“Kane, we’d agreed to peaceful discussions on this matter,” Rafe declared. “Sending one of your wolves to spy on us doesn’t fit that agreement.”
“How do we know that your enforcer wasn’t spying on us?” Kane spat.
“Why would you say that?”
“The excuse of protecting his mate sounds like a cover. A reason to trespass and spy.”
Rafe snorted. “That’s ridiculous.”
Kane raised his index finger. “You must think we’re fools to fall for that.”
Oh hell, it was worse than Damon had anticipated. He rolled his shoulders back The Sacco pack wasn’t buying his explanation.
“And what reason would we have to spy on your pack?” Rafe scoffed.
“To expand your development by encroaching into our territory.” Kane’s eyes bulged and spittle shot from his mouth.
“We have no interest in your lands,” Rafe denied.
It didn’t matter. The long-standing feud between the packs resurrected with neither side budging. The Sacco accused them of exploiting natural resources and destroying the wolf habitat by developing the mountain. The only thing that Damon learned was that the enforcer who he’d fought with was named Alex.
While Rafe and Kane argued, Damon groaned inside. It confirmed what he’d always believed—that mates were trouble. They led a wolf to act out of character and against all reason.
And here that meant trouble for his pack.
But after spending time with Sophie, it was too late. He’d bonded to her. No way would he turn back now.
After the meeting ended without progress, Damon discussed the issue with his pack back in the lodge. They then went out for a pack run through the mountains to burn off the anxious energy in the darkness, hunting rabbit and other small prey.
While they prowled after the hunt, Grayson asked Damon, Have you told her about us?
Damon bristled. No.
Why not? You don’t think you can trust her?
That’s not it. I don’t know where to begin. And the deeper secret—he was afraid of her reaction.
When Rafe dismissed them, Damon rushed back to his cabin, eager to return to Sophie. When he entered, her bedroom door was closed. It was late and she must have gone to bed.
Damon walked over to her door. He sensed her on the other side, heard her breathing. He listened to the soothing sound of her, already comforted by her presence and torn by the agony to get closer still.
His wolf prowled inside, still riled up after the hunt and the near altercation with the Sacco pack. Take her, claim her, he demanded. Now more than ever, you need to mark her as yours.
His wolf didn’t get it, a human wouldn’t react well to a shifter’s mating habits. Damon had seen the terror in her eyes when she’d told him about seeing wolves. When she’d confided in him about the betrayals, her pain tore at him. He’d do anything to take away her pain, yet his omission exacerbated the gulf between them.
Every muscle in Damon’s body was tight and tense. He was caught in this battle between human and wolf. He was taunted by the desperate longing and inevitable agony of not only finding his mate, but knowing she was human and from a different world. Could a human ever understand or accept him?
He gulped. If he wanted any chance with her, he had to confide in her. She wouldn’t tolerate deceit. He had to tell her who he truly was.
From behind the door, Sophie moaned. It was a long, pleasurable one that robbed him of reason. He listened, as frozen as a tree trunk, as her breaths came out quicker and louder. Rough pants and low moans escaped her, captivating him in what he was sure was a beautiful, sensual dream.
Was she dreaming of him?
Damon placed his hands on the wood of the door and leaned his forehead against it, bracing himself against the longing to barge through it and claim her.
How much longer could he live like this, before succumbing to this intense yearning? How much longer could he struggle against what was sure to be a star-crossed fate?
Chapter 11
Sophie
Sophie woke early Wednesday morning to get some work done. After brewing a pot of coffee, she sat at the table she’d been using as a desk and stared outside. The sun was rising over the mountain. Brilliant oranges and yellows streaked across the sky to welcome the new day.
The night before, she’d had some wild dreams about Damon, which had seemed so real, heat rose within, burning her cheeks.
That sensation intensified when he walked out of his bedroom an hour later wearing nothing but a pair of boxer shorts. His hair was ruffled, and his eyes were still sleepy. He walked over to her and said good morning before kissing the top of her head.
She turned to him and faced that wall of carved abs. Before salivating, she glanced away. “Good morning.” Her breath came quicker. “I woke up early to get some work done and then I can head out for a few runs this morning.” Why was she talking so fast?
“Want some company?” Damon walked over to the coffee pot and poured himself a cup in one of the handmade ceramic mugs he favored. He had them in a variety of colors and had mentioned buying them from an artist in the village. “I’m off this morning and working the afternoon shift.”
“Sure.”
He opened the fridge. “First, I’ll make us some breakfast.” He pulled out some eggs and a loaf of bread.
A couple of hours later, they’d skied a few trails. The sun shone bright overhead, offsetting some of the coolness of the mountain air.
After a few runs, Sophie felt more confident in her abilities. “I’m ready to try a harder trail.”
Damon nodded with pride. “That’s my girl.”
A tingling stirred inside her on hearing those words.
“You’ve got it, Sophie,” he added. “Besides, ski patrol will be with you the entire time.” He placed his hand on his chest and leaned forward in a half bow.
“True.” She laughed.
This was her first attempt at the black diamond trail since the incident. Her heart pounded as she envisioned how she’d lost control. But if she thought that way, her body would be stiff. She’d make mistakes. And they could be dangerous ones.
Instead, she focused on her form. Inhaling the brisk air, she aimed her skis downhill and concentrated on the route ahead. Edging into the side of the mountain for her turns, she navigated down, steering around a patch of ice. Still, there must have been some right beneath her as the crunching of her skis on ice grated her ears, making her heart thump. She didn’t freak out or fall, though, and remained in control.
Her quads burned at this incline, and the winds seemed to batter her even more at this quicker speed. The rush returned—the wild, dangerous sensation of slicing down the mountain with the wind on her face.
When she got to the bottom of the mountain, her pulse still raced. She glanced back at the mountain. She did it!
Damon had been skiing behind her. He finished the run in perfect form, with skis close and turns tight. After edging into a stop beside her, he congratulated her. “Great job. I’m proud of you, Soph.”
She beamed. It felt pretty damn good to get out there again and experience what she loved, rather than caving into the fear instigated by her fall in the woods.
“Let’s go again,” she declared.
They skied two more black trails, but by three o’clock, her legs screamed that it was time to quit. “I better head back to work. And my muscles are telling me it’s time.”
“I’ll meet up with you for dinner. Any preference tonight?”
“I need a break from all the cheese,” she noted with a laugh. “How about sushi?” she suggested. “I saw a restaurant in the village.”
Damon nodded and smiled. “What my lady wants.”
My lady. My girl. Hearing him say those words was more thrilling than tackling any of those difficult trails.
Her feelings might be dangerous, setting her up for a fall more crushing than any posed by a tumble down the mountain.
&nbs
p; The sushi was delicious, but Sophie couldn’t keep her eyes off Damon. Despite the innocuous topics they discussed, such as skiing or work, potent glances across the table had sensual undertones.
Would this finally be the night? No interruptions, no deadlines, just the two of them together.
They walked arm in arm from the village back to Damon’s cabin. No point in driving when the distance was little more than descending the mountain and crossing the road into the main part of the village. Plus, they’d get an after dinner walk in.
“What do you think about a drink in the hot tub when we get back?” she suggested.
Damon’s expression hardened and a worried glint appeared in his eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” His smile appeared forced. “The hot tub sounds great.”
Hmm, her bullshit radar perked up again. Why the odd reaction? Yet another question in the mysteries of Damon.
Twenty minutes later, she entered the hot tub, while he opened a bottle of wine inside. She was grateful that she had the water to hide all her less-than-perfect body parts. When Damon walked outside in his swim trunks holding a bottle of wine and two glasses, her mouth dropped open, almost hitting the water surface.
Although she’d seen his mouth-watering body a couple of times already, it still left her dazed. He was magnificent. His body appeared rock hard, as if it had been carved out of the
New Hampshire granite that was so prevalent in the mountains. Would she ever tire of staring at him? Doubtful.
She captured his face to memory, so she could revisit this magnificent week here with him. His face was hard and rugged with a strong masculine jaw. The wildness of his chin-length, wavy hair softened his profile, but they couldn’t tame the fire in his eyes. Those amber eyes were so intense, so captivating.
So out of her league.
No, she couldn’t think like that. Besides, he made her feel beautiful. Desirable. Something she had feared was no longer true after Bobby’s betrayal.
Damon poured them each a glass of Chianti and handed her one. “How’s the water?”
She accepted the glass. “It feels amazing. I’m surprised you don’t come here every night. If I lived here, I would not pass up the chance to soak my sore muscles after a day of skiing.”
He put his glass down and sat down beside her. “That’s because I’m here alone. Sitting alone in a hot tub isn’t the same as sharing it with a fascinating woman.” He sipped his wine and then peered at her over the glass.
He did it again with that look. The way he stared at her indicated he wasn’t searching for her faults the way she feared that Bobby always did—Damon was looking at her. And that ravenous gleam in his eyes showed that he wanted her.
She leaned her head back and glanced up at the stars. Countless twinkled overhead, overshadowed only by the golden moon that was near full in the dark velvet sky. “This is one thing I’ll miss while I’m in the city.”
“You don’t have to go.”
Sophie jerked upright and gaped at him. “What?”
He rolled a shoulder and glanced off toward the forest in the distance. “I mean, if you like it here, why not stay?”
She blinked. “I have a job back there.”
He shrugged. “You’ve been working fine from here, right?”
“True.” She snorted. “Too bad my boss doesn’t see it that way.”
Damon raised his glass. “Life is short, Sophie. Do what makes you happy.”
She gulped and took a sip of wine herself.
Several more minutes passed, and they’d nearly downed their glasses. He still hadn’t made a move to kiss her.
Screw it. That bit of wine helped her slough off a layer of inhibition. She leaned closer to him and brushed her lips against his.
He kissed her back with gentleness, but then pulled back. “Not here.” He scanned their surroundings once more.
She sank back against the back of the hot tub, swallowing the rejection. “Is there something out there? Is that what’s bothering you?”
His jaw tightened and then he shook his head. “Sorry. It’s just—work stuff.”
“Like what?”
“Just work,” he repeated. “It wouldn’t interest you.”
She glanced around the mountain, didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, and finished the glass of wine. Gritting back the frustration, she climbed out of the tub and wrapped a fluffy white towel around herself. “I’m going inside.”
Damon followed her in. Once inside, he pulled the curtains closed, which he hadn’t done since she stayed here. Her phone was still plugged in and playing. Michael Bublé sang Moondance. When she went to turn it off, Damon stopped her.
He offered his hand to her. “Can we dance?”
She had a towel wrapped around her as he did around his waist. “Like this?”
“Like this,” he repeated. He stepped closer to her and wrapped one hand behind her waist. With the other, he raised her hand and swayed with the music. He smelled so good, as always, with that wild forest scent that made her want to inhale more deeply around him.
He was so tall that she faced his wall of solid man chest, not that it was an issue. As he led her around the living room, she leaned her head against him. The heat of his body warmed her.
“We should be dancing to this outside, don’t you think?” she asked. “Dancing under the moonlight.”
He pulled back and stared down at her. “I’d much rather be alone with you inside.” He stopped moving and then caressed her face, smoothing his thumb over her bottom lip. Then he bent down and kissed her.
This was nothing like the chaste brush of lips outside. This time, he held nothing back. He deepened the kiss, leaving her breathless.
He teased her with hot kisses along her jawline before moving down to the delicate flesh on her neck. A ripple of desire left her trembling. She tilted her head, which encouraged him to continue.
His fingers trailed down the side of her throat and then over the top of her breasts. In the next heartbeat, he unwrapped her towel and dropped it to the floor.
“I want to see you.” He rubbed his thumb over one of her nipples, both of which were hard peaks straining against her bikini top. He reached behind her back and untied the strings, baring her breasts.
She stared up at him, watching, waiting.
“Beautiful.” His eyes brightened with more gold. He caressed the side of one breast and cupped the full undersides. He rubbed his thumb and forefinger over her nipples, making them ache for more of his touch. When he continued tracing his fingers down her side, she took in a shuddering breath.
Wearing almost nothing, she felt too naked. She reached down and unwrapped the white terry cloth towel covering his lower body. “I want to see you, too.” When she dropped it, his erection tented his swim trunks. Oh my, impressive. That would be difficult to ignore. She bit her lip and then smiled to herself, more than willing to give it a go. Lowering her hand, she stroked his hard length through the wet fabric of his trunks.
He moaned. “That feels so good.” He scooped her in his arms and she yelped in surprise. “My bed. Now.”
The deep rumble of his tone excited her. “Yes.” Her voice sounded low and edged with her desire.
He carried her into his bedroom and lay her onto the soft, white cotton sheets on his bed. Her bikini bottoms were still wet, but neither of them cared. The music from the next song on her playlist, “Sway,” carried into the room.
When Damon lowered his weight on her, he took her mouth again in a deep, hungry kiss.
As he caressed her body, her skin burned. His lips traced from her throat down until he had reached her breasts. He licked and fondled each one, teasing her nipples with his fingers. Damn, it felt so good. He was skilled in drawing pleasure with each stroke.
With one hand, he reached between her legs, circling there, rising higher. She squirmed, desperate for more. When he cupped her mound, her lower body rose as if by instinct.
He then moved along the seam of her bikini bottoms, teasing her. Her breath came harder against his mouth. Finally, he slid his fingers beneath the wet fabric and touched her needy flesh. Her body trembled and she sighed.
“You’re so wet,” he murmured, his voice husky.
“I want you, Damon.”
A low growl emanated from him, signaling he was on board. “Let’s get these off.” As he slid the final piece of clothing off her, she waited with heady anticipation as he gazed at her like she was a decadent piece of dessert. The scent of desire seemed to fill the air.
“You’re even more beautiful than I imagined, Sophie.” He ran one hand over his jawline. “And trust me, I’ve envisioned this countless times over the last six months.”
As had she. Six months of fantasies over the stranger she’d met at the club. “Me too,” she admitted. That was before she knew him, before she started to fall in love with him…
No, that couldn’t be right, could it? She hadn’t even been with him a week.
Damon silenced her thoughts as he slid his swim trunks down, revealing his full, impressive erection.
Her heart beat with a loud jolt. “You’re even more magnificent than I imagined.”
Damon slid his body over her, pressing his hard length against her inner thighs. “You’ve thought about this?” He kissed her breasts and abdomen.
“Yesss,” she stammered.
He moved his mouth lower, kissing her lower belly. “And this?”
Her heart pounded like crazy, thundering in her ears. “Uh huh.”
“How about this?” He parted her thighs and moved his head there, kissing and nibbling at her inner thighs.
She tossed her head to the side on his pillow. “God, yes,” she cried.
“And I’ve fantasized about tasting this.” His tongue brushed along her folds.
The Reluctant Wolf and His Fated Mate: A Howls Romance (White Mountain Shifters Book 1) Page 9