The Falcon Ridge Series Book 4: Art of a Girl

(Chapter song ‘Stand By You' by Rachel Platten)

SAMMY

"I need a hot shower and a 10-ounce steak."

We're exhausted, dirty and still reeling from the events of the last few weeks as we walk into the pack house. He has his good arm slung around my neck and kisses my hair as we cross the foyer.

It was so scary to think I’d never see the light of day again, but I love the fact that Bastian fought the dark to show me the light.

This man. Six months ago I was so turned off by his ego and self centeredness. Now, he’s the only person I want around me. I laugh to myself as I think of the craziness of it all. I didn’t think there would ever be someone for me, but here he is in all his glory.

We stop at the stairs, I turn in his arm and look up into his hazel eyes. "What you need, Alpha..." I remove his arm from my neck. "...is to get that arm set." I raise a brow and glance at his broken arm in a makeshift sling.

He looks down and ticks his head. "I guess that's a good idea." He rubs the back of his head as he smiles.

Anton and Nigel walk in behind us. Nigel claps Bastian’s back. "I'll call the doc." He pulls out his phone and dials as he walks away.

“Ok. You deal with that, I’m going for a shower.” I tap his chest and turn to head to the service stairs at the back of the house.

"Where do you think you're going?" He smirks as he grabs my arm and pulls me into his chest. I make an oomph sound and he wraps his arm around my neck.

My brows go up as I thumb over my shoulder. "My room?"

He shakes his head. "I don't think so, baby doll." He holds the back of my head and places his forehead to mine. "You're not leaving my sight ever again. By the end of tonight, my room is our room." He whispers.

"Really?" I smile.

"Yes, really. You, my beautiful artist, are never leaving my side." He kisses me then pulls back. "At this point, I may never allow you to leave my bed." He grins.

"Am I a prisoner, Alpha?" I smirk.

He shakes his head on my forehead. "No, but no one will ever take you from me again. I promise you that. You're mine to protect, baby doll. All of you. Forever.” His tone softens and my heart swells.

My smile fades. "But I’m so broken… Why?" I run my fingers gently across his bare chest then look up into his eyes.

"I don’t care. Broken or not, you're mine. When I stand with you under the moon, and that bond snaps, you aren’t going anywhere.” He strokes my cheek with his thumb.

“Moon? Bond?” I look at him with confusion.

He pinches his brow. “You don’t know about the Blue Moon?”

I shake my head. “No. Just what you told me about Torrent. I was under the impression it was bad.”

He chuckles. “No, baby doll. It’s the most wonderful thing on the planet. I'll explain it all before it comes in a couple weeks.”

“I don’t know if I’m right for this bond thing.” I look him over.

He leans close to my lips. “Trust me. You’re so right for this bond thing.”

I arch a brow. “You know my wolf’s still crazy right?”

“I know.” He ticks his head and smirks. “But you’re hot and I love crazy.”

I start to laugh as he kisses me and hugs my head. He breaks the kiss and fixes my hair. “And don’t worry. I won’t rest until I cure you.”

"You think you can cure me." I straighten his hair, too.

"We both will. I know there's a way to make you whole." He smiles.

"I hope so. I want to try. Not just for you, but for myself. I hated being trapped in my head like that. I don't ever want to hurt you again." I swallow as guilt fills me.

"Don't blame yourself, baby doll. You didn't do this. Chase did. He's never getting to you again. I made sure of that." He leans his lips in and he softly kisses me.

I really can't believe Bastian is choosing to stand by me and all my flaws. He's willing to sacrifice his life to save mine. I have a hard time believing I deserve any of it, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to argue that with him. Bastian's made his choice. Of all his character flaws, that’s one I may give him a pass for. Bastian Cole gets what he wants. Always. And he certainly proved that tonight.

Nigel steps out from the common room. "Hate to break you guys up, but the doctor’s waiting."

Bastian turns to me and taps the end of my nose. "I won't be long. Why don't you head upstairs and move some things into my room?"

I raise a brow. "Are you absolutely sure?"

He grabs the back of my head. "I've never been so sure of anything in my life." He quickly kisses me and lets me go. “Go.” He gently orders.

I cross my arms and shake my head as I watch them walk away. I turn and walk down the hall to the service stairs.

As I climb them, I still feel her. I know she's in there. I know she heard everything Bastian said. Maybe, if she hears how much better Bastian is for us, maybe she'll realize who she’s supposed to be. I don’t have the feelings like Chase does. We may have come from the same man, but I will never be a child of Draco Torrent. He gave me my wolf and I'll leave it at that. And the faster I forget about that night 20 years ago, the better I’ll be.

I grab a bag and start to pack some clothes from my room. As I fold clothes, I feel her scratch at the door.

‘You haven't won.’

Her voice comes from behind the wall between me and her.

"Yes. I have. You don't scare me anymore." I to my dresser and glance at my reflection in the mirror on top of it.

‘Sam, this is the fantasy. The Alpha can't help you. He doesn't have the power. If you think he can tame me, think again.’

"Shut up." I mutter as I throw more clothes in my bag.

‘I won't be quiet. My army calls me. You can't deny the power we held. How good it felt.’

"No. You're evil. Broken. I'm going to fix you whether you like it or not. Now, shut up!" I zip up the bag and there was silence.

I leave my room, walk through the house, then walk into Bastian's bedroom. I set my bag down on his bed and change out of the Dragon clothes she made me wear and into my own clothes. The first chance I get, I’m burning these, I think as I throw them in a trash bin.

I sit on the bed and look around. I'm so glad to be home. Am I home? I have a home. This was only supposed to be until the ballroom was done, wasn't it? Do I want to leave? Go back to my old life. I do have a nice office here. I stand and walk slowly around the richly decorated room. Is this my future?

"What are you thinking?" A voice comes from behind me.

I turn and Bastian's in the doorway with a blue, net designed resin cast on his arm.

I smile. "Nothing. Just glad to be here." I saunter up to him and poke his skin in the holes between the criss cross pattern in the cast. “That’s pretty cool. Does it hurt?"

"Not as much as you think. I'll be good in a couple days." He shuts the door and walks slowly with me into the room. "So. What do we do now?" He eyes me.

I twist my palms together. They're starting to sweat. I feel the room getting hotter as he stands in front of me shirtless and in track pants.

I swallow. "Well, you definitely need a shower." I suggest.

He chuckles. "Yeah. I do, don't I?" He gets close. "So, do you." He leans down and kisses my neck.

I close my eyes and my breath becomes shaky as his kisses turn to nips. My middle starts to warm at his touch as his hand travels up the back of my t-shirt and he rubs my bare back. Electric sparks travel up my spine which sets my middle on fire.

His mouth licks and sucks my neck up to my ear, then to my mouth. His tongue asks for entrance and I part my lips. He consumes me as his tongue swims with mine. His kiss is my weakness. Any doubt I feel about us goes out the window the moment his lips touch mine.

He glides his teeth across my bottom lip. "Let's have that shower." He growls on my mouth.

"Ok." I breathe.

Moments later we aren't showering.

The water cascades down my chest as his lips travel between my breasts. I'm arched back and my one leg is wrapped around his waist as he holds me to his body with one arm around the small of my back.

His mouth slides to my breast. He cups it, squeezes, and takes my hard nipple into his mouth. Rolling it in his teeth.

"Bastian...." I breathe. The hot water pours over us and steam rises, but I’m thinking it’s not because of the temperature. His making my skin so hot, I’m sure it's us creating the steam.

His tongue licks up my chest as he pulls me out of my arch. He licks up my neck to my lips. He kisses me hard and pulls back. "I could taste you forever." He nips my chin and back down my neck.

His hand travels down my spine to the curve of my ass. He grabs my thigh and presses me against the wall.

I feel his hard as stone dick graze my core. I pull his hair and run my finger nails across his shoulder blades, scoring them slightly.

He rolls his head back and pulls my hair. He engulfs my mouth in a kiss as he pushes his solid member into my entrance. He didn’t even have to find it this time.

"God, Bastian..." I hold on to the back of his head and shoulder as he thrusts slowly into me.

"You feel so fucking good." He breathes in my ear. He grips my ass as he goes a little harder.

"Yes... Bastian... Right there..." I grip at his back.

The water splashes between our bodies as his hips rock and he shoves his length into me deeper.

He scoops my ass and I lift my other leg. "Like that, baby doll?” He locks his eyes with mine as his pushes my ass down on his cock.

"Yes! Bastian... Yes... Like that!" I moan louder.

He grunts as he speeds up and slams me against the wall. "Fuck... Sam..."

"Yessss!!" I arch my head back against the wall as he bites my neck and chest.

My pussy is soaking him in my juices and my orgasm teeters on the edge.

He leans back, creating a space between us. "Touch yourself, baby doll." He smirks as he glances down at my pussy.

My eyes lock with his as my hand slips between us. I find my clit a rub it hard. "God. Bastian...." My tummy clenches my core heats more. He watches me play as he trusts faster.

"That's it baby. Just like that..." He growls. "So tight... Damn!"

"Bastian... I'm... Yessss!" My orgasm crests then crashes hard.

He bites my nipples as I come all over his dick. "That's it... Come, baby." He bruises my ass as he slams my pussy. I continue to rub myself to extend my climax.

He thrusts harder and deeper as he watches me. "Don't stop, Sammy... One more." He pants. He pounds me and the water between is like a fountain spraying our faces with every hit of his hips.

I feel him start to throb and swell inside me. "Fuck, yes... Bastian!" I scream and dig my nails into his shoulder.

"Come again, baby." He grinds then engulfs my lips.

I push my climax over the edge. My pussy clamps down and my come coats him all over. My body shakes and shivers and I feel his body tense up.

“YESSS!”

"Fuck, Sammy... My turn." He clenches his teeth. "Fuck... That's it." He growls as he fucks his release deep inside me. He digs his nails into my ass cheek, clenching and gritting. His muscles tense right up as he rides his climax to the end.

He slows down and sets me down on my feet. He kisses me deep until we both need to come up for air.

I reach to the shelf on the wall and grab the soap. With only a smile, I look into his eyes as I soap up his chest slowly. He’s washed and cared for me so many times, it’s my turn, now He lays his hand on mine as my fingers travel between the bumps of his hard muscular front. After, I turn him around and soap up his back.

He turns back and I motion to the floor. “Bend over.”

He laughs. “Yes, Luna.”

I giggle as he leans against the back wall and flips his blonde hair forward to a height I can reach. He can’t stop chuckling as I shampoo his hair. When he’s had enough, he flips his hair back, spraying soap in my face and I yelp as I shield myself.

He shoves me under the water and I scream with a laugh. He grabs my chin to face him. “My turn.” He grins.

He cleans me from head to toe, kissing and nipping my skin as he rinses me off. He kisses up my body, cups my cheek and teases my lip.

“Expect this treatment daily. My Luna will never wash herself again.” He mumbles on my lips.

“Stop.” I laugh and push him back. I turn to face the water stream and he wraps his arms around me from behind.

“I mean it, Sammy. I’m going to spoil you rotten.” He whispers with his chin on my shoulder.

“No. You won't. I won’t let you.” I lift my chin.

He leans to me. “Even if you’re the first woman to not want my spoiling, you’re still going to get it, starting now…”

He throws open the shower door and picks me up under my but. “You don’t get to walk anywhere.” He smiles as I wrap my legs around him.

We're both dripping wet as I belly laugh and he carries me to the bedroom. He dries us off then lays me down in his bed. He situates the blanket and we lay on our pillows as we stare at each other.

"I love you." He whisper with a smile.

"I love you, too." I trace his jaw with my finger.

“When I saw you with that bubblegum bubble in front of your lips, I had no idea I’d end up here. You changed me, Sam." His eyes travel around my face. “I can’t say I’m perfect and I like that.” He chuckles.

“You’re welcome.” I say softly. “I will say you surprised me, too. I thought the minute you knew about my secret, you’d kick me out or turn me in. Given our first meeting, I thought you’d be the last person to be so caring and brave. I’m the luckiest woman on the planet.”

He pulls me into his chest. “I’m the lucky one.” He mumbles then kisses my hair.

The whole time I was locked in the prison of my mind, my body ached for this. I've wanted to feel his strong arms around me. He says he can't let me go. I'm starting to think I couldn't go even if I wanted to. The connection between us is stronger now. I feel safer. More in control of myself. He feeds my strength. I think if I leave, I'll become weak and unable to subdue the creature within. I know it.

I realize now, Bastian is my life line. My beacon in the darkness. Together we give each other the power to rise above any challenge we'll face.

The other reason I couldn’t leave even if I wanted to is because he mine.

Heart and soul.