Six

 

Aniyah couldn’t believe how well the cake turned out, and she was able to hand-deliver it just in time for her client’s business leaders event. The client, Mary Stranton, was one of the most respected business leaders in the city, and she couldn’t stop gushing over the baroque-decorated, double-layered cake topped with a small three-dimensional rosewater fondant replica of her company’s red stallion logo.

“I’m glad you like it,” Aniyah said into the phone with a smile.

“Like it? Seriously, Aniyah, you’ve outdone yourself. You really need to stop working at home and open up your own sweet shop.”

That was Aniyah’s dream, but she wasn’t sure if she was ready to take that leap of faith yet. “I’ve thought about it.”

“Make it happen. I’ll even find you some investors. This needs to happen. We don’t have a good sweet shop around here.”

Aniyah gave a hollow laugh.

“Anyway, I just had to call to tell you that. I’m going to be spreading the word about you at this business leaders event, so I’m sure you’ll be getting some inquiries soon.”

“Thank you.” Aniyah beamed. With Mary so heavily involved, Aniyah was sure to get a lot of business. All because of Gauge’s selfless act of getting me that damned rosewater!

After ending the call, Aniyah sprawled out on her bed and stared up at the ceiling. Gauge had so much faith in her that he went out of his way to help her. I can’t believe it. Gauge really is the one. Her heart swelled with excitement. She couldn’t wait to tell him the good news about the cake. Maybe she could see him again too. She cursed herself again for forgetting to ask for his number.

She hopped out of bed and headed to the kitchen. All that work had riled her appetite. As she was preparing a ham sandwich, her doorbell rang. She crept to the door and peered out the peephole. Her silent prayers were answered when she noticed the fisheye image of Gauge’s dangerously handsome face looking back at her.

Blushing, Aniyah bit her bottom lip in anticipation. Her heart felt like it was going to leap out of her chest. With a bright smile, she flung open the door. “Gauge! I was just thinking about you!”

Gauge beamed. “Well, damn, looks like I came just in time, then.”

She let him in and gushed to him about the news.

When she’d finished, Gauge said, “I don’t see how anyone would not enjoy anything you make.”

“I’ve been encouraged to expand my business beyond my home and get an actual establishment—a bakery,” Aniyah said. “I’ve been on the fence about it. My poor oven is going to die once I get another influx of new orders, thanks to the word-of-mouth of my number-one client.”

“I think it’s a great idea. You should do it.”

She sighed. “But I can only imagine the amount of paperwork involved to open a bakery.”

Gauge nodded. “I can help you with that. After all, I opened my own auto shop not too long ago.”

She clasped and unclasped her hands, still feeling doubtful.

Gauge put a hand on her shoulder. “Hey, you don’t have to decide now.”

Aniyah froze, his reassuring touch sending hot sparks through her body. She opened her mouth to respond, but no sound came out. Flustered, she averted her gaze.

Gauge stepped closer to her and drew his hand to her chin, gently tilting it toward him, urging her to look at him.

She gazed into his rich-brown eyes and swallowed. He stared deep into her soul, awakening a desire she hadn’t felt in so long.

“But if it means I get to see your beautiful smile again,” he continued in a low tone, “I’ll find you the perfect place in no time.”

His deep voice sent a shiver down her spine. Rivets of goosebumps tickled her forearms. Her cheeks burned. “Ah… y-you don’t have to do that.”

“I want to. And I will, if you’ll let me.”

His insistence made her smile. “I’ll deal with it when the time comes.”

He sighed and dropped his hand from her face. Already missing his touch, she could see the slight dejection in his eyes. This wasn’t how she wanted things to end up. She took his hand. “Why don’t you join me for lunch?”

***

Gauge learned quickly to never reject anything Aniyah offered, especially when it came to her hospitality. He leaned against the doorframe of the kitchen, his arms crossed, and watched the sexy pastry chef construct two ham sandwiches. Even for such a simple dish, Aniyah was meticulous in making the sandwiches, even cutting them in perfect equal halves.

His eyes flicked down to the white apron tied around her curvy waist and plump belly, secured by a tiny bow that sat perfectly on her nice round ass. His mind wandered and fantasized about the sexy things he would do to her if she made more of her exceptional pastries while wearing that same apron and nothing underneath.

“You’re not gonna put whipped cream and sprinkles on them, are you?” Gauge joked.

Aniyah gave him a puzzled look. “Eww… Why would I do that to a ham sandwich?”

Gauge shrugged, giving her an amused look. “Well, what else would I expect from a pastry chef?”

She laughed. “If you want a sweet dessert, I can create you something.”

He exhaled slowly at her offer. Oh, I want dessert, all right. “I’m not too big on the sweets, but I’ll try it if you make it.” It was just his luck that he would hook up with a pastry chef, when he didn’t even have the ability to taste sweet things. He regretted that he would never be able to taste any of Aniyah’s homemade desserts, but he hoped to one day to taste her personal sexy ones.

“All right, no sweets for you. I’ll keep that in mind.” She handed him a plate. “Here’s your unsweetened ham sandwich.”

The sandwich was garnished with a cherry tomato cut into four slices like a flower, sitting on a lettuce leaf. Did she just make a simple ham sandwich into a work of culinary art?

“Thanks. Looks good.” Gauge toted the plate to the dinette.

Aniyah laughed. “It’s just a ham sandwich!”

“Doesn’t matter. It was made by your talented hands, so there’s definitely something special about it.”

She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Always with the flattery.”

“Hey, I mean it.” He sat down, and she joined him with her own plate.

He took a bite of the sandwich. She was right. It was just a ham sandwich, but the thought of her being the one who prepared it made it taste even better. He looked across the table, briefly locking eyes with her as she chomped on her own helping. Breaking the stare, she set down her half-eaten sandwich and frowned.

“What’s wrong? Don’t like the sandwich?” He stopped eating as well.

She looked at him carefully. “How much trouble am I in, being around you?”

Gauge furrowed his brow. “What do you mean?”

“I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said about your clan having many enemies. What does that mean for me if I were to get involved with you? Will my life continuously be in danger?”

He swallowed a lump in his throat. Does she honestly think that? His heart pounded as he realized just how serious the situation was. He had to make the move on Axle. Now. He had to end the war. He had to stop running and face his fear of failure. He had to do it for Aniyah. “No, your life won’t continuously be in danger. I’ll make sure of that,” he finally replied. “I intend to stop this for good. My brother Axle may not have friends, but I do. I won’t be alone when it all goes down. I’m going to fight. For you. For us.”

Her eyes widened slightly. “Don’t do anything stupid. You’re the first guy I’ve met who really seems legit in everything he says and does. I don’t want to lose a guy like you.”

His heart swelled. She cared. For him. He smiled. “You won’t lose me. When the smoke has cleared, I want you to come stay with me.”

She tilted her head. “Stay with you? But I have a business to run. I have my own life.”

“Would you stay with me if I found you your own bakery?”

Her face brightened. “Maybe. But the bakery would not be why I would want to stay with you. If I can continue to do the things that I love and still have you in my life, then I would be all for it.”

His smile broadened. Having been put on patrolling duties during his time in the clan, he knew of the small towns that the Whitetide’s territory overlapped. He was certain there were some vacant shops where he could negotiate a rental deal. “Great. It’s a deal. In the meantime, don’t worry.”

Sighing, she pushed her plate aside and stood. Walking over to the big window in the living area, she hugged herself.

Gauge watched her and suddenly lost his appetite. He swept to her side and rested his hand at the small of her back for reassurance. “Hey. I told you not to worry.”

“When Gerri said she had a perfect match for me, she didn’t mention anything about it having strings attached.”

Gauge clenched his jaw. He spun her around and placed both hands on her cheeks, making her look at him. “There are no strings attached. I told you. I will make sure the Dessar—or any other clan, for that matter—never bother you again.” He hardened his gaze as he stared deep into her intriguing eyes. He sensed her fear and mix of emotions. The Dessar had traumatized her. What Diesel refused to do, Gauge would do himself. Rather than trying to persuade others to fight his battles, Gauge had to show his oppressors just how much of an Alpha he really was.

Gauge continued to stare into Aniyah’s eyes, his desire to create a future with her coming clear. The day of reckoning with Axle was coming sooner than he’d thought. “Gerri’s matchmaking wasn’t an accident,” he finally said to Aniyah, drawing the pad of his thumb down her cheek. “If you’ll have me, I’ll give you everything a beautiful queen like you wants and deserves.”

Her breath hitched. He could hear her quick heartbeat. Her scent empowered him, urging his tiger to escape. He slowly drew his face closer to hers and paused halfway. Her eyelids flickered downward, to his lips. His tiger was one second away from breaking through. Finally, she pressed her lips to his, claiming him first. He cupped the sides of her face with his hands and returned the kiss. Moaning softly, she grabbed a fistful of his shirt.

Her taste, her heat, her need… everything about her unleashed the desire of his caged tiger. He tore her away from the window and guided her to the couch. The colors in his vision transitioned back and forth from muted to vibrant as he struggled to maintain control of his beast. As he crawled on top of her, he felt her tug at his shirt, and he briefly broke the kiss to shed his clothing then help her out of hers. His lips locking back to hers, he got a second helping of her delectable desire, and the ever-increasing musky scent of her need filled his nostrils. His mouth traveled down the length of her neck, kissing and licking her smooth, dark skin. Everything about her was beautiful. Perfect.

“D-Don’t stop,” she whimpered.

“I won’t.” Gauge smirked then sucked on her neck. He moved his tongue down her collarbone. “I want you as my mate. I want you to be mine.”

She gasped. “Y-Your mate?”

“Yes.” He let out a low growl. “You are the beautiful queen I needed in my life.”

She blushed. “You’re such a charmer.” She slowly drew her finger up his sternum. “I’ll be your mate. I’ll be everything you want me to be.”

He grabbed her finger and brought the back of her hand to his lips. “I want you to be the woman you are right now.” He dropped her hand and lowered the straps of her red lace bra. As the front clasps were undone, the garment fell away, revealing Aniyah’s healthy, round breasts. His dick went ramrod straight. He leaned in and indulged in her nipples, teasing them with flicks of his tongue. Moaning, she squirmed, but he held her down.

“Stay,” he ordered. He sucked hard and greedily on her nipples until they hardened to small beads. Her body trembled beneath him. Parting her thighs with his knees, he caught the scent of her wetness.

His dick throbbed. Spurts of pre-cum drizzled from the tip. The crazy things this woman did to him!

He sat up and moved his hands along her thick curves around her hips and midsection. She was delicious. He thought about how much sexier she would be if she bore his children someday.

He let out a breath as the thought of her pregnant nearly made him cum too soon. He wanted a taste of her nectar first. He would hold out for her until he’d tasted all of her. He drew farther down her body then buried his face between her legs and licked up her juices from her thighs and around her pussy. She cried out, attempting to squirm again, but he kept her pinned in place.

He slid his tongue around her clit and flicked her pink pearl, which quickly hardened from his ministrations. Ignoring her cries and whimpers, he drove his tongue into her and swirled it around her walls, lapping up every drop of her juice. He sucked and slurped until he could no longer take the growing pain in his dick. Fuck. Need to fill her up right now.

He gave her clit a final kiss before pulling back. He sat on the couch and pulled her onto his lap. Her hips hovering over his thick, erect dick, he slid into her easily and moaned. He kneaded the supple flesh of her hips then reached around to her ass and palmed two handfuls of her soft cheeks. He ground into her in a slow and steady rhythm, his breathing ragged. The sweat of their bodies made them stick together like glue as they moved. Her full breasts bounced happily in front of his face, and he took one in his mouth. Faster, he drove her, sucking on her breasts, while he relished the feel of every curve and every jiggle and vibration of their movements. Her pussy clenched, and she cried out her climax.

Gauge let out a growl, feeling her hot juice envelop his dick. His mind went blank. He held her close and, with a long groan, exploded every ounce of his energy into her. She gasped, and her body shook while he buried his throbbing dick deep into her core, emptying every drop into her. He sighed and relaxed as Aniyah collapsed on top of him. He gently stroked the side of her neck with the pads of his fingers then leaned over and kissed a small spot between her neck and collarbone. Her skin was warm, her taste still delectable. He took a bite, just deep enough to draw blood. She let out a gasp, and her whole body twitched. The taste of her blood nearly gave his tiger a second wind, but he managed to restrain it as he licked the wound closed, sealing their bond, confirming she was his.

He lay behind her on the couch, pulling her to him and wrapping his arms around her in a warm cuddle. Exhausted but wholly satisfied, he stared at the scar on her neck, visible enough to other shifters’ keen eyes. He kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear, “You’re mine.”

Closing her eyes, she smiled and whispered back, “I’m yours.”

As soon as Gauge closed his eyes, the demons of his past returned to his mind.