Page 23 of Savage Games

I work in silence for a few moments, hyper-aware of every point where our bodies connect.The mate bond hums between us, strengthening with each touch.When I finish with her calf, I reluctantly let go, but she doesn't move her leg away immediately.

"Where did you learn to do that?"she asks, her voice softer than before.

"Jamie used to get cramps when we were on the move for too long with a poor diet and lack of fresh water."I shrug."You figure things out when there's no one else to help."

Naomi's expression shifts, a mixture of sadness and something else I can't quite name, crossing her features.Her hand reaches out, hesitantly at first, then with more confidence as she traces a jagged scar that runs along my forearm.

"And this?"

I glance down at the old wound.“Some wolves who didn’t take kindly to a rogue camping out on their land.”

Her fingers move higher, finding another scar near my elbow.This one is smaller but deeper."And this one?"

"Shifter bar fight.Three years ago.Working the door seems to be the only thing most people think I’m good for."

Naomi's touch is feather light as she moves to a third scar, this one at my shoulder, just visible beneath the sleeve of my T-shirt.

I tense slightly as her fingers brush against it.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," she says quickly, withdrawing her hand.

I catch it, holding her palm against the scar."No, it's okay."I take a breath."When I was seventeen.My first real challenge was from another alpha who really took exception to hearing that I hunted inside his border.I was still half-asleep when he attacked."

She says nothing, just watches me with those incredible blue eyes.

"Living as a rogue isn't easy," I admit.

"I hate you had to go through all that," she whispers, her eyes bright with emotion."That you never had a safe place to call home."

I bring her hand to my lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles."The future's looking up now."

Her breath catches, and for a moment, we just stare at each other, the air between us charged with unspoken promises.

"Wyatt," she murmurs, and the way she says my name breaks something loose inside me.

I lean forward slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wants to.

She doesn't.

Instead, she meets me halfway, and when our lips touch, it's like finding a piece of myself I didn't know was missing.

The kiss is gentle, exploring, but quickly deepens as Naomi's hands slide up to my shoulders, pulling me closer.I cup her face, marveling at how delicate she feels beneath my rough palms.Her scent envelops me, driving my wolf crazy.

A small sound escapes her when I tangle my fingers in her hair, and it nearly undoes me.I pull back just enough to look at her, to make sure this is what she wants.

Her eyes are molten gold now, her wolf close to the surface."Don't stop," she breathes, and I'm lost again.

This time when our lips meet, there's an urgency that wasn't there before.Naomi shifts, moving to straddle my lap, her body pressed against mine in all the right places.

My hands find her waist, then slide lower, pulling her even closer, as the kiss turns hungry, desperate.

The sound of distant voices finally breaks through the haze of desire.Naomi pulls back, her chest heaving, lips swollen from our kisses.

"We should probably stop," she says, though her body language suggests otherwise.

I nod, though it takes every ounce of willpower I possess."Probably."

Neither of us moves for a long moment.Then Naomi laughs softly, resting her forehead against mine."Wow."

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