Love's Learning Curves

by Diana DeRicci

  He turned marginally, and she spotted the circles under his eyes for the first time. They were impossible to miss. He looked exhausted. His hair was mussed and his shirt was wrinkled. He always looked so put together. This wasn’t the man she knew. He looked like he hadn’t slept in a week.

  “Yes, Sheridan. I’m a cat shifter. My shifter is a cougar.”

  Her legs felt wobbly. This couldn’t be happening. She collapsed to the floor, a chair nowhere nearby to make it easier on her. “Are you serious?”

  He barked a gruff laugh. “Yeah. I didn’t think you’d believe me. I didn’t explain that the way I wanted to, either.” Covering his face in his palms, he scrubbed absently, his shoulders shuddering. Sucking in a deep breath, a moment later he let them drop, gazing at her. “Muffy was sent to the house on Sunday by Antonio for a meeting I’d already told them I wouldn’t be attending. She’s nothing to me, never has been. I’ve never even kissed her.” A broad blanch of disgust made his jaw move, like he was tasting something bad. “Hell, I was trying to kick her out when you turned the corner. She was…” He smirked. “Well, you saw what she was trying to do.” With a forlorn sound, he added, “She was trying. Believe me when I say I didn’t want her to, and wasn’t encouraging her.”

  She couldn’t formulate a single coherent sentence. Shifter? He was a cougar?

  He approached and squatted down on his haunches in front of her. “Sheridan, say something.” He lifted a shaking hand, and with stuttered hesitation, touched her cheek. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but know this, I love you. I don’t want to live without you.”

  Looking up into his eyes, tawny eyes that were cloudy with his pain and fatigue, she blurted, “Wolf. I’m wolf.”

  He blinked, straightening an inch or two. “What?”

  “It won’t work,” was her next realization, her thoughts whipping frantically as images of their future became unveiled. “You’re cougar. I’m wolf. They’ll never accept me.”

  “They will, or I’ll leave,” he stated emphatically, with an assuredness that stunned her.

  “No! You can’t.”

  He dropped to the floor with her. “I will. Nothing and no one is as important to me as you are, sweetheart.” He brushed her cheek with the pad of his thumb. “You’re really wolf?”

  She swallowed, her heart thundering in her chest before she managed a weak nod. “You’re not shocked?”

  “Actually, I am. But not that you’re wolf, that you’re shifter at all.” With a note of acknowledgement, he murmured, “That’s how you disappeared. God, I was worried sick.”

  “You were?” He’d cared enough to look? That took a moment to process.

  “Yes! I searched for over an hour and was convincing myself I had no choice but to call in a search party when Rush showed up.”

  The feather light glide of his hand caressed her arm as he traced her with a fingertip to reach her hand. Threading her fingers through his, she soaked up his physical warmth, beginning to feel the thaw of her soul.

  “I had no idea,” he mused, watching their clasped hands.

  “Me either.” Then she shook her head. “No.” She tugged her hand away, curling into her body. Her heart was stuttering, torn between rejoicing and shattering over and over again.

  “But, Sheridan—”

  Before he could say more, she silenced him with a finger to his mouth. “It gets worse.”

  “How?” he mumbled around her digit.

  “I’m Rush’s second in the pack. He’s our Alpha, my Alpha. I can’t leave him. He’s my only family.” She knew she was pleading, but for what she didn’t know.

  Shackling her wrist gently to speak, he answered her. “I never would ask you to, Sheridan.”

  “I can’t be two things at once,” she denied. The truth made her throat convulse with tears she refused to let escape.

  “Why not? People are heads of their prides, as well as work, have families, hobbies. Why can’t you be the Taja Matriarch and Rush’s second lieutenant? The odds of having a crisis happen for each side at the exact same time where you’d be split down the middle for loyalty are astronomical. We’ll cross that bridge if and when we ever get to it.” Leaning forward off his knees, he cradled her in his palms. “Listen to me, lovely. No matter what we do, I will never take you away from your family. Yes, I would give up everything for you, but I had made the decision as to which was more important before anything else. Even before I sent the first bouquet to try to get you just to talk to me. If my pride denies my ascension because of you, I will leave them. They are not my pride if they are that prejudiced. My father agrees with me.”

  Her chest staggered as her heart thumped painfully. “You would really do that?”

  “In a heartbeat,” he answered sincerely, without a flicker of remorse.

  She lifted again, pressing her fingertips to his lips, this time not to silence him, but in awe of him. “You really do love me.” His eyes softened, their warmth so deep, she felt utterly embraced in it.

  “Heart and soul,” he whispered.

  Leaping forward, she launched herself into his embrace. “I love you!”

  Wrapped into his crushing arms, held so tight she felt the knit of his shirt through her own, he fell over backward, taking her with him. “I love you, Sheridan.” His breath twisted through the loose strands of her hair. “I missed you, baby.” Sweeping it up and away, he searched her eyes, the dimness she’d seen gone. Now his eyes glowed. “Make me an honest man, sweetheart. Marry me.”

  Trembling against his chest, she choked, knowing she was seconds from sobbing uncontrollably. “Yes.” She hid in the crook of his neck.

  “Shh, sweetheart,” he soothed her. “It’ll be okay. You’ll see.” He stroked her hair and back until she calmed, then he continued to do it for a long time after.

  Epilogue

  Dario walked in from the garage, setting his briefcase on the small breakfast nook table. Twisting his neck, he let out a sigh accompanied by three soft pops. As he was stripping his jacket, he noticed the standing folded card on the table, with his name in classic calligraphy to get his attention. Setting his suit jacket on a chair back, he lifted the card and read.

  “Good for one hot fantasy.” He chuckled. What are you doing, sweetheart? he mused. Glancing around the kitchen for any sign of her, he spotted another sheet on the counter with his name on it. Feeling a rush of adrenaline that swept away the fatigue of his day, he turned it over. It was Sheridan’s grades for her final quarter and her artwork reel. Along with a note from her instructor:

  Best work I’ve seen in four years of any student. I have three studios interested in your submission reel. Email me the okay to forward. Prof. E.

  “Oh, hot damn,” he breathed, letting out a whistle. Pride for his woman’s skills filled him. He knew how hard she’d worked on that final reel. He’d gladly given up one of his rooms to let her have her own workspace. It was currently covered wall to wall with drawings, sketches and things he couldn’t begin to name, but she knew it all inside and out. They balanced each other out. Sheridan didn’t even argue over letting him pay the bills or handle the checking account.

  Holding both card and page, he turned, aiming for the bedroom. He was stopped short at the formal dining table. Another bent card rested on the polished wood. Now, instead of four places, the table was permanently set for two, and they ate there together every night.

  Laughing, he read the latest find. “If you don’t hurry, you’ll miss the final climax.” Air slammed out of his lungs. “Oh shit!”

  Sprinting for their bedroom, he slid to a halt in the doorway. There, lying in the middle of the bed was Sheridan. Silken skin was wrapped in black lace draping from her shoulders to the tops of her thighs in a boudoir pose to rival the sexiest centerfold. The woman he’d met more than seven months ago had bloomed into a tempestuous vixen with a lingerie addiction. Not that he’d ever complain. He tugged at his necktie, feeling his smile and his cock both swell. “Hello, g
orgeous.”

  Stretched out on her side, her head cupped in a lifted palm, she dragged a fingertip along her hip.

  “I see you found them,” she murmured, eyeing the papers in his hand.

  Startled and forgetting he was holding anything, he chuckled, waving them between his fingers. “Congratulations. I knew you had a winner.”

  Lashes lowered for a second, a slight smile accompanied by a blush flitting over her features.

  Loosening his tie, he yanked it free, popping buttons with a quick pace until his shirt was undone. Setting down the cards and page, he stalked to the bed, crawling up on his hands and knees. “So, what’s the special occasion? Celebrating your grades?”

  She shook her head, a knowing, teasing glimmer in her eyes.

  “Um… It’s Friday?” He moved forward a few inches.

  Another grinning head shake. Peering at him through heavy lashes, she told him, “Do you realize since meeting you, how much I’ve accomplished?”

  Dario paused, resting on his knees. Discovering the deep sparkle in her blue eyes, he realized this was important. “No. I just wanted what was best for you. I could see it…” She nodded, licking her bottom lip with a slow tongue. Witch, he lovingly accused.

  “When I couldn’t.” She flipped the lace and silk robe length off her hip, exposing the high cut body sheath. She slipped a nail under the edge, along the indent of her hip and thigh. “You’ve also…” She blushed harder. “You’ve also helped me find my pride.” It was a murmured breath. Her breasts rose and fell beneath the lace cups. Her nipples puckered as he stared and his cock answered her arousal, aching behind his slacks’ zipper. “Looking at you, the way you’re following my every motion right now, I feel powerful. I feel beautiful.”

  “Sweetheart. You are. Gorgeous.” When he went to lean forward, she shook her head, and he paused, frowning.

  Sheridan rolled to her back, her thick hair spilling around her shoulders on the white quilt. The contrast of black on white was stunning, showcasing her like a jewel. She lifted her free hand over her head, stretching her length. The fingers trailing her hip inched completely beneath the silk sheath. Her eyes grew heavy lidded as she neared her pussy. Dario shrugged out of his loose shirt, tossing it to the floor.

  “Sexy,” he rasped.

  Then she widened her thighs and her lips parted on a gasp.

  “Shit,” he groaned. “Don’t stop.” Slipping from the bed, he tugged at his zipper, easing the pressure on his cock with a solid groan rising. Snatching one of the dressing chairs, he brought it closer and promptly collapsed into it, his hand already stroking his cock. He loved watching her pleasure herself. Sheridan was incredible, sexy and very willing to please her, him and them.

  He understood what she was doing, and why, and loved her more for it every day. He’d watched her come out of her insecure shell a little at a time. She never cringed anymore, and she never doubted herself around other women. It didn’t matter to him at all if anyone thought she wasn’t worthy. Hers, then his opinions were the only ones that mattered, and he’d shown that to her every day.

  Now, he had a sexy goddess on his bed inching toward an orgasm just to please and arouse him, making his heart pound.

  “You’re beautiful,” he encouraged her. “I love watching you.” She moaned in answer, a breathy sound that shot another wave of desire into his bloodstream.

  Bringing her other hand between her legs, she tugged on the crotch of her negligee and it popped free, three little snaps. He swallowed, his eyes on her soaked slit. He hissed in answer, fighting to stay in the chair. Lifting his hips, he dropped his slacks, kicking them, his shoes and socks off as quickly as possible until he was in the chair naked.

  Heat roared through his body following her motions. She played with her clit, moaning, her ass cheeks clenching and rising off the bed as her orgasm rushed down on her.

  “Come for me, baby. Cream that hot pussy for me.”

  She whimpered, her breasts shaking as her efforts increased.

  Rolling his hand over the top of his cock, he used the pearls to slicken the tightness of his shaft beneath his palm.

  With a guttural cry, she arched, her pussy convulsing as her orgasm crashed over her. Dropping to his knees on the floor at the side of the bed, he yanked her close and dove into the heated silk of her climax, thrusting his tongue to lap at her. In a matter of seconds, she was crying out, clawing the bed as her pleasure crested again.

  Standing, he eased between her thighs. With Sheridan on the pill, they didn’t need condoms anymore, and Dario loved feeling her skin to skin. He dropped kisses to her soft belly, letting her catch her breath. Licking his way up her frame, he nipped at her ribs, then beneath her breast, until he finally found a hardened tip to suckle.

  She groaned, pushing herself into him.

  Holding her hip, he steadied his stance and with a single push, thrust deep into her welcoming body. His eyes slammed shut as sensations poured over him. “Oh, damn,” he groaned. “So good.”

  Reaching, he stole a hard kiss from her lips, placing a palm near her shoulder to hold himself up.

  “Wrap yourself around me, baby.” She lifted her hips and he drove into her. She howled; the one sound that drove him out of his mind. His balls tightened up against his body.

  Gripping her hips, he pounded into her, filling her as deep as he could reach. Her walls clenched down on him, shuddering with the pace.

  “Harder,” she gasped.

  He gritted his teeth knowing he was going to shatter. Nails raked down his arms, drawing his primal needs closer to the surface. The pain and pleasure of their bite reached everywhere from his shoulders to his hips and across his chest. Focused on her, he loved every single sting, every single mark his woman gave him. She was so close, her body dripped with the sign of her impending climax.

  “Do it, Sheridan,” he growled. He couldn’t get enough of her hot body as he fucked her, and she wanted it, needed more. Snapping his head back on his shoulders he roared, the rush of his orgasm flooding his veins, thickening his cock until he felt every inch of her clenched around him, each stroke as he filled her, pounded into her.

  The steamy cream of her orgasm rushed over his skin and he shuddered, lights sparking and popping on his eyelids. Wave after wave flowed between them as he stiffened in spurts, driving into her softness, each pulse of his cock driving a new height of pleasure from her body to coat his flesh.

  Gasping, he sagged, the steel in his spine turning into a noodle. His legs were water. Sheridan lay there, panting, her skin flushed with a rose pink and her lips swollen from biting them. Slowly, the room came back into view as the slight draft of the heater rolled over his shoulders.

  With a flicked look outside the windows, he noticed it had started to snow.

  Lucky for him, he had a reason to be inside for the entire weekend. Folding in half, he laid down beside her, cradling the woman he loved into his arms.

  “Rest, lovely,” he managed, sounding raw.

  Nodding, she snuggled into his frame and together, they dozed their way into the weekend.

  The End

  About the Author

  Diana DeRicci is the sexy, flirty pen name of Diana Castilleja. A romance author at heart, DeRicci’s writing takes you into a saucier spectrum of sensuality and sexual adventure, where a happily-ever-after is still the key to any story. Diana lives in Central Texas with her husband, one son and a feisty little Chihuahua named Rascal. You can catch the latest news on all of Diana DeRicci’s writing and books on her website. Feel free to drop Diana an email. She’d love to hear from you.

  Visit her on the web at:

  www.DianaDeRicci.com

  Also available from Purple Sword by Diana:

  Watching Her Every Move

  Alpha Awakening

  Caged

  Embraced By Passion

  PURPLE SWORD PUBLICATIONS

  Romantic speculative fiction.

  www.purplesword.com
r />