“What are you thinking?” Tasha asked, her head tilted to the side. Her eyes so damn gorgeous as she gazed up at him through her long dark lashes.
He chuckled. “That’s not something I’d like to admit right now.”
“Oh.” Her eyes widened as her mouth dropped open, a flush creeping up her neck.
She was the most exquisite thing he’d ever seen and he wanted nothing more than to devour her and cause her to scream his name. Rafe tried to rise. “I think I better go before I do something that I shouldn’t.”
Tasha’s hand landed on his thigh, holding him in place. “Can we kiss?”
“Babe,” Rafe groaned as blood rushed south to breathe life into his cock. “We can kiss anytime you want. I just don’t want to pressure you . . . ya know . . . about the rest of it.”
“My Wolf is giving me a headache,” Tasha whispered.
“Mine too.” Rafe smiled, reaching to entwine his fingers in her hair at the base of her neck. “The mating call is driving me crazy, but I know you need time, sweetheart.”
Tasha leaned forward, her lips brushing along his chest. Damn, he should’ve put clothes on. If she continued doing that he was certain he’d embarrass himself. When her tongue darted out and licked around one of his nipples he hissed through his teeth.
“Damn, Tash, you better stop or . . .”
“Or what?” She looked up, her eyes hooded and her pupils dilated to almost encompass her entire eye, leaving only a slight rim of grey around it.
“I think you know what.” Rafe smirked down at her.
“Rafe.” Tasha kissed first one nipple then the other before glancing up at him. “Would it be so wrong of me to want this now? To want to mate with you? I know it sounds weird, we barely know each other but . . .”
“You are my mate, Tasha, time won’t change that.” Rafe raised an eyebrow. “The only thing time will give us is getting to know each other, our likes, dislikes but regardless of all of that, we are mates. I want to mark you as mine but I don’t want to force you into anything. Not with everything you’ve gone through.”
“I don’t want to be alone,” Tasha sighed. “I mean tonight. I don’t want to sleep alone. I’m still scared and I feel guilty about wanting to do stuff with you but then I think of what my mom would say. I know she’d tell me to ‘get my head out of my ass and mate already’.”
“Sounds like she was a wise woman,” Rafe said solemnly. “I’d much rather you were beside me tonight too, so, I guess tonight we’ll sleep in my room. What do you say?”
Rafe knew it would be the most extreme torture to have her in his bed, lying next to him yet not seal their bond. He’d spend half the night under a cold shower.
“I think I’d like that.”
He pulled her head toward his, desperate to feel the sweetness of her mouth once again. Tasha moaning into his mouth forcing every last drop of blood in his brain to drop to his groin. Rafe deepened the kiss, her hands running across his bare skin and causing his cock to throb with need to be inside his mate. He clearly heard her heart speed up, keeping pace with his own, as their tongues danced together in a tango of lava hot desire.
He never wanted this moment to end. His mate in his arms, responding to his touch, her desire matching his.
Then he was drenched in ice-cold water when his mom yelled, “Where are you two? Dinner’s ready.”
Reluctantly pulling back, Tasha’s eyes widening as she looked at the tent in his towel. “Sorry, you’ve gotten me all hot and bothered. I’d better go and try and get rid of this before I go down.”
Tasha’s head fell back, laughter erupting. Her hand flew up to stifle it as she gasped. “Yeah, you better. I’m sure that’s not something any mom wants to see.”
Rafe chuckled along with her. Happy that her earlier sadness seemed to have abated. “I’ll be down shortly.”
“Don’t call me shortly.” Tasha grinned cheekily.
“What?” Rafe frowned, taking him a few seconds to get the joke. “Oh, very funny.”
“I thought so,” Tasha quipped as she rose. “I’ll wash up and see you downstairs.”
“Definitely.” Rafe gripped the towel that showed his arousal. “I might have to slip in for a cold shower first.”
Tasha burst out laughing again as she disappeared into the bathroom. He was certain it was the finest sound he’d ever heard. Her merriment following him down the corridor. It was far better than hearing her sobbing, that was for damn sure.
He would be counting the hours, minutes, the freaking seconds until he held her in his arms, in his bed, and made her his for eternity. It couldn’t come quick enough. Maybe he should drop some hints and see if his mother would stay with a friend tonight?
Jacy greeted him when he finally made it downstairs. He’d had to spend an uncomfortable five minutes having that cold shower he’d mentioned before he was able to dress.
His best friend eyed him closely as he raised a hand. “Hi, how’re you feeling after earlier?”
“I’m fine,” Rafe said honestly. He had no trouble in taking out the rogue. None whatsoever. He’d do it again if he had the chance just because the dirty mutt had touched his precious mate.
“Okay, good to know.” Jacy smiled over at Tasha. “How’re you settling in? Is there anything I can do for you? If so, just ask.”
Rafe couldn’t stop the rumbled growl that erupted, his teeth baring as he snapped, “That’s not necessary.”
Ellie shook her head as she placed a huge pot in the middle of the table. “Rafe, behave yourself. Sit down and everyone tuck in.”
“Where’s my steak?” Rafe grumbled when he saw the hotpot.
