Katrina sat at the table admiring her frosty blue toenails. Tilly had gone home to her husband, leaving Kat jealous of their relationship. They’d had years to fall in love and get married. Wouldn’t that have been nice?

Meanwhile, her new husband was off God knew where doing God knew what. Quite possibly, he was doing Nadia. She squelched the thought quickly, before her bear side could catch wind and get all territorial. But for his sake, he’d better not be with Nadia.

The keypad next to the door beeped loudly, announcing someone was entering the apartment. Kat jumped up from her seat and smoothed her hair. She’d practiced what she was going to say — “Hi, can we talk?” — a dozen times, but the words froze on her lips when several large men followed Alex into the apartment.

None made eye contact with Kat as they walked across the living room toward where she stood. Without a word, they picked up the chairs — including the one she’d just vacated — and the table, and walked back toward the door.

Alex smiled at her from the middle of the living room, but continued directing the men. More and more furniture disappeared out the front door — the computer desk, side tables, the couch.

“Alex,” she hissed as she approached him, panic fluttering in her chest. “What’s going on? Who are these men?”

“I’ll explain in a bit,” he said, pointing the men toward the bedroom.

“Explain now,” she demanded. “Are you moving out? Am I?”

Two men blocked her view of Alex as they passed between them carrying his mattress. What the…?

“No one’s going anywhere, my love. Trust me. Why don’t you sit out on the terrace? I’ll let you know when they’re done.” Alex shooed her outside, then added, “But they’re going to take those deck chairs. Don’t get too comfortable.”

Trust. She’d just told Tilly how much she wanted to trust Alex. No time like the present to start practicing. So she waited in the warm afternoon sun, mystified as she watched the men work. In less than twenty minutes, Alex called her name.

The men were gone, and the apartment had been stripped of almost all its furniture. Katrina reminded herself that no matter what, she was going to love Alex. Even if he’d gone completely bonkers.

“Okay, what’s the deal?” she asked, looking around the barren apartment.

When Alex took her hand and raised it to his lips, a shiver raised pebbles on her skin at his gentle kiss.

“It’s not news to you, Katrina, that I’d known a lot of women before meeting you. Too many. But unlike you, I had the burden of knowing about our betrothal, and quite frankly, I was terrified.”

“Why?” She could barely hear her own voice from the emotions choking her.

Alex grimaced. “Marrying a stranger seemed so barbaric. And since we were forbidden to meet before the ceremony, I took comfort where I could. I figured once I was tied to a woman I didn’t know, much less loved, I’d at least have the memory of those trysts to keep me warm at night.”

Kat had endured such torment over the two days she’d known about her upcoming nuptials. Having to deal with it for a lifetime would have been torture. She gave his hand a gentle, encouraging squeeze.

“Knowing I could never have a meaningful relationship with any of them, I chose women I would never want. Some were shallow, some were vain, others were…let’s say ‘less than intelligent’. But they suited a purpose. A cruel, unfair purpose. I never promised them anything, but some undoubtedly expected more. As I stand here a different man than I was two weeks ago, I regret ever talking with any of them. Except one.”

Alex pulled Kat closer and wrapped his arms around her waist. She had to crane her neck back to maintain eye contact, but she was entranced and barely noticed.

“You weren’t like any woman I’d ever met, Katrina. From the second we bumped into each other, I knew I had to have you. I had no idea why, at the time, and I didn’t care as long as I got to taste you. But then a funny thing happened. As I wined and dined you, I found myself enjoying our conversation, usually the most grueling part of any date for me. Something to endure to get to the good stuff. Not with you, though. Now I realize why.”

“Why?” she breathed, dazzled by his admission. She felt a little like a schoolgirl whose crush just passed her a note which read If you like me, check this box.

“Because we’re fated for each other. Not because our parents said so, but because the universe says so. It’s why the connection between us — and I know you feel it too — is so powerful it’s almost overwhelming. That’s why I died inside when I treated you so cruelly. I need you. But it’s so much more than just a fated bond. I love who you are, Katrina.”

Kat opened her mouth to tell him she loved him too, but no sound came out. Only when she tasted salt did she realize tears were streaming down her face.

“So,” Alex continued, clearing the thickness in his voice. “To answer your question, the deal is—“ he spread his arms wide and looked around “—we’re starting fresh. Other than the marble countertop, which will be replaced as soon as you pick the material, nothing in this apartment has been touched by another woman. We’ll go shopping today, if you want, to replace everything. Otherwise, we’ll camp on the floor until you find the furniture that suits you. No more memories, no more reminders. A fresh start in our apartment.”

“A fresh start,” Kat murmured, loving the sound of that.

“That’s right, my love.” Alex brushed a tear from her cheek, his fierce gaze drilling deep into her soul. “You belong to me, and I belong to you. Only you. You feel it, don’t you? You feel the bond?”

Of course she did. She’d felt it immediately, just as he had. For a short time, she embraced it, but then he’d hurt her so deeply. From that point on, she fought the connection that joined them. No longer. But words couldn’t convey what Kat felt so she’d just have to show him.

Snaking her arms around his neck, Kat stood on her tiptoes and kissed her husband. Every ounce of love she felt for him poured into that kiss, and his low moan proved he felt it. Katrina delighted in feeling her husband's body against her own. She could kiss him forever, but they both had other plans.

Slowly and with purpose, Alex undressed her until she stood before him completely nude. The previous times they’d made love, Kat had felt a certain shyness when he looked at her naked form, but not today. Today she was his, and he was hers. She trusted him, not only with her body, but with her heart.

She reached for his shirt, wanting to feel his warm skin under her hands, but he wrapped his fingers around her wrist to stop her.

“Not yet,” he whispered as he pulled her to him.

Electricity scorched her skin at his touch, his strong hands stroking every inch of her. They never stopped moving along her flesh, skimming lightly, then cupping a handful before diving into a valley to tease her. The wooziness from his explorations left Kat lightheaded, forcing her to clutch at his shoulders to maintain her balance.

When he broke their kiss, Kat whined in protest, but he ignored it. As he kissed his way down her neck and chest, she shivered with delight, realizing he’d made the right choice. The smile he gave her was pure evil and she loved it. As his lips reached the tip of her breast, she groaned and arched into him.

Alex gently cupped her other breast and alternated kissing them. Exquisite didn’t come close to describing the sensation. No word existed that would be sufficient. Each nibble and suckle shot electricity directly to her core, building the tension inside her.

His hands moved down her body until one clutched a handful of her healthy rump and the other slipped between her legs, drawing a gasp from her lips.

“Mmm, you like that?” he murmured against her nipple.

“Oh God, yes,” she sighed, floating on a cloud of bliss.

The slow pace, the gentle ease with which he built her pleasure also tormented her. Sweet, sweet torment. When a finger slipped inside her, Kat’s knees nearly buckled, but Alex held her steady.

An ache grew low in her belly as he worked his magic on her, each kiss, each lick, drawing her closer and closer to the edge. Only when Alex abandoned her breasts and let his tongue join his fingers did the pleasure become so intense she left her body.

White light filled her vision and all she knew was the hurricane of frenzied joy that overwhelmed her. No matter how loud she screamed, regardless of how hard she spasmed against the onslaught, Alex never slowed, never stopped. One orgasm blended into the next until her knees did buckle and he had to catch her.

Lowering her to the ground gently, he lay next to her, stroking her tummy, her arms, her hips. Loving her. Slowly, her senses returned — enough for her to realize she was ready for more. He must have seen the desire in her eyes, because he didn’t hesitate to move his body over hers.

They gazed at each other as Alex pressed against her, but didn’t enter her. He seemed quite content simply teasing her with his hard heat. Now that the barriers between them had crumbled, she wanted nothing more than to experience lovemaking with her mate on a new level — one they shared together, bound by love and trust and fate.

Alex searched her face, a fierceness she’d never seen glowing in his stormy eyes. “Who do you belong to?” he growled.

Kat didn’t hesitate. “You. Only you, my love.

He moved to take her, but she stopped him.

“Who do you belong to?”

The ferocity in his eyes softened until Kat saw the love in them. “Only you…forever.”

Only then did their bodies merge into one. Kat cried out with joy at the sensation of being filled to the brim with love, with a joy she never would have expected.

She’d spent her life wondering what the adoration of a man might feel like. Her most intense fantasies didn’t come close. Their bond connected them on a cellular, almost prehistoric level. They were destined for each other and, as she climbed toward the most magnificent climax of her life, she saw their future together. Love and peace and joy…and lots of cubs.

Lots and lots of cubs.