Page 42 of Pleasure and Mane
"Completely ruined my clothes and surprised the teacher," Caius continued, his cheeks warming at the memory. "Henry had to come pick me up at the back of the school and explain to the principal that I'd had a 'medical episode.' I was grounded for a month."
"That's actually kind of sweet," Quinn said, grinning. "What happened with Sarah?"
"She asked me again to the dance the next day. Apparently, mysterious medical episodes were intriguing to teenage girls."
Quinn burst into delighted laughter, the sound filling the cabin with warmth. "Your turn to ask me something embarrassing."
"Alright," Caius said, leaning back in his chair with a predatory smile. "What's the most reckless thing you've ever done? Besides abandoning your entire life to move in with a family of lion shifters you'd never met."
Her cheeks flushed pink. "I may have... borrowed my college roommate's motorcycle for a midnight ride to the beach. Without knowing how to ride a motorcycle that well."
"Quinn Marrow, you are a rebel," he teased, his voice dropping to a low rumble. "Did you crash?"
"Into a sand dune. Spent an hour digging the bike out before Kate found me covered in sand and seaweed, swearing like a sailor."
God, I love this woman.The thought hit him with startling intensity. Her laughter, her stories, and the way she made even mundane moments feel significant—everything about her drew him deeper under her spell.
After dinner, they settled onto the thick fur rug in front of the fireplace, wine glasses in hand and the plates forgotten on the table behind them. The flames cast a golden glow over Quinn's skin, highlighting her delicate features and the way her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulder.
"So, Caius, what are your real dreams?" Quinn asked softly, curling against his side.
Caius was quiet for a long moment, his arm tightening around her. "To have you as my mate officially," he said finally, his voice low and intense. "To wake up next to you every morning for the rest of my life. To build something beautiful with you—a family and a future where you're by my side through everything."
Quinn's breath caught, and when she looked up at him, her green eyes were bright with tears. "I want that too. More than I've ever wanted anything."
"So you'd really stay here? Leave your practice in Denver?"
"I've been thinking about it," she said, shifting to face him more fully. "Kate could run the Denver location, and I could open a new location here in Leon. Specifically for shifter pregnancies and births. And..." She hesitated, then smiled. "I want to start writing again. Really writing. Maybe even try to publish something."
Mine.His lion sang with possessive satisfaction. She wasn't just staying—she wanted to build a life here, with him. "You can do anything your heart desires," he said fiercely. "And I'll help you achieve every dream you've ever had."
The words seemed to ignite something between them. Quinn's pupils dilated, and her scent shifted, becoming richer and more intoxicating. Before either of them could speak again, Caius was kissing her with raw hunger, pouring all his love and need and promises for their future into the connection of their mouths.
SEVENTEEN
QUINN
When Caius and Quinn finally broke apart from their passionate kiss by the fireplace, their breaths came in uneven gasps and their foreheads rested against each other. The fire crackled beside them, casting flickering shadows across the room, and the clawfoot tub in the corner seemed to beckon with its promise of warmth and intimacy.
Caius's voice was low and laced with desire as he spoke, his lips brushing against her ear. "Let's soak in the tub," he murmured, nipping lightly at her earlobe. "I want to take my time with you tonight."
Quinn shivered at the promise in his words, her heart pounding as he stood and extended a hand to help her up. She let him guide her to the tub, her fingers intertwined with his, the heat of his powerful touch sending sparks of anticipation through her veins. He turned on the faucets, the sound of running water filling the room as steam began to rise, curling and dancing in the firelight.
Caius turned back to her, his blue eyes dark with need, and began to undress her with deliberate slowness. His hands were gentle yet firm as they slid the sleeveless white blouse off her shoulders, his lips following the path of his fingers, planting softkisses along her collarbone. Quinn tilted her head back, a soft sigh escaping her lips as he reached around to unclasp her white lace bra, letting it fall to the floor.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered, his voice rough with admiration.
His hands skimmed down her sides, sending a wave of goosebumps across her skin as he knelt to unbutton her jeans. He tugged them down slowly, his lips brushing against her stomach, making her stomach muscles twitch. Her breath hitched as he hooked his fingers into the waistband of her lace panties, sliding them down her legs with agonizing slowness, his touch lingering on her thighs.
Quinn reached for him then, her hands shaky as she began to undress him in turn. She pulled his black henley over his head, revealing the hard planes of his chest and the defined abs that always made her mouth water. Her fingers traced the ridges of his muscles, feeling the heat of his skin beneath her palms. She knelt to unbutton his dark jeans and slid them down his legs, her fingers brushing against his hard length straining against his black boxers. She pressed a teasing kiss to his hipbone, feeling him shudder beneath her touch, before she hooked her fingers into the waistband of his boxers and tugged them down. Her breath caught at the sight of him, fully bare and completely hers, as she stood back up.
Caius stepped closer, his hands sliding up her arms as he leaned down to capture her lips in a hungry kiss. The intensity of it made her knees shake, and she clung to him, her fingers digging into his shoulders. When he finally pulled away, he lifted her effortlessly and gently lowered her into the tub, the warm water enveloping her like a caress. He followed her in and turned off the faucets, settling behind her and pulling her back against his chest. His skin was hot against hers, and she felt the hardlength of him pressing against her lower back, sending a thrill of anticipation through her.
His hands began to move over her shoulders, kneading the tension from her muscles as he pressed soft kisses to the nape of her neck. "Relax, Quinn," he murmured, his voice low and soothing. "I'm going to take care of you."
She leaned into his touch, her eyes drifting closed as his hands moved down her arms, his fingers intertwining with hers before sliding back up to cup her breasts. His thumbs brushed over her nipples, sending a jolt of pleasure straight to her core, and she arched into his touch with a soft moan.
"Caius," she breathed, her voice trembling with need.
