“Right now, the only thing we need is each other. And a lot less clothing. Strip, my sexy mate, and remind me why life is worth living.”
“Now, that I can do,” he said right before claiming her lips in a kiss that made her toes curl.
Aria knew that life with Lucas would never be dull. With him by her side, she could face anything. She might have been locked down by her uncle, and kept as little more than a prisoner, but she was finally free, in every way that mattered. The only thing being kept now was her heart…and Lucas could be the keeper of her heart for as long as they both lived.
“I love you,” she whispered against his lips. “I want you to claim me again. This time because it’s what we both want, and not as a way to protect me. I want you to set your wolf free.”
He growled softly and stripped out of his clothes, before removing all of hers. As they toppled to the carpeted floor, Aria knew in her heart that she was right where she was supposed to be. And she was going to spend the rest of her life showing Lucas just how perfect they were together, in every way possible.
Lucas entered her with one sure thrust, and she clung to his shoulders. Their bodies moved together as one as the scent of sex filled the air. Lucas’ strokes became deeper, harder, and soon Aria was losing control. She felt her rabbit half rising to the surface and watched as Lucas’ wolf peeked from his eyes. Turning her head to the side, she offered her shoulder to him once more.
He bit, hard and true, his fangs sinking into the same spot as before. She cried out from the sharp bite of pain that quickly turned to a warmth that spread all the way to her toes. Aria cried out her release, clinging to her mate, as he came inside of her. With their hearts beating erratically, and their breaths coming out in pants, they lay twined together on the carpet.
Aria didn’t know if they’d created a life during any of their times together, but with some luck nd before long, their little family would expand to three or four. And if that’s all Lucas wanted, she would be content with his decision. She didn’t know what the future would bring, but she knew that she wanted to spend it with Lucas. Coming to Ashton Grove had been the best decision of her life, and she would thank God every day for leading her back to Lucas.
She closed her eyes and snuggled close. With his heart thrumming under her ear, she let out a contented sigh and tumbled into sleep. Safe. Free. And completely his.
~*~ The End ~*~
The Ashton Grove Series
Moonlight Haunting
Moonlight Protector
Moonlight Hero
Moonlight Guardian
Moonlight Champion
Moonlight Savior
Moonlight Warrior
Moonlight Angel
Moonlight Drifter
An Ashton Grove Thanksgiving
An Ashton Grove Christmas
Return of the Ashton Grove Werewolves
Moonlight Keeper
Ashton Grove M.C. Series
Viper
Axel
Ghost
Crimson
About the Author
Award-winning author Jessica Coulter Smith has been in love with the written word since she was a child. Her first stories may have been written in crayon, but now she’s a multi-published author of over seventy-five novellas and novels. Romance is an integral part of her world and spills over from her professional life into her personal one. When she went out on that first date with her husband, she never expected to hear the words “marry me” pop out of his mouth — and judging by the shocked look on his face; he hadn’t meant to say them either. But, being the hopeless romantic that she is, Jessica said yes, and they’ve been married since 2000.
You can find Jessica online at her website: www.jessicacoultersmith.com
Other Paranormal Books by Jessica…
SHIFTER ROMANCESLove Spell series
Romance in Moonspell Witch Way to Love
Tales of Moonspell Warlock’s Mistress
Bewere of Faeries Resisting the Alpha
Her Wolf SaviorSEALed Embrace
Red’s Big Bad WolfWolf’s Mate
Iron Hills Pack seriesVAMPIRE ROMANCES
Wolf CharmingCreole Nights
Beauty and Her BeastEternal Bite
Little Red and Ryder WolfeEternally Ever After
Steel Riders M.C.OTHER PARANORMAL
BlazeDemon Guardians
Crash & BurnMagnolia Magick
SparkTwo Hot to Handle
Silver Falls series
One Magickal Moment
Love’s Magick Kiss
Sample from WOLF CHARMING
Weston Drake watched the young woman, from across the diner, with a hungry gaze. He’d seen her around town off and on over the years, had watched her grow up. The driving need to mark her made him feel like a lecherous old man. She couldn’t be more than twenty-one, and he had just celebrated his thirty-fifth birthday. The age difference didn’t stop him from wanting her, though. He’d caught her scent once when she’d walked past him on the sidewalk, and he’d been obsessed with her ever since.
Over the years, he’d tried to lose himself in other women, but it was always meaningless sex that never amounted to much. It had been ages since he’d been on a serious date, and even longer since he’d had a girlfriend. It wasn’t that he was against a committed relationship, but the only woman he wanted was the one he couldn’t have. His wolf howled mournfully in his head as he jerked his gaze from the perfection of Abril Forrest.
He’d studied her from afar, learning her schedule. Every morning, she had breakfast and coffee at the diner and then worked on her laptop for about an hour before going home. The only other times he saw her out and about were her weekly trips to the library and the grocery store. She seemed to be something of a homebody, except for when her friend, Rachel Matthews, could convince her to venture out of her apartment.
His brother, Zach, nudged him. “You’re drooling again. If you aren’t going to man up and talk to your mate, you could at least appear a little less like a stalker.”
Weston scowled at him.
“Look, you know the two of you are meant to be together. What would it hurt to introduce yourself and ask her out for dinner? If you don’t claim her, your wolf is eventually going to go insane.”
Zach wasn’t telling him anything he didn’t already know. His wolf was already going a little crazy without their mate. Weston had thought about approaching Abril several times over the last few weeks, as his wolf had gotten more insistent, but he always drew back and kept his distance. She was so young and had so many possibilities in front of her. It would be wrong of him to claim her. The last thing she needed was a serious relationship when she should be partying with her friends and having a good time.
“Weston, please talk to her. Don’t make me put you down. You know if you lose control of your wolf, I won’t have a choice in the matter. The town may know about our dual nature, and they tolerate it, but a loco wolf isn’t going to go over well.” Zach placed a hand on his shoulder. “She’s yours, and you know it. Go to her.”
“No.” Weston tore his gaze from his tempting mate and faced forward again. Keeping away from her was the hardest damn thing he’d ever done. He’d placated his wolf with a steady stream of faceless women willing to have a one-night stand, but the beast wasn’t happy with the situation any longer.
“Dammit, Wes. I’m not going to sit here and watch you throw your life away because you’re too chicken shit to make a move. You’ve screwed anything in a skirt for as long as I’ve known you, but the one time you need to put the moves on someone, you sit here like a lovesick calf. Call me when you’ve come to your senses.” Zach tossed his napkin on the counter and stood.
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Moonlight Keeper (Return of the Ashton Grove Werewolves Book 1) Page 7
