Winter Magic (8 page)

Fawn swiped her thumb through it then put it to her lips and licked it. The salty masculine taste exploded on her tongue, making her light-headed. She wanted more, but she didn’t know how to say as much. “You taste good,” she said. Heat crept into her cheeks at her proclamation.

“Do I?” he asked, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear.

“Mhmm,” she answered. “I can see why you liked licking your fingers after you, you know.” She glanced down when the heat intensified and spread down her neck.

“You’re killing me,” he rasped. “I’ll let you taste me later, but right now, I don’t think I have the self-control needed to guide you.” He climbed onto the bed then fit his shoulders under her hips. “However, it doesn’t mean I can’t take you on a little ride.”

He held her open to his perusal while his tongue swirled around her hard clit. Fawn’s eyes went wide and her hips rose off the bed. Kalum splayed his palm over her stomach and held her in place while he continued to feast on her.

“What did you do? What did you touch?”

“Nothing…much.” He chuckled. “You’re so sensitive.” He lapped at her clit again then settled his mouth over her pussy and devoured her. His tongue lashed at her then filled her. Sparks of electricity skittered along her skin. Her nipples puckered. She tingled from head to toe as a ball of bliss expanded in her belly.

He didn’t give her a chance to catch her breath nor did he give her a moment to get used to his pace. He flicked her clit then sucked on it, scoring the tight bundle of nerves with the blunt edge of his teeth. Fawn cried out and wiggled beneath him, trying desperately to position herself where she needed him the most. He, however, had other ideas. He kept at her, fucking her with his tongue while simultaneously pushing his finger into her clenching channel. “Kalum,” she whimpered.

“Damn,” he grunted, adding a second finger. He drove her to the edge of sanity, seemingly enjoying the fact she squirmed for him, chasing the exciting bubble of ecstasy expanding inside her. She rippled around his intrusion and rocked her hips, riding the wave of elation crashing over her. “You’re milking my fingers, and you’re so fucking hot and wet. Give me more. I want your juices running down my chin.”

She moaned. “Please.” Her eyes fluttered open to find him watching her. Arousal glittered his gaze. His mouth was still latched onto her pussy. He groaned against her, and the vibrations shot through her. “Oh God.” She shuddered.

“Please what, Fawn? What do you want?” He wiggled his fingers then curled them as he drew them out of her, before slipping back inside.

“I need to come.” She sighed. The foreign sensation spread through her like mini bolts of lightning, licking at her nerve endings until she was a knot of unspent energy.

“Yes, you do.” His tongue grazed the sensitive flesh of her pussy, while he continued to fuck her with his digits. “Let go, baby. I’ll catch you,” he said before gently biting down on her clit.

Everything detonated inside of her. She screamed his name as she flew apart, shattering into a million pieces. Shards of bright lights filled her vision until she was floating on a blanket of nothing, gliding back down to reality. “Wow,” she whispered when she finally caught her breath.

“Indeed.” He placed a final kiss to her folds then climbed up her body, placing wet, openmouthed kisses to her stomach, sides, and chest. He nipped at her chin then drew her bottom lip into his mouth. She could taste her release on his tongue when he finally claimed her mouth, and it only served to stoke the flames of her desire. “Do we need to be concerned about your cycle?”

She shook her head and buried her face in his chest. “No. I’m good.” The way he said we, as though they were a team. His concern for her protection made her want him even more.

Shifting his hips, he placed her leg over his elbow. He lined himself up at her entrance and took her lips in a searing kiss as he pressed forward. Her head fell back onto the pillow and a cry of bliss fell from her lips. Above her, Kalum grunted. His jaw clenched as he retreated and filled her more.

His thrusts were measured, giving her maximum satisfaction without causing her any of the pain she’d become accustomed to. Fawn dug her nails into his back, clinging to him for dear life. He filled her to the point she thought she’d rip in two, but instead of fearing the sensations racing through her body, she embraced them. Reveled in them. She allowed herself to take flight once more. Riding the euphoric tendrils coursing through her, Fawn shattered once more in his arms.

Kalum stilled over her.

His big body shook with the effort it took to keep himself stationary while he watched her take her pleasure. “You’re beautiful when you orgasm.” He began to move once more. Pumping his hips, his pace became uneven and jerky—almost as if he warred with his baser need and making it last.

She stroked his back, urging him on. “Easy, Kal. You can let go, too. Let me be the one to catch you.”

Fawn wrapped her legs around his waist, and he tilted her pelvis up, changing the angle of penetration. She cried out. Tingles of bliss spread through her body, ratcheting up her need. Their moans filled the room, with each plunge of his hips. His pace increased as he buried his face in her neck and moaned her name over and over. Kalum’s grip held her in place while he fit his other hand between them and strummed her clit. “Together,” he grunted.

“Yes,” she murmured. “Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”

His thrust grew more urgent and, each time he filled her, he pushed down on her clit, adding pressure to it. The knot inside of her grew until her breath hitched and the world around her disintegrated. She rippled around Kalum, milking his cock with everything she had until he slammed into her one last time. She felt his mouth at her neck and, in the next second, a momentary sharp pain as he bit down, piercing her flesh. Fawn cried out once more and shuddered. He’d marked her. Claimed her for all eternity. A possessive growl vibrated in his chest, igniting mini orgasms to ripple through her.

“Mine,” he snarled, cradling her body to his.

Yours.

For long moments, neither one of them moved. With gentle motions, he pulled from her and gathered her in his arms.

“Looks like we’ll be a little late.” She giggled.

“Just a little bit.” He laughed then kissed the top of her head. “Are you okay, sugar?”

She stretched and grinned, enjoying the delicious ache between her legs. “Better than okay.” She pressed her lips to his chest. “I feel amazing. Thank you, Kalum.”

“There’s nothing to thank me for.” He tilted her face up. “You’re my mate, Fawn. I’d do anything and everything for you.”

“Really?”

“Always, baby,” he replied. “Don’t you get it? I love you.”

Tears filled her eyes and her bottom lip trembled. She traced small patterns on his chest with her fingertips while she tried in vain to gather her composure. “Well,” she said, “I love you, too.” She cleared her throat then shook her head before giving a quick laugh.

“I know you do.” He smiled down at her and wiped away her tears. “Let’s have some fun tonight, baby, and celebrate this Winter Solstice right.”

“I like the way you think.” She grinned. “It’s about time I cut loose.”

“More than you’ll ever know,” he whispered against the crown of her head.

So they were more than a little late, but the idea of getting out of bed didn’t appeal to Kalum. He made love to Fawn once more before dragging her to the shower to clean up and re-dress. The soft glow she emanated made his heart constrict. The woman didn’t even know how beautiful she really was. Kalum opened the door to his truck and helped her up into the seat then made his way around the front. Once he was situated inside, he opened the glove box and pulled out another small four-by-four box. Handing it to her, he grinned. “Drew said something about everyone bringing an ornament. I hope you like the one I picked for us.”

Fawn grabbed the box from him and gently pulled the tab opening it. She gasped. “It’s beautiful,” she said, taking it out. Inside the small Mason jar stood a white-dusted pine tree on a bed of white cotton, simulating a blanket of snow. It was simple compared to the one he’d given her, but, when he bought the first, this one had stood out for him as well.

“I’m glad you like it,” he said, pulling away from her house. “Lily and Graham should be at the festival when we get there. I kind of had to force them.”

“Didn’t they want to be there?” she asked, placing the jar back into the box. “It’s the first time we’ve done something as a pack in a long time.”

“I know. I said the same. I think between the move home and the fact things aren’t the same anymore, they were reluctant.” He turned onto the main road back toward the middle of town. “I do know Luc and Ero will be there as well.”

“Kole and his mates should be there, too,” she said. “I talked to him when I went over his books.”

“Is there anyone you’re hoping to see?”

“One person, but I’m sure he won’t show up. He left a long time ago, and I haven’t heard from him since.” She glanced out the window as the sun dipped low in the sky.

“Kru?” he asked, taking her hand in his.

“Yeah, Kru,” she whispered. “I wish I knew where he went and what he is doing. If he’s okay. If he ever plans on coming home.” Her voice cracked, and he squeezed her fingers as a sign of support.

“There was so much done to tear us apart. I have to believe when he finds out Magnum is gone, he’ll return. Hell, look at how many members have returned since Drew took over.” Damn, why hadn’t he thought to find her brother? Why hadn’t he thought to bring him home so she could have her family by her side? He mentally beat himself up, but knew, no matter what, Kru coming home had to happen on his time, not Kalum’s.

“Maybe,” she replied. “I know he left because of everything…you know. I always…well, I always wondered if there wasn’t more to why he left. If I could’ve done more to make him stay.”

“Sometimes things happen for a reason, Fawn. There’s no rhyme or reason behind it.” He put the truck in park and turned to her. “How about I make you a deal?”

“Okay.”

“If Kru isn’t back by spring, I will put out a few feelers. If I find him, we’ll go together and see if we can bring him home.” Her face brightened and her eyes sparkled with merriment. When her lips curled into a devastatingly beautiful smile, he felt mule kicked in the gut. He’d spend the rest of his life keeping that smile on her face.

“Deal,” she said. Leaning across the seat, she pressed her lips to his. “This is the best day of my life.”

God, she was killing him. Every word from her lips dripped with such adoration. Such wonderment and appreciation. He didn’t know if he should tuck her away and keep her to himself, or share her newfound zest for life. “I believe the day ain’t over yet.”

“No, it’s not.” She laughed. “If I don’t get a chance to say it again later, thank you, Kalum. For…everything.”

“Baby, you don’t have to thank me. It’s my pleasure. It’s thanks enough just to see you smile.” He opened the door to his truck. “Are you ready to have some fun?”

“Yes,” she answered, a smile as big as the state of Texas tugging at her lips.

“Well, all right.”

***

Fawn took Kalum’s hand in hers as they walked over to the giant Christmas tree where everyone had gathered. She saw some couples she knew and some who were new. Luc and Ero stood off to the side talking with a woman she’d never met before. Over by the fire, Lily and Graham were having an animated, yet lighthearted conversation. No Tinks, though.

Lights twinkled and danced with the light westerly breeze. Snow was in the air; she could taste it. The Wolf in her rejoiced in the fact she might be able to play with her mate in the white powdery substance. Her mate. Just the thought sent a thrill of excitement through her. Warmth spread through her as the thought of never being alone again washed over her. This was her big reward. This beat the hell out of pizza.

Pulling the ornament from the box, Fawn placed it on an open branch and stood back. Around the jar, twig stars, painted pinecones, and strands of berries were hung with care. Carved wolves and lacquered plaques with the words joy and merry were spaced randomly around the tree. Clear light strands were wrapped from the top where a wolf and star sat, down to the base, disappearing from under heavy-duty power-cord covers. Around the trunk of the tree sat a beautiful woven skirt. Two wolves stood together in the forefront while behind them a pack ran freely.

Home
.

The word danced through her mind as she gazed out over everyone gathered together. For so long she didn’t know what home meant or if she ever had one. Now, she knew she did. She just had to find her way—even if it did take a little while for it to happen. Kalum came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Although he wore only an arctic vest, his body heat penetrated the suede coat she wore, warming her up. He bent his head and nuzzled her mark then placed a kiss on it.

Yes, she’d finally found her home.

“There once was a young girl who had a baby boy. They said he had no father.” Gee sat on a log near the fire pit, Thin strips of red leather braided into his long black hair, which lay over the shoulders of his buckskin coat. Steam rose from a mug in his hands, curling in the cold air as it rose above them. His gaze had been fixed on the leaping flames dancing across the fresh-cut wood that had been added to stoke the fire. “He had been named Snow and Ice.”

At the same moment, a light dusting of snow floated to the ground and mingled with the ever-growing coverage from the last few days. The pack converged around the Werebear as he continued the story. “When he was angry, he would take hold of a person’s fingers and suck on them. Within minutes, they would turn black and stiffen, as if frozen from the cold.”

Fawn smiled. The tale of the first winter. She had loved this story as a child. Her mother, before she’d died, would tell it to her on the first day of their first snowstorm of the year.
Snow and Ice is here, my daughter. Go play and greet winter.
For hours she would dance through the flakes and catch them on her tongue. Times had been much simpler then.