A soft knock on the door has both Gianna and I sitting up, my moment of bliss ruined.
“Come in,” Gianna says softly.
“I hate to disturb you folks, but I’m Deputy Jonathan O’Brien with Summermire Police Department, and I have a few questions to ask you about the incident that happened earlier.”
Standing, I walk over and shake his hand. “Kaden St. Clair and this is Gianna Jones.”
“Can you tell me your version of the events that occurred here today?” He asks. I see Gianna draw up into a tighter ball.
“Officer O’Brien why don’t you and I step out in the hallway and talk about this?” I direct him to go out ahead of me.
“No, Kaden. This is all on me and I’ll talk to him,” Gianna says from the bed with the sheet thrown across her lap.
I try to interrupt her, but she’ll have none of it and starts telling the story of her and Owen.
“I never knew Owen was trailing me when I left him. He’s always been possessive and thought of me more as a possession than someone to value. When I saw with my own eyes he was cheating, I left him. He found me and beat me within an inch of my life. Once I was able to, I left. I travelled here and he followed. I didn’t even know he was a shifter. Not until yesterday when he found me at the cabin and luckily Kaden was there, or he would have taken me. He escaped the Hunters and ended up here today. Kaden asked me to hide in the bathroom while he went out in the hallway to take care of the situation and that’s all I know.”
I sit on the bed by her side and enfold her trembling hands within mine and look up at the officer, then tell him all that happened. I didn’t want her to know about my injuries, but with everything she’s been through she deserves the truth, along with the officer. Besides, I’d already healed.
“Thank you folks for your time. I have all that I need. If you can think of anything else or if the Summermire police department can help in anyway, please let us know,” Deputy O’Brien says as he hands us his card.
“Thanks for coming by, Deputy.” I reply and walk him to the door.
“My pack’s Hunters have him in custody. If you need anything else, please call Elias. Gianna’s been through enough,” I whisper as I open the door.
“I understand Mr. St. Claire.”
* * *
Gianna
I watch quietly as Kaden ushers the Deputy out of the room. Thinking about the what ifs will only rattle my brain, but the thought of Owen hurting anyone because of me runs through my head. I know he’s in custody and thank God that he can’t hurt anyone. Sitting up in bed I realize I’m ready to get the hell out of this hospital and start living my life.
I push the button for the nurse and wait for a few seconds before a voice comes through the speaker, “can I help you?”
“Yes. can you send my nurse in please.”
“It’ll be a few minutes, she’s helping another patient,” she replies before I hear a faint click and our short conversation has ended.
Kaden walks back over to me, bends down. He strokes his hand down my cheek, and asks, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m just ready to get out of here, go back to the cabin, and get on with the rest of my life.”
“I hope I’m included in that,” he murmurs while reaching for my hand.
“Yes, you are. You’ve been here for me through all of this, and I feel this amazing draw toward you. I have feelings for you, no I haven’t nailed down what they are exactly, but they are there.”
He exhales almost as if he’d been holding his breath waiting for my answer.
“Thank you. I was concerned with what you’d say. Now let’s get you out of here.” A smile crosses his too handsome face and his eyes sparkle with amusement. He straightens up and walks toward the door. “I’m getting a nurse.”
Within a few minutes Kaden appears with a nurse in tow. “Sorry, Miss Jones, I’ll need to call your doctor and get orders for you to leave.”
“I’m leaving today with or without your orders. Kaden can you get me my clothes.”
“Sure, love.”
“I’ll call him immediately and tell him you’re leaving whether he wants you to or not,” she says with a smirk and leaves the room.
“Screw this place, I want out.” I sigh in frustration.
Kaden lays my bloodstained dress across the end of the bed. I look at them and think of all I’d been through. It was time for me to toughen up, to be stronger, to not let men run over me like I let Owen.
I grip the rail on the bed and stand, Kaden rushes to my side, but I brush him off. “I’ve got this.”
“I know you do,” he replies softly, but stays at my side.
A knock sounds on the door as I’m making my way to the bathroom.
“Come in,” I say.
A doctor walks in followed by the young nurse I’d spoken with earlier.
“So, I understand you’re ready to blow this joint,” the doctor grins.
“You betcha, I am.”
“Seeing as that bite didn’t hit the artery, you’re fine going home, but I want you to see your family doctor in a few days.”
“I’m fairly new to the area, and I don’t have one here yet,” I panic at the thought.
“There’s a good doctor in Dark Moon Falls,” Kaden adds.
“Yes, Doctor Payne is a great doctor, but pay no attention to the last name. Everyone around Dark Moon Falls has a good laugh over it,” the good doctor acknowledges.
“Great. Guess I’m set. Thanks for everything.”
“You’re quite welcome. Please take care of that leg,” he says then he and the nurse leave and I head into the bathroom to change.
Once I’m done, I walk out to find Kaden sitting on the edge of the bed. The nurse is back with paperwork spread across the dinner tray.
“If you’ll sign these, I’ll go get a wheelchair and you can be on your way,” she says as she’s walking back to the door.
“Thank you,” I reply.
She leaves the room and I hobble to the closest chair. I lay my head in my hands and think about how I’m going to get through the next few days alone at the cabin on a bad leg.
“Gianna.” I hear Kaden say softly.
“Sorry, I was thinking about getting back to the cabin.”
“I’d like for you to come home with me so I can take care of you and keep a watch over my shop.”
“Kaden, I’ve taken up so much of your time already. How can I ask more of you?” I question on a sigh, disgusted with my drama.
“Babe, you didn’t ask, I did,” he whispers as he leans over my knuckles and kisses each hand.
Tears form in my eyes, and my throat completely shuts down, words are beyond me at the moment. I stand up and bring Kaden up with me. I wrap my arms around him and thank God for bringing one person in my life who is decent, good, and sexy as all get out.
“Fine, but we have to go by my place first. I need new clothes. I can’t wear these any longer,” I laugh, picking at the dry, crusted blood on what was once my favorite dress, and he laughs with me. “And I sure as hell can’t wear these heels every day.”
Once we compose ourselves, Kaden brushes a kiss across my forehead, and walks to the door. “I’m going to pull my truck around and call Elias. I’ll come back up if you aren’t down in a few minutes.”
I nod, then sign all the papers. I only wait a moment before the nurse walks back in pushing a wheelchair. “Miss Jones, if you’re ready.”
“Yes ma’am. Just let me grab my purse,” I tell her, thankful Kaden had brought it, and look around the room to see if I’d forgotten anything, but the clothes I am wearing and the purse over my shoulder are all I have.
“Is anyone meeting you downstairs or do I need to call you a cab?” She asks.
“Kaden went ahead a few minutes ago to get his truck,” I answer as the doors slide open and she pushes me into the sunshine.
Kaden and his big black truck pull up to where I’m waiting, and I go to stand
, but find myself swept off my feet. A giggle bursts from me as he slides me onto the seat, then rushes around to the driver’s side. Once he’s in, and we’re both buckled, he pulls out of the bay.
“Are you hungry, thirsty, anything?” He asks as he pulls out onto the road that would lead us back to Dark Moon Falls.
“I’m good, thank you,” I reply and smile at him
We ride in a companionable silence for a while, and my mind drifts. When I left North Carolina, I was dreaming of a perfect place to stay and a great job. A place far from Owen, and I know that Dark Moon Falls is that place. Now, I just need to get it together and find a permanent place to live and a J.O.B.
Kaden’s cell ringing brings me back to the present, and I turn my attention to him. Whomever he’s speaking with isn’t telling him something he wants to hear.
He’s talking in a clipped tone, and responding with yes and no answers. He also keeps looking away from the road and glancing in my direction.
My curiosity finally wins the battle. “What happened?” I ask.
He hits his hand on the steering wheel, swears loudly, hangs up the phone, and pulls to the side of the road.
“Gianna, we have to go straight to my house. You can wear something of mine, but we can’t go back to your cabin. Not just yet, anyway.”
“But why?”
“Sam and Levi want to talk to us.”
“Can’t you ask them to wait awhile so I can shower and change? I feel disgusting.”
He turns in the seat, faces me, takes one of my hands in his, and pulls me closer.
“It’s safer for you not to go back to the cabin. I’ll ask Sam to go over and grab all of your stuff.”
“What’s going on?” I question so confused.
“Owen escaped.”
“How is that even possible?”
“He somehow got out of his cuffs and disappeared. They aren’t even sure how it’s possible. We do know he’ll be searching for you.”
“I’m so sick of this psycho. I swear if I had a gun, I’d find him and shoot him between the fucking eyes,” I storm. I am so pissed off at the asswipe.
Kaden snakes an arm around my back and scoots me over until I’m touching his side.
“You’ll be safer at my house for now. Sam and Levi are keeping a watch around your cabin, but Owen is a sneaky son of a bitch and tailed you all the way out here to Dark Moon Falls.”
Feeling slightly defeated, I lean my head on Kaden’s shoulder. “Blah, I just want to live my life without him being a constant threat to it.”
“I’m going to make sure you can get on with your life without Owen bothering you again,” he promises me.
“How, Kaden?”
“Just know I mean what I say.”
6
Kaden
Pulling back on the road, it feels right in my soul to have Gianna snuggled against my side. I want to keep my promise to her and clear the earth of Owen’s craziness. That way she can live her life in peace. My heart hopes she’ll figure out I’m where she wants to be because she is definitely my home. My heart rests firmly in her hands.
When we reach my cabin, I slide Gianna out my side of the truck and into my waiting arms.
I walk up the steps with her firmly against my body, but I never take my eyes off the surrounding forest. Once I get the damn door open and we’re inside, I know she’ll be safe.
Once inside, I carry her into my bathroom and start the shower for her.
“I’ll go grab you some clothes. Do you need any help undressing?”
I’d never been so nervous in all my life. I wipe my hands down my jeans as I think of the water cascading down her beautiful body and grow hard. I cover myself by turning sideways and backing out of the room.
“Fuck, get it under control Kaden,” I murmur to myself as I grab some sweats for Gianna.
I pace the small confines of my bedroom and wait for my dick to deflate, but the more I pace the harder it fucking gets because my mind doesn’t drift far from the enticing beauty in my bathroom. I try to drill into my head about all the shit she’s been through and remind myself that she needs a gentle touch now, but my damn wolf doesn’t help with his freaking claim mate on repeat.
Running my hands through my hair, I grab the sweats off the bed where I’d flung them, and walk into the bathroom. I come to a complete stand still when I see Gianna’s silhouette. Steam has fogged up the shower doors, and all I can make out is her soft form as water droplets cling to the door.
“Oh my God. Gianna, you’re more beautiful than I ever could have imagined.” The words slip out from my lips before I can stop them.
She gasps and tries to cover herself with her hands and yells at me. “Kaden, get out of here.”
Of course I can’t move, and my dick is once again stiff as a board. Without realizing what I’m doing, I open the shower door and walk in. Gianna pushes me back with one hand while the other barely covers her beautiful breasts.
“What are you doing, Kaden?” She screeches, but nothing can bring me out of the trance I find myself in.
I raise a hand and brush the wet hair from her eyes then my hand falls to curl around her waist, and I draw her closer. Her face and lips are wet and all I want to do is lick each droplet from her body. My hand slides up to grasp her neck, my lips fall onto her. I’m a starving man and yearn for entrance. When she finally opens to me, our tongues meet and tangle.
My hands drift to her full lush breasts. I brush my fingertips over her nipples, and they harden into tiny buds beneath my touch. I tweak and pull on each in turn. My mouth salivates at the thought of licking and sucking on the little rose buds.
I break the kiss only to trail feather light kisses down her throat and over the top of her breasts until I reach my destination. I flick and suck one into my mouth, never leaving the other alone. Tugging it gently, I roll it between my thumb and forefinger. Gianna gasps and leans against the back of the shower for support.
My wolf begs to mark her as our own. It’s an insistent thought that he keeps repeating in my brain. One hand continues the journey down her body until I reach the apex of her legs. I skim my fingers through her dark curls and over her clit.
Gianna moans and writhes beneath my light touch as I slide a finger into her tight wetness, and her body jerks against the shower.
“Kaden, I need you naked now,” she gasps as I slide a second finger into her slick folds.
I break away for mere seconds and throw my wet clothing on the shower floor. Her fingers grasp the back of my neck and try to pull me closer, but I have other plans.
My lips burn a fiery trail down her luscious body. I tickle her belly button with my tongue, and she giggles, but I’m only there for a second before I move further down her body. I want to savor her, and bathe in the scent coming off her body. Her arousal slams into me, and it’s all I can do not to pick her up and sate myself in her body. Reining in the raging beast within me, I lightly flick my tongue over her engorged clit.
She leans against me for support and digs her nails into my shoulders as I pull her nub into my mouth and suck lightly. I bury two fingers within her wet folds, thrusting them in and out over and over, then slip a third inside of her. She’s tight around my fingers and I can’t wait to feel her wrapped around my dick.
“Oh my God, Kaden,” she moans above me as an orgasm rushes through her and my control slips a little.
I pick her up as I rise, and settle her long legs around my waist. She’s even more beautiful as pleasure lights up her emerald eyes.
I slide the head of my cock into her wet sheath and thrust balls deep into her tight, velvety smooth slit. She moans above me and I have to fight myself to keep the pace slow and easy. I can’t help the growl that slips out of my lips as my wolf battles for control.
He wants to bite her and claim her as ours. My thrusts get harder as a little more of the control slips out of my hands. My face becomes a snout and I can feel my gums ache as my teeth lengthen into
fangs.
Stop! I scream inside my head and my wolf recedes to the background. He’s not happy, but I once again have dominance over him.
I slow the thrusts and move a hand to lightly pinch and rub her clit. She moans and heightens each thrust of her own. Her skin reddens as she’s swept away on another climax, her mouth forms an O and she falls limply into my hold.
I push her into the glass shower door and pick up speed with each thrust. I’m hammering into her wetness, and know I’m not far from losing myself completely.
As she recovers from her orgasm, she meets me thrust for thrust and I can feel my own climax start in the pit of my stomach and travel down to my balls. I want Gianna to come with me, so I reach for her clit again. I pinch and twirl it between my fingers while keeping up the fast paced in and out motion. She screams my name as she shatters from another orgasm and I scream hers as I join her in my release.
We stay joined together in the shower until the water cools.
Neither of us say a word as I lift her into my arms, step out of the shower, grab a towel, and walk into my bedroom. I sit her on the edge of the bed and wrap a towel around her shoulders.
She laces her fingers with mine and pulls me onto the bed beside her.
“Wow, that was unexpected, but amazing as well,” she says, smiling up at me.
I reach up and brush a curl out of her eyes and draw her closer to my side.
“It was… Wow, I can’t even put it into words how amazing it was.”
I pick her up and sit her in my lap. She snuggles against my chest and drops small kisses along my neck and shoulders. My cock starts to twitch against her ass as she continues her ministrations along my jaw.
“If you don’t quit, we’ll be having another performance of our recent bathroom activities in here.”
She shrugs her delicate shoulders and I swear if she wasn’t injured I’d throw her on the bed and ravage every inch of her delectable body. Instead I slide her off of my lap and lay her on the bed, being careful of her still healing leg.
Dark Moon Falls: Volume 2 Page 87