely. I can tell he’s worried what my answer will be so to reassure him I climb back into bed and set on my knees beside him. Placing my hands on each side of his face I look him in the eyes. It’s a dominant move but Emily told me that as his mate, and apparently an alpha in my own right, I have the right to look him in the eyes this way. She also said anyone else who tries will be dealt with, I’m not sure what that means but I’m not ready for the answer so I didn’t ask.
“Pike, I said I’m going. So if you’re worried I’ll back out because she doesn’t go then stop. If I give my word I keep it.”
He places his hands over mine to pull them away from his face, takes them to his mouth and gently kisses each palm. “That’s a big worry off my shoulders, darlin’. I need you with me.” I’ve been wanted before, I’ve even had people say they needed me before, but those times mean nothing compared to this lethal Alpha wolf whispering it to me like a prayer. He could snap a man’s neck like a twig and has a whole pack at his beck and call, yet he needed me, and I can tell he believes it. Hell, I believe it because I know how much I need him.
He releases my hands and sits up the rest of the way so he can press his lips to mine. The kiss is gentle, more about showing our feelings for each other than demanding what we want. I trail my finger tips along his jaw and enjoy the rough feeling of the stubble there. He caresses the crook of my neck with one hand while the other is fisted into the back of my tank top.
A knock on the door causes us to jump apart. We haven’t done anything wrong but dang if we don’t look guilty at the moment.
“Bloom, someone just pulled in,” Emily speaks through the door.
“I’ll be right there,” I answer back not taking my eyes off of Pike. I lean in and kiss his lips one more time then climb off the bed. He gets up
also and heads toward the door.
“Go get ready darlin’, I’ll see who’s here.”
“I won’t take long. It’s probably Bonnie; she said she’d be over early.”
He sniffs the air then smiles, “Yep, it’s her.”
“Seriously Tennessee, that is just wrong. If you don’t want me to start cracking jokes then stop acting like a freaking coon dog.”
“It can help me keep you safe, so I won’t be stopping, but don’t worry darlin’ you’ll get use to my wolfish ways.” He winks at me then walks out the door closing it behind him. There seems to be a lot of things I’ll have to get use to; his enhanced sense of smell is just the tip of a very large iceberg that’s quickly crashing into my life. I figure I’ll have to wait and see if I can survive the changes or not. Though I can honestly say I’m darn determined to make it work.
Reviving Bloom (Bloom Daniels Series) Page 11