Mate Magic (10 page)

Chapter 13

Bailey woke with strong arms enfolding her but something was poking her in the butt. Oh no, she was wrapped in a sheet with Paul sleeping behind her. She knew exactly what was poking her in the rear.

“Sorry, it happens in the morning.
I have no control over it.” Paul’s warm breath was on her neck and she couldn’t pretend she didn’t desire him. He said, “You smell so yummy,” as he buried his face in her hair.

She smiled to herself; he really was a catch.
She snuggled deeper into his arms and thought briefly about what her life with Paul would be like. He was good with children, patient, didn’t seem to mind her scars and if they were true mates he would never stray. She loved the idea.

Mind made up
Bailey pushed back against Paul attempting to inflame him. “So, this whole mate thing. What are the benefits for me?”

Paul
couldn’t think straight when she was rubbing up against him like a cat. He was already hard as a rock and he didn’t want to upset Bailey and make her think he was rushing things. But, damn she was hot.

“Uh, well…you’d get protection.”

“I think I’ve proven I can take care of myself, wolf.”

Okay, he had to think about this.
What would she get? “Did you like what I did last night?”

“Yes.”

Aha! “You could have that and more. I could make you feel great.” Time to see if they wanted the same things in future, “Do you want cubs?”

“Eventually.”

“I could give you babies and family. I have a huge family and I know they’d love you.”

“Alright, you’ve convinced me.
Let’s do it.”

He must have heard wrong.
“Uh, what?”

“I’d like to mate with you.
You’ve been a wonderful and patient protector. I know I’ll be happy with you.” At his continued silence she became nervous, “Did you change your mind?”

“What?”

“Never mind.”
Bailey tried to wiggle from Paul’s grip. “Let me up.”

“Where are you going?
We’re not done here.”

“Oh, I think we are.
You’re an asshole! Making me think we could be mated and happy and that you and your family could accept me.” She was trying to push Paul away with little success.

“No,
Bailey…I was just shocked. I thought you’d need more time to think or whatever you do.”

Bailey
stopped fighting him but she was quiet and Paul could see the tears in her eyes. “Oh no baby. Don’t cry, you’re breakin’ my heart.”

Paul
sighed, “Please Bailey. I was so happy waking up with you. Can we start over?”

“No.”

Paul put his lips on her neck and rubbed them over her pulse. He was still holding on to her, his arms around her middle. He moved one arm to caress her stomach as his tongue licked her neck. She moaned and Paul knew all was not lost.

“You’re still an ass.”

“I know my love. Just forget that happened, okay? I’ve never wanted to love anyone more than I want to love you right now. Just let me love you.”

“Please, like yesterday.”

“No, better. It’s going to be me and you connected Bailey. We’re going to mate if you’ll still have me.”

Bailey
didn’t have a chance to answer because Paul’s hands and mouth were everywhere. Soon she was lost in a fog of lust, revved up by her mate’s scent. She wanted to belong to someone, Paul and pack.

Paul
had her breast in his mouth sucking and running his teeth over the budded flesh as his hand slipped down between her legs. “So wet. I love that you’re soaking for me.”

Bailey
grunted and lifted her hips as Paul inserted his finger into her channel. “Do you want me Bailey? Just me, forever?”

“Just you
Paul.” She ran her hand over his chest and brushed lightly over his nipple and noted his breath hitched at the contact. “I want to see all of you.”

Paul
was above Bailey and he froze. “Maybe after.”

“After what?
Please, Paul, let me see you, touch you.”

“Are you sure you won’t change your mind?”

Bailey was shocked. Why would he say that? Was he scarred too? “No, I won’t change my mind. I want you.”

Paul
rolled to the side covered by the sheet and lay still so that Bailey could become familiar with his body. She went up on her elbow and placed her small hand on his chest. She rubbed his chest and arms, “Strong.” Paul grunted his approval as her hand ran down his abs. He was the sheriff so he had to keep in shape and he’d never been so proud.

Bailey
leaned down and ran her tongue across his tight belly and wished she had the courage to go lower but she had no idea what she was doing. Bailey left the sheet covering his lower half and noticed how it rose and jumped occasionally. She looked at Paul’s face as her hand went under the cover and felt his hard heated flesh.

“Holy mother of God.”
She was gripping his penis and it seemed like it went on forever. Bailey tore her gaze from Paul’s and removed the sheet. “Oh my God. No way…no way is that gonna fit.”

Paul
was lying rigid on the bed and looked distressed, “We’ll never know unless we try.”

“You’ll kill me.
There is no way that,” pointing, “is going in here,” pointing to herself now. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful. But I’m small.”

“You’ll accommodate me.
We’ll be the perfect fit, you’ll see.” He was pleading with her to understand but she still had that wide eyed look, like he was a beast.

Bailey
closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. When she opened her eyes she looked down at his manhood again. She ran her index finger over the fluid beaded at the head and down to the veins on his shaft. His cock jumped and so did she. “It won’t hurt you, Bailey.”

“So says the inserter.”

“We don’t have to do this if you’re not ready.” He ran his finger down the side of her face and to the scar that she always kept covered, except in front of him. “I can wait.”

Bailey
lost her heart to him forever in that one moment. She knew she’d liked him a lot before but at this moment she wanted nothing more than to be bound to him for the rest of her life, in love. “I’m ready Paul. Mate with me, make me yours.”

“Thank God.”
Paul rolled back on top of her and began to stoke her fire all over again. He would only do this if he ensured she had just as good a time as he did.

Paul
once again had a finger in Bailey’s slick passage. She welcomed him, eagerly. She felt another digit being inserted as his thumb continued to hit her tiny nub. “Oh God Paul, it feels so good.”

Bailey
felt like she was being stretched, probably was. Paul needed to prepare her for his horse penis. She couldn’t help tightening her inner muscles and then hiss at the slight pain it caused. “Relax love, I won’t hurt you.”

She trusted him completely and knew he’d never hurt her on purpose.
She let him prime her and she enjoyed every minute of the licking and sucking and caressing. She was flat on her back but she was writhing under him.

Paul
had done everything he could to ensure she was ready. She was so wet she was dripping on the bed. If he didn’t act soon she was going to orgasm and leave him behind. Normally, that’d be okay, but he really wanted to mate her today, now. He had managed to get a couple of his thick fingers into her and he scissored them to attempt to stretch her to fit him. God, he hoped it worked.

Paul
hovered naked above her and looked into her eyes, searching for something…permission, love, acceptance. Bailey reached down in between them and guided him to her opening. Paul rubbed his tip on her wet folds and she couldn’t help the moan that slipped out. She felt him press himself to her and she took a deep breath and relaxed her muscles.

“You’re so brave, and sexy, and mine.
I’m so lucky to have you.” He was rocking himself along her inserting a little at a time and then withdrawing. A slow and steady rhythm that had them both panting after only a few short minutes. He was finally encased in his mate’s warm body to the hilt. Her inner muscles were involuntarily clamping down on him and he just stayed there to let her accommodate to his shaft size.

Bailey
’s voice was muffled when she said, “I swear to God, if you don’t move, I might have to hurt you.”

Paul
smiled and nuzzled her neck with his lips and nose. He pulled back and pushed back in causing her to lift her hips and grin in delight. “If you keep it up I’m not going to last, Bailey.”

“I don’t want you to last sheriff.
I want you out of control with wanting me.” She lifted her hips again with his thrust.

“God, I am.
Are you with me?”

“Always.”

Paul grabbed her butt cheeks and angled her hips up to hit her G-spot. Bailey’s eyes went wide and she screamed as she came. Paul felt the pull of Bailey’s inner muscles along with the tingle in his balls indicating his upcoming explosion. Bailey tilted her head to the side as Paul also felt something he had never felt before; his fangs dropped down and he gave a quick lick to Bailey’s neck before he bit her.

She was almost done with her orgasm when she felt
Paul’s tongue on her neck followed by the sweetest bite she’d ever received. She came again and saw spots in her vision. She’d never felt so complete and comforted. Paul’s weight on her only added to her pleasure.

Paul
was lying on top of Bailey with his softening member still inside her; he quickly licked the blood from her neck and watched the mini wounds heal before his eyes. He rolled to the side and cradled her in his arms. “Mine.”

“You’re stuck with me now, sheriff.”
Bailey sat up and looked over her shoulder. “Will you take out my staples? They itch and the wound has healed.”

Paul
beamed back at her. “So romantic.”

Chapter 14

Bailey and Paul showered together and it seemed they both couldn’t keep their hands off one another. Bailey was so pleased that she had found her match and they were happy. She should probably start questioning their future. “Paul, where are we going to live? I could get a more permanent job and we could buy a house. You could mow the lawn and I’ll make dinner. We could have a normal family.”

Paul
chuckled. “I actually have a house and we could live there. Or we could buy another house if you don’t like the one I have now.”

Bailey
was lost in thought when the shower abruptly turned off. “Hey, it’s okay. We’ll work it all out. We have time. Jake will let us live here for however long you’d like. I’d like you to meet my mom and dad though.”

Bailey
grabbed a towel. “I’d like that too.”

Paul
knew something was wrong because she was covering her scar again. Attempting to shut him out, again. Paul grabbed her arm lightly and pulled the towel down to expose her scar. He ran his finger over it and then his tongue, “Tell me what’s wrong.”

“I’m sorry, I just don’t know if I’m good enough for you and your family.
I just wish I was…different.”

Paul
smiled. “I don’t. I’m so lucky to have you and my family will feel just as blessed. You are a wonder to me.” He kissed her breathless before pulling back, patting her butt and saying, “Time to get to work, mate.”

They walked down the hall hand in hand when
Paul’s cell phone rang. He looked at the screen and said. “This is mom so it’ll take a while. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” He kissed her temple and picked up the phone. “Hey ma, how ya been?”

Bailey
grinned to herself and continued to the kitchen.

She found
Jake and Trevor sitting at the kitchen counter eating pop tarts together. Jake seemed tired and was a little slow to rise. “Good morning, Bailey, will you take a walk outside with me?”

Bailey
wondered if something had gone wrong with the pups. “Is everything okay?”

Trevor
rushed over to her and squeezed her. “I knows you could do it Miss Bailey. Thank you for my brother and sister.”

She smiled down at him.
“I just helped them into the world; you should thank your mom and dad for making them.”

He smiled back, “I did.”

Jake walked past her into the back yard and she followed. He went to the edge of the forest and stopped. “I want to apologize for not doing my duty by you. When you came here, my goal was to talk to you about mates, and it seems there has been something interrupting our discussion. I want to thank you for what you did last night for my family and I want you to know I’m here to answer all your questions, when you’re ready.”

Bailey
was so touched and overcome with emotion she launched herself into Jake’s arms. Before she knew it she was blurting, “I’ve mated with Paul.”

“Couldn’t be a luckier wolf.”

She was crying and laughing and so utterly happy, until they were hit by something, hard. Bailey and Jake rolled on the cold grass and Bailey landed on the top of the heap. She turned to find a very large man standing a few feet away.

She launched herself at the man as she yelled, “Alert the Pack.”

The man was utterly shocked and tried to push her away to get to Jake but she was stuck to him like Glue. He tried again to grab for Jake but she pinned his arm. “Take me, he’ll bargain. We’re mated.”

The big guy stopped and inhaled at her neck sneering, “You took long enough to claim her.”
He walked into the forest and Bailey was torn between wanting to run back to Paul, so he could protect her, and defending her new pack. Didn’t matter, her decision was made.

Bailey
was hanging over big dudes shoulder like a big sack of potatoes when she felt herself being shifted. She was tossed into a log a distance away from where several people were talking. “What do you want anyway? It must be damn important if you keep trying to take me.”

The big guy wasn’t the one to answer.
She heard a smooth woman’s voice, “Welcome, we’ve been expecting you.”

“Oh God, lady, you are too much.
We talked about it, I don’t like chicks.” Bailey whirled around and saw the lady who she had the encounter with at Insatiable. “You are really hot, don’t get me wrong, but I can’t really get into the scent of muffins. Do you eat honey as a meal?”

And then it clicked.
“You’re the bear. The one who clawed me.”

The woman smiled.
“I am a bear shifter but, alas, that was Bernard’s handiwork. I am Katarina, by the way, nice to meet you.”

Bailey
pasted on her fake smile too. “Pleasure, I’m sure. Any chance you could tell me what you want so that I can get to work.”

Katarina frowned.
“Oh yes boys. This one works in a boutique with fake male parts. She’s probably not getting satisfaction at home. Although it appears you have taken care of that virginal problem.”

Bailey
smirked. “Yep, I have been royally fucked.” At her remark she began to laugh.

Katarina looked to
Bernard. “Keep her quiet.”

Bailey
saw Bernard’s meaty fist coming at her but couldn’t move fast enough. Light’s out again.

*****

Paul finished talking to his mother in record time even though he spilled the beans about his mating with Bailey. She couldn’t wait to meet her. He was walking down the hall, on cloud nine, when his cell alerted that there was an event at Alpha house. Wait, he was at Alpha house and he hadn’t heard anything.

Paul
propelled himself down the hall in record time to see various wolves arrive and Jake talking furiously on his cell. Paul yelled above the noise. “Bailey…Bailey.”

It wasn’t until
Jake looked into his eyes and snapped his phone shut, he realized; she was gone. “
God damn, mother fucker.
Where is she? Where is my mate?”

Silence descended and all eyes were on him.
He saw Shana approaching. “Paul, I’m so sorry. She and Jake were attacked on the outer edge of the forest a few minutes ago. They were hit; Bailey flung herself on their attacker so Jake could warn the pack. She is so noble.”

“Fuck noble.
I want my mate!
Who has protected her? No one, not one of you has sacrificed for her. She gives and gives and all you ever do is take.” Paul fell to his knees broken.

Jake
approached slowly because Paul was known to always be in control. “I know how you feel, Paul-“

“Do you?
NO!
Your mate is right here, while mine, who is being mistaken for yours, is gone. In danger, possibly dead. For what?” He could feel the sting of tears building behind his eyes. “I just got her.”

Paul
bowed his head and felt strong hands on his shoulders. He couldn’t get up, he couldn’t move. He heard his father’s voice in his ear, “Son, please. Bailey needs you. We have to focus. You can find her, you’re the only one.”

Paul
felt his father’s arms hugging him from behind as Blake and Justin came up to him and gripped him in a fierce hold. He could see tears in their eyes mirroring his grief. “Okay, I’m done. Let’s find her.”

His family released him and it was just then he realized how fast they had gotten there. “Why are you here?”

His father is the one who responded. “Jake and Shana invited us. We came for breakfast as a tribute to your amazing mate. Jake was going to tell her about the mating and he wanted us to be here to see to your joy. He was fairly sure you would be close to mating.”

Paul
hoisted himself up and walked to Jake who was talking to Conner. “I’m sorry. What’s the plan?”

Jake
clasped hands with Paul and bowed to him. The entire room went silent. Paul’s response was clipped, “I don’t deserve it. Save it for Bailey.”

Jake
raised his head. “She was taken by a big guy. For now were assuming it was the same one you described from the kidnapping, but we have no idea why she was taken. It doesn’t make sense. They probably assume she’s my mate and they will ransom her. We want you to find her before we’re contacted. No one wants Bailey to get hurt.” Jake grabbed Paul’s arm, “He was going for me but she jumped on him and demanded I warn the pack. She told him we were mated and that’s when he took her.”

“Thank you for being honest about the situation.
It sounds like something she would do.” Paul took a deep breath and looked to his father, “How do I find her?”

Kenneth
contemplated the situation. “You can scent her through the forest?” Paul bobbed his head. “I think we should find her and send Jake to bargain for her, see what they want. It’s clear they wish for something, let’s find out.”

Paul
looked stricken so his father added. “We won’t be far son. She’s done this before and she knows how to stall for time.”

*****

Bailey woke to find herself still face down in the dirt. She could hear voices but there was a new feeling inside of her. She felt anxious but…she wasn’t. She knew she’d either survive or not, no problem. She wished she had more time with Paul though. That must be it, she felt Paul’s upset, and she was secretly thrilled that someone cared.

It took all of her energy but she attempted to project calm and soothing thoughts to him.
Who knew if it worked, but she had tried. She sat up and her head spun a little. Whoa, too fast.

“Look who’s awake.
How are you feeling, Bailey?”

That lady’s voice was really going to piss her off.
“Much better after my little nap. You sure know how to make a guest feel welcome.”

The woman tittered.
“Yes, you are a guest. You are on our lands. We were promised the American Canyon territory by Allen.”

Bailey
felt a burst of satisfaction. “I’m sure you were, however, surely you know he’s dead and unable to solidify the deal.”

Katarina’s face hardened.
“His son Travis has taken over the negotiations.”

“Negotiations eh?
So you’re now, actually, in violation of several pack laws. Yikes, that’s unfortunate. I’m sure the Pack would have offered to share, but with you making such a ruckus, they won’t be as understanding.”

“You are not in a position of negotiation.
Travis, tell her.”

Bailey
saw the slimy weasel step out from behind a tree. “Bailey, great to see you again.”

“
Travis, did you inform them, that you have never, and will never control the Sacramento Pack.” She looked at the crowd of shifters that had gathered, why were they so freakin’ huge? “My brother Dante runs the Sacramento Pack. If you’re looking for negotiations I suggest you contact him. The American Canyon Pack will not be open to conversation.”

“They’ll give in to our demands because we have their Alpha’s mate.”

Bailey shook her head while she laughed, it sounded harsh even to her ears. “I’m not mated to the Alpha. I’m newly mated to the sheriff of the town and pack you seek to destroy. I will support him and his pack, which includes the Alpha, and his mate.”

Katarina whirled around to
Bernard. “I thought she was the Alpha’s bitch.”

Bailey
laughed again, this time a sound of joy. “Wrong. Poor Bernard. You know he’s great muscle but I would never trust his brain past the honey bun he’s eating.”

Bailey
saw Bernard stalking toward her but this time she kept her head held high. “I am expendable but if you hurt me, my pack will not only destroy you, but every single one of you.” She intentionally looked into each person’s eyes noting Travis was absent. “We have a very powerful sense of smell.” She tapped her nose.

Katarina appeared devastated.
“I only wish to have lands for our children to grow. I never meant to hurt anyone. Travis said if we took you, your pack would fall.”

“I understand your problem, but you should have asked nicely instead of the whole hostile takeover bit.
Travis and Allen were not nice men, but Alpha Jake and the men of this pack are honorable. Talk to them.”

“It is too late.”
Katarina seemed to be thinking of what she would do when she suddenly blurted. “Allen said if we defeated this pack with his help, we could claim the lands. We do not wish to fight but we need land. Allen died and Travis began to bargain. His pack was supposed to assist us, but they never showed up. We are alone with no land again, but now with a wolf pack’s anger.”

Bailey
felt for this woman. “I get it, Katarina. I don’t like you, at all. You’ve been a bitch to me from the beginning, not to mention sending your mean bear fellow after me. But…I understand and I would never want cubs to starve or be without a roof over their heads because of a misunderstanding. Let’s go back to Alpha house and just…talk.”