Fuck, I didn’t care at this point if she wanted pups or not. I just wanted her, and practicing was sure as hell fun. We’d figure the rest out together, if I could just get us to be together.
I’d never wanted anything so much in my life.
Until now, I wasn’t the kind of guy who needed people. After so long in New York, I preferred a solitary life out in the woods. I rarely went to pack meetings. Occasionally hung out with my brothers. I’d resigned myself to most likely dying alone in my cabin, which, until last night, hadn’t been a bad thing.
Now, Summer changed everything.
I would go moon mad and have to be put down if I didn’t mark her eventually. But more than that, I suddenly wanted so much more out of my life.
I’d looked around my cabin today, trying to see it through her eyes and realized I was far too simple a man. It was one room with a loft and a bathroom. I’d built it from the logs I’d felled. The furniture was made by my brother. It was loaded with books. No TV. There was no lace or silk or anything softer than my comforter. I had nothing of interest for a young, vibrant mate. No doubt Summer would be bored or feel isolated. She’d think her life was roughing it. That wouldn’t do. It was time to make some changes.
While my wolf knew Summer belonged to us, it didn’t make a difference if I wasn’t worthy of her. Maybe that was what Rand and Natalie were trying to point out.
I had a shit ton of money. I had a home. I could take care of Summer.
But could I make her happy? It was time to use that money to make changes and make the cabin more than shelter. To make it a home for both of us.
Meeting Summer made me realize I’d been too isolated. I definitely needed to get out more. To reconnect with my pack instead of avoiding social gatherings altogether. To find a hobby besides reading books on military blockades of the War of 1812 and the entomology of the ash boring beetle, chopping wood, and building log cabins.
I tucked my clean flannel shirt into my jeans and walked up the wooden steps to Cody’s Saloon. It was Sunday, so things were much slower than they’d been last night. When I entered, I noticed there were just a smattering of regulars gathered around. A guy was up on the stage, singing off-pitch “Friends in Low Places” into the mic while the rest of the audience crooned along.
When I scented my mate, I spotted Summer sitting near the front with Natalie, Rand, and Cody’s mate, whose name I forgot. Some of the other pack members were also there with their mates–Rob and Willow, Johnny and his new mate, whose name I also forgot. Fuck, I needed to be better connected to my pack. These women were human and would be great friends for Summer.
Summer looked over, as if she’d instinctively known I’d arrived, and my breath stalled in my chest. There was a lightness in her face that hadn’t been there last time.
Because of me?
Fate, I hardly dared to hope so.
Maybe it was just from a good lay, and if that was the case, I’d take it. I had every intention of making sure my mate stayed satisfied in bed.
I strode right for her, weaving around the other tables and patrons, planning to ask permission to touch her again, but she’d stood and was already running my way.
Running.
And damn, she looked good. She wore a pair of cut-off jean shorts over black fishnet tights, black cowgirl boots, and a fuzzy turquoise cropped sweater.
Holy hell. She looked good enough to eat.
And I definitely planned on feasting.
I stopped moving, mesmerized. A smile crooked my lips. Part of me wanted to look behind me to make sure she wasn’t running for someone else. But no, she was looking right at me.
I threw my arms open wide and waited.
She vaulted off one foot and threw herself at me, her legs wrapping around my waist.
I hooked my forearm under her ass and spun her around, inhaling her honey scent. Fuck, yes. This was what I’d been waiting for all day. I didn’t want to put her down. In fact, I wanted to turn around and walk right out of the bar.
“Oh, baby. That was the best greeting a guy could ever get.” I kept spinning. “How’d you get so fucking sweet?”
She tipped her chin up, so our eyes met. “Miss me?” she chirped.
She was definitely lighter and brighter than she’d been last night. Even lighter and brighter than this morning, after the orgasms. And she was really glad to see me.
Maybe absence did make the heart grow fonder, as they said. Whoever they were clearly weren’t shifters.
I thought a day apart just made me horny, veering close to insanity, but it must’ve been different for her. Except, she’d run for me. No one did that unless they really, really wanted the person. If she hated me, like I’d worried, she’d have run down the back hall and out the emergency exit.
