Allegra arched up to meet him, and he sank deeper.
“We haven’t used condoms,” he said.
“I’m on birth control. Sometimes, it’s handy being a werewolf because we don’t have the same sexual worries as humans.” She wrinkled her nose at him. “And at other times, it’s a pain in the butt.”
His gaze narrowed. “Esther and I have a good life in Middlemarch. Our life in the Highlands wasn’t peaceful, and I’m glad Rory settled here.”
“Esther has mentioned little about living in Scotland.”
“She didn’t know the worst of it because she was away at boarding school. I thought it was silly of my parents to send her, but ultimately, I was grateful because it kept her away from the drama. This discussion is a mood killer. I’d rather make love to you.”
“I’m not stopping you.”
“Excellent.” He halted further conversation by kissing her. He thrust, his hands skimming her breasts and hips. She writhed beneath his weight, silently enticing him to increase his pace. Sensual energy coursed between them, and he pushed deeper. A quick punch of heat grasped him, and he shuddered, his balls tingling in a precursor of climax. He pistoned his hips, and Allegra groaned.
“Yes!” She lifted into his next stroke. Her sex spasmed around his girth, and he growled his pleasure. The familiar and welcome low pressure gathered. He nipped her earlobe, and she came.
Heat swirled through him, driving up his cock as he climaxed. They were both breathing hard and held each other as they returned to Earth.
“Thank you. That was amazing.”
Dylan bit back his instinctive words. He didn’t want her to thank him. He wanted her to stay in Middlemarch. His wolf half certainly approved of the idea, and he was beginning to think she might be his mate. He’d heard finding a mate was sudden, the wolf sensing the rightness of being with their other half. It had been an instant interest with him. He thought she returned the sentiment, but she had to go home.
He held back his frustration, his sigh of unhappiness. They had a few more days before she flew home. He could spend time with Allegra and help her as much as possible. If he was lucky, she might start seeing him in a different light.
“Let’s get under the covers before we get cold,” he said.
“I’m too lazy to move.”
“No problem.” He clambered off the bed and dragged back the quilt, then lifted and laid her down again. Moments later, he joined her. “Sleep,” he whispered, snuggling her close. As her breathing gradually became slow and steady, he smiled and shut his eyes, feeling happier than he had in a long time.
6
Allegra stirred and slowly came awake. She spent a panicked moment trying to remember what had happened the previous night and where she was until she sensed a weight in the bed beside her. Dylan lay on his side, his face relaxed in slumber, his warm amber scent filling her every breath.
Relaxing, she swallowed to moisten her mouth and decided she needed water. Allegra inched out of bed, her gaze glued to Dylan’s sleeping form as she tiptoed across the room. A blush heated her cheeks because she was skulking around as if she’d done something wrong. Stupid, really. The night chill amplified each creak from the floorboards, but Dylan didn’t stir. In the kitchen, she opened a cupboard, grabbed a glass, and stretched to reach the tap. After filling it with cold water, she took a sip and relished its refreshing taste.
As she drank, she gazed out the window, taking in the wild and untamed gardens surrounding the house. The thick trees and undergrowth obscured her view beyond the garden’s edge, even in the moonlight. A chill ran down her spine without warning, and she had the distinct sensation of being watched.
She turned around, her heart racing, gaze searching the darkness through another window. But no one was there. She shook her head, chalking her nervousness up to fatigue and stress from the last week.
It was her imagination.
She sipped water and turned to the first window. She could still see nothing except the overgrown plants, but the feeling of an observer persisted, and she couldn’t shake it. Allegra set her glass on the counter and walked to a different window, peering into the darkness. This kitchen felt like a goldfish bowl with its myriad windows. She hadn’t switched on lights because, with her wolfish senses, she didn’t need the extra illumination. She strained her eyes to spot anything moving in the shadows that might account for her weird intuition of a Peeping Tom.
A branch snapped in the distance, and she jumped, a tiny squeak escaping her. She stepped back, her heart pounding, her hand pressed to her chest.
Allegra’s mind raced. Had someone followed her from Val-des-Loups? Or was an animal roaming outside?
Her gaze darted around the kitchen, searching for a weapon, and she reached for a knife from the counter. She told herself it was her imagination, but her jittery nerves and unease lingered.
She remained by the window, keeping a watchful eye on the garden. Eventually, the prickling sensation subsided, and Allegra returned to bed. Even as she lay next to Dylan, she couldn’t shake the notion that someone or something had been watching her.
Her mind jumped from one problem to another, refusing to settle, refusing to allow her to sink back into sleep. She’d intended to check on the runes and see if the papers inside the box were lining or if her memory was correct and the pages held valuable information. No time like the present, especially since she couldn’t sleep.
Allegra slid out of bed again, and thankfully, Dylan didn’t stir. She must’ve tired him out and looked forward to teasing him tomorrow. She hurried to the bedroom she shared with Esther, drew the curtains, turned on the light, and closed the door to avoid disturbing Dylan with the brightness.
Her pulse raced as she plonked on the bed in Esther’s bedroom and drew up her feet to sit cross-legged. A chill ran through her, and she thanked the instinct that had suggested she screen the windows. Still, she glanced around before retrieving the flat box, which held the runes, from under a stack of books.
