“I feel the strength inside you. Your wolf is powerful and she wants to help you through this. Your heart is so strong, but you’ve been using your strength to carry a burden that wasn’t yours. I meant what I said about not caring if you shift. Only I’d hate to see her trapped forever when together you can be happy again. Truly happy.”
“So if tomorrow is a wolf-only challenge, what would you do?”
He shrugged. “As far as I’m concerned we can go home. This is a game, what you’re talking about is real life.”
Maggie shook her head. “No! If we go home that’s another thing they’ve stolen from me. From the boys, and the pack. No more. I’ve had enough of them taking my life away. I want to compete and I want to get my life back on track.” Tears filled her eyes again. She dropped to her knees at his feet and clasped his big hands in hers. “Help me.”
Erik rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. “I agree you need to take back control of your life, but Maggie…” He cupped her face in his hand. “You’ve been reclaiming your life. Ever since you started back north you’ve taken charge and made changes. If you can’t finish it all in a few days, you’re still well on the way. They aren’t winning anymore. You’re the one in control of the game now. Okay?”
Her heart leapt. It was true. She nodded jerkily.
“Summer solstice is tomorrow. I think that should help.” He pulled off his shirt and her mouth watered. Firm muscles tempted her. Distracted her from the emotional rollercoaster she’d just raced over. The urgent desire to run her tongue over his body chased away all other thoughts. How had they resisted completing their mating until now? It was another stone to cast at the feet of her tormentors. Then he was naked, every glorious mile of him spread out like a banquet before her.
“I have no idea how this is supposed to help my wolf, but damn you’re fine.”
He laughed. “You’re drooling.”
She wiped at her mouth in response and flushed when he laughed again. “Tease.”
“I like the look in your eyes.”
Maggie lifted her gaze to his. “You’re much better looking than TJ. At least to me.”
Erik patted the blanket beside him. “I thought I’d change to my wolf, but I want you to be sure you understand it’s me, no matter what form I take. If I frighten you, just tell me to shift back and I will.”
“I’ve been around TJ’s wolf for three days.”
He frowned. “Sweetheart, I hate to remind you, but TJ is young and not as powerful as you. He’s also not nearly as big as I am. When we do have a shifter challenge there will be few wolves my size. If you can get comfortable around me, that’s the first step.”
Maggie nodded. “Makes sense.”
“Touch me.”
She ran her hands up his chest, over all that hard muscle and tight skin, leaning closer to brush their lips together. The thrill of connection shook her to the core even as their lips stayed soft and sweet. She took her time, tracing the tattoos on his shoulders and arms, brushing the stiff hair on his head. She stroked her hands down his abdomen, skirting his erection.
Oh heavens. Distraction at its very finest.
“I think I should shift now.”
She nodded, unable to tear her eyes away from the evidence of just how much he really wanted her.
“Maggie, did you hear me? I’m going to shift.” A tug on her arm made her drag her gaze back to his face. Erik wore a huge grin. “Although that’s a very nice expression you’ve got right now.”
“Okay, Wolfman, let me clap for you.”
Shimmering light flashed, transposing images registered on her retinas, and Erik lay on the blanket, all claws and black fur and teeth, and for one awful second, her heart stopped. She closed her eyes and felt for him. It was still Erik. Still the same sensation of power rolling off him, the same love and caring being projected. Gentleness mixed with his incredible strength.
Between the two of them, there was nothing they couldn’t accomplish.
Suddenly, that was all she needed. The final wall fell.
“Shift. I need to…I want to…”
She waited, shaking with the fever rippling through her veins. Her blouse came off in one motion, her skirt and bits of underwear flying after it. He changed back, his solid body reforming until he lay on the blanket, naked. She leapt on him, into his arms, tears pouring from her eyes.
“What’s wrong? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to push you too fast. You don’t have to change. Maggie? Why are you naked?”
She sealed her mouth to his, stealing his words, taking his response. She lay skin-to-skin on top of him, his erection pressing against her belly. She wanted him. Needed him desperately, and there was nothing that would stop her.
He rolled them over, pausing before he covered her. He tangled his fingers in her hair, his tongue stroking and dancing with hers. The wind rustled the leaves overhead, swirls of his power wrapping around them. The pulsing beat between her legs jumped in tempo when he dragged a hand down her body and cupped her breast in the palm of his hand.
When he pulled back they both gasped for air. He stroked his thumb around the tender skin of her nipple, circling again and again as he stared into her eyes. “Are you sure? Make no mistake, I love you and I want you, but I will wait until you’re really ready. Don’t do this to try and convince your wolf to rise. Don’t do this unless you mean it.”
Maggie brought her hands to cradle his face. He was so damn big it was easy to forget just how tenderhearted he really was. Her wolf danced inside, waiting to be set free. But before she let her out, she wanted to please the woman.
“The mate thing? It’s there, I feel the chemistry between us. But my head says I love you as well. My wolf loves you. And now we need to stop talking and I need you inside me. Please.”
He closed his eyes, his face tight with restrained desire. “I didn’t want this to happen here. In the wilderness, no soft bed. I wanted it to be special.”
She slapped his shoulder. “Damn, it is special. It’s you, and me and that’s—”
He leaned over to consume her.
Chapter 10
Soft warm skin under his mouth, her scent filling his head. If he never saw another sunrise, just the memory of this moment—his mate accepting him—would keep him warm for the rest of his life.
She caressed his body, her hands tiny against his chest, over his shoulders. Her touch teased and tormented and he slipped a line of kisses down her torso, partly in an attempt to escape to where he could concentrate on her without being distracted. He cupped her breasts in his hands, the dark skin of her nipples crinkling tight as he lapped at them. First one then the other, licking and nipping and sucking until Maggie panted and writhed under him.
“I love the way you taste.” He licked her belly button and she laughed, her torso shaking.
“You talk too much.”
“Hmm, you think?”
“Oh. Oh. Oh yes…”
Erik smiled against her core, his tongue tracing lazy circles around the rigid nub of her clitoris. He continued his assault, his tongue and fingers playing her like an instrument, now fast, now slower. The sounds of delight she made changed with his tempo until she tightened around his fingers, her sheath squeezing the two fingers he’d buried in her depths.
Again and again he lapped at her, lifting her hips high in the air to pull her closer to his eager mouth. The connection between them grew stronger the longer they touched, and the control he’d wound up, tight as a corkscrew, slowly began to unravel. Destiny meant for them to be together, but after hearing her confession he admired her more than ever. She was brave and bright, and she drove him totally and completely mad with lust.