“Well, here we are,” I hummed as we reached her door. “We should both get some sleep. The pack is going to be eager to get to know their newest member tomorrow.” I reached up to brush my thumb over her cheek. “Harvest Moon is lucky to have you, Shade.”
Admittedly, I was reluctant to leave. Even though her room was just across the hall from mine, it still felt too far.
“You’re probably right,” she said, leaning into my touch. “Thank you, Caelan. I couldn’t have asked for a better welcome.”
Her eyes flicked to mine, and it felt like the world stopped. The blue within them swirled and danced, and I wanted to lose myself in those twin pools of wonder.
A blush spread across her cheeks, and that delicate pink tint on her skin did it for me. I closed the distance between us and pressed my lips to hers.
I only intended for it to be a simple good night kiss, but my resolve flew out the window the moment she groaned, parting her lips and allowing me access.
Her tongue tentatively brushed against mine, hesitant at first before growing bolder as she explored. Her fingers curled into my shirt, her desire radiating across my skin.
A low rumble vibrated through my chest as I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer, my other hand weaving into her hair as I deepened the kiss.
I fumbled with the handle, somehow managing to open the door to her room, and we stumbled inside, still locked in our embrace.
She draped her arms around my neck as I lifted her, the skirt ofher dress sliding up so she could wrap her legs around my waist.
My hands coasted over her incredible curves.
Goddess, I’ve never wanted someone so badly in all my life. Never craved the touch of another so completely. I could never get enough of her. She’s everything. I want her light, her darkness, every part of her. I love this woman.
I carried her across the room until my knees hit the bed, and we tumbled onto the mattress together.
I pressed myself against her, my wolf howling in delight as she pulled me closer. She moaned when I rocked my hips, and every part of me felt electric, my need for her pulsing through my veins.
Damn all these clothes. I love this dress on her, but I want nothing more than to rip it off right now.
I was about to do just that when I suddenly realized what I was doing. This wasn’t just any woman that I held in my arms. This was my mate, and I didn’t want her first time to be like this. I wanted to make it something special because she deserved that.
It took every ounce of strength I possessed to pull back, every molecule of my being screaming for me to stay. I held my body over hers, trembling as I stared at my amazing mate.
“What’s wrong, Caelan?” she panted, her chest rising with every flustered breath.
Her long, silky hair shimmered in the moonlight filtering through the window, fanning out like a silver halo around her head. Her soft lips were swollen, her cheeks flushed as she gazed at me adoringly.
Goddess, I want her. I want her more than the air I breathe, but she deserves something unforgettable. She deserves to see how important she is to me.
“I’m sorry, Shade. I got carried away,” I gasped, trying to catch my own breath as I watched her. “I don’t want you to feel pressured into anything you aren’t ready for.”
“I’m not. I want to be with you, Caelan. You’re my mate.”
Hearing her say that nearly did me in. I kissed her again, pressing my forehead to hers as we separated.
“Goddess, I love to hear you say that,” I whispered. “But we should wait.”
“We should?” she asked incredulously.
“Yes. I want this to be something special for you. Something romantic and incredible like you deserve. Something worthy of one of your romances,” I murmured. “When I finally take you, I want to feel like I’ve earned it.” “You don’t have to earn it, Caelan,” she countered. “I’m already yours.”
I whimpered, struggling to control myself. “Soon, my love. I promise. Very, very soon.”
She smiled, looking a little disappointed. “The waiting won’t get any easier.”
“I know,” I replied, leaning in for one last good night kiss before I reluctantly pushed myself off her with a sigh. “But it will be worth it. I’ll make sure of it.”
She sat up and watched me with eager eyes as I backed away. Her hair was a tousled mess and her dress was bunched around her thighs. When she ran her tongue across her bottom lip like she could taste me, I almost jumped on her again.
