by Ashlyn Chase
“You’ll see.”
She stared at the ceiling. “You’re killing me.”
“Don’t die yet. We have a lot of fun ahead of us.” Nick wished she wouldn’t die at all. Perhaps if she’d agree to be changed… No. He shouldn’t get his hopes up. He genuinely doubted any human would go for that electively. His sister-in-law Roz had flatly refused, but Konrad married her anyway, knowing he’d outlive her—perhaps by another hundred years.
A wolf needs his mate by his side as much as he needs to breathe. Nick figured he’d have to be Konrad’s support system when Roz was laid to rest. Now he hoped Konrad would be his. If he didn’t get his mind off this morose topic, he’d bring himself down, and it was too special a day to let that happen.
He pointed to a painting by Monet. “Monet’s first wife, Camille, was his model for many of his paintings. That’s Monet’s wife in the Japanese kimono.”
“I’ve seen other paintings of her. I thought she was a brunette,” Brandee said.
“She was. He had her wear a blond wig to emphasize her Western heritage. Paris was excited about all things Asian in those times.”
“How do you know that? I thought you didn’t like art.”
“I like you and you like art, so I studied up on it.” Nick kissed her red hair.
“Awww.”
When Brandee gazed up at him, her eyes took on a soft blue light, reminding him of the sky in one of Monet’s paintings.
We’ll have some beautiful blue-eyed children someday. Few werewolves married outside the pack, so he had no idea what to expect regarding reproduction. Hopefully their children would be as long-lived and healthy as wolves but as gentle as their mother.
“What do you say? Are you ready to get out of here? Maybe we can get in a little afternoon delight before dinner.”
“Well, since you put it that way.” She grinned and his heart leaped.
“We can always come back another day.”
“That would be nice. It’s a great place for inspiration. Look at the way Monet painted the same subjects at different times of day. It’s something I enjoy doing with my photographs, playing with light and shadow like he did.”
“So, you’re still working on your photography?”
“Of course.”
“Good. Can I see some of your work?”
She hesitated. Eventually she said, “Sure. As long as you don’t expect them to look like a Monet.”
He chuckled. “I don’t imagine you can do that with photography.”
She gave him a sly smile. “You’d be surprised by what I can do.”
“Are we still talking about photography?”
She elbowed him. “Leave it to you to take everything I say in that direction.”
He laughed. “I can’t help it. You inspire me.”
***
Back at Nick’s condo, they kissed their way to the bedroom, stripping off their clothes at the same time. Nick was an incredible lover, and Brandee had never experienced the kind of mind-blowing orgasms she had with him every single time.
They stumbled in, hampered by their twining legs, and Brandee laughed as she almost hit the floor. Nick swooped her up and laid her on his bed. He kissed her again, and she melted into a heated pool of desire.
He gathered her ass in his big hand and pushed her against his erection.
God but she wanted him. With every fiber of her being, she wanted to be possessed. Held the way only Nick could, showing how much he cherished his “mate.” She’d gotten used to the word and enjoyed its double meaning.
His hands caressed her excited skin. His breathing was urgent and he leaned heavily into her, pressing his erection against the apex of her thighs. Brandee’s sexual appetite became ferocious, and she whimpered into his mouth.
She restlessly moved against him, trying to appease the ache between her thighs. She longed for him to fill her, and she was wet with need. His warm male skin shivered with her touch. The room was warm and she was burning, so he had to be shaking with lust, not cold. She kneaded the thick muscles that rippled under her hand. Her fingers found his flat male nipples, and she squeezed each one until he gasped for air, then groaned.
“Brandee. I need you.”
She laughed. “And the problem with that is…”
“I want to be inside you—now.”
She was so swept away, she almost forgot to ask. “Condom?”
He nuzzled her ear and whispered, “Do we have to?”
That startled her for a moment, but she was on the pill and believed him when he said he was healthy.
She pulled his mouth to hers for another kiss. He nipped her lips and she tasted a drop of blood. He lapped at it, and the pain quickly faded. When she touched her mouth, there was no blood to be found.
“Oh, God, I love this woman.”
Had she actually heard his thought? He must have been talking to himself and the sound was muffled by the sheets or something.
He cupped her breast and flicked her nipple with his thumb. Her womb clenched as if reaching for him.
He rolled her on top and adjusted so he could capture her hard nipple and suck greedily. She arched back and moaned as a symphony of sensations raced through her body. He lavished the same attention on the other breast, and she thought she’d come any moment. He wasn’t even inside her yet!
She couldn’t make him wait any longer. Hell, she couldn’t wait any longer.
She broke the glorious suction just long enough to sit up straight and lower herself onto his erection. They moaned together. He began to move his pelvis up and down, and she rocked forward and back. Dear Lord, the ripples of bliss started as soon as he hit her G-spot.
Don’t come right away. Try to hold off for him.
“Or come more than once.” It sounded as if his voice had answered her in her head. His lips hadn’t moved, so her imagination must have taken over and formed what she thought he’d be thinking. He added a clit rub to their lovemaking and that sent her spiraling.
A few strokes later, all thought deserted her. She came with a crash of sensation, causing her to cry out. She clutched his shoulders as she convulsed against him. The powerful orgasm washed over her in sharp waves, and she couldn’t stop her screams of bliss. Tears actually formed in her eyes.
Nick shuddered with his own release and gentled his hold on her as if intentionally trying not to hurt her. She imagined he could if he lost control, but Nick wasn’t one to forget his strength.
She collapsed against him and he gathered her into his arms. Gently cradling her against his chest, he murmured something that sounded like, “That was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever experienced.” Except it wasn’t a murmur. He was panting the whole time. She had heard his muffled thought.
“Nick?” she whispered when she could form words again.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“This is going to sound crazy, but I think I heard your thought just now.”
He let out a startled gasp, and she lifted her head so she could see into his wide eyes.
“I thought I heard yours too. Quick, what was I thinking?”
“I think you said what a beautiful experience you just had. Did you say that out loud?”
He rolled her onto her side and propped himself on his elbow. Instead of answering her question, he grinned and thought, “I knew it.”
“Knew what?”
He laughed. “That you’re my one true mate. I could tell the first time I kissed you. Others may have doubted it, but I never stopped hoping and, deep down, believing.”
“Does hearing each other’s thoughts mean we’re true mates?”
He leaned over and kissed her nose. “It certainly does. Roz and Konrad are able to communicate telepathically. I had always hoped we would…”
As if so moved he couldn’t speak
, he gathered her in his arms once more and tucked her head beneath his chin. “I love you, Brandee. I understand it may take a while to learn how to block our thoughts when we don’t want to share them. But right now I couldn’t be happier about this.”
“Do you mean you’re able to hear every bizarre thought that travels through my brain?”
“Not every thought. Just the strong ones. Konrad told me what it was like for him and Roz. I imagine it will be pretty much the same for us.”
THEN WE CAN TALK SIMPLY BY THINKING LOUDLY?
“You don’t have to shout. Just form the words as if you’re speaking to me, intentionally.”
“I guess that could come in handy if we’re ever kidnapped again.”
He laughed. “Yes, it could.”
“You heard me!”
“If you were thinking about our ability to communicate, should we ever be kidnapped again, then yes, I did.”
“Oh, my mental megaphone.”
***
Nick anxiously waited downstairs in the bar for Brandee to get ready for their dinner date. He was so filled with nervous energy, he drummed his fingers on the bar while waiting for his glass of water. He didn’t want to have any alcohol until after dinner, and then he’d order a bottle of champagne.
Angie glanced at him as she brought another customer a martini. “I’m getting to you as fast as I can, Nick.”
“Huh? No, I’m not impatient with you, Angie. It’s something else completely.”
She eyed him as she got his water. When she brought it over, she asked, “You’re all dressed up tonight. Does it have anything to do with my roommate?”
He smiled. “Yes, but I can’t tell you what we’re doing. I’m saving it for a surprise—”
At that moment, when the door opened and Brandee walked in, Nick lost the power of speech. She was stunning. Her blue silk dress fit her perfectly. It nipped in at her waist and ended a few inches above the knee. Her hair was left long and loose. The light captured the shine, reminding him of a beautiful gemstone he’d seen once. He thought they were called carnelians. He’d have to look for some kind of jewelry made with them and buy it for her. Right now, he had a different piece of jewelry in his pocket.
She smiled and strolled over to him. She set her beaded evening bag on the bar and telepathically asked, “Are we ready to go?”
He answered her in his mind as well. Yup. But I’m afraid I’ll have to chase off every man who sees you tonight. You look gorgeous.
They had done it! They had established purposeful mental telepathy with one another. He waited a moment to see if any unwanted thoughts passed between them.
Angie walked over and set a hand on her hip. “Are you two just gonna to stand there grinning at each other all night?”
Nick glanced at her. “No. We’re leaving. I’m taking my gorgeous girl somewhere special tonight.”
Angie looked her roommate up and down. “I can see that. So where are you going?”
Brandee raised her eyes to him and they sparkled. “Yeah, Nick. Where are we going?”
“I guess I can tell you now. You’ll find out soon anyway. We’re going out on the Odyssey for a dinner cruise.”
“Oh, Nick. I’ve always wanted to do that.”
“I’ll just call a cab.” Nick reached for his cell phone.
“Why don’t we take my car? The waterfront isn’t that far, and I should start it once in a while so it doesn’t petrify.”
Nick scratched his head. He didn’t want to insult her bucket of bolts, but it didn’t seem right for the lovely evening he had planned. Maybe he should have hired a horse and carriage.
Oh, hell. Who was he trying to impress? If she wanted to go in her ancient Toyota, what difference did it make?
“You don’t want to take my car, do you, Nick?”
Did she hear me? Nah, I was probably just hesitating too long. “No, it’s fine. If you need to give it a little exercise, the short trip to the waterfront is probably good for that.” If we break down, it’s not that far to walk.
“Good. Let’s go then.”
She held out her hand and he enclosed it in his. They waved to Angie and left the bar. Strolling down Charles Street, Nick asked, “Is it still parked on Revere Street?”
“Yup. Same place. I kind of hate to move it and risk losing my spot.”
“So, you’re saying you haven’t moved it in weeks?”
She gave him a sheepish grin. “Not so much.”
The wind blew and she shivered. “It’s starting to get cold.”
“Do you want to go back to your apartment for a coat? The wind off the water is apt to be even colder.”
“Actually, I have a wool shawl in the car that would serve just fine.”
As they rounded the corner onto Revere Street, he dropped her hand and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “I’ll keep you warm until we get there.”
“Thanks, honey.”
He grinned. “That’s the first time you’ve used an endearment.”
“It is?” Brandee sounded incredulous, but Nick was pretty sure it was true.
“I like it,” he said.
“I-I like it when you call me sweetheart too. I’m sorry I never called you anything but your name until now.”
He shrugged. “It’s no big deal. I think I fell in love with you faster, but I’m glad you’re catching up.”
“Me too.”
They stopped just long enough to share a tender kiss. At last they arrived at her car and she dug the keys out of her bag. In a few moments, they were in, although Nick’s knees hit the dashboard and he had to push back the seat. The engine coughed and sputtered a couple times, but eventually it turned over.
Would you like to practice telepathy while we’re driving? Nick asked.
“Sure. What do you want to ‘talk’ about?”
How about your photographs. Taken any good ones lately?
“Oh, yeah. I forgot to show them to you. I guess I got distracted. Are there any other surprises I should expect?”
From telepathy?
“Or from falling in love with a werewolf. I still can’t get used to the idea that I’m actually dating a character from horror movies.”
Hey, we’re sensitive about that, you know.
She glanced over at him and said out loud, “Really? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
Nick laughed. “I’m kidding. Not much bothers me. I’d be more apt to get upset if someone was speaking to you in a derogatory way.”
“I like that about you.”
The drive to the ship’s parking lot was uneventful, thank goodness. Nick was afraid the car would give out in the middle of some busy intersection and their night would be spent getting a towing company to rescue them.
So far, his plan was unfolding pretty much the way he’d imagined it. Maybe better. The unexpected transfer of thoughts he’d worried about hadn’t happened. Konrad made it sound as if he and Roz had a hard time learning how to control the telepathy. Brandee hadn’t said anything he didn’t want to hear…yet. And as far as he knew, he hadn’t either. Whew. It might be hard keeping his proposal a secret otherwise. Speaking of hard, my cock gets stiff every time I look at my lover.
Brandee giggled as she was getting out of the car.
Uh-oh. Did she hear me thinking about my hard cock?
“Yes, she did.”
Damn. I’ll have to watch my thoughts more carefully.
“Or not. I like knowing that looking at me turns you on.”
He swept her into a tight embrace and kissed her passionately, right there in the parking lot. They’d had to wait a while before developing telepathic communication, but maybe that was a good thing. When Konrad and Roz said it was hard to control, he expected more slips of the mental tongue. But the other couple had it thrus
t upon them so quickly, they barely knew each other.
Perhaps because he and Brandee had been able to deepen their relationship first, it wasn’t as difficult to filter thoughts the other might not want to hear. Regardless, Nick couldn’t be happier to know beyond any doubt he’d found his mate at last.
***
The cruise around Boston Harbor had been wonderful. The ship’s dining room could rival the most elegant restaurant in the city. The fact that they could lean on the railing and watch the city lights float by just added to the experience.
Brandee felt so lucky to have found love at last, and her heart swirled. Just like she did in the arms of her amazingly graceful dance partner.
Nick rose and held his hand out to her again. She happily jumped at the chance to dance with him once more.
As the slow beat began, she asked, “How did you become such a good dancer, Nick—I mean, honey?”
He smiled. “Are you surprised I know how?”
“Not really. Just amazed you’re so good at it. Big guys like you aren’t usually agile.”
“Well, sweetheart, I’ve stepped on my share of toes, but I had to keep practicing so I could function at the policemen’s ball each year.”
“Oh, I forgot they had those.”
“It’s usually a good time. I wish I could have taken you just to show you off.”
“That’s okay. I’m sure you showed off plenty just by bringing a different girl each year.” Had he really been such a player? Brandee knew intellectually that he had, but she’d never have guessed by the way he treated her. He never looked at another woman and never talked about any of his past conquests. She almost felt secure. She wondered if she ever would, completely.
She thought she heard him say something.
“What did you say?”
“Huh? Oh, nothing. I was thinking too loud, I guess.”
“Are you sure? I thought you were wondering about the time.”
Suddenly he stopped dancing. Holding on to her hand, he led her back to their table. Brandee found it amusing that every time they got up, the waiters refolded their napkins. It was as if the napkin fairies had been there when they weren’t looking.
He pulled out her chair for her but angled it so she’d face him instead of the table. She thought it a little odd, but maybe he just wanted her to be able to watch the dancers and talk to him at the same time.
