stand with a human was better.” “And because of me, you didn’t end up with one.” “Another thing I should thank you for. His idea of how we should spend the night involved me tied up with a ball gag in my mouth.” She laughed. “As if I would ever submit completely to someone I didn’t view as my equal.” Challenge accepted. Except, he had a better idea of how to fill her mouth. “You’re welcome, but I am sorry I ruined your night. Will you let me make it up to you?” She raised a brow. “And how do you plan on doing that?” “I have my ways. Say yes.” She reached between their bodies and brushed her knuckles over his dick. “Are you sure? Males in my pack have called me demanding and insatiable.” He swung her into his arms. “Females have said the same about me.” A wicked grin spread over her face. “And none were smart enough to claim you?” He walked toward the patio, then punched in the security code. The door unlocked, and he carried her inside. “Or I was smart enough not to give in to them. It all depends on how you look at it.” She linked her hands behind his neck. “Yes. My answer is yes. I want you to be the first male I make love to as a mature female.” Her answer should’ve made him happy. Instead, it fed into the possessiveness riding him. Being her first wasn’t good enough. He wanted to be her last. Hell no. Thoughts like that will damn me. Maybe his offer wasn’t the smartest he’d ever made. Too late, though. He never backed down from a challenge. He just needed a moment to get his shit together and remember what was at stake. He set her on her feet away from him, then held out a hand. “I promise to make it memorable, but first let’s patch you up.” “Okay.” She twined her fingers with his, and his thoughts scattered. He inwardly cursed. Get my shit together, huh? I’ll be lucky if I can slap a couple of bandages on her cuts before I bury my face between her thighs.
Chapter Five The female’s scent drew Sean closer. Every step from the kitchen to the office where she waited tightened his body and quickened his pulse. He wanted to get drunk on her. Spread her legs and feast. Fuck her until she was begging for release. Make her mine. He shook his head to clear it of the crazy thought. It didn’t help. The possessiveness hadn’t lessened, no matter how many times he reminded himself he needed to keep it in check. “Are you going to stand there all night or are you going to”—she grinned—“come over here and see to my needs?” Damn, he loved her assertiveness. He glanced at where she stood near the fireplace. She was tall for a human but average for a female shifter, and the perfect height for him. He could rest his chin on the top of her head and feel her heated breath on his chest. Needing to hold her exactly that way, he placed the items he’d collected on the nearby desk before facing her. He slipped an arm around her waist and drew her against him. With his cheek pillowed on her silky hair, he asked, “Do you have many?” “Yes, but I’m confident you’ll be able to satisfy me.” So was he. First, he had to tend to her cuts. He released her, then reached for the bandages. “I don’t need anything on them.” She twisted her arm, exposing the thin red line. “It’s not even bleeding anymore.” “I know.” He gently lifted her arm and swabbed an alcohol wipe over her skin. She was right. It wasn’t necessary. It didn’t stop his desire to tend to her, though. He didn’t quite understand why but wouldn’t fight it. What harm did it do to treat her as if she were precious to him? “But you got hurt because of me. It’ll make me feel better if I’ve at least inspected your cuts.” She swallowed hard. “Okay.” Her breathless word made him smile. He finished cleaning the scratch, then dropped to his knees. He focused on her outer thigh to avoid getting the distracted by her body. It proved harder than