Authors: Kimberly Hunter
Chapter Seven
They lay there a while, getting their breathing and hearts back under control, tiny spasms still fluttering through them. Sasha felt a little empty when he pulled out, but then he gathered her in his arms and held her.
“I’ve no words for what I just experienced. And every one I think up just seems woefully inadequate.” He kissed her forehead and hugged her tightly against his side.
She squeezed back, laying a kiss on his chest, her head fitting naturally on his shoulder. “Will it be like this every time?” she asked drowsily, more than content to sleep in his arms.
Flynn chuckled at that. “If so, we’ll be worn out within the month.”
“Mmm.”
She was almost out when she heard Flynn say, “Sleep, my love. I’ll be here when you awake.” She felt his lips touch hers; then she was out, surrounded by Flynn’s arms and cocooned in velvet blackness.
“You have chosen,” said a familiar voice behind her.
Sasha turned to see the blond man. He had Flynn’s face. “I have.”
He nodded. “It is as it should be.” Then he smiled sadly. “We will not meet on this plane again, sweet Sasha. Nor will you remember our time together.”
She blushed at the wicked grin he gave her, remembering what they shared in the clearing. “Why?”
“Because you have a Mate and because I have been selfish. And because you deserve to have the life that was denied you so long ago. You have a destiny that I can’t be part of any longer, no matter how I wish it otherwise.” “Will we ever meet again?” She too was sad but didn’t really understand why.
“One day,” he replied, turning to leave. “One day.” Then he vanished into the forest.
When Sasha was alone again, the Pack returned, rejoicing about her choice and wanting to celebrate with a run. So she just went with it instead of panicking. It was great. She felt so free, so alive. Running with the Pack was exhilarating. She almost didn’t want to wake. But Flynn was waiting, her True Mate. She felt the truth of that now, whereas she didn’t before. However it worked, they were Mated now, and she was meant to be with him. He was hers, and she was his.
It was probably his absence that woke her. She could smell him and their recent lovemaking, but he wasn’t in the room. She got up and put on the pajama top that had been tossed on the corner chair, then went to the bathroom to look for Flynn. He wasn’t there either.
“Must have gone downstairs for something,” she murmured out loud.
She wasn’t panicked that he had left her, but she did feel odd. Like she had lost or misplaced something important but knew it was near. Must have been what Flynn had told her about yesterday. She just wondered how long they could be apart before this feeling set in, how long it lasted, and how bad it would get if apart for too long. It wasn’t uncomfortable now, just annoying.
“Good, you’re up.”
Sasha had been so lost in her own thoughts she didn’t hear him come in.
He was dressed in a white tank, black running shorts, and sneakers. He was also dripping sweat.
“Working out?” Her voice came out husky, arousal hitting her hard at seeing him, his body glistening with sweat.
“Just my usual run.” He smiled, breathing in deeply, no doubt smelling her need. “I always go in the mornings, but I got more than distracted this morning.” He grinned, lust darkening his eyes.
She wanted him. Now. “I was about to take a shower. You obviously need one,” she stated, knowing what she wanted. “Why don’t we share?”
That was no sooner out of Sasha’s mouth when Flynn strode across the room, picked her up about the waist, and carried her to the bathroom, where they stripped each other in record time. When they were both naked, he carried her into the shower stall, and closed the door. The water was cold at first, but Sasha didn’t care. She was hot for Flynn.
Their mouths were fused when he pushed them under the now warm spray. Sasha could feel the water running down her body as their tongues dueled and their hands touched everywhere. His jutting cock hit her stomach. She wanted it lower.
“I want you. Now!” He turned her around and thrust home in her slick, wet heat. “You feel so good,” he groaned, sinking to the hilt.
Sasha gasped with shock and pleasure as Flynn pounded into her. She stood up a little, turning her head for a kiss. She got it with an upward thrust that had her moaning into his mouth. He then pinched a nipple with one hand while the other found her clit. She came within seconds, keening into his mouth. Flynn followed right after, slamming home with a satisfied grunt.
“Mmm.” She leaned back into his solid strength, feeling boneless and heavenly.
“I know exactly how you feel, love.” He sighed, hugging her. “Unfortunately, the warm water won’t last forever.”
After a shower almost as sexy as their lovemaking, Sasha sat on the bed, drying her hair, when someone knocked at the door. She paused long enough to cover herself before Flynn opened it. He was still nude, though. Sasha certainly didn’t mind. Yummy.
“Here are some more clothes for Sasha, and the item is waiting out front when you get ready,” Charlie said through a wide crack in the door.
Flynn took the clothes, not bothering to hide his nudity. “Thanks, Mother. If you need anything, call me on my cell.”
“All right, dear. You two have a great time and be careful. You know how bad the traffic is,” she warned.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.” Sasha heard Charlie walk down the hall as Flynn brought her the clothes. Funny, she didn’t hear Flynn like that earlier. But then, she’d been distracted, wondering where he was. She really needed to pay better attention.
“Charlie shouldn’t have gone to all this trouble. I could have worn what I had on last night until replacements were bought.” Sasha laid the clothes out on the bed. The shirt was a dark green lightweight cotton oxford with short keyhole sleeves. It was fitted at the waist and would look great with the jeans and brown leather clogs.
“None of that now. You’re family and my True Mate. We take care of each other,” Flynn admonished, donning his clothes.
He got out a faded pair of blue jeans, a light blue T-shirt that complimented his eyes, and a scuffed pair of hiking boots with white socks. No underwear, though. It was commando all the way, and everything molded to his body like a second skin. “Keep looking at me like that, and we’ll never leave this room,” he growled, taking her in his arms and kissing her deeply.
When they came up for air, she said, “Can’t help it. Now that I’ve had a taste, I want more.” Heat seeped into her cheeks at her bold words.
Honesty is my motto; seducing Flynn was my plan
, she thought, wanting nothing more than to spend the day in bed, making love.
Flynn’s arousal was evident, his hard length poking her in the stomach. “ I’m afraid it will have to wait. I have a surprise for you.” He grinned. “Downstairs.”
“A surprise? You didn’t have to do that,” she chided as he took her hand and led her out the door.
“Of course I did. It’s tradition that I give my True Mate a First Mating gift.”
She blushed again at mention of what they shared early that morning. Twice. “But I don’t have anything to give you.”
He brought his lips to hers, sipping at them sweetly. “You already have.”
Her faced flamed as she remembered her boldness at taking him. He chuckled in response, knowing where her thoughts were. His thoughts were there as well, as evidenced by his still-hard cock tenting his jeans.
“Now close your eyes and hold my hand. The surprise is out front.” He waited until she closed her eyes and took his hand; then he led the way.
Sasha knew the moment they stepped outside. She smelled fresh air and trees, just mowed grass and turned earth, hay and flowers. In the distance she could hear animals. Horses, cows, and birds. And through it all, she could feel the sunshine. She raised her face, breathing deeply of the warm air.
Flynn stood behind her, holding her close. “Feels good to be out and smell the fresh air, doesn’t it?”
“It’s wonderful.” She sighed, leaning back and enjoying the moment with Flynn holding her close.
He gave her a hug. “Open your eyes.”
She opened them and saw a long driveway and a dark metal-flake green Jeep Liberty sitting in front of them at the bottom of the porch where they stood. The Jeep was complete with KC lights and big traction tires.
“What do you think?” he asked as he led her down the steps.
“It’s nice. I like the color,” she replied as she walked around it.
“It’s yours.”
She looked at him, startled. “Pardon?”
“The Jeep is yours.” He put a set of keys in her hand.
She stood still in shock, looking first at the Jeep, then Flynn. Then her brain came back.
“I can’t accept this, Flynn.” She shoved the keys at him, but he wouldn’t take them.
“It’s already done.”
“But I already have a car.” She caught the wary look on Flynn’s face. “Don’t I?”
“I’m afraid it was stolen before we could retrieve it. I’m sorry.”
“Stolen? But I wasn’t finished paying for it yet!” she cried, sitting down on the porch steps.
Flynn sat beside her, taking her hand. “That’s all been taken care of, sweetheart. I paid what the insurance didn’t cover and then got you a replacement.”
She gaped at him. “How? Why?”
He laughed a little. “As you will soon discover, I have more than enough money to live the way I want us to. And as for the why, well”—he touched her cheek tenderly—”you have come to mean a great deal more to me than I ever thought possible. And I knew you needed a car, so I got what I thought suited you best. This.” He nodded at the Jeep.
“Oh, Flynn!” She threw her arms around him, hugging him tight. “You keep doing stuff like this, and I’ll start crying again.”
“None of that now. I have the rest of the day planned out, so I want you feeling your best.” He hugged her back, then helped her up to look at the Jeep again.
“So, what plans did you have in mind?” she asked silkily.
He pinned her against the Jeep, grinding his erection between her thighs. “If we had time, I’d show you.” He kissed her senseless.
When she could think again, he took the keys out of her hand, ushering her to the passenger side and helping her in. He then walked around to the driver’s side and climbed in, starting the engine.
“Since you have no idea where to go, I’ll be your driver for the next few days. That way you can familiarize yourself with the area until you feel confident to drive on your own.”
“Okay, that sounds good.” She buckled up.
As they made their way down the drive, Sasha took the opportunity to get a good look at her surroundings. She was in awe, of course.
She was on a ranch. A real Montana ranch, complete with a giant ranch house, outbuildings, a red barn, white picket fences, and horses grazing in the pasture. This place had to be a dream. She was going to wake up soon and be back in her tiny apartment, working at a job she tolerated. Her mom would call and borrow some more money; one of her sisters would call to ask if she could babysit again. And all she would have was this dream to keep her company in a world of sameness and disappointment.
“Sasha, you all right?” Flynn asked as they pulled out onto the main highway.
She looked over at him. “I’m not sure really. This all feels so much like a dream, you know? I mean, I’m the type of person who could win a thousand dollars, then crash her car the next day. That’s usually how my luck runs.”
He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Well, sweetheart, I think your luck has changed.”
“No offense Flynn, but I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. On my head.”
He smiled at that. “Don’t worry, darlin’. Everything will be fine. Besides, I think you’re more than due for your share of happiness. You’ve put everyone else first. Now it’s your turn.”
She smiled back, feeling a bit foolish. “Sorry. I guess my new life still hasn’t settled up here yet.” She tapped her temple.
“Understandable and there’s nothing to be sorry for. You’re used to living one way, and now that has changed. It’s normal to feel as if things are a bit surreal. That’s how the mind adjusts to drastic changes. Once you get into a normal routine, you’ll feel much better and less anxious.”
“Huh, the only normal routine I had was going to work every day. And since I’ve been gone these couple of weeks without calling in, I can safely say I probably don’t have that job anymore.”
“Sorry. They didn’t think it right to keep you on since you never called them in person.” His tone conveyed how sorry he was. “But look on the bright side. Now you can do anything you want. Even go back to school if that’s what you choose.”
She thought about that for a moment, letting the idea slowly sink in. “I could, couldn’t I? And with the money I have in my 401(k) from work, which would be more than enough to pay for anything I would want to pursue. So yeah, school sounds good.” She had gotten her GED a few years back but never had the time or money for college.
“You wouldn’t need to use your money, sweetheart. The Pack has scholarships set up for anyone who wants to further their education.”
“But I couldn’t accept that kind of help, Flynn. School costs a great deal these days, no matter what you pursue. Allowing someone else to pay for that just wouldn’t be right.”
“Nonsense, love. That’s why the scholarships were set up in the first place. Hell, we’ve all used them at one time or another. Me, Roan, Gabe, and just about every Pack member I know. And it’s not just for us; we also help the Pack in the long run,” he explained. “My father had a saying: ‘A smart Pack is a strong Pack.’ And he was right. Every one of us who has learned something new has benefited the Pack in some way.”
“You’re a doctor.”
“That’s right. And Roan is a financial whiz. Gabe is into computers, and my mother is a vet.”
“Hmm, well, I guess I’ll have to think about that.”
“You’ve got plenty of time to decide.” He patted her leg.
Maybe. And maybe not. They were both thinking about her upcoming transformation and what that could mean but had silently agreed not to bring it up. Lord knew the moment would come soon enough. Now was for relaxing and letting worries go.
Sasha had no a clue where they were going. She had lived in the South her whole life and had never once crossed the Mississippi River. Not to mention the fact that she was terrible with directions. Telling them and getting them. She was directionally impaired. Sad but true. Which was why she couldn’t tell how they got to a large shopping mall. She did notice that it took over forty minutes of ranchland and forest to get there, though. Living in the country had its drawbacks.