Authors: Cynthia Dixon
“I do, and I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t believe it. You’re an amazing woman and you ought to know that. You have so much to offer and I only hope I will be lucky enough to show you that.” He said. Denise’s lips parted and her heart felt like it was about to leap out of her chest. His eyes glanced down to her lips and he closed the distance between them. His lips were soft and warm as they moved against hers. Denise let out a soft moan and wrapped her arms around his neck, pushing herself closer to him. His arms snaked around her waist and he dipped his tongue in her open mouth, entwining it with her own.
After a few moments they broke away, panting for breath. Denise ran her fingers through his hair and stared into his eyes which looked down at her with such tenderness she wanted to cry.
“Bedroom?” She asked tentatively, hoping she wasn’t being too forward. Eric smiled at her and took her hand, leading her toward the hallway just off the main room. He flicked on the light which cast a dim glow over the room and Denise felt a little self-conscious. Eric pulled her over to the bed and sat down, pulling her between his legs as he looked up at her. He took in her concerned expression and brushed a stray lock of hair out of her eyes.
“I want to be able to see you when I make love to you.” He told her, kissing her again. Denise relaxed in his arms and climbed on top of him, straddling him. Eric tugged the zipped to her dress down and lifted the garment over her head. His eyes roamed over all of her curves and Denise was flush with desire. He was looking at her like she always hoped a man would. She unbuttoned his shirt and pushed it off his shoulders, kissing his neck as he finished taking the shirt off.
Eric unhooked her bra and rolled her over so that he was on top of her. She unbuttoned his pants and slid them down. He kissed her deeply and she could feel his erection pressing against her inner thigh and she wanted more of him. She lifted her hips against him and he groaned.
“I was hoping to take this slow but you’re not making this easy on me, my mate.” Eric growled, grinding his hips against her. Denise stilled and pulled back enough to look into his eyes.
“Mate?” She asked confusedly. Eric blushed a little but didn’t look away.
“I was planning on telling you later, in a better way, but it slipped.” He said sheepishly. Denise tilted her head and continued to stare at him with a confused and concerned expression. Eric let out a sigh and pushed himself up, onto his elbows.
“I’m a lion shifter, so is everyone in my family. We don’t like to broadcast it because people tend to act differently when they know you’re a shifter. One thing about shifters is that we can sense our mate—the one person we are made to be with. The moment I saw you in the bar I knew you were mine.” He explained, his voice gentle and soft so as not to alarm her too much. Denise looked at him in shock and digested the information. A part of her screamed and wanted to run out of there as fast as she could. The other part of her, the more prominent part of her, felt like everything suddenly clicked into place.
“Is that why I feel so connected to you after such a short amount of time?” She asked. Eric smiled at her and nodded.
“Yes, that’s why. You feel that I’m your mate, too.” He said. Denise took a deep breath in and nodded, smiling up at him.
“Then I suggest you waste no more time in claiming me.” She said teasingly. Eric chuckled and kissed her, hooking his fingers in her panties and pulling them off. Denise yanked his boxer-briefs down and took him in her hand. She positioned him at her opening and lifted her hips, urging him to take her. Eric thrust inside her, filling her completely in one, smooth motion. Denise gasped and tossed her head back as her body adjusted to the incredible size of him. He began to move inside of her slowly, pulling out and pushing back into her depths gently. Denise wrapped her legs around him and he started to pick up the pace, thrusting harder and faster. Denise moaned and let out a cry when his tongue circled around one of her nipples. He drew the tight bead into his mouth and sucked on it as he continued to thrust into her.
Denise cried out, her nails digging into his shoulders as her pleasure built. Eric released her nipple and nibbled her breast gently. He thrust harder and Denise clutched on to him as he brought her to the edge of pleasure and pushed her over it. Her orgasm washed over her with such intensity she could barely breathe. Eric thrust again and again until he spilled inside her, finding his own release. She held onto him until her limbs stopped shaking and he collapsed beside her.
“Is it going to be like that every time?” Denise asked, panting. She could still see stars from her orgasm. Eric laughed and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his chest.
“Give me a few minutes and we’ll find out.” He said, kissing the top of her head.
THE END
Sierra looked over at her uncle and smiled. It was good to be back home. She hadn’t been there in years. Sierra was finally 22 and finished with school. Since her parent’s moved her away from the small town in the Montana mountains, she had done nothing but count the days until she could return. This was her home. Her parents had moved her away from the small town over eight years before. She never found out why but she was determined to now. She needed to know why they just up and moved for no reason. Why did they pack everything and leave like they were running? She had an idea that it had something to do with her older sister, but she could never figure out just what it was. Now six years later she was back for good. She was looking for a new life and answers. Her sister had gone off to school and was now getting married. At 23 her sister had changed once they left. She turned moody at first but as time passed the two of them realized just how much they did care for each other and how alike they were. She made her way over to where her uncle sat in the chair.
“It is good to have you back my dear.”
“It is good to be back uncle. This is home.”
“Yes, it is. There are a lot of things that have changed since you have been gone though my dear.”
“Like what? Everything looks the same.”
“Not everything. You have grown as well as your old friend Brysen.” He gave her a look and she turned away at it. Her head ducked as her cheeks turned pink with embarrassment. She knew what he was going at. She had the biggest crush on Brysen when she was growing up. They had done everything together the two of them and then when she turned 12 she started noticing things and he had as well. The day before they left he had kissed her. She knew they weren't allowed to have any romantic feeling towards each other. It was forbidden. They came from two different worlds. She thought about him and couldn’t help but smile. They had been close. Real close.
“How is Brysen?”
“He is good my dear. I can’t wait to see the look on his face when he sees you.”
“Why?”
“My dear you are modest, but you should take a look in the mirror. You are breathtaking.”
“Oh thank you uncle but I am sure you are just partial because you are family. There are many other women who look far better than I do.”
“I may be partial, but you are still gorgeous honey. You will see. But the same rules apply even more now than before.”
She took a deep breath and let the sigh escape from between her lips. He was right. Things were different now. She wasn’t some young kid with a crush. She was a woman on a mission. A mission to find out what happened six years ago to make them leave.
“I know that look. Get it out of your head.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about uncle. I’m going down to the store. I will open today so you just rest.”
“You treat me like an old man. I am not that old you know?”
“I know uncle. You are not old at all.” She laughed as she made her way back out the door.
Sierra took a deep breath and smelled the woods around her. The smell of the mountains was unlike anything else in the world. She made her way happily to her uncle's general store. There weren’t many stores in the small town. Department stores were nonexistent unless you wanted to drive an hour away. Her uncle's store was the largest store in the area and he carried everything which made his business very profitable. She was smiling when she slowly unlocked the door nad made her way inside. She wasn’t there but a few minutes when she heard the yell from the front door.
“Hey, Horace you got my shells in today?”
She turned at the familiar voice and her breath caught at what she saw. There stood Brysen Sinclair the object of her imagination for the last six years. He didn’t notice that she was the one standing there and she quickly cleared her voice. His head was bent downward and he was fiddling with something in his hand. He looked up finally and her eyebrows rose in challenge when his eyes dipped over her body again before meeting her eyes.
“You’re not Horace.”
She laughed. “Certainly not. I am his niece.” Maybe he forgot her. Maybe he didn’t remember all the days they had spent playing in the dirt and the nights catching fireflies.
“I know who you are Sierra. I just wasn’t expecting you here so soon.”
“Oh. So you knew I was coming?” She felt hurt by his nonchalant attitude towards her. She had been so excited to see him again and he just stood there like it was no big deal. Like six years wasn’t a big deal.
“I know everything that happens in my town Sierra.”
“Oh, so it is your town now?” Her eyebrows rose and she felt the disappointment mingle with another feeling inside her. She was beginning to get angry. “The last time I checked it was the people’s town.” She snapped.
His head shot up while he glared at her. “And the last time I checked you didn’t have such a smart mouth either.”
“Well, I can see a lot of things have changed including people. What is it you are looking for Brysen?”
“If you don’t remember then let me clarify a few things for you. I am now the alpha Sierra. With my father getting sick last year, I have had to step up to the plate you could say. I don’t have time to play little games. I will come back when your uncle is here. You should take a look around Sierra. Things aren’t like they used to be.”
“Yeah. The company’s grown sour. If you will excuse me. I am very busy. If you don’t need anything then you have a good day.” She spun on her heel and headed towards the back of the store dismissing him. She knew Mr. High and Mighty would be pissed about that one. She was right when he followed right behind her.
“What did you expect Sierra? You left. Now I am a leader. It isn’t playing with marbles anymore. Look I’m sorry to be so mean. It has been a long week and I haven’t slept since yesterday. I am very busy now. Things aren’t the same as they used to be.”
“Why does everyone keep saying that like I don’t know this? Look at me. Do I look the same to you either?”
His eyes did look at her and they did it in a way that had her grow warm all over. She felt a shiver of excitement when his eyes lingered on her breasts. “I am looking Sierra and I know very well that you are not the same. You are a grown woman now. And a very good looking one too.”
“Thank you. I think. You don’t look so bad yourself.” She turned and went to walk by him when he grabbed her by the elbow.
“Stay away from the mountains Sierra. It isn’t safe for you there now. There is a war going on.”
Her eyes widened and she looked at him. Really looked at him. He did look tired and she suddenly felt bad for him. “I won’t. I know what is going on Brysen. I’m not an idiot you know. Besides I have no reason to go to the mountains anymore do I?”
His eyes met hers. They both knew that he had been the only reason she had gone to the woods in the past. Now she didn’t see any reason to see him. She saw a brief look of hurt in his eyes before it was replaced with the same old stern look. She pulled her arm from his grip and turned away. She felt him leave her side and then heard the bell as he walked from the store. She felt her insides quiver with sadness. Brysen had been one of the reasons why she had returned. He had been a close friend of hers and she had been devastated no to see him when she had been forced to leave. Now that she was back she didn’t know what she wanted. One thing was for sure. It wasn’t Brysen Jackson. She decided to tidy up the store to keep her mind from wondering back to the insufferable man. When closing time came she smiled at her uncle.
“Here take this for helping today.” She looked down at the money he tried to give her and shook her head.
“Thank you, uncle, but I’m good. I will see you back at the house ok?”
“Yeah but just be careful.”
“I will.” Sierra made her way across town to the small bar. Sam’s had been a staple in the town for as long as the town had been there. She hadn’t been old enough to go inside when she had left, but she was now. She sat down at the long bar and looked out over the dance floor. There were people everywhere. Bring the cold bottle to her lips she sipped at it easily.
“Didn’t I tell you to stay out of trouble and keep away from these type of places?”
She turned to see Brysen standing there glowering at her.
“No. Actually you told me to stay away from the mountains.”
“You are at the bottom of the mountains here smart mouth.”
“But it’s not in the mountains grumpy mouth.” She cocked her head at him in challenge and watched as his frown grew with his anger. “Come on. I’m taking you home.” She felt his hand encircle her upper arm.
“The hell you are. Let me go. Now!” She jerked her arm from his grasp and glared at him.
“Don’t make me throw you over my knee Sierra Lynn because you know damn good and well that I will do it.”
“Go the hell away Brysen.”
“Not happening. One. Two.”
“Are you really counting like I’m a damn child? Really?” She shook her head as she turned away from him to order another beer.
“Three. Times up.” Before she knew his intentions he had picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. He continued to carry her out as she kicked and screamed. She felt the sting of the slap against her ass and she felt her face flame in embarrassment and anger when he did it for a second time.
“You son of a bitch. Let me down damn you.” He lowered her to the ground in front of him as they came to his truck outside. His eyes bore into hers as she slid down his body. They stood there looking at each other for a few minutes before his hand rose to caress her cheek. For a moment, she had forgotten what he had just done and then it came back to her and her eyes sparked at him with anger. She quickly pulled her face from his touch.
“Don’t touch me. You are an asshole. I should know that your power would get to your head.”
“My power? Get to my head?” His head fell back with the laugh he gave her.
She shoved at him and he let her go. As she began to storm away he grabbed her again and placed her in his truck before scooting in beside her. He heard the commotion and looking back he groaned out loud at what he saw. There coming towards them was Toby. Toby was another alpha except his pack didn’t always go by the rules. Shaking his head, he looked over at the woman beside him and knew that there was no way he could get into a fight with her beside him. She was a mere human. They would hurt her just to get to him. He also knew that they had seen her with him which meant she could be in danger.
“Damn it. You will have to stay with me tonight.” He was shaking his head when he heard her laughter. His neck snapped as he looked over at her.
“No way in hell. Take me home Brysen or I will drive myself.”
“I think you have had too much to drink.” He shook his head before quickly starting the truck and pulling quickly out of the parking lot. He looked back to see Toby standing in the middle of the parking lot with his hands on his hips. He knew the challenge. For the first time in his life, he had ran from a fight. Ran like a scared chicken and it was all because of the stubborn ass woman sitting beside him. And she was laughing at him. That was the worst part of all. He grunted and looked forward at the road.
“I think you have that the other way around. You have had too much to drink if you think I’m going back to your house and…” She looked away and stared out the window as her face flamed with embarrassment.
“I don’t want that from you. I want to keep you safe. You are a friend.”
Sierra felt her heart crumble with his words. He didn’t want her. He said those words. He was her friend. She had been stupid to think that it would be anything else. Her teenage crush was gone. Instead in its place stood a cruel and selfish man who didn’t care one thing for her. She bit her lower lip as she turned her head to look out the window even more. She wouldn’t’ let him see her cry. She wouldn’t let him see how much she really did care. She told herself the same things over and over until the truck came to a stop.
“Come on.” Brysen moved from the truck and then came around to hold the door open for her.
“What are we doing Brysen? Take me home damn it.” She glared up at him. She had been sad before when he didn’t want her, but now she was just mad.
“No. We are trading cars.”
“What? Why?”
“So they can’t track us as well. Even though I am sure they have your scent now.”
“My scent?”
“Yes. Nevermind just come on.”
She stood beside him and placed her hands on her hips. “No.”
He came closer until she felt her back pressing into the cold door of the truck. “Yes. Damn it.”
Her head cocked to the side as she raised an eyebrow at him in a challenge.
His eyes dropped to her heaving chest before slowly going over her body again. She was suddenly pissed even more. Of all times to look at her like that this was not one of them. He looked like he was a lion about to devour a deer. She wouldn’t be surprised if his tongue didn’t just flap out and lick his lips. “Get in the truck Sierra.”
“No Brysen.”
“Damn you.” She felt as her body pressed into the truck even more by his body. His lips descended on hers to pressed against them as he kissed her. His tongue slipped into her mouth and she gasped at the sensations that ran through her. His arm wrapped around her waist to bring her tighter against him. Her head felt light and she was dizzy for a moment. His kiss was punishing as he tried to devour her lips. When he broke off and looked down at her they were both panting and out of breath. “Get in the damn car Sierra. They will follow you and find you. Think about your uncle. These are not good people. They will hurt you and your uncle just because they think I care about you. With me, you are safe. I can protect you and I will send some of my people for your uncle to protect him. You are in serious danger.”