Page 14 of Twisted Howlidays

“One thing you should know about me, I never back down to a dare. But you get in first,” she said, reluctantly turning her face away.

“Ready,” he said.

Kendra turned around and looked directly at him. The water came up to the middle of his chest. He was right about the steam, she was unable to catch even a glimpse of what he was concealing under the surface.

Without asking, Ryan politely turned his face away. Quickly stripping naked, she slipped into the simmering pool. An accidental moan slipped out. “Oh my God. This feels amazing.”

Her seat faced his, and they were separated by mere feet. She was thankful that only her neck and head were visible. “Okay, you can look now.”

Ryan turned his head and smiled. “See what I mean? Isn’t this great? It’s just like a hot tub, only better.”

“It’s incredible. Before we went on our run, you said there was something you wanted to show me. Is this it?”

“No. I guess I should’ve rephrased it differently. I should have said that I have something I want you to experience. All of this. The mountains, the wild. I know you’re used to seeing the wilderness, but I wanted you to see what makes this place different.”

“You’re right. I’ve seen a lot of beautiful places. But I think this one really stands out. It’s amazing the way it just reaches out to me. I’ve never felt anything like it,” she said, leaning back against the side of the pool.

“Amazing, huh? Then it can only be because of your awesome guide.”

“Oh, you might have something to do with it. Thanks for helping me with the bears and showing me this magical place. So, what do you do when you’re not providing guide service to single female wildlife photographers?”

“Construction. I build houses. I’ve worked on quite a few of the Twisted Tail cabins.”

“I love the log homes up here. Have you built your own?”

“Not yet, I’m hoping next year.“ Ryan stared off into the mountains, seemingly lost in thought for a minute. “To be honest I’ve been restless lately. But at the same time, anxious to settle down. I’m not quite sure why. I don’t know how to explain it.”

Kendra smiled at his sudden change to a thoughtful tone. “I think I know the feeling. I’m still enjoying being adventurous but…maybe it’s my wolf. She’s driving me nuts lately. Is yours?” Kendra cocked her head, carefully watching his expression for any acknowledgment. Perhaps his wolf was also trying to convince him about all that mating mumbo jumbo.

“Of course. But we’re mostly in agreement. The difficulty is my wolf prefers a more direct approach, but that’s not always the best way to approach…some relationships. If you know what I mean.”

“Tell him already! He knows you’re the one. He's only holding back to give you time to realize that he is also the one for you! Get with the program already! Her wolf shouted in her mind.

“Okay! Seriously. I will.”

“I think I know what you mean. But I’m not used to being around other wolves. I mean, single, male wolves. So can we stop dancing around the topic? After all, we’re sharing a hot spring, naked,” she said, tilting her head up to catch the huge snowflakes in her mouth. “What I’m getting at is, my wolf…she’s pushing me. Toward you. Is that normal wolf pack behavior?”

Ryan smiled and slid next to her. “It’s only normal when it’s two wolves who are fated to find each other. My wolf won’t stop thinking about you. And we’re in perfect agreement.”

“Oh, so you’re one of those wolves.”

“One of what wolves?”

“Like my sister. She is totally convinced that those old fairy tales about wolves finding their mate are real.”

Ryan leaned closer. “But a part of you does know it is true. And when you find that one wolf who is fated to be with you forever, you will know it. You can’t resist the magic.” he whispered, his lips only an inch from hers. His warm bare flesh was pressing up against her. Kendra’s traitorous body reacted in ways she really didn’t want it to.

“I—I want to believe. Even if it’s just a nice fantasy,” she whispered back.

CHAPTER NINE

Ryan pulled Kendra into his lap and nibbled a path down her ear and neck to her chest. A small moan escaped her mouth when she felt his length pressing up against her. Her hands tunneled into his thick hair. When his gaze met her, she saw his eyes flash to the brightest green she had ever seen.

Maybe there was something to this mating magic after all. Without giving it so much as another thought, Kendra leaned in and kissed him. She was tired of fighting whatever it was between them. Be it magic or pure, raw lust, she wanted him, and it was all too clear that he wanted her.

His tongue slipped into her mouth as she arched her back and wrapped her fingers around his cock. She lowered herself slowly down his length, moaning as she felt her inner walls stretching. His cock was thick and hard, bigger than anyone that she had ever been with. When he was fully seated in her heat, she sucked in a deep breath and tried to relax. His fingers twisted through her hair as he kissed her neck and chest.

“Damn, baby. You feel so good wrapped around me. So fucking tight and hot.”

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