Page 19 of Purrfectly Mated

Her mind agreed with the thought, but her heart screamed no. The silly organ wanted her to stay. To risk it all on the man with teal eyes who chuffed at her and stared so hard it made her panties wet.

“Look, dear,” Uncle Uzzi interrupted her thoughts. “Think a moment, please. Shifters move fast, but if you need time, I will make sure you have it. In fact, if you say the word, we will leave right now. I know a Shifter’s reaction can seem rather extreme if you’re not used to them. I assure you, he will not hurt you, but you can move at your own pace. The decision isyoursto stay or not.”

Elissa knew what Uncle Uzzi meant, but her heart skipped a beat, anyway. Besides, the Witch was wrong. Hunter Maverick could hurt her alright.

He could break my heart.

Elissa wasn’t exactly fond of the possibility, but she knew she would regret it if she didn’t at least see this thing through the beginning phase. People fell in love, or lust, at first sight all the time. Why should it be any different because those people turned into Tigers?

“I’ll stay,” she blurted, and the responding chuff coming from the big man made goosebumps pop out all over her.

“You’re sure,” Uncle Uzzi asked, his blue eyes peering into Elissa’s.

“Yes. Will you introduce me? Please,” she added.

Uncle Uzzi squinted at her for a moment. Magical sparks seemed to flit out from his being and circle her instantly, then he blinked, and they were gone. Uzzi squeezed Elissa’s hand and nodded.

“Okay then, my dear.”

Uncle Uzzi turned around and brought Elissa forward with a gentle hand on hers. He offered it to Hunter, who touched her fingertips so lightly she hardly felt him at all. The big man was trembling from head to toe, and Elissa felt as if she were in a trance.

Something was happening right then. Something Magical and wonderful. Hunter stood tall and gorgeous, and so alluring it made her ache to be closer to him.

I’d walk through miles of rain to get to him. Through fire, even,she thought with wonder.

It was like she was being compelled by some unseen force, more powerful than the pull of gravity. The fates, the Universe, the creators of it all had seemed to create this moment, this man, just for her. She was completely in awe of him.

“Hunter Maverick, this is Elissa Phoenix,” Uncle Uzzi smiled.

“If I am not mistaken,sheis your fated mate.”

“Elissa,” Hunter said her name, drawing out each syllable as if he was making love to the word alone.

More moisture pooled between her legs. Elissa’s heart thundered inside her chest and her pulse raced as intense need filled her.

“Well now, dear ones, I have to run. Elissa has agreed to stay on a few days to get acquainted. However, you don’t own her, Mr. Maverick. Elissa is free to leave should she choose too. If this is not the right place for her, you will let her go.”

“She will stay,” he growled, his teal eyes never leaving Elissa’s.

“Only ifshechooses to,” Uncle Uzzi agreed.

Elissa wished she could find her tongue, but she didn’t seem capable of forming words at the moment. Her blood was pumping furiously in her veins, and breathing was taking up most of her thought process. Her body was reacting in a way she had never felt before.

Of course, she was not all that experienced with men. Not men like this, at any rate. Guys like Little Gianni seemed to be the only ones interested in her back home, but she’d always fantasized about someone who could make her feel like her body was about to explode with need.

Someone just likehim.

It was not her fault, exactly. It was all those wonderful paranormal romance books she was always escaping into that gave her these false expectations of men.

Yay for book boyfriends!

But even her secret indulgence had not quite prepared her for the real thing. She could tell he was not the average man. Everything about him screamed he was special. And he was definitely that. Not just a Tiger Shifter, but the Neta of the entire Pride.

Elissa swallowed as a new rush of nerves attacked her. What if she wasn’t good enough for him?

“Alright, now I really have to run. Elissa, I have programmed my cell number into your phone. Don’t be afraid to use it. And you, don’t be a pussy when it comes to expressing your feelings. Elissa is anormal, she won’t understand your grunting, chuffing, growling ways. Man up, and talk to her, yes? Good.”

Elissa’s eyes widened at the older Witch’s frankness, but that was Uncle Uzzi for you. In the short time she’d known the remarkable man, she’d grown to trust him immensely. Elissa turned and hugged him impulsively.

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