“Six, five, four, three, two, one!”
Cries of ‘happy new year’ broke out all around them, and the band struck up and began to play Auld Lang Syne as Daniel jumped down from the stage. The singer took up the microphone to lead the crowd in song. River pushed through to where Daniel was wishing some other people a happy new year.
She tapped him on the shoulder, but he turned like he already knew she was there.
“Happy New Year,” she whispered.
“Happy New Year,” Daniel replied. “Do you want to get out of here?”
“You read my mind,” River replied and let Daniel take her by the hand and lead her out of the town square. She was surprised by how they seemed to manage to slip away unnoticed by most of the party.
They walked down the quiet streets away from the noise of the party and back to the doctor’s home. He unlocked the door and led her silently inside. There was a line of rose petals that led from the door, up the stairs and River couldn’t help but feel swept off her feet by the gesture.
They followed the line of rose petals up to the kitchen, through the kitchen and living room to the bedroom door. Daniel paused at the door and looked at her.
“If this isn’t what you want...” he started, but she put her fingers to his lips to stop him talking.
“Take me to bed,” River said, and he pushed open the door. The king-sized bed was surrounded by roses and let go of her hand as he walked through the door.
“So, is it normal for shifters to take girls they just met to bed, or am I a special case?” River asked as she leaned on the door frame.
“We’re like all normal men, we have drives and desires,” Daniel said, a glint in his eye. “But we have one mate, one true mate, that most of us spend our lives waiting for.”
“And that’s me for you, isn’t?” River asked in wonder, her eyes searching his face, but she knew the answer, she could feel it inside—had felt it the first time she’d met him.
“Yes, it is. You are the other half of me, the missing part of my soul. I would die to protect you, I would kill just to see you smile.”
“And as your mate, do I get a say?” River asked coyly as she stepped into the room.
“You do. I will never be whole without you, but you do have a choice, and if it’s not what you want, I won’t force you to be with me,” Daniel said firmly.
“And what if I want to be with you, be yours and no others?” River asked as she unzipped her dress and let the tulle fall to the floor.
“Then I can claim you, right here, right now,” Daniel said. She sauntered over to him and pushed him down on the bed, her hair falling over one shoulder, her hips pressed against him.
“Then claim me,” she whispered. Daniel smiled and slowly ran his fingertips down the curve of her neck before he kissed slowly down the same path. He nipped her lightly, not breaking the skin.
“Soon,” he whispered.
There was no holding back as Daniel rolled her onto her back and knelt over her. He pulled off his ridiculous and yet somehow weirdly hot costume, yanking it over his head and tossing it aside, and then she forgot all about it, her eyes snagging on the masterpiece that was his chest and abs. River reached out to grab his underwear, her fingers slipping down inside the elastic to stroke his hard cock.
“Not yet,” Daniel whispered as he pulled back from her and sank to his knees, his eyes teasing but full of hunger. “What kind of mate would I be if I didn’t take care of you first?”
She said nothing, her breath catching in her throat at the need in his eyes, and the hoarseness of his voice.
“I think,” he said softly, his hand tracing a feather-light touch across her shirt, “that you’re overdressed, Ms. Harper.”
“Oh, is that so, doctor?” she asked, arching a brow. “And what are you going to do about it?”
“I’m going to give you five seconds to remove it before I do it for you,” he said, his voice low and demanding. “And I’m not going to be worrying about buttons.”
Heat pooled between her legs and she wiggled quickly, shedding the shirt and tossing it aside—and for good measure, sent her bra flying after it.
Daniel stared down at her, his face a mask of hunger and awe.
“Beautiful,” he murmured before leaning down over her, closing his mouth over one of her nipples. She gasped in delight as his tongue flicked across the nub, sending sparks of pleasure through her. His lips and tongue worshipped her with their gentle wet heat before he released the nipple, trailing kisses across her until he captured her other breast, lavishing it with the same attention. She mewled softly, already impossibly wet, and so,sodesperate for him.
She reached for him, but he captured her hands in one of his, pinning them above her head.
