by V. A. Dold
Her breasts were even fuller than he’d thought, jutting forward to tempt him. She was beautiful. Her skin was amazing.
Thankfully, his house was hidden from the others. He didn’t need to show off his half naked mate to the family. The car skidded to a stop, practically at the foot of his deck stairs. He leapt from it without bothering with the door. Simon raced to her side and lifted her out too. Like a streak of lightning, he sped to the door and opened it with such urgency, it almost came off its hinges.
With Rose in his arms, he marched straight to his bedroom and kicked the door closed.
The wall he had built between them melted. He set her on his bed. Breathing hard, he forced himself to be the man he was raised to be. “Mon amour, if you aren’t ready for this, if you want me to stop, you need to tell me now.”
She shook her head. “I’ve wanted you since the first moment I saw you.”
She nibbled on her lower lip.
“What is it, cher?”
“I haven’t been with anyone for a long time and it’s never been the best experience for me,” she said it quickly as if to get it over with.
“Oh, baby. That just makes this all the more special. I’ll be gentle and make it incredible. I promise.”
She nodded still sucking on her lip.
He made sure he had her full attention, and then he thought his clothes away. He wanted to let her look her fill and waited for her anxiety to dissipate before he joined her on the bed.
Oh, dear lord! She couldn’t breathe as she got her first look at him. She’d known he would have a great body, but this… It exceeded everything from her dreams. His broad shoulders tapered to a washboard stomach that could be used for laundry. He had a six-pack that rippled with every breath he took. His entire torso was lightly covered by hair, making him look even more masculine. She saw a drop of moisture bearing witness to his urgent need. It was all she could do not to drool.
He wrapped her in his arms as he laid himself next to her, his bare chest rubbing against her breasts through her lace bra. It created a delicious friction against her nipples. His hands tunneled in the wealth of her silken hair, fisted, as if he had to make sure she didn’t escape. He leaned in, his gaze as fierce and intent as the tension surrounding them. He eased her lips toward his. His mouth fastened onto hers, took possession. She felt heat leap from her to him, need raged between them. The kiss went on and on. He pulled back slightly and seemed to search her gaze.
“I have wanted you since the moment I saw you.”
She reached up and laced her fingers in his hair. The heat of his blue eyes scorched her. He dipped his head until his lips hovered dangerously close to hers, as if he were asking her permission to continue.
Breathless, she responded with her actions. She closed the distance and laid her lips against his. He growled deep in his throat before his kiss turned hungry, passionate.
His tongue slid into her mouth, danced a long, sensual tango. His mouth moved over hers, demanding. Urgent and wild. The back of her head fit nicely in his palm and he held her to him, kissing her soft lips, her chin, her neck where he would bite her during the ritual. He nuzzled her then returned to her mouth again. His body hardened until he thought he would split. He had to have her. Had to make her his.
Her scent drew him. It was impossible to think or reason with her tongue teasing his, her teeth nibbling at his lips and his shoulder. He kissed his way down her throat and across her collarbone. Felt her gasp as he lapped at her nipple through the lace. Heard her breath explode from her lungs as he fastened his mouth over her breast. She moaned inarticulately, and her hands came up to cradle his head. She arched so he could reach under her to unclasp her bra and draw it off.
“You are so beautiful,” he said, his voice deep and hungry. They were a lush bounty. Puckered and swollen, they overflowed his hands. He’d never seen anything more beautiful. She laced her hands in his hair while he dipped his head to suckle her. Closing his eyes, he groaned in pleasure as he ran his tongue around her puckered nipple. He feasted on her tender exposed flesh, devoured her. Still he needed more. He needed her completely naked, desperate to get to her, desperate to have all of her. With a thought she was gloriously naked to his starved gaze.
“Simon!” she inhaled and then turned red from her scalp to her toes.
“Magnificent.”
His wolf’s soul wanted to taste her. It wanted to breathe her in and let her softness ease the loneliness that had filled his heart these past years. He hadn’t touched a woman sexually in over four years—a record for him. Midnight fantasies of him taking her in every position known had tortured him since Thanksgiving. Dreams of him exploring every single inch of her succulent body.
He slipped his mouth from her breast to lap at her skin, teasing every nerve ending, as he tasted his way to her triangle of curls. He wanted her head spinning, dizzy with need, with hunger. Her moan was music to his ears.
Simon rested his forehead on her stomach for just a moment, trying to catch his breath. His hands trembled as he caressed her skin. He wanted to go slow, to make this first time perfect for Rose, but his wolf wanted to ravage her, drag her into his arms and devour her. He forced himself to slow down, using his years of discipline to savor the softness of her skin. To hear her small gasps as he kissed his way along the curve of her hip and the nip of her waist. His tongue teased each rib and found the underside of her breast.
“Mmmmm, more.” She arched into him. Rose ran her hands over his chest, her fingertips traced over and around his hardened nipples.
Simon moaned. “You have magic fingers, my love.”
He skimmed his tanned hand down her belly, whispered over her thighs, and touched her intimately. Rose groaned at the sensation of his long, tapered fingers separating the tender folds of her body so he could caress her. She moved restlessly, needing more. Aching in places she didn’t know she had. He gently sank his fingers deep inside her.
Rose nearly arched off the bed. “Simon, it’s too much.” But her body said something else, she had two handfuls of his hair, her hips were moving restlessly in invitation.”
He was kissing his way up her ribcage, and nibbled his way around her plump breast. “The beauty of making love correctly is that you aren’t supposed to stay in control. I want you to let go, scream my name and explode in ecstasy around me.” His breath was hot against her nipple, teasing it into a tight peak. “Relax and enjoy every sensation and allow yourself to feel, to completely submit to the pleasure.” He said as he closed his mouth around a taut peak.
She cried out, wrapping her arms around his head to cradle him to her. There was only Simon with his sinful mouth and his masterful hands and the sheer pleasure coursing through her body.
He looked up with a hot, consuming, intense stare. His hands were everywhere, caressing, plucking, plumping, and pleasing her. His mouth moved over her breast, nuzzled her nipple and flicked it with his tongue. Each time he pulled at her breast a fresh trickle of warm welcoming liquid glistened invitingly between her legs.
One hand glided up her thigh, cupped her. His finger slipped in.
“You’re so tight, cher, and so hot. I want you dripping and ready for me, feeling only pleasure and no discomfort.”
“Please, Simon you’re driving me crazy.”
“As you wish.” He grinned wickedly and sensuously slid down her body planting kisses then with a hungry gleam in his eyes, lowered his head between her thighs. His hands held her hips in place and he began his assault.
If she had any thoughts before, they were scattered in all directions now. A gasp escaped as she tried to arch off the bed but he held her in place. “I can’t take anymore.” She was going to shatter into a million pieces. She heard her own cry, a raw shout of pure passion she couldn’t suppress as tremors shook her.
Simon rose and covered her, his wide shoulders blocked out everything in the room as he nudged her thighs wider to accommodate him. She pushed forward, desperate to feel
him inside her. Every single part of her body throbbed for him.
“I’ll be careful, Rose. I’ll use a condom and make sure there’s little chance you’ll get pregnant.” He reached for the bedside table drawer.
“You don’t have to worry about getting me pregnant.” She wanted him deep inside her more than she wanted anything. He didn’t move, pressing against her and driving her wild. “I’m on birth control.”
His head reared back, his blue eyes moving over her face. Wary. Almost angry. “Why the hell would you be on birth control if you aren’t sleeping with anyone? Who, Rose?”
She stared back at him for a long moment. “Are you insane? You’re going to get jealous because I’m on birth control when I told you it’s been a long time since I’ve been with a man?”
Simon groaned. His body was on fire with need, was as hard as it could be, and he was arguing with her over something utterly ridiculous. Of course she wasn’t sleeping with anyone, and what difference would it make if she had before she met him? He hardly recognized his own primitive reactions. The mating instinct had to be stimulating every reaction and heightening his senses and emotions. “Yes, I’m insane,” he admitted. “I want you so much I don’t even know what the hell I’m saying anymore. I apologize for being a complete idiot.”
“Then shut up and kiss me. And for God’s sake, make love to me before I become a puddle of goo.”
He leaned down as she strained upward to find his mouth with hers. He kissed her with every fiber of his being, a hot blend of passion and possession. Their mouths clung together until she fell back, her hips rising to meet the slow thrust of his. He was stretching her, pushing through her hot, slick folds, burying his body deep to join them together. He felt thick and hard and too big for her body. The burning increased as he thrust deeper.
“Oh God.” She didn’t know if it was a protest or a plea. Lights were dancing behind her eyelids. She lifted her hips, and drove herself onto him. The world as she’d always known it crumbled away as waves of intense pleasure rocked her body.
She clung to him, digging her fingers into his shoulders to anchor herself in some reality.
He gripped her hips and pulled her toward him as he surged into her over and over. He let himself go with it, burying himself deep in the haven of her body.
He felt her body tightening around his, the small muscles gripping and clamping as he increased the pace, adding to the friction and the wealth of heat and fire. He didn’t want it to end. He never wanted it to end, but her body was already rippling with life, a strong orgasm that rushed over her like a tidal wave and carried him with her.
A harsh, hoarse cry tore from his throat. His fingers tightened as he released himself into her, thrusting hard, wanting to be as deep inside her as he could get. He lay over her, unable to move. Capturing her breast in his mouth, he felt the exquisite clamping of her muscles around him in another explosive shock wave.
Rose breathed heavily. “This was the most incredible sex I’ve ever had.”
“Then I did it right.” He panted as he took her hand and relaxed next to his sated mate.
Chapter 10
Rose’s Past
Simon woke with his mate in his arms, he smiled and snuggled her closer. How could he be so blessed? Thank you, Goddess.
He dozed for another hour until he felt Rose stir. He propped himself on his arm and softly kissed her awake. As her eyes began to flutter he whispered, “Good morning, my beautiful Rose.”
He felt her stiffen for a moment. “Simon? Where…oh.” She turn a glorious shade of red.
“How do you feel this morning? Are you sore? I can run you a bath if you would like.”
She shook her head as she covered a yawn. “I’m good, but I would kill for coffee.”
He stood and gave her a bow. “As you wish.”
“Huh…”
“What?” He grinned.
“I didn’t peg you as a Princess Bride fan. But, I like it.” She winked and gathered her scattered clothing.
“I'm a man with many facets,” he said dramatically as he turned to leave the room.
“Holy tattoo, Batman!”
He looked over his shoulder like he would be able to see it. “You like it?”
“The wolf looks so real, I swear it could leap off your back.”
“There is an interesting story behind it from when I was a Marine, I’ll tell you about it one day. But it is related to all the wolfy stuff so I’ll wait.” He winked and left the room.
They were enjoying their first cup of coffee when the phone rang. It was Emma inviting them to brunch.
Rose looked horrified. “How did she know I was here?” she hissed.
“I have no idea how my mother knows the things she knows. I gave up trying to figure that out years ago.”
“I need a shower and clothes, do I have time to go to Anna’s?”
“Take your time, my mother will wait until we get there.”
They enjoyed one last cup, and then he escorted her to Anna’s. Even on the plantation he didn’t want her going anywhere unprotected.
An hour later, Rose followed Simon into Emma’s kitchen. The entire house smelled of corn bread and jambalaya. A large pot on the stove simmered and a tea towel covered the fresh baked bread. She couldn’t help inhaling the scent of the amazing Cajun food, mixed with Simon’s scent it was absolutely heady. Her mouth watered, she just wasn’t sure if it was for the wonderful food or a taste of Simon.
Simon’s gaze drifted over her, like he was drinking her in. The intensity of his hungry eyes caused a strong reaction in her body, her heart pounded, and it was hard to breathe. The slow seductive quirk of his lips put her over the edge. Her entire body swooned toward his. His fingertips brushed her face, feather-light, his touch so gentle and loving.
One hand was all it took; he wrapped her hair in his fingers and encouraged her head gently back. With excruciating slowness he lowered his lips to hers. A whisper of lips across lips, before he pulled away again. She was so hot she thought she would combust. One look, one touch, and she was ready to strip and do anything he asked. I’m in so much trouble. It was going to literally kill her when he ended it with her. He had said she was his girlfriend and his mate but she still didn’t really understand what that meant.
As they entered the library, the entire family was gathered waiting for them. “Rose, Simon, please take a seat,” Isaac called out.
Once they were seated, Isaac cleared his throat to silence the room. “I’ve been briefed on Rose’s attack in the Quarter and the trespass of Travis Ledet onto our land. Anna also mentioned a man had followed Rose in the corner market. I believe the family is under attack and we’ll need to put around the clock sentries in place and the women should be escorted when leaving the property.”
Everyone was nodding in agreement. “With the sentries, do you believe the women will be safe on the property?” Simon asked.
“I don’t think anyone will be able to slip through without being seen or smelled.”
Simon was still uneasy after hearing of Travis’s abilities but his father was rarely wrong.
“We’re not sure if Rose is the prime target or Le Beau women in general so everyone should be extra careful.” Cade and Simon reached for their mates at the same time, needing the contact.
“That’s really all the business we have to cover. Emma has made a feast for brunch. I hope everyone is hungry.”
The family moved to the dining room and had the most elaborate brunch Rose had ever experienced. When she offered to help clean up Anna and Emma shooed her out of the kitchen.
She followed the sound of voices to the great room and sat on the couch to watch the men play a raucous game of pool.
Twenty minutes later Emma joined Rose on the couch. “So, tell me all about your family, cher.”
Rose swallowed hard, she hated these questions. All of the sympathy and pity that she received with her answer about drove her mad. “My family?” Rose echo
ed, her heart breaking as she realized she didn’t fit in Simon’s family at all. Emma and Isaac were all about family. She was concerned for her son and wanting to know that Rose would be a good wife for her son, a good mother. If she had a wonderful extended family for his future children. You’re supposed to learn how to be a good parent from your own mother and father, right? Well, then she was screwed.
Simon watched the color fade from Rose’s cheeks. She looked to him for both rescuing and forgiveness. She felt utterly helpless and defeated. With one simple question she was beaten. She looked at the floor then glanced up at him almost helplessly and his heart turned over. She actually shrank into the cushions of the couch as if to protect herself from the question.
Simon crossed the room and sat next to her on the arm of the couch. “Rose is an orphan, Mom.”
Here it comes, the pity will be first and then the rejection. No one wants an orphan with no family, no history or decent upbringing to be the mother of their grandchildren.
Anna joined them on the couch. “Rose prefers to not discuss her childhood.”
Emma clucked her sympathy. “That doesn’t matter, cher. When you marry Simon, you’ll have all kinds of family. We’ll all be your family. Shoot, you’ll have more family than you know what to do with.” She gathered Rose into her bosom and actually rocked her like a small child. Emma was unable to let anyone leave her presence without some mothering and in her eyes Rose had a lot of years of missed mothering.
Hold on, did she just say, when I marry Simon? Why did she say that?
“The way you grew up and the people you lived with are no never mind; it’s the woman you became that’s important. I just wish you would have had the love and joy little girls deserve. Lots of dolls and tea parties, birthdays and scrapbooks with all the memories. As a matter of fact, we should start a scrapbook for you right away. I’ll get my camera and we’ll get pictures of everything then go to the scrap book store for supplies so we can begin building fabulous memories for you.” Emma zeroed in on a new project and there’d be no stopping her.
