ME:Would loveto.
SARAH:Lunch at Tracy’s at3?
ME:No one has lunch at3.
SARAH:Wedo.
I shook my head.Fine. See youtomorrow.
The floorboards creaked, and Ijumped.
Liam leaned against the doorframe of his bedroom, jeans slung low on his hips—and shirtless. My throat went a little dry at the sight of his honed chest and the indents at his waist, and the thickening trail of dark hair. Liam was so incredibly perfect. Why did I have to imprint onAugust?
“Who you texting?” There was a hint of something in Liam’s tone—suspicion orjealousy?
“Sarah. We’re meeting uptomorrow.”
He uncrossed his arms and strolled over to me. “Can you be careful with her? I know she’s your friend, but she’s a Pine. I don’t trust Pines. Same way I don’t trust Creeks, or any of the Easternpacks.”
“And you say I’m the one with trustissues?”
He flashed me an almost predatorial smile as he plucked the phone from my fingers and tossed it on his leather couch. “You’re wearing too many clothes. Armsup.”
I looked around me at the walls of glass and the night-soaked landscape beyondthem.
“No one’s out there,” he promised. Sensing my enduring anguish, he walked over to the wall and hit a switch that brought down metal blinds before returning tome.
“Are yousure?”
“Close youreyes.”
I frowned but did as I wastold.
“Now,listen.”
Still frowning, I strained to listen. It took a second for me to hear anything over my quick breathing and the droning of the descending metal curtain, but then I made out the steady thump of Liam’s heart, the plink of insects against the windows, the rush of a breeze over the swaying wild grass, the scratch of pine needles, the hoot of owls, the flutter of insect wings, and the shallow beat of hearts too tiny to be human orwolf.
“I know you’re still growing attuned to your senses, but never forget to use them. Being human allows us to live in the world. Being a wolf allows us to survive init.”
Delicately, he gathered my wrists in one hand and raised them toward the ceiling. With his other hand, he dragged my T-shirt up and over my head andarms.
Goose bumps pebbled my skin as desire spread through me. Even though my body wasn’t meant for Liam’s, it still desired his. After he unhooked my bra, he dipped his face to my breasts and breathed against my sensitiveskin.
“Does this hurt?” His voice was low andhusky.
“No,” I said, a littlebreathily.
His fingers skimmed down my stomach, unbuttoned my jeans, and slowly rolled them off. He was on his knees again, but this time, it wasn’t to implore me. His gaze turned hooded as his face leveled off on a part of me that no man had ever beennear.
He hooked a finger in the side of black lace. Cold sweat slicked over my brow as he roamed nearer to my core. When a bolt of pain shot up to my navel, I batted his handaway.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” I croaked. “Thissucks.”
Liam rose to his feet, wrapped his arms around my body that had begun to tremble, and tucked my head underneath his chin. “It does, but it’s justtemporary.”
I rested my cheek against his thumping chest, wondering why my wolf had to go and choose August as amate.
13
