He shrugged and glanced away, but not before she spied the stain of color on his cheeks. “Your brother said I didn’t smell too pretty, so I thought the least I could do was clean up.”
Despite her nervousness, she laughed. “Sorry. I couldn’t help it. You were too heavy to carry.”
Grinning, he squeezed her hand. “You could’ve dragged me through a mile of shit, and I’d still be eternally grateful for what you did to help me. I might not be here if it hadn’t been for you and your quick thinking. You saved my life, Kate.”
Uncomfortable with the odd praise, Kate fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. “About last night—”
“Wait.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her into his side. “Come lie with me.”
***
Stephen watched uncertainty play over Kate’s features before she gave in. He guided her toward the bed, and when she would’ve crawled beneath the fresh linens, he stopped her.
“Take your clothes off first.”
She threw him a scandalized look, and he bit his lip to stifle his laughter. Before she could mutter a complaint, he jerked her close and kissed her open mouth, sinking his tongue into her delicious heat. Just when she responded and melted against him, he drew back and stared down into her flustered face.
“No fighting, remember?”
Her mouth flapped open and closed twice before she frowned. However, she shocked the hell out of him by complying with his request. Grabbing the bottom of her shirt, she yanked it over her head and tossed it on the floor, followed by her bra, jeans, and panties.
When every stitch of clothing was gone, she grumbled. “Happy?”
Stephen laughed. He spun her around and swatted her bare ass, pleased at her little squeal of surprise. “Sure as hell am.”
Once Kate was settled on the bed, he eased his jeans over his hips. Her gaze tracked over his nude frame, lingering on his erection. Anxious to feel her smooth skin against his, he wasted no time reclining on the bed beside her. Damn, he couldn’t wait to lose himself inside the silken heat of her body once more. But first, he needed to clear the air between them.
Stephen shifted over her, pinning her in place. “We need to talk.”
“Stephen, can it wai—”
He seized her mouth with a roughness that stole the air from their lungs. Caught in the snare of carnal passion, neither would cede control of the kiss. With a move he never would’ve predicted, she flipped their positions. She ended their kiss with a sharp nip to his lower lip. Planting her hands on his chest, she rose over him, straddling his hips.
Stephen paused and absorbed the beautiful view above him. Her long, brown hair fell around her shoulders in a soft cascade. A sexy smile formed on her lips while her warm hazel eyes held a hint of mischief. Her breasts hung heavy, the nipples hardened into two dusky pink points he couldn’t wait to wrap his mouth around.
Holding onto the small of her back, he shifted upright and used his other arm for leverage, moving up the bed until his spine rested against the headboard. Hands on her hips, he pulled her closer until her hot center rested over the length of his cock. He gritted his teeth and shoved aside the urge to bury himself inside her.
First, he had to know. “Why didn’t you trust me enough to tell me sooner, Kate?”
Chapter Nine
He wanted to talk now? While she was poised over his erection? Kate almost laughed. She wiggled against him then gasped when the ridge of his cock slid along her clit, inciting a pulse of pleasure through her entire body.
Stephen held onto her hips, restraining her movement. “Please, Kate. Talk to me.”
The soft plea and genuine concern in his gaze was all it took. She couldn’t run any longer.
“Okay….” She sighed and distractedly caressed the soft trail of blond hair on his belly. “No one knows except you. Not even Jace or our parents. Well, I’m sure Gee knows, but only because he guessed.”
Stephen tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, the intimate gesture increasing the drum of her heart.
“When I figured out I couldn’t shift, I was terrified how the pack would respond. I’d seen how they treated a pack member who couldn’t shift when I was younger. So, I’m scared to death of what they might do when they find out. It’s safer for me to hide it from everyone.” She frowned. “That includes my family. And you. I didn’t want any of you to see me as a failure any more than I already saw myself.”
He grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “You’re not a failure. Never think that again. Got it?”
When she nodded, he laid his hand on her thigh and ran the tips of his fingers along her skin. “I understand why you’re frightened, Kate, but the pack isn’t under Magnum’s tyranny any longer. Drew made sure of that. You don’t have anything to fear. If you would’ve just trusted me enough to tell me, I could’ve helped you through everything. You have to know your family or I would never treat you differently. You know that, right?”