A sting of revulsion spun like a tornado inside, so quickly that Rafe pulled his hand back to grip the edge of the wooden table, struggling to remain steady. His wolf stirred with the sudden compulsion to destroy his rival for Mila’s affections.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
He struggled to maintain control over that unexpected jealousy and forced a playful smile. “My wolf definitely didn’t like hearing that.”
She chuckled. “Neither did mine.” With a shy smile, she admitted, “Especially after meeting you.”
Their gazes met once more and with it a sense of—was it understanding? He wasn’t sure how to describe it, but what they were facing was the same thing. They were both caught in a situation they hadn’t chosen or expected. The question was, what could they do about it?
The sense of helplessness irked him through the rest of the meal.
After they ate, they wandered through the village. Darkness had settled, yet the lights from windows and streetlamps illuminated the brick paths.
“You should try skiing while you’re here. It is the main reason why people come to this resort after all,” he said.
“No, thank you.” She raised one brow and teased, “I don’t see the lure of strapping wood planks on my feet to propel myself at fast speed down a mountain.”
He laughed. “It’s thrilling.”
She shook her head. “Pass.”
“Fine.” While they walked by more stores, he said, “If you see any that look interesting, let’s go in.”
She stopped in front of one of the boutiques with some eye-catching designs in the window. “How about this one?”
Once inside, she picked out some leggings, jeans, and sweaters, but then frowned. “This is silly. I can’t bring all this back with me next week.”
“Why not?”
“My father will know where it came from. You should have seen the look on his face when I returned in the clothes yesterday.”
Rafe hated the amount of control that Kane appeared to have over Mila. “Maybe it’s not up to him what you wear, and he should let you decide that for yourself.”
Mila gave him a pointed glance. “He’s an alpha. We all know what that means. And on top of that, he’s my father.”
Rafe shrugged. “So? My father was an alpha as well. That didn’t mean he made all my decisions for me.”
“Was?” she asked.
“My parents moved south after my older brother died. They needed a new start.” He swallowed a lump in his throat as the buried memories resurfaced. His brother most likely would have been the next pack’s leader, and probably a better one than Rafe. He lived with the daily guilt of living up to expectations. His brother would have been a gifted leader, intelligent and rational, not rash like him, who had just made an impetuous decision to spend a week with his enemy’s daughter.
Mila nodded at him, her eyes expressing sympathy. “I’m sorry.”
He gulped and then searched around the shop for a distraction. Finding the lingerie section, he led them there. “How about some new underwear?” he asked with a speculative smile.
Her lips curled with a sly curve. “Turn away,” she directed with a wave.
While she searched the racks, he struggled against the urge to steal a peek. Was she considering the black satin? The white lace? The red silk? As he pictured her in each, awareness surged to his cock. He didn’t care which she wore as long as he’d be the one to take them off.
Hell, now he was consumed by visions of her in lingerie.
Throughout the rest of their shopping excursion, he kept drifting closer to her. It was near impossible not to. It was as if they had some magnetic charge attracting them together. He carried her bags back to the hotel and glanced up at the window to her room for the week.
Reluctant to leave her, he asked, “Would you like to get together again tomorrow?”
“Sure.”
Only when he heard that word was he able to breathe freely once more.
Chapter 8
Mila
Throughout the next day, Mila wandered beyond the village to explore the natural landscapes. She trekked along the stream and walked by a frozen lake where people ice skated. All the while, she thought of Rafe and how she’d pull off her task while ignoring her wolf’s insistence that he was the one.
They met for dinner at an Italian restaurant. Mila questioned Rafe on how he ran the business and the pack, but he often directed the conversation back to her. He appeared to be interested in tales of her growing up. Why? There was nothing special about her life. She led a simple, somewhat sheltered existence with her pack, contributing to whatever needed to be done. During her free time, she explored the forests during the day and hunted in wolf form after dusk.
Was he onto her plan? Or truly interested in learning more about her?
The internal clash roiled inside her leaving a tightness in her stomach. Beyond her ulterior motive, a deeper part of her was intrigued by him.
They’d finished a bottle of red wine, and a pleasant hum warmed her blood. After they left the restaurant and wandered back through the resort village, she tried once more. “So tell me, Rafe, what exactly do you do as CEO of this resort?”
“Make decisions.”
That didn’t tell her much. “Like what?”
“It’s not at all interesting. I’d rather learn more about you. Like what do you like to do in your free time?”
Ah, the pattern repeated once more, and once again, she questioned why. This time, she’d call him out on it. “Are you really interested?”
He jerked his head. “Of course I am. Why?”
“Each time I try to talk about you, you change the subject back to me.”
He arched one heavy brow. “That’s because you keep talking business.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“This isn’t business right now, it’s pleasure.”
Her lips parted. “It is?”
“Yes.” Rafe surprised her by taking her hand. “And I think we should do something fun. Something that you’d like to do.”
Mila’s hand tingled with warmth, and her wolf moaned with contentment. She glanced around the brick buildings illuminated by lights out front. “What is there to do here at night besides eat and drink?”
“Plenty. Besides the shops around here, down a ways there’s snow tubing, ice skating, a bowling alley, a small movie cinema…”
They passed a storefront with paintings in the window, and Mila glanced inside. “What’s this?”
“One of those paint experiences.”
“What’s that?” She turned to him.
“It’s where you join a group and follow an instructor through steps in painting a scene. It’s pretty popular here. Guests often get a glass of wine and some snacks and socialize as they spend a couple of hours working on a painting with family and friends.”
She placed her hand on his arm. “Ooh, that sounds like it could be fun. Have you ever done it?”
“No.”
She grinned. “Do you want to?”
He shrugged. “Sure, if you want to give it a go.”
“I do.”
“Okay, let’s sign up.” He took her arm and led her inside.
A flicker of excitement rose with him touching her that way. The instructor booked them into two slots for the nine o’clock class, so they had a half-an-hour to kill. As they walked throughout the village, she peered inside the pubs and restaurants. People all seemed to be enjoying themselves, drinking or dining with others. A twinge of guilt rose in her since she planned to destroy the businesses here. But was spending time with loved ones such an offense? It was what she’d do back with the pack, just in a different venue. They didn’t have restaurants, but meeting houses where they’d gather or outdoors if the weather was pleasant.
Once they returned to the paint studio, they walked over to a more private table set for two in the back corner. Mila stepped before a blank white canvas and fo
llowed the instructions to get paints. She placed them near the paintbrushes, lined up from fat to thin near her canvas.
Rafe’s setup mirrored hers, and he sat opposite her. He ordered a couple of glasses of merlot and a plate of cheese and crackers to nibble on. Several others milled about the room as well, setting up to paint at their canvases on tables covered with white paper.
The instructor led them through steps to paint a version of a mountain beneath the moon and stars, similar to that of Franconia Mountain. She encouraged them to be creative and modify the painting as they wished. As Mila swished the different colors and paints over her canvas, she got into it. It wasn’t just fun, it was calming. She had a few blissful moments out of her head, not worrying about the conflicts between the packs, her agenda for her father, or the distress caused by the clash between her wolf’s desires and her own. She simply escaped into the painting and it felt wonderful.
Occasionally, she and Rafe would exchange glances around their canvases, which she’d admit were a bit flirtatious. Each time she glanced into his intense eyes, she lost focus as her body simmered with awareness.
“Stop distracting me,” she teased.
“I did no such thing,” he countered with a grin. “You keep looking at me.” He placed a hand on his chest and put on a mock serious expression. “You’re pulling me from my art by dazzling me with those inquisitive eyes.”
She laughed. A heady buzz rushed through her. “Fine. No more peeking until we’re done.”
They didn’t have much time left since the instructor had given the basic steps and encouraged them to finish with their own flair. Mila dipped the smallest paintbrush into a pale yellow and dabbed it in tiny spots all over her dark blue sky to finish her painting, illuminating it with light.
When Rafe declared he was finished, she stepped around to see his. He’d painted the moon as a massive, golden, and full.
“That’s quite a statement,” she pointed out. “It’s the focal point of your painting.” Fitting for a wolf. His mountain was covered with white, like it had just been blanketed by fresh snow while she’d painted hers covered in various greens to represent trees.
“Let’s see yours.” He stood and walked over behind her easel. “Look at all the stars in yours. Interesting.”
“I like to stare up at them at night.” She positioned their paintings so they were side-by-side. “Fascinating, huh?”
“Meaning?” Rafe prodded.
“Look how we’ve both painted the same mountain, but have a different view.” She looked from one and then the other.
Rafe stepped behind her. She was keenly aware of him standing so close to her.
When he snaked a hand around her waist, she sucked in a breath. Heat simmered beneath her skin, and her chest fell and rose at a quicker pace.
“You’re right,” he murmured, bending down to almost nuzzling her ear. “There’s nothing I like more than skiing on the mountain or hunting on the forests of it beneath a full moon.”
Her eyes fluttered half-closed. Having him hold her that way affected her in a way she’d never experienced. Her wolf practically clawed inside with need, reflecting the desire that now coursed through Mila’s veins.
The instructor came over, and they pulled apart quickly as if caught in an intimate moment.
The woman glanced at their paintings. “These are wonderful. So many similarities and yet such fascinating differences. And that’s what makes them each unique.”
Mila exchanged a glance with Rafe. With all the differences between them, that could apply to more than just their paintings.
Yet, there was beauty in both their paintings. Could there be positive aspects to their different lifestyles as well? If so, maybe she was misguided in her attempt to destroy him. Why couldn’t two packs live their own way beneath the same sky?
Rafe
After Rafe walked with Mila from the paint studio, each carrying their canvas, he took slow breaths to regroup. When he’d wrapped one arm around Mila inside, he could scarcely think. He’d never wanted anyone as much as he wanted her. It took all of his self-control not to turn her in his arms and kiss her senseless right there.
Couples and small families walked through the village. The vintage-style street lamps cast a magical glow over the snow-covered paths. An ache stirred within him. That was what Rafe wanted—to walk here with his mate and eventually with their family. Was there a snowball’s chance in a fiery hell of that happening with Mila?
As they approached the hotel, a sense of dread filled him. He didn’t want to leave her yet.
“That was fun,” Mila said.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” He glanced up. The moon had risen higher in the clear night sky, and the light from hundreds of stars shone overhead. He returned his gaze to her and admitted, “I did immensely.” He cocked his head. “I never thought I’d like painting.”
“Perhaps it had something to do with who you painted with?” She slanted her head and gave him a sly smile.
“Are you fishing for a compliment?” Rafe teased and wrapped an arm around her once more and they continued to walk. “How much wine did you have?”
“Ha,” she laughed, but didn’t pull out of his hold. “You know as a shifter, I can handle quite a bit more than what we drank.”
“Just kidding. My enjoyment had everything to do with the company.” He bent his head to the side and inhaled. Her fragrance enraptured him. It infused him with a strange euphoric sensation that he was already growing addicted to. Now that he knew the scent of his mate and the effect on him, how could he go back to a state without her in it? He exhaled on a slow breath. “I’m glad you agreed to come here for the week.”
“Me, too,” she agreed and leaned her head briefly on his shoulder.
His wolf stirred inside. This was the first time she initiated any affection. It was amazing how such a small gesture affected him.
“I didn’t expect it to be so pleasant,” Mila said. “I have to admit, it hasn’t been a bad so far at all.”
“Is that how you thought it might be?” He squeezed her side.
She inclined her head toward him. “Well, you are considered to be my enemy.”
True. And a part of Rafe hated that. “Maybe that can change,” he replied. “And perhaps you and I are the ones who can make that happen.”
Mila stopped walking and turned to face him. “Do you think that’s possible with our packs itching to tear each other apart?”
Rafe’s jaw twitched. That was the problem indeed. “It’s like you pointed out with our paintings. We’re all gazing at the same mountain under the same sky, but from two different viewpoints. It doesn’t change the mountain or the sky.”
“And you teased me about drinking too much,” she quipped.
“True. We may be able to learn from each other. Broaden our view and expand our perspectives.”
Mila parted her lips and glanced up at the sky. While she stared above, Rafe’s gaze traveled from her face over the slim column of her throat. An urge to take her in his arms returned. His breath came more quickly, rushing through him with a thrumming heat in his veins. He turned to face her and the drive to kiss her grew almost too powerful to ignore.
When Mila met his stare, her eyes widened. Was the hunger in his gaze so apparent?
Probably. He didn’t know how to mask this desire, more potent than any he’d experienced.
Their gazes locked. No sound was audible besides the sound of his escalated breath, which came out with visible wisps in the winter air.
Kiss her, his wolf demanded.
He swallowed. “Mila…”
Her eyelids lowered. “Yes?”
When he raised his hand, it trembled slightly before he touched her cheek. Her skin was so soft. Electric heat vibrated from his fingertips up his arm.
She leaned into his palm. His heart galloped, sounding like the paws of a pack of wolves thundering through the forest as they closed in on prey.
Rafe
moved the painting into his left hand, and then he traced his fingers down along her jawline and over her throat. Her eyes darkened, reflecting his potent desire. His gaze lowered to her mouth. Her lips were right there, close enough to kiss. And taste. And claim.
Mila’s eyelids lowered. The tension between them was so palpable, he was certain it would singe him with a fiery, electric heat. He’d never been so consumed with such yearning before. He ached for her. In that moment, it didn’t matter that she was his enemy. She was his mate, and he’d do anything to have her.
Rafe leaned forward to close the agonizing distance that still kept them apart. Time slowed, dizzying him with the torment of her being so close. And finally, finally, his lips brushed hers.
For a second, he wondered if he was dreaming it. Maybe this was just an extension of his fantasies. But then, she returned the kiss, releasing a soft, mewling sound that fired through his body and ignited his need.
No doubt that he was awake, and this was real. Exquisite and real.
Rafe cradled her neck with his free hand as he deepened the kiss. He slipped his tongue into her parted lips, savoring her sweet mouth. She tasted as enticing as she smelled, like the call of a full moon in the dark forests.
Take her inside. Claim her. Make her ours, his wolf insisted.
Not yet.
This was only the second night of seven. Rafe couldn’t rush things and have this backfire. They’d had a good day, and it was better to leave them with a bit of longing to lead them into tomorrow.
Until they’d…
With utmost reluctance, he pulled away from her mouth. Her chest rose and fell with heavy breaths. When he saw the desire on her face, it took all his self-control not to kiss her again and beg her to accept him as her mate.
Patience, he told himself.
Her forced himself to plant his hands at his sides and not run them over her body. “Goodnight, Mila.”
Her lips remained parted as she stared at him appearing just as dazed from under her hooded eyelids. “Goodnight, Rafe.” Her voice sounded breathy.
The Alpha and His Enemy Wolf: White Mountain Shifters 3 Page 7
