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  As she got the rhythm, she held the hood of her pulsing nub with two fingers and let her middle finder flutter over her clit rapidly. With her free hand, she reached between her legs and pushed her pointer into her opening.

  She moaned. So good. It wasn’t enough. Not nearly what she expected it would feel like to be filled with Gabriel’s cock, but it would have to do for now. Hell, forever if the crazy man didn’t come to his senses and claim her.

  She fucked herself harder, pushing two fingers into her vagina while she kept up the torment on her tight nub. Finally, she exploded. The walls of her sex contracted and squeezed around her fingers over and over, gripping her as she grazed the front wall of her sex. It lasted less than a minute before she had to stop touching her clit when her skin grew too sensitive to tolerate the pressure.

  She wanted more. She wanted to do it again. Hell, it would never be enough. She would have to purchase a vibrator soon. Her sex ached for something larger. For the first time in her life, she realized what all the hype was about.

  Visions of Gabriel hovering over her body, pushing his penis deep into her and dragging it back out only to slam it in again made her moan.

  She curled up on her side and pulled the sheet over her body, not bothering to put her panties back on. She was sated, not permanently, but enough to let her droopy eyes close and just pretend she was next to her mate. It was too chilly in the room to get the full effect, but at least naked she could pretend he was wrapped around her, cocooning her body with his warmth and enormous size.

  Chapter Three

  Gabe woke up to the scent of coffee. He’d slept hard for the first time in so many years, he couldn’t even count them. Years of college, medical school, and residency had trained him to sleep light and expect it to be short. He didn’t need to do that anymore. He was now sharing a practice with two other doctors and finally kept normal hours, except for the occasional emergency.

  Nevertheless, his body hadn’t gotten the memo yet, and he tended to wake in the middle of the night with a start, unable to get back to sleep.

  Well-rested, he finally lifted himself out of bed and pulled on shorts and a T-shirt. He grabbed his running shoes on the way out of the bedroom. It was early. He’d escaped the party before anyone had left last night and been asleep before ten o’clock. Now, the sun was barely up.

  He tiptoed down the back stairs, avoiding the third one from the bottom, hoping not to disturb his parents if they were sleeping.

  The scent of coffee filled his nostrils. Someone might be up, but just as easily the machine may have just percolated on its own at a set time.

  As he rounded the corner, he stopped. His father leaned against the counter staring in his direction, a steaming mug in his hands and a grin on his face.

  Did the man have a sixth sense? Gabe was sure he hadn’t made a single noise.

  “Morning. Hope I didn’t wake you,” Gabe commented. Of course his dad had beaten him out of bed though.

  “Going somewhere?” the imposing man asked as Gabe sat down to tie his shoes.

  “A run. Figured I’d get a few human miles in and several wolf miles when I hit the trees.” And it was going to feel so good.

  His father still stared at him. Gabe could actually feel the man’s gaze penetrating the top of his head as he tied his laces. He twitched, memories of the same sort of look from his father delving into his brain on many a morning when he’d been in high school and had come home past curfew. Somehow the man always knew what Gabe was up to.

  Not this time. Surely.

  “Care to tell me anything?” he asked.

  Gabe paused, froze. He waited a beat and then lifted his face.

  His father’s voice sounded eerily like it had when he’d been in trouble, but his face was filled with mirth. His eyes twinkled with laughter. What did he know?

  “What?” He swallowed around the word. He wasn’t about to give up any information on his own. If the man knew something, he’d have to spit it out. But, how the hell . . . ?

  “Seriously? Is that the way you want this to go? How long were you planning to keep it a secret?”

  “Keep . . . what . . . a secret?” Fuck. Visions of a garden party flitted through his mind, making him flinch. He had to stifle a groan.

  “Come on. I’m your father. Why the pretense? And what are you even doing here alone? I’m surprised you bothered to come home.” He chuckled. “I wouldn’t have.”

  “Did I miss something?”

  His Dad tipped his head to one side and lifted a brow. “Did I?” He paused a moment, his gaze roaming over Gabe from head to toe, scrutinizing him. “No. I think not. Gabriel Albertson, I saw the way you were looking at Kathleen Davis. Don’t try to play stupid. You stood for many long minutes half-listening to her father and his friends while your attention was focused on nothing but the man’s daughter. I watched your reaction to her and saw her squirming beneath your gaze. When she bolted from the room, you took off after her like she might escape the planet if you didn’t hurry.

  “I remember that feeling. That look. That drive to follow at all costs. Your mother did that to me.”

  Gabe gulped for air. “Does anyone else know?”

  His father furrowed his brow. “I’m sure they do, but I didn’t discuss it with anyone except your mother. I didn’t expect to find you in the house when we got home. I was surprised you were here. Why?”

  Now it was Gabe’s turn to be shocked. Why? Because I value my freedom, that’s why. People go to jail for such things. He stood and paced the kitchen, wishing he’d had two cups of that coffee behind his father before engaging in this conversation. “What the hell would you have had me do, Dad? Molest her? Because if I spent even one more second in the vicinity of that girl, that’s what would have happened. I’d have taken her on the spot, maybe not even given her the courtesy of finding a private place to claim her.”

  Edward tipped his head even farther to one side. “I’m missing something. What’s the problem?”

  “Don’t you think she’s a little young, Dad? Did that ever occur to you?”

  “Kathleen? Sure, she’s young, but she’s older than your mother was when I met her. Why are you so worried about her age? You aren’t that old.” He snickered.

  Gabe froze in his steps. Had he misjudged her age by that much? “How old is she, Dad?”

  “She must be about twenty-one, I suppose. She graduated from college this month. How old did you think she was?”

  “Oh fuck. I mean, oh my fucking God. Are you shitting me?” Gabe ran both hands through his hair and stared dumbfounded at his father. How the hell had he so underestimated her age?

  When his dad started laughing, Gabe ignored him. “I guess she did look fairly young last night in that sundress, but I assure you she’s legal. What did you say to her?”

  “Not enough.” Oh God. He pondered the various lines he’d used. He’d treated her like a child. She must have been fuming mad. No wonder she left in tears. He’d dismissed her without any explanation, assuming it was clear to her they couldn’t mate until she was older. Except she was older. Significantly older than he’d assumed.

  Gabe turned toward the door. He needed that run more than he needed the coffee now. He needed to clear his head, and then he needed to find Kathleen and fix the mess he’d made. If she’d even speak to him after the way he treated her last night . . .

  Kathleen had to return to the gathering with her parents today. She had no choice. She’d personally arranged with her older sister’s intended for everyone to be scarce so the man could come to the house, surprise Kenzie, and woo the shit out of her until she saw reason. Everyone had to vacate the premises. Herself included.

  That left her with little option but to return to the Albertson’s. Great. Good times. Maybe someone could go ahead and slam her hand in a car door too. It would hurt less.

  By ten o’clock she was standing outside the meeting hall kicking the dirt with the toe of her sandal. It was anoth
er warm day. Her family had already gone inside, but she’d lingered, hoping to somehow vanish into thin air rather than run the risk of encountering Mr. Cocky himself, who was somehow too good to mate her.

  She turned away from the building and headed toward the tree line. A run would be better. She could leave her clothes on the edge of the trees and take a long run without anyone being the wiser.

  Except, just as she reached the edge of the grass, she was intercepted by a long shadow. “Going somewhere?”

  It was him. She sucked in a breath and glanced down at the ground. “I was. Did you want to order me around a bit more and tell me what’s good for me?” she retorted.

  “I deserve that.” He stepped right into her personal space. “And I owe you an apology for last night.”

  “An apology? You mean like—sorry I was such a condescending ass and I’m really not like that and I promise I won’t treat you like the dirt under my shoe for the rest of our lives. That kind of apology?” She was angry. She had a right to be. Fuck him.

  After spending the night tossing and turning, wishing things had gone differently last night, she just wanted some peace and quiet this morning. The last thing she needed was more of his shit.

  “I deserve that too,” he whispered. “I’m sorry, Kathleen.”

  She angled her face up to his.

  The sincere look in his eyes made her thaw just a little. “And?”

  “And, please forgive me and spend the day with me.”

  “Just like that? How do I know you won’t go all bipolar on me and decide to talk to me like I’m about thirteen years old again?”

  He swallowed. “I thought you were,” he muttered. “I had no idea you were in your twenties. I knew the minute I touched you and smelled you when you slipped into that room last night that you were mine. I was trying so hard not to claim you until you were older. But, I honestly thought you were like fifteen. You look so young.” He smiled. His teeth shone white and straight when he grinned like that.

  She melted a little more. “Fifteen? Seriously? Do I look that young?”

  “You did. In that dress and . . . well, I’m just gonna shut up before I dig myself a deeper hole. But, yes. Although, now that I take a moment to really look at you, I can see you’re not a teenager. My dad said you already graduated from college. What’s your degree in?”

  “Education. I just graduated. I start my first teaching position this fall.” Small talk?

  He stepped closer. Took her hand. “Can we start over? Come back to the house with me.”

  She hesitated. Could she trust him? With her heart? Did she have a choice really?

  His hand was warm as he wrapped hers into his much larger palm. He entwined their fingers and tugged her back in the direction she’d come.

  “I’m still way older than you,” he said as they walked. “Does that bother you?”

  “Not as much as it apparently bothers you,” she mocked. “Though I will warn you, I have little experience with men—or wolf shifters for that matter.”

  He squeezed her hand and stopped walking, forcing her to turn toward him. “I love that. It makes everything all the more special that all your firsts are mine.”

  Their arms brushed against each other. His heat made her tingle all over. And his deep voice was full of promises.

  They snuck into the back of the house like teenagers without another word. Though Gabe was anything but a youngster. He was old. There was little doubt about that. The fact made her nervous. He surely had dated plenty of women—all of whom would have been more experienced and worldly compared to her. His size alone made her nervous.

  Today he wore jeans and a polo shirt, but even dressed down he looked designer. His jeans fit him like a glove. She didn’t recognize the label, but knew they had to be expensive. Once again she felt underdressed next to him. Hell, even the nicest thing in her closet would pale in comparison to his grungiest clothes.

  Nerves made her palms sweaty and she tugged her hand to release it from his grip as they entered the kitchen. He didn’t let her go, firmly holding her fingers with his own.

  “Is anyone home?” she whispered. She wasn’t ready for a meet and greet.

  “Nope. Just you and me. My parents are already at the meetings and neither of my siblings made it to town for this gathering.” He winked at her. What did that mean? She’d never been so freaking nervous in her life. If he would just let go of her hand. The contact was sending an electric current through her that scrambled her brain and made it impossible to make sentences. All she knew was the warmth of his hand against her sweaty palm.

  “Sit.” He nodded toward the couch as they entered the living room and finally released her.

  A chill went down her spine. He’d commanded her to sit last night too. That hadn’t gone well. Memories of their first botched encounter flooded her.

  Was she ready for this? What would he expect from her this morning?

  She squeezed her legs together as she took a spot perched on the edge of the sofa. Why had she chosen to wear a skirt again today? Goose bumps rose along her legs.

  His scent filled the room, masking all other smells. She wanted him to sit next to her so she could breathe him in, but she also wanted him to stay on the other side of the room so she didn’t lose her mind just yet.

  Gabriel didn’t say a word other than his requisite “sit.” He left her there and returned moments later with two bottles of water.

  Bless him. Her mouth was dry. “Drink,” he commanded.

  She held the bottle without twisting off the lid. “Are you always so bossy?” She eyed him.

  “Usually.” He grinned, still standing above her.

  “You have a tendency to use just one word, and I get the feeling you’re used to getting your way.”

  “Yes.” Now he wiggled his eyebrows. He was teasing her, but he was also serious. He nodded at the bottle in her hand. “You’ve been licking your lips since I found you. It’s . . . disconcerting.” He took a seat on the couch next to her, but thankfully not touching her.

  “How does this usually work?” She set the water bottle on the coffee table. She was thirsty, but she couldn’t bring herself to buckle to his demands.

  “Well, first you twist the top off, and then you tip the bottle to your lips.” He leaned closer to her and dared her to defy him with his gaze.

  “Ha ha. Not that. This.” She motioned between them back and forth.

  “Mating? There is no usually. Each couple is different. And I haven’t claimed anyone before, so I’m just as green in that area as you. I guess we’ll make up our own rules as we go along.” He handed her the water again.

  She set it back down.

  “Are you always this stubborn?”

  “Are you always this demanding?” It wasn’t the first time she’d asked this question and she already knew the answer. “Does everyone bow to your every wish every time you speak?”

  He leaned back against the cushions and reached for a lock of her hair. Sighing, he continued, “Yes. I mean, women have in the past.”

  She gulped. Was he serious?

  “I’m rather dominant, Kathleen. Most women I have dated have been submissive.” He tipped his head and his brow furrowed. “Don’t worry. We will figure this out together. I’m not an ass. We can experiment with dominance and submission later. For now, I just want to claim you and I swear to go slow and easy your first time.”

  Her knees shook. She had to squeeze them with both hands to still her shaking. Her heart raced and she had no idea if it was from fear or . . . excitement. Even his proclamation of gentleness had been spoken with an edge of dominance. It pissed her off that his commanding mannerisms were arousing her. His penetrating gaze made her squirm, and she wanted him to have his way with her while at the same time she shouted to herself to run from this house immediately and not look back.

  She took a deep breath. From him she scented confidence, arousal, and yes, some level of fear also. Good.
r />   She flushed. The room suddenly seemed way too hot.

  He sat back again. “Tell me about yourself. All I know is you’re much older than I thought and you have a degree in education. Sisters? Brothers?”

  She relaxed, marginally, and took a deep breath. “Two sisters. I’m the middle one.”

  “Are they mated?”

  “My older sister, Kenzie, is at this very moment being convinced, I hope.” She rolled her eyes. “She’s spent many years insisting she didn’t want to mate, but a nice wolf caught her eye yesterday. He’s supposed to be at the house now . . . sweet-talking her.” She smiled. “My younger sister, Cassidy, is nineteen. Hopefully she’s holding off for a while. That’s too young. Hell, I’m not sure twenty-one isn’t too young. I didn’t see this coming.”

  “Neither did I. I mean, after all, I never even got the opportunity to enter the singles party.” He winked at her. “You barged into my solitude and snagged my heart before anyone else had a chance.” He took her hand. His warm palm encompassed hers, so large she couldn’t even see her own anymore.

  When he touched her, all her good sense fled the room. All she could think about was how her body melted beneath his touch. She jerked her hand back and left his larger one on her lap. That was not an improvement. His fingers landed on her bare leg, and she kicked herself again for wearing a skirt. It wasn’t even a long skirt. And when she was sitting, it climbed up her thighs.

  He caressed the skin with the tips of his fingers and she stared down at the connection, panting. Finally, she jumped up from the couch and stepped back. Her heart raced. Her legs threatened to buckle. She’s wanted him to stroke her skin higher, and yet she’d also needed him to stop before she got so carried away she couldn’t control her reactions.

  She smoothed her skirt and swallowed. “And you? You have a sister and a brother, right?” If she brought the conversation back on track, would she be able to ignore her body’s reaction to this man?

  “Yes.” He smiled up at her, a coy look that said she hadn’t fooled him. “Samantha lives in St. Louis. Blake is at OU at school.” He paused. “What else do you want to know?”