Page 24 of Shifter Mates for the Single Mom

I shrugged. “When I went to art school, I didn’t like sticking to flat media or things like clay. I wanted something I could really put some physical effort into. Something I could go all-out on.

“Most metal sculptors don’t go for the practical. They’re casting bronze nudes or making big abstract things out of scrap metal. And I’ve done some of the usual arty stuff. Busts, mobiles, fountains. But what I like best of all are things that are beautiful and something that people can actually use at the same time.”

“Like the fence at the Colony?”

I laughed a little, reminiscing. “I was still mourning when I made that. I really needed a big project to focus my energy on, and they needed a new security fence. Besides, back then my inheritance from my parents was still in limbo thanks to my aunt suing to try and get everything. The fence was how I paid my way.”

“I see.” He was standing closer, the light from the forge catching in his eyes. “I should have been there then. I could have helped.”

“I… I don’t think I was ready yet,” I said hesitantly. “I wasn’t over Ben’s death. Wouldn’t be for a couple of years. I wish we’d stayed in touch then, too, as friends, but… it was too soon then for anything else.”

“What was it like?” He moved a little closer. I looked from the rifle slung across his back to his face, and back to the forge. He smiled at me gently.

“It felt like losing a limb. I think I toughed it out, more for Aidan’s sake than my own. He was barely a toddler, and he needed me. Besides, Ben wouldn’t have wanted me to give up.”

“No, he wouldn’t have.” He licked his lips. “It must have been very hard, losing your family and then Ben within a few years.”

My eyes stung a little. I swallowed hard, fiercely willing myself not to get too misty over something I’d already moved past. “It was. But I had my work, my friends, and my little miracle kid. Nellie propped me up a lot back then. I’d eventually return the favor when she caught her husband with that teenager.”

“Ouch.” He shook his head. “Never going to understand men who would cheat on their wife, especially with someone who’s practically a kid.”

“Literally a kid. She was sixteen.”

His eyes widened. “Yikes. Is he in jail now?”

“Ran for it. Left the state and disappeared once the girl came to her senses and told her parents.” I chuckled bitterly. “Don’t ask Nellie about it. She’ll go off like a bomb.”

“Can’t say I blame her. I’m just glad she was there with you when I… couldn’t be.”

I looked into his eyes and said softly, “You were on a tour. There was no helping it.” And it might have been for the best, back then. The energy between us was so powerful that it felt palpable, like a wave of heat passing back and forth, leaving a fresh sheen of sweat on my skin that had nothing to do with the forge.

“I know. I still have regrets. About that… About a lot of things.”

“The past is past,” I told him. “I never felt abandoned by you. I just wish I had reached out as soon as you were back.”

“I wish I’d done the same. Looking back now, I can’t even remember why I didn’t. It almost seems cowardly.” His hand slipped from my shoulder down to my hand, and I gave his a squeeze.

I didn't know who kissed who first. I only knew that I was suddenly in his arms, our mouths on each other's again as we caressed each other. His breath was hot on my cheek. His heart pounded against my breasts. I could barely think, even with the forge roaring away not ten feet from me.

His hands roamed over me with a hunger that was years in the making, tracing every curve, digging into the globes of my ass, the insides of my thighs, lifting me off my feet as he sank to his knees on the dusty ground.

I straddled him as we kissed and kissed, breathless, desperate, going after each other like a feast when we were starving. He had his hand under the apron and up my shirt before I knew he was going for it. His fingertips teased at my nipple as he darted his tongue into my mouth.

I didn't care anymore whether anyone saw us. I didn't care that the security cameras were getting a show. When he took off my apron and laid it down on the ground for us, I let him. When he unzipped my jeans and shucked them down off my hips and then my legs, I let him. I couldn't wait to be naked with him. I couldn't wait to have him inside me.

He pulled a condom from his trouser pocket, laying his rifle down next to us before unbuckling his belt. I was already pulling off my tank top and bra, impatient. He zeroed in on my breasts right away, bending over me, grasping them, covering them with kisses before suckling them until my pussy ached.

He unzipped and shoved his pants and boxer briefs down, freeing his proud erection, which trembled with his heartbeat and wept little tears of precum. We were both impatient, our bodies humming with the need for each other. My hands traced down his back, over his chest, then took the rubber from him and opened its little foil envelope to roll it on. He groaned through his teeth as my fingers caressed him.

Then he was on me, hands and mouth on my breasts as he kissed up my breastbone to my neck. I was so wet already that when he pushed into me roughly, his cock slid with ease, and I gasped with pleasure instead of pain.

He let out an incoherent shout and started thrusting, his cock rubbing me in all the right places as I wrapped my legs around him. I bit my lip against my moans, trying to keep quiet but failing after a few strong thrusts.

I was tingling all over, trembling, my body starting to shake as I saw his face strain with growing pleasure. He shuddered and groaned a little louder each time our hips met. I whimpered in time with him, until finally, I couldn’t hold back and started to gasp and moan. My nails dug into his shoulders. My hips lifted to meet his, making our bellies clap together.

Harder, faster, we galloped toward climax together, voices rising in unison, bodies twined together, taut, shaking. The haze of pleasure and desire was rising until I didn’t care anymore how much noise I made. My toes curled. My vision swam. I wanted to beg him not to stop, but I couldn’t form words anymore—only thrash under him, arching, tossing my head from side to side as his voice rose in a cadence of bliss.

Finally, the pleasure rose so high it caught fire. I sobbed into his neck as my aching pussy suddenly contracted, fluttering around him as waves of ecstasy rocked through me. He threw back his head, his hoarse cries mixing with mine as my climax touched his off.

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