Page 41 of Her Werewolf Lover

“Shit,” Michael cursed. “Maya, stay here while I check this out. Do not come in!”

“Okay Daddy,” Maya answered.

Her large brown eyes went wide as she noted the tone of his voice. Michael rarely raised his voice, but this situation warranted it.

A cloud of black smoke was pouring through thekitchen windows, and he could hear the new smart smoke alarm system he’d had installed blazing before he opened the door, punching in the code on the keyless entry system.

He raced forward, his Wolf snarling. This was dangerous. Smoke meant fire and he could barely think as it was, knowing Samantha was in there.

“Sam? Samantha!”

He ran to the kitchen and stopped short at the sight that greeted his eyes.

“I’m in here! Oh, it’s alright. I’m okay! Damn it!” Samantha called back to him while waving a large Chinese fan at the charred contents of a soup pot on the stove.

Of course, it was pretty hard to decipher what she’d been trying to cook. He took the pot off the stove and placed it in the sink, pouring cold water over the twisted, burned concoction.

It smelled sort of like meat, but the charring left its origins indiscernible.

Far as he knew, Samantha wasn’t the least bit domestic. But this endeavor only endeared her to him even more.

“It’s ruined. I am so sorry,” she moaned, and he couldn't help it. He gathered her in his arms and rocked her gently.

“Sorry for what? I’m so glad you’re safe. Are you sure you aren’t hurt?”

“Only my pride, I promise. I was, well, I was trying to impress you by cooking a stew for dinner. You know, a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, or so they say. Anyway, the directions said to brown the meat first, so I walked away for a minute to check my email. But apparently, I was gone too long. Shit. I suck at this,” she groaned, and he chuckled and hugged her tighter.

“You don’t have to cook to find your way to my heart, Sunshine,” he said, kissing the top of her head.

“I don’t?”

“Nope. You just have to be you. Come on, I want you to meet Maya,” he told her.

“What? You brought her here now? She’s gonna think I’m an idiot,” she mumbled, and he laughed again, squeezing her hand.

“She’s gonna love you,” he said, stopping right before he addedlike I do.

Just acknowledging that to himself had serious repercussions. Michael paused, pulling her towards him.

Heat pulsed between them, and it had nothing to do with the lingering smoke in the air. Michael tugged on her robe until their bodies were pressedtogether. He could feel her heart pounding through their combined layers of clothing.

Or maybe that was his heart?

Either way, the result was the same. Primal lust shot through him.

“What?” she asked, tilting her head back as he caressed her throat and neck with his free hand.

“I’m crazy about you, Sunshine,” he whispered, and claimed her mouth

He felt her smile before he raised his head and saw it. Thank goodness he was standing still, because that look on her face would’ve sent him to his knees had he been walking.

Christ, she was beautiful. Her burnished red locks curled around her shoulders, and he itched to run his hands through them.

But not now.

Now, Michael had introductions to make. Afterwards, he needed some alone time with his mate to explain what last night really meant to them.

He was determined to chase away those ugly doubts she still had. Had to make sure she understood she was never getting away from him.

---