Lola’s eyes widened, surprised by his response. But then it made sense. They were in a pretty remote location, and Callon was stressed. Letting his beast out to burn off some energywould help. Callon was always in a better mood after he went on a run in his animal form.
“Okay,” she agreed, hoping maybe afterwards he’d be more agreeable to her coming with him on his mission to find Roan and her best friend.
Katy lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. She could hear the panthers outside, their voices drifting through the open window, Wyatt and Rafe still trading jokes. Lola and Callon were in the guest room, probably making out or bickering or both. Otto was, mercifully, not on her shoulder for once. The house was as quiet as it ever got.
She tried to relax, but her skin tingled with the need for her mate. They’d spent the better part of a couple of hours arguing about the rescue mission. Neither was willing to budge. Katy understood. She could feel his need to protect her, his worry for her that something would happen to her. But she also trusted him to take care of her. She believed in his ability a hundred percent–which, she happily noticed, softened him a bit. Finally, they’d both just gotten exhausted. Gage had gone to shower, and Katy had sat on the bed brooding. But as she sat there, her temper lessened and something else started to take over. It was like the mate bond had its own heartbeat, drumming loud and wild through her veins. Gage’s wolf prowled under her skin, restless and possessive, his energy like a live wire humming in her body.
The bathroom door opened and he walked out, steam following him. Katy took in his shirtless body and swallowed hard. Gage prowled towards her, his eyes looking every bit as hungry as she felt. He joined her silently, sliding into bed, his warmth immediately wrapping around her.
“Can’t sleep?” he murmured, brushing her hair back. “Still mad?”
She shook her head, rolling to face him. “No and sort of. Too much going on. And you . . . you’re not helping.”
He grinned, all wolf and teeth. “What, this?” He pressed closer, hand sliding under her shirt, thumb brushing over her hip. “Or this?” His mouth trailed along her jaw, down her neck, sending sparks through her.
She shivered, arching into him. “All of it. Especially that. But I want to be mad at you. It’s not fair that you can simply touch me, and I become a purring kitten.” He’d tried to hold her when they’d been arguing, but Katy hadn’t let him touch her because she knew the minute he did, her anger would dissipate and it would be replaced by the raging desire that was always there.
“Don’t be mad at me,” he murmured against her lips. “I just want you safe, because I love you.” He didn’t allow her to respond. He kissed her, slow at first, then hungry, like he was starving for her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and tugged him on top of her, giggling when the force of his movement caused the bed to hit the bedside table and knock the lamp off.
Gage paused, glancing at the shattered lamp on the floor. “Oops.”
She grinned. “Don’t care. Keep going.”
He growled, the sound vibrating through her. He kissed her again, rougher now, hands everywhere, making her breathless. She ran her fingers through his hair, tugging gently until he groaned.
“Mine,” he growled, voice rough and low.
“Yours,” she whispered, legs wrapping around his waist.
He kissed down her throat, nipping at her collarbone, and she gasped, arching into him. Suddenly, in a whoosh of movement, he rolled, holding onto her, off the bed and ontohis feet. His legs moved quickly as he cupped the back of her head, protecting it as he pressed her against the wall, the plaster cracking with a muffled thud.
“Gage!” she hissed, but she was laughing, high and wild, as he kissed her hard, hands gripping her thighs.
He pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. “Sorry about the wall.”
She smirked. “Maybe the wall isn’t such a good idea.”
He grinned, “Fine, another time, when I’m not so worked up, perhaps.” He promptly tossed her onto the mattress, following her down, mouth and hands everywhere—heat and need and laughter tangling together until she was shaking with it.
She didn’t point out that there was never a time that he didn’t get “so” worked up when he was pursuing her. Not that she was complaining. She totally wasn’t. At all.
“Still hungry,” he teased, kissing a trail down her stomach.
“Gage,” she panted, grabbing his shoulders and rolling him over. “My turn.”
They wrestled, tumbling off the bed and onto the floor, sheets tangled around their legs. She straddled him, hair wild, eyes bright, and he looked at her like she was the only thing that mattered.
“Damn, you’re perfect,” he breathed, hands splayed on her hips.
She leaned down, kissing him, slow and deep, until he flipped them again, pinning her gently, wolf in his eyes.
“I need you,” he whispered, voice shaking with it.
“Then take me,” she whispered back.
He did, and it was everything—wild and sweet, desperate and perfect. They lost themselves in each other, laughter and soft curses and a few more things knocked off the nightstand.
When they finally made it to the bathroom, it was because Katy insisted they needed water. They barely made it throughthe door before Gage had her pressed against the sink, bottles clattering to the floor as he kissed her breathless. She tried to shush him, but he just grinned, lifting her onto the counter, hands sliding under her thighs as he pulled her closer.
