by Amy Kyle
When he wrapped his hand around her waist, she immediately moved. “Okay, I think I’m ready now,” she said in a shaky voice.
He felt bereft when she moved away, but his stomach growled, and he watched as she put the plates of food in the microwave. “Sara Beth seems nice. She seems very interested in you,” Sage said quietly.
Davis rolled his eyes. Sara Beth and a few of the other local woman had made a few passes at him, but he avoided them. He had his fun when he went on out of town trips to avoid the drama that sometimes came with bedding a woman. Clearly Sage had picked up on Sara Beth’s crush and was fishing for answers.
“I go there quite often for food,” he said, smiling wickedly. If she didn’t want to come out and ask if he was seeing someone, he wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of answering.
“Is she married? I’m sure if the food is as good as everyone says it is, some man must have snatched her up,” she said as she laughed awkwardly.
He leaned against the wall, amused. “No. She’s not married.”
She took one plate out and popped the other one in. “Is she dating anyone?”
“Sage, if you want to date Sara Beth, all you have to do is ask her. I don’t think she swings that way, but it wouldn’t surprise me,” he said with a wicked smile.
“Oh! No, that’s not what I meant at all. I like men,” she said, flustered.
“Then why were you asking?”
“I’m just trying to get to know the locals,” she said as she handed him his plate.
He grabbed her hand. “If you want to know if I’m dating someone, all you have to do ask,” he said in a low voice. “And for the record, I’m not.”
She jerked her hand away. “That’s not what this was about.” He could tell she was lying. She was blushing and avoiding his gaze. “Why don’t we eat at the counter?”
He followed her and put his food down. His lion wanted to be fed, and he was craving more than meatloaf. He wanted her on that counter while he ravished her. While she had her back turned to him, he wrapped his arms around her and pressed up against her again. She fit him perfectly, and he could only imagine what other ways she would fit him.
Instead of stiffening, she softened against him. “You feel it too,” he whispered. “The tension in the air. Is your body responding like mine is? Are your nipples taut? Is your pussy wet?”
“Inappropriate,” she muttered, but her breath was heavy, and as he placed his lips on the side of her neck, her head rolled to give him more access.
Her skin was warm beneath his kiss, and he darted his tongue out to taste her. She moaned, and, feeling encouraged, he pulled a hand up to brush her breasts over the fabric of her top and bra. Her hips began to sway, and he wanted more. Slipping his hand under her shirt, he made his way up until he could feel her over the thin fabric of her bra.
“Sage,” he whispered. “I want you.”
She gasped and pushed him away. When she spun again, he saw the panic her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I can’t do this.”
“Sage,” he called out, but she grabbed her food and raced up the stairs. He heard her shut the door and lock it before he even realized what was going on.
“Damn,” he muttered. He’d made his move too soon, and now she would probably be moving out before the night was over with. Frustrated, he left his food on the counter and went outside to take a walk.
Chapter Four
Several days had passed, and Sage was still avoiding Davis. Her reaction had made no sense, and she knew that he was confused. So was she. How could she be so turned on by a man that she didn’t even know?
But she couldn’t get him out of her head. She couldn’t focus on anything. She felt his arms wrapped around her when he wasn’t there. She felt his lips on her skin, and she imagined what it would be like when she finally got to kiss him.
It was driving her insane.
She organized her new store like she was driven by demons, but it didn’t help. Before she knew it, she was standing in the middle of the store, arms by her side, lost in another daydream about him.
There was really only one thing she could do. Get him out of her system.
She quit working a few hours before she knew he would get home. She showered and dressed in her slinkiest dress. A navy blue number than showed a little more thigh and cleavage than she would like, but she knew she looked in it. She pulled her red hair to one side and added a string of pearls.
Sage was going to seduce Davis tonight so she could get on with her life.
She sat at the top of the stairs and waited for him to get home. With her back pressed against the wall, she crossed her legs in what she hoped was a sexy pose.
When she heard the key in the lock, she held her breath. Her heart was racing. What if she was wrong about this? What if he really wasn’t interested in but was just trying to pass the time?
She watched as he entered the stair well. “Sage,” he gasped when he saw her.
She arched her back nervously. “Davis. How was work?”
“What?” He shook his head and braced himself with one hand. “Work? Work was work. Sage, what the hell are you doing?”
“What do you mean?” she said innocently. “I’m just sitting here. I thought we could talk.”
“And you always wear a dress like that when you want to talk?” he said in a low voice. She watched as he took another step towards her.
She tried to shrug nonchalantly. “It was just something I threw on. There’s an elephant in the room that we need to address. You want me.”
“Yes. Yes I do,” he said as he took another step. Her breath hitched when she saw the predator look in his eye.
“And I want you.”
He took another step, and liquid heat was already pooling between her legs. God, he could probably smell how turned on she was. “What did you want to do about it?” he asked as he began to unbutton his shirt.
She cleared her throat and tried to focus on the speech she’d prepared. “I think we’re both a little too distracted by this. Maybe if we just have one night together, we can get it out of our system and go back to a normal life.”
His shirt parted, and she nearly moaned. He was perfection. He was halfway up the landing now, and she scooted to face him.
“I’m not going to be easy,” he growled as he took another step.
“Good,” she said in anticipation.
“I like it rough. My lion likes it rough.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “I can take it.”
When he was just a few steps away from her, he leaned over. “Be sure this is what you want,” he muttered.
She cupped his face. “Kiss me.”
“Sage,” he breathed, and he leaned over and captured her lips. She moaned as his tongue invaded her and turned her muscles to jelly. Slowly, he pushed her back and settled between her legs. “So sweet,” he murmured.
“Wait,” she gasped as he moved down her body. “I didn’t mean for us to do it here.”
“We can move to the bed, but first, I have to see what you have going on down here,” he said as he hiked her dress up. She watched his pupils dilate when he realized that she wasn’t wearing any panties. He slid a finger alone her slit, and she wiggled.
“Beautiful,” he moaned as he slipped a finger inside her, and she gasped. She let her head drop to the floor as he played with her, and she didn’t notice that he’d moved until she felt the wet warmth of his tongue.
“Davis,” she cried out when his tongue flicked over that sensitive spot.
“Don’t make me stop, baby,” he begged her. “Please. I’ve been dreaming about this ever since I laid eyes on you.”
Her back arched as his tongue returned, and soon she was at a loss for words. He added another finger, and she cried out as the assault grew more demanding. Pressure mounted within her, and her toes curled. He was taking complete control of her body, and her body was enjoying every minute.
Higher and high
er she flew as his tongue rasped over her clit, and finally she could take no more. She shouted as she broke, and her body shook as she climaxed. He licked her a few more times while she fell back to earth, and finally, he leaned over her.
“We need to move now, or I’m going to fuck you right here,” he hissed.
She shivered, but she allowed him to take her hands and pull her up. Her dress was still up around her waist when he picked her up and slammed her against the wall.
She wrapped her legs around him and rubbed herself against his bulge. God, it had never been like with Connor. With anyone.
His mouth feasted on hers while she undulated against him. “Baby,” he whispered.
“Hurry,” she moaned, and suddenly, they were moving again. Soon they were tumbling onto a bed. She didn’t even know which apartment they were in, and she didn’t care. She heard the zipper of her dress go down, and she arched her body to let him peel off her dress.
Normally, she felt subconscious about her naked body, but the look he gave her made her feel sexy. His eyes darkened with desire as they moved down her body. “So beautiful. So perfect.”
He shucked the rest of his shirt, and she watched as he slid his pants down as well. When he was finally naked, he covered her with his body and took her mouth again.
He dominated her, and for the first time in forever, she didn’t mind. She gave up her control easily and without worry. No matter what happened, he would always keep her safe. She knew that without a doubt.
She slid her hands down his body and squeezed his sex. He was large and hard, and she could only moan when she thought of it inside her.
“Sage,” he said hoarsely. “This is going to be over before it starts if you keep doing that.”
She giggled and released him. He settled his weight over hers and probed at her entrance. She lifted her knees in response.
“Sage? Are you sure you want to do this? There’s no going back,” he muttered as he skimmed his mouth over hers.
She knew what he was talking about, but she didn’t want to think about it. She only wanted to enjoy him. “Inside me,” she muttered. “Now.”
He grunted and slid just a bit inside her. Sage gasped as he filled her, and she knew he wasn’t even all the way in. “God, you’re tight,” he muttered.
“More,” she said as she clawed at his back. She turned into a monster as she bucked her hips. She had to take all of him. There was no turning back now.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he hissed, but she planted her feet on the bed and raised her hips, and he sank in.
Buried to the hilt, he pressed his face into her neck as she struggled to accommodate him. He touched a sweet spot deep inside her, and she knew she was never going to be the same.
“Move,” she pleaded. “You’re killing me.”
He laughed shortly and slid himself slowly in and out. “Yes,” she clutched at the muscles in his back. “I like that.”
“You like that?” he said. She watched in fascination as his eyes flashed gold.
“I do.” She bit her lip. “Let him out to play. I know he wants to come out.”
He stilled and studied her. “He does,” Davis said. “But he’s not always nice.”
“I can take it,” she said confidently.
She let her nails dig into his skin, and she watched as his eyes grew even brighter. “Let your lion out,” she whispered.
Suddenly, he roared, and Sage shrieked as he rammed himself inside her. His eyes were bright gold now, and she could barely hang on as he slid himself over and over that spot.
She loved it. She loved every second of it, and as he pushed her closer and closer to her second orgasm, she knew that things were never going to be the same.
He had unleashed his lion, and she still felt safe and secure. And loved.
“Davis,” she cried out as she peaked. Her muscles squeezed him as she came, and he shouted as he buried himself inside her and joined her.
Chapter Five
He collapsed on top of her and nuzzled her. She wrapped her arms around him and waited for her heart rate to return to normal.
“Are you okay?” he whispered when he raised his head. “I don’t usually do that. You just sort of drove me crazy,” he admitted.
She bit her lip. “You didn’t hurt or scare me at all.”
Relief swept through him, and he nuzzled her neck. She’d been everything he’d hoped and more. And if she still thought this was just going to be a one-night stand, she had another thing coming.
He’d understood that she was scared, and he’d kept his distance. Part of it was frustration. Just seeing her was enough to push him over the edge. But he didn’t understand why she was scared. Usually, when a shifter found a mate, it was easy and seamless. But she’d literally run in the opposite direction.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked quietly.
“I’m just trying to wrap my head around it, that’s all. I’ve been here for less than a week. Ending up in the landlord’s bed wasn’t exactly the plan.”
He laughed. “If it makes you feel any better, you’re the first tenant I’ve ever slept with.” He raised his head to study her. “You’re the first woman I’ve ever slept with in this town. You feel this connection, right?”
She stilled under him, and suddenly he realized the problem. She knew she was his mate, and it terrified her. “Can we just take this one step at a time,” she said hesitantly.
“It doesn’t work that way, Sage. It’s meant to be intense. It’s meant to bind a couple instantly and forever. Why does that scare you?”
She pushed at him, and he rolled off. She gathered the sheets up under her armpits and sat up. “First off, why wouldn’t that scare someone? I don’t know you. I’m human. I don’t share my body with another soul, so when I feel something like this, it’s intense and overwhelming. You grow up knowing that you’ll find your mate. I’m told I’m someone’s mate, and it takes me two years to realize that it’s not true.”
He felt a streak of anger inside him. “Your ex told you that you were his mate?” he asked in a dangerous voice. It was bad enough that sleeping with a shifter was the new trend, but to have a shifter lie about the emotional bond that connected a shifter and a mate? That was sacrilegious.”
She laughed shortly. “I know it sounds ridiculous. It’s so different than what I feel with you. I should have known right away, but he was handsome and charming. He wouldn’t leave me alone, and then he was controlling and manipulative. It wasn’t until I found out he was cheating that I knew for certain he’d been lying this whole time.”
She turned to him. “Davis, that was less than a month ago. So yes, what I feel, right now, scares me.”
“But you do feel it,” he said as he sat up and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m not trying to force it on you, Sage. I want you to come to the decision on your own. You feel it. I’m not telling you that you feel it.”
“Yes,” she whispered as she relaxed against him. “I felt it the moment I saw you.”
He smiled and kissed the top of her forehead. “You were so mean to me.”
She laughed. “You started it.”
“I felt it too. I thought for certain that I was wrong. I always thought I’d be paired with some docile little thing. You’re enough to scare the lion inside me. You always tame him, though. No one has ever done that.”
“What am I supposed to do?” she said quietly.
“You don’t have to do anything. Just let me love you. Let me know when you are ready. Then marry me and spend the rest of your life with me.”
She laughed, and he smiled. He’d spend the rest of his life making her laugh. “Oh sure. I just have to marry you. Nothing big.”
He settled back down in the bed and cradled her as she rested her head on his chest. This felt so right. Being inside her felt right. Having her in his arms felt right. “What do you want to do? I want to do this right so you don’t pack up your stuff and leave me.”
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“I don’t think I could leave you even if I tried,” she whispered. She pressed her lips to his chest, and he felt himself stirring. After all that, he was still ready for her. “I’m nervous, but it has nothing to do with you. I’m not second-guessing you. I feel safe in your arms, but what if I mess this up? What if I’m just some shifter groupie, and your misreading all the signs?”
He stroked her hair. “There is no misreading you. And if you give me the chance, I’ll prove it to you.”
After a few moment of silence, she spoke again. “I’m still scared, but I want to hear you say it.”
He smiled. “I love you, Sage West. You’re meant to be with me. You’re my mate. You’re my happily ever after.”
She smiled and slung a leg around his. “I thought I would freak out, but I liked hearing it.” She propped herself up and stared at him.
“And how do you feel about me?”
“I love you, Davis Weathers. You’re meant to be mine. You’re my soul mate. You’re my happily ever after.”
Hearing those words made him growl and lift his head to claim her kiss. After a moment, she broke apart. Breathless. “So this is it?”
“This is it,” he murmured. His sex twitched against her leg, and her eyes widened.
“Already?”
“ It’s your own fault. You’re just so damn sexy.”
She licked her lips hungrily, and he laughed. “Clearly you have no issues with that.”
“Mine,” she said possessively as she straddled him. “Forever.”
“Forever,” he agreed, and soon she was riding him back to heaven.
They were married within a month, and her store opened with great success. She knew without a doubt that every part of her life had led up to this. Had she never spent so much time with Connor, she never would have run so far away. She would have never run into the arms of her true mate.
Sage Weathers. She was loved and protected. She loved and protected. And she was happy.
THE END
DRAWN TO ONE MAN
Chapter One
