Page 61 of Can't Be Love

“Best you just stay here,” Amka said, sounding worried.

The two men shared a serious look.

“Take the SUV, Thomas, and leave quickly. It’ll handle well for you. Just heed my warning: When the snow starts, seek shelter quickly. Some place warm and safe that you can spend a few days to let it pass.”

“Thank you,” Thomas said, shaking the old man’s hand before jogging into the house and returning quickly with our bags.

Amka continued to fuss over the decision, but in the end, she hugged us both and wished us well. I promised to keep in touch and to let her know we were safe along the way, until we reached Collier territory.

Before I could think straight, we were off, heading out on a fifty-some hour road trip.

Thomas remained quiet for the first hour, though he hadn’t let go of my hand since he put the vehicle into drive. I had visibly seen the tension in his shoulders ease the moment we were out of Alaskan territory.

“I’m sorry for this,” he finally said, softly. “I’m sure you must think I’m a freak for insisting we venture out with a massive storm in our path.”

I shrugged. “I have brothers. I’ve watched them all go through mating, and even beyond. I mean, they say it’s supposed to ease up and get better the stronger the bond is, make you less crazy and all that stuff, but really, I don’t know if it’s an Alpha thing or just a male thing, but it just seems to never go away. Not just with their spouses either. They’ve all pulled the Alpha card on me before. I know when to pick my battles over it.”

I watched him as he stared forward, not commenting, but giving a slightly crooked grin.

“I saw you relax when we left Alaskan territory. I’m guessing my disappearing caused your wolf to go a little crazy, and being in someone else’s territory wasn’t helping, huh?” I knew the answer, but for some reason I just wanted him to confirm it.

“Yeah, something like that. I would have gone nuts stuck there a few more days. Everything in my being is screaming to protect you, get you home, and keep you safe. I’m not sure it’s a healthy obsession, but I can’t seem to stop it.” He looked apologetic when he chanced a quick glimpse my way.

“Stupid bond. It makes you and your wolf crazy. Mine really wasn’t much better. She just wants to rub all over you, so forgive me for touching you so much. I can’t seem to help it.”

He glanced over with a smoldering look in his eyes. The moment felt much longer than should have been safe while driving, but I couldn’t break away. He gave me that damn smirk again. “I really don’t mind.”

Oh boy.I suddenly couldn’t wait to find that hotel I’d be cooped up in with him for a few days. I had plenty of brilliant ideas on just how we could pass the time, starting with completing this bond, once and for all.

Just the thought of truly being alone with him, especially after all that had happened, was making me seriously horny. I couldn’t help it. I scooted uncomfortably in my seat, really wanting some relief.Couldn’t he drive any faster?

Thomas laughed, okay, really it was more like a deep, sexy chuckle. “If you don’t calm down, we aren’t going to make it much further. Tulok said we had about twelve to sixteen hours before the worst of it hit. I thought we’d try to get as far south as possible, but babe, your scent is driving me crazy over here.”

I watched him squirm in his seat and my eyes dropped to see him straining against the zipper of his pants.

“I could take care of that for you,” I offered.

The wheel jerked a little as his head whipped my way. “Are you trying to kill us?”

I threw my head back and laughed, some of the tension between us easing, until I felt his hand on my breast. He pinched my nipple, causing me to groan. “Not helping,” I murmured through clenched teeth as he moved to attend to my other side. “Thomas,” I said, meaning it as a warning, but it came out in a strange, breathy voice.

His eyes were still focused on the road as he drove with his left hand, and his right moved lower, rubbing me through my jeans as I moaned, feeling pressure build between my legs. He unbuttoned my top button, and slowly unzipped my pants as he worked his fingers inside, and I nearly shot off the seat at first touch.

I needed to protest. This was insane. We were driving down a dark highway in the middle of nowhere, but no words would come as his fingers began working his magic over me. Soon my hips were bucking off the seat in rhythm to his hand, which earned me a smirk that melted my heart. His eyes never left the road, yet he was there with me every step of the way. My body tensed, then let loose like a rubber band that had just snapped, and I screamed his name.

It took my breathing some time to return to normal, and my heart beat heavily in my chest. Thomas looked quite proud of himself.

“That was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” he said, and just like that my body tensed up again. I knew I must be addicted to him and wondered if all couples felt this way. I couldn’t imagine it possible. No one would ever leave the bedroom except to pee and eat if they felt half as good as he made me feel.

I remembered watching him playing with the young puffin shifter boys, and how my heart had swelled with happiness. I had been on my way to see him, to tell him.

“I love you,” I blurted out.

I heard the screeching of tires and felt the car come to a halt as he pulled over on the side of the road and turned to look at me.

I smiled and shrugged. “I don’t know when it happened, but I was on my way to tell you when they took me.” A single tear ran down my cheek, but I didn’t want to cry. I didn’t want to let go of the emotions bottled up from the experience. I just wanted to feel. I wanted my mate.

He wiped the tear away with his thumb as he lovingly cradled my face. He didn’t have to say the words, I could feel them. My breath hitched as he leaned in and kissed me. If I’d had any doubts that he loved me before then, he showed me with certainty in that kiss. I was panting for breath when he finally pulled back, kissing his way across my cheek and down my neck. I didn’t hesitate to bare it to him.

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