Page 27 of The Reluctant Wolf and His Fated Mate
He replied with a nervous chuckle. That was an odd response. “Must be a trick of the moonlight.”
Maybe. But still, something didn’t seem right.
Inside the guest room,Sophie sucked in her stomach before looking into the mirror. Who did she think she was by braving herself to get into a bikini in the middle of February? She gazed at her winter body—pale and plump—and frowned. It definitely could use some tightening.
At least this string bikini flattered her breasts. The tropical design with red and white flowers on a black background added a touch of summer in the midst of the winter mountains.
Sophie pinned her hair on the top of her head in a loose bun and wrapped a fluffy blue towel around herself. She walked barefoot out of her room and through the living room out the glass doors to the patio on the deck.
Damon sat with his feet dangling in the water of the hot tub. A bottle of champagne, along with two glasses, was sitting in a glass bucket at his side. Her gaze was glued on his, captured in his amber gaze. Then they traveled down over his massive shoulders and golden chest and abs.
Her heartbeat quickened and her lips parted. She practically drooled as her gaze skimmed over cut after cut, all mouthwatering indents and carved muscle. They didn’t look unnatural like those gym-rat bodybuilders, but gifted by good genes and toned by hard work.
When she raised her gaze back to meet his, his eyes gleamed with that golden glow again and pure hunger.
Her throated felt parched, and she swallowed. “Champagne. What’s the occasion?”
Aware that she’d frozen like a statue as she gaped at the god awaiting her, she forced herself to take one step toward him.
His mouth widened into a decadent smile. “Spending the evening with you.”
Damon
When Damon heard the patio doors slide open and Sophie walked out, both he and his wolf perked up. As she approached, his heart thumped with a steady, increasing beat that drowned out the hum of the bubbling hot tub in his ears.
She’s here.His wolf wagged his tail.Coming closer. Our mate.
Don’t get too excited,he warned his wolf.We’re not going to scare her off.
Sophie removed the towel and turned to hang it on a hook. Only the tiniest pieces of fabric covered her, revealing all the full luscious curves he ached to touch. Her pale skin glowed under the moonlight, appearing like soft satin. He forced himself to keep from reaching out for her, instead grabbing hold of the champagne bottle.
And her curves. All those soft and luscious curves were just begging to be kissed and touched as he buried himself into her heat and claimed her as his.
His skin felt hot and his mouth fell open. He snapped it shut.
When she walked toward him, he stood beside the hot tub and offered his hand to help her climb the stairs. Her scent washed over him, sending the odor of the chlorine and the pine trees scattering. Hers was like the buds of early spring peeking out from the mountains and then roaring to life with brilliant, bountiful flower petals.
The moment her tiny hand was in his, a magical sensation rippled through him, as potent as the change in his body when he transformed from man to wolf.
“Thanks.” She climbed in and sank down into the tub.
As the bubbling water covered all that silky skin he ached to touch, he stifled a moan that slipped out. The hum of the hot tub might have masked it. At least the top of her breasts peeked over the surface, tempting him with rounded curves that sent blood straight to his groin.
Damon sat beside her, grateful that the bubbles cloaked his stiffening member. The swim trunks wouldn’t hide his growing excitement.
He poured them each a glass of champagne and handed one to her. “To a picturesque night with a gorgeous woman.”
She blushed and then smiled. “Thanks.” She took a sip.
When she pulled the glass away, a sheen of liquid shined on her lips beneath the moonlight. A wild yearning to kiss her rose within. She was so close to him, her almost naked body beneath the water’s surface. All he had to do was stretch his arm and he could touch her soft skin.
She glanced at the sky. “The stars look amazing up here.” She pointed up. “The Big Dipper is so bright.”
His gaze followed, wandering over the patterns that shaped into the legends of some of the mysteries in the world. What the biggest puzzle for him was how both wolves and humans connected their fates to those balls of gas above.
He sighed. “How did I luck out finding you again on this mountain?”
Damn, he hadn’t meant to say that out loud. For someone who was the strong, silent type, this woman had him uttering things he never thought he’d say.
