Wolf Fire

by Christine DePetrillo

  “What’s the expression people in your time have?” Jaemus cocked his head to the side. “The show must go on?” He bent his knees to look her in the eyes. “You can rebuild, Nika. You can make this place better than it was. We can. Together.”

  And when he said it, she believed him. Together anything was possible.

  “You’re right, Jaemus. There will be insurance money, plus your Wolfman Show raked in enough that I was able to put some money away. We’ll make a new Maple Ridge Trading Post.”

  “One that will make your tato proud.”

  Oh, Tato. I wish you could have met this wonderful man. But maybe he had sent Jaemus to her. And maybe the trading post burning had set her father’s spirit free now that he knew she had someone who loved her. She warmed at these thoughts, somehow knowing them to be true.

  “Maybe we can get Reardon to help us design it,” she said.

  “Aye. I’d like to work with my brother again.”

  “Excellent. We’ll begin plans tomorrow.” She grabbed his hand and led him to the stairs up to her apartment. “But for what’s left of tonight, I have other ideas.”

  “If they’re anything like the ideas I have, we’ll be exhausted by sunrise.”

  Nika pumped a fist in the air and let out a squeal when Jaemus chased her up the stairs, scooping her into his arms when they got to the open door. He carried her to her bedroom and that predatory look she had come to love seeped into his golden brown eyes.

  His glowing golden brown eyes.

  He set her on her bed, stripped her clothes off as well as his own, and draped himself over her. What he did to her mouth could only be described as absolutely amazing. When he trailed kisses along her entire body, ending with his tongue stroking her where she wanted him most, Nika was convinced she’d never tire of having this man touch her, love her.

  He set her body on fire when he slid his hard arousal into her wet and ready folds, filling her, making her cry his name in ecstasy. She pulled him in deeper with her legs wrapped around him, wanting more of him, wanting him closer, as close as they could be.

  She’d lost a great deal tonight, but she’d gained a perfect love tonight too. One that would last a lifetime.

  Together, they climbed higher and higher, so high Nika felt as if she were outside her body, watching their pairing. She was weightless, blissful, satisfied beyond belief. From the sounds coming from Jaemus, he was having a wonderful time as well. At the peak, they tumbled, one after the other, on waves of euphoria. Nika was dizzy from the intensity of it all.

  Panting, they both lay in her bed, a tangled knot of limbs she had no desire to unravel. Instead she pulled Jaemus closer, loving how he wrapped his muscled arms around her, letting her rest her head on his chest. His fingers lazily scratched her scalp, sending goosebumps over her entire body.

  “This fire I like. This wolf fire.” She nestled closer to his warm, solid body, their lovemaking still heating her from the inside.

  “It promises to keep you warm for the rest of your life, sprite.” He kissed the top of her head, his rough hand sliding over her breast and kneading it until she was getting wet for him again.

  “Does it promise to overheat me now and then too?”

  “Aye.”

  He pulled her on top of him, his erection seeking entrance once again. She opened to him and shuddered as she accepted each and every inch he offered.

  Sometimes a terrible night turned into a terrific night and she thanked God—and a Celtic goddess—for that.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Jaemus was on his hands and knees running a scrub brush back and forth through soapy water on the hardwood floor of Nika’s barn. The floor where a good deal of his innards had bloodied the wide-planked boards last night. He had to get it clean before Nika came down and it reminded her of what had happened, though it wasn’t likely either of them would forget any time soon.

  He’d already hauled his ruined couch outside and tossed it in with the rubble of the burned trading post. He’d also scheduled for Reardon and some men from town to knock down the charred skeleton of the post and clear the site for rebuilding. He wanted Nika to focus on her future and know he was serious about his place in it.

  He’d been given a second chance at life and he wasn’t going to waste it.

  When the red-brown streaks were gone, he threw away the scrub brush, washed the entire barn floor, and stowed his other supplies. The whole space smelled lemony fresh, and the open French doors let in a wildflower-scented breeze, promising another gorgeous August day in Canville.

  In his small kitchen, Jaemus set about preparing a breakfast worthy of the first day of the rest of their lives—pancakes, pure Vermont maple syrup, scrambled eggs, bacon, and fruit. By the time Nika came down, he had the spread of food set out on his kitchen table he’d dragged to the patio on the other side of the French doors. The morning sun filtered through the trees and shed flickering golden light over everything.

  You’ll earn her all over again with actions like this, warrior wolf.

  He chuckled at Flidae’s comment, not minding her intrusion into his head for once. “I plan to earn her every day.”

  Ambitious.

  He was about to reply, but a floorboard creaked behind him. Turning, he saw Nika walking toward him. Her chestnut hair was pulled back, showing more of her perfect face. Silver dragonfly earrings dangled from her ears and a white stone pendant on a silver chain rested between her lovely breasts. A long, sleeveless, green dress hugged her curves in all the right ways. And though she looked beautiful, the desire to remove that dress exploded inside him.

  “Good morning, sprite.” He met her at the French doors, gathering her into an embrace.

  “Yes, it is. Despite everything bad that happened last night, today is a good morning.”

  She pressed her lips to his, and he was certain every day needed to begin this way. With her in his arms. Her sweet mouth on his. Her scent filling his nose and making him glad to be alive.

  “Hungry?” he asked, gesturing to the table heaped with food.

  “I seem to have worked up an appetite.” She arched a brow at him, a sexy grin on her lips.

  He pulled out a chair for her, pushing it in when she sat. “Aye. Time to refuel so we may repeat that workout.”

  “My thoughts exactly.” When he sat opposite her, she held up her orange juice glass and he did the same. “To the future.”

  “Our future.” He clinked his glass to hers.

  They both dug into the breakfast as Jaemus filled her in on the debris removal.

  “We’re on the same page, Wolfman,” she said. “When I got up this morning—and sadly, found you not in bed with me—I wrestled up some graph paper and started thinking about new trading post layouts. I have a few ideas.”

  “I can’t wait to see them.” He loved how her cheeks colored over his interest in her ideas and was about to tell her so when Carrie and Zavier jogged across the gravel driveway toward them.

  “Nika!” Carrie shouted, a look of relief on her face. “Holy shit, we saw the post and… and…” She bent forward, trying to catch her breath.

  Zavier put his hand on her back, breathing just as hard. “We thought you were toast too.”

  Carrie nodded, tears in the young girl’s eyes when she straightened.

  Nika ran down the patio steps and gathered the girl in her arms. “Oh, Carrie.” She held a hand out to Zavier, pulling him in close. “Zavier, I’m so sorry. So much happened last night, I didn’t think to call you guys and tell you not to bother coming to work.”

  “Because work no longer exists.” Zavier pointed to the blackened remains of Maple Ridge Trading Post. “What happened?”

  Nika and Jaemus filled the two teens in, leaving out the part where Jaemus, in wolf form, almost died and ending with the glorious news that Robert Senclair was in police custody and wouldn’t be seeing the outside of a jail cell for a good long time.

  “Damn,” Carrie said. “It all
sounds like something out of a movie.”

  “I’m surprised you two didn’t hear about it from someone. The entire town must know by now,” Nika said.

  Carrie gave Zavier a look Jaemus wasn’t sure how to interpret, but Nika must have because she let out a whistle.

  “You two went out last night, didn’t you?” She tugged the two of them to the table on the patio and pushed them into two of the chairs. Sitting across from them, she put her chin in her hands and gave them her full attention. “Spill. All the details. Right now.”

  Jaemus came to sit beside her, unable to take his eyes off the happiness on her face.

  Zavier slid his arm across the back of Carrie’s chair, his hand resting on the girl’s shoulder. “I got tired of watching how happy you two were.” He thrust his free hand out toward Nika and Jaemus.

  Carrie looked at him, adoration clear in her eyes. “Me too. So I said, ‘Zavier, pick me up at seven.’ To which he said, ‘For what?’” She rolled her eyes as Nika laughed. “Boys are so clueless sometimes.”

  “Hey.” Zavier frowned.

  “It’s true.” Carrie patted his cheek. “But you’re also sweet, funny, talented… and a whole bunch of other stuff.”

  “So where did you guys go?” Nika asked.

  “Well, we wanted to keep our first official date top secret,” Carrie said.

  “Yeah, so her dad doesn’t kill me.” Zavier shifted in his seat, but he kept his arm around Carrie. “We went to dinner two towns over, then to a movie under the cover of darkness.”

  “How did the date go?” Nika asked.

  The looks on the teenagers’ faces now were ones Jaemus totally understood. They conveyed the exact feelings he had for Nika, his mate. Love. Adoration. Partnership.

  “I think we have our answer,” he said, gesturing to the teens.

  “But we didn’t say anything,” Carrie said.

  “Didn’t have to.” Nika reached across the table and took their hands. “Tell me you have more dates planned.”

  Zavier looked at Carrie, a grin on his lips. “Well, I suppose she didn’t totally piss me off all night. I could hang with her again.”

  Carrie shot her elbow into his side, making him jerk away with a laugh. “I suppose if I don’t have anything better to do, I could spend more time with this idiot.”

  “Umm, I believe you referred to me as a genius last night. A kissing genius, specifically.”

  “OMG, you did not just say that out loud.”

  “I did, and I’m thinking of having a T-shirt made.” Zavier planted a wet, sloppy kiss on Carrie’s cheek.

  The girl wiped it off, feigning disgust, but even Jaemus could see the delight in her eyes.

  “So what’s the plan for the trading post?” Carrie asked, her expression turning serious.

  “Rebuild,” Jaemus said.

  “Bigger and better. With an even more kickass Wolfman Show.” Nika patted Jaemus’s forearm under the table, her hand wandering a bit and almost making him growl. She smirked when he caught her hand and flattened it under his own on his thigh.

  As much as he liked Carrie and Zavier, it was time for them to go. They couldn’t be around for what he planned to do to Nika. If he worked quickly, he’d have time to remind her how much he loved her before Reardon showed up to demolish the rest of the post.

  “Why don’t we have a little party tonight, Nika?” Jaemus stroked her hand under the table.

  “A party?” Excitement zipped across her face.

  “Aye. One to celebrate that good won over evil, that we’re going to rebuild, that we have two of the finest employees right here, that these two employees are dating, that my brother and I have started over, that Robert Senclair got what he deserved.” That Flidae brought me back from the dead and is letting me stay here with you. “You know, a party that says things are good.”

  “Yeah, a party. Okay.” Nika clapped and turned to Carrie and Zavier. “What do you say? Are you two in?”

  “Definitely,” Zavier said.

  “We don’t say no to parties,” Carrie added. “Especially ones thrown by the best boss in the world.”

  “Are you two willing to get us some supplies?” Jaemus asked.

  “Sure.” Carrie stood as did Zavier.

  Nika squeezed his thigh under the table as she no doubt realized he was totally getting rid of the teenagers. “Let me put together a quick list.” She ran inside, leaving the teens on the patio with Jaemus.

  He looked up to find Zavier staring at him.

  “You’re going to take care of Nika, right? Like even after we’ve gone off to college?”

  “I plan to take care of Nika for as long as she’ll let me.” Jaemus held his hand out to Zavier.

  Shaking hands, Zavier said, “Good. Nika has always been amazing to us.”

  “It’s time someone was amazing to her,” Carrie finished.

  “You can count on me.” Jaemus respected the hell out of the concern these two showed for Nika. He loved that she had people like that in her life. People who realized how amazing she was.

  Nika came back onto the patio with a piece of paper. “This is a quick list, but if you guys think of anything else, add it.” She pushed the list into Carrie’s hand along with some cash.

  “Got it, Boss.” Carrie tugged on Zavier’s hand. “Come on. I need someone to carry the bags.”

  “You need someone to make sure you don’t make this an all chocolate ice cream party.”

  “This is true. Not that an all chocolate ice cream party would be a bad idea.” With a wave, Carrie led Zavier away.

  Nika turned around and chuckled when she found Jaemus had come up right behind her. Wagging a finger at him, she said, “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to, Wolfman.”

  “Don’t pretend you don’t want me to be up to what you think I’m up to, sprite.” He caught her finger between his teeth and gently bit down then soothed the area with his tongue.

  Nika closed her eyes. “I have a party to plan now.”

  “First part of the party plan is this.” He picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder, hauling her inside and over to his bed in the barn.

  After he dropped her in the center of it, Nika pulled him down on top of her, her arms firm around him. “Marathon lovemaking, fabulous breakfast, more lovemaking. A girl could get used to this.”

  “So could a man. Even a wolfman.”

  ****

  Nika expected to feel sadder watching the rubble of Maple Ridge Trading Post being carted off. As Reardon, Jaemus, and a few other men from town did the deed, however, only excitement coursed through her. That trading post had been Tato’s through and through. So much of him had been infused in the original building and business. She’d worked there and he’d definitely included her on all important decisions, but for the first time, she’d be building something that was uniquely hers. Custom designed to fit what she thought would draw in customers and appropriately represent the local charm of Canville.

  She’d spent a part of the day furiously scribbling notes and diagrams on graph paper as she sifted through the many ideas swirling around in her head. She wanted to capture everything then make a solidly informed decision when it came down to actual design time. Zavier had proven to be super helpful in the brainstorming. As soon as the teens had returned from getting party supplies, Zavier had shown an immediate interest in Nika’s sketches. He’d picked up a pencil himself and offered at least five new ideas Nika never would have thought of on her own.

  Carrie gave her suggestions for attracting the teenage crowd that were doable. When these two kids went off to college next year, Nika would need replacements—as much as she would miss Carrie and Zavier—so having a pool of teens around the post would be an advantage. Plus if a spot was popular with teenagers, there was a good chance they’d tell others about it and word would spread that the new Maple Ridge Trading Post was the place to be.

  “This batch is done, Nika.” Meredith set a tray o
f chocolate chip cookies on the counter in Jaemus’s kitchen. She and Brandy and Dylan had come over to help cook as soon as they’d heard Nika was hosting a party. Daisy sniffed around at all their feet, looking to clean up anything sweet that may have dropped during baking. Unfortunately for the pup, the Wendons were the neatest cooks Nika had ever seen.

  “Great. I’m sure we have enough desserts now.” She scanned the counter littered with the cookies, a platter of cupcakes, a blueberry pie, and a carrot cake. “The whole town isn’t coming.” In fact, she’d only invited the Wendons, Reardon, Carrie, Zavier, and her Red Riding Hood and Huntsman from The Wolfman Show at Jaemus’s request.

  “So we eat sweets for the next week,” Brandy said, grabbing a cookie and taking a bite. “I don’t see a problem with that.”

  “Sounds great to me.” Dylan giggled when he stole a cookie and Meredith waved her spatula at him.

  “You two and your sweet teeth.” Meredith shook her head, but then stole a cookie for herself. “Oh, now that’s a good cookie.”

  Nika couldn’t stand idly by while they all munched on cookies. She picked up one, inspecting the cookie-to-chip ratio and approving of Meredith’s mathematics. The first bite was warm, chewy, and heavenly.

  “Holy cow, that’s incredible. We probably don’t need any of this other stuff.” She waved her hand over the veggie and dip platter, the chips and salsa dish, and the condiment tray waiting to adorn some burgers.

  “No,” Dylan said. “We need it all.” The boy’s eyes widened as he scanned everything, licking his lips.

  Nika peeked out the French doors where the purples and pinks of dusk colored the darkening sky. “We also need Reardon and Jaemus, Carrie and Zavier, Red and Hunty. Where did they go?” She stepped out onto the patio, a gasp escaping when she saw the strings of white lights wrapped around a circle of trees near the barn. “How pretty!”

  “We should take a closer look.” Meredith edged Nika down the patio stairs, Brandy, Dylan, and Daisy following behind them.

  Mesmerized a bit by the lights, Nika allowed herself to be guided to two benches at the rim of the circle, realizing that the area reminded her of the theater she’d lost. She sat with Brandy and Meredith on either side of her and Dylan on the ground at their feet with Daisy cuddling up to the boy. When Reardon, Carrie, and Zavier joined them on the other bench, Nika craned her neck, searching for Jaemus, Red, and Hunty.