Page 14 of Gabe's Lone Wolf

Guilt clouded her gaze.

“Maybe, I should—”

“Don’t.” I warned. “You came here for a reason. Don’t let what’s happening between the two of us scare you away.”

That brought a spark of fire back to her eyes.

“Trust me, it’s not fear you bring out in me,” she snapped. “Maybe, I should find another bed for the night.”

“Wow. I didn’t take you for a ‘wham, bam, thank you man’ type of woman. I feel so used.”

I blinked my eyes rapidly and bit my bottom lip. Eliza snickered then clamped a hand over her mouth as if trying to stifle it. I saw the tension and guilt and whatever else had been in her head wash away. The stiffness left her limbs as she relaxed against the mattress.

“And now, she laughs at me. You want to laugh? I’ll make you laugh.”

I moved my hands over her body, finding every ticklish spot I could until she was a writhing, giggling mass.

“I can’t breathe,” she gasped, gripping my hands and clasping her fingers through mine.

One moment, we were laughing. The next, I was looming over her, my hips tucked between her sprawled thighs while she glanced up at me, face flushed from laughter and the residuals of pleasure, eyes wide and luminous. It was in that moment I fell. I tumbled right into her eyes, offering her my heart and soul. I’d known from the moment I first saw her that I’d fight for her, that I’d give whatever it took to protect her. Now, I knew I wanted everything with her. I wanted to live for her, with her, to build a life the two of us could share.

Her lips parted on a sigh, and she tilted her head in an unconscious invitation I couldn’t resist. I brushed my lips over hers, slow and easy, sliding my tongue along the seam and teasing us both in a way calculated to fan the banked embers of lust we’d so recently flamed.

“I—”

I claimed the kiss, changing her words into moans of pleasure as I brought her to life under me. I’d faced a lot of demons in my life, both mine and others, and here, in her arms, was where I faced my greatest fear. Hearing her say she couldn’t stay. Or even more devastating, that she didn’t want to. So I kissed her, stroked her, reminded her how much pleasure I could bring her. And found myself caught fast in a web of my own making.

Chapter Five

~Eliza~

I stretched, reveling in the delicious aches and twinges that reminded me of the night I’d spent in Gabe’s bed. The man was an incredible lover. Sure, I didn’t have anything outside imagination and self-fulfillment to compare him to, but a woman knew some things intuitively. He’d certainly made my wolf howl several times over the course of the night. He’d enchanted the woman, as well.

I stretched again as I came to my feet and looked around the room. There were patio doors off his bedroom, and I caught a glimpse of green between the slates of the blinds that presently blocked out the sun. Glancing around, I snagged a button down from a chair in the corner and pulled it on. Gabe’s scent clung to the material and I inhaled deeply as I did three buttons in the middle to keep it in place. Then it was time to find the bathroom to address those pressing first-thing-in-the-morning needs.

Feeling more refreshed, I pulled the cord on the blinds, opening the room to the spill of morning sun. I flicked the lock, slid the door open and stepped outside into the morning. It was an oasis. I’d enjoyed the glimpse of the pool when Gabe had brought me to this bungalow-style pool house he lived in, but the view from his bedroom was even better.

Lush greenery flowed from everywhere. Bushes, flowers, plants. It was everywhere you looked. A stone path led from the doors, and I followed it as if pulled by invisible hands. I saw Gabe before I noticed the spread of trees behind him. He wore a pair of low-slung shorts that showed his muscled torso to perfection. I wanted to fall on him and taste every dip and bulge. Some more than others.

“Good morning.”

His voice was deep, husky, and sent shivers over my skin. I was still uncertain of trusting my instincts. Of believing what it was about him that made me cast aside all caution and take what he offered. Mate. A four-letter word that held a lifetime of meaning. I couldn’t deny that, with him, I came alive in ways I never had before. With him, I believed I could have a future that didn’t include staying one step ahead of Cam Lockhart. Gabe cleared his throat, pulling my gaze back up his body to settle on his gorgeous face. It should be a sin for a man to look so good.

“I’m not sure what you’re thinking, but if the blush on your cheeks is any indication, count me in.”

I laughed even as my core went liquid and desire fired in my blood.

“Maybe later,” I offered instead.

His gaze immediately trailed over me. “Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

I shook my head quickly. “No. Last night was amazing. I should really—”

“Do not thank me,” he interrupted gruffly.

I grinned again. I couldn’t stop smiling around him. He placed his finger against my lips before I could say anything else.

“We got sidetracked,” he murmured as he pulled me into him. “Let me start again. Good morning. How’d you sleep?”

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