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Our life together wouldn’t have all the bells and whistles ofThe Mating Game.
“But those less-than-ideal conditions didn’t stop me,” I continued as I rubbed the sticks together. I had to work fast, applying just enough pressure not to snap the sticks as they came together. Whoever had gathered these didn’t know which ones would work best for kindling, so I’d have to work with what I had to not make a fool out of myself.
Sparks rose from the sticks, and one of them ignited. I motioned for Hannah to come to me. The way she rose from the chair was hotter than the fire in my hand. I offered her the stick.
Her eyes grew wide. “What do you want me to do with it?”
It was all I could do to concentrate. I’d never been with a woman in my human form, and I had never felt less human than I did I this moment, with her holding the flaming stick. She looked wild, ancient, her sweet scent flooding my nostrils. My cock twitched.
Concentrate.I swallowed hard.
“The best place to ignite the pile is at the bottom.” My voice was gravelly. It sounded foreign to my ears. “The flame will spread evenly.”
She considered the pile and stuck the stick in a small opening, gasping and jumping back when the flame ignited.
“I did it!” She threw her arms around my neck. That scent was damn near intoxicating, obliterating my judgment.
Our lips found each other, and it was the easiest way to tell her all the things I hadn’t been able to say, because we’d been followed by a production crew, cameras, and rogue ancient beasts hellbent on keeping us apart.
She sighed against my lips, and I ran my hands over the thin fabric on her back. Not yet. But almost.
I forced myself to pull away from her. I couldn’t give into every animal instinct I had just because she had that soft, curvy body pressed against mine.
“You’re a natural,” I managed to say.
She rolled her eyes playfully. “I don’t know about that.”
“Why not?”
“You did all the hard work,” she said. “I’m not really the outdoorsy type.”
It wasn’t the first time she’d said it, but the disappointment had yet to fade. Because if this woman was going to be with me, these things would be part of her everyday life. “You say it like you’re resisting becoming an…outdoorsy type.”
“I love it when you use my words. They sound adorable coming out of such a fierce creature’s mouth.” She laughed. “Camping kind of reminds me of being on a tour bus with the band.”
That didn’t explain why she didn’t like it. “You love music.”
She sighed. “I love music. But the music business didn’t love me. I never felt like I belonged.” She dipped her head, not making eye contact.
I tipped her chin so she couldn’t avoid looking at me. “What did I tell you about shame the first night we were together?”
“I never felt like I belonged anywhere until I came here,” she said. “Even with all the unbelievable things that have happened since I arrived. I’m scared that feeling will be taken away from me.”
“You belong here.” My voice was almost a growl. “Let me show you how much.”
“Maybe it’s time for us to show you which yurt is yours.” Bibi motioned to the left. The fabric had been raised, and warm light glowed from inside. “I’m sure you’ll figure out the rest. We’ll be in our tents if you need us, but I have a feeling we might not see you until the morning.”
twenty-nine
Hannah
Lars scooped me into his arms, lifting me out of the chair like I weighed nothing. I wrapped my arms around his neck, nuzzling my head against his chest. He was strong, warm—warmer than a regular human, and there was still that delicious purring. I peeked back at Bibi and the crew, feeling my face heat because they knew what we were about to do.
Not that I felt any shame. Lars was teaching me a thing or two about that. I was a grown-ass woman who was chosen for this very thing. But there were a lot of emotions swirling through me.
Lars set me down inside the yurt. Candles and torch lamps warmed the space with a golden glow. There was a queen-sized bed with tons of pillows and fuzzy blankets, plants, and a copper tub that looked like it had running water.
“This is nicer than some apartments I’ve had.” I grabbed Lars by the shirt. “I’m excited about this.”
