A Taste for a Mate (12 page)

Jasper growled. “Shut your fucking mouth. f er You overstep your bounds, Camille. Go back to your little home with your goon and leave my family alone. You are lucky I have honor and don’t hit women. But Fredrick, I would run if I were you, I don’t have any qualms where you are concerned.” His voice was laced with ice.

“I know my place, oh mighty Beta.” Camille sneered. “But your human better learn hers.” With one last poisonous glare, she stormed out of Willow’s new bakery with Fredrick hot on her tail.

“You need to be careful of that one, Jasper. I don’t think that is the last we’ll be hearing of her.” Reed’s warning came as no surprise to Willow.

“I know. I know. I have been lax in my Beta responsibilities, I think. It’s my job to deal with rumblings of unease.” Jasper’s voice still held anger, but a bit of sadness as well. What did Camille mean to him? Her pain must have shown on her face because Jasper bent to kiss her lips.

“I never loved her. I don’t even like her. She is nothing to me. I’m just sad this is what Camille has become.” Jasper shook his head as if to organize his thoughts. “Let’s go home. We can celebrate there.” He gave a wicked smile, and Willow’s pussy clenched. Oh, she wanted to celebrate now.

“On that note, I’m going to Adam’s to warn him about the duo of doom. Have fun.” With a wave and a smile, Reed left, and they were alone.

“Quickly, I need you.” Jasper threw her over his shoulder and ran home. Some days she could really get used to his caveman antics.

By the time they reached their home, Willow panted with need. “What do you do to me?”

“I think the better question is, what am I going to do to you.” Jasper’s eyes darkened as he growled against her ear, the breath trailing down her neck pulsating against her. “I want you.”

“Take me. Please.”

Jasper wrapped her hair around his fist and kissed her with bruising force. He unsnapped her jeans and had them down around her ankles before she could blink. She gasped as his fingers twisted the sides of her thong and tore it from her body.

He kissed and nibbled her neck around the fading mate mark before lifting his head and turning her around, bending her over the couch. The rasp of a zipper and rustle of jeans sent shivers over her spine. He danced his fingers across her thighs, before he finally brushed against her clit. She bucked against him, aroused and ready.

“You’re wet for me. Do you want me?” He licked her ear and nibbled her lobe.

She moaned and nodded, unable to speak.

Jasper entered her to the hilt in one quick thrust. Stars shattered behind her lids. He barely touched her, and she came. God, she loved this bond. This man. He quickly withdrew before he pistoned into her again and agai f lidn. The sound of his balls slapping her ass as his thighs rammed hers increased her pulse and desire. With one hand still holding her hair in a firm grip, his other hand crawled up her chest, twisting and pinching her nipples, causing her pussy to tighten around his thick shaft.

He shifted before he plunged into her again, his cock rubbing against her womb. Willow began to ride the crest again, closer and closer to orgasm. His stiffened and released a shout that echoed off the walls as he came, filling her. His seed warmed her. The sound of his release brought her to completion as she cried out his name. After that, their heavy breathing was the only sound in the quiet room.

“I love you, Jasper.”

“I love you too.” He pulled back and picked her up, before carrying her into their bedroom.

“Where are we going?”

“You didn’t think we were done celebrating did you?” Seeing the grin full of promise on his face, she exhaled a happy sigh.

Oh, how she loved celebrating.

****

The wood beneath his hands felt warm as he carved the banisters for Willow’s bakery. He loved working with wood, making this come to life. This was for Willow, his Willow.

“You done fondling that wood?” Reed laughed.

“At least I have something to fondle,” Jasper quipped.

“Dude, that’s low.”

“How is the painting coming?” Reed was painting a mural on one of the walls, and Jasper was in awe of his little brother’s talent.

“Almost done. I hope she’ll like it.”

“I’m sure she will; she loves your work.”

“I hope so. She needs something nice, ya know?” Reed smiled.

“Considering she’s my mate, I do. I love making her smile.”

The door opened and Camille walked in.

Dammit, he hated that woman
.

She prowled across the room and ran a f vedwell-manicured fingernail down his chest.

“Hello, Jasper,” she purred.

“Remove your finger before I remove it for you,” he growled.

She stuck out her bottom lip and pouted. But she removed her finger.

“You used to like my touch.”

“No, I tolerated it to scratch an itch.” He knew he sounded like an ass, but being nice wouldn’t get through her thick skull.

“Ouch, Beta has claws.” She snarled.

“Camille, what do you want? You don’t want me. I sure as hell don’t want you.”

“I just wanted to see your little mate’s new digs. Don’t fault me.”

He glared at her, not believing her at all.

“I’m the Beta of our Pack. You need to remember the fact that I help lead our people. You do nothing but belittle them.” He let out a small glimpse of his power, anger at her pettiness through the past years seeping through. The depth of the strength curling out from his chest to his fingertips, filling the room with its presence, thickening the air.

Her eyes widened, and she buckled under the power, going to her knees in submission.

“Go, Camille. Do not come in here again. Do not bother my mate or my family. Go away. Tell your little goon Fredrick, too. Do you understand me?”

She whimpered and nodded, backing away on her hands and knees, through the door Reed held open.

“Shit, Jasper. Nice show of power. You almost got me to submit.” Reed quirked a brow.

Jasper shrugged. “I didn’t use it all. I just wanted her out. She’s been bothering me for years and being a bitch to everyone. I’ve been so preoccupied that I haven’t been a good Beta. I shouldn’t have let her get away with it for so long.”

“You know she’s not done yet, don’t you?” Reed asked.

“I know. Camille will never learn. But she has to know that I won’t lie back and take it.”

“Good to know.”

“Now get back to painting. I want to make this place look amazing for my Willow.”

Reed nodded and went back to work.

Jasper smoothed the wood in his palm and got back to what he was good at, what he loved, for the woman he loved.

Chapter 12

The smell of fresh paint and wood shavings tickled Willow’s nose. The tangy scent of male sweat on glistening bodies mixed with the sweet and sugary chocolate aroma from the brownies she’d baked that morning. A luscious and sinful combination if there ever was one.

The marble countertop was cool to the touch as she ran her hand along the smooth edge. The deep, ruby-red velvet inlay of the picture board above the glass panels clung to her fingers. Burgundy and chocolate colored ribbons adorned it, begging for pictures and memories to surface and be known. To be immortalized.

Sounds of hammer pounding nails and a saw slicing into two-by-fours filled her ears, keeping the latent fear at bay. She felt ghostly hands gliding and gripping her arms, forcing her immobile…

No, no, that was over. She was safe. The sounds of metal yielding and arching as the final oven was moved brought her back.

She let out a sigh.
This is mine. Made for me.

The Jamensons were on the last day of construction for her new bakery in the Den. Everyone had worked together to put in the last sets of shelves and decorations, while Reed focused solely on his mural. Broad brush strokes and minute details covered the large expanse. Dark bold colors of chocolate, cherry and a lighter cream interplayed and entwined to create a masterpiece of lines and shapes. An abstract painting that expressed love and warmth. Beautiful.

 Today was also an anniversary of sorts. Four months before, the Central Pack had abducted her from her previous bakery, changing her life forever. Though it frustrated Jasper to no end, her Pack, because they were hers now, had not retaliated against their enemy. During another Pack circle, in which they discussed when and how they would attack, Camille and Fredrick stated that due to the fact Willow was not Pack at the time of her kidnapping, the Redwood Pack could not and should not go after the Centrals. It was against the code and laws of their history and it gave the Centrals a weapon to hurt them. The fury on Jasper’s face when they told him caused Willow to shudder. It took every ounce of her strength to stand up to him and say enough was enough. They would not enter the Central’s land on a wave of revenge. They’d hold their own.

Though the imprisonment threaded her nightmares, the outcome of her mating with Jasper could not be ignored. Thanks to Hector and Corbin, really. Willow snorted and looked around her new shop.

Tan walls with brown trim that reminded her of chocolate chip cookies were lightened by large f herwindows in the front of her store. Soon, white curtains with brown stripes would accentuate the curve of the windows and pull in the color of the room. Large photos in dark brown, wooden frames hung on the walls. Each picture was of a family member, infusing her bakery with love. Tables and chairs with white and brown tablecloths dotted the floor in front, leaving a walkway to the counter, which would showcase her treats and delicacies.

Her family built this. For her. This was her home. Tears clouded her eyes, but Willow held them back. This was a time for happiness. No crying allowed.

 A growl sounded behind her and she turned. Mel sat on the ground with a snarl on her face, and Willow broke out laughing.

“It’s not funny.” The frustrated look on Melanie’s face was priceless. “This stupid curtain rod broke in my hands. I guess I don’t know my own strength.” With a shrug, she threw the bent pieces of metal away and picked up another.

Melanie’s strength and shorter temper had arrived after her first shift two nights prior. Apparently, she’d transformed amazingly well and fit into the life of a werewolf nicely. A sense of jealousy swept through Willow, but she shook it off.

No.

It will happen. Jasper will ask me to change and join the Pack fully.

At least, that’s what she told herself.

“What did I say about your stress levels, baby?” Kade’s soft growl announced his presence. Mel fell into his open arms with a sigh. “And you really shouldn’t be in here with Reed and his paint.” His brows furrowed as he brushed a lock of hair from his mate’s face.

She suddenly wanted Jasper near her.

Curiosity overcame her and she interrupted the loving couple’s moment. “Are the fumes too much for your new senses?”

A slow smile spread over Kade’s face.

Okay, she was missing something.

“Kade needs to watch his mouth, but I guess the wolf is out of the bag.” Melanie beamed a smile. “We’re pregnant.”

The shouts of glee and congratulations from the Jamenson family were so loud Willow was sure her new picture frames would vibrate right off the walls.

A baby.

Tears glistened on Pat’s face. Edward, in typical Alpha fashion, choked back his emotion. Cailin screeched and threw herself into Kade’s arms. Reed gave a laugh and knelt to place a gentle kiss on Mel’s still-flat belly, cooing sweet nothings. North pushed their artist brother out of the way.

“Congratulations, my sister wol n er out of.” North then proceeded to take her pulse at the wrist, instructing her to ‘keep the excitement level to a minimum.’ Apparently, he couldn’t resist playing doctor even for a moment.

Kade was hugged and roughly slapped on the back as Mel was gently and reverently held and kissed. However, Reed didn’t seem to get the “be cautious around the pregnant lady” memo and spun her around the store.

“Get your hands off my woman.” Kade’s growl only made Reed and Mel laugh harder.

Mel’s contagious laughter died slowly as Adam stepped toward her. Willow saw misery flash in his eyes before he blanked his expression, holding Mel in a bone-crushing hug. Pain for her brother-in-law shot through her heart as she remembered that Adam had lost not only his mate but his child.

Jesus. She couldn’t even comprehend what he felt right now.

As she shook her head to cast away those saddening thoughts, movement caught her eye. Maddox stood alone in the shadows, the light from the window illuminating his face. Willow sucked in a breath.
His eyes
. Gold radiated and pulsed from his unblinking gaze. Though wolves’ eyes glowed during passion and anger, this, she felt, was different. Eerie. She took a step closer, and it hit her. Emotion. A tingling sensation like a thousand fingertips dancing across her skin made her shiver. Maddox was an empath. The empath of the Pack. The feelings of happiness and glee emanating from his family must be overwhelming and spilling from him. With a quirk of his lips, Maddox gave a nod of his head, finally closing his eyes.