by Abigail Owen
Chapter 31
When the High Council members had all left, Andie moved to Zac and gave him a huge hug. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I did it for my timik as much as for you, kuluk,” he grumped. He glanced over her shoulder at Jaxon. “For you… not so much.”
“I never doubted for a second that this was for me,” Jaxon said, deadpan.
Andie squeezed Zac’s shoulders. “We’ll talk more later today and nail down details.” Then she turned and faced Jaxon, fire in her eyes. “And you. You have some ‘splainin’ to do.”
“I figured,” he said dryly. “Let’s take this conversation somewhere private.” He offered a hand, and Andie followed him through a series of back hallways she hadn’t seen before. They ended up in a large, cozy office, Jaxon’s obviously.
“Nice,” she said looking around. Much like his apartment, the room was decorated all in natural tones with lots of books and a comfortable vibe.
“Glad you like it. You’re getting the one next door.”
She glanced at him with raised eyebrows. “Oh? What for?”
“You didn’t think I’d let your skills languish, did you?”
“Well, I had been planning on assuming a life of leisure.” She blinked innocently.
He sat down behind the desk and grinned. “You’d hate it.”
She shrugged. Instead of sitting down in the chair obviously meant for someone discussing business with the Alpha, she slid around the side of his desk and hitched her hip up to sit on top of it.
“So, about this Seer thing…” She trailed off, leaving the door wide open for him to start talking.
He cleared his throat. “What do you want to know?”
“Was it Sarai?”
Jaxon’s eyebrows shot up. “Yes. And how did you know her name?”
“I’m asking the questions here, mister. When was this?”
“About the same time she told Nick that Hannah was his Fated.”
Andie’s jaw dropped. “Wasn’t that, like, ten years ago?”
“Near enough.”
“Why are you being so reticent about this?”
Jaxon sighed. “I was warned only to share what she’d told me when there was absolutely no other choice.”
“Even with your wife?”
He smiled. “Especially with you.” He reached out and pulled her down onto his lap, straddling him.
Andie refused to be distracted. “So you knew when you met me that we would mate and marry?”
Jaxon shook his head. “Not immediately. She told me only that I would meet my match, someone who would stand up to me, challenge me. Someone I couldn’t resist.”
Andie pursed her lips and linked her arms behind his neck. “That sounds pretty vague.”
“She did get a little more specific. She said I’d know my wife before the words of prophesy confirmed things for me. And I did. I asked you to marry me the day you fought my men for the first time. The way you think on your feet, and the fact that you could take out my well-trained defenders…. I’d never seen anything or anyone so beautiful. The feeling just grew from there. All those evenings together talking, I discovered that you have a good heart and a keen mind. You’re fiercely loyal, and leaving your own people broke your heart.” Jaxon shrugged, seeming a little embarrassed by spouting such effusive praise.
Andie felt her irritation softening. She fiddled with the collar of his shirt as she thought.
He moved his hands to her knees and started to slowly slide them up her thighs. “And then she told me that I would know for sure when I discovered someone who’d risked everything to save Hannah’s life. But I knew long before I’d made that discovery. It only confirmed things for me.”
Andie was having a difficult time concentrating as his knowing hands inched upwards ever so slowly. Part of her wanted to ask him if they were Fated. Sarai would’ve told him that. But Hannah was a Fated Mate, and the occurrence was so rare, that for it to happen twice in the same family was unheard of. Besides, based on what he’d just said, he might not be able to tell her anyway.
Instead she asked, “Anything else you’re allowed to tell me right now?”
He slowly shook his head.
She looked down into his eyes, which were twinkling mischievously with desire and playfulness. His hands were at the top of her thighs now, his thumbs flirting with, but not quite touching, where she wanted him most. He smiled as her breathing hitched, and he watched her with an intensity that only inflamed her more as his nimble fingers teased her.
Unable to resist any longer, she took his face between her hands and kissed him with an exquisite slowness, exploring his mouth languorously, yet at the same time exhilarated by the fact that she could touch him like this. Whenever she wanted.
Jaxon pulled back slightly, his hands now on her shoulders, his breathing heavy. “Before this goes any further, angel, have all your concerns and questions been addressed? Because we’re about to be very occupied with… other stuff… for quite a while.”
Andie lifted her eyes to his and was gratified when he sucked in a breath at the look of feverish need she gave him. Teasing him the way he had her just moments ago, she shifted on his lap, rubbing against him in a feminine, feline move guaranteed to raise his blood pressure.
“You might want to lock the door,” she murmured.
He suddenly pulled his hands away and pushed them both up to standing. Grabbing her hand, he dragged her out of the office and down the hall.
“Ummm,” Andie said as she jogged to keep up with him.
He glanced back at her with a leer that was almost feral. “While I admit the office scene is a turn-on, and we’ll definitely have to try it out soon, I want something more than a quickie. I plan to explore every delectable inch of you. And I’m going to take my time.”
They said nothing more until he yanked her into their rooms, closing and locking the door behind them.
Jaxon grinned, leaned down and parted her lips with his own, his tongue sliding into her mouth. Andie lost herself in the kiss. Her head spun, and she was instantly hot everywhere.
Jaxon suddenly released her lips and trailed his own down her neck to that sensitive spot at the base of her throat. His chest heaved as he fought for control. In a haze Andie realized they’d somehow made it to the bed without her really knowing what was happening. She lifted a tentative hand and ran it through his black hair.
Finally, he leaned up and locked his eyes with hers. “I want you so badly that I don’t know if I can go slowly.”
A tender smile graced her lips. “So don’t.”
He shook his head. “I want to. I want to make love to you. I want to…” He shook his head again, seemingly at a loss for words. But Andie knew what he meant.
The connection between them was deeper than just physical. They’d felt it last night. He’d taken his time, peeling back her dress slowly, every touch reverent as he’d worshiped her body. And she’d felt the same as she allowed her fingers to play over his shoulders and chest, down the ridges of his stomach. That she could make this big, powerful man tremble with only a feather-light touch had filled her with awe. But more than that, she’d been filled with the words he’d whispered to her in the night, telling her how amazing she was, how lucky he was that she was his.
And Jaxon was telling her now that he wanted more. And God help her, so did she. Sex with him was explosive, but the connection… that part was exquisite. Addictive.
With a smile that was all woman, she reached down and very slowly slipped her shirt up over her head. Then she reached behind her to unclip her bra and reveal herself to him inches at a time. Jaxon watched every movement with hungry need.
Once she lay bare before him, completely vulnerable, Andie reached out and took his hand and placed it on her breast.
“Love me,” she whispered.
He didn’t need to be asked twice. They gave, and took, and moved, and touched each other, building their inferno higher and higher. Andie poured he
r heart and soul into every caress, every moment. Finally, Jaxon pinned her with a heated look. “I need to be inside you.”
She was so far gone, all she could do was nod her head yes.
And then, so slowly she thought she might tip over the edge just from the incredible feeling, he entered her body. Jaxon took her hands and moved them up above her head where he threaded their fingers together.
“Look at me,” he whispered.
Looking deeply into each other’s eyes, they started to move together. He watched her face as she reacted to the layering of sensation inside her. Drawing out the torment. He kept up that slow, decadent pace, building the pleasure. Until sensation burst through her and toppled them both over the edge into ecstasy. And through every moment, his eyes stayed locked onto hers, drinking in her reactions.
As the last pulse ebbed and Andie drifted back down to earth, Jaxon released one of her hands to gently stroke her face.
“I don’t think I could ever get tired of watching you come apart in my arms,” he murmured. She rewarded him with a leisurely kiss.
He moved to her side and pulled her into his body, her cheek on his chest, cuddling her close. She loved that he was so tender with her after their lovemaking.
Andie chuckled as a thought struck her.
“What’s so funny?” he asked in a voice laden with satisfaction.
“So is this going to be your answer to all our fights? Make love until I’m a mindless, boneless puddle?”
Jaxon slowly traced a finger up the length of her arm. “That wasn’t my intention. I just can’t seem to keep my hands off you.”
She nibbled her way up his neck. “I know the feeling,” she whispered.
He smoothed his hand over her hair and down her back and kissed her again. After another few minutes, he said, “About the Seer—”
Andie turned in his arms and put her fingers over his mouth, silencing him. “I get it. Sarai is a friend, so I know a little bit about how things work with her. You’ll tell me what you can when you can.”
He kissed her fingers. “I can tell you one more thing.”
“What’s that?”
“She said that I would fall in love with my mate.”
Andie’s eyes widened. And then she smiled slowly, beautifully.
“And did she say if your mate would fall in love with you?” she whispered.
“You tell me,” he whispered back.
Andie reached up to lovingly lay her hand on his stubble-roughened jaw. “Yes. I can hardly believe it. But yes… I do love you.”
Jaxon took a deep breath, as though her words had relieved some hidden fear inside him. “Thank God.” He kissed her with an emotion bordering on worship. Andie felt tears well in her eyes. When he pulled back, he noticed the drops glistening on her lashes.
“Hey now, no crying,” he said, as he reached to brush them away.
She gave him a watery smile. “I’m just happy.”
He leaned his forehead against hers. “Me too, darlin’. Me too.”
Suddenly he rolled over and grabbed his cell phone. The abruptness of his actions made Andie prop up on her elbows to watch him, her head tipped to the side.
“What? Do you have somewhere you suddenly need to be?” she asked.
He didn’t answer her immediately. Whoever picked up on the other end was given brusque instructions not to disturb them and to provide meals delivered to the room for the next few days.
Jaxon hung up and gathered her back into his arms. “I definitely have somewhere to be. In bed, with you.”
“For days?” she asked, though a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
“I don’t think we’ll leave this bed much for at least the next month.”
Andie giggled. And then she realized that she’d done that more in the last twenty-four hours than she had possibly in her entire life. She wasn’t the giggly type, or the weepy type, or the blushing type for that matter.
Love must be making me mushy, she thought. And strangely, she wasn’t disturbed by that idea.
She snuggled into his chest. “I think I’m game for that.”
Chapter 32
Andie stood up from where she’d been seated beside Jaxon at the dining table. The Keller Dare did dinner restaurant-style with hired workers, always shifters, of course, to cook and serve the meal to anyone who was at the compound. Jaxon claimed it was a way to force his unsociable cougars to interact on a daily basis, as well as to provide some jobs.
He glanced away from the conversation he was having with Nick as Andie rose and raised his eyebrows.
“Bathroom?” she mouthed. Jaxon pointed to a door off to the side and returned his attention to Nick.
Andie made her way between the tables, stopping once or twice to say hello to some recent acquaintances. So much had happened in the last few days, she was still getting used to her new world. After legalizing their marriage at the justice of the peace, Jaxon had held a formal introduction to the rest of the dare— at least those currently in residence or who were close by. He’d promised a full reception when all the political issues died down.
For the most part, Andie had been happily surprised by how welcome most of the dare had made her feel. It felt a little odd being able to freely roam the halls and set her own schedule. So different from when she’d first come here and had spent so many weeks under lock and key. She and Jaxon still spent their evenings as they had before, sitting together in their rooms. Sometimes working, sometimes reading or watching TV. Sometimes letting their passion rule the night. She loved that he couldn’t keep his hands off her, and vice versa.
Andie located the bathroom. It reminded her of one found in fancy restaurants, with various extras like hairspray, lotion, and other products on the counters for anyone to use. She was washing her hands when the door swung open.
“My, my, my. If it isn’t our new Mrs. Alpha,” an overly-sweet female voice simpered from behind her.
Andie turned to look over her shoulder, and she saw three women looking at her with disdain. She took in their appearances with a glance. Hair too big. Makeup too heavy. Perfectly manicured and dressed to kill. She knew the type well. Catty, and not in a cool cougar way, but more in a bitchy, snarky, school-girl kind of way for which Andie had little patience.
She’d wondered when this group would find her, as she had caught the glares here and there. These ladies felt they had exclusive rights to the males in the dare. Especially the males high up in rank, with the Alpha being their ultimate prize. And they didn’t appreciate other females honing in on their territory.
Too damn bad.
Andie nodded and gave them a polite “Hello.” Then she turned back to the sink to finish washing her hands and hoped the girls would just go away. She suppressed a sigh as they moved behind her.
Andie grabbed a towel and turned around. “May I help you?” she asked.
“You can leave,” the girl in the middle said. Andie mentally nicknamed her Lead Bitch.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Do you need some privacy?” she asked, deliberately misunderstanding. She started to walk away.
Lead Bitch grabbed her arm and swung her around. Andie let her. “No. You can leave Jaxon Keller. Leave the Keller Dare. We don’t want you here.”
Andie knew the futility of arguing. She’d been dealing with this type her entire life and they weren’t worth the effort. But she also knew that they’d never let up unless she slammed the door on them. Hard.
“Jaxon proposed to me. I am his wife,” she said. “I really don’t think he wants me to leave.”
Lead Bitch smiled with venom in her eyes. “My father was in the process of negotiating my mating to Jaxon. Why the hell would he all of a sudden want some tomboyish, skinny little scruffy cat from a no good dare?”
Andie kept her shock to herself. She shouldn’t be that surprised, though… Jaxon was a catch. It was a miracle he’d waited for her as long as he had. Andie sighed, audibly this time. Rather than run away c
rying, which is what she was sure they expected her to do, she stepped right up into the girl’s face and growled, letting out part of her inner mountain lion. The other two ladies had the good sense to cower back.
“I am Jaxon’s wife, and soon to be a Commander in this dare. You will have respect for that position, if not for me personally, or you will leave. And if that doesn’t get through, let me put it this way—”
She flashed her cougar teeth without shifting any other part of her. “I have no problem if you really want to try to challenge me for my place as his mate. Bring. It. On.” She gave them another smile and sashayed towards the door, tossing away her paper towel as she pass the trashcan. “Lovely meeting you all.”
“Small-minded, bitchy little, useless hang around,” she was muttering to herself when she sat back down at the dinner table.
Hannah leaned over. “What are you grumbling about?”
“Oh, I just got cornered by the mean girl core of the dare, that’s all.” Andie rolled her eyes.
“Ah. Let me guess.” Hannah scanned the room and then nodded. “Them?”
“Got it in one.” Andie sent them a narrow-eyed glare for good measure. “Yeah. Pink dress did all the talking.”
Hannah wrinkled her nose. “That’s Stella. I can’t stand her.”
“Please tell me Jaxon was not considering mating with her.”
“Only for about a second, about four years ago. But despite his rejecting the offer, she’s been scaring women off ever since. The girl in the green beside her is Cathie, her best friend. Also a real peach. Nadine is just a lemming, harmless really. Nice enough if you get her on her own.”
“Huh. I’ll take your word for it.”
“What’d they say to you?”
“Oh, they asked me to leave the dare. Told me Jaxon mated me out of pity.” She snorted inelegantly.
“I take it you set them straight?” Hannah had seen Andie’s reaction to the mean-girl type once in college.
Andie grinned, mischief dancing in her eyes. “I invited them to challenge me for rights as Alpha’s mate and then showed them my teeth.”
Hannah let loose a low whistle. “Good for you.”
