She didn’t answer. Instead, she stood and I braced myself for her to walk out.
Fear crept in, and my wolf snarled at me for my stupidity.
If I lost her now, it was my own damn fault.
“Cat.” I looked right at her, uncaring if she saw my fear right now.
“I forgive you.” Her lip trembled and she exhaled. “Of course I forgive you, East. I love you.”
I closed the distance before she could take it back.
My mouth crashed against hers, claiming and taking and—
I broke off, determined to do this right.
“I’ve never stopped thinking about you,” I whispered.
“Me neither,” she admitted.
I held her gaze with mine and slowly lifted my hand to cup her cheek. She leaned into my touch, eyes closing in pleasure. It was all the encouragement I needed.
Gently, I lowered my mouth to hers a second time.
My lips moved over hers, unhurried now as I explored what felt familiar and new at the same time.
She still tasted like peaches.
It was a taste I’d never forgotten, and now it was like she’d ripened in the decade since I’d last sampled her. My arms wrapped around her, gentle and steadying. Her hand ran up and over my chest, her fingers curling into my hair, and I nearly lost my control.
“I want you, Cat.”
“I want you too,” she whispered against my mouth.
I tightened my hold on her waist, lifting her off her feet and carrying her to the bed a second time. Lowering her gently, I eased over her, staring down in appreciation at the woman who’d stolen my heart and never given it back.
Fine by me. I no longer wanted it.
“Last chance,” I said, pressing a kiss to her jawline then to her throat.
God, she tasted good.
“Tell me to stop, and I will,” I whispered against her ear.
She shuddered, clinging harder. Her hips arched to meet mine, and my erection strained against my pants. I slid a hand around her thigh, wrapping her leg around my waist.
“Don’t stop,” she whispered, drawing my mouth down to hers again.
I kissed her like I should have ten years ago.
My wolf finally relaxed, and I lost myself in the pleasure of her body moving against mine. Piece by piece, I removed first her clothing then my own. When she was naked beneath me, I smiled, anticipation and need tugging at me. She was so beautiful, it hurt.
I slid into her, shuddering, and the beast inside me howled its own sort of release.
Mate.
I’d found her.
In a slow, steady rhythm, I claimed her, first as a human.
As a male.
As a lover.
Then, when her head was tipped back in ecstasy, I let my teeth scrape over the soft skin along her throat.
Snarling against my tenuous control, I held back.
When I marked her as mine, it would be because she asked me to. Because she’d agreed to this life. Until then, my wolf would do everything it took to convince her to let me. And my human side would do everything to stop it.
“East,” she said, breathless, pleading. “I’m close.”
“Cat.” Her name was like a plea. A prayer.
Cat moaned against me, her body tensing with the release building.
I grabbed her hair, forcing her head back so she could look up at me.
“Look at me, kitty cat. Look into my eyes when you fall.”
She opened her eyes, her unfocused gaze landing on mine, and we slipped off the edge together.
My phone rang, and I snarled out loud as I ripped the phone free from my pocket. It was too late for a call that meant anything good.
“What?”
“Good evening to you too, Raines.”
I sat up, panic ripping through me. “Angus. Is she okay?”
Angus had been the first call I’d made after my mom was stable. He was the only one I trusted to watch her.
“Relax. Your mom’s fine. How are things on your end?”
I stole a look at the clock on Cat’s bedside table. Beside me, Cat rolled closer, pressing her breast and hip into my ribs. My body warmed.
“Better than expected.”
Angus chuckled darkly. He was also the only one who knew where I was right now. “I didn’t wake you, did I?”
His voice held a note of teasing my sleepy brain did not have time for right now.
“It’s late,” I said, pulling Cat closer.
The humor dried up instantly. He sighed. “Tobias asked me to call. He’d like to talk to you and your pop.”
“Right now? What the hell happened to giving a guy some notice?”
“Tobias thinks catching your dad off guard will go better. Barnett’s gone to round up your old man from whatever bar he is hiding in. You’ve got about an hour to get your ass to the clearing.”
“Fine. I’ll be there.”
I hung up and glanced at Cat, hating the choice I had to make.
“East?” She sat up, pulling the sheet high to cover herself.
I wanted to spend the rest of the night underneath that sheet with her, but apparently that wasn’t going to happen.
“You should go,” she said quietly. “Face your dad. Talk to Tobias.”
“You heard that?”
“I might be human, but Angus talks loud.”
I snorted but sobered quickly.
“I can’t leave you alone. Not with Travis still out there.”
“I’m not alone. I have Rudy. Besides, it’s the middle of the night.” She leaned in and pressed a kiss to my lips. “Go,” she said again. “Make things right for your mom.”
I hesitated. “I’ll be as quick as I can.”
“Don’t rush for me, East. It’s not . . .”
“Don’t even think about finishing that sentence,” I growled, recognizing that look in her eye.
“Look, this was fun but we can’t . . .”
“You’re mine now, Cat.” I grabbed her chin and forced her to meet my eyes. To see the resolve there. I might not have claimed her with my
