King of Rock (Lions of Pride Island Book 1)

by Terry Bolryder

  She laughed and sat beside him, and he enjoyed her quiet warmth, still unable to believe she was here.

  “So how did you do it?” he asked, still rubbing his wrists because he didn’t know what else to do with his hands. His heart was still pounding, wanting to know why exactly she’d come back.

  “Well, I realized I couldn’t let you go to anyone else in the auction. And I wasn’t sure one million dollars would be enough. So I went to your brother.”

  “How?” Beau asked.

  “You know, the funny thing is he called me. Said you were avoiding his calls and he knew you were with me. When he called, it gave me the idea. He’s the king of a country. He for sure has money.”

  “Yeah,” Beau said. “We don’t collect taxes, but Ace is good with money and investments. Between his stock market knowledge and my earnings, we do fine.” He rubbed his head. “I’ll have to pay him back, but at least it’s going to a good cause.”

  She nodded.

  “How did you get him to agree, though? Ace rarely gets involved in things like this.”

  “I just told him if he wanted me to mate you, he had to do this for me. He was more than willing.”

  Beau narrowed his eyes. “And are you? Going to mate me?” He shook his head. “Because if you just did it to get me out of the auction, you needn’t have bothered—”

  She grabbed the neck of his shirt and pulled him in for a harsh, demanding kiss. She bit his lower lip, dragging it through her teeth as fire surged through him.

  Then she gentled, sensing his shock, as she pressed her lips softly to his, locking them together, pulling back only to allow his tongue entrance so it could softly sweep against hers in a hot, building dance.

  “I want you,” she said. “I always wanted you, but I fought it. I’m sorry I misunderstood you. I’m sorry I reacted without all the facts. Sometimes something you’re told as a kid really sticks with you, and you never think to question it.” She leaned in against him and ran a hand over his chest as she rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m sorry about your father. About your parents. I’m sorry your family goes through a lot and no one knows.”

  He nodded, struck dumb by what she was saying. It was like something out of a dream. Everything he wanted, happening all at once. Had he fallen asleep on the auction chair and now this was happening?

  “I love you, Beau Hunt. Will you mate me? Despite how stupid I’ve been.”

  “Hey, how could I not love a woman who’d go groveling to Ace for me?” he joked.

  She frowned. “I didn’t grovel. I just gave him terms. I told him it could be a wedding present.”

  Beau’s eyes brightened. “Awesome. Still, I wish I could have seen his face. You telling him how it was going to be.”

  She nodded. “I guess I’m more natural at this leading thing than I thought. Also, your brother is a lot nicer than I pictured.”

  Beau nodded. “He has his moments.”

  She looked at the handkerchiefs. “I can’t believe they tied you at the auction.”

  “You watched?”

  “I saw it from a video feed. Ugh. The lion in me was going crazy. I went to Ace because I couldn’t stand for anyone to touch you. I think I knew I loved you even before the fight with Rick. Probably before we made love. I was just fighting it. Scared of it. And when I had that dream and remembered everything, it gave me my out.” She lowered her eyes, clearly emotional at the thought of how everything had gone. “Can you forgive me?”

  “There’s nothing to forgive,” he said, taking her in his arms. “Can you forgive me for throwing a tantrum and walking out?”

  She nodded. “You needed me to come to you. Show you I was willing to put myself out there. Well, here I am. Putting myself out there.” She took a deep breath. “I’m Stacy Anderson. I like cookies more than cake. I like to sew in my free time. I’m terrible at chess. I—”

  He put a hand to her cheek. “All I need to know right now is that you want to mate me.”

  She covered his hand with her own. “More than anything in the world. I want to spend the rest of my life going to your concerts, sharing quiet time in the evening, and laughing at your goofy jokes.”

  He felt so warm inside that he could explode. In a few moments, he’d gone from worried and depressed and apprehensive to the happiest he’d ever been in his life. Stacy. His. Forever.

  She looked gorgeous tonight in a tight red dress and sparkly heels. Her dark hair was down over her shoulders, slightly waved. He licked his lower lip.

  “Don’t do that,” she said, teasing him. “It’s too hot.”

  “Might make you want to claim me right here, right?” he bantered back.

  She grinned. “Why do you think I got the room?” She grabbed him by the hand and pulled him behind her to the bedroom. She flicked on the light and shoved him in, surprisingly strong. That was the lioness in her, he guessed.

  He landed on the bed and looked up at her with a grin. “Be gentle with me.”

  She unzipped her dress and shrugged out of it, standing before him in black bra and panties and heels. Her curvy figure looked perfect. “I told you. I don’t promise gentle.” Her eyes lit up. “Wait a minute.”

  She disappeared out of the room and came back with both silk handkerchiefs in her hand. “Might as well use these.”

  He narrowed his eyes.

  “Oh, come on,” she said. “It’ll be fun.” Then she grew more serious as she got on the bed and reached for one of his hands. “Let me show you how much I want you.”

  That did sound fun. So he let her tie one of his wrists to the headboard and then the other, grinning as she did so.

  She looked down at his shirt disapprovingly. “Gotta do something about that.” She disappeared again and came back with scissors, which she used to cut down the center.

  “Hey, I liked that one,” he said, grumbling.

  “I won’t want to look at it again,” she growled. “Not after it’s the one you wore at the auction where other women drooled over you.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Jealous?”

  “So much I could barely breathe,” she said, locking her dark eyes on him as she tore the rest of the fabric away.

  Then she went to work on his pants. This was a side of her he’d never seen. Harsh, taking charge. Wanting him badly. It was nice to feel like he wasn’t the one pushing. Or like she was split on her feelings about him.

  She seemed completely sure now as she opened the button of his jeans and slid down the zipper, revealing his tight, straining member in his boxer briefs.

  “Already hard, huh?” she asked, shaking her head. “Did you actually enjoy the auction?”

  “Hell no,” he said, testing his bonds again. “I got hard the minute I saw you. Because I’m always hard around you. Because I want you to be mine so damn much I’m always ready to explode.”

  She threw her head back and laughed, and he grinned up at her, feeling secure and happy.

  She pulled off his jeans, leaving him in his boxer briefs, and straddled him, running her hands over his chest and then down each rippling ab.

  “You’re so hot,” she said. “I’m glad no one else gets to see this. All mine.”

  “And you’re mine,” he growled, loving her heavy breasts in her bra, aching to get his hands free so he could push the material aside and hold them. Tweak her nipples and put his mouth over them. He tried to raise himself but couldn’t because of his hands. And because of the size of his muscles, which really inhibited his movement when tied.

  “Not yet,” she said. “It’s my turn to play.” She leaned forward and ran her tongue over his collarbone, kissing his shoulder lightly as her hand sank lower, diving into his boxers to grip his member, which jumped in her hand.

  “Stacy, you’re driving me crazy.” He wanted to please her. Wanted to get free and flip her over and take her, hard and fast and passionate this time.

  Her hand stroked over his head and then moved to the base, squeezing just abo
ve his balls. He was painfully hard, and he arched against his bonds.

  “Stacy,” he pleaded.

  “Just a moment,” she said. “I’m exploring you.” Her hands moved over his thick thighs, making him ticklish and impatient. Then she went over the lines in his hips, grazing his belly button. His breathing was rapid, not because of the way she was touching him, but because every moment, it was plain how much his mate wanted him.

  There was no more hesitance in her eyes, like she was fighting against herself. Just pure, wanton lust. And caring as well.

  “I love you,” he gasped out. “Did I mention that?”

  “You did,” she said, untying the handkerchiefs one by one.

  He sprang forward, flipping her under him, loving the feel of her curves beneath his thighs. He flicked her bra open and flung it aside, baring her to him, her dusky-tipped nipples begging for his mouth.

  He licked one, swirling his tongue around it, and then moved to the other, leaving his hand in its place. He sucked until she arched, her breathing increasing, and moved his hand down over her wet, hot center.

  “Stacy,” he said, “I need to be inside you. I need to make you mine. Right now.”

  She growled in approval, lifting her hips against him. He pulled off his underwear and tore hers off with one hand, leaving them completely exposed to each other.

  She was so beautiful, so soft, so curvy. And so strong. He loved everything about her, and he’d spend the rest of his life showing her just how much.

  He readied himself at her entrance and then pushed in with one hard thrust.

  Her hand flew to her mouth, and she gasped and then moaned as he started to move.

  It felt so right. Here, alone and naked, with nothing between them but the heat in the air and the rising sensations in their bodies. Her hands gripped the sheets, and then he grabbed them and wrapped them around his neck. “Hold on,” he said. “I’ll always be here for you to hold on to.”

  She grinned and did as he said, and then her jaw dropped as he stroked even faster, filling her tightly with each thrust. Their bodies slapped together, the sound erotic as the tension built within him. He could see the glazed focus in her eyes, the lost look she always got just before she came, and he readied himself for the moment when he would be one with his mate.

  She came hard, wrapping around him, her body convulsing, her nails scraping hard as she held on to him, and he felt his body let go in return.

  It was unlike anything he’d ever felt before. Even with her. It was freeing, like they were both flying together, up above the world and anything that mattered. Locked together in a whirlwind of pleasure too great to even be conceived.

  He locked his arms around her, holding her through the storm of emotions that went through him and he knew must be going through her. He could tell this was what was supposed to happen. He was always meant to be with Stacy.

  His body, his heart, belonged to her totally. He’d never be free of her hold on him, and he didn’t want to be. As her body slowly calmed in his arms, he looked down into her face, which was wet with tears. He stroked them away with the pad of his thumb.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “I’m just happy.” She laughed, looking embarrassed, and then threw her arms around him again. “It all just felt so good. I guess I’m overwhelmed.”

  “I’m going to overwhelm you for the rest of your life,” he vowed.

  She sighed and nodded against him. “Somehow I always knew that would be the case.”

  He lay beside her, tucking her in against him. Everything was right with the world.

  She pushed herself up, leaning over his chest to look into his eyes playfully. “Hey, what are you? Some kind of rock star?”

  He blinked. “What?”

  “Because you just rocked my world,” she said, biting back a grin.

  His jaw dropped, and then he leapt up, tickling her as he switched their positions, pinning her under him. “Cheesy pick-up lines, huh, mate?”

  She nodded.

  He stared down at her. “Almost like you want another round.”

  She wet her lips. “Encore?”

  He’d never heard sweeter words. He laughed and pounced on his mate. Then he gave her the encore of a lifetime.

  Epilogue

  “So this is your mate?” Ace asked, leaning back in the chair. “The famous Stacy.”

  Stacy blinked at the tall man in front of her. He looked like Beau, and then again he didn’t. He was tall, broad through the shoulders, built like Beau. But his hair was short, professional. His features just slightly sharper. More lined, like he was constantly tense. His eyes were golden rather than blue. And he was wearing a suit, where Beau insisted on sticking with his rocker clothes.

  “We’ve only talked on the phone, but I’m glad to meet you in person,” Ace said, standing and walking toward her to take her hand in his. Despite his stiff demeanor, his handshake was warm, welcoming. He pulled her in for a quick hug and then stepped back. “It was good of Beau to bring you here for a honeymoon vacation. Isn’t that right, Cain?”

  “Cain’s here?” Beau asked, her husband suddenly going rigid.

  “Thanks for the invite to the wedding,” a deep, rough voice said, emanating from behind a chair that was facing the window. The chair spun around and revealed a person more terrifying than either Beau or Ace.

  He had longish hair, nearly shoulder length, and messy. A piercing glinted from one ear, and his jaw was covered with a five o’ clock shadow. He was dressed in worn leather, a jacket and pants, with a tee shirt underneath with a sports logo on it.

  Beau stared openly for a moment and then stepped forward. Sucking in a breath, he presented her to Cain. “Stacy, meet Cain. My younger brother.”

  She reached out to take his hand and gasped at the roughness of his palm. Scars covered the back of his hand. Another scar grazed his cheek. She tried not to stare.

  He was just as good looking as his brothers, but there was just something…scary about him.

  “Nice to meet you,” he said in that same low, unnerving voice. She nodded and let Beau pull her to a nearby chair.

  “I’m sorry about the wedding,” she said nervously. “Beau and I eloped so that the press couldn’t hound us.”

  Cain waved a tanned hand. “It was a joke. Sorry if it came off wrong.” He gave her a smile that lit up the room, tempting her to raise her hand against the sudden brightness. “I’m just glad this loser found someone who would have him.”

  “Hey,” Beau said with a growl, propping himself on the arm of her chair, which was solid and huge. “I’ll have you know—”

  “Save it,” Cain said, raising a hand. “I’d rather get to know my new sister-in-law than listen to your conquests.”

  That shut Beau up. He grumbled something as he lifted her in his arms and sat down in the chair with her on his lap. She snuggled in, loving the warmth there and not caring who was watching.

  It was their honeymoon after all.

  A knock on the door sounded, and the door opened to reveal a tall, tanned man with golden skin and toffee colored hair to his shoulders. He was broad and thick, and everything about him emanated strength.

  “Herc! You made it,” Beau said.

  “Of course,” Herc replied. A stunning blond woman walked in behind him and he pulled her against him. “I had to meet your new bride. Not to mention, my other brothers.”

  “This is Hercules, our half-brother,” Beau said. “Long story.” He kept her in his arms as Hercules greeted the other brothers. Even Cain got up to give the other man a hug, his leather crinkling at the contact. Then he went back to his chair and continued staring at her.

  “Stop it,” Beau said. “You’re making my mate uncomfortable.”

  “Sorry,” Cain said. “Just weird to see you settled.”

  “Not like you’ve been around enough to know,” Beau said, slight bitterness tinging his voice. “But it’s not weird at all. Plu
s, just wait. The oracle might pick you next.”

  Cain blanched and swung his chair back toward the window. Hercules and Hera were still talking to Ace excitedly at the other side of the room. “Fat chance,” he said.

  “Or it could be Ace,” Beau said, calling out just a little louder so Ace could hear.

  “It’s Axel. For Pete’s sake,” Ace said, rubbing his forehead. Then he realized what Beau had said. “But yes, I suppose it could be me next. I wouldn’t mind.”

  “Psht,” Cain scoffed. “Of course you wouldn’t. You’ve been domesticated since you were ten.”

  “You know that’s not fair,” Beau said. “He’s the heir.”

  “Right, right,” Cain said. “And so good at it.” But there was a hint of sarcasm there that Stacy didn’t understand. Something was going on with these brothers. Something that ran deep.

  “Well, if you’re next then try not to mess it up,” Ace said, staring at Cain’s turned back.

  “Yeah, yeah,” Cain said. “I’d be surprised if the oracle found anyone for me. I’d probably not make a suitable mate for anyone.”

  There was silence at that, and Cain swung around again. “Just kidding. Sheesh, no need to look so serious.” He stood and walked over to shake Stacy’s hand one more time, his thumb brushing her hand gently. “It really is good to meet you Stacy.” He looked up at Beau. “Good job, brother.”

  Beau nodded. There was still tension in the room, though Cain was back to hiding whatever he’d been feeling a moment ago. He said goodbye to Herc and Hera, then gave them a wave.

  “I’m off to get lunch. Cain, out.”

  Then he was gone.

  The room was quiet for a moment, and then Beau spoke. “I didn’t know he’d be back.”

  Ace nodded. “I asked him to. And for once, he came.”

  Hercules looked confused. “Is something wrong with him?”

  “Our father’s death hit him hardest as a kid, I think,” Beau said.

  Hercules’s eyes grew misty. “I wish I’d gotten to know him.” He shook his head as Hera put her arm around his waist. He gave her a kiss on the forehead and squeezed her close.