Her dream lover rolled over and looked at her, lacing his fingers through hers, gently, tenderly kissing each digit and nuzzling her hand. “Ivan,” he whispered.
She stared into his large, grey eyes and nodded. “That’s a good name.”
He smiled and she wanted to lean over and kiss him. Wanted to lock her lips onto his and…
Lindsey opened her eyes and looked at the dog, his grey eyes delving into hers.
“Ivan,” she whispered.
He nodded.
“That’s a good name.”
He lived with her three more days before making his move. Every night he made sure she dreamed about him, each dream going further than the rest. He pretended to like the kibble so he didn’t hurt her feelings.
He did everything possible to make her feel at ease when she was home, to try to lessen her jumpiness he knew was left over from the attack. As soon as she left every day, he shifted back and scavenged through the kitchen for real food. Then he’d take a shower and shave because he couldn’t stand feeling grungy.
On Saturday morning, he lay in bed and waited for her to wake up. Normally she would start the pot of coffee then they went jogging. He enjoyed running with her even if she wasn’t as fast as him. He always perfectly synced his steps to hers, never pulling on the leash, never falling behind. He enjoyed the looks they received, the men who watched her and warily eyed him.
Mate. My Mate.
This morning would be different. She had the day off from work, and he followed her to the kitchen, grabbing his leash in his teeth from where it hung over the doorknob.
“You have to go out now?”
He shook his head and nudged her hand. She slipped the collar over his head. It always stayed snapped on the leash. He sat.
“What is it?”
He looked at her, nuzzling her hand so it rested on top of his head.
Please let this work.
He shifted.
He didn’t dare move, her sudden gasp not breaking into the anticipated scream.
When she fell, he caught her and pulled her into his lap, her stunned eyes wide with shock.
He didn’t speak, waiting for her to make the next move.
She touched his face, ran her fingers through his hair, and finally gasped for breath.
“Do it again,” she whispered.
Ivan couldn’t contain the slight smile that curled his lips. He shifted back into his wolf form.
Lindsey sobbed, wrapping her arms around his furry neck. “Again,” she whispered.
He did, holding her.
She sat there with him for an hour, not speaking, barely remembering to breathe.
When she finally sat back, he stood, the collar and leash still around his neck. Ivan scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom.
Lindsey’s gaze never left his, her hand stroking his cheek. He captured her fingers and kissed her hand, gently sucking each digit into his mouth, laving his tongue over them. She was taking this better than he ever dreamed. He’d expected at least a few minutes of screaming, followed by some orders to get the hell out—which he’d ignore, of course—followed by more screaming and hysterical crying.
She looked…relieved.
The man of her dreams. No, literally, the man she dreamed about every night since Ivan saved her in the park. If she’d lost her mind, it could stay permanently gone for all she cared. He wasn’t a figment of her imagination, and the collar didn’t magically appear around his neck.
Her fingers trailed down his jaw to his throat where she unsnapped the leash and tossed it to the floor.
He rolled on top of her, his huge erection poking her in the thigh. “You okay, Lindsey?”
His voice sounded the same as from her dreams, deep and strong, soothing, sending tendrils of need from her heart to her heated pussy.
She nodded. She felt way more than okay.
When he kissed her, she closed her eyes and buried her fingers in his thick black hair. He tasted good, safe, strong. Moaning when he broke their kiss, she tried to pull him back, but he chuckled.
“It’s okay.”
His lips blistered a scorching path down her throat as his hands lifted her T-shirt, exposing her breasts. Ivan’s sharp intake of breath at the sight of her peaked nipples only served to increase her need. His lips captured one, and when his tongue flicked it, she moaned.
As he gently cupped her other breast, his fingers tweaking her nipple into a similar state, she ground her hips against him.
She wanted him. Now.
Screw patience, screw caution—she wanted him to screw her! Thank God she was still on the Pill.
“Fuck me,” she begged. “Please!”
She received a deep and hungry growl in reply. He lifted his mouth from her breast. “I will, babe. Trust me. And I won’t stop once I start. You have no idea how badly I’ve wanted to, ever since I met you.”
Lindsey closed her eyes and squirmed against him. She’d deal with reality later. No way in hell she would let him stop the delicious things he did to her body.
Ivan peeled her T-shirt off, and his hot flesh against hers felt perfectly right. She ran her hands over his firm body. He wanted her.
When she pushed her shorts and panties down her hips, he pulled them off her legs. He bent his head to her belly, kissing, licking, tasting.
That wasn’t exactly where she wanted him, but it was a damn good start.
Trying to nudge him lower, she tangled her fingers in his hair and pushed. It was like moving a large boulder. He wasn’t budging.
“I’m going to make love to you all day,” he whispered. “There’s no need to rush.”
Lindsey threw her head back, squeezing her eyes shut as he took an agonizingly long time exploring every centimeter of her flesh before lightly teasing her clit with his tongue.
“Do it. Please.”
“I want you, Lindsey.”
“I’m telling you to fuck me, Ivan.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
His choked voice more than his actual words broke through her passion. She lifted her head to look at him. His grey eyes focused on her.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“I love you.”
Every last shred of sanity screamed at her to stop, to back up, to at the very least ask for a background check or ID or a current rabies shot certificate. Something.
But his eyes. Those big, grey eyes melted her.
He saved her. At any time he could have done…whatever he did…certainly big enough to force me. He didn’t.
He protected her. And for the first time in a long time, she felt she was exactly where she should be. Safe.
Loved.
“I love you, too, Ivan.” She knew the words were true as soon as she whispered them.
“Forever?”
“That’s a long time.”
He nodded. “You have no idea.”
“We’ve got a lot to talk about.”
He nodded again.
Lindsey swallowed, hard. “Do I start doing…this?”
He smiled. If she’d had any reservations, that would have melted them away like a spring thaw on Mt. Rainier. “Long story, but no. I was born like this.” He sat up and held her hand. “Okay. No fleas or ticks, I promise I’m faithful, and I’ll rip the throat out of any guy who dares look at you wrong. But you can’t get me neutered.”
She laughed, but his desperate, pleading look pulled at her. A guy like this should look confident he’d get the girl, but he looked scared.
“Downside?”
“It’s a fucking big secret to keep. I’ll introduce you to Jeremy.”
“Who’s he?”