Page 21 of Mates & Mercenaries

“What about you?” Clay asks as he turns to look at me. The desire in his eyes has me wondering if he really did see what was going on before. “I don’t know nearly enough about you, Skylar, despite us spending a lot of time together. Tell me about your life.”

“I…I don’t have much to say,” I admit. “I haven’t had much of a life because my dad has always been way too overprotective of me. He’s kept me way too sheltered. I was hardly allowed to do anything when I was in high school, and then I was never allowed to go to college because it would put me at risk.” I sigh heavily at the thought of all the lectures I’ve received from my dad over the years about being safe. “I do have one friend, Maeve, but it’s hard to see her since I don’t get to go out much. The last night I snuck out is actually the first time I met Creed. Just before you guys came to the house.”

“Oh!” Clay is surprised by my honesty, and so am I. “I see. So, there really is something between you and Creed. For even longer than I knew.”

“Yeah. But not much longer. It was only the night before.”

Clay nods. He looks understanding, so I hope he does.

“It was a bit of a surprise when you guys all turned up, making the party so much better. I didn’t want to be left alone in my bedroom where I always have to hide away.”

“No wonder you’re enjoying your freedom here.” Clay laughs, slinging his arm over my shoulder, bringing me as close to him as I possibly can be. “I would too. You have to run around as much as you can.”

“Not the easiest thing to do when Creed wants me to stay in one place at all times.”

“I get why he’s doing it, because he’s worried about you, but it must be really hard for you. I see that. It would be better if you weren’t in danger, and you could do whatever you wanted all the time.”

“If only.” I roll my eyes. “If only I was free and able to do whatever I wanted. If only I was born into a normal family and a normal life. If only my mom was still alive. I don’t remember her very much, but I do know that she was a strong woman who could take on my dad no matter what. I often think my life would be better with her here.”

Clay reaches over and laces his fingers through mine. “I’m sure you’re never alone. I’m sure she’s with you all the time. Even if she can’t be here in person.”

I really feel like he understands me and sees me in ways I haven’t been seen before. My eyes meet his and my heart leaps into my throat. My lips tingle with need, my whole body aches with desire. I can’t resist leaning in to kiss him.

The moment my lips crash against his, my whole body heats up with need and desire. I hook my hands around the back of his neck to hold him close to me. We only pull back a little so we can stare lovingly into one another’s eyes.

Shit, I like him. I like him a lot. My feelings for Clay are exactly what I thought they would be. I knew we had a connection and this just confirms as much. I kiss him again, then move to straddle him so I can deepen the kiss.

Kissing him is utterly intoxicating, making my whole body tingle with excitement and need. I could sit here on his lap and kiss him all night long.

“Oh wow,” Clay gasps as we finally break apart. “Wow, Skylar, I didn’t know…” He swallows hard. “I didn’t know you would ever like me this much.”

His fingers dig into my sides because it seems like he doesn’t want to let me go either. I love that. If Clay wants me this badly, then I’m not going anywhere.

“Of course I want you,” I murmur as I tuck a stray strand of hair behind his ear. “I have always wanted you; I just didn’t know if you wanted me.”

Clay lets out a little groan of agony. “I am no good at showing my feelings. That’s something I definitely need to work on.”

I can help him, if he lets me. I can come into his life and show him how his emotions will be accepted willingly, eagerly. Not just from me, but from the pack as well. I’m sure they would love to be more involved with Clay and his thoughts and feelings.

But I don’t say any of that. I don’t want to be presumptuous, because I know the fact that I want all of these men all at once isn’t going to go down well. So I kiss him some more, tasting his lips as much as I can, while I can. I don’t want to think about how this might all come to an end, but it’s there, looming above us at all times. I have to enjoy the here and now.

Things could progress with us, it’s definitely hot and heavy, but I think this might be too much. For Clay, I’m sure he needs some time to figure everything else out. So I slide off his lap and shoot him a playful wink to let him know I’m not quite done with him yet.

“Should we go for a run? I’d love to stretch out my wolf legs.”

Clay eagerly jumps up. “That sounds amazing. We probably shouldn’t go too far because we don’t want to freak out Sam if he comes back and we’re not here.”

I nod eagerly. I want to run with Clay and enjoy the prairie while we’re here.

A little part of me could happily remain here, but I know that isn’t an option. If I’m not careful, I will end up losing myself in my fantasies. That will only make going home that much harder.

Clay explodes into his wolf first, light grey fur sprouting over his body. I get the impression that he’s much more confident in his wolf form. Happily, I let my own animal side out and we take off. We run around the surrounding areas of the cabin, so if we can smell Sam coming back, we can get back before he panics.

I think a little about what it will be like to have Creed and Rex return. I don’t know when they will be back because they didn’t know either. So I can’t imagine they are going to be here any time soon. But I want to be prepared just in case.

The longer I spend in my wolf, though, and the further Clay and I run, the less I worry about anything. I lean into my primal animalistic form, only concerned with my needs, not wants.

11

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