by Creator
“You look beautiful,” Gabriel said from the doorway.
Kiera turned to face him. “I think you’d say that even if I were wearing burlap.”
“I’d prefer to say it with you naked,” he replied.
Kiera gave him a saucy smile and slowly drew her top over her head, dropping it onto the floor. Reaching behind her back, she unclasped her bra, letting it slowly slide down her arms to join her top at her feet.
Gabriel gulped. Kiera hadn’t been shy in telling him what she wanted when they made love, but this was a first. Her little striptease was driving him crazy.
She unfastened her shorts and let them fall down her legs to pool around her ankles. Kicking free of them, she turned her back to Gabriel. Looking over her should, she made sure he was watching the show as she dipped her fingers under the string that ran along the top of her hip. Dragging her bikini panties down her hips, she bent over to slide them all the way down her legs.
Gabriel growled and stalked across the bathroom. Lifting Kiera into his arms, he stepped into the shower. Setting her down on her feet, he pressed her against the wall.
With her back pressed against the tiled shower wall, Kiera was faced with her husband in all his naked glory. She pressed her hands against his chest and went up on tiptoe to kiss him. Slipping her tongue into his mouth, she pressed her body close to his.
Gabriel knew he wouldn’t last long. His brush with death had him on edge. Lifting Kiera’s legs around his waist, he thrust into her. She was so wet and so tight that he groaned in pleasure.
Kiera hadn’t expected Gabriel to take her so quickly, but her body was more than ready. As she felt him plunge into her over and over, she got closer and closer to her release.
“I love you, Gabriel.”
Taking her mouth in a savage kiss, he thrust into her hard and deep; withdrawing, he thrust into her again, and again. Sliding into Kiera’s tight, wet, heat was going to drive him mad. He’d never felt anything so amazing before. No woman could ever compare to her.
Driving into her over and over, he pushed both of them to the edge. As Kiera cried out her release, he gently bit her shoulder, growling as he climaxed, thrusting into her, shooting his seed deep inside of her.
Kissing her neck, Gabriel eased from her body and set her back down on her feet. “I love you, Kiera.”
“I kind of figured that out,” she said with a smile on her face.
His hand brushed against her belly, “I’m still amazed there’s a tiny life growing in there.”
Kiera covered his hand with hers, “I know. I never got a chance to show you the baby things I bought when Ramsey and Hunter took me to the mall.”
“Have you thought about where you’d like the baby to sleep?”
She nodded. “I thought we could turn Michael’s old room into a nursery, if that’s okay.”
He smiled down at her. “That sounds great. Why don’t we finish up in here and then we can go to the Baby Depot and pick out the décor. Maybe even buy a bed?”
Throwing her arms around his neck, she kissed him. “I’d really like that.”
***
Kiera and Gabriel had shopped for several hours. They’d called Cole and Connor to bring their trucks over to the Baby Depot. Kiera had fallen in love with a bedroom set for the nursery that consisted of a bed, changing table, and dresser. The store had sold out of that particular model, but had allowed them to purchase the display as it was being discontinued. On the plus side, Gabriel was happy he didn’t have to put anything together when they got home.
Kiera had been torn between a Winnie the Pooh theme or a Celestial theme. In the end, they had selected the moon and stars, thinking it would be more fitting.
Once the furniture was loaded into the trucks and the bedding and matching rug stored in the back of the SUV, they headed back to the Victorian. The three werewolves made short time in getting the furniture into the nursery. Since it still had to be painted, they set the furniture away from the wall.
Ramsey and Hunter had offered to paint since Kiera couldn’t. They had even assured her they would finish off the downstairs bedrooms she had started before finding out she was pregnant. Once Kiera had the colors she wanted, she would definitely be giving them a call.
Connor and Cole headed back to their homes, leaving Kiera and Gabriel alone in the house for the first time in a long while. The visiting werewolves had headed home with Connor and were all staying in
duplexes until they could get back home. All but a few… a select few had chosen to remain behind, joining the Ashton Grove pack.
Kiera leaned against Gabriel and looked around the room. If she closed her eyes, she could see the finished product. Blue walls with yellow stars and crescent moons, a darker blue on the ceiling with glow in the dark stars, the furniture in just the right spot, the rug in the middle of the room… a sweet baby snuggled up in the bed with toys scattered around the room. She smiled to herself.
“So, now that we have the house to ourselves, what would you like to do?” Gabriel asked.
Kiera turned to face him, smiling. “I’m sure I can think of something.”
With a grin, he lowered his head to hers. “I’m sure you can,” he said, right before claiming her lips in a kiss.
Epilogue
It had been a few months since Kiera had first found out she was pregnant. So much had happened during that time, the most important of which was discovering that Gabriel loved her as much as she loved him. Their marriage had blossomed once the vampire was out of the picture; now they good times ahead – a baby on the way and a long, happy life together.
Kiera was in the kitchen when she heard the doorbell ring. Scurrying to answer the door, she saw a petite redhead on the doorstep.
“May I help you?” she asked the stranger.
Chloe, in a hesitant voice, asked, “Is Michael here?”
“Oh, I’m afraid he doesn’t live here anymore,” Kiera answered, wondering who the young woman was and why she was searching for Michael.
Gabriel came up behind Kiera and wrapped his arms around her. “Everything okay, sweetheart?”
Kiera smiled up at him. “Just fine; this young woman is looking for Michael.”
“I’m sorry to have bothered you, I should go,” Chloe said.
“Why don’t you come in for a minute?” Kiera asked.
Chloe shook head and lifted a hand. “Thank you, but I couldn’t impose.”
The movement had shifted her cardigan, showing her pregnant belly. Gabriel noticed the bump and realized why she was looking for Michael.
“I think you need to come in,” he said in an authoritative voice.
Chloe sighed. “Alright, but just for a minute; I really do hate to impose.”
Kiera and Gabriel stepped back, allowing the woman into their home. Kiera led her into the living room and made sure she was comfortable.
“Would you like some tea or something?” Kiera asked. Being three months pregnant, she knew that tea helped reduce her stress and soothed her baby.
“That would be nice, if it isn’t too much trouble,” Chloe said.
“Not at all! I’ll just be a moment,” she said, shooting a look at her husband that clearly said ‘come to the kitchen.’
Once in the kitchen, Kiera looked at Gabriel. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“That Michael knocked her up?” Gabriel asked.
Kiera laughed. “Something like that. I don’t think he knows about the baby though. Why don’t you call him while I take the tea to our guest?”
Gabriel nodded and picked up the phone.
Kiera disappeared through the door, hoping to keep their guest entertained long enough for Michael to arrive. She could only imagine what his reaction would be. Not once had he mentioned a woman to any of them. Was she just a one night stand that had gone wrong? Or was she someone special and Michael just wanted to keep her to himself. It was odd that the woman hadn’t realized Michael didn’t live here anymor
e. He’d been gone for almost five months. More than likely, he’d moved out within a week or two getting the poor woman pregnant.
Kiera shook her head. It was all such a mess, but hopefully it would work out for the best. It wouldn’t take Michael long to get here. Maybe he could shed some light on things.
“Here you go,” Kiera said, handing a cup of tea to the woman. “You know, I don’t think I caught your name earlier.”
“Chloe… my name is Chloe,” she said, accepting the tea.
“Well Chloe, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Kiera and my husband Gabriel will join us again in a minute.”
Chloe nodded. “I didn’t mean to intrude on the two of you. I thought Michael still lived here. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come.”
“I’m glad you did. I’m sure Michael will be delighted to see you.”
Chloe gulped her tea. “I’m sorry, what do you mean?”
“Well, he’s on his way … I thought you’d be happy since you came here to find him,” Kiera said.
Chloe’s hands started shaking. “I’m afraid he might not be so happy to see me.”
Kiera’s face softened. “He doesn’t know about the baby, does he?”
Chloe shook her head.
Kiera sighed. “It will work out. I’m sure of it.”
Chloe gave her a small smile. “I certainly hope so.”
Gabriel stepped into the entry at the same time the front door burst open. Michael came rushing in.
“What’s the emergency?” he asked Gabriel, terrified something had happened to Kiera.
Gabriel nodded toward the living room.
Michael turned to face the living room and stopped dead in his tracks. Chloe was sitting on the couch with Kiera. He hadn’t seen her in months, but she was still breathtaking.
“Chloe, what are you doing here?” he asked.
She stood and started toward the door. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have come. It was a mistake.”
As she tried to brush past him, he noticed her swollen stomach. Reaching out a hand, he grabbed her arm.
“Are you pregnant?” he asked. “Is it mine?”
Chloe lifted her chin. “Yes and yes.”
Michael swallowed and slowly let his hand drop to his side. He was stunned and in shock. Without realizing it, he allowed Chloe to slip past him and out the door. By the time he shook it off, she had disappeared down the block. Running out the door, he jumped in his car and went after her.
He had pushed Chloe out of his life before, but now they were bound together. One way or another, he had to make things right. He had to show Chloe how much she really meant to him.
When he had left Chloe’s that last time, he had been running scared, overwhelmed with emotions he hadn’t wanted to name. Now he had to make things right. No matter how long it took, he had to make Chloe realize that she belonged by his side.
Moonlight Guardian Ashton Grove Werewolves, Book 3
Written by Jessica Coulter Smith
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter23
Chapter 24
Epilogue
Dedication
I would like to say a special thank you to my husband for putting up with me while I’m writing (I tend to put on blinders and ignore everything else in the world); thanks to Mom and Dennis for being supportive; thank you to my friends for encouraging me to go on even when I get frustrated.
Chapter One
Chloe sighed as she trudged up the walkway toward her apartment. It wasn’t much, but it was all she had left at the moment. She’d lost her job about two months ago, and last week the bank had sent someone to repossess her car. So far, her job hunting was going nowhere. She only had enough money left in her account for another week’s worth of groceries. She was behind a month in her rent and had no idea how she was going to pay it.
As she approached the building, she noticed a pile of bags, furniture, and other items out on the sidewalk. Upon closer inspection, she realized that it was her things, or at least what was left of them. It looked as if they’d been ransacked already.
Tired, hungry and feeling at a loss, she walked up to the manager’s door and knocked. Mr. Marsalis answered almost immediately.
“Ah, Ms. Stevens. I’m afraid the lock has been changed on your door and your items have been removed from the premises. Your rent is now two months past due.”
“Two months? But…”
“Yes, indeed. As of this morning, you are officially two months past due. I’m sure you’ll recall that the lease agreement you signed stated that if you should become two months behind you would be evicted.”
Chloe sighed. She did remember, but she’d thought she had another day or two before it was due. Not that it would have mattered. Without a job, she didn’t have a way to pay the rent regardless of when it was due.
She weakly nodded her head.
“Yes, Mr. Marsalis. I do remember. I’m sorry for all of the trouble, but I lost my job and haven’t been able to find another.”
Mr. Marsalis gave her a pitying look.
“I really am sorry, dear. If you find a job and need a place to stay, I’ll be happy to rent to you again, but until them I’m afraid my hands are tied. I may manage the property, but I don’t own it.”
“I understand.” Chloe turned and left the building, dejected and uncertain of what she should do. Absently she rubbed her rounding stomach. She had no one to turn to; her family had been killed years ago in an earthquake in California. She'd been sent to Georgia afterward to live with some distant relatives, but they were long gone now, as well.
Picking up a sack, she put a few items of clothing in it from the sidewalk before walking away.
There was no point in staring at the things that had once made up her life; she couldn’t carry it all, and even if she could, she had nowhere to take it. It was best not to think about it. If she thought about it too long, she knew she’d end up crying. Stupid pregnancy hormones!
Walking aimlessly, she pondered her fate. Where on earth could a broke, jobless, homeless pregnant woman go in such a small town? Her stomach rumbled and she remembered that she’d missed lunch. While she didn’t have much money left, she did have enough in her purse to get a late lunch at a fast food place.
She spotted a hamburger place and quickly walked inside. After ordering her food, she chose a table with a window. Chloe gazed out at the beautiful September evening as she nibbled on her dinner. Unfortunately, her troubles were weighing heavy on her, and she couldn’t enjoy her meal or the view.
It was becoming clearer and clearer that she only had one option left. She had to find Michael.
***
During her meal, Chloe came to a decision. She would use what little money she had to get a hotel room for the night. She’d try one more time in the morning to get a job – any job! If she still didn’t have a way to support herself or her baby, she would look for Michael. One more day couldn’t hurt anything.
Leaving the restaurant, she walked the four blocks to a small motel on Radcliff. It wasn’t a four star hotel by any means, but it had a bed and a bathroom. That’s all she required for the moment.
Stepping into the cool interior of the motel office, she rang the bell on the desk.
A portly man in a Hawaiian print shirt stepped out of the back office. “May I help you?”
Chloe nodded. “I’d like a room please.”
�
��And how long will you be staying?”
“Just one night I think.”
The man noticed the sack she held in her hand and her bedraggled appearance. “Are you okay?”
She gave him a watery smile, tears springing to her eyes. “I’ll be fine. I just need a place to stay for the night.”
“I tell you what. I just started a special today. Buy one night and get two free.”
Chloe knew there was no way he was offering two free nights for the price of one. She opened her mouth to protest, but he stopped her.
“Look, I can see you’re tired and need a place to stay for a bit. Most of my rooms are empty
right now so it won’t hurt my business if you stay longer than one night.”
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
“Now, I believe your total is thirty-five dollars. Will that be cash, check, or charge?”
“Cash,” she said, digging into her purse for her wallet. Pulling out the money, she noted that she had just enough left for a few inexpensive meals. Paying the man, she accepted her room key.
“You’re in room 104.”
“Thank you,” she said, before turning and walking out of the office.
Following the path from the office door, she passed several rooms before coming to 104. Putting her key in the lock, she opened the door. The inside wasn’t as bad as she’d feared it would be. The floral bedspread was a little faded from age, but the room was clean.
The queen size bed beckoned to her. Kicking off her shoes, she decided to lie down and rest for a bit. Within moments, she was asleep.
Chloe didn’t wake up until the next morning. She was starving, but knew she needed to stretch her money. Instead of going to breakfast, she picked up a newspaper and scoured the classifieds, hoping against hope she would find a job.