Chapter Nine

Patrick was a gentleman as they used the elevator to her sixth-floor apartment but the moment the door to her apartment closed she found herself pinned up against it. The heat of his mouth pressed against the pulse in her throat. His hands slid up her thighs, sliding her skirt up as they caressed the skin they exposed.

Overpowering sensations took control of her. She started pulling at his clothes wanting to feel the flesh beneath them. His hands moved about her body, caressing every spot he knew affected her. Soon they were on the floor bringing each other pleasure. She wasn’t quite sure how it all happened, but she found Patrick’s passion for her euphoric. He wanted her, no matter what her baggage, he didn’t care. All he wanted was her.

Her breath caught when he surged into her. Her desire spiraled out of control. Her need equaled his. Stacey met him thrust for thrust in the beginning before she wanted to be in control. She pushed against his chest so he would rise up and looked at her. The moment he did that it gave her the leverage she needed to flip them over. She adjusted herself and slid down his length, moaning as he filled her completely.

“So you want to be in control?” he asked as his hands caressed her, sliding up over her thighs, hips, to cup her breasts.

“I do.” She looked down at him. “If we’re to be mates I need to be your equal and what better place to start but in our bed.”

“Say the words with me.”

“Are you crazy? Everyone will kill us.”

“No they won’t. They might be pissed off at us, but they’ll know we didn’t make this decision lightly. No one ever takes a mate on a whim.”

“Why?” She looked deep in his eyes. She needed the truth.

“Why what?”

“Why now? Why not wait until after you confront Dom?”

“Because I love you.” He wrapped his arms around her then levered himself up into a sitting position. “Because if he wasn’t in the picture, I’d be asking you to be my mate anyway and I wouldn’t be taking no for an answer. In fact, I probably would have asked earlier. He doesn’t deserve to dictate when we mate, or who we mate.”

“So, you plan on strong arming me into mating with you?” Would he bully her into this?

“Strong arm?” He smiled. “I’d never strong arm you. I would kiss you until you’re breathless, then ask. If that didn’t work then I would love you until you melted in my arms, then ask again. If that didn’t work, I’d get devious and find out the one thing you can’t refuse and offer it with the condition that you promise to mate with me.”

“And if that didn’t work?”

“Then I would start again.” He placed a kiss on her shoulder. “I would kiss you.” He pressed another against her collarbone. “Until you melted in my arms.” He pressed a third one against her throat. “Then I’d continue until you finally said yes.”

“And if I still said no?” She didn’t want him to stop.

“Then I’d believe you want to say yes but are enjoying what I’m doing to you too much and want to prolong it as long as possible.”

She smiled at that. He did know her. “Before we do this, there is something I must tell you.”

“What? You’re secretly a goddess? I know that by looking at you.”

“No.” But his words affected her. She ducked her head at the compliment. “But you could change your mind once I tell you.”

He watched her. She could see a little concern on his face, but he was trying to mask it.

“I spoke to Alicia about possibly using the Tears on me.” She wanted to distance herself so if he rejected her she could duck and hide but being intimately connected didn’t give her the ability to do it.

“Why?”

“Because of Dominic. He wouldn’t want me if I was human.” There she said it.

“Stacey, he’ll just kill you if you’re human. You know that, don’t you?”

“Maybe, but that might have been better than being forced to mate to that madman.”

“Might have been?” Patrick brushed a few strands of hair out of her face.

“It was what I wanted then.”

“Ah, but then you and I got close and…”

“And once we mate you can demand I not follow through with it.”

“I would never do that to you. I’ve been watching Max with the decision Alicia has to make. So many people are trying to push her in one direction for so many different reasons.” He brushed his fingers along her jaw. “I will say this. I hope it doesn’t come to that, but I will love you no matter what.”

“My heart cried out and yours answered,” he said as he ran his hands up and down her back.

“I’m not sure this is smart.”

“Do you love me?” asked Patrick.

Stacey looked at him. So many emotions crossed her face. “Very much.”

“Then why are you fighting this? Because of a bully?” He lay back and pulled her with him.

“I want you safe. I know what he can do.” She rested her head against his chest. “But you’re right. I shouldn’t let a bully dictate how much happiness I’m allowed.”

He smiled and started again, “My heart cried out and yours answered.”

“My heart cried out and yours answered,” she repeated. Stacey looked down at him with such joy.

“Our hearts found each other and now beat as one.” His hands slid across her skin.

“Our hearts found each other and now beat as one.” She brushed her hands across his chest.

“I give my heart to you to protect and cherish.” The words were starting to affect him. He needed to feel her body tighten against him.

“I give my heart to you to protect and cherish.” She started to move, wanting the same thing he did.

“I will guard your heart and your love with all my being.”

“I will guard your heart and your love with all my being.” She moved faster wanting her release. “I bond with you now, forever.”

“I bond with you now, forever,” he repeated the last line then captured her lips with his. “My mate.”

“And you’re mine,” she sighed into his mouth. She started to move faster. Little tendrils of heat filled her. Like little bubbles filling her blood her release filled her. She couldn’t stop it. It was powerful and overtook her.

Patrick touched her face as she came back to him. His fingers brushed against the soft skin just above her right breast. It glimmered as her mark appeared. Patrick ran his tongue over it filling it with his DNA. “That is so beautiful.”

“My mark?” She touched the spot. Looking down at him she asked, “Where’s yours?”

“You’re going to have to search for it.”

“Now that will be fun.” She gave him a sultry smile. “I’m going to have to search every inch of you.”

He opened his arms wide. “Search away.”

She laughed. It was a beautiful sound. She skimmed her fingers over his shoulders and chest.

“I want to hear that all the time.”

“What?” Her fingers skimmed across his ribcage.

“Your laughter. It’s so beautiful.” He closed his eyes at her gentle caress. “And your fingers are like magic.”

“Then let me work my magic on your back. That must be where your mark is.”

Stacey rose above him just enough to allow him to roll over. She slid her fingers over his muscles admiring the strength beneath. “I found it.”

She scooted down so she could lick his mark and fill it with her DNA. He shook when he felt her tongue against his skin.

“It is beautiful.”

Patrick rolled once more, this time onto his side, wrapped his arms around her and pulled her down so she was beneath him.

“I felt that to my toes.” He nibbled on her lips, drawing a sigh from her. The moment she opened her mouth his tongue went searching for hers. Drawing it into a soft slow dance that left them breathless.

Once he broke the kiss his lips moved to her collarbone, then her mark. He heard a beautiful sigh escape her as he focused on her mark for a moment. Patrick wanted to take his time. Show her how happy he was to have her as his mate. He placed a kiss in the valley between her breasts before he took a pert nipple into his mouth.

That made her moan. It was like music to his ears. His senses picked up on her desire. Her need filled him. He shifted his weight, centered himself and drove into her. Stacey released a soft howl as he filled her.

Patrick set the pace. Driving into her, allowing her essence to surround him and fill him. He leaned down and nibbled on her ear before he spoke. “You fit me perfectly.”

“Patrick. I’ve never felt like this before.” Her hands grasped at him like she was reaching for something.

He smiled as he wrapped his arms around them and flipped them so she was on top again. “You need to be in control.”

“I don’t know if I can. My last orgasm took it all out of me.”

“I’ll help you. I just want to watch your face, seeing your climax is a beautiful thing.” He helped her set a pace for them. Slow at first, then faster as she got lost in the sensations.

She braced her hands on his chest as her head dropped back. He slipped his fingers into her folds and caressed her to heighten what she was feeling. Patrick sucked in his breath when her sheath tightened against him.

“Oh… my…” Stacey ground her hips against his as her orgasm ripped through her.

He took advantage and wrapped his arms around her and flipped them over once again. The pace he set was quick and he started it before her orgasm finished.

The shock on her face thrilled him to the bone. She was so new to sex and he had a lifetime to show her how good it could be. Her skin was flushed from her release and by the way she arched against him she was going to have another one fast. Muscles tightened against him giving him an exquisitely tight sheath to pound into.

His orgasm started in his stomach then filled his blood, zinging through his arteries. Muscles tightened as his body shook. Strong and powerful, his release roared through his body. A howl escaped him. He heard Stacey howl as well, as a third orgasm overtook her.

***

“Are you ready?” Patrick turned the vehicle off then turned to look at her.

“I am.” She touched the necklace he gave her after they mated. “How mad do you think they will be?”

“Not sure. It depends on Alicia, I think.”

They walked into Max’s house to find Alicia’s parents still there. Oh this was going to be fun. The anger will be through whispered comments and hushed conversations.

Patrick put an arm around Stacey as they approached everyone. He watched as Max’s whole demeanor changed and heard the soft growl that escaped him. Alicia looked at him then hugged him. He knew she did it to keep Max quiet, but her parents probably thought she was just being affectionate.

Max gave her a quick kiss before he walked over to Patrick.

“I need to talk to you.” He continued past him. He expected Patrick to follow him without question.

Stacey touched his chest and nodded. She knew he needed to go talk to Max.

***

What the hell was going on? Alicia watched as Max stormed out of the room with Patrick hot on his heels. Stacey came over to her side, but she wouldn’t look Alicia in the eyes. She kept her voice soft so her parents couldn’t hear her. “You going to explain?”

Stacey didn’t say anything just pulled her shirt over just enough to show her mating mark.

“Mom, Dad, let’s go ahead and head to the dining room. Dinner is almost ready, and Max and Patrick will only be a few minutes.”

“If you’re sure.” Her mother didn’t sound convinced.

“Jacob makes a killer margarita, Mom.” She smiled as she grabbed Stacey’s hand and practically dragged her into the dining room. Alicia wasn’t going to allow her to disappear.

After she made her parents comfortable, she made Stacey help her get everyone’s drinks.

“What the hell?” she asked softly.

“We mated.”

“I know that!” Alicia said a little too loudly. She looked at her parents then lowered her voice. “Do you two have a death wish? That man will kill you.”

“Alicia, I love him and no matter what Dom does to me I’m happy we mated.”

“I see.” She dropped a few cubes into an empty glass. “Does he know?”

“Yes. I made sure before we mated.” She knew Alicia was asking about the fact she had wanted them to use the Tears on herself.

“Then I guess congratulations are in order.” She held up a now filled glass of whiskey and toasted Stacey. “How was it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Everyone keeps telling me that it’s this wonderful, beautiful moment and that Max messed it up.”

“It’s different between each couple but it brings you close. Much closer than you can imagine.”

“What are you two whispering about?” asked Alicia’s mom, ending their conversation.

***

The moment the door closed and they were sealed away from everyone else Max turned and grabbed Patrick by the throat and pinned him to the wall. “Do you have a brain in that head of yours?”

“If all you’re going to do is insult me, then release me and we’ll leave.”

“There is a madman after Stacey. How is mating with her going to protect her?”

“And how is my mating any worse than yours?”

Max let him go at that comment. He had messed the whole thing up with Alicia and was still working to correct the problem. “It’s not the same and you know it.”

“No, but the desire to mate was the same.” Patrick rubbed his neck. “I wanted this. Stacey even questioned me. She wanted to wait until after we confronted Dom, but I didn’t want that.”

“You realize that you’re going to be the one who has to face him. You’re her mate. I’m only her alpha.”

“I know. I knew asking her to be my mate would make me her champion, but the drive was so strong I couldn’t stop myself. I knew it was right.”

Max nodded. He had felt the same way when he said the words to Alicia. To his surprise and delight she repeated them back to him.

“Why did you take this on? It was my job as alpha to face him and defeat him, not you. You’re supposed to have my back.”

“I do have your back. That hasn’t changed. You made Stacey my responsibility.” He shrugged. “I just took it one step further.”

Max shook his head. “This really makes a mess of things.”

“How? It’s still the two of us facing him, the dynamic will just change a little, as long as you’ll have my back this time.”

“This might take a little getting used to.” Max moved to the door and opened it.

“Just think of it as being my wingman.” Patrick walked through then waited for Max to walk in front of him.

“Your wingman? We haven’t done that in years.” Max walked into the dining room, dropping the conversation. He walked to Alicia’s side and took the drink she held for him. “Ready for dinner?”

“Waiting for you two.” Just as she said it Jacob came in and said dinner was ready.

Max smiled. They knew Jacob waited until Max came into the room.

“You boys finished your meeting?” Alicia asked softly, adding the little dig to show she wasn’t happy about how they took off.

“Yes. Everything is in order.” He looked at Patrick who raised his drink to him. “You afraid you’d come down and find us wrestling?”

“A little.”

“What, you two?” questioned Alicia’s mom.

“They get together and act like children, Mom. He told me a story about his sister having to take a broom to the two of them when they got out of hand and it was recently.”

He tried to show his displeasure but the moment she smiled at him he smiled right back. It was one of her favorite stories and she did see his sister take a broom to them on their last visit to the island. They started roughhousing in her cottage and she would have none of it. It also made him look a little more human and that was what made him want to laugh.

“We’ve been friends since we were kids.”

“And have been known to get a little physical when we don’t see eye to eye,” added Patrick. “But we always work it out.”

“What caused you two to fight?” asked Alicia’s father.

“It was my fault,” said Patrick. “Max has been wanting to ask Alicia to marry him for months, but he couldn’t figure out when.”

“Stacey has someone after her. Trying to hurt her,” added Alicia. “Patrick was keeping her company, just in case she gets attacked.”

“Spending that much time together brought us close in ways we didn’t expect. I asked her to marry me, not knowing Max had just asked Alicia.”

“How wonderful. Congratulations,” Alicia’s mom said. She patted her daughter’s hand. “You two could have a double wedding.”

“We haven’t even talked about a date yet,” said Stacey.

“Neither have Max and Alicia. I just thought since you boys are from Ireland it would be easier on your families. I’m sure you’ll be inviting a lot of the same people.”

“Uhm.” Alicia looked at Max. “We’ll talk about it.”

***

“Are we getting married?” Stacey asked Patrick.

“No, at least I don’t think so.” He pulled the car out into traffic. “I think Alicia was trying to placate her mom.”

“Okay.” She looked out the window at the scenery flashing by.

“What? Did you want to get married?”

“I don’t know.” She spread her fingers over her knees. “I’ve watched the movies and TV shows, read the romance books. Weddings have always fascinated me.”

“There is nothing that says we can’t get married. I’m just not sure if we should invade Alicia’s big day.”

She nodded.

“Stacey?” Patrick could tell she wasn’t happy with the way their conversation was going.

“Max is looking for a way to draw out Dominic, isn’t he? Something he can control?”

“Well, yes. We just haven’t found it yet.”

“How about a wedding?” She looked at him then. “Yours and mine. The moment Dom hears about it he will come after me.”

“Because you’re getting married?”

“Because he’ll know where I am.”

***

Max opened the door before Patrick could knock. “Alicia’s parents plan on leaving right after breakfast.”

“We’re ready.”

“I hope so because that damn text you both sent to us came at a very inopportune time.”

“Sorry, Max.”

“It’s my fault,” said Stacey. “He stared at his phone for so long I pushed him to send that text. I made him send his when I sent mine.”

“So you’re the one I should be growling at?” He locked his gaze with hers, waiting to see if she’d back down. She swallowed hard but kept his gaze.

“Yes.”

“Stacey!” Alicia came to the door and slipped between the two of them. “You sure you want to do this? It will put a big target on your back.”

“The whole idea scares me to death, but Patrick and I deserve to have a life together and this will let us have that.”

“Then come with me. We need to make sure my mom thinks this is all spontaneous.” She touched her mate’s chest before leading Stacey off to the kitchen.

“She is a very good mate,” commented Patrick.

“What makes you say that?” Max gestured for Patrick to head toward the kitchen.

“The way she defused that situation. I know Stacey wanted to show you that she could stand up for herself. She wants to prove to you that she’s going to be a good mate for me.”

“It took a lot of courage for her to tell me this was all her idea. I’m surprised you didn’t jump in there and try to take the blame.”

“I wouldn’t be a very good mate if I tried to stop her. She’s right. I’m your second and as my mate she needs to be able to stand up for herself.”

“If my sister was here, she’d clap her hands and say right answer.” Max slapped him on the back.

“I know, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting to cover Stacey’s mouth and push her behind me when you focused your anger on her.”

“I understand.” Max pushed the door open then waited for Patrick to enter. “Imagine how I feel when Alicia does something she shouldn’t. She has been learning but doesn’t know all our ways and some can be downright cruel when she does some small infraction.”

“Yeah, but you get to decide how to discipline her.” He looked at Alicia as she spoke softly to Stacey. “I don’t think she’s unhappy about the way you discipline her. In fact, I know she’s happier now that she’s settling into her role as your mate.”

Max smiled. He thought the same thing too.

***

Alicia watched Max and Patrick walk into the dining room. He took her breath away. She looked over at Stacey and saw the same look on Stacey’s face. “He takes your breath away, doesn’t he?”

Stacey ducked her head. “I can’t believe he asked me to mate with him. I always feared Dominic would find me and force me to mate with him.”

“And now you want to rub his face in the fact he can’t have you?”

“No, I’d rather live my days without him knowing I’m still alive, but the fact that he came here to see what he could learn about Max and his pack and that his little ferrets didn’t find me opened my eyes.” Stacey brushed s few strands of hair out of her face. “It’s only a matter of time before he figures out I’m working for you.”

That was what she thought. Time to change the subject. “We’ll start talking about our engagements,” Alicia said. “Then we’ll let my mom guide the conversation to the double wedding she suggested.”

“Why?”

“Because my mom was a wedding planner before she retired. She knows exactly what to do. I know she wants to help but doesn’t know how to ask. This will help her get what she wants.”

“Why don’t you just ask her?”

“She’ll demurely turn me down. She wants me to need her to take over. Makes her feel more wanted.”

“You people are crazy.”

“That’s what makes us fun.” Alicia shrugged.

They took their chairs, then Jacob served them.

“Does he work every day?” asked her mom.

“No, but Jacob knew you’d be here for the weekend so he changed his schedule so he could help us out.”

“That was very sweet of him.”

“He’s great and considered family so I want to make sure he’s invited to the wedding.”

“Have you picked a date?” asked her mom.

“No, but there is so much to do I know I need to get started now. I guess the first thing we need to do is figure out if we’ll have the wedding here or in Ireland.”

“I hear Ireland is beautiful,” said her mom.

“Alicia, most of our friends are here. My family has wanted to travel here for a few years. This will give them the excuse they need to visit,” said Max.

“So do you want to get married here?” asked Alicia. “At home?”

“It would be too difficult to control. The moment anyone gets wind of us marrying the paparazzi will be all over us. I want our wedding to be your day.”

“I thought this would be the best place to keep them out.”

“I wish,” said Max. “One or two is no problem but ten or twenty I’d need a full security detail.”

“You used to dream of having your wedding at the Biltmore,” offered her mom. “You always thought about getting married in their gardens and having the reception inside.”

“I did.” She looked at Max. “But I would think that would be a bigger nightmare to keep private.”

“What about the double wedding your mom mentioned?” asked Patrick. “We could be the ones in the limelight. If we don’t mention a double wedding to anyone but the key people that should keep the media at bay until the last moment.”

“Possibly, but we would need the perfect wedding planner.” Max looked at Alicia. “I know you haven’t had time to contact anyone. Do you want me to get Catherine to help?”

“No, Mom is retired but I know she probably knows the best one to use. I was going to ask her once we picked a date.” She gave Max a cross look. “Sorry, Mom, but Max always trusts family more than a stranger. We’re not asking you to come out of retirement.”

Her mom nodded but didn’t say anything.

“Baby girl, your mom has always dreamed of helping you with your wedding. All you have to do is ask,” her father said.

“Really? I thought she would shoot me down. I mean Aunt Viv asked her to help with her wedding and she flat out said no.”

“That’s because your Aunt Viv is an evil bride. I did her first wedding and promised to never do another one.” She took her daughter’s hand. “I would love to help you and Stacey.”

“And we would love to have your help,” said Alicia. “I guess the first thing is can we find a venue that can be controlled.”

“First we need a date,” said her mom. “And a budget.”

“Right.”

“You know I don’t care how much it costs,” Max said.

“And the moment anyone gets wind of your involvement they will see dollar signs,” responded her mother. “I’ll check around and see how much places like the Biltmore cost and we’ll go from there.”

“You know we could have it at my family’s mansion. Our security is one of the best and we can keep those unwanted out,” said Patrick.

Alicia looked at Max. It kind of made sense that they should get married at the place where they mated. “That place does have a lot of fond memories.”

“Then it’s settled,” said her mom. “Once we have a date, we can order flowers, food, a band.”

“How much time do you think you need, Mom?” asked Alicia. “Six months? A year?”

“I should be able to pull this together in six months.”

Alicia looked at Max. She knew he wanted to end this fast. “How about four months?”

“That is pushing it.” Her mom laced her fingers together. “Living in another town just adds to the problem. I might find something you want, and time is of the essence. Being out of town could make us miss that item because I can’t reach you two.”

“Mom, you know I trust you.”

“And there will be times when I’ll make a decision without you, but only when I know it’s something you have to have.” She paused a moment. “This is your wedding. Merging two together is not easy because you might want one thing and Stacey might want another. Four months is tight with one bride. Adding a second one compounds everything.”

“I’ve seen you pull a wedding together in two weeks,” Alicia said.

“Of course. I am the best.”

That made Max laugh. “Then you can do this in four months.”

“Yes.” She turned to her husband. “You think we can rent an efficiency here while I help the girls?”

“I have a better idea,” said Patrick. “How about you stay at the mansion where we’re going to hold the weddings? That way you can see the layout of the place and be able to show it to the decorators and wait staff you’ll have to hire.”

“That would be wonderful. If that is okay with you, sweetheart,” she said to her husband.

“Of course. I can be retired anywhere.”

That made everyone laugh.

***

“Okay, let’s start with the basics,” said Alicia’s mom as they sat in the kitchen. “Favorite color.”

“Um, blue.”

“Turquoise.”

“Okay. Both are in the blue family. That’s good.” Alicia’s mom made some notes. “So Stacey, are you a morning person or a night owl?”

She and Alicia looked at each other and laughed. “I know your daughter is not a morning person, so we’ll go with her preference.”

“Then we’ll go for evening, but that does mean a more formal wedding.”

“How formal?” asked Alicia.

“Probably more formal than you want but we are talking about ‘Max of millions’ and his best friend who has been in the news just as much. There will be expectations when people find out about the nuptials. I promise not to make your life miserable but there will be a few things that might make you wish you had eloped.”

“Great,” Alicia said, but didn’t mean it.

“No one is going to know that you and Max are getting married, remember?” prompted Stacey.

“I know. So when you get cross you can just tell people you’re dealing with the wedding and when I get cross I’ll just have to tell them I’m having sympathy pangs.” Alicia slumped in her chair.

“One of the first things you need to do is pick a dress.” Alicia’s mom pointed to a stack of magazines on the island piled so high no one could see over it.

“You’re kidding, right?” asked Alicia.

Her mom laughed, pulled out two tablets and handed one to Alicia and the other to Stacey. “I thought it would be funny to watch your reaction to those books. You looked at me like I lost my mind. That’s the way we used to do it.”

“That was just wrong,” Alicia took the tablet.

“I know but it did break the ice.” She winked at her daughter. “I know the type of dresses my daughter always liked when she looked through my bridal books when she was younger, but I don’t know what you’d like Stacey. I did mark the dresses I thought would look good on you. Once you pick the dresses, I can figure out your theme.”

“Can we elope?”

“No. You’ve always wanted this so I’m not going to let you take the easy way out.”

Alicia looked at the ring on her hand. What had she gotten into?