I forced myself to leave her momentarily to pick up our clothes and shoes from the main room of the cabin and double-check the doors and windows. When I was sure we were secured for the night, I headed back to the bedroom. Cecilia was sprawled across the middle of the bed. For a small woman, she managed to take up as much room as she could. I dropped our clothes on the floor, hit the lights then joined her under the covers. She immediately turned to me, cuddling close, one arm reaching across my chest while she wrapped my thigh with her leg. Her palm slipped low over my belly, brushing my well-spent cock, before settling along my lower abs.
Had I really thought my wolf might calm down after loving her so thoroughly? Definitely not. Then again, I hadn’t noticed any of the other mated members of our pack easing up on their women once they’d claimed them. Hell, Bas rode Raina’s ass so hard, it had become the norm for me to pick the two of them up from the woods with a blanket handy. Bas would gouge out my eyes if I saw his mate naked.
Then there was my best friend Taylor, who still had issues letting his mate Rebbie out of his sight. I’d cut him some slack, though, since the very men my mate’s brother had been hunting had tried to take Rebbie and almost succeeded.
I’d seen the others fall hard and fast. Hell, I vividly remembered watching our beta, Cyan, walk out of a bar with his mate tossed over his shoulder. Ivy was tiny like my mate. I’d even commented on her size, teasing Cyan with whether or not she was full grown. Funny, how my own mate’s tiny frame only made me feel all the more protective of her. At least, Ivy was a wolf. Cecilia. She was human. All she had to protect her was me. My wolf pressed along my skin as if in agreement.
Thinking of the others reminded me that I hadn’t checked in when we’d arrived at the cabin. I thought briefly about calling Bas and doing so, but my mate was asleep on me and getting my phone would require jostling her and going out to the Jeep. Bas would have to wait. Cecilia nuzzled her nose against my chest and gave a deep sigh before going completely lax. I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight. I wasn’t letting her get away from me again.
Chapter Four
~Cici~
I woke up to the smell of bacon. My mouth instantly started watering. I mean, who doesn’t like bacon? Shoving back the covers, I glanced around the room, but I didn’t see my clothes. I’d stripped in the main room so maybe they were still out there. I darted into the bathroom, taking care of more pressing needs and spotted Simon’s shirt. I tugged it over my head. It fell to my knees, covering me completely as I padded out following the scent of food. And coffee. Simon was definitely a keeper. Wait? Was I even allowed not to keep him? Not that I was thinking I didn’t want to. I mean, hello! Multiple orgasms! Did I mention he was a keeper?
“Good morning,” Simon said as I entered the kitchen. He immediately pulled me against him and took my mouth with his. I was unsteady on my feet when he let me go and didn’t say anything as he led me to the table and held out a chair for me to be seated.
“Do I have to keep you?” The words were out of my mouth before my brain had re-engaged. His lips twitched, and I knew he was fighting a laugh.
“Yes.”
I groaned. “I didn’t mean it that way.”
“Doesn’t matter. However, you meant it, the answer is yes. You do have to keep me. For better or worse, we’re a team for the rest of our lives.”
“No divorce, huh? Or well, I guess we’re not married. I mean, no proposal. Oh, God, tell me to shut up.”
Instead, he laughed aloud this time. “Definitely no divorce. And I do plan for us to get married. We shifters have our own ceremony, but I’m not opposed to a human ceremony, as well.” Simon turned back to the stove, plating bacon then pouring a cup of coffee. “How do you take your coffee?”
“In an IV?” I quipped then wiggled my fingers at him. “Give me!”
He handed the cup of magic to me, and I inhaled deeply, shutting my eyes as the scent hit me. The first sip was perfection. Strong. Just the way I liked it.
“Hell, watching you drink coffee has my dick hard,” Simon said with a grunt.
My eyes flew open, zeroing in on the crotch of his jeans where his erection was beyond noticeable.
“How are you hard again? Didn’t last night wear you out?”
His laugh again. God, it was as beautiful as him. “All I have to do is think about you, and I’m hard and ready. One word of encouragement and I’ll be happy to bend you over the table. Breakfast will keep.”
I had to admit the idea had merit. Then my stomach growled, and Simon turned back to the stove with a laugh, not even giving me a chance to go with the sex offer. I took another sip of coffee and tried to force myself to focus. Talk. We should really talk. There were so many things I needed to know, to understand. I had ideas about what it meant to be mated. I mean, I’m not stupid. But I wanted the specifics. There was one thing I really wanted to know.
“Are you in love with my brother’s mate?”
“What?” Simon glanced back at me, and I wasn’t sure if he’d heard me or not.
“Are you in
