Chapter Seven
Katya kissed him.
Mate.
That’s all that echoed in every fiber of her being.The world around her vanished.All her concerns, fears, everything dissipated into nothing.
Mate.
Tasting him again, claiming him as hers, was all that mattered.
Mate.
The word vibrated through her like echoes in the night.His lips were soft, yielding under her pressure without a question.Their tongues intertwined, dancing to a tune only they knew how to move to.Her blood boiled, every inch of her body tingling with awareness at his proximity.He was the light to her darkness, and she couldn’t get enough.
“Ahem.”The waiter who had served them earlier cleared his throat loudly enough that they broke apart.Heat flooded her cheeks.She glanced at Adam.His dark eyes danced across her features, a question dancing in their depths.She had the answer they both wanted to hear.
“Let’s get out of here,” she said.“That waiter is going to kick us out any minute.”
His smile was slow and deliberate, making the corner of his eyes crinkle, and her heart skip a beat.Other women would be put off by his age.He was in his late forties, his dark hair peppered with gray, wrinkles on the corner of his eyes.Alluring.His beard was neatly trimmed, framing a strong jaw.His shirt and leather jacket filled broad shoulders which tapered down to a fit and powerful body.She remembered it well.
Mate.
“We can go to my place,” he said.“No hotels.”He winked at her, his effortless confidence bringing out the colors on her cheeks.The tiger within purred, pleased.This man, who she didn’t know at all, was hers.He belonged to her as much as she did to him.It was irrational, yet at the same time, it made perfect sense.Grasping her hand, he pulled her toward the exit and into a cab.
Her thoughts tumbled within her brain as if bathed in a fog.She couldn’t order them, couldn’t rationalize any of it.The only thing that kept her grounded to reality and certain this wasn’t some kind of dream was the grip of his palm.His fingertips were calloused, yet his knuckles were unbelievably soft.A contrast which made her wonder how he’d be in bed.She took him in from the corner of her eyes.He sat straight, almost tensely, the nerve in his jaw twitching.Her tiger reached out, aiming to sniff him.Confidence and a hint of restlessness tainted his blood.She opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out.If she spoke, her mind would win over her heart and the glass bubble they’d immersed themselves in would shatter.Instead, she squeezed his palm.He returned the gesture wordlessly, but his mouth twitched, offering comfort.
Finally, after what seemed both like eons and mere seconds, they arrived at a gray building complex.She followed Adam inside and up a set of stairs onto the first floor.Her lips twisted into a smile when she noticed his hands shook as he attempted to unlock the door.
“Nervous?”she asked.
He glanced at her and grinned sheepishly.
“Yes,” he admitted.“I don’t normally take women home and much less thieves.”He winked, drawing a breathless chuckle from her.
Finally, the lock clicked, and he stepped aside, motioning for her to go ahead of him.
“Welcome,” he said, clearing his throat.
