Page 20 of The Alpha's Arrangement
I LAY IN BED ALONE, MISSING THE WARMTH OF CARTER , BUT NEEDING SPACE TO ALLOW MYSELF TO think. I feel as if Carter has thrown my life in a blender and pushed the speed button, grinding everything up inside me.
Wolves. He wants to bite me and make me one forever. For hundreds of years. Carter seems so sure that I’m the one for him, but how on earth can he know that he won’t get sick of me in ten years and push me away?
I’ve seen many divorces and bad breakups. He says it’s for life, but that’s what marriage vows say, too. That doesn’t mean that people don’t go their separate ways every day.
My feelings for Carter have grown so strong over the week, and having him away from me just this short amount of time is tearing at my insides. It’s as if there is a magical cord connecting us, and the longer we’re apart, the stronger it tries to tether us together. It’s creating an ache in me so deep that I don’t know how to handle it. If I go to him, will this go away? Is this a sign that I’m supposed to be his mate and become a wolf?
Scratching comes to my door, but I ignore it.
It comes again. And again. And again.
Finally having enough, I fling the covers off and open the door to see my black wolf—Carter —sitting there.
With a heavy sigh, I tell him, “Come on, boy.”
He follows me into the room as I climb back into bed. He perches himself on the side of the bed, our faces aligned. He’s a gorgeous animal.
He lays his head on the cushion of the bed, and I reach over to pet him.
“I can’t believe you’re a wolf, Carter.”
The animal whines. No, my Carter whines.
“Carter, change please,” I whisper, and instantly the wolf recedes and a very naked Carter stands before me, going down to his knees.
“I couldn’t stay away.” He reaches out to brush the hair away from my face. The touch is so gentle, and I feel those cords pulling us together tightly. “Do you feel that?” he asks.
“What?”
“Don’t deny it, please,” this big, strong man pleads with me.
I can’t deny this or him. “I feel it.”
“That’s the start of the bond between us. It’s only going to get stronger as the days go on. Imagine what this will feel like in a year, ten, or a hundred. I want this with you. You by my side, me by yours, until our dying days.”
“That’s one hell of a marriage proposal, Carter.”
He smiles, taking my breath away. “I’m down on my knees, baby.”
My heart squeezes and those strings get tighter. I want to be with him. Even as strange as all of this is, I want this.
“Come here, Carter.”
“Izzy, if I get on that bed with you, I’m not going to be able to control myself. Now that you know, I want you now more than ever.”
Without a second thought, I respond, “Come and take me.”
“Really?”
“Yes, Carter. Make me yours.”
His lips devour mine, the connection between us building with each pass. I get lost in the sensations, passion, and the all-consuming bond we have forming. It’s like those invisible strings are twisting and turning together with each kiss we set on each other’s lips.
The build is swift as he moves his hands up my shirt, pulling it off in one swipe.
“No panties. Let’s make this a rule from now on.” He doesn’t allow me to answer, his tongue already inside my mouth, doing delicious things to me.
Carter pulls away and flips me on my front. “Need to claim you, then we’ll go nice and slow.”
