by Tessa Anders
“I still do not understand,” he said, trying to be considerate.
“You, Maddie, and Jessie is almost too much. I mean, three people besides me that I care deeply about. But now there’s a mother-in-law, and from the way things are going, she’s overbearing and caring—everything I’ve never had and don’t know how to deal with. And now I’m handing over my little girl.”
He smiled while squeezing my hand. “And when I ran you took it as abandonment.” He laughed when I shot him evil eyes. “Look Alex, everything will calm down. Mother is here because I have been away, and she is trying her best to make you and Maddie feel welcome.”
Swallowing over the lump in my throat, I admitted, “it’s overwhelming.”
“You have gone from the two of you to an instant family. You know have a mother and two brothers. Maddie has a grandmother and two uncles. And I now have a mate and a daughter. We will get through this together.”
Sucking in a gulp of air, I blew it out slowly and nodded. Black pulled me to standing. “Let go see your new home.”
Jessie and Sariah remained at Black’s while he carried Maddie and tugged me up the steps. I didn’t know if I could go through with what I suspected he wanted to do.
Up on the roof, I shook my head violently. “No, I can’t take Maddie. It’s too dangerous!”
“It is normal in the shifter realm.”
“I am not a shifter.”
With a devilish grin on his face, he stalked over and pulled me in for a passionate kiss. Maddie giggled, breaking the hypnotic spell.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” he kissed my forehead.
“You know, you’re not pushing me out of my comfort zone. You gave a huge shove and now I’m free falling.”
He chuckled. “I will always catch you.”
Stepping back, he started undressing. I still covered Maddie’s eyes because—well—it’s just weird to see men undressing like it’s commonplace. Maybe after a little time I might get used to it.
Black stretched out his arms and shifted into his beautiful dragon. When Maddie turned around, her eyes looked like saucers as she jumped up and down.
“A dwagon! Look mommy a dwagon! Can I pet it? Please?”
Walking her over, she ran her hands all over Black. When he snorted, she jumped back and giggled.
“Want to go for a ride?” I said, watching Maddie’s reaction.
Maddie’s jaw dropped and she gasped. And then her little head bobbed up and down.
I helped Maddie climb on Black’s back, and then somehow hoisted my leg over, sitting behind Maddie. “You have got to hold on.”
“I will.”
With a death grip around Maddie’s waist, I held on with the other and said a silent prayer. When Black took off, it was as smooth as any expensive car you could ride. He flew with grace as he leisurely glided around the city.
People stopped and pointed. Maddie squealed in delight. And before I knew it, two more dragons joined us. Each taking a different flank. One of the dragons had a woman on his back.
She waved.
I waved back as a grin spread across my face.
I let go.
18
___________________________
Alex
Two Weeks Later
“Morin’ mommy!” Maddie climbed up on the bed and rested her head on my stomach.
My fingers played in her dark curls. “Good morning, sweetie. How did you sleep?”
“Good.” She patted my side before lifting her head and grinning. “Can we go to the park today?”
My smile waned. We’d been here for two weeks and this was the first time she’d asked about the park. I should’ve asked Black if there was one nearby. “How about we visit Black today and asked about one?”
“Kay,” she kissed my lips and hopped off the bed.
After eating breakfast, I showered and then dressed in a pair of silky black pants that hugged my hips and flowered at the bottom. A bright blue silky shirt caressed my breasts, showing off flattering curves and tapered at my now trimmer waist. I still had five pounds or so to go but I’d never been a skinny Minnie. That’s what eating food other than Mac and Cheese and fast food did for you.
After dressing Maddie and trying to tame her hair, hand and hand we headed out in search of Black. He worked on the third floor which covered the extent of my knowledge.
Stepping off the lift, all eyes slowly turned toward the two of us. This was our first appearance. Shoulders back, I led Maddie down the hall looking inside each office.
“May I assist you?” A deep voice drifted from the left.
I recognized his face but couldn’t recall a name. “Yes. Can you point me toward Black’s office?”
His eyes narrowed in confusion before a smile broke across his face. Apparently, I was the only one to call him Black. But old habits were hard to break.
“Blaktu’n’s office is at the end of the corridor on the right.”
“Thanks.”
Maddie tugged on my hand. “Look mommy.” She was staring at some ladies’ stunning reddish gray hair.
“Maddie, don’t be rude.” And then I apologized. A hand grasped my shoulder, spinning me around. I squealed in surprise.
Black wrapped me in his arms and tilted me backward. Nose to nose, he asked, “Mate, are you harassing my employees?” Mirth crinkled his eyes. I bit my lower lip. In an instant, he dipped me back kissing me long and hard like one of those old-fashioned romance books.
When he righted me, Maddie refused to be out done. “Daddy? Me!” She raised her arms into the air. Every time she called him that, warmth and happiness flowed through the bond from both sides.
He let me go and reached down and scooped her up, tossing her in the air. She laughed before saying, “More!” He tossed her again before settling her on his hip.
Smiling down at me, he shook his head. “Alex, you are ruining my reputation here.”
Chewing my jaw and trying not to grin, I asked, “How so?”
“You make me seem amenable. Approachable.”
“Don’t worry, you can fix that when we leave.”
Leading me toward his office, he shut the door behind us. I burst out laughing.
He pinned me with an accusing stare laced with humor. “Did you enjoy our show in front of Cate?”
“Maybe.” Black had told me about her right after he started back to work. At first it bothered me, but then I realized how stupid that was. Our bond was strong and I knew how he felt all the time. Jealously was not an issue with us and I had no desire to make anyone feel bad about themselves.
He shook his head. “Now what do I owe the pleasure?”
After talking for about fifteen minutes, Maddie and I left a little disheartened. They did not have a park for children to play, at least not the kind with swings. Black made a promise to have a swing set installed at one of the open grassy areas.
We collected Jessie and the three of us headed for a day of shopping. Or at least looking around. I even invited Amelia, but she had work to do. Apparently, she helped Tyran with whatever job he worked on.
“Let’s look in here.” Jessie said, as she darted inside a store.
Beautiful clothes hung gracefully so each garment could be visualized without touching. Accessories, shoes—I preferred my ballerina flats. Everything was beautiful, but to be honest, I still had trouble spending money even with the unlimited credit.
Maddie didn’t care about any of that either. The two of us were simple.
We looked at a few other stores before making our way to the large grassy area, about the size of two football fields. This must be where Black said he’d install a swing set.
Maddie gasped, let go of my hand and took off in a dead sprint.
“Maddie!” I yelled, but it was too late.
“Oh God!” Jessie sucked in a quick breath as the two of us headed over to profoundly apologize.
As we neared, she turned with the happiest look
on her face. Giggling, she was rubbing a wolf’s ears.
“Look mommy! A puppy!” And then she yanked it’s head down and kissed its snout. Rubbing his head, she kissed the wolf between the eyes and started rubbing his sides.
When deep brown intelligent eyes locked with mine, I swallowed hard. “I am so sorry. Maddie, get over here and leave him alone.”
She moved back in front, staring into his eyes while rubbing his ears. “But he’s so pretty. And he likes his ears rubbed. Don’t you?”
The wolf stood around four feet tall, dark brown fur with a black stripe down the back. Before I could grab Maddie, she darted off again.
“I am really sorry,” I said before chasing after her.
“Mommy, is that a bear?”
And then she threw her arms up trying to hug him, but her arms couldn’t even reach his back. To my surprise, the white bear laid down on his (or her) stomach and let Maddie climb all over him.
Before I could pull her off, a man with brown hair walked up wearing a pair of silky shorts that looked more like boxer brief underwear and piercing brown eyes.
“Your daughter is safe. Curth will not harm her.”
I instantly knew that this was the wolf. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. It’s—refreshing. Although I am not accustomed to having anyone rub me so much or kiss my snout.”
“I’m Alex. This is Jessie.”
“Hello.” He nodded at both of us. “I am Jeph of the Rinewood Pack. And you are Blaktu’n Dayan’s mate.”
“Yes.”
When his eyes slid to Jessie’s, she grinned. “I’m just along for the ride.”
He nodded before turning back to watch Maddie wrestle the bear. Well, Maddie was the only one wrestling, the bear laid on his belly, his eyes blinking lazily.
“Many of the adolescents come here to play. None of them would hurt her. And most would welcome the attention.”
“That’s good to know because I have a feeling this will be her new favorite place. Especially when Black installs the swings.”
As we watched Maddie play with the animals, there was no doubt that coming here was the second-best decision I’d ever made.
“Look mommy….”
Epilogue
___________________
Alex
It’s been six months and I never once dreamed I could be this happy. A week after we moved here Black told me he loved me, which I happily reciprocated.
And then one random morning, Maddie climbed into bed with us and called him ‘daddy’. I thought his heart would explode from happiness.
Black was still a hardass at work, barking orders at everyone, but now he came home at a decent hour.
“What are you grinning about?” Jessie asked.
I glanced her way. “Nothing really. Just thinking about how much everything has changed.”
She got a distant look in her eyes and I immediately regretted it. Lately, Jessie had changed. She was a little more subdued, maybe sad. I wished I knew why but I didn’t push. When she wanted me to know, she would tell me.
“Don’t,” she said. “I am very happy for you. Hell, I’m happy for me. Black gave me an apartment and supplied me with everything I need. It’s almost like I’m a mistress without the relationship or sex.”
I almost choked on my spit. “That’s one way of looking at it I guess.”
“Is Sariah keeping Maddie today?”
“Of course. She’s the doting grandma I always wanted for Maddie.”
“Maddie deserves it and so do you.”
“Mmmmm…”
“Okay, what are we shopping for today?” Jessie asked, grinning.
“I don’t know. Black told me to buy a costume, one with a mask that mostly hid my face.”
“Why?”
“He wouldn’t tell me. Said it was a surprise.”
Her eyes slid my way and I shrugged. She pulled me into store after store, trying on outfits, quickly dismissing them.
“I know!” Jessie snapped her fingers. “Let’s go. They will have exactly what you’re looking for.”
She pulled me into ‘All Things Sexy,’ and I wanted to back pedal. Too late.
“Hello ladies,” a woman with short platinum hair smiled. “Ah,” her eyes latched onto me. “It’s nice to have you both in my store.” She tilted her head.
Everyone now knew that I was Black’s mate. It felt like celebrity status or something and I guess they knew I had unlimited money to spend. Not that I would ever be frivolous. I knew how hard it was to come by and refused to waste it.
“Thanks,” Jessie said, bypassing the woman and pulling me toward the back.
Thirty minutes later, I scrunched my face. “Are you sure Jessie?”
“Yes. It’s perfect.”
“Okay, I guess. If you say so.” It was way out of my comfort zone but so was everything else in this realm. Naked men, naked women…they shifted forms as naturally as breathing.
After I paid for the garment, we headed back to my apartment. Jessie still acted off and even though I thought I would wait for her to tell me, I asked anyway.
“You going to finally tell me what’s going on?”
Her eyes briefly glanced my way and she sighed. “Nothing really. It’s just a feeling I have. Like something’s missing. And yet I don’t know what it is or where to find it.” She rubbed the center of her chest.
“I’m sorry Jessie.”
She shot me a grin. “It’s probably just that time of the month, or something stupid like that.”
“Maybe you should grab one of those sexy guys and get laid. Maybe that would help.”
She laughed, but never said anything else about it.
Jessie stayed around to help do my hair and makeup, and when it was finished, she headed back to her apartment.
I slipped on the dress before sliding the mask in place. It curled in elegance around my eyes and over my nose, concealing my face. With my heavily darkened eyes and ruby red lips, even I didn’t recognize myself.
Jessie had twisted and scrunched my hair into a messy updo with loose curls caressing my shoulders. It gave off a sexual vibe to go along with my dress, a flattering black lacy bodycon style dress with a plunging neckline that showed off my ample amount of cleavage. The hemline—sequins that curved around my thighs in lacey patterns. A black sheer wrap covered my arms, draping to the floor with a small train. It tied in the front with a simple satin string. I slipped on my six-inch red heals and stared in the mirror.
I didn’t recognize the woman staring back at me. She was beautiful, enticing, confident. The sheer covering still showed my cleavage and thighs, but it was more as a tease.
I felt Black’s excitement all day, but he refused to even hint at the surprise. That worried me a little.
I heard the door open, heard his approach, as I slowly turned around, he gasped. His mouth hung open as his eyes roamed by body, landing on my lips. He swallowed hard. And licked his own lips.
“Do I look okay for the surprise tonight?” I honestly thought it would be something here since Maddie was spending the night at Sariah’s. Maybe a little roleplay.
“Yes. Let me get changed and we will go.”
He came back minutes later wearing a solid black outfit, along with a Roman gladiator type mask made of black and silver and etched in crystal, or maybe diamonds. It looked simple yet beautiful in a masculine way.
And expensive.
He held out his hand and I took it.
Walking into the club, all eyes tracked my steps. Black leaned over and whispered, “look at them watching you. See how beautiful you are.”
And for once, I felt beautiful.
I didn’t know why we were here. My heart pounded but I still held my chin up. I caught bodies grinding against each other in dark corners as music pumped through a sound system. Lights strobed giving off just enough light to see, but still gave off the lure of privacy.
I leaned over and whispered, “why are
we here?”
For the last six months, he had been pushing me out of my comfort zone, so this didn’t scare me like it would’ve back then.
He led me to a private room that held several diner styled booths. I guess we were eating here. He led me to a table against the far wall. “Have a seat and I’ll be right back.”
I nodded, sliding into the booth where a plate of delicious smelling food waited. I absently stirred a cup of tea with a spoon wondering what Black had planned. And why the mask if we were eating dinner? Other couples wondered in, sitting at various tables. A few waiters fluttered around. After about ten minutes, I looked up and spotted Black standing in the doorway.
His piercing blue eyes locked with mine and my breath caught. After six months, he still took my breath away.
Standing with a determined look on his face, his voice sounded like a whip cracked across the room. “Leave us!”
All the staff and patrons scurried like rodents until we were alone. It felt like Déjà vu as I tried to place the scene.
Like a predator, he stalked over and gripped my waist, lifting me in the air until we were face to face. My legs automatically circled his waist, shoving my dress up and exposing my ass. Holding me with one arm, he raked the dishes from the table, uncaring as they shattered on the floor.
Oh shit! My favorite scene staring book boyfriend! The one I fantasied over!
Lowering me down to standing, he brushed the sheer covering to the side, and pushed my dress up around my waist. My breath hitched as he spun me around, facing away. One hand pressed against the center of my back, pressing my face against the table. My heart pumped erratically as my pussy soaked, wetting my thighs because I wasn’t wearing panties. Jessie’s idea.
“Did you think you could escape me that easily?”
“I wasn’t trying to get away.”
“You are mine, Alex. Mine. Do you hear me?”
