Bound by Sight (Cauld Ane Series, #9)
Page 16
I peeled myself off of Dalton and followed the group into the dining room. Liam separated himself from the kids and patted my leg. I knelt in front of him. “Hey, buddy.”
“Da says you’re an Oracle.”
“I am,” I confirmed.
“Is Libby my mate?” he asked.
I pressed my lips into a thin line to keep from laughing. “I don’t know, sweetie. That’s something you’ll find out when you’re twenty-five.”
He huffed. “I want her to be my mate.”
“Well, I know it seems like a long time to wait, but it’ll fly by.”
“I’d like it better if I knew.”
“Instant gratification,” I said. “I get it. I don’t like surprises.”
“Aye.” He sighed like an old man, then bowed. “Thank you for your time.”
I turned to face Dalton and giggled as Liam went jogging off to the kids’ table. “He’s like, ninety.”
Dalton chuckled. “I know. It’s both strange and awesome at the same time.”
Samantha walked toward me her head shaking. “I’m so sorry, Andi. Liam’s got it in his head Libby’s his and he’s having a tough time accepting that that might not be the case.”
I smiled. “Don’t apologize. It’s adorable.”
“He’s so strong-willed.”
“I wonder who he gets that from,” Dalton retorted, holding my chair out for me.
“Suck it, Dalt,” Samantha said, and grinned. “You’re next to Grace, Andi. You’ll love her.”
I nodded and took my seat. Dalton sat beside me and immediately linked his fingers with mine.
Dinner was amazing. The food was to die for, and the company easy and fun. Grace was exactly as everyone described. Sweet and kind, and she was the perfect match to Max.
By the time Dalton and I fell into bed, I’d had a little too much wine and couldn’t stop giggling. Lucky for me, my mate knew exactly how to soothe my mirth... and he started by peeling me out of my clothes.
Andi
ONE WEEK LATER, it was time to head home and take care of our real lives. I was out of vacation time and Dalton had some things to wrap up with the dealerships. He’d decided to sell them in an effort to give us more flexibility for travel and to figure out where we’d settle permanently.
He was still renting his apartment out, so the plan was for him to stay with his parents’ and I’d stay with Aspen for the time being. This didn’t sit well with me, but our human friends and family didn’t know we were already, technically married, so for his parents’ sake, we’d “live” separately.
Kade, Samantha, Cole, and the kids were traveling back with us, so we planned to travel together to the airstrip.
Kade’s plane was a 747, and had two private bedrooms with attached bathrooms, plus another two bathrooms on either end of the plane. Dalton and I were situated in the bedroom in the back and I loved that we would get some privacy on the plane... especially considering I didn’t fly well. It terrified me.
“This time will be easier,” Dalton said. “I can help you stay calm now.”
“I like that,” I admitted. “I’ve decided to keep you around for a while. You’re good value.”
He chuckled. “Good to know.”
Once we arrived at the plane, we followed everyone onboard and then buckled ourselves in. I was still amazed by how quickly the process took when flying private. I didn’t know if I could go back to flying commercial. My need to avoid touch was satisfied in this gigantic plane... not so much in a crowded airbus.
Take off was a little rough, but Dalton was right, he took that panic from me and I stayed connected to him until we were in the air and everything was smooth.
An hour into the flight, Liam climbed up on the seat beside me and took my hand. “Can you tell now?”
I closed my eyes and concentrated, but unfortunately, I didn’t see anything. “I’m sorry, honey. Nothing.”
He sighed. “Thank you for trying.”
“Anytime, sweetpea.” He walked away, his shoulders slumped, and I faced Dalton with a grimace. “What if I see something? What if it’s not Liberty? What if it is?”
“Maybe start by telling Samantha and go from there.”
“Gosh, you’re so wise, honey,” I quipped.
“Been tryin’ to tell you that.”
“Yes, yes you have. I’m so sorry it’s taken so long,” I droned sarcastically. “I believe you now.”
Dalton chuckled, leaning over to kiss me quickly. “Smart girl.”
I grinned and leaned against him. Once dinner was done, Dalton and I excused ourselves to our bedroom and he grabbed my waist and threw me gently on the bed.
I squeaked in surprise and then immediately whispered, “Shh... we have to be quiet.”
“You’re the one squealing like a horndog.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Horndog?”
He nodded, shoving his scraggly face into the crook of my neck. I couldn’t stop another squeak.
“Andrea Moore, you must control yourself,” he admonished. “If you can’t stay quiet, I won’t make you come.”
I gasped as his mouth traveled down my body and he pushed my T-shirt up over my breasts. He folded the T-shirt over my eyes. “No moving.”
Panic hit me and I shook my head.
“It’s okay, sugar, nothing’s going to happen. It’s not like your dream.”
I pulled the T-shirt away from my eyes. “I need to see.”
“Okay, baby. It’s okay.”
I closed my eyes and forced myself to relax. The sensation of my panties being slid down my thighs helped. “Dalton,” I rasped.
Dalton pushed my knees apart and my legs shook as he covered my core with his mouth, sucking my clit gently as I arched up to get closer. He slid one finger inside of me, then two as he continued his assault on my clit. I panted out, “Oh, God, baby, I’m—”
“Now, sugar.”
I exploded just as he entered me, linking his fingers with mine and dragging my arms above my head. Dalton moved slowly, building me up again, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, arching up to get closer. He sped up, thrusting into me faster and faster—no words, just our bodies connecting—until I couldn’t wait.
Dalton tensed, and then we both let go... Dalton kissed my deeply, then rolled onto his back. I snuggled close to him and kissed his chest. “This all just gets better with you.”
He chuckled, kissing my forehead. “Yeah?”
“So so good.”
“I feel the same way, baby,” he whispered.
“Do you think we should get married?” I joked.
“Absolutely. Let’s do it tomorrow.”
“I’ll have to check my schedule.”
“Make it happen, baby. You just tell me where to be.”
I yawned. “Okay.”
“Let’s try and sleep. I’ve got the alarm set to wake us early so we can start regulating our body clocks.”
I wrinkled my nose. “I don’t want to regulate my body clock. I want to stay on vacation time.”
Dalton chuckled and wrapped the covers around us. “I’ll work on that, sugar.”
I yawned again. “Sounds good, honey.”
As the white noise of the plane sucked me into its relaxing grip, the last thing I remember was Dalton kissing me gently, then I was out like a light.
* * *
Walking into the home I shared with Aspen seemed both weird and familiar. So much had happened in the last week or so and my life was now completely different.
Dalton carried my luggage up to my room and I followed, my feet dragging. He set my bags on the floor and wrapped his arms around me. “It’s just one night.”
“There’s no ‘just’ about it.”
“You can always stay with my parents.”
I shook my head. “No, if you’re not with me, here’s fine.”
He tapped his temple. “You can talk to me anytime you need to.”
“That’s true.” I stared u
p at him. “How long do you think this will take?”
“Don’t know. Meeting with Doom at the Dogs clubhouse, so it could take all night.” He kissed my forehead. “Want me to come back here?”
“Definitely.”
“It could be early in the morning.”
“I don’t care. I want my man in my bed.”
He laughed. “Bossy. I like it.”
I grinned. “Damn straight, mister.”
“Okay, gotta go. If you need me, you know how to get me.”
I nodded. “Remember to watch the temperature. You can’t be in anything over sixty-eight degrees now.”
“Right.” He leaned down and kissed me gently. “Love you, sugar.”
“Love you, too. I’ll see you later.”
“Come lock up behind me. Set the alarm.”
I saluted him. “Aye, aye sir.”
“Cute, sugar.”
I chuckled and followed him downstairs. After several more kisses at the front door, I locked up and then headed to the kitchen for a glass of wine. Aspen arrived home about fifteen minutes later and hugged me immediately, holding me close and dancing around the room. “You’re getting married, you’re getting married,” she sang.
I laughed. “I’ve done this before, you know.”
“This one’s different. It’s real.”
I sighed. “Amen to that.”
“Have you set a date?”
“We just got back,” I pointed out.
“So?”
I rolled my eyes. “No date yet. But it’s going to be soon.”
“Okay, so we need to shop for a wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, tuxes, etcetera... etcetera.”
“It’s going to be small, Aspen,” I warned. “Probably just you as my maid of honor. Your family, his family. That’s it.”
“Okay, so fifty people?”
“Twenty. Max.”
“We should have it at the beach house,” she said. “Twenty people could fit in there... it’d be tight, but fun.”
“That would actually be really fun.”
“I’ll talk to Gran about it tomorrow.”
“Thanks, honey.” I handed her a glass of wine. “Do you have a problem if Dalton stays on occasion?”
“You know I don’t care about that,” she said and took a sip. “Just don’t let me hear what I’m missing.”
I giggled. “I can do that.”
“Okay, so my news...”
“Tell me,” I said, sitting on the sofa and tucking my legs under me.
“Doom.”
“The guy Dalton asked to watch out for you?”
She nodded. “Ohmigod, Andi, he’s fine.”
“Yeah?”
“So delicious. Tatted. Built. Rides a motorcycle.”
“Everything your father warned you against.” I raised an eyebrow. “I believe he said...” I cleared my throat and continued in a bad imitation of his voice, “‘If you ever date one of those tattooed bastards, I’ll hunt him down and kill him, after I’ve locked you in your room until you’re seventy.’”
Aspen laughed. “Yes, but what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
“Okay, so tell me about Doom.”
For the rest of the night, Aspen and I caught up on life and everything we’d missed over the past few weeks.
I forced myself to stay awake long past my Icelandic bedtime and dragged myself up the stairs at close to midnight.
Night, honey, I’m going to bed. Alone.
Dalton’s chuckle sounded in my mind. I’ll be there before you know it.
Not soon enough. I’m stripping down to nothing. Nothing, Dalton. Not one stitch of clothing.
So we’re not playing fair...
I’m naked now, honey.
Andi, I’m not having telepathic sex with you while I’m sitting in a room with half-drunk, half-baked bikers. It wouldn’t be a good idea.
I giggled. No, you’re probably right.
I’ll see you in a few hours.
Be safe.
I will, sugar.
I climbed into bed and tossed and turned for what seemed like forever. Just as suddenly as I’d slid under the covers, soft lips kissed the nape of my neck and pulled me close.
“Hi,” I whispered sleepily.
Dalton kissed me again. “Hi.”
“What time is it?”
“Five.”
“In the morning?” I squeaked.
He chuckled. “Yeah, sugar.”
“Why are you waking me?” I complained.
“Because you said you were going to bed naked.” He rolled me to face him and began to move his lips down my body. “And I’ve been stuck in a smoky, sweaty clubhouse full of men who believe double negatives is the only way to communicate.”
“Ain’t nobody got time for that,” I retorted, gasping as he drew a nipple into his mouth and sucked it into a tight bud.
“Someone’s ready.”
“Yes.” I shifted so I was straddling him and cupped his face. “I’m very glad you’re home.”
“Yeah?”
I licked my lips. “Yes.”
He slid his hand between us and thumbed my clit. I dropped my head back and rocked against him. “Grab the headboard, sugar.”
I did as I was told, and he slid down so his face was between my legs, lifting his head up so his mouth covered my core. I pressed my body down, but he gripped my hips and anchored me where he wanted me. I tried to move but he was way stronger than I was, and he held firm, his tongue sliding in deeper and deeper.
“So wet.”
“Your fault,” I retorted.
He chuckled and slid out from under me, shifting me so I was on all fours. “Cheek to the mattress, Andi.”
I did as he instructed, and he lifted my hips.
“Finger your clit, baby,” he ordered, and I reached back. He slid inside of me, slowly at first, and I worked my clit while he worked the rest of me.
“Dalton,” I breathed out.
“Brace, sugar.”
I grabbed the edge of the mattress and he slammed into me, harder and harder. “I’m—”
“Don’t come,” he ordered.
“I have—”
He slapped my bottom, which really didn’t help. “Hold it.”
I bit my lip and tried to keep my orgasm at bay, but he was doing things to my body I’d never experience before and I screamed into the pillow as I came.
Dalton rolled us onto our sides and slid his hands between my legs. “So, so greedy.”
I just nodded. I didn’t have enough breath to speak.
While one hand worked my clit, his other rolled my nipple into a tight bud and he buried himself inside of me again building yet another orgasm.
“Come, baby,” he whispered, and I let go again.
“Oh. My. God,” I breathed out.
“Good?”
I giggled, panting as I tried to catch my breath. “Very good. If you’d told me five years ago I’d liked to be spanked, I probably would have hit you... but that was amazing.”
He kissed my shoulder. “Yeah, it really was.”
“You can go hang with bikers anytime you want if it means I get this when you get home.”
Dalton slid out of me with a grin. “Good to know.”
“Did you get any information?”
“Not really,” he admitted, pulling me against him. “Doom’s had a couple guys on Aspen and no one’s even approached the house... or her.”
“Which means whoever this guy is, he’s after me specifically.”
He sighed. “Looks that way.”
“And you’re worried.”
“Less worried than I was a month ago.” He kissed my temple. “But yeah, still don’t know what this guy’s capable of.”
“I’m glad you’re less worried. I am too.” I stroked his chest. “I think we’re better equipped to deal with this psycho, but I’m mostly concerned about Aspen.”
“Me too, baby.”
“
What’s this Doom guy like?”
“Why?”
“Let’s just say that Aspen finds him really attractive.”
Dalton groaned. “Not a good match.”
“He’s your friend, how can you say that?”
“He’s an acquaintance. Don’t know him well enough to call him a friend.”
“Hmm.”
“Hmm, what?” he asked.
“I want to meet this guy.”
“Not going to happen.”
I met his eyes. “Why not?”
“You are not getting on the radar of the Dogs of Fire Motorcycle Club, Andi. End of discussion.”
I sat up. “Ooh, end of discussion, huh?”
He dragged his hands down his face. “Andi.”
“Yes, dear?”
“Don’t do that.”
“Don’t do what?” I asked sweetly.
He met my eyes and frowned. “I’m not saying this to be a dick. There’s stuff goin’ down with the Dogs and a rival club and I don’t want you on either of their radars.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Okay, fine. That’s logical. But I do want to meet this Doom person. I can meet him without meeting the rest of the club, right?”
“I think I can arrange that.”
“That’s the correct answer, mate of mine.”
“Of course it is.” He tugged on my hand and pulled me on top of him. “I’m in service of the queen.”
I giggled. “What?”
“Somethin’ Haddi said.”
“Something good or bad?”
“He just pointed out it’s all about you.”
I grinned. “Oh, so something very good.”
Dalton chuckled. “For you, yes.”
“It is for you, too.”
“How so?”
“You keep me happy and you’ll be happy.”
He laughed. “I gladly serve at the pleasure of the queen, then.”
“Good answer.” I glanced up at him. “Want to see what I discovered today?”
“I don’t know,” he said in suspicion.
I grinned, flicking my hand and the pillow sitting on the chair in the corner came flying at us. I squeaked as it hit me squarely in the face. “Okay, so this is a work in progress.”
“You are just practicing on pillows, right?”
“Yes, honey.” I sighed. “Full disclosure, I did try a candlestick earlier, but I dropped it several times.”