She said it simply, a statement of fact. Taking control of her life ten years ago at such a young age had been hard, but she’d had to do it. It had been the right thing, she was sure.
TJ kissed her temple softly, then nestled her under his arm. He linked their fingers together and rested their joined hands in his lap. “Do you ever see your parents?”
She shook her head. “And it’s not because I’m hiding from them. Honestly, I’m not bitter or wishing them ill anymore. I cut the ties and decided I was responsible for my own happiness. They just don’t seem to give a damn. I think I remind them of each other or something, and they hate each other with a vengeance.” She shrugged.
He grimaced. “So telling you stories about human happily-ever-afters…”
Pam leaned back on him and sighed. “Sheer fantasy. Werewolves are a whole lot more believable.” A whole lot more desirable as well, from what she could tell. TJ appeared to know exactly who he was and where he stood. Had he gained that confidence from being a wolf?
TJ stroked her fingers gently with his thumb. “I’ve had the pack around me all my life. While I get razzed a great deal for being clumsy, they’ve always supported me. My brother, my friends, heck…everyone.”
“You’re not clumsy.”
He laughed out loud. “Okay, there’s another topic for discussion. Umm, yes, I am. For some reason I’m not nearly as bad when I’m around you.” He nuzzled her neck. “That ‘you complete me’ thing.”
She slapped him lightly. “Get out. I think you’re like a puppy coming into his growth. You should have seen the trouble my first dog had—”
He groaned. “Can we make a deal now that you don’t compare me to your previous dogs. Please?”
A snort slipped out. “We’ll see.”
She twisted to stare at him. His earnest expression stole her heart.
“Pam, can you give me a clue here? Have I persuaded you at all what I said is true? That we’re mates?”
Her fears and doubts scrambled to stay above the undeniable bond between them that grew stronger every moment she spent with him.
“Can’t you tell what I’m thinking with that wolf connection of yours?” She couldn’t speak over a whisper, the effort of pushing the words out enormous. She wanted to believe, wanted it so very much.
He surprised her by lifting her into his lap and tucking her head against his chest before setting the porch swing rocking. He surrounded her with his arms as if pulling a shield of protection around them. “I sense all kinds of things from you, and yet your emotions are so jumbled I can’t understand. Fear, longing, sexual need. At times I feel as if you’re about to announce you love me. The next minute you’re planning to tell me goodbye and expect I’ll drop you at the airport and let you go without a word of protest.”
Umm, yup, that would about cover the gamut of chaos running through her brain the past couple days.
“Do you really pick up all those things, or are you guessing?”
It was his turn to sigh. “I can’t literally read your mind, and we can’t speak to each other mentally. But as far as I can tell, I’m just about as linked to you in terms of a mate connection as I could dream of.”
“I feel like I’ve known you all my life.” The whispered confession eased the tightness inside a little. He squeezed her gently and kissed the top of her head. His heart thumped solidly under her ear, and she snuck her arms around his torso to draw as close as possible.
TJ sang to her a capella, his rich voice tickling her ears. Filling her with hope and a deep longing.
My love will never fade, it lingers like the light.
Fills all the mountaintops, burning ever bright.
My love is like the tide, fresh and clean each day.
It’s pure and strong, and all that I can say—
You fill my days, you fill my nights, you’re everything, all I need,
Forever
My love is like the spring, it lingers like the snow.
It only melts away, to bring new growth.
My love is like the wind, running wild and free.
Together now, won’t you come with me—
You fill my days, you fill my nights, you’re everything, all I need,
Forever
He let the words trail off, the intensity of his song wrapped up with all the things she felt from him. His tender heart. His humour. Plain spoken and blunt, but never cruel, he was all the things she admired in a friend. All the things she wanted in a lover.
Her final doubts dissolved. Logic had a place in this, and he’d done his best to show her the mate list existed and examples of each item. But at some point, the heart had to take over from the head and that moment was now.
She pressed her palm against his cheek and kissed him softly before crawling off his lap and holding out her hand.
“What—?”
She shook her head. One finger held to her lips, she poured her energy into sharing what she felt inside. The deep satisfaction at his company. The passion she held for him.
The love.
They walked together, hand in hand, into the cabin where she led him to the bedroom. She stripped off her clothes quickly and turned to help him. With every touch of her hands, she thought of a moment he’d made her smile the past week. Of an expression she’d seen on his face. Of the love she’d seen in his eyes. She didn’t need any more words—he’d been saying it to her all week long with every gesture, every touch.
Every time he’d shifted into his wolf and wandered at her side, or curled up against her, soft and warm. He was completely comfortable in both his skins, and there was no deceit in him.
She tugged him to the bed and they connected, skin on skin, hands brushing, exploring. Their lips met in a breathless kiss that began soft and gentle before turning ravenous. Greedy and passionate, they rolled together until she managed to maneuver into position, his legs trapped under her. His cock breached the folds of her body and they slid together in one perfect moment. His breath released with a gasp and she felt his muscles tense as he realized they were making love without any barrier between them.
TJ gathered her in his arms and peered into her eyes. He didn’t ask if she was sure, didn’t do anything to break the beauty of her gift. He didn’t even speak, not with words.
But his eyes said I love you.
His body said it. So did all the emotion she sensed from him, whether a figment of her imagination or not. All signs said he was hers, completely.
They moved together, hips rocking, tension building. The aching need to be filled by him, not only physically, but in every way, being answered. Kisses upon kisses fell while TJ’s hands roamed her body. He slid into her again and again, drawing her thigh high over his hip as they lay side by side on the mattress. She teetered on the edge of release. He buried his face in her neck, rising slightly to press deeper into her core, the angle change pressing harder against her clit. The tickly sensation preceding her climax had never built this high before and every nerve screamed for satisfaction. She had no idea how intense her body’s response would be when he put his teeth to her neck and bit down, burying himself deep as they both went off together.
Bright white pleasure raced over her, every bit of skin sensitive and tingling. Every breath of air tasted like him, every thought wrapped up in his love. Their bodies meshed, intimate and close, as waves of bliss pulsed repetitively. The bundle of dreams she’d tied up and put aside as impossible unwound.
Forever was not a myth, no more than werewolves.
They lay tangled together for the longest time, their breath slowly returning to normal. TJ kissed her—her neck, her cheek, her forehead. One soft lingering kiss to her mouth. He spoke, their lips brushing together.