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  On the way out, Anna stopped and glanced back at the bar. Mandy stopped as well to see what she was looking at. There in the far corner sat a man. He was tall, well built, with dark brown hair and a scar running down the left side of his face, and eyes that looked silver, eyes that were staring right at them. Anna gave a small, nervous smile and turned, practically pushing Mandy out the door before her. “That was the hunter I saw in the woods,” she whispered urgently.

  “Are you sure?” Mandy craned her neck, trying to get a better look at the man, but Anna pulled her arm, obviously very anxious to get out of there, so Mandy allowed herself to be dragged along.

  “I am positive it was him. I am also sure he recognized me. There was something about his eyes and the way he was looking at us that just felt wrong.” Anna shivered and Mandy picked up her pace, now just as eager to be away as Anna was.

  Bags in hand, Mandy and Anna made their way to the SUV after their quick stop at the Christmas shop and found Garrett waiting. All their treasures stowed in the trunk, the three climbed into the vehicle and started for the castle.

  “Were you ladies able to find everything you were looking for?” he asked as he maneuvered the snow-covered roads with ease.

  “Oh, yes, we managed to get everything,” Mandy replied. “I really enjoyed this little trip, Garrett. Thank you for allowing us to come along with you.”

  “Yes, thank you very much.” Anna added.

  “You are both very welcome.”

  The drive back was beautiful. Snow-laden branches arched over the road and everywhere they looked a blanket of pristine white stretched over the land. It was dreamlike, resembling a winter wonderland.

  From the corner of her eye, Mandy noted movement through the trees. For a moment she could have sworn she saw a large animal running, but when she tried to locate the source of movement again all she saw was empty forest. Convinced her imagination was getting the best of her, Mandy turned back in her seat and attempted to mentally prepare herself for the night ahead.

  Tonight she would invite Nicolas back to her room. To her bed.

  * * * *

  Dinner was slightly strained after the men had dropped their little bomb about the werewolf marking around the castle’s land. Mandy and Anna both found themselves on edge after the news, but Mandy was downright afraid.

  She’d narrowly escaped death at the hands of this beast once—thanks to Anna—but what would happen if it attacked her again? What if they were both injured? Anna might be able to heal herself, but Mandy was only human. She was vulnerable…a liability in their world.

  Sure, she had her telekinesis, but that would only help her out for a short time. She still wore down quickly if she used her ability for long periods of time, or if she was attempting to move large objects.

  And that damn wolf was huge. Was it so wrong to hope one of the villagers managed to trap the beast and end his existence? She couldn’t imagine the worry she would feel over that creature still being on the loose when it was time for her to return to school and leave everyone here behind.

  She was going to have to face the fact that Nicolas had not mentioned her staying, and that Jonathan would likely not be returning with her now that he’d found Anna. She didn’t blame him. In fact, Mandy wished Jonathan and Anna all the love and happiness she wished to someday find for herself.

  Sadly, Mandy felt that she’d found love with Nicolas. He was accepting, caring, attentive, and affectionate…all of the things she’d wished for. The only problem was that he seemed to always pull away just when she wanted more. His lingering touches had been driving her mad, those heated stares warming her from the inside out, and his mouth… That sinful little half-smile he had could melt her at twenty paces. But if he was attracted to her and considered her his soul mate, then why was he always pulling back?

  “Mandy?”

  Her name, whispered in her ear, nearly startled her out of her seat. Turning her head, she found Nicolas wearing a slight frown on his handsome face as he studied hers. “Yes?”

  “Are you alright? You haven’t said much and you’ve eaten even less,” he pointed out, gesturing to her still full plate.

  “I guess my nerves are getting the best of me. I’ll be fine, though.” Her stomach was a jumble of butterflies over both the fact the wolf was obviously still near and the fact she still intended to invite Nicolas to her room. If he declined her offer, then she would know where she stood.

  “You really should eat something,” he coaxed. “You’ve been out and about for most of the day, and I’d hate for you to end up hungry tonight. Maybe I can have Garrett hold a plate for you, just in case you do get hungry later.”

  “That would be nice, thank you.” There he went, being all considerate and caring again. Mandy sighed. He really was a confusing man. A small nudge to her calf had her looking up to find Anna giving her a very pointed look.

  “Jonathan,” Anna said, “I find that I actually am a little tired from our trip to the village. Will you come up to bed with me?” She smiled sweetly up at Jonathan, and the man went all soft right before Mandy’s eyes.

  He needed no more prompting than that and they both excused themselves before leaving the room.

  “You should probably get some rest too,” Nicolas suggested.

  “Would you join me?” Wow, that had come out a little more brazen than she’d expected, but she could work with it, especially when that spark entered his eyes.

  “I could do that,” Nicolas replied, his voice a husky rasp. He rose from his seat, called out to Garrett to leave a sandwich for Mandy, and then proceeded to lead her to the stairs. Just when they reached the base, he came to a halt. “I need to know, are you inviting me to your room for the reason I think you are?”

  How the hell did a girl answer that? Well, it turned out a blush and a nod would do just fine. In the next moment, Mandy found herself scooped up into a pair of strong arms as he took the steps two at a time in his haste. She was eternally grateful that she’d had the foresight to shower and don her new under-things before dinner, because it didn’t look like she would be getting the chance to do so now.

  Chapter Eight

  Nicolas could not believe it. Apparently his subtle seduction had worked. His fated mate was inviting him back to her room. He was tempted to pinch himself, but feared he would wake up and find that it had all been a dream…again. Every night since she’d arrived, his dreams had consisted of various scenarios including their making love, her accepting his proposal, and even one of her rounded with his child.

  That was one of his favorites.

  The few times his brother had asked him if there was anything in particular that he would like for Christmas, all Nicolas had been able to answer was, “Mandy, with my ring on her finger,” to which his brother would only smile and walk away. The infuriating ass. The truth was, he had every intention of asking Mandy to be his before she left, whether or not they ever became intimate while she was here.

  Now, though, with Mandy’s sweet self, cradled in his arms, her firm breasts pressed against him with her arms around his neck, Nicolas was barely keeping his control leashed. He’d wanted her since she’d arrived, had waited centuries to find her, and finally, finally he was going to be one with his soul mate.

  The gift of her virginity was something he would always treasure as well. To know that he would be her only lover was a heady thought indeed, but Nicolas was more than ready to show her the bliss to be found with the one you love.

  Quickly opening the door to her room, Nicolas strode over to the bed and slowly lowered Mandy to her feet. She was smiling up at him, her silky curls framing her face with its rosy cheeks, and Nicolas was done for. This woman already had hold of him and she didn’t even know it. He fully intended for her to know, and soon.

  From the corner of his eye, he noted that he’d forgotten the door, and it now stood wide open to the hallway beyond. Mandy noticed too, and gave a flick of her wrist, which resulted in the door swi
nging closed with a bang. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to shut it that hard.” She looked up at him and gave a shaky smile, then pointed one slender finger at the bed, and Nicolas watched as the blankets peeled back.

  Now that was damned handy. “Now I think it’s my turn to be jealous.”

  Mandy laughed and Nicolas leaned forward, slowly running his tongue over the seam of her lips, relishing the soft texture and fullness as he nibbled on her lower lip. When she opened to him on a sigh, he took advantage and allowed his tongue to sweep inside. A little shy at first, Mandy slowly began to match the strokes of his tongue with her own and soon they were locked in a possessive, passionate kiss that rocked him clear to his soul.

  Mandy might be an innocent, but she was a damn quick learner. Nicolas was nearing desperation in his need to remove their clothes and be skin to skin. His dick was likely going to be sporting the imprint of his zipper for a while if he didn’t release himself soon, but for her he would wait. He would make sure that this night was special for her. Just as special as it would undoubtedly be for him.

  She was here, she was his, and he vowed that he would do everything in his power to see that it stayed that way.

  Smoothing his hands down her back, over the perfectly rounded swell of her ass, Nicolas tugged her against him, grinding his hips into hers and ensuring she felt his erection, felt the passion she was building within him. Their bodies were flush with each other, her hands on his shoulders, her nipples pebbled against his chest, and Nicolas couldn’t believe how well they fit together, her softness complementing his hardness in all the right places.

  Releasing her mouth, he pulled back to gaze into her sparkling green eyes. She looked slightly dazed, and damned if he wasn’t honored to be the one to put that look in her eyes. Hell, he felt so proud, he was just shy of pounding his chest like a caveman.

  Unable to resist any longer, he bent to her, taking her mouth again, determined to have her mindless with need before the night was out.

  * * * *

  Mandy’s head was swimming, the dizzying feeling she received from his kiss making her wonder how she could possibly survive anything more. Nicolas was determined to find out just what she could handle though, as he slowly turned her, backing her up until the backs of her legs met the bed.

  She felt his hands slip under the hem of her sweater and luxuriated in the feel of his fingertips dancing over her belly and up to her ribs. When his hands drifted farther up and cupped her swollen breasts, Mandy couldn’t help the little moan that escaped her throat.

  “You’re exquisite, Mandy,” he whispered. “Your skin is as soft as the finest silk.” His hands continued their exploration, as hers began their own.

  Mandy ran her flat palms over his chest, tracing the dips and swells of the muscles beneath his shirt, until it simply wasn’t enough. With her shyness quickly taking a backseat to the passion building between them, she began to tug his shirt upwards until he got the hint and whipped it over his head.

  Wow! To feel them was one thing, but to actually lay eyes on the impressive array of muscles along his chest and abs and be able to touch them as she’d longed to do? Yes, she was in heaven now.

  Mandy was so caught up in the sight and feel of his magnificent body she almost didn’t notice he was removing her top until the fabric blocked her view as it swept over her face. Standing, wearing only her bra and her jeans, she watched as Nicolas took a step back and raked his hungry gaze down her body.

  “You’re still wearing too much,” he growled. “I want you stripped and bared to me. I want to feel every inch of your body beneath my own.” Oh, the shivers that coursed through her body at his roughly spoken words. Nicolas dipped his head and ran his tongue over the swells of her breasts before unsnapping the front clasp of her bra and removing the cups from his path. He latched on to her nipple and suckled gently, while his hand lightly pinched and rolled the other, making her cry out as the sensations grew stronger.

  This seemed to encourage him, and she was glad, because there was a pleasurable warmth gathering in her center which seemed to grow more intense with every kiss and stroke he bestowed upon her body.

  Her knees trembled, and Mandy feared they would give out, but Nicolas was right there, his arms coming around her and keeping her upright. “Let’s get the rest of these clothes off and get you onto the bed, shall we?”

  “Mmhmmm,” was about all her muddled mind was capable of at the moment, but it worked. He slipped her shoes off before disposing of her pants just as quickly. The next thing she knew, Nicolas was laying her out in the middle of her plush bed. Mandy watched with open fascination as he slid his faded jeans down his thick thighs, sucking in a ragged breath when he straightened and her eyes drifted from his stunningly perfect physique to the daunting size of his manhood.

  His shaft was long and curved towards his navel, but his width was what left her equally awed and panicked. She’d never been with a man before and wasn’t entirely sure that this would be possible with his size. “Um, Nicolas…”

  “Don’t worry, Mandy,” he crooned, “We’re made for each other. Things will work out just fine. You’ll see.”

  Right, they were soul mates, perfectly matched for each other, so this should be a piece of cake, right? In the next moment, she couldn’t say that she gave a fig about his size or anything else. With one hand at the base of her neck, Nicolas took her mouth in a tender, loving kiss that stole her breath along with any lingering doubts that she held.

  Her arms wound around his neck and shoulders as she fought to bring their bodies closer while his other hand began a lazy trail down her abdomen, through the thatch of curls at the apex of her thighs and settled over her mound.

  His finger traced the folds of her sex while his lips began a southerly path down her neck, across her collarbones, stopping next at her breasts, alternately kissing and nibbling his way down her body until she was writhing beneath him. “I want to make sure that you’re ready for me, Mandy. I never want you to forget this first time between us.”

  “I think I’m ready now,” she panted, unable to control her hips as they bucked into his hand. If he didn’t do something soon, she feared that she would begin to beg.

  “Not yet but close, sweetheart, so close.” Nicolas slid down her body, his mouth leaving heated kisses trailing over her sensitized skin. When he settled his shoulders between her thighs, Mandy struggled to close her legs, her modesty kicking in at her intimate exposure. “No, let me see you. I want to love you like this. It’s one of the most intimate acts that a man can do with a woman, and I want you to experience it with me. I want all of your firsts to be with me, and only me.”

  Mandy stared down into his beautiful eyes, eyes that shone with a need to match her own, with a wanting that blazed like blue fire in his intense gaze. “Yes,” she whispered, and nearly came undone at the first swipe of his tongue over her core. “Oh, God,” Mandy whimpered, as his tongue lapped, flicked, delved, and plunged into her weeping center.

  She was panting now, incoherent pleas spilling from her lips as her body grew fevered, that warmth in her center tightening into an almost painful coil. Just when she thought she couldn’t possible take any more, Nicolas thrust his finger into her channel and her body began to quake. The coil wound tighter as he picked up his pace, thrusting his finger into her faster, harder, and then he pulled out, only to return with a second finger. The second digit stretched her sensitive tissues and Mandy began to lift her hips up into his hand with every thrust of his thick fingers.

  He then began a secondary assault on her clit, his tongue doing the most wicked dance imaginable over the tiny bundle of nerves. The center which had been winding tighter and tighter was now poised at the breaking point and Mandy feared the sensations could very well tear her apart.

  “Just let go, sweetheart,” Nicolas whispered. “Come for me Mandy. Just let go, I have you.”

  As if her body had simply awaited his command, the tight ball exploded into a kaleid
oscope of sensations that had Mandy crying out from the sheer strength of it, her body clenching around his fingers as he continued to move, dragging out the waves of ecstasy flowing through her body.

  As she began to come down from her release, Mandy watched as Nicolas raised himself from between her thighs and brought his fingers to his lips. “Mmm, perfect.” The erotic action caused a flutter in Mandy’s belly, telling her that her passion had not yet been fully extinguished.

  His straining erection was now poised at her center and he tucked the crown against her, while leaning down to kiss her neck. Mandy was in heaven, the feel of the man she loved pressing her body down into the mattress both exciting and comforting.

  She wasn’t sure exactly when it had happened, but this man had a firm hold on her heart and she prayed that she held a small part of his in return. This was her gift to him, the most valuable thing she possessed. This was her innocence, surrendered to him with love…with her heart and soul.

  When he began to press his way inside her, Mandy groaned at the exquisite feel of him. He was stretching her, filling her body with himself as only a lover can. When he stopped moving, she looked up into his gorgeous blue eyes, stunned by the emotion shining there on the surface.

  “Mandy, I want you to know that I’ve fallen in love with you,” his husky voice sent a shiver down her spine, until his words registered. Unable to speak right away, she just stared up at him. He loved her? “What I feel for you is real, sweetheart. I want you. I need you, for more than just this night, this vacation time. I need you with me forever.”

  Overwhelmed with emotion, Mandy pulled Nicolas down to her for a deep kiss, pouring all of her love for him into it and hoping that he meant what he had said. “I love you too,” she sobbed. “Make me yours Nicolas.”

  With a growl he thrust his hips forward, tearing through the last of her barriers and taking her lips with his own to swallow her cry. The pain only lasted for a moment before she was squirming beneath him, aching for him to begin moving again.