“It seems so much for one person.” She took off her boots and put them beside his.
His gaze locked on the boots lined up side by side. That’s how it should be with his mate sharing his home. They’d warm up together in the comfort of their home here in the mountains.
Rafe cleared his throat. “It is too much space for me, but I hope to have a family one day.” Revealing that to her struck him with a pang reminding him of his vulnerability around her. “What about you?”
She caught his gaze and the vulnerability in her eyes appeared to reflect his. She broke eye contact and stepped over to the window that faced out over to the mountain. “One day.”
With whom? Lars? Rafe curled his hands into fists at his side. Picturing Mila having a family withanyoneelse stabbed him with agony.
Damn, what was wrong with him? He had no rights over her and yet jealousy already twisted him inside. She’d told him that her time here was temporary—thattheywere temporary.
Still, he had her now, and he didn’t plan to waste the opportunity, not after all the pining that had built up over the past few days.
Rafe put background music on low and the sound of an orchestra surrounded them. Then he stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, following her gaze out the window. Not much was visible at this time of the night beyond the outlines of the trees.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked before he nuzzled her neck.
She turned over her shoulder and gazed at him with a small smile that had a hint of sadness. “Too many things. And I don’t want to think anymore.”
Having her so close in his arms, wrapped in her scent, entranced him. He swallowed and then ran his hand down the side of her body. “What do you want, Mila?” His voice sounded husky.
She sighed and then leaned back against him. “More of this.”
He ran his hand back up her torso and cupped one of her breasts. A potent shot of desire raced through him.
She moaned. “Yes, just like that.”
As if he needed more of a reason to touch her. That slight contact drove him near mad with the need for more. He couldn’t get enough of touching her. Would he ever?
His cock twitched and blood rushed between his legs. He kissed her neck, trying to ignore the itch of his fangs poking out of his gums as he burned with the desperate need to claim her as his. He couldn’t do that without her consent, and she’d made it clear that their time together had an expiration date. That meant they would not be mated, despite the overpowering instinct to be with her.
Wait, what was he thinking? He didn’t want that either. All he needed was to sleep with her, and that was it. A night together would take care of the agonizing curiosity, making it easier to get her out of his system.
He had to clear his head of any irrational thoughts.
Running his hands over the front of her body, he then teased her nipples into hard peaks. The scent of her rising desire perfumed the room. He was now as hard as the stone fireplace, desperate to bury himself inside her before he lost his already lust-addled mind.
“Let’s go upstairs,” he murmured into her ear.
She purred, “Yes. I hope that’s where your bedroom is.”
He took her hand and led her toward the spiral stairs. “Come with me and find out.”
When they reached it, he released her hand so she could climb first. With each step, his heart raced a note faster. As she ascended, his gaze dropped right to her ass, molded to perfection in the snug jeans she’d picked out when they’d gone shopping, and he moaned with undisguised longing.
“You okay back there?” she teased and then glanced over her shoulder with a naughty smile.
“I will be once I get my hands on this luscious ass.” He squeezed a handful and then gave it a playful smack.
“Ow.” She squealed and then raced up the stairs with a laugh.
Oh fuck, she knew exactly what she was doing and how it would provoke a predator, eager for the chase. He raced after her up the stairs and into his room. She turned to face him with an excited gleam in her eyes, stepping to the side as if looking for a way to slip by him. Once she attempted to run, he pounced on her and pinned her to the bed. She laughed and squirmed beneath him as if delighted she’d been caught. Her dark hair spread tousled across the white bedspread. His feisty mate wanted to play, and he was more than eager to do so.
Rafe gazed down at her and stroked her lips. As he continued down over her neck and farther down, she gazed at him with a wild, excited gleam in her bright eyes. Her breasts rose and fell with her quickened breaths. Rafe slid over her, anticipation hammering through his veins.
He traced his fingers lower still and declared, “Tonight, you’re mine.”
Chapter 11
