Page 55 of Purrfectly Trapped

Was it possible she’d grown even more beautiful in a matter of days? His body reacted predictably, and he refused to hide it. It was a bloody fucking miracle. This kind of heat and need always was.

Reg wanted her. He always would. In fact, his attraction seemed to grow by the second.

“Me,” he answered her question, and smiled at her confused expression. “You might have won the game,shona, but if I still get to be here with you when the game has ended, then I am the winner.”

“Oh,” she replied, swallowing, and looking down. Fuck, she’d painted her toes purple, and Reg grinned. Even her feet were cute.

“You’ve called me that before.Shona.What does it mean?”

“Oh, um, it’s a term of endearment. Though probably only used by our Pride. It’s a Bangla word, passed down through our families and traditions, like our Tigers themselves,” he began and felt his cheeks grow warm as he explained. “It meanssweetheartordarling.”

“I like it. And that’s fascinating, I would like to learn more about your family and ancestors, Reg.”

“I’ll tell you anything you want to know,shona. Anytime you want,” he murmured, his blood rushing through his veins like thunder in his ears.

His mate approached him slowly and stealthily across the room until she was standing directly in front of him. The flowery scent of her skin made his mouth drool as did imagining her naked beneath the robe.

“Gretchen,” he whispered her name.

The one word was infused with so much longing, but he didn’t dare touch her. Not yet. If he did, he would not be able to stop. It was hard admitting that kind of loss of control, even to himself. But if he wasSuperman, she would be hisKryptonite.

Yes, she’d frolicked and played with him while in her fur. Also true, they were fated mates. But he would not force or cajole her into being with him. She had to make the decision herself.

He knew if he touched her, it would take the choice away from both of them. Fated mates and physical attraction went hand in hand. But he wanted her for much more than her sweet body.

He could not make the first move. Not Reg. He could not touch her yet. That would ruin any chance they had for a future.

Fucking kill me now, he thought and closed his eyes breathing forcefully through his nose.

Of course, it might have been easier had he just cut off his hands. Her flowery scent filled his nostrils and shot right to his groin. Droplets of water clung to her hair and her skin was pink and fresh from her shower. She was temptation itself. And Reg was a dead man.

“Why are your eyes closed?”

“Because if I look at you any longer, I’ll have to touch you,shona, and right now that is not what you need from me.”

“What do I need from you?” she asked, and he thought he felt a swoosh of air in front of him, but he kept his eyes closed tightly.

“Time. Answers. Just ask me or tell me what you want to know. Whatever it is you want, I will do it or get it for you,” he replied.

“Open your eyes and look at me, Reggie,” she whispered, and he obeyed, opening his eyes slowly.

Reg nearly lost the ability to speak once he came face to face with his mate in all her glory. Gretchen was biting her lower lip, standing before him like some kind of offering. The bath sheet she’d had on lay in a puddle at her feet.

She was naked and glowing from her bath, mere inches from him. Bare, bold, and beautiful.

Mine, snarled his Tiger.

“Mate,” he growled the word, and fisted his hands tightly at his sides. “You’re not making it easy to be noble,shona.”

“I don’t want you to be noble, Reggie. I just wantyou. I want to feel you deep inside of me, right now, Reg. Need you, mate,” she purred the words, and his cock throbbed in response.

That was all he needed to hear. Without further delay or hesitation, Reg scooped Gretchen off her feet, lifting her by her luscious hips. She complied immediately by wrapping her legs around his waist, pressing her hot wet sex against his belly. His already hard cock throbbed with need.

Fuck, she was so very wet, and he wanted her so damn badly. He mashed his mouth to hers. Locking her plump lips with his and nibbling on the lower one.

Grrrr.

His Tiger wanted more. He wanted it all.

---