Page 5 of Hers to Call
“I can’t be the first person to tell you that.”
Her smile got a little sad. “No. But I’ve found genuine pleasure feeding the bears in this town. They’re a lot more appreciative than I’m used to.”
He nodded, knowing his bears had never had an issue with saying how they felt. “We try.”
They continued in silence, passing through the town square. He returned waves from his bears and rolled his eyes at their thumbs up. His gaze drifted back to Calita, skimming the features of her face. He couldn’t wait until she was his to touch and savor. His bear rumbled in agreement.
She turned her head to him and smiled shyly. “You’re staring.”
“You’re beautiful.”
Calita turned her head the other way, but not fast enough to hide her smile. “I thought you were out of clever lines.”
He laughed. “I’m not used to having to come up with flowery sentiments. I’m a straightforward person, a simple bear. I know what I want, and I go after it.”
Her pulse sped at her neck. And she kept her gaze straight ahead. “And what is it you want?”
He put a hand on her arm to stop her movement. “You want pretty words, or do you want a straightforward answer?”
She swallowed and turned her gaze to him. “I’m not much for pretty words myself.”
A woman after his own heart. He inclined his head. “You’re new to shifters and I understand that. Humans have a different culture, would you agree?”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I would.”
He stared at her, noticing that she avoided his eyes. Not that that was strange. Most people couldn’t keep eye contact with an alpha. That wouldn’t change until they’d fully mated.
“I want you.”
She sucked in a breath. Her eyes darting to his before sliding away.
“I know that once with you would never be enough.” He decided to leave his bear out of the equation for now.
“You’re just going to lay that out there?” Cali blinked in surprise, the pulse at her neck thundering. “and I’m supposed to… what?”
He smiled, unable to help it. She was so beautiful. He stepped a little closer to her, not quite getting in her space, but allowing the heat from his bear to envelope her. He stuffed his hands in his pocket and made his pose as non-threatening as possible. “Take it how you want, Calita, but I can guarantee you would love every minute of it.”
Calita eyed him, her face showing her astonishment. “You can’t just go around telling people you want them.” She protested.
Her outrage shouldn’t amuse him, but he was finding her bafflement charming. “See, here’s where we run into those cultural differences.”
“I don’t have the time or energy for a relationship,” Calita said, but her eyes and body language told a different story. She was tempted, it was in every shuddering breath she took.
He pushed at another button, wanting to put his flustered mate a little off balance. “I’m not talking about a relationship, Calita. I’m talking about hot and intense, consensual sex.” Simon stepped back and let her digest that.
Her lips parted in shock and Simon balled his fists in his pocket to keep himself from leaning over and sampling her full lips.
“How about I make you an offer. You can have complete control. You come to me when you want me or call me to you. Either way, you control the time and the place. I’m yours to call, whenever you want.” Hell, for this woman he’d do whatever it took. Wait as long as he needed for that ultimate prize.
“You would settle for a booty call,” she attempted an aloof look, but her heated gaze raked his body.
Simon lifted an eyebrow and tilted his head, his gaze skimming over her fine ass. “I mean…”
“You’re desperate,” she said.
“Decisive,” he corrected.
“That simple, huh?”
