Eight

 

Aniyah stared at her latest edible creation, vanilla shortcake cupcakes, and it sparked a bittersweet feeling. While she knew her client would love it, Aniyah had been feeling a certain emptiness lately. She couldn’t stop thinking about her conversation with Gauge about their future together. She hadn’t regretted letting him claim her, and her pussy clenched just thinking about that night. But would she really be the perfect mate for him in the long run?

Gauge had been busy with family business for the past four days, so she’d hardly seen him. Aniyah wasn’t sure she was ready to begin a new life and finally fulfill her dreams of running her own bakery. Even when he’d first mentioned it, Aniyah had a funny feeling that there would be a price. That price was becoming a part of his clan. Part of his world. A world of constant war, it seemed. But in the short time she’d known him, he’d been nothing but considerate and sweet to her. No price was too great if it meant spending the rest of her life with a sexy, chivalrous tiger-man like Gauge.

Yes, I’m sure, she thought. She was in her midthirties. Time was running out for her to make up her mind. Men like Gauge were few and far between these days.

She topped the cupcakes with bright-red cherries, finishing them off. She carefully placed the cupcakes into a decorative box and set it in her refrigerator so they would stay cool. As she was cleaning up, her doorbell rang. At first, she thought it was one of her clients, too eager to wait to get their order, but none of her clients had a habit of making surprise visits.

She opened the door, and her heart fluttered. Gauge stood on her doorstep, dressed in black leather and a pair of matching motorcycle boots. He quirked a charming smile at her, the cute scar on his cheek appearing.

“Gauge…” she said breathlessly.

He took her hand and kissed the top. “Hey. Sorry I’ve been away for a few days.”

She blushed and stepped aside to let him in. “It… it’s okay. I understand. Family business and all that.”

Gauge closed the door behind him and looked at her carefully. For several moments, they stared at each other. Aniyah’s pussy spasmed painfully, as she hoped he would kiss her right then, maybe do a little more. She swallowed, trying to keep her composure, and wrapped her arms around him. They stood in an embrace, and she leaned against him, her ear pressed to his chest. She listened to his fast-beating heart while relishing the gentle, soothing sensation of his fingers combing through her hair. Sparks ignited in her belly, and she wished they could relive the night she’d become his mate.

He pulled away gently and looked into her eyes. “I need to tell you something,” he said, his expression hard. His soothing touch was suddenly replaced with an edgy feeling of doubt. “I have to tell you something.”

Her heart beat steadily faster. So many questions became jumbled in her mind. “What is it?” she asked, hoping Gauge hadn’t given up on them already.

Gauge averted is gaze a moment then sighed. “There is something big about to happen at home, and I don’t know when I’ll come back to you.”

She gasped. It wasn’t quite what she had feared, but it was still bad. “What is happening at home?”

“War. And our future.”

Her jaw dropped. He’s fighting for the both of us? She balled her fists. Whatever was happening at home, she wanted to be by his side to help. If they were going to be bonded for life, she needed to become more involved in his world. “Gauge, I want to join you. Fight by your side.”

Gauge’s eyes widened slightly. “You do?”

She nodded, ignoring the tightness in her throat. What the hell am I about to get into? “If we’re going to make this work, then it’s only right that I do.”

“But you’re a pastry chef, not a fighter.” He laughed. “I should be the one protecting you.”

She rolled her eyes. “Please, I’m not a defenseless damsel. I played softball in college for two years. Put a bat in my hands, and I’ll slug one out of the park.”

He grinned and stepped closer to her. “I can believe it. Fuck. You are so amazing, Aniyah.”

Aniyah felt her cheeks get hotter. His outdoor scent mixed with the leather drove her wild. She leaned in and stole a kiss. Gauge’s hands caressed down her curves before he situated them on her ass and gave her cheeks a tight squeeze. The unexpected jolt of passion made her moan in delight.

He pulled her against him, and even through the leathers, she could feel his hard need. Breaking the kiss, she took a breath and regarded him with hooded eyes.

“Do you have to leave so soon again?” she mumbled.

Smirking, he gave her ass another squeeze. “You really know how to lay it on me, don’t you?” He returned the kiss as he unzipped his jacket. She helped him along as he shrugged off the jacket and unbuttoned his jeans. Piece by piece, each article of their clothing was tossed to the floor until Gauge had her pinned against the wall, ravaging her body with his mouth. She was already wet for him.

His expert tongue swirled in her mouth, playing with hers. His taste was divine, sweeter and more addicting than any cake she’d ever made. He kissed down her neck while his expert hands moved along the contours of her hips. His tongue trailed down to her cleavage then flicked across each nipple. He greedily took one of her breasts in his mouth then sucked and slurped, moaning.

She cried out, her body immediately responding, as both nipples puckered, becoming rock-hard. Her pussy clenched in pleasure, yearning to feel him inside her.

“Please,” she whispered shakily.

With a wet pop, he released her breast from his mouth and looked at her with a dark gaze. He let out a low, animalistic growl and turned her to the wall. She felt his hands splayed over her ass, and she braced herself on the wall. He grabbed her hips and, without warning, shoved into her pussy from behind.

She let out a cry of pain, and a sudden spark of pleasure overtook her body like wildfire. He consumed her. All of her. His thick cock completely overwhelmed her core. His breathing ragged, he moved in and out of her in a steady rhythm. Her heart pounding fast and furiously, she tried to move with him, but her lower half became numb from the pleasure. His animalistic growl continued, fiercer and stronger as he increased his speed. His hands moved back to her breasts. Squeezing two sizeable handfuls, he pushed deeper than he had before. Past her limit. She didn’t want him to stop, though. One of his hands teased her nipples while the other trailed down to the extra softness of her belly. It was strange yet alluring that her extra weight made him horny. The thought of a man like him loving her for who she was made her body feel hotter.

His breathing ragged, he quickened his thrusts. In and out, he slammed his throbbing dick, the force of his weight keeping her pinned to the wall. She moaned louder, her eyes burning with tears of pleasure. Then the heat of her climax consumed her, the excitement overwhelming her brain, leaving her in a daze.

He shuddered behind her and came hard, filling her core and beyond. He let out a breath and slowly pulled out of her. She felt his weight lift off her, and she slid to the ground, her legs too weak to hold her. Aniyah’s pussy ached, yet her insides felt so good. Breathing heavily, she rested her head against the wall and stared at nothing in particular.

“Hey,” Gauge said. “You all right?”

She grinned and slowly turned her head. “I’ve never felt better.”

He snorted a laugh. “Good, then I hope you’ll be ready to fight.”

Fighting was the last thing she wanted to think about in the heat of the moment, but she knew it was important for him and their future. “I’ll do what I can. I promise not to disappoint you.”

He shook his head. “I know you won’t. Aniyah Evans, you are the strongest, most determined woman I know, and I love you.”