Chapter Seven

Excitement filled Max as he helped Cassie climb onto the back of his bike. It had been her idea for the two of them to take a ride lower into the Canyon and have a late-night picnic. It was a fucking fantastic plan and he was looking forward to seeing her under the full moon.

Several of the Pack would be out in their shifted forms, but Cassie had informed him that she had a place that would be completely private for the two of them.

His entire life, Max had hated the night of the full moon.

As a child he’d known the importance and had looked forward to his first shift. Then, as he’d gotten older, it’d become obvious that there was something wrong with him. No one knew why some of the shifters could transform or why Max was one of the few that didn’t. His parents had tried to find answers for him, sending Max to every Pack doctor who thought they could help. In the end Max was dubbed a non-shifting shifter. A title he had to live with.

Once he was old enough to leave the Pack, he’d joined the military. That way he didn’t have to watch as his family and friends enjoyed the full moon, or keep them from running just to stay with him.

In all the excitement around the Wilson property, Max hadn’t been paying attention to the calendar or what night it was. Cassie, on the other hand, had figured out a way that the two of them could be together outside on this important night.

Max knew the moment she’d announced her idea that it would be too easy to fall in love with her. Putting his needs before her own, Cassie had proved she was the woman for him.

Cassie didn’t normally shift with the Pack, anyway. She’d sent most of her family off. There were still half a dozen guards taking shifts to protect the Wilson ranch. They’d all get to transform at some time during the night, but no one who wasn’t supposed to be there would get onto the property.

The security around town was in full force as well.

If humans were looking to catch a shifter that night, they’d be highly disappointed. Alpha Shawn had been very specific to the Pack on where they could and could not shift.

Cassie wrapped her arms around his waist, sending jolts of electricity down to his cock. He could smell the leather from the jacket he’d made her wear. It was a little big on her, but Max liked knowing that she was protected by something that was his. Plus, his scent would be all over her when she took it off.

If he had his way, Cassie would always be covered in his scent.

“Ready?” he called back.

Cassie squeezed his middle. “Yes! Take me for a ride.”

Max turned the ignition, bringing his motorcycle to life. The rumble of the engine under him was familiar and settling. Cassie gave a squeak, and he grinned. Yeah, the power she felt would amp up the arousal he already smelled on her.

He released the brake before pulling away from her house.

The Wilson ranch was located deep inside the national canyon, on the private residence side, so he wouldn’t have to go through any of the State entrances. He had spent hours of his childhood climbing, hiking and getting to know the canyons. Even with a Pack of wolf shifters close by, there were still natural predators in the area, so they did have to be careful. The last thing Max wanted was for their night to be interrupted by a hungry or curious cougar.

No, Max would give Cassie this perfect night.

There were promises that he couldn’t make. Max wished he’d been able to promise her that James wasn’t involved in the break-in. Or that she’d never be targeted again. It’d been on the tip of his tongue to say that everything would be all right as long as he was by her side. Instead he had to stand and watch her rebuild a promising show she’d been so excited about.

As he drove down the long, winding road, she rested her cheek on his back. Max slowed to see more of the view. The sun would be setting by the time they arrived at their destination. He planned to be holding Cassie when that happened, but she’d timed their trip well. He could postpone a few minutes so the scenery didn’t fly by too fast.

Hopefully, there’d be many more trips on his bike where he could show her how it felt to have the wind in her hair and the excitement of speed.

Cassie pointed to a gaggle of turkey on the side of the road and he grinned. If they tried to get closer, the birds would flee, but it was nice seeing how thick and fat they were. It looked like it’d been a good year for the animals in the canyon.

So much of the area relied on a sparse rainfall. This far up into the panhandle of Texas, the heat of the summer often proved to be dangerous. Luckily, the spring had brought record rain that had helped the canyon plants and wildlife.

Since he’d spent so much time in the desert during his service, the heat didn’t bother Max. Even his wolf appeared to prefer hot to cold. Max hated to be chilled. He was an outdoor kind of guy. The peaceful ride reminded him that he should have gone hiking or climbing as soon as he’d gotten back. Even though he couldn’t shift like the others, he felt a connection to the territory that he’d been raised in.

The land called to a part of him that was buried deep inside Max.

As Max slowed further to take the almost hidden path Cassie had told him to look out for, she squeezed his waist.

God, he was so happy right then.

The nightmares that plagued him and the horrors that he’d witnessed didn’t matter. All he cared about currently sat on the back of his motorcycle, holding on tight to him.

The uneven path had them bumping along until they had gone as far as possible. Max pulled to a stop.

He turned off the engine, allowing the quiet night to settle around them.

“That was amazing,” Cassie said.

He turned, taking in her flushed cheeks and wide smile. “It was.”

“We have to do that more often.”

Max nodded, since he’d just been thinking the same thing. “Show me your spot?” he requested.

“Yes!” Cassie used his shoulders to climb off. She pressed her breasts to his back then slid seductively against his body.

It was all he could do to keep his hands to himself. This was still a little bit too public for what he wanted to do to her.

Once she had her feet on the ground, he swung his leg off to stand next to her.

“It’s a little bit of a walk, but it shouldn’t take us too long to get there,” she said.

“No problem,” he responded. Max grabbed the bag she’d packed. He took her hand with his free one. “Lead the way.”

Cassie lifted to the tips of her toes and kissed him before tugging on his hand. She was so damn cute when she was this excited. “I can’t wait to show you. I found this spot on one of my hikes a few years ago, then figured out several ways to get there.”

“Sounds good,” he commented. Max didn’t care if she took him to the ugliest spot in the entire canyon. Being with her would be beautiful.

Hand in hand, they stepped around skinny trees and large local plants. The farther west they hiked, the greener the land became. Max tried to get his bearings. He’d thought he’d been over every inch of the canyon, but he had no idea where Cassie was leading him.

“Almost there,” she said.

They were making the walk in silence, not because they had nothing to stay, but because they were instead enjoying the amazing canyon around them. It was comfortable and soothing. Out here, the smile hadn’t fallen from her face, either.

She tugged him around one of the large canyon walls with several cave openings then stopped.

Max’s mouth dropped open. “Holy shit,” he managed.

“Nice, right?” She sounded so pleased.

“Yes!” He dropped the bag before spinning around. “How did you find this place?” If Max hadn’t walked in himself, he’d have sworn that they were not in the middle of a canyon in the heat of Texas.

Lush pads of grass as well as tan and red rocks peppered the small center, surrounded in every direction by huge canyon walls. If there’d been a water source close by, he’d have believed they’d been transported to some magical place.

“It’s great,” he told her. “Unbelievable.”

She stepped up behind him. He picked up her sweet scent before her arms came around him. As Cassie rested her chin in the middle of his back, he covered her hands with his. “I’m so glad I could show this to you. I haven’t brought anyone here, ever.”

“Not even your brothers?” he asked. Max almost whispered. It felt as though talking too loudly would be disrespectful.

“I wanted a place that was solely mine,” she confessed.

Max understood.

“Then you showed back up in my life and I knew that you would appreciate the beauty here. So, I wanted to share it with you. Especially once the sun sets.”

He turned capturing her palms and holding it to his chest. The moment was perfect, unhurried and special. Max lowered his lips to hers and kissed Cassie with all the passion he felt.

Cassie pressed closer while he slipped his arms around her back. Even with the height difference, Max could stand here all night just kissing her. But she must have had other ideas, since she pulled back.

“There’s a blanket in the bag,” she told him. “I want you making love to me as the sun sets.”

Fuck, his cock jerked. Romantic. He’d never thought of himself as someone who’d take long walks on a beach or love his woman under the stars, but God he wanted to be that guy.

“Give me a minute to get things set up.” Max strolled back to the bag and grabbed it before peering around. He wanted the absolute perfect spot for this. He walked around until he knew just where he’d be making love to Cassie that night. Hopefully, all night.

He dropped to his knees on the soft patch of grass before digging around in the bag. Carefully he laid out all the items Cassie had packed. Food, drinks, lantern and finally the blanket. Max flicked his wrists, unfolding the soft red and black flannel out before laying it down. He arranged all the other items on the edge to not only hold down their covering but so the food and drinks would be close by. She’d packed cold bottles of beer, fried chicken, sides and even chocolate cake. Max planned to be eating dessert off her later.

Satisfied with how everything looked, he held his hand out to her.

Cassie had watched him, not moving from where he’d left her. The softness in her gaze gave him hope that she felt as strongly as he did. That when she looked toward the future, she pictured him by her side.

“Come here, love,” he requested.

She shuffled closer, not taking her gaze from him.

Max pulled his shirt over his head before Cassie reached him. He tossed it to a corner of the blanket then pulled on her hands until she knelt in front of him.

He kissed her. Gently, at first, then adding more pressure until she opened for him. Max peppered kisses down her neck and lower as he undressed Cassie with slow and sensual movements. By the time he had her completely naked, she trembled.

“Lie back,” he urged her.

With the dark red, orange and yellow blazing in the background, the sight of Cassie bared for him was remarkable.

“Keep watching me,” he ordered.

Cassie nodded.

He took his time removing his shoes, socks and pants. In just his boxer briefs, Max crawled until he was between her legs.

“I want to see all of you,” she said.

“You will,” he promised. The erotic atmosphere was enough to already have his cock wet and there was more he wanted to do before he gave in to his own needs.

Max picked up her right foot and moved it farther to the side, opening her up so he was admiring her fully. Every inch of her soft, precious skin was his. He lowered his head before trailing his tongue along her inner thigh.

“Max,” she gasped.

“I’m going to eat you alive,” he warned.

“Yes,” she hissed.

He chuckled against her flesh. With his left hand, he played with her clit, drawing out more pleasure. She was already wet for him as he lowered his mouth to her pussy. Licking and teasing Cassie, Max felt like the most powerful man in the world, being able to amp up her desire.

“Oh, please,” she begged.

Max knew what she wanted. However, this was a time he’d enjoy her body without worrying about his needs. Adding a finger along with his tongue, Max went about gratifying her until Cassie was scratching and yanking at his hair. Still he didn’t stop. Not until she released a rough shout and climaxed.

He lapped her juices, enjoying the sweet taste.

“I need you,” she moaned.

“I know,” he responded. Max sat up on his knees, still light-headed from how overwhelmed he felt. He palmed his shaft, trying to relieve some of the pressure.

Cassie sat up enough to cover his hand with hers. “Please.”

Hell, yeah. “Roll over,” he ordered. The final rays of the sun were in the process of disappearing and he didn’t want to miss it.

She flipped onto her stomach before raising onto her hands and knees.

Max caressed her smooth, flawless left ass cheek, then her right.

“Look up,” he demanded. “When the sun dips below the canyon, I’m going to be inside you.”

She shuddered.

“I’m going to make love to you in the minute that day turns to night. This is going to be our ritual. We’ll do this every month. Me and you.”

Cassie whimpered. “I want that so much.”

Jesus, how can she be so perfect? “You’ll have it.” Max pushed his boxer briefs down his hips before he kicked them off. He grasped the base of his cock, teasing it between Cassie’s slick folds as he peered up into the sky. Soon. He’d be inside her soon.

“Max,” Cassie whined. She wiggled, trying to speed things along.

“Bad girl,” he teased. He lightly slapped her on the ass. “Behave.”

The sound she let out, between a laugh and growl, was cute. He wasn’t going to tell her that as she began threatening him.

“I’ll lay you back and take what I want,” she told him. “Ride you until the moon is full and over us.”

Not that he didn’t like her idea, but there’d be time for that later. The picture that he had in his head, though, was one he would make come true.

“It’s time,” she told him.

“Not yet.” Max stroked his cock against her. “Almost.” It was hard not to give in and push his way inside.

Cassie dropped her shoulders, which pushed her ass harder against him.

“Tricky,” he admonished.

“Just getting comfortable since you’re intent on waiting all night,” she quipped.

Max leaned down and licked a trail from her neck to her spine. He grinned as she shivered. Yeah, he knew how to make her hush. He reached for her clit again. She was so sensitive there and he loved playing with her.

“That’s fighting dirty,” she complained.

He stopped moving his finger. “Do you want me to stop?”

“No,” she practically shouted. “Please.”

Max went back to teasing her as the time finally came. He stopped rubbing against her and held his cock tip at her entrance. He pushed in right before the sun’s final rays disappeared.

“Max,” she murmured.

He gripped her hips with both hands as he withdrew before slamming back inside. They rocked together while the darkness began to surround him. The sounds in the night rose until Max could only hear the best of what nature had to offer.

It was easier to connect with the animal inside when the world was coming alive.

He slid in and out over and over, keeping a steady rhythm. Cassie threw herself back, trying to get him to go faster, but Max had been serious when he’d said he’d wanted to make love to her all night long.

“Please, Max,” she begged. “Harder.”

He tightened his grip before thrusting at the same pace. Max wasn’t giving in.

“Fucker,” she grumbled.

“Keep talking,” Max told her. “I’ll do this until you can’t see straight.”

She giggled but ended it with a long groan. Max had indeed sped up for her. “Good,” she said. “So good.”

Yes, it is. “Hold on,” Max said. “Gonna show you how good we can be together.”

“Always are,” she panted. “Good. Together.”

Finally, he was making it too hard for her to argue…or even talk. He slammed his hips forward, drawing out each pump forward and slide back. Her inner muscles clamped around his cock, trying to keep him inside. Like he ever wanted to leave.

As much as Max intended to spend the night buried deep, he couldn’t help but naturally increase his tempo until he was plunging with all his might. It was a good thing they were both shifters, or they’d be bruised the next day.

“Like that,” she yelled. “Please, more.”

Max hammered deep until she screamed while climaxing hard.

Sweat dripped from his forehead onto her back. He managed to tear one hand from her hip to grab at her hair. He yanked her head back then lowered his mouth next to her ear.

“Look up,” he demanded. “Look at the sky.”

Full night had fallen around them. It was beautiful with the first of the stars blinking into view.

“Perfect,” she murmured.

“Just like you,” he whispered as he finally went over the edge.

* * * *

The sky had filled with stars as the moon shone brightly above them as they lay together. The quiet of the night was so peaceful she could pretend there was no one else in the world but the two of them.

Cassie lifted her head from Max’s chest before she took a long pull of her beer. It was still cold and refreshing, soothing her sore throat from her cries of passion earlier. “This is heaven. I never want to leave this place.” She cuddled back down to him.

Max chuckled. “We’ll eventually run out of food.”

“And want showers.”

“Yep,” Max agreed. “Guess we’ll just have to make this a weekly thing.”

Cassie rolled until she could see his face. “You keep talking like you’re planning to stick around after this is over. You are, right?”

He lifted his head as his eyes went wide. “Yes. I’m not going anywhere.”

She searched his face. They hadn’t talked about what would happen when she was safe again. He’d retired from the service, but he’d been staying with Chase. He didn’t even have his own place. “We haven’t talked about your plans. What are you going to do?”

Max shrugged. “I haven’t decided. Chase offered me a job.”

“Working in the diner?” she asked.

“That’s what I was doing before you needed me,” he said.

“I’m glad you were here,” she said. Cassie couldn’t imagine how she’d feel with someone else guarding her. She certainly would not be sharing her private spot.

“Me, too,” he said. “And I’m not going anywhere.”

“Promise?”

Max smiled. “Promise.”

Cassie kissed him. She had to. Max ran his hands down her back, but a howl cut through the night and they pulled apart. “Not close. We’re still all alone.”

He was looking past her shoulder, though.

“Max,” she said. “It’s just someone from our Pack. They won’t come down this far, though.”

“I want to see you shift,” he said.

Cassie felt like the rug had been tugged out from under her. She jerked back. “No.”

“Cassie—”

“I wouldn’t do that to you,” she said. “I invited you here so that we could share this night together.”

He cupped her face then drew her close. “And I love it. But I want this. I’ve been lying here thinking about it. I can’t ask you to give up shifting on a full moon.”

“You didn’t—”

“Shh.” Max placed his finger gently against her lips. “I want to share this with you. To see you in your wolf form. To pet you.”

“I don’t want—”

“Please,” he asked. “Show me.”

Cassie wished she knew if this was really what he wanted. Max might think that it’d be fine, but what if this drove him away? She couldn’t help being able to shift any more than he could help not being able to. “If you’re sure.”

“I am,” he responded.

She climbed up to her knees as he did the same. Cassie was already naked so that pesky chore wasn’t needed.

“You’re going to be so beautiful,” he told her. The gentle hand that he placed on her cheek helped calm her racing heart. Max was serious—he actually wanted to see her wolf.

Cassie took a deep breath. “Okay.” She kissed him quickly before moving off the blanket all together. Still kneeling, she called forth her other half. Cassie didn’t think of her wolf as separate from her human side. She kept her human intelligence in her shifted form, even if her animal instincts were sharper.

She closed her eyes to concentrate, since looking at Max would just be a much bigger reminder that he couldn’t do this. The wolf part of her rushed to the surface. It felt as if two parts of a whole were coming together.

Magic, or whatever the transformation was called, coursed from head to toe. Cassie didn’t know how shifting worked, but she liked to believe that some magic was infused with her DNA that allowed such a special gift. With Max, though, she wondered what made them different from humans. Max had told her that he’d used his heightened senses in the service, so even though he didn’t change to wolf form, he still wasn’t fully human. The questions had never bothered her before, but now she wished for answers she could share with him.

Her spine snapped and all thought slowed down. Fur prickled up from her skin and, in the next instant, she was opening her eyes, seeing a very different world.

The transformation was quick and without pain.

Cassie shook her full body to familiarize herself with her new form before peering over at her lover.

Max was smiling at her.

She tentatively took a step closer to him. Even with her animal eyes, he was magnificent. Strong, dominant and handsome. The urge to roll over and bare her belly was strong.

It was easier to make out the different shapes in the dark with her wolf vision. Even though she’d been able to see fine before, now everything was sharper. The edges of rocks, the soft blades of grass and Max’s sincere expression.

“Beautiful,” he whispered.

His one-word response gave Cassie the confidence to move next to him.

He lifted a hand, slowly moving toward her, until his palm settled at the base of her neck.

“My mom,” he said. “She would let me pet her for hours. I always expected her to get tired of me running my hands through her fur, but she never did.”

If she could have, she’d have told Max that he could do the same with her. Like she’d ever complain about having his hands on her. In any form.

“Can you come lie across me?” he asked.

Cassie did as requested, laying her head across his legs with her body on the blanket.

“Thank you,” he murmured.

She closed her eyes as Max smoothed a hand from her neck down her back. His fingers were gentle while pressing against her skin.

The full moon hung above them and now Cassie felt perfectly at peace. She in her wolf form, with her mate attending to her. No, not mate, she had to mentally correct herself. She might care for Max and could see herself falling in love with him one day, but it was too soon to even consider mating.

Or is it?

Earlier, Max had claimed that he had no intention of leaving. He was happy there with Cassie. So maybe it was too soon to think about children or declaring their love, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t fantasize about nights in the future. Little trips to her special spot in the canyon where the two of them could be together. Nights wrapped around each other, locked in an embrace and lost in a world that belonged to just the two of them.

She sighed deeply, warming at the thoughts in her head.

Cassie didn’t know how long she lay over Max’s lap as she drifted. The air around her stayed comfortable with no hint of rain, so there was no chill to bother her.

All too soon, when she was about asleep, Max kissed the top of her head.

“How about you change back now? That way I can pet you with more than my hands.”

She lifted her head to peer at him before giving a really big yawn.

Mac chuckled. “Did I about put you to sleep?”

Cassie nodded.

“How about I wake you back up?” Max offered. He nudged the bottom of her chin with his nose. “Come on, baby.”

Okay, it’d be worth it to transform back to have him touch her in her human form. Cassie hefted up then took a few stumbling steps away. The scent of small critters and prey didn’t entice her to hunt. It was Max’s woodsy smell that propelled her to hunker down. She pictured her human body, her feet, ankles, knees, legs. The change was upon her and in only a few moments, she was on her hands and knees, panting.

Max dropped down next to her.

Cassie hadn’t realized he’d followed her.

He pulled her into his arms, smoothing a hand over her shoulders.

“Thank you,” he said. “Thank you for showing me. You are the most gorgeous creature.”

“Touch me,” she said. She yanked his head down so she could reach his mouth. “You promised.”

“Yes, I did,” he responded, picking her up. Max carried her back to the blanket and laid her down gently.

“Don’t tease this time,” she begged. Cassie had enjoyed every second of when they’d made love earlier, but she needed him. Wanted him, right that moment.

“I won’t,” Max answered. He kissed her and covered her body with his.

Cassie wrapped her legs around his waist before digging her heels into his lower back. She arched up so that his hard cock was pressed against her.

“Oh yes,” she murmured while he rocked against her.

“Hang on to me,” he ordered. “We’re going for a ride.”

Cassie laughed in delight.