ROMANCE: Mason (Bad Boy Alpha Male Stepbrother Romance Boxset) (New Adult Contemporary Stepbrother Romance Collection) (72 page)

“It’ll be fine, Winnie.”  Autumn patted her arm.  Winnie was more nervous than Autumn felt. 

When they pulled into the yard, no one noticed the thin dark haired man shrinking further into the bushes.  His dark eyes watched with interest as the women hurried from the little car.  He recognized the car as the one Dalton drove in Luray.

“What if she doesn’t come?”  Dalton asked.

Chuck slapped his shoulder and grinned.  “Aww, come on, Dalton!  For one she loves you, and for two, Winnie won’t let her run away!” 

“I hope you’re right.”

“It’s just nerves.”  Brian laughed. 

The minister listened to their conversation and offered his advice.  “I’ve only done one mixed wedding like this, but there’s one universal truth, whether it’s two humans, two werewolves, or a werewolf and a human: the woman is always right!”  He laughed out loud and held his round belly. 

Dalton looked at him blankly, while Chuck and Brian joined in with the minister. 

“I’m glad you all find this funny.”  Dalton wiped sweat from his forehead as Winnie appeared around the corner of the house.  She held a thumbs up to Chuck.

“Ooh, look at my baby!”  Chuck whispered, and threw a thumbs up back to her.  “Start the music, Brian.” 

Soft music began to play and Mika appeared first, her slight frame shivering slightly in the cold.  Next Winnie came, and Dalton wiped at his head again.  He knew sweating in those temperatures was ridiculous, but for a werewolf temperature really didn’t matter in any form. 

Once Winnie was in place, Brian pushed the button to move the disc to the next song.  Violin and cello haunted the yard with a profound melody.  Dalton forgot the sweat on his brow and the ill-fitting rented tuxedo as Autumn stepped around the edge of the house. 

Everyone stood, all smiling, and Chris stepped into the pathway offering his arm to Autumn. 

“What are you doing?”  She whispered.

“Trina and I thought someone should give you away.” 

Tears filled Autumn’s eyes and she nodded.  “Thank you.”

The vows were taken and when the minister told Dalton he could kiss his bride, he grabbed her on both sides of her head and kissed her the way he had in what seemed so long ago on the road leading away from the Bull Mitch.  Cheers rose up as the minister presented the newly married couple to their family.

Bretton frowned as he picked his way carefully back to the road.  He had a decent walk before he reached his car, and it gave him plenty of time to imagine the reaction of his master when he told him that Dalton had married the girl.  He cringed at the thought of it.  He hoped this wouldn’t be a case where the messenger would be killed because of the message.  He thought about telling him then just running away, but where could he run to?  His stomach cramped at the thought of never seeing his master again. 

Daniel answered his phone as smiled as he realized it was Bretton. 

“What news do you have today?”

“It’s not very good news.”

“Why?”  Daniel’s smile froze in place as he glanced at Becky dozing on the couch. 

“I’ve just…”

“Spit it out.”

“Dalton and the girl were married about an hour ago.”

“I see.” 

Bretton waited for an outburst, or anything else vile to hit his ears.  When nothing but dead air came, he swallowed. 

“What should I do now?” 

“Come home.” 

“Do you want me to follow them further?  Maybe they will have a honeymoon away from the pack.” 

Daniel fought the blackness that threatened to send him into a dangerous rage.  “Yes, why don’t you do that?”

“I guess this changes your plans?”

Daniel laughed wickedly.  “You think her marriage to filthy dog will stop my plans?”

Bretton cleared his throat nervously.  “No, of course not.” 

“I’ll call your phone later.”  Daniel said and hung up.  He watched Becky sleep with a black mood creeping across his skull. 

Autumn and Dalton waved goodbye to everyone as they left Winnie and Chuck’s yard.  A suitcase was in the trunk along with Dalton’s duffle, and they felt like they were on top of the world.  There were currently no thoughts of Daniel Blacksmith. 

Dalton kissed her hand and smiled, the lights of the dashboard glowing blue against his skin.  “You know they will be drinking and partying until morning.” 

“I’m sure!”  She laughed.  “I’m sorry you couldn’t drink much.  I could have driven, you know.” 

“I thought ahead.  I have a bottle for us in my bag.” 

“Smart man.  So where are we going?”

“I think we’ll just rent a room in Massaponax, then go on to Williamsburg in the morning.” 

Autumn narrowed her eyes.  “You’re just in a hurry to get in my pants!”

Dalton lifted her hand and kissed it again.  “I’ve been in a hurry to get in your pants since we were in Luray.” 

They chatted happily for the thirty minutes it took to get to their destination.  Dalton chose the Hampton Inn and was grateful it was a real hotel, with the rooms indoors and an elevator available for the upper floors. 

He unlocked their room door and cut on the lights.  The room was spacious, with beautiful blue and tan décor.  The bathroom had a large tub, which he pointed out could hold two people. 

Dalton poured drinks for them both and laughed as Autumn winced from the burn of the whiskey.

“I hope you always do that.”

“What?”

“Make a face when you drink hard liquor.”  He took her plastic cup and led her to the bed.  It was the moment he had waited for, yet he felt nervous. 

Autumn’s stomach quivered from butterflies, and her skin heated.  What if he didn’t find her adequate?  What if…

Dalton silenced all of her negative what if’s as he began pulling the baby’s breath from her hair, laying it reverently on the bedside table.  His fingers worked her hair gently, pulling the braid loose.  Autumn closed her eyes as his fingers raked her hair from behind. 

“I like your hair like this.”  He whispered. 

“Like what?”

“Wild and free.” 

Autumn twisted and looked in his eyes.  The nervousness for them both vanished as their natural magnetism took over. 

Dalton pulled the dark sweater over her head and unhooked her bra.  He reached from behind and grabbed her breasts as she leaned backwards into him.  His fingers worked her flesh, and his lips scorched her neck.  Her nipples tightened and rose.   

Autumn turned and unbuttoned his shirt, running her hands slowly up his chest to the shoulders, where she pushed the shirt off of him.  She kept her eyes on his as she unbuttoned his jeans and pushed them past his hips to mid-thigh.  She had felt him through fabric, but it was a whole different thing as he popped free when the boxer shorts moved to his thighs with the jeans. 

Autumn guided him from the bed, watching as he removed the pants and boxers.  She stood before him and allowed him to take the rest of her clothes off.  A feeling of complete need filled Dalton as he kissed her thighs and hip bones. 

Autumn pushed him back and knelt before him, taking him into her mouth.  His size took a moment to get used to and he tried to stop her but failed as she pushed his hands away and slowly forced his thickness to the back of her throat. 

Dalton leaned his head backwards, eyes closed, forgetting her trouble from just moments before.  His hips moved instinctually, and he grabbed her head roughly to push against her face faster and harder.  A slow moan escaped his lips.  He fought to remove himself from her mouth, his torso curling as he tried to get away from her. 

“What is it?  Did I hurt you?”

“No.”  He grinned breathlessly.  “I don’t want to finish yet.”  He picked her up and laid her gently on the bed, his mouth finding hers right away.  He touched her between the thighs and hoped it wouldn’t be too soon for her, but his throbbing need was in control of him. 

Dalton slipped between her thighs and positioned himself.  He wanted to take it slowly, unsure of how she would take his size.  Autumn sucked in air as he began to enter her, opening her legs wider.  Her large eyes stared up at him, and he felt her hands grab his buttocks and push him all the way inside. 

Dalton’s reserve was gone and he rode her with fast deep thrusts grinning into her hair as she called out his name with an arched back.  He finished just behind her and all he could do was whisper how much he loved her while heavily breathing against her sweat drenched face. 

“I hope it’s always like this.”  Autumn spoke into the darkness hours later, her voice slightly slurred from more cups of whiskey.

“It will be.”  Dalton said sleepily, and pulled her tighter against his chest. 

Autumn sighed contentedly, her body warm and spent, and drifted to sleep with thoughts of little shifters someday running around their house. 

Becky knew Daniel was in a foul mood.  She didn’t know why, and she prayed it wasn’t her.  He sat brooding, snapping at any who dared try to come into his parlor.  Becky had attempted leave the room, but he had been on her in his super speed before she made it three steps, pushing her back to the couch. 

“Can’t you just sit with me?”  His eyes regarded her, but she was sure he wasn’t actually seeing her. 

Becky crossed her legs and shook her head.  “I have been sitting with you, Daniel, for hours!  It’s after two in the morning!  I need to go to bed!”

“If you are going to spend any more time with me, you’ll have to learn to adapt to my schedule.”

“Which is what?  You don’t seem to have a schedule!” 

Daniel looked at her coldly before standing.  “Come, I want to show you something.”

Becky watched nervously as Daniel pulled a key from his desk drawer, before taking her roughly by the hand. 

When they stood before the door, Becky licked her lips and looked up at him.  “You actually have a room that’s numbered 666?” 

“Amusing isn’t it?  This is a special room.  Two of my vampires live in this suite and they handle unpleasant business for me.” 

“What kind of unpleasant business?”

“Come.”  He said, and unlocked the door. 

Becky stared openly at the two female vampires lounging in the living room.  One, with black hair had one leg draped over the side of a plush arm chair, the leg swinging casually in the air, the other leg was planted firmly on the floor.  She stood and licked something red from off her lips.  Becky hoped it was cherry juice or even Kool-Aid, but she knew it wasn’t.  The other female, a brunette, rose from where she was laying in front of the fireplace. 

“What have you brought us?”  They asked in unison.  Their voices together made Becky want to weep. 

“She’s not for you.  At least not yet. How fairs our other guest?” 

The brunette shrugged.  “It won’t be long now.” 

Daniel crooked his finger at Becky.  He led her to the end room and opened the door.  A red light was burning from the overhead fixture.   

Becky’s eyes bulged from their sockets and she slapped both hands over her mouth.  She looked at Daniel, then back at Teddy’s limp body chained to the bed.

“What have you done?”  She strangled on the words, and could hear the two women behind her laughing lightly.  Their bodies were a constant movement against the doorway.  “You told me he left!”

“I lied.”  He said smoothly.  “Just like you have tried to do since you came here.”  He grabbed her jaw and forced her to look at Teddy.  “Take one last look.  It’s likely to be the last time you will see him.  See the bite marks all over him?”

Becky nodded in his firm grip. 

“They’re slowly feeding on him until his death.” 

Becky’s shoulders shook.  “Why? Why show me this?”

He released her jaw.  “You need to understand what happens to people who are no longer useful to me.”  He inched his head closer.  “I dispose of them.”

Becky felt a cool hand rub her down the arm.  She dared a glance, and saw the brunette grinning at her, her tongue stroking the length of each long fang. 

“Do you want to end up like this?”  He whispered.

“No.”

“Very good.”  Daniel led her from the room, and out the suite. 

Once they were back to his parlor, he fixed her a large tumbler of bourbon and placed it in her shaking hands.  He sat across from her and watched as she drained the glass in two gulps.  A shudder ran through her body as she wiped the back of her hand over her mouth. 

Daniel offered her a cigarette and lit it for her. 

“I received some disappointing news earlier.”

Becky blew a long stream of smoke from her pursed lips. 

“It’s in regards to Autumn.” 

She turned her attention to him. 

“It would appear that she’s married a werewolf of all things.” 

“Married…a…”  Becky shook her head and drug on the cigarette again.  “Why am I not surprised?”