Max

by Terry Bolryder

  God, he loved her.

  “You’re mine,” he said, cupping her chin gently as he leaned forward to kiss her once more. She kissed him eagerly, entwining her fingers in his hair and sending zings of sensation through him.

  He was harder than ever before, the animal in him roaring for what was coming. He could barely hear over the need to make her his.

  “I love you so much I can’t stand it,” he said against her lips before kissing her again. “So much I can’t imagine being away from you for the rest of my life.”

  She laughed, running her fingers through his hair and down to his back where she dug in slightly. “For a grump, you sure do get sweet sometimes, big guy.”

  He grinned at her. “Only for you. I’ll still be a grump for everyone else.”

  She nodded nervously. “So, um, how does this work? Because we’ve already done things together. And should I know anything else before we do this?”

  He thought for a moment, trying to hear over the pounding of the blood in his ears. “We can have young,” he said. “I would like to.”

  “Will they be able to shift?”

  “I would think so,” he said. “But they won’t have any extended family.”

  “I’d like children,” she said. “And they’ll have family on my side. And hey, just you and I are a lot of family as well, not to mention our friends at the club.”

  “As long as we don’t have an Uncle Lock,” Max said darkly.

  She laughed, pulling Max in for a kiss, probably to distract him from the instant anger he felt. “Shh, you’re here with me now. So what comes next?”

  Max almost blanked out when he thought about it. “It’s sex without protection. That’s why the condom is important. You also have to have seen my animal, and then at the end, I’m going to… mark you.”

  She winced. “What do you mean? Will it be painful?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t think so. And since I do it at the moment you climax, I doubt you will even notice at all.”

  She nodded. “Then I’m ready.” She squirmed. “More than ready. Give me everything you’ve got.”

  He got between her legs, spreading her thighs gently. Looking down, he could see she was already glistening and wet for him.

  Her dusky nipples were pointed upward in hard tips, and her hands were already gripping into the sheets at her sides.

  She gave him a come-hither look, and he couldn’t wait any longer.

  He braced himself over her and slowly, carefully slid inside, making them one.

  When they were hip to hip, she gasped, squirming to adjust, and he panicked for a moment, wondering if he should pull out.

  But then she sighed and wrapped her legs around him, clasping her feet together, keeping him inside her as if she couldn’t bear to let him go.

  As her hands reached around his neck, her expression was fierce, wanting. “You feel so good.”

  That was all the encouragement he needed to start moving, flowing with her body as she moved with him, accepting him, squeezing him, so hot and tight that he could barely breathe, welcoming him in over and over again.

  He’d protect her forever, he knew, as the tension continued to build inside him. As she arched back, letting out a moan, her nails digging into his neck, he increased his pace a little, then dropped his hand to the space just above where they were joined.

  His finger played in her wet curls, then found her clit, which was swollen and ready. He pressed down, over and over, as he continued to stroke deep inside her, and she went wild, arching against him and holding on tight as her body seemed to buck beneath him from all the sensation.

  When she came, she whispered his name, biting his ear as her hands grasped at his neck and her pussy clenched around him tightly, causing him to let go as well.

  His orgasm wracked him, making him want to close his eyes against the sudden sensations, but he kept his eyes open, not wanting to miss a second of her release. Their mating. The moment they would become one for the rest of eternity.

  As he spurted his warm seed inside her, clenched by the aftershocks of her pleasure, he murmured her name, and one hand gently found the base of her neck where it met her shoulder, then moved down to just above her breast.

  He moved swiftly, barely disturbing the skin, something only he could see, just a mark for the lion inside him.

  She moaned, still lost in release, as he finished a perfect heart, not hurting her, as the magic from his claws didn’t need to cut her at all.

  He loved her and he had her love, and now he had a reminder of it every time he got to see her naked. She would have a reminder whenever she looked in the mirror.

  “Did you mark me?” She was still gasping from the intensity of her orgasm. “I felt something… ticklish.”

  “I did,” he said. “Want to see?”

  She sighed deeply, releasing his neck and relaxing against the covers, her body glowing and smooth. “I do.”

  He pulled out of her and picked her up in his arms. “I’ll show you.”

  “I need to clean up.”

  “We’ll do it together.” He moved to the bathroom mirror and kept her in his arms as he showed her the tiny mark he’d made.

  She touched it, smiling gently. “I always wanted a tattoo. It’s so faint, though. I thought it would be this big, obvious mark.” She looked up at him. “I’m kind of relieved.”

  He nodded. “I want it to just be between us. I hope the mark I make on your life is one everyone can see, but I hope it shows through your happiness. The smile on your face, the joy in your eyes.”

  “You’re so sweet,” she said, grabbing his neck to pull him down for a kiss.

  As they kissed, Max let all of his emotions run through him. Joy at claiming his mate. Relief that they had a life together. Excitement at taking the next steps toward the future.

  He sat on the edge of the tub with her, letting her kiss up his neck as he turned on the water so he could relax in the bath with his mate.

  When the water was high enough, he helped her in and got in with her, laughing when the water nearly swished over the top.

  “I guess we need a bigger tub,” he said, trying to remain as careful as possible as she snuggled in with her back against his chest.

  She laughed, then pulled his arms around her, making his head dip over her shoulder so they were as close as they could be. “No, I don’t need anything as long as I’m here with you.”

  Max let out a little growl of happiness as he gently kissed her shoulder, touched by her words.

  He no longer needed sunlit plains or vast jungles. All he needed was the woman in his arms.

  If lions could purr, Max would have.

  Epilogue

  The next morning, Max stayed in bed much longer than he usually would, just wanting to hold Jackie in his arms as long as possible.

  He still couldn’t believe she was his, and he would probably spend every waking moment trying to remind himself that was the case.

  She was still sleeping peacefully, probably tired from the long day before and the stress of finding out about shifters… and mating him.

  For a second, Max worried she would be upset with him when she woke up.

  But then he remembered her eyes the night before, so lucid, perfectly accepting, and knew he had nothing to worry about.

  Except for how life was going to work from now on.

  He heard his phone buzz and moved carefully so as not to wake Jackie as he reached over to the bedside table to pick it up.

  Surprised, he saw a text from Benny.

  Get dressed. We’re coming over.

  Max grunted, shoving the phone aside as he realized it was probably too late to text Benny back and tell him not to come.

  Gently, he reached over and tapped Jackie, wanting to wake her as easily as possible.

  As she turned onto her back and looked up at him, love immediately flooded her eyes. “That was all real, right?”

  He blinked. “Of co
urse it was.”

  She sighed, snuggling into the covers. “I hoped so.”

  He smiled down at her indulgently and then realized his friends might be there soon.

  “Benny sent a text. I think he’s coming over with Harley.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Do you know why?”

  He pursed his lips. “Probably to make sure things went okay. I’m glad we bathed last night.” He ran a hand through his hair, smoothing the tangles.

  “Me, too,” she said softly. “It was nice.”

  Max sighed. Nice didn’t even begin to describe it, the feel of holding her soft body in the hot water, knowing she was totally his for all time. “Yes.”

  “Maybe we can do it again later.” Her lips turned up at the edges playfully.

  Max flushed, fighting back a grin of his own. “Yeah. Later sounds good.”

  She stretched and tossed the sheet off, looking for the bag that held all of her clothing. “For now, we should head out and see your friends.”

  “And after that, we should get the rest of your clothes.”

  She looked at him, eyes sparkling. “Oh, so you just assumed I was going to move in with you?”

  He cocked his head. “Yes. Though, if it was truly what you wanted, I suppose I could try to get along with Chad.”

  She laughed wholeheartedly at that as she finished pulling on a sweater. Then she walked over to place a kiss on his forehead. “No, of course I’d be happy to be here. I just have to think about what to do with work.”

  He frowned. “You work during the day and I work at night, so it could be difficult.”

  She shrugged. “I’m sure we’ll figure something out.”

  He didn’t know if he should tell her about the money, quite a lot of it, he had saved up in the bank from when he’d been forced off Pride Island.

  He’d never wanted to touch it because, as an exile, he hadn’t really wanted anything good, but now that he had Jackie, maybe things were different.

  “If you don’t want to work…” He trailed off, unsure what she would think of him. “I don’t know how to say this, but I’ve got money. Quite a lot of it.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah.”

  She shrugged a shoulder. “Well, keep it in case of emergency. I like earning my keep.” She reached out a hand for him. “Now you get changed. You’re my mate, and I’m not letting anyone in while you’re naked.”

  Max flushed deeply, proud that his mate was possessive of him, too. “Right.”

  They had just finished dressing when the doorbell rang, and Jackie looked up at Max expectantly. “Is it okay if I go get the door?”

  Max nodded, and she left the room hurriedly.

  “Maybe Tasha’s with them. Maybe…”

  Max followed her into the living room and got in front of her to undo the deadbolt. He didn’t want any surprises.

  He looked through the peephole and was relieved to just see Harley and Benny and a small crate in Harley’s hand.

  “Looks like they brought Lionel,” Max said, pulling the door open.

  “Oh, that’s right,” Jackie said. “I hope he had fun.”

  “I think he did,” Harley said, handing the crate over to Max carefully. Her green eyes seemed a bit sad, but she gave Max and Jackie a warm smile. Her red hair was pulled back in a low bun today.

  “Hey, Lionel,” Jackie cooed, setting the crate on the nearby coffee table and opening it to pull him out into her hands.

  He allowed her to nuzzle him, purring gently, then turned in her hands and let out a small mew.

  Harley focused on Max. “So you two doing okay? I know last night was a shock.”

  Max and Jackie took the stools at the counter as Benny and Harley sat on the couch so they could talk.

  “It was,” Jackie said, stroking Lionel, who was doing his best to get out of her hands. “But a good one. I’m just glad I can now be fully part of Max’s world.”

  “Speaking of that,” Benny said, rubbing his neck nervously. “I was thinking we could use an IT person at the club. Our systems are hopelessly outdated and forever breaking.”

  “What systems?”

  “Payment, DJ equipment, the lights.” Benny ticked them off on his fingers. “Would be nice to have someone on hand who could fix all of that.”

  Max looked at Jackie. “You don’t have to say yes right away. You can think about it.”

  Jackie shook her head, practically beaming. “I don’t have to think about it. Yes. Hell yes. I would get to work with my mate and my friends every day.” She put up her free hand in a silent cheer. “Things are really working out lately.”

  Lionel almost made his escape, but Jackie caught him, lifting him in both hands so he was face level. “And you started all of this, mister.” She shook her head. “What are we going to do with you?”

  Harley let out a sniffle, making everyone look in her direction.

  “You okay?” Jackie asked.

  “Of course,” Harley said, waving a hand. “It’s nothing.”

  Jackie lowered Lionel to her lap. “Are you sure?”

  Harley dabbed at her eye with one sleeve of her flannel shirt. “It’s fine. I just bonded with Lionel a bit. And you know, I see him at the club a lot. I’m gonna miss the little guy.”

  “You can always visit him,” Benny said. “And you know he’ll be at the club a lot.”

  “Right,” Harley said, composing herself and looking positive again with a small smile. “Everything is working out perfectly. I can be his aunt, right?”

  Max looked at Jackie, wondering if she was sharing his thoughts.

  He loved Lionel and always would for bringing him and Jackie together.

  But Lionel had never seemed as happy as he was in Harley’s arms.

  Jackie stood suddenly and walked over to Harley, placing the kitten in her arms.

  Harley stared up, surprised, as Lionel cuddled into her and started purring, finally content.

  Jackie let out a sigh then. “Yup, as I suspected. I think he wants to be with you. What do you think about that?”

  Harley blinked. “Are you certain? But you found him…”

  “And I just wanted to give him a chance at life and a good home. He’ll have one with you.” She sighed. “I think he picked you.”

  Harley gathered him up against her, looking teary-eyed, as Benny sent Max a look of silent gratitude.

  Max’s heart was overwhelmed by the kindness of his mate. The straightforward way she had of knowing what people needed.

  A heart that just seemed to care for everyone it met.

  “I love you,” he said, standing and pulling her in against him when she got back to the counter. He nuzzled his chin into her hair. “That was the right thing to do.”

  “You think so?” Jackie looked up at him as Harley and Benny fussed over Lionel.

  “Yes,” Max said.

  Jackie’s hands moved over Max’s, which were wrapped around her waist. “And besides, it’s what Lionel wanted, and I really owe him one for hooking me up with you.”

  “I was thinking the same,” Max said.

  Benny stopped playing with Lionel and looked over at them. “By the way, I wanted to give you an update on Tasha. She was still asleep last I checked. I had Lock take her to my place.”

  Max straightened abruptly. “You what?”

  Benny shook his head. “Lock isn’t that morally bankrupt. I promise. He’s just going to see if she remembers anything when she wakes up. Besides, he’s too weak to do anything.”

  Max relaxed slightly at that. “True.”

  “And to be honest, I’ve never seen him do anything to anyone,” Benny said. “My guess is he likes to play the rake more than he likes actually being one. He’s an alpha wolf. He could be much more of douche if he wanted to be.”

  Max had to acknowledge that. He also couldn’t pretend to hate Lock anymore, now that he had seen he would defend him when the chips were down. “That’s true.”

&
nbsp; “Will Tasha wake up soon?” Jackie asked.

  “According to Lock, who seems familiar with the powers of that Felix guy, hopefully within the next couple days.”

  “Damn,” Jackie said. “I guess I’m glad he woke me.”

  “Me, too,” Max said, holding her tight.

  Benny stood, reaching out a hand to help Harley. “Anyway, we can work out more details later. We’re going to go back and check on Lock and Tasha, just in case. We just wanted to make that job offer and see that you two were okay.”

  “And bring Lionel back,” Harley said, still looking a little misty. She put Lionel back in his travel crate and walked straight over to Jackie, engulfing her in a big hug. “I really appreciate you letting me take him home. Let me know if you change your mind.”

  “I won’t unless Lionel does,” Jackie said. “And I don’t think he’s going to. Cats are funny like that.” She gave Max an amused glance. “They pick their people and really stick to them.”

  Harley grinned. “That they do.” Then, with a nod to Max, she went out the front door, Benny following with a friendly wave.

  When the door was shut behind them, Max let out a sigh. As much as he liked seeing his friends, it felt best to just be with Jackie.

  “That was a really nice thing you did.”

  She shrugged. “I just wanted to see Lionel happy. And our friends.” She sat at the counter. “Besides, there will be other kittens for us.”

  Max made a choking noise and looked over at her suspiciously. “Do you mean…?”

  She winked at him, laughing. “Yup. I want your babies. Or cubs. Or whatever we call them.”

  He wrinkled his nose. “Definitely not kittens.”

  She grinned. “I know. I just wanted to get a reaction.”

  He strode over, pinning a hand on either side of her on the counter. “You did.” He looked down at her, feeling heat blossom between them instantly, as usual. “So… did you want to get to work on that now or after breakfast?”

  She giggled, ducking under his arm to escape and running into the kitchen. “Breakfast first, if you can wait, you hungry lion.”