Canyon Wolf Bride Read online

  The sunset glowed soft pink as the truck climbed up the mountain. The sky was calm and peaceful as Paige watched a brown owl fly above the treetops, beginning her usual nocturnal journey.

  Paige thought how odd it was that the owl’s day had just begun and hers was winding down. Little did she realize how much in common she had with the owl. They were both fighting against the wolf for the prize. The owl wanted the scarce winter prey while Paige wanted the wolf’s heart.

  Her lips curved into an unconscious smile as she anticipated the evening to come. She longed to get away from the memories of the night before. She hadn’t really had a chance to deal with the emotions of what had happened to her two nights ago. She guessed Sean was taking her away to help her forget the attack.

  She wanted to lose herself in him and linger there forever. They had only shared one night of lovemaking. One incredible night that was etched into her mind and being.

  She found herself closing her eyes at thoughts that skittered through her brain of him kissing her, touching her, loving her until she thought she would simply melt into the warm sheets. His face smiled at her in her nightly dreams when she returned to his strong voice, his familiar laughter and warm kisses.

  Sean took Paige’s hand, kissing the back of it as he kept his eyes on the narrow road. Just being by his side made her happy. She smiled as he put his arm around her, guiding the truck around the final turn to their destination.

  Pulling the truck into a lonely gravel road, he drove through a large wooden gate with a trellis archway. A large wooden heart was nailed to the center of the archway, painted white with rose colored lettering. It read “Bear’s Landing Bed and Breakfast” with a brown paw print in the center of the heart.

  Sean parked the car underneath a large pine tree before hopping out to open Paige’s door. The house was an old Victorian style home painted cinnamon. It looked like a gingerbread house to Paige. A candle burned in each window and a wonderful aroma of home cooking wafted from the open door where an elderly lady stood.

  “Sean, it’s adorable!” Paige gasped as he led her up the wooden steps into the waiting arms of Bette Wilson, who also happened to be Sean’s great aunt.

  “Good evening. I’ve been waiting for you. Dinner is nearly ready. Your rooms are ready if you want to take your bags upstairs and get settled first.”

  “Thanks, Aunt Bette. This is Paige,” Sean answered as he kissed his aunt on her soft rosy cheek, breathing in the scent of ham, biscuits and black eyed peas.

  “Nice to meet you. I feel like I know you already after seeing so many interviews when Sean won the gold,” Paige remarked as she hugged Aunt Bette.

  “I feel the same about you, dear. Sean speaks of you often,” Aunt Bette replied.

  “You didn’t have to make us dinner,” Paige replied as Sean’s aunt helped them inside, closing the door behind them.

  “Well, normally I just make breakfast for my guests, but you’re family. You two go ahead and get settled upstairs while I put the finishing touches on dinner,” Aunt Bette replied patting both of them on the shoulders.

  “After you,” Sean said as he gestured toward the stairs. Paige reached for her bag, but Sean grabbed it first.

  He playfully slapped her hand away.

  “Hands off. I can get it. Get upstairs or do I have to carry you?”

  Paige smiled at him over her shoulder as the image of Sean sweeping her up into his arms and carrying her to the bed tugged at her imagination, making her cheeks flush red.

  Sean eyed her plump rear as she climbed the stairs ahead of him. Her jeans snuggled her firm bottom giving way to long, curvy legs that ended at her furry, sable snow boots. He could smell her fragrant, strawberry hair as it swung behind her with each step.

  He hoped they didn’t linger over dinner too long, but he knew how much his aunt loved to visit. Besides, he had quite a bit to share with her.

  Sean opened the bedroom door for Paige and set their bags by the foot of a large oak four poster bed. Pink silk roses and ivy wound around the giant bed posts that missed the ceiling by a few inches. The bed spread was made of ivory colored crushed velvet, decorated with an assortment of plush pillows. A large coffee colored teddy bear wearing a powder blue dress sat in the center of the bed. Crystal beads hung from crimson antique lamp shades at each bedside table.

  “How charming!” Paige chimed as she surveyed the room.

  “I knew you’d love it,” Sean replied as Paige turned around, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him.

  “Thank you for bringing me here.”

  Sean drew her to him for another kiss. Paige wrapped her arms around his neck in answer. She wanted to melt against him and revel in her happiness. He’d been so thoughtful to take her to a romantic bed and breakfast and take care of all the mess back home so she wouldn’t have to deal with it.

  She felt like kicking herself for waiting so long after Rob’s death to date again. But then again, maybe it was best that they had become such close friends before becoming lovers. Sean was so easy to be with and talk to. She could tell him anything and often did.

  She told him her secret fears and felt comfortable enough with him to ask him about an art dealer that she had been thinking of dating. That was the first time she realized that Sean was more than a friend.

  When she had asked him if he thought she was ready to date someone, he had simply said that when she was ready, she had better date him and not a pretentious art dealer. She tried to act insulted but was secretly pleased with the remark and thought of Sean in different terms from then on.

  She never told him that she was never seriously considering dating the art dealer, though he actually did ask her out. The question was merely a test that she and her sister Meg had concocted.

  “We better not keep Aunt Bette waiting,” Sean said as he lingered over their final kiss before going down to dinner.

  “She seems so sweet,” Paige replied as she straightened up, glancing in the mirror.

  “She’s great and so are you. Come on gorgeous, you look fabulous,” Sean teased as he swatted her rear, opening the door for her.

  They walked downstairs to dinner, hand in hand. Sean pulled a chair out for each of the women before taking the seat next to Paige and folding a cloth napkin into his lap.

  “You outdid yourself, Aunt Bette,” Sean said as he spooned mashed potatoes onto his plate and passed the bowl to Paige.

  Aunt Bette passed a plate of homemade biscuits to Sean and smiled. “I love cooking for my favorite nephew. Did Sean tell you that he lived here for two years while he trained for the Olympics?”

  “No, he didn’t,” Paige replied taking a sip of ice tea.

  “I sure did and she made it almost impossible for me to stay fit. I had to ask her to cook for me only on Sundays because I had gained fifteen pounds in the first month on her great home cooking,” Sean said with a laugh.

  “Well, that didn’t stop you from stealing biscuits from the kitchen in the morning. Biscuits that were intended for the guests, I might add.”

  “I didn’t think you knew,” Sean howled as he took two pieces of ham.

  “I know everything. Remember when I asked you when you were going to bring your new love to meet me?”

  Sean blushed. Paige took his hand under the table.

  “I knew Sean was in love before he did. He was shocked because he had never told me about you, but I knew. He was glowing like a firefly. I would catch him humming when we did yard work together. I’ve never seen him so happy.”

  Paige squeezed Sean’s hand.

  “You help your aunt in the yard, too?”

  “Sure does. He has always been such a help, even before his uncle died, he would check on us every week,” Aunt Bette beamed.

  “He’s such a sweetheart,” Paige gushed.

  “You two stop it. You’re embarrassing me. You two are pretty wonderful yourselves. I don’t know what I’d do without either one of you,” Sean replied buttering a biscuit a
nd taking a bite of black eyed peas.

  “Paige, I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for what happened. I was so shocked to see on the news that Dark Horse was impersonating Coming Wind. I had even been to the exhibit. It was wonderful.”

  “Thank you. I was so relieved to find out from the police that the art really was Coming Wind’s art. I felt terrible that the exhibit took place under false pretenses. I’m not sure how Coming Wind will feel about that.”

  “The police seem to think that Coming Wind will understand since Paige had no way of knowing that Dark Horse was an impersonator,” Sean explained.

  “Do you think he will contact you?” Aunt Bette asked.

  “The police are going to contact him first and then have him call me,” Paige replied.

  “I wouldn’t worry about it, honey. You had only good intentions,” Aunt Bette said as she rose to retrieve iced tea and refill the glasses.

  “I felt a lot better after speaking to the police. I was relieved that the real Coming Wind didn’t attack me. I would have never been able to enjoy his art again.”

  “I had a bad feeling about the guy from the start. He seemed weird at the exhibit,” Sean added.

  “Do you remember that odd comment he made about a dream he had about one of his wolf paintings?” Paige asked with a distant look in her eyes.

  Sean and his aunt exchanged quick glances. Aunt Bette raised an eye brow. Sean returned her knowing look with a slight nod.

  “Poor wolf. I hate to think of him getting caught in one of those traps. Do you really think he’s rabid?”

  “Who knows? Maybe the wolf knew you were in danger. Wolves have a very keen insight and can smell fear, much like a dog can,” Sean replied.

  “Yes, but a wild animal? A loyal dog protects its owners. Why would a wolf care?” Paige asked.

  “Perhaps it wasn’t that the wolf cared, but that he sensed something sinister in Dark Horse,” Sean explained.

  “That’s crazy talk, Sean. You act as though you’re a wolf expert. How could you possibly know what the wolf was thinking? He probably is rabid. You two better be careful. The wolf would have attacked anyone in the kitchen. Paige was lucky that he didn’t attack her. I hope they catch him soon,” Aunt Bette replied frankly.

  “Yeah, you’re right,” Sean said.

  What was he thinking? Once again he got caught up in the emotion of what had happened and nearly gave himself away. He definitely wasn’t making sense. If he kept talking crazy like that, Paige would think he was nuts.

  At least his aunt had enough sense to save the moment and bring him back down to earth, thinking and talking like a man and not a wolf. Just thinking of the incident made him taste Dark Horse’s blood on his tongue. He took another bite of ham to kill the man flavor. His eyes flashed blue. Aunt Bette gave him a swift kick in the knee. He shook his head and took a big gulp of iced tea.

  “What a fabulous dinner. Can I help you with the dishes?” Sean asked with a smile.

  “Not a chance. I want you two love birds to enjoy yourselves. Now run along,” Aunt Bette replied as she began stacking the dirty plates.

  “That was a lovely meal,” Paige said as she rose and hugged the older woman goodnight.

  Sean stood and hugged his aunt as well. They exchanged a meaningful look before she whispered in his ear, “Hold your tongue.”

  Sean nodded and kissed her on the cheek.

  As soon as they returned to their room, Sean began unpacking their bags.

  “I feel like taking a long bubble bath. Care to join me?” Paige asked.

  Sean turned away from his unpacking and kicked his boots off.

  “You run the water and I’ll light the candles,” Sean replied with a sexy grin.

  Paige entered the large bathroom and began running water in the whirlpool bathtub made for two. As she poured creamy, lavender bubble bath into the stream of warm water, she noticed a wire basket full of red rose petals on the edge of the tub.

  Sean began lighting candles that lined the tiled floor, the sink and the tub. He flicked the lights off while shedding his jeans and sweater. Helping Paige out of her clothes, he held her hand as she stepped into the bubbles, holding the basket of rose petals.

  She sank into the frothy bubbles as she tossed petals into the water. Sean stepped in to join her. The smell of vanilla candles, lavender and roses filled the dim room. The room glowed yellow with candlelight, appearing larger because of the mirrored wall next to the tub.

  Supple red rose petals floated around their shoulders as they reclined into the sizzling foam.

  “Oh, shoot, I forgot to put my hair up,” Paige said as she twirled her long hair into a ponytail, holding it high above her head.

  “I’ll get your ponytail holder, where is it?” Sean asked as he stepped out of the tub, displacing the water.

  Paige watched him as his naked body stepped onto the tile floor. White bubbles streamed down his long tanned back, curving and dripping to the floor in slow motion as they slid over his taut bottom. His copper skin glistened in the candlelight, showing off every muscle in sharp detail. Paige sucked in a sharp breath. His large frame was almost ominous in the darkness as his shadow blackened the water when he crossed to the bedroom.

  “Honey?”

  “Yes?”

  “Where’s your ponytail holder?” Sean asked exasperated.

  “Oh, uh...in my purse, just inside the side zipper,” Paige stammered.

  Sean quickly retrieved the tiny object, entering the tub within seconds. Paige fastened her hair high on her head in a loose bun. Sean wasted no time in kissing her while her hands were still in her hair.

  Giggling between kisses, Sean pulled her onto his lap, kissing her long neck. Tiny stray curls that she missed tickled his nose. He swept them back with a large, wet hand.

  “You’re laugh is so beautiful. Have I ever told you that?” Sean asked in a low whisper.

  “No,” Paige whispered back, arching her neck to accommodate his warm kisses. Her eyelids fluttered shut while his long, slow kisses caressed and soothed her.

  He cradled her, holding tightly with large, strong arms. She wrapped her long fingers around his face, drawing him to her mouth. Black stubble pricked her tender fingers as they rested on his chiseled jaw. Slow, hot honey seeped into her as he drugged her with firm, possessive kisses that explored her lips further.

  Large hands traveled to her hips, positioning her over him into a sitting position. He held her firmly in place as he shifted himself within the warm water that flowed between them.

  Wet rose petals clung to his chest and her breasts as he pulled her closer still. Hunger grew within him as he entered her, his kiss more demanding and fierce. Paige gasped as liquid heat stunned her being and whiteness clouded her mind.

  Bubbles trailed down her breasts, catching on the rose petals as she arched her back higher. Slow waves rocked the sides of the tub and blew some of the shorter candles out as she abandoned herself to him.

  Sean opened his eyes, watching their slow love making in the wall mirror. He saw how firm his own hands held her to him as she rode him, abandoning herself, lost in delicious seduction. She arched out of the water as she gave herself, all of herself to him.

  He loved this woman with all his heart and vowed to himself at that moment to never let her go. He knew there was nothing in the world he wouldn’t do for her. It was hard for him to believe that she was finally his and they were making passionate love in his aunt’s bed and breakfast. He had imagined this a million times when he had stayed the night with his aunt.

  Often times he had spent the day chopping wood for Paige or repairing a leaky faucet and had then visited his aunt that very evening. It was torture for him to resist temptation and give Paige the space and time she needed to recover from Rob’s death. He would take a shower in the unoccupied room next door instead of using the tub. Somehow he knew he would enjoy it with Paige and wanted to wait until that day. That day had finally arrived and it more tha
n exceeded his expectations.

  Paige was more amazing than he ever imagined. He knew he would never have his fill of her. Even her warm sugary scent put him in a trance. It took all his power to keep from biting the woman. Sometimes he simply wanted to devour her.

  Sean smothered her wet breasts with kisses as she rose above the water, each thrust more potent than the last. Her palms held firmly to his shoulders as her smoldering green eyes met his. He smiled at her, his brown eyes returning her gaze with tenderness and longing and desperate need.

  Her breathing was labored with heady lust as she closed her eyes, resting her forehead on his large shoulder. She whimpered as he danced inside of her, wrapping his muscled arms fully around her when he stood. She circled his torso with long, dripping legs.

  Burying his face into her shoulder, he told her he loved her and filled her with all he could give while she clung to him and whispered her love over and over again into his wet hair.

  Wrapping her into a fluffy yellow towel, Sean carried her to the bed, gently lying her down. He kissed her neck as he released her hair from its loose bun, sweeping away loose, wet strands that clung to her glowing face.

  “I love you, my darling.”

  “I love you more,” she whispered.

  Sean laughed as he kissed the tip of her nose. “That’s not possible, my love.”

  Paige closed her eyes. A small smile curved around her delicate face as he removed the towel, slipping the soft cotton sheets over her naked body. He held her while she drifted off to sleep.

  “I love you, Paige. I’ll never leave your side,” he whispered, rising from the bed and slipping into his robe.

  After blowing out the candles, he tiptoed out, heading downstairs to raid the kitchen.

  Aunt Bette had left the stove light on as she always did when he visited. He smiled when he saw the customary plate of chocolate chip cookies lying in wait for him. He snatched one up, taking a big bite.

  “I thought you’d be back down here,” Aunt Bette said as she walked into the kitchen, tying her flowery robe around her thick waist.