CupidRocks (11 page)

“Finally, I will play
Malagueña
by Ernesto Lecuona.”

She blinked when Joe ripped into the heart of the Spanish
tune by the Cuban composer. Mandy couldn’t stay still, rocking with the beat as
she got into the fiery tune. She’d heard recordings of so many different guitar
players who tackled this piece, from Jose Feliciano to Roy Clark to Carlos
Montoya, but she’d never heard anyone play it quite like this.
Driving…forceful. Fast fingers. Guitar shredder to the nth degree. She
so
wanted to take him to bed right this minute. He was just so hot. By the end of
the song, she was gasping and with the final chord she clapped and cheered. Joe
laughed out loud, bowing to her so she blew him a kiss.

Leo cleared his throat and Mandy quit clapping to frown at
her father-in-law. Joe tensed as he waited for his father’s reaction. In fact,
everyone
turned to Leopold to await his pronouncement. Damn, it pissed Mandy off. Joe
was amazing, he shouldn’t be on pins and needles from what one person had to
say…but he was.

“Adequate, Joseph. Quite adequate.”

Joe sighed in relief, but Mandy saw red. “
Adequate
?
Are you kidding me? That was outstanding. Excellent. Superlative.”

“It was adequate, Amanda,” Leo countered. His brows were
flat and his blue eyes narrowed, but his mouth quirked as if he fought a smile.

“Bull—”

“Mandy,” Joe growled in warning.

She whipped around to glare at Joe. “No way. I will
not
be quiet. If you played
Malagueña
like thatat a concert you’d
bring down the house. I mean it. Whitewolf’s finest would drive by just to see
if Zach’s place was hosting a riot.”

Joe grinned. “You think?”

“Oh my God, yes! And if you did a Malmsteen with it, the
screams from the audience would be deafening.”

Joe blinked. “You know who Malmsteen is?”

Mandy chuckled. “Of course I know who Yngwie Malmsteen is,
I’m Eddie Goldwolf’s daughter!”

“I should have known,” Joe laughed.

“Yes, you should have. If you shred that song with your Les
Paul, the place would rampage.”

“Huh. I’ll think about it.” He tapped the body of his guitar
while he rubbed his jaw, lost in thought. “I’ve never played it on the Gibson
before, but I could.”

“Yeah, and it would be awesome.”

“Thanks, angel. I’ll practice it.”

“Have you two finished this conversation?” Leo’s tone of
voice suggested they’d been talking about dog shit and Mandy turned to let him
have it.

Angel, just let it rest.

But—

Pick your battles.

All right.
This
time.

Thank you.

You let him walk all over you. Adequate, my ass.

Angel, coming from him, adequate was high praise.

That’s crap.

That’s Leopold Schwarzerwulf.

Do you realize you just equated your father with crap?

Um…I didn’t mean to.
Joe’s face reddened.

Sure about that
? she teased.

Mandy’s lips twitched as she fought full-out laughter while
he put his guitar back in the case and then he came over to sit beside her.

Just shut up, Mandy,
he warned.

Anything you say, sweetie.
She glanced at him out of
the corner of her eye as he rubbed his twitching lips. Mandy grinned and Joe snickered.

Stop it
, he growled.

What? I’m not doing anything.
Mandy leaned into Joe
and took his hand.

“Jacob, you’re next,” Leo ordered.

Chapter Eleven

The rest of the family was as impressive as Joe had been.
Jake possessed a fluid, lyric tenor that wrapped around a listener like a warm,
wool blanket. Julian’s trumpet performance was as bright and crisp as fine
linen. Maria’s clear coloratura floated like a bird on the wing.

But Leo topped all of them. He played like a violin
god
.
He opened with
The Swan
by Camille Saint-Saen, followed by
Air on the
G String
by Johann Sebastian Bach. Mandy didn’t think it could get any
better until Leopold closed with the
Theme from Schindler’s List
. Mandy
hadn’t expected how deeply it would affect her, but as he played the
contemporary classical piece by John Williams, she finally understood what Joe
meant. Leo made the violin sing with hope and sob with grief. It moved her so
deeply she couldn’t keep tears from falling unchecked down her cheeks.

When he finished, Leo smiled at her. “Tears are indeed the
highest form of praise because it means I touched you. Thank you, my dear.”

Mandy wiped tears away and nodded wordlessly. Her throat was
so tight she couldn’t speak. This entire family was so very talented she felt
overwhelmed. How could she possibly fit in here and what could she ever
contribute?

You contribute your joy and your love of music, Mandy.

I just can’t believe how much talent is in just one
family.

Talent yes, but we’re as dysfunctional as they come.

Joe wiped away the rest of her tears. “You look like a
raccoon,” he teased gently.

“Thanks.” She slugged him lightly in the shoulder.

“Joseph, why don’t you show Amanda to the restroom so she
can wash her face,” Leo suggested kindly.

“And you might show her your bedroom while you’re upstairs,
dear.” Maria turned to Mandy, “It still looks as it did when he was twenty.”
Maria seemed to sense that Mandy needed to chill for a couple of minutes and
she appreciated her mother-in-law’s sensitivity.

“Excellent idea, Mother,” Joe took Mandy by the hand and led
her out of the music room and toward the stairs. “You okay, angel?” he
murmured, taking her into his arms.

Mandy nodded. “Yeah, but I feel so out of place.”

“Just remember you’re my True Mate, so you’re needed here.
True Mates always happen for a reason. We come into each other’s lives in order
to provide needed lessons—to ourselves and sometimes to our families.”

“Kinda mystical, aren’t you?”

Joe chuckled, color running along his cheekbones. “Maybe,
but I believe it. I’ve seen too many True Mated couples not to.”

“And have you figured out what the couples have taught each
other?”

“Sometimes. But most of the time, I think the only ones who
really know are those most intimately involved…the couple themselves.”

“So what are we supposed to teach each other?”

“No clue. But you know, the ride is half the fun!”

Mandy laughed, running her fingers along his strong arms.
“I’m glad I finally found you.”

“I am too.” He grabbed her hand. “Come on. Let me show you
how I used to sneak out of the house.”

Mandy followed, laughing as Joe ran lightly up the stairs
and led the way to the last bedroom along the front of the house. He opened the
door and she looked into the early 1990s. A very guy kind of room—navy-blue
bedding on a full-size bed. A big old desk with a comfortable chair. In one
corner was a navy-blue leather recliner with an ancient TV. What surprised
Mandy the most was the “art” on the walls.

“Your father let you have posters of guitar gods on the
walls?”

Joe grinned as he fell back onto the bed as if he was still
a twenty-year-old. “Nope. During most of my teens all the posters of Eddie Van
Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck were
carefully hidden by posters of Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Segovia and Paganini.”

“Paganini? He was a violinist.”

“Yeah, but he was great.” Joe shrugged. He turned and looked
at the windows above the bed. “I’d open this window,” he pointed to the one on
the right, “climb out and ease onto the gabled roof below then slide down it to
drop onto the ground.”

“That’s a long way to fall.” Mandy gazed out the window and
shuddered.

“I never fell. I almost did once, right after the old wolf
and I had a fight but I caught myself.”

“When we have pups, we’re nailing their windows shut.”

“On that big old vic you’ve got, that would probably be
smart. If they take after us, they’re gonna like thrills.” Joe slid his arms
around her waist and pulled her back onto the bed.

Mandy ran her hands through his hair. “Speaking of
thrills…did you ever sneak a girlfriend in here for a wild time?”

“My parents would have smelled sex and there would have been
hell to pay.”

“Not even when they were away? No big party here with ‘rents
gone?”

He laughed. “They were way too smart to leave us on our
own.”

Mandy pushed him onto his back, straddling him. “So this bed
has never been the site of hot sex?”

“Does jacking off count?”

“Nope, sorry.”

“Then, no.”

“Well, there’s no time like the present.”

Joe’s gaze traveled from her face down to where she sat on
him, then he licked his lips. “I want to, but Father—”

“We’re True Mates and you aren’t sixteen. Fuck me, stud.” He
growled as she rocked her hips on him. “It’s all hard under here,” she teased.
“I guess wolves find raccoons sexy.”

“Wolves eat raccoons and angel I want to eat you
so
bad.”

“Nothing’s stopping you.”

Joe slid his fingers along her thighs and up under her
dress. He caught her by her legs and flipped her onto her back before sliding
her panties off and tossing them into the recliner in the corner.

Mandy laughed. “Are you sure you haven’t done that before?
Your throw was pretty damn good.”

“Long practice throwing my own clothes there.”

Mandy loosened his tie and tossed it across the room. They
both watched it fly and Joe chuckled when it fell short of the chair.

“You’ve got the right idea, but you need to throw harder.”

“It was my off hand.”

“Sure it was. Like that matters.” He sat up, pulled his
jacket off and sent it into the chair with his left hand.

“You use both hands to play guitar. You don’t
have
an
off hand.”

Mandy argued while she unbuttoned Joe’s shirt to the waist,
sighing with pleasure as she revealed his tanned skin. She stroked her fingers
through the hair, seeking out his tight nipples. She flicked them with her
thumbs, smiling when he groaned and thrust his hips forward.

“Shit, angel. You’re gonna kill me.”

“But in a good way.”

He laughed. “Maybe, but our time up here is limited and I
have got to eat your pussy or die in the attempt.”

“Death isn’t required. Eat your fill.”

Mandy hiked her skirt up to her waist and bent her knees,
tilting her hips invitingly. Joe groaned and sank down between her legs. She
closed her eyes as she felt his warm breath against her pussy lips. His hands
caressed her thighs, lifting her legs onto his shoulders.

She grasped his hair in her hands as he pressed gentle
kisses on her mound but she jumped when his tongue slipped between her pussy
lips to flick at her clit. She sighed happily as he tongued her, but then he
lifted his head and she wanted to scream.

“Why did you stop?” she asked, glaring down at him.

“Just checking to see if you were paying attention,” Joe
teased.

“I am. Now, you said something about eating pussy, didn’t
you?”

He chuckled. “Could be.” She gave his hair a tug, pulling
him back into place. “You seem a little eager, angel.”

“Eat me, Seymour.”

“You mean feed me, Seymour.” He laughed.

“Whatever. Suck my clit.”

She opened her legs wider and raised her hips, all but
waving her pussy in his face. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“You smell amazing. I love the musk rising from you.”

“Then feel free to take a closer look. Or closer sniff.
Before I smack you into next week for teasing me.”

“Hey, isn’t that the guy’s line?”

She shook her head at him, and decided if he was going to be
all talk and no action, she’d take action herself. She let go of his hair. With
one hand she parted her labia and with the other she stroked her clit, groaning
with pleasure. He groaned too. She glanced down and smiled as his eyes glazed
over and he licked his lips. She reached down and slid her fingers inside,
stroking deep. He tugged her fingers out of her pussy and sucked the dampness
into his mouth.

“You taste like heaven, angel.”

“Then feel free to taste some more.”

“Hell, yeah.”

He parted her gently and buried his face against her. His
tongue snaking out. Flicking at her swollen flesh. She leaned back and closed
her eyes. He licked her clit, sweeping around the hard nub. Hitting the spot
over and over. Alternating between fast light taps and long, intense arcs.

“Oh yeah. That feels so good.”

He stroked into her pussy while he sucked and nipped at her
lower lips. She reached down to grasp his hair again. Moaning as his tongue
worked at her clit. Faster and harder. She rocked her hips against his mouth.

“Don’t stop. Oh God, Joe. Don’t stop!”

Desire coiled inside her. Pleasure twisting tighter and
tighter until she was gasping and straining with need. His fingers flew and his
tongue flicked. Her fingers knotted in his hair and she arched. Rocking faster.
Wanting more. Needing it.

“Joe,
pleeease
.”

His mouth covered her clit and he sucked. Drew on her.
Nipped her. Then returned to the sensual stroke of his tongue. Her limbs grew
taut as her body stiffened. Release just one teasing touch away. His fingers
added to the tension by slipping in and out of her wet pussy. Driving her
higher.

“Oh God. More.”

He growled, pulling her hips closer before returning his
mouth to her swollen hot folds. He parted the labia further so her clit
couldn’t hide. When he hit her with his tongue this time, she fought a scream
as she shook. Right on the edge.

“Quiet, angel.”

“Just do it, stud. I’m so close…”

She growled at him, tugging at his hair and his eyes
twinkled with amusement. To appease her demands, he buried himself back in her
pussy. When his tongue connected this time, he didn’t stop. Even when she let
out a yelp of surprise and hungry cries. She focused on the swirl of his
tongue. The draw of his mouth. The nip of his teeth. All combined to take her
over the top. Mandy sobbed, holding his head in place while waves of
satisfaction flowed through her as she came—and came.

When he finally lifted his mouth, she felt spent. But Joe
wasn’t done. He unzipped his pants and surged upward, seating himself in her
wet pussy. He filled her. Thrusting deep and she moaned as his mouth sought
hers. Their lips met and she tasted herself, sucking at his lips while he
plunged into her. Riding her. She gasped as her desire rose again and she was
moving with him. Open for him.

“Ah, angel. You’re so fucking wet. I swear you’re sucking my
cock off with that hungry pussy of yours.”

She chuckled, wrapping her arms and legs around him. His
mouth trailed down her neck and she nipped his jawline. Running her fingers
through his hair, she raised her hips to meet his thrusts. He groaned and she
clenched on him. Her pussy constricted. Squeezing him as he withdrew and
opening to welcome him back inside. He grunted. Pounding harder and faster.
Gasping. Tensing above her as he skated at the edge of release.

“Come for me, Joe,” she cried, clutching him.

“Come
with
me, angel.” He moaned, “I need you.”

Her pussy clasped his driving cock and the friction between
them left her panting. Twisting inside her making her clit throb. He took her
with hard fast stabs and she responded. Her pussy gripping him. Both of them
damp as desire rose and wound around them. Binding them together. Mandy
screamed as her climax tore through her body. She clutched Joe tight, fighting
the way his withdrawal. She wanted him to stay inside her forever. Uniting them
completely. With her pussy spasming and her body shaking, Joe reached his peak
and he went rigid. Howling as he came. They rocked together. Groaning and
kissing as their bodies shuddered together. Feeding on each other’s arousal and
release.

At last they collapsed, trying to catch their breaths.
Puffing and panting. Mandy threw her head back as Joe dropped into her arms.
Exhausted as if they’d just completed a marathon. Mandy reached out to cradle
Joe’s cheek in her palm and he turned his head to kiss her hand.

“That was fucking awesome,” he sighed.

“Yeah. It really was.” She chuckled as he kissed her
forehead.

“Joseph! Amanda! Your presence is required.
Now
,” Leo
bellowed.

“Ah shit. They heard us.” Joe scrambled off her and ran to
the window to open it, letting in a cold breeze.

“Hey! That’s cold,” Mandy groused as she pulled her clothes
back on and tugged a blanket over her.

“We need to get rid of the smell of sex or there’ll be hell
to pay.”

“For God’s sake, Joe, we aren’t kids. We’re adults and we’re
True Mates.”

“But we just fucked here. In my bedroom. It’s not—”

“Proper. Yeah, I know.” Mandy rolled her eyes as Joe
frantically dressed and did his best to clean the room. He tugged her out of
the bed and remade it. He opened the window wider. “Damn it, Joe. I’m
freezing.” He waved the air at the window like that would clear out the smell
of sex. “Shit, you look like a teenager trying to get rid of the smell of a
joint.”

Joe looked over at her. “My father is going to kill us.”