Rocky (Tales of the Were) (10 page)

She stood watching the doorway for a long moment. Finally, she turned to her bed and settled down to sleep with a soft smile on her lips and the warmth of Rocky’s arms a pleasant memory.

Chapter Nine

One afternoon, Allie showed up with what seemed like a truck full of groceries to help replenish the larder. Thanksgiving was only a few days away and Marissa was already planning a feast.

Different wolves from the surrounding Pack had been helping keep the cabin stocked with supplies, but this was the first time Allie had been back since those first days. Marissa invited her in and the three women spent some time putting things away and then chatted over coffee.

Maggie enjoyed getting to know Allie better. She was a lively woman with a surprising background. Maggie learned that Allie had been raised in the human world, with no knowledge of shifters, though she was related by blood to a bunch of werecougars. She’d been just as shocked as Maggie when she’d first learned about the whole society that was hidden from the rest of the world.

Allie stayed and helped them cook dinner since her mates would be joining them to discuss the expanded building plans. When the babies started fussing, Allie and Marissa shooed Maggie out of the kitchen and suggested she take them outside for a little fresh air.

Maggie liked the idea. She’d been cooped up in the cabin for a while and wanted to see how the building was progressing. Each day she heard the sound of saws and hammers, but she hadn’t seen much of what the men had been doing since that first outing.

She stepped out the front door, lugging the dual baby carrier someone had donated—most likely Tim and Rafe. The boys
waved their tiny hands and feet happily as they felt the fresh air on their faces. They loved the outdoors, just like their father had. Like Rocky did.

Thinking of him, she wasn’t surprised to see him hefting a giant log into position on the side of the house. They’d had to clear a bit of snow the past week to get to the construction area, but the men were making judicious use of tarps and plywood to keep the snow out of the newly constructed areas. Eventually they’d break through the kitchen wall to join the new section on to the existing structure. It looked like that would be much sooner than she thought. These shifters
moved fast.

Maggie walked nearer the work zone, careful to stay a safe distance, but Rocky saw her almost immediately and came over.

“How’s my favorite girl?” He leaned down to buss her cheek, making her feel all tingly. He smelled good. Like man, hard work, pine needles and fresh air. It was a heady combination.

“Your mom and Allie talked me into taking the boys for a little walk.” She looked down at the carrier and Rocky bent to take the heavy burden from her. He lifted it like it weighed nothing at all, while she knew firsthand that it had to weigh a good twenty to thirty pounds with the boys in it.

“A brilliant idea,” he agreed. “Want to see the progress we’re making on the addition? We’ll be ready to break through into the kitchen any day now. Maybe even tomorrow.”

“Really? I had no idea you were that far along.” She walked with him as he strolled toward the work area. She noted he was careful to keep clear of any place there were people actively working, instead taking them through a side entrance where it looked like things were mostly finished for the day.

“We move fast on tasks like this. A lot of our people work in the construction industry. Some of the best building companies in the country are owned and manned by shifters of various Clans and Packs.”

“Really? I guess that makes sense, since you’re naturally so strong and agile.”

“Plus we really like to work outdoors and build things in harmony with nature.”

“You’ve done that here. This addition really blends with its surroundings. And it’s huge. I didn’t realize you’d intended to build quite so much on to your house.”

“Well, it isn’t just me anymore. I’ve got two boys, who will grow into big fellas, and you to consider. A small cabin was fine for a bachelor, but I always wanted a big house if and when I had kids to worry about. Grizzlies need space to roam, even inside their dens.”

“So then you really want us to stay with you? I mean permanently.” She was nervous about his answer.

“I told you before, darlin’, I intend to raise these cubs. I want them with me. I want you with me, but it’s your choice. You can live here. You’ve seen the plans. You can have your own suite if you want it. I won’t force you into anything more intimate.” He placed the carrier down on the floor next to him as he strode forward to face her. “Not unless you want it too. I can be patient.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and gave her a lopsided grin. “At least I can
try
to be patient.”

Her breath caught as he took her in his arms. She saw his kiss coming a mile away but didn’t try to duck. She wanted his lips on hers, wanted his warmth, his strength. The future was still uncertain
, but for now she needed his caring, to know that he was here for her, willing to put up with her indecision and hesitancy…and fear.

The kiss went from comforting to blazing hot in two seconds flat. Rocky’s big arms contracted, drawing her into his strong body. She felt buffeted by his heat, his maleness. Safe and protected. She was also turned on. Rocky could kiss like no one had ever kissed her before—with a desperation and desire that answered something equally needy inside herself.

Sex with Tony had always had a dreamlike quality. Something soft, gauzy and sensuous. She’d loved that about him. But Rocky’s raw, primal energy was something new and thrilling. Just kissing him made her feel womanly and almost…wicked. Like a temptress.

She felt powerful. Like she was in charge, and yet not. Like she held the key to his pleasure and it was up to her whether or not she allowed him any. Maggie had always been more like the girl next door than the femme fatale, but Rocky made her feel like Mata Hari and Helen of Troy, with a little Lara Croft thrown in, all rolled into one.

The bang of a car door somewhere outside drew them apart. They were both breathing hard as Rocky looked deep into her eyes. He released her by slow degrees, visibly struggling to get himself under control. She felt the same.

“I’d better see the work crew out. They put in a big day today.” Still his gaze held hers as if reluctant to leave.

One of the babies hiccupped and broke the spell. Rocky moved back and released her arms.

“Will you three be okay here for a minute? It’s safe. We’ve beefed up the perimeter defense so nothing should be able to get to you as long as you stay near the house.”

She nodded, unable to speak for the moment. She was still recovering from that killer kiss.

He walked off and Maggie took the time to really look around at the interior of the building. It was going to be gorgeous when they finished it, and it was well on its way to completion. Even though the insides of the walls were still exposed, showing where they were in the midst of putting in plumbing and wiring, she could see the skeleton of what promised to be a beautifully airy but functional structure.

She liked what she was seeing. In one corner on top of a stack of wood was a rough drawing of the plans she’d seen a few weeks back. So much had happened since then that she didn’t remember much of the detail and found herself intrigued by the handwritten notations that looked like they’d been added over the past couple of weeks. Things were changing as they went along—for the better, it looked like.

The architectural details that were being added were lovely and the handwriting was familiar. Most of the notes were in Rocky’s bold hand. A few others were in his father’s handwriting. All were slight improvements on the original rough design and made the place even better, in her opinion.

She studied the drawings for a while, getting lost in daydreams of how it would be when it was finished.

“I see you found the plans,” Rocky spoke, breaking the silence, derailing her reverie. He looked lovingly uncertain as he approached her. “So do you want the grand tour? Everything’s been secured for the night so it’s safe for you and the boys.”

“I’d love to see what you’ve done so far.” Touring the newly constructed addition was a safe activity. Safer than picking up where they’d left off with that tempestuous kiss.

Rocky lifted the carrier with the boys in it and led her outside again so they could begin with an overview. He pointed out the way the yard would form an L-shape with the new addition and the rest of the house.

“You can see the yard from the kitchen window this way and from the windows on this side of the addition, so we can keep watch on the boys later when they play outside. And my folks are going to build on the other side, so we can all keep watch over them. I’m going to move my den to that room on the end there. Dad suggested we put in a bay window and skylights on that end because he knows how I like the natural light. This time I’m building the office to suit me, rather than making do, but we’ll leave finishing that ’til last since the other parts of the house are in more immediate need.” He moved them toward the addition once again, escorting her in through one of the openings covered by a tarp where a door had been framed but not yet put in. He pointed to the far wall. “We got the windows on that side done today. Tomorrow we’ll do these.”

As she went into a different room this time, she realized the work had progressed to an amazing degree. This part was closer to the existing house and was nearing completion. The walls had been put up, electrical outlets and fixtures had been put in and windows and doors had been fitted. Paint was up on the walls and gleaming hardwood floors peeked out from under protective drop cloths.

“My folks can move out here after Thanksgiving. We’ll have heat in here by then and we’ll have broken through from the kitchen so they can easily access the rest of the house. We wanted to finish a room for them so they wouldn’t have to be cramped into that front bedroom anymore. It’s really too small for two adults. Eventually, this space can be converted into a formal dining room, if you decide that’s what you want.”

He took her through the rest of the addition, which was probably twice as big as the original house had been, pointing out the various rooms. There was a play room for the boys and bedrooms for them as they grew older. There were additional bathrooms and a living room that would house computers and an entertainment system, he said, as well as that gorgeous office space at the end of the house just for Rocky. It was all beautiful, efficient and well crafted.

Maggie was in shock. That anyone would be able to not only design but build a substantial part of such a great place in a little less than a month simply amazed her. It felt as if Rocky had been planning this for years—though she knew there was no way he could have known she’d show up when she did. Still, he had dived into the project with both feet and seemed genuinely excited about what his house had become—and
would
become—in such a short time. He was building a
home
. Someplace the boys could grow up and belong. A place they could always come back to even after they were adults. A place that would endure.

The thought touched her heart and she found it difficult to speak, impossible to express her thoughts on such a momentous feeling.

“I decided to keep the master bedroom suite somewhat separate from the rest of the addition. The walls and floor will be sound proofed with the master bath on one side and walk-in closets on the other. I figured the kids would pretty much dominate the place as they grow, but we can always hide in the master suite for a little privacy.”

She sucked in air at the implications of his words and the heat in his eyes. He stepped closer, lowering the boys’
carrier to the floor once again as they paused in one of the larger rooms.

“I’d love for you to share it with me, Maggie. Eventually...
if you want to.”

His voice rumbled through her, igniting her senses once more. Rocky could do that so easily to her—set her on fire with a few simple words. But it was too soon. She didn’t know what she really wanted. She didn’t trust that he really wanted her.

Rocky had always been too darn noble for his own good. She couldn’t be certain if he really wanted her or if he was doing his
duty
to Tony by taking her in and protecting her. She’d take the protection. She wasn’t foolish enough to believe she could handle the threat to herself and the boys alone. But she wouldn’t commit to a relationship where she was a consolation prize at best, or at worst, an obligation.

“I don’t know, Rocky
—”

He silenced her protestations with his lips, pulling her in for a continuation of that amazing kiss from before. She was reeling with sensation as
he swept his tongue into her mouth, swept his hands downward to cup her rump and pull her against his lower half. He was aroused.

That knowledge sent a thrill of pleasure through her. She’d done this to him. Maggie Hobson had made Rocco Garibaldi hard.

Damn, that was a sizzling thought. For so many years she’d watched him and dreamed about him. She never thought he’d ever see her as more than a little sister.

She’d loved Tony with all her heart, but somewhere in the back of her mind she’d never forgotten Rocky. Her first crush. The star of her childhood dreams. And now she was in his arms, sharing an adult kiss complete with straining bodies, a hard cock and a wet pussy that wanted him inside in the most delightful, dangerous way.