Page 23 of Wild Wolf
Nolan’s eyes widened and his breathhitched.
When she finished, silence draped the crowd. Then Nolan applauded and the guests did aswell.
Nolan picked up her hand, kissed it. “I forgot what a beautiful voice you have,” he said, his voicehusky.
Jordan leaned close. “And I forgot how sexy you are.” She glanced at the offending Lupine, who had turned red-faced. “Perhaps I’ll be the one to make you howl in our bed later, Nolan. You certainly do have the stamina forit.”
Nolan laughed, and there were more smiles all around, except from the embarrassedLupine.
When they returned to their seats, Nolan picked up his glass ofabsinthe.
“A toast to my mate,” he murmured, and swallowed the entire glass without dilutingit.
“Whoa,” someonesaid.
Aiden laughed again. “That’s a Mitchell for you.” He downed his glass as well without dilutingit.
If she didn’t follow suit, they’d think her meek and submissive. Jordan picked up a cube of sugar to place on the slotted spoon, put the spoon over the glass and then reached for the nearby pitcher of ice water to dilute themixture.
Then again…she had to prove herself. A real female alpha determined to match her man’s strength when they consummated theirunion.
Jordan tossed aside the spoon and sugar. She lifted her glass. “Over the lips, past the gums, look out hangover, here it comes,” she saidcheerfully.
In two gulps, she downed the sickly sweet licoricedrink.
The tables before her began to growblurry.
Jordan coughed, slammed down the glass. “Good stuff,” shecroaked.
She ate the beef, trying to ease the dizzying feeling. Jordan managed to make small talk with everyone who stopped by their table to offercongratulations.
Finally, after she’d finished the beef, the intoxication seemed to ease. And then it was time for them to retire to their room. Aiden winked at Nolan, who didn’t respond. She tried to ignore the sly suggestions tossed their way as Nolan took her hand and escorted her into a golf cart that would take them back to thelodge.
Someone had stuck flowers and wedding bells on the golf cart. Jordan grinned as she climbed into the shotgun seat, and flicked a finger at a paper weddingbell.
“No Lupine reminders for our transportation?” she asked as he started thecart.
He pressed the horn and a low, loud wolf howlsounded.
Shelaughed.
“Souped up the cart myself and added a few enhancements.” Hewinked.
She talked of the wedding, and how nice Nia was as they drove. Nolan barely spoke. When they arrived at the lodge, he escorted her inside and then said he’d be upstairsshortly.
“Bathroom has a large tub if you want to soak,” he said, his thumb caressing her cheek. Heat flared in his browneyes.
“That sounds wonderful,” she murmured, leaning into hiscaress.
Nolan dropped a passionate kiss on her mouth, hinting of what awaited her. “I have some business to attend to for about thirty minutes. Legal documents, wedding stuff. Don’t fall asleep, pixie. I have plans foryou.”
Whistling, he strodeoff.
Nia had not only found a lovely wedding dress for her, but also a new white satin nightgown and sheer, lacy peignoir. After taking a long, hot bubble bath, Jordan dressed in both to await hergroom.
The bedroom was large, with a king-sized bed, a floral sofa and chair near the door leading to the deck. She strolled out to the private deck. Although Nolan’s bedroom was one of several on this floor, at least the balcony had wood privacy screens. In the corner bubbled a hot tub built for two. Jordan braced her hands on the wood railing and stared at the meadow and hills below. Fireflies winked in the dark, while overhead, stars sparkled like diamonds on blackvelvet.
No full moon for two weeks. For that she was grateful. It meant Nolan wouldn’t expect her to shift into wolf. Far too nervous already, she didn’t want the added pressure of testing hermagick.
