Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 113406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 454(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 454(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
She gave him a soft smile. “How could I doubt that, when you drum it into my brain with everything you do?”
His mouth quirked. “Yeah,” he agreed, “how could you?”
“And you know you’re everything to me too, right?”
His smile widened. “Yeah, I know that.” He took her mouth in a slow, languid kiss that made his cock twitch back to life. “I need you again.” Claiming her mouth again, he eased himself back, lying flat, keeping her tight against him.
She groaned. “No, not the porch again.”
He rubbed his hands up her thighs, pushing up the shirt and hiking it around her waist. “I’ll take the pounding this time. Ride me, Madisyn.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
TWO MONTHS LATER
Head tilted, Bracken peered into the opening of the rockery. He could smell his little cat. Knew she was in there, so he waited patiently. After a few moments, a small silver-gray head appeared, amber eyes staring at him. “Morning,” he said softly.
Looking somewhat crankier than usual, she snarled.
His lips twitched. “Not feeling too good, huh? I’m not surprised, given the night your human half had. It’s called a hangover.” He could feel the echo of her headache through their bond. It still hadn’t clicked fully into place, but it had strengthened to the point that they felt each other’s emotions more strongly.
He tapped his fingers on the ground. “Come on out, gorgeous.”
She bared a fang instead, glaring at him like he was trespassing. Well, she didn’t share her rockery with anyone. Didn’t even like him or his wolf getting too close to it.
“Come on,” he coaxed. “I’ll pet you and cuddle you and make you feel better.”
She just continued to stare at him, seemingly unimpressed by the offer that Madisyn had no doubt communicated to her.
He pouted. “I’m lonely out here.”
There was that “Lord, give me strength” look again. He had to admit, he kind of loved it. Slowly, she walked out of the crevice, looking as disgruntled as always.
“Attagirl.” He carefully lifted her and held her against him, nuzzling her head. “So soft and snuggly. And, unlike your human half, you don’t smell like vodka.”
She snarled again, but he had the feeling that the sound came from Madisyn this time.
Knowing what would most relax his cat, he headed to the front porch and sank into a rocker. Stroking his hand over her fur, he used the heel of his foot to rock her gently. Soon she was purring. “Come back to me, Madisyn.” Seconds later, he had a naked woman in his arms.
Groaning, Madisyn buried her face in his chest. “Why does the sun have to be so bright?”
Considering the sky was pretty dull, he’d say that was her hangover talking. He gave her back a soothing rub. “Maybe if you hadn’t spent last night downing cocktails like it was your job, you wouldn’t be feeling like shit.”
“I didn’t plan the party. In fact, I don’t like having them for myself. It was Gwen. She’s human, so she’s into bachelorette parties and stuff.”
“Maybe it wasn’t the best idea for her to throw it the night before our mating ceremony.” He slowly massaged her head. “You gonna get through it okay?”
“Of course.”
“Good, because I’m not canceling it.”
“Nothing would make me cancel it.”
He kissed her temple. “Did you take any Tylenol?”
“Yes. Fingers crossed it works.” But she was too tired to actually cross them, so she did it mentally.
“What time are the girls coming to help you get ready?”
“Can’t remember. Brain is fried.”
He lifted her. “Then let’s get some coffee down you and perk you up a little, or you’ll never cope with having so many people around you.”
“You know me well.”
After she threw on panties and a shirt, they sat at the table while she drank her coffee and nibbled at a Danish pastry. By the time she’d finished both, the other adult females of the pack had appeared. They chased away Bracken, who went to Jesse’s lodge to get ready for the ceremony. Then they pretty much took over, ushering Madisyn into the shower and barking orders.
She didn’t have to lift a finger.
Shaya did her hair; Harley did her makeup; Ally set out her clothes; Gwen did her nails; and Roni—not a girly girl—supplied everyone with coffee. By the time they were done, Madisyn no longer looked half-dead.
The others then got ready in her lodge, and Gwen hurried away, since she was helping Kathy and a Phoenix Pack female, Grace, with the catering.
When it wasn’t long before it would be time to leave, the girls settled in the living area.
“You nervous?” asked Harley.
“About the ceremony itself?” Madisyn shook her head. “No. About dealing with all the fuss that comes with it? Yeah.”
“Don’t worry,” said Ally with a little wave of her hand. “You won’t be dealing with it on your own, since Bracken doesn’t like sharing you and won’t do it for long. Which is why he’s not happy that there’ll be so many guests.”