Seth woke to soft snores and his arm wrapped around Cora. Her body was warm and soft. She smelled of musk and sex. Her naked bottom pressed against his cock, which was ready to claim her again. He nuzzled her ear and she groaned.

“I’m so tired.”

He stopped. Could he blame her? They’d made love twice last night after dinner.

When he’d asked her to be his mate, she’d seemed distant. At least she hadn’t shimmied out of bed and left him. He wanted to make love to her again, but he remembered what Gerri had told him. He had to do something to make Cora happy.

Ignoring his protesting tiger, he sighed and left her warm side. She’d made him a nice meal last night. Now, it was his turn. He grabbed his jeans and pulled them on. He ran his hand through his hair. He wasn’t sure if he was making progress convincing her to be his mate or if he was making a giant mess of things again.

He pulled the covers over her shoulders, then lightly kissed her forehead. “Sleep darling.”

He walked softly out of her room and closed the door. Patience wasn’t his virtue. Both his older brother and his past had taught him this.

Cora had a fully stocked kitchen and a kitchen aide mixer. His mother’s delicious blueberry waffles popped in his mind. He soon had flour, eggs, vegetable oil, sugar, and vanilla spinning in the mixer. Bacon was frying in a pan and coffee was brewing.

He reached into the refrigerator to pull out a box of fresh blueberries when a tired voice asked, “What are you doing?”

He closed the door. “Making you my mother’s famous blueberry waffles.” God, she looked so damn sexy with her hair tousled and wearing a fluffy white bathrobe. He’d bet a hundred bucks she was naked underneath. His cock turned hard, but he refused to seduce her.

She pushed her hair behind her delicate ears. “Really? Can I help?”

“No. I’ve got everything under control.” Not exactly true. His cock was rock hard and he was sweating like a horny teenager.

She yawned and slipped onto a barstool.

“Would you like some coffee?”

She nodded. “Please. There’s creamer in the refrigerator.”

He snatched the creamer and poured it into a steamy hot coffee. “Here.”

“Thank you.” She tilted her head back. “Can I have a good morning kiss?”

“Absolutely.”

He slipped his arm around her waist and brushed his lips over hers. He wanted so much more, but reluctantly pulled away.

“Are you sure I can’t help?”

He kissed her forehead. “I’ve got this.”

She sighed and sipped her coffee. “I love the smell of bacon in the morning.” Her robe loosened and he caught a glimpse of a mound of her breast.

Concentrate.

He hurried over to the crackling bacon and turned pieces over. The last thing he wanted to do was burn it and stink up her beautiful kitchen. He turned off the mixer then added the blueberries. He poured the mixture into the heated waffle iron and turned the iron over.

“Here.”

Cora handed him a cup of coffee, molding her body to his. “I didn’t know if you wanted cream…”

“Thanks, I like it black.” His voice was husky. Blood pooled straight to his cock and he turned away, afraid he’d take her in the kitchen, not caring if the bacon or waffles burned.

“I’ll set the table.” She moved over to the cabinets and pulled out two plates. He caught a glimpse of her bottom. She had on lacy blue underwear, which was sexier than if she were butt naked.

The waffle iron beeped, drawing his attention back to cooking. He ignored her as he finished making the bacon and waffles. He was one step away from satisfying his own lust, but he refused to give in to his needs.

He placed the waffles on the table along with the bacon. Syrup and butter was already on the table.

“Wow, this looks and smells delicious.”

“Thank you, but wait until you taste it.”

She spread butter on the waffle and then poured syrup on it. She took a bite. Her eyes widened. “This is so yummy. So, your mom made these for you and your brothers?”

“Every Saturday morning.” Those were happier days.

“How’s your mom now?”

He took a bite of bacon. “She’s fine. After Dad passed, she moved down to Florida to be by her sister. She said it was too hard to be up here without my dad.”

“They were really in love?”

“Yeah, they were. Sometimes they’d fight like everyone else, but they loved each other.”

“Was your mother a shifter?”

“No, she was human, but she turned after she was mated.”

“How are your brothers doing?” She took a bite of her waffle and licked the syrup off her lip.

He squirmed in his seat. Not just from her sexy manner, but not knowing how to answer. “Fine.”

“Are they mated?”

“No. They haven’t met theirs yet.”

She raised her eyebrow. “Meaning you have?” Her sharp voice meant he’d stepped over the bounds again.

He scooted the chair back. “Sorry.”

She swirled her fork in the syrup. “Caterina never told me, but what is the process when you become mated?”

His heart quickened and his hands shook. He cleared his throat. “Does this mean you’re thinking about becoming my mate?” He held his breath, waiting for her answer.

“I’m not committing to anything. I just want to know what happens. Is it a ceremony?”

“You mean like a wedding?”

“Yes.”

“No. It’s sex. I would take you from the front and then from behind.”

“You mean anal sex?”

“I have to satisfy both the man and beast.”

She scowled. “You don’t turn into a tiger, do you?”

He laughed. “There’s no beastiality if that’s what you’re worrying about.”

Her smile wavered. She pulled in and slowly released a deep breath. She looked down then took a sip of coffee.

“Is something wrong?”

She shrugged. “I just thought there would be more to it. I always wanted a big wedding like my parents did––not something so animalistic.”

He stiffened. “I’m a shifter.”

“I know. I’m sorry.” She put her cup down. “Breakfast was great, but I’m going to take a shower.”

His stomach clenched. He glanced at her food. “You barely ate any of it.”

She picked up a piece of bacon, then left without another word.

He wanted to ask her if he could join her, but by her tense reaction, that wasn’t happening. Shit, every time he tried to do something right, he screwed it up. Maybe he should split. His tiger growled. No, that would be the coward’s way out. He was many things, but he wasn’t a coward.