She bucked back as he slammed into her. He jerked her to him each time he thrust in her, their bodies slapping together with each grind of his hips.
Within moments, her orgasm shot through her, her muscles clamped around him, and she cried out as she rocked against him, riding out the waves crashing over her as he yelled out her name while his release pulsed in hot jets inside her.
Afterward, he lay on his back, and she sprawled across his chest while he toyed with her hair. Once her body calmed a bit, she propped herself up on him.
“What?” He smiled at her.
“I meant what I said in the dream. I love you, Piers.”
He stilled, and stared at her for long moments.
“What?” She was worried she’d said something wrong.
“I just didn’t think you’d ever say it. I love you so much, Sherry. Say it again.”
“I love you.” She kissed his chin. “I love you.” She bent, licked his nipple, and his breath caught. “I love you.” She ran her hands along the muscles in his chest and up and over his shoulders. “You are a gorgeous man.”
“And you are a beautiful woman.” She frowned, and he ran a finger over her lips. “What’s wrong?”
“I want to be with you, but I-I’m not ready to-to—”
He placed one long finger over her lips. “I won’t ever try to force you into anything you aren’t ready for. If your sister told you everything, you are aware that lycans’ life expectancy is much, much longer than humans. That’s the main reason we change our mates. I honestly can’t see living without you now that I’ve found you.”
“Oh. I see.”
“I’ve lived a long time. If you decide you’d rather not ever be changed and grow old and die a human, I’ll go when you do.”
“What? You can’t do that. Wait, would you still look like this when I’m old?”
“Probably.”
“I’m not ruling anything out, I just need some time. I want you to show me how it would be, and I need to get accustomed to the outdoors.”
“I’m not worried about it and neither should you be. The most important thing is that I found you. Let’s be happy with what we have now instead of worrying about what might or might not happen later.”
“Deal.” She kissed him.
Chapter Fifteen
Two years later . . .
A cool breeze blew over them as they sat on the hill overlooking a pond reflecting a full moon hanging lazily in the sky. They were naked and Sherry sat between Piers legs, her back to his chest. His arms were around her, and he held her snugly against him. He’d taken her to his favorite campsite tonight so they could be alone on this momentous occasion.
Over the last two years, he’d shown her the beauty of nature. She couldn’t believe how much she’d missed out on. She still didn’t care for bugs all that much, but she loved watching the deer, rabbits and other animals in their natural habitat. She’d asked Piers to change for her several times, but he’d always refused, saying he’d wait until she decided to be turned. She’d grown to love him even more, if that were possible, and had realized that she couldn’t bear to grow old and make him watch her die.
She would have been a very stupid woman if she didn’t embrace every single moment she could spend with Piers, and if becoming a lycan would give her extra time with him, she’d do it. Once she’d gotten used to the idea, it really didn’t seem all that bad. He’d told her that she never had to change after the first time if she didn’t want to, but she had a feeling running with him in lycan form would be an experience all of its own.
Two nights ago, they’d made love and he’d bitten her to start the change.
He told her it wouldn’t hurt, that the only time it was painful was if another lycan besides her mate turned her. She’d still been scared, but fear had quickly turned to blinding ecstasy that she’d never imagined could exist when his teeth had punctured her flesh. When he’d taken her body and finally claimed her, she’d had an orgasm so intense she’d nearly passed out.
“Are you scared?”
“A little, but I know it will be okay as long as you are here.”
“I promise it won’t hurt too much. The first time is the worst, but after that, it’s nothing.”
She nodded, but as she went to reassure him again that she’d be fine, her muscles clenched.
“Oh!”
She looked down at her hands and claws sprang from her fingertips while tiny coppery hairs popped through her skin by the hundreds, growing until they were about an inch long. He held her tight as she gasped for air while spasms wracked her body. It wasn’t unbearable, but it was a bit more than uncomfortable, to say the least.
Her nerves burned, and she itched from the inside out. His hands on her comforted her through it all. Suddenly, she was standing on all fours looking out at the pond. The transformation was complete, and she turned around to find a splendid coal black wolf standing behind her watching her with golden brown eyes. She trotted over and stood beside him, and just like in human form, he was double her size.
“You are beautiful.”
“You aren’t so bad yourself, big boy.”
His laughter floated through her mind.
He turned and ran to the edge of the tree line where he disappeared. She ran after him, and was soon running beside him. They ran for several minutes, the breeze ruffled her fur, and Piers yipped and nipped at her playfully. He stopped at an outcropping, walked to it, and stood on a big boulder. She followed him and was amazed at the awe-inspiring, picturesque landscape that greeted her.
They were at the edge of a steep cliff, and the moon glistened off the tree tops below them. Millions of stars blinked and winked in a clear midnight blue sky.
“Wow.” She couldn’t believe she’d never given nature a chance.
“Yeah.”
“Can we go back to the tent now? I have this sudden urge to make love to you.”
Piers shifted and stood before her, his naked body glorious in the moonlight. She changed back to human form, as well, and he reached out and tugged her to him by the waist.
“We don’t have to wait until we get all the way back to the tent.”
He caught her lips with his mouth and she welcomed his tongue into her mouth. She loved him, loved the way he caressed her and kissed her, even loved his over protectiveness. She felt safe with him, like nothing could ever hurt her. He’d sacrificed so much for her the past two years.
He’d moved in to her tiny apartment and had patiently shown her his world. They’d stayed at his house several times, and she knew he was happier at his place, which sat on hundreds of acres of land. She also knew he’d never ask her to move there with him unless he was sure she could be completely happy.
She sighed when he bent and took one nipple into his mouth after tonguing it to a pebbled peak. They sank to the ground, and he covered her.
She loved the feel of him wrapped around her, and opened her thighs to cradle his hips between them. He was hot and hard and nudged at her already wet opening. She was always ready for him, any time, any place, and he was always up for any occasion…literally. He was a fierce but gentle lover who always put her pleasure above his, although she made sure he was as satisfied as she was each time they made love.
The look on his face when she made him come turned her on like nothing else could. The knowledge that she could please her man was a mighty aphrodisiac. The way he gave himself over to her, let her explore him as she pleased, submitted to her if she asked even though it went against his dominant nature, proved his love for her.