Crimson (6 page)

She mutely nodded.

“Because I love you. When we were together last night, the moment our bodies joined, everything inside of me clicked into place. I’d never felt so complete in my life.”

Tears gathered in her eyes at his tender words. She’d never had a man tell her that he loved her before. She’d never been the reason someone felt complete. If she turned this man away, this shifter, if she walked out the door and turned her back on the love that was filling her heart, she knew she would regret it for the rest of her life. She was human and thought the way a human did, but Crimson wasn’t. If she loved him, then that meant she had to trust him, and to trust him was to trust his beast.

“If your bear thinks we’re mates, that we’re destined to be together, then I’ll accept your claim. I’ll be your mate.”

The look in his eyes said he didn’t quite trust that what she said was true.

“I mean it, Crimson. Although, I really would love to see your bear.” She looked around. “This room isn’t very large though. I’m guessing you don’t have enough space to shift here.”

“It would be cramped, but I could do it.” He reached out and stroked her cheek. “Do you want to meet my bear? I need to warn you, once he gets a sniff of you, a taste, he won’t back down until he possesses you.”

Her cheeks burned. “He won’t…you know.”

Crimson laughed, head thrown back. “No, sweetheart. He won’t claim you that way. He’s satisfied to simmer beneath the surface when we’re together.”

“Show me your bear…then make me yours in every way possible. I’m ready, Crimson. I won’t hold back anymore.”

Chapter Six

Crimson reached for his belt buckle and unfastened it. The button on his jeans popped free easily and he slid the zipper down. Holly watched him with rapt fascination and it stroked his ego, especially when she licked her lips. He shucked his jeans and underwear and tried not to preen as she looked him over from head to toe. His cock was already hard and throbbing, bobbing in time with his heartbeat.

As much as he’d love to strip her and fuck her until she couldn’t even remember her name, he had made her a promise. She wanted to see his bear and he’d make damn sure she did. He focused his energy and called on his beast, feeling the familiar tingle along his spine. Her eyes widened as white fur sprouted along his chest and arms. He felt his spine and limbs lengthen, his bones become denser. The change took a matter of seconds and as he stood on four paws, his mate seemed frozen in place.

Crimson swung his large head her way and nuzzled her. It was enough to make her laugh and snap out of her trance. Fingers dug into his thick fur as she explored his body. He tried not to move too much so he wouldn’t startle her.

“You’re beautiful, Crimson. I had no idea you were a polar bear.” She smiled at him. “I have to admit, you’re rather impressive.”

He hummed at her. Before she got some crazy idea, like trying to ride him, he shifted back and gathered her into his arms. His mouth claimed hers in a kiss that he felt all the way to his toes. Crimson only pulled away long enough to divest her of her clothes and spread her out on his bed. Seeing her in his domain filled some primal need deep in his soul.

“Mine,” he growled softly.

“Yes,” she agreed. “Yours.”

He nipped her jaw before pressing kisses along the column of her throat. His palms cupped her breasts as he worked his way down her body. In the shower, they hadn’t had much time to play, but now he planned to make a feast of her. As he sank to his knees beside the bed, he pushed her thighs apart, baring her to his hungry gaze.

“So beautiful.”

She blushed so hard her entire body turned pink, making him grin even more. Crimson blew across the damp curls between her legs before giving in to the urge to taste her. The tang of her arousal burst on his tongue and he went back for more, lapping up her cream as his fingers coaxed more from her delicious body. Her scent changed as her arousal increased, her taste sharpened as she neared release, and he wanted more.

Crimson eased a finger inside her, stroking in and out. He found himself rubbing his cock against the side of the bed to ease his suffering as he brought his mate to climax not once but twice. She lay replete beneath him as he crawled up her body, his cock aching. Pre-cum drizzled from the tip in a steady stream and he knew he’d die if he didn’t get inside of her.

She wrapped her legs around his hips and reached down to guide him inside her. As he breached her tight, slick walls, he groaned in relief and pain. He’d never felt so good and ached so much at the same time. His fangs lengthened, his beast begging to mark her as theirs. He tried to take her slowly, to make things last, but after a few strokes he found himself riding her hard, pounding into her with a frenzy that nearly left him breathless.

Holly clutched at his shoulders, her nails biting into his skin. That brief flash of pain was enough to push him, to make him drive into her harder and faster. With a growl, he latched onto her shoulder, his fangs breaking the skin, the coppery taste of her blood filling his mouth. He heard her cry out, but the way her sweet pussy milked his cock assured him it wasn’t from pain, unless it was the pain of coming too hard.

As he stilled inside of her, his cock pulsing as the last of his seed was spilled, he found himself hoping that it would take root and create a child. Their child. If any of the recent mates were pregnant, his brothers had kept it quiet. It would fill him with joy to bring the first child into their brotherhood, to be the first one to start the next journey with the incredible woman in his arms.

He disengaged his teeth and lapped at her wound. “I’m sorry if I hurt you.”

She shook her head. “It didn’t hurt.”

“You can’t deny your mine. I’ve marked you for the world to see.” He grinned.

“You seem rather proud of that.” She laughed. “I was yours before the bite. You don’t have to warn other males away, Crimson. I don’t want anyone but you.”

“Good.” He kissed her softly. “So…how many times do you think it will take before you’re pregnant? Because if you give me a few minutes, I can go again.”

She stared up at him with wonder in her eyes. “You want a baby with me?”

“I suppose we could wait a while, get to know one another better…but yes, I want to start a family with you. I know we can’t do that here in the clubhouse, but I thought maybe I could move into the apartment with you. Or better yet, we could buy a house. There are some for sale over where Viper and Axel live. Ghost is buying a place on the same street. You’d have family nearby if anything ever happened.”

“Family. I guess I never thought of them being your family.”

“Yours too now.”

“When will you tell them about us?”

He smiled and glanced at the door before looking back down at her. “Honey, shifters have sensitive hearing. Even if some of them hadn’t been with me last night, when I ran off to rescue you, anyone within hearing distance of this room now has no doubt that you’re mine, and just as much a part of this M.C. as I am. All that’s left is getting you a property cut or jacket.” His gaze skimmed her body. “I don’t suppose I could talk you into a tattoo?”

“Uh. No. I’m deathly afraid of needles.”

He nodded. “You’ll need to wear your colors whenever you come to the clubhouse. I’m sure I can have one for you by the end of the day. Maybe sooner knowing the guys. Wouldn’t surprise me if they didn’t get started on it last night.”

“What exactly is a property cut?”

He pointed to the leather vest draped over his chair. “It’s like that, but on the back it will say
Property of Crimson
. It shows everyone you’re my old lady.”

“Old lady?” She arched a brow. “Do I look old to you?”

He smiled. “It’s what we call our mates. Doesn’t have anything to do with your age, sweetheart. But will you wear it? I know it isn’t a wedding ring, but if you want one of those, I can arrange it.”

“I just want you, Crimson, and whatever that entails. If you want me to wear the…cut? Well, then I will.”

He kissed her again. “I love you, Holly. I can’t promise to say it as often as I should, but know that’s how I feel now and will feel every day from this moment forward. I will do everything in my power to take care of you and make you happy….starting with you not going back to Laguna’s. I have enough money for us to live comfortably, and there’s more where it came from.”

“Just promise me to be careful. I know being in an M.C. can be dangerous, and the rumors around town are that y’all are going after criminals. I want you to promise that you will always do everything in your power to come home to me at the end of the day. Promise?”

“I promise,” he said softly. “Now…why don’t we get back to work on that baby?”

She giggled and wrapped her arms around him. The love shining in her eyes was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen, and he hoped it was a sight he would see for the rest of his life. Finding Holly was the best thing that had ever happened to him, and he would do everything in his power not to screw it up. She deserved a prince, and had ended up with a shifter, but he’d make sure she never regretted her decision. She was his entire world, and he intended to make sure she knew it.

Thank you for reading
Crimson
! If you enjoyed the story, I hope you’ll take a moment to leave a short review and tell others what you thought about it. Not only do reviews help other readers, but I enjoy hearing what you think of my stories.

Jessica Coulter Smith

Dear Reader,

I’m often asked if I listen to music or watch anything in particular when I’m writing. To answer that question, yes, to both. I mostly listened to music while writing
Crimson
, but I also put The Addams Family movie on about a dozen times. I have very eclectic taste in music (I especially love 70’s and 90’s music), but here’s a sample of what I listened to while working on this story:

Rock’n Me – Steve Miller Band

Girlfriend – Avril Lavigne

Red Red Wine – UB40

I Don’t Believe You – P!nk

Let It Go – Idina Menzel

Eye of the Tiger – Survivor

Sound of Silence – Disturbed

Stand – R.E.M.

Inside the Fire – Disturbed

Land of Confusion – Genesis

Lemon Parade - Tonic

There were quite a few more, but I didn’t take note of them as I was writing. Half the time, I don’t even realize the song has changed because I’m so caught up in getting the words from my head to the page.

Thank you for joining me on Crimson and Holly’s journey. I hope to have another Ashton Grove M.C. book out soon, so stay tuned!

Want to know more about me? Check out my bio on the next page!

Jessica Coulter Smith

About the Author

What happens when you get two artistic romantics together? An impulsive marriage proposal – and a woman who says yes (on the first date)!  While Jessica’s husband may not have intended for the words “marry me” to pop out on their first date, she surprised him even more by saying yes! That was in 2000 and they’re hoping for many more years together.

Jessica Coulter Smith began writing at an early age, but it wasn’t until 2008 that someone convinced her to have one of her stories published. When she received her acceptance letter in August 2008, it set her on an incredible journey, one she hopes will never end. In 2010, she decided to stay home with the kids and write full-time. It’s a decision she hasn’t regretted, and one that will hopefully result in many more stories to come.

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! Jessica writes a little bit of everything—from vampires and werewolves to aliens seeking a mate. For a complete listing of titles currently available from Jessica, please visit her
website
.