Page 63 of Wild

“This probably seems crazy. I know mating for life is too much to lay on you, and that’s why I pushed you away. You’re only twenty-one. You’ve got college. Friends. Fun. Hell, line dancing. I can wait until you’re ready to settle down.” He sighed but sounded a lot like a growl. Had that been his wolf complaining? “I’ll try, anyway. I probably can’t be near you during the full moon. But we can wait. Get to know each other better until you’re ready. If you’ll still let me try to woo you, that is.” He said the words quickly, almost frantically. He’d been holding them in, and like water behind a breaking dam, it all rushed out.

Tears fell down my cheeks. Itwasa lot.

But I wasn’t afraid. Not at all.

I was happy. Excited.

Colton didn’t just want me. He wanted to claim me.

As his. For life.

I cupped his jaw, looked into his eyes. “When you were at the door, you said it was life or death important.”

Regret washed over Colton’s face, and he dropped his forehead to mine. “Nevermind about that,” he said softly. “I don’t want to put that on you.”

My pulse picked up speed again. I lifted my head and held onto his biceps. “Put what? Is it because of the moon madness?”

His muscles flexed beneath my hands. “It’s all right, sweetness. I can hold out as long as you need me to.”

Oh wow. That was so hot. Brave. But one-sided.

Colton was willing to go mad before he pressured me to commit to him.

“I know you’re a fighter and protect people. It’s your job. But I don’t want you to sacrifice like that for me. Not without me having any say. Don’t you think I should decide what’s best for me?”

“You’re young,” he countered.

“And you’re an idiot. I want you. I don’t have a wolf in me, but I know, just as you do. Your sacrificing yourself just because you decided what’s best for me is total bull.”

His mouth opened, but I put a finger over his lips. “Don’t even think of punishing me for my sass. If we’re in this together, like you say, thenwe’re in this together.We discuss things. Like grownups. Supposedly you are one.”

He nipped the tip of my finger, and I yanked it away.

“You’re right,” he said. His shoulders relaxed a bit, but his hold was still fierce. “I couldn’t tell you about us being shifters if you weren’t staying.”

“All you had to do was ask me to stay,” I whispered.

He shook his head. “I couldn’t deny you a life.”

“You’re giving me one, Colton. Silly boy, it’s a life withyou.”

Words weren’t enough. It didn’t seem like I was getting through his thick skull. I leaned forward and bit his neck, and he chuckled in surprise. His skin was warm, his taste like salt and pure Colton.

He growled, and I loved it. “Are you claiming me, little girl?”

“Yeah,” I said softly, leaning back and looking in his eyes. “I think I am.”

He wrapped his large palm around the back of my neck to keep me in place. “We’ll do this however you want, sweetness. You can take all the time you need. Just please don’t walk away from us.”

I growled this time although it didn’t sound very wolflike. “If I remember correctly, you walked away, not me.”

He stared, then nodded.

Tears popped into my eyes again. “I’m not walking away,” I promised. “I want you, Colton Wolf. I just don’t like feeling jerked around.”

“Fuck. I’m so sorry, Marina. I never meant to mess with you. You’re everything to me. And not just because my wolf recognized your scent. Because I fell in love with you this weekend. I met a bright young woman who loves deeply and spreads sunshine everywhere she goes. You are truly amazing. You’ve created as close a family-bond with a sister you only met a year ago as I have after a lifetime with my brothers. You’re easy-going, smart, and fun. You’re kind and so very giving--especially in bed. You make amazing cakes. I want to take the time to get to know every tiny detail about what makes you tick.”

I let out a watery laugh. “You haven’t tried my cakes, yet.”