Page 33 of Her Werewolf Lover

Besides, it was too soon. She was still fragile after her breakup with Gary, wasn’t she?

No. Actually, if she were being honest, Sam would admit she’d been over Gary for years. She felt nothing for her ex. Well, nothing good.

But Michael, well, he had certain parts of her flaring to life she’d been ignoring for a very long time. She bit her lip, wondering if it was too soon to feel those things again.

No, her inner voice said, picturing Michael’s heavy-lidded stare after he broke their kiss,it isn’t too soon at all.

Chapter 11

Afew days later…

Michael studied the ceiling to floor windows they’d just installed on the ground floor overlooking the deck and Samantha’s backyard. She’d wanted natural light, and he was determined to give it to her.

His sweet little mate was so concerned about her budget, she’d submitted all sorts of ideas to him on ways to cut costs, and he listened to some. But her safety was one area he would not be persuaded.

Unknown to her, he’d used the best quality glass money could buy. It was reinforced, one-way glass. It was the same as was used in skyscrapers all over the world. It allowed her to look outside whileothers could not peek at all at what was inside. Same glass he’d used upstairs.

He saw his reflection clearly and nodded. The Wolf inside him pleased with the progress. The interior bones were all done. The layout was perfect.

Today, they were painting the living room. Tomorrow, they would finish the floors. Then that weekend, he’d planned on taking her furniture shopping. Apparently, she enjoyed antiquing, and Maccon City, as well as the surrounding area, had some incredible stores and flea markets dedicated to the stuff.

Michael felt positively giddy with happiness. After Maya was born, he’d hardly even dated. But now, well now, he had a mate.

Tell her.

His inner Wolf was growing impatient, and Michael understood he needed to get the ball rolling.

Suddenly, Samantha’s heavenly vanilla scent reached Michael in the living room, and he spun on his heel, watching as she turned the corner. Her grace of carriage was so effortless.

Maybe it was years of modeling. He could not be sure. But she moved like liquid through the house. Her face was expressive as she took in the finished walls with their coat of primer.

“OH, I thought you’d left,” she said, and wiped her hands on her pants. A nervous gesture, but he couldn’t be sure.

“I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye,” he murmured, watching like the predator he was as she approached him.

He raked his gaze over her from head to foot, approving of the rubber-soled slippers on her feet. Yes, his crew was tidy, but there was always the chance they might have missed something, and he could not bear the thought of her being injured.

Sparks sizzled between them. It was the pull of mates, he knew. But he imagined Samantha was having difficulty understanding why she felt so compelled to be near him.

But Michael knew. Helooked forward to the inevitable spike in the haunting arousal he felt for her that never seemed to go away.

“Can I get you anything? Water or coffee?” Samantha asked.

“That would be nice, but not yet. Here, come see,” he said and held a hand out to her.

She paused. For a moment, he wondered if she would refuse. But Samantha was bold and so beautiful. Not afraid of him, for sure.

Michael couldn’t fight his grin as she steppedtowards him with determination glowing in her hazel eyes. Her cool fingers slid against his and he growled deep in his chest as he warmed her palm with his own.

Fuck.

She felt good.

So damn soft. So sweet.

“Wow! Is that a deer?” she asked, eyes wide as a white-tailed deer raced along the fair end of her yard.

“Yes. There’s a healthy herd that lives in the woods here,” he said softly.

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