Rocky (Tales of the Were) by Bianca D'Arc Page A

brand of electricity that she’d felt from time to time when Rocky touched her or looked at her in a certain way, but he hadn’t pressed her response, and for that she’d been grateful.
    No more, though. Now, she was willing to at least try to see where this shivery feeling might lead. Maybe.
    Still uncertain, she allowed him to pull her into his arms.
    “You smile at the boys,” he said softly near her ear as he tucked her into his embrace. “But you don’t smile at me.”
    “I’m smiling now,” she teased, trying to lighten the serious mood as she rested her cheek against his chest. She loved the way he felt against her, so strong and sure.
    “Really?” He drew back so he could look at her face. She kept the smile on her lips even as he lowered his head and reached tentatively for her mouth with his.
    Oh, yes. This is what she wanted. The taste of him. The feel of his arms around her, his warmth wrapping her in his strength.
    When she wanted more, he gently set her back. “Not too much, my heart,” he warned her in a whisper. “I don’t want to ruin this by asking for too much, too soon.”
    He rested his forehead against hers, rocking her in his arms from side to side in a slow, soothing motion.
    “Thank you for trusting me,” he went on a few minutes later. They’d been holding each other in silence, just enjoying the moment.
    “I trust you with everything that’s most precious to me, Rock. My life. My boys.”
    “Everything but your heart,” he said in a soft whisper that made her want to deny the truth of his words, but she knew she was still holding back.
    Her heart had been broken by Tony’s death. It would take time to heal. Time before she could trust it to Rocky’s care. If she dared take that big a risk again. At this point, she still didn’t know if she was brave enough.
    “If I were to give my heart to anyone again, it would be to you,” she admitted, knowing the truth of her words deep in her soul.
    “Thank heaven for that, at least,” Rocky replied with a small grin. “Don’t worry. I’m not rushing this. I’ll take what you can give, when you’re ready to give it.”
    “You’re a special man, Rocky.” She kissed his stubbly cheek, loving the masculine feel of it against her lips.
    He let her go and left the room on silent feet, leaving her standing and watching him disappear back into the other room. She felt something monumental had just happened but she couldn’t put it into words.
    She stood watching the doorway for a long moment. Finally, she turned to her bed and settled down to sleep with a soft smile on her lips and the warmth of Rocky’s arms a pleasant memory.

Chapter Nine
     
    One afternoon, Allie showed up with what seemed like a truck full of groceries to help replenish the larder. Thanksgiving was only a few days away and Marissa was already planning a feast.
    Different wolves from the surrounding Pack had been helping keep the cabin stocked with supplies, but this was the first time Allie had been back since those first days. Marissa invited her in and the three women spent some time putting things away and then chatted over coffee.
    Maggie enjoyed getting to know Allie better. She was a lively woman with a surprising background. Maggie learned that Allie had been raised in the human world, with no knowledge of shifters, though she was related by blood to a bunch of werecougars. She’d been just as shocked as Maggie when she’d first learned about the whole society that was hidden from the rest of the world.
    Allie stayed and helped them cook dinner since her mates would be joining them to discuss the expanded building plans. When the babies started fussing, Allie and Marissa shooed Maggie out of the kitchen and suggested she take them outside for a little fresh air.
    Maggie liked the idea. She’d been cooped up in the cabin for a while and wanted to see how the building was progressing. Each day she heard the sound of saws and hammers, but she hadn’t