“Do what?”

“Pick up on my feelings. Guys in the military used to say I was impossible to read. I thought it was because my body language isn’t human, but you seem to know exactly what I’m thinking.”

I grin. “Guess we have a few things in common.”

He gazes deep into my eyes. “Do you feel it?”

“The connection between us?” I hardly know what I’m saying, but it feels right. I feel like Jaxton is the man I was supposed to be with. Like there was a plan for it, set out in the stars, before we even saw each other for the first time.

“You’re my mate, Rowan.”

My breath catches.Mate. That exciting word. Shifters don’t just marry, they have mates.

Suddenly, Grandma Jo’s words float back across the years.

They’re luckier than most of us. They mate for life.

My heart blooms, and I long to be his. To spend my life with him and live among his people and have a ton of cubs.

But it can’t be. Because I’m not free. “But I can’t stay.”

He shakes his head. “Doesn’t matter. You’ll always be mine. Always were, always will be.”

My lip trembles. “But in three days’ time, you’ll never see me again.”

“That doesn’t change anything. When a shifter finds its mate, that’s it.”

“B-but—”

He reaches for me, drawing me to him. “I want to be your first, Rowan,” he murmurs, his voice low and growly.

I gasp. “How do you know—?”

“Trust me, I know.”

I wrinkle my nose. “You can smell it on me, right?”

He groans. “That sweet virgin scent. It’s been driving my beast crazy ever since you arrived.”

Oh, god.A squirm of embarrassment goes through me, but it’s a kind of pleasurable sensation. Jaxton knows I’ve never been touched by a man before, and he wants to take my virginity. He wants to see me naked. Wants to push that big cock of his inside me. I give a little shiver.

He frowns. “Is that weird to hear?”

“No, it’s kind of sexy, actually,” I say, and I press my thighs together, because my pussy is aching like crazy.

A low growl escapes his lips, and he dips his head and kisses me.

He’s rougher, hungrier this time. His hands run all over my body, grasping my hips, squeezing my tits through my shirt, while he covers my neck in burning kisses.

“I want you so bad, Rowan,” he groans, his lips rough on my skin. “You have no idea.” I glimpse his cock, straining at the zipper of his jeans, and I long to touch it.

“So take me,” I murmur.

He cups my face and stares deep into my eyes. “I want it to be perfect for you.”

“It is. Right here, right now, in this little cabin.”

He draws back and scans the room with a frown. “It’s not perfect yet. But give me five minutes, okay?”