Page 106 of Big Bad Wolf

“I think we’re … Mates.”

His mouth crashed down on hers, all restraint breaking. Mates.

She jumped into his arms, wrapping her thick thighs around his waist. “I thought I was going crazy,” she said between kisses. “It was all so much, so fast.” Her breath was coming in short gasps as he backed them up against a tree. He kissed down her neck, nipping and biting her soft flesh. She writhed against him and he pushed his hardening cock into her center, heat and need pulsing through him.

Every instinct was clamoring at him to claim her, to make her his forever. But her words rang in his head, even as her body called to him. So much, so fast. This was all new to her, to both of them really. He pulled back, panting. Ruby stared at him with hungry eyes.

“Wait,” he growled. “Slow down.”

Ruby stilled in his arms.

He leaned his forehead against hers, their breath mingling between them. “Once we do this, that’s it. There’s no going back. Mates are forever.” That was one thing he knew for certain.

“There’s no going back for me regardless of whether or not you stick your dick in me, Rafe.”

He laughed at her fearlessness. It was exactly how he felt too, that it was too late for them anyway, that nothing they did now would change what they were to each other.

“I’m serious.” She wriggled from his grasp and put her feet back on the ground. “I want you. Mated or not.” She wrapped her hands in the front of his shirt and tugged him close. “This thing between us is impossible to fight and I don’t want to fight it. I want to be with you.”

Rafe swallowed the emotions rising rapidly in his throat. It was everything he’d wanted to hear from her, but still his doubts lingered.

“I couldn’t keep Scarlet safe.”

“I don’t want a bodyguard. I want a partner.”

Rafe’s heart pounded in his chest as though it was trying to leap directly into Ruby’s hands. A partner. Such a human concept.

“After everything I’ve done⁠—”

“It’s your turn to trust me. Trust that I want you. That I know what I’m doing.”

“Fate doesn’t make mistakes.” He echoed the words he’d spoken to Knox earlier, and they felt even more true with Ruby pressed against him.

“I feel it,” she said, her breath skating across his neck. “I know you’re mine.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “We’ll figure it out together. Please, Rafe. Don’t run from me anymore.” Her words were so sweet, so desperate. He’d made her feel that way: afraid that he would keep pushing her away. It was all he’d been doing since they’d met.

“I’m done running.” He nuzzled her neck, breathing her in. He’d known her for a month. He’d known her forever. And by some miracle, she felt it too.

She sighed, dreamily, running her fingers through his hair.

“But Ruby…”

“Yeah?”

“I’m not fucking you for the first time up against a tree.”

She pulled back, looking so indignant Rafe had to bite down on a laugh.

“What the hell kind of werewolf are you?”

“One that doesn’t want to fuck you within earshot of his family and friends.”

Ruby nearly growled and the sound shot straight to his cock. “Damn it. Fine. But maybe we could…” Ruby reached between them, gripping Rafe through his jeans.

“Shit, Ruby.” He watched her ruby lips spread into a smile.

“Just to take the edge off. We’ll be quiet. And quick.” She rubbed up and down his length, and he had no doubt he could be quick.

He captured her mouth again, pressing her against the trunk of the tree and her gasp tickled his lips. He slid his tongue against hers, lapping up her sweet moans. Her fingers fumbled with the fly of his pants, and he reached down to help, freeing his aching cock. Ruby wrapped her fist around him and stroked.