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  She moved a bit reluctantly, somewhat uneasy about his plans. This was unlike him. He’d never planned a secret outing and left her guessing.

  Evan wandered into the kitchen and deposited his half-empty coffee mug on the counter.

  Ashley narrowed her gaze at him. “I’m not sure I’m going to like this.”

  “Only one way to find out.” He smirked and nodded toward the door. “Let’s go.”

  “How long will we be gone? Do I need a jacket?”

  “Stop asking questions. You aren’t going to get anything else out of me.” He winked at her as he opened the front door.

  She followed and soon they were driving down the highway. She watched the scenery as they moved away from the house and the business of the suburbs.

  She swallowed hard when he pulled off the highway and down a back road. “Evan…”

  He grasped her hand and squeezed, but said nothing. When he finally pulled over on the side of the road and turned off the car, there was no longer any doubt about what he had in mind. He swiveled his body to face her, not releasing her hand. His smile was forced. “Do this for me, baby. I’m only asking you to try.”

  She licked her lips. “I’m not even sure if I can. You know that.”

  “And what’s the harm in giving it a shot?”

  She glanced down at her lap, her hands trembling. She yanked her hand from his grasp. What if I can’t shift? She didn’t want to face that eventuality.

  “I’ll be right by your side. We have never seen or heard from Parkfield in months. You know the chances that he followed us out here are nil. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

  “That’s not even my fear any more, Evan. I’m far more scared of failure.”

  He reached for her shoulder with one hand and tipped her chin up with the other. “You won’t fail. I just know it. And the longer you wait to shift, the harder it will be. This is important to me. I want us to be able to run free together. I want our kids to be able to run with us someday. Don’t let your fear rule you.”

  She took a deep breath. It meant so much to him. And to be honest, she’d been itching to shift for months. It was very unusual for a shifter to go five years without taking their wolf form. And it wasn’t unheard of for shifters to lose touch with that part of themselves over the passage of time. Some ended up blending in with the general human population, their abilities forgotten and lost over generations.

  “I want this. I do.”

  “Then let’s do it.”

  Ashley climbed out of the car and circled around to the driver’s side. She leaned her butt against the back door and set her hands on her knees.

  Evan rubbed her back. “Relax. If you can’t pull it off this time, we’ll try again. No pressure. Just an attempt.”

  With a fortifying deep breath, she righted herself. “I’m ready.” She didn’t feel as ready as her voice proclaimed, but she hoped the words alone would help her prepare.

  Evan slowly stripped his clothes and set them on the front seat. “My favorite part about shifting is the thought that someone could come along, find my car, and think I got taken in the Rapture.” He then reached under the steering wheel and placed his shoes on the floorboard. “I like to add this little part to make their eyes bug out.” He laughed and Ashley couldn’t help giggling at his attempt to calm her.

  “That’s evil.”

  “Yeah well, I seriously hope to impress some Christians someday with my purity.”

  Ashley let her gaze roam up Evan’s body from his feet to his face as he turned toward her. She licked her lips.

  “Don’t look at me like that.” He playfully covered her eyes. “We’re here to run, remember?” His lips landed on her ear and she shivered as he whispered the words, his warm breath tickling her earlobe.

  Instead of waiting for her, he took the liberty of undressing her himself, pulling her shirt over her head and tossing it into the car.

  “Will they think we were both sitting in the driver’s seat?” she teased as she removed her own pants. “Think of the shock when someone finds that arrangement.” She tossed her jeans onto the pile. “In fact, I’m feeling devious enough to add to your game. Why don’t you arrange my clothes so it appears we were fucking in the parked car when the apocalypse occurred?”

  He plucked her bra from her fingers as she slipped it down her arms. “Let’s not get carried away. Someone might have a heart attack.” He grinned at her as she removed the last of her clothing. “Ready?”

  “I guess.” She shivered, even though the air was warm. It was early June in the Midwest and already summer was descending.

  “You want me to shift first? Or stay in human form and wait for you?”

  “No. Go ahead. Maybe I’ll derive inspiration from your change.” I hope.

  Ashley took a step back and watched as Evan shut the car door and stowed the key under the rim of the front tire. “It’s not the best-laid plan, but hey, I figure if someone comes upon my car and waits for me scratching their head, I’m going to have way bigger problems explaining my nudity than the fact that they could have stolen the vehicle.”

  Ashley bit her lip. He was rambling. He might have been as nervous as she was. The idea endeared her. She smiled when he cracked his neck and stretched his shoulders as though a few bone pops would help the transition. She knew he was stalling. Giving her time to adjust.

  She raised her eyebrows when he glanced at her.

  “Okay, I’m shifting.” It took him seconds to alter forms. One moment he was smiling at her and the next he dropped onto all fours, bones popping, face lengthening, fur elongating.

  She’d shifted many times as a teen, but she hadn’t recalled the simplicity of the task. Now she really worried she didn’t have it in her.

  Evan sauntered up to her side and rubbed his head against her leg. His eyes were the same deep brown in wolf form as human, his fur a dark wavy mass she wanted to sink her hands into. And she did. She knelt at his side and pulled him against her, wrapping her arms around his neck. She inhaled his scent and recognized it as distinctly Evan. She’d know him anywhere in any form.

  Squatting beside him, still stroking his lean neck, she closed her eyes and used his massive size to link her to the other world she wanted to cross into. She tipped her head back toward the sky and breathed deeply of the mixed scent of the clean forest air and Evan.

  Seconds ticked by. Evan stayed still at her side, letting her squeeze his fur in her palm. She calmed with each breath, centering herself with nature.

  When she tilted her face back down and met his warm gaze, a tingling started in her arms and worked through her body. She stiffened against the strange sensation before her memory flooded to the surface and she recalled the natural steps of undergoing the transformation years before.

  Concentrating on her wolf form, she visualized herself dashing through the trees at a speed she could never accomplish as a human. The wind would whip her fur away from her face and all her senses would heighten to allow her to easily avoid obstacles and move at incredible speeds.

  She grew anxious to know that feeling again. Now. With Evan at her side, the experience would have new meaning. She knew she could do this.

  She blinked as another wave of the tingling caressed her skin, this time less shocking than the first. It increased in intensity and she let it ride forward as though on an ocean wave. Instead of fighting it in fear, she let herself float that wave higher and higher…until at last her body did what it was born to do. The last part was the easy part. As soon as she tuned her mind into the right channel, she easily shifted as fast as Evan had.

  She stood before him and blinked. She lifted a paw and patted at him. Her fur was several shades lighter than his and a mixture of browns and blondes that closely resembled her human hair.

  Evan seemed to grin at her, if wolves could do such a thing. He nuzzled her neck against his and then nodded behind him. It was time to run.

  Ashley was beyond ready now. She wa
s eager. Anxious. Her steps faltered for only a few steps before she got her wolf paws under her and took off behind her mate. It was like riding a bike. The coordination took only moments to come back to her and soon she was trotting behind her mate in a mad dash for the tree line.

  Well, at first it seemed quick at least. But soon she wanted more, craved the speed and realized he was keeping his pace slow to allow her time to acclimate. She didn’t need more time. She needed speed.

  She rushed past him and took the lead, enjoying the freedom and silently thanking God she’d met a man who was perfect in so many ways…including luring her out and forcing her to face her other half. He was a gem and she would never take him for granted.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Evan wrapped his body around his mate and held her back against his front. He nuzzled his face into her neck and nibbled a path to her ear. It was still early, but he needed to get up soon. “I have to go into the office today,” he murmured against her ear, knowing he was tickling her with his breath. He loved the way she squirmed to get out of the path of his tongue, but he was too big for her to battle.

  He’d intentionally waited until now to tell her he was leaving for the day. She slept better without the worry of his absence. And she’d slept sound and hard after he’d worn her out with their run.

  This time he’d planned in advance. Samantha was off today and she’d agreed to come over and spend the day with Ashley. It would make Ashley calmer and keep Evan from worrying about her during meetings.

  “Mmm.” She snuggled into his body as though she could get closer and lessen the distance between them. Her fine tush wiggled against his cock.

  Evan brought one hand down and splayed it against her belly to still her. She didn’t have to ask. He had every intention of making love to her before he left the house, but preferably not so fast he couldn’t enjoy it, drag it out. “Hold still, imp.”

  He could cover her entire torso with the one hand and he inched it up until he cupped a breast in his palm. Her breathing hitched as he gently stroked the tender skin of the underside of her soft globe. When she arched into his hand, he brushed his thumb over her nipple until it stood at attention.

  Ashley moaned and gripped his forearm with both hands. “Evan…” His name, whispered on a breath, dragged out for several seconds. He adored the way she called to him when she was needy.

  Evan teased both nipples, alternately switching back and forth to caress them with the barest touch.

  When Ashley moaned and her legs started squirming under the one he’d pinned her with, he smoothed a line down her belly and danced his fingers around her clit.

  “Evan…” she repeated, wiggling her ass once again against his rock-hard cock.

  Evan bucked his hips back to keep her from touching him. He entwined her top leg with his and dragged the limb back, opening her up to his touch. The scent of her arousal filled the room as the blankets got tugged away, twisted around his leg.

  “Oh, baby. So horny already.” He inhaled long and slow, loving the smell of her as she filled his lungs.

  He lowered his hand farther to drag one finger through her folds. Wetness covered his digit. He spread her moisture up toward her clit and flicked his finger over the distended nub.

  Ashley squirmed but Evan anticipated her movement. He gripped her firmly across her waist with the arm underneath her and kissed her neck. “So hot, baby.” He stroked back through her folds and then pushed two fingers inside her, curving them toward her belly. Her G-spot was so sensitive to his touch. Anytime he brushed the ball of nerves inside her opening, she stilled.

  He couldn’t see her eyes with her face angled away from him, but he knew they would be rolled back. She always lost herself to focus on the impending orgasm when he had her in this position. It was powerful and his dick ached with want.

  Sharp pants escaped her lips as she braced herself against his touch. Her fingers gripped his arm firmer, her nails digging into his skin. She’d leave half-moon marks, but he didn’t care. He’d wear them with pride.

  “Come for me, baby,” he urged. As he spoke, he pressed his thumb into her clit and flicked his fingers rapidly over her G-spot.

  Ashley shattered around him, her entire body pulsing as she milked his fingers and shuddered from head to toe. “Evan!” She screamed his name that time, a sharp burst of sound that echoed in the room.

  As her body came down from its high, he continued to stroke her, both inside and out. He knew she’d need more. A low hum escaped her lips as she climbed back to the top. “I need you. Please, stop teasing.” She wiggled in his arms, her ass reaching back to entice him.

  He needed no such encouragement. In the blink of an eye he had her on her back and lined his cock up with her swollen pussy. He stroked through her folds, back and forth, tempting her with the tip of his dick.

  “Now, Evan.”

  He chuckled at her demand. God, he loved this woman. In one thrust, he pressed into her tightness, his knees settling between her legs to push them open farther.

  He had to hold himself steady when he was fully seated in order to get a grip and keep from coming too fast. He fit inside her so perfectly and her body seemed to hug his cock, drawing it deeper with each breath.

  Evan slowly pulled out and reentered her warmth. He gritted his teeth to stave off his orgasm as she lifted her ass to meet every stroke.

  Evan grabbed both her hands, twined his fingers with hers, and lifted them high above her head as he picked up the pace. He needed her to come again and knew the pressure of his body would do the trick before he released himself into her.

  Tiny incoherent sounds escaped Ashley’s mouth with each thrust. He nudged her hair out of her face with his chin and nibbled her neck until he reached her mouth. “I love you.” And then he kissed her. His deep and thorough invasion of her mouth filled all his senses, overwhelming him with the impact she had on him. She owned him. It wasn’t the other way around at all. Until the day he died, she would be the ruler of his universe.

  When Ashley’s body tightened beneath him, Evan couldn’t hold off any longer. He pressed into her fully and held his breath as he filled her with his seed.

  Ashley shivered as her orgasm subsided. Her body lay limp against the sheets, and Evan collapsed along one side of her, careful not to crush her but not wanting to lose contact with her skin.

  They lay panting for several moments before Evan had the energy to sweep Ashley’s blonde locks away from her face and kiss her once again. “I have to get up.”

  She smiled. “Are you sure? You mentioned that a bit ago and I still have you with me.”

  He pinched her side playfully, making her squirm. “You’re the death of me. A horrible influence.” He pulled himself reluctantly from her body, caressing her belly with the tips of his fingers as he sat. “Samantha is coming over this morning. Girl time.”

  “Right.” Ashley turned to her side and watched him climb from the bed. “You don’t have to keep protecting my sensitive feelings, you know. It’s a fact I don’t like to be alone. I love you for asking her to come over. You can tell it like it is.” She smiled and he wanted nothing more than to climb back into the warm bed with her and make love until they both couldn’t walk.

  Instead, he closed his eyes against her alluring coy grin and backed into the adjoining bathroom. A shower would work wonders toward the transition between his sexy mate and their warm bed and his cold hard office.

  Sure, if you believe that, I’ll sell you some oranges grown in Greenland.

  •●•

  Ten minutes after Evan left, Ashley watched Samantha pull into the driveway and dash toward the house.

  “So sorry,” she blurted as she let herself in and reset the alarm. “I wanted to be here before Evan left.” Samantha had all the alarm codes memorized and Ashley was grateful for the woman’s precision when it came to safety.

  Ashley stepped from the kitchen, two warm mugs in hand. She knew Samantha would need the
steaming elixir first thing when she came through the door. “Coffee?”

  “Bless you.” She took a sip and her eyes rolled back as she wiggled out of her coat and tossed it across the back of the couch. She plopped down on one cushion and tipped her head back. “So, what do you want to do today?”

  Ashley laughed. “Like you don’t have a briefcase full of work with you.” She nodded toward the small leather case Samantha had dropped at the door. The woman was a workhorse. She would have at least six cases pending she needed to research. “Besides, I’m in the middle of a project.” She lifted her nose as though she had the right to be snotty because her painting was so über important. And then she giggled again.

  “Awesome. What are you working on? Can I see?”

  “Not yet.” Ashley hated sharing her work midway through. She didn’t like to see the strange scrutiny on anyone’s face as they tried to decipher where she was going with a particular project. It tamped down on her muse.

  “I’m so glad you’re painting again.”

  “It relaxes me. I don’t care if I never sell a piece as long as it calms me.”

  “Oh, you will, girl. It’s fantastic. One of these days we’ll be lined up to see your work in a famous art show.”

  “Whatever.” Ashley rolled her eyes. “But I’m going to get to work while I’m feeling it. You need anything?” Sure, Samantha had come over and the woman was pretending they were supposed to sit around giggling and chatting all day, but Ashley knew better. Samantha never lacked for work. She needed to get out of the woman’s way, be grateful for the friendship that brought her here, and head for her studio.

  Samantha stood. “Nope. I’ll just spread out on your dining room table if you insist and plow through a few depositions.”

  “Sounds…awful.” Ashley scrunched up her face as she backed out of the room. “I’ll be much happier in a smock with paint splattered all around me.”

  She left her friend and padded down the hall. Ashley stood at the entrance to her studio, admiring her mess, so blessed to have everything a woman could possibly want right at her fingertips.