The Vow (Black Arrowhead #1) - Dannika Dark Page 0,67
It was an honor for Lakota to offer that kind of unbending loyalty. I shared that same connection with Hope, but this was different somehow, though I wasn’t sure why.
“Lakota,” I whispered, but his name sounded more like a prayer on my lips.
He lowered his chin. “Did you say something?”
“No. Just breathing.”
“Can you do me a favor?”
I peered up at him. “It depends. If it involves a telephone pole, your answer is no.”
“Will you rub my back? I think I pulled a muscle in my shoulder.”
Grinning impishly, I said, “I’m great with my hands.”
“Oh yeah? Prove it.”
After they had cleaned themselves up and chugged down a bottle of water, Lakota received the most pleasurable massage of his entire life. Melody sat astride his back and pressed the heels of her small hands into his shoulders, working her way down at a glorious pace. He loved the feel of her touch, how gentle and forceful her hands could be, and he smiled against the pillow when she rubbed the backs of his thighs. But his smile melted away as he became amorous once again. As much as he wanted to give in to those feelings, he didn’t. He had already known her in that way, and now he wanted to know her more intimately.
Melody sought comfort in his arms for close to an hour while they talked. He listened to her stories, some of which he’d heard before from his sister. Lakota liked hearing her version—she was a captivating storyteller. Not once did they reminisce over their childhood. Instead, they filled in the gaps of their time apart and pondered an uncertain future. Not just the immediate future but also what life held in store for each of them years down the road. Melody said she hoped that one day her boutique would flourish enough to become a chain, and she liked the idea of possibly traveling or living somewhere else for a while, especially after Lakota had talked about some of the places he’d been. He mentioned wanting twenty kids, just to make her laugh. She wished him luck finding a willing mate.
It made Lakota wonder what kind of woman he was looking for. Melody had drive and creativity as well as a sense of humor—all the best parts a man could hope for in a woman. He was beside himself. Who exactly is this unspeakably beautiful female in my arms, and why hasn’t she fled from me and my shameful past?
As he cradled her close, Lakota knew exactly what he and his wolf wanted: to protect her. He was usually wary around women, yet being with Melody felt so natural and easy.
He’d never imagined having such strong feelings for another wolf. When he was growing up, only one other Shifter lived in the house. Lakota’s family loved him unconditionally, and love transcended Breed or politics. The animalistic Chitah traits of his adoptive father had rubbed off on him. He mirrored their actions and understood why they protected their family with their lives. Even though he was in good standing with the Shifters in Austin, he’d never imagined that anyone would consider him a catch. His unusual living circumstances generated much gossip, and he wondered if his inexperience with packs might even hinder his chances of ever joining one. Packmasters were very selective, and he was still learning all the nuances of their ways.
Seeming half-asleep, Melody murmured against his chest, “Lakota?”
Hearing his name spoken in such a fragile voice made his wolf stir. “Yes?”
“Remember what you said about my hair and your parents?”
He had to stop and think before he recalled the conversation in which he’d joked about what his adoptive parents’ reaction might be to him dating a girl with violet hair. “Yes. Why?”
When she breathed heavily, he nudged her awake.
“What will your mother and Lorenzo think?” she murmured.
“Of your hair?”
Melody shook her head. “That I’m not like you.”
Lakota pressed a kiss to her head. He wanted to say it didn’t matter. To him it didn’t. But his mother and stepfather had always assured him that one day he would find a girl who belonged to his tribe, and they would settle in a pack. Maybe it didn’t matter which tribe, so long as his bloodline would carry on the traditions of the Native people.
While he had made the comment only in jest, Melody’s mind must have been working overtime in her sleep. Was she afraid that both families would shun her for different reasons? Family was important to