N. Walters: Alexandra's Legacy

She hadn’t realized she was crying. She wiped her eyes, feeling emotional and stupid. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“It was the intensity and the beauty of our joining.” He peppered her face with soft kisses before cradling her back against his shoulder. “That and hormones. There is nothing wrong with you.” His voice, though soft, had an edge to it. “You are perfect.”

She laughed as she nuzzled his neck. “I’ll remind you that you said that when I’m doing something that gets on your nerves.”

He stilled and then he chuckled. “You are mine now.” There was a wealth of satisfaction and emotion in those four words.

“And you are mine.”

His arms tightened around her.

“I love you,” she whispered against his chest.

He shifted until she was lying on her back with him looming above her. His hand trembled as he pushed a lock of hair off her face. “The words, I love you, do not begin to express what you mean to me.” His eyes seemed to get even darker as she watched him. “You are everything to me. The air I breathe. My reason for living. You brought joy to a life of duty and responsibility. There is nothing I would not do to make you happy.”

“Oh, Joshua.”

He shook himself and gave her a lopsided grin. “And I may never say those words again as long as we live.”

She laughed, knowing that was what he’d intended. “It doesn’t matter if you never say them again. I know what you feel here.” She placed her palm over his heart.

Joshua slid his hand over her heart and smiled when he felt the heavy thud. “I claim you as my mate, Alexandra Riley Striker. Mine to keep until the day I die.”

“I claim you as well, Joshua Striker. Mine to keep until the day I die.”

As a tear slid from her eye, he leaned over and kissed her. Even though she was exhausted, the familiar heat began to slide through her body. “Again?”

He shifted so that she was beneath him once again. She could feel the heavy weight of his erection against her hip.

“Again,” he whispered as he traced the curve of her ear. “And again. And again.”

Alex parted her lips and sighed. His tongue stroked over them and she decided her body wasn’t quite that tired after all.

Joshua sighed with contentment as Alex snuggled closer to him. He’d lost count of how many times he’d made love to her. She completed him. Their joining had changed him in ways he couldn’t even comprehend yet. Certainly their life together would be a challenge. He grinned at the thought. Even when she was an old lady, she’d be keeping him and their children in line.

His hand slid over her belly. His children. Just the thought of her thick and ripe with child made him want to howl. It was still too early for that to happen. Female werewolves rarely ever conceived their first time. Nature gave them a few years to mature before they reached their peak fertile years. Still, the thought of it was overwhelming. He managed to contain himself, but just barely. He wanted the entire world to know that she was his.

He couldn’t wait until she made her first change. Her fur would be soft and various shades of brown. She was going to be a beautiful she-wolf and he couldn’t wait to take her on her first run through the forest. Perhaps he’d even take her back to the falls. She’d like that.

Closing his eyes, he sighed again. He’d have to feed her when she woke again. She hadn’t eaten before she went to bed last night and she needed to keep up her strength.

She stirred beside him, her eyes fluttering open. “Hi.” Her gaze was shy and her cheeks turned a beguiling shade of pink.

“Good morning.” Joshua felt his cock stir yet again and barely stifled a groan. Alex was too sore after last night. Plus, if they didn’t show themselves soon, he had a feeling his soon-to-be father-in-law would be pounding on the front door.

Alex absently began to tease his chest with her short fingernails. Joshua closed his eyes and arched into her touch. Her hand moved lower, bumping against his erection. His eyes flew open and he swore when she wrapped her fingers around him. “It’s too soon. You’re sore.”

She batted her eyelashes playfully. “Not that sore.”

He growled and rolled out of bed, dragging her with him. Alex squealed and then laughed as he tossed her over his shoulder and carried her into the bathroom. She reached down and pinched his butt. Joshua was so surprised he almost dropped her.

Alex grabbed onto his flanks and gave a yell before dissolving into laughter again.

“Think that’s funny, do you?” he grumbled as he turned on the taps in the shower. She didn’t answer, but he could hear her snickering under her breath. Two could play this game. Sliding his hand up her thighs, he palmed one sweet cheek of her ass.

She stilled. “Joshua.” He could hear the nervous excitement in her voice.

“What?” he innocently asked as he caressed the other cheek before sliding his fingers into the crease of her behind. “You don’t like me touching your gorgeous butt?” He freed his fingers and gave her a smart smack on her butt. She jumped and began to squirm so he did it again.

“Let me down you big bully,” she grouched.

Joshua laughed and swung her around, planting a hard, quick kiss on her lips. Alex wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. He could see the pleasure in her eyes even as she groused. “You owe me for that.”

“Do I now?” He stepped beneath the spray with her still in his arms.

“Uh huh.” She nodded as she leaned down and grabbed the bar of soap and started to rub it over his shoulders.

All laughter fled as he stood there, absorbing her love and care as she washed him. Not since he was a very small child had anyone done anything like this for him. Oblivious to the emotions bubbling within him, Alex put the soap back on the ledge and ran her fingers through his hair. “I love your hair. Did I tell you that?” He shook his head, unable to speak past the lump in his throat. “Well, I do. It’s so thick and gorgeous.”

His cock was as hard as steel. He wanted Alex. Badly. The way she was touching him made him want to tip back his head and howl with pleasure. He needed to claim her. Again.

“Joshua.” She stilled as if suddenly sensing his change of mood. “What’s wrong?”

“I need you,” he ground out from between his clenched teeth. He was hanging on by a thread. Alex was warm and wet in his arms, her sweet scent drifting up to his nostrils. She was as aroused as he was.

Clasping his face in her hands, she leaned down until their noses were touching. “Then take me.”

He turned and lifted her higher as he pressed her back against the wall. She cried out and arched her back as it hit the cool tile. Joshua took advantage of her out-thrust breasts and lapped at one firm, juicy nipple.

Alex slid her fingers into his hair and fisted in it, holding him to her as he opened his mouth and took her inside. She tightened her legs around his waist as he suckled her.

“More,” she urged, gasping as he transferred his attention to her other breast. She squirmed, trying to get the head of his cock inside her. “Joshua.”

His name came out of her much like a wail. God, she’d never needed anything like she needed Joshua inside her. Now. After last night, she figured it would be quite some time before she’d feel this kind of arousal again.

All it had taken was one look.

His mood had changed swiftly from one of teasing to lustful in a heartbeat. Alex didn’t care that she was slightly sore after a night of intense lovemaking. His need awoke hers, stoking the flames within, making the heat burn in her veins.