MadMoon (7 page)

Lana laid everything out on the bed, marveling again at
Savannah’s ability to know just what colors she liked. Nothing was fancy, of
course, but that was okay. She’d never been the kind of girl who needed tons of
stuff
but she couldn’t deny being a little giddy.

She tried on the jeans and several silky tees to find they
fit to perfection and then drooled a little over the basic black dress that
Savannah had said teasingly that every woman had to have. The sleeveless, black
scoop-necked dress was anything but basic and Lana wondered when she’d have the
occasion to wear it. Sweetridge was a small town and she doubted she’d have a
chance to wear the pretty thing. Along with the black dress were several short,
flirty dresses that trended toward casual. Oh yes…these were nice.

Deciding to slip one on for the dinner she planned later
with Madden, she studied them carefully and finally chose a pink bit of nothing
that featured a frothy, flirty skirt, a portrait neckline and slender shoulder
straps. Savannah had selected a pair of matching pink shoes to complete the
outfit and luckily for Lana, they fit like a dream. She eyed the clock on the
bedside table, noting the time, then hurried into the bathroom for a quick
shower.

While making plans for a nice, cozy dinner with Mad, she dried
her short hair. Cutting it had been an act of defiance but now she loved it and
thought the style suited her face. A new look for a new life. There wasn’t a
thing wrong with that. Smiling, she spritzed on a bit of light perfume and
applied a touch of makeup before going back into the bedroom.

Lana slipped into a pair of silky pink panties that showed
quite a bit of “cheek” but decided against wearing the matching bra. The dress
she planned to wear had handy built-in cups and she wondered why most clothing
wasn’t designed that way. Wearing only the panties, she put the beautiful
goodies away then pulled the lovely little dress into place over her body.

She’d just spun to check the dress in the mirror when she
heard a low wolf-whistle. Turning in a flash, her hands over her heart, she saw
Mad leaning against the door wearing a decidedly lecherous look on his face.

“Well, now,” he drawled. “Don’t you just look like a
cupcake. Think I’ll eat you up.”

Lana squeaked as he ran at her, lifted her and gently tossed
her to the bed. Together they bounced a couple of times, her laughing and Mad
growling as he nipped her throat.

“You’re early,” she gasped as Mad’s breath tickled her neck
and whipped into her ear. “Ooh, stop that. I mean it, Mad!”

Smiling, he lifted his head and looked down at her.
“Finished early. Now I’m ready to celebrate finishing this job but, more than
that, I want to spend time with you.”

She liked that idea.

“That sounds like a good plan. By the way, thank you for the
clothes. You shouldn’t have.”

Mad rolled from atop her and curled up next to her on the
bed. He slowly traced the neckline of her dress with the tip of a finger. “Of
course I should have. You arrived virtually naked, you are my intended mate,
and I will provide for you.”

Lana considered herself a modern woman and though
contemporary women might think Moon’s vow to “take care of her” rather sexist
and archaic, she knew this attitude was prevalent in lycan society. A male wolf
didn’t consider his attitudes about caring for a mate and family to be wrong.
It was just a fact. She smiled. “And I know you will, but I hope it’s okay if I
provide for you too.”

He tipped his head. “We’ll talk about it later.”

Lana knew that was as close as they’d get to distinguishing
between their future roles, at least for now. “So what are we going to do to
celebrate?”

“It’s a surprise.” Suddenly he grimaced. “Shit. I’m a
dumbass. I’m all dirty from work and you’re lying here looking like the top of
a wedding cake.” He sat up quickly and went to work on untying his boots. “If
Mom were here, she’d kick my ass.”

Lana sat up beside him, smiling at the image of Mad’s mother
reading her big, tough Alpha son the riot act. He set the boots aside and
reached for the hem of his tee shirt. Once he’d pulled it over his head, Lana
filled her gaze with row upon row of hard muscle and bronzed flesh. She licked
her lips, remembering the first time she’d touched him. While she gawked, Mad
turned to see her shamelessly staring. Without a word, he reached for the top
button of his jeans. “If you keep looking at me like that, darlin’, I don’t
think we’ll make it past the bedroom door tonight.”

“That wouldn’t bother me,” she managed, feeling the effects
of his body, his warmth, race over her from head to toe.

He leaned closed and pressed a kiss to her lips. “I’m not
looking for a quickie. When I fuck you tonight, and believe me, I will, it’s
going to last for a mighty long time. So with that thought in mind, why don’t
you take your beautiful, tempting ass downstairs and wait for me.” He kissed
her again. “I won’t be long.”

The need, the tremendous urge to fuck hit him in the shower
and he knew he wouldn’t last through dinner. Running through the routine of
making himself presentable, he hurried downstairs with nothing on his mind but
answering his body’s demands.

Fuck gallantry.

Fuck consideration.

A sexual ache curled low in his gut, only winding tighter
the second her saw her waiting expectantly in the kitchen. She was seated at
the table but stood instantly, her eyes going wide, no doubt feeling the
tension that radiated from his body. He’d spent too much time away from her
trying to finish that damn house and now he was paying for it.

“Don’t ask me to be a gentleman. Can’t do it.”

She shook her head and took a step back but his beast rolled
low in his belly, demanding consummation with his mate. It wouldn’t be denied
much longer. Taking the edge off was paramount as frustration simmered through
his mind and his body answered that wild call as he gripped her upper arms and
stared into her startled eyes. He shook his head. “I won’t apologize. I’m sick
of dicking around here.” Mad moved close and settled the palm of his hand
against her head as he slanted his mouth against hers, instantly taking the
kiss deep, drinking the heavy sigh that left her lips.

Though he made a good pretense at civility, at heart he was
a predator, a wolf, a beast that demanded immediate satisfaction. The last
thing he wanted to do was scare her but he sensed no fear and, pressing his
advantage of size and strength, he swept his other arm around her waist to pull
her close. Tracing her curves with his fingers, Mad broke the kiss to move his
lips along the curve of her jaw and a bare stretch of her shoulder then,
continually mapping her body with his hand, he dipped it beneath the skirt of
her dress and settled his palm against her pussy.

It was hot, burning his fingers and, testing her, pushing
her, he traced the seam of her labia with a thumbnail. Lana jerked, whimpering,
and the sound prompted him to swift action. Grabbing her waist, he lifted her
onto the table and with a hand at her sternum, pushed her until she lay supine
on the hard surface.

He didn’t want to be careful with her pretty new dress. No,
he wanted to rip it from her body with his teeth. Restraining the animal
impulses that beat through him, he lifted the skirt until she was bare except
for the tiny scrap of her silky panties. The fabric clung to her wet pussy,
which was clearly outlined. Her clit, a swollen knot, pressed against the silk.
Mad’s mouth went dry as his cock pushed tight against the front of his jeans.
Bending over her, he sucked her clit through the flimsy barrier as her fingers
sank into his hair. She moved on the table’s surface, pushing against his mouth
as frantic little cries swept from her throat. She lifted her legs until she
had them propped on the table and Mad took advantage by pressing her knees open
until she was exposed to him.

Hungry, famished for a taste, embracing the need to make her
fall apart under the stroke of his hands on her body, Mad dipped his thumbs
beneath her panties and stroked her hot flesh. She was drenched, creaming for
him, and he was savagely pleased she needed him too.

Madden settled his lips against her inner thigh, dragging
the scent of her into his lungs as the mating heat raced over the surface of
his skin. “I have to look at you,” he managed. “Lift up.”

He straightened and she adjusted her position on the table
so that he could pull the panties from her hips. Once she’d assumed that
wide-open position again he reached for a nearly empty glass on the table.
There were several cubes of ice melted inside the plastic tumbler and he
plucked one up. The cold water dripped from his fingers and he quickly placed
the melting ice into his mouth then bent over Lana’s pussy. His icy tongue
lashed her along with the bit of ice and again, she jerked. She made a frantic
sound, bucking against his mouth. The ice quickly melted and he warmed her
flesh then, stroking her, licking her.

Lust riding him hard, he straightened and looked down at her
as he unfastened his jeans and released his stiff cock. Mad fisted his hand at
the base then drew the head over her flesh, gathering moisture on the thick
rounded end. Heat radiated from her body, searing, singeing, and he could no
longer deny the desire that burned him, spurring him to move this along until
they were both limp and finally satisfied.

Sinking deep into her soft, clinging warmth, he settled
balls-deep inside her body. Mad looped his hands beneath her knees and lifted,
canting her hips, then he slowly withdrew before the true onslaught began.
Patience at an end, he gave up all finesse as he thrust, ramming hard and fast
as his wolf curled through his belly, howling for satisfaction and a cure for
his burning lust.

Lana’s arms went straight out to clutch the sides of the
table as he fucked her. The mating power of his species blasted into her,
making her tremble beneath him. Again and again, he plunged, the frantic ride
raw, savage, a blur of movement that stunned him. Pleasure whipped through his
veins, sizzling along nerve endings and sucking the air from his lungs.

Crisis point hit Lana hard and fast as her body seized and
she screamed his name yet still he fucked her, lust surging sharp and high,
carrying him toward orgasm as nerve endings pulsed against the squeezing clasp
of her pussy. Sensation gathered, racing through his blood, a conflagration of
power he had to release. With a low groan, he released the magic, shivering as
the fire consumed him.

They’d had sex before but it had been nothing like that. The
raw and untamed ways in which he’d touched her still burned through her system,
leaving her more than a little stunned as they made the drive into town. True
consummation rolled toward them at the speed of a runaway train yet she knew
Mad wanted this business with her father over and done before they could look
to the future.

It waited though, the future, sweet and just out of reach.
She was as impatient as Madden. She wanted to grab hold of her life and let him
claim her in the ways of his people.
Their
people now.

Wondering wildly what more tonight would deliver, she forced
herself to a calm she didn’t feel and concentrated instead on the fact they
were actually out on their first date.

Talk about doing things in a backward manner. If nothing
else, their courtship had been unusual.

She realized he had gone to all kinds of trouble by the time
they arrived at The Lamplighter steak house and he gave the hostess his name.
It wasn’t a fancy place but she figured it might just be the only dining spot
in the entire town that featured white linen tablecloths and a dressier
ambiance than what the local burger joint provided. A table in a back corner
featured fresh-cut flowers as a centerpiece along with a bucket of something
bubbly. Two long-stemmed flutes rested nearby.

As Madden held a chair out for her, she wished belatedly
she’d worn the basic black dress but there was nothing to be done about that
now. Tonight Mad wore a crisp white shirt, a dark sport coat and freshly
pressed jeans along with ostrich dress boots. To the folks in Sweetridge, this
was probably about as fancy as it got.

She didn’t need fancy as long as she was with Madden and
could look at him, touch him. The man was sex on a stick and hot enough to
incinerate a woman. His jeans fit his long, sturdy legs to perfection but she
realized that it didn’t really matter what he wore, Madden exuded strength and
power. A definite turn-on.

Every female in the place took him in as they walked through
the crowded dining room but Lana knew they were looking at her too. Like any
small town, there would be a natural curiosity about a newcomer. In her case,
interest would be doubly intense with the lycan population and there must be at
least a dozen pack members here tonight. Power practically sizzled in the air
of the dimly lit room, a power distinctly different from the lower human
energy.

“Crowded,” she murmured as she slid into the chair Madden
held out. She glanced around, feeling a little nervous until he sat across from
her and gave her a steady look.

“It’s Friday night and there’s not a whole helluva lot to do
around here except head out somewhere to eat. As to the lycans here tonight,
it’s only normal they’d be interested to see who their new lupa will be. I
promise you, there is only acceptance here.”

“Just not used to this, I guess.”

Their waiter, a very young man, walked up and nodded
politely before handing them menus. From his scent and his deferential manner,
Lana knew he was lycan. “Lana, this is Daniel Yielding. He’s from one of our
oldest families and the star quarterback of our high school football team.”

The kid grinned, his shyness seeming to melt a little. “I
don’t know about star but I’m sure enough the quarterback. It’s nice to meet
you, ma’am.”

“Same here, Daniel. I look forward to watching you play this
fall.”

Mad engaged the young man in further conversation and Lana
realized he was careful to show an interest in their lives of his pack members,
no matter their ages or stations in life. “So when do y’all hit the practice
field for next fall?”

“Probably end of the month but no pads until sometime in
August, I figure. It’s going to be mighty hot around then.”

“You can handle it, brother.”

Daniel beamed then seemed to realize he needed to get back
to work and headed off, promising to bring bread and water. When he left,
Madden lifted a dark-green bottle, opened it and splashed golden-colored wine
into the two flutes.

“You seem to have a great relationship with pack members,
even the younger ones. That’s impressive.”

“There’s nothing particularly monumental about it, darlin’.
A good Alpha loves his pack and gets to know them. I’ve never been a bully nor
do I believe it’s a good idea to run roughshod over your people. Loyalty is important
in a pack and you don’t foster a lot of that by being an asshole.”

Lana took a sip of the fabulous wine then shook her head.
“Dad could learn a lot from you. Members of the Snow Wolf pack are ruled by
fear. As far as I know, it’s always been that way.”

“It’s been my experience that some people can’t be taught
and my guess is that Tomin Vronski will never change. The bully boy mentality
is probably too ingrained in him.” His gaze burned hot and Lana recognized the
anger there. “I’m just glad you’re out of that mess and, believe me, you never
have to go back.”

“It’s so nice to be here with you, Mad, and everyone has
made me feel welcomed. Let’s not ruin the evening by talking about my father.
I’m sorry I brought him up.”

“We’ll have to deal with him eventually but not tonight.”

Later they dug into rare steaks, baked potatoes with all the
trimmings and Mad talked about his thriving business. With the completion of
his project, he planned to take a week or so off. Lana knew that had much to do
with the threat hovering over her. Logically she knew she had Rogue pack behind
her but she couldn’t help stressing over it. It felt as if a huge cloud hung
over her when all she really wanted to do was move on with her new life with
Madden. The respite tonight was something she aimed to enjoy.

Madden watched her indulge in a decadent chocolate dessert
as he sipped a cup of coffee after their meal. “Tell me what you want to do
with all this newfound freedom? Do you want to work? Study? Is there some kind
of project you want to tackle? There’s a big wide world out there, sweetheart.”

She set down her fork and thought about it. “I really think
I want to go to college.” She shrugged, trying to be matter-of-fact about the
oppressive life she’d lived. “I was homeschooled so I wasn’t around other kids
much and Dad was against educating females. I’ve been exploring nearby schools
on the internet and I’m thinking about enrolling in one of them.”

“That’s great, Lana, you definitely should. Do you want to
study anything in particular?”

She laughed. “Everything. Anything. I want to study
languages and business. I’m interested in law and medicine. The only thing I
know for sure is that I suck at math so, no, math isn’t happening.”

He grinned. “Okay, no math. The main thing is you want to
jump into this thing and see where it takes you. There’s a small university not
far from here. You could commute, if that’s what you want, and the drive
wouldn’t be bad. Just tell me and I’ll help.”

Lana figured she was beyond lucky the night she’d met Madden
but now she knew it went a whole lot deeper than luck. She’d found her mate but
had discovered more too. Acceptance. Love. Caring. Her heart warmed as love for
him carried her under. Impulsively she reached across the table and took his
hand. “I think you’re good for me.”

Mad went quiet and she felt the energy, the power of his
touch seep into her flesh as he shared his strength. Lana knew that no matter
what happened, or how she chose to live her life, he would offer support. This
was such a new thing for her that it was hard to know how to react. Closing her
eyes, she squeezed his fingers and prayed that things would always feel this
way.

“Don’t laugh but this is my first date,” she finally said.
Feeling a little awkward about that admission, she took back her hand. “I’ve
really had a good time. The past few weeks have been weird with you being gone
so much. I know you had work to do but I missed you. This has been nice.”

“Oh honey,” he drawled, leaning toward her, “we’re just
getting started. This is just the first of many things we’re going to do. And
not just tonight either. I have plans for us.”

Lana grinned. “I’m glad to hear that.”

* * * * *

Anticipation filled the cab of his truck moments later as
Mad and Lana drove to the edge of town and then turned on the road to his
place. She was quiet now and he suspected she believed their evening was over
but damn if she wasn’t wrong about that. Sexual tension buzzed between them and
if she hadn’t been snugly fastened into her seat belt, Madden would have pulled
her against him. For days, he’d wanted nothing more than to spend time getting
to know her better and not only in bed. Lana was his mate and he thought of her
as such though they hadn’t gone through the mating consummation together.

The way he figured it, they would be together for their rest
of their lives and they had all the time in the world to get to know each
other. In quieter moments over the past week he would recall the way the short,
silky strands of her hair felt against his fingertips or how her lush breasts
fit into the palm of his hand. She was a sweet little bundle of TNT and hell
yeah, he loved watching her go up in flames. Fucking Lana and making her come
was just about the best feeling in the world and he aimed to do that at every
opportunity.

Like now.

When he continued driving past his house and farther into
the countryside, he noted her attention.

“Where are we going?”

He grinned. “Parking in the boonies. Did you ever do that,
darlin’?”

“I think you know the answer to that.”

He pulled up near the creek that sat a distance from the
house and turned off the truck. He loved seeing how the moonlight filtered down
through the massive oak trees surrounding a small clearing. Fat trout jumped in
the creek as they searched for dragonflies that dipped and dived above the
water’s surface. It was his favorite spot on the property and he thought it was
long overdue that he share it with her. “Then I think it’s time to do some of
that. Now you just sit here for a minute.”

Moon got out of the truck then reached into the
industrial-grade toolbox in the bed. He found a heavy quilt and, carrying it to
a spot in the clearing, spread it out over the ground before heading back to
fetch Lana. Taking care of his mate was his first priority, so he was a little
disappointed that she’d already unfastened her seat belt but he helped her from
the high cab of the truck and set her on her feet. Lana took in the scenery and
smiled. “I love it here.”

“I’m glad. It’s one of my favorite spots and I can’t think of
a better place to take my girl parking.” He’d been the first man to have sex
with her, the first to take her on a date and the first guy to take her
parking, a ritual usually reserved for teens but that she had missed. Once this
mess with her former pack was over, he’d give her another first, that of a
consummation ceremony with a mate. Though he was sad about the rough, lonely
past she’d suffered, he was glad that he could bring her things she’d never
thought to enjoy. Together they walked over to the quilt. “Why don’t you take
your shoes off and get comfortable. I’ll be right back.”

Mad went back to the truck and, after removing his jacket
and rolling up his shirt sleeves, fetched a small ice chest from the backseat.
By the time he returned to Lana, she was barefoot and lying on the quilt,
staring up at the stars. The tops of her full breasts peeked enticingly above
the low neckline of her sexy dress. Giving in to temptation, he set the ice
chest aside and sprawled out next to her. Propped on one elbow, he bent low and
settled his lips on that soft flesh. “You taste fine, Lana.” His tongue swept
along those sweet curves and Lana’s hand moved into his hair, holding him
against her. She sighed.

“Are you still hungry?”

“Just for you.”

“Hm, I’m beginning to think there’s a lot to be said for
this sort of thing. You know, making out in the boonies.”

“Hold on to that thought.” Moon sat up and tugged at his
boots until they sat at the edge of the quilt next to Lana’s girly pink shoes.
Then, giving into impulse, he unbuttoned his shirt and removed it. Noting her
rapt attention, Mad smiled. “I’m hot.”

“Yeah, you are. You really are.”

He knew she wasn’t talking about the weather. Her eyelids
slid to half-mast. She lay very still, one hand resting on her belly and the
other flung out across the expanse of cotton.

“So you like it here?” He stretched out beside her and,
drawing her against his side, settled her head on his shoulder. Lana spread her
fingers over his chest as if she’d done it a million times before. Mating lust
wasn’t just about sexual heat but gave a mated pair a sense of having known
each other before. It was a familiarity that would lead to a connection that
went much deeper than anything they’d ever known.

His body reacted when she smiled against his skin and her
breath moved over him. “Very much. It’s so different from the mountains yet
this place has a wild beauty all its own. I feel at home here.” She paused then
lifted her head to look at him. “Tell me about you. I want to know more.”

“I’m not very interesting.”

“Bull. I’ve never met anyone more fascinating and that’s a
fact. Why, when I saw you for the first time at Joe’s Hot Griddle, I thought,
well now, Lana, that is one damn fine man.”

“You did, huh?”

“Oh yeah. When you stood up and walked across the room, you
just sucked all the air from the place with your size, built like a linebacker.
You put the
B
in badass but I’m a total sucker for a guy who is also a
gentleman. And you are that.”

“Not feeling all that gentlemanly at the moment, darlin’.” Giving
her his most lecherous look, he rolled them both over and pinned her beneath
him, loving the way she sucked in a startled breath. She was smiling though and
he wanted that.