Changing Hearts (23 page)

“Are you a coward, Frank?”

“Of course not. I just want what’s best for the Pack and I’m not sure bringing Slade back here to face formal challenge is best. He’s strong, Maggie. Strong, fast and lethal. You don’t have anything on him, none of us do. There’s no real weakness in him.”

“Oh yes, there is.” Maggie grinned at him, her teeth flashing. “He’s got one major weakness right now. A human female.”

“Human? Slade hates humans.” Frank shook his head in denial. He stood to pace to the other side of the study. Maggie watched him intently. There had never been any love lost between Frank and Slade, maybe she could use that to her advantage.

“Hated, Frank. The word is past tense—‘hated’. Apparently our former leader has decided that humans are good for more than killing because he’s taken up with one. A little bitch who gets on her knees for him with no quarrel.” Maggie heard the venom in her own voice and tried to tone it down a bit. It wouldn’t do to have Frank know she was jealous of the little tramp. Jealous of the obvious passion Slade had been giving the little slut, passion he’d denied her.

“Slade has a human lover?” Frank’s voice rose enough to let her know he still didn’t believe her.

“Why don’t you go see for yourself? Take Slice with you. Bring the bitch back here. That will prove to you once and for all whether Slade is as strong as you seem to think he is.”

“Not a bad idea. Tell me where to find him.” Frank walked back toward the desk, his posture and lack of expression showing he’d gone into full lawyer mode. Maggie knew he did that when angered. Good, let him stay angry. It could only help her cause.

Maggie hid her smile as she wrote directions down for Frank. Surely now he’d take up the challenge to fight Slade. After she had her shot at him, of course. She didn’t think she could beat Slade, but she surely could wear him down enough for someone else to beat him.

She’d make sure to give in at just the right time so she could still control things. Frank had just proven he could be influenced and controlled and if he couldn’t, well, perhaps another “accident” with some silver would occur.

* * * * *

Slade leaned back in the hammock he and Joie had found and set up on the porch. A slight breeze caressed him, and it felt damn good. They’d spent most of the night just lying in bed watching the stars through the bedroom window and he’d snuck out just before dawn for a quick run. He wasn’t completely satisfied that no one had followed them here, so early morning and late-night checks were essential.

They’d gone fishing earlier and now Joie cleaned the kitchen after they’d eaten their fill of bream and crappie. Joie was one hell of a fisherman. She’d told him her father had taken her several times when she was younger.

She’d also told him the story of the bed. Seems her dad had been a big man, like him, and was never comfortable in the queen-sized bed her parents had at home. When he’d built this cabin as his own personal getaway, he’d built a bed to his own taste as well.

Slade could appreciate the finer points of the bed. His feet didn’t hang over the end and there was plenty of room for rolling around on when he and Joie were in there together. Of course, as small as she was, she didn’t take up too much room.

Slade set the hammock moving gently as he listened to the comforting sound of Joie humming in the kitchen. Though he’d offered to help, she’d shooed him outside, telling him she’d get done twice as fast without him there to distract her. He really enjoyed distracting her. Slade grinned as he relaxed into the hammock.

“Malcolm? Could you come in here, please?” He’d almost been asleep so he jumped slightly as she called him.

At the tone of her voice, he grinned and rolled out of the hammock.
Time for more distraction.
He stretched, feeling muscle and sinew moving, then entered the cabin. “Where are you?”

“In the bedroom.”

His grin widened then faltered as he crossed the threshold. “Joie?”

“You said I’d get a turn, well, I’m ready to take it.”

Slade stared, sure his shock was written all over his face. He shook his head even as he unsnapped and unzipped his jeans. Stepping out of them, he crossed the room toward her. “I hope I don’t regret this.”

“You won’t. Now lie down.” Joie waited until he lay in the middle of the bed then climbed on and straddled him. He reached for her and she shook her head, watching as he clenched his jaw then nodded.

Joie slid her hands up his chest and over to his right arm. Stretching it over his head, she secured the soft cotton tie around his wrist just as he’d shown her when he’d tied her up.

“Tighter,” he said softly, his eyes never leaving her face.

Joie stared into his amber eyes for a moment then tightened the binding. She leaned down to kiss him then repeated the procedure with his left arm.

When she moved to tie his legs, his breathing increased. “Joie? Strip first.”

“What?” She hesitated, meeting his gaze with a slight smile.

“Let me watch you strip first.” The hunger in his face didn’t scare her. She knew he wanted her as much as she wanted him. Joie nodded then stood on the bed.

Malcolm licked his lips and clenched his fists as she reached under the t-shirt she wore and removed her panties. She dropped them on his chest then slowly pulled the shirt off. Joie had become quite brazen in her clothing choices. Of course she had little choice since he had honored his threat of hiding her skirts and jumpers. She heard him groan as her breasts came into view.

Joie dropped the shirt over the side of the bed then brushed her underwear off his chest as well. Malcolm moved slightly as she secured his legs then jerked his head back away from her as she reached for the cloth he’d used as a blindfold.

“Trust me, Malcolm.”

He took a deep steadying breath then nodded. Joie tied the blindfold around his head then kissed him softly. “I love you.”

He licked his lips again but didn’t speak. Joie smiled as she moved off to his side. She picked up the TV tray she’d put in the room earlier and moved it closer to the bed. Malcolm turned his head toward her movement and she remembered how sensitive his hearing was.

Joie reached into the bowl on the tray, removing an ice cube. It had already started to melt, dripping cold water onto the bed. She held it over Malcolm’s body and let the drops fall onto and around his nipple. He groaned when she leaned over to cover his nipple with her mouth.

Joie repeated the process all over his chest until she could see his fists clenching. She trailed an ice cube down the middle of his chest into the darker hair surrounding his penis. Malcolm hissed in a breath when icy water touched the head then nearly shouted when her mouth took its place.

Joie wrapped her cold hand around the base of his shaft, feeling him jerk in her hand though he didn’t soften. If anything, he got harder. She trailed her tongue over the very tip of his penis as she moved her hand on him. Malcolm groaned again, arching his back.

She heard the sound of cloth ripping and looked up to see him straining against the bonds holding his hands in place. Joie took that as a good sign and sucked him deep into her mouth. Malcolm did shout then, a wordless plea that she answered with slow sensuous strokes of her tongue and hands then rapid movement of her head.

He panted harder now but no longer pulled against his bonds. She felt his body tightening and increased her movement. He groaned and bucked beneath her and Joie moved faster.

“Joie!” His voice sounded more strained than she’d ever heard it before. Suddenly one of his hands clenched in her hair, trying to tug her away. Joie grabbed his wrist, knowing he’d never hurt her and pulled his hand away. He fisted his hand in the sheet at his side then lifted his hips under her, growling deep in his throat as he climaxed.

Joie kept her mouth on him until he went limp under her. She licked all around his shaft, feeling his body jerking slightly, even as his hand came back to caress her head. She continued to lick and tease him until he grew hard again. This time she rolled a condom on him and straddled him again.

Malcolm put his free hand at the base of his penis as she slid down onto him. He groaned again then put his hand back up over his head.

Joie moved slowly on him at first then increased her motion as she found her own pleasure. Just before she let go, she yanked the blindfold off then leaned down to kiss him. Malcolm lifted his hips under her and moved his hand to the back of her head.

Their tongues mimicked their bodies and Joie cried out against his mouth as she found her own release. Malcolm moved his hand down to the small of her back and held her still as he lifted his hips again and again until he cried out and she felt him shudder.

Joie collapsed on top of him and he held tightly to her with his one free arm. She knew he could have released himself at any time. She also knew how hard it had been for him to let her be in control.

Joie kissed his chest and felt him sigh.

“You gonna untie me now?” His voice rumbled whiskey rough under her cheek.

“Nope. I think I’ll keep you here until morning. My own personal love slave.”

“You might want to rethink that, baby. One of us has to deal with the condom.”

“I know, I just don’t want to move yet.” She sighed and started to draw patterns on his chest through the hair there. “I’ve never felt like this with anyone before, Malcolm. You make me feel things and do things I never thought I could or would do.”

“I’m glad.” He kissed the top of her head then moved slightly under her. Joie felt him yank on the restraint holding his other arm, heard it tear, then he wrapped both arms around her. “Look at me, Joie.”

She raised her head, propping her chin on his chest. He smiled at her, his eyes still glowing.

“It’s never been like this for me, either. I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you.”

“Thank you.” She figured it was as close as he’d come to telling her he loved her and for now it was enough. Joie moved to his side then untied his legs. Malcolm sat up then got out of bed and walked across the hall.

He returned a few moments later and climbed back into the bed with her. He held his arms out and she dove into them. Neither of them paid any attention to the heat, they simply lay there watching the fan turn.

* * * * *

Slade looked up as Joie joined him on the porch. He held his hand out to her. She sat beside him then leaned her head on his shoulder.

“I’ve packed everything that needs to be packed. I guess we’re ready to go.”

“Joie.” He wrapped his arm around her then pulled her into his lap. “This has been the best time I’ve ever had in my life. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Will you be leaving right away when we get back?” She bit her lip as she asked and he sighed above her.

“I don’t know. I hope not.” Slade hugged her tight to his chest then sighed. “I have to go back, Joie.”

“I know. I’m just worried about what’s going to happen to you. You’ll have to fight, won’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Promise me you’ll come back to the cabin, even if it’s just to say goodbye.” Joie put her hands on either side of his face, holding his gaze. He couldn’t look away from her even if he’d wanted to.

“If I’m able, I’ll come back.” It was the best he could do. She just refused to accept that the fight might be fatal. She was convinced he would be able to come back to her. For his own selfish reasons, he hoped so too.

For the first time in his life, Slade felt as though he belonged to someone and someone belonged to him. It was an amazing feeling and one he wanted to remember the rest of his life. No matter how long or short that life might be.

Joie continued to stare at him, then nodded, apparently satisfied with whatever she saw in his eyes. She kissed him then scrambled off his lap. Slade got to his feet, going inside to help her close the cabin up. He stood in the doorway of the large bedroom for a long moment, staring at the bed.

Joie put her hand on the small of his back and he smiled down at her. “I’m going to miss this bed.”

She laughed, swatted him on the ass, then led the way into the kitchen. With the cabin secured, they made their way back to the floating dock where the boat waited.

The trip back seemed much shorter than the one out to the cabin and Slade felt more uneasy the closer they got to home.
Home, I wish it was home.

The cabin came into sight and Joie smiled at him. “Home sweet home,” she said softly. It was uncanny the way she sometimes picked up on his thoughts.

Slade nodded glancing around at the only real home he’d known. He got out of the boat and tied it up while Joie went up to see if Tante Kay had made it back yet.

When he got to the porch, Joie came outside. “
Tante
called. She’s ready to come home. Apparently Boudreaux’s mother has come up from Metairie to help with the new baby. Why don’t you go get her while I get supper started.”

“I will if you promise to stay in the cabin with the shotgun handy and shoot anything that you don’t recognize.”

“I promise,” Joie laughed as she kissed his cheek then handed him the keys to Tante Kay’s car. “Hurry back.”

“Count on it.” Slade winked then waited until she’d gone back inside before heading for the carport. He backed out of the drive and sped down it, heading for the main road. He wanted to get there, get the old woman and get home before dark.

Joie pulled some shrimp out of the freezer then made a breading. She worked even as her mind whirled. She’d checked the calendar when they’d arrived home to confirm her suspicion. Her period was two days late. That didn’t necessarily mean she was pregnant, but she’d always been very regular with her cycle, almost to the hour.

She glanced out the window again, hoping to see the car turning into the drive. She knew it had to be too early for Malcolm and
Tante
to be returning but she felt uneasy for some reason. Her gaze halted on the shed in the yard. “Oh Lord! The animals!”

Her friend had only been able to stop by in the morning to see to the injured animals in the shed. By now they must need food and water. Joie dried her hands on a dishtowel, left the shrimp in the batter and headed out the back door.