Motor City Wolf (9 page)

When he opened the box, Fianna blinked. The ring nestled inside was a simple design, a square-cut diamond of perhaps two carats, in a platinum setting with a touch of Art Deco design. “It’s beautiful. You’d like me to wear it to dinner? I’m honored.”

“I want you to wear it, period.” He took it out and lifted her left hand. “It’s your engagement ring. I’ll be honest, Fee. I’m operating under the assumption that the wedding is a done deal.”

“Oh.” He seemed so sure while she was still so confused. And now, an engagement ring? Fianna knew about that human custom, of course. She’d dutifully admired both Meagan’s and Elise’s rings when they’d become engaged. It hadn’t occurred to her, though, that Greg would give her one. Even if they did have to go through with the wedding, theirs wasn’t the kind of love match the others had.

He slid it on to her finger and leaned in to claim her lips in a deep, possessive kiss. By the time he broke away, they were both gasping for breath.

“Are you sure you’re not hurt anywhere else?” His gaze traveled along her body, clad in now-dusty jeans, a lavender turtleneck sweater. Somewhere along the way, she’d eased out of her torn leather jacket, which lay in the floor by her feet.

Now that she felt better, she couldn’t resist teasing him a bit. “Well, there are these two small puncture wounds on my shoulder. Do you suppose I should have asked Des to heal those?”

“No.” A feral expression flashed across his features and faded just as quickly. “That mark means I’ve claimed you. It’s more important than the ring. In fact, if you can find a dress that shows it off, that would be even better. My grandfather will expect to see it.”

“So that’s why you bit me?” She shouldn’t be disappointed that what had felt intimate and sexual at the time now seemed so cold and calculated.

“No. I told you at the time, it was instinct. At the time, I wasn’t exactly using my brain. Whether you believe me or not, what happened last night was a claiming, not a ruse. And if I wasn’t afraid of messing up that perfect hairdo all over again, I’d remind you how good it is between us.”

“So don’t touch my hair.” She could barely believe she’d had the courage to say it. “I can redo my own makeup. For a moment there in that street, I thought I might never have the chance to touch you again.”

“Fuck, princess, so did I.” He sat on the edge of his desk and hauled her into his arms, kissing her frantically. “I don’t know what the hell this is between us, but I don’t want to lose you, Fee.”

“You didn’t. You won’t.” She kissed him back and slid her hands up under his shirt.

“I’m the biggest jerk alive for taking advantage of you yesterday.” He said this even as he pushed her sweater up under her armpits and reached behind her to unclasp her bra. He eased her to her feet in front of him, allowing him to run a line of kisses along her midriff and up her breastbone. “Even worse, I’m doing it again.”

“I don’t mind.” She wrapped her fingers in his hair and held on as his lips found her breast. “I want you, Greg. I need this.” Her body ached with desire more than it did from her fall.

“I don’t think there’re any condoms in here.” He switched breasts, suckling her nipple deep into his mouth.

“Not that they did any good,” she murmured. “Does it matter?”

He let go of her breast and buried his nose in her throat, inhaling deeply. “We’re safe. You’ve passed the peak of your cycle.”

“Then quit wasting time and take me.” She let go of his hair to reach for his zipper. Cautiously, she lowered it over his engorged penis. “Please.”

“If you’re sure.” His nimble fingers undid her jeans and pushed them down around her ankles along with her panties. Greg stood, turning her to face his desk. “Lean forward over the desk.”

Too excited to argue, she did. Her ankles were still bound by her jeans, allowing her to spread them only a foot or so apart, but that was apparently enough. Greg eased two fingers into her channel from behind and pumped, testing her readiness. Moments later, his cock replaced his hand, the blunt head pushing into her in one smooth glide.

Fianna cried out at the depth of his penetration, but pushed her hips back, taking him even farther inside.

“Unbelievable,” he grunted as he began to move. “Never knew it could be this good. This hot.”

Fianna wanted to answer, but all she could do was moan and hold on to the edge of the desk. Her breasts pressed into the leather blotter, and Greg’s thick shaft pistoned in and out of her.

It only took a minute or so before she cried out and shattered around him. Greg slammed himself home and called her name, his hands digging into the flesh of her hips. After another second, she felt the warm, wet flood of his seed fill her once again.

He stood there for a while, running his hands up and down her spine, before bending to kiss her from neck to waist. “Did I hurt you?” He stepped back and eased out of her, grabbing a handful of tissues from his desk to wipe himself off before he gently did the same for her.

“Not at all.” She pushed herself up and turned to face him. “That was…wonderful.” She tried to hide her wince as she pulled up her jeans. Her massage had eased the worst of the aches, but after her fall, she was tense and stiff again.

“So it was, but you’re still hurting.” Greg fished a small packet out of the first-aid kit and handed it to her. “Take these. Do you have more upstairs?”

She smiled wanly, tore open the packet and swallowed the tablets with a swig of the cold coffee that had been sitting on his desk. Coffee tasted strange, but she’d learned to appreciate the caffeine boost. “I do. When I first came here, my feet would hurt so badly after a shift that Lana made me buy a few things. Sometimes I forget to take them, though, like this morning. Medication isn’t something I’ve ever had to use before.”

“I know. It isn’t something I usually think about either, but I’m glad my cousin is more thoughtful.” He stood, kissed the top of her head and helped her to her feet. “Come on let’s get you upstairs so you can at least sit down and rest for a while until the drugs kick in.”

They walked arm in arm up the stairs. At her door, he paused and added one last thing. “I know you’re an adult, and you can take care of yourself, but next time…” He gazed pointedly at her stomach. “Try to remember you have people who care about you. And that it may not be just yourself who you’re protecting.”

Fianna couldn’t stop thinking about Greg’s parting words for the rest of the afternoon. Nausea roiled through her stomach at the idea that someone might be trying to not only kill her, but possibly a child, as well. Almost as disconcerting was trying to sort out what Greg wanted from her. Did he truly care for her, or was she simply an expedient choice to thwart his grandfather’s plans? Furthermore, was she now nothing but a potential brood mare? She couldn’t make sense of anything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours.

She sat on the corner of her sofa with her legs curled up under her, and her head held high so as not to muss her hair, not after Des had expended magic to repair it the first time. The gesture had been too considerate to waste, even if what she really wanted to do was fall face-first into her pillow and cry.

Grow up, Fianna.
Not only had she loudly proclaimed herself to be a responsible adult, she owed Greg better than a dishrag for a mate—even a pretend one.

The first thing she needed to do was wash her face and hands. That accomplished, it was time to decide on a gown. She’d intended to wear a conservative style in black velvet, with a high neckline and long sleeves. If Greg wanted her to show off the bite, though, she had a better idea. In the closet of the spare bedroom, she found the one she wanted, wrapped in plastic like all the other designer clothing she’d owned as Aidan’s assistant. The aqua satin sheath was a Grecian style, sleeveless with one shoulder completely bare. She dug out a bag and heels in silver leather. She’d wear no jewelry except the earrings and Greg’s ring. His mark would take the place of a necklace.

There was still time before she had to dress, so she sat back on her couch with her laptop. If she was pregnant, there were things she needed to know. She’d watched Meagan enough to realize that certain foods and beverages could be harmful. Thank heavens for the internet. It was amazing how much she’d learned about being human from surfing the web.

Smoking and alcohol were the first two taboos she found.
Fine.
She could avoid wine and beer, and she didn’t much care for liquor. Cigarettes were disgusting. At the third entry, she gasped in horror. Caffeine? How was she supposed to function without that? She thought guiltily of the coffee she’d had this morning, then again in Greg’s office. Scrolling down a little, she saw that even the painkillers she’d taken were considered suspect.
Oh, no, no, no.
She prayed that if there was a child, she hadn’t already done any damage.

A knock on her door registered in the back of her mind, but she was too engrossed in her research to get up and open it. She’d found photographs of an infant’s development in the womb. She’d never known that it took at least a week for the fertilized egg to implant itself. So the medication she’d taken today was probably fine but she’d have to be more careful in the future.

The knocking turned into pounding. “Fianna. Are you all right in there?”

“Come in, Lana.” She closed the screen on her laptop as the door opened.

“I wanted to make sure you were okay.” In the short black dress she’d purchased today and high black boots, Lana looked perfectly recovered. She held out her hand. “Des may be an asshole most of the time, but at least he fixed my nails.”

“Yes, that was kind of him.” Fianna wasn’t about to be drawn into a discussion of the mage. The sparks between Lana and Des were obvious even to her. Her thoughts were still stuck on the research she’d been doing, and on Greg’s words from the day before about driving carpool and cheering at soccer games. “Will you teach me how to drive?”

“Sure.” Lana narrowed her eyes. “But not tonight. Wanna tell me what’s really on your mind?”

No.
“I suppose I’m nervous about being paraded in front of your family.”

“Yeah, don’t blame you for that.” Lana cocked her head toward the bedroom. “Come on, let’s get you ready.”

Much safer territory. Fianna turned so Lana could unzip her sweater and help ease the cashmere over her coiffure without disturbing it. When Fianna tossed the garment aside, Lana stepped back and let out a low whistle.

“He marked you.”

Fianna turned to see the other woman’s wide grin. “So I’m told. Is it supposed to still tingle?” They’d changed in separate stalls at the spa, and the heavy terry-cloth robe had hidden the base of Fianna’s throat.

“From what I’ve heard, yeah.” Lana practically bounced and gave Fianna an enthusiastic hug. “Oh, I’m so happy for you. Part of me was afraid this was all fake, just to stall Grandfather. But if he’s marked you, he means it. Welcome to the family, cousin.”

Fianna hugged her back. “Thank you.”

Then Lana noticed the engagement ring and a whole new round of squealing ensued. By the time she was dressed and her makeup restored, Fianna had to rush into her shoes. She snapped on her second earring just as Greg knocked on her door.

“Okay, I’m going to wait downstairs.” Lana gave Greg a hug as she darted past him into the hallway. “No stopping to fool around before dinner.”

“I could be convinced,” he said from the door after Lana clattered down the steps. “You look incredible.” His heated gaze swept from Fianna’s face down to her toes.

She picked up her white velvet shawl and returned his stare. “So do you.” She’d seen him in formal dress once before, the night of Meagan and Ric’s wedding, but by the time she’d seen him, he’d unbuttoned his shirt and loosened his tie. Now he was magnificent in an expensively tailored charcoal-gray suit with a white shirt and a black-and-blue abstract patterned tie. It wasn’t a tuxedo, but it suited him perfectly.

“Thank you for wearing that dress.” He crossed to her in a few long strides and draped her wrap around her shoulders. The bite mark on her neck tingled more strongly when he kissed it.

“Any woman would be proud to be your fiancée.” Any woman with a brain, that was. Or a heartbeat. “If this is what it takes to show that, I’ve no objection.”

“Come on, let’s get out of here before I mess your hair up again.”

Greg had to hand it to Fee. She didn’t bitch at being squished between him and Lana on the bench seat of his pickup all the way out to West Bloomfield. They could’ve taken Lana’s Mustang convertible, but for three long-legged people, the pickup was actually more comfortable. Besides, the dinged and ratty exterior Greg maintained on the truck pissed his grandfather off.

Too bad there’s no room for a car seat.
Greg willed away the snotty voice inside his brain. He’d deal with all that crap when—and if—he had to. Not tonight.

Once they reached the walled estate where he’d grown up, Greg drew the truck into the circle drive and parked right where he knew it would be most visible. He pocketed the keys instead of leaving them for the poor sucker acting as valet and walked around to the passenger side to offer a hand to Lana, in her sky-high-heeled boots, and then to Fianna, in glittery silver stiletto sandals. In them, she was about as tall as he. Good thing he had no hang-ups about height.

“This is almost as grand as Aidan’s house.” After they passed the guarded, wrought-iron gate and stone wall surrounding the property, Fee looked at the faux Georgian mansion in some surprise.

Greg nodded. “The house sits on forty acres, but the pack owns the full square mile, and good chunks of the sections on three sides. This entire square is walled, gated and guarded, and the Prime’s house is walled off even from the others. There are a couple smaller houses on this chunk—like the old man’s bodyguard’s and the housekeeper’s cottage, as well as a guesthouse or two. Other ranking pack members live on the adjacent land, making for a pretty defensible compound.”

Some wolf Greg didn’t recognize took their coats in the enormous foyer and told them that the guests were gathering in the library.

Hmmph.
As if they didn’t know the house and couldn’t hear where the voices were coming from. The women each murmured a polite thanks, but Greg only nodded to the less-dominant male before taking each of the females by an arm and ushering them down the wide, marble-floored hallway. He paused outside the open double doors into the library.

The buzz of conversation inside came to a halt.

The room was crowded with familiar faces. Ivan sat in his usual hunter-green leather chair next to the green-veined marble fireplace. On one side sat Marja, Greg’s grandmother, in a sparkly navy gown and heavy diamond necklace, her silvery hair swirled up in a style similar to Fee’s. On the old man’s other side, Peter stood at attention. His wife, Samantha, perched on a delicate tapestry chair at his side. Maurice and his partner David chatted on one end of the room with Lana’s parents and a vibrant blonde Greg hadn’t expected to see.

Greg stopped in his tracks on his path toward his grandfather and whipped his head around toward George and Jase who’d come up beside Fee. “What’s
she
doing here?”

George shrugged and darted a glare at the old man. As a show of support, he took Fee’s other hand and walked with them up to where the Prime sat on his leather throne. Greg shot him a look of thanks behind Fee’s head. Lana fell back with Jase.

“Grandmother.” Greg tipped his head and gave Marja a smile. “Allow me to present my fiancée, Fianna Meadows, recently of the Seelie Court. Fianna, meet my grandmother, Marja Novak.”

“Delighted.” Fee held her head high and extended one hand toward the older woman. “Your grandchildren speak well of you, Mrs. Novak. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

If Marja’s spine hadn’t already been as straight as a ramrod, Greg was sure it would have stiffened further. Her dark eyes studied Fee with blatant disrespect. “You were exiled from the Faerie Court and stripped of your powers. How does that make you a fit mate for the future Prime alpha?”

Fee’s smile was brittle as an icicle. “It doesn’t. However, Greg has chosen me, despite my previous failings. My apologies if he failed to ask your permission.”

“Their permission was never a requirement,” Greg said from beside her. He let go of her arm so he could slip his around her waist. God, but she was magnificent. “You’re my intended mate. They can choose to be polite or to kick us both out. I don’t much care which.” Except he’d really rather not be evicted from the entire region.

“The Prime has never had the authority to choose or deny mates,” George pointed out in a soft, reasonable tone. “Fianna is a lovely woman, who didn’t knowingly commit any crimes. She was exiled for her loyalty to the only family she’d ever known. I’d trust her at my back any day of the week. For what it’s worth, I support my brother’s choice and welcome her to our family and pack.”

Fee bit her lip in a motion so subtle Greg doubted anyone saw it but him. She blinked rapidly, no doubt having teared up at George’s words, but her proud carriage didn’t waver.

“So do I,” said Lana from behind them.

“I would prefer my heirs not be of mixed blood,” the old man growled. “Your children would be in line to be Prime—they must be lupine.”

Greg shook his head. “Now you’re reaching for excuses. You had me genetically tested when I was six. You know I have the double dominant allele. All my children will be lupines, regardless of their mother’s race. If anything, adding Fae to the bloodline will only strengthen it. Extended life spans and magic are both possibilities.”

“Magical werewolves. Think about it, grandson. Would that be a good idea? Or an alpha who doesn’t age? That goes against the natural order of the pack.”

“Since my powers have been stripped, it’s a moot point.” Fianna kept her gaze on a point slightly above the Prime’s left shoulder. Greg thought it was disdain, rather than respect or fear that kept her from meeting the old man’s gaze. “I’m human, and any children I bear will carry that heritage, not my former elven one.”

“Sure about that, princess?” His whisper was for her ears alone. He’d already considered everything his grandfather mentioned, and each of those points helped confirm one fact. Greg was an idiot. However, since it was probably too late to change his mind, he brazened it out. “It doesn’t matter. My decision is made, and the mating process has begun.” He turned Fee to the side a few inches so the light from the sconces above the fire shone right on her throat.

As if she’d read his mind, she tipped her head, to better display his mark.

The old man’s nostrils flared, but before he could speak, Marja laid a hand, only slightly veined with age, on his arm. “Enough. Miss Meadows is a guest in our home and our grandson’s intended mate. This is a social visit, not a pack meeting.”

Greg leaned down and kissed the air above her perfectly made-up cheek. “Thank you, Grandmother.”

“You’re welcome. Now introduce your fiancée to your cousin Katy, who’s bouncing like a basketball on her toes behind you, trying to see. Dinner will be served in thirty minutes. You know where the bar is located.”

With that, they were dismissed. Stepping backward first, as if they were leaving the presence of royalty, Greg and Fianna turned to greet the others.

Katy was indeed bouncing. She was average height and build, with hazel eyes and her russet-brown hair cut in a sleek chin-length bob. She clutched both of Fee’s hands in hers and grinned. “I’m so glad to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you I feel like we’re old friends.” She wrapped the taller Fee in an exuberant hug. “Oh, congratulations and welcome.”

“Thank you.” Fee carefully extricated herself but her expression had softened considerably and she squeezed Katy’s hands before letting go. She was touched. “I’m happy to meet you at last as well. You’re as lovely as I expected you to be.”

“My other half, Derek Palowsky.” Katy drew the lighter-haired werewolf with the Novak dark eyes forward. “Our kids are dying to meet you, too.”

“I look forward to it. They’re adorable—six, four, three and one, correct? Lana showed me a photograph.” Next, Fee shook hands with Derek and asked about his law firm. Either she’d absorbed every word Greg or George had said about their family, or Lana had coached her well this morning.

Eventually, of course, he had to tug Fee away from Katy and introduce her to his aunt and uncle, Lana’s parents. There was no trouble with them—Lana had already primed Julian and Helen to like Fee. Since Lana was their only child, they’d taken the trouble to lavish attention on Greg and George when they were children—at least as much as the old man would allow. Fee dropped her snooty façade and charmed them easily. Derek’s folks, Max and Irene Palowsky, were as easy to cope with.