Vivian Arend - Wolf Games

“She couldn’t come? At least so you’d know they were who they say they are?”

Maggie snorted. “From the sounds of it, Missy doesn’t fit in a car very well right now. The soon-to-arrive twins are making her life difficult and I certainly don’t expect a pregnant woman to sit for a four-hour trip just to make me feel better. Don’t worry, I recognize Erik. He works with my brother-in-law’s family. He’s a wilderness guide.”

“He’s a tank.”

A burst of laughter escaped her. “He is rather large, isn’t he? Rather…yummy, too.”

Pam raised her eyebrows. “Really? Crap, Mags, I haven’t seen you express interest in anything male for…” She stopped and frowned. “Have I ever seen you express interest in a guy?”

Maggie hit her. “Stop it.”

“If he’s someone you trust, fine. I just think it’s weird that of all places to meet, it’s out here in the wilderness. I thought the North was this vast wild land, with wild creatures running free everywhere. Not a social club.”

They stepped out of the change shelter and Maggie took a deep breath as the three young men did cannonballs into the lower pool, chasing each other like puppies. “Oh, I think there’s plenty of wild animals around, if you know where to look.”

Erik watched contently as the youths finally lured Pam to another section of the pool to play a game, leaving him alone with Maggie for the first time. She sat on the narrow edge of grass at the side of the pool, dangling her feet in the water. The thick underbrush of the wilderness behind her framed her sweet body. She clutched the mossy surface with her fingers, head averted, but he knew she was looking him over.

He stood from where he’d sat, neck deep in the hottest part of the pool. Slow, even steps brought him closer until he leaned his elbows on the grass at her side. He breathed in deeply and noticed she did the same, a fluttering pulse leaping to life at the junction of her neck and shoulder. Turning his head he admired her openly, unable to tear his gaze away. She wore a bikini of brilliant blue that matched her eyes, like a little bit of the summer sky had fallen to earth. Her curves and dips and rounded places all called to him and he swallowed hard.

Her head lifted and their gazes met. A trace of fear shone in the depths and his wolf poked him in the nuts, insistent he take care of her.

“Do I frighten you?”

She licked her lips, leaving them wet and soft. He wanted to lean over to taste her so badly.

“I’m very drawn to you, and that scares me.”

The air around them filled with the faint noises of the spring and the laughter of the others in the distance. The sunlight shone full on them and she turned her face to its warmth. He waited patiently. Patience was something he had more than enough of. It took a few minutes before she sat straighter, squaring her shoulders. The boldness with which she turned to face him made him proud. His mate was no wimp. He’d expect her to be as strong as him.

“I don’t know how much my sister told you. I’ve been avoiding wolves for a long time. I know I need to change my reaction, but it’s become a habit to stay away from any involvement with pack. I have to fight my first instinct. It’s going to take time to retrain myself not to panic when I see a werewolf. I’m sorry I screamed when I saw you. You didn’t deserve that.”

She was not only strong, she was empathetic and caring. Erik let the pleasure of her presence roll over him. “Trust me, you’re not the first person to scream at the sight of me. I’m a little larger than most people. That can be intimidating. I don’t take it personally.”

Maggie smiled. “Good for you.”

They stared at each other.

“Would you be comfortable if I touched you?” she whispered, looking him straight in the eyes.

Comfortable ? He was dying for her touch. “I’d love it.”

She lowered her gaze again. “I haven’t been around many wolves recently. I’m frightened by what I’m feeling. I think I know what this is, but I’m scared…”

Oh mercy. “I’ll take care of you.”

He took a step to the side, still standing waist deep in the water. With one hand on the grass on either side of her hips he caged her between his arms. They both glanced toward the others to make sure they weren’t being watched. Then like conspirators, they leaned together and their lips connected.

Sweet summertime air. The feel of the wind through his fur on a moonlight run. All the most treasured moments of his life faded in comparison as he tasted her. This, this was the moment he’d waited for all his life. She met him with her mouth slightly open, her breath mingling with his before their tongues even touched. He forced himself to keep his hands in place but she had no such compunction. As they kissed, slow and easy, learning each other’s flavour, she caressed his shoulders, rubbing her palms over his brush cut. Smoothing her long fingers down his chest. His skin shivered in anticipation of where she would touch next. Light, fleeting touches that brought his blood to a boil.

He concentrated on enjoying her scent, drawing it into his very being. Nibbles on her bottom lip, light kisses across her cheek. He licked softly at the pounding pulse at her throat. His gums itched with the desire to bite, to mark her permanently as his. But not yet. Not now that she’d confessed her fears. Still, his wolf demanded he take some action. The beast within grew as wild as he’d ever felt it, driving Erik to claim his mate. Instead of biting he suckled, drawing the soft skin of her neck into his mouth until he’d brought the blood to stain the creamy surface. The moan of desire escaping her lips nearly made him change his mind and take her right there on the embankment.

Oh hell, he wanted her. All his. Now.

It took concentration to pull away, to watch her panting breaths slowly calm, his body aching for more. His gaze fell on the rosy circle marring her throat and his wolf grumbled with delight. His mate . He paused.

“Your friend is full human, isn’t she?”

Maggie ran her hands over his shoulders again and again, her fingers clinging to him. She peeked at where Pam still played with the boys. “There’s no way I can explain to her why I’d let a total stranger give me a hickey. She’s going to think I’ve gone insane.” She snorted. “Maybe I have. Oh Lord, I never expected this to happen.”

Erik lifted her off the edge and lowered her into the water. He longed to pull her back onto his lap, and touch her more and more intimately. If this had been any normal situation, they would already be making love. It was the way with mates. Sometimes it took a lifetime to find the one special person who would complete you on every level—physical, mental and emotional. Once you found each other there was no hesitation. No recrimination for simply taking and joining together what was meant to be.

Waiting was going to kick his ass.

He took a seat on one of the underwater benches opposite her. “We don’t have to tell her. She’s flying back to Vancouver in a couple of days, right?”

Maggie nodded.

“We’ll wait. As much as I want to take you back to my tent and make love with you right now, we can wait for the sake of your friend.” A shiver shook Maggie briefly and she glanced at him, a trace of fear back in her eyes. His wolf howled and fought to comfort her. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t want a mate.”

He snorted. Bullshit . “Too bad. You’ve got one.”

Her jaw dropped, and she gaped at him. “You can’t just say something like that and expect me to be all right with it. I’m telling you I don’t want a mate. I’m still freaked out at the thought of trying to live within the confines of a pack. Why would I also want a mate to deal with?”