Lydia Dare - Wolf Next Door

"You'll be the death of me," he whispered.

Prisca shifted on his lap until they were nose to nose and she could look deep into Will's blue eyes. "I love you."

The corners of his mouth turned up to a grin. "I love you, too."

It was still marvelous to hear the words trail from his lips. She'd never even dared to hope that she might hear them from him, and she didn't think she'd ever get enough of them. "Make love to me."

Every muscle in his body froze, and Prisca couldn't imagine what she'd said that was wrong.

"I do wish you wouldn't share what goes on between us with Lily and Elspeth."

Prisca felt her cheeks begin to burn. Surely her sisters-in-law hadn't divulged her secrets.

"Simon and Ben have hearing that is equal to mine, love," he said as though reading her mind.

Thoroughly mortified that his brothers had overheard her conversation, Prisca buried her head against his shoulder and cringed. She should have realized. "I'm sorry," she muttered. "I was just looking for advice."

Will nudged her until she looked at him. "What sort of advice?"

"Well, I don't know what I've done wrong." Her voice was barely a whisper, and she prayed that he'd leave it at that. She didn't want to voice her thoughts on the subject while staring into his eyes.

"What you've done wrong?" His brow furrowed.

"Never mind," she said, trying to wriggle off his lap.

But Will tightened his hold on her, making escape impossible. "What do you think you've done wrong?" he asked again, his voice filled with confusion.

Prisca sighed and rested her head against his chest. It was easier than looking at him. She swallowed hard as she mustered her courage. "I don't know how to satisfy you, and now you don't even attempt to find your pleasure with me… and I'd hoped Lily and Elspeth—"

The low rumble of a chuckle in his chest stopped her words, and she looked up into his handsome face. Amusement laced his features, making his light-blue eyes twinkle.

The lout was laughing at her!

Prisca smacked his chest with her open palm. "It's hardly a laughing matter."

Will's hold softened, and his fingers began to stroke her, tracing circles across her back. "Priss, I've left you notes telling you how much I love you. I have given you pleasure at every opportunity—"

"But you don't take any in return, Will. I know I'm not terribly experienced in these matters, but—"

He cupped her bottom, sending a jolt of need straight through her. "How many times do I have to tell you that you are the only woman I want? You satisfy me like no other."

She blinked at him. "Then why…?"

His lips brushed her brow, and his hot breath warmed her skin. "Sweetheart, I'm trying to go about this the right way. You know the full moon is tomorrow."

She nodded.

"And I told you I get lustier as it approaches."

"I haven't seen any evidence of that," she grumbled.

He laughed again. "My skin is nearly shriveled from all the icy baths I've suffered through these last few days. Just looking into your pretty eyes makes me want to ravish you."

"You're not making any sense, Will."

The mirth on his face faded away, replaced by a slight frown and tight lips. "I don't want to hurt you, Prissy. I don't want to lose control."

That was the most ridiculous thing she'd ever heard. "You would never hurt me."

"Not intentionally, but it could happen. After I claim you, it won't be a concern anymore."

"What does that mean?"

He gently rubbed a hand over her arm until she rested her head against his chest. "On the night of a full moon, a Lycan claims his mate. It binds us to each other in a way a marriage ceremony never could. You'll be a part of me, and I will be a part of you."

The idea sent chills racing down her spine. What would it feel like to be even more connected to Will? She smiled against his shirt, imagining it. "That sounds lovely."

"The beast within us takes over on such nights, Prissy. I don't want to scare you. I may not seem like myself."

"You haven't been much of a beast this week. To be honest, I found you to be much more beastly before we married," Prisca admitted.

"I'll show you beastly," he growled playfully as he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Tomorrow night."

Thirty-Five

Will slowly awoke as the sun streamed through the window. He'd neglected to draw the drapes the night before, preferring to watch the moonlight filter across his sleeping bride. Truly the most wondrous of all sights.

Prisca softly groaned and snuggled against his chest, shielding her eyes from the invading light. He wrapped his arm more securely around her and breathed in her lilac scent, which he'd finally realized was the balm for his tortured soul. Her mere presence never failed to calm the beast within him.

Even still, anticipation for the coming evening began to build inside Will. He'd never claimed a mate before, and the idea of being connected to Prisca for the rest of his days thrilled him beyond compare. It was something that, until recently, he'd never even dared to hope for.

Prisca's hand trailed up his chest, lighting him on fire, and he bit back a groan. Tonight. He'd claim her tonight. Keeping himself from her the last few days had been a special sort of torture, one he'd never have to endure again.

"Will," her soft voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Yes, love?"

"Morning." She yawned and pushed up on his chest, looking into his eyes.

"Good morning."

She leaned forward and brushed her soft lips against his jaw. "Haven't been awake too long, have you?"

He shook his head as his hand roamed up her side. "Just thinking how I love waking up with you in my arms."

Her violet eyes sparkled in the sunlight. "Me, too," she admitted. Then she bit her bottom lip as though she was going to say something else but thought the better of it. Who knew what went on in that mind of hers?

"What is it, Priss?"

She shook her head. "I was just wondering about tomorrow morning. Do you think this will feel different somehow?"

Will grinned at her. "I was thinking something similar before you woke."

"Really?"

He tucked her against him and kissed her brow. "I talked to Ben about it, shortly after he claimed Elspeth."

"And?" she asked anxiously.

Will chuckled. "He said that everything was the same, only better."

"What is that supposed to mean? It's not helpful at all."

"It's Benjamin… what do you expect?" Will closed his eyes and breathed her in. "Today is going to be the longest day I've ever suffered through."

***

It was the longest day Prisca had ever suffered through. She'd spent the day with her sisters-in-law, trying to wheedle any information about being claimed from them. To keep the men in the house from overhearing, she'd invited them down to the dower house. Not that such precautions mattered. Neither Lily nor Elspeth were forthcoming with information. They'd both smiled wistfully and said she'd understand soon enough.

But she wanted to understand now.

She couldn't bring herself to ask Alice either. There were some things one shouldn't discuss with her mother-in-law, no matter how inquisitive one was.

After needlepoint, pounding out one Vivaldi song after another on the pianoforte, and sending a note to her father, Prisca was quite ready for the day to be over.

She suffered through a very uninteresting dinner at Westfield Hall, during which no one spoke. The duke's eyes were glued to Lily, while Ben's gaze never left Elspeth. It was clear everyone else was just as anxious for the full moon as she was, which, in a way, was a comfort. If Elspeth and Lily were eagerly awaiting this night and had been through other full moons with their husbands, there was certainly no reason for Prisca to be worried, was there?