Page 28 of Claiming the Shifter's Heart

It was a safe haven where she and the children were no longer just existing but living, growing, and becoming part of something bigger.

She’d made connections with neighbors, found local places where she could feel at home. There were people here who cared, people who offered a hand, expecting nothing in return.

People like Aunt Eileen and Maya. Like Sam and Michael. Cassie and David. Stephie and her husband Nick. People she would miss. Like him. Like Kristoff.

This was more than just a place to live. And fuck Cade’s horrible brother for trying to take it from her. She shouldn’t let him get away with that. He had no right. No right at all to her babies.

Shifter law was so messed up, though. Her lawyer showed her where they favored mated pairs over single parents. But that was no reason for her to drag some guy she’d only slept with into all her crazy mess.

Dammit. It sounded terrible when she said it like that. And it wasn’t the truth. Her heart squeezed sadly inside her.

But he was more than just some guy she slept with. Kristoff made Della feel seen. Somehow, the big Wolf knew exactly what she needed. He’d silently acknowledged her efforts and her struggles. He didn’t dismiss her and seemed to have a real sense of what she needed.

Lord, he was perfect. Handsome and strong, too.

Everything about him appealed to her. For the first time in a long while, Della didn’t feel alone.

But she was so afraid to take a wrong step. Not because she thought he would hurt her physically. He wasn’t the type of man to do that. She knew that down to her marrow.

Still, Kris could hurt her. This man had that power. All because she’d gone and fallen in love with him.

She stepped forward, bringing his startled sapphire gaze to hers. She could no more stop her progress than she could stop the moon coming out at night.

Need and desire vibrated throughout her entire body. It was like a magnetic pull, dragging her forward, and nothing could make her alter her course.

She wanted him. Plain and simple.

“Della,” he seemed to breathe her name, and her whole body shivered. “I need to apologize?—”

But she didn’t let him finish. Need washed through her, overwhelming all sense of propriety, and Della just about jumped on the man. He was so big, and ready, he caught her easily.

The man growled hungrily when she plastered her mouth to his, licking into him and savoring all his rich forest flavors. Della thanked her lucky stars when he joined in just as enthusiastically.

“Fuck,” he cursed, his chest vibrating with the strength of his Wolf.

Last night he’d taken care of her, cherished her body, and made her feel desired, wanted. She needed that again. Needed to feel the connection only he could bring to her.

It was more than physical, but Della couldn’t acknowledge that right now. She needed this, needed him to make her feel some more of that which only he could deliver.

She needed to feel alive.

“Need you,” she said.

He growled again, his eyes glittering dangerously with his Wolf. Big hands roamed her body, cupping her tits over her clothes as he kissed her deeply, hungrily, lighting fires inside of her.

“Need you, Kristoff,” she begged as he cupped her hot pussy beneath her skirt.

“I got you, Sweet Girl. I got what you need right here,” he grunted, backing her up until she felt the barn door beneath her back.

“Turn around,” he commanded and shocked, Della listened.

His words were short and whispered low as he licked her neck and worked on her fastenings. It felt as though a weight was lifted off her shoulders, a chain unlocked around her heart the more he told her what to do.

“Hands in front of you. Arch your back, Baby. Now, can you be quiet for me?”

She nodded. Della loved the way it felt to simply let go and follow his instruction. Shivers raced through her as clothing got pushed aside. She felt him there, the thick, swollen head of his cock, pushing into her from behind.

“Fuck. So hot and wet for me. So fucking perfect,” he growled softly.

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