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“Very well.” Determination began burning in my chest. “Let’s see if you can keep up.”
We continued our chase, laughter intertwining with the pounding of our feet on the polished floors. The rooms of the manor became a blur as we dodged and weaved, our movements growing more fluid and synchronized.
The dim light from the flickering chandelier above cast eerie shadows on the walls, creating an atmosphere that should have been chilling, but I found it exhilarating. My heart raced as I caught glimpses of Tori’s lithe figure, her scent driving me wild with desire. The chase continued down a long hallway, lined with portraits of ancestors who would no doubt have disapproved of our playful antics in this grand old manor.
“Ridge!” Tori called out, her laughter filling the air as she darted away from my outstretched arms. “You’re gonna have to be quicker than that!”
“Am I now?” I shot back, grinning at her challenge. My legs propelled me forward, lust fueling every stride.
I rounded a corner and found myself in the library, where rows and rows of dusty books bore witness to our game. Tori’s laughter echoed throughout the room, teasing me with her location. I scanned the area, eyes finally catching sight of her hair peeking out from behind a bookshelf.
“Gotcha!” I cried out, leaping towards her like a predator after its prey.
Tori dodged my grasp, slipping away just as my fingers brushed against the silky fabric of her blouse, which was left in my hand. I brought it up to my nose and inhaled deeply. Her scent did nothing to cool my desire.
“Nice try, Old Yeller,” she teased, winking before disappearing down another aisle.
“Old Yeller, huh?” I muttered, feeling both amused and slightly insulted by her choice of nickname. It wasn’t the first time she’d made light of my shifter side. “We’ll see about that.”
My wolf instincts heightened, and I homed in on the sound of her footsteps echoing throughout the library. I closed my eyes briefly, focusing on her presence, my senses sharpening with each shallow breath.
“Catch me if you can, Lassie!” she challenged from the shadows.
“Challenge accepted,” I whispered, stalking her movements with renewed determination. My nostrils flared as I breathed in her intoxicating scent, a heady mix of wildflowers and something uniquely Tori. The scent sent shivers down my spine, igniting a desire within me that could no longer be denied.
“Over here, Pluto!” she called out, a siren song beckoning me. Instinctively, I followed the sound, my body growing more alert with each passing moment.
“Enough with the nicknames!” I yelled out, exasperated but amused. “I’ll catch you soon enough, and then we’ll see who’s laughing.”
“Promises, promises,” she mocked, her voice floating through the air like a whisper. Her laughter was infectious, and despite my growing frustration, I couldn’t help but join in.
“Okay, Tori. You’ve had your fun, but now it’s time for me to show you what I’m really capable of.”
“Bring it on,” she dared, her voice full of confidence and excitement. “Ridge, you’re not even trying!”
“Careful what you wish for.” My voice came out low and threatening. “You might just get it.”
As I rounded the corner, I caught sight of her silhouette disappearing into another room. I charged forward, desperate to close the distance between us. But every time I reached out to grab her, she evaded me with surprising agility. It was as if she was always one step ahead of me, anticipating my moves with an uncanny precision.
With each passing moment, the fire within me burned brighter, urging me to push myself to my limits. My wolf instincts took over completely, sharpening my senses and honing my reflexes. It was only a matter of time before I caught her.
“Admit it, Ridge,” Tori taunted, her voice barely a whisper. “You’re enjoying this as much as I am.”
“Maybe so, but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m going to catch you.”
“Is that so?” she challenged, her voice dripping with excitement.
“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life,” I responded in a way that left no room for doubt.
“Then by all means, come and get me.” The invitation in her voice was impossible to resist.
With a final burst of speed, I closed the distance between us, reaching out to grab her just as she slipped through another doorway. Our bodies collided, and I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her flush against my chest.
Leaning down, I whispered into the shell of her ear, delighting in the intoxicating rush of lust. “Caught you.”
“Finally,” she breathed, her eyes dark with desire. Our bodies pressed together, the heat between us igniting a fire that could not be contained. The world around us seemed to fade away as we stood there, locked in each other’s embrace.
“Ridge,” she murmured, her fingers tracing patterns on my chest. “What now?”
