CupidRocks (17 page)

He groaned as her orgasm shook her and her inner muscles
nearly crushed his cock. His balls tightened and then the spasms of release
took him. His cock jerked and he threw his head back as his cream shot into her
convulsing pussy. She sobbed, pressing her face into his shoulder. As he
emptied himself into her body, he gasped, fighting a sob of his own. Every time
they fucked it got better. One of these times, he might die from it. But he
wouldn’t complain a bit. It was perfect and he never wanted to be anywhere else
with anyone else.

She slowly began to relax in his arms, even though she
continued to tremble. He lowered her to her feet but she grasped him tight. He
kissed her cheek.

“I love you, Mandy,” he whispered to her. “I always will.”

She held his gaze. “You can never say that too often.”

“I’ll remember that,” he grinned.

* * * * *

Mandy kept her camera out for the day, taking pictures of
breakfast and other candid shots of the family. As the morning slipped into
afternoon, Mandy considered her gift for Joe. During the drive to visit his
family, they’d had the radio on and he’d hummed along to a couple of songs,
complaining that he hadn’t been able to find sheet music for the songs and he
wanted to add them to the band’s repertoire. She’d gone to the music store in
town and found the sheet music for him. But somehow that didn’t seem like
enough. Or personal enough. Joe had gone out to the studio to practice, so now
was the best time for Mandy to go looking for the right present for him.

“I think I’m going to take a walk,” she announced and pulled
on her coat and boots. Her parents raised their brows and so did Joe’s but no
one asked where she was going or asked to come along. Maybe they assumed she
was going out to the studio to jump Joe. That worked in her favor.

Rather than drive, she decided to walk and headed for
downtown. Idly trying to decide what to get for Joe that would be really
special. She picked up a couple of cute musician-related presents to add to the
sheet music but there was nothing that really worked. That showed him how much
she loved him and how glad she was that they’d found each other. When she got
back to the house, she went to her office to wrap the presents and sat down at
her computer, turning it on.

She loaded all the photos she’d taken in the last few days
from the concert forward and began to go through them. It was when she got
about halfway through the concert shots that she came to a dead halt.

It was a picture of Joe on stage. He was focused on his
guitar and the music he was coaxing from it. Mandy stared at the image, certain
it was one of the best shots she’d ever taken. It seemed to capture Joe’s
essence. The music in him. The way music filled his soul. She leaned back in
her chair and studied it, biting her lip. She knew she would love receiving it
as a gift. But would Joe? Would he want a picture of himself? He wasn’t vain
but the picture was just…perfect.

Rather than second-guessing herself she cleaned up the
image. It was a full color shot but she played with the possibilities, viewing
it as a black-and-white image, adding and subtracting filters and finally
trying it in sepia tones. That was it. An art shot of her True Mate in sepia.
What’s more, she had the perfect frame for it too. It was how she saw him. The
beauty of him when he was filled with creativity. She just hoped he’d like it
as much as she did. She printed the image, matted it, framed it and wrapped the
package. She slipped out to the living room and placed her additional presents
beneath the tree and tucked the framed photo toward the back.

* * * * *

Joe sat in the studio running through a fingering exercise.
Over and over he played it, closing his eyes until his fingers knew the
movements without him thinking about it. Almost of their own accord, his
fingers shifted on the strings, changing the key. Adjusting the notes. He liked
it and played it again. And again. It was soft. Romantic even. Not his usual
sort of song at all. But that didn’t matter. He felt creativity flowing. Joe
worked through the piece multiple times. Figuring out the melody, the harmony,
the bridge. As he played it completely through, he realized he’d written it for
Mandy.

He found blank music staves paper. He noted the key and
wrote out the music. After he finished writing out the song, he played through
it again keeping his True Mate in his thoughts. Words started to filter through
his mind. He considered phrases. The chorus came to him first then parts of the
lyrics. He worked almost feverishly. It was rare when he had those moments of
channeling a song from somewhere, but this was one of those times.

When he was done he went back to edit. Working through the
lyrics and the music until everything flowed together. It wasn’t perfect, but
no song ever was. He flipped on the light to let people know he was recording,
then he laid down some tracks, keeping it simple. When he finished, he listened
to it and nodded.

He wasn’t sure exactly how to give it to her as a gift, but
Mandy’s
Song
was done. It really deserved a better title than that, but he wasn’t
sure what to call it. He smiled. Hell, if John Denver could get away with
Annie’s
Song
as a title, he was in good shape calling this love song
Mandy’s
Song
.

He flipped off the recording light and almost immediately,
someone knocked on the door and opened it.

“Hey, are you going to come in and join us for supper? Mandy
said it’ll be ready in about half an hour,” Eddie called.

Joe bit his lip. He needed another set of ears, but having
Eddie hear it? He wasn’t sure. Then he swallowed and decided to tough it out.

“Hey, I just wrote something. Could you come in and listen
to it?”

Eddie wandered in. “So what’s up?”

“Have a seat.”

He went to the console and queued up the song. Joe closed
his eyes and flipped the switch. Trying to listen as if he’d never heard it
before and as if it was written by someone else. At the end of the song he
turned around to face Eddie. His father-in-law tilted his head.

“You wrote it for Mandy, didn’t you?”

Heat filled him. Was it terrible? Too sticky sweet? “Yeah.”

Eddie nodded. “I think if you take the second line of the
bridge up a third, it would be stronger. But the words? Spot on.”

Joe picked up his guitar and played the bridge the way Eddie
suggested and nodded. Making the change on the sheet music.

Eddie leaned back in the chair and watched him. “You want to
record it again?”

He looked at the older wolf. His mentor and friend in so
many ways, but he didn’t know if he could sing this song with only him around.
Eddie had made his disapproval of the new relationship pretty plain.

“Go on into the sound booth and I’ll run the console for
you.”

Joe laid down the tracks again with Eddie giving him some
direction and the final version was much better than the original. Eddie had an
amazing ear for getting the most of the music and creating the best phrasing
for the lyrics. They listened to it together.

“That’s good.” Joe nodded, saving a copy to his iPod.

“Yeah.” Eddie studied him. “You really love her like that,
don’t you?”

“I do.”

“So soon?”

“Didn’t you love Carly the minute you met her?”

“Yeah, but I resented her too.”

“You were only twenty. I’ve been waiting to meet Mandy for
years, man. She’s all I ever wanted.”

“I can hear that…in the song.” Eddie studied him. “I’m
sorry. I shouldn’t have jumped you. Made all kinds of assumptions. I know you
better than that.”

“It was your shit getting in the way.”

“It really was. Mandy’s right. I sounded just like Carly’s
old man. He hated my guts and it sunk in and I transferred it to my daughter’s
guys.”

“Well, I hope I’m the last guy your daughter dates,” Joe
winced.

“No worries. She’s like her mother. Faithful as the day is
long.” Eddie eyed him. “I know you’re going to sing it to her when we open
gifts. But are you up for performing it?”

“In public?”

Eddie laughed. “That’s what performance is.”

“At the concert, you mean?”

“Yup.”

Joe thought about it. “Only if Mandy likes it. And if she’s
okay with it. It’s kind of…personal.”

“Every good love song is. And that’s a damn good love song.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. If I had any doubts about you and Mandy before,
they’re gone now.”

“You’re sure?”

“Absolutely. Welcome to the family, man.”

Joe stood and then he and Eddie gave each other an awkward, bruising
bear hug. Joe put his guitar in the case and the two men went up to the house
arm in arm.

Chapter Fifteen

When her mate and her father came into the kitchen through
the back door, they were laughing. Together.
Shared
amusement. She
didn’t know what the hell had happened, but they’d made up. Eddie didn’t seem
to have a single concern about Joe anymore. It was almost as if their fight had
never happened.

What’s going on?

Eddie came around, I guess.
Joe smiled at her and
winked.

“What’s for supper, angel?” He came up behind her and gave
her a hug. She leaned back against him, smiling when he pressed a kiss to the
curve of her neck.

She pulled open the oven. “Freshly baked lasagna with garlic
bread. Be a love and change the oven over to broil and pop the garlic bread in
for me.”

She lifted the lasagna onto the counter while Joe changed
the oven and put the garlic bread under the heat. Mandy started to cut into the
lasagna and met her father’s gaze.

“Eddie, call them all in for supper. Joe and I will be at
the head and foot and you guys fill in along the sides.”

He grinned and went to do her bidding. She dished up
vegetables and placed them on the table while Joe watched the bread. When it
was golden, he pulled it out. The rest of the family filed in and took their
seats. Mandy dished up the lasagna and served up drinks.

She pulled an apple crumble that she’d prepared out of the
fridge and placed it in the oven to cook while they enjoyed their supper.

“This is excellent,” Maria assured her, taking another bite
of the hot pasta.

“Thanks. Any plans for tonight?”

She glanced around the table and Joe considered. “A movie?”
Mandy glanced at her parents and raised her brows. Eddie and Carly nodded.

“Sounds great. Ladies choice,” Carly called and the guys
groaned.

“That means a chick flick,” Julian sighed.

“We’ll discuss and let you know.” Carly patted his arm.

So after Mandy fed them dessert, she got ready to clean up
but Maria called a halt to that.

“I believe the cook sits to watch. Everyone, I need your
help.”

Mandy laughed as Maria put everyone to work loading the
dishwasher and putting away leftovers. Then they popped popcorn and set coffee
brewing before settling into the living room. Mandy showed her mother and Maria
her movie collection. The argued among themselves for a while and then opted
for
The Sound of Music
.

At first they sat and watched Julie Andrews twirl her way
around a mountain meadow. But then the atmosphere changed and it was Joe that
started it. He grabbed a blanket, wrapped it around his head when Maria ran
into the Abbey. In a quavery falsetto he sang along with the nuns, asking “how
do you solve a problem like Maria?” Jake and Julian joined in and suddenly,
The
Sound of Music
was enacted by the entire family like a midnight showing of
The
Rocky Horror Picture Show
.

It was an evening filled with laughter and family closeness.
She could see that even Joe and his father seemed at ease with one another.
They all sang along to
Climb Every Mountain
at the very end of the
movie. They clapped at the end of the movie and began to swap family stories.

Mandy laughed as Maria told stories of her sons as toddlers
and Carly shared embarrassing tales of her own youth. After a pleasant evening,
everyone went to bed except Mandy and Joe.

She took the empty coffee cups into the kitchen and Joe
followed her in with a few cups in hand too. Quietly they shared the tasks of
unloading the dishwasher and putting everything away.

“Let’s go turn off all the lights and enjoy the tree lights.
So when did you start decorating trees for something other than Christmas?”

“I don’t know. It just seemed important to decorate for
Valentine’s Day since that’s my parents’ anniversary. After a while, I just
began to decorate for every holiday and I included a tree. It’s weird, I know,
but I like doing it.”

“It’s unique. Just like you.” Joe pulled her close for a
hug. “Now, let’s go enjoy the warmth of the fire and cuddle on the floor,” he
suggested.

“Do I detect ulterior motives?”

“Hell, yeah. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the cozy,
romantic ambience. After all, Valentine’s Day is tomorrow.”

Mandy laughed and took his hand as he led her from the
kitchen. They turned off lights and made their way to the living room. They
curled up on the thick, warm rug in front of the fire and looked up at the
lighted tree. She laid her head on Joe’s shoulder to enjoy the hearts and
cupids all over the tree. She had a pretty nice collection of Valentine’s
ornaments.

“This is probably the best Valentine’s Day I’ve ever had.”
She looked up at him.

“Me too.” He met her gaze, then lowered his head and kissed
her, slowly deepening the kiss.

She wrapped her arms around him, meeting his mouth with
hers. Long, slow, wet kisses were the best kind and that’s what they shared.
Necking like two teenagers for a long time before Joe pressed her gently back
on the rug and edged her sweater up to bare her abdomen. He lowered his head to
press a kiss right against her belly. She giggled and he smiled. They played a
slow, languorous game of stripping each other until they were both naked in the
soft glow of the fire. Joe ran his hands over her breasts, cupping them, but
when he went to kiss them, she pressed her hands to his chest.

“My turn,” she teased.

“Oh?”

“Yeah, lay on your back.”

He rolled flat and sighed as she crawled up over him. She
dropped a hot kiss on his mouth then soft little butterfly kisses against his
nose, eyelids, cheek and chin.

Her fingers grazed his chest, trailing over his heated skin
as she followed the path of her hands with her mouth. Joe sighed as she kissed
his shoulders, chest and belly. She gave him gentle bites along his stomach and
drifted lower, her tongue trailing over his hipbones. She let her warm breath
tease his hard cock, but slipped past to stroke and kiss his thighs. He spread
his legs apart to let her have her way with him.

“Ah, angel. I love your mouth on me.”

“Mmmm. You taste good.” She nibbled her way up his muscular
thighs.

She swiped her tongue over his balls and he jerked, lifting
his hips for more. She took his cock in hand and stroked the shaft, brushing
his thighs with her tight nipples while she caressed his cock. Working the
natural lubrication up and down him, she squeezed pearly pre-cum from the tip.
He arched upward as she fondled him. He was so beautiful in his uninhibited
response, groaning softly as she grasped him. She lowered and enveloped the
head in her hot mouth, sucking and licking while she cradled his balls in one
hand and worked his shaft with the other.

It was so hot to see him lose himself in the pleasure she
gave him, so she rubbed her wet pussy against his leg. Enjoying the friction as
she humped him. Pressing close to stimulate herself even as she flicked her
tongue at his sensitive erection. She lapped at him, using her tongue and the
suction of her mouth to rouse him. Drive him crazy. He twisted under her,
nearly unseating her as she tongued him.

“God, angel, I’m gonna come. You’ve got to stop.”

“I don’t want to stop pleasuring you.”

She sat up and wriggled up his body, then she rose over him
and eased him inside her. He moaned.

“Fuck, stop.”

She paused as he clenched his hands into fists, his breath
coming fast. He began to relax slightly and it was then she started her ride.
She rose and lowered, taking him in. Clenching on his cock each time he filled
her. She watched him sink deep into her pussy then as she lifted off, she
watched his cock reappear, glistening in the soft glow of the room. She was wet
and each time she took him, the glide was easier. Mandy reached between her
legs to play with her clit.

“Lean forward, Mandy.”

Joe’s voice was soft. Husky. And she looked away from where
they connected so she could meet his gaze. He watched her, eyes loving but at
half-mast and hazy with desire. She reached for his shoulders and leaned over
him. He lifted his hands and cradled her breasts, teasing the tight tips,
running his thumbs around the areola. Every caress left her gasping.

She picked up the pace between them, staring into his eyes
as they fucked. Sharing the intimacy of their lovemaking.

“So fucking beautiful.”

“You are too,” she whispered, cupping his balls before
moving her hand upward to stroke her clit again.

She closed her eyes, her breath catching as they moved
together. He sat up and wrapped his arms around her. Mandy wrapped her arms around
his shoulders as she continued to ride him.

“Take me, angel. Fill your pussy with me,” he growled in her
ear.

His breath teased her ear. Her neck. Her shoulder. Then he
brushed her skin with his lips. She moaned, clutching him tighter. Moving
faster. His fingers tensed, pulling her closer. Holding her in place while he
began to rock his hips in rhythm with her movement.

Soft whimpers of pleasure escaped them both as they pressed
together. Mandy clenched on him, rolling her hips.

“I’m so close, Joe.”

“That’s it. Come for me,” he whispered, kissing her neck. He
caressed her body. Cupping her breasts, stroking her ribs, brushing her belly,
until he reached between her thighs and pressed his thumb to her clit. She
jerked, crying out as he stroked her.

Her hips rose and fell. She felt as if she was flying as she
took him in. A light dew of sweat dampening them both. She licked his shoulder,
reveling in the salty taste of him. He grasped her ass, holding her tight as
they moved. Striving for release. Until finally, she couldn’t stop it, even if
she’d wanted to.

He rubbed her clit and thrust deep and she sobbed, shaking
apart in his arms. Riding him as waves of desire hit her. Driving her up to the
peak and breaking until she was shuddering. Her face buried against his neck.
Clutching him with her hands while her pussy spasmed.

He grunted, all but hurling himself into her. He grasped her
hips, pumping until he went rigid. Then he jerked, his cock twitching as he
shot his release into her body. She held him close, savoring the closeness
between them. Kissing him as he groaned and dropped his forehead to her
shoulder.

“Oh God, angel. I’ll never get over this.”

She chuckled. “I never want you to. We’re both trapped in
this wonderful and terrible love we share.” She dragged her head from his
shoulders to look at his beloved face. His eyes slowly opened and he smiled.

“I hope I wasn’t too terrible,” he teased.

She grinned. “No, you were just terrible enough.” Then she
hugged him and he hugged her back.

* * * * *

Joe woke to hear the shower turning off and Mandy opened the
door, still toweling off. He watched her, knowing she hadn’t realized he was
awake yet. She was stunning. Her full breasts and wide hips were classic
goddess style. She went to the dresser and pulled out a pair of lacy pink
underwear. He licked his lips as she bent slightly to pull them on. What a fine
ass. Round. Just like the rose heart he’d bought her. Perfectly shaped and
begging to be kissed. She grabbed a bra and dropped her luscious tits into the cups.
He wished that she would have gone braless, but he knew that with her parents
and his here, there was no way she would. She moved next to the closet and
looked through the clothes hanging there finally pulling out a low-necked
dark-red sweater and grabbing a pair of black slacks. She pushed her feet into
a pair of warm slippers and headed for the door.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, angel.”

She paused and turned around, leaning back against the door.
She gave him a soft, loving look.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Joe. How long have you been awake?”

“Just since you came out of the bathroom.” He smiled. “It
was a nice view.”

“You could have said something.”

“But then I wouldn’t have gotten to watch.”

“Well the shower is yours. I’m going to go put the breakfast
casserole into the oven.”

“When did you make that?”

“When I made supper last night. It’s better if it sits in
the fridge overnight. Come join me after you shower.”

She slipped out of the bedroom and shut the door behind her.
Joe made quick work out of his shower, drying his hair and dressing in a thick
green sweater and jeans. He pulled on his shoes and socks and headed for the
kitchen, hoping to beat the family. He missed out. Everyone was already up and
ready for the morning. Maria and Carly had set the table as Mandy popped the
casserole into the oven. Mandy juiced some oranges and put the fresh juice in
the refrigerator. She looked up as everyone considered what to do next.

“Breakfast needs to cook for an hour, so do you all want to
open presents now?”

Maria and Carly exchanged looks and finally nodded. “Let’s.
Then we can enjoy breakfast in a leisurely fashion.”

Jules, being the youngest, was designated to hand out gifts.
As they exchanged their presents and opened packages, they exchanged laughter
and hugs. Joe was touched by Mandy remembering he needed sheet music. The
ladies showed pleasure and surprise as they opened the gifts scouted out for
them by the guys. Finally, there were only a couple of gifts left. Jules picked
up the small pink box for Mandy and Joe took it from him. He turned and
presented it to his mate.

Mandy raised her brows but went to work on the small
package. When she opened it, she gasped.

“What is it, honey?” Carly asked her. Maria leaned forward
too.

“A ring.”

“A True Mate ring,” Joe corrected. He took it from her. “May
I?”

She nodded as tears began to slip down her cheeks. He took
her left hand in his and gently pushed the rose quartz heart set in 18K rose
gold onto her finger. She held out her hand.