Poppy knew she was being bold but she couldn’t stop herself. The second she’d put the necklace on, she felt her heart warm, then other parts of her warm. It was as if her body was responding to the big man next to her with the knowledge that with him could come a lifetime of love and babies. Their children born to right a terrible wrong.

“Poppy, you’ve had a long day.”

“I have. I’m lucky to be alive. Wouldn’t you think that I’d want to be able to celebrate the fact that I’m alive?”

He hesitated and she found it cute because it was strained. He wanted to jump at her implied words as much as she wanted him to jump… on top of her.

“Are you saying that you believe me?”

“About who you are? Why wouldn’t I? Too many pieces are falling into place. My gift, my mother’s words, and well, you. You make sense to me. I want to be with you, Zane. I’ve spent twenty-five years on hold. I don’t want to wait anymore.”

“I don’t want to hurt you. You’re injured and…”

“You said you were spending the night. So spend it. We can see where we go from there.”

He nodded and sighed. “Let me check in on your patrol.”

“I have a patrol?”

“Like I said, you are a VVP. Very Valuable Person. Tex offered to watch tonight along with Trent and Troy.”

“Those are very strange names for dogs,” she remarked.

She saw Zane raise his eyebrows at her. It took her a moment but it finally clicked in.

“They’re not dogs are they?”

“No, they’re wolfen. But they can’t shift. They weren’t around someone shifting as babies and they never learned. They can communicate with shiften telepathically. Some shiften, I should say. I don’t have that skill.”

“Wow, I would love to meet them again.”

“In the morning. Tonight you need rest.”

She lay on the couch as Zane made his calls. Then he scooped her into his big arms and carried her up the stairs to her room. Poppy liked that he could carry her without grunting or groaning or the awkward slamming her into door frames. That was a huge bonus.

“Naked rest?”

“Seriously? Am I going to have to sleep on the floor?”

“Don’t you dare! You said it yourself. We’re fated to be together and what better time to start than right now?”

“Because you need rest and I need to make sure you make it through the night in one piece.”

Poppy stuck her tongue out at him and he kissed her. It was a claiming kiss. One that made her think that his rejection of her idea of moving forward could be easily altered. He wanted her as much as she wanted him, she was sure of that.

Breaking the kiss, she let her head fall forward and his lips pressed against her forehead. She liked that. It was something she had seen men do to women when she was out and about. It always seemed so intimate. There was so much wrapped up in such a small gesture.

Poppy didn’t feel anything but happiness from him. There was no pain and at the moment, no fear or worry. He was content and she could feel his emotion as though it was her own. Knowing she had something to do with that made her feel like she was doing what she was supposed to do.

“Fine, but I can’t promise I won’t get handsy after a restorative nap.”

“I’m sure I can fend you off if need be.”

* * *

“Pop, baby, stop.”

Zane was losing his ability to control himself. They had gone to bed and had started out fine. He’d tucked Poppy up against him and his purring had started. It had lulled her to sleep and he’d stayed awake, straining to hear anything amiss outside of her house.

He’d fallen asleep but then was shocked awake when he felt a small kiss on his neck and a hand teasing the waistband of his boxers. It was a feather light touch that would sneak just under the band grazing his stomach. He sucked in a breath and pulled his muscles in as she inched her way closer to his cock. She’d wanted to sleep naked and he’d compromised with his briefs and her in panties and a camisole to sleep in. It was a temptation to be sure, but her safety took priority.

Zane felt like he was in the best cuddle therapy of his life. Except this time he was doing the holding.

“No, you said this was mine.”

“It is, but we can wait, we can take our time.”

Another soft kiss against his neck along with a small lick. That was a sweet spot on him and he groaned softly as she moved her hand down over his swelling cock.

“I don’t want to wait. You say we’re mates, aren’t we?”

“Yes, I mean there’s a ceremony, but that absolutely has to wait.”

“What is it?”

Thinking he could maybe throw her off he told her, “It’s a lot like a wedding ceremony. Then there is a bite.”

“A bite? That sounds sexy,” she said, her hand moving over him.

“No, you aren’t supposed to say that,” he groaned.

“I’m yours, Zane. All of me. I’m not sorry about that.”

“You say that and I can’t resist,” he admitted.

“Good.”

“No biting,” he said, letting his hands slip over the front of her camisole. Her breasts filled his palms and he gave them a squeeze. She arched against him and gasped.

“Are you sure, Pop?”

“Yes, please, I want to be with you.”

Zane didn’t want to say no. His dreams were in his arms and only a fool would reject her again. He tilted her head until he could reach her lips. She opened under him and let him take what he needed. And he needed a lot. Years of living alone, with no softness, no caring. It was coming back at him in waves.

“You’re so soft,” he growled.

“I am?”

“Like the smoothest silk. Women are soft and delicate. It makes men feel more like a man than anything else. And you’re mine. I can feel this whenever I want.”

“You can, I’m yours.”

Zane kissed down her neck, his hands moving over her, cupping and squeezing as he pulled her top over her head. He was trying to be quiet. He knew her mother was asleep down the hall. “You’re mine, say it again.”

“I’m yours. Don’t make me wait.”

Zane pulled down her panties and worked his way down her body. Poppy was squirming under him and the animal in him loved that she was so responsive. It made him want to ravage her. And he decided to go with that.

He breathed her in, her scent washing over him and making his mouth water. His kisses traveled down her body until he was directly in front of her hot core. He nuzzled against her then took his first taste. She was like ambrosia on his tongue. He kissed her showing her just how much he was enjoying himself. Poppy was gasping and clutching at his head. He wanted to roar his pleasure but he knew it wasn’t the time.

His mate was pressing against his face. And he responded by giving her more of his tongue.

“Zane,” she whispered. Her voice quiet but urgent.

Licking up to her clit, he let his purr pour over her sensitive bundle of nerves. “Come for me,” he said against her hot flesh.

He returned to her center and licked her over and over bringing her to her peak. She gripped his head and held him tight to her as she came riding his tongue. Her thighs slammed around his head and she bucked against him. Zane savored her, her orgasm pouring into his mouth.

Gentling his tongue as she came down, he helped ease her legs wide. He moved back up over her stomach and gave her a hard kiss on her smiling mouth.

“How was that, sweets?”

“Perfect. So perfect,” she cooed.

“What do you want now?”

“You, just you,” she said, running her fingers through his hair. He turned into her touch and slipped out of his boxers to release his cock. Reaching between them, he rubbed the head between her drenched lips. It was hot and slick and he only had one thing to say to her before he made them one.

“I’m yours.”

He slid himself deep into her, both of them gasping at the feeling. He waited, taking every moment to remember this feeling. Then he moved. He moved for her, for himself, and for their future. Each thrust brought them both closer to their prize. Not only the orgasm that was building in him. But the possible babies they could be making.

“Zane, I’m there,” she warned him and he was right there with her. Zane felt her start to squeeze around him, and he lowered his mouth to her neck. He knew he couldn’t bite her, but he couldn’t stop himself from scraping his teeth over the line of her neck. Human teeth, not bear, so he wouldn’t break the skin. Zane didn’t want it to end so soon, yet his body was calling him to mark her, make her his. His hips pumped against her as she bucked and dragged her nails over his back as she came moaning into his shoulder. He couldn’t resist any longer. Keeping his mouth over her skin so he could growl and groan his release without shouting or roaring as he spilled his seed into her.

Kissing along her face, he placed a kiss on each eyelid. “This is our beginning, Poppy. Me and you. I love you, and when you love me back we can get married and complete the ceremony.”

“What makes you think I don’t already?”

“Because I may not be a genius, but I’m not stupid. There are a lot of changes coming for your life. I want you to experience everything, and then when I haven’t made you crazy, you can tell me.”

“So sure of yourself?”

“No, I’m sure of you. You have the biggest heart I’ve ever seen. I’m going to spend the rest of my days showing you just how much I care about you.”

“I’m starting to think you see me differently than every other person on the planet.”

Zane kissed her softly. “Without a doubt.”