“Of course. I’m not kicking you out of your own bed, especially not after everything you’ve done for me. Besides, it’s huge. I’ll stay on my side.”
“Deal. I’ll find a T-shirt for you to wear,” he said.
I disappeared into the bathroom to get ready for bed, and when I returned, I found a super-soft, recently-laundered, well-worn T-shirt waiting for me on the bed. I changed into it, then climbed onto the bed, settling against the pillows on the side farthest from the door.
The minutes waiting for him to return from the bathroom felt like forever.
Once back, he hesitated by the bed for a second before saying, “I sleep in my boxers.”
“That’s fine,” I said, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. “I understand. Get comfy.”
He turned off the lights, and I heard the drop of his pants to the floor, then he was climbing into the bed with me.
Chapter 6
Axel
Ellawascurledagainstme, her breath soft and steady, her body tucked close, seeking warmth. But even though the wind still rustled lightly through the trees, I didn’t need to step outside to know that the storm had begun to ease; I felt it in my bones. It was a connection my kind had with the land.
Morning was just beyond the horizon, and the worst of the blizzard had passed. The air would still soon, and everything felt perfect. Especially here, under the blankets and next to my mate.
And Ellawasmy mate. There was no doubt about it now. As we spent the evening together, something ancient inside me locked into place. She was mine, and I was hers. And she didn’t even know it yet.
The precious female in my bed had shifted sometime after we’d settled in. At first, she’d kept her distance, but that hadn’t lasted as the night progressed. She’d rolled toward me in her sleep, one leg sliding over mine, her arm draped across my stomach. I hadn’t moved.
Hell, Icouldn’tmove! Ever had a cat fall asleep on you, and now you can’t move for hours? Yeah, it was like that. But she was not a pet; she was my mate.
Every inch of me was aware of her, and of the way her body fit against mine. I stared at the ceiling, my eyes keen in the darkness, and counted the knots in the wood, trying to think about anything other than the lush woman pressed against me. Her scent was everywhere—vanilla and something warm, like cinnamon—and it was driving me insane. My beast stirred, restless and possessive, wanting more than just the comfort of her touch.
She murmured something in her sleep, a soft sound that made my beast stir again. I wanted to roll her beneath me, tear off the T-shirt—myT-shirt—she’d worn to bed, and bury myself so deep she’d forget anyone else before me.
I wanted my mouth on her, wanted to taste her while she screamed my name. I wanted her legs wrapped around my waist, and her nails dragging down my back. But it was too soon.
So I lay there, every nerve on fire, hyper aware that she was right there, her legs just inches from my thickening cock.
Ella moved again, her leg sliding higher, her breath warm against my skin. My hand twitched, fingers itching to grip her hip, to pull her closer and let instinct take over.
I shifted, adjusting myself, and I knew the moment she woke.
A feminine gasp broke the silence. She pulled back, her body tense, her hand retreating from where it had rested low on my stomach. The warmth of her touch vanished.
“Oh! Sorry. I didn’t mean to... I must’ve rolled over in my sleep.” She pushed herself up onto one elbow. “I didn’t mean to intrude on your...”
Her words stilled, replaced by an open-mouthed stare as her eyes landed on the massive tent my cock had made with the blanket.
Too late to hide my reaction to her, I stayed still, watching her. Her cheeks were flushed, her voice breathy, and the air was instantly tinted with the sweet scent of her arousal.
“You didn’t intrude,” I said, my voice sounding rougher than I wanted it to. “You were sleeping.”
“I’m not sleeping now.”
“No, you’re not. You’re awake and smelling like you need me.”
Her brows raised inquisitively. “Smell?”
“Yes. I smell your lust and how wet you are. And it’s driving me mad.”
She licked her lips. “In a good kind of way?”
