First And Last

by Stacey Kennedy

  When the woman finally finished assaulting my brows, she moved southbound. I shot straight up and held the fluffy robe tightly closed. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  “A Brazilian wax.” The beautician glanced at Haven. “That is what you ordered for her?”

  “You did what?” I gasped.

  “It’s not for you.” Haven giggled. “It’s for Kyden. Now, lie back.”

  Resolving that it was better to just get this over with than spend the next twenty minutes arguing with Haven, only to have her win, I lay back down, grabbed onto the edge of the bed I was on and gripped it madly. “Oh, dear God.” Haven always won, dammit.

  The beautician opened my legs and raised them so my feet rested on the sheets. She raised my robe up so it freed the part of my body I definitely did not want her to see and nudged at my legs to open them. “Just relax your legs.”

  Yeah, right.

  As she was about to get to business, I glanced up at her as she stood at the end of the bed looking down at my most private of places. “Not all of it. Don’t you dare leave me looking like a girl in a training bra!”

  Haven chuckled. “I would never do that. It’ll be pretty.” She kept her gaze on my face which only made me happy. We were close and all, but if she had her eyes anywhere else, I’d throw a serious Nexi-fit.

  I almost responded to her until the hot wax came across my skin. Instead, I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth. Oh, this was not going to be fun.

  By the time it was over, my throat burned from all the screaming I did. Haven’s cheeks glittered with tears of laughter that flowed rapidly as she watched my pain. Jerk.

  Good thing I had the healing ability or I’d walk funny. I had to give it to Haven, it did look pretty. It’s not like I was a woman from the 1800’s, but I never went to this extent to keep things neat and tidy. This might become a ritual.

  After I got dressed, I returned to the room to find Haven nearly bouncing with excitement. “This was only phase one of our fun night.”

  “Wonderful,” I said sarcastically. “I can hardly wait to find out what’s in store for me next.” I had a real bad feeling about this.

  When we got to our next venue, I couldn’t have been more on the mark. “Please tell me this is a joke?” A flashing sign that read Manhattan Men glowed in the night.

  “You lived as a human once.” Haven giggled. “And this is what they do before they get married.” She took my hand, dragged me along. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”

  Fun?

  Haven paid our admission and as we stepped through, we were instantly hit with sounds of womens screams everywhere.

  “God help me,” I groaned.

  “Yum,” Misa purred from beside me and gave a sultry smile. “This is going to make my duty to the Underworld all too fun.”

  “Huh?” was my only response.

  “I’m a Sincubus.” When I stared blankly at her, she laughed and continued. “I steal souls by…gettin’ it on.”

  “You do not?” I snapped, stunned.

  She nodded, a very sexy move. “Sure do.” She glanced around at the near naked men dancing at the individual tables. “Look at them, all manly, and delicious.”

  “Remember the rules, Misa.” I reminded her. “No one innocent.”

  She laughed and waved away my concern. “We’re talking about strippers here. I bet one of them has done something, abused a girl or committed a crime. Don’t you worry yourself with that, I’ll find one.” Then, her look became one of determination. “By the way, we need to work on that. Your lack of knowledge of our world is…”

  I stopped her next words by raising my hand. “I get it. You don’t need to go on.”

  “We can go through everything after the bonding,” Misa replied, even though, she didn’t look at me any longer. Her focus locked on one of the men dancing to our left.

  “Gross.” I tore my eyes from her and moved over to Haven, who was in discussion with the bartender. He looked from her to me, then gave huge smile. Oh God!

  Zia took my hand, dragged me over to a table, where the rest of our party had sat down. “I have never been to a place like this before,” her gaze followed one of the dancers as he walked by. “I see the appeal.”

  I laughed too, unable to help it. Good lord, these men were practically perfect. The Manhattan Men’s Club knew how to put on a show. Every man was model-fit with perfect physiques, rugged handsome faces, and smiles that led the mind to a naughty nature.

  “Mmm, these humans are scrumptious,” Briar purred.

  Double gross!

  Finally, Haven came over to the table with a hunky waiter in tow. She smiled as she sat next to me. The waiter handed us each a chocolate Martini and then two tequila shots. I grabbed the shots and downed them in two point two seconds. I needed to be drunk to survive this. Everyone laughed as I cringed from the gross effects of the shots. Tequila did one thing, got you drunk and that was about it. Yuck!

  After everyone else knocked back their shots, Zia said, “Let’s get this party started. Haven, hand me a bill.” I could only stare at her in shock. She was so not going to do what I thought she was. “Let’s not tell Talon this part, but wow, look at them.”

  I continued to stare in complete bafflement as she waved the bill in her hand. A dancer caught the gesture and sauntered on over. “Oh, dear God.” That was all my brain could comprehend.

  The dancer spun Zia’s chair around and she gasped a little. Her eyes widened as he began to dance himself all over her. Haven bounced up and down screaming, as were the others. I just wanted to bury myself in the ground and die.

  Three Martinis later, another two shots, I was a little more comfortable and found myself giggling right along with them. My hands and legs were covered in oil, since the men seemed to be smothered in it. Haven had taken it upon herself to continually hold bills over my head to keep the entertainment coming.

  I was enjoying myself a bit. That was until a deep male voice said, “Ladies, you’re in for a treat tonight. Welcome to Manhattan Men! Soldiers, bring up the bride for her last night of freedom.”

  Oh God. Oh God. Oh my fucking God!

  Suddenly, four delicious looking hunky gods grabbed my chair, raised me up off the ground, and wisped me toward the stage. “I’m going to kill you,” I shouted at Haven on the way.

  She was having a glorious ole time as she screamed and hollered along with the rest of our group. I, on the other hand, was mortified. It was one thing to be surrounded by others in this place, but to be put in the spotlight. Lord, help me.

  I was planted right in the centre of the stage as the four men in sailor uniforms got right down to business. They danced around me as if I was some Queen and they were my servants. My face was as red as a tomato, I was sure of that. I tried to keep my eyes off them, but having their willies flapping around in front of me, I couldn’t look away.

  Haven laughed hysterically. I scowled at her, which only made her laugh harder. By the end of it, I’d been flipped around, held upside down, humped, groped, and basically slapped with penises.

  Thankfully, they released me, kissed my cheeks, and allowed me to get the hell off the stage. When I got back to the table, Haven’s tears streaked her face. Misa looked jealous. Briar and Zia just looked drunk.

  “Please tell me that is it.” I hoped, pleaded, begged.

  Haven nodded. “That was enough, let me tell you. Your face was priceless.”

  Without another word said, I exited the strip club as fast as I could and practically ran back to the alleyway where we came into New York City.

  * * * *

  To my total disappointment, Haven decided that Kyden and I should spend the night apart. She wanted to make this as much a traditional human event for me as she could. I thought it sweet and all, but I needed to see him. It killed me to be away from him. I just needed to make sure he was okay and safe.

  After Haven dozed off in
my bed, I gave myself a little healing to sober up. Just a bonus of being a Spirit Witch—hangovers was a thing of the past. I slowly crept out of bed and made my way to her place.

  Kyden and the guys had a much calmer night of watching UFC with some beers—that’s more of a Kyden thing. Mine too, but I didn’t exactly have a choice in the matter.

  I reached Haven’s residence in no time. At the door, I slowly opened it, then closed it as I stepped her living room. Kyden slept soundly on the couch, one arm raised over his head. I froze. I couldn’t wake him, he looked so peaceful. He was safe, which was my concern first and foremost. Warmth rushed through me. We survived this and would be together forever. Love can conquer it all. We had proven that.

  I spun around quietly. Just as I reached the door, Kyden’s warm body pressed against mine. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  He turned me to face him, and I smiled. He wore only his silver shorts, and those Manhattan Men had nothing on Kyden. He had a thick build, every muscle sculpted as his bronze skin gleamed in the moonlight that shone through the window. “I didn’t want to wake you.”

  He arched a brow. “You do realize you’re breaking the rules?”

  “I just had to come and see you.”

  He leaned in closer. Before he kissed my lips, he said. “I know the feeling and I’m glad you did.” He scooped me up, carried me to the couch and laid me down softly. “This isn’t a stirring from your night out, is it?” He laughed.

  “Please, you stir me all your own.”

  He brought his lips back to mine and kissed me so softly, but oh so hungrily. Kissing him now, there was more, it was deeper. Each swirl of his tone curled my toes and had me on the verge of begging him to take me.

  Slowly, he removed my clothes as I reached helped him out of his shorts. Once he was free, I couldn’t help but notice, the strippers had nothing on him in that department either. Kyden wouldn’t have been a boy scared to change in the boys changing room. Gifted, he surely was.

  He came back over top of me, began to kiss his way down my stomach as I ran my hands over his shoulders. When he reached my warmth, he glanced up at me, surprised. “What is this?”

  “A present for you. Like it?”

  He traced the neatly trimmed heart with his fingers. “I do.” He gave the patch of hair a soft kiss before he came back up to my mouth and kissed me until my mind erased any thought but the warmth that was building inside of me.

  Kyden hadn’t missed a single part on my body—almost as if relearning what was so close to being taken from him. He didn’t waste the chance to touch any part of me and his hands were everywhere, as were mine.

  Before I was about to burst with erotic need, I reached down to grab his head where it was nestled between my thighs and pulled him back up. In a slow movement that was so perfect, he slid inside of me.

  My back arched at the fullness of it. He locked my head between his arms as he gazed deeply into my eyes, and moved with long, steady strokes. I wrapped my legs up around his hips, held him closer, needed him as near as he could get. I met his every thrust, intoxicated by the rightness of how it felt to make love to him.

  His strokes quickened and I was sure this lovemaking wasn’t going to last very long. Not after all we’d been through. The need, the love I could see in Kyden’s eyes, declared his need for release. Yet, I knew he waited, as always, unselfish and not wanting to finish without me.

  Thankfully, I was nearly there. The need to keep quiet so the others didn’t hear became difficult. The added restriction just made the sensitivity stronger. With each thrust, my body tingled with pleasure. He never stopped gazing down at me—never tore his adoring eyes from mine as he began to work harder.

  My body responded with pleasure as my climax built around him. He groaned deeply, as his own was taken to higher limits by my constricted warmth. With our eyes glued to each other, he gave a few hard, demanding thrusts before the world faded away to heavenly bliss.

  Kyden hadn’t even stopped trembling and my breath had yet to return when the door slammed open. “Nexi, you are in big trouble.” Haven stood at the door, her arms folded across her chest, completely irritated.

  “Now you’re in for it.” Kyden chucked as he squirmed and pulled the blanket from the back of the couch over us.

  “Get up,” Haven shouted. “We’re going back to your room. Right now!”

  Finn entered the living room rubbing his eyes, looking far beyond tired. “What the hell is going on?”

  “That.” Haven pointed to me. “Look at that.”

  Finn glanced at Kyden and I wrapped in each others’ arms and laughed.

  Haven flew through the room, and grabbed my clothes off the floor. “Let’s go.”

  Kyden grabbed his shorts, which rested on the coffee table, and put them on, then wrapped the blanket around me so I could stand. I leaned up and kissed his lips softly, before Haven latched onto my arm to drag me away.

  “Nexi,” Kyden said just as I got to the door.

  I glanced over my shoulder at him. “Mmm?”

  His smiled was full of pure love and adoration. “That was just a warm up for tomorrow night.”

  Yum!

  Chapter Three

  The mirror couldn’t lie. I looked beautiful—more than I had ever looked in my life.

  Haven had designed such a beautiful wedding gown. A strapless chiffon, floor-length dress, an empire line waist and a bust that held a deep bank of silver embroidery that looked very similar color to my sword. The deep ivory shade was a stunning contrast against my skin and I appeared almost tanned. Not an easy task since I was usually pale during mid-summer.

  After about an hour on my hair, by the time she was done, I stood bewildered to say the least. If she wasn’t a witch, she’d be a hairdresser. Two French braids ran alongside my hairline and left the rest of my long dirty-blonde hair in loose messy curls.

  Lastly, she finished off with my make-up. Earthy tones layered my lids, long black lashes defined my hazel eyes, soft peach cheeks gave a permanent glow, and shimmering lip-gloss glittered brightly along my lips.

  “It’s time,” Haven said softly. I glanced at her through the mirror to see tears slide down her cheeks. She lunged at me and wrapped herself tight around my back. “I’m just so happy. I know we’re not supposed to talk about it, but I’m so thankful everything worked out.”

  I reached up and held her hands that lay across my chest. “I know, Haven, me too.” I took a deep breath, determined not to cry. Haven hadn’t spent all this time making me pretty only to have me wash it all away.

  “Come on, Haven,” Zia said as she entered the room. “Everyone is waiting.”

  Haven gave me a quick kiss, as did Zia, then they left. I glanced down and ran my hands over the dress. The soft fabric tickled my hands, when a sudden gasp caught my attention. I spun around to see Valor walk into my bedroom.

  The Patriarch. To werewolves he was their leader. The Alpha of all Alphas. To me, he was just Valor, my dearest and closest friend.

  He stepped forward, eyes wide. “Kyden is extremely lucky, Nexi. You look absolutely stunning.”

  I blushed. Sure, we were close, but he had never given me such a compliment before. It was strange coming from him. Supes weren’t overly affectionate, but that only solidified how close we’d become. “Thank you.”

  He continued toward me and pulled me into a very warm hug. “I wouldn’t have missed this night. What a wonderful celebration.”

  “I’m so glad you came.” I tilted my head so it rested against his chest.

  Valor had special meaning to me and having him here for the ceremony came pretty close to having a family member here.

  That thought had been on my mind constantly throughout the preparations for tonight. God, did I miss my parents. This night would have made them all so happy and it did hurt that they weren’t here to share in it.

  “I…” he hesitated, reached into h
is pocket and drew out a necklace. He held it up, a wolf head pendant on a chain dangled from his finger. “I got this for you.”

  I gasped, not caring that it was a very girly sound at that moment. It was extremely beautiful. He chuckled and spun me around, clasped the necklace around my neck. He turned me back around again, then smiled sweetly. “There, perfect.”

  I reached up and touched the necklace. “It’s so pretty. Thank you, Valor.”

  He nodded and held his arm out to me. “I know I’m in no way a replacement for who should be doing this for you, but it would be my greatest honor to lead you to the ceremony.” He offered, his gaze sweet and tone shaky, as if overcome with emotion.