She covered my hand with hers and turned to face me. “Would you mind coming in for a while? I don’t want to be alone right now. Not until I’m completely calm.”
“Absolutely.” I had a few ideas on how to calm her, too. And damn, I wanted to. “Let’s get you inside.”
I’d stay all night if she wanted me to.
While Liza changed into her pajamas and washed the makeup off her face, I brewed some chamomile tea, hoping it would ease her raging wolf.
She snuck up behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist. “Thank you for saving me tonight.” She pressed a soft kiss against the side of my throat, and her body slid along mine—even this way, it was fucking hot—and I felt the softness of her curves. It was too much to resist.Shewas too much to resist.
I turned into her and put my hand at the back of her neck, pulling her in close. Her hair smelled like wildflowers, and her skin was so soft. “No need to thank me, baby. I’m just happy to be here for you.”
We stayed like that for a few moments, neither of us willing to let go. Suddenly, she backed away and looked up into my eyes. “I’m sorry for the scene at the bar. I can’t imagine what must have been going through your mind when you walked in and saw me manhandling that prick.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. She hadn’t just manhandled him, she’d humiliated him, and it had been glorious. Now that it was over, I found the whole situation hilarious. “That poor guy had no clue who he was messing with, huh?” I didn’t want her to think that she’d done anything wrong. She should never have to apologize for taking care of such a fucked-up situation.
Liza smiled and crossed her arms under her breasts. The move pushed her breasts up, and I struggled to keep my eyes off the enticing swells. “I was afraid you’d be embarrassed that your future mate caused such a scene.” She frowned, and her skin turned an adorable shade of pink. Or maybe it was only adorable because she was the one wearing it. I didn’t know.
“No way.” I handed her a cup of tea. “Honestly, it took a lot of my willpower to get my dick to calm down after seeing you handle yourself so well.” I grinned at her. “It was pretty fucking hot.”
Liza’s eyes widened, and the pink darkened to a deeper red. “Oh. That’s not really the response I expected.” But she was smiling.
“I find it extremely attractive that you can take care of yourself.” I would’ve said fucking hot. I really needed to find a better descriptor so I didn’t sound full Neanderthal. “Also, that’s a sign of a strong leader. You didn’t have to wait for someone else to step in or give you instructions.” I didn’t think she neededher ego blown up, but support didn’t hurt. “Instead, you went with your gut and protected yourself. Who knows what that son of a bitch would’ve pulled if you hadn’t taken matters into your own hands.”
She sipped at her tea and leaned back against the kitchen counter. “I never considered myself to be a leader.” She shook her head and looked down. There was something seriously seductive about her humility. Or maybe it was just her. “I mean, I can dole out instructions and manage a kitchen, but that’s not exactly the same, is it?”
“Well, no, but it’s also nothing to downplay.” I wrapped my hands around the hot mug. “Either way, I’m happy you can handle yourself in different situations. Being the mate of an alpha isn’t some cushiony role. Especially with my family.” I could tell her stories, but I didn’t think now was a good time to share all that with her. I didn’t want to scare her away, and any story with my mother as a character had the potential to send Liza running for the hills.
Liza sighed. “That’s something I’ve been thinking about.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m not sure if I’m worthy enough to carry on your family name.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Your mom scares the shit out of me. Our personalities are complete opposites, and I get the feeling she isn’t my biggest fan.” I didn’t deny it, but I also didn’t explain. “Do you really think I can live up to her expectations?”
I wanted to scream—to tell her that she was fucking royalty herself so she would stop doubting herself. To top it off, if people knew what family she came from, they would kiss the very ground she walked upon.
I set my mug on the counter and cracked my knuckles as Liza eyed me suspiciously. I wanted to hold her, to kiss her, to celebrate her in a way that let her know she was valuable.Knowing I couldn’t tell her just how special she really was burned a hole straight through my soul.
My emotions drowned out all reason, all decorum, as I took Liza’s mug and put it on the counter next to mine. I pulled her into my arms and kissed her, unable to hide what I felt toward her.
I needed her to feel wanted and to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she belonged with me. At that moment, I couldn’t have cared less what my parents thought. Liza and I would create our own family. Those who didn’t want to be a part of it could be damned. She was exactly what I needed, and she was exactly where she was meant to be. Fate didn’t make mistakes.
I pressed my body against hers, pinning her between me and the counter as I tasted her mouth and worked hard to control the desire to grind my hips against hers. Liza moaned in response. She kissed me back with just as much passion, her fingers tightening into a ball at the back of my shirt.
As my hands roamed down her back, Liza lifted her head suddenly and pulled away. “I’m tired of holding back.”
I knew she had spoken, and I took a deep breath, giving myself a second to let the words sink through the fog in my mind. “I don’t know what that means, Liza.” But I sure as fuck hoped it meant she was sayinggreen light.
She shook her head and clung tighter when I made a move to step back. “I’ve always feared what would happen if I gave in to my deepest desires.” I thought I had an idea what she was talking about, but I needed to make sure before this went any further. “They spring up from time to time and I take care of myself.”
Oh fuck. The picture in my head—Liza in the throes of passion with her fingers working in and out of her pussy while she fondled her own breast—drove me wild, and my cock hardened in response.
“What kind of desires?” Desire was so thick in my throat that I sounded like a teenager whose balls hadn’t dropped yet, but I couldn’t help but prod for more details.
“My body craves to be touched, and it creates an inherent instinct to let go of my inhibitions.” An exquisite shade of pink crept up from her throat to her cheeks, and her eyes went dark with lust. She pushed her hand between us, fumbling with my belt. “When I’m with you, every nerve in my body is alive and on fire.” She pulled the belt free. “Just this once…” She paused and smiled, pulling her lower lip between her teeth. “I want to let go and not think about my actions. To act on my instincts and let them take over.”
Hell yeah. I was all for it.
“But I’ve always feared the reactions of others, worried that I might do something or, hell, smell a certain way that would make them lose control.” She shook her head. “I was afraid, but I’m not afraid with you.” The strength in her voice was such a fucking turn on. “I don’t want to hold back, Ty. Not anymore.”
