by C. D. Gorri
There was a huge picture window that overlooked the Atlantic Ocean and the many glittering lights of the boardwalk down below. People milled about in the soft, summer air of a night down the Jersey shore. It was barely ten, still early for most. Abby watched them from high above.
She exhaled slowly, rubbing her bare arms against some invisible chill. Somewhere in the crowds, there were happy couples in love, their beautiful children innocent and secure in their mommy’s and daddy’s everlasting affections. They’d never know the sadness of having their parents live apart. Poor Ollie.
This was her chance to do right by him. To give him the father he’d always needed. What about my secret , Abigail thought, what about Ollie’s secret? She couldn’t hide any longer.
“Can we talk?” Her body still tingled from their kisses or maybe it was the new awareness that came with it. She wasn’t a teenager anymore, but she sure reacted like one to Mason in the throes of passion.
“I’ve got a justice of the peace coming by in the morning. We’ll have the ceremony right there on the patio, afterwards we can have lunch, take Ollie to the beach, then the Boardwalk, we can even take in a show if you like. The house will be ready by the time we get back.”
“Wait. You’re going so fast, Mason, we haven’t really talked. What do you mean the house will be ready?” Her attention was diverted by that one comment.
“David, my new administrative assistant, is having the place fixed and cleaned and seeing my stuff moved in. I own a one bedroom condo, but that simply won’t work for the three of us. We’ll live at the house.”
“Mason, this isn’t going to work-”
Before she could finish the sentence, he was pressed against her. His hands were everywhere. She felt him tug the hem of her tank top and she reached up just as he pulled it off. She couldn’t have stopped him if she wanted to. Her body seemed to have a mind of its own, moving in time and readily responding to his every move.
He kissed her until she could hardly breathe. By the time he came up for air she had no thoughts to stopping him. He licked a trail down her neck and across her collar bone until, finally, he reached her breasts. He bent his head and looked his fill. She felt wanton and beautiful under his scorching gaze.
“You’re fuller than before,” he breathed then suckled one tight bud in his mouth.
Abigail groaned aloud as he nuzzled and nipped her sensitized flesh. Her chest heaved up and down as she tried to breath under the sensual assault of Mason’s mouth. He continued to lick and suck and pull with his lips and teeth and tongue.
All the while, he used his hands to remove her clothing. She felt him as he unbuttoned his shirt and brushed his chest across her abdomen. She heard him unbuckle his pants next and she shivered with anticipation at what was to come. It had been so long.
Abigail ran her hands over the soft smattering of chestnut hair that covered the broad expanse of muscles underneath the fine Italian fabric. His skin was tan and hot to her cold hands, she hissed in a breath when he pushed up against her.
“You’re so cold, Abigail, here let me warm you,” he caught her in his arms and walked to the master bedroom.
He fell on the bed with her cradled securely in his embrace. Kissing her the entire time as he smoothed away his pants and briefs and the tiny swatch of lace she wore under her jeans. Skin to skin, Abigail sizzled with their first contact in a decade.
His hands skimmed her thighs and she giggled. She couldn’t help it, she felt ticklish and elated. Was this actually happening? He laughed to as he reached for her neck with his hands and kissed her face and lips.
All their youthful joy and playfulness at being together again soon gave way to passion. Mason growled deep in his throat, a sound Abigail couldn’t identify, but one that made her want to return the sentiment.
She let him part her knees and relished in the feel of his light beard as it rubbed against her thighs. His hot breath found her core and Abigail nearly jumped out of her skin when he nuzzled her most sensitive flesh with his lips, then his tongue.
“You taste like honey and roses, my sweet Abigail,” he groaned as he slowly circled her folds with his long, wicked tongue. Abigail reached for his hair pulling then pushing him closer as he continued to lick and suck. Finally, as if he knew just what she needed, he impaled her on his tongue. Abigail pushed against him and shouted his name as she felt pleasure unlike any she’d ever felt.
He waited for her to breathe normally before he sat up taking her with him. He reached for her and kissed her face, allowing her to taste herself in the process. It was erotic and raw, and she’d never felt anything more right as when he slid inside her. She was tight and wet, more than ready for him. He stretched her and filled her and together they moved until they both reached oblivion.
“You feel so good, Abby, like home . I’ve dreamed this so many times.”
“Me too.”
“You belong to me, sweet Abby. Mine, mine, mine, grrr. ” his whispered words became a growl in her ear as he grew hard again.
He laid her down and followed with his body, thrusting his body deeper and deeper inside her. He was heavy, but his weight felt good.
She was stronger now. She reveled in the feel of him pressing her down into the soft mattress. Lightning sharp waves of pleasure raced up and down her spine as he lifted her hips and flexed harder and faster. She raked her nails down his back as pleasure, so intense it bordered pain, spiked through her body.
Mason groaned in her ears as she grabbed hold of his buttocks and pushed up, meeting his every thrust. They ground into each other until they were both covered in a sheen of sweat. It was as if they’d lost no time at all.
Their mutual attraction was so deep it was almost instinctual. He knew where to touch, when to go harder, faster, and when to back off. She knew when to take control and when to relinquish it.
Waves of emotion crashed over her as he called her name and pushed heavily into her, spilling his hot seed deep inside the well of her body, making her whole again.
This was no frantic coupling in the cramped back seat of truck. Not that she would ever change that night, but now, they were spread out in a bed the size of an ocean. Free to take their time.
They came together in an all-consuming tide of pleasure. The rush of emotions that came with it left Abigail undone.
Joy, pleasure, relief, happiness, contentment, satisfaction, ease, and an underlying sadness that still, there was a lie between them.
CHAPTER 9
“I love you, Abigail. I never stopped.” Mason tried to breathe normally, but he’d just had his world rocked. Literally. He felt as if he was a new man. Whole. Complete. In love again with the only woman who had ever held his heart in her hands.
Sure, he’d planned to marry her. Take her as his wife and mother of his child, but he hadn’t planned on admitting just how much he still cared, but he’d always been honest. It was a Werewolf thing.
While he was being honest with himself he admitted that nothing had ever felt as good as holding this woman in his arms. Yes, he’d had offers, but he’d never indulged. Not with anyone else. Not since the night she’d given him her virginity in the back seat of his truck.
“I finally got you in satin sheets,” he smiled as she stretched like a contented cat. Her raven hair was fanned out behind her, her jade eyes glazed with satiated lust. She looked loved. She was loved. Mine.
Mason kissed her shoulder and reached out with his hand. He skimmed over the sharp angles and smooth valleys of her body. She was in excellent shape.
Tight and fit with more muscle definition than he would’ve thought.
He inhaled and frowned a little. The scent of cleaning products still clung to her, but there was something else he couldn’t place. A mild mineral-like scent. Not unpleasant. Familiar in fact.
“Mason?”
“Yes?”
“There’s something I need to tell you.”
She turned to face him, covering her beautifu
l breasts with a sheet as she sat up in bed. He frowned, but his ears perked up. She’d been keeping something from him. Something besides his son.
“What I am about to say is going to sound crazy.”
“It’s okay, Abby, whatever it is. I have a few secrets of my own.”
“Not like this,” she whispered and tucked a strand of long, dark hair behind her ear. Her jade eyes sparkled with unshed tears.
Mason wanted to hold her, but he knew she would break if he did. He steeled himself to listen until she was finished. One thing he knew, she wasn’t getting away from him again.
“Ten years ago, I left my home, and you , because of something my father told me. He’d told me before I asked you to pick me up that last night,” she let out a shaky breath and continued, “he was sending me away. He told me something was going to happen on my eighteenth birthday that would change everything. He wasn’t sure it was real until I started showing the signs. Sleeping late, eating less, getting weird cravings.”
He sat up on the bed, across from her, but near enough to touch her. It was killing him not to reach out and pull her onto his lap, but she needed to get this out. He could sense it. He was careful to keep his expression neutral.
“Go on, baby, I’m not going anywhere,” he said when she stopped talking.
“I had to see you first, had to tell you he was sending me away, but when we saw each other, well you know , we did what we did, and I didn’t have the heart to tell you. When I went home, he knew. He knew we’d made love, my hair I guess or my smile, anyway, he told me I had to leave right then. He told me I had to go to my mother’s people because he couldn’t deal with me anymore. He, uh, he called me a monster , told me I was just like my mother, that he was ashamed and disgusted with me and that you’d be too, if I didn’t kill you first,” tears fell down her face, but she didn’t move to wipe them.
She let all her sorrow out, all her pain, and still Mason kept his hands to himself. He knew if he touched her, she’d never finish, and he needed her to finish. He needed to know exactly what she meant. Was it possible?
“I was sent to a small settlement outside of Sitka, Alaska. My mother’s people are a clan called The White Hand. We are Dhampir , half-Vampire, half-human. Ollie will turn when he is eighteen. That’s the way it happens to us. We, uh, we eat and drink the same as you, but after the transformation we need blood from a live source. I know you must think I’m crazy, but I swear it’s true.”
Mason sat up and reached out for her. She pulled back at first and he felt the strength in her. He smiled, realizing it was her Dhampiric nature that made her so strong. That’s kinda hot! He smiled at her astonished expression when he overpowered her and brought her on top of his lap.
“You’re strong,” she said in a low voice. He smiled and let the Wolf out just a little. Abigail gasped and her green eyes widened.
“ Hominis lupus. ”
“We prefer Werewolf. Latin is for old people.”
“Oh, my God! You mean, you believe me then, because you, you- ” she gulped and cried a little before saying, “You’re a monster too.”
“You’re not a monster, baby, you are beautiful. A fucking miracle. Just like our boy. If anyone says different, I’ll rip their fucking throats out,” he kissed her lips and growled as she clung to him.
“So, you’re not disgusted?”
“Disgusted? Of you or our boy? Never. I’m proud of you, Abigail, and I’m sorry I kept my secret form you. If I’d told you sooner, we wouldn’t have had to be apart.”
“It’s in the past, it’s okay. We didn’t know, neither of us knew,” she laughed through her tears and Mason felt his Wolf howl in his mind’s eye as she held him tight.
She opened her legs and straddled him. Comfort quickly turned to passion as she moved her tongue past his lips and kissed him for all she was worth. Mason growled. Mine.
He was more than ready for her as she pulled off the sheet that separated them and slammed herself down on the hard evidence of his arousal.
“I love you, Mason,” she said into his mouth as he arched up finding his home inside of her.
“I love you too, Abigail. Forever.”
He liked that idea very much. Just like he liked the idea of making love with her for hours. In that time, Mason learned every inch of her body. He studied it as if his life depended on it.
“Sweet, my sweet, sweet, Abigail. Mine ,” he said as he thrust his pelvis and rocked her body into an entirely new meaning of fulfillment.
“Mason?” Her voice was panicked.
“What, baby?”
“I need to-” She licked her lips as her fangs descended. They were thin and longer than regular teeth. Sharp like needles. Not at all like his fangs.
She ran a tongue over them and he felt himself grow harder inside of her. Mason turned his head, baring his neck to her. He’d never felt so turned on in his life at the thought of his woman riding him and biting him at the same time.
“Are you sure?” The words were heavier in her mouth. As if her speech had slowed down around the baring of her fangs. He nodded and met her eyes, the Wolf bright in them.
“Yes, feed from me. Only me ,” his growl was deep as she struck his vein.
Almost immediately, Mason began to orgasm. As she sucked the blood from his body to nourish hers, with his erection buried deep inside her.
He felt as if he were going to lose himself in her and he didn’t even care. He never orgasmed so hard in his life. Her tight muscles milked him until he felt his sex explode like a rocket.
She was gorgeous in her need and in her hunger. The way she licked her lips and struck his neck, rocking her hips back and forth on top of him. She was a fucking goddess. And she was his. Finally . Her green eyes were glazed with a faraway satiated expression when she lifted her head.
Mason felt elated knowing he was responsible for not only her pleasure, but for her nourishment too. The Wolf inside him howled his satisfaction. He’d found his home, finally inside of her. His Abby. Mine.
Abigail sighed with contentment after she and Mason emerged some hours later fresh from a hot shower. Her shoulder ached a little where he’d marked her, but she didn’t mind.
Her Werewolf lover had reverently asked her permission before marking her as his mate. Abby smiled. She loved knowing she belonged to him.
She felt energized, satisfied, and completely alive. More so than she had in years. The shower really helped clarify some things for them both. First, was her scent. Mason grabbed her and buried his nose in her neck, breathing her in, the second she washed off the lingering smell of the bleach and cleanser she had used on the house.
“That’s what my nose was telling me, I smelled you . Your supernatural essence gives off a distinct scent that I can finally name. Dhampir .”
“I smell?”
“No! Well, yes, we all smell.”
“That’s true, I thought you maybe had a dog,” she laughed tongue in cheek as he smacked her wet bottom. That led to more kisses and more playful swats.
The shower was very educational. In the end, she was satisfied with his assessment of her scent. He also explained a few things she didn’t quite get. Like why she smelled like him even after all the soap and such.
“I marked you.”
“So?”
“So, we are matebonded . Is it the same for Dhampirs?”
“I don’t know. There weren’t many mated pairs in the community. I never thought to ask.”
“When Werewolves matebond there is a natural process of marking and covering your mate with your scent. My Wolf chose you as mate long ago, Abigail. It’s only ever been you.”
“Are you sure, it doesn’t bother you? The blood?” She looked down when she asked her question. Afraid of what she might see in his eyes.
“Abigail, I love that I can provide this for you. It fulfills me, makes me want to beat my chest and howl it to anyone with ears that you’re mine . Mine to love, to protect, and to take car
e of. You’re my everything. You and Oliver.”
“I love you, Mason, so much.”
“I love you too.”
CHAPTER 10
Abigail was skeptical of the dress when Mason told her he’d ordered their wedding clothes the night before in the car ride over. Then again, she’d never imagined she would have a wedding day, so she smiled and hoped to be pleasantly surprised.
She and Mason ate breakfast with Ollie in their robes and hotel pajamas. The little boy couldn’t stop smiling at his parents. Especially, when she’d told him the news.
“You mean, I’m gonna be a Dhampir and I could be a Werewolf too?!”
“Yeah, you might be. Children of Werewolves don’t all Change, but some do.”
“Oh wow! Can I watch, Dad?”
“One day, sure.”
“This is so cool. We are like the coolest family ever!”
Mason laughed and tossed Oliver in the air before shooing him off to the huge whirlpool bathtub.
“Come on kiddo, go get washed, the wedding is in an hour.”
“I can’t believe how excited he is!” She gasped when she heard Ollie mock-howling in the tub. Mason grinned.
“He’s a miracle that boy, just like his mom.”
Less than an hour later, with the hotel manager for a witness and a justice of the peace present, Mason and Abigail were married on the penthouse balcony of what she discovered was Bite Towers . A hotel and casino owned and operated by Lane Liquors Corporation.
That wasn’t the only surprise he’d had in store for her. The ivory silk dress he’d ordered from the couture shop in the hotel lobby was simply beautiful!
The silk sheath dress looked amazing on her. It fit her toned body perfectly and the ivory color went well with her pale skin and dark hair. It was adorned with small embroidered roses along the neck and hemlines. She loved roses, he remembered . He also ordered a bouquet of blood red roses wrapped in a matching ivory silk ribbon.
