by Kasey Belle
“Mmm hmm. You sure do and it’s yummy.”
She laughed as he pushed her back onto the bed. “Well, what is it?”
“Cherries.”
He barked a laugh. “Are you serious?” He wasn’t sure if he should be insulted that his scent wasn’t manlier like sandalwood or leather. Something that screamed cowboy.
“Very.” She grinned playfully as if she knew exactly what he was thinking. “Your scent makes me want to take a bite out of you. Speaking of biting. We need to discuss that before we go any further.”
“Claiming me, you mean?”
“Yes. We can make love without me biting you. We don’t have to mate until you’re ready.”
“I’m ready. I can’t imagine my life without you and Casey in it. I love you. I want to marry you. Give you and Casey my name. I plan to do that by the way. I want to complete the mating, but I also want to stand in front of a preacher or judge and make you mine legally.” He shrugged. “It’s a human thing.”
“I can get behind that. Thank you for accepting me as your mate.”
“Oh, I absolutely do.” He flexed his hips liking the way her breath hitched when he teased the entrance to her pussy with the head of his cock. He’d never wanted to plunge into a woman without protection more than he did at that moment. Not that there had been that many women. He’d always used a condom, but damn he wanted to be bare inside her. He had to offer even if it was the last thing he wanted. “Condom?”
Nikki shook her head without hesitation. “No. We’re mates. There shouldn’t be anything between us. Plus, the mating won’t be complete if you don’t come inside me.
Jim moaned. Her words threatened to unman him.
Nikki wrapped her thighs around his hips. He pressed a finger into her pussy and found her still wet and ready for him. He grasped his cock and within moments he sank into her body with a groan. Jim closed his eyes. Being inside her felt like coming home. Each breathy gasp, every moan, and sigh she made shot straight to his balls. He could admit he felt a bit smug about the fact that for the rest of their lives no one else would ever see her this way.
When he looked deep into her eyes, their faces just inches apart, he felt as if he were drowning in her golden depths. He kept returning to kiss her as he slowly thrust into her pussy over and over, taking in her breath as he captured her lips.
“You feel amazing,” she gasped out.
“You feel like heaven. I was made to be here, inside you.”
“Yes, you were.” She smiled then gasped when he changed his angle, rocking back to push her knees up, opening her to his thrusts.
Jim knew he’d found the perfect angle when her internal muscles rippled and quivered around his cock as if they were trying to milk the cum from his balls. Damned if he’d go before her. He swiveled his hips a bit, grinding himself over her clit. “Ah, that’s it, Nicolette. Give it to me. Give me everything.”
Her eyes glazed with pleasure. He felt her tense then her inner walls fluttered around him. A low moan tore from her.
“Come on. Come for me, Nicolette. I can’t until you do, and I want to. I need to.” He felt his climax build and build, threatening to overflow and take over his system. Arching her neck back, she rolled her hips to meet his thrusts and cried out as she came. She fisted his hair and jerked his head to the side, then struck. An intense pain that immediately transformed into pleasure rippled through him as her sharp teeth pierced his skin. His orgasm rushed through him. He continued to thrust as her tongue lapped at his skin.
He pulled back and looked down at her. She gazed back at him. Her eyes were filled with love and happiness. “So, it’s official now?”
She nodded with a beaming smile. “Totally official. Thank you for accepting me, this… us.”
He shook his head. Silly woman. It was him who should be thanking her for the being the best thing that ever happened to him. “There was no alternative. You’re my woman. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
His soft cock slipped from her body making them both grumble at the loss. He rolled to the side then pulled her into the curve of his body. She snuggled in and he kissed the top of her head. “Sleep, baby. You’re going to need it.”
Her lyrical giggle wrapped around his heart. He closed his eyes and fell asleep with a smile on his face.
Chapter 16
Nikki and Jim walked hand-in-hand as they headed back toward the barn after checking on and feeding the critters in the medical building. They’d been mated for a week. The morning after their first night together, Jim moved his stuff into her cabin. Since then they had spent every moment they could together. Constantly being in each other’s presence showed no signs of growing old anytime soon.
Casey was over the moon about their mating. Last night Casey asked him if she could call Jim Daddy. Nikki’s big strong cowboy hugged Casey with tears in his eyes and told their little girl he’d be honored. Casey asked to change her name from Casey Lynn Hendrix to Casey Hendrix Halsey. She wanted to keep her mother’s name. Both Nikki and Jim thought it was a wonderful idea. Once Nikki and Jim married, something he told her he wanted to do as soon as possible, they would file adoption paperwork and make the whole daddy/daughter thing legal.
The rumble of a diesel engine coming up the drive hit her ears. She knew what that sound meant and hated the idea of her and Jim going their separate ways, but they both had jobs to do. Plus, she needed to check on Ella and make sure she wasn’t overdoing it as the woman had a propensity to do.
“Sounds like the delivery finally showed up, vixen.” He’d been calling her vixen once she explained that’s what female foxes were called. She’d only done that, so he’d stop calling her foxy lady. She didn’t mind. Vixen sounded sexy if you asked her and much better than foxy lady. Insert cheesy porn soundtrack here.
“Come on.” He tugged on her hand. “Koda will need my help.” Jim didn’t look any happier about it than she was.
The front of the main cabin came into view and Ella stepped from the house carefully making her way down the steps. She waved to the truck driver and waddled around to his door.
“Holy crap. She’s alone.”
Jim’s shocked tone made Nikki giggle. “I wonder how she gave Koda the slip?” She mused.
“Good question.” He shot her smirk out the corner of his eye. “How long do you think it will take for him to notice she’s gone?”
“Depends on how she distracted him.” She wagged her eyebrows. “My guess―since she managed to escape―it was either rope or handcuffs.”
He snorted and shook his head. “No way. I have a feeling if bondage fuckery were afoot, I’d be unloading that truck by myself.”
“Good point.”
The driver’s side door opened, and the driver hopped out. Nikki’s breath caught when she got a look at the tall, stocky man with sandy, blond hair. Oh, fuck. She wasn’t paranoid, and that was no delivery driver. She dropped Jim’s hand and took off running shouting Ella’s name. She didn’t need to look to know Jim was right behind her. Koda burst from the house. His face filled with fear.
They all slid to a stop when Mark jerked Ella in front of him and pressed a gun to her temple.
“What the hell are you doing, Mark?” Nikki screeched while Jim tried to shield her with his body.
“You know this dead man?” Koda snarled. He let out a menacing growl. “Release my woman.”
Nikki stepped from behind Jim ignoring him when he growled her name. She held her hands out in front of her in a placating manner. If Mark hurt Ella or the baby, she’d never forgive herself. “Whatever this is about, this isn’t the way to make it happen.”
Mark scoffed as his wild eyes bounced between the three of them. “Not for someone with options, maybe. But I seem to be fresh out of those. Thanks to you.” He sneered at Nikki before turning his attention to Koda. “Don’t move.” He looked back to Nikki. “Just give me my little girl and I’ll be on my way. Nobody needs to get hurt.”
>
“Holding a gun on someone isn’t the best way to convince people you really mean that.” Ella responded with a shaky voice.
“Ella. Stop talking.” Koda pleaded with his mate.
Nikki cleared her throat gaining Mark’s attention once again. “Casey’s at school.” Idiot. “Put the gun down and leave. We’ll forget this ever happened.”
She wanted to shift but couldn’t. There were too many humans around. Plus, there was no guarantee that Mark wouldn’t shoot Ella out of fear.
Nikki glanced over at Koda. His forearms had sprouted fur and his nails had turned to claws. He was fighting his wolf. She didn’t doubt even with only three legs Koda’s wolf could take Mark down, but at what cost? There was too much space between them. She wasn’t sure one of them could pull Ella to safety in time.
This whole situation was on her. She should have said something to the local sheriff or called Mark’s parole officer to see if he’d missed any appointments. Instead, she’d written what she’d seen off as paranoia. Nikki needed to figure out how to calm the volatile situation without anyone getting hurt. They had to be smart about this.
She reached over and grabbed Koda’s arm. He jolted as if she’d shocked him. He met her eyes, and she surreptitiously shook her head then tilted it toward Mark and arched her eyebrow. Koda narrowed his eyes. She received his message loud and clear. She had one chance to talk Mark down and the clock started now.
“Mark. Please listen to me. The only thing you’ve done so far is violated your parole. If you left now and went home, I’m sure nobody would be the wiser. You don’t want to go back to jail.”
“You think that’s all I’ve done?” His demented laughter sent a chill down her spine. “Not hardly. Trust me, the guy who used to drive this truck wouldn’t agree with your assessment.”
Ella gasped and her lower lip quivered. “No.”
“I want my kid back. Move, bitch.” He nudged Ella forward which caused Nikki, Jim, and Koda to step back. He corralled them towards Koda’s front door. “We’ll go inside and take care of these three. Then you and I are going to get Casey.”
“High ground. You take him. I got her.” Ella knew Koda’s shifter hearing picked up her quiet mutter when he jerked a nod. She knew Koda wanted to go after Ella, but he was the stronger shifter. It made tactical sense for him to take down the threat and for her to secure Ella. She readied herself for action as they walked backward up the steps.
The moment their feet hit the landing, the sound of shattering glass and snarls filled the air. Nikki sprang off the porch grabbing Ella as a blur of white and grey flew past her. Koda grabbed Ella out of her arms. Chaos and terrified screams of pain reigned.
“Koda stop him,” Ella screamed and struggled as Koda held her tight.
“I don’t think so.” Delight danced in Koda’s eyes as he watched Vinny tear into Mark’s arm viciously shaking his head back and forth assuring maximum damage.
“If Vinny kills him, there’s a chance they’ll order us to put him down.” Nikki wasn’t sure it was Ella’s words or the fat tears running down her cheeks that finally broke through Koda’s need for bloody vengeance, but he finally relented.
“Fuck! Fine.” He released Ella and took a step toward Vinny and Mark. “Vinny, off! Now!” He grabbed the dog’s collar when he didn’t immediately release Mark’s arm. Vinny’s muzzle was coated with blood as he continued to snap and snarl but made no move to go after Mark again.
Mark moaned then rolled to his back. Koda placed a boot on his chest. “I suggest you don’t move or I’ll finish what he started.” Koda’s snarled showing off his elongated canines.
Mark gasped. His eyes held both pain and fear. “What are you?”
“Your worst nightmare.” Mark realizing, he was prey to Koda’s predator attempted to push himself away with his feet. Koda growled and Mark froze. “Stay where you are. My restraint is the only reason you still draw breath. Don’t. Tempt. Me.”
Hal ran over with his grandson, Max. The old man had a rifle in hand and took aim at Mark. “What the fuck is going on Koda? Do I need to shoot this son of a bitch?”
“Just make sure he doesn’t move.”
“No problem.” Hal glanced over at the window Vinny had somehow managed to break through, back at Koda, then down at the hybrid. His eyebrows shot up at sight of the blood-spattered dog. “Is Vinny okay?”
“Not sure.” Koda looked at Jim and so did Nikki. He had his phone out no doubt calling 911. “Once the police arrive, we’ll get him checked over.” He met Ella’s gaze and narrowed his eyes. “Don’t even think about volunteering, mate. You’ll be too busy getting checked over yourself. I’ll call Doc.” He ran a hand through Vinny’s fur then gave him a good scratch behind his ears. “Good boy.”
The pup shot Koda a doggie smile before returning his focus to Mark. A little rumble emitted from his chest aimed at the man who threatened to hurt his mistress. Nikki had a feeling if Koda let go of his collar, Vinny would go in for the kill. Good boy, indeed.
Chapter 17
“Oh, god.” Ella moaned as her whole body seized and pain contorted her face into a grimacing mask. She clutched her belly and Nikki rushed over to her.
“Talk to me, Ella.”
“No. No. No.” Ella muttered. Her gaze focused on her rounded belly. “I can’t have the baby now.” Her voice hitching with every breath.
“I don’t think the baby agrees with you, Ella.” Nikki put a hand on her belly and felt it tighten. “Looks like your water broke.”
“It’s too early.” Ella’s eyes glistened with tears and pleaded for Nikki to somehow make the situation better. “What if something goes wrong?”
“That is not going to happen. That’s why you hired me.” Nikki glanced at Koda. “Get her inside.” Her directive broke through his shock. Koda handed Vinny off to Jim and scooped Ella up into his arms. Jim was still on the phone and Nikki caught his attention. “Tell the dispatcher we also need an ambulance for a woman in labor. Thirty-six weeks.” He shot her a thumbs-up and she turned her attention to Max. “I need the large red duffle from my cabin. You’ll find it sitting just inside the front door.”
Max nodded and took off running for Nikki’s home.
Nikki followed Koda inside. He carried Ella over to the rug in front of the fireplace when she protested him taking her to the bedroom.
She helped removed Ella’s pants and underwear and checked her. She was shocked to find her almost completely dilated. “How long have you been in labor?”
“Um.” Ella grimaced, and tears once again filled her eyes. “I thought it was just back pain. So, probably all day?”
Nikki met Koda’s worried eyes. “This baby is coming. Now.”
“No. That’s not going to happen,” Ella argued and attempted to close her legs.
“I’m afraid it is.” She pressed against the insides of Ella’s knees silently telling her to keep her legs where they were.
“But, I want drugs.”
Ella’s whiny voice made Nikki grin. “Sorry. No drugs for you.” She caressed Ella’s right calf. “Women have been giving birth naturally for centuries. There’s no reason you can’t. Koda’s here. I’m here. We’ll get through this together.”
Max burst through the door with her medical kit. Looking horrified at the scene, he dropped the bag and ran right back out the door. Nikki couldn’t help but laugh. They’d probably just scarred the kid for life. No teenage baby-daddy for that kid. “Best form of birth control ever,” she quipped.
Ella and Koda snickered then responded together, “You’re welcome Hal and Trudy.”
Ella moaned when another contraction came. Nikki placed a hand on her belly. “I don’t want you to push no matter what your body tells you to do. I need to get everything ready to bring this baby safely into the world. Give a few minutes.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Ella snarled.
Koda brushed Ella’s sweaty hair off her forehead. “You got this, mate. Ju
st squeeze my hand and breathe. Trust Nikki. She knows what she’s doing.”
Ella screamed in pain. Koda yelled at Nikki to hurry up then went back to whispering words of love and encouragement to his mate.
Nikki set out a few packaged instruments she may need and opened them. She poured alcohol in her palm and rubbed her hands together then donned a pair of gloves. “Okay. Koda get behind Ella and support her back. Whenever you’re ready Ella. Feel free to push.”
Ella nodded with a determined look on her face. Grabbing the back of her thighs and pulling her bent legs to her chest. She tucked her chin and bore down. She screamed again and pushed. After only a few minutes of grunting, screaming, and pushing the baby was out.
“It’s a girl!” She cleared her airways, and the baby cried. An intense wave of relief washed over her. It was the most beautiful sound Nikki had ever heard.
She had Koda unbutton Ella’s shirt, and she placed the baby on her mother’s bare skin. The proud parents beamed at their little bundle of joy.
“Welcome to the world, little one.” Tears streamed down Ella’s cheeks. “She’s so beautiful, Koda. Look at her fingers and toes.”
“Look at all that red hair.” Koda didn’t bother to wipe away the tears that leaked from his eyes. Nikki wasn’t even sure he was aware of them. His sole focus was on his daughter. “She’s so tiny.”
He wasn’t wrong. Baby Stone was four weeks early though so her small size was to be expected. The sound of sirens drew closer. “Sounds like the cavalry finally arrived after all the hard work is over. Better late than never I suppose.”
Tires screeched to a halt and doors slammed. Then the next thing they knew paramedics rushed through the door. Nikki waved them over. She gave them the rundown on Ella’s labor along with her credentials then got out of the way. They loaded Ella onto the gurney. Several of the men who worked at the sanctuary, including Jim and Hal, met them as they made their way outside.
