Trailing Moon Flowers: A NOLA Shifters Prequel Read online

  “Den make love to me, Gage. Right here, right now. Make me forget da tings Cole did to me...make me forget all the shame I felt after I got drunk and slept wit' Seth. I only want to remember your hands on my body.”

  Gage

  Gage stared into Mia's eyes, searching them to be sure this was really what she wanted. “How can I say no to dat?” he groaned and this time when he kissed her he let his hands move over her body. He caressed her side before one hand moved up to cup her breast.

  Mia arched into his hand and whimpered softly. “Please...please...please...”

  Her soft pleas were his undoing. He growled against her lips and picked her up. He wanted to make love to her under the stars. After aching and longing for her for so long, he was half afraid he'd come too soon. He wanted to be buried inside her.

  When he found a suitable spot he put her on her feet long enough to remove his jacket and spread it out to give her something to lie down on. Then he pulled her close and kissed her until they were both breathless. His hands moved down and gripped her dress before he inched it up her body. He moved back enough to watch as she was revealed to him. He felt like it was his birthday and he was opening a present. “Beautiful.” His voice was rough with desire once the dress was gone and he was gazing at her in the red lace bra and panties.

  Mia's cheeks warmed at the compliment. “I want to see you.”

  “What my Princess wants, she gets,” Gage growled. He undressed and then guided her to lie down. He kissed her hungrily and his hands caressed her skin. He'd wanted this for so long. He couldn't belief that, after all this time, she was finally his. His hands cupped her breasts and kneaded them until her nipples stiffened. With a wicked grin he lowered his head and took one stiff peak into his mouth, sucking it through the lace of her bra. The little mewling sounds she was making told him she liked what he was doing. He tugged the cups of her bra down until her breasts were free to his gaze then he resumed teasing them. He squeezed and tugged one nipple with his fingers while he suckled and gently bit the other until she cried out. “Dat's my girl,” he murmured. “I want to taste you, Mia.”

  Mia gave him a puzzled look. She was too caught up in the way she was feeling to understand what he meant. “What?”

  “I want to taste you.” His voice came out more a growl than anything before he kissed a path down her body. He gently urged her legs open and nestled between them. Her panties were still on so he moved then to the side so he could bury his tongue inside her wet heat.

  Mia's fingers went to his hair and gripped it while her hips arched at the sudden sensation. She was soon writhing and mewling with need. “Gage...please...”

  “I know what you need, Princess.” He moved up to suck on her clit while he eased a finger into her. She'd only had sex once, while she was drunk, and that was over a year ago. He wanted to be sure when he finally buried himself inside her he didn't hurt her. He worked a second finger into her and curled them to stroke her G-spot . He watched her face as he continued, and when her orgasm crashed over her, the look on her face was breath-taking. She was the most beautiful woman in the world.

  Mia panted and shuddered in aftershocks. The orgasm was wonderful but it left her wanting more. “Gage, please...please make love to me.”

  “Oh, I am, Princess. I am.” He snagged his pants and removed a condom from his wallet. He'd carried one ever since he'd started having sex. He quickly removed his boxers and then got Mia's panties off before he rolled the condom on and moved between her welcoming thighs. “I'll go slow at first, love. I don't want to hurt you,” he murmured. It took every ounce of control he had to not bury himself inside her once he had the tip in. She was so hot, so wet, and so damn tight. Still, he was gentle, he kept his thrusts shallow, until he was finally buried inside her. “Oh god, you feel so good baby.”

  Mia gripped his shoulders and arched into him. “Oh...I've never...I don't remember it feelin' like dis,” she breathed. “Don't stop, Gage. Oh god, that feels so good.”

  Gage dipped his head and kissed her before he began to move. He kept his eyes locked with hers as he moved slow and deep. Soon she was moving with him, arching to meet each thrust. When her nails raked his back his control snapped and he thrust harder and deeper inside her. Her sudden orgasm caused her to clench around him and dragged him over the edge with her.

  Mia

  When Gage first started easing into her, Mia was a little apprehensive. She didn't remember a lot about her first time. There were some advantages to having been drunk. It meant she didn't remember the initial pain from it, but she remembered how sore she was the next day. She was worried it was going to hurt, but as Gage slowly worked himself into her, her apprehension faded and she realized it didn't hurt at all. No, it felt amazing. The feeling of fullness from him was unlike anything she'd ever felt before. Her hips arched and she gripped his shoulders. “Don't stop.” If he stopped now she just might go crazy.

  Each slow, gentle thrust pushed him deeper into her and she whined, mewled, and panted. Soon her cries were echoing in the air as he pushed her closer and closer to the edge. Her nails raked down his back and she screamed when her body suddenly tightened and convulsed in an earth-shattering orgasm that left her feeling boneless.

  She felt his cock swell inside her and his cries joined hers as he fell over that edge with her. When he collapsed atop her she just lay there, unable to move to urge him to get up. He was only there a moment before he rolled to his side, slipping from her, and took her with him. Mia barely registered him removing the condom and typing it off so it could be discarded later. “Dat was...I have no words to describe it,” she breathed after several minutes.

  “Mm, dat makes two of us, Princess,” he murmured and nuzzled her. “I don't tink I could move right now if I had to.”

  Mia blushed at that. “Me either,” she admitted and curled around him.

  “Let's just stay right here for now, den.”

  “M'kay.” She felt sleepy and snuggled closer.

  Several hours later, Mia awoke to the feel of Gage's arms wrapped around her. The sky had that pre-dawn look to it and she sat up quickly. “Gage, wake up! Oh, mama is gonna be so mad at me! She told me not to be out all night and it's almost mornin'.”

  Gage groaned but at her words his eyes snapped open. “Aw hell. I'm sorry, Princess. I didn't mean to fall asleep. It's okay, I'll tell her it's my fault. We fell asleep listenin' to music.” He took her face in his hands and kissed her gently. “Relax, love. It'll be fine.”

  “Have you met my mama?” she countered with an arched brow.

  “Good point.” He helped her dress before he tugged on his own clothes.

  Mia knew her hair was mussed from their lovemaking and from falling asleep but there wasn't anything she could do about it. She ran her fingers through it to smooth it out some. “What about all dis stuff?” she asked, motioning to the gazebo.

  “Me and Remy will come back to get it later. Let's get you home.” He needed to talk with their Alpha about building a house somewhere near her parents. He knew she would want to be close to them. He couldn't wait to walk down the aisle with her as his wife.

  “Mia Anaise Lafluer, where in da world have you been? Didn't I tell you not to stay out all night?” Eliza was sitting on the porch when Gage and Mia finally came up the walk.

  “I'm sorry, mama. We fell asleep and just woke up a little bit ago.”

  “It's my fault, Mrs. Lafluer.” Gage wasn't going to let her mother blame her for it.

  Eliza sighed. “I suppose I can't give you too much grief. You're a grown woman now. Come on inside, you two. Dere's coffee in da pot and breakfast is cookin'.” She winked so they would know she'd been teasing them to begin with.

  “I'm gonna go change real quick,” Mia said and ducked down the hall to her bedroom.

  Eliza turned to Gage. “You better be good to her, Gage. I've never seen her as happy as she is wit' you.”

  “I plan on it, Mrs. Lafluer. If I have an
y say in it, da only tears she'll be cryin' will be happy ones.”

  “Enough wit' all dis 'Mrs. Lafluer' business. You're gonna be family. It's either Eliza or mama.”

  “Alright den, mama it is.”

  By the time breakfast was ready everyone was awake and seated around the table. Mia took Gage's hand in hers and smiled at him before she cleared her voice. “Gage and I have someting to share wit' you. Last night, he asked me to marry him and I said yes.”

  “It's about damn time.” Beau flashed his younger sister a grin. “Congratulations, you two.”

  The rest of her family echoed his words before they dug into their breakfast. There was a lot of talk about the party the Pard was having later in the day to celebrate Mia and Julius's graduation. Now they had even more to celebrate.

  Gage

  After breakfast, Gage urged Mia to take a nap because he knew she was still tired and after a long, lingering kiss, he reluctantly left her side in order to go speak with their Alpha. He had to share the news with his parents as well but he wanted to wait until Mia was at his side so they could do it together. His mama always wanted a daughter but she'd had no luck having more children after Gage. With Mia, she would finally have one.

  Gage stepped onto Caine's porch and lifted his hand to knock. Before he was able to, his Alpha came around from the back of the house.

  “Mornin'. You're here a mite early.”

  “Mornin', Caine. I've come to ask for permission to build a home near da Lafluer's for my mate and I. Last night, I asked Mia to marry me and she said yes.”

  “Well, I'll be damned. It's about time you got your head on straight. A'course you can build a home for you and your mate. Anyting you need, you just let me know and it'll be provided. Looks like we got even more to celebrate today.”

  “Thank you. I know. I don't know why she put up wit' me for so long, but I'm sure glad she did. She's ever'ting I ever wanted in dis life.”

  “You're turnin' into quite a good man, Gage Delacroix. I tink you'll do all right by your mate.”

  Gage thanked him once more and left. Praise from his Alpha made him stand a little taller as he made his way to his parents' home to get a little more sleep. Later, he would go get Mia so they could share the news with his parents, too.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Gage

  Caroline stared at her youngest son for several seconds while her brain processed what she'd just heard. Then she was on her feet hugging them both. “Oh my gawd! My be'be's gettin' married.”

  “He's hardly a be'be anymore, cher,” Landry chided his wife.

  “Hush.” She swatted his arm lightly then turned back to Mia and Gage. “You have no idea how happy dis makes me. I've waited for dis day for ages.”

  “Mama.”

  “Don't you 'mama' me, Gage Delacroix. I told you tree years ago she was your mate. But did you listen to me? No. You went runnin' around wit' all dose girls.” She huffed. “At least you came to your senses.” She kissed her son's cheek. “I'm proud of you.”

  “Thanks, mama.”

  She turned to Mia and hugged her. “Welcome to da family, Mia.”

  “Thank you.” Mia blushed a little. She'd known the Delacroix family all her life but this was different. She wasn't just a friend anymore. She was family. Or she would be once she said her vows.

  “You'll let me help plan da weddin' wit' you and your mama, won't you? Da fates didn't give me a daughter of my own to plan wit' and I would love to be a part of it.”

  “I'd be honored to have your help,” Mia said, sincerity in her voice. She adored Gage's mother and since she and her mama were such good friends, she knew her mama would welcome the help.

  “Well den, you two need to pick a date.”

  Gage groaned. “Mama, I just proposed. I tink we can be engaged for a little bit before we set a date.”

  Mia arched a brow at him. “Why? We know we want to get married. We can still be engaged for a bit before we actually walk down da aisle.”

  Gage could deny her nothing. “If you want to set da date already, Princess, den we'll set da date.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "As long as you're happy, dat's all dat matters to me.”

  “Where are you two plannin' on livin'?” Landry gave his son a pointed look.

  “I already spoke wit' Caine about buildin' a house for us close to Mia's mama and papa. He said anyting we needed, I just had to ask and he'd see to it we got it.”

  “You know da Pard will pitch in to get it done quickly.”

  Gage nodded. “Yes, sir, I do.” He was already thinking about the furniture. Some of it would be bought, of course, but some he wanted to make, including their dining room table and the head and foot boards for their bed.

  “Let's get to celebratin'.” Landry clapped his son on the shoulder. “I'm proud of you, boy. You've turned into a real fine man.”

  “Thanks, papa.” His father's praise meant a lot to him. He was just glad his father was still with them to be able to give him praise.

  It was late afternoon, the sun was sitting low on the horizon, and the entire Pard was gathered to celebrate Mia and Julius's graduation. Caine stood on the steps of his front porch so he could be seen by everyone and spoke. “Today we are celebratin' more den just two of our young-ins' graduatin' high school. Early dis mornin', Gage Delacroix approached me to seek permission to build a new home on Pard land. Today, we celebrate da engagement of Gage and Mia. May dey live long and happy lives filled wit' da love of family.”

  At the news of the coming nuptials the entire Pard raised their voices in joy. Their roars echoed across the bayou and anyone who was close enough to hear would no doubt be startled by it.

  Gage stood with his arms wrapped around Mia as members of the Pard came to congratulate them. He thought about the changes that had taken place in recent years. If Zachary had still been Alpha, there wouldn't have been much of a celebration. The Pard had struggled under his control just to scrape by, but in the few short years that Caine had taken over, they were prospering. Everywhere you looked, it was obvious, even to the casual observer, that the Pard was doing well.

  Mia

  Mia couldn't help blushing every time someone approached to congratulate her and Gage on their engagement. It was so overwhelming and there was a time when she thought this day would never come. After loving him for so long, she'd finally gotten the one thing she'd really wanted; Gage. She leaned against him and a contented sigh escaped her.

  “Happy, Princess?”

  His murmured question made her look up at him. “Happier den I've ever been in my entire life.” She flashed him a smile. “I'm sure da day we say 'I do' will be even happier.”

  Gage chuckled. “Mm, true.” He dipped his head and kissed her gently. “What are you gonna do now dat you've graduated?”

  “I dunno. I was tinkin' about art school. I love bein' an artist, but maybe I could also be a teacher. I'd kinda like to help kids find dere own inner artists.”

  “Den dat's what you'll do.”

  “I dunno, Gage. How am I supposed to do dat wit' getting' married. Don't you want to start a family?”

  “Princess, we have all da time in da world for dat. If you want to go to art school so you can get a degree and teach art, den dat's what you'll do. Besides, I'm a little selfish. I'd like to have you all to myself for a while wit'out havin' to share you wit' anyone, not even our own babies.”

  Mia laughed even as her cheeks warmed. “You're terrible,” she teased.

  “Nope, I'm just a man who is very much in love wit' his woman,” he said in a playful growl.

  The growl made her shiver. “Mm, I like dat.” She lifted a hand and caressed his jaw. “You know, dere was a time when I didn't tink we'd ever get to dis point, dat I'd ever be in your arms like dis.”

  “I know, and dat's my fault. I was such a fool.” He pulled her closer. “I will be forever grateful dat you gave me one last chance. If I'd lost you for good, my life would have been empty
.”

  “You just remember dat when dose girls at Tulane try to entice you.” There was a growl in her voice. The thought of anyone else being with him made her leopard want to bare it's claws.

  “Dere's not a single person on dis planet who could entice me from your side. You're it for me, Mia. Now and always.”

  Mia preened at his words. When the music began she let him pull her into his arms and danced the night away.

  “So, I was tinkin'... an early Spring weddin'. Say...March 18th.” Mia and Gage were curled up together on the porch swing, enjoying the early evening breeze coming off the bayou. Gage had spent part of the day in classes and the other part working on the house that was being built for him and Mia.

  “Dat sounds good to me. Do you want an indoor weddin'?”

  She thought about it a moment. “No. Outside. Late afternoon so we can dance under da stars at da reception.”

  Gage chuckled. “Dis comin' from da woman I used to have to talk into dancin'.” He kissed her temple. “You'll be da prettiest bride ever.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Hardly, but thank you.”

  “Are you doubtin' me?” He growled playfully. “Don't make me prove it, woman.”

  Mia laughed. “I know you tink so, and dat's all dat really matters.” She relaxed against him. “Are you happy?” It was late summer, the day was still humid, but with the sun beginning to set it was starting to cool down a little.

  “How could I not be happy, Princess? I've got da woman I love in my arms, our home is almost ready for us to start fillin' it wit' furniture, and in seven months I'll get to call you Mrs. Delacroix.”

  “Oh, say dat again.”

  “Mrs. Delacroix.” He dipped his head and playfully nipped at her neck.