The view from the paddle wheeler was gorgeous, but this was spectacular. The last rays of the sun fell in streaks, creating a spotlight effect over the field. Tessa didn’t plan it, just reacted, heading for the nearest patch of sunshine and stretching lazily as warmth furled over her.
Another kind of heat hit her. Mark, rubbing his way along her side until he’d managed to wrap himself around her and clearly state his ownership. In her cat form, it was strange how little that idea bothered her.
The human, however, was the curious one. She bumped her nose against his muzzle before separating herself so she wouldn’t hurt him. Then she shifted back, coming to her human skin at his side.
“So lovely.” She ran her hand over his head and down his back, and Mark rumbled happily.
All the anxiety she’d felt earlier had dissipated, popping like bubbles, and Tessa went with her instincts. She stretched out on the thick layer of moss and rested her head on his soft furry back. The steady beat of his heart and the last heat of the sun lulled her to that point midway between sleeping and being awake.
She had him pinned. Mark laid his chin on his forepaws and slowed his racing thoughts. Tessa’s cat form was pretty cool. There would still be questions regarding the pack accepting her, but…
Time. Give it time. He breathed out through his nose and watched the tiny grasses in front of him sway.
The sun slid off them in less than ten minutes. While he hated to disturb her, they should head inside, especially since she was lying butt-naked in the bush. He twisted his head slowly, until he could see her face. Temptation beckoned. Mark licked her, cheek to temple.
Tessa’s nose wrinkled as her eyes popped open, and she grinned. “Hey, none of that, or I’ll catch you catnapping sometime and get my revenge.”
She returned to her cougar form, and this time he let her set the pace, following to be sure she took the correct paths that would lead them home.
Home. The word made him happier now than it ever had.
Within half an hour they were in front of the fireplace, the kettle on the stove whistling softly. They’d both pulled on sweats, Tessa wearing a T-shirt from his drawer that satisfied the hunger inside him.
When he slipped onto the couch, Tessa abandoned the easy chair she’d been curled up in while he worked, instead crawling into his lap and cuddling in tight.
Every muscle stiffened, every desire he had to take her roared back up to hundred percent.
“Thank you for the lovely run.” She whispered the words against his neck. He caressed her, his hands going instinctively to tangle in her hair. Their drinks were forgotten as he lifted her chin and kissed her.
Every time he touched her, it was easier to wait, and harder. Easier, because it was just so damn right. Mentally he was on board.
Physically? There was the issue. Waiting became harder—harder like his cock, which pressed against her hip. She had to feel it as she sat in his lap, had to know how much she affected him.
He reined his desires in. Made himself stop drowning in her taste. Pulled her to his chest and worked to calm his breathing.
“Tell me something I don’t know about you.” He stroked her hair over her shoulder. “Tell me about a dream you have—what you want to accomplish.”
Because while he wanted her, he wanted it all. And the sooner he filled his brain with All About Tessa, the better.
She sat up, head tilted as she looked him in the eye. “I want to feel like a success at something.”
The strange way she’d emphasized her words forced Mark to think through her comment before responding. “Don’t you mean be a success?”
Tessa shook her head. “I…” She paused. “I am successful. I’ve got a great education, a supportive family who runs a business I got to contribute to—and I didn’t screw up too badly in the end. From an outside-looking-in point of view, I think people see me and assume I’ve got it all together.”
He’d thought so. “But you don’t feel like that’s true?”
The bright amusement usually present in her face was missing, as was the squirming he’d already grown to expect. “If things work out well, but I didn’t do anything to make it happen, should I feel successful? Dumb luck isn’t something to be admired, Mark.”
Oh hell. “This is why the mating thing feels off to you, right? Why you want me to know about you and care about you before we make it official?”
“Mating’s got to be the purest form of dumb luck there is.” Tessa stroked a finger over his brow, rubbing away the tension. “It’s not wrong, but it’s just not right. It’s so…generic. Why does your wolf want me?”
Because it was right. They belonged together, but simply saying the words wasn’t going to convince her.
Besides, she had a point, even though those kind of things usually worked themselves out later with wolves. “Thank you for sharing. I’m honoured you trusted me.”