Force of Nature Series Boxed Set (Books 1 - 4) (17 page)

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Chapter Seventeen
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CJ didn’t think she’d ever slept so well. Her body felt alive and humming with life when she got back in her rig after a hearty breakfast with Austin. She did notice he was acting strange, but felt much too good to let it bother her. Dressed in some very old shorts and an older T-shirt, she got behind the wheel and was off before six o’clock. 

“We should be in Kingman at about five o’clock if there are no problems. We’ll stop for lunch at about noon. That should take us to about the border to Nevada. There’s this restaurant there called the El Rancho. Best barbeque and steaks I’ve ever eaten. And the place is fun too. And I need to stop at Richardson’s Trading Post. I need to pick up a few more of their Navaho blankets for gifts.” She flushed when Austin laughed. “Sorry. I slept really well and I was sharing.”

When he reached over and pulled her in for a quick kiss when she stopped to pull into traffic, she felt her skin heat. A low growl from him made her body ache.

“If you keep growling at me like that, we’ll never get there. Stop it and behave.” She looked over at him when he growled again. “I mean it, Austin. You make me feel things I’ve never felt before.”

“I’m in love with you, CJ.” She jerked around to look at him, then back at the road. “I am. I know it’s not what you expected…it’s not even what I expected…but I do love you.”

“You can’t love me. I’m not…no, you just can’t. Maybe it’s your hormones or whatever. I’m not really the…nobody loves me.”

She wanted to tell him that her own father hadn’t, but then why should he? She wanted to tell him that she’d been alone for nearly all her life, and that too made her not loveable. She glanced over at him when he chuckled. He was just horny, that was all, and decided that he would get over it soon.

They were driving down the road when she noticed that he seemed to be very busy with his phone. She didn’t ask, but she wanted to. If he loved her like he said, he’d want to share, she thought.

He loved her. That thought kept her mind busy. Why? That was the real question. Why would anyone in their right mind love her? It was the sex, that was all. Nothing more.

“Tell me what you’re thinking about.” His command had her blurt out what she had been thinking before she could stop it. “So you think it’s only the sex. Okay, I can see that. You are a very sensual and sexy woman. But for me, it’s much more. You make me want to be a better man.”

She snorted before commenting. “Sure I do. You’re the bossiest man I know. And opinionated. But why do you think you love me?”

He looked out the window before answering. “I love you because you’re the most beautiful, amazing woman I know. Even knowing that what you’re doing can get you hurt, you still do it. Even knowing that you’ve been lied to by your best friend, you’ve already forgiven him and didn’t turn him away. I love you for your sense of humor, your laughter, and I love you because you are brilliant and stand up to me.”

She didn’t know what to say to that so she said nothing. He turned in his seat again and leaned against the window as she drove. When his phone rang, a tone she knew to be his brother’s, she felt relieved when he went to the sleeper to use the computer. Pulling out her phone’s headset, she called Phil.

“Austin said he loved me,” was her greeting when he answered. She found she wished she’d called anyone else but him when he laughed. “I don’t think it’s the least bit funny, you jerk.”

“Why wouldn’t he love you? I do, and I have excellent taste.” She snorted again. “You don’t think I have good taste, or you don’t believe I love you?”

“Both. Why? I don’t understand why anyone would love me. He said all this stuff about making him laugh and that…well, other stuff too, but why? Is that a reason to love someone?”

He was quiet for a few seconds and she thought she’d lost the connection. But when he spoke, his voice was low and very emotional. She felt tears fill her eyes.

“The first time I saw you, you were on campus. I wasn’t a student there, but as soon as I saw this little kid from nowhere struggling to make it across campus alone, I figured I’d found an easy target. Yeah, I had you tagged for a good lay and some food. Little did I know you’d capture my heart. You’ve been my protector and my friend for longer than anyone I’ve known. And CJ, when you live as long as I have, that’s saying a lot.” She wiped at the tears as he continued. “Now, why do you love me?”

“Because you made me feel protected and important to you.” It hit her as suddenly as that. “Oh God, Phil, I’m in love with a werewolf.”

For the most part, Austin stayed in the back. CJ was glad about that. It gave her time to think and to wonder. There were no guidelines to judge how much “in love” someone could be with another person. She just knew that every time she thought of Austin, she got all warm and fuzzy inside. When he finally came up to the front as they were pulling into Gallup, she glanced over at him.

“Okay, so I guess I love you too. I’m not sure why yet, but I can’t think of any way of not loving you.” His laughter made her feel stupid. “I don’t think this is funny, asshole. You tricked me.”

“Tricked you how? You know what, I don’t care. I love you too. Now. What are we going to do about it?” She didn’t know what he meant, and pulled into a space just to the left of the restaurant. 

“I’m hungry. I’m going to shop for an hour and then eat a huge steak and baked potato. If you want to come along then go ahead.” She was out of the rig before he answered. When he took her hand as she was entering the shop, she couldn’t help but feel good.

The weather was really warm but dry. She felt the cooling air conditioning as soon as they entered. When she let go of Austin’s hand and started forward, his hand touched the bare of her back. The shirt she had on today wasn’t nearly as skimpy as the one from last night, but just as cool. She felt her nipples pucker and pulled the fabric away when she noticed Austin looking.

“I can’t help it. It’s cooler in here. You want me to go around in fur coats and baggy pants?”

“If I thought it would make you less sexy then I’d say yes. But even if you donned a gunny sack and a bag over your head, I’d still want you. Just stay close to me. I don’t think you’ll be able to come back here if I have to kill anyone.”

She felt his compliment all the way to her toes. Trying to ignore him trying to block her from other men, she enjoyed finding presents for everyone. When she was trying to decide on which blanket to get, she turned to ask him and noticed someone staring at them.

“He’s a wolf. He recognizes my scent and yours. Don’t pay any attention to him unless he approaches,” Austin told her when she pointed him out. “He’s trying to decide if he can take you from me.”

She looked up at him to see if he was kidding and realized he wasn’t. She looked back over at the…boy really, and decided there was no contest. She nearly said as much to Austin when the boy came closer.

CJ wasn’t sure what she had expected. Fur to sprout all over them both? A bloody fight to the death? But she was disappointed when all Austin did was pull her closer and growl at the kid. He moved away from them so quickly she thought it was sad.

“Well, that was quick. Do you think your sister will like the blue one or the brown one?” She looked up at him when he still held her and he hadn’t answered. “What is it?”

“I want you to finish up and go to the rig. This isn’t over. Do as I say, CJ. I won’t have you hurt because some young pup thinks he can kick my ass.” She looked back at the door and saw the boy standing just outside with another young man. “He won’t leave until it’s done.”

“You mean you’ll kill him.” She looked up at him and saw the determined look on his face. “Christ, you do mean to kill him. He’s just a boy.”

CJ shoved the things they’d picked out into his arms. She walked straight to the boy and his friends and smacked him across the mouth. She could hear Austin cussing right behind her. The kid looked at her while he rubbed his mouth.

“What the fuck was that for?” the kid next to him snarled with a step toward her. She drew back and slapped him too.

“You’ll watch your mouth, young man.” She looked at the kid she’d slapped first. “Did that hurt?”

“Yeah, you want me to show you?” She drew back her hand again and he took a step back. “Are you nuts?”

“So it hurt. Good. Now tell me, what do you think that the man behind me would have done to you? Less? More?” She knew Austin was right behind her, but he didn’t say anything. “I want you to take a good look at him and tell me truthfully what you think would have happened.”

The boy looked over her shoulder and then took a step back. “He probably would have killed me.”

“Austin?” She hoped he’d be honest with her and do what she wanted.

“Oh yeah, he’d be a dead pup. Might still be if he doesn’t show my mate more respect.” CJ nearly burst out laughing at both boys’ faces. “You got a name, kid?” She held her breath. She was afraid from the resentful look on his face they would be smart-alecky. But with a quick glance over at the other boy, the first one answered.

“I’m Reid Atkins and that’s my brother Randy. We…we didn’t mean no harm, ma’am.” He looked over her shoulder again and moved forward slowly, putting out his hand. “I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to mess up your day.”

When he walked closer to her, she could see that he was too thin. She could also see that his clothes were ill fitting and that he needed a bath. She looked at the other boy and saw the same thing. Before she could say anything, Austin did.

“You hungry?” Reid looked over at his brother before nodding. “Come inside with us and help me carry my mate’s purchases to the truck. When we’re done, we’ll get some lunch and talk.”

She didn’t speak as she went around all three of them. She didn’t know what Austin had done with her things until she saw them piled up on the counter. CJ smiled at the clerk and asked her if she could continue shopping and leave the items there. Of course, the woman was thrilled to help out.

Austin came up behind her when she was looking at some western shirts. When he wrapped his arm around her waist, she leaned back on him. She could feel his laughter.

“I’m not sure if I should kiss you or beat your ass. Christ, don’t ever do anything like that again. They could have hurt you.” He stepped back when she heard someone clear his or her throat. “You boys are to find you some clothes. Three shirts each, and two pair of jeans. Don’t be stupid and try and tell me you don’t need them.”

While they went to the men’s department, CJ looked up at Austin. “Do they have somewhere to go, you think? They look like they haven’t eaten in weeks.”

“No. They don’t. And you’re probably right.” He looked at her before he spoke. “You probably saved their lives…you know that, right?”

She hugged him to her. “You wouldn’t have hurt them.”

When they made it to the restaurant, CJ had only one bag. The rest was being shipped home. The boys had several pairs of jeans each and three shirts. They ended up getting jackets and some other things as well. By the time they were seated, an extra hour later than she wanted, the boys and Austin were getting along well. She knew he was making arrangements with his brother to pick them up at the airport tomorrow afternoon.

“You piss my brother off and you piss me off. If you can’t follow rules then I’ll punish you in ways you can’t imagine. Understand me?” Austin seemed pleased that he’d increased his pack by two, and the boys were thrilled to have someone helping them. She only hoped the pack could afford to feed them. She’d never seen anyone pack away food the way they did.

The cab that picked them up and took them to the hotel met them near the rig. Austin gave them each fifty dollars to eat that night and for breakfast in the morning. The hotel would make sure they had a way to the airport. They were being met by Dallas in Ohio and set up in a new pack. The boys had taken on more than they could chew, she thought, and had come out the winners.

Austin went to the back of the rig and she followed him. She wanted to show him what she’d bought, but he had other things in mind. He told her that she was going to be punished for running head long into a situation that could have gotten her hurt.

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Chapter Eighteen
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“You most certainly are not going to spank me. I’m a grown woman and I won’t do it.” CJ hadn’t moved from where she stood since he’d told her he was going to spank her.

Austin started taking off his belt. He wasn’t going to use it on her, but the look in her eyes made him think she might use it on him. When he unbuttoned his jeans, she licked her lips. 

“I said take off your pants. You’re not making this any easier on yourself by delaying the inevitable. You walked foolhardily into something that, lucky for them, turned out well. But I won’t have you doing that again.” She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “CJ, I’m not playing around here.”

“Well that’s good, because neither am I. You are not, and I repeat not, going to spank me.” She tried to dodge his hand when he grabbed for her, but he was quicker. She fought like a hell cat or a pissed off bitch. He held her until she calmed.

“You could have been hurt today. You can’t scare me like that.” He kissed her neck. “I have to make you realize that you can’t do that again.”

“Please don’t do this. I’ll make you regret it if you do.” She backed her ass up against his hardening erection as she continued. “For a very, very long time.”

He reached up, cupped her breast in his palm, and pinched her nipple. “Then what do you suggest I do? I can’t let you get by with this sort of behavior.”

The need to punish her was fast becoming a need to fuck her. He rocked into her ass again when she didn’t answer right away. He could smell her need and wondered fleetingly if he’d ever tire of her. Never, he decided quickly. Never would he not need her.

“I’ll do…you name it, and I’ll do it. Just don’t spank me and I’ll do whatever you want me to, no questions asked.”

Austin paused. “Anything?” 

“Yes. I promise you. You ask me, and it’s as good as done.” She turned in his arms. “Deal?”

“Marry me. Tomorrow you will go to Vegas with me and marry me.” Her face paled and he thought she would say no, but she nodded once and pulled away.

He climbed into the passenger seat as she put the keys in the ignition. He reached over, took them out, and held them. She didn’t move.

“I need those,” she said quietly. “Please give them to me. We’re running behind now. I can’t—”

“My family is already there. So is Phil. I planned this yesterday when I found out that we’d only be two hours from there.” She looked at him then. “My mom is bringing the ring I want you to wear and that has been in my family for generations. Reid and Randy aren’t going back to Ohio. They’re taking a plane to Vegas too, and Dallas and Phil are meeting them at the airport. I have booked us the honeymoon suite, with champagne in the room when we arrive.”

She turned back to the steering wheel and looked out the front. She was very still, very quiet for a long while, and he knew she was thinking. He let her. He didn’t want her to think the only reason he was going to marry her was because she didn’t want to get a spanking.

“Your mom, what does she think about you marrying me? She can’t be thrilled.” He could hear the doubt in her voice and wanted to pull her into his arms and tell her he loved her, but knew that she needed this right now.

“No, she’s not thrilled. But not about you marrying me. She’s upset because we’re not having a wedding at home where she can plan it. She likes you. And so does Holly. Dallas thinks you’re getting a bum deal, and my brothers are looking forward to kissing the bride.”

Austin saw the tear run down her cheek and he said her name softly. “I love you very much, CJ. More than I thought possible. I never meant to hurt you, but you scared me. Also, when you did that, all I could think of was how proud I was of you, how wonderful of an alpha bitch you’re—”

“Bitch? I don’t think so. You’ll have to come up with another name or I will be a bitch.” His heart pounded at her words. “Another thing, if you think this will get you out of your trying to spank me in the future, you’re nuts. Now give me the keys. We have to make five hours tonight.”

He called his brother first. He’d been talking to him since the boys had told him that they were on their own. He wanted to make sure the boys were picked up at the airport and that they were cleaned up when he and CJ got to Vegas that night.

Reid said that the last pack they had belonged to had shunned them because their mother was barren. They seemed to think that the boys, a product of a rape from the alpha, would be as well. They had been on their own for over four years. Attacking Austin was just a way to lift his wallet. CJ had been correct in assuming they hadn’t eaten in some time.

“I have a room set up for them, and a guy is coming in to fit them with suits.” Dallas hesitated before continuing. “Are you sure about this? What if they just trade in their tickets and take your money?” 

Austin had thought of that too. “They might, but if they do then they’ll be stupider than I thought. They have money to eat on the way there. The pilot said he’d make sure there was food and drink on board for them, and he’d make sure to call me if they didn’t show. But I don’t think they’ll skip out. They reminded me of us when we were growing up…all legs and arms.”

Dallas snorted. “Sure, and when they get here what’s to stop them from murdering us in the night? For all you know they could be a couple of con artists and you fell for it.”

“If they give you any shit, tell them CJ will hurt them.” Austin told his brother what happened at the shop. “I think they’re terrified of her.”

Dallas roared with laughter. “Christ, she’s going to be a hell of an alpha bitch. I can’t wait to see her in action at the next lunar gathering. She will have them in line in no time.”

“Yeah, probably. But you might want to not call her a bitch. She gets a might pissy about it. She told me that she wants us to come up with another name. I think I’ll work on that.” Austin changed the subject when he looked over at CJ. “That guy called us last night. I had CJ tell him to meet us at the warehouse because she didn’t know anyone in the company. He’s going to meet us there. I was wondering if you could come along? Maybe for a ride and nothing more.”

“I’d be glad to. You never know what might happen, and I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to CJ.” Dallas laughed again. “Seriously, I want to be there and was going to ask. Phil wants to be there as well. We were actually thinking we’d leave tonight and be there when you guys arrive.”

Austin told CJ and she agreed. He wouldn’t normally ask anyone for advice on things, but she was his mate and he wanted her beside him, not trying to protect him like she had that day. He hung up with his brother after a few more minutes and leaned back in the chair. She really had scared him.

When she’d shoved the things into his arms, he thought she was going to go straight to the rig and wondered how he was going to get the things to her before he kicked some ass. When he saw her slap the first one then the second, he’d nearly shifted and went after them. By the time he got to them after throwing everything on the counter and telling the woman to stay, he realized she not only had things under control, but she also had the boys eating out of her hand.

“How does one convert?” Her question brought him out of his thoughts. “I mean, to a wolf?”

“I would have to bite you, deep and hard, and I’d hold my teeth into you so that my essences would go into your blood stream.” He didn’t want to think about having to hurt her like that, but he wanted her as his true mate.

“But you said the bite you gave me wouldn’t change me. What has to be different?” She glanced over at him. “There’s more than that, isn’t there?”

“Yes. Trauma…there would have to be several bites at first…deep ones in the fleshy part of your body that would be extremely painful. Then I would bite you at your neck or another place where there is a major vein or artery, and hold you that way until I felt the change coming on.” He took a deep breath before he told her the last part. “I would have to be a wolf, a full wolf, for me to change you.”

Austin watched her for any sign of revulsion. She stared out the window and frowned. He didn’t have to wait long before she figured it out.

“You don’t really want to do it, do you? You don’t want to hurt me.”

He looked out his window before answering her. “No. No I don’t. I want you to be my mate in all ways, but the thought of….” He shuddered before going on. “The thought of causing you so much pain sickens me.”

He’d seen a female human go through it once. She’d been smaller than CJ and a lot less healthy. She’d been in a bad way for a long time from one thing or another, and had wanted to change to be with her brother, who had been changed because of a fight. Austin could still hear her screams and see the terror on her face when the wolf, her brother, had come toward her.

Her brother hadn’t done his job in changing her. He’d not bitten hard enough or held her down long enough to let the change begin. The female had died and the brother had left the pack and never returned. Austin had heard that he’d hung himself.

“I’m afraid to do it.” He watched her as her hand reached for his. “You could stay with me as my mate. I could live with that.”

She held his hand and said nothing. The next few hours went by slowly for him. The traffic got heavier the closer they got to Kingman, where they parked. Austin saw the limo before they got out of the rig. Three men from another pack had been assigned to watch the rig until they returned the next day. Austin made a mental note to thank his brother.

~~~

The wedding was a simple affair. Nancy had wanted it to be at home with the pack around, but was glad her son had found someone so worthy of him. She doubted that either of them realized how much they suited each other. Nancy already liked CJ, and was thrilled when the others did as well.

“I want to kiss the bride first. You can kiss the next bride first.” 

Nancy nearly yelled at her sons when she saw that CJ had it under control.

“If you two want to fight then go to your rooms. This is a nice place, and you guys acting like children isn’t going to be tolerated.” CJ glared at them both before she continued in a calming voice. “Now, we’ll settle this like adults, or no one gets to kiss the bride.”

“How we going to do that?” Connor asked. He looked at her like she was going to tell him the cure to some major problem. “Can’t both of us kiss you first?”

“No, you can’t. But you can kiss me first on the right and left cheek…one on one side, the other on the other side. Then later when I get back to Ohio, you can trade places…provided you don’t piss me off again.”

Nancy nearly burst out laughing when her sons got on either side of CJ. She thought there was going to be trouble when they couldn’t agree on which side was better until CJ simply walked away. They made their decision quickly and without a single argument. And they each got to kiss the bride.

Nancy looked over at the two young men Dallas had picked up at the airport that afternoon. Her heart went out to them for what they had endured. Neither of them had had an easy life, and she could see that they adored CJ. Nancy didn’t even question how they had come to be a part of the wedding party, but knew that however it happened, they would be well cared for in her son’s pack. Looking over at her son and his new bride, she saw the vampire sitting well away from the others. 

Phil Campbell was a good man too, she realized, and he loved CJ. But there was nothing there for anyone to be upset about. Austin and the older man seemed to be good friends, and anyone could see that Phil would do anything for Austin and CJ. That’s when she noticed her daughter.

Holly seemed to be apart from everyone too. While she watched, she had a thought and then another. When all the pieces fell into place, she nearly laughed out loud. Mates—Phil and Holly were mates, and both of them seemed to know it. She watched them for a bit longer when she realized something else. CJ knew it too.