Alicia came upon a tight knit of trees and had her breath taken away. All around her stood waterfalls. Some flowing from one pool to another. Others cascaded a short distance to disappear behind a rock formation. The centerpiece was the massive waterfall two hundred feet tall.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Max whispered in her ear. “My favorite place.”
“Magnificent.” Awe filled her. “No wonder you come here. Wow.”
“Perfect backdrop for us.” He nibbled on her ear. “I did catch you.”
She turned in his arms. “So you did. And I know you cheated. You caught up to me too fast.”
He gave her one of his sultry smiles. “There are only a few paths up here and I know how your mind works. You went for the first path you remembered seeing that was out of my field of vision.”
He was right. She gave him a playful slap against his chest. “You’re not playing fair.”
“I never play fair when you’re around. I’m selfish that way.” He dipped his head toward her right ear. His voice deep and gravelly. “I’ll do just about anything to have you all to myself so I can do this.”
His teeth grazed the edge of her ear, causing tingles to shimmy through her body. Her knees got a little weak.
“And what would you do if I turned the tables on you?”
“Revel in it.” He nibbled his way down her throat. “It’s not every day I have a woman being the aggressor. Especially such a beautiful and sexy one.”
Blood raced through her veins, heating her to a boiling point. Her fingers worked with the buttons on his shirt, undoing them so she could feel the warmth of his skin. She slid her fingers up his chest, feeling the small hairs against her palms. The springy sensation made her laugh.
“Please tell me you’re not laughing at me.” He had her blouse open as well.
“No.” She laughed again. “It’s the sensation of your chest hair against my hands. It tickles.”
“I want moans. Not laughs. Could affect my manhood.”
She laughed harder. “Oh, please. I know better. Acting wounded doesn’t fit you. Cut it out.”
“You want me to stop?” He gave her a big pout as he dropped his hands.
She grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him against her. “I’ll kill you if you stop.”
He gave her a sly grin before wrapping his arms around her again and pulling her in for a deep kiss. He knew just what she needed too. His lips used just the right amount of pressure against hers. The roughness of his tongue against her mouth as it begged entrance made her sigh. She loved the texture. It was him. Rough yet gentle.
Giving him the access he craved, she found herself locked in the sensations. Man, his kisses were perfect.
At first he set the pace, but she kept thinking about his comment about her being the aggressor. A knowing smile spread across her lips. She gave him a little push.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I was just thinking about what you said earlier.”
“And what was that?”
She stepped up to him and slid her hands up his chest again. “About how you’d like me to be the aggressor one time.”
“Any time you want, baby.” He held his hands up. “You want to take control? I’m all for it.”
“Good. For starters, I think you’re far too overdressed.” She stepped up to him and slowly eased his shirt off his body. Her lips pressed against the hot skin she exposed. The salty taste aroused her. Her tongue slid against his collarbone, drawing little shivers from him. “God, you taste good.”
“I’ve always liked how you taste too. Just enough salt to heighten my desire.”
Her lips worked their way down his chest to his stomach. They took a quick side trip to his belly button, causing him to suck in his breath, before moving to his waistband.
A sigh escaped her when she realized she had to stop her exploration of his body to undo his pants. She undid the zipper and pushed his pants down quickly. Max kicked them off his feet along with his shoes.
A slight giggle escaped her when she looked at his socks. They looked so out of place on him.
“Give me three seconds and I’ll take care of the socks.” He must have known what she was thinking.
“Leave them on.” She stood and started to peel her clothing off. “You seem more human when you don’t look perfect.”
Max watched her remove her shirt and took a step forward.
“Oh, no, you don’t.” She held out her hand and took a step back. “Do I need to get handcuffs?”
“Oh, baby. That would be fun.” He held his hands up. “But I’m going to behave so you won’t have to run back to town to get any.”
“You mean there’s a set here on the island?” She shook her head. “Never mind. I don’t want to know how you know this.”
“They’re lined in fur.”
“Stop.” She shimmied out of her pants and stood before him in her underwear. “You are incorrigible.”
“True. But I’m enjoying the view right now.” He stepped forward. “I know I promised to let you take control, but I’ve been dreaming of this moment for a long time. I want to remove your underwear slowly, with my teeth as I ravage your body, with the backdrop of my waterfalls.”
“Oh my.” Heat licked at her insides at the thought he evoked. “I’ve never wanted to stand in the way of someone’s dream. Of course, I have a few of my own I’d like to bring to life after we fulfill yours.”
***
Max didn’t waste a moment. He had her in his arms and maneuvered to a soft bed of plants in seconds. He eased her down to the soft leaves as he pressed his lips to her collarbone. He nibbled his way to her shoulder and pulled the strap off with his teeth. He then kissed his way to the other shoulder and did the same thing. He had his hands around her back and undid the clasp. Max grabbed her bra with his teeth and raised his head. Looking at her, he gave her a mock growl and shook the bra.
“You’re not going to throw it so far I won’t be able to find it later, are you?”
“Modest? I promise you’ll find it later.” He took it out of his mouth and tossed it on top of her other clothes. His hands moved down her back. His lips went back to work on her body. He kissed his way across her collarbone, taking his time with each breast before moving down to her stomach. It was the most sensitive place on her. He’d rather spend time here because he loved her reaction. Her belly button beckoned. His tongue dipped into the slight depression.
She sucked in her breath and her stomach at the same time. “Max.”
“I know. I love the way you react.” He laved her stomach with his tongue while sliding her panties down her legs. “Does it tickle?”
“Oh, God.” Her back arched up. “Does it tickle?” She wrapped her arms around his and bucked. Her motion caught him off guard long enough for her to flip him on his back and climb on top. She lowered herself onto his manhood with a sigh. “It’s time to stop playing games.”
“Who said I was playing?” He pumped his hips against her. “I was dead serious when I licked your stomach.”
She slapped him on the chest. “What am I to do with you?”
“Make love to me until you can’t take it anymore.” He gazed up into her eyes, loving the passion he saw there. “Until you scream with pleasure.”
Her muscles tightened against him at his words. She started to move against him, her body hugging him like a glove. He bit his lip at the sensation. It felt too good.
Alicia was lost in her own sensations with her head thrown back as she continued to work her magic on his body. It wouldn’t take long for him to climax.
“You must slow down.” His words came out more like a pant.
“Can’t. It feels too good.” Tendrils of heat slid through her blood. She increased her speed, dragging him along with her.
He grabbed her hips and changed her pace. Instead of short quick movements he made them longer, deeper strokes. His heart started to beat harder in his chest. He guided her to keep the movements deep when she picked up the pace again. “Alicia.”
He felt the beginning of his orgasm. Everything tightened, asking for release. He flipped her over to control their lovemaking. He couldn’t reach his if she wasn’t going to reach hers.
Max maneuvered her legs up over his shoulders. He slid in and received a groan from her. Her breath hitched when he slid back in.
Her nails clawed at his back. “Max. Please.”
He picked up the pace again. Driving deep then pulling almost all the way out before plunging to the hilt. Sweat broke out on his brow. “I’m not going to last much longer.”
“Neither am I. Now, Max.”
He started to move faster. Her muscles constricted deliciously tight around him. Her breath hitched again as she angled her body to give him maximum penetration. She moved with him, picking up the pace he set. Their bodies merged and separated again and again until Max thought he couldn’t take it anymore.
His body started to splinter all around him, forcing him to drive home one last time. A scream filled his ears as Alicia’s body tightened against him one last time.
He rested his head against hers. “I love it when you scream.”
“You’re the only one who has ever made me do that.”
“Thank you.” He kissed her before lifting himself up. “As much as I’d like to stay here and do this again, we’d better continue on or someone just might send out a search party.”
She nodded and took the hand he offered her once he had climbed to his feet.
They dressed quietly.
“Ready?” He held out his hand.
“Anymore side trips?” She slipped her hand into his.
“Only if you want one.”
“We still haven’t enjoyed the waterfall.”
He closed his eyes for a moment; if they stayed there he wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off her. “Later. Or we’ll never accomplish what we came to do.”
Alicia pushed her bottom lip out, but allowed him to lead her away from the waterfalls. “So you know where the tree of life is?”
“Like the Tears, it’s a legend.” He maneuvered her along a well-worn path. “I know where the legend says it is, but I don’t know how accurate the information I have is.”
“Care to share?” She tugged on his hand to slow him down. “Something I can use?”
“There are lots of theories. The tree of life is supposed to be the tree where the first one of our people was born.” Max watched the path so Alicia would be able to keep her feet. He was too sure footed to have any trouble.
“And the location of the death of the queen’s mate?”
He stopped for a moment. “What makes you say that?”
“Because it would make sense that’s where it is.” She picked her way through the undergrowth. “I do have a question though. Was Mr. O’Conner from this island?”
“No. He’s from the mainland.” Max held a branch out of Alicia’s way. “Our leader wanted to open our small world a little. To see how well we’d fit into your world. He allowed certain families to come to our island to work. Some helped with the farming, some with repairs. Mr. O’Connor’s grandfather worked in my family’s fields, while his wife worked in the house.”
“How did she die?”
“I’m not sure. From what I heard from my father Mr. O’Connor killed Sonora’s mate and years later when she tried to exact revenge Mrs. O’Connor stopped her. My grandfather, who was our leader, forbade the O’Connor’s from coming back, that was his way of keeping the family from harm, and offered them the Tear as payment.”
“Sonora’s husband was killed? That’s something you could have told me in the beginning. No wonder she’s bitter.” Alicia paused as she thought about what he said. “Wait, just how old is she?”
“I don’t know, but she’s been around a long time. She’s also mourned for too long.” He hoped this wouldn’t send her running. Her age was just the beginning. “He didn’t know about our abilities so when he saw a wolf in the woods he thought he was doing us a favor.”
Alicia didn’t comment, but did stop moving.
“When his daughter was killed he came back here. I know he confronted my father. But why do you think it was near the tree of life?” Relief washed over her face as the conversation moved to safer ground. Somehow he had to get her to accept his shapeshifting abilities. Each time they skirted around it her fear showed.
“I’m betting he was somewhere near the tree when he decided to chuck it. It’s at least a good place to start.”
“We’ve all searched for the tree for years, but have never found it,” he paused for a moment. “How did you hear about it?”
“Your sister.”
“She’s got a big mouth.”
Her posture changed abruptly. “There you go again. How am I supposed to accept you as my mate when you keep me at arm’s length like this?”
He knew his words had hurt. “I didn’t mean it the way it came out. We’ve kept the tree a secret for so long and old habits die hard.”
“I don’t like the way you pull me into your deepest confidence then shut me out on other things. It makes me wonder where I stand with you. You tell me I’m your mate yet treat me like an outsider. I don’t know what to think half the time.”
“You’re the most important thing to me, but you don’t want to admit I’m the same for you. You don’t believe half of what I’ve told you. You won’t drop all your predisposed notions and try to understand that there is so much more than what you’ve been taught. I love you, Alicia, but I don’t know if you feel the same way.”
Her eyes widened, but she kept quiet.
Her silence frightened him.
***
Alicia watched as concern crept across his face. He was afraid of what she would say. So was she. She never thought she’d fall for a man as domineering as he. But could she walk away from him? Deep down in her soul she knew she couldn’t. “Max, I love you too, but all of this frightens me. I want to believe, but I’m not sure if I can.” Her voice started to trail off as she looked around.
She felt it in her feet first. A tingling sensation brushing against her heels. It worked its way up her legs, drawing her away from Max and toward the woods near them.
“Alicia?”
She heard Max, but couldn’t answer him. The call she felt deep in her bones was all she could focus on. Walking away from him, she felt the sensation strengthen as she walked closer to the woods. Whenever she had to veer off the path to walk around a small outcropping of rocks or trees it lessened. This had never happened before.
Was the Tear talking to her?
She kept moving, not wanting to know the answer to the question she had just asked herself. Too many weird things had happened around her, yet she had a hard time believing.
She needed proof.
Alicia stopped in front of a large oak tree. It was beautiful, but nothing out of the ordinary. It didn’t look like a tree of life to her.
Her peripheral vision caught Max standing nearby. So he had followed her. Knowing he was there made her feel more secure.
The sensation racing up her body became almost painful as she drew closer. Her heart beat hard in her chest. She closed her eyes and wondered what would happen. If the Tear was here how would she find it? It should be buried deep in the ground after the years that had passed. Mr. O’Conner must have thrown it at least thirty-five years ago.
The large tree shaded the area beautifully. It must be a great place to rest and be contemplative. She sank to her knees and played with the dirt and grass at the roots of the tree. Her hand passed over a piece of the root and felt a jolt. Slower this time, she moved her hand over the ground and a few of the roots. The jolt raced up her arm as she went over a particular one.
The dirt was loose and easy to dig in.
Max crouched down beside her. “Found something?”
“Not sure.” She started to work on the soil around the root. Max laid a hand on her arm and showed her a nice strong stick to dig with. Grinning, she snatched it from him. “Thanks.”
“I had planned on doing the digging.”
“Sure!” She handed him the stick and sat back to watch.
“Didn’t want you to get mud in your nails.” He focused on the dirt she had been working on.
“Very funny. Considering what we did earlier, I probably have a few twigs or blades of grass sticking out of my hair. Why would mud under my nails bother me?” She leaned against the tree and held her hands up. “But I’ll let you do it because one, I like my nails. Finally got them to the right length and it doesn’t take much to break one. Secondly, I wouldn’t want to get in the way of the chauvinistic actions you try so hard to maintain.”
He shook his head and kept digging. “You sure I’m in the right spot?”
She held her hand over the hole. “Positive.”
He dug another five minutes before hitting something hard. “I think I found it.” Max stuck his hand into the hole and pulled out a Tear about the size of his palm.
Alicia felt lightheaded.