Changing Hearts

by Marilu Mann

  Slade put his arm around her shoulders as they started back toward the cabin. He didn’t realize how fast he moved until she started to pant beside him. He forced himself to slow down but kept her close by wrapping his arm tighter around her.

  He could feel her nervousness through her taut muscles. Hoping to distract her a little, he asked about some tree they passed. That opened the floodgates. Joie pointed out things he’d noticed but not paid much attention to. The white egret standing at the edge of the bayou, the ducks paddling noisily along the shore, the squirrels chasing one another in the treetops.

  “You really love it here, don’t you?” He could feel her relax beneath his arm. And he had enjoyed hearing her talk about her home. He looked up to see they weren’t that far from the cabin, from her bed.

  “It’s home. No matter where I go or what I do, this is my home.” Joie smiled up at him. The silence between them now was more comfortable, the urgency had faded somewhat but he knew of only one way to slake his thirst for her.

  They reached the cabin and he felt her step falter slightly. Turning her to face him, Slade cupped her face in his hands, tilting her head back so that she met his eyes.

  “Joie?”

  “I’m just a little nervous. You’re the most intense man I’ve ever been with.”

  “I won’t hurt you.” Slade let her step up onto the porch, then pulled her around to face him again. “If I do something you don’t like, tell me to stop.”

  Her face turned that delicate shade of rose again. “Will you kiss me?”

  “Everywhere.” He moved closer to her, still holding her hands.

  “Will you let me touch you?” She met his eyes with a steady gaze. He couldn’t stop his body’s reaction to her question. He pulled her against him so she could feel it too.

  “Oh baby, you’d better believe it.” Slade swept her up into his arms again, grinning when she laughed. He carried her into the cabin and straight into her bedroom. She kicked her shoes off as soon as they crossed the threshold of her room.

  Chapter Nine

  Late afternoon sunlight filled the room as Slade put her in the center of her bed. She sat up then got to her knees in the middle of the bed. Slade swallowed hard as she removed her skirt and t-shirt. He kept his eyes on hers as she removed her bra and her heavy breasts fell free. He waited until she’d removed her panties before letting his gaze go completely over her naked body.

  Joie blushed furiously even as she reached out to tug on the hem of his t-shirt. Slade yanked it off quickly then toed off his shoes as he unfastened and removed his jeans. He tossed two of the condoms from his pocket onto the bed.

  Joie ran one hand down the center of his body then wrapped her cool soft fingers around his shaft. He nearly came in her hand, groaning hard and pushing his hips forward slightly. She smiled as she released him to put both hands on his chest and run them down to his hips.

  Joie leaned forward and kissed him, right in the center of his chest and he lost it. Pushing her back on the bed, he leaned over and captured one of her nipples in his mouth. He wasted no time, suckling her strongly. Her hands clenched in his hair as she gasped.

  Slade laved her breast, licking all the way around it even as he held onto the other one. When he took her nipple back into his mouth, biting her gently, he pinched the other one lightly between his thumb and finger.

  He inhaled her scent, rocking his lower body against her as he continued to suckle and play with her breasts. Joie gasped and arched her back. He lifted his head in surprise. She’s coming? I’m just playing with her breasts and she’s coming. This is gonna be good!

  With a devilish grin, he lowered his head again, nipping gently at her breasts, moving his mouth from one to the other, finally pushing them together and sucking first one nipple then the other. Joie grabbed his head and forced it up. “Malcolm, please!”

  “I aim to, baby, relax.” He moved his head down her body, licking a path from her breasts to her belly. She felt softly rounded and she parted her thighs to accommodate his shoulders with a gasp and a soft moan. She kept her fingers tangled in his hair, lightly scratching his scalp.

  Slade licked from her navel to her mound, burying his nose in her moist curls. She gasped again when he opened her with his thumbs and licked from the bottom of her slit to the top. He nibbled and suckled her until she cried out, bucking under him, her thighs tightening around his shoulders. Slade thrust his tongue deep inside her body to taste her then dragged it out slowly.

  “Pretty, so pretty,” he murmured against her body even as he placed gentle bites on her thighs and hips.

  Joie went limp beneath him as her thighs quivered and her hands gripped the covers. Slade rolled her over easily. She stiffened slightly when he lay on top of her, then relaxed when he nibbled at the back of her neck.

  Slade indulged himself in what he’d thought about before. The smoothness, the sweetness of her skin saturated his senses. He let his tongue slide from the back of her neck, just under her hairline, to the base of her spine. He would know Joie anywhere, anytime. Joie shivered and groaned under him then yelped when he bit her butt.

  Slade laughed softly, kissing away the sting from his bite as he slid two fingers into her. She arched her back slightly even as he reached around her to cup one of her breasts in his hand. He reveled in the way her flesh overflowed his hand as he gently pinched her nipple in rhythm with his thrusts into her body.

  Joie pushed up slightly and turned her head to stare at him. “You’re killing me.”

  “No, baby, not killing you. Making you mine.” Slade reached up with one hand, snagging one of the condoms he’d dropped on the bed. He ripped the package open with his teeth and rolled the condom on.

  He lay on his back and pulled her over on top of him. “Take me inside you, Joie. You control how deep, you control how hard.”

  She sat up staring at him with passion-hazed eyes. Slade watched her body descending on him, watched himself disappear inside her body, felt the wet warmth surrounding him, smelled the aroma of her body and his own arousal, and despite his best intentions, thrust upward with his hips. He nearly died then. So warm, so tight, so incredibly soft.

  Joie gasped then lifted her body off his and dropped down again. She started moving on him, lifting and lowering her body onto his hard shaft. Slade held on tightly to her hips and as she slid down onto him, he rocked her forward.

  She caught the movement and started it on her own. Slade moved his hands to her breasts. Now that he knew how sensitive they were he planned to take full advantage of it. He sat up slightly again, drawing one nipple into his mouth and Joie wrapped her legs around his waist. His hands moved to her ass again and he cupped her, pulling her tightly to his body. He suckled strongly just above her breast, leaving a mark.

  Joie held tightly to his shoulders, her nails digging in. He welcomed the bite of her nails because they kept him sane, kept him from giving in to the wildness that roared in his brain.

  Joie started moaning softly and he knew she’d reached her limit. Slade rolled to his knees, put her down on her back, then thrust hard and fast into her. Joie screamed out his name then clutched his ass as she exploded under him.

  Slade continued moving over her until she screamed a second time, her nails biting deep into his shoulders as she climaxed yet again. He growled through his own release, thrusting deeper into her body once, twice, a third time, then collapsing on top of her. He stayed there until he could distinguish his heartbeat from hers then rolled onto his side to stare at her. He’d never felt that way, never come so hard in his life, and to think the most incredible sex he’d ever experienced had happened with a human.

  She took a deep ragged breath then opened her beautiful green eyes to gaze at him. “Malcolm,” she whispered then gently touched the side of his face.

  He smiled, pulling her closer even as he softened. Slade reached between them to deal with the spent condom then settled Joie into his side. She sighed softly as she ran
her hand over his chest. Within moments her hand stilled and her breathing evened out.

  Slade waited until she slept deeply then slipped out of the bed. He stood there, staring down at her, wanting nothing more than to crawl back in bed beside her. He shook his head, pulled the sheet over her and picked up his clothes. Turning at the doorway, he took one last look, then went outside.

  He felt good, better than he’d felt in a long time. Being with Joie had been more than he’d expected. Her responses had spurred him further, faster than he’d meant to go. She hadn’t complained about him being too rough, she’d met him movement for movement, touch for touch, and had let him know how much he pleased her. A smug grin crossed his face. He couldn’t wait to do it again.

  Taking a deep breath, he stepped off the porch. Darkness had fallen. Frogs and crickets sang their night chorus. The old woman hadn’t returned yet and Joie slept peacefully. Slade put his head back as he took another deep breath, stretching to his full height, feeling muscle and bone moving.

  Dropping his clothes onto the porch, he shifted and went for a quick run to check the perimeter he’d set up around the cabin. He’d return only when satisfied that everything was where it should be.

  * * * * *

  Joie came out of sleep quickly. She felt slightly sore, but in a good way. Malcolm had definitely been more forceful than her ex though she knew he’d held back somewhat. She shuddered as she thought about just how strong he must be. Stretching languidly, she reached across her bed expecting to feel Malcolm beside her.

  The bed felt cool and empty. Sitting up, she saw the darkness outside the window and noticed that Malcolm’s clothes were missing. Joie got out of bed and headed for the shower. Malcolm had probably gone for a run. She wasn’t sure where Tante Kay might be.

  A few minutes later, clean and dressed, she entered the kitchen. The emptiness in her stomach reminded her of her half-eaten lunch and lack of dinner. She started rooting through the fridge looking for something to heat or fix. The sound of the screen door and a masculine rumble of approval had her standing upright quickly.

  “Did I happen to mention how perfect your ass is?” Malcolm’s deep voice sounded close to her ear as he reached out to cup her buttocks.

  “No, I don’t think you did.” Joie smiled even as she turned to face him. “You lied to me, by the way.”

  “About what?” The confusion on his face made her smile. He wasn’t a man used to being accused of lying. His hands felt very natural at her waist.

  Joie put both hands on his chest and traced the whorls of hair there. “You said I’d get a chance to touch.”

  The expression on his face was priceless. Part lust, part amusement and part interest. “You want to go for another round?”

  “Yes.” Joie stood on tiptoe to brush her mouth across his. Malcolm leaned forward, wrapping his arms around her waist, picking her up so that their heads were even. Her feet dangled against his shins.

  “Now?” The anticipation in his voice sent a shiver through her even as she smiled at him.

  “No, later tonight. Tante Kay should be home soon. Will you come to my room after she goes to sleep?”

  “You got something out in that shed to hurry sleep along?” His grin arched wickedly, his golden brown eyes glowing at her.

  “Don’t be a jerk!” Joie pinched his neck and he flinched. She knew she hadn’t hurt him at all. “I use my herbs for healing, not for personal gain.”

  “Okay, okay, I’ll be as patient as I can.” He kissed her as he set her on her feet. “What’s for supper?”

  “Gumbo, I think.” Joie turned her attention back to the issue of food, unaware that Malcolm’s eyes followed every move she made. He stilled suddenly and Joie stared at him.

  “What is it?”

  “Car.” He relaxed suddenly. “It’s Kay.”

  Joie started moving quicker, stirring the roux she made even as she glanced at the clock then at him. “Would you go make sure she’s okay? She’s not usually out this late.”

  “Me?” He looked shocked to even be asked.

  “Please? Unless you’d rather stir the roux?” Joie hid her grin as he backed away from the stove and toward the door.

  “No…I’ll just go…” He moved quickly out the back door and off the porch.

  Slade left the kitchen in a hurry. He couldn’t believe Joie had asked him to check on the old woman. Being concerned for others wasn’t a feeling familiar to him, although he thought that might be about to change.

  He stumbled as he stepped off the porch when the reality of that thought hit him. The car pulled up under the carport. The small red car already there must be Joie’s.

  Slade walked around to the driver’s side of the car and opened the door. “You okay? Joie was worried about you.”

  “I’m old and tired, boy, but I got ‘nough sense to come home at night.” Kay held her hand out to him, surprised, he took it. The bones felt brittle under her parchment skin. He stared hard at her for a moment as she used his strength to pull herself out of the car.

  “You look mighty damn pleased with yourself, boy. You been doing somethin’ you ought not be?”

  “Like what?”

  “Sleeping with my godchild, for one.”

  His eyes widened at her candor, and she had the nerve to laugh. He’d expected outrage, anger, anything but humor. She squeezed his hand then released him.

  “Didn’t take you long to figure out what a treasure my Joie is, did it? You break her heart and I’ll put a hex on you, boy.” Her bony finger jabbed right in the middle of his chest. Slade grinned as he stepped back a pace or two.

  “I believe you would.” Reaching around her, he grabbed her massive satchel. Hefting it easily, he matched his stride to hers as they moved toward the porch. Breaking Joie’s heart wasn’t on his mind. Just spending more time in her bed.

  Joie looked up from the stove but didn’t move away from whatever she stirred. He could smell chicken and sausage along with the garlic, butter and beer. “Tante, are you okay?”

  “Fine, child, fine, just tired. Old Mr. Hebert needed someone to talk to so it took me longer to leave. You get your powders made or did somethin’ distract you today?” The old woman glanced at him as she spoke. Slade ignored the censure in her voice as he set the satchel down.

  “Everything’s fine. Deputy Martinez stopped by today with an otter pup. I put him in the shed with the others.” Joie turned back to her cooking and the old woman sank down on a chair.

  “That’s fine, child, just fine. You, Malcolm, you sit down with me while Joie finishes here.”

  He took a seat across from her so he could see Joie as well as the old woman.

  “I heard some news today from N’awlins.”

  “Yeah?” Slade glanced at her then turned his attention back to Joie. From the gentle sway of her breasts to the slight movement of her hips, she mesmerized him. She moved with a fluid grace he hadn’t expected to see in someone as vertically challenged as she was.

  “Yeah. Something you might be interested in. Seems there’s been some bodies turning up near the riverbanks.”

  “Bodies?” Slade suddenly focused all of his attention onto the old woman.

  “Bodies that been attacked by some wild animal. The police looking for big dogs and they be callin’ in some experts. You know anything ‘bout that?”

  “No. I haven’t been back to New Orleans.”

  “Now I know that, boy. But you know somethin’ ‘bout the way them bodies was killed?”

  “No. As Alpha I didn’t normally allow deaths except in Challenge circle and even then, we didn’t just leave bodies lying around.” He couldn’t imagine what the Pack could be doing. They’d never wanted to draw attention from the authorities. Working behind the scenes had always been more Pack style. At least until he’d come along, and he’d had to fight tooth and nail to get the Pack to accept his more aggressive forays into the human world. Still, he didn’t like the idea of just killing for no reaso
n and then leaving their bodies lying around. That definitely didn’t fit Pack law. He’d ordered innocents killed though.

  He’d been the most aggressive Alpha in nearly fifteen years. Deaths that occurred in Challenge circles were always dealt with the same way—rapid burial on the grounds of the compound. Pack members were rarely missed by those outside the Pack. Even the ones who held jobs in the human world were just assumed to have moved on.

  Joie shuddered and wouldn’t meet his eyes. Slade knew the talk of murder bothered her. He could almost feel her agitation from where he sat. He wondered if she could ever understand that challenge was simply a way of life in the Pack.

  It defined your standing within the community. No adult male could go through life without at least one challenge. Though rare, even the females fought from time to time. But the males, well, even for something trivial like where you slept, or who you slept with, challenge decided most things.

  Most challenges were like wrestling matches, holding the other wolf in a submissive position. Many fights ended at first blood. Few were ever truly to the death. Sometimes the younger males fought just for the fun of it, they didn’t intend to hurt one another, they were just goofing off, showing off, seeing who was strongest. But usually the younger males did it to prove themselves to the females and to warn the older males that their spots in the Pack were tenuous. Tante Kay’s voice dragged him out of his musings.

  “Somebody be sending you a message, maybe? Somebody be telling you things have changed?” Tante Kay arched one thin eyebrow at him then shook her head. “You gonna have to walk careful, boy. If they are sending you a message, it spells death.”

  Making quick decisions had never been a problem for him. Slade got up from the table, moving closer to Joie. She turned her head, but never stopped stirring the gumbo. Ignoring the old woman, Slade bent slightly and kissed Joie. She stiffened in surprise, then melted against him. He felt her stop stirring as he raised his head.