“If you need to shift now, feel free to do so.”
“I’ll only shift if you do.”
She shook her head. “I want to talk to you and I can’t do that if I shift.”
A good sign. His bear settled at the thought.
“Every mated pair in my clan knew each other for years before the mated bond drew them together.” She popped another of his buttons, eased her entire hand fully inside and palmed his flesh. “We don’t have that same benefit going into our mated bond. I don’t want to move too fast, even though I can’t help but want to touch you. The need is strong.”
“As it is for me, and we’ll take things as slow as you need to. We’ll find the right balance. I like having your hands on me. It’s soothing.” It calmed him as nothing else could. “Touch me, wherever and however you please.”
“You are far too amenable.”
“I’ve never made the offer to another soul, just you.” He rested his hands on her hips, slid his thumbs under the hem of her white tank top and stroked her smooth skin. “And if I move too fast, rein me back in. I’ll understand.” Gazing into her eyes, he shared the words emblazoned deep on his heart. “What belongs to me is now yours, including all that I am.”
“You are also far too sexy for words.” A teasing smile lifted her lips. “Does that inclusion of what belongs to you go as far as your convertible?”
“The key is in the top drawer of my dresser and the car is parked in the lot out the back. You have to take the postern gate to reach it, but again, you’re not to leave without me. That is my one and only stipulation.” He caressed her back and pressed her closer. Five years of searching for her, of feeling incomplete and now she was here, right where she belonged. He closed his eyes as another wave of deep desire rushed through him. “Thank you for allowing this kind of touch. I need it, bad.”
“The urge to bond is strong.” She lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck. “The full moon is attempting to get its way.”
“We’ll control what will or won’t happen this night, not the moon.” He sank his hands into her hair and luxuriated in the slide of her dark silky locks slipping across his wrists and forearms. His bear fairly purred for more and carefully, he unleashed a touch of his control, lifted her up, scooted with her onto his bed and laid down beside her, one leg firmly over hers to hold her in place.
“Talking of control.” She touched her lips to his ear and whispered, “Stay very still. No more moving for you.” Hypnotically compelling words.
“You don’t need to compel me if you don’t wish for me to move.” Damn it. He couldn’t move a muscle. She’d restrained him, fully and completely. “How often do you use your skill?”
“When and as needed, but I just couldn’t help myself right now.” She nudged him onto his back and perched beside him then lifted one foot and unzipped her boot. She tossed it onto the floor then unzipped the other.
“How long does the compulsion last?”
“Do you mean when will you be able to move?”
“Exactly.”
“Until I free you.” She winked, shuffled to the end of the bed and unlaced his boots. She removed and propped them next to hers then crawled back up and straddled his hips. With one sensual move, she slid a weapon from the back rise of her jeans, checked the safety and leaning over him, placed it on the bedside table.
His fingers twitched, the bone-deep need to touch her clawing at him.
“Don’t try to fight the compulsion. It can become painful if you do.”
“At least you’re making yourself comfortable and not racing out the door.” Thank heavens for that.
“I just needed a moment, and you did say I could touch you, wherever and however I pleased. I do tend to take things literally.” She traced along his lower lip, reached the center then swept back to the corner. Her golden gaze swirled with desire, the same fierce emotion raging through him. “When I first saw your image from the footage my father downloaded from the city, I touched you just like this.” She stroked along his lip again and he nipped her finger then sucked it inside his mouth. Slowly, she leaned in, her lips a mere breath from his. “If you’re in any pain, then tell me.”
A surge of heat flared down his spine, rolled into his groin and hardened his cock. He groaned as his shaft rose and tried to spear through his pants. “Ignore that.”
“I’ve been celibate my entire life. I couldn’t ignore any part of you if I tried.” She stroked down his chest and along his waistband. “Would you like to move?”