He loved his city dwelling but spent an equal amount of time at his lake house. He also had an apartment downtown which he reserved to meet women or at other times his doneuses when he needed to feed.
He took her on a brief aerial tour of the property which spanned three acres with the house in the center. A powerful security system, similar to the one at the lake house, covered every inch of his home and gardens.
He’d made a woodland environment with tall pine trees around the entire perimeter. Holding Aralynn tight against his side, he pointed to the south. “The trees begin there and make a full circuit.”
“I see you have a dedicated path.”
“Yeah. I wanted that, too. A place to walk and think.”
“I know this may sound odd, Stone, but suddenly I want to run.”
He felt her strain against him as her wolfness rose to the fore. He felt an urgency to hold her close since his blood-hunger had risen once he had her in his arms. His fangs throbbed in his gums.
But he set aside his own need and dropped down to the edge of the long driveway where the walking path began. He was a little surprised when she leaped from his arms and shifted into her wolf form while midair, absorbing her clothes as she went.
She landed hard then rolled. She lay on her back for a moment, and yelped playfully a couple of times. Stone, I’m tipsy. What with the beer, the whisky and the brandy.
He smiled. “Maybe we should just go inside.” Okay. He was totally thinking about himself.
Not a chance. I’ll make one circuit, then I’m all yours. She flipped over and took off running at breakneck speed.
“I’m coming with.”
He flew above her, careful to keep from slamming into any trailing branches. She ran hard, her paws barely visible as she weaved and lurched along the winding path.
You’re loving this.
I am. I’m always cooped up in the castle.
What?
He heard her wolf voice, a sort of strangled yelp. Maybe that’s how wolf’s laughed. I mean my cottage. Yup. I’ve been drinking.
She rounded the back of the property and he continued to move with her. He could feel her joy like a wave of pleasure rising from her body. She was beautiful to watch as she ran. She had dark reddish brown fur with a darker strip down her spine. She had a narrow muzzle and elegant forelegs.
He had it bad for Aralynn which made him think they were meant to be together even if she had concerns she needed to tell him about.
As they reached the far side of his property, a warning vibration went down his spine. Dawn’s close.
I know. I’m feeling it, too.
Suddenly, she whirled through a shift, returning to her womanly form. She rose into the air at the same time and threw herself on him. He caught her and held them both steady in the air as he settled his lips on hers and kissed her hard.
She drew back. “We’d better get inside. I can hear your automatic steel shutters lowering all over the house.”
He flew with her in his arms, cutting through the woods. He crossed the east collection of concrete pads, garden beds and the occasional massive landscaping boulder. He landed on the front walkway which was lined with large pots of evergreens.
He lowered her to her feet and walked her to the front door. He used a keypad and let them in.
Whisking her into his arms, he took her across the threshold.
Once in the foyer, and with the door closed securely behind him, he levitated to a stop. He held her cradled in his arms once more and realized there was something he wanted to say to her. “I’ve never had a woman here like this before. I never wanted to. I’ve had parties and meetings, but nothing of a personal nature. Not like this and I want you to know that. You’re special to me, Aralynn.”
She stared at him, a soft smile on her lips. “I love that you’ve brought me here, Stone. This means a lot to me, more than you can know.”
He levitated slowly to the right of the large entry and passed by the library, then the closed doors of his massive office, and a billiard room. When he reached the small atrium that was normally open to the sky, Aralynn said, “I love the design of this home. And all night you could see the stars through there.”
“Yes, you could.” Now, however, the atrium was shuttered but soft lights throughout the space created a glow revealing an array of ferns and palms.