“That’s a good girl. Let’s see if you can take a little more.”

He slowly slid a finger inside her, and her body clenched around him, as hot and tight as it had been the previous time, and she moaned.

“More, please.”

Fuck, she was sweet.

“I’ll give you anything you ask for, little bird.”

He added a second finger, her body resisting until he sucked gently on her clit. Then sweetness flooded his tongue and her body gave way. She gasped as he began to pump his fingers into her.

“Yes, oh yes, please, don’t stop.”

Her words were breathy and broken, the sound going straight to his cock. She was so close. He could taste her approaching climax. He sucked her clit harder, then swirled his tongue around it.

She came with a soft cry, her body bucking against him, her muscles spasming around his fingers. He worked her through her orgasm, prolonging the pleasure. She cried out his name, and his wolf howled.

This was the way she should always sound, coming apart for him, his name on her lips.

Her breathing gradually slowed, and her body relaxed, the sweet scent of her satisfaction filling the air. She blinked up at him, her eyes still dazed.

“Is… is that one of the private places to put a mating bite?”

“Yes, little bird.”

His fangs lengthened at the thought and her eyes widened.

“Then why didn’t you… I thought…”

He pulled her closer, breathing in their mingled scents.

“Because it has to be your choice. Not something that happens in the heat of the moment.” He brushed a strand of hair from her face. “When you’re ready—if you’re ever ready—I’ll be here.”

She shifted to look up at him, big amber eyes searching his face. Whatever she found there made her smile, soft and genuine. She curled into him again, fitting perfectly against his body.

A profound sense of peace washed over him. His wolf, usually so restless, settled contentedly. For the first time in his life,everything felt right. Complete. As if the missing piece he’d never known he needed had finally clicked into place.

CHAPTER 17

Robin stood by the doorway of the cabin the next morning, watching Eric shrug on his leather jacket. Sunlight streamed through the window, catching the gold in his eyes as he turned to her.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can. I need to arrange for coverage and make some inquiries.” He cupped her face, stroking his thumb across her cheek. “Keep the doors locked and don’t let anyone in.”

“I’ll be fine,” she said, but leaned into his warmth anyway.

“I know you will.”

His smile held that mix of confidence and tenderness that made her heart skip. He leaned down and kissed her and arousal immediately hummed through her veins. When he pulled back, she tried not to pout.

“You’ll get more kisses when I come back.” His golden eyes were laughing. “And maybe something else if you’re a good girl.”

“I can’t wait,” she whispered, and the laughter died from his eyes.

“Me neither.”

Another kiss, and then he was gone. He’d slept in the big bed with her last night, but although he’d held her all night long, he’d kept his jeans firmly in place despite her offer to take care of him. Hopefully that was going to change tonight.

After he left, she paced the cabin’s main room. The silence pressed in around her, broken only by the tick of the wall clock and the distant cry of a bird. She’d spent so long watching her own back, trusting no one, that this enforced idleness felt wrong.