“If this is our second date, then I’m sorry about the tagalongs.”
“I can handle them, plus I’m used to being around my clan and I’m rarely alone.” She wandered from his side toward a carousel of jeans. She pulled a few pairs off it then rummaged through a pile of shirts on the shelves and slung her selection into the trolley. She added a swimsuit and shorts, skirts and blouses and a low-cut slinky red dress he couldn’t wait to see her in. In the footwear department, she added Nike sneakers and socks, sandals, and a pair of sexy red five-inch heels that made his mouth water. “Time for undergarments.” She winked. “This way, my big bear.”
In the lingerie section he most definitely drooled as she flicked through lacy bras and skimpy thongs. She chose what she needed in her size then added a sheer white satin camisole and a pink nightie with bear paw prints on it. He palmed the print that matched his hand size to perfection. “I can’t wait to see you in that, or out of it.”
“Should I get the matching bed-socks, or do you want the honor of warming my toes at night?” She pressed him back into a gap between two racks of dressing gowns and on her tiptoes, kissed his chin. “By the way, you are bringing the naughty streak out in me. I’m usually such a good girl. I’ve never fraternized with a man in a department store before.”
“I should hope you haven’t, and I’ll warm a lot more than your toes the moment you give me the word to.”
“Sexy second date talk. I like it.” She stepped back and walked across to the health and beauty section. After browsing, she selected some makeup, a toothbrush, and a packet of cosmetic wipes. She added her bundle to the growing pile then picked up a box of condoms and tapped the box. “Do we need these?”
The condoms stared him hard in the eye. His cock, already partially hard at being this near her, hardened to the point of pain. He cleared his dry throat. “That’s entirely your choice. I’m happy with or without, although to complete the bond, we’ll need to be skin on skin the first time.”
She eyed the box and frowned. “Hmm.”
“Tell me what you’re thinking.” He slid a finger under her chin and lifted her gaze to his.
“Clan births are down. It took Emma five years to fall pregnant and there was nothing medically preventing her from conceiving. Hers and Daniel’s baby is the first cub to grace our clan in five years.”
“It’s been five years since our last clan birth too. Couples are struggling to conceive at Ivanson Castle and without any medical reason why.”
“Do you think it’s got something to do with the prophecy?”
“I don’t know. Do you?”
“I’ve no idea. Something certainly isn’t right though.” She turned the box over. “So, the question is, do we use these or allow the natural course of events to unwind?”
“Whether we choose to use them or not is one decision we don’t have to make right at this moment.” He slid the box from her hands and added it to the trolley. “If you wish to use them, we shall. If not, then we’ll discard them. Either way, my desire to be with you will never waver, condoms or not.”
“Thank you.” She peeked in both directions of the deserted aisle. “Can I tell you something rather personal?”
“Of course. You can speak to me about anything.”
“I’m feeling hot just at the thought of completing the bond. I want your body sliding against mine, all skin on skin and nothing else. I’m also surprised by how much I want it. It’s as if from the moment we met, the relationship I’ve denied us both these past five years is the one thing I want, and right now.” She rubbed her chest against his and her hard nipples poked into him. “I want to touch you, for you to touch me. The desire is riding me hard.”
“I feel the same way, and honestly, I’m about to come in my pants just from being this near you.”
“Really?” She nibbled on her lower lip, her gaze skimming down to his crotch. “Would it be possible for me to touch you? I want to make you come like you did with me last night. It felt so good.”
“Damn it, woman.” There wasn’t a chance he’d ever deny her such a request. All of him was hers. He pushed their trolley into an empty changing room at the end of the aisle, swept her inside with him then closed the door on their large cubicle. Stalking her, he caged her against the wall and planted both hands either side of her head. “Touch me as you please, but wherever you touch me, I’ll touch you in return.”