by Tessa Anders
I hesitated, then walked around his left side and tried to climb on his back. It didn’t work so well. I looked like and elephant trying to climb on an inflatable water float. He was too tall, and I was out of shape.
After about the fifth try, I made it to the top and almost tumbled off the other side. Almost. Righting myself, I straddled his back and hugged his neck. “No funny business. I don’t need to fall off because you’re hot-rodding in the air.”
He snorted; steam shot from his nostrils. “Okay, I guess here we go.”
Black stood, then took to the sky. It was terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. I have never felt more alive than I did at that very moment.
The wind blew my hair straight back. There was no bad odor to permeate the air. From up here, the city looked clean. Inviting. So alive with all the lights twinkling below.
I blew out a sharp breath and relaxed my shoulders, and then laughed—and laughed—the grin threatened to split my face open. This feeling of unbridled freedom could rival anything my imagination could conjure up. Gripping Black’s scales, (I still couldn’t believe he shifted), I set up a little straighter and relished the feeling. Years of stress fell from my shoulders, at least for now.
He landed softly, more so than I would have expected, and lowered his body flush with the ground. I threw my legs over and slid off his side.
When he stood to full height, he would easily measure somewhere around twenty—maybe twenty-five feet tall from the ground to the top of his head.
Right before my eyes, swirls of sparkling dust blocked my view and a naked Black stared back at me. As much as I loved his body before, his rippling muscles appeared more powerful than ever.
Without a word, he stalked over and crashed his lips against mine in an all-consuming, I’m going to have my way with you kiss. The feel of his aggressive lips demanded submission. My knees buckled and I almost fell. I clutched his shoulders to stay upright.
I almost gave in—almost—then I shoved him away. I didn’t need a repeat of last week. He stared at me for a moment before stalking over and slipping on his clothes.
When he was finally dressed, he walked over and raked a steady hand through his hair, all while wearing a cocky grin making him look devilishly handsome.
“Ready?” He asked.
Nope, not in the least. I have never introduced Maddie to any man. Let alone someone not from this realm and I didn’t know how she would take it after being exposed to Ricky.
He held out his hand and after staring at it for an awkward amount of time, I placed mine in his and we began the short walk to my apartment building.
Have you ever had one of those moments where your entire world was swaying on the precipice, and you hold your breath hoping to survive? That was me at right now as we headed to Frankie’s.
Standing in front of 303, I knocked.
Frankie opened the door, showing off her faded bath robe and pink fuzzy slippers. Another cigarette bounced up and down between the right side of her lips when she said, “Hey Alex, you…well hellooo handsome.”
“Frankie, this is Black. Black, Frankie. She’s Maddie’s babysitter.”
“I love that kid like she’s my own. Anyway, she fell asleep about an hour ago. Want me to wake her?”
“No, no. Thanks though. I’ll carry her over.”
I thought Black would wait outside, but he followed me to the couch. I bent, scooping Maddie up in my arms.
“Let me,” Black said.
“No, I have her.” I wasn’t ready to hand her over to a kind of stranger.
“Hi mommy,” she mumbled against my shoulder.
“Shhh, go back to sleep sweetie.”
Frankie handed me Maddie’s bag and I mouthed, thanks.
Once I got Maddie into our apartment, I laid her in the bed and kissed her forehead. “Goodnight baby girl.”
“Night mommy.” She rolled onto her side and that was it. She was out like a light.
Back in the living room, Black made the room seem tiny with his imposing stature. I veered around him and locked the door. That reminded me, turning, I asked, “How did you lock the deadbolt after you left?”
“Shifter magic.”
Shifter magic. “Can you do it now?” It wasn’t that I didn’t believe him, but it was hard to comprehend. Even if I had seen him turn into a dragon. A beautiful dragon that felt powerful between my thighs as he soared across the sky.
I gasped when the bolt slid open on its own and then closed again.
“You were outside my door when you locked it?” He nodded. “I got to say, that doesn’t make me feel safe at all. Anyone of you guys could easily break into my apartment.”
“No one would dare touch you. You are my mate.”
“Yeah, you keep saying that.” Him being here was a bit awkward. “So… would you like something to drink?”
“No.”
I rocked back on my heels. “Alrighty then.”
“Come here.”
I shook my head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Maddie’s in the next room and,” I scoffed, “and we already know that chemistry is not a problem.”
“Then sit down with me and let’s talk.”
I swallowed hard before taking a seat on the couch next to Black. This entire situation was weighing heavily on my shoulders.
“I feel your insecurities,” he said.
“Yeah, well I’ve been friends with them for a long time, so I’m sort of used to them.” The only person who ever cared about me was Jessie. Black had two strikes against him already.
He turned fully, propping one knee on the cushion. “How can you be okay with that? With this?” Fire heated my eyes and I wanted to shoot lasers at him. “Stop being defensive. You’re my mate and if this is ever going to work, we need to understand each other.”
“I have not agreed to be your mate. And furthermore, I have done a damn good job considering, so if you don’t like it, you’re welcome to leave.”
A sly grin spread across his face. “I am not leaving and you are still being defensive.”
“Obviously.” It came out a bit snarky. I didn’t like being put on the spot, confronted about my choices. I already felt like a terrible mom at times and I didn’t need him to question my decisions.
If Jessie were here, she would tell me to stop it. Whenever I was uncomfortable, I would piss people off so they would leave. But Black wasn’t leaving. He was staring at me with intense stormy eyes. Looking away, I finally asked, “So, what exactly do you want to know?”
“How are you all right with living like this? With letting others—”
I held at my hand. “Stop.” Inhaling deeply, I held his gaze as I explained. It will never be said that I am that big of a coward. Maybe a tiny one though.
“I don’t know what you want me to say. I grew up with a mother that told me every chance she got that I messed up her body. How pathetic I was and that maybe my father would have stayed around if it weren’t for me. I guess after a while, it sinks in. And as far as this,” I flicked my wrist indicating the apartment, “I’m grateful to have it. My neighbors leave me alone.” I grimaced, “except Ricky. But I have Frankie to help out—it’s better than what I had at home. Even if I can’t afford cable or internet. I make sure Maddie has everything she needs. So, tell me again, what am I okay with?”
Yes, I was being defensive. But I worked my ass off for everything I had, and I was proud of that.
Black
Watching the fire ignite in Alex’s eyes made my cock hard. Such a fierce female and she truly did not know how beautiful she was.
The one thing I knew for sure, I was not leaving this apartment without the two of them.
When I smelled the babysitter’s apartment, seen the state of disrepair, I wanted to whisk the two of them away right then. I would provide everything they needed.
Her mother sounded nothing like mine, and I suspect she was the root of Alex’s self-doubt. I would change that.
When sh
e had finished with her speech, I gently swept her hair behind her ear. “You are very beautiful.”
Immediately shaking her head no, I lifted her chin with my finger. “Yes, you are. Your mother’s problems have nothing to do with you. I suspect, by what you’ve told me, that it is her personality that turns people away.”
She blinked. Blinked again. Then burst into laughter. “You may be on to something there.”
“Do you keep in touch with her?”
Teetering her head, she shrugged. “I call occasionally. Maybe once or twice a year. But she never wanted anything to do with Maddie and I refused to expose her to mother’s snide remarks and ridicule.”
“You told me that after,” I paused, trying to search for the right words. “After you conceived Maddie, you were more worried about your mother being upset than you were about going to see the medical doctor. Or the police.”
“I know. Believe me. Jessie told me many times that it wasn’t a normal reaction.”
I pulled her over next to me. Surprisingly, she let me. With her back against my front, I wrapped my arms around her and kissed the top of her head. Everything aligned, and I felt whole. Content. And I never wanted her to leave.
I never could have imagined that having a mate would make me feel complete. I never knew I wasn’t complete.
“What about your family? Your house? What’s it like?”
I kissed the crown of her head. “Soon I will show you.” I felt the doubt rush through the bond but said nothing. I now knew that words meant nothing to Alex and my actions had hurt her.
“First, I’m not going anywhere. Just because we talked for one night doesn’t mean I’m rushing into anything. Second,” she turned her head so she could look at me. “If you don’t want to tell me then I’m going to assume that it’s a real dump. Does dragon’s crap all over everything while flying? Is that it? Everything smells like…”
I pressed my lips against hers and she quieted immediately. I deepened the kiss and when she responded, I cupped her face and moved until I was on top of her. My cock throbbed and I wanted nothing more than to have her again.
Suddenly, she broke the kiss and wiggled out from under me. Rubbing her lips, she swallowed hard. “It’s late. I should get some sleep.”
“I am not leaving again. I will sleep here tonight.”
Surprise registered on her face but she didn’t try to rebuke me.
“Fine, but you’re staying in here. On the couch.”
“Very well.” I wanted to kiss her again, but instinct told me to give her time. Amelia’s caution drifted front and center. Don’t rush her.
“Goodnight Black.”
Placing a kiss on her wrist before letting it go, I mumbled against her skin. “Goodnight Alex.”
15
__________________
Black
The couch was small and sagging, not the least bit comfortable which made for a long restless night.
Laying with my eyes closed, something tickled my nose. Irritated, I swiped at it.
Musical giggling wound around my heart and settled deep inside.
I blinked. My eyes locked with twinkling chocolate-colored eyes. Her nose was maybe three inches from mine.
No wanting to startle her, I sat up slowly. Maddie. That was her name. Maybe because she was a part of Alex, or maybe because she cast me under her spell, but I had an overwhelming need to protect her. With my life if need be.
She giggled again.
“Are you Maddie?” I tried to break the ice even though I was the only one out of my element. Maddie seemed to be just fine.
“Uh-huh.”
“I’m Black.”
She giggled, then headed over and pulled out a yellow box and brought something back. A small stick of some kind.
“This is black.”
She laid it on the table and climbed up in my lap. I was so shocked; I didn’t know what to do.
“Are you mommy’s friend?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Are you a dumbass?”
“What?” Did she ask what I thought she asked?
“Are you a dumbass? Frankie says all mans are dumbasses. And that’s what she calls that Ricky. He’s a dumbass.”
I guffawed. “Well Maddie, nobody has ever called me a dumbass.” They’ve called me a bastard, and ass, and a few other choice words, but nobody ever called me dumb.
“That’s good.” She patted my hand with her stubby little fingers. “Are you a prince?”
“What?” She wiggled out of my lap and patted off down the hall. When she returned, she was carrying a tattered looking book.
She climbed back up on my lap and handed it to me. I’ve never seen a book so worn from repeated use. But this one was.
With Maddie on my knee and leaning against my chest, I opened the first page.
“Once upon a time…”
“In a land far away…” she finished the sentence.
Reading the book to Maddie three times over (as she had asked me to) I knew what Alex had been talking about. They didn’t have money or things, they had so much more.
When I closed the book, Maddie smiled up at me and my heart melted. And then my eyes locked with Alex’s. She was standing at the entrance, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. Tears glossed her eyes as she sniffed.
Looking down at Maddie, I smiled. “Yes Maddie, I am a prince of sorts. Would you like for me to take you to a land far away?”
She whipped her head toward Alex. “Can we mommy? Pleasseee!”
Her eyes caught mine. “No fair. You’re cheating.”
“Whatever it takes.” I grinned, knowing I now had an in with her daughter.
Maddie slid off my lap and grabbed my hand. “Come on Black.” She led me to the tiny kitchen before heading over to the lower cabinet and pulling out a box.
Alex pulled three bowls from the upper cabinet and set them on the counter while Maddie filled them with little brown circles, spilling a lot as she went. Cheerios, the box read.
“I’ll put on a pot of coffee,” Alex said while getting milk out of the refrigerator.
“Do you like eating Cheerios Maddie?” I asked, taking a bite of my own. It tasted a bit bland.
“Yep. I lovveee Cheerios! And pebbles and captain crunch.”
Alex chimed in. “And after breakfast you’re taking a bath.”
“Bubbles. I love bubbles.”
Maddie doubled her effort to eat as fast as she could, proving how much she really liked bubbles. However, I had no idea what that was.
“Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“Yes.” Even though I had never had any.
Maddie slipped off the stool and took off down the hallway, stripping out of her night clothes and tossing them in the floor as she ran.
Alex set a cup in front of me. “Sorry, I’ll be right back.”
I heard water running, and eventually sloshing water. And then I smiled when I heard, “Blacckkk!”
I stood outside the doorway, asking, “May I come in?”
“You can try.”
When I stepped just inside the door, I laughed. Maddie had a pile of white fluffy stuff piled on her head and hanging from her chin. It also covered her from the neck down.
“Bubbles,” she smiled.
She played and when Alex went to wash her, I stepped out and headed toward the kitchen. I could hear them talking, but knew I needed to give them their privacy.
Later when Maddie was dressed and coloring at the table, I faced Alex at the small kitchen bar.
“You have no more arguments. The chemistry, the way I feel about you, the mating bond. I know you feel it too. I have that protectiveness for that little girl. Maybe because you’re a part of her, I don’t know. But she is amazing. And you are amazing. And I’m not leaving here without you. And you can’t stay here any longer. Your apartment smells nice and I can tell you take really good care of it, but Alex, the rest of the complex is a shithole.”
Her face transformed into bliss when she laughed. I had never seen her so relaxed. As beautiful as she was before, now she was radiant.
“Yeah, I know. Kyle’s always drugged up. There’s trash everywhere.”
“And no offense to your babysitter, but her apartment looked and smelled atrocious.”
“That’s why Maddie gets so many baths. But Frankie takes care of her, and she does it for free. I couldn’t imagine paying someone, not with what I make.”
“How long would it take you to be ready to go? And don’t worry about non-sentimental items. I will buy you and Maddie a new wardrobe if you wish.”
“No. I am not leaving. It doesn’t matter how much chemistry we have. We’ve talked for what one evening? I am not upending our lives because of chemistry.”
I rounded the bar and pulled her into my arms. “You’re going to be difficult, aren’t you?”
“Every step of the way.”
Alex
Yesterday, my heart felt weighted down, burdened. But when I saw Maddie sitting on Black’s lap—the way his eyes sparkled when he looked at her—my world finally righted itself.
I couldn’t believe that Maddie accepted him that easily.
I knew he would broach the subject again. Looking around, I couldn’t figure out what I was clinging to here. Secondhand furniture, a bad neighborhood, certainly not my mother or my lowing paying job.
But I couldn’t jump all in, not yet. It was easy to fall in love with Maddie for a few minutes, but what about day after day when schedules and responsibility took control? Not to mention that I didn’t trust this bond he kept talking about. Yes, I could feel it but there were so many other women that had more to offer him.
Glancing over at Maddie sitting at the coffee table, my heart raced. I knew that staying here offered no future for us, but how well did I really know Black? Not well at all.
“How about we go to the park. Spend the day together and you can tell me more about your realm.”
I knew he didn’t like the idea, but this was a life altering decision that I couldn’t take lightly. Admittedly, I liked Black, especially when he was being charming.
