Rocky (Tales of the Were) by Bianca D'Arc Read Free Book Online

always been more cerebral than Rocky. Though Rocky was every bit as smart as Tony had been in high school—both at the top of their class—Tony had been dedicated to more scholarly pursuits, while Rocky excelled at sports and anything physical. Tony could command attention with his words . Rocky did so with his mere presence.
    She reached up and kissed his chin as he snuggled her into his broad arms.
    “None of that now,” he teased, “or we’ll never get to sleep.” He spooned her from behind, wrapping his arm around her. “I’ll give you time. As much time as you need, but you need to understand. You’re mine now. The babies need me and I need you, Maggie. As I’ve always needed you.”
    “Rocky—” She wanted to ask so many questions, but he stilled her words.
    “No. Now isn’t the time for talk. We’re both worn out and everything is new and strange. We have time now. Time to figure this all out and come up with the best solution for us all. I just want you to know that I’m here for you. I’ve always been and always will be. That’s all. Things will go as slow as they need to go from here.” He brushed a tender kiss near her temple, and she suddenly felt the weight of the hours of anxiety and worry lift from her shoulders.
    Tony had been magic, but Rocky…Rocky was solid. He was security. He was her rock. Her Rocky.
    Within moments, she was deeply asleep.

Chapter Six
     
    The next morning, Rocky woke with an arm full of warm woman and his ears full of the soft sounds coming from the cubs. They were up again, hungry as usual and demanding attention.
    Rocky leaned over and kissed Maggie awake—something he’d dreamed of doing almost his entire life. She was more responsive than he would have believed, cuddling into him as he took the kiss deeper.
    She’d been through a lot in a short time, but she was stronger than even he would have thought. She’d impressed the hell out of him with the way she handled everything, the way she’d survived on her own with a killer mage on her trail all those months, but the idea frightened him too. Never again would she face danger alone.
    “Rocky—”
    His breath caught as she whispered his name— his —as she woke in his arms. Even half asleep, she knew who held her. The thought sent a bolt of satisfaction through him that allowed him to draw farther away. The babies needed them now, but later there’d be time for the grownups.
    “Sounds like Tony and Jim are hungry.” He kissed her chin, nipping slightly. “Probably dirty too.” He rolled out of the bed before he got too interested in kissing her some more. “I’ll help clean them up, then it’s time for a shower. I’ve got a lot of work to do today.”
    Rocky felt a pang of regret for the deliberate distance he had to put between himself and his heart’s desire. He had to give Maggie time to heal both physically and emotionally before he pushed her any further. She needed time to come to terms with the life he was going to build for her here, in the Pack. In his home. Starting today.
    “Work?” She sat up , clutching his sheet to her chest. Damn, he loved the way she looked, rumpled and sleepy eyed in his bed. Where she belonged.
    “Some of the Pack is coming out to help me build an addition for the cubs. They’ll need the room as they grow, and so will we.”
    He crossed the room, giving each child a good morning kiss as they quieted for him. They recognized him already, which boded well for their future as a family. He set about changing them as he heard Maggie tug on the discarded robe and zip it up.
    “Rocky.” Her strong tone made him turn. He had one of the babies in his arms. “Do you expect us to live here with you permanently?”
    He read confusion and uncertainty in her beautiful eyes. Rocky took a deep breath and placed the now clean, squirming bundle back in the crib before facing her again.
    “Yes,” he answered simply, stepping forward to meet her troubled gaze. He had to