Scorch: A Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (The Tribe Series) (6 page)

W
e stood
on the front porch. Drew tipped toward me, and I could smell the wine on his breath. I didn’t need wine to get drunk off his lips. I fell into him, clinging to his neck, dragging his lips over mine.

We were the last ones to leave the rehearsal dinner. I felt anxious on the drive back to the house. The reality was setting in that this was the night before my wedding.

“I want to come in,” he growled. His hands lifted at the hem of my dress.

“Come in,” I begged.

I kissed him, pushing and pulling at his sport coat. I wanted him to stay, but I knew he needed to go. He had a room with his brother for the night. They were planning a last minute guy’s night. I guess it was the shifter equivalent to a bachelor party.

His hands cupped my ass and squeezed. I moaned, as his tongue flicked against mine.

“You know I can’t do that,” he warned.

My eyes flared. “It’s only a ceremony.” I dug my nails into his back, making a straight line to his firm backside. “Come in.”

He yanked on the back of my hair, forcing my head to steady so he could devour my mouth again. My knees weakened as the kiss fired through my limbs. I was breathless and slightly tipsy from the wine, but there was the unmistakable fire burning around us. I felt engulfed in the flames.

“We can’t break the laws,” he muttered. His teeth gnashed against my neck, and I purred at the contact.

“Be an outlaw with me then.”

I pulled his mouth to mine again and kissed him until the growl was fierce in his chest. I’d never been this turned on in my life. The jaguar in him could take me on this porch, the stairs, over the railing. I didn’t care. I wanted him more than obeying some stupid custom. The vibration through his body was humming into mine.

“Francesca…” He tore his lips away.

“It’s not going to be enough until tomorrow night is it?” I looked in his eyes. They were glowing with lust like mine.

“No. It’s not.” He rested his hands on the door over my shoulder and took a deep breath. “One more night. That’s all. We can handle one night.”

I didn’t know if he was trying to convince me, or himself.

“Thank you for the rehearsal dinner. I’m glad I got to meet your brother and Noah. It’s weird knowing there are others like us out there.”

“They’re good guys. I’m glad they’re here.”

I didn’t have anyone. Alexa counted as a friend substitute. “I wish I could have invited my family. Not that I want them here, but you know…someone from my line.”

He kissed my forehead tenderly. “After tomorrow, you’ll have family. You’ll have me. You’ll have the Tribe. You do belong, Francesca. With me. Always with me.”

I sighed. He was right. I was going to belong to a line of cat shifters. There was a place for me. I just didn’t expect that place to be with an unusually hot pack of alpha jaguars. One look at Case and then Noah and I realized there was something different about the Tribe. They were built like gods. Hot, sexy, chiseled, athletic gods.

I wrapped my arms around his neck again. “I don’t want you to leave tonight.”

He chuckled. “Darlin’, believe me. There’s nothing I’d rather do than carry you into that bedroom and make you mine right now. It’s all I can think about. But the guys are waiting. And it’s bad luck to see the bride on our wedding day. I think that’s a tradition for every being. Humans and shifters.”

“Tomorrow seems like a long time away when you’re standing in front of me right now.” I tugged on his neck. “Five more minutes?” I pleaded. “We can do a lot in five minutes.” I ran my fingers around his waist and drew a line under his belt.

He groaned, loosing control of his restraint. His mouth moved over mine roughly and urgently as if he was kissing me goodbye forever. Tasting every part of my mouth. Remembering the way my lips felt. Stroking the side of my face. Tangling his hands in my hair.

Eventually, he pulled away, panting from the charge between us. “I’m going to walk down these stairs and get in my truck.”

I nodded, biting my bottom lip.

“And I’m going to drive to the hotel.”

I nodded again.

“But that doesn’t mean I don’t want you so badly, my jaguar is about to crawl out of my skin.”

I giggled. “That bad?”

He growled. “That fucking bad.” He started to back away.

“Good night, Drew.” I giggled, knowing I had made it almost impossible for him to leave. I didn’t want him to go, but I understood. This would make tomorrow night all that more special.

“I’ll see you at the altar.” He winked.

I waited until his taillights had disappeared around the bend. I sat in one of the chairs on the porch. I didn’t want to walk inside. Somehow it would make it feel like the night had ended. I touched my lips, tender from his teeth and mouth. I didn’t know kisses could be like that.

I didn’t know attraction could be this strong. I didn’t know need and love could be so tangled I couldn’t tell one from the other. What I did know was that tomorrow I would link my life to Drew’s.

I sat and rocked, watching the moon sink lower.

I
pulled
the starch collar against my neck. Who in the hell invented tuxedos? I looked at the guy in the mirror getting ready to marry the shifter of his damn dreams. How did I get this lucky?

“Hey, little brother.” Case strolled into the room where I was getting ready. He held a drink in his hand.

“How does this look?” I turned for him to give me a full inspection.

“Like you’re about to take your first mate.” He grinned. “I’m proud of you. Very proud. Your duty to the Maddox line is being fulfilled. Can I get you a drink? Something to celebrate this occasion?” He walked over to the bar and poured something dark brown into a glass and handed it to me.

I needed a little courage for what I was about to ask him. “About that…”

“I wish Dad was here to see you. See this. What we’ve accomplished. The lands we’re inheriting. The territories we’re building. He’d be proud.” He slapped me on the back. “You are a true Maddox, Drew. Dad would want to be here.”

“Well, he’s not.” I threw back the bourbon and felt it burn inside my throat.

“Listen, Case. I need to talk to you about my list. About the whole thing.”

After leaving Francesca on the porch last night I had decided I had to bring this issue to the king. The council would be next. But what I felt for her wouldn’t be destroyed because of shifter history. I wanted to make my own history.

“What is it?” For once my brother had a serious look. The cocky smile was gone.

We both stood silently staring at each other. A woman knocked on the door. “It’s time.” She peeked her head in the room. “Everyone’s downstairs and the bride is ready too.”

Case nodded at me. “Ready for this?”

“Yeah.”

“We’ll talk after the ceremony,” he stated.

“Sure.” I left my empty glass on the dresser and straightened my boutonnière one more time before walking downstairs.

We didn’t have a lot of time to prepare and we didn’t have many guests, so the wedding was held at a bed and breakfast nestled in the top of the mountains. They had a large parlor they rented out for events, and it came with a bridal suite.

Lucky for us, both were available.

I walked to the fireplace and took my place. A couple of the guys were in gilded chairs, as well as a few girls who I assumed were from Francesca’s university.

A violin started to play, and she entered the room from a sweeping staircase.

My heart thudded, and my lungs stung with air. I’d never seen anyone more beautiful. More sexy. More mine.

It was as if the room disappeared as I watched my mate float toward me in her white gown. I couldn’t describe it or say how it fit her, only that it made my mouth water and my hands on fire to touch her.

Her hair was down and drifted around her shoulders. She smiled as she stood in front of me. The justice of the peace nodded at both of us as we took our places in front of the fireplace. There was a small flame flickering between the logs, and the mantle was glowing with candles.

I said my vows on autopilot. Whatever the justice said, I repeated quickly. I didn’t even hear Francesca’s words. I couldn’t take my eyes off the glow of green coming from her eyes. I was buzzing with every sensation.

At some point he told me I could kiss her, and with a little nudge from Josh, I pulled her into my arms and kissed the hell out of her until we were both gasping for air.

I stood her up and steadied her. “This is still real?” she asked.

“Oh yeah, darlin’, it’s completely real.” I held her hand against mine. We turned to face our guests. “You’re my wife now.”

“I’d like to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Drew Maddox,” the justice announced.

We started to walk down the mini-aisle when the front door opened and slammed abruptly.

“Mom? Dad?” Francesca looked horrified, but not as much as the angry parents facing us.

“
M
om
? Dad? What are you doing here?” The complete bliss I had from exchanging my vows with Drew was lingering between us, but it didn’t feel real with the angry glare of my parents trying to penetrate the happiness.

“We’re too late, aren’t we?” My father’s voice roared over the violinist.

“How did you even know?” I was in disbelief. Were they upset they weren’t invited or upset I was married? “Why are you here?”

“Laney Sampson,” my mother explained.

“Laney? But she’s a freshman.” I had no idea how she had heard I was getting married, but we were from the same town. Maybe some of the other students had somehow heard. I had sworn Alexa to total secrecy.

They stormed toward us, and I felt Drew’s hand draw across my waist in a protective stance. He pushed me slightly behind him.

“Does he know about you? Does he know what kind of monster you are?” My father hissed, pointing a finger at me.

I shrank behind his words.

“Mr. March. If you’d like to stay for the reception, we can take your coat and maybe talk over a glass of champagne.” Drew’s voice was low and forceful.

My father staggered back. He had heard the growl from Drew’s chest. He reached for my mother’s hand. “You’re—you’re like her,” he accused my new husband.

Drew stayed calm. I heard Case walk up behind us.

“Is there a problem?” He looked from my father to my father.

Drew turned. “Case, these are my new in-laws. In-laws, my brother Case.”

Case’s eyes shimmered. My parents looked horrified, recognizing the glowing green eyes we shared as shifters.

Case held out his hand. “It’s always a pleasure welcoming new members to the family.” He grinned wickedly.

I decided then that he wasn’t a shifter I ever wanted to cross. Something in his words were threatening, but I couldn’t explain exactly what it was. Everything about him was regal and authoritative. If only my parents knew he was a king.

“We’re not family,” my mother hissed. “We came to warn the groom, but that seems pointless. It’s too late. We should have come sooner.”

“Warn me?” Drew’s eyes hardened. “About Francesca? About the most loving, beautiful woman in the world? You want to warn me about her? You’re talking about my
wife
.” His teeth clenched together.

He pushed past me until he was almost chest to chest with my father.

Dad didn’t back down. His stubbornness was showing. “We thought we had a moral obligation to let her future husband know. We couldn’t stand by and watch her destroy an innocent man, but it seems like he already has a good idea.”

“Yes, and then some.” Drew winked. “Now, if you’d like to stay for the reception, you are welcome. But if you’re here to spew your hate, there’s the door. My bride and I are headed in for our first dance.”

I held my breath, waiting for their answer. Part of me hoped they’d say they wanted to stay and celebrate my marriage. Part of me wanted Case and the rest of the Tribe to kick their asses out the door. I was torn.

I shouldn’t have been surprised when they retraced their steps and walked out the front door. The violinist started up again and Drew faced me.

“You okay?”

I nodded. “I think so.”

I felt the tears stinging. I didn’t want them to fall. I didn’t want a single one on this beautiful wedding dress. This was our moment, not theirs. This was our celebration of love. I couldn’t let the past pull me back into believing I was a monster. Drew had pulled me out of that darkness. He looked at me as if I were beautiful and kind. He wanted to marry this girl.

“Hey, look at me.” He pulled my face between his hands. “I’m your family now. We are family. A bond like no other. That kind of hate doesn’t stand a chance in this room.”

And I felt it. I knew he was right. I knew there was truth in his words. We had exchanged vows, but the shifter magic we had opened by pledging ourselves to each other was stronger than anything I’d felt growing up in my parents’ home. This man loved me totally and completely.

His entire purpose as a member of the Tribe was to find me. To make me happy. To love me. I could almost hear his thoughts without him saying them. I could feel his love without him touching me. The vows we exchanged deepened our connection like a lifeline tying us together.

I leaned up to whisper in his ear. “I’d like to drink a glass of champagne, have our first dance, and have you make me yours forever.” I smiled. “As soon as possible, Mr. Maddox.”

He pressed his forehead to mine. “You know, it’s cute that you whisper because all these guys have shifter hearing and heard everything you said, but I’m sure they’ll act really cool about it.”

I blushed down to the tops of my breasts. What the hell. They all knew what we were going to do tonight anyway.

I held my husband’s hand as we walking into our private reception, leaving the hurtful memories of my childhood locked outside.