Chapter 5

The house we were heading towards was part of the circle surrounding the main house but was as close to the Alpha's as was possible while still being part of the circle. It looked to be a simple ranch style house. Only one story and a garage. It was done in shades of brown and tan accents. I immediately fell in love with it.

I couldn't wait to see the inside. "The house actually has three bedrooms, but one is Jaime's for the nights he stays here. You can have the room next to his if you wish it." I could tell through the bond, which I was starting to get too used to, that he was feeling a little hope. For what I could only guess.

He got out of the car and came to my side again. He helped me down, and his hands lingered on my waist for a few before he let go to the front door. He walked up the couple steps there and unlocked the door. He motioned for me to follow him, so I did. We walked into the entry, and I could see right away the very modern kitchen to the right and a little nook to my left, which had a breakfast table and chairs. A door straight ahead from the entrance looked to be leading to the garage. Off of the kitchen was the utility/laundry room.

We walked past the nook into a room that had a high vaulted ceiling and track lighting. It was very modern looking. He had a sectional sofa made of black leather sitting in front of one of those large TV's and entertainment center.

Straight ahead led to the master suite, with a bathroom and walk-in closet. The bedroom was done in black and white. The bed looked to be bigger than a California King. It looked really inviting. I could see myself in it snuggled close to Riley, and I blushed. The bathroom was a dream. It had a shower big enough for two, and the tub looked plenty big too.

If I went left into the living room, it led me to another small bathroom, a study, and the two bedrooms. The far corner bedroom appeared to be Jaime's, so I didn't go in there. But the other bedroom I did explore. It had a full-size bed and closet. A full dresser suite with a mirror. It was nice as far as bedrooms go. I just didn't like the idea of being so far from Riley.

Riley followed me silently throughout my tour of his home. I clasped my hands in front of me and looked at his chest as I spoke shyly. "This is nice. I love your home. But, um, would you mind terribly if I stayed with you in your room?" I asked hesitantly.

Riley crossed the room quickly and pulled me into his arms. I could feel through the bond that seemed to be getting stronger every day, that he was relieved. He had wanted me to stay with him in his room, and bless his heart, he hadn't wanted to pressure me. "No, I don't mind at all." He replied and kissed me again. I nearly swooned. The kiss was full of untold things and promises to come. Wow.

So we went back out to the truck and started to unpack. Jaime started taking in the foodstuffs and placed them in the kitchen. Riley and I took the bags with my clothes and personal things and put them in his bedroom. The backpack I placed on his bed until I could figure somewhere safe for it.

Riley started rearranging his clothes in the closet and dresser to make room for mine. "Are you sure you don't mind me staying in here? You're having to rearrange a lot." He stopped what he was doing in the closet and came over to me. He cupped my face in his large rough yet gentle hands. "I would prefer you by my side here, rather than somewhere else. I am sure about you staying in here. I welcome it." He reassured me. I smiled up at him.

I set about unpacking yet again, but this time hopefully for the last time. After swatting my ass, which was quickly becoming a habit, Riley went out into the kitchen to help Jaime unpack. I gave a giggle as he left. I couldn't understand his infatuation with swatting my ass, and I hated to admit it, but I liked it.

I finally finished unpacking, and took the bags they had been in and balled them all into one. I looked around the room to make sure I hadn't made a mess before leaving to go into the living room.

No one was in there, so I headed to the kitchen where I could hear Riley and who I assumed was Jaime talking. I leaned against the doorjamb as I watched the two of them put away things.

I waited till they were finished before interrupting, "what do I do with these?" I held up the empty shopping bags. "Oh, those go in here." Riley showed me the cupboard they went to. Jaime was silent. I had a feeling he didn't like me. He hadn't spoken a word around me yet. I glanced at him out of the side of my eyes as I passed, and he was looking at me.

What was his deal? He was creeping me out a little. I kept my distance from him as I walked by. Which put me in the path of Riley. I ooomphed as I walked into his hard body. He caught me as I bounced off of him. He laughed, "careful there Sunshine." I gave a small giggle and placed my hand on his chest.

We smiled at each other, then he moved out of the way so I could put the bags up. He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Sunshine, I'd like to introduce you formally to my little brother, Jaime. Jaime, this is my mate, Calliope, though she prefers Poppy." I smiled at the boy. Wow, boy? He wasn't much younger than me. But I felt so much older than my 20 years.

Jaime smiled back shyly. He had a sweet smile. Maybe he wasn't as creepy as I first thought. Maybe he was just shy around girls or something.

Riley nuzzled my neck, causing me to shiver and lean into him. "I was thinking of ordering a pizza for us. Save the cooking for later. What do you guys think?" Riley asked against my neck. I could see Jaime shaking his head yes as he avoided looking at us, and I blushed and mumbled yes.

He nipped at my neck before standing straight and reaching for his phone. "Jaime, go pick a movie for us to watch while we eat." Jaime hooted and ran into the living room to do just that. "I already know what movie that boy is going to pick. It never fails." Riley chuckled as he dialed. I leaned my hips against a counter, as he ordered. He got three extra-large all-the-meat-it-can-hold pizzas and a couple of their dessert cookies. My tummy was already rumbling. Pizza, yet another treat. I could really get used to all this yumminess.

Riley took hold of my hand, and we walked into the living room together. Jaime was already at the TV getting the movie set up. "We're watching Matrix, aren't we, Jaime?" Riley asked, amused. The boy looked up with a grin and a blush. "You know it, bro."

I looked from Riley to Jaime, "Matrix? What's that?" Riley groaned, and Jaime looked at me wide eyed. "You don't know what the Matrix is? Where've you been living? Under a rock?" He asked in shock. Riley gave Jaime a sharp look while I just laughed. "I guess you could say that. I didn't get to watch a lot of movies, just whatever came on the local channels." He stared at me aghast. "I must show you the wonder of the trilogy that is the Matrix." He intoned.

"We're in for it now, Sunshine." Riley groaned in a morose tone. I looked at his face to see if he was serious, and I saw he wasn't. He had a big smile on his face as he looked at me. "This boy has seen the trilogy a few dozen times, if not more. I think he knows it better than the writers do." He joked. Jaime blushed again but continued setting up the movie.

Riley and I sat down on the right side of the sectional sofa, and Jaime sat in the middle. I sat in what was becoming a habit, snuggled close to Riley's side with his arm wrapped around my shoulder. It was funny how quickly I adjusted to being this close to him, and how quickly I craved it.

We were settling in, just about to start the movie, when there was a knock on the door. I jumped, turned, and looked at the door before looking at Riley. He smiled reassuringly. "It’s probably just the pizza." He stood up and motioned for us to stay where we were. It might be the pizza, but he was being cautious. There was a voice on the other side of the door, and Riley relaxed. He opened the door to a man as equally as tall but built like a bear.

"Joe! Good to see you. Everything alright up front?" Riley asked the man. "Yes, sir! Everything is just fine. Ed is manning the front while I bring this to you." He handed over the pizza boxes. Riley took them with one hand and with the other reached in his pocket and handed over some cash.

Joe nodded and turned to leave. Riley stopped him and spoke so quietly to him that even with my new hearing, I couldn't pick up what he was saying. Joe nodded again and left.

"Jaime, if you don't mind, can you bring us some plates and drinks? You know where everything is." Jaime jumped up and did as Riley asked. He sat next to me, placing the boxes on the coffee table. Jaime came back quickly with the items Riley had asked for.

We each grabbed a plate and a soda, then Riley dished out the slices. Once we had our food and drink, Jaime started the movie. I must admit, the pizza was great, and the movie was better. I became enthralled with all of the martial arts and fight scenes there were. I kept exclaiming and cheering when Neo and his friends were kicking ass. I turned to Riley at one point and asked him if people could really fight like that. He told me a lot of it was movie magic, but yes, people could do some of the things they showed. It made me want to learn.

We'd eaten nearly all of the pizza by the time the end of the movie came around, and I was bouncing in my seat, causing Riley and Jaime to laugh. I turned to Jaime, "you said it was a trilogy? That's three right? Can we watch another one?" He looked to Riley. "Yes, we can watch another one if you really, really want to." He teased. "I do, I do."

Jaime needed no other encouragement and set about putting the other movie in. I sat back against Riley's side and waited happily. I looked up at him with a smile, he smiled back at me and leaned in for a kiss. I complied eagerly.

I don't know how long we kissed, but apparently, it was too long for Jaime, "C'mon guys, stop with the kissy face, and let's watch the movie." He complained.

I pulled away from Riley and blushed furiously. "Just wait till you get a girlfriend, Jaime, then you will be wanting to kissy face all the time too." Riley teased. I blushed even redder, as did Jaime. We looked at each other, then away, embarrassed.

I snuggled against Riley again as the movie started. I was as enthralled with it as I was the first one. Jaime and I both cheered and booed when the movie warranted. We even high fived when Neo showed up to save the day. The whole time we were cheering and going crazy over the movie Riley was right there laughing at us. I stuck my tongue out at him, and shouldn't have, because the next thing I knew, I was in his arms being kissed. I completely forgot about the movie. All I could focus on was the touch and feel of Riley.

Jaime saw us and cringed, "aww, guys! The movie is almost over, can't you all wait?"

Riley pulled away and looked at me as he answered Jaime. "I suppose if I have to, I can try to wait." I blushed and ducked my head.

Jaime un-paused the movie, and we finished it off without a hitch. Before I could say anything about watching the third one, I yawned. Riley got up and started cleaning our mess, and Jaime put up the movies.

"Hey, we can watch another one!" I protested, then yawned again. Riley chuckled, "we can finish them tomorrow. You're tired. Go on and get ready for bed, I will be there shortly." I frowned but did as he said. I grabbed a nightgown and headed into the bathroom. I looked at the tub longingly but decided to wait to try that out tomorrow too. I quickly changed my clothes and brought my dirty ones out with me. I put them in the laundry hamper I had seen in the closet then headed to the bed.

I looked at it, a bit daunted by the sheer size of it. It looked like I could get lost in it. I was daunted as well at sleeping with Riley again. Riley came into the room as I was debating which side to take. He slid up behind me and put his arms around my waist. I was quickly loving the way he did this. I leaned back against him. "I don't know which side you sleep on," I said. He leaned down and nibbled my ear, "I sleep closest to the door." he replied. I turned in his arms and looped my arms around his neck.

I took a breath and leaned forward, putting my lips against his. I gently nipped his lower lip, and he groaned against my lips and kissed me. I don't know what I was planning doing that, but it had that right feeling to it. He stood up straight, my arms still around his neck. I instinctively put my legs around his waist, locking them at the ankles. I felt his hardness against my thinly covered womanhood. It made me moan a little and grind against him.

He placed me down on the bed, laying on top of me. He leaned his weight on his knees and elbows. Our kiss became more heated, and I ran my fingers through his hair, causing it to curtain around us. He pulled back, "I shouldn't do this. We need to go slow." He tried to pull away, but I wouldn't let him. "No, don't stop. I'm ready. I don't want to wait anymore." I growled. He looked into my eyes, trying to see if I was sincere, and I was. I was tired of playing around already. I wanted him, and I wanted him now.

He seemed reassured and continued to kiss me. He used one hand to put on my waist and slowly slide up to cup my breast. I arched into his hand as he tweaked my nipple. "Oh please," I begged, I know not for what. He pulled away from me, but only long enough to take off both our shirts. For the first time in my life, I was half-naked with a man. I let my fingers glide over the tattoos on his arms and chest, taking in this incredible sight. I looked up into his eyes, and they were wolf amber as they took in my bare breasts.

I blushed under his admiring gaze. My nipples hardened at being stared at. He reached with both hands and cupped them. I moaned at the contact. His rough hands against my soft skin. He leaned down and took one of my nipples into his heated mouth. I gasped and cried out and tightened my fingers in his hair. He lavished attention on it until it became near unbearable, then he switched to the other one. Once he paid the same attention to it, he kissed me again. I met his tongue thrust for thrust, eager for more.

I felt one of his hands slide down my chest, to my stomach, and then to the line of my panties. I tensed up a little, not really knowing what came next. "Are you sure?" He asked me huskily. I looked into his eyes. I was afraid of what came next, but I wanted it. I nodded, afraid to speak. His hand slid under the elastic of my panties and into the nest of curls. He immediately found the little nub of pleasure hidden amongst the curls, and I arched into his hand, a loud moan of pleasure escaping my lips. He swallowed my moan with his kiss, just as he entered a finger inside me. I mewled against his mouth. The pleasure was intense.

He released me from his kiss and skimmed his lips down my neck to my chest, where he paid some more attention to my breasts, then he kissed his way down my stomach to the edge of my panties.

He slid them down slowly, following with his lips. The whole time I am twitching and arching under him, impatient for what he was doing to me. He slid my panties all the way off, and I wasn't even embarrassed anymore. All I cared about was his touch and kisses. I wanted more.

The next thing I knew, he was kneeling between my legs, which did cause me to blush all over. Our eyes locked, and I couldn't look away as he lowered his mouth down to my nub. I nearly screamed at the intense feeling of his mouth gently covering it. I arched deeply into his mouth, nearly fainting at how good it felt. Then I felt his tongue slide along my cleft, and I think a part of me died. It was too much. I had never felt so much pleasure or knew it was even possible. He stroked his tongue inside me, and I couldn't help it, I came. I rode the waves of pleasure.

I opened my eyes when I felt him pull away, and I started to protest but was quickly stopped when he came back. This time completely nude. His body slid along mine, fitting perfectly together. I felt his manhood stroking along my cleft, and I tensed slightly again. I wondered for a split moment if this would hurt, before he distracted me with his kiss. It promised things to come. I could taste myself on his tongue, and it only turned me on even more.

I felt him plunge in, but instead of pain, I felt pleasure. I cried out against his lips as he penetrated deep within me. I felt full, and yet complete. I looked into his amber eyes, seeing concern and love. I let him know I was alright by kissing him and wrapping my legs around him again.

He started to move, slowly at first, but faster and faster as both our pleasure rose to new heights. We moved as one, like a well-choreographed dance. We came to the precipice and hung there a moment before soaring higher. We cried out our climax together. Our bodies were sweaty from our efforts, and he collapsed on top of me, crushing me, but I didn't mind. Everything was right with my world, maybe a little tired, but right.

We laid like that for a while, before he could find the strength to roll onto his back, taking me with him. I ended up laying full length on top of him. Both of us were still panting a little. We didn't say a word to each other, just laid there recovering.

I suddenly felt a slight burning sensation on my left wrist that grew in intensity. I grabbed my wrist, curling onto my side off of Riley. The pain got so bad I started to cry, then nearly scream as it reached its pinnacle. I barely noticed that Riley was holding his own wrist and groaning. Finally, the pain lessened and I could sit up. I looked down at my wrist and was shocked at what I saw there. It was an intricate tattoo that looked Celtic in design. I had no idea what it meant or why it was there.

I turned to Riley. "What is this?" I asked him, puzzled.

He looked at me through his hair as he was still bent over, looking at his own wrist. "It's the mark we get for becoming life mates," was all he said. I looked at my wrist, then at his, and they were identical. I drew my knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around them.

Riley moved to sit beside me, hip to hip, and mimicked the way I was sitting. He looked over at me, "you OK?" I looked back at him and nodded. "So this is it? We're bonded fully now?" I asked him.

"Yep. The bond will double in strength now. It will only grow stronger from now on until one of us passes on." He confirmed. "Wait, I never asked how this works if one of us dies." I panicked. "Well, it goes one of two ways. One, you can survive without me, but you will never mate with anyone else. Or, two, our bond is so great that you die too." I freaked out. "I can die if you die?" I squeaked. He nodded warily.

I threw my hands up and got up to pace, not caring that I was still naked. I never once thought of what could happen if one of us were to die. I don't want to think of him just existing if I die or even dying with me. I'd want him to move on, though with the way this bonding was working, I don't think I'd care to go on without him. He was quickly turning into my strength, my rock. I could never go on without him.

He watched me pace from the bed. Never saying a word, just letting me work things out on my own. I stopped at the foot of the bed and just stared at him. "This freaks me out a little. The thought of you dying with me or vice versa." He just nodded, staying silent. I crawled onto the bed and kneeled before him. "I will come to terms with this, eventually. I hope." I took his hands in mine and admired their strength. He had long fingers that looked like he could play the piano. They were callused from hard work. I pulled him to me, causing him to get to his knees as well. I looked up at him. I released his hands and placed mine on either side of his face, drew him down, and kissed him.

That seemed to signal something in him because he groaned and pulled me tight to him. He flipped me on my back and made love to me again.

I woke up a few hours later to Riley idly stroking my hip in random circles. I stretched and opened my eyes to find him watching me. I blushed. His eyes crinkled when he smiled at my blush. "You're beautiful, even more so when you blush." He stated. That made me blush even more, and he chuckled. He pulled me to him and nuzzled me. I sighed happily at being in his arms. We had made love several times during the night, each time better than the last. I don't know how that could be, but boy, was it.

I have to admit this was better than I ever thought possible. I had never expected to find a boyfriend or do these things with him, and I can't say how happy I was to find out that not only did I have a boyfriend, well life mate, but these extra benefits were a highlight as well. I think I was adjusting quite well for someone just released into society.

I moaned when Riley touched me between my legs. How many times a night could a person do it, I wondered. Apparently, when it came to Riley, a lot. I was hating to admit it, but I was starting to get sore. I wasn't used to all of this activity. Riley sensed something and pulled back. "I'm sorry, you're sore, aren't you?" I bit my lip and nodded.

He bounced up out of bed, something I never expected to see, and went into the bathroom, leaving me wondering what he was doing. I heard water running, then Riley came back, picked me up, and took me into the bathroom. I wrapped an arm around his shoulder, looking at him with a puzzled look. He just smiled at me and placed me into the tub. I gasped at the warmth and unexpected wetness. He slid in behind me, cradling me in his arms.

I leaned back against his chest and relaxed. This, I must admit, was nice. I think I gave a little shriek when Riley pressed a button and the jets came on. I didn't know it could do this! I was excited and clapped my hands together. Riley laughed at my excitement. I looked up at him and smiled, chagrined.

We sat in the tub for a long time, just relaxing and enjoying the company. The tub took away my soreness and left me feeling like a puddle of goo. But I was happy. I snuggled back against Riley, and he wrapped his arms around me. I never wanted to leave this tub, despite turning into a prune.

Eventually, the water did cool, and we did have to get out. I protested but took Riley's hand when he offered it. He wrapped me in a big fluffy towel and carried me into the bedroom. He placed me down and started to dry me off. I shivered as the cool air hit my wet skin, goosebumps arose.

He quickly had me get into bed and cover up while he dried off. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. His body was an Adonis. I made a mental note to explore all of his tattoos, even those down his back and on his buttocks. I licked my lips, and my eyes became heavy lidded at the thought of exploring him like he explored me. I laid on my side with my head in my hand, just admiring my view. Riley caught me staring at him and stopped drying off. He stood there and just let me watch him. I saw him getting harder the more I stared. I couldn't take my eyes off of it despite the fact I was blushing.

I held back the covers, inviting him to join me, and he didn't need a second invitation. He hopped into bed with me and pulled me into his arms. He kissed me, and my senses went wild.

It was morning the next time I awoke, and Riley was sprawled out beside me, one arm under my head and the other stretched across the bed. I was on my stomach, my head turned toward Riley and my leg thrown across his. I turned onto my back and stretched. I watched Riley for a few minutes before getting up and heading to the bathroom. I did my business then turned on the shower. I stepped into the hot water and started washing my hair. I had just started rinsing the conditioner from it when Riley opened the shower door and stepped in.

I squeaked in surprise. "Hope you don't mind, Sunshine, but I thought we'd conserve some water by sharing the shower." He grinned mischievously at me. I gave him a look that said, 'yeah right,' I wasn't falling for that one. I may be new to this, but I wasn't an airhead.

He grabbed the soap and lathered up his hands. The next thing I knew, he had them placed on my breasts and was lathering them up. He trailed his hands all over my chest. He then grabbed one of my arms and washed that as well, then moved on to the next one. He soaped up his hands some more, then kneeled at my feet and started washing one leg then the other. He didn't even touch me between my legs. He then had me turn my back to him so he could wash it as well. I was getting frustrated. I wanted him to stop teasing me and touch me, but he wouldn't.

He stood up and got close to me. I looked up at him, then moaned when he did what I wanted. He touched me between my legs, slowly massaging me. I had to place my hands on his arms to keep my balance. He slowly inserted a finger in me, and I nearly came right then. It was amazing how just a touch could make me come in an instant. I cried out when he placed a second finger in me, then a third. I clenched my hands into his arms, digging my nails into his flesh. Neither of us seemed to care.

He placed my back against the wall, then grabbed my legs and wrapped them around his hips. I arched against him as he thrust into me, filling me completely. We made love fast and furious in the shower. I was weak kneed when he finally let me stand on my own again. He held me against him while I got my balance back. I looked up at him, "some conserving of water there." I said. He just grinned at me, water dripping down his body in tantalizing cascades. He kissed the tip of my nose.

After rinsing off, I got out of the shower, and Riley finished his by himself. I walked into the bedroom and got dressed. Something told me to pick out a dress, so I did. I grabbed one of the summer dresses that Devie had picked out for me. It was white with flowers all over it, it had spaghetti straps and a fitted bodice. I had to go searching to see if we had gotten a strapless bra, and luckily I found one. I put it on along with a pair of what I thought was racy underwear, a thong, a surprise for both myself and Riley. Who knew after one night, I'd turn into a wanton woman?

I had just slipped on the dress when Riley came into the room with just a towel wrapped around his hips. Yummy, I thought. He came over to me and gave me a quick kiss. "You look pretty in that dress. The color suits you." He complimented. I thanked him then set about making the messy bed.

He walked into the closet but came back out when he heard me gasp. "What's wrong?"

I blushed and motioned to the sheets, "I am sorry. I didn't mean to." There was blood on his sheets, and I was embarrassed as hell about it. He came over to me and wrapped me in his arms. "It's OK, Sunshine. It's just from your first time last night. They can be washed." I couldn't look at him. I was too embarrassed. He chucked my chin, "it's OK," he reassured.

He went back to the closet, grabbed a pair of pants, and slipped them on quickly before coming back to the bed and helping me take the sheets off. I took off to the laundry room to put them in the wash under cold water to try to get the stains out. I hoped it worked. It took me a few moments on how to start his new-fangled washer, but I got it turned on and went to go back to the bedroom. Before I got there, there was a knock on the door.

Riley came out of the bedroom, slipping one of his signature silk shirts on over a tank top. He motioned for me to stay where I was in the kitchen while he went to the door. I moved to the edge of the kitchen so I could see who it was.

He opened the door slowly, then stared at who was at the door. I looked, and it was a woman. A beautiful woman. She was tall, sleek with red hair. She was wearing a long streamlined skirt with a silk blouse, and her hair was pulled up into a chignon. I immediately disliked her, and the feeling only grew when I saw her smile at Riley. This woman was trouble.