Julianna blinked, seemingly snapped out of her trance. “Isabelle, honey, can you give us a moment?”
Isabelle looked from the painting, to Duncan, then back to Julianna. “I’ll be in the dining room.” And with a shake of her head, she left.
They stared at each other until Julianna spoke. “What are you doing here?”
He nodded at the painting. “I wanted to give this to you.”
Her perfect mouth formed into an O as she stared at the portrait. “You came all the way here to … bring me that?”
“I wasn’t really sure why I brought it. It just felt right.”
“Right?” she echoed, her eyes never leaving the painting.
“Yes. Julianna …” He took a tentative step forward. “See, I don’t deserve it. I don’t deserve any part of you after the things I said.” His breath hitched as her head snapped back and those luminous eyes stared up at him. “I couldn’t bear to look at it anymore.”
“Why … not?”
“Because it would be a reminder that I had the best thing that ever happened to me in the palm of my hand and then I let it get away.” His ground his teeth together. “No, wait. I didn’t let you get away, I pushed you away. I’m sorry, Julianna. For what I said. Please, forgive me.”
The air between them was thick with tension, but when her face broke into a teary smile, his heartbeat stopped for a second. “Duncan.” His name on her lips never sounded sweeter and they both took one step toward each other, closing the distance between them that only moments ago had seemed as wide as the Atlantic. His arms came around her and pulled her into a tight embrace like he never wanted to let go. “Do you forgive me, darlin’?”
“I do,” she said. “If you forgive me for lying to you.”
With a sigh, he pressed his forehead to hers. “Reed explained everything, and I know why you did it. So there’s no need to say sorry to me.” And because he couldn’t wait any longer, he kissed her, savoring the sweetness of her lips. He dragged his mouth lower, tracing down to her slim neck to bury his nose in her pulse so her sweet scent drowned him. “I love you, Julianna,” he whispered.
“I love you back,” she responded, and his heart felt like it would explode from emotion. He captured her mouth again, this time in a more sensuous kiss, his tongue dipping between her lips to taste her. Warm and willing, she responded perfectly, her mouth just as ravenous as his as if they’d been apart for years, not a day. She pushed her body up against his, and he let out a groan as his shaft rubbed against her stomach.
“Duncan,” she gasped when she broke away. “I need you … alone … my place is so far away.”
“Good thing my hotel’s only a block away,” he said, smiling against her mouth. “Let’s go.”
It was the longest five-minute walk of his life, but soon, they were alone in his hotel room. He practically carried her to the bed, their movements clumsy but quick as they removed all their clothing. God, she was beautiful and magnificent, lying back on the bed, her glorious hair spread around her, all smooth olive skin and sensuous eyes staring up at him. She was his. All his.
“Hold that thought, darlin’.” He scrambled off the bed to dive toward his suitcase, throwing the top open to grab a foil packet, then marched back to bed. “I need you bad, Julianna,” he growled. “I don’t ever want to be away from you.”
He crawled over to her, covering her body with his. However, before he could lean down to kiss her again, she wrapped her hand around his wrist.
“Wait.”
He looked up at her, confused. “Is everything all right?”
She used her other hand to pluck the condom from his fingers. “I … We don’t need this.”
His heart slammed into his rib cage, and it took him a second to recover. “Julianna? Are you sure?”
She nodded. “Duncan, you have it all. My mind, body, heart, and soul.”
Dear Lord, he didn’t think he could be happier or love this woman even more. “Aye, and as you do with me.” He tossed the condom aside and then wiggled his eyebrows. “Now, let’s make a baby.”
Julianna barked out a laugh, which turned into a sensual moan as his mouth went straight down to where her shoulder met her neck and clamped his teeth down. He bit hard enough to mark her, but not to bleed, then suckled and licked at her skin. He knew she loved it, if the smell of her arousal mixed in with her sweet scent and her nails raking down his arms were any indication.
His cock was already hard, ready for her, but as he moved himself into position between her legs, the minx flipped him over so she straddled his hips. “Hey, no fair.”
“Oh, this will make it fair,” she purred, then slowly made her way down lower.
“Julianna, I—fuck!”
Her hand wrapped around him, and that sweet, sweet mouth wrapped around the tip of his cock. When he let out a pained groan, she popped him out from between her lips. “What? I thought you said you wanted to put my mouth to good use,” she asked. “Should I stop?”
“Don’t you dare.”
She chuckled and bent her head down. Bloody hell, those plush lips of hers wrapped around his shaft was one of the most erotic things he’d ever seen. He shoved his fingers into her hair, giving it a soft tug that had her moaning on his cock.
“As much as I’m enjoying this, I can’t wait anymore.” He pulled her off him and then rolled her onto her back. She let out a squeak of surprise which was followed by a throaty moan when he rubbed the tip of his cock against her entrance. “Julianna … open your eyes.”
Thick, sooty lashes fluttered open, and her gaze struck something deep in him. It wasn’t just the beauty of her eyes, but also what he saw in them—pure love. Even as he pushed inside her, he continued to look at her, hoping she too, saw the devotion in his eyes.
Jesus, being inside her without any barriers between them was like nothing he’d ever felt before. The need to claim her, mark her, breed her, was too overwhelming, but he also wanted to relish this moment. As if she sensed his need—or perhaps she felt it as strongly as he did—she pushed her hips up at him and squeezed him tight.
He let out a grunt and began to move, slowly at first, teasing her. But his minx didn’t like that, and she scratched her nails down his arms and snapped her teeth at him. “Fuck me,” she demanded.
“Ah, so impatient, my mate,” he growled. He nipped at her neck, biting down hard enough to make her whimper. Then, he pulled his hips back and drove into her. Over and over again. Filling her to the hilt, each thrust making her cry out and run her nails down his back.
His eyes shut hard as he continued to pummel into her, feeling her body squirm underneath hers. God, he just wanted to feel her pleasure, so he could let go.
When her body quivered, and she clasped around his cock, he knew she was coming. Unable to hold back any longer, he let go, roaring as he filled her with his cum, his vision going completely white. His name on her lips as she screamed and her fingers digging into his scalp brought him back to earth, and he collapsed on top of her feeling the energy drain from his body.
Slowly, he opened his eyes, and his senses came back. The feel of her soft body under his. Her scent mixed with his. The lingering taste of her lips. And her soft sigh. Rolling over to his side, he slipped out of her to lay on his back, and she cuddled up to him, resting her cheek on his chest. His wolf let out a satisfied yowl.
Mate. Mine.
Moments passed in complete, satisfied silence. Finally, he spoke. “You changed your mind.”
She planted a kiss on his shoulder, then looked up at him. “Yes.”
“Why? I mean … I’m just curious. I came here to ask you to give me a second chance, but I was also going to tell you I’m willing to wait for pups until you were ready.”
“I know,” she said. “This whole thing … I always told myself it was bad timing. There’s so much looming over us. But when else am I going to be ready? When the mages have been defeated? I can’t let them dictate when I choose to be happ
y. What if there was no other chance? What if something happened to—”
“I’ll never let anything happen to you.” He silenced her protest with a kiss. “Or our baby.” Jesus, a baby. Right now, she was pregnant with their pup. It both scared and elated him.
“I know.” She chewed her lip. “I’m sorry, but I have to break my promise.”
“Promise?” What was she talking about?
“About proposing marriage to men.”
The words jolted him and he quickly sat up. “What the fuck? Who the hell are you proposin’ to, woman?”
Her eyes sparkled as she let out a chuckle. “You, you moron. I think you should marry me.”
It took a while for the words to sink in, and when they did, he burst out with laughter.
“Hey, that’s not funny!” A pillow hit him in the face, and when she tried to scramble out of bed, he pinned her down. “I was joking, okay?” But the hurt in her face was obvious, so he kissed her long and deep.
“You misunderstood me, darlin’. Don’t move, okay?” When she nodded, he quickly dashed out of bed, grabbed the second package his ma gave him at the airport and climbed back into bed. He held out the velvet box to her.
Cautiously, she took the box and opened it. “Oh. It beautiful. Is it a family heirloom?”
Inside the box was an antique brooch, with two silver crowned hearts entwined. In between where they met was a large ruby. “Yes. It’s called a Luckenbooth. In the old days, it was a betrothal gift.”
“Oh.” Her breath caught at the meaning.
“It’s very old. Over two hundred years old. It’s the same one Connor MacDougal gave Bridget when they were engaged.” Elise and Reed had told him the entire story of what transpired during their time back in the 1800s, including how his ancestors had met. “I think she would have wanted you to have it.”
“Duncan …” She gulped hard as a tear slipped down a cheek. “Thank you.”
“You beat me to it, but I’m still gettin’ you a ring,” he declared. “Well? Is that a yes?”
“Wait, who’s asking who?” She let out a yelp when he tackled her and pinned her to the mattress. “Duncan, stop!”
“Ohh, ticklish, are we?” His fingers continued to torture her until she had tears in her eyes and was begging him to stop.
“Fine! Fine! Yes, I’ll marry you.” When he let go, she slapped his shoulder. “You oaf.”
“I’m your oaf.” He pushed her down again on the mattress and kissed her until she was breathless. Hell, he was gasping for air himself. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive.”
“I suppose I’ll get used to living in Scotland. And, well, I’m sure Lucas will find someone else to take over as envoy for me.”
He detected a hint of sadness in her tone. “Darlin’, you don’t have to make that decision now.”
“I don’t?”
“No, of course not.” He smoothed the hair away from her face. “Julianna, it’s obvious to me that you love your work. You’re suited to it. And you should do this work as long as you want and as long as you’re able.”
Her jaw dropped. “But … what about the baby? And what about your work at the distillery? I’m not sure I can do long distance.”
“Oh no, darlin’.” The plan had already formed in his head the moment he left Scotland. It was another ace in his pocket, another thing he was planning to use in case Julianna didn’t want to take him back. “I’m going with you. Wherever you go. I’ve asked permission from Da, and he agreed for me to take on the role of Caelkirk’s envoy.”
“What? But you’re going to be Alpha and—”
“Not for a long time.” At least he hoped not. Callum was still healthy and fit, and not even close to retiring as Alpha or president of Three Wolves. “I can still work remotely. He’s actually asked me to travel more in order to promote the distillery abroad. And when it’s time for the baby to be born, we can go home or come here to New York.”
Her face lit up. “Duncan … I don’t know what to say …” She lunged at him. “I love you.”
Her plush body pressed to his made his cock stir. “And I love—”
The ringing of the telephone on the bedside interrupted him. “Who the fuck could that be?” No one knew he was staying here.
She frowned. “Aren’t you going to answer it?”
With a deep sigh, he reached over and grabbed the receiver. “Hello?”
“Put my sister on the phone.”
Duncan wanted to tell the man on the other end of the line to sod off, but that probably wasn’t the best way to make a good impression with his future brother-in-law. So, he handed the phone to Julianna. “It’s for you.”
A puzzled look flashed on her face, but she took it anyway. “Who is this—oh.” She winced and clamped her mouth shut. It sounded like she was getting an earful. “I’m sorry … yes, I’m totally fine. Is she okay? I know I have a lot of explaining to do. How did you know …” Her cheeks turned red. “You didn’t have to ask him to do that. All right. All right. We’re coming.” She blew out a breath before handing him the phone.
“Is everything okay?” He put the receiver back.
“Yeah … sorry about that. I, uh, kinda forgot my sister and sister-in-law were waiting for me at the restaurant when we made our escape through the backdoor. And when they couldn’t find me, they panicked and called Lucas. So … he had to call Cross to find me again.”
“Find you?” Wait … “Was that bastard in here? While we were—”
“No!” Her hands came to her chest, her fingers wrapping around the necklace she always wore. “He can track me with this and told Lucas where we were.”
“Oh.” Well, maybe the bastard escaped death for now. “What did he want?”
“He wants to see us now. He’s at Muccino’s.”
“Oh.”
“And my parents are there too. They just arrived from Italy. Apparently, they heard about what happened and they flew right back.” A worried look crossed her face.
“What’s wrong, darlin’? Did you not want me to meet them?”
“Huh? Oh no! It not that.” She gave him a reassuring kiss. “I mean, it’s all going so fast, but they’ll be happy to know about you, but … it’s something else.” She quickly told him about her sister, Isabelle, and her little predicament.
“That scabby bassa.” He curled his hands into fists. “I’ll pound his face in.”
“You don’t even know who he is or where he is.”
“Well then, I’ll hunt him down.” His wolf, too, was eager to kill this unknown man. “She’s my sister now, too, you know.”
A great big smile spread across her face.
“And we’ll support her, no matter what, you ken?” He kissed the top of her head. “Whatever she needs.”
“Thank you.” Her arms slipped around him, pulling him down for a slow, sensuous kiss.
“Och, darlin’ … if you’re wanting to be outta bed soon, we should stop.” His cock was already half hard again.
She made a sound of protest. “I suppose so. C’mon, it’s time to face the music.”
After getting dressed, they headed back to the same place where Duncan had followed her, however, they crossed the street to a different restaurant. The sign outside said “Muccino’s” which, as Julianna had explained, was run by her mother’s brother, while the Petite Louve was owned by his wife.
“Are you ready?” Her hand was already on the door, ready to open it.
“Aye.” He wasn’t sure what to expect from her family, but with the way they exited today, he could guess it wouldn’t be a warm welcome.
The dining room was half-empty, but that was to be expected since it was not yet suppertime. Julianna acknowledged the young hostess at the station with a short nod and then led him across the room near the kitchens, and to a small door in the back. She opened it, and he followed her inside.
One wall of the room was entirely glass, showcasing the action in the kitchen. But that
wasn’t what caught his attention. It was the thick, tense air in the room, which only got heavier as all the occupants in the room turned to them.
“Hey, you’re all here,” Julianna said. “What’s going …” Her expression faltered and the young woman he had seen her with earlier—Isabelle—walked up to them. She and Julianna locked eyes. “You told them.”
Isabelle nodded. “Yes.”
“I said I would be here when you did.”
“I know, Jules.” She bit her lip. “But this was something I felt I had to do by myself. I can’t forever depend on other people, you know. Besides, everyone was here, so I thought I’d save myself the trouble.”
Julianna did a double take. “Oh.”
“Yeah, Adrianna and Darius drove over as soon as they heard you were missing again. Er, sorry about that, by the way, but you just disappeared, and Sofia and I panicked. We thought he was a mage.” She cocked her head at Duncan.
“He’s not. He’s my—”
When Julianna stopped suddenly, Isabelle reached out to hold her hand. “It’s okay. I don’t mind if you say it.”
Julianna turned to Duncan, and he understood. She was worried because the bastard who impregnated her sister and then left her was her True Mate. He really was going to pound that man’s face in—didn’t he realize how precious it was to find the other half of your soul?
“Is Papa mad?” Julianna asked.
Isabelle shrugged. “See for yourself.”
Duncan guessed the older man who was staring at them with intense green eyes was their father, the Grant Anderson, former Alpha of New York. It was obvious the man was on the edge, the worry lines on his face getting deeper with each second. “I’m sorry you had to face them alone, lassie.”
She smiled weakly at him. “It had to happen. But I’m glad you two have better news.”
Julianna tugged at his hand. “Our turn to run the gauntlet.”
Duncan counted six other adults in the room, aside from the three of them. Julianna brought them in front of the oldest couple first. His wolf was wary, very much aware that it was in the presence of two powerful wolves. “Mama, Papa, I’d like you to meet Duncan MacDougal. He’s my True Mate.”
Highland Wolf Page 19
