Page 115 of Torin

Her body is pressed against mine, her fingers grasping at my shirt, and every part of me wants to pick up exactly where we left off.

My bear has the same idea.

Mate is ready.

It surges forward, dragging me towards the bedroom. The bed’s ready. Fresh sheets. Hannah is ready.

Now, it growls.

If not now, when?

No.

I force it back.

Not like this. Not while she’s frightened for Bennett. For my brothers. For all of us. It takes every scrap of willpower I possess to pull away from her.

Hannah looks up at me, a little breathless and puzzled. “When I finally mate you,” I say, “I want you thinking about nothing except us.”

Her lips part.

Jesus. I need to get out of this kitchen.

“Go stay with Alexandria. I’m going to catch up with Gunnar.”

“Do you have to go so soon?”

“Yeah. If they’re already searching Bennett’s cabin, I don’t want to take any chances. It’s only twenty minutes from there to the lodge.”

She nods.

“I’ll be back,” I promise.

I kiss her once more, quickly, then I turn and walk out before I change my mind.

Leaving her kisses is torture.

Leaving her alone and unprotected is worse.

But the best way I can protect her right now is to make damn sure nobody gets anywhere near this lodge.

Gunnar emerges from his bedroom as I reach the hallway.

“Ready?”

“Yeah.”

We step outside onto the porch.

I eye my truck. Driving would be quicker, but the last thing we need is someone spotting a vehicle moving through the woods.

We strip off our clothes and let our bears come.

A moment later, we’re running for Bennett’s cabin.

22

Hannah