by Tessa Anders
Watching her cling to Black brought tears to my eyes. Earlier, when I asked her how she enjoyed her day, she said it was the ‘bestest day ever’. It’s everything I never thought to dream about. Black caught me watching. His eyes twinkled and he gave me a smile that was meant only for me.
Jessie stood behind us along with her parents, Marcy and Greg. They weren’t going this time, but they wanted to see Jessie off and Black made it happen.
Holding Maddie with one arm, he took my hand with the other. “Ready?”
I replied, “hell no” at the same time Jessie said, “yes.”
I heard her and her parents say their goodbyes one last time as Black looked down at me. “Don’t be frightened. It’s as easy as walking through a door.”
I nodded.
And then we stepped through.
There were four people in the room. Men. All with varying skin colors ranging from caramel to light bronze. And all stunning. Jessie leaned forward and whispered in my ear, “Ooh la la, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore Toto.”
Bright lights lit up the room. There were a couple of workstations with scrolling data on some kind of computer screen. Beeps and hums could be heard and was accompanied by low talking. When they spotted Black standing there, the talking abruptly stopped.
One man snapped to attention. Obviously, he was in charge here.
“Blaktu’n, welcome home.”
“Swithe, I trust all is well?”
“Yes. There have been no concerning anomalies since you were last here.”
Black nodded, before glancing down at me with a smile. “Swithe, this is my mate, Alex.”
I stepped forward and held out my hand. “Nice to meet you.” He clutched my hand before turning it over and pressing a kiss to my wrist.
“It is nice to make you acquaintance.”
“Mommy, he has pretty hair too.”
Black’s lips twitched. “We will speak later, Swithe.”
Turning, he led us out the door. The hallway was dimly lit with no windows to let light filter through. The walls were made of grayish blue rocks held in place by a seam of tan cement. At least I thought that’s what it was.
At the end of the hallway, we stepped into a glass box. I startled when it lifted. “An elevator?” I asked.
Black grinned while Jessie answered, “seems like it.”
Somewhere around three levels up, we lifted away from the rock. The glass walls gave an unobstructed view of the city. “Oh Black, the city is breathtaking.”
Jessie, with her mouth gaping, nodded agreement.
The city stretched for miles. Each building made of stone and glass that sparkled under the sunlight.
Jessie stepped forward for a better view. “I can’t believe the sky is blue and the sun is yellow.”
I smirked, “you’ve been reading too many of those alien books.”
Black chuckled, then supplied, “this is another realm, not another planet.”
“Look mommy!” Maddie pointed down to the street.
There were several animals—predominantly wolves with the occasional bear—trotting down the street.
“Is it safe to go out here?” I asked, a little concerned about the wildlife.
Black chuckled again. Apparently, my ignorance was funny to him. “They are shifters. No one will bother you here.”
“Can we go pet them mommy?”
“No sweetie,” I said absently, watching as the wolf in front of a pack suddenly stopped. He lifted his head and looked at the top of the buildings before changing into a naked man.
I covered Maddie’s eyes.
“Oh my!” Jessie said, stepping in front of me. “You weren’t lying about shifters.”
“I told you so.” When I told her about Black shifting into a dragon, she only believed me because I was the one telling her. But seeing it firsthand made everything real.
Peering over Jessie’s shoulder, I could still see the naked man. Sunkissed skin showed off his dark tan. Shaggy black hair that curled around his eyes. And then he shifted, and those deep green eyes stared straight at us.
“That’s one sexy man,” Jessie said appraisingly.
When the lift came to a stop, Black led us down the hallway, stopping in front of a shiny dark blue door. “What is this made of?” I asked, running my hand over the cool smooth texture.
“The closest comparison would be the granite natural stone used in the human realm. Here the stone is infused with diamonds to not only make the stone more durable, but to help make the door scratch resistant.
“Diamonds?” Jessie and I said at the same time.
“Yes. They are not a rare or sought-after commodity here. Although, I have thought about selling them in other realms.”
“They would sell in our realm,” Jessie mused, staring hard at the door trying to spot the diamonds.
Black pressed his hand against a sensor and the door slid open on its own.
“No locks?” Black raised an eyebrow and I remembered the dragon magic. “Right.”
Inside, Maddie wiggled wanting down. She ran from room to room, her little curls bouncing up and down. “Mommy, mommy, look at all the rooms he has!”
Tears glistened my eyes as I watched Maddie looking around. She rubbed her hand along smooth leather furniture before rushing to the window. “Mommy, come look!”
The tinted window reached from floor to ceiling as it looked out over the city. Glancing over my shoulder, I grimaced. “Are we in the penthouse?”
“Penthouse?” Black echoed back to me. “This is the top floor. I work down below.”
“Wait! Hold up!” Jessie held up her hand. “What exactly do you do here?”
“I own the company.”
“Holy shit Alex. He’s rich!”
“Jessie! Don’t be so rude!” Focusing on Black, I added, “when you said you owned a company and had a place above it, I imagine a one-bedroom modest apartment above a small company. Two-stories max. This is freaking skyscraper.
Black fought back a smile. Looking around the apartment, I knew Jessie could possibly be right. Black walked up behind me and caressed my shoulders. “I’m going to show Jessie to her apartment.”
“Where?” I asked, turning around.
“There’s one empty on the 19th floor. She can stay there.”
My face scrunched and I whispered, “Black, she can’t afford a place like this.”
He leaned down, his warm breath tickled my ear as he said, “it’s alright. I own the building.”
My breath caught as the gravity of the situation hit full force. I knew Black had a nice job. But I never dreamed about him owning a company of this magnitude. It was a lot to take in. Almost overwhelming to say the least.
“Mommy, can we live here?”
“Alex?” Jessie tugged on my sleeve. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I will be right back.” Black said, looking at me like I hung the moon and stars.
“Mommy? Can we?”
“Yes baby, we can. Want to go pick out one of the empty rooms?”
“Yes!” She searched all five until she settled on one in particular. It was two rooms away from the master, but I knew she would be safe here. Nobody could bust through the door.
Two hours later, Maddie crashed from exhaustion. It had been a busy day and she fell asleep with half her little body hanging off the couch. I scooped her up and carried her to bed, then kissed her forehead while Black turned on a dimly lit light that illuminated from one wall.
Back in the living area, I was staring at the at the city below when Black wrapped his arms around me kissing my neck. “I cannot believe you are here. In my realm, in my apartment, and soon to be in my bed.”
As he stood behind me, gently kissing my neck, he lit a fire that shot straight to my core.
“Alex, I’ve been patient, but no more. I need you. Right. Now.”
I felt the same way.
He hoisted me up in his arms and carried me to bed. He
shredded my clothes and tossed them in the corner. After stripping out of his own, he came down on top of me. His mouth took mine in a hungry kiss that I easily matched.
Leaving my mouth, his lips caressed my jaw, down my neck until he took my right breast between his lips, sucking, then lightly biting the nipple. It sent a jolt to my pussy making me arch into him.
“I think someone likes the nip of light pain to amp up her pleasure.”
“Pleaseee…” I begged. For what? I didn’t have a clue.
Massaging both breasts, his mouth moved over to the other breast, sucking before he lightly bit down on that nipple. He obviously knew what he was doing, unlike me.
His tongue circled my breasts before moving between the valley and down my navel, dipping inside. I grabbed his hair and tried to shove him farther down. His chuckle vibrated against my skin.
Taking his agonizingly slow time, he teased and nipped driving me to insanity. While kissing my stomach, one finger lightly grazed my inner thigh. My pussy throbbed and clenched, needing to be filled.
A month ago, I would have told you that I didn’t need anyone. But after experiencing sex with Black, I didn’t know how I ever thought I could live without him.
His finger parted my folds. “So wet,” his words vibrated against my skin. And then it dipped inside. I arched as he fucked me with his finger. As good as it felt, it only teased me that much more.
“Blackkk!” I arched my hips while trying to push his head between my thighs. He knew he was driving me out of my mind, I could feel it through the bond.
He gripped my thighs, yanking me off the bed while his mouth latched onto my pussy. His tongue alternated between fucking me and circling my clit. Just as I was about to come, he stopped.
“Ugh! I need to come.”
He climbed up my body until his face was inches from mine. “Be patient. We have all night.”
“I don’t want to be patient.”
He laughed. “You will enjoy this.”
And then he snapped his hips and filled me with his cock. “Ooh, okay, I am enjoying.”
Black thrust three…then four…then—what they hell?
He pulled out.
Crawling up my body, his legs straddled my head while my eyes stared straight at his large cock.
He guided it to my lips rubbing the seam. “Open up.” When I did, he thrust inside. “Suck it, Alex.” I ran my tongue down the side, swirling it around the head, tasting myself on him. His pleasure heightened mine. Black groaned before grabbing my hair as he began fucking my mouth.
He pulled out. Dragging his wet cock down my body until it bumped against my pussy, he plunged inside. Each thrust felt more powerful and he scooted me up the bed. Sweat beaded his forehead and his eyes glowed blue.
“Now you can come,” he grunted as he reached down and pressed my clit.
The pressure exploded into ecstasy as the warmth tingled across my body. My pussy gripped his cock, not wanting to let go.
I started to scream but Black covered my mouth with his hand, his thrust never slowed as he held my gaze. Three grunts later he came hard. I felt the pulse as heat flooded my body.
He collapsed on top of me. Panting, I said, “you were right.”
He nipped my ear. “Oh, we are just getting started.” And then he raised up and flipped me over, lifting my ass in the air. His tongue licked my seam, teasing my folds before circling my nether region. “Oh, the things I’m going to do to you. Not today, but eventually.”
I clenched my thighs even as he held them apart. I didn’t have any idea what things he was talking about. But if it felt this good, I’m in.
He aligned his cock and pushed inside. With each thrust, his thumb fucked my ass.
Black grunted as skin smacked skin. Just when I thought I couldn’t take anymore, he reached around and pressed my clit. A violent orgasm tore through me as I gritted my teeth and tried not to make a sound.
“I feel your pleasure mixing with mine.” And then he followed me into bliss.
Wrapped in Black’s arms, it was late morning before I finally drifted off to sleep.
Tangled in sheets and legs, the first rays steaked across gray colored walls. Little hands played in my hair.
Moin’ mommy.”
My eyes flittered open and I smiled at Maddie.
17
__________________
Alex
Oh shit! I nudged Black with my foot, trying to wake him and hoping we wasn’t giving Maddie a show.
Black looked over and smiled. “Good morning.” And then he lightly kissed my lips.
I made big eyes and nodded toward Maddie trying to say, ‘Hey, my daughter is here, and we are both naked!’
He ignored me. Pulling the sheet over us both, Black lifted Maddie onto the bed. What the hell was he doing?
“Relax Alex. I may not know much about children, but nudity is a part of this realm.”
“Excuse me?”
“Children learn that nudity, in small doses of course, is a part of shifting. Over time, Maddie will learn to look away when someone shifts, and allow them the privacy of dressing.”
I thought about the wolf last night. “Even if they’re in the middle of a city?”
“Yes.” Then smiling at Maddie, he asked, “How did you sleep last night?”
“Good. Can we have cereal?”
“Hmm. We will need to see what we can find.”
From down the hallway, someone yelled, “Hello. I’ve waited long enough so if you are having sex, be warned. I’m coming in.”
“Who the hell is that?” I asked horrified, clutching the blanket to my neck.
“My mother,” he deadpanned. “I thought she would wait at least 24 hours.”
“How did she know we were here?”
He shook his head. “Like the rest of us, she has her ways.”
A beautiful woman filled the doorway. My mouth dropped, there was no way she was Black’s mother. Maybe his sister but not his mother.
Black whispered, “Don’t ask.”
“Blaktu’n,” the woman smiled. “Why don’t you introduce me?”
“Alex, this is my mother, Sariah Dayan,” he waved his hand, “Mother—Alex.”
His mother smiled before her gaze landed on Maddie. “And this would be?”
“Maddie, Alex’s daughter.”
She walked over and the room suddenly felt way to small. I mean, we were naked! In his bed! Black must have felt my horror because he said, “Mother, why don’t you take Maddie to the kitchen. We will join you momentarily.”
“Come along dear.” Sariah held her hand out to Maddie. She looked from her to me and reluctantly, I nodded. Maddie took her hand and the two of them headed out of the bedroom.
My heart pounded as some strange woman took my baby. Sweat beaded my forehead as I threw the covers back. Before I could jump out of bed, Black snatched my wrist.
“Calm down. I would not let anyone hurt your daughter.”
I blew out a slow breath and nodded. Taking our time, he forewent the shower and dressed. I felt like a pauper in my Goodwill clothes. Before I could even ask, Black kissed my cheek. “Yes, by all means, go shopping.”
Heading into the kitchen, Sariah had Maddie planted at a table while she fixed breakfast. Seeing us, she smiled.
“I’m sorry to pop in on you unexpectedly, but I knew that after being away for so long, you would not have food. I stocked the refrigerator.”
“Thank you, mother.” But before he sat, Black disappeared and then came back with Jessie following behind. Overwhelming was an understatement.
After a nice breakfast, I had a hard time adjusting. Eating with Black and the sort of mother-in-law, I didn’t know how to process this instant family vibe. Things like this only happened in fairytales, and I had given up on those a long time ago.
After a beat of silence, Sariah asked, “I know that you do not know me, but I would like to spend the day with your daughter. Maybe take her shopping?�
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My breath caught, almost choking me. A complete stranger wanted to take my daughter. No! Double hell no! Black reached over and squeezed my hand.
“Mother, you know better than that.”
“Yes, but I never had a little girl.” Her eyes caught mine. “Three boys!” She smiled over at Maddie, who licked her fingers clean of some kind of jelly. “Boys do not like to shop.”
I snorted. “Neither does Maddie.”
“What does she like to do?”
Hmmm, now that was a loaded question. Truth be told, neither one of us knew what hobbies we would enjoy. Maddie would love finger painting or swinging. But then I wondered if that was only because there was nothing else available for her.
Black leaned over, whispering, “Let mother take Maddie and I will take you and Jessie shopping.”
Looking down at Maddie, I couldn’t. Not yet. “How about tomorrow?”
His eyes searched mine. “How about a few hours this afternoon? Once I’ve shown you around, then you and Jessie will be able to go anytime.”
This felt like one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make. Stupid huh? My mate’s mother wants to babysit.
“Why are you pushing me?”
Black’s face softened. “Because there are times that I will want you to myself. Other times when I’m working, and you and Jessie will want to go out. It’s always good to have someone Maddie is comfortable with.”
There was truth in his words. “Fine,” I gritted out.
“Great!” Sariah and Black echoed. “And Alex?” My eyes slid his way. “We are going for a ride this morning. You, me, and Maddie.”
I had a feeling I knew what he wanted to do. So many things had shoved me out of my comfort zone within the last twenty-four hours.
“Excuse me,” I bolted down the hall and shut myself inside the bathroom. It was all too much. Sitting with my head lowered toward my knees, I tried to calm down and not hyperventilate. I heard the door softly open and close but I didn’t look up.
Black lowered to his kneed in front of me and grasped my hands gently in his. Tenderly, he said, “Alex, what is wrong?”
I raised my head while tears ran down my face. He stroked some away with his thumb. After sniffing, I tried to explain. “All of my life, it has only been me. Yes, I had a mother but she was more like a warden. I had Jessie at times but I still felt mostly alone. And then I had Maddie. My sweet beautiful Maddie and I finally felt loved. Truly loved. But still, we were only two people. How am I supposed to deal with that?” I motioned toward the kitchen.
