Chapter Thirteen
Mia
My, how time flies. Mia couldn't believe that in just a few hours she would be walking across the stage to get her diploma. So much had happened in the last two years. She was almost raped, she got her heart broken, made some really bad choices, had her heart mended by the person who broke it in the first place, and finally admitted her feelings to the one person who meant everything to her. She knew, without a doubt, that Gage Delacroix was her mate. The first couple of weeks after she'd woken up from her night of drunken sex had been tense until she had her period, which meant if they didn't use a condom she got lucky.
True to his word, Gage stopped chasing other girls and focused on repairing the bond between them that his carelessness had damaged. He proved his loyalty and his love every day with little things. Sometimes it was just a message, other times it was a phone call, or a trinket he'd carved for her. Any time she surprised him by visiting him on campus, he was either by himself or hanging out with some of his frat brothers. He took her out every chance he got and their dates always ended with them both breathing heavy. At first she thought the reason he wasn't pushing for more than heated kisses and a bit of heavy petting was because he didn't really want her that way, but as time went on she realized he was waiting until she was ready to take things to the next level.
Mia smiled at her reflection. The dress she wore under her graduation gown was a deep crimson silk that clung to her body. She'd developed some curves in the last year or so and she knew Gage liked them, judging by the way he was always touching her when they were together. Beneath the dress she wore a red lace bra and panties with a garter belt and silk stockings. They were going to dinner after graduation and Mia had come to the decision that tonight she wasn't going to settle for just some heavy petting. She wanted to feel every inch of his hard body against hers. She wanted to feel him inside her as they crashed over the edge of release together. She was tired of going to bed with the need and desire burning through her.
“Look at you. Someone's got a hot date.” Julius winked at his twin.
Mia blushed. “Gage is takin' me to dinner after graduation.”
“Uh huh. And dat explains why you're wearin' a pair of 'fuck me' heels?”
Her blush deepened. “Dere not 'fuck me' heels. Dere just shoes.”
He snorted. “Please. I know what 'fuck me' heels look like. I might not be into girls, but I've seen enough of dem to know. Hey, I'm all for you embracin' your sexuality wit' da man you love. It's good to see you so happy.” He moved to her and kissed her cheek. “Come on, we've got a graduation to get to.”
“I still can't believe you're gonna go to da police academy. Dis is really what you want to do, isn't it?”
“Yeah. I've been tinkin' about it for a long time now.”
“I'm so proud of you for goin' after what you want. At least in one area of your life.”
“Don't start. Just cuz ever'one in da family accepts me doesn't mean ever'one else will. If I want to make it as a cop, I need to keep dat shit quiet.”
Mia rolled her eyes. “Times are changin', Jules. Bein' gay isn't as big a deal as it used to be.”
“Says da woman who doesn't have to deal wit' gettin' da shit beat outta her if she makes a pass at da wrong person.”
Mia sighed. “Fine. Be stubborn. But you can't go through life afraid of what others tink. Dat's no way to live, Jules. I just want to see you happy, too.”
“I know, sis. Maybe it'll happen, but I'm not gonna go riskin' my neck while I'm still tryin' to get my professional life goin'.”
“Just don't turn da chance away if it ever comes.” She looped arms with him and headed out to the boat for the ride into the city.
Gage
Gage stood outside Benjamin Franklin High School and watched as students arrived with their families. The ones he remembered from when he'd been a student there he nodded at, but his gaze kept moving over the crowd until he finally saw her. Every time he saw Mia, she took his breath away. In the year and a half since he'd almost lost her, she'd filled out the curves her body previously hinted at having. She'd gained more confidence in her art which in turn meant she was doing more gallery showings. He was so damn proud of her.
As he raked his gaze over the crowd he saw her and, once again, he was struck by her natural beauty. When most girls her age were caking their faces with makeup, Mia rarely wore any. Today all she had on was some eyeliner, a little blush, and some lipstick. “Hi there, Princess.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. She'd filled out in all the right places but she was still only a little over five feet tall, which put her at a foot shorter than him. He loved how petite she was, though. Petite and curvy.
“Hi. You look nice today. Got all dressed up just for me?” She smiled warmly at him.
“You know it.” Gage winked at her then turned to the others. “Mr. and Mrs. Lafluer.” He nodded at her parents. It had taken time for them to warm up to him again after he'd hurt Mia so deeply.
“It's good to see you, Gage. Are you sittin' wit' us?” Eliza asked.
“Dat's da plan, if it's all right with you and Mr. Lafluer.”
“A'course it is. Come on. We need to get to our seats.”
“I'll be right behind you.” He turned to Julius and held out his hand. “Congratulations. I hear you got into da academy? Dat's pretty impressive. I hear it's not easy to get accepted right away.”
Julius grinned. “Yeah, I did. I busted my ass to make sure I could pass all da physical tests. Dis is what I want to do, be a cop, do some good for da people of New Orleans.”
“You'll make one hell of a good cop, Jules. I'll see you two after da ceremony.” He gave Mia one more kiss and went inside.
Mia
Julius draped his arm over his sister's shoulders. “Come on, let's get in line. He's turnin' out to be a good man after all.”
Mia rolled her eyes. “A'course he is. He was just bein' an idiot before.” She flashed a cheeky grin. “Thanks to you and Beau, he straightened out before he got his ass kicked by da two of you.”
“True dat, sis, true dat.”
Mia laughed softly and followed him to where the rest of the graduating class was lining up to take the stage. As the ceremony finally got under way and they took their seats, she couldn't contain her nervousness. It seemed to take forever to get to her name on the list.
“Mia Anaise Lafluer.”
With her head held high Mia sauntered onto the stage and paused long enough for the photographer to get a couple shots of her shaking hands with the principal while getting her diploma. Then, after a quick wave to her family, she moved to the other side of the stage to stand next to her brother. It was done. She was officially a high school graduate.
When the last student got their diploma, the principal announced the graduating class, and everyone tossed their caps into the air while their shouts of joy echoed across the auditorium. There were several minutes of confusion while people found the caps that belonged to them before everyone started moving off the stage to join their families.
Mia couldn't stop the smile that lit up her face at the sight of not just her family and boyfriend standing there waiting to congratulate her and Julius, but their Alpha as well.
“You two made da Pard proud today. I told your mama and papa., any help you need for college will be taken care of. All dey need to do is let me know what's needed.”
“Thank you, Alpha.” Mia wasn't sure what she wanted to do. She wanted to go to art school but she wasn't sure what she wanted her major to be.
Caine kissed her cheek and shook Julius's hand. “You're welcome, cher. Don't forget, tomorrow dere will be a celebration. I know tonight is all about family.” Caine nodded at them and left.
“We'll see you at home, Mia. Don't stay out all night. We've got an early day tomorrow.” Eliza had a big day planned to celebrate their graduation, just like she'd done when Beau graduated three years ago.
“I won't, mama.” She hugged her mother before she turned to Gage, who waited patiently at her side. “So, where are you takin' me to dinner?”
“It's a surprise.”
Mia arched a brow at that. “Okay, den. Lead da way, handsome.” He was being awfully mysterious.
Gage escorted her to his car and then drove them away from the city. Mia was puzzled as to their destination but she didn't ask any questions. He said it was a surprise, she was going to let him surprise her. Her puzzlement grew when he turned onto a back road and then onto what looked like a little used driveway. She started to speak up but before she could they reached their destination and a soft gasp escaped her. There, in the middle of a field, sat a gazebo. It was adorned with flowers and strings of light twinkled from between the petals and leaves. “Oh. Wow. Gage, dis is...it's beautiful.”
“I was hopin' you'd like it. Remy helped me get it all set up.” Their dinner was being kept warm for them by a portable warmer.
“I love it.” She smiled warmly at him. “You really went all out.”
“You deserve it, Princess. You deserve to be put on a pedestal.”
Mia shook her head. “I don't want to be on a pedestal. I just want to be in your arms. Dat's all I need.”
“I'm good wit' dat.” He winked at her and offered his arm to escort her to the gazebo.
Mia was touched by the effort he'd put into their dinner. It was sweet and romantic and it made her love him that much more.
Gage
Gage kept glancing at Mia as he drove. He knew she was curious about their destination but she was keeping quiet and letting him surprise her. He'd thought long and hard about how he wanted this night to go. It was special in more ways than one. Mia had just turned eighteen a few days ago, she'd graduated high school, and, if all went well, they would be celebrating their engagement.
When he finally pulled the car to a stop, seeing her eyes light up at all the work he and Remy had put into making tonight special for her was worth it.”Don't you dare touch dat door,” he said when Mia reached for the door handle to get out. He got out quickly and went around to open it for her. “Your dinner awaits, Princess.”
Mia blushed a little and slipped her hand into his. “Dis really is beautiful, Gage,” she murmured as they approached the gazebo. They weren't old enough to drink but a bottle of sparkling cider sat in an ice bucket.
“Not as beautiful as you, Mia.” He dipped his head and kissed her gently. When they reached the table he held her chair for her. He served up their dinner; lobster bisque, steak cooked medium rare, steamed asparagus, Alfredo pasta, and, for a touch of home, benigets for dessert.
“Dis looks delicious. Did you cook it or did you order it from somewhere?”
Gage chuckled “Neither. Mama helped wit' da meal. Well, I cooked da steaks, she made ever'ting else.”
Mia took her first bite of steak and groaned. “Oh, perfect.” It had just the right amount of spices to entice her taste buds and just enough pink to satisfy her leopard.
“As if I would feed you anyting else?” There was a teasing note in his voice.
Mia laughed softly. “No, you've gone way out of your way to make dis really amazing, I knew da steak would be perfect.”
They were quiet for several minutes as they enjoyed the meal. “I have a confession to make. Dere's another reason I did all dis. It's not just to celebrate your graduation.” Gage swallowed past the sudden nervousness he felt. “Mia, I tink I fell in love wit' you da day you kicked my shin after I pulled your braid. You've been under my skin, in my thoughts, in my heart, every single day since den. I know, in da past, I've done some tings dat hurt you, and you will never know just how much I regret dat. Here's da ting, Princess. I can't imagine my life wit'out you in it.” He moved from his chair and knelt on one knee next to hers. From the pocket of his slacks he withdrew a small box. Inside lay a ring similar to the promise ring he'd given her, except this one was white gold. The center was a dark ruby with two small diamonds nestled on either side. Just below the diamonds was a tear drop emerald. “Mia Anaise Lafluer, would you do me da honor of becoming my wife? I've already asked your papa for his blessin' and he said as long as I don't break your heart again, he'll happily walk you down da aisle.” He looked into her eyes and saw tears glistening in them and waited. His entire world hung on what those tears meant.
Mia
Mia was thoroughly enjoying their romantic dinner out away from the city. It was such a peaceful place and being there with him, it felt like there was no one else in the world. It was as if everyone else just disappeared. She was taking a sip of her sparkling cider when he told her there was another reason he'd brought her there. She arched a brow at him but before she could question him, he continued.
As Gage spoke of his love for her, Mia began to shake a little. Was he really going where she thought he was? Then he hit one knee and opened the box. The ring was beautiful and when she looked up at his hopeful gaze, tears filled her eyes. “Gage Rafael Delacroix, it sure took you long enough! I've loved you all my life, I've wanted dis all my life. Yes, a million times, yes!”
When Gage pulled her into his arms to kiss her, Mia melted against him. “You continue to surprise me. You know papa will skin you alive if you mess up now,” she teased and slid her hands beneath his shirt.
Gage groaned and gripped her arms to stop her. He leaned down and nuzzled her lips gently. “I know, but I don't plan on messin' dis up. You're too important to me.”
Mia frowned when he stopped her from touching him. “Gage? Why don't you want me? I know you love me, but...if you tink I could be happy in a marriage wit' no intimacy, you're wrong.”
He looked at her like she was crazy. “What? Why would you tink a crazy ting like dat? A'course I want you, Mia.”
“Really? You sure could have fooled me. You wasted no time gettin' in da pants of every girl you dated in high school, but you won't even let me touch you.”
Gage took her face in his hands. “No, Princess, you've got it all wrong. I want you so much it hurts. But you deserve better, you deserve to be swept off your feet. All da girls I dated in high school, dat was fuckin'. Anyting wit' you will be makin' love.”
“Den make love to me, Gage. Please.” She studied his face. “Is it because of me sleepin' wit' Seth when I got drunk last year?”
“No. God, no. It has no'ting to do wit' dat.” He kissed her and tried to put what he was feeling into it.
“Den make love to me, Gage. Right here, right now. Make me forget da tings Cole did to me...make me forget all the shame I felt after I got drunk and slept wit' Seth. I only want to remember your hands on my body.”
Gage
Gage stared into Mia's eyes, searching them to be sure this was really what she wanted. “How can I say no to dat?” he groaned and this time when he kissed her he let his hands move over her body. He caressed her side before one hand moved up to cup her breast.
Mia arched into his hand and whimpered softly. “Please...please...please...”
Her soft pleas were his undoing. He growled against her lips and picked her up. He wanted to make love to her under the stars. After aching and longing for her for so long, he was half afraid he'd come too soon. He wanted to be buried inside her.
When he found a suitable spot he put her on her feet long enough to remove his jacket and spread it out to give her something to lie down on. Then he pulled her close and kissed her until they were both breathless. His hands moved down and gripped her dress before he inched it up her body. He moved back enough to watch as she was revealed to him. He felt like it was his birthday and he was opening a present. “Beautiful.” His voice was rough with desire once the dress was gone and he was gazing at her in the red lace bra and panties.
Mia's cheeks warmed at the compliment. “I want to see you.”
“What my Princess wants, she gets,” Gage growled. He undressed and then guided her to lie down. He kissed her hungrily and his hands caressed her skin. He'd wanted this for so long. He couldn't belief that, after all this time, she was finally his. His hands cupped her breasts and kneaded them until her nipples stiffened. With a wicked grin he lowered his head and took one stiff peak into his mouth, sucking it through the lace of her bra. The little mewling sounds she was making told him she liked what he was doing. He tugged the cups of her bra down until her breasts were free to his gaze then he resumed teasing them. He squeezed and tugged one nipple with his fingers while he suckled and gently bit the other until she cried out. “Dat's my girl,” he murmured. “I want to taste you, Mia.”
Mia gave him a puzzled look. She was too caught up in the way she was feeling to understand what he meant. “What?”
“I want to taste you.” His voice came out more a growl than anything before he kissed a path down her body. He gently urged her legs open and nestled between them. Her panties were still on so he moved then to the side so he could bury his tongue inside her wet heat.
Mia's fingers went to his hair and gripped it while her hips arched at the sudden sensation. She was soon writhing and mewling with need. “Gage...please...”
“I know what you need, Princess.” He moved up to suck on her clit while he eased a finger into her. She'd only had sex once, while she was drunk, and that was over a year ago. He wanted to be sure when he finally buried himself inside her he didn't hurt her. He worked a second finger into her and curled them to stroke her G-spot . He watched her face as he continued, and when her orgasm crashed over her, the look on her face was breath-taking. She was the most beautiful woman in the world.
Mia panted and shuddered in aftershocks. The orgasm was wonderful but it left her wanting more. “Gage, please...please make love to me.”
“Oh, I am, Princess. I am.” He snagged his pants and removed a condom from his wallet. He'd carried one ever since he'd started having sex. He quickly removed his boxers and then got Mia's panties off before he rolled the condom on and moved between her welcoming thighs. “I'll go slow at first, love. I don't want to hurt you,” he murmured. It took every ounce of control he had to not bury himself inside her once he had the tip in. She was so hot, so wet, and so damn tight. Still, he was gentle, he kept his thrusts shallow, until he was finally buried inside her. “Oh god, you feel so good baby.”
Mia gripped his shoulders and arched into him. “Oh...I've never...I don't remember it feelin' like dis,” she breathed. “Don't stop, Gage. Oh god, that feels so good.”
Gage dipped his head and kissed her before he began to move. He kept his eyes locked with hers as he moved slow and deep. Soon she was moving with him, arching to meet each thrust. When her nails raked his back his control snapped and he thrust harder and deeper inside her. Her sudden orgasm caused her to clench around him and dragged him over the edge with her.
Mia
When Gage first started easing into her, Mia was a little apprehensive. She didn't remember a lot about her first time. There were some advantages to having been drunk. It meant she didn't remember the initial pain from it, but she remembered how sore she was the next day. She was worried it was going to hurt, but as Gage slowly worked himself into her, her apprehension faded and she realized it didn't hurt at all. No, it felt amazing. The feeling of fullness from him was unlike anything she'd ever felt before. Her hips arched and she gripped his shoulders. “Don't stop.” If he stopped now she just might go crazy.
Each slow, gentle thrust pushed him deeper into her and she whined, mewled, and panted. Soon her cries were echoing in the air as he pushed her closer and closer to the edge. Her nails raked down his back and she screamed when her body suddenly tightened and convulsed in an earth-shattering orgasm that left her feeling boneless.
She felt his cock swell inside her and his cries joined hers as he fell over that edge with her. When he collapsed atop her she just lay there, unable to move to urge him to get up. He was only there a moment before he rolled to his side, slipping from her, and took her with him. Mia barely registered him removing the condom and typing it off so it could be discarded later. “Dat was...I have no words to describe it,” she breathed after several minutes.
“Mm, dat makes two of us, Princess,” he murmured and nuzzled her. “I don't tink I could move right now if I had to.”
Mia blushed at that. “Me either,” she admitted and curled around him.
“Let's just stay right here for now, den.”
“M'kay.” She felt sleepy and snuggled closer.
Several hours later, Mia awoke to the feel of Gage's arms wrapped around her. The sky had that pre-dawn look to it and she sat up quickly. “Gage, wake up! Oh, mama is gonna be so mad at me! She told me not to be out all night and it's almost mornin'.”
Gage groaned but at her words his eyes snapped open. “Aw hell. I'm sorry, Princess. I didn't mean to fall asleep. It's okay, I'll tell her it's my fault. We fell asleep listenin' to music.” He took her face in his hands and kissed her gently. “Relax, love. It'll be fine.”
“Have you met my mama?” she countered with an arched brow.
“Good point.” He helped her dress before he tugged on his own clothes.
Mia knew her hair was mussed from their lovemaking and from falling asleep but there wasn't anything she could do about it. She ran her fingers through it to smooth it out some. “What about all dis stuff?” she asked, motioning to the gazebo.
“Me and Remy will come back to get it later. Let's get you home.” He needed to talk with their Alpha about building a house somewhere near her parents. He knew she would want to be close to them. He couldn't wait to walk down the aisle with her as his wife.
“Mia Anaise Lafluer, where in da world have you been? Didn't I tell you not to stay out all night?” Eliza was sitting on the porch when Gage and Mia finally came up the walk.
“I'm sorry, mama. We fell asleep and just woke up a little bit ago.”
“It's my fault, Mrs. Lafluer.” Gage wasn't going to let her mother blame her for it.
Eliza sighed. “I suppose I can't give you too much grief. You're a grown woman now. Come on inside, you two. Dere's coffee in da pot and breakfast is cookin'.” She winked so they would know she'd been teasing them to begin with.
“I'm gonna go change real quick,” Mia said and ducked down the hall to her bedroom.
Eliza turned to Gage. “You better be good to her, Gage. I've never seen her as happy as she is wit' you.”
“I plan on it, Mrs. Lafluer. If I have any say in it, da only tears she'll be cryin' will be happy ones.”
“Enough wit' all dis 'Mrs. Lafluer' business. You're gonna be family. It's either Eliza or mama.”
“Alright den, mama it is.”
By the time breakfast was ready everyone was awake and seated around the table. Mia took Gage's hand in hers and smiled at him before she cleared her voice. “Gage and I have someting to share wit' you. Last night, he asked me to marry him and I said yes.”
“It's about damn time.” Beau flashed his younger sister a grin. “Congratulations, you two.”
The rest of her family echoed his words before they dug into their breakfast. There was a lot of talk about the party the Pard was having later in the day to celebrate Mia and Julius's graduation. Now they had even more to celebrate.
Gage
After breakfast, Gage urged Mia to take a nap because he knew she was still tired and after a long, lingering kiss, he reluctantly left her side in order to go speak with their Alpha. He had to share the news with his parents as well but he wanted to wait until Mia was at his side so they could do it together. His mama always wanted a daughter but she'd had no luck having more children after Gage. With Mia, she would finally have one.
Gage stepped onto Caine's porch and lifted his hand to knock. Before he was able to, his Alpha came around from the back of the house.
“Mornin'. You're here a mite early.”
“Mornin', Caine. I've come to ask for permission to build a home near da Lafluer's for my mate and I. Last night, I asked Mia to marry me and she said yes.”
“Well, I'll be damned. It's about time you got your head on straight. A'course you can build a home for you and your mate. Anyting you need, you just let me know and it'll be provided. Looks like we got even more to celebrate today.”
“Thank you. I know. I don't know why she put up wit' me for so long, but I'm sure glad she did. She's ever'ting I ever wanted in dis life.”
“You're turnin' into quite a good man, Gage Delacroix. I tink you'll do all right by your mate.”
Gage thanked him once more and left. Praise from his Alpha made him stand a little taller as he made his way to his parents' home to get a little more sleep. Later, he would go get Mia so they could share the news with his parents, too.