Page 34 of One True Mate

“Only mine,” I said in a voice deeper and huskier than my usual one.

Her pupils dilated in acknowledgement seconds before my lips crushed against hers. I'm not sure which of us it shocked more. I had sworn I wouldn't try anything with her, but when our lips touched it was a slight breath of hesitation before we both seemed to combust. Her mouth opened and she sighed this sexy moan right into my mouth and I was a goner. I wasted no time exploring every inch of her mouth and it was more glorious than anything I had ever imagined. She kissed me back full of passion and I had no doubt my mate desired me as much as I her

Her hands seemed to have a mind of their own as they unashamedly began exploring my body. She was driving me wild, and when her hands found their way under my shirt and she moaned, happily exploring every ridge across my abdomen with her hands, I knew it was stop things now or I would take exactly what I had wanted since the first moment I caught her scent, before I even laid eyes on my beautiful mate.

I tried to do the gentlemanly thing. I slowed our kisses and she responded in kind. It didn't stop the intensity between us, though. It only brought on a new kind of pleasure and I continued memorizing every crevice of her mouth, every motion that made her moan again. When I nibbled her bottom lip, I was rewarded as she wrapped her arms around me and pulled our bodies together. Every inch of her pressed against every inch of me and there was no hiding my desire for her as she rocked against me. I pulled back with a groan.

“Babe, what are you doing to me?” I asked in a voice I barely recognized, trying to catch my breath, and put a little distance between us.

I saw a panicked look in her eyes and realized too late she took it to mean she was doing something wrong. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her in close, allowing myself full access to her neck as I nuzzled into it, kissing her and blowing my scent on her. I wanted everyone within ten packs to know this one was mine. Only mine.

“That was meant as a compliment.”

I felt the tension that had quickly stiffened her, relax and I could feel her smile against my chest.

“Are you hungry?” I asked, slowly regaining my brain.

“Is that a loaded question?”

I laughed out loud at her unexpected response. Keeping my arm around her, I led her the rest of the way into my house, realizing we hadn't even managed to close the front door when our welcome frenzy began. I ran a hand through my hair in frustration at the thought of any wolf strolling by and seeing me and my mate in an intimate exchange. I knew I lived more remote than the others who all preferred to stay close by and live in groups, but still, the woods surrounding my home was often used for late night runs.

I felt a warm hand on my cheek as Kelsey angled my face to look down at her.

“Are you okay?”

Her brow was furrowed with worry. Worry for me, I realized.

I smiled reassuringly. “Everything's perfect, and I did cook dinner if you are hungry.... for food.” I added in jest and chuckled, enjoying her squirm in embarrassment.

She pouted. Her bottom lip, still swollen from my kisses, was clearing jutting out in an actual pout.

“I guess we can eat then.” She sounded disappointed, then immediately back to her normal self. “Did you really cook?”

“Yup, I did. I'm not entirely helpless. You may even find I'm good for a few things.”

“Oh, I've clearly already discovered one tonight.”

She winked at me and I was floored by this new intimate, playful side of her. Who knew? She was always so formal and by the books at work. I loved it. I loved her. The realization almost knocked the breath out of me.

“So, what are we having?” She asked, unaware of my internal discovery.

“Um, chicken alfredo? I made it from scratch.”

“Very impressive. And fortunately for you, I have very limited tastes in gourmet foods. And I'm a terrible cook. I know enough not to starve, but bouncing from one foster family or girls home to the next didn't exactly provide me with much in the way of domestic skills. So an unburnt box of mac and cheese would have impressed me just as much.”

“Good thing for you then, I happen to be a great cook and a bit of a foodie, so get used to eating a whole lot better, babe.”

She shied but smiled and I realized I had just alluded to us being something beyond today. Shit! I swore I wasn't going to scare her off. So far I'd managed two major screw ups in my plan.

“Okay, then, so impress me with your mad cooking skills.”

I relaxed and dished out a sizable plate of pasta and chicken for both of us. A side of steamed lemon garlic broccoli and some garlic bread finished off the meal. I had bought a bottle of wine and there were grapes and various cheeses already awaiting us on the table. I filled her glass and took my seat when I was satisfied with my presentation.

“You know, you probably shouldn't be giving me anymore alcohol. I think I've already had more than I normally consume in a year tonight.”

She seemed fine. Maybe a little looser and more playful than normal, but in a genuine way, not in a drunk way. I wondered again, just how many drinks did she have?

Mmmmm. Her moans of appraisal as she ate the meal I had prepared her jolted my attention back to her. The satisfied look of sheer pleasure on her face told me she more than liked it.

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