by V. Vaughn
Paul flips his hand so that he can thread his fingers between mine, and the warmth makes me tingle inside. “I’m not going to reject you, Caroline. I’ve known since the first time we met you’d be a suitable mate. And now that I’m ready for it to happen, my intentions are to make you mine.”
Wow. Talk about a fast-forward romance. I know when werewolves find true mates it’s insta-love, but I was sure Paul’s wife was the one. We’ve pulled into a gravel parking lot, and the wheels crunch over the small stones before we stop.
When Paul comes to my side to open my door and helps me out, I ask, “We’re not true mates, are we?”
“No. But we’re the next best thing.” He tucks my arm in close, and his body pressed against mine makes my blood hum. I’m dying to know what he means, but I think I need to wait until we get to the table.
A cute girl Trixie’s age greets us, and I watch as she interacts with Paul. He treats her like a young woman but almost in a fatherly way. The vision of him holding a baby flashes in my head. Goodness, Caroline. Perhaps you should kiss him before you start wanting him to father your next child?
We’re led to a small room with only a few tables, and it’s empty. The lighting is dim, and the music is soft enough that it will be easy to talk. I raise my eyebrows at Paul as we’re seated. When the girl leaves, I ask, “Private dining room?”
He reaches for my hands across the dark-green linens, and I grasp onto his fingers. “Yes. We’ll be alone, because I need to explain everything to you, Caroline. If we have a relationship, it won’t be casual.”
I gaze into blue eyes that are wise with age. This is a man that knows exactly what he wants. And he wants me. My breathing becomes shallow as I say, “I’m listening.”
“My wife, Sheila, was my true mate. When she died, I wanted to die too. But as the alpha, I had no choice but to remain strong for my pack.”
A soft knock sounds on the door, and Paul releases my hands. He doesn’t speak, but I think he may have communicated with the waitress, because she enters. She fills our water glasses. Paul asks me, “May I order for you?”
How alpha. Years of being a single parent have made me fiercely independent, and I can’t believe I want to say yes. “Please.”
Paul orders us filet with a pepper sauce and a Cabernet that will go nicely with it. The waitress leaves, and when the door snicks shut behind her, Paul turns his full attention to me. “One of the provisions of being alpha is that we need to reproduce. Sheila and I thought we had plenty of time to make that happen.” Pain flashes in his eyes, and he swallows before he continues. “Clearly we didn’t.”
I return to my earlier thoughts about Paul being a father. “Are you asking me if I want to have more children?”
“Yes.”
I take a deep breath. I think my fantasy for a baby might be only that, and I just let my hormones do the talking. “Good.” Paul sits back. “Because there’s more.” The waitress enters again, but this time she didn’t knock, and I’m sure Paul’s communicating telepathically with her.
I ask, “Alpha trick?”
He nods as he swirls a sample of the wine in his glass. “It’s good to be king.”
Once the waitress leaves, he leans forward. “The day I met you last summer, something interesting happened. We may or may not be true mates, but you’re fated to be my queen, Caroline. And I’m going to do what I must to convince you to make that choice.”
23
I sip my wine and let the smooth flavor sit in my mouth for a moment. I stare at the candle on the restaurant table between Paul and me, and I watch the flame burn without wavering. We might be true mates? I ask, “What happened last summer?”
“I met the woman that is strong enough to be my new mate.” Paul reaches for my hand again. “I was instantly attracted to you in a way I never thought I’d feel again. And that night, I dreamt of you as a wolf.”
“Was I beautiful?” I close my eyes for a second at the words that just spilled from my mouth. “I’m sorry.”
Paul squeezes my hand. “Don’t be. I like your sassy side. And yes. You are a stunning wolf.”
I turn to the sound of the door opening again and pull my hand away. We’re silent as salads thump between us. When the server leaves, Paul says, “I’m only allowed one true mate, but fate has given me a second chance at true love.”
True love?
Is that why I haven’t been able to get Paul out of my mind since last summer? If I hadn’t just filled my mouth with salad, my jaw would have dropped. Pistachios crunch between my teeth, and I swallow. “Just what does the job of being your queen entail?”
“First, let me tell you that I believe you’re the same as a true mate for me. I’m sure our love will last forever. Nobody can come along and change how we feel, and my devotion to you will never waver.”
“And mine for you won’t either, will it?”
“Right.”
My fork clatters against my plate as I drop it. “Wait. Did you just say you love me?” I grab my water, and it’s cold in my throat when I gulp some down. I’m in love with Paul, and I barely know the guy.
Paul reaches over to stroke my cheek with a finger. “Yes, I do.” I’m aware of just how small our table is, because I could easily kiss him without leaving my chair. I discover I’ve leaned forward as if he’s drawing me in like a magnet, and my breath catches in my throat as he moves closer too.
He sighs, “Oh, Caroline.”
Our lips meet, and I taste the man I’ve been dreaming about for months. Wine flavor makes way to something even more intoxicating, and when Paul breaks away, my whole body is flushed from desire.
“I’ve wanted to do that since the first moment you looked at me,” says Paul.
I place my hand on my chest as if it can slow my racing heartbeat. “Oh my. None of my fictitious heroes have anything on you. I should really write more shifter romance.”
Paul chuckles, and the waitress brings us our meals. As we eat, Paul says, “You asked what being my mate would mean.” I nod as I chew, and he says, “I don’t expect you to stop writing full time, but you would have duties of an alpha’s partner.”
I lift my wine glass, and it’s smooth in my hand as I ask, “What would those be?”
“You’d assist me as I mentor the young members of our pack. Being of human descent, you’ll be especially helpful for the newly changed females that join us.”
Human descent. I’m going to have to become a werewolf. This isn’t really a shock as the mother of a new werewolf, but my eyes must have widened, because Paul wipes his mouth and leans forward on his arms to be closer. “Is this too much for you?”
I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “No. I’m fine. But this sure is one hell of a first date.”
Paul grins at me as he leans back. “I suppose it is.”
“I believe you said you were going to do what it takes to convince me to be yours.” I crook my finger at him as I lean forward and whisper, “You should probably kiss me again.”
The hunger I see in his eyes isn’t for food, and our mouths meet. This time I’m the one that pulls away to catch my breath, and I say, “You’re very persuasive.”
He sighs as he looks down at his half-eaten meal. When Paul glances back up at me, a low growl rumbles in Paul’s throat before he says, “Let’s get out of here.”
I nod as I stand. When I move toward the door, Paul places his hand on my lower back. The heat of his touch sears me like a brand. One I want, because I can’t fight the need to be Paul’s in every way.
When we get to the door, Paul grabs my shoulders and twists me to face him. Wood is hard against my back when I press against it, and he takes my wrists and lifts my arms over my head to hold them in one of his hands. His grip is tight as he traces a finger down the underside of my arm. I tremble in reaction, and when he moves toward my breast, I arch toward his touch. My voice is raspy when I say, “Paul.”
Now his growl is more than a ru
mble as he shoves his thigh between my legs and crushes me with a kiss. I’m helpless under his weight, and it excites me. I rock my hips to ride his leg as Paul moves from my mouth and down my neck. His breath is hot against my neck as he whispers, “I want to devour all of you, Caroline. This is just a sample of what’s to come.”
I moan softly with need as he lowers his mouth to my chest. Paul’s hand reaches in my bra and massages my breast as he suckles on it. I cry out when he bites my nipple lightly. I’m so drunk with my lust, I don’t care that we’re in a restaurant, and when Paul releases me to step back, I whimper.
“I know, love.” He scans my body with his gaze, and a growl rumbles through his chest before he says, “We’re leaving.”
Paul grabs my hand and leads me out of the restaurant. I’m in a lust-drunk daze over his words. The man that seems so proper and responsible is undone by me. He nearly lost control in the dining room, and I smile with the knowledge that I do that to him.
Once we’re outside, a cool breeze soothes my flushed skin. I welcome the cold leather seat under my bottom when I get in the car. Paul glances at me before he starts the engine. “Your scent is making me crazy.”
“How far is your house?”
“Just a couple minutes.” A parking lot light illuminates his wolfish grin as he turns to me. “Lift your skirt for me.”
I grin back. “You’re bad.”
“Oh no, love. I’m good.” His voice is low, and it ignites a fire in me that reaches down to my toes when he adds, “So good.” Fabric bunches in my hands as I gather it to pull my skirt up around my hips. My legs are bare, and goosebumps break out on my skin in anticipation of what Paul’s going to do.
The wheels of the car hum over asphalt as he places a warm hand on my thigh. I spread my legs as he slides his palm higher and says, “Your skin is so soft.”
“Your hand is so warm,” I say.
His finger finds my folds, and he strokes me as he moves it to my clit. He asks, “Does it make you hot?”
“Um-hmm.” Lights from an oncoming car flash in my eyes as I lift my hips. I haven’t been touched by a man like this in so long, I think I might explode. Paul slides a digit into me, and I gasp. He says, “So wet. I’m going to taste you, Caroline, and you’re going to scream loud for me. Do you want that?”
I breathe out, “Yes.” Now he’s got two fingers pumping in me, and my belly quivers as I rock against his hand.
“And when you’ve come, you’ll beg me to give you more.” He’s moving his hand quickly now, and I’m so close to coming, I clench the seat to hold on as he asks, “Would you like that, love?”
“God, yes.” My core flexes uncontrollably as my orgasm takes me. The car slows, and as I regain my composure, I realize he’s turned off the engine.
“We’re here,” he says.
When Paul gets to my door, I take his hand to get out and say, “That was fast.”
Paul smiles as if he’s satisfied. “It most certainly was.”
A wolf howls in the night as we walk to his house. The noise should send a chill of fear down my spine, but I shudder from anticipation of physical contact instead. We stop at the front door, and Paul pulls me close. I place my hand on his firm chest, and he says, “I don’t hold back, and I expect the same from you. Is this what you want?”
I nod as he places a finger under my chin to tilt my face up. He kisses me tenderly before he says, “Say it.”
“I want to be with you, Paul. I want to be yours.”
He smiles, and a key scrapes in the lock before it clicks open. “You do belong to me, Caroline. And now I’m going to show you why.”
24
When we get inside Paul’s house, there’s only one light on. We remove our coats to hang them by the door before he leads me into the main area. I glimpse a kitchen as we walk by. Windows look out over the water, and lights of houses across the lake reflect on it. I’m led to a wooden staircase, and my heels click as we climb. The fact that I haven’t been with a man in so long I can’t remember my past encounters should make me nervous, but everything about being with Paul feels right.
Paul’s home is large, and we move down a hallway with multiple doors before we get to the master bedroom. He releases my hand to flip on a small lamp. The room is bathed in pale-yellow light as he steps before me. I gaze at him as he begins to unbutton his shirt. As his chest is revealed, I don’t want to wait to touch him, and I say, “Let me.”
I step forward, and buttons are smooth in my fingers as I unfasten them. I move my hands under the starched cotton to slide it over Paul’s shoulders. The muscles in his chest are hard as I drag my hands down his torso. Coarse hair is rough under my palms as I move toward his waistband. His belt clinks as I undo it, and I get down on my knees to work at his pants. When I drag them down, I grip his briefs too.
Paul’s scent is released, and I inhale it as his massive cock springs free. I’m drawn to his musk, and I grasp his taut butt to take him in my mouth. Paul threads his fingers through my hair and warns, “I’m going to give you all of me, love.”
I gaze up at his face and say, “I want you to.” I’m willing to drink in this man before me, and I revel in his moans of pleasure. I cup his balls and work them as he begins to pump with force. His cock bumps the back of my throat as he loses control and gives in to his ecstasy.
When Paul comes, he lets out a growl that’s almost a roar, and his body shakes. He stumbles back to fall on his bed, and the springs squeak when he lands. I’ve made the powerful alpha of the Silver Lake Wolves weak.
He lets out a sigh as I crawl up to lie beside him. Paul yanks me over him and kisses me. As we heat up again, he flips me over and leans up to say, “You’re still clothed. This won’t do.”
His strong fingers deftly undo the buttons of my shirt as he works at undressing me. I feel like a precious gift by the way he gazes at my body as it’s revealed. When I’m completely naked, he says, “You are exquisite.” While I accepted my body for what it is long ago, I’ve never felt as beautiful as I do right now.
Paul’s hands are magic as he moves them up my legs and spreads my thighs. A low noise comes from deep within him, and he takes a deep breath. “Your scent intoxicates me, my sweet vixen.” He lowers himself to taste me.
I was wrong about his hands; it’s his mouth that’s truly magic. I squirm under his attention, and it isn’t long before I’m close to my orgasm. He wants my all? On it. I arch up and cry out without any restraint. Once I crash, I’m sure that no matter what happens now, this has been the best night of my life. But before I can commend Paul on his skills, he lifts up to gaze down at me and places his hand on my sensitive slit again. The pad of his thumb is hard on my clit as he rubs. He thrusts two fingers into me and asks, “Tell me, Caroline, have you had enough?”
I quake under his touch. I want more. “No.” He removes his hand, and I pant out, “Please, Paul.”
He grins and returns to his mission. I’d make a wise remark about how he knows how to make me beg, but I’m too busy rocketing to the moon again. This time, my landing back on earth is slow as my muscles relax into a near-liquid state.
Paul’s touch is tender as he brushes my hair out of my face with his fingers. “Do you think we’re compatible?”
I chuckle and say, “You’ll do.”
A low growl comes from him, and he says, “I think you’re forgetting what I am.”
I sit up quickly and shove his shoulders down against the mattress as I climb on top of him. I waggle my eyebrows as I say, “Like to be on top?”
Paul licks his lips as he glances down at my sex, which is slippery over his cock. He’s hard under me and twitches from my contact. “Behind actually, but this works for now.”
“Condom?”
He sighs. “Of course. Nightstand drawer.”
I crawl up to pull it open, and the contents rattle. I pull out a new box, and as I rip into it, I say, “I’m going to pretend these were purchased with me in mind.”<
br />
“They were.” Foil tears, and I go about the oily business of rolling it on him. He says, “When the box is gone, you’ll need to make a decision, Caroline.”
I gaze at him as I place his dick at my entrance. I slide him into me slowly and can’t help but tease him. “Let’s see how this goes first.”
Paul grabs my hips and flips me over onto my back to thrust deep inside me. He growls again as he holds still and grabs my wrists to hold my hands over my head like he did in the restaurant. The power play of his move is hot, and I arch up as I whisper, “Fuck me, Paul.”
And boy, does he. We explore multiple positions before we’re done. I have a new appreciation for doggy style now, and I think the windows rattled with our cries. The musky aroma of us fills the air, and sweat is slick between Paul and me as we lie entangled on his bed. My head is on his chest, and his voice rumbles in my ear. “I’d really like to throw away the rest of the condoms, love.”
He’s asking me to commit. Suddenly, I can’t catch my breath, and I sit up. Paul grasps my hand as I climb out of bed. “I have to go to the bathroom,” I say. I tug my arm, and he reluctantly lets go. The gesture is sweet, and I should be thrilled that the man who’s been a constant star in my fantasies for almost a year wants me forever. But panic is clouding my judgment right now.
After I use the toilet, I move to the sink. Water rushes as I run it and is icy on my palms as I cup them to splash water on my face. Granite is rock hard on my hands as I brace myself and lean close to the mirror. “Caroline Quinn, get a grip. This is what you’ve wanted.”
I envision my recluse life in my trailer. Days of solitude as I write the stories in my head. It’s wonderful but lonely. All these years, I’ve imagined sharing my life with a man who loves me. I write a different version of Paul over and over again. Sure, I raised Trixie to be capable of life without a man, but deep inside, I knew one day she’d leave and I’d long for a companion.
