Chapter Seven

James

I didn't consider what I would say or do once I made it to April's house. All I knew was I needed to see her more than I needed my next breath. Apparently, flying by the seat of my pants is a good idea because I have spent the past six hours with her, helping her and Xavia repair the fence and paint it.

She is beautiful, always, but by the Goddess is she stunning in the sunshine, sweaty and smiling. Looking at her too long makes my heart constrict in my chest and I often have to remind myself of the task at hand. I can't remember ever feeling this way, even with Peyton's mother.

"I think we should break for lunch," Xavia says with a smile. "The two of you have helped me more than I expected."

"We're happy to help," April says, hugging the older woman tightly. "And we'll be back later to finish the task."

"Oh, no, you won't," Xavia laughs, the sun glinting off her white hair. "I'm old and I need a nap. If you really want to finish the fence you can come back another day."

I nod in agreement. The sun is high in the sky. I would prefer it if April wasn't out getting sunburned. As shifters we are resilient but in our human forms such small inconveniences can still be painful.

Xavia stands in her doorway, smiling as she waves, and we make our way toward April's home.

"Would you like to join me for lunch?" April asks softly, almost self-consciously.

"That would be great. Thank you."

"I'm not a great cook but I can make a fairly mean bacon, egg, and cheese toasted sandwich."

"Woman, don't joke," I say seriously. "I haven't had bacon in years."

"Then it's settled."

We walk in comfortable silence until we reach her door, and she leads me into the kitchen. Her home is just like her, not quite what you expected when you're looking at the outside. She smiles as she fries the bacon and assembles the sandwiches while I watch her from my seat at the table. I can imagine sitting here for every meal and watching her cook for me. The vision in my mind morphs and changes and I see her swollen with my child. If I was standing, the thought alone would have brought me to my knees.

She places my lunch in front of me, leaning over and giving me a glimpse of her cleavage down the front of her bright orange t-shirt. An involuntary growl escapes me, causing her to blush. Beneath the wooden surface I adjust my erection even though I know she can scent my arousal.

We eat in silence, both enjoying the meal she has prepared for us.

"I would apologize," I say. "But I'm not sorry."

"There's nothing to apologize for," she says with another blush. "It's a natural reaction, isn't it?"

"It is." I nod. "And I am trying to behave myself, but some things are out of my control."

She shakes her head with a chuckle before the silence closes in around us. One would think it would be uncomfortable because we don't really know each other, but it's not. It's more like spending time with someone who has known you for years.

"How old are you?" I ask.

"Twenty-one, yesterday."

"Fuck." I rub my hand down my face. "You're still a baby."

She frowns at me, and I can see her temper start to flare. "And you're old."

"I didn't mean it that way, April. I just meant that…"

"It doesn't matter," she says, standing, and taking our plates to the basin before rinsing them off. "I knew this would never work."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," she says spinning on me with a glare. "I'm at least half your age, your daughter is my friend, and I'm a fucking panther. Everything about this situation is against us."

Her words land like blows and my anger spikes with each. Not because she is wrong but because she is probably right, and I don't want to fucking hear it.

It only takes me a moment to move from my seat at the table until I am in front of her. My left hand firmly grasps her hip while my right threads through her hair and pulls her head back before I kiss her.

****

April

I wasn't expecting any of the things he would do. One moment he is sitting at the table that looks too small with him there, and the next he is kissing the sense out of me. His hand on my hip has a firm grip but he isn't hurting me.

No, he is awakening feelings I didn't even know I had. His kiss is deep and brutal, savage, just like the man before me. It's soul-consuming and I know I will never be the same after this.

Just as quickly as it started, it is over, and I am left trying to remain upright. James is standing against the opposite wall, his hands fisted as he fights his animal for dominance. I see the magic shimmer and his wolf pressing against his skin, but he is able to fight him back, dominating his animal into submission. Barely.

Both of us are breathless, our chests heaving as we stare at each other.

"Don't for one second think I am going to give you up without a fight, April," he says lowly, a growl building in his chest. "The only reason I don't bend you over that table and fuck you senseless is because I know you'll kick my ass for it. You are my mate and eventually I will claim you. But I will wait until you come to me."

He doesn't let me say a word before he strides out of my house, leaving me confused and aroused. A moment later the howl of a wolf rips through the entire compound and I know he has finally given his animal the free reign it has been craving.

I want to follow him but I know he is trying to protect me by keeping his animal at bay until we are fully mated. His animal won't be as lenient with me if he catches me.

I feel like an utter bitch for everything I said but it's the truth and I can't stop the thoughts replaying in my mind. I am too young for him. Add in the fact that we are two different species and it's clear we don't belong together.

I just can't figure out why the Goddess would see fit to give me a mate and then make it impossible for us to be together.

My heart hurts and I rub at the center of my chest. There isn't anything I wouldn't give to have James in my life and in my bed. I don't want to give up on my mate, I just need to figure out how to keep him.