“That was fun,” Mila said.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” He glanced up. The moon had risen higher in the clear night sky, and the light from hundreds of stars shone overhead. He returned his gaze to her and admitted, “I did immensely.” He cocked his head. “I never thought I’d like painting.”
“Perhaps it had something to do with who you painted with?” She slanted her head and gave him a sly smile.
“Are you fishing for a compliment?” Rafe teased and wrapped an arm around her once more and they continued to walk. “How much wine did you have?”
“Ha,” she laughed, but didn’t pull out of his hold. “You know as a shifter, I can handle quite a bit more than what we drank.”
“Just kidding. My enjoyment hadeverythingto do with the company.” He bent his head to the side and inhaled. Her fragrance enraptured him. It infused him with a strange euphoric sensation that he was already growing addicted to. Now that he knew the scent of his mate and the effect on him, how could he go back to a state without her in it? He exhaled on a slow breath. “I’m glad you agreed to come here for the week.”
“Me, too,” she agreed and leaned her head briefly on his shoulder.
His wolf stirred inside. This was the first time she initiated any affection. It was amazing how such a small gesture affected him.
“I didn’t expect it to be so pleasant,” Mila said. “I have to admit, it hasn’t been a bad so far at all.”
“Is that how you thought it might be?” He squeezed her side.
She inclined her head toward him. “Well, youareconsidered to be my enemy.”
True. And a part of Rafe hated that. “Maybe that can change,” he replied. “And perhaps you and I are the ones who can make that happen.”
Mila stopped walking and turned to face him. “Do you think that’s possible with our packs itching to tear each other apart?”
Rafe’s jaw twitched. That was the problem indeed. “It’s like you pointed out with our paintings. We’re all gazing at the same mountain under the same sky, but from two different viewpoints. It doesn’t change the mountain or the sky.”
“And you teased me about drinking too much,” she quipped.
“True. We may be able to learn from each other. Broaden our view and expand our perspectives.”
Mila parted her lips and glanced up at the sky. While she stared above, Rafe’s gaze traveled from her face over the slim column of her throat. An urge to take her in his arms returned. His breath came more quickly, rushing through him with a thrumming heat in his veins. He turned to face her and the drive to kiss her grew almost too powerful to ignore.
When Mila met his stare, her eyes widened. Was the hunger in his gaze so apparent?
Probably. He didn’t know how to mask this desire, more potent than any he’d experienced.
Their gazes locked. No sound was audible besides the sound of his escalated breath, which came out with visible wisps in the winter air.
Kiss her,his wolf demanded.
He swallowed. “Mila…”
Her eyelids lowered. “Yes?”
When he raised his hand, it trembled slightly before he touched her cheek. Her skin was so soft. Electric heat vibrated from his fingertips up his arm.
She leaned into his palm. His heart galloped, sounding like the paws of a pack of wolves thundering through the forest as they closed in on prey.
Rafe moved the painting into his left hand, and then he traced his fingers down along her jawline and over her throat. Her eyes darkened, reflecting his potent desire. His gaze lowered to her mouth. Her lips were right there, close enough to kiss. And taste. And claim.
Mila’s eyelids lowered. The tension between them was so palpable, he was certain it would singe him with a fiery, electric heat. He’d never been so consumed with such yearning before. He ached for her. In that moment, it didn’t matter that she was his enemy. She was his mate, and he’d do anything to have her.
Rafe leaned forward to close the agonizing distance that still kept them apart. Time slowed, dizzying him with the torment of her being so close. And finally,finally, his lips brushed hers.
For a second, he wondered if he was dreaming it. Maybe this was just an extension of his fantasies. But then, she returned the kiss, releasing a soft, mewling sound that fired through his body and ignited his need.
No doubt that he was awake, and this was real. Exquisite and real.
