Rocky (Tales of the Were) (14 page)

“You can say that again.”

“There are all kinds of rumors about his origins,” he went on conversationally, stroking her hair away from her face.

“What rumors?” She grew breathless as the look in his eyes mesmerized her.

“Do you really care?” He drew closer, lowering his head to tease her lips with his. “Slade isn’t the man for you.” He moved his mouth to her neck, making her shiver.

“I know
.” She gasped as Rocky’s teeth teased the sensitive skin behind her ear. “You are, Rock.”

He growled and bit down on her earlobe gently. The sensation went straight through her, making her yelp in surprised pleasure.

“I’ll never get enough of you, Maggie mine.” His lips found hers again and his kiss was an assault of the senses that she welcomed.

Nothing else existed for her but this man, this moment, this loving embrace. She was surrounded by him, enveloped in his passion and she wanted to give him all she was and more. She felt her heart open up, as it did every time Rocky was near, and pour out love for him.

He popped the snaps of her parka open as he moved her backward and pinned her to the trunk of a wide, sheltering conifer. The scent of pine surrounded her, making her very aware of the untamed feel of the setting and the way the man who kissed her fit so well in this wild, sacred place.

Rocky unbuttoned her shirt and pulled down the cups of her bra to cup her bare breasts in his big hands. They were sensitive, but he knew just the right pressure to use to make her squirm with arousal.

Maggie let herself bask in the moment, enjoying every touch, every exciting caress. She’d never made love outdoors before, but she had a feeling that was about to change. She’d never been so daring in her life.

Rocky
dipped his head to her neck, grazing his slightly pointed teeth over her sensitive skin in a way that made her moan.

“That’s right, honey, let me hear how much you want this. We can be as loud as we want out here. The babies won’t hear.” His words were gasps against her throat as
he slid his hands lower, lowering her pants with impatient, arousing motions that drove her wild with desire.

She’d had to be so careful not to scream his name when he took her before. She’d wanted to, but there
had been the sleeping children to consider, not to mention his parents. But out here, in the secluded grotto, it almost felt as if they were the only two people in the world. Sure, that other very disturbing man had been here, but he was gone now, disappeared into the sheltering trees, and the feeling of being locked away from everything and everyone was pervasive. Maggie let her spirit rise to Rocky’s challenge and would not hold back this time.

No, this time was for them alone. No children. No parents. Only the two of them alone in the woods that were Rocky’s natural habitat. It seemed fitting that he make love to her here, taking her in that special place in the light of day and the presence of the tall, protective trees.

Maggie toed off her sneakers, helping Rocky rid her of her pants and underwear. They made a nice pile of insulating fabric to stand on, but Rocky probably wouldn’t leave her on her feet for long.

Maggie’s hands went to his waistband while Rocky’s mouth returned to hers, the fire between them flaring hotter and higher with each second that passed. She unbuttoned and unzipped to find him bare beneath his soft jeans. He didn’t seem to like underwear
, and that was fine with her at the moment. One less barrier to what she wanted.

Rocky broke the kiss and reached into the pocket of his shirt. His jacket was open, but his flannel shirt was still buttoned, rubbing enticingly against her nipples when he kissed her. He produced a foil
wrapped condom from the shirt pocket and ripped it open with his teeth.

She’d never seen anything sexier than his impatience. Maggie took the condom from him and rolled it onto his thick cock, caressing him as she did so, loving the way he growled when she squeezed him.

“Any more of that and this’ll be over before it starts, Mags.” He swooped low to put his hands under her bottom and lift.

He was so strong, he lifted her as if she weighed nothing at all. The parka she still wore protected her back from the rough bark of the tree as Rocky slid her upward. She wrapped her legs around his waist when he had them aligned.

Rather than the quick claiming she had expected, Rocky held her gaze with great solemnity as he directed his cock into her waiting, eager pussy. He slid in, inch by inch, watching her expression, his eyes saying more than words ever could about the specialness of this moment.

When they were fully joined, he paused, continuing to hold her gaze.

“You are my heart, Maggie. My soul. My whole life. I would die if I lost you now.” She saw the stark truth of every single word written on his rugged face. “Please say you’ll never leave me.”

“I won’t ever leave you, Rock. Not voluntarily. You are my home,” she answered simply. It was a truth she felt down to her toes. Finding him again. Being with him… She had finally come home.

Rocky’s eyes filled with emotion and he leaned forward, sealing their declarations with a brutal kiss that aroused her even more. He pinned her against the tree with his body and began to move in long, languid motions that made her pant and gasp, moan and sigh. She even growled a few times when he took her to the precipice of pleasure, only to back off before she could tumble over.

Their lovemaking was primal. Eternal. Rough and wild, just like Rocky. She loved it. She loved him.

And this time, she did scream his name when he made her come.

“I hate to interrupt something so obviously enjoyable,” Slade’s voice came to Rocky from behind. He’d known the damned cat shifter hadn’t really left.

Maggie gasped and fought to be let down. Rocky complied, lifting her off him and lowering her feet to the pile of her clothing still on the ground at their feet.

“It’s okay, honey. He can’t see much of anything,” he whispered, then lifted his head, directing the rest of his words to the sharp-eared cat. “And if he comes any closer, he’s going to have one very angry bear to contend with. Damn your hide, Slade. Can’t you see we’re busy?” Disgust filled his tone, but it was tempered by amusement as Maggie tried her best to hide against his chest.

“They need you back at the house and I was asked to escort you there. There’ve been some developments.”

What the cat wasn’t saying got Rocky’s attention. Nobody had ever needed to
escort
a full grown grizzly shifter anywhere. There must be danger in the woods and the damned cat was trying to tell him there would be safety in numbers. For Maggie’s sake, Rocky agreed.

“All right.” Rocky tried to sound nonchalant, but all his senses were on alert. “Go wait outside the grotto while we get decent. We’ll join you in a minute.”

The moment Slade slinked off into the woods, Maggie crouched to retrieve her pants. She shook them out before sliding into her panties and pants, then shoved her little feet into the sneakers she’d kicked off before. She was moving fast and her color was high. She was cute when she was embarrassed.

“I can’t believe we were seen.” She sounded shocked as she concentrated on the knot of her shoelaces.

Maggie had taken a seat on the soft pine needles beneath the tree. Rocky wanted to join her, but he dared not be caught on the ground. He knew there was danger in the woods, thanks to Slade, and he wouldn’t let his guard down again.

“It’s not that bad, Mags. He really couldn’t see anything, except maybe your ankles and my butt. And thankfully, Slade doesn’t roll that way.” Rocky had to chuckle at that thought as he pulled up and zipped his pants. “It’s not uncommon among shifters to be caught naked in the woods. It’s natural for us, more or less. Not something to get upset over. I’m sure he’s seen much more flagrant displays in his time. For that matter, so have I.”

Maggie stood and punched his arm. It didn’t hurt. She was so small compared to him, but he played along, shying away and then pouncing, wrapping her in his arms to fold her close to his heart.

“I didn’t know I was getting involved with an exhibitionist.” Her words were muffled against his shirt. Then she looked up at him, laughter in her eyes. “And you better not be watching any more
flagrant displays
or I’ll poke your eyes out.”

“Ooh. I like it when you’re feisty.” He kissed her, unable to stop himself.

Slade was watching their backs and there was no one better in the Pack to do so. Still, Rocky couldn’t do what he wanted—which was to back her up against that tree again. So he made do with a quick kiss and a cuddle, then let her go.

“Much as I hate to, we should get back to the house. Our voyeur is waiting.” Rocky held her hand and began walking out of the secluded grotto.

“I heard that.” Slade’s voice drifted back to them from just outside the circle of trees.

Thankfully, Maggie laughed. Rocky knew then that she’d be okay once she got used to the shifter lifestyle.

Slade took point as they began the journey back toward the house. Unlike the trip here, they didn’t pause or talk much. Slade’s sense of urgency communicated itself even to Maggie, and Rocky was saddened to see the lines of worry return to her lovely face. He held her hand, keeping her close to his side and kept a sharp lookout with all his senses on the surrounding woods.

He sensed the other shifters loping, flying and walking through the woods on either side of the trail. Slade had called out the cavalry to guard them as they made their way back to the house. That didn’t bode well. Something was most definitely up.

It was a relief to see the house when they stepped into the small clearing in front. Slade walked them right up to the door but didn’t enter. He gave Maggie a wink and a devilish smile that made her blush, and Rocky was glad his comrade had made the effort to put thoughts of danger out of her mind, if only for a moment.

Rocky shook his hand, letting Maggie be ushered away by his mother who met them at the door.

“I got a call after I met up with you at the grotto the first time. Strangers were spotted at the base of the mountain,” Slade said in a hushed voice. “My men are positioned throughout the woods around your house. We’ll stay on high alert until we figure out where the strangers went and if they pose any problem. I already called your dad and gave him the heads up. He and your mom are going to guard from inside the new construction. That area is vulnerable if someone is able to get too close to the house.”

“Thanks, Slade.” Rocky let go of the ex-soldier’s hand. “Did you call the Lords?”

“Not yet. This could be nothing, but I thought it better to get your lady under cover, just in case.”

“Good thinking. And thanks for the escort.” They both knew Rocky was referring to the dozen or so shifters who had guarded their path from grotto to house. They’d come in force to help him protect his mate, which meant a lot to Rocky.

Slade nodded and left, slinking into the woods as only he could. Damned cat. Rocky smiled as he shook his head and went into the house.

His mom and Maggie were dealing with the cranky twins, which gave Rocky a moment to gather himself. The sight of strangers near their territory might be nothing—or it could be the showdown he’d been expecting.

Only time would tell.

Chapter Twelve

Alerted by a sudden change in the energies surrounding his home, Rocky stepped out the front door a few minutes later and immediately his hackles rose. Evil was near. The
Venifucus
demon had come. Finally.

Rocky was almost glad in a way as he pulled out his cell phone and hit the speed dial that would alert Tim and Rafe.
It was a pre-arranged signal he’d programmed into his phone days before. The message would be clear to them and they’d come running.

Rocky hoped his parents were okay, but he had no time to find out for sure. They’d taken up guard positions just inside the new construction, leaving Rocky and Maggie in the main part of the house with the boys. He’d thought they’d all be safe enough with Slade and his guys out there, but now Rocky wasn’t so sure.

Somehow the enemy had gotten close enough for Rocky to sense them, which meant they had broken through the perimeter guards. That didn’t bode well for Slade and his men.

Rocky called to Maggie, knowing the time had come to use the heartstone Tony had created for just this moment. He stepped into the doorway, facing her.

“I need your necklace, Mags. Stay here and protect the cubs. My folks won’t let anyone into the house from behind, and nobody is going to get past me from here. You and the boys should be okay. Just stay in the house.”

“I want to help.” She squared her shoulders and he realized all over again how much he loved this fearless little human woman. He grabbed her shoulders and kissed her, fearing it might be for the last time.

But he wouldn’t let it be.

“You can help best by staying with the babies. There’s no stronger magic than a mother’s love. You’ll be able to protect them more than anyone else.”

She held out the necklace that bore Tony’s heartstone and he allowed her to place the pulsing red gem into his palm. A shock of power pulsed into him, up his arm and into his heart and soul. Tony’s power, left for just this occasion. With the pulse of magic he felt Tony’s last wishes, his love for his family—for the boys, Maggie and Rocky too—and his desire that Rocky keep them all safe. This last gift of a powerful shaman was meant to send his love over the realms separating them in one final act of protection.