“I did not know that,” Donika said.
“You know what? I have just the fabric for a square-dancing skirt,” her mother said. “We can sew it up and have it ready by tonight.”
“I think I've been doing enough sewing with that quilt that I made,” Donika said.
She had completed her patchwork quilt, and it was now lying across the pullout bed in the craft room. It was pretty warm and cozy if she did say so herself.
“That was just a warm-up,” Adele said. “Come with me. I'll show you the fabric I'm talking about.”
Donika resisted rolling her eyes as she followed her mother down the hall into the residents’ quarters. They slipped into the craft room, and Adele started going through the messy overstuffed shelves. Finally, she found what she was looking for and pulled out a bolt of pink checkered gingham fabric.
“You want me to wear that?” Donika asked, appalled. She was a woman who usually wore black suits with her hair slicked back in a tight bun.
“That's exactly what I'm saying,” Adele said. “You can sew the skirt, and I’ll sew the matching shirt. I don't know if you can get the puffed sleeves right.”
“Puffed sleeves?” Donika gasped.
“You’ll look so perfect for square dancing,” Adele squealed.
Adele showed Donika the pattern she was talking about, and Donika's mouth dropped in shock.
“I wouldn't be caught dead in that getup.”
Her mother slapped her shoulder with the pattern, and she gasped as if in shock.
“What are you talking about? This is perfect!”
“I'm just going to ask him if he's taking me square dancing. I don’t want to go through a bunch of trouble just so you can dress me up like a clown.”
She pulled out her phone and sent him a text.
“Are we going square-dancing by any chance? My mother insists that's where you're taking me.”
“My secret’s out.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“I'll be there to pick you up at six.”
Donika sighed and sat down on the foldout bed.
“He says it’s square dancing.”
“Perfect!” Adele exclaimed, clearing things away from the sewing table. “I’ll just start cutting out this pattern. When I'm done, you can sew the skirt.”
“Don't I have toilets to clean or something?”
“Franklin did that today already. You have plenty of time to make a square-dancing outfit.”
Donika sat behind the sewing machine and sewed the long seams of the full skirt. She sewed on the waistband and then sewed the hem. When she was done, Adele came back and hammered in the snaps. When they had finished sewing, Donika put on the entire outfit with a pair of her mother's cowboy boots and looked at herself in the mirror. Her cheeks turned the same color as the gingham.
“I don't think I can wear this in public,” she said.
“Nonsense, you look beautiful. All we have to do is braid that long hair of yours and you’ll look perfect.”
“Well, I do look ready to go square-dancing,” she admitted, twirling around in the skirt a bit.
Her mother braided her hair and added a handkerchief around her neck.
“There you go. Now, you look just right.”
“I don't know if I have ever been so embarrassed in my life,” Donika said.
“What are you talking about? You’ll be the belle of the ball.”
Just then, the doorbell rang. Donika looked at her watch.
“That's probably Grayson. I hope he doesn't laugh at me.”
She hurried down the hall and opened the door to find Grayson holding a cake box.
“Is that Grayson Baxter?” Pearl called from the living room.
The old lady scuttled into the hall and found Grayson at the door.
“It's about time you brought me a cake. You promised me days ago,” she said, snatching the box out of his hand.
“I'm sorry about that.”
“What kind is it anyway?” she asked, opening the box.
“Chocolate fudge layer cake,” he said with a smile.
She dipped her finger into the frosting and popped it in her mouth.
“My favorite,” she said.
Grayson looked Donika up and down and smiled broadly. He was wearing blue jeans and a flannel shirt with cowboy boots.
“You look amazing!” he said. “You said you didn't have any full skirts.”
“My mother and I made this whole outfit today.”
“I didn't know you could sew,” he said.
“It's just one of the many skills I've acquired living in this house,” she said.
“And you are all the better for it,” Grandma Pearl said, hurrying off to the kitchen to eat the cake. “Thanks for the cake.” She waved at Grayson without turning around.
“Should we go?” he asked, offering her his arm.
“Please,” Donika said.
They ducked out of the inn. Grayson chuckled, and she shook her head. They climbed into his truck and drove into town where he stopped in front of a big old red barn. During the week, it was an antique auction house. Her mother had told her that on Mondays, the antiques were all moved out after the Sunday auction, making room for square-dancing.
They walked arm in arm through the front doors, seeing all the happy faces of the other dancers. There were adults, elderly people, children, and even a few teenagers. To Donika's relief, everyone was dressed as embarrassingly as she was. They stopped at the refreshment table and got some punch as the band tuned up on the stage. The long winding notes of the fiddle echoed through the hall and someone whooped.
“They're about to start,” Grayson said excitedly.
“You should know now, I haven’t square danced since grade school.”
“That's fine,” he said. “There's nothing to it. The caller tells you exactly what to do.”
She downed her punch, wishing that it was spiked. She was going to need all the help she could get. The caller told everyone to move out onto the dance floor and stand in circles of four couples. Grayson and Donika stood side by side. The music began to play, and everyone started bopping up and down to the beat.
A smile crossed her face as the music reverberated through her body and the dancers began stomping. She couldn't help getting excited. The energy was contagious, and it got under her skin. The caller shouted out.
“Join hands and circle up eight and circle to the left, don’t be late.”
The four couples in their circle, circled around as the fiddle played.
“Swing your partner high and low.”
Grayson scooped her up in his arms and he swung her around several times to the beat of the music.
“Now promenade with a heel and toe.”
They then walked around in a circle with the other couples, as she and Grayson held hands.
“All four ladies, go into the middle and back to the bar and the gents go in with a right-hand star.”
Her heart raced, and her smile was full across her face as she tried to keep up with the dance. The caller went on, guiding the dancers along with the music. Beads of sweat formed on her brow, but she was having so much fun, she didn’t care.
The next song began to play and this time she felt like she knew the routine. She happily went along with the other dancers twisting, turning, and do-si-doing. After five songs, Donika and Grayson took a break and went for more punch at the refreshment table. Donika took her glass and drank, smiling and breathless.
“I knew you'd take to square dancing,” he said, pouring her another cup of punch. She drank it down and then another.
“You want a cookie?” he asked. “They come from the bakery.”
She took a cookie and they walked outside to cool off in the night air. The music echoed behind them as they looked up at the starry sky. Galaxies spread out in the velvety darkness, and he put his arm around her shoulder.
“Thank you for bringing me here,” she said, looking up at him.
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He pressed a kiss to her lips and a thrill went through her heart. She never would have imagined she could feel so at home doing these small-town activities, wearing a pink gingham square dancing outfit with a man in a flannel shirt and cowboy boots. But she felt so good right then in Grayson’s arms.
Chapter 26
After square dancing all night, Grayson helped Donika into his truck and asked her if she wanted to go home.
“I don't know if I can handle my family right now, to be honest,” she said.
“Why don't you come over to my house and relax for a while,” he said.
“That sounds nice.”
“I have a bottle of wine in the fridge waiting to be opened.”
They drove to his house and when they walked inside, Grayson gathered Donika in his arms and kissed her deeply. He never wanted to let her go. If he could, he would keep her here forever.
Their tongues slid over each other, and a hot pool of liquid desire gathered like a knot in his core. He grasped the back of her head and tilted her mouth to get a better angle. She groaned against his mouth, her tongue hot and wet on his. Her breasts smashed against the hard planes of his chest.
“What about that wine?” she said with a giggle, pulling away.
“Coming right up.”
They walked into the kitchen and he pulled the wine out of the fridge, grabbing a corkscrew from a drawer. He opened the bottle and poured them both a glass. She took hers with a smile and drew a long sip.
“This is good.”
“It's from one of my favorite wineries. I know the winemaker. He's in the Fate Valley Shifter Community Association.”
“Fate Valley is such a beautiful place,” she said, looking out the window onto the view of the lake from his kitchen. “I missed it sometimes. You know?”
“I know it would probably be even more beautiful if you lived here.”
“I lived here all my life, and it never made any difference.” She giggled, sipping her wine.
“It makes all the difference in the world to me.”
Donika swirled her wine in her glass and gazed into Grayson's eyes. He couldn't get enough of her admiring gaze. He could look into those eyes the rest of his life. He took her hand and led her into the living room, where he turned on some music.
“All of that square dancing, and I didn't get to slow dance with you once,” he said. “I think we need to remedy that.”
“I think that's exactly what we need,” she said.
He took her hand and slid his arm around her waist, cupping the small of her back. Her growing curves pressed against his hard chest, and it felt like heaven. She had been made just for him by the fates. Every time he felt her body close to his, he was surer of it.
The song played, and they danced slow and close to the rhythm of the music. He could feel her heart beating against his chest and her hot breath blowing over his neck. It made his inner bear rumble with desire. He needed her so badly. Now. He couldn't wait a second longer. She was all he had ever wanted and had ever hoped for. He needed her. He needed to claim her. There was no holding back anymore.
He gathered her in his arms and kissed her, picking her up like a bride on their wedding day. He carried her up the stairs and laid her across his bed, looking down at her beautiful form and bright face in the dim light of his room. He pulled off his shirt and threw it on the ground, prowling over her and resting his hard cock against her soft core. He unsnapped her pink fluffy shirt, revealing her beautiful breasts. She smelled heavenly, and her curves were growing fuller with each day she spent in Fate Valley.
He kissed her chest as her arms wrapped around his shoulders. Soft panting moans slipped from between her lips, and he claimed her mouth in a deep passionate kiss. She reached up and unbuckled his belt and unzipped his pants as their tongues hungrily tasted each other.
“I’ll never let you go, sweet Donika.”
“Yes,” she said breathlessly.
“I'm going to claim you tonight.”
“I want it,” she said as his hands slipped under the full square-dancing skirt. He pulled her panties down her legs and over her cowboy boots before dipping between her thighs, and the billowing folds of gingham fabric.
He licked her pussy. Tasting it, devouring it, enjoying every nuance of her flavor and scent. She was gorgeous and tasted like cookies and cream. She was the most delicious thing he had ever consumed.
He ran the flat of his tongue over her clit and dipped the tip into her channel. She groaned above him as he grasped her thighs. She panted his name prettily, her breasts jiggling, making him wild with need. He reached up and tweaked her nipples, causing them to harden into stiff peaks.
He sucked her nipple into his mouth. She ran her fingers through his hair, groaning as she threw her head back. He slipped his fingers into her channel, feeling her wetness flowing around them. She was ready for him.
She pulled his pants down and grasped his cock. Her delicate fingers wrapped around his member, stroking up and down with her silky-smooth skin. It drove him mad.
She pulled him toward her, his pants down around his knees. He pressed the tip of his dick against her sopping wet pussy. Their mouths met, clashing ravenously as she pulled him closer. He slipped inside her naked. The head of his dick slid into her slick opening with no resistance.
Donika wrapped her legs around him, drawing him to her as he sank deeper inside. He held her hips as her skirts billowed around her. She ran her hands over his ass and gripped the flesh. He cupped her face in his hands. Light glowed in her eyes, her expression open with longing.
He spread her pussy open around him, sinking to the base of his cock into her wet need. She groaned when he found her depths, panting as her pussy clenched around his shaft.
He watched her as she came, holding her close, her eyes dilated, her beautiful lips parted. It was the sexiest thing he'd ever seen. He wanted to witness that again, over and over, for the rest of his life.
He drew back and thrust into her, watching her surprised expression as she squeezed her eyes closed. She groaned with pleasure as he thrust harder into her softness.
“Oh Grayson, I need you so much.”
“I need you, baby,” he whispered in her ear.
Her pussy gripped his dick, quivering and coming for him.
“I need to make you mine, baby. Mine forever.”
He licked her neck, where her pulse throbbed, quick and frantic as her pussy clenched him. His sharp canine teeth slid from deep within, and he ran them over her pulsing vein. With the claiming bite, she would be his. They would be bonded like two souls that had become one.
“I need to be yours, Grayson. I want to belong to you.”
As he thrust deeper into her core, he felt his climax gripping the base of his spine. He pumped his semen into her womb as he bit down hard on her jugular. She let out a screaming groan and went silent. He tasted her blood on his tongue, his mating venom sinking into her veins. He gripped her neck between his jaws, holding her still as their bodies clinched and throbbed with each other.
He could feel their connection like a tight thread, pulled from each end. It vibrated through the space between them with feelings, thoughts, and emotions. He could feel her love and desire, her need to belong, her vast deep need to be understood and wanted.
He wanted to fill that empty well of loneliness with his love. He sent his love to her in wave after wave of adoration. When he slid his teeth out from her neck, he licked the wound clean, causing it to heal quickly. He pulled out from inside her and wrapped her in his arms, holding her close.
“Grayson, I can feel you inside me,” she murmured.
“That's what it's like to be mated.”
“I had no idea it would be this close.”
“I feel your heart, my sweet Donika. I know how much you need to be loved.”
“I had no idea how lonely I was until now.”
“You need help. You've been sick, and you've been hiding it from ever
yone.”
“I've been better since I came home,” she said, a tear forming in her eyes. “You have to believe me.”
“You have to let me help you.”
“I feel like I can finally trust someone enough with my secrets,” she whispered.
“Whatever happened in New York is still haunting you.”
They climbed under the blankets and held each other as the sweat dried from their skin. Her warm, soft breath puffed against his chest. He patted her head and kissed her crown. Being with her like this was a dream come true. He could feel her inside him, and the new sense of connection they shared was overpowering.
All his life, he had been told by other shifters what it was like to claim your fated mate. He had never quite believed it. He had thought it had all been an exaggeration. But now that he had claimed Donika, he knew that it was all one hundred percent true.
He fell asleep, listening to the sound of her breathing. It was like a lullaby to the man and the bear. He felt renewed and innocent now that he had her. He would do anything in his power to protect her, no matter the cost. She was the most important thing in his world now. Yesterday was gone, and all that mattered was the many tomorrows that they would share.
Chapter 27
Grayson woke and kissed Donika on the cheek before he stole downstairs to make coffee. He made breakfast for her and planned out his day. Tomorrow was the last day of the competition, and he was determined to win. After he made waffles with strawberries and whipped cream for breakfast, Donika arrived in the kitchen, wearing his bathrobe wrapped around her growing curves. He walked to her and kissed her on the mouth, wrapping her in his arms and pressing her against him.
“You smell good in the morning,” he said.
“You're crazy,” she said pressing her hands to his chest and looking up into his eyes.
“Crazy for you,” he said.
“That may be, but I've never had anyone tell me I smell good in the morning.”
“I love everything about you. So, get used to it,” he said, grabbing her butt. Her curves really were rounding out, and he liked it. A lot. He started growing hard, imagining bending her over the kitchen counter. She chuckled as she pulled away and poured her coffee.