by E A Price
*
Mal fingered the ring in his pocket again. About the fiftieth time he had that day.
He'd spent the entire day in a state of agitation waiting until the moment he could see Terri again; he couldn’t wait to see her face when he showed her the ring.
He worked as a pack Enforcer, which was basically a cop/security guard. Work had been interminable, and his boss, Acksel had been forced to yell at him repeatedly to get him to concentrate. But, finally, he was on his way to see her.
Terri had eschewed celebrating Valentine’s Day. She didn't like the idea of going anywhere crowded, and they were pouring all their money into building their house, so no date night and no presents. They decided to stay in and watch a movie.
Mal could get behind the idea of snuggling up on the couch with his mate all night, rather than going to a snobby restaurant and potentially having other men ogle his female. He didn't seem to realize that her overly large baby belly might in some way be a turn off for other men. Well, it didn't turn him off, he could barely contain himself round her, so he assumed everyone else felt the same way...
He didn't, however, like the idea of her not getting a present. True, money was tight, but he had the perfect present. His grandmother’s engagement ring. It was a pretty emerald set in a butterfly shape with tiny diamonds adorning the wings. His mom had gladly passed it on to him to give to Terri. He'd had it resized, and it was ready to go.
As far as shifters went, they were married, and Terri was off limits. The bite mark he had put on her shoulder proved that. Humans, however, didn't notice the subtle mark and so he thought it wise for her to have a ring on her wedding finger, to avoid any nasty mistakes.
Mal couldn't wait to give it to her. They'd order pizza and settle down, and then he would spring it on her. Alright, so not the most romantic plan, but he knew Terri would love it.
Perhaps tonight they could have sex... if they took things slowly, of course. He was practically on fire with need for her. His wolf was roaring at him to take her, and she wasn’t making it easy... Despite her protestations, she had been pretty ill and not up to making love, but she had been more than keen to try and had tempted him at every turn.
If he wasn't careful, she talked her way around his resolve, and before he knew it, he was ripping her clothes off and taking his pleasure in her exquisite body. Hence, the need to avoid her at the danger times, which were bedtime and morning. He slept at her side, of course; he needed to be there just in case she became ill. He just couldn't afford to be there when she was undressing... but tonight, if she was okay, that could change.
He bounded up the library steps to surprise her. Terri had taken up the post of head librarian after coming to town a couple of years ago. Terri was supposed to be getting a ride home with his younger brother Darryl, but Mal wanted to surprise her, and Darryl had a date anyway.
With some trepidation, he noticed it was Mrs. Martin manning the library front desk. When he was younger, he had destroyed both her apple tree and her car while trying to spy on her - he was convinced she was a demon. He still wasn’t totally convinced otherwise yet. She still hated him for it. Some people just hang onto small things like that.
"Hey, Mrs. Martin, is Terri out back?"
She gave him a thin smile. "I'm afraid she left over an hour ago," she told him with a certain amount of glee.
Mal rubbed his jaw. “Wasn’t she feeling well?”
“She seemed very chipper to me, said she had plans.”
Huh. "Okay, thanks Mrs. M."
Her eye twitched; she hated being called Mrs. M. She quickly gave him a smug smile. “But if you do eventually catch up with her, let her know that handsome man was in here earlier today looking for her again.”
His wolf snarled. He forced himself to remain calm; he didn't want to give this woman any reason to spread malicious gossip about Terri. "Oh?"
“Yes, now what was his name?” She tapped her chin with a purple nail pretending to think about it. Every muscle in his body tensed while he forced himself not to allow his wolf to rip her throat out.
“Jameson St. John. Older man, very distinguished and well spoken. Said he was an old friend, and he was keen to meet up with her. Although maybe they've already caught up with one another, that's probably why she left early. Forget I said anything, dear." Her eyes sparkled maliciously.
Mal exhaled deeply. "You got it Mrs. M."
He turned and forced himself to walk slowly outside. Slowly to his truck, get in and carefully lock the door. Then he let out a furious roar. His wolf prowled in his mind.
Jameson St. John. He'd know that name anywhere. The fucker who Terri had fallen head over heels for, gotten pregnant by, dumped by and then found out he had been married with two kids the whole time. Then she had lost the baby in a car accident. That part of her life was a source of great pain to her, and now that bastard was here trying to stir it all up. Jameson St. fucking John.
After the accident, Terri said Jameson had told her he loved her and tried to restart their affair. She had hightailed it out of Alexandria and moved here to the town of Rose instead. Best decision she ever made as far as Mal was concerned.
What if this guy wanted her back? What if he started declaring that he loved her and had left his wife for her? Would Terri be swayed by that? No, of course not. She loved Mal, and they were having a baby together. The rational part of his mind told him that. His wolf, however, demanded proof of this and wouldn't be satisfied until Jameson had left town. In a body bag would be preferable to the wolf.
There was a time when Terri considered Jameson to be the love of her life, but he was off limits. Might those feelings within her be reignited if he was now suddenly available?
His phone chirruped. Dazedly he looked and saw it was a message from Terri. ‘Come to our house immediately, it’s urgent. We need to talk.’
Oh god! She was leaving him for Jameson. She asked to meet in their half-constructed home for privacy, so none of his family could hear her dumping him. She would ride off into the sunset with her rich, older lover and leave Mal heartbroken and alone.
The asshole probably had an enormous house with two kitchens, five bathrooms and walk-in closets! Whereas with Mal, she was forced to live with him in his parents’ house and his three noisy, uncouth younger brothers while they very slowly tried to build their own house next door.
Jameson St. James was going to take his mate and baby away from him.
The fuck he will! Mal roared again and slammed his fists on the wheel. No way, Mal was going to fight to hold on to what was his. Mine. Terri and the baby were his; nobody else could have them!
Mal started the truck and sped away, eager to get home and tell Terri she wasn't allowed to leave him. He'd tie her to the bed if he had to. His wolf growled in approval at that idea. The thought, however, made Mal feel a bit queasy. He needed to keep Terri no matter what, but he wanted her to stay because it's what she wanted too.
He felt a tear roll down his cheek. Why did he always turn so soft at the thought of losing his mate?
In no time at all, and after having violated dozens of traffic laws, he was home. It was already dark; no lights were on in the main house. His parents had gone away for the weekend, and his three younger brothers all had plans, undoubtedly exciting and irritating the girls of Rose in equal measure. Much like he did in years gone by.
He bypassed the house and jogged over to their half-finished home. It was bare bones at the moment, covered in tarps.
Mal sniffed, searching for her sweet scent. It was coming from the family room, or the area that would eventually be their family room. He trembled with anger and fear as he pushed aside the coverings, but held still in surprise at what he was met with.
There were candles dotted all over the room, creating a sensual glow. In the middle of the floor, there was a mattress covered in red sheets, and in the center of those sheets kneeled his mate. She was wearing a red and black babydoll, her baby bump peeking out
of it, and matching panties. She was smiling at him in anticipation and he could scent her desire for him.
"Hello sunshine, that was fast, did you race here?" she asked giggling.
He looked at her dumbfounded. "Terri, what..." He tested their bond, but all he felt was lust. Her lust for him.
"I feel fantastic, and I'll be damned if I'm not going to be with my mate on Valentine’s Day, so no excuses. Get your gorgeous butt over here, preferably sans pants.” She reached out her arms to him and made grasping motions with her hands.
His wolf whimpered and forced Mal to move. He dropped down in front of her, all his anger and fear evaporated as he crushed her body to him... well as much as her belly would allow. Blood shot to his groin, and any capacity he had for rational thought was immediately lost to him.
He placed teasing kisses over her as she tried to peel away his clothes. She was having difficulty, so he quickly got up and shucked them off himself.
Mal stood before her, towering over her in his naked glory. She gasped as how beautiful he was. She'd seen him naked hundreds of times, but she was always taken aback at the sight of him.
Terri leaned forward and took his erection in her small hands. She smeared the drops of pre-cum over the length of him and began stroking him gently. His shaft twitched at her ministrations and slowly grew larger and harder. Terri took the tip into her mouth and licked the slit before pulling away and licking her way up and down.
Mal growled hoarsely. "Oh baby, yes... fuck... yes..." It had been too long since they'd been together - over a week! Yes, this is what he needed.
Terri chuckled before engulfing him with her mouth. He was so chatty during sex; she'd missed that.
She pulled backwards and forwards, sucking and licking him. She allowed her teeth to scrape him, and he howled in pleasure.
Mal pulled out of her and knelt down to kiss her; he darted his tongue in and out of her mouth. She held onto his shoulders and relaxed into the kiss.
A little bit of worry reared its head in his mind. Breaking the kiss and panting he said, “Are you sure, baby? I don't want to hurt you."
Her lips were a whisper away from his. "You won't, sunshine; you won't."
Mal kissed her again thoroughly, his tongue pushing into her mouth, demanding access and tangling with hers.
Carefully he maneuvered her round, so she was kneeling on all fours. He placed a pillow under her head and tenderly pushed her shoulders down until she was resting on the pillow; her head turned to the side, and her hands gently rested on either side of her. Her ass was pointed high in the air, and without ceremony he ripped her panties off.
She giggled and wiggled her ass. He massaged her cheeks for a couple of moments. She'd put on weight due to the pregnancy, and her ass had gotten bigger. It was a perfect heart shape. He loved it.
"Fuck, baby, you're gorgeous... if I weren't so desperate to be inside you, I could just stare at your cute butt all day..."
Moving his fingers down, he stroked through her folds; her honey was already flowing. He pushed a finger into her core, and she moaned.
"You like that, baby?" She moaned loudly and pushed against his finger.
He twirled it inside her and added another finger. Her sweet little moans spurring him on, he added a third finger, and his thumb sought her nub. He barely brushed it, and she came.
Terri cried out happily and writhed beneath him as waves of pleasure washed through her, and he reached out through the bond to feel them. His wolf practically purred. Mine.
"Baby, you're so beautiful when you come... those beautiful little moans... drives me wild..."
Her inner muscles grasped at his fingers. He kept moving in and out of her, keeping the orgasm alive for as long as possible.
When she settled, he took his cock in his hand and rubbed it gently at her entrance. She mewled her need. Agonizingly slowly, he guided himself inside her, her swollen walls parting for him until he was fully seated in her.
"God, you're amazing, baby... you feel so good..."
Her walls still pulsed from her orgasm, and he held still enjoying the feel. Terri grew impatient and began contracting around him.
"Fuck, you keep doing that, baby, and I'm not gonna last...”
"Better get moving then, sunshine..."
He grunted and pulled his hips back and slowly pushed back in, over and over he took her with unhurried strokes. Mine.
"God, baby, it's been too long..."
She rocked against him, and he growled in satisfaction.
“You’re so tight... it’s gorgeous...”
His wolf bayed at him to take his mate, show her she was his mate, show her she belonged with him. He began thrusting into her faster and harder. She tightened around him, and he felt her nearing another release. Mine.
"I love you, baby... so much..."
His hands tightened on her hips, holding her in place as he pounded against her. Mine.
"I love you and you're mine, baby... only mine..."
They were panting heavily as their flesh slapped together. Mine
"No one else can have you, baby... you're mine..."
He leaned over her body, caging her in and pushing more deeply inside her over and over. Mine
"Say you're mine, baby... say it... say you're mine and mine alone..."
She felt his breath on her cheek; she saw the flash of amber as his eyes changed and the glint of his fangs as they descended. She clutched at the pillow as he hammered inside her relentlessly.
“Say it!”
Her breath caught in her throat. “I’m yours!”
The pressure broke within her, and she screamed. Only seconds later, he reared up and buried himself in her, exploding his seed, he threw his head back roaring as his wolf roared in his head. Mine! Exhaustion raced through her body, and she tried to collapse but he held her hips up as he plunged into her over and over until he had filled her.
His chest heaving, he carefully pulled out of her and lay them both down on their sides, her back to him.
God, that was fantastic. Every part of his body felt depleted yet saturated with fulfillment. But, as the fog of lust started to lift, he was assailed by his doubts again. Would that be the last time they were together? The thought distressed him immeasurably.
She turned over to face him, a punch-drunk smile on her face, which dropped the moment she saw him. "What's wrong, sunshine?" She stroked his cheek. He felt her try to push through their bond to search for his feelings, but he closed off the link and she frowned.
A look of worry suddenly marred her pretty face. “Was that... was that not good for you?”
His eyes snapped to hers, and he covered her hand with his. "It was wonderful; every time with you is incredible... it's just...” He shook his head. “No, I don’t want to ruin our perfect evening.”
"You won't ruin anything. If something's bothering you, I want to know." She implored him with her eyes.
Mal sighed. "I went to the library to pick you up today; Mrs. Martin said you'd already left."
“Mmmm hmmm, I left an hour early to come and set this up. I thought it was about time we christened our house together. Don't worry, your brothers moved the mattress for me."
He raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Really? How’d you bribe them to do that?”
Terri giggled. “No bribe required. I think they just liked the idea of us sleeping somewhere else... we are apparently quite loud when we make love.” She sobered. “So, then what happened?”
“Mrs. Martin told me that Jameson St. James,” he said the name distastefully, “had been in the library looking for you.” He looked at her searchingly, afraid of how she would react.
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" she asked in disbelief. "I wonder what he wants. If it's his poetry books he left at my place, he's too late; I already gave them away to charity. The thought of having to listen to anymore droning love poems was too much to bear."
She seemed unconcerned. “So then what hap
pened?”
“Well... nothing. That’s it.” Was she not taking this seriously?
“Are you... are you actually worried about him turning up here?” She eyed him with interest.
“Well... yes... he was the love of your life and...”
She clamped her hand over his mouth. "He was not the love of my life; he is just an ass of an ex-boyfriend, and that is all. It doesn't matter why he's in town, whatever the reason is it doesn't in any way affect us."
She slowly removed her hand, waiting for him to speak. Uncertainty gnawed at him. "But what if he wants you back?"
“So what if he does?” Terri took one of his large hands and placed it over her shoulder where he had bitten her during bonding. He rubbed his thumb over the mark and she shivered pleasurably. “This bite mark is yours.”
She moved his hand down to her extended belly, and their son obligingly gave a small kick. "This baby is yours."
She then moved his hand over her heart and pressed it into her chest. Her strong heartbeat vibrated through him. "This heart is yours. I am yours, and nothing is ever going to change that. You're the love of my life!" His wolf howled in happiness at her proclamation. That’s exactly what he needed to hear.
He blinked and a tear dropped down his cheek. She rubbed it away with her thumb. "Don't, sunshine, you'll make me cry too."
He pulled her close and they kissed. She twirled strands of his hair through her fingers and looked at him thoughtfully.
“There are a lot of things about my relationship with Jameson that I regret... losing the baby of course..." Sadness washed over her face; he reconnected the bond between them and allowed some of the sorrow she felt to pour into him, taking away some of her burden.
"But, ultimately, what happened with him led me here, led me to you... so I can never completely regret what happened."
He rubbed her back in soothing circular motions. "You know that if your baby hadn't... if it had lived, I would have loved it and raised it as my own, right? It would still have been mine. No question."
