by J. C RIMELL
He tugged her closer, crushing her against his big body. “I can fix that if you'd like.” He chuckled, the sound laced with sexual intent before stealing a kiss. “You know,” he said, pulling his face back to look at her, “I don't think I'll ever get used to this, to us, having you. It all feels like a dream, like winning the lottery or something.”
She smiled, but it failed to reach her eyes as it so often did lately. How could she be so happy and sad all at the same time? She had finally managed to lay to rest the guilt that had almost crushed her and tried to keep the happy memories of Clara tucked safely in her heart. How could she allow herself to enjoy anything? When she was burdened with the agony at the loss of her aunt. Yet her heart was spilling over with a love that pulsed steadily to the bonded rhythm of her mate.
“Hey.” With a gentle finger beneath her chin, Cade tilted her face to look up at him. “I made a promise to myself, you know if we did this.” Changing the subject was all he could do to ease the pain he saw eclipsing her bright, blue eyes.
Kit looked at him quizzically. “You did?”
Cade's gaze lowered to her mouth veiling his eyes as he smoothed his thumb across her full, lower lip, his other hand resting possessively at the base of her spine and drawing her closer. “Yeah, but I don't think you'll like it.”
Kit's body was already responding to her mate's sensual caress. Her pulse had quickened and a warm knot was tightening between her thighs. “Oh?” she breathed. “Try me.”
“I promised myself that I would ask your father for his blessing to marry you.” He felt her body stiffen against him, could hear her thoughts. He answered before she could air them out loud. “Because it's the right thing to do and even though we're mated, I think your parents have a right to see their daughter have a wedding.”
Kit caught his steely gaze. He'd surprised her, and left her quite speechless, but before she could respond he continued. “So… we're going to London in a few weeks. We'll be back in time for the initiation and our mating ceremony, and the wedding will happen only once we've got Jo back. As far as your parents need to know, you'll have to convince them she's still on vacation.”
Kit's gaze narrowed on him. With her lips a tight line and a well-manicured brow arched in a look so haughtily female, it was like a physical blow. A slap that stung with all the venom of a viper's bite. “You've got it all planned, huh?” She paused but kept her frosty glare. “You know, there aren't many places in London we can run around naked, not without being arrested, that is.”
Cade studied her for several heartbeats. She was a little pissed, but nothing he couldn't smooth over. He smiled with male arrogance as his hand traveled lower to cup the curve of her ass. “Are you saying you won't marry me?” His voice had taken on a seductive edge as his fingers brushed against the folds of her sex. He was hard and ready for the chase if that's how she wanted to play.
Kit pushed away from him feeling the frigid air slip between their bodies and ripple across her skin tightening her nipples. Her gaze couldn't help but devour the sight of her magnificent mate. The way it made her melt inside made her pulse race and her heart stutter.
Cade inched toward her. She took a step back, smiling when she heard his growl.
“I'll marry you on three conditions,” she offered.
His skeptical gaze crackled. Already gone half wolf he stared back at her in the dusky light, their molten, silver glow illuminating her face. Kit's own eyes had started to turn. Their sapphire blue fusing into an electrical storm so mesmerizing in their beauty, Cade found himself unable to breathe. Caught in their hypnotic splendor, he was a sailor lost at sea...
“One,” she said, her pointer finger tracing a swirl of the tattoo across his pectoral. “No more surprises.”
Sighing, he nodded in acceptance. “What's two?”
“Two,” she said, “I get to spend some time with the maternal females before we go. Get to know who my new patients are and start building a relationship with them.” Kit had eagerly accepted the role of a midwife when Madoc had made the suggestion, and would happily be assisting as a nurse at the packs compound. The Overseer had some reservations, but eventually he'd agreed and welcomed Kit into the shifting family.
“That sounds like a great idea. Sure you're happy with the job?”
She nodded. “Yes, I can't wait to do something I love and so worthwhile. Alongside running the café I'll be pretty busy.”
Cade was pleased to see a spark of joy in her gaze. “I'll get it cleared for you to go.” His head dipped, and he pressed a quick kiss to her lips before she stepped back out of his reach again.
“And three,” she teased, before spinning on her heel and laughing, “you have to catch me first!”
Ah, Christ.
Cade watched her race away. The sight of her naked body moving with such athletic grace was something that made his groin ache with an agonizing need, and his heart overflow with pride. Kit McCoy was his mate, his woman, his companion. As his wolf took over and his paws clawed up the dirt beneath him, the man inside reveled in the fact she would soon be his wife.
Now all he had to do was catch her…
About the Author
J.C.Rimell was born in London, England. She now lives in the beautiful countryside of Northern France with her family. She loves her dogs, Mini, Skye, and Jock. Books, animals, music, and the gym. A lover of the Paranormal Romance genre, it gave her the creative outlet she craved. Now she writes about love and seduction in a world where shifters are lethally sexy, vampires are dark and tempting, and the alpha male is a force to be reckoned with…
Her debut novel, Eternal Souls is the first installment from the Shadow Creek Series.
Find out more about the author and upcoming books online at: http://jcrimell.weebly.com/
Twitter: @jc_rimell
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