Chapter 14

14

Kane

W e get back to the cabin just after sunset. Tami heads straight for the trailer, ignoring my protests, and starts pulling out several bags. She carries them inside and runs up the stairs to our bedroom without a word. Since we left the island, she hasn’t spoken to me. Earlier, her fear was clear—a fear I caused.

I start unpacking the trailer, taking most of the bags to our room. She’s already in the shower when I get there. Maybe she’s so angry she just wants to go to bed. But she needs to eat first. I won’t let her go to bed on an empty stomach.

After dropping the bags, I head back downstairs to the kitchen. I finish unloading the trailer and put away the groceries. Then, I start preparing her dinner.

The silence between us is agonizing. I wish I could hear her thoughts. Her scent is conflicted. Is it because of me? My wolf is disappointed for losing control. The thought of losing her is enough to drive me crazy .

I’m not even thinking about being intimate right now. I just want her to stop being upset with me. She stays upstairs for another agonizing hour. I finish her dinner, but the plate starts to go cold as I pace the cabin floor.

Should I serve her upstairs? She’s not sleeping. I smell burning hair. Why is she taking so long?

I run my fingers through my curly hair, feeling the urge to be with her growing stronger.

Just as I start to head for the stairs, I pause. Relief washes over me as I hear the bathroom door open. She descends the stairs, each step making my heart pound.

When she reaches the bottom, my breath catches. She’s wearing the sexy nightdress from the boutique. It barely covers her, stopping just below her hips.

The thin straps hold up her beautiful breasts. She has a light coat of makeup and a barbell nose ring. I didn't know she had a piercing. I run a hand through my beard, taking her in. She’s straightened her long curls, which cascade down her shoulders and back.

I’m going to sweat those curls right out of her hair tonight.

She smiles and approaches me slowly, giving a playful twirl to show off. She’s looking for my approval; I can smell it. I love the dress and what she’s done for me, but it won’t last long once she finishes dinner. My body aches for her, and my need is almost unbearable.

I grip her wrist gently. “Come on, baby. It's time for dinner.”

I guide her to the bar and lift her into a chair. She lets out that adorable squeal I love to hear. I sit beside her and slide the cool plate over.

“I can heat it...” I start, but Tami is already digging in, clearly starving. I watch as she devours the chicken, broccoli, and rice I prepared .

“I'll take cleaning duty,” she mumbles between bites. I laugh. The only thing she's doing tonight is riding me.

The first night will be rough for her since she's not used to my size, but she'll adjust. She's not a virgin; I can smell one other man on her. I want to kill him for touching her, but I hold back. The scent is old; she was young when it happened.

Killing him would make me a hypocrite. My sexual history is far longer than hers. I spent centuries in purgatory, not knowing if I’d ever find her. I filled the void with other women, but I can only love Tami. I was made for her. She wants me tonight, and she'll get her wish.

She eats like she’s starving, and I’m mad at myself for forgetting to feed her while on the island. She finishes quickly, washing down her meal with the juice I prepared. She sits back, rubbing her full belly. My eyes drift to her hand on her abdomen, aching for the day she's pregnant with our child. I have to know.

“You said you were running from Julian because he wanted you to have his children,” I say. She narrows her eyes.

“I don’t want to talk about Julian while I’m trying to seduce you,” she mutters, making me smile. She sighs and meets my eyes.

“He’s sketchy, a drug dealer involved in sex trafficking. He’s wealthy and doesn’t even need to do it; he just likes it. I want children, lots of children, just not by him.” She pauses, looking at her belly. “Is that something you want? I don’t know what it’s like to have a family. I spent most of my life facing rejection. When I turned eighteen, I was on my own. I got my diploma, the state paid for my CNA license, and I buried myself in work for five years.” She pauses, mistaking my silence for rejection .

I stand and raise my hand to stroke her cheek but pause when her eyes follow my movement. I sense her curiosity.

“I saw your hands shift at the police station. That’s the first time I saw your wolf. You never shift in front of me. Why?” she asks. I pull my hand back, but she catches it, smiling as she places my palm against her cheek, closing her eyes, and leaning into my touch.

“I’m unsure how you’ll react to seeing me like this,” I admit. I hold up my free hand, partially transforming it into my wolf form. Her eyes widen as my human fingers shift into thick, black claws. I curl them into a fist, then open and close it. Surprisingly, she doesn’t smell of fear, only curiosity.

“Will I become like you?” she asks, reaching for my claws. I pull my hand away.

“It’s not that I don’t want you to touch me, Tami,” I say, gently moving my other hand from her cheek. “My claws are sharp. I don’t want you to get hurt.” I shift back to my human form, then grip her hips and lift her from the chair.

I scoop her up and carry her to the sofa, sitting down with her in my lap. She wraps her arms around my neck, and I close my eyes for a moment, savoring the embrace.

“You won’t become a shifter when I claim you, but you’ll get stronger, more durable. Your aging will slow down. You’ll experience changes while carrying our children, but those will fade after you give birth. I’ll be with you every step of the way. You’ll never be alone again, baby.” I reassure her.

She shifts on my lap, straddling me. My dick stiffens in my jeans, aching with need. I exhale, trying to maintain control. My hands rest on her hips, my body reacting as if it’s my first time. I’m no virgin, but this is my first time with my mate, something I’ve longed for.

“You’re nervous,” she murmurs, meeting my gaze .

“Yes, very nervous. I’ll remember this moment for the rest of my life. I want it to be special,” I tell her. She smiles and presses her lips to mine. Her kiss is tender, full of love, and it overwhelms me.

My hand moves to her lower back, deepening the kiss. My tongue traces her bottom lip, asking for entry. She gasps and parts her lips, and I bury my tongue in her mouth, devouring her. Her arousal spikes, and she grinds against me. That’s when I lose it. I fucking lose it.

Any willpower I had vanishes. I need to have her now.