Michael got to his feet, angrier than he’d ever remembered being with his sister. “What gives you the right to judge my motives about taking Ariane to Houston? Why would you just up and decide that I’m out to hurt her in some way or that I’m not sincere in my interest? You don’t know a damn thing about me, Maddie. Let’s face it, we don’t know anything about each other. We didn’t grow up together, and we’ve not had a chance to spend much time together since you’ve been out of the hospital.”
Michael looked at her face, and all his anger seemed to drain away. “I know it’s my fault we didn’t grow up together. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t wish I could turn back the clock and keep from crashing that boat.” When she opened her mouth to speak, he held up his hand. “It’s okay, Sis. I can’t change the past, so I’m trying to live in the present and look forward to the future. But give me some credit, please. I have feelings for Ariane, real feelings that I can’t just let go of. I have to know if we can move forward in our relationship, and the only way to do that is to find out if she can live with me in Houston. I can’t make a life here. I want this chance, Maddie. I need this chance to see if I can have the same kind of happiness that you have with Remus. Can’t you be happy for me?”
Maddie walked over and hugged him tightly. “I want you to be happy, Michael. I’m just afraid your happiness might be at Ariane’s expense. I can’t see her happy living in the city, away from her people and family. There will be no place for her to shift and run, and she’ll have to hide what she is. If for some reason it doesn’t work out, she’ll be left to come back here and face the pity from her family and neighbors who will consider her mated without a mate. She’ll be alone, Michael. Can you live with that?”
Michael looked at his sister for a long time before he spoke. “I can’t let her go, not yet. When I’m with her, it’s like coming home. She gives me feelings like I’ve never had before. I want those feelings all the time, Maddie. I wanna see if I can make it work back home.” He paused and turned to look out the door. “She said she’s willing to try, and she said she loves me.”
“Have you said you love her, Michael?” Maddie walked over and put her hands on his shoulders. “I hope you know what you’re doing.” She looked at him skeptically. “You’re basically taking a wolf, a known predator, and caging it in a big city. What’s gonna happen when it wants out?”
Chapter 6
Michael nervously opened the door to his tenth floor condo and then stepped back to allow Ariane to enter first. To say he was nervous was a gross understatement. He wanted her to like his home, even begin to think of it as her own. It was important to him in ways he didn’t fully understand.
He watched silently as she walked by him and got her first glimpse of the fancy apartment. The expressions on her face gave no indications of what she was thinking. In fact, she’d become increasingly withdrawn since they had landed at the airport. She’d shrunk next to him, pressing tightly against his body in the crowds they encountered while they waited for their luggage. He’d tried to draw her into a conversation during the taxi ride home, but she’d continued to just stare out the window, those beautiful green eyes wider than he’d ever seen them.
“You have a beautiful home, Michael.”
Her words startled him out of his thoughts. Dropping their suitcases, he walked over to her and slipped his arms around her waist. He rubbed his cheek back and forth across the top of her head. “Thanks, baby. It’s much nicer with you here.” He nuzzled her neck. “Are you okay? You’ve seemed a little down in spirits since the plane landed.”
When she answered, her voice was low and a little husky. “I’m fine, really. I’m just not used to being around so many people.” She turned in his arms to face him. “I grew up in a pack, Michael. I’ve never lived outside, in the human world.”
Michael sighed and pulled her closer. “I’m sorry, I never thought of it like that. Hell, I don’t even like the crowds at the airport, and I’m used to them.” He gave her a big smile. “Come on, I want to show you something.” He took her hand and pulled her toward the large sliding glass door that led out to his balcony. Yanking it open, he pulled her outside. “What do you think of this view?” It was a beautiful, clear night, and she would be able to see quite a bit of Houston’s lights. It had always been a spectacular sight to him.
Ariane walked over to the rail and gazed out toward the city. She looked carefully in each direction and then smiled weakly. “It’s a beautiful city.” She swallowed hard and then gazed into his eyes. “Is it all city? I mean, do you have forests or parks or someplace that’s just nature?”
The breath caught in Michael’s throat. I’m so stupid! She’s wondering if there’s a place she can run. He took her in his arms and placed a tender kiss on her lips. “Of course there is. There are parks on the other side of the city, but they can be pretty crowded sometimes.” He thought for a moment. “We can take a drive out of town. There are ranches not far from here that have thousands of acres with nothing on them but cattle and horses and the occasional cowboy.” He gave her a little smile. “I’m sure we can find a place for you to run. It just won’t be the type of forest you’re used to.” He gave her a worried look. “Will that be okay?”
Ariane gave him a real smile and reached up to kiss his lips. “That’ll be fine, Michael. I don’t have to run daily, just every once in a while to keep my wolf happy.” She took a deep breath. “I’m sure we’ll be happy here as long as we’re with you.”
A feeling of unease hit him square in the stomach. He still wasn’t quite comfortable with any talk that sounded like permanence, even though he felt like he couldn’t let her go. Pushing the uncomfortable thoughts aside, he grabbed her hand again. “Come on, let me show you the rest of the place.”
Dragging her through the rooms, he tried to see them from her point of view. The living room was big and sparsely furnished. He’d never entertained here, so he only had a couch, a reclining chair, a few tables, and a large-screen television. Everything a bachelor could want. The dining room was empty since he’d never felt a need for a dining room table. The kitchen was state-of-the-art, with everything for a serious cook, and none of it had ever been used. There were two spare bedrooms, one of which he had furnished as an office and the other one empty. Then, finally, he took her into the master bedroom.
A king-size bed dominated the room, with the only other furniture being a triple dresser. He didn’t even have any pictures on the walls. There were two doors off to the right. One was a huge walk-in closet, and the other was a masterpiece of a bathroom. It held a large Jacuzzi tub and a separate shower stall big enough for four people easily. There was a double sink vanity, and there were heat lamps in the ceiling for comfort. He couldn’t wait to show her that tub.
He watched her as she glanced at the bed and then ran her gaze quickly around the room before returning to the large bed. She turned and looked at him over her shoulder. The sensual invitation in her eyes took his breath away. Startled by that look, he gasped when she rounded on him, licked her lips, and then grabbed his shirt and hauled his body close to hers. She brought their mouths together, teasing him with parted lips. Michael responded by flicking his tongue against hers and then gently taking her bottom lip between his teeth. He nipped lightly and then soothed the area with a gentle lick. When she repeated the caress to his own lip, he was lost. As his desire flared, he plunged his tongue deep, absorbing her taste.
“Michael!” She pulled back from the kiss and moaned his name.
Michael ran his hands down her back and rested them on her butt. He felt her hand push between their bodies to grip the bulge in his jeans. He bit back a groan and used his hands to pull hers away, pressing his erection into her stomach. He wanted to shout his pleasure when he felt her grind her body back against his.
Releasing his hold, Michael sank to the floor and knelt in front of her body. “You’re so sexy,” he whispered. He released the fastening on her skirt and al
lowed it to drop to the floor. His fingers burrowed beneath her panties and brushed through the damp curls between her thighs. Gripping the silky covering with his fingers, he began slowly pulling them down. Leaning forward, he pressed his nose into her dampness, inhaling the scent of her arousal. As he pulled the panties down past her knees to the floor, he slid his tongue along her slit. The sweet flavor burst in his mouth, causing his cock to harden painfully.
Lowering his head, he encouraged her to step out of the discarded clothing and began to kiss his way up her body. Using his hands, he turned her so he could kiss up the back of her legs. His hands raised and palmed the cheeks of her ass before squeezing firmly. He let his fingers trace her crease while he licked the backs of her knees.
“Oh, God. What are you doing?” she cried out.
He ignored her cries as he continued up her body, kissing and biting the white globes of her ass. He could feel her begin to quiver, and he threw one arm around her waist to steady her. He pressed his lips to her back, up under the edge of her shirt, while his finger teased the puckered opening hidden between her cheeks. Suddenly, he stood, grabbed the edge of her top, and pulled it up and over her head. Without wasting a moment, he grabbed the fastening of her bra and yanked, tearing the flimsy strap in his haste. He threw both garments to the floor and turned her roughly in his arms. He reveled in the startled, wide-eyed look on her face. Her skin was flushed rosy red and her nipples hard and pointing straight at him.
Ariane groaned when his lips fastened on her breast, and he began licking and sucking. Changing his assault, he allowed his lips to rise to her mouth and tease while his fingers plucked at her nipples. Wanting to keep her off balance and just feeling, Michael lowered his head and sucked a nipple into his mouth while his fingers reached for her clit. Finding her dripping wet, he moistened the tip of his finger and circled her clit slowly. Her hips began to writhe, pushing closer to his invading finger.
Michael pulled her closer to the bed. He yanked off the chocolate brown comforter and then lay down on the cool sheets. Reaching to the bedside table, he took a condom out of the drawer and quickly covered his erection. His hand reached out in invitation. As he watched, she laid her small hand in his and allowed herself to be drawn onto the bed. Ariane yelped when he grabbed her around the waist and lifted her over his body, settling her on his abdomen. Her legs rested on each side of his body, while his throbbing cock pressed against her back. Her eyes were wide and filled with curiosity.
“I want you to ride me,” he whispered.
Eyes as big as saucers, she blinked rapidly then stared down at his chest. Her hands came to rest near his shoulders and then drifted down to caress his nipples. He hissed loudly as the feeling of her hands shot down to his groin.
“You like me touching you there, don’t you?” Her voice was timid, her face flaming red.
“Like you touching me where?” he teased her.
Her face became even redder. “Here.” Her fingers slid over the aching nubs again.
“What’s here?” He wanted to get her to say the word. The few times they’d made love, she’d always seemed reluctant to make sounds and never said anything resembling an erotic word. That was why her look of lust shocked him so when they’d first come into the bedroom.
Ariane lowered her head, her hair covering her face. “Your nipples,” she whispered.
“What? I didn’t hear you.” He had to bite back a laugh when her head popped up and she shot him a deadly glare.
“Your nipples, you jerk,” she yelled.
Unable to hold in his laughter, he reached up to cup both her breasts. Thumbing her hardened nipples, he continued to tease her. “Oh, you mean my nipples like these.” Her only response was a groan as her eyes closed. He continued to caress her for a moment and then brought his hands to her waist. Lifting slightly, he whispered, “Ride me, love, please.”
Ariane braced her hands on his chest as Michael lifted her, then took one of her hands and wrapped it around his erection. She positioned his cock at her entrance and then lowered herself over his rigid shaft slowly. Michael couldn’t stop his groan as he slid into her velvet wetness. Putting both her hands back on his chest, Ariane began to rise and lower her body slowly. Her eyes were closed, and her teeth were embedded in her bottom lip. She seemed oblivious to anything around her.
Michael raised his hands to cover her breasts. He smiled when Ariane arched her back, filling his palms with the small, firm globes. His body flared with heat as he idly stroked and plucked at her rosy nipples. As her movements quickened, Michael lowered his hand to the juncture of their bodies and searched for her clit. Moistening his fingers in her juices, he rubbed and tugged on the tiny button while he felt tingles as his balls began to tighten. Knowing he was only moments from coming, he sped up his caresses of her pleasure center and reached up to take her swollen nipple into his mouth. He sucked in strongly and then bit down lightly while pinching on her clit. Ariane arched up and let out a cry as she came, her screams echoing through the apartment. When he felt her pussy convulsing around his cock, Michael let out a roar of his own, filling the condom with his seed. Ariane collapsed down onto his chest, and he held her close while they both regained their breath. A feeling of contentment rolled over him.
Michael tenderly pushed back her hair and then tilted her face up to his. He pulled her close and whispered her name against her mouth, capturing her lips with his. For several long moments he fed from her lips, not wanting the moment to end. Finally he raised his head. “As much as I’d like to, I don’t think we can sleep like this.”
Ariane giggled. “Oh, I don’t know. It has possibilities for me.” She wiggled her butt, causing him to moan.
“Woman, you’re gonna be the death of me, I just know it.” Smiling, he lifted her off his erection, grimacing when his body separated from hers. Lowering her to his side, he kissed her forehead. “I’ll be right back.” He got up and went straight to the bathroom to dispose of the condom. A moment later he was back with a warm, wet washcloth in his hand. He carefully cleaned up his lover, even though the act caused her to blush furiously, and then tossed the rag toward the bathroom door. Cuddling down next to her in the warm bed, he looked at the sated, sleepy look on her face. Kissing her lightly on the lips, he reached and turned out the light and then cradled her in his arms. “Everything’s gonna be all right, I promise. Tomorrow, I’m going to take you to the office and introduce you to my partner and the other people I work with. You’ll like them, and they’re gonna love you.” With his eyes closed, he had begun to relax into sleep when he heard her drowsy voice.
“I love you, Michael.” Her words just drifted off as she slipped into sleep.
Michael froze, unable to say anything. He was glad she fell asleep so fast because he didn’t know what to say to her. He knew he felt something, but he honestly didn’t think it was love. Hell, he wasn’t even sure he’d know what love was if it jumped up and bit him on the ass. He cared for her. He cared for her a great deal, but he wasn’t sure it was going to be enough for her. What if he couldn’t give her what she wanted? Would she leave? At the thought of her leaving, he tightened his hold on her and was comforted when she snuggled even closer in her sleep. With thoughts of the future worrying him, it was a long time before Michael got any sleep.
* * * *
Michael was cheerful as he escorted Ariane into the elevator that would take them up to his office. He’d awakened with her wrapped tightly in his arms and feeling like all was right in his world. He couldn’t wait to introduce her to Melissa. Nobody else’s opinion really mattered to him but hers. They’d been friends for such a long time.
Ariane turned to him with a smile. “Okay, let me see if I’ve got this straight now.” She wrinkled her nose and appeared to be thinking carefully. “There’s Melissa who acts as a receptionist but who actually keeps the office going. Peter is your partner, and he’s the one getting married and having the party this weekend. His fiancé’s name is, uh,
let me think. Let’s see, oh yeah, Veronica. And there’s a Cynthia who is another architect in the firm. Is that right?”
Michael leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose. “That’s absolutely correct and pretty good considering I only told you their names once. Do you always remember things that easily?”
Ariane looked embarrassed as a flush ran up her cheeks. “Well, yeah, I guess so. I’ve been told that I have a photographic memory, but I’m not really sure that’s true. I mean I don’t remember everything. I just thought that this was important, and I want to make a good impression on your friends and partner.”
He closed his arms around her. “I don’t have any doubt you’ll make a good impression. You aren’t capable of making any other kind.” He leaned back to gaze into her eyes. “Besides, I don’t really care what any of them think except for Melissa, and I know she’s gonna be crazy about you.” He laughed at the skeptical look on her face and leaned down to kiss her just as the elevator doors opened. He quickly pulled her along behind him, down the hall to his offices. Wasting no time, he opened the door and gently guided her through in front of him.
Melissa automatically looked up when the door opened and then beamed when her eyes met Michael’s. “Michael! What on earth are you doing here? Peter said you were coming to the party this weekend, but he didn’t say anything about you coming in early.” She got up and came around her desk to give Michael a small hug.
Martine, Missy - Denying His Wolfen Heritage [A Wolfen Heritage 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 15