Chapter 228

Victor’s kisses drove me mad as his hand ran up and down my side. It moved closer to my left breast with each slow stroke.

Shivering with anticipation when his fingers brushed over the side of my breast, I wanted to guide his hand to its target. But I didn’t dare.

Again, even more slowly, Victor’s hand moved closer to my breast. I held my breath, desperately wanting him to touch it.

My breath came out in a hiss of ecstasy when his palm finally kneaded the soft flesh. After opening my mouth wider, he began to suck on my tongue while his fingers rolled my nipple between them.

Pleasure swirled through me, and I moaned, “Oh, yes.”

Through our bond, I knew he was feeling the same as me. It made me want more from him, yet I didn’t know how to get it.

He pulled me tightly against him and groaned. “It’s not quite time for more yet, my love,” he whispered. “Anticipation will make it even better.”

That’s when I felt his hardness against my belly again, and I pulled back. Was that big, thick pillar of flesh going to fit inside me like the books in class showed?

“Daisy, what’s wrong?” he asked. “You’re frightened again. I can sense it.”

I shook my head and looked out at the water. I would never be able to tell him why I was afraid.

“Can we go for a walk on the beach?” I asked. “I’ve always wanted to walk on a beach …and wade in the water.”

“Of course,” he replied. “I need to change first.” He dug in his suitcase for a pair of swimming trunks. “I’ll change in another room. Come downstairs when you’re ready.”

He left the room and closed the door behind him.

I pulled a green tankini from my suitcase and went into the bathroom. The bathroom was nice, but I had too much on my mind to admire the marble tiles in the shower.

Maybe this was a mistake. I had to tell Victor I wasn’t ready to be intimate, and perhaps we could enjoy our time here at the beach anyhow.

After pulling a t-shirt over the swimsuit, I went looking for him.

He was waiting for me on the first-floor deck. We joined hands and went down the stairs to the beach.

The sand was soft and warm under my bare feet. We walked to the surf and let the tide wash over our feet.

Then we began to walk.

“There’s a public beach on the other side of those rocks,” Victor pointed at a large rock formation a quarter mile away. “I’d rather stay away from the crowds.”

I pointed in the other direction at stones that formed a wall that curved outward into the ocean. “What’s that?”

“That’s a jetty,” Victor replied. “It’s a breakwater, and boats can tie up to it. Nobody is using it now. Let’s walk out on it.”

We walked to the end of the jetty and quietly watched the sun sparkling off the water.

Victor broke the silence. “I have something for you.” He pulled a small box from the pocket of his swim trunks and handed it to me.

“What is it?” It wasn’t shaped like a ring box, but it was jewelry.

“Open the box and see,” he replied. “It’s been in my family for seven generations. Mom gave it to me to give to my mate.”

I opened it and cried out. “It’s beautiful! Thank you.” I pulled the necklace from the box and examined it closely.

The chain was gold. The gold pendant was a three-quarter moon studded with three moonstones.

“I love it. Thank you, Victor,” I kissed his cheek.

Moonstones are lucky for werewolves, and they amplify the magic that makes us what we are. Moonstones this old had to be powerful.

“You’re welcome,” he said. “Let me put it on you, and you can tell me what scared you twice while I was kissing you.”

I blushed and shook my head.

He pulled me close. “Don't be embarrassed, sweetheart. You can say anything to me.”

“I …I can’t,” I stammered. “Maybe later, okay?”

“Okay,” he agreed. He took the moonstone pendant and fastened it around my neck. “What do you want to do?”

“Let’s get in the water,” I replied.

We returned to the beach in front of the house and splashed around in the shallows. I was amazed when we saw a ship cruising by far out in the water.

I was happy and relaxed when we returned to the deck and ate thick roast beef sandwiches we made in the kitchen while lying on a pair of lounge chairs in the shade.

Afterward, I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of the surf. The next thing I knew, I was waking up alone, and the sun was much lower in the sky.

“Did you have a good nap, my love?” Victor asked. “You were sleeping so well I didn’t want to wake you.”

“Yeah,” I said and sat up. “What time is it?”

“It’s time for you to get ready for dinner,” he replied. “It’s a surprise,” he replied with a sly smile.

Intrigued, I went upstairs and showered before putting on a lavender linen sheath dress and doing my hair in loose curls. After applying light makeup, I decided I looked good enough for any restaurant and went downstairs.

My mouth dropped open at the sight of a candlelight dinner waiting for me in the dining room. Victor sat at the table, opening a bottle of wine.

“I had a caterer deliver it,” he admitted. “We are on vacation.”

I giggled and sat down.

“You look beautiful,” he said as he poured me a glass of wine. “This wine is very low in alcohol. I think you’ll like it.”

I tried a sip and nodded my approval. “It’s delicious. What smells so good?”

“Crab stuffed mushrooms, rare prime rib, salad, Hasselback potatoes, and chocolate ice cream for dessert,” he replied.

I helped Victor remove the cloche from each dish, and we dug in.

Everything was delicious. We savored the meal, and Victor told me how he discovered this beach town.

“The sun has almost set. Would you like to go for a run on the beach?” Victor asked after we finished the ice cream.

I grinned. “Sure. That sounds great.”

“I’ll meet you on the deck.” He took off everything except his pants and went out the front door.

I stood, stripped off my clothes, and laid them across the back of a dining room chair.

“Diana, come forth,” I said. After shifting, I ran out the open glass doors and found the huge black wolf waiting for me on the deck.

A waning quarter moon hung low in the sky as we ran along the shoreline. It was a romantic setting, but I was fixated on what would happen when we returned to the house.

I wanted to tell Victor what was frightening me, but I couldn’t. It was too embarrassing.

“Daisy, please tell me why you’re afraid?” Victor asked.

“I can’t,” I replied. But I felt the moonstone pendant I was still wearing glow warm against my throat.

He placed his muzzle on mine. “Try, sweetheart. Or tell me how I can relieve your fears.”

Should I tell him to sleep in another room?

But the pendant glowed hotter, and I realized that would only delay things and keep my fear alive. Victor was going to be my mate for life. I had to be honest with him.

“I felt … um, your …you know, when you held me against your body,” I stammered. “I didn’t know they were so big. I’m afraid it will hurt me.”

Victor rubbed his head against mine. “The first time we make love, you will feel pain when I enter your body. After that, I promise there will only be pleasure.”

I chewed on his words for a while. It matched what I had been taught in school. Maybe it was time for me to stop being afraid of the unknown.

“Let’s go inside now,” I said and ran onto the deck.

“I’ll go out front and meet you inside,” Victor said.

“No, follow me,” I said. Was the pendant giving me courage? I was nervous, but my fear was gone.

Victor did as I asked and followed me into the living room, where I shifted human and stood before him in the nude.

In the blink of an eye, the black wolf became an equally naked Victor. I was mesmerized by the sight of his incredible body. But the night air on my skin reminded me I was naked, too.

I tried to cover myself with my hands.

“No, my love,” Victor crooned as he scooped me into his arms. “Don’t hide such loveliness from me.”

“Trust me,” he said and carried me upstairs.