Page 52 of An Unexpected Claim

I snorted and tried to push him off me with my hands on his chest, even though I knew it was a futile endeavor. “I don’t belong in anyone’s bed but my own.”

He took a hold of my chin and stared down at me with a frown. “You belong in my bed, Peyton. End of story.”

“And what makes you think that, exactly?” I couldn’t wait to hear his reason. I was sure it would have something to do with giving me orgasms…which would be very convincing.

“Because you’re my mate.”

I almost swallowed my tongue and choked for a minute before I burst out laughing. “Okay, that’s an original one. I’ll give you that.” Nathan just stared at me and my amusement faded out. “You can’t be serious.”

His eyes flashed and his wolf glared back at me before Nathan pushed him back. “You’re my true mate. Do I seem like the type to joke about this, Peyton?”

“Well, no, but…” I couldn’t help it when another chuckle escaped. Nathan’s wolf flashed in his eyes again and I frowned. What was he so pissed about? My cat wasn’t any happier about the animal’s attitude. “That’s ridiculous!” I insisted.

“Is it?” he replied, raising a single eyebrow. He captured my wrists and moved them up to hold them over my head. His legs locked around mine, pinning me to the bed so I couldn’t move. “You can’t tell me you’ve ever felt the intense attraction we have with anyone else.”

“Well, no, but—”

“If you weren’t my mate, do you really think we’d be drowning in our need for each other? There’s no full moon right now, Peyton. But I can’t go five minutes without thinking about fucking you. I’ve never come so hard as I did with you. And I know it’s the same for you.”

I scowled, not wanting to admit it, but I also didn’t want to taint the one place that Nathan actually trusted me. “True. But—”

Nathan’s mouth shut me right up when he slammed it down on mine and kissed me deep and thorough, turning me into a puddle of desire.

“Fuck,” Nathan grunted. “I’m dying to be inside you again, baby. It’s been way too fucking long.”

I loved his filthy mouth, but it didn’t chase away my doubts about his claim. I struggled against his hold, but he wouldn’t let me go.

Is that the point? Is he making a statement, warning me that he has no intention of letting me go?

The thought brought panic barreling through me and I broke the kiss to try to suck in great big gulps of oxygen. I struggled hard and with one look at my face, Nathan released me. He rolled off of me and I sat up, relieved when I was finally able to fill my lungs.

“You’re crazy, Nathan,” I snapped when I’d calmed down enough to speak. “All that proves is that we have exceptional sexual chemistry. And aren’t a woman’s hormones all hyped up during a pregnancy? None of that proves I’m your mate.”

Nathan laughed this time, but there was only a hint of humor in it. “The pregnancy?” he asked with another chuckle. “You’re grasping at straws, baby.”

I turned to face him, moving my feet under me so I was sitting on my heels. It brought our height almost even. “Nathan, I can’t be your mate.”

He scowled at me and stood, facing me with his arms crossed. “Enlighten me.”

I stared. Damn his stupid gorgeous, distracting body with that sexy beard and beautiful hair. His nakedness should not have been so distracting. We were shifters, for crying out loud. Nudity was just an everyday occurrence.

“Peyton.” Nathan’s voice grabbed my attention, and I ignored the cocky smirk on his beautiful lips.

“I’m a black panther, Nathan,” I answered in an insolent tone, earning myself a glare of warning. “We don’t mate.”

Nathan uncrossed his arms and bent to press his fists into the mattress, leaning over so our faces were only a couple of inches apart. “Yes,wedo.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Nathan

Peyton’s refusal to accept what was right in front of her was starting to get on my nerves.

“Seriously,” she said, ignoring my declaration. “Panthers, jaguars, we don’t have mates.”

I scoffed and stood to my full height, pinning her with a stare that suggested she not push me. “That’s bullshit and you know it, Peyton,” I vented, my temper rising. “Not only do I know plenty of leopards and jaguars who have found their mates, but your closest friends are a mated leopard couple.”

“They made the choice to mate,” she replied stubbornly. “And it’s rare.”

---