Chapter Three

 

Colt had trouble reining in his inner wolf with Robin so close. She was even prettier than he remembered. And also, quiet.

“You're safe now. Luke would be a fool to come after you twice in one day.”

She turned toward him as they headed up the mountain.

“I don't understand why he's after me in the first place. I've never met him. I've never been on his property.”

“He wants you because of me.”

“Because you think I'm you're mate,” she said, sounding unconvinced.

“I know you are.” Didn't she...no. He laughed to himself. She couldn't smell it the same way he did. But she could talk to him in his mind. That had to count for something.

“Being close to you sooths me. I don't feel torn in two. I feel steady and calm and—” He bit off the last word, not wanting to scandalize her.

“And what?” she asked, obviously hanging on to every word. That made two of them.

“And horny,” he admitted and dared a glance over at her.

The corners of her mouth turned up.

“What do you feel?” he asked, desperate to not be alone in this.

“Safe.”

“Anything else?”

He wanted her to feel safe, of course he did but that seemed almost a given.

“Protected. Desired.”

He reached for her hand, needed physical contact. “Definitely those.”

Matthias's headlight cut through the darkness behind him, reminding him he was on a mission. Now wasn't the time to pull over and lose himself in the beautiful woman at his side, no matter how much his wolf might have liked that.

And despite his words earlier, he wouldn't put it past Blackwood to try something else. He'd be stupid to do so but then again Blackwood wasn't always known for the best plans.

So he pulled his hand back and kept both of them on the wheel.

“Won't be too much farther,” he assured her. However, he couldn't get home fast enough.

Matthias followed them the whole way and when Colt cut the engine his second was already stalking toward the cabin. Colt waited, senses open.

“I don't sense anyone,” Robin said.

He nodded. “Good.” That didn't mean they couldn't have set a trap and left though. A wolf could never be too careful.

A few moments later, Matthias reappeared on the small porch and gave a quick nod.

All clear. They haven't been here.

Good. Tell the others to keep watch. I'm not sure what Blackwood is up to but I doubt he'll take well to being foiled.

On it. We'll go fish your bike out of the trees too.

Colt snorted, not needing the reminder. He was still sore from hitting that tree. It'd all be over as soon as he rested of course, but he couldn't risk scaring Robin away. Their connection was strong and yet fragile at the same time.

He led her into the house, her small backpack in hand.

“Here we are.” He lit a candle and the small space danced in the light. Wondering what she saw when she looked at the place he'd called home for so long, he glanced around. The leather sofa was well worn and obviously second hand. The table probably needed refinishing. Chairs too, not that he'd ever noticed before.

Would it be enough? He'd never given much thought to what she’d like but she could change it however she wanted. Whatever it took to convince her to stay, he’d do. Especially now that his pack was breathing down his neck about stability and heirs and shit. Ugh.

He wanted time alone with her before they started worrying about procreation.

“Do you think they'll come after us?” she asked, sounding more tired than a few minutes ago.

“I'm not sure. I'd like to say no, but wolves can be unpredictable.”

She smiled up at him and his heart squeezed. “Speaking from experience?” The teasing tone in her voice made parts of him sit up and take notice.

“Absolutely.” And right now he was fighting to keep the beast inside him quiet. He didn't blame the wolf for wanting to fuck her; she was temptation on two legs. “You hungry?”

Maybe he could distract himself and the beast with food.

“Starving,” she said with a slight smile. It was the very same smile she'd sent his way after he'd made her come the third time. At the time he'd thought it was because she was relaxed and pleased, but now he thought maybe she was teasing him too.

“Then let me feed you.”

Her smile grew and he felt that familiar kick to the heart. She had to be his, right? No other woman had ever knocked him over with a single smile before.

“Lead the way.”

“One thing first,” he said, setting her bag aside and then closing the distance between them. Cupping her cheeks, he stared deep into her lovely green eyes and lost himself. Those eyes seduced him, reminded him of a spring meadow, held him captive until he didn't know which way was up.

“I don't think that's a good idea,” she whispered.

“Why not?” The wolf snarled at the thought of being denied. She was his, dammit. She'd just have to deal with it.

“Because I won't want to stop.”

Her words took a moment to soak in and then he smiled, the tension loosening inside him. He growled softly, wanting her to know how much he needed her. Hoping she understood just how hard it was for him to walk away from her, he kissed her on the forehead and took a step back.

“All right. Let me feed you then.”

She followed him to the small kitchen that took up one corner of the rustic cabin. As he looked out at the spring night a thought occurred to him. “Are you cold?” He hadn't even thought of lighting a fire. His wolf kept him plenty warm unless it was very cold out.

“Not right now.”

The adrenaline rush was probably keeping her warmer than the thin, green sweater she wore. But he liked how the color highlighted her eyes.

He lit another candle in the kitchen and tried to think of what he could prepare. He hadn't been expecting guests.

“Whatever you have I'm happy with,” she murmured. 

Could she hear every thought in his head? If so, she might be scandalized by some of the things he wanted to do to her.