Carter’s gaze didn’t waver. “During your time there, have you learned about shifters mates?”
Emily paused, setting the knife down. “I have. The term ‘mates’ has come up in conversations and reports. But I don’t fully grasp the concept. What does it really mean?”
Carter took a deep breath. “When a shifter finds their mate, it’s like finding the other half of their soul. It’s an unbreakable bond that pulls them together, both physically and emotionally. Every shifter dreams of the day they meet their mate—it’s a connection like no other. It’s for life and the bond is sacred to us.”
She stared at him, absorbing his words. “Do you believe in fated mates—in meeting the one person who you are destined to be with?”
He leaned in even closer, his amber eyes searching hers. “Do you feel a connection to me, Emily? Something inexplicable that you can’t quite put into words?”
She blinked, taken aback, but her heart knew the answer before her brain could even process it. “Yes,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I do.”
Carter reached out, gently taking her hand in his. “That’s because you are my mate.”
For a moment, there was only the sound of the simmering pot on the stove. Emily tried to digest the revelation, the weight of its significance heavy in the air. It made sense—the strange pull she felt towards him, the comfort in his presence.
“I don’t know what to say,” she admitted softly, looking into his eyes.
Carter smiled, his thumb tracing gentle circles on the back ofher hand. “You don’t have to say anything. I know it’s a lot to process. Just know that whatever happens, I’m here. And I won’t let anything, or anyone hurt you.”
Emily felt a tear trickle down her cheek, the weight of her world now shared with another.
“Thank you,” she murmured, hope blossoming within her.
The smell of garlic and rosemary wafted through her kitchen as she set the plates down. She had made a simple pasta dish, but by the appreciative look on Carter’s face, it was a hit.
“This is delicious,” he said, taking a bite. “You really are a great cook.”
Emily chuckled, feeling a warmth spread through her. “Thanks. I enjoy it.”
There was a brief pause in the conversation, and Emily took the opportunity to ask something she had been wondering. “So, you’ve told me a lot about shifters and mates, but I don’t really know anything about you. How long have you worked for the CIA?”
“For about eight years now. Technically, I’m not supposed to tell anyone what I do, but I didn’t want there to be secrets between us. I wanted to be upfront, right from the get-go.”
“Thank you for trusting me,” she said with a smile.
Carter nodded.
“You know, the fact that you’re CIA makes me feel better. I mean, with you on our side, I feel like we have a fighting chance to free the shifters and shut down that terrible place, after all.”
“That’s the plan,” Carter said, his determination evident in his voice. “Now that I know what’s happening in there, I’ve madea call to some of my colleagues. They are going to make the trip to Colorado to help me infiltrate the facility and get everyone out. We’ve got the building schematics and Seb, and I—my friend who made the trip out here with me—have been studying them to familiarize ourselves with the layout. The plan is set in motion, and in a day or two at the most, we’ll be ready to carry it out.”
A surge of emotion welled up in Emily, and without thinking, she rose from her seat, threw her arms around Carter’s neck, and kissed him. The surprise melted into a passionate embrace, sealing their joint commitment to the cause and to each other.
Their tongues met in a dance of desire, and Emily felt the heat of Carter’s body against hers. She ran her hands through his hair, pulling him closer as they kissed feverishly, lost in the moment.
Finally, they pulled away, both panting and flushed. Emily stared up at Carter, feeling a mix of emotions. She had never felt this way before—so alive, so passionate, so consumed with desire. It was both thrilling and terrifying.
Carter grinned down at her, a look of pure adoration in his eyes. “I think I like that response,” he murmured, his voice low and husky.
Emily felt her cheeks flush, but she couldn’t help smiling back. “I think I likeyou,” she replied, feeling her heart swell with emotion.
Carter leaned down to kiss her again, his hands roaming over her body. Emily moaned softly, her desire building as he caressed her. She knew that they were taking a risk—after all, they barely knew one another, then there was the added pressure of the mission to rescue the shifters that he was aboutto undertake. It was dangerous, and anything could happen—but in that moment, none of that mattered. She just wanted to be close to him, to feel his touch, and to let go of everything else.
As they kissed, Emily knew that they were in this together—whatever happened, they would face it as a team. And for the first time in three long and miserable months, she felt like everything was going to be okay.
Blood pounded in her brain as the kiss deepened. Her heart was racing, her breath heavy. Emily knew that what was about to happen could be a bad idea, but she couldn’t help herself. She wanted Carter, desperately. The feeling of his body against hers was overwhelming, and she was crumbling under the onslaught.
As the kiss heated up, Emily felt her desire building. She wanted him, and it was all she could do not to tear off his pants and take him right there on the kitchen table. He was kissing her neck, leaving a trail of fire and making her body burn even hotter for him.
