by Vivian Wood
“Do you— Would you—” She stopped, seeming flustered.
Gavin leaned in and kissed her, a reminder of their newfound intimacy.
“Ask me, Faith.”
“Would you show me how you, um…” was as far as she got.
“Touch myself?” he probed.
“Yes,” she whispered, her eyes wide. She licked her lips, shifting in her seat. The little movement made Gavin wonder if the idea of him stroking his cock made Faith horny. Her hardened nipples and skittish gaze made him think that the idea deserved consideration.
“Do you want to get back in the water?” he asked, noting the goosebumps spreading over her flesh. She nodded, slipping down off the ledge.
Gavin turned and pushed himself up to sit on the ledge, taking up the same position she’d vacated. His erection jutted proudly, and Faith turned the precise color of a ripe tomato as her gaze settled there.
Gavin reached down and circled his hand around the base of his cock, squeezing hard as he stroked himself experimentally. He spread his thighs a little, leaning back a little, giving Faith the full show.
He pumped his fist a couple of times, letting out a groan of overbuilt anticipation.
“God, that feels good,” he told Faith, watching her watch him. “I’m not going to last long. You got me too hot, Faith.”
“M-me?” she whimpered, her gaze riveted on the slow glide of his fist up and down his throbbing length.
“Oh yeah. The whole time I was touching you, I was thinking about what I wanted to do to you.”
“Oh,” Faith breathed. “Like… like what?”
Gavin cocked a brow, surprised. Faith wanted to hear a little dirty talk, did she? What a surprise she was turning out to be.
“I wanted to taste you where I touched you,” he told her. “Use my tongue to make you cum. I wanted to use my fingers, too.”
“Mmmm,” Faith mumbled, her brow furrowing. Probably not the response she’d been seeking, but Gavin had promised her that he wouldn’t consider taking her tonight. Therefore, he wasn’t going to even bring it up.
He swirled the pad of his thumb around the heavy crown of his cock, sucking in a deep breath. Thought fled as he watched Faith and stroked his cock, thinking how much he wanted to take her, feel the tightness of her walls around his length as she came, trembling and pulsing, crying out. His balls drew up, his thighs and abs tensing, his body begging for release. The slow-burning lava of need burned through his veins, insistent and unstoppable.
“Ah,” he gritted. “I’m going to cum. I can’t hold it anymore.”
“Oh,” Faith said, her words half a moan.
A dam burst, fire flooding him, spreading outward from his cock. Gavin pumped his fist hard, feeling the jerk and pulse of his cock as thick jets of semen spurted from the tip.
“Ah!” he cried out, wincing with the force of it. His orgasm lasted forever, or the blink of an eye, he wasn’t sure which.
When he released himself and opened his eyes, he was surprised to find Faith only inches from him. She turned up her face, seeking his kiss. If he’d thought she’d be put off by his display, he was wrong. She kissed him hard, fingers burying in his hair, body pressed against his.
He reveled in her for long moments, wishing he could have more. More than this, more of her. The more he saw, the harder and brighter his desire for her burned. But a promise was a promise, and if he wanted more of Faith, he’d have to give her more, too.
A different kind of promise, one that spoke of forever, of bonded souls.
Gavin released Faith reluctantly, pushing off the ledge and getting back into the water. Even if he wanted to say those words to Faith, they’d mean little tonight. It was easy to talk about forever after a little dose of passion, and Faith was surely smart enough to know that much.
Besides, Gavin wasn’t sure if he was ready for that kind of promise. For now, this could be enough for him… he hoped.
“Let’s warm up for a minute, huh?” he asked, grabbing Faith by the waist. Her eyes widened as she realized his intent, half a shriek pouring from her lips before Gavin toppled over, taking them both under the heated water.
The sounds of their laughter and splashing echoed late into the night, but not another solemn word passed between them.
65
Ten
Early in the morning, Faith heard a soft electronic chirp. Once, twice. On the third time, she realized what it was and shot out of bed, searching for the brand new iPhone Genny had been kind enough to bring over a few days before.
Grabbing it, she stared at the phone number on the screen. An Illinois area code, though she didn’t recognize the rest of the number. She pressed the green accept button, then put the phone to her ear, cringing. Expecting her brother, she realized.
“Hello?” she asked, her voice shaking.
“Faith?” came a woman’s whispered voice.
“Shannon?” Faith asked, relief flooding her. Shannon was two years younger than Faith, a bit of a longer. She and Faith could pass for twins, if Shan’s hair was a little more blonde.
“Hey. I can’t talk for too long. I walked to the gas station and borrowed the attendant’s phone,” Shannon said.
“You walked four miles?” Faith asked, surprised.
“I got your letter from Miss Ruth,” Shannon said. “I been checking the mail, now that you’re… away.”
“Thank the gods it was you that got the letter,” Faith said. “I took a gamble.”
“No kidding,” Shannon mumbled. She paused, taking a deep breath. “Faith, you’re in a lot of trouble. Where are you?”
“I— Don’t be hurt, Shan, but I can’t tell you that.”
“Like I can’t guess. You left with them Berans. You’re still with them, aren’t you?”
Faith paused, then figured it wasn’t worth lying to her only ally.
“Yeah.”
“They treating you okay?” Shannon asked.
“Of course. They’re… It’s really nice here, Shan.”
“I bet.” Faith couldn’t miss the bitterness in her sister’s tone.
“You could come up here, too,” Faith said. She didn’t even consider the words before they were out of her mouth, though it wasn’t her place to make such an offer. If Shannon did make a run for it, though, Faith would find somewhere for them both to go.
“Yeah, right. I’m already gonna get punished for this one. How much time kneeling, you think?” Shannon asked, referring to their brother’s preferred form of torment for rule-breakers. The violator would kneel on the hard wood floor, each bare knee on a pile of uncooked rice. In the first hour, you almost couldn’t feel the hard grains cutting into your skin. After the third hour, it was painful beyond measure.
“Oh, Shan…”
“Are you taking that man as your mate?” Shannon cut in. It was her way, interrupting when she didn’t want to talk about something. A habit that even Jared hadn’t been able to break.
“I— I don’t know, Shan,” Faith sighed.
Shannon was silent for a long time before she spoke again.
“I hope you find a mate, Faith. I wish I could be there to see your ceremony.”
“We could make arrangements, I’m sure,” Faith tried to encourage Shannon. Shannon only laughed, low and hard.
“Yeah, right. You can’t come home anymore than I can fly myself to the moon,” Shan said. “If Jared or Daddy find out that I did this, I’ll never leave the house again.”
“We could still run together. We could find Aunt Ada, maybe.”
“You must be crazier than I thought. If Aunt Ada has a brain in her head, she ran halfway around the globe when she was banished from the clan. I always thought Daddy probably secretly hunted her down and killed her.”
“I don’t think so. Mrs. Beran is helping me locate her. I have a couple of leads already.”
Shannon was quiet again, then she heaved a sigh.
“Jared’s going to make me take old man Anders as a
mate.”
“Oh, Shan…”
“At least he’s not as mean as Jared. I’m kind of looking forward to it. I’ll be out of the house.”
Faith held her tongue, tears forming in her eyes.
“If that’s what you want,” Faith said.
“I’ll always belong to some man,” Shan mused. “I ain’t sure it matters who.”
“That’s not true!” Faith said.
“Well, maybe for you. You think taking that man as a mate is different? You think he don’t own you after you say the words?”
“I— I don’t… I don’t know, Shan.”
“Look, I got to go. I’m not sure I can call again, Faith.”
“I don’t want you to get in trouble,” Faith whispered, trying to keep her voice from shaking.
“Don’t come home, Faith. Promise me,” Shan asked.
“I promise.” Faith swallowed, a single tear rolling down her cheek.
“Alright then. Be safe.”
The line disconnected. Faith stared at the phone, a sob wrenching from her throat. Tears came in earnest now, and she set down the phone with a trembling hand. Those were probably the last words she’d ever speak to anyone in her family.
She jumped when the phone chirped again. Perhaps Shannon was calling her back. Maybe she’d changed her mind!
“Hello?” Faith asked. There was no answer right away. “Hello? Shan, is that you?”
“I got you,” was the hissed reply. The line disconnected again, but there was no mistaking the speaker. It was Jared, there was no doubt.
Faith scrambled off the bed, barely making it to the trash can beside her bed before she heaved up the contents of her stomach. She vomited again and again, fear filling her veins with ice. When she was finished, she sat up and wiped her mouth with a shaking hand.
She was a dead woman.
66
Eleven
Faith was still dragging her feet two days later as she dressed for dinner. Genny had insisted that they come to the main house for dinner that night. Though Faith had run straight to Gavin after her brother’s threat, sobbing in his arms as she confessed her fear, she hadn’t let Gavin cancel their plans. She refused to be rude to Genny Beran, who had gone way above and beyond in her treatment of Faith.
Clearing her throat, Faith stared at herself in the mirror. In a small act of defiance to her brother, she’d chosen a sleeveless, above-the-knee dress in soft red silk. She put on a pair of clip-on pearl earrings, a surprisingly thoughtful gift from Gavin. White leather flats and an intricate French braid completed her look.
She stared at herself in the full-length bathroom mirror, turning this way and that. She examined the rounded curves of her full figure, not loving what she saw. At least back in Centralia, she hadn’t had any mirrors to stare in. It wasn’t even her shape that was bothering her, so much as guilt. Guilt for Shannon’s fate. Guilt for what she’d done in the hot springs last night, for how she’d behaved with Gavin, a man who was not her mate. Guilt for leaving her family. Guilt for bringing this whole mess to the Berans’ doorstep.
Gavin rapped on the frame of her bedroom, startling her. Faith whirled, blushing at being caught. Gavin gave her a long look, concern evident on his features.
“Are you sure you want to go over to the main house tonight? It wouldn’t be a big deal if we just put it off a day,” he told her.
“I’m sure. I need a distraction,” she said, trying to give him a smile. She mostly failed, but her smile grew more genuine when Gavin reached out and took her hand. Pulling her close, he gave her a long, deep kiss.
“You are bad,” she scolded, pushing herself back a step as the kiss ended.
“Often,” he agreed. Offering her his arm, he led her to the car.
In a few minutes, they were standing on the porch of the Lodge. Genny swung the front door open, exclaiming with delight and rushing to hug them both.
“Faith, I know you haven’t met my son Noah yet,” Genny said, introducing Faith to a strikingly handsome, slightly older version of Gavin.
“Nice to meet you,” Faith said, shaking the hand he offered.
“This is my mate, Charlotte,” Noah told her, making the introduction. Charlotte was gorgeous, a tall, curvy blonde in a form-fitting gray dress and matching heels.
“It’s a pleasure,” Charlotte told her. To Faith’s surprise, Noah introduced Gavin and Charlotte next.
“There’s a lot of new blood in the family these days,” Genny told Faith with a glowing smile. “Makes you wonder which of my sons will be next, doesn’t it?”
Faith’s deep blush seemed to be answer enough, for Genny spun and ushered everyone to the dinner table. They settled in, Josiah presiding at the head of the table, Genny pouring everyone wine.
The conversation was light, lots of teasing between Gavin and Noah. Their casual, comfortable banter made Faith a little wistful, thinking of the conversation she’d had with Shannon a few days earlier. Gavin really had no idea how lucky he was, having such an amazing family.
He must have sensed her thoughts, or at least her shift in mood, because Gavin silently reached over and took her hand, holding it in her lap. He didn’t say anything, keeping her private matters far from the dinner table, but his touch was soothing.
“Mating ceremonies are over-the-top these days,” Josiah was saying when Faith brought her attention back to the conversation.
“Oh, pooh,” Genny said, waving a dismissive hand. “You’re just cheap.”
Josiah frowned and crossed his arms, but Noah and Gavin just laughed. Faith caught Charlotte’s gaze, smiling when the other woman quirked a brow.
“Let’s talk about something else,” Noah said, shaking his head. “Did we tell you that we’re going to Paris for our honeymoon?”
“Honeymoon,” Josiah grumbled.
“Oh, Paris!” Genny exclaimed, looking thrilled. “How romantic.”
“Once Max finishes his final round of chemo, we’re all going together,” Charlotte informed everyone.
“Max?” Faith asked.
Charlotte’s smile widened, her eyes warming at the topic.
“I’m a pediatric nurse, and Max is one of my patients. Soon-to-be former patients, we hope. He doesn’t have any family, so Noah and I are going to adopt him.”
The look that passed between Noah and Charlotte was so sweet that it made Faith’s stomach flutter. That look, that sentiment… that was what Faith wanted for herself.
“He’s still in the hospital,” Noah added. “Charlotte’s cousin right now is staying with him while we’re here. He’s got quite a crush on her, poor man.”
“Too bad she plays for the other team,” Charlotte said, looking amused.
“Guess he’ll figure that out on his own. I hope so, at least,” Noah sighed.
“Well, I can’t wait to meet him. If you decide not to take him to Paris, he should come stay with his grandparents. We’d love to have Max here. Right, Josiah?” Genny asked, giving her husband a nudge.
“Errr. Yep,” Josiah answered, his brow furrowing. Faith couldn’t help but giggle at the way the Alpha’s mate handled him. He might be dominant out in the rest of the world, but it was obvious that she wore the pants here at home. It was also obvious that he loved her too much to nay say any of her dictates.
“That’s nice of you to offer,” Charlotte said.
“It’s family,” Genny said, as if that settled matters. And for her, it did.
“Well, I’ll just be glad to get Max home and rested up. We’re waiting to do the mating ceremony, until he’s stronger,” Noah said, ending the subject. “Enough about us, though. Faith, tell us a little about yourself.”
Faith felt her cheeks heat, and she swallowed.
“Um… I’m a preschool teacher,” she managed.
“Oh, that’s nice! You must love kids,” Charlotte said.
“I do.”
Silence reigned for a moment before Gavin jumped in.
“Faith is a
really good storyteller and an artist,” he said. “She’s got a little studio set up in the guest house now, so she can start working on a children's’ book.”
“Oh, is that what you needed the typewriter for?” Genny inquired. “What a great use.”
“I… yes,” Faith said, taking a gulp of her wine. She liked listening to everyone else talk a lot more than answering questions. There were too many she couldn’t begin to answer yet. Would she write a book? Would she find a job? Would she stay in Montana? Would she and Gavin…
“Well, I’d love to help in any way that I can,” Genny said. “Josiah, too, though lord knows what you’d need him for.”
Everyone chuckled, though Josiah just arched a brow.
“I have my uses,” the Alpha declared.
“That you do, dear,” Genny said, patting his hand. “Now, would anyone like dessert?”
Everyone groaned, too full to even consider it. Soon the table was cleared, the wine finished, and everyone was getting ready to settle in for the night. Genny walked Gavin and Faith to the door.
“You should spend some time with your brother while he’s here,” Genny admonished Gavin. “I know you and Faith are… occupied, but Noah might not be back for a while. He and Charlotte have a lot going on.”
“I will, Ma.”
“Perhaps Faith and Charlotte can go have a spa day in Billings while the boys… well, do whatever you do,” Genny suggested.
“Sure, Ma,” Gavin said. He leaned over and hugged his mother, dropping a kiss on her head. Genny gave him a loving smile, then turned and gave Faith a hug.
“Don’t be a stranger. And let me know if you need anything. I can order almost anything off Amazon, or go into the city if you need. Or you could go! I’m sure Gavin would part with his credit card for a day.”
Faith gave her a thankful smile.
“You’ve done too much already,” Faith said.
“Nonsense,” Genny said. The tone she used was the same one she’d used earlier, when they were talking about Max. It’s family, she’d said.
Faith suppressed a sigh and hugged Genny a final time, then climbed in the car with Gavin. The ride back was silent, both of them mulling over their own thoughts.
