Page 47 of Chomp's Challenge

His voice is gentle as he gives me a small nod. “Yes. I think you could use someone to talk to who isn’t quite so invested in every word you speak.” He sets down his fork and reaches for my hand, covering it with his much larger one. “I want you to feel open to say whatever you’re feeling with me, but I suspect there may be some things, female-oriented maybe, that I might not be able to understand as fully.”

He’s right. I know I can talk to Callie, and she’s there for me, but a professional won’t judge me for the things I’m afraid to admit or remember out loud. If those things linger, they might cause friction with Chomp, and I would never want that. “I don’t know who to go to. You know anyone?”

“Callie helps Cheryl at Mercy Falls Refuge with the foster kids. I’m pretty sure she’s got contacts who are therapists, since many of the kids likely need help processing what’s happened in their lives. I’m positive she can put you in touch with Cheryl.”

“Then I’ll ask for Cheryl’s number the next time I see Callie,” I promise.

I watch him shake his head, then he admits, “Gator says he’s willing to bite anyone else who’s ever hurt you, but he won’t scare you by eating them.”

I can’t help it, I start giggling. The topic may be a bit unconventional, but my life has been ever since Chomp came roaring into my life. “He probably shouldn’t go around biting those who’ve hurt me in the past, Chomp. We can’t have everyone knowing I’ve got a strong, handsome shifter with an enormous, obsessive, overzealous gator who protects me so well.”

I’m flirting a little, not just with Chomp, but with Gator too.

He’s about to reply when his phone rings. Pulling it out of his pocket, he smirks when he sees who’s calling and says, “Pres.”

Since he put the call on speaker, I hear Spike’s voice thundering down the line as he says, “Don’t wanna know what you’re up to, just need you to get to the clubhouse, Chomp. Bring Ariel.”

Before Chomp can say anything at all, the line disconnects, leaving us staring at each other. There’s a bewildered expression on his face and something I can’t place in his chocolatey brown eyes. I see a hint of the gator as he wrestles with what Spike didn’t say, which is a lot.

“Let me get this cleaned up,” I state, standing and gathering dishes. I’m pretty sure Spike wants us there as quickly as possible, but I will take a few minutes to wrap up the minimal leftovers. The dishes, however, can wait, so I stack them in the sink and run water over them before I pull out some aluminum foil and wrap the baking dish, then slide it into the refrigerator.

“Need you to put on some clothes, Ariel. Preferably jeans,” Chomp announces, giving me a once over.

“Okay. Any reason why?”

He grins and wiggles his eyebrows. “I’m taking you for a ride.”

I squeal with excitement because I’ve been looking forward to this and scamper up the stairs, rushing around to find jeans, socks, and a long-sleeved top. Once I’m dressed, I dart into the bathroom and begin braiding my hair, searching for a hair tie as Chomp appears in the doorway. He watches me with an unhurried gaze, raking it down my body and up again as if he can’t get enough of me. When I pause to wink at him, I see the gator flash in his eyes.

Wow. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of how they both seem to devour my presence and salivate for it. I’ve never known anything like this. It’s intoxicating and makes me clench my thighs together. There’s no denying I feel arousal after what we’ve experienced together, and I’m eager to return to bed and continue our exploration, but it’ll have to wait.

Chomp groans. “Stop looking at me like that, dove. I’m gonna strip those jeans off, feast on your pretty pussy, and then Spike will kick my ass for showing up late.”

I can’t help grinning at the thought. “You sure we can’t take ten minutes?”

He pushes off the doorway where he's been leaning against it and stalks toward me, sliding his large hands around my waist and lower, to cup my backside. “Don’t tempt me, my gorgeous mate.” His lips brush mine and I know if we linger, he’ll lose the fight and give in.

Still, I tease him. “Hmmm, and I wanted to taste you this time.”

His body goes still, and I hear the gator make a noise in his throat. “Bike. Now.” He swats my bottom. “And you’re gonna be sorry later when I won’t let you come up for air without coming at least three times.”

I don’t think I will be, but I don’t say it. Where this brazen, sexually driven desire has come from, I’m not sure, but I like it. It feels freeing and wonderful. It’s definitely a far cry from who I was mere months ago, that’s for sure.

Outside, Chomp throws a leg over his bike and begins giving me instructions. I’m not even allowed to climb on behind him until I can repeat every one of his safety rules. It’s cute, overbearing, and humorous. He’s too much, and just enough at the same time.

But it’s when my arms are wrapped around him, and we roll forward, the wind sweeping over our skin, that’s when I know I want to be with Chomp and ride his Harley for the rest of my life. Sure, I knew in the bathtub I’m his mate, especially after his claws marked me. But now, feeling this freedom, protected, safe, and with his love, it’s healing me in ways I never could have dreamed.

The ride isn’t long, and I find that I wish we could have stayed on the road, but when I see the clubhouse, and take in the enormity of the old ski lodge, I begin to feel nervous. The building is huge and it’s full of people. The long glass panes reveal some of the club members and other shifters I’ve met along with ones I haven’t. I spot Kodiak and Callie and remind myself that these are my people, err family, now too. We share a bond because I’m mated to Chomp.

I relax my shoulders as we glide into a parking spot. Chomp rises off his seat and removes my helmet, reaching for my hand as we approach the steps leading up to the heavy wooden double doors. They fling open and I see a woman standing there. She gasps as she spots Chomp.

His hand releases mine and he’s so still, I wonder who she is to him. I’m about to ask when he utters a single word. One that’s so full of emotion and longing that my knees almost buckle. I can feel the ache in his chest.

“Mom.”

Chapter

Twenty-One

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