Journey with Joe (Middlemarch Capture Book 5) Read online

  Joe squatted by the stream and used his hand to test the temperature. “Perfect.”

  He stripped and strode into the pool. She gaped at the flash of buttocks before the water rose over Joe’s waist.

  “Coming in?”

  After the heat of the day, Mungo welcomed the chance to wash. But Joe was staring at her with those pretty green eyes of his. His mouth curled into a smile—a teasing grin that dared her to remove her clothes and join him in the water.

  Mungo sucked in a quick breath and stripped. She forced herself to maintain Joe’s gaze and walked toward him.

  “Steam is coming off the water.”

  “Didn’t you believe me?”

  “I saw the steam but we have nothin’ comparable in the Highlands. I expected the usual cold water that is so icy it makes yer teeth ache.”

  “Don’t put your head under the surface, but I can help you wash your hair.”

  “What is the scent?”

  “Sulfur. It’s a mineral.”

  “I dinnae mind the smell.” She cupped her hands and dribbled the water over her head.

  “I’ll help.” Joe waded closer. “Turn around and lean back. I promise I won’t let you go.”

  Once Mungo complied, Joe dipped her backward until she floated. He continued to support her while running his fingers through her hair. No one had washed her hair for her before—not in her recent memory. It was relaxing and arousing letting a man tend to her.

  “There you go,” Joe said. “Not perfect since we don’t have soap or shampoo, but I bet you’re relaxed now. I am.”

  “Aye. ’Tis a pity we have to don our dirty clothing.”

  “We’ll bundle them up and dry off during the walk back.”

  “Naked?” Mungo exclaimed.

  “Yes.” Joe cocked his head and even in the blacklight it was hard to miss his mischievous twinkle. “Do you have a problem with that?”

  “I cannae walk in bare feet.”

  “Ah.” His lips curled upward. “The naked bit doesn’t bother you.”

  A groan escaped her. “I dinnae say that.”

  They soaked in the hot pool, both relaxing in the warm temperatures. Finally, Joe waded from the pool and squatted to roll up their clothing. He handed the pile to her once she exited the water. Next, he picked up their boots. “Can you carry these as well?

  Mungo took the proffered boots and sniffed. “Why am I doing all the work?”

  “Because I’m doing this.” Joe scooped her off her feet.

  Mungo let out an eep of shock and almost clouted Joe over the head with their boots. “Ye shouldnae give me such a surprise.”

  “I shouldn’t give you flowers? Or chocolate?”

  “I dinnae ken what chocolate is.”

  “Aw, sweetheart.” Joe nuzzled her neck. “I can’t wait to spoil you. You’ll love chocolate. It’s a food from Earth. We’ve managed to make it here, much to the delight of everyone.”

  It was a quick trip back to their bedroll, and Mungo kept hold of the boots, despite her inner turmoil. Joe kept surprising her and overturning her assumptions about men.

  “I like you better without clothes.” Joe set her on her feet.

  “Humph!” Mungo wrinkled her nose as she placed the clothes and boots beside the bedroll. “My father wants me to wear gowns. Ye want me to wear nothing. I prefer trews. No doubt the Grantlach would’ve ordered me to follow his preferences too.”

  “Mungo.” Joe waited until he had her attention. “You can wear whatever you wish. As long as you’re happy, I will be too.”

  He said that but marriage gave men power over women. It was the way they did things. Reilynn had explained it to her. In return, women gained safety and security.

  Joe caressed her cheek, seeming to understand her thoughts had drifted. “I can see you don’t believe me. It doesn’t matter.” And he kissed her.

  The instant his lips touched hers, she forgot about life’s practicalities and her stepmother’s explanations. Her arms crept around his neck and she clung. Her breasts brushed his hard chest, and she experienced a flying sensation.

  “Oh,” she said when her back hit the bedroll. Not flying. Joe had lifted her.

  An instant later, he joined her. He caressed her cheek, a tender smile curving his lips.

  “Last time, I didn’t explore your body as much as I wanted,” he whispered.

  “E-explore?”

  “Yes.” He nuzzled her neck again, seemingly fascinated with her throat. He nipped the fleshy part where her neck met her shoulder, and she jumped. He chuckled, but he sounded tense rather than amused.

  His hands wandered, tracing the curve of her breast. His mouth followed the same path, warm and insistent. Mungo sighed at the wondrous sensations he evoked in her. His lips fastened around her nipple, and she strained to get closer to him. A hungry little noise escaped her, and she winced inwardly. Rules. She had broken many since leaving the keep.

  “Joe.” The suction of his mouth drew her back to the present. He kenned exactly where to touch her to make her happy.

  “Ye must’ve practiced a lot,” she murmured.

  He laughed, a more natural bark of humor. “You’re the one I want, sweetheart.”

  “Why? I have red hair. My father hates me.”

  Joe tugged a lock of her hair, then twirled it around his finger. “Your red hair makes me happy. Sly’s mate has similar coloring. No one will poke fun at you for your appearance. I enjoy the stubborn tilt of your chin and the way you insist that the coos belong to you.”

  Mungo opened her mouth to avow the coos were hers, but he placed his finger across her lips.

  “No, kissing is much better.” Joe leaned over her, crushing his mouth against hers. With his tongue, he encouraged her to open to him. She did so with a faint moan, and he took the kiss deeper. Pleasure roared through her as he gentled the caress and parted their mouths. He rubbed his nose against hers and smiled.

  “Should I tell you what else I enjoy about you?” Joe asked.

  Mungo gazed at him wordlessly, having trouble seeing his expression now that clouds covered the moons.

  “Your strong body and enticing curves attract me.”

  His hand ran across her chest, pausing to trace a circle around one nipple. He repeated the move before tiptoeing his fingers along her ribs. Her nipples pulled tight at the intimate caress, her breathing stalling.

  “Your quick and clever mind.”

  “Joe.” She stirred restlessly, her heart racing faster than normal.

  “I enjoy the prissy way you tell me off and your precise accent when you call me a clot-heid.” He kissed her hipbone and gently parted her legs. “And how you’re not frightened to give me advice.” Joe ran his tongue along the crease of her leg.

  Mungo gulped. “Is…is that ladylike?”

  “Oh, yes, sweetheart.” In one quick move, he splayed her legs wider and lifted her buttocks. Then, he ran his tongue across her woman’s flesh.

  Unexpected heat and enjoyment roared through her veins. “Oh,” she whispered.

  Joe used his fingers and tongue, and he kept hitting an achy spot that made her tremble.

  “Joe.” She swallowed hard, the sensations growing and surging until she couldnae decide if she should protest or keep going. Before she could choose, the pressure surged and splintered. Warmth and satisfaction shot along her limbs and her flesh pulsed. Joe seemed to recognize this since he gentled his licks before he eased away.

  He stretched his big body alongside her and smoothed the hair from her cheeks. His gentleness and wide smile had her heart racing again. He licked his lips, and for an instant, she wondered if he intended to take a bite.

  “Are you frightened of me?”

  “Only when ye lick yer lips and regard me like a tasty treat,” Mungo shot back.

  “My control goes to hell around you. I want to nibble.”

  “Eat me?” she squeaked.

  He laughed—a sharp bark. “Not in the way you me
an.” He stopped her next question with his mouth. The kiss was slow and studied, yet passionate. It claimed. It dominated. It made a statement.

  Joe rolled without warning, covering her with his muscular body. He nudged her legs apart and stole another of those slow, soul-destroying kisses as his cock pushed at her entrance.

  During their first joining, he’d gone slow and made sure he didn’t hurt her. This time, he surged inside her with one stroke.

  “Mungo.” He groaned, pulled back then invaded her body again. “You’re tight and so wet.”

  Mungo gripped his shoulders as he shook and trembled.

  “You’re perfect, sweetheart.”

  His strokes grew faster, harder, yet he never hurt her. Instead, streaks of pleasure swirled through her again. Joe thrust into her and stopped, his big body shuddering. After a long pause, he lifted his head and kissed her lips.

  “Sorry, that was so fast.”

  She stared at what she could see of his expression as he separated their bodies. A surge of wetness dampened her folds, increasing as he stroked her between her legs. The gentle caress had her gasping. His mouth sought her breast. He drew hard on a nipple, the shard of pain darting down her body. Mungo sighed as Joe played her body and soon she writhed in his embrace, straining for the elusive pleasure. Ah, there it was. No sooner had she thought it, then blissful spasms filled her. She groaned, holding onto Joe as an anchor.

  Joe held Mungo as close as he dared, inner turmoil tightening his muscles. His feline was pushing him to claim her, to bite her neck and mark her so every feline male they met understood she was unavailable.

  Once that bite happened, it was irreversible. Not that he didn’t trust Mungo or that he wasn’t certain she was the one for him. He hated to trap her and wished to give her a chance to see what life with him might be. He wanted to give her choices, so he continued to war with his feline who wanted to claim, own, dominate in that order.

  Her father held her in low regard as did her brothers. Mungo needed a champion, not a bully. From the moment he’d seen her, he’d wanted her and every moment he spent with her made him even more certain she was perfect for him and his feline.

  “What’s wrong, Joe?”

  “I was thinking about the berries and how we’re both lucky we’re still alive.” A lie, but his words held truth too.

  “Reilynn would say it was meant to be,” Mungo said.

  “You’ll miss her.”

  “Aye. Her and Janeet. They both raised me. Made my life bearable.”

  Joe promised himself he’d find a way for Mungo to continue her contact with the two women. Maybe they could arrange for them to visit the resort. He’d ask Saber.

  Mungo yawned, and Joe gathered her closer.

  “Go to sleep, sweetheart. You’re tired. I want to make love to you again before we leave, so grab some rest while you can.”

  And maybe if she fell asleep, he’d persuade his feline his mate required rest.

  Maybe.

  16 – Meeting The Family

  Several days later

  “Are ye sure yer family will take to me?” Nerves danced in the pit of Mungo’s stomach since they’d soon arrive at the resort.

  “Sam, tell Mungo my family aren’t monsters.” Joe raised his brows and appealed to his twin. “Tell her, Sly.”

  “But ye all turn into leopards,” Mungo said, aware she wasn’t acting rationally. She rubbed her sore arm, which was starting to itch as it healed. Joe, Sly, their cousins and friends had treated her well. They didn’t expect her to cook or run after them. Each of them pulled their weight, working together with the ease of familiarity.

  “And we will bite you if you don’t stop talking rubbish,” Joe said.

  Minutes earlier, they’d left her coos contentedly grazing in a field. They had plenty of water, shelter from the heat and appeared much happier than she.

  “You’ve already met Saber,” Joe said. “He’s the scariest one. The rest of us are sweet kitty-cats.”

  A loud snort came from behind them and Mungo jumped. She turned to spy a stunning woman with her black hair contained in a round bun on the top of her head. She had the same bright green eyes as Joe, Sly and the other men. More astonishing, she wore trews with short legs that displayed her bare thighs and an equally abbreviated top that allowed Mungo glimpses of her stomach. Mungo gaped. This way of dressing was seemly?

  “That is our sister Scarlett,” Joe said without missing a beat.

  “Taller than you. Black hair on top?” Sly continued, gesturing with his hands above his head.

  Mungo nodded, still intrigued…nay, shocked by the woman’s clothing. The members of her clan…she couldnae even imagine their consternation.

  “Our sister then,” Joe said. Both he and Sly turned.

  “Where have you been?” Joe asked.

  Mungo shifted nearer to Joe, and he gathered her against his side.

  “Collecting raw materials for my jewelry,” she said, her lips twitching when she noticed Joe’s behavior. “Something you want to tell me?”

  “This is Mungo. She’s come for a visit.” Joe clasped their fingers together and squeezed. “I’m hoping to persuade her to stay.”

  “I see,” Scarlett said with an impish smile. “Your homecoming will please Ma.”

  “We’re heading there now.”

  They continued walking and came to a head-high fence. In the whitelight, the silver barrier dazzled with its brightness.

  “What is the purpose of the fence?” Mungo asked. Mayhap it was a method of defense much like the thick Caimbeulach keep walls.

  “We have a pest problem,” Joe said. “Although it’s not as bad as it was when we first arrived. Small animals called zylon live in this area. They’re cute and fluffy and appear harmless at first glance, but their bite is poisonous and it kills. Shapeshifters are immune while in feline form but a bite to a humanoid is fatal. If you see one, you need to keep away and call the nearest shapeshifter.”

  Mungo frowned. “Describe their appearance.”

  “They have fluffy black fur and big, round eyes. They’re kind of cute,” Sly said. “About this big.” He held up his two hands and indicated an area the size of one of Janeet’s loaves of bread.

  “We haven’t spotted any for a while,” Scarlett said. “But when we do, we organize a hunting party to cull the numbers. It’s fun.”

  Mungo eyed the young woman who bore a bloodthirsty grin. Joe and Sly dinnae check her or backhand her. Hope surged inside her. Mayhap Joe’s behavior and that of his cousins was normal as he said.

  Joe led her to a gate, placed his hand on a transparent square and a bright blue light highlighted his fingers. An instant later, the gate opened. “We’ll program the gate for you so you can come and go,” he promised as she studied the square. “You’ll want to observe my cows.”

  Sly grinned as Mungo scowled.

  “An ongoing discussion,” Sly said to his sister.

  “My coos.”

  “I believe Sly and I paid for them.”

  Mungo ground her teeth together, unable to dispute this.

  “This way,” Joe said, guiding her along a gravel path that led deeper into the resort.

  Mungo stared at her surroundings with interest. Joe’s description of the resort hadnae done the place justice. The grounds were stunning, full of plants and fragrant blooms. Variegated leafy bushes lined the path, their vivid blue and white flowers perfuming the air with exotic cooking spices. Tall trees with bright coral-colored trunks and green and coral foliage cast shade over the gravel walkways.

  “I’ll take Mungo the long way around,” Joe said to Scarlett. “Can you tell Ma we’re on our way and will be there in about ten minutes?”

  “I’ll see you there,” Sly said and strode away without another word.

  “He’s gone to find Cinnabar.” Scarlett tsked. “His mate. Anyone would think they’d just found each other.”

  Mungo intercepted the glower Joe sent his sist
er and braced herself for violence.

  “I missed you, brat,” Joe said, and instead of striking his sister, he hugged her and pulled back to tweak her nose. “Will you be at home or in your workshop?”

  “Workshop,” Scarlett said.

  “I want to commission a piece of jewelry,” Joe said.

  “Okay!” Scarlett bounced on her toes with enthusiasm. “I have new raw materials. Purple stones. They’re pretty.” She winked at Mungo. “Perfect for your purposes, I think.”

  Joe nodded. “I’ll see you later.”

  “Great to meet you, Mungo,” Scarlett said as Joe urged Mungo farther down the path.

  They walked deeper into the trees. Mungo heard people laughing and chatting, but she couldnae see them.

  “Some of the resort guests. I’ll give you a full tour later, but meantime you might enjoy the beach. It’s one of my favorite spots.”

  When they exited the trees, Mungo caught her breath. “Oh, it’s beautiful. Ye told me… I mean, ye said how beautiful the water is, but I suspected ye were exaggerating. I thought it might have big waves.”

  Joe grinned at her. “You didn’t enjoy swimming in the sea when you rescued us both.”

  “Nay.” But Mungo smiled at the view, peace settling on her shoulders.

  The jade sea spread before them, the surface barely rippling. Women lazed on the beach of pristine white sand, some from races she’d never seen before. Humanoids with blue skin and others with striped. They obviously didn’t mind getting wet since they were frolicking in the water, but the strangest thing was their skimpy clothing. With Joe at her side, she hurried to the water’s edge, impatient to dip her fingers into the sparkling green liquid. Not scary at all.

  “We can go for a swim tomorrow. Family and resort employees have a private beach farther along the coast.” Joe grasped her hand. “Come on.”

  “Where are we going now?”

  “To my mother’s bungalow. This way. Hopefully, she’ll have spare clothes for you.” He lifted his free hand in a stop motion before she spoke. “No doubt, you’ll have a selection to choose from.”