An Alpha's Lightning (Water Bear Shifters 2) (10 page)

The television flickered in the background as Jade glanced at the screen of her cell phone. It was nearly midnight, and she hadn’t heard anything from Ace yet. She knew he was busy taking care of the mess created by the surprise attack, and she was doing her best to give him his space. She told herself that if she hadn’t heard from him by midnight, she would give him a call to check in, and then go to bed if she didn’t get a hold of him. He was a big boy. He could take care of himself.

Aubrey had ended up staying for about three hours, and Jade had realized by the end of that time that she had just made a very good friend. Aubrey had an easygoing way about her that put Jade at ease. Jade never felt pressured to talk more than she wanted to, which somehow made her more open to spilling her whole story to her new friend. Aubrey had listened with sympathy as Jade talked about losing her fiancé, and about finally opening her heart up again when Ace came along. Aubrey had told her of her own bumpy beginning to her relationship with Brett, and Jade had listened with wide-eyed fascination. It was obvious that Brett and Aubrey were madly in love with each other, and it was hard to imagine that there had ever been a time when they were unsure about pursuing a relationship.

Jade’s musings were interrupted by a knock on the door. Startled, she jumped up and ran to look through the peephole. Ace was standing outside, and Jade quickly threw the door open.

“Oh my god, it’s so good to see you,” she said, throwing her arms around him. That’s when she realized he was holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a bottle of wine in another.

“I got you these,” he said, giving her a quick kiss on the lips before stepping inside. “I know it’s a little silly, and doesn’t make up at all for what happened today. But I wanted to do something, at least, to show you that I’ve been thinking about you.”

“That’s really sweet of you,” Jade said, taking the flowers and wine and heading to her kitchen to find a vase. “I’m just so happy to see you looking so well. I’ve been doing my best not to worry about you all day, but it’s been really hard.”

Ace sat wearily on the couch. “I’m glad that you’re okay,” he said. “All I could think about when that guy attacked us was that I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to you.”

Jade set the vase of flowers on her kitchen counter and came to sit next to Ace. His tight, navy t-shirt showed off his arm and chest muscles, and she felt her heart skip a beat as she sat next to him. “I’m okay,” Jade said. “It’s okay. I had a hard time for a while today with what happened, I’ll be honest. It wasn’t easy to be faced with the reality of how dangerous life can get for you. But I feel reassured, too. You handled the whole situation beautifully. You never panicked, and you protected yourself and me fearlessly.”

Ace glanced over at Jade with sad eyes. “I might not always be able to do that, you know,” he said. “I’d give my life for you, but there might come a day when that isn’t enough. I understand if you want out, now. It would tear me apart inside, but if you don’t want to be part of this life, I won’t hold you back from leaving.”

Jade swung her legs so that she was sitting in Ace’s lap, straddling him face to face. “Don’t ever say that again,” she said. “I will admit, I’ve had my share of thoughts today about whether this was worth it. But, at the end of the day, what is life, really, other than the search for something worth fighting for? I’ve found my something, and it’s you. If you die, then at least I had this time with you. If I die, then at least I had a chance to live and love completely before I do. We’re in this together. Do I make myself clear?”

Ace’s eyes widened in surprise, and a smile played at the corners of his lips. “Yes ma’am. I’ve never heard you speak quite so emphatically. What got into you?”

Jade smiled. “I love you. And I know you love me. And I know how stubborn you are, too. I know that even if I said I was done, you’d always follow behind me, protecting me without my even realizing it. You’re an alpha. I’m your lifemate. You can’t help it, I know. And, I figure, if you’re going to be protecting me, the least I can do is stand by your side, for the rest of our lives, however long that might be.”

Ace’s expression softened. “Did Aubrey tell you about the lifemate bond?”

Jade nodded. “Yes. And I feel it with you. I didn’t know what it was, but I’ve felt it for a long time.”

Ace closed his eyes and smiled “I’m the luckiest guy alive,” he said. “I’ve felt it with you since the first time I mated with you, but I hadn’t said anything yet because I wanted to wait until your birthday to explain it.”

“My birthday?” Jade asked. “Why then? It’s still a month away.”

“I know. But I bought your gift already. Let’s just say it’s very sparkly, and it’s something you wear on your left hand.”

Jade covered her mouth with her palms. “Ace! Did you get me an engagement ring?”

Ace grinned, then put his hands under Jade’s ass so he could stand up while holding her against him. He kissed her lips, then turned around and set her down on the couch before kneeling in front of her.

“I did indeed get you an engagement ring. I don’t have it with me at the moment, but, after everything we’ve been through today, I don’t want to wait any longer to ask you this. I’m blown away that you still want to be with me. That you want to make my fight your fight. I don’t know what I did to deserve such a gift from destiny, but I know that you are my fated lifemate. And, you’re right—regardless of whether you stay or leave, I will always love you. I will always protect you. I’m bonded to you, and as long as I live I will watch over you and protect you. There will never be anyone else for me. Jade Fuller, will you be my wife, my lifemate?”

Jade felt a rush of peace and happiness fill her. She jumped up and grabbed Ace’s hand, pulling him up into a standing position. “Yes! With all my heart, yes. No matter what, I’m yours. I’ll stand by you always.”

Ace’s face broke into a huge smile, and he quickly grabbed Jade’s face and covered her lips with his. He let out a low, guttural growl and kissed her deeply and urgently. Then he pulled back and looked into her eyes, his own eyes blazing and fierce.

“Mine,” he said, and Jade knew it was his bear talking, claiming her for good. “All mine, forever.”

“Yes, yours,” Jade said, reaching up to stroke the side of his face gently. He still looked tired, but his expression didn’t look quite so heavy anymore. Jade pulled him close to her and rested her head against his chest. For all his toughness, for all his bravery, he still needed a woman he loved by his side. He wasn’t mean to be alone. His bear needed a mate, and had found that mate in her. She would do her best to ease the load when the world got too heavy.

“Come here,” she said softly, and grabbed his hand to lead him into her bedroom. He followed her, wordlessly, the intensity in his eyes growing with each passing second. Jade pushed him gently to sit on the edge of her bed. Then she stood in front of him, giving him a sultry look as she reached to slowly pull her tank top over her head and throw it aside. Ace’s eyes grazed over her lacy red bra with appreciation, then followed her hands to watch as they hooked the hem of her cotton shorts, and pulled them off as well. Jade purposely pushed her ass high into the air as she stepped out of the shorts, and Ace sucked in his breath at the view. Jade turned her back to him, wearing only her bra and matching thong. She reached behind her back and unclasped the bra, sliding off first one strap, and then the other. She tossed the bra aside, then pulled the thong off slowly. She bent over again as she did, moving at an unhurried pace to give Ace plenty of time to see her naked body from behind.

She stood back to her full height at a leisurely pace, then turned to face Ace again with full breasts and alert nipples. Moisture was already oozing from between her legs in excited preparation for the giant dick that would soon be entering her. A quick glance down at Ace’s groin made it clear that he shared in her excitement. A large, solid erection was poking up against the fabric of his gray sweatpants.

“Let me help you with that,” Jade said, walking up to where he was sitting and tugging on the hem of his pants. He shifted his weight to allow her to remove his pants, and then his briefs. He let out an impatient growl and tore off his t-shirt himself, then pulled Jade up against his body. She leaned into him as he found her lips and slipped his tongue into her mouth, while wrapping his legs around her legs, which were now leaning against the mattress. Jade could feel his erection pushing against her stomach, and she moaned happily at the feeling. It had been such a long day, and she needed this. She needed to be close to her man, to reconnect with him.

He needed it, too. He held her face with his palms as he kissed her, as though he never wanted to let go. Jade melted into his kiss, letting the warmth of their shared passion heat her body. When she couldn’t take the anticipation any longer, she used Ace’s body to brace herself and slip first one leg, and then the other, out of the embrace of his legs and onto the bed, straddling him. She closed her eyes and slid his thick shaft into her, wrapping her legs tightly around his back and using the leverage to push his dick deep inside of her. He moaned softly as he filled her, and Jade could already feel him throbbing. He was longing for the release she could bring him, and she was going to give it to him. She was going to bring some happiness and peace into what had otherwise been a stressful and trying day.

Jade wrapped her arms around Ace and ground her hips against his, putting her lips next to his ear and chewing gently on his earlobe. Ace moaned again, and Jade could tell that he was very close to exploding. She could feel the pressure building in her own body, and she squeezed her eyes shut as a hot, tingling sensation filled her. Moments later, she let out a whimper of delight as her body gave in to the thrilling sensation of Ace pushing against her inner walls. Her muscles clenched around him over and over, and she collapsed against him, unable to do anything except ride the waves of pleasure passing over her body. Ace let out a deep growl, and then found his release as well, squeezing her close as he pushed deeper into her and let a hot stream burst from his erection.

When the intensity of the moment subsided, Ace fell backward onto the bed, pulling Jade along with him and then slipping out of her. He snuggled up next to her, and managed to maneuver her comforter over them both.

“Thank you,” he whispered, kissing her forehead. “I needed that. I needed you.”

“I needed you, too,” Jade said. “I always need you. Please, promise me you’ll take care of yourself. I don’t want to lose you.”

Ace smiled and wrapped his arms around Jade. “You know I’ll take care of myself, and of you. I’ve never been this happy before. I’m not going to lose you, and what we have, to the narrow-mindedness of a group of angry scientists.”

“I hope you can keep that promise,” Jade said.

“I know I can,” Ace said. “I didn’t tell you earlier, because I didn’t want to influence you to stay with me against your will if you weren’t ready for the potential consequences of that, but the fact that I got attacked today ended up being a good thing. The guy who attacked me left behind a bunch of information that will help us track down the scientists. We’ve got the upper hand now, and I have a good feeling in my bones that everything is going to be okay.”

Jade sighed, and rested her head against Ace’s chest, her heart feeling like it might burst with love and affection for him. Ace was right. Everything was going to be okay. For the first time in years, Jade truly believed that, and she truly felt at peace. She was safe in the arms of a bear who loved her.

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Since I primarily write about animal shifters, you probably would not be surprised to know that animals, and their well-being, are near and dear to my heart. The heroine in this book shares this love of animals, and works with a team to rescue marine mammals that need help. I would like to express special thanks to the staff of the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California, for answering my questions about marine mammal rescue operations, and for allowing me to tour their facility. If you would like to learn more about this organization and all the hard work they do, you can visit their website at
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There are bears walking among us. Sloane Meyers is devoted to telling their stories.

Sloane thinks we could all use a little escape in our lives. And what better way to shake up the ordinary than to transport yourself to the mysterious world of those who have an animal within them, roaring to be let out. Sloane brings you hot shifter males, and spunky, spirited heroines—with NO cliffhangers! Each book can be read as a standalone.

When she’s not busy crafting bear tales, Sloane enjoys a good glass of wine, preferably shared with good friends. She loves reading, baking, and pretending that she’s actually a music buff. On weekends, she spends a lot of time in the great outdoors, hiking with her own sexy alpha and adorable little cub.

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