Andromeda's Fall (Shadowcat Nation) (17 page)

When
the High Council members had all left, Andie moved to Zac and gave him a huge
hug. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I
did it for my timik as much as for you, kuluk,” he grumped. He glanced over her
shoulder at Jaxon. “For you… not so much.”

“I
never doubted for a second that this was for me,” Jaxon said, deadpan.

Andie
squeezed Zac’s shoulders. “We’ll talk more later today and nail down details.”
Then she turned and faced Jaxon, fire in her eyes. “And
you
. You have
some ‘splainin’ to do.”

“I
figured,” he said dryly. “Let’s take this conversation somewhere private.” He
offered a hand, and Andie followed him through a series of back hallways she
hadn’t seen before. They ended up in a large, cozy office, Jaxon’s obviously.

“Nice,”
she said looking around. Much like his apartment, the room was decorated all in
natural tones with lots of books and a comfortable vibe.

“Glad
you like it. You’re getting the one next door.”

She
glanced at him with raised eyebrows. “Oh? What for?”

“You
didn’t think I’d let your skills languish, did you?”

“Well,
I had been planning on assuming a life of leisure.” She blinked innocently.

He
sat down behind the desk and grinned. “You’d hate it.”

She
shrugged. Instead of sitting down in the chair obviously meant for someone
discussing business with the Alpha, she slid around the side of his desk and
hitched her hip up to sit on top of it.

“So,
about this Seer thing…” She trailed off, leaving the door wide open for him to
start talking.

He
cleared his throat. “What do you want to know?”

“Was
it Sarai?”

Jaxon’s
eyebrows shot up. “Yes. And how did you know her name?”

“I’m
asking the questions here, mister. When was this?”

“About
the same time she told Nick that Hannah was his Fated.”

Andie’s
jaw dropped. “Wasn’t that, like, ten years ago?”

“Near
enough.”

“Why
are you being so reticent about this?”

Jaxon
sighed. “I was warned only to share what she’d told me when there was
absolutely no other choice.”

“Even
with your wife?”

He
smiled. “Especially with you.” He reached out and pulled her down onto his lap,
straddling him.

Andie
refused to be distracted. “So you knew when you met me that we would mate and
marry?”

Jaxon
shook his head. “Not immediately. She told me only that I would meet my match,
someone who would stand up to me, challenge me. Someone I couldn’t resist.”

Andie
pursed her lips and linked her arms behind his neck. “That sounds pretty
vague.”

“She
did get a little more specific. She said I’d know my wife before the words of
prophesy confirmed things for me. And I did. I asked you to marry me the day
you fought my men for the first time. The way you think on your feet, and the
fact that you could take out my well-trained defenders…. I’d never seen
anything or anyone so beautiful. The feeling just grew from there. All those
evenings together talking, I discovered that you have a good heart and a keen
mind. You’re fiercely loyal, and leaving your own people broke your heart.”
Jaxon shrugged, seeming a little embarrassed by spouting such effusive praise.

Andie
felt her irritation softening. She fiddled with the collar of his shirt as she
thought.

He
moved his hands to her knees and started to slowly slide them up her thighs.
“And then she told me that I would know for sure when I discovered someone
who’d risked everything to save Hannah’s life. But I knew long before I’d made
that discovery. It only confirmed things for me.”

Andie
was having a difficult time concentrating as his knowing hands inched upwards ever
so slowly. Part of her wanted to ask him if
they
were Fated. Sarai
would’ve told him that. But Hannah was a Fated Mate, and the occurrence was so
rare, that for it to happen twice in the same family was unheard of. Besides,
based on what he’d just said, he might not be able to tell her anyway.

Instead
she asked, “Anything else you’re allowed to tell me right now?”

He
slowly shook his head.

She
looked down into his eyes, which were twinkling mischievously with desire and
playfulness. His hands were at the top of her thighs now, his thumbs flirting
with, but not quite touching, where she wanted him most. He smiled as her
breathing hitched, and he watched her with an intensity that only inflamed her
more as his nimble fingers teased her.

Unable
to resist any longer, she took his face between her hands and kissed him with
an exquisite slowness, exploring his mouth languorously, yet at the same time
exhilarated by the fact that she could touch him like this. Whenever she
wanted.

Jaxon
pulled back slightly, his hands now on her shoulders, his breathing heavy. “Before
this goes any further, angel, have all your concerns and questions been
addressed? Because we’re about to be very occupied with… other stuff… for quite
a while.”

Andie
lifted her eyes to his and was gratified when he sucked in a breath at the look
of feverish need she gave him. Teasing him the way he had her just moments ago,
she shifted on his lap, rubbing against him in a feminine, feline move
guaranteed to raise his blood pressure.

“You
might want to lock the door,” she murmured.

He
suddenly pulled his hands away and pushed them both up to standing. Grabbing
her hand, he dragged her out of the office and down the hall.

“Ummm,”
Andie said as she jogged to keep up with him.

He
glanced back at her with a leer that was almost feral. “While I admit the
office scene is a turn-on, and we’ll definitely have to try it out soon, I want
something more than a quickie. I plan to explore every delectable inch of you.
And I’m going to take my time.”

They
said nothing more until he yanked her into their rooms, closing and locking the
door behind them.

Jaxon
grinned, leaned down and parted her lips with his own, his tongue sliding into
her mouth. Andie lost herself in the kiss. Her head spun, and she was instantly
hot everywhere.

Jaxon
suddenly released her lips and trailed his own down her neck to that sensitive
spot at the base of her throat. His chest heaved as he fought for control. In a
haze Andie realized they’d somehow made it to the bed without her really
knowing what was happening. She lifted a tentative hand and ran it through his
black hair.

Finally,
he leaned up and locked his eyes with hers. “I want you so badly that I don’t
know if I can go slowly.”

A
tender smile graced her lips. “So don’t.”

He
shook his head. “I want to. I want to make love to you. I want to…” He shook
his head again, seemingly at a loss for words. But Andie knew what he meant.

The
connection between them was deeper than just physical. They’d felt it last
night. He’d taken his time, peeling back her dress slowly, every touch reverent
as he’d worshiped her body. And she’d felt the same as she allowed her fingers
to play over his shoulders and chest, down the ridges of his stomach. That she
could make this big, powerful man tremble with only a feather-light touch had
filled her with awe. But more than that, she’d been filled with the words he’d
whispered to her in the night, telling her how amazing she was, how lucky he
was that she was his.

And
Jaxon was telling her now that he wanted more. And God help her, so did she.
Sex with him was explosive, but the connection… that part was exquisite.
Addictive.

With
a smile that was all woman, she reached down and very slowly slipped her shirt
up over her head. Then she reached behind her to unclip her bra and reveal
herself to him inches at a time. Jaxon watched every movement with hungry need.

Once
she lay bare before him, completely vulnerable, Andie reached out and took his
hand and placed it on her breast.

“Love
me,” she whispered.

He
didn’t need to be asked twice. They gave, and took, and moved, and touched each
other, building their inferno higher and higher. Andie poured her heart and
soul into every caress, every moment. Finally, Jaxon pinned her with a heated
look. “I need to be inside you.”

She
was so far gone, all she could do was nod her head yes.

And
then, so slowly she thought she might tip over the edge just from the
incredible feeling, he entered her body. Jaxon took her hands and moved them up
above her head where he threaded their fingers together.

“Look
at me,” he whispered.

Looking
deeply into each other’s eyes, they started to move together. He watched her
face as she reacted to the layering of sensation inside her. Drawing out the
torment. He kept up that slow, decadent pace, building the pleasure. Until sensation
burst through her and toppled them both over the edge into ecstasy. And through
every moment, his eyes stayed locked onto hers, drinking in her reactions.

As
the last pulse ebbed and Andie drifted back down to earth, Jaxon released one
of her hands to gently stroke her face.

“I
don’t think I could ever get tired of watching you come apart in my arms,” he
murmured. She rewarded him with a leisurely kiss.

He
moved to her side and pulled her into his body, her cheek on his chest,
cuddling her close. She loved that he was so tender with her after their
lovemaking.

Andie
chuckled as a thought struck her.

“What’s
so funny?” he asked in a voice laden with satisfaction.

“So
is this going to be your answer to all our fights? Make love until I’m a
mindless, boneless puddle?”

Jaxon
slowly traced a finger up the length of her arm. “That wasn’t my intention. I
just can’t seem to keep my hands off you.”

She
nibbled her way up his neck. “I know the feeling,” she whispered.

He
smoothed his hand over her hair and down her back and kissed her again. After
another few minutes, he said, “About the Seer—”

Andie
turned in his arms and put her fingers over his mouth, silencing him. “I get
it. Sarai is a friend, so I know a little bit about how things work with her.
You’ll tell me what you can when you can.”

He
kissed her fingers. “I can tell you one more thing.”

“What’s
that?”

“She
said that I would fall in love with my mate.”

Andie’s
eyes widened. And then she smiled slowly, beautifully.

“And
did she say if your mate would fall in love with you?” she whispered.

“You
tell me,” he whispered back.

Andie
reached up to lovingly lay her hand on his stubble-roughened jaw. “Yes. I can
hardly believe it. But yes… I do love you.”

Jaxon
took a deep breath, as though her words had relieved some hidden fear inside
him. “Thank God.” He kissed her with an emotion bordering on worship. Andie
felt tears well in her eyes. When he pulled back, he noticed the drops
glistening on her lashes.

“Hey
now, no crying,” he said, as he reached to brush them away.

She
gave him a watery smile. “I’m just happy.”

He
leaned his forehead against hers. “Me too, darlin’. Me too.”

Suddenly
he rolled over and grabbed his cell phone. The abruptness of his actions made
Andie prop up on her elbows to watch him, her head tipped to the side.

“What?
Do you have somewhere you suddenly need to be?” she asked.

He
didn’t answer her immediately. Whoever picked up on the other end was given
brusque instructions not to disturb them and to provide meals delivered to the
room for the next few days.

Jaxon
hung up and gathered her back into his arms. “I definitely have somewhere to
be. In bed, with you.”

“For
days?” she asked, though a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

“I
don’t think we’ll leave this bed much for at least the next month.”

Andie
giggled. And then she realized that she’d done that more in the last
twenty-four hours than she had possibly in her entire life. She wasn’t the
giggly type, or the weepy type, or the blushing type for that matter.

Love
must be making me mushy,
she thought. And strangely, she wasn’t disturbed by
that idea.

She
snuggled into his chest. “I think I’m game for that.”

Andie
stood up from where she’d been seated beside Jaxon at the dining table. The
Keller Dare did dinner restaurant-style with hired workers, always shifters, of
course, to cook and serve the meal to anyone who was at the compound. Jaxon
claimed it was a way to force his unsociable cougars to interact on a daily
basis, as well as to provide some jobs.

He
glanced away from the conversation he was having with Nick as Andie rose and raised
his eyebrows.

“Bathroom?”
she mouthed. Jaxon pointed to a door off to the side and returned his attention
to Nick.

Andie
made her way between the tables, stopping once or twice to say hello to some recent
acquaintances. So much had happened in the last few days, she was still getting
used to her new world. After legalizing their marriage at the justice of the
peace, Jaxon had held a formal introduction to the rest of the dare— at least
those currently in residence or who were close by. He’d promised a full
reception when all the political issues died down.

For
the most part, Andie had been happily surprised by how welcome most of the dare
had made her feel. It felt a little odd being able to freely roam the halls and
set her own schedule. So different from when she’d first come here and had
spent so many weeks under lock and key. She and Jaxon still spent their
evenings as they had before, sitting together in their rooms. Sometimes
working, sometimes reading or watching TV. Sometimes letting their passion rule
the night. She loved that he couldn’t keep his hands off her, and vice versa.

Andie
located the bathroom. It reminded her of one found in fancy restaurants, with
various
extras
like hairspray, lotion, and other products on the
counters for anyone to use. She was washing her hands when the door swung open.

“My,
my, my. If it isn’t our new Mrs. Alpha,” an overly-sweet female voice simpered
from behind her.

Andie
turned to look over her shoulder, and she saw three women looking at her with
disdain. She took in their appearances with a glance. Hair too big. Makeup too
heavy. Perfectly manicured and dressed to kill. She knew the type well. Catty,
and not in a cool cougar way, but more in a bitchy, snarky, school-girl kind of
way for which Andie had little patience.

She’d
wondered when this group would find her, as she had caught the glares here and
there. These ladies felt they had exclusive rights to the males in the dare.
Especially the males high up in rank, with the Alpha being their ultimate
prize. And they didn’t appreciate other females honing in on their territory.

Too
damn bad.

Andie
nodded and gave them a polite “Hello.” Then she turned back to the sink to
finish washing her hands and hoped the girls would just go away. She suppressed
a sigh as they moved behind her.

Andie
grabbed a towel and turned around. “May I help you?” she asked.

“You
can leave,” the girl in the middle said. Andie mentally nicknamed her Lead
Bitch.

“Oh,
I’m sorry. Do you need some privacy?” she asked, deliberately misunderstanding.
She started to walk away.

Lead
Bitch grabbed her arm and swung her around. Andie let her. “No. You can leave
Jaxon Keller. Leave the Keller Dare. We don’t want you here.”

Andie
knew the futility of arguing. She’d been dealing with this type her entire life
and they weren’t worth the effort. But she also knew that they’d never let up
unless she slammed the door on them. Hard.

“Jaxon
proposed to me. I am his
wife
,” she said. “I really don’t think
he
wants me to leave.”

Lead
Bitch smiled with venom in her eyes. “My father was in the process of
negotiating
my
mating to Jaxon. Why the hell would he all of a sudden
want some tomboyish, skinny little scruffy cat from a no good dare?”

Andie
kept her shock to herself. She shouldn’t be that surprised, though… Jaxon was a
catch. It was a miracle he’d waited for her as long as he had. Andie sighed,
audibly this time. Rather than run away crying, which is what she was sure they
expected her to do, she stepped right up into the girl’s face and growled,
letting out part of her inner mountain lion. The other two ladies had the good
sense to cower back.

“I
am Jaxon’s wife, and soon to be a Commander in this dare. You will have respect
for that position, if not for me personally, or you will leave. And if that
doesn’t get through, let me put it this way—”

She
flashed her cougar teeth without shifting any other part of her. “I have no
problem if you really want to try to challenge me for my place as his mate.
Bring. It. On.” She gave them another smile and sashayed towards the door,
tossing away her paper towel as she pass the trashcan. “Lovely meeting you
all.”

“Small-minded,
bitchy little, useless hang around,” she was muttering to herself when she sat
back down at the dinner table.

Hannah
leaned over. “What are you grumbling about?”

“Oh,
I just got cornered by the mean girl core of the dare, that’s all.” Andie
rolled her eyes.

“Ah.
Let me guess.” Hannah scanned the room and then nodded. “Them?”

“Got
it in one.” Andie sent them a narrow-eyed glare for good measure. “Yeah. Pink
dress did all the talking.”

Hannah
wrinkled her nose. “That’s Stella. I can’t stand her.”

“Please
tell me Jaxon was
not
considering mating with her.”

“Only
for about a second, about four years ago. But despite his rejecting the offer,
she’s been scaring women off ever since. The girl in the green beside her is
Cathie, her best friend. Also a real peach. Nadine is just a lemming, harmless
really. Nice enough if you get her on her own.”

“Huh.
I’ll take your word for it.”

“What’d
they say to you?”

“Oh,
they asked me to leave the dare. Told me Jaxon mated me out of pity.” She snorted
inelegantly.

“I
take it you set them straight?” Hannah had seen Andie’s reaction to the
mean-girl type once in college.

Andie
grinned, mischief dancing in her eyes. “I invited them to challenge me for
rights as Alpha’s mate and then showed them my teeth.”

Hannah
let loose a low whistle. “Good for you.”

“What’s
all this?” Jaxon murmured in her ear. She shivered as his hand landed on the
nape of her neck, beneath her hair.

“Nothing
really. Just setting some of our females straight on my position in this dare.”

He
glanced over to the group she was staring at and sighed. “Are you angry?”

Andie
turned to face him. “That you considered mating with someone other than me? I
won’t deny the thought makes me want to scratch her eyes out. But you didn’t
want her, and I trust you. Don’t worry. I handled it.”

“I’ll
just bet you did,” he murmured with a grin. “But how about I put a final nail
in the coffin?”

“Sweet
thought, but I don’t really need the help.”

“Oh,
I know. But you’ll like this.” Jaxon leaned over and sealed his lips to hers.
After a moment he pulled back. “Open your mouth, wife, and really kiss me,” he
ordered.

Andie
did as he asked. The world completely receded as he built the heat between them
one slow, deep, drugging kiss at a time. Suddenly, Jaxon scooped her up in his
arms and stood. Andie squealed.

“Wrap
your arms around me,” he said before continuing to kiss her.

Andie
hesitated. “Why?” she breathed.

“Because
I’m taking you to bed. And the entire dare is going to watch us walk away
without a doubt in their mind as to what we’re going to be doing.”

Andie
was a little embarrassed by the display, but she understood why he was doing
it. And he was right— as messages went, this was a fun one to deliver.

Andie
did as he asked and then proceeded to lose herself in his passion as he walked
them out of the room. She vaguely heard Hannah’s giggle, and Nick’s comment,
“Well, you can’t tell
they’re
newly married or anything. Can you?”