“Come on over here and let me strap you in.”
Blair wanted to cheer when he took her over to the fucking bench. He used that for more fun activities. She thought it was odd how much she remembered after so long. Memories of their antics came back to her, but then an unease flooded her mind.
“Cole, why isn’t any of this dusty?” She knew Cole liked a clutter-free home, but he wasn’t the type to dust things.
“I have kept it clean, hoping you would come back to me. My cleaning skills paid off. Then when Michael gave you to me, I gave it a good cleaning while you were hiding.” He looked around with a proud smile on his face.
Blair snorted. “Gave me to you. He is such a meddling ass.”
A stinging swat landed hard on her ass. “You be careful how you speak about Michael. He did us both a big favor.”
“Really?” she asked, turning to look at him. She smiled a skeptical smile. “How did you come to that conclusion?”
“Both of us were stuck. I felt I had no right to force you, and you felt like you were in a rut and couldn’t get out. Both of us were unwilling to move from our own pain.”
Blair knew exactly where Cole got that one. She was going to smack Myra when she saw her next. The little vixen was as terrible as Michael.
“So, what are you going to do about it?” Blair asked as she climbed on the black iron bench that had soft padding for her to rest on comfortably. She had meant it to be a joke, but the way Cole’s eyes darkened, she knew he took it seriously.
Cole leaned over until his lips nearly touched hers. His expression was soft as he stared into her eyes. “I am going to reclaim my woman and make her my mate,” he whispered with emotion. “And I am going to prove to you that I will never hurt you again.”
Blair closed her eyes. It was like a dream come true for her, but she was so scared as well. If something happened and Cole got scared again, then ended things, she would not be able to handle that again. It would break her. She was not that strong of a person.
“I dare you to try,” she responded, then wondered why she said that out loud. Cole had a way of leaving her flustered and saying things she never meant to.
“I will. By the end of this, you will be my mate. We will be joined, heart and soul, forever.”
Blair’s heart was beating fast and hard as his words sank in. He wanted to mate with her, now? Mating was for life. Humans divorced, but shifters never left their mate. Even in death some shifters stayed true to their mate.
“For now, let’s get to your reward.” Blair felt a cool liquid on her back entrance as he worked gel into her rear entrance. “Keep your body relaxed,” he reminded her.
Blair relaxed muscles she didn’t realize had been tense, then closed her eyes at the sensation of Cole's fingers working his way into her anus. She shivered at the ecstasy as he caressed nerves.
“You’re going to come so many times that you will be hoarse when I am done with you, baby.” Cole’s tone was full of promise, and he continued to work his way in. When he was in, he poured more lube and pulled out almost all the way before working his way back in.
Blair shuddered and closed her eyes tightly. She was going to come if he kept that up, and her muscles strained as her orgasm raced up on her. Cole reached his over hand to her clit and stroked it.
“Come for me,” he ordered.
Unable to resist, she let her body fly and came with a cry.
“Cole,” she panted, as he continued to stroke her clit and back hole.
“Again,” he demanded. “I want your delicious cream all over my hand.”
Once again her pussy clenched as she came once more. She came hard crying out his name. “Cole. Goddess.” Blair let her head fall against the padded headrest as her body shook. “That was sensational, Cole.”
Cole laughed a short, amused laugh. “Did you think that is all I am going to do? We have just begun, my little fox.”
Blair opened her eyes and smiled. “I thought you would be too tired?"
“I can sleep later. Right now I need to take care of my mate.”
“I am not your mate yet, Cole.” Excitement made her heart pound. He wanted to mate with her.
“I don’t deserve another chance, but I am happy you gave me one.” Cole ran his hand gently up and down her back. “I was a fool back then, and when you left I was scared I would never see you again. When you came back my heart lifted for the first time in four years.”
“I missed you. I missed you so much my chest hurt.” Blair could feel tears forming and dripping onto the padding.
“I broke your heart and trust in me. I have to work twice as hard now. I swear to you, I will.” Cole leaned down and kissed the tears that were falling. “I will prove to you that I am a changed man. I won’t hurt you again.”
“I believe you, but what if you see another officer die?”
“There are no guarantees in life. I have learned this. I could die in the line of duty, leaving you alone with our young, but I could also get into a car accident just as easily.”
“Or you could live a long life and die an old wolf in our bed,” Blair added. She hated thinking about death. Life should be lived in the moment, not worrying about possible outcomes.
Cole hummed in agreement, then stood up. His strong hands ran over her back gently, then left. She nearly whimpered at the loss, but then she heard him opening a drawer. He was back in moments and drizzling cool oil over her skin. The smell of cherry blossom hit her, and she nearly cried. That was her favorite scent, and knowing Cole kept that around melted her heart. The one thing in the world she loved more than a spanking was a body rub with cherry blossom scented oil. Cole massaged her muscles by running his hands up her back and putting just enough pressure to get deep into her muscles.
Blair’s eyes nearly crossed at the wonderful feeling of the massage. Over and over he stroked her shoulders, back, buttocks, thighs, and then her feet. Blair was floating and feeling on the verge of sleep when she felt the head of Cole’s shaft rub in her folds, then push in. He continued to rub her back while he thrust into her.
The pleasure of Cole’s thrusts mixed with the back massage left Blair crying out in bliss. Orgasm rolled over her making Cole groan.
“You squeeze my cock perfectly when you come. It is so hard to hold back.”
“Then don’t,” Blair mumbled against the padding that was getting slick with sweat and tears.
Cole listened to her and picked up the speed and intensity of his thrusts. Blair gripped the padding as another orgasm coiled in her pelvis. She couldn’t come again, though. She had come so many times in a short period that surely she was tapped out now.
“Come one more time for me, Blair. Milk my cock as I come deep inside you,”
Blair panted and shook her head. She couldn’t. It would just build, but never explode. Cole reached between her legs and stroked her clit. “Cole, oh Goddess,” Blair cried as his shaft stroked her G-spot and his finger stroked her clit. Her body coiled further, as spots appeared before her eyes. She cried out, feeling her voice crack.
Cole let out a long groan. Then Blair felt his cock pulsing deep inside her, releasing his seed. When her contracting pussy had milked every bit of his seed he leaned over her. “I love you, sweet Blair. Never doubt that. I would do anything for you.” He kissed her lips tenderly making her eyes tear at the tenderness of his kiss.
“I love you, too,” she said when he finally stood up again. He pulled his shaft out, making her sigh sadly at the loss. Cole released the restraints and pulled her into his arms, then walking her into his room, laid her on the bed.
He disappeared into the bathroom, and she heard him turn on the water. He came back with a steaming washcloth. He wiped down her sex and thighs while keeping his eyes locked on hers. She swallowed hard at the love she saw shining in them. If he kept this up she would have nothing left to protect herself with. The Cole who avoided her except to try to find a reason to dominate her was far easier for he
r to keep her walls up against than this Cole. A Cole who showed her how much he still loved her, and asked her to forgive him.
He tossed the washcloth in the dirty clothes hamper and turned to face her. “You look deep in thought.”
Blair looked at him. “I am. You are making me fall in love with you even more, and it scares me. We’re different people now. What if the spark is gone between us?”
“Don’t be scared, baby. Go ahead and fall. I promise to catch you and hold you tight.”
Blair felt so emotional this morning. “Do you promise? I don’t want to be hurt. I won’t survive it.”
“Baby, I would much rather cut off my own arm, than to ever hurt you again.” Cole looked at her with sincerity shining in his eyes.
She reached out and stroked a finger down his rough, unshaven face. “Cole, I am not on any kind of birth control, and we’ve had a lot of sex in the last few days. What if I get pregnant?”
Cole looked into her eyes. “Then we will become parents, and I hope we will be good ones. Honestly though, nothing would make me happier than to see your belly growing with our pups.”
She felt relieved knowing Cole would not be upset. Of course a man in his forties should know about how babies come into the world.
Blair looked back over and saw Cole had closed his eyes and his breathing had evened out. She ran a hand through his black hair. Her poor wolf was exhausted. She gently pulled herself away from him, and covered him up. She closed the window shades, thankful Cole had blackout shades, then tiptoed out of the bedroom.
She cleaned up the breakfast mess, happy she had someone to cook for again. Cole had paid her the best compliment by eating all the food she made him. She covered the rolls and put the sausage in the refrigerator. She looked around the house feeling like her heart was full once again. Home, she was home. Tears filled her eyes at the realization that she really believed Cole. He wanted to mate with her and not run away this time. She could sell her house to one of the younger shifter couples that were just starting out. Maybe a new family would move here since they were building. Caleb seemed to think the mini mall would be excellent for Pleasant Cove.
She would need it for her wedding, and she would have a wedding. Cole may balk that they were shifters and mated, but she would stuff him into a tuxedo and force him to walk down the aisle. She wanted her wedding picture, and pictures of their closest friends wishing them well. Blair had never realized how beautiful it was until she watched Cassie planning her wedding. She cried the entire time, and decided then and there that when she mated, she would get a wedding, too.
She sat at the table tapping her foot and thinking. Sure Cole had wanted her to stay close to him, but he was sleeping, she hoped for more than a few hours. She had work to do at her coffee shop. Her regular customers would be upset if she didn’t get the dough made for tomorrow’s pastries. She could shift and run into town, then stop by her house and get some clothes before heading into work.
Her mind made up, she kicked off her shoes and undressed. She folded her clothes and set them on the floor next to the back door.
Chapter Eight
Cole woke up and stretched. Early afternoon sunlight came through the windows. Even though he’d only slept for a few hours, he still felt better than he had in a long time. He felt he was making progress with Blair, and at least she was not fighting him anymore. For over a year every time he tried to talk to her, she did her best to get away from him. Now she was softening, and admitting she loved him.
Even though his duty was to protect Blair right now, he still picked up his phone and made a quick call to Travis. A short conversation revealed that there were no new leads in the search for Stacy.
He realized the house was awfully quiet. Blair was a television addict, so the TV should be on. He called Brad’s cell number. He picked at the first ring.
“Yeah, boss?”
“How is everything outside?”
“Quiet. I haven’t seen anything suspicious.”
“Thanks. Keep up the good work.” Cole ended the call. After everything that had happened lately Cole still had the need to check on Blair. She could be sneaky, and Brad was not watching for Blair, but threats to Blair.
Cole walked through the house checking every room. She hasn't left, no way, Cole thought but as he got to the kitchen, and found her clothes on the floor, he knew what she had done. She had shifted and run from him.
“Son of a fucking bitch. It’s like one step forward and two steps back with her,” Cole said already thinking of her punishment. He had warned her if she ran, he would chase her, and he meant it. He paced a few times wondering where she would have gone to.
He picked up his phone and hit Michael’s contact. He answered on the first ring. “Yes Cole, what I can do for you?”
Cole was pacing back and forth in the kitchen, with his nostrils flaring and his fists clenched when he replied, “She’s gone again. She fucking ran. Again. I asked her not to go anywhere unguarded while we catch this asshole, and she not only ignored me, she fucking ran.” He was going to use the paddle on her ass. He had a plan forming as he paced.
“Calm down, Cole. Are you sure she ran?”
Cole wanted to scream at Michael’s calm voice. “Of course she fucking ran. Why else would she leave?”
“She has a business here in town that she runs almost by herself. Are you sure she did not just go to work?” Michael replied in a placating tone.
Cole really wanted a chance to punch something. He paced faster and threw his hands in the air, almost dropping his phone. “Then why not wake me up to tell me so I could get a guard?”
“Cole, calm down. You’re not thinking clearly about this.”
Cole took a few breaths and tried to calm down. “Fine, did you notice if she is at the café?”
“Yes Cole, I did. She is at work. She just served me my coffee and gave me her blueberry turnover,” Michael said in that insanely calm tone of his.
“Ok, let me get dressed. I will be right there.”
****
Silas stood at the edge of the woods and watched the bitch at work. The sun was high in the sky, and his stomach complained wanting some lunch. He ignored his needs and concentrated on his target. She was some kind of freak of nature or something. She’d changed into a rabid fox and attacked him. He still had the bite marks, and wondered if he would get rabies, or turn into an animal now. He only heard rumors about werewolves, no facts. He knew how to find out though. He would slice on her with his knife until she told him every one of her secrets.
After he had made sure she suffered every kind of torture he could imagine, he would tell her she was vengeance for Levi. He took a drag on his cigarette. He had to be careful and remember to have patience. The emails made it clear that these abominations could smell him, like search dogs. He didn’t have his spray on him, the one with the added scents that would thoroughly cover his own. If he didn’t use this they would find him within hours, and kill him. He figured his cigarette smoke would work until he got back. When he found another place to camp for the night he would spray himself. He moved his truck every night just in case. He ground his cigarette out in the dirt and sank back into the tree line. He would bide his time for now, but soon he would be avenging his brother.
****
Blair blew a stray hair out of her face. She had spent a long morning with a stupid imp hiding in her kitchen. She was about ready to shoot the damn thing when she finally found him and chased him away with a broom and a spray bottle. It chittered at her angrily once she shooed it out the back door.
She slammed the door, happy the thing was gone. Imps had terrible attention spans, and the first thing that caught its attention would make it forget all about tormenting her. She huffed, though not very angry. Imps were cute when they giggled at the mayhem they caused, but she was more annoyed with Warren for laughing at her chasing the imp with a butterfly net.
She dried her hands and glanced over at Michael. He
waved her over, so she dropped her towel in the dirty laundry bin and walked over. Travis stood against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. He watched Blair and the other customers. “Can I get you a refill?”
“No, thank you. Cole is on his way in, and he is not very happy.”
Blair frowned. “He’s up early. I thought he would sleep more.”
Michael gave her a long stare. “Did you really take off without a guard?”
Blair felt herself blush. “I shifted to a fox and ran all the way to work. No one saw me, not even Brad.”
Michael sighed and closed his eyes. “Blair, what are we going to do with you?” He sighed again. “Get ready, because he is mad and thinking you ran.”
Blair put her hands on her hips, and let out an aggravated breath and shoved her pad in her pocket. “I have a business. I can’t just leave it. Julie can’t bake.”
“I heard that,” Julie hollered, while pointing her finger at Blair from the cash register.
Blair glanced over at Julie then looked back at Michael. “You told him I have to run my business, right? You started this mess with your meddling.”
Michael smiled at her, the same smile she wanted to slap off his face. He acted like he had everything under control and she was just a puppet. “I simply made it so you two were forced to communicate with one another. Both of you were stuck in this cycle, and neither of you would make the first move to get yourselves out. I just decided enough was enough. I suggest when Cole shows up you show him that you did not run from him.”
Blair could feel the blood drain from her face and her heart race. “I am not sure I can.”
Michael stood and patted her on the shoulder. “Sure you can. He is coming now.”
Blair swallowed hard, and considered running for real. Cole’s SUV pulled into a parking space by the front door. Cole slammed his car door, and Michael had the nerve to smile. He caused all of this, and he was abandoning her.
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