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  I could spend a long time here.

  “It’s only a room, Wendi.” I jumped a mile high as Moss’ voice washed over me from behind. He leaned his chin on my shoulder. “You’ve been standing here quite a while.”

  “I don’t want to take your space,” I answered his unspoken question. “But it’s an amazing bedroom”

  “But yet, you do. And I kind of want you to. I mean, my mate, in my bed…I’ve wanted you here all along, Wendi. I’m glad you like it.”

  My wolf preened at the thought of him wanting me in his bed. “Okay.”

  “Good. Let me bring your things.” In minutes, he had not only brought my things into the bedroom but had turned on the water in the shower as I got a pair of pajamas out of my bag.

  “I’m going to take a shower. You’ll be here when I get out?” I asked, feeling more naive than ever.

  “If you want me to be. I am going to jump in the other shower while you do…unless you want company.” My cheeks rose in temperature like a fever had taken over my entire body.

  The good kind of fever.

  “I want you to be,” I replied a little too hastily, making him chuckle.

  I showered as quickly as possible then brushed my teeth before opening the door to a shirtless Moss. Navy-blue pajama pants hung low on his hips, revealing a perfect V that, thus far, I’d only seen in my imagination from the description in books.

  Those romance books were right.

  That part of him made me swoon right here.

  “I can put a shirt on,” he offered, looking down at himself.

  “Don’t you dare,” I answered back quickly, making us both laugh.

  He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against one of the posts of his bed. “I’m at your command.”

  Here we were, at the decision. I’d made it long before I ascended those stairs. “Would you sleep with me?” I asked, my voice shaking a bit though I’d slept next to him before. Somehow, this seemed different.

  “Of course. Hop in.” He pulled back the covers on one side before walking over to the other and pulled his covers back, too. The sheets were the same white but had stripes on them, one stripe a little glossier than the other, but that was the only contrast.

  We got in, and I decided I would be brave even if I didn’t feel it. I scooted over next to him and lay on my side. We faced each other, and his hand landed on my waist, pulling me closer.

  “I’ve waited my whole life for you, but it feels like you’ve been here all along.” He played with the ends of my hair as he spoke.

  “I…I didn’t ever think I would have a mate. I thought I was too broken. And even if I found him, that he might not want me because I can’t shift…and, at the time, couldn't walk much.”

  He searched my face before speaking. “Oh, Wendi. Any male would be lucky and blessed to be your mate, shift or not. Walking or not. But I’m sorry you lived so long thinking you wouldn’t have someone. Maybe having four of us is the universe’s way of making up for that time of uncertainty.”

  I reached out and ran my finger along his jawline. “Maybe so.”

  The heat between us was so thick it covered me like a blanket and seemed to get stuck in my throat. I pressed my hand to the middle of his chest, and he sucked in a breath. But me, being me, I didn’t know if I’d done something wrong or not.

  “I…” I pulled my hand away, but he took it gently in his and put it back on his chest.

  “No, mate. You are free to touch me anytime you like, anywhere you like. But I can’t promise I’m not going to want to kiss you if you do.”

  “I wish you would,” I answered breathlessly.

  He scooted closer while tugging me into him and leaned up on one elbow so he was looking down on me. “Wendi Walker, you have me completely.”

  That may have been better than I love you.

  I didn’t have time to think about it. His lips were on mine in an instant, warm and soft as his weight pressed me into the bed. I wound my arms around his neck and pulled him in tighter, my breasts pressing against my top, against his chest. He turned his head slightly, licking my bottom lip, silently asking for entrance as his body swayed into mine. I lifted my leg and hooked it around his hip, desperate to have him closer.

  “Sweetheart, I can feel your want. Scent your need. There are ways to give you the release you desire without…without taking your virginity.” He had taken his lips from mine to talk to me.

  Gods, these boys threw around the word like most people said bananas.

  “Like what?” I dared to ask, though I had somewhat of an idea.

  He chuckled and began a kissing assault on my neck. “Well, it involves my mouth and a part of you no one else has touched.”

  I gasped, causing him to groan against the sensitive skin below my earlobe. “You would want to do that…” I kind of asked.

  “I would want to very much. To please my mate. To be the one who made you…yeah, I would very much want that.”

  I forced out a breath through my mouth and knew my eyes had widened. But these were my mates, right? This man above me, currently nibbling on my neck and making my entire body ignite, he was mine, meant for me.

  Good thing I’d worn my semi-sexy underwear.

  Because here we went.

  “Okay,” I whispered, not believing myself.

  “Are you sure?” He lifted his head so he could look me in the eyes.

  “Absolutely. I might not know what to do. I might—”

  He put his finger over my mouth. “Mate, there is nothing you can do in this bed that would be wrong. I am just as inexperienced as you. We’ll learn together, okay?”

  He always knew what to say to soothe me.

  “I’m ready.”

  He talked me through the rest. Used his velvet voice and nimble fingers through every flick of a button, taking off my shirt and then my pants, then my panties. I bowed off the mattress as he took my nipples into his mouth, and again as he kissed his way down my stomach, looking to me for permission before every stage.

  “I trust you,” I muttered, breathless and needy, scissoring my legs against each other, desperate for something just out of reach.

  “If you ever want me to stop, tell me.”

  I nodded, all of the sudden wanting something I’d never had more than anything else in the world. I wanted to share this with him. Not my first orgasm, but certainly my first with someone else.

  He parted my legs slowly, moving so most of him was stomach-down on the bed, but his legs hung off the end. “You are absolutely gorgeous, my mate. Don't be shy. I want to see all of you.”

  His mouth went to my thighs, and he continued what he’d started on the rest of my body, but now on the tender skin leading to my core. I opened my legs farther, and he moaned. “That’s it, mate. I can’t believe you’re mine.”

  His tongue touched me right where I needed him most, and in only a matter of seconds, I’d shattered into what I was sure was a thousand pieces of ecstasy. Moss kept up the pace until I was thoroughly and utterly spent before rising to lie next to me.

  He pushed some hair out of my face. “Mate of mine, you are stunning when you come. I could do that every night.”

  I thought I said something to the effect of thank you, but that was the last thing I remembered before being bundled up in his embrace and falling into a deep sleep.

  Chapter Twenty

  The first thing I heard the next morning was Moss’ soft snore. My face was tucked against the middle of his naked chest, moving with the rise and fall of his breaths. The flood of the night before came barreling through my mind.

  “Don’t tell me you’re nervous around me all of a sudden.” His voice made me flinch as he chuckled.

  “I’m not nervous. Just remembering last night.”

  A low growl came from his chest, right below my ear. Not menacing like Escher’s, more like his wolf was also remembering. And approved. “Best night of my life, mate, but I’m sure it’s the first of many. Now, we both need a shower. The other guys are downstairs.”

  I instantly reached for the sheet and drew it up over my exposed breasts that were pressed against Moss’ chest.

  “They’re not coming up here, if that’s what you’re thinking. They are respectful of our time together. I can hear Cash eating, that’s all.”

  “Are they all here?” I asked, moving to a sitting up position.

  “Yep. Escher and Cash got here early, and Brandon walked in. Are you able to hear them? Reach inside and let some of your wolf instincts take over.”

  I did as he asked, since he hadn’t steered me wrong before, and concentrated on my wolf.

  Can you hear them? Our mates? What are they up to?

  I felt a phasing of sorts in my hearing, like a warp almost, and realized Cash and Escher were eating cereal. The clinking of spoons against bowls caught my ears while another sound took over. Cereal. Being shaken from a box.

  “They’re all eating cereal. But Brandon’s just pouring his bowl.”

  Moss got up and wrapped his arms around my waist and skimmed his nose against the back of my neck after pushing my hair away. “Good girl. You will learn to tune in to those senses without trying after a while.” He pulled me back against his groin, and my ass hit something very hard. “Come shower with me, then we can go downstairs.”

  Oh, gods, I was thinking dirty thoughts all the time now. Books. Cross stitch. Biology. Math.

  “That sounds dangerous.” I turned to face him.

  “Nah, you’re safe with me—for now.” He got up from the bed and reached out a hand. I looked down and widened my eyes. “Really? Shy again? Okay. I can work with you.”

  Before I could protest, he lifted me, sheet and all, and headed toward the bathroom. I let out a squeak as he started the water. “You could’ve waited and showered by yourself,” I said, not meaning a single word.

  “But that wouldn’t have been as much fun. No funny business. In with you.”

  Looking at myself in the mirror, for a second, I wished myself a pinch of courage and dropped the sheet. Moss’ eyes met mine and stayed on them through the shower. We shared a few kisses, and I definitely took the opportunity to get a good look at one of my mates’ body, but other than that, we cleaned up and got out.

  I braided my hair over my shoulder and put on a light sweater and a pair of jeans, leaving off shoes since I had no intention of going anywhere. I needed a day of rest and just…not being hunted by the Rattlecreek assholes.

  “Good morning,” I said as my foot hit the last step. Every male in the kitchen turned toward me while Moss walked around me, headed straight for the refrigerator.

  I kissed each one of them, still a little shaky about the whole thing, but learning they truly didn’t care.

  “I can make you something to eat,” Escher offered, putting his arm around my shoulders.

  “That would be great. I love your omelets.” He beamed under my praise. He tended to do that, and it made me think he craved it, maybe because he never got a chance to receive it from his parents.

  “Coming up, female.”

  I sat on one of the barstools and stole a flake from Brandon’s bowl before I almost choked on it, seeing what Moss was eating. “Moss! Really? Alfredo for breakfast?”

  “I’m in a hurry, and these guys have something to say. I have security rounds and then school.”

  Everyone paused in what they were doing. I looked at them all. “You do? What do you have to say?”

  Shit, were they going to say something about what Moss and I did the night before?

  Brandon was silently offered up to bare the news. “The Rattlecreek pack has made an official declaration for you to be a member of their pack—to the Shifter Council. They are claiming our pack can’t keep you. That they are short on females as it is. And they are saying, by Escher attacking their alpha, we have forfeited our right to have you.”

  I shook in place, and Cash was on me in seconds, pulling my head against his chest and whispering reassuring things in my ear.

  “They won’t win. The council isn’t barbaric,” Escher offered, but he had that tone. The murderous one. “Plus, I’ll shred them all if they try to take you.”

  “Why me? Goodness. There have to be more female shifters out there for crying out loud!” I half-cried, half-yelled.

  “There’s no one like you,” Moss offered and winked at me. “If I catch one of them, I swear, just for this council shit, I’m going to rip his throat out.”

  He stalked over, and Cash released me in time for Moss to reach me. “I’ve got to go, but we would never give you up, even if we have to go to war. You understand me, my love?”

  Love. That was a new one.

  “I don’t want anyone to go to war over me.”

  “I’m sure it won’t come to that. But we didn’t want you to be in the dark. From now on, someone is with you at all times, even on pack lands. I know it’s a lot for us to ask of you, but I swear to the gods, if something happened…” Brandon trailed off, tossing his spoon into the kitchen sink with a clang.

  “It won’t. Nothing will happen. Period. We wait for the council’s decision. Worrying about something does us no good. Look what we are doing to her.”

  I didn’t realize I was crying again until Moss used his thumbs to wipe my tears away. He leaned forward until his mouth was against my ear. “I’ll be gone tonight. Letting you have some time with Cash. But I’m looking forward to more of last night. A lot more.”

  My face heated as I nodded.

  “I’m on mate duty today,” Escher said, putting a plate in front of me with the most perfect omelet known to man, filled with ham, mushrooms, and green peppers. The thing oozed cheese onto the plate and touched the toast beside it. “You said there were movies I needed to watch.”

  Moss laughed. “Watch whatever. Make yourselves at home. Especially you.” He tapped the end of my nose with his finger then kissed the same spot. “See you later.”

  I instantly missed him, but also looked forward to my time with Escher.

  “And tonight is mine. I’m going to pick you up at seven. Is that okay?” Cash stood and put his bowl in the sink before washing it out.

  “Sounds great.”

  “Good. I’ve got a shipment coming in today. Brandon, you want to help me with the project we ordered?” The two shared a look.

  “Yep. Let’s go.”

  They each kissed me in turn, and, after the door closed, I noticed Escher was leaning on the counter. “You’re not eating, female.”

  One word. Still did it for me.

  “Neither are you,” I countered but took a stab at my eggs and popped a bite into my mouth.

  “I ate already,” he said, but looked down at the counter. “You’re worried. Don’t you trust us?”

  I chewed, giving myself a minute to answer in a way that would assure him. He looked like he needed it. “I trust you with my life.”

  “That’s important to me, Wendi. Your trust.” Again, the man swelled with pride. It practically bled from his pores and glinted in his light-brown eyes. “I’m going to have a hard time keeping my hands to myself since I know you know you’re mine.”

  Mine. Damn it. Another word that made me want to crawl over this counter and get ahold of those lips. “Promise?” I asked, all wanton, or so I thought. Probably sounded ridiculous.

  “Yes, I promise. Now, eat up. What movies are on this list?” He stalked over to the living room and reached for the remote to turn on the TV as I finished up.

  “First up is Say Anything.”

  “Anything,” he replied with his eyebrows furrowed. Gods, he was gorgeous, even when he was confused.

  “No.” I laughed. “The name of the movie is Say Anything.”

  “Oh. Well, why didn’t you say so? I’ll set it up.”

  He bought the movie instead of renting it and stood, waiting for me as I finished up my meal. I put the plate and the cup that had held orange juice in the sink and walked over and sat down, patting the spot next to me. He took the hint, but instead of just making himself comfortable, he pulled me onto his lap sideways then covered my legs with a blanket despite the fact he was warming me all on his own.

  “Told you,” he said, referring to the no-hands-to-himself comment.

  “You’re not the only one who is having trouble,” I replied and looked at the TV, ready for the movie.

  “Tell me.” He put his finger under my chin and turned me to face him again.

  “You’re mine, too, right? You’re my mate, and, trust me, I want you and need you as much as you do me. Sometimes, I think more.”

  “Say it again.” Escher’s sweet breath washed over me. Frosted Flakes.

  “What?” I whispered and felt guilty because I knew what he wanted to hear despite my question.

  “That I’m yours. I think I’ve wanted to hear that since the moment you touched me.”

  I rubbed my hand over the top of his head, reveling in the softness of his short-cut hair. “You are mine, Escher. I just didn’t realize it before.” I leaned forward and kissed him quickly. “Okay. This is Dobber. Pay attention. There will be a quiz afterward.”

  “And what do I get if I ace it?”

  “We shall see.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  We watched another movie before lunchtime, curled up together on the sofa while Escher stroked my arm and made the funniest snarky comments ever. I couldn’t understand how he’d missed the second Guardians of the Galaxy, but it turned out he’d never seen the first one, and I felt terribly guilty at having him see it out of order. However, he didn’t seem to share my qualms, probably because, halfway through, we went from movie-watching into making out. Not pretending to do anything else.

  Something about this big, tough shifter touched my heart. Deep, deep in a place I’d never recognized before I met him. I’d already been well on the way to loving him when we’d gone to spend the time with his former pack, but, having done that, I understood so much better why he had so much anger. Anger wrapped around hurt.

  I left him watching the extra funny stuff with the credits and wandered into the kitchen to make sandwiches. None of the other guys were expected back for at least a few more hours, so I made us each a ham and cheese on white then quickly threw together a second for Escher. Adding a big bag of tortilla chips and a jar of salsa to the tray, I carried it into the living room then returned for two tall glasses of iced tea. “Is there anything else?” I asked him. “Fruit? Cookies?”