40. Just the Beginning

40

Just the Beginning

I sip my hot cocoa, allowing the steam to seep into my pores before turning to the last page of my book. I've been so transfixed in the story—some fluffy enemies-to-lovers romance novel—that I haven't even noticed how much time has passed. The orange sun melts through the window next to the fireplace. The logs crack, the light dim and almost burned out. A chill has seeped into the cabin, and I pull my sweater closer. "Cameron?" I call, swiveling my head, but I don't see him.

I close my book and stand on my socked feet, shuffling across the hardwood floor. A loud bang sounds from outside, and I open the front door to see if it could possibly be my long-lost mate.

Sure enough, Cameron stands at the chopping block, swinging an axe overhead before smashing it down on an impressively large log. He's shirtless—of course, because there's never been a moment in our year together that he doesn't miss a moment to show off. I can't say I mind as I watch the intricate muscles in his abdomen flex with each swing. His biceps strain as he pulls the axe over his head again, grunting as sweat trickles down the side of his temple. I bet he smells heavenly, like musk and sex. I put my hand over my heart as I watch him, resisting the urge to run out in the snow and tackle him where he stands.

Okay, maybe I'm not the best at resisting urges. I only watch for a few more seconds before I take off, running to him as if a monster is chasing me.

He catches sight of me mid-swing, smirking through a heavy breath as he lets the axe fall to his side. He doesn't have time to brace himself before I barrel into him, wrapping my legs around his waist and bringing him to the snowy earth.

I pepper kisses down the side of his cheek as he tries (barely) to push me off him. "What are you doing?" he asks through a laugh. My lips meet his, but I only kiss his teeth since he smiles so big.

"I'm in a mood," I say between kisses. His body is warm under me, slick with his sweat.

"I see that." His hands rest on my ass. "I was trying to chop you some wood so you could continue to enjoy your book once the sun sets."

I pick myself up, hovering over him as I look down at him. "Please. You were out here looking all sexy and manly. You were practically begging me to jump you."

He shakes his head with a smirk. "Mrs. Badson, are you implying that I can't do normal activities without being turned into a sexual object."

I bite my lip, looking at the sky as if sorting through my thoughts. "Yes, but only for me, and only when I'm in heat." I press my body against him, capturing his lips, but he doesn't let me and breaks out into a laugh. "You're in heat? What does that mean?"

I kiss down his neck. "Well, I assume I'm ovulating based on what the sight of you does to my body, but since I'm a werewolf now, I guess I'm in heat."

Cameron wraps his arm around me and flips me over. The quickness of his movement takes the air from my lungs. "You know how I love it when you refer to yourself as a dog." He rolls his eyes, even if his smile betrays him.

"What can I say? I got that dog in me." I shrug .

He shakes his head and tsks. "You are just so charming." He leans in for a kiss, which I greedily accept.

I pull away. "Now, what more do I have to do to get you to fuck and breed me?"

He stills, his eyes glued to mine. "Breed you?"

I nod, biting my lip.

"Are you being serious?"

I grab his hand and shove it down my pants into the wetness of my cunt. "Does this feel serious?"

He bites his lips, his eyes rolling to the back of his head. "Fuck, Red."

"Yes, that's right. Please fuck Red." I whisper into his ear.

I screech as he swoops me up from the ground, throwing me over my shoulder and charging toward his cabin. He smacks my ass, and I giggle. "Ah, help me!" I yell.

He stops. "What are you doing? Who do you want to help you?"

I shrug. "I don't know. Thought it would be fun to pretend."

He shakes his head before opening the door and stomping toward the bedroom, throwing me on the bed roughly. I crawl back to the headboard as I watch him rip off his belt and pull down his pants, crawling over me in only his grey boxer briefs. I can't miss his hard and impressive length as it brushes the inside of my legs .

I brace myself for his rough hands, to continue the cat and mouse game I'm so eager to play, but instead, his lips meet mine, and he kisses me so gently I could cry. He pulls back. "I love you, you know that?" His eyes gaze seep into mine, and I nod. "And I will love our child so much."

"I know." I smile, tears forming in my eyes.

"I will never get over how grateful I am for you. That you would even consider carrying a part of me inside of you." Now, his eyes cloud with tears.

I bring my hand to his cheek. "Oh, Cameron. I've been carrying a part of you inside of me from the moment we met."

He shakes his head, his eyes glowing with happiness before he captures my lips with his. The kiss grows deeper quickly, and I soak in every small movement of him against me. My mate. He's mine. He's here with me, and the rest of our lives is just beginning.