Corviticus University: Family Ties

by J. E. Cluney

“Shoes off,” I instructed.

  She chuckled as she leaned down and awkwardly removed her sneakers before sitting up.

  “No need to walk, I’ve got you,” I said softly as I slid one hand under her and the other behind her.

  She wrapped her arms around my shoulders automatically, and I drew in her sweet flowery scent. Damn, she always smelled so amazing.

  “Where are we going?” she murmured against my chest as I carried her bridal-style.

  “Not far.” I walked around the back of the ute and eased her onto the tray.

  She frowned as she felt around, touching the blankets I’d spread out.

  I climbed up beside her, running a hand down her arm as she quivered in the cool night air.

  “I’ll always take care of you, Bee Sting,” I said softly as I took off her blindfold.

  Those sweet doe eyes met mine, glittering under the stars as she smiled tenderly at me.

  She turned, taking in the tray of the ute.

  I’d set it up with pillows and blankets, and I’d gotten Erica to spell the lantern to keep the bugs away from us.

  “You did all this?” she gasped as she rested a hand on my thigh, smiling broadly as she took it in.

  “It’s the most beautiful spot of the property,” I informed her, loving how she gazed around with awe.

  We were parked by an old gum tree that had died years ago, now just a wooden skeleton of itself. But we had an uninterrupted line of sight all around us, overlooking farmland and hills in the distance.

  “It’s beautiful,” she breathed as she took in the magnificent view.

  I could feel her delight at the moment, and I leaned forward, pulling her into my lap and holding her close.

  “Thank you, this is amazing,” she murmured as I ducked down to kiss her.

  “I thought you might like it,” I chuckled against her lips.

  She repositioned herself to straddle me, and I couldn’t help the moan that escaped my lips. My body just instantly reacted, and she smirked as she leaned back.

  “You just have that effect on me,” I said honestly as she raised an eyebrow at me whilst smiling.

  “That’s okay, you did say we were going to have sex before we left,” she purred as she claimed my lips.

  I moved my hands up her back, holding her close as I deepened our kiss.

  ’This is so sweet, thank you,’ she murmured into my mind.

  ‘I wanted to share it with you. I used to come up here as a teen to escape my family some nights. Just enjoy the view,’ I informed her.

  She broke the kiss to smile at me as she took my face in her hands.

  “I love you, Skip.”

  My heart soared at the words, and I broke into a toothy smile as I stroked her face.

  “I love you, too,” I said as I stared into those deep, gorgeous eyes.

  Our lips met tenderly, but I drew in a deep breath, moaning as the sweet aroma of her arousal overtook my senses.

  Our kiss grew more hungry, and I tugged at her shirt, which she giggled at and helped me take off.

  I moved us over so I could lay her down on the blankets and pillows.

  I intended to ravish her under the stars, to make her cry out with pleasure and remember this night.

  She shuddered as she overheard my thoughts, and her eyes darkened with desire as she stared up at me, her lips slightly parted.

  Damn, she looked so good beneath me.

  I dove down, sliding my hands under her back and expertly unclasping her bra and moving it to the side.

  I kissed her all over, teasing her mouth before moving down her neck, along her collarbone, then scattering kisses all over her chest as she arched into me.

  She moaned softly as I cupped her breasts and kissed her deeply, battling her tongue for entry to explore her mouth.

  I kneaded her breasts softly, running my thumbs over the nipples as she made soft sounds of pleasure against my lips, and I drank them up with delight.

  I kissed along her jaw, making my way down to suckle on her left nipple while I used my other hand to ease off her boxer shorts she’d chosen to wear after the shower.

  I was grateful because they’d be easy to remove, and I got them off her without too much hassle, along with her black panties.

  The flickering flame of the lantern danced across her skin, giving her a gorgeous glow under the stars as I continued fondling and playing with her breasts.

  I could smell how much this teasing was setting her off, and I drew in that aroma like it was the essence of life.

  I moved on, kissing along her sides and hips as I danced my fingers over her clit, loving how she twitched and jerked with soft moans.

  I took my time stirring her up, savoring the sounds of her pleasure as she began to squirm and groan beneath me.

  ‘Skip…’ she groaned into my mind, clearly growing desperate for more.

  “I’m taking my time on you, Bee Sting,” I smirked as I ducked down to kiss above her clit, loving how she was watching me with hooded eyes as I stared up her body while I kissed her.

  I didn’t break eye contact as I kissed all over her pelvic region, loving her soft mews of frustration as I refused to give her what she wanted.

  “Skip… fuck…” she panted as she lolled her head back.

  “We’ll get there,” I chuckled as I sat up and yanked my singlet off.

  Damn, my briefs were getting mighty uncomfortable.

  Fuck it, off they came too with my board shorts.

  She moaned and quivered as she gazed over me, and I fisted my hands in the blanket as her arousal hit me hard.

  “Damn, don’t do that,” I rasped as I gritted my teeth. I could feel the nerve in my jaw twitching as she shoved all her arousal onto me through our bond.

  She was trying to send me over the edge, and it was goddamn working.

  “I don’t want any more teasing,” she growled as she gave me a devilishly smile. “I want you inside me, fucking me hard and fast until we both finish,” she purred, her voice all sultry and dripping with sheer desire.

  I broke.

  So much for taking my time with her.

  I crawled up her body, growling softly as I positioned myself and tested her wetness.

  Fuck, she was like a waterfall down there right now.

  I’d really done well with my teasing.

  I moaned, loving how she arched up and gasped as I slid into her tight walls.

  Damn, she was so wet and ready for me, all tight and caressing my length inside.

  I pulled out slowly, easing into her gently as she moved her hands to wrap around my shoulders.

  I started off slow, making sure my second little head was rubbing her g-spot the right way and making her twitch beneath me.

  I ended up lifting her up and sliding a pillow under her hips to give her a better angle, and it was the right move, because her moans only increased.

  Her mews and tugs at my shoulders had me speeding up as I gritted my teeth.

  I wouldn’t finish until she came.

  I focused on our bond, flooding her with my own pleasure, and drinking up hers as her cries and gasps and increased as I thrust into her harder and faster.

  “Skip!” she gasped out, and I gripped her hips hard as I pulled her up to meet me with each hard, fast thrust.

  I grunted and drew in shallow breaths, her pleasure and delight washing over me through our bond.

  We both focused entirely on our connection, feeling one another’s sensations.

  I felt her orgasm wash over her as she cried out and convulsed beneath me, her nails digging into my shoulders as I felt it in my very soul. God, I loved when she used her nails.

  I moaned as my orgasm hit, and I joined her in climax.

  Pleasure encased me, filling me up from my very core through our bond, and I closed my eyes as I felt every nerve-ending exploding along with hers as we shared our bliss with each other.

  I was wrapped in a blanket of orgasmic euphoria, and I cover
ed her body with mine, holding her close as we rode out the rollercoaster ride of bliss.

  It lasted a fair while, waves rocking over us and making us twinge and jerk in one another’s embrace.

  But after a few more minutes, the dancing spots behind my eyes faded, and the sensations that had overcome my body began to die down.

  “Fuck,” I rasped as my chest heaved.

  “I know, right?” Allison managed to chuckle breathlessly.

  I’d definitely be doing that more often.

  She snorted at this, then groaned as my seed trickled down her butt after the movement made my dick slide out nearly all the way.

  I chuckled with her, and she flailed around. I’d thrown in some toilet paper just for this reason, and I spied it jutting out from under the pillow and snatched it up to give to her.

  She accepted it, pulling off a good amount as I slid out.

  I flopped down beside her, grabbing some of the toilet paper and cleaning myself up too.

  “Definitely a good date,” Allison breathed once she’d cleaned herself.

  “Still one more thing to make it perfect,” I turned my head to grin at her.

  “What?” she gave me a confused smile.

  “Chocolate!”

  She laughed as I reached over under the blanket jammed into the corner of the tray, revealing a packet of Freddos.

  “Okay, the perfect date,” she laughed as I opened it and handed her one.

  We enjoyed a Freddo each before I pulled her into my arms, stroking her hair as we enjoyed the serene, perfect moment under the stars.

  As much as I wanted to drift off right here with her in my arms, I knew we couldn’t. We still needed to drive back home.

  But I’d enjoy it for as long as I could.

  “Love you,” she murmured as she nuzzled my chest.

  “Love you too.”

  Chapter 14

  Lucas.

  Allison and Skip were in good spirits when they got home from their trip, and a quick look into their minds revealed their fun little weekend.

  Skip had certainly taken advantage of having her all to himself.

  He was now off in the games room with Ollie, while Marcus had come down from his room to welcome Allison back before heading out to meet up with his friends to continue some stuff for Nightwood. It was a little after ten at night, so we wouldn’t be staying up too much longer.

  “How was your weekend?” Allison asked as she spread out on the lounge, resting her head on my lap and tickling my chin.

  “It was good. Saw my mother this morning for a chat. We met at the Dingo Diner, and she thought it was quite cute and enjoyed a rich royal chocolate cupcake that apparently tasted like heaven. She invited me over for dinner on Wednesday, I was hoping you might accompany me to see her,” I murmured as I played with her soft, thick hair.

  She closed her eyes, goosebumps breaking out across her skin as she quivered. She loved having her hair played with, and I loved giving her that little pleasure.

  “Of course,” she breathed, and my eyes fell to those beautiful, plump lips.

  Those deep brown eyes opened slightly, and she looked up at me though hooded lashes.

  Fuck, she was stunning.

  I leaned down, kissing her softly, the sheer love overcoming me.

  How had we all gotten so lucky to end up with her? She’d accepted all of us, flaws and all, and we’d become even greater together.

  And the love she had for us, despite having to share it around, was infinite.

  There was nothing I wouldn’t do for her.

  “Same here,” she murmured as she cupped my face.

  I just smiled down at her, stroking her hair as she stared up at me with tender, loving eyes.

  “I’m glad you had a good weekend with Skip, that little date he did with you looks like it was good,” I murmured as I peered into her mind. They’d taken advantage of the bond in full force.

  I’d have to start doing that too, along with using magic to amplify it even more. We’d be lucky if we made it out of bed after.

  “That’s evil,” she giggled.

  “Of course, it’s me after all,” I smirked down at her before kissing the tip of her nose. “Excited for your birthday?”

  “I guess so. Grandma and Hayley will be flying in Thursday and staying with Dixon and Natalie for the night before driving down Friday morning. I don’t have work either on Friday, closed for the Easter weekend, and won’t reopen for a week,” she mused.

  “Good, because we’re going to spend as long as we can out camping until we have to come back. We’ve got a fair bit planned,” I grinned down at her.

  It’d been a little while since we’d been camping together, and this would be our first camping trip with Marcus since we were children.

  “It’s going to be good,” Allison agreed as she played with my hair.

  “Your birthday will be good,” I shot back as I gave her a peck on the lips.

  A part of me wanted to have some fun with her right now, but the other part was enjoying this little moment with her. Just being with her was enough for me.

  I repositioned myself on the lounge with her so we were spooning instead, and I kissed the back of her head as she held my arms around her waist and relaxed into me.

  I knew she was tired from the drive and the eventful weekend, and she closed her eyes as I held her close.

  I relished the moment, drawing in her flowery scent and nuzzling her hair as she sighed.

  I waited until her breathing deepened, and I magicked us into her bed to make it more comfortable.

  I closed my eyes, loving how perfectly she slotted into me as I held her.

  Having her in my arms was the perfect way to fall asleep.

  “So, how’s the family?” I asked as I sat on the back verandah with Ollie after uni.

  Marcus was showing Allison some of his new artwork for his game that he’d completed over the weekend, while Skip was busy doing some studying.

  “They keep calling. Ever since they found out my curse has been lifted, they want to know more. I’ve been ignoring them a little,” Ollie admitted. “Although I’ve spoken to my dad a bit. He can’t believe I’m mated. My mom thinks I’m lying, even though Bec apparently believes it. Most people don’t question that kind of announcement, because it’s something you know, but of course mom does. She thinks my curse was lifted by you, that you played a part in this and that I’m saying I’m mated to Allison to avoid being given a designated true shifter mate. I don’t know what to do,” he sighed as he rested his chin on his fist at the outdoor table overlooking the backyard.

  “How will you prove it if it comes down to it?” I asked as I leaned back in my chair.

  “I don’t know. I don’t know how to prove it,” he muttered.

  “There’s a spell that can reveal the bond, it literally shows the cord connecting you to your mate. But do they know Allison has more than one mate?” I asked, amused at the thought that they’d be looking over our unique little group.

  “I don’t think they know what to think. Some people know, and some even understand that we’re all mated, but I think many just think we’re all really close and weird, and they don’t know who is actually mated to Allison in our group,” he said with a sharp laugh.

  I scoffed at this. He was right though. Some people gave us weird looks, and I’d been asked on occasion by people I knew, who were comfortable enough with me to ask, as to what the go was.

  Some acted a little odd when I told them we were all mated to Allison, while others were intrigued as to how it all worked. I’d had the odd acquaintance stop talking to me after informing them of that, but it didn’t bother me.

  “Well, up to you. If they make a big deal out of it, we can prove it.” I shrugged as I waved my hand with a purple glow.

  A mandarine floated up from one of the fruit trees, and I began pulling it apart to eat.

  “It’s not just them. Ever since my curse has been lifted,
I’ve even had Glenda’s parents messaging me on Facebook. I guess Glenda didn’t tell them I’m mated, cause they seem to think we’ll end up together again.”

  “Oh wow, they couldn’t be more wrong,” I scoffed as I enjoyed my mandarine. He’d made it clear to Glenda that he was mated, but maybe even she was in denial.

  “And Grayson reached out, he’s happy for me,” Ollie smiled.

  I nodded at this. I’d seen his cousin around here and there. He didn’t have much to do with the university anymore, as he was a few years older and had graduated last year. But he still popped by to see some of his friends who were still studying, getting a pass to join them at lunch or whatnot.

  “So, what’s the plan for Allison’s birthday?” Ollie changed the subject.

  “Well, her family is coming over on Friday, so we’ll do a bonfire night with a barbecue I think. Saturday we’ll give her all her presents and whatnot, and Trish has gotten in contact via Natalie, she wants to handle dinner Saturday night. They’ll head off Sunday to do their own Easter celebrations, and we’ll take Allison on the camping trip and have fun. Trish will be around for another three weeks, so she’ll come back down after our camping trip and stay with us for the remaining two weeks of her trip. Skip or I will take her to the Maroochydore airport on the last Sunday she’s here, and she’s flying to Sydney to catch up with some family from Warren’s side before flying home on the Tuesday.” I filled him in on all the plans that I was aware of.

  We’d discussed our present ideas while she was away. We could still feel her over the distance, but getting into one another’s minds was harder, so we’d only checked in here and there.

  “Hayley is coming too, right?” Ollie asked, reminding me of Allison’s cousin.

  “Yeah, she’s coming over too. She’ll stay with us for a week after the camping trip before heading back to Natalie’s for the remaining week, while Trish stays with us.” I nodded. I’d actually had a mind-blank on Hayley coming too. I knew Allison was a little excited to meet her.

  The conversation died off as we both just gazed silently into the backyard.

  My mind wandered to the dinner with my mother on Wednesday. At least Allison would join me.

  But she’d also said Cathy would be there, and I wasn’t sure how to feel about that.