Page 108 of What a Wolf's Heart Decides

He nodded and sipped from his mug, his gaze going to the snow outside.

She turned back to the doors, the small movement making the flesh between her legs twinge. Heat blasted her cheeks as memories marched through her mind—Bard’s dark head buried between her thighs, his mouth working her sex. She’d been helpless to resist, and not only because he ordered her to open her legs. The wicked command might have pinned her knees apart, but his tongue had kept them there. He’d licked and sucked her sex like he loved the taste of her and couldn’t get enough. More the once the sensations had been so overwhelming she might have slammed her legs shut. But his command held them open, forcing her to submit as waves of desire thundered through her. Out of her mind with lust, she’d clung to the vines above her head while he dipped his tongue inside her and sucked hard at her clit.

And the things he’d done with his fingers . . .

Her nipples tightened under the blanket. She took a swig of coffee, wishing it had a shot of whiskey or something in it. She needed to get a grip.

“There’s whiskey in that,” he said casually.

She almost choked, which made her swallow too fast. Coffee scalded her throat, followed by the telltale fire of whiskey. “Where did you—”

“My father’s study.” Bard sipped from his mug, his gaze on the valley. “He liked to drink even though it doesn’t do much for us.”

That wasn’t entirely true. Werewolves could get drunk. It just took a lot of booze to do it. Most wolves metabolized alcohol too quickly to feel its effects. When she and Lizette hit the bars—something that drove Max crazy—they stuck to shots. Which also drove Max crazy. Alphas were possessive to begin with. When their mate was involved?

Forget about it.

She looked at Bard out of the corner of her eye. He’d never feel possessive about her. She had to keep reminding herself. There could never be anything real between them. Sex wasn’t a relationship, and she had to be okay with that. Goodness knew they’d thoroughly covered that department.

Although, they hadn’t done everything. She’d prepared for it. Would have welcomed him as he slid inside her. But after her orgasm he simply gave her a kiss and tucked her against him, whispering for her to sleep.

He’d whispered again when it was time to wake up. But he didn’t kiss her. He just helped her off the roses, put the blanket around her shoulders, and announced he was off to find them something to eat.

It didn’t bother her. It was what she signed up for, right? Love wasn’t part of the deal. She was lucky to have gotten as much of him as she had, and she was fine with it.

She was fine.

“You should drink that,” he said, nodding to her coffee. Then he gestured outside. “You’ll need it when we hit that snow this morning.”

She nearly dropped her mug. “I’m sorry, what?”

“We have to go back. As soon as possible.”

“But . . .” She glanced outside. “There’s like six feet of snow on the ground.”

“Probably more, which is why we need to leave now. If we get another storm like last night we could get trapped here.”

She jerked her head toward the wintry scene beyond the window. “We could get trapped out there!”

Impatience flashed across his features. He spoke to her like she was a small child, his words low and spaced apart. “We can’t stay here, Haley. We don’t have any food and we’re almost out of water. But that’s just one problem. I drew on all my power to stop Sam. It won’t last. When it goes, I’ll have a hard time walking across this room let alone crossing the forest.”

She took a deep breath. “The pack is probably looking for us.”

“They’re not.”

“How can you know that?”

His gaze was steady. Hard. “They’re just not. Finish your coffee.”

She resisted the urge to toss the mug at the window. “I don’t want it.”

“Then put it down. We’re leaving.” He turned and set his own mug on the floor. When he straightened, his face was a stern mask she recognized.

The Alpha was back.

“My power is still up,” he said quietly. “Don’t make me order you, Haley.”

Her temper flared. “Are you crazy? In case you haven’t noticed I’m not wearing any clothes!”

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