Chapter Thirteen

The waves shoved him this way and that, only a fraction of the strength of it’s endless depths. Nikolai pushed through the waves to catch up to his mate. The water glistened on her dark skin, droplets of gold that made her sparkle like a goddess. His breath caught as he watched her.

She turned toward him, her eyes alight with joy. She was breathtaking, more than he ever thought he would deserve. Today had brought them a little closer, but how long would that last? When would she turn and run from him again? He wasn’t ready to lose her, but he knew he would stay wherever she told him. If she said to leave her alone, he would hurt, but he would do it.

Thankfully, in that moment she beckoned for him to come closer. He closed the distance between them. She reached and pulled him closer, her hands on his chin as she led him down for a kiss. Her lips were greedy, teeth scraping against his as if she might devour him.

There was an entire world waiting on shore for them. She had a pack with Oscar Torres. He led his own Pack. The two lives would drift apart again. He contemplated visiting Oscar, begging the man to release her from her pack bonds. Would she hate him for it? He wanted her to be free from the only family she’d ever known. It was too much to ask, he decided. It wasn’t his place.

“Was there anything else you had planned for this date? I’m still in possession of the dildo, so I think that means it’s still my turn. Don’t think about pulling any pranks on me.”

He laughed, his soul feeling lighter than it had in… years. He was a child again, a teenager filled with lusty hormones and a taste for thrill. She brought out the worst in him and he was loving it.

“We could drive back for ice-cream. Extra rainbow sprinkles, of course. Then you could invite me back to your place.” He stopped when she splashed him. “Only to steal the dildo from you, of course. You’re too slow in planning your next prank. I’m getting impatient.”

“Is that so?” She dove beneath the water.

His heart flipped. For a moment, he thought the current had grabbed her. He cried out for her, searched the waves for her. Then, he heard a shout from the shore. A very naked Monica waved to him. He realized how far out he was, how long it would take his bulkier form to reach the shore.

Still, he swam against the tugging current. Each time he came up for air, he saw Monica reach for another article of clothing. Both, his and hers. He was nearly to the shore when he saw her grinning on the stairs. She tugged his shirt over her head and stepped into those creamy, white panties.

The waves pulled back and left him on sand, but he still had to fight against the last of the water. He was painfully slow while she bounded up the stairs. He’d jinxed himself, he thought. The laugh that he let out was bright, filled with joy.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he shouted after her. He stood on the shore, his hands on his hips as he watched Monica race higher on the hill.

She paused, a bounce in her step. “I’m returning a favor!”

When she disappeared, and he heard the roar of his truck engine, his heart shot into his throat. He lurched forward and fumbled up the stairs after her. She was driving toward the road. It was slow, her reflection in the side mirror as she watched him chase after her.

He was as naked at the day he was born, but that didn’t stop him. If she thought he was going to be shy while she stole his truck, she had another thing coming. He surged forward, wobbly bits flapping in the broad daylight, and summoned his shifter speed to catch up to the truck. With a burst of strength, he leapt into the bed, sending the truck fishtailing for a moment. Monica cackled from inside the cab and used one hand to shove his clothing out the sliding window.

Nikolai caught his shorts before they flew off into the trees. She directed the truck back the way they came, following Highway 1 back toward Monterey. The trek was slow and winding. Nikolai used the moment to reach around and jerk open the passenger door. Monica let out a cry of alarm as he carefully climbed out of the bed and into the cab.

“That’s impressive,” she noted as he settled into the passenger seat. “Everything about you has been impressive, today.”

His cheeks warmed. He couldn’t believe he was blushing over a dick compliment, but he was. Never before had he found a woman who could take it all, and yet he’d buried himself to the hilt in this woman. His mate. Nikolai reached for her empty hand and gripped it, not saying another word.