Amy placed the chessboard on the coffee table and settled on the floor. “Yes, but the Takhini pack is different than Canyon. Your people don’t need the same kind of space my people do.”
She set up the board quickly and efficiently as Evan considered her comment. “Wolves don’t tend to need a lot of space.”
He made the first move.
Her countermove came immediately. She leaned on an elbow as she glanced across the table at him. “It depends on the wolf. You stick people with lone-wolf tendencies into a pack house, and that’s the surest way to drive them mad.”
Evan frowned. “Lone wolves don’t tend to congregate in packs in the first place.”
“Right.”
That’s all she said, as if right was any kind of answer. Silence followed as he concentrated on the board, but it was no use. She had made all of four moves, and already Evan was sweating. “Damn, you’re a chess master.”
“Just really good at long-term planning,” Amy deadpanned. She slid her bishop into line with his king. “Checkmate.”
Evan sat back on his haunches. “Huh. Do that again.”
Fifteen minutes later Evan had been defeated three more times. Amy crossed her legs and sat back, a contented smile on her face. “Ready for something more your speed?”
“Checkers?”
“I was thinking snakes and ladders.”
Evan grabbed the cushion off the seat behind him and tossed it at her.
Amy ducked to one side, smiling as she stood. She lifted the board to put it away. “Go Fish?”
“Strip poker.”
She whimpered, a look of pain crossing her face as Evan’s wolf lunged upward in hope. “Be nice,” Amy muttered.
Evan was instantly contrite, especially since the suggestion had made his cock react far more than it should have. “Sorry.”
Her butt wiggled nicely as she strode to the cupboard. “Here, strategy and physical dexterity. Maybe it will distract us enough to forget…the other things we’re fighting.”
The game she placed on the table consisted of stacked blocks of wood. Evan was familiar with this one. “I’m the pack-house Jenga champion,” he warned as he got to his knees.
“So I’ve heard. That means you might have a sporting chance against me.”
Her dare warmed him. There was a challenge in it, yes, but none of the agonized aggression she’d been tossing his way ever since she’d discovered he was her mate.
Proximity was easing things along, and that was all he could hope for at this point. “Ladies first.”
Absolute concentration reigned for the next twenty minutes as they alternated moves, slipping the thin rectangular pieces of wood free from the tall tower and carefully placing them back on top. Evan made sure to focus while it was his turn.
But when it was Amy’s? He was all about watching her.
Her dark hair was messy from their outdoor romp. Her eyes sparkled as she concentrated, the merest bit of her tongue poking between her lips as she steadily pushed a block free. There was a rosy glow to her skin, and a freshness and vitality about her that made Evan long for the moment he could put the games aside and take her in his arms. Take all of that energy and enjoy it to the fullest.
She smiled with satisfaction as she held a block in the air. “You’re in trouble.”
“We’ll see.” Evan didn’t care at this point who won and who lost. Spending time with her was what he was interested in.
His competitive spirit wouldn’t allow him to lie down and let her win, though. He leaned over, carefully checking the tower that was stacked precariously enough he wanted to hold his breath. A single sneeze would send it tumbling.
There were no simple moves left. He reached for a block, momentarily distracted by the faintest hint of delight that crossed Amy’s face.
He checked again, and spotted the trap. Removing that piece was guaranteed to send the entire tower crashing. Instead he went for the only other possible move. Evan delicately placed a fingertip and nudged ever so slightly.
The tower swayed.
Forget about breathing, this was all about concentration now. One tiny motion after another the block inched free from its position. He pulled the final inch and a quarter straight to the side, sighing with relief as the tower settled.
He held the block in the air and beamed at Amy.
“I’m impressed.”
“Anything can be accomplished with enough patience.”
She took a deep breath then let it out slowly. The conversation was suddenly not about the game at all. Tension rose again in a rush, and urgent need and desire swooped around them like dive-bombing eagles. “I think I’m going to call it a night.”
Evan looked pointedly at the tower, but didn’t say anything.
Amy rolled her eyes. “You’re such a wolf.”
“You know it.”
She tipped her chin. “You win.” She raised a hand to the fragile structure and sent it tumbling into dozens of random pieces scattered on the floor.
They cleaned up the mess together. She carried the game away while Evan turned to the sink to wash the dishes. Silence, but this time far more comfortable.
He was drying his hands when she came up behind him. “Evan?”
He rotated, facing her with only inches separating their bodies.
She stared, those enormous eyes like magnets pulling him forward. “I… I’m not ready. God, I could rip your clothes off and fuck you right here if my wolf side got control, but then I think about what—”
He pressed his fingers over her lips. “I know. I understand. So I have a suggestion.”
“What?”
Did she realize her fingertips were brushing his chest? “Sleep in your wolf. She needs it.”
It was a way to give both of them what they were craving without pushing too far.
The faintest hint of a smile appeared. “I’ll wash first.”
Five minutes later he caught himself debating if he should wear a pair of boxers to bed or not, which only proved his logic centers were totally fucked up. Who cared what he wore? She wasn’t sleeping with him. His wolf howled in frustration, and the human side muttered in agreement.
He exited the bathroom and stepped into the room she’d given him.
Amy was already curled up on the bed. She lifted her head, her unique personality shining from wolfish eyes.
A shot of something close to obsession struck, and he hid the yearning under a teasing quip. “I hope you don’t snore.”
She growled.
Evan didn’t bother to pull back the quilt. Just lay down, one hand slipping into her fur. He stroked her, thoroughly enjoying the chance to pet her until she rumbled with pleasure.
“You’re a beautiful wolf,” he said as he admired her. “Your wolf and your human, both of them are amazing, and I can’t wait until we’re truly together.”
Amy rose on her front paws, head tilted to the side as she studied him.
“I’ll be patient,” he promised. “But I won’t give up.”
Something changed, just slightly, but enough to make his wolf sigh contentedly. Amy turned in a circle, moving closer. She settled, her nose resting on her tail, body tight against his chest like a furry furnace.
Maybe it wasn’t the typical first night for mates, but all things considered?
He’d take it.
Part Two
Time has got a little bill—get wise while yet you may,
For the debit side’s increasing in a most alarming way;
The things you had no right to do, the things you should have done,
They’re all put down; it’s up to you to pay for every one.
So eat, drink and be merry, have a good time if you will,
But God help you when the time comes,