Page 17 of Ignited By My Mate

I wipe my hands and head for the door. That’s when I catch her scent.

Mate!my bear howls.

I’m across the room in seconds, gripping the door handle hard as I rip open the door and take her in. Lark is wearing a soft sweater and leggings, her cheeks flushed from the cool night breeze.

And just like that, the burn inside me flares to aroar.

“Hey,” she says softly.

“Hey, I was about to come pick you up,” I manage, stepping back so she can come in. “Dinner’s almost ready.”

“I was bored and thought I’d drive myself.” She glances around the cozy kitchen, a smile tugging at her lips. “You cooked again?”

“Of course, I cooked.” I shrug. “Just because I turn into a giant predator doesn’t mean I can’t make a killer lemon herb salmon.”

That earns me a soft laugh, and the sound curls around my chest like a silky ribbon. God, I could live off her laughter. Her scent. Her presence. Forever.

“Have a seat.”

Lark hops up onto the barstool and makes herself at home.

The sight should put me at ease but only ramps up my desire. I can smell her arousal and adjust myself as I turn to check on the salmon.

“How was your day?” she asks, an edge to her voice.

She must be able to feel the mating heat, too.

Good. Now bite her,my bear snaps.

Not yet.

I plate our food and set hers in front of her. We eat at the breakfast bar, and everything feels almostnormal… except lust for her is growing exponentially by the second.

“Mark—” I start.

She snorts. “What?”

“Shit, sorry. I couldn’t decide between mate and Lark, and the words got combined.”

She laughs, and I grin. I love seeing her so happy, so at peace with me.

The smile fades from her face, and I see it then.

Need.

Our mate needs us,my bear snarls. I clutch the kitchen counter as it crashes into me, stronger than ever.

The heat.

It slams into me like a freight train. My body tightens. My blood sings, and I try to breathe past the need surging through me.

Lark looks up at me, her eyes wide and curious as she sees my reaction. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I say roughly. “But the moon’s up.”

Her breath catches.

Realization blooms behind her eyes. Her lips part, and her heartbeat quickens. I canhearit from across the bar.

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