Chapter 34

Tak spread a blue quilt across a grassy spot in the shade beneath a maple tree. "Sit," he said.

I watched with amusement while he walked back to his truck and pulled a large picnic basket out of the bed. He looked good in his loose-fitting jeans and white tank top. It drew my attention to his sexy arms and broad chest. I took in a deep breath, enjoying the fragrant scent of summer and the way Tak swaggered back to the blanket. He had a slow and easy walk, the kind that promised he was worth the wait.

After he set the basket down on the grass, he sat on the blanket and pulled out two bottles of sweet tea. "I would have brought wine, but I didn't want to taste it on your lips."

"I prefer tea."

It was late morning—still cool enough to enjoy the weather. A few puffy clouds swiftly moved in front of the sun, casting a dark shadow across the landscape before the sun broke out again.

I yawned, still tired after a night of tossing and turning. My visit with Dutch had left me unsettled, so when Tak called after breakfast and invited me out, I was grateful for the respite. Mel volunteered to watch the store the whole day to give us some private time together.

Tak stood up and towered over me. "Lie down," he said, his hot gaze traveling down the length of my body.

A ripple of excitement zinged through me, and I scooted onto my back so I was staring up at him. "I thought we were eating?"

He swiped his tongue across his bottom lip. "We are."

My breath caught as he went down on his knees. He softly kissed around my navel, and his warm body heated my inner thighs. Tak untied the bottom of my button-up shirt, his eyes locked on mine. When he stroked my sex, I moaned and arched my back.

"Music to my ears," he murmured, doing it again.

The kisses on my inner thigh were pure torture, and when I felt his tongue slide across my skin, I reached for his braid and gripped it hard.

He chuckled deep in his throat and crawled on top of me. Something seemed different about him—that same look I'd noticed before parting ways last night. Maybe it was just the look of my future in his eyes. He kissed me passionately, his tongue thrusting against mine before he quickly withdrew and left me panting for more.

Tak unfastened the buttons on my blouse. When he finished, he slowly opened each side and admired my bare breasts. How could one man fill me with so much desire? His gaze, his touch, his words—all brushstrokes blending our love into one masterpiece. I shivered when he licked his fingertip and then circled it around my nipple, his eyes on mine the whole time. The skin swelled and pebbled at the tips, responding eagerly to his touch.

"I'm going to make you feel good." His voice was smoky, and his words were a promise. Tak slid his hands down my shorts and beneath my panties.

I let out a whimpering moan.

His touch was so intimate—so sensual. I wrapped my arms around him and gently kissed his scars. Tak's breathing became shaky, but his fingers never lost their rhythm.

His forever.Those words burned in my thoughts, and I lifted my hips, craving more.

His lips were mine, and I kissed them.

The branches swayed overhead, leaves whispering their secrets.

Beneath the azure sky, Tak adored me with his hands. My body hummed with desire as I opened my legs and rocked in the waves of exquisite pleasure, abandoning all inhibitions. Those didn't exist with Tak.

He bent down and drew my nipple into his mouth, sucking hard. I gasped and moaned, his soft strokes quickening with my every breath. There was something about being out in the open that heightened my arousal. No doors. No walls. Anyone could see. Anyone could hear. No secrets.

I closed my eyes and writhed beneath him.

His mouth branded me with a penetrating kiss, and I felt myself trembling.

Tak moved his lips to my ear. "Do you want me to stop?"

"No," I whispered, clawing his back.

Tak was a gentle giant, but there was nothing gentle about the hungry look in his eyes.

"If you come for me, I'm going to press your back against that tree and claim you."

The visual entered my mind, and I moaned. "Please, Tak. I need it."

He trembled, shifting his body weight off me and to the side. "You make it so hard for me."

"I make it hard?"

He growled.

"I need more of you. It's not enough."

He pulled my gaze toward him. "Don't. Move."

"What?" I whimpered.

I panicked at first, thinking a bee had landed on my head.

"You're too worked up, and that's my fault," he said. "Lie still. Don't move."

Tak gripped both sides of my shorts as if they were the enemy and stripped them off so I was bare to him.

He nestled his head between my legs, and a tremor of anticipation rolled through me. The way he gripped my thighs and hooked them over his shoulders made me break out in a sweat. I'd never been so exposed to a man, and a flush of embarrassment heated my cheeks.

"I'm gonna kiss you, Hope. I'm gonna kiss you deep."

When his tongue slid along my wet crease, I nearly kicked him away. He lapped me as if I were honey, and it was more than I could take.

So intimate.

So unbelievably provocative.

And I was so, so close.

"You're beautiful when you come," he said. "Show me."

He greedily sucked and twirled his tongue before driving it home. As my breath hitched, I began chasing my release.

Tak growled deep, and the vibration shattered me. Sharp pulses hit me in waves as his alpha power licked across my skin.

"More," he demanded.

"No, I can't."

He rose up onto his hands and lay next to me, his fingers working me over in soft, teasing strokes. "I want your needy cries in my fantasies at night."

My back arched when he hit the right spot.

Tak drew my nipple into his mouth. "Not yet," he said, teeth nipping lightly.

He was using his alpha command, and my body reluctantly submitted. I was right on the cusp—so close to another orgasm and yet unable to reach it.

Tak's hard erection pressed against my thigh. The more I whimpered, the stronger he leaned into me as if his willpower was crumbling.

My fingers dove inside his jeans, sliding over the head.

"Oh, fuck… Now," he commanded, alpha power shimmering across my body. "Come now."

I squeezed his erection and cried out, my body clenching beneath his gaze. Tak watched me with ravenous eyes as the last remaining waves of pleasure left me boneless.

He moved my hand out of his jeans and smiled. "You're just full of surprises, aren't you?"

Breathless, I touched his cheek. "Why not let me pleasure you?"

Tak dropped his head on my shoulder, his breathing just as heavy as mine. "I like the feeling of wanting you."

"Then have me. My pleasure shouldn't be your punishment."

Tak chuckled. "We're gonna have a great sex life." He perked his head up and waggled his brows. "Not many couples can say that, you know. They fall in love, but they struggle to know each other in bed. Tomorrow you can sit astride me and face the other way. I want to try that."

I thought about the complicated position. "Wouldn't you rather have me on my hands and knees?"

After all, that was the most desirous position for male Shifters.

He pursed his lips. "I want to do things with you that I've never tried. My hands on your backside as you rock those luscious hips at your own sweet rhythm, the look you throw me over your shoulder as I beg you to go faster. The best of both worlds."

"Then why wait?"

Tak kissed my nose. "Today is about you."

I furrowed my brow when he closed my shirt and fastened two buttons. The man possessed more restraint than I'd ever understand. With flushed cheeks, he sat back and put my panties and shorts back on. I didn't usually wear such revealing clothes, but Tak brought out the woman in me. He made it clear he loved every curve on my body, and seeing the way he kept looking at my thighs made me appreciate why differences mattered.

After I sat up, Tak put a bottle of cold tea in my hand.

I pressed the glass against my neck and sighed. "So which tree are you pinning me against?"

He winked. "That comes after."

"After what?"

"You ask too many questions."

Still breathless and post-orgasm, I soaked in the beautiful morning.

Tak cleaned up with a napkin and then pulled out plastic bags filled with cheese, summer sausage, and fruit. "Do you want to tell me what's bothering you?"

I gulped down my tea and screwed the cap back on. "I went to see Dutch last night."

He ate a handful of cheese cubes and gave me a pensive stare. "What for?"

"Because I owe him my gratitude. He blinded that bear and risked his life to help someone who'd insulted his integrity. He's hurt, Tak. I didn't see all the scars, but he's hurt bad."

"I didn't think he'd survive. I guess the fates aren't done with him."

After eating a few grapes, I tossed the stem in the grass. "He made me promise not to tell anyone about his scars or what happened. I want you to do the same. I already talked to Mel, and she gave me her word."

Tak nodded. "Needn't ask me twice."

"I can't help but feel responsible."

He bent his knee and gulped down half his drink. Then he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and set the bottle against the basket. "You had nothing to do with it. Men have to stand by their decisions, and what kind of man would he be had he done nothing? Warriors don't let fear hold them back."

"Dutch said he doesn't blame me, but he's bitter about what happened. I don't think he has anyone to look after him. He hired someone to run the store, and I have a feeling he's never going back."

Tak touched his bottom lip, his eyes pensive. "Promise me you won't go see him again."

I frowned. "Why?"

He gazed at something in the distance. "A reclusive man with anger in his heart becomes filled with his own poison. His heart grows bitter. You don't know this man well enough to save him from that dark place. If he ever had feelings for you, he wouldn't want to see you again. Especially now that I've got claim on you."

I stood up and strode off. I knew Tak was right, but it still felt like I wasn't doing enough. Dutch needed a miracle to bring him back, and I didn't have the power to be that miracle.

Tak caught up and turned me around. "Don't be angry with me. I don't want to spoil this day."

"What's so special about today?"

He looked down sheepishly and kicked at the dirt. "I was going to wait until after lunch and after we made love."

I backed up against the tree. "It's not too late."

Tak flashed his teeth and looked like a wolf grinning. The smile faded, and he plucked a small leaf out of my hair. "I was never meant to love a woman."

"That's a silly thing to believe."

He pointed at his tattoo. "My wolf was born with two faces. It raised a lot of concern within my tribe. The elders spoke of it as a bad omen—that I would never find a true mate because my spirit could only love her halfway. Maybe I should have heeded their warning. After the accident, I chose to ink my face to match my spirit wolf and accept my fate. No woman would ever want a man this way. Then I met you, and you loved both halves."

I caressed his cheek. "How could I not love a man who left me on the side of the road with nothing but a sunshade?"

"And how could I not love a woman who laughs after we make love?"

His arm snaked around my waist, and despite our playful banter, neither of us smiled.

I glanced around. "Someone might catch us if we fool around again. This is private property."

"You're right." He placed a chaste kiss to my lips. "I bought it from the Council."

My heart quickened. "You bought this?"

"I wanted to give you proof that I'm staying. Telling you I love you isn't enough. Making promises to your brother isn't enough." Tak bent down and scooped up a handful of dirt, showing it to me. "I want to plant roots with you. We can build a pack on this land, or we can relocate wherever you want to go. Maybe you just want to pass it down to our children and tell them the story about the day their father gave his mother a handful of dirt and promised her the future."

He let the dirt fall into the palm of my hand.

"What about your tribe? Your father? I thought you'd want to live with them."

"Why would you think that?"

"Because they're your people."

Tak closed his fingers around my hand. "You are my people. My father carved aside a piece of land for me, but that's never been my destiny. That's why the fates marked my wolf. I've always felt like an outsider, and maybe that's why I made poor decisions in my youth. All that's changed. I'm a better man than I once was, and I vow to protect you with my life. I sold that land back to the tribe to use the money here. Starting a pack will take time, but I want Lakota to be my second-in-command."

I could hardly contain my exuberance. "Really?"

"Something clicked between us from the start," he said. "I already asked, by the way. And he said yes. I haven't figured out all the rules yet, but maybe we'll do something nontraditional like the tribes."

"What about my father? He'll never approve of this. It's too fast, and he barely knows you."

"He already did."

I blanched. "What? When?"

"At Howlers. Right after I spoke with Lakota."

"I didn't see him there."

"You were in the back by the pool tables. I'm glad he slipped by you, or that would have ruined the surprise. That's why today is about you, Hope. I wanted to give you all these gifts so you won't have any doubts or fears that something will keep us apart."

My heart was bursting with joy.

"I don't have money to offer you, but I have this," he said, gripping my closed hand filled with dirt.

"What makes you think I need money to be happy? We have Moonglow. Lakota has savings put aside, and he's been taking some jobs in town."

"Bounty hunting?"

I let the dirt fall to our feet and brushed my hand off. "No, just PI stuff. I think he's trying it out to see if he likes it. Maybe he will, and maybe he won't, but it's kept him busy."

Tak folded his arms. "Sounds impressive. I didn't get as far as asking him about his work. Maybe he's not really interested in settling down then."

"Are you kidding? Lakota adores you. Well, as much as one man can adore another."

Tak rocked with laughter and held me in his arms. We did a little sway, and he did that wonderful thing where he smiled at me with his eyes. "It's all ours," he said. "That's why I didn't wear the necklace today. I wanted our wolves to check out their new territory, and I couldn't leave behind something so valuable."

"It's just money. It can be replaced."

He gave me a light squeeze. "That necklace is worth more than money. It's irreplaceable. So… feel like marking territory and making it official?"

I tried not to look amused. "Are you asking me to pee with you?"

Tak barked out a laugh. "Actually, nothing would make me happier than the two of us taking a piss together. Isn't that how all love stories end? My wolf is coming out of his skin to meet his future life mate."

I traced my fingers over the claw marks on his shoulder. "Ask me."

"Ask you what?"

"Ask me to love you."

The last time he tried, it wasn't worthy of him. His soul was still broken. Even though we'd both made our intentions of mating clear, having a second chance at this conversation felt necessary. Tak needed that moment just as much as I did.

He cupped my shoulders and gazed earnestly into my eyes. I could see his spirit wolf looking back at me, searching for answers.

"If any man ever dishonors you, he'll have to answer to me. I promise to protect you with my life, and you have my word on that. I'll be a good lover and a faithful mate. I won't always have the right words, but I promise you'll never feel safer than in my pack. I want to spend the rest of our days making you laugh, because I've never heard a more beautiful sound. I love you, Hope. I would give you my name, but my people don't have surnames. So take my heart instead."

I placed my hand over his heart. "I accept your offer, Tak of the Iwa tribe. But can you love me as I am? I don't know if I'll ever be over the panic attacks—even after challenging River."

He stepped closer. "Someday they'll be a distant memory; I promise you that. I see you getting stronger every day. We'll get through each one together. Your struggles are mine, and should they never go away, I'll still be here by your side."

"I'll try to laugh more at your jokes, and I'll do my best to help our pack grow and thrive… not only financially but as a family. I'll give you the same respect you've given me. And I'll even cook you eggs sometimes."

Tak rubbed his nose against mine. "Admit it. You love me, don't you?"

"Guilty as charged."

He kissed me hard, the way every woman dreams of a man kissing her—with tenderness and force. With arms wrapped around me. With fire in his touch and his hands splayed across my back. With his whole body leaning against mine. With a promise of a bright future and a love that would grow with each passing day.

His lips brushed against my ear, his words soft and jovial. "I love you too, Duckie."

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