After Julian’s report of Jane being missing, I insisted that I go see for myself if the body was gone. Nicholas agreed only if he could carry me, so I ended up in his arms in a bridal carry. Due to the gory state of my ruined dress, we avoided any areas with crowds as we made our way downstairs. S
I realized then, what I couldn’t see before when I had been drowning under my own feelings. Nicholas had almost lost me. I had so very nearly died. If he had arrived a second later, if Jane had been quicker with the knife… There were so many what ifs. Being near Nicholas was affirming for me, but
I ran and ran, letting my wolf guide me. Nicholas, in his wolf form, stayed close beside me, just a few inches behind. If I turned left, he followed in a flash. If I moved right, he was there. He was letting me lead, but staying close enough that he could catch me from falling if I lost myself. I
Nicholas and I traded lazy kiss after lazy kiss until our backs ached and the sun crept above the tree line. We’d chased passion all night long, again and again. Despite my continuous begging, Nicholas never took me in the dirt. Though he’d given me pleasure in nearly every other way. My body was
Susie arrived around lunchtime, carrying a basket full of sandwiches for us all to share. Julian, strangely, arrived ten minutes later with a bottle of wine. He seemed surprised to see so many others. “Thought you might fancy a drink,” he said, holding the bottle high. “I know I do.” I welcomed
My fierce blush gave me away, but still I hushed Susie. I leaned closer to her to admit, “We’ve fooled around but I wouldn’t say we’ve had sex…” “Oh?” “In the woods, I think was ready to, but he’s such a gentleman. He wanted to wait until we could do so more comfortably.” Susie nodded. “I’m no
“Piper,” Nicholas said against my lips as I kissed him and then kissed him again. I felt ravenous again, but this time, instead of food, I wanted this man. I wanted him around me and inside of me. I wanted to claim Nicholas as mine so there could be no more confusion. No more games. The competitio
Nicholas, for his part, only looked more concerned. He wasn’t alarmed. He wasn’t even startled. He just watched me closely. “Talk to me, Piper,” he said. “I can’t understand your growls yet.” I tried to bite back my growl, but I couldn’t manage. It erupted, curling around my words even as I atte