Page 54 of The Alpha Option
“Shifter, not furry.” He laughed, like she’d intended. Then she took her time and thought it through. “We’re connected. I can’t deny that, and I don’t want to. The whole idea of fated mates sounds impossible, yet so does people who turn into wolves.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in close. Hugging him, holding him. When she let go, she tilted her head toward the bedroom. “Let’s dry off. I’ll tell you the rest once my toes are no longer turning into prunes.”
Five minutes later they were dressed in comfortable cotton. Jace leaned against the headboard, while Cassidy sat cross-legged in the middle of the bed.
He held out a hand, and she took it before resting their linked fingers on her knee. “I used my wolf to find you.”
This time his eyes widened. “What?”
She dipped her chin. “You took me running that one night. I stood in one place, and my wolf ranged all over the valley. But the second time, we were making love, and our wolves were—” She looked into his eyes, and yes, it was there again. That mischievous expression that said he remembered every minute as clearly as she did. “Our wolves were getting frisky. So I guess I was kind of moving in both places.”
“Definitely moving,” he agreed.
She wiggled up onto her knees. “When you vanished into the water, I couldn’t simply stand there and let my wolf explore alone. And it wasn’t fun and playful like the second time. But I needed her, and she was there—my wolf. Somehow we were together, and she led me all the way to where you were.”
He nodded. Waited.
“I knew.Weknew how to find you.”
He moved to cup her cheek. “That’s amazing. And I’m not surprised. Not one bit. I knew you were special and exactly right for me.”
Cassidy’s heart fluttered. “Since the first moment I met you, I’ve felt as if we belong together. I know about animal attraction and passion for someone, but with you, it’s different. Deeper.”
He brushed his thumb over her lower lip. “Fated mates.”
Which seemed like a phrase that should piss her off, but it absolutely did not. “It’s not just fate,” she insisted. “Not if Ichooseyou.”
Some moments were etchedin his memory forever, and he already knew this would be one of them. Cassidy, her big green eyes so focused and intent on him as she brought him close and kissed him.
An invitation and a claiming all in one.
Jace twisted on the mattress until Cassidy rested against him. The soft curves of her body nestled against his torso, her hands wrapping around his back as they kissed. Explored. Agreed to please each other with shaking breaths and lingering tastes and tender caresses.
The clothes they’d pulled on vanished. It was hot enough in the bed with only naked skin. Got hotter still as Jace stroked his palms up her body and cupped her full breasts. With her nipples pebbling against his palms, Jace hummed happily.
She laughed. “It’s official. You’re a breast man.”
“I’m ayouman,” he corrected. “God, I want to eat you up in one greedy bite.”
“We have time. More than one bite is allowed.”
Which meant since they were convenient, he started on her breasts. Nibbling on the soft undercurve, licking over each tip. Cassidy arched, clutching his head to her as he enjoyed the taste of her skin, the taste of anticipation as he worked his way farther down. Kissing her belly, teasing his tongue along the crease where her leg met her torso.
Cassidy squirmed and then sighed, her thighs falling apart in invitation as Jace kissed the top of her mound. “Jace.”
“Let me love you,” he whispered.
He covered her with his mouth, tracing the edges of her clit gently. Over and over. She squirmed so hard under him, he pressed a hand over her belly to lock her in position.
He cupped a hand around her thigh, then eased upward. One finger stroked her wet folds before slipping inside.
Cassidy moaned, then groaned, then gave a shaky purr as he teased another finger in with the first. He curled them against the front of her sex, and she gasped in pleasure.
Jace grinned. “I like the noises you make.”
“Come up here, and we can make some noises together,” she offered.
“Ladies first.”
He leaned up on an elbow, though, so he could watch. Cassidy met his gaze, and eyes wide open, gave him the gift of every moment of pleasure she experienced. When her orgasm rolled over her and she sighed happily, Jace grinned.
