Rook (Black Mountain Pack Book 2) Page 11

  Patting the bed next to him he invited me to join him. “Come talk to me. I’ve missed seeing your smile.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

  He held up his hands. “I just want to talk.” That smile crept across his face again. “Unless you had other ideas.”

  “No,” I sputtered. “Talking is fine.” I blushed, feeling the heat rise up my neck. I knew I must be a pretty shade of red by now. I searched his face, and against my better judgement I went and sat next to him on the bed. I was facing the headboard, one leg crooked underneath me so I could see his face and well, all of him while we talked. “I’ve missed you too,” I started.

  “Will you be leaving again?” I asked.

  “No, that was my last mission for Casey. I’m done, and back for good now,” he replied, gently resting his hand on my knee. He looked away lost in thought and his thumb absently rubbed circles on my thigh. He glanced back at me. “What have you been doing while I was away?’

  “Not much. We got the cubs and the tutors moved into the dormitories, and finally have them on a set school schedule.” I smiled. “The rest of the harem also moved out of the house ontotheir own. They aren’t ready to be alone yet, but are doing much better together. They started a garden for Tamara and enjoy working it. It gives them something to do where they don’t have to interact much with the rest of the Pride.” I took a breath. “Jonah and Niko are the only men they truly trust right now, besides Mack. So they check on them throughout the day. Jonah still posts guards at night to make them feel safe.” I babbled on about what had changed in the Pride over the last three weeks as he watched, gently touching or encouraging me to continue. It was hard to focus with his touch, and the heat of having him so close made me want to just curl up with him and soak it in. I avoided talking about myself, choosing to focus on the cubs, and especially the bond Marla had with two of them.

  Rook laughed. “Sounds like she is smitten. I wonder how Sterling will take it.”

  “I don’t know, but she is already talking about taking them back to the States with her. I think it would be a good idea. She is good for them considering she is the same species as the little girl.” I smiled.

  “What about the boy?” Rook asked.

  “He’s a fox. He is the only cub that wasn’t fathered by Tomas. He found him wandering the jungle on his last outing and brought him home. We have searched the outlying areas in hopes to find his family but have had no luck.”

  Rook nodded. “The Pack may be the best choice for him. Sterling is actually a silver fox. Having another of the same or similar species would help him.” He laughed. “I can’t wait to see how that goes down!” His eyes met mine then and he opened his arms. “Come here, we’ve talked about everything else, but now I want to talk about you. Will you join me? I want to hold you.”

  I hesitated. My cat didn’t.

  I HELD MY BREATH AS I waited for her to decide if she would join me or not. I knew I took a risk asking her but laying her with her so close was killing me, and my cat was demanding more physical contact than the simple touch of my hand. I watched the emotions cross her face as she decided. I knew it was a big step, to trust a man enough to freely lay with him, even with our clothes on. This would show me how far she had actually come in the last six months of therapy. Our kiss earlier was a good indication, but I wanted to see if that was just a one-time occurrence, or if Jasmine was really ready to take what we had to the next or even furthest level. I knew I was.

  With my missions for Casey done I knew I would be heading back to the States and the Pack soon. I wanted to take Jasmine with me. I wanted to show her what a true and loving pack looked like and how we worked together. The Pride was doing well, but it would be a long time before they were at the level of the Black Mountain Pack. I didn’t want her to have to wait that long to find out. I had already spoken to Mack and Casey and they said it was up to Jasmine, if she wanted to go with me it would be with their blessing.

  She blew out a breath. “Okay.”

  I waited as she crawled up and lay next to me, putting her head on my chest before I wrapped my arms around her. I kissed the top of her head. My cat and I sighed together. Finally happy and content. “Thank you.” I rubbed my hand up and down her back, comforting both her and me. “Now tell me how things are with you. I truly want to know, and so does my cat.” I lay there holding her and waiting. I’d wait all night if I needed to. I wouldn’t let her go until she shared with me.

  It took her a few minutes but she softly replied, “I’m better.” She turned her face up to me to look at me. “I’m not one hundred percent, but I’m a lot better.” She smiled.

  I took the chance and leaned down to brush a kiss across her lips. I took it as a positive sign when she didn’t tense up or back away. “I’m glad. Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “Be patient with me.” She lay her head back down. “This is good, just holding me is good. My cat likes it, too. Kat has helped me through our therapy sessions, but she said it’s time to start taking chances again. To let my cat take the lead, and let instinct fall back into place. Whatever that means.” She huffed. “Right now she and I both just want to lay here with you. If that’s okay,” she whispered.

  “Of course.” I smiled but she couldn’t see me. “Are you hungry?” I asked.

  “A little.”

  “I’ll have something delivered here. Then we can eat and just relax. Sound good?”

  “Yeah.” She sighed, her body relaxed even more into mine.

  The feel of her along my chest and thigh were making it difficult to take things slow. My body hardened further with every breath she took. Those breaths brought her covered breasts against my bare chest. I wanted to remove her shirt and bra so that we were bare together. I growled low in my chest as I reigned that thought in and contacted Tamara through the Pride. “ Tam, can you have someone put together two meals and bring them to the Alpha house for Jazz and I?”

  “Of course, Rook.” I heard the excitement in her response. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes, Tam. Everything is perfect.” I broke the connection and settled in with Jasmine wrapped along me to wait for the food to arrive.

  As usual Tamara outdid herself when she sent the tray. Jonah was a lucky man if he could get past her fear of mating. The way the pheromones radiated off those two it needed to be done quick for Jonah’s cat decided that everyone Tamara came into contact was a threat. I knew the feeling, mine was becoming the same way. I knew I needed to take it slow with Jazz, but my cat was beginning to not care. The physical contact today wasn’t helping keep him in check.

  I watched Jazz devour her portion of the food from the tray and once we were both sated we settled back against the headboard. I sat up a bit more this time, it was time to have a serious talk. I reached down entwining my fingers with hers and bringing her hand to my mouth placing kisses on each of her fingers. “Jasmine, I need to talk with you. I know you have been through more than I can imagine, and you have taken huge strides to heal with Kat.” I paused, taking a deep breath. It was all or nothing now. “I am so proud of how far you have come but I can’t hold back what I feel anymore. From the moment I met you, my cat and I both knew you were destined to be ours. Our mate. I also knew you weren’t ready for that. But now that I have completed my missions for Casey I’m no longer needed. I’ll be heading back to the States to join Jerome and my Pack.”

  I scanned her face and held my breath waiting for her reaction. If she denied me I knew I wouldn’t search out anyone. It was her or nothing. I squeezed her hand in comfort and encouragement, though it was more for me than her.I took it as a positive sign when she squeezed back and smiled.

  “So when would you leave?” she whispered.

  “As soon as I can report to Mack and Casey about this last mission and get my things in order. Jerome has already contacted me wanting to know my ETA. I have to let him know within the next day or two.” I reached
over and caressed her chin raising her eyes to meet mine. “I’d like you to go with me.” Her eyes got big and shined with unshed tears.

  “Really?” She smiled.

  “If you want to, yes, it would make me the happiest man around.” I kissed her forehead. What I really wanted to do was take her lips, show her how much I wanted her. I had to tread lightly, I could let the passion go when she said yes.

  She looked down at our clasped hands, running her fingers over our joined hands and looked back up at me. “I want to be with you.” She took a deep breath. “Wherever you are I want to be with you, but I’m scared.”

  “That’s okay, it’s normal to be scared, but you don’t have to be because I’ll be with you. I think you’ll like the Pack. We will stay with Jerome and Susan until my house is ready. I am sure it needs a good cleaning, and it’s fairly empty since I’m the only one who has ever lived there, so you can fill it up and make it yours too. You will love Susan and I know she will love you.” I pulled her close, releasing her hand to frame her face. I scanned her eyes and found acceptance before I leaned in for a kiss. It started off sweet but when she opened for me the pent up need took over, and when she reacted without hesitation I let my feelings pour through.

  I felt Mack in my mind, I knew he wanted to talk, but now was not the time. I shut down all connections in my mind to focus on Jasmine and the pleasure I planned to bring her. I took my time kissing her, showing her with each stroke of my tongue what exactly I wanted to do with her. My cat and I both agreed she had too many clothes on. I released her lips and trailed kisses down her neck listening to her breathing and soft moans for any sign of hesitation on her part. Hearing her little mewls of pleasure spurred me on. I grasped the hem of her shirt and started to raise it, leaning back and making eye contact. “Okay?” I rasped out. If anything scared her I would stop, it would be hard but for her I’d do anything. Her breath came in short gasps as she nodded. “I need you to say it, Jasmine, if anything scares you I’ll stop, but I need you to vocalize it.”

  “Yes, don’t stop.” Her voice was deep with need.

  I pulled her shirt up and off. Throwing it to the side and just looking. She was splendid, her breasts barely contained by her bra, and just below three scars. She covered them, lowering her eyes. I moved her hand. “There isn’t anything you need to hide from me. I want to see all of you.” I leaned forward and kissed each scar as she lay back. I kissed between her breasts, up her neck, and captured her lips again. Giving her time to adjust to having my hands and lips on her. My erection pressed against the zipper of my jeans. I was glad I had chosen to don my boxers, or I would have been in pain.

  I took my time tracing my fingers along her skin, peppering her with kisses along the way. She had relaxed fully and was writhing beneath me.

  “More. Rook, I need more.”

  I smiled at the fact she spoke, that she told me in her way what she needed. Her nipples were hard beneath her bra and I licked one through the fabric before sucking it into my mouth. Her back arched off the bed at the contact and she moaned. I took the opportunity to reach behind her and unclasp the fabric. I released her nipple with a pop and swept the bra away. I took a breast in each hand, weighing them, rolling her nipples in my fingers, watching her emotions play out on her face. Her eyes were still closed as she bit her bottom lip. A sure sign she was enjoying this as much as I was. I leaned forward giving each nipple equal attention, laving and sucking them into even harder peaks. My hand roamed as I focused on her breasts. Running along her jeans, up her inner thighs, almost to her apex but skipping over it to touch the skin along her waistband.

  She huffed out a breath when I passed over her womanhood. I left her breasts and kissed a trail down to her waist, unbuttoning her jeans as I did. I looked up to see her watching me. I hesitated a moment. When she lifted her hips I took that as my sign to divulge her of the rest of her clothing. I took her underwear down with her jeans and tossed them to join her shirt and bra on the side of the bed. I could smell she was wet and ready. Her scent sweet and musky tantalizing my nose.

  I licked just above her curls and inhaled deeply letting out a low growl. My cat was demanding to mark her right there but I held him back. There would be time for the mate’s mark, right now this was about Jasmine, and showing her there was more to loving. It would be more than sex. This time. I lowered past the apex of her legs and kissed each thigh, slightly nipping, running my tongue along the sting to soothe it.

  She gasped and her legs fell open for me. Showing me her center, her curls glistening with her nectar, her body begging me for more. Reaching down she ran a hand through my hair and I took the first taste of the last woman I would ever want to be with. Her flavor burst inside my mouth as I brought her to the edge and let her fall. I sat back, licking my lips, and my cat swelled with Pride knowing we had brought our mate to the first of many climaxes.

  I kissed up her body, taking her mouth in mine and sharing her taste with her. She wrapped her arms around me letting her fingernails graze down my back. I looked down at her, at the pleasure radiating from her face.

  “Rook, I need more. I need you.”

  “Are you sure?” I knew I had given her pleasure but I still wanted to make sure she was ready. Now was not the time to jeopardize this mating.

  She pushed at my waistband. “Yes, I want you. Inside.”

  I stripped my jeans and boxers off, my erection springing forth and settling back between her legs. Jasmine grasped my face and brought it down for a kiss. Her eyes opened to meet mine flashing to feline and back as I entered her. I held still letting her body adjust to me. A feeling washed over me that I couldn’t explain--a connection clicked in my mind as my heart settled and filled with her. My cat roared inside with satisfaction, urging me to complete the mating by marking her. My eyes shifted to the spot where her neck and shoulder met. The place that would hold my mark. I held my cat in check. I wouldn’t do that until she was ready. I met her eyes again as I began to move watching her pupils dilate with the same need that filled me.

  I had held off taking her for so long I knew I wouldn’t last long. I wanted to draw this out for her as much as possible but she spurred me on. Wrapping her legs around my waist and pulling me tighter. She pulled my head to her neck and whispered, “Make me yours completely, Rook. Mark me.”

  My cat and I joined at that moment and with one final thrust I felt Jasmine’s orgasm take over and I released mine to join her, my teeth elongating and biting into that sweet spot that would carry my mark for the rest of our lives. Jazz screamed out in release and I licked the wound to help hasten the healing.

  I rolled to the side, bringing her with me. Now that the passion had subsided I was worried she would regret what we had just done. I never intended to mark her the first time we made love. I rubbed her back as she nuzzled against me waiting for her reaction. “Are you okay?” I whispered.

  She gazed up and smiled. “I’m perfect.” She ran her fingers through the light dusting of hair on my chest. “I never knew how good it could be, and now I feel...” she hesitated “…I feel whole. As if a missing part of me is home.”

  “Me too, darling.” My body relaxed and we drifted off. I should get cleaned up but I didn’t care at this moment. I had my mated asleep in my arms where she belonged.

  I WOKE STILL WRAPPED IN Rook’s arms. I lay there listening to his breathing as he slept. I felt like I was in a dream. I hadn’t expected to fall into his arms so quickly or easily but he was so attentive, and I never felt the fear with him that used to come with the thought of intimacy with anyone. Kat had told me during our session that I should trust my cat and her instincts, and that’s just what I had done. When he bit down to mark me the final cage I had kept her in blew away in my mind. I no longer had walls or boxes holding things away. I felt happy and complete. I also felt like I wanted to run for a very long time. My cat was stretching in my mind, preparing.

  Rook stirred as we lay there realizing I was awake.
“Hey there.”

  “Hey,” he responded in a raspy voice. “How are you doing?” Concern etched his face.

  “I’m great.” I smiled and hesitated.

  “But...” he coaxed.

  “I want to run,” I blurted out, blushing. I had never been forward, but with Rook I felt like I could say anything. That would take some getting used to. I knew, through our connection, that I could say anything to him with no judgment. I also felt his cat through the bond, flirting with mine, and my body started tingling. I wanted another romp with them both.

  “Then let’s go run.” His eyes twinkled as he got up and walked to the door stark naked.

  “Shouldn’t we get dressed?” I asked, pulling the sheet up to my chest.

  “There’s no one in the house right now, we can go down the back stairs and shift outside. I don’t want to go far on your first run. Come on.” He winked and then walked out the door.

  With trepidation I climbed out of the bed and followed him tip-toeing out the door and watching for anyone who might still be in the house. I found him at the top of the back stairs smiling. When he saw I followed he descended. I had two choices, to follow him, or turn around and get dressed. I took a deep breath and ran to the stairs to follow him down. The door was standing open when I descended and in it sat Rook in all his tiger glory. He swished his tail waiting for me.

  “I haven’t shifted in years, Rook. I don’t know how long it will take.”

  “Just let her take over. She knows what to do, don’t fight her.” He spoke through our bond. Rook turned in the doorway and took a few steps outside. Just enough for me to walk through. I closed my eyes and opened myself to her. I could feel her excitement, and within moments the change was done. I stretched my muscles, remembering how it felt to be in this body. My white fur gleamed in the sunlight, and Rook rubbed against me talking to me through our bond again. “Let me know when you are ready. Mack wants to see us before we take off if that’s okay with you. He is out front with Casey, Jonah, and Tamara.”