I’ve always wondered what it’d feel like to find your mate. Hearing stories about it is one thing, but experiencing it is another. I crave Tate’s touch like I can’t get enough of him. Even holding his hand as we walk down the beach feels fantastic. There’s a burning feeling inside my gut that aches for more. Last night, Tate did what he said and held me in his arms all night. It’s the best sleep I’ve had in a long time.
“Happy to help,” Tate says in my mind.
I smack his arm. “Nosy, much?”
“Hey, you’re the one thinking it.”
We can laugh and banter back and forth with each other, which I’ve always thought would be important when finding a mate. I look over at Tate and smile. I have to believe the goddess of the moon listened to my prayers. Maybe we do get the choice on who our mates are.
Tate meets my gaze and grins back. The sand feels amazing on my feet, and the hot summer weather is perfect. It almost makes me feel as if our troubles are far behind us, but in all reality, we’re in more danger than I could ever imagine.
“Not that I don’t love spending time with you, but I have a feeling these next two weeks are going to move like molasses,” I say.
Tate’s grin fades. “Yeah, you’re probably right. Would you still agree to complete the bond so quickly if you didn’t have others hunting you down?”
“I would seal the deal tonight if it was the full moon.” The words play out in my mind before I can even say them.
Tate squeezes my hand and pulls me to him. “That’s all I needed to hear.” It’s going to take some getting used to with him in my head.
He kisses me, and I wrap my arms around his neck. “I’m ready to be yours, Tate. Nothing is going to change that.” His cock twitches, and I bite my lip, wishing like hell I could control myself. I’m ready to feel him inside of me like I saw in the vision.
“Should we head back?” Tate asks, trying to hold back a smile. I know he heard what I just thought in my mind.
“Sure,” I reply, feeling my cheeks burn.
He squeezes my hand, and we slowly walk down the beach toward the house. The crystal blue water is calm because of the barrier reef, so no waves are crashing against the shore. It’s very calming and serene.
“There’s something we need to talk about, Faith.”
Brows furrowed, I look into his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
He shrugs. “Nothing’s wrong. It’s just we haven’t talked about what’s going to happen after the full moon.”
“What do you mean?”
Sighing, he peers out at the ocean and then back to me. “I don’t want to take you away from your family and friends. I know you just got your sister and brother back.” He stands in front of me and takes both of my hands in his. “What I want to know is if you’ll be happy with my pack.”
His concern is endearing, and it’s one of the things I admire about him. How did I ever get so lucky? Tears burn my eyes, and my heart swells with more love for him. “By your side is where I belong, Tate. Will I miss my family? Of course, but I’m happy to know I’ll soon be a part of your pack.” I can feel his relief, and it makes me smile. “Besides, you need me in Montana. Someone has to make that yard of yours look decent.”
He tilts his head back and laughs. “Hey, I think it looks pretty amazing right now.” It does, but I have to give him hell. “What about your teaching job? You’re supposed to start in the Fall.”
I was looking forward to the position, but I have to believe there’ll be other opportunities in Montana. “It’s okay. I can find something else to do.”
His grin widens. “I think I have an idea.”
“Do tell,” I reply.
“What would you say about working for me? Anna said she knows a ton of people who’ll pay big money to have you paint for them.”
This makes me smile. “I’d be happy to. I want to share my art with the world in any way I can.”
He brings my hand up to his lips and kisses it gently. “I know you want to see the world, Faith. I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that happens.”
I step closer to him. Yes, traveling the world was the only thing I wanted once I got my freedom, but it’s not as important now. “I’m not in a hurry. Having you is all I need.”
His eyes flash, and I can feel his desire to claim me. “How did I get so lucky?”
A chuckle escapes my lips. “I asked myself the same question earlier.”
After we got back to the house, we drove to the market on Cudjoe Key since it was the closest. Our dinner consisted of grilled chicken, roasted potatoes, and green beans. Tate grilled the chicken while I did the rest. He’s determined to catch our dinner one night by reeling in some snapper. He says he catches fish all the time in the lake by his Montana house. Luckily, the place we’re renting has a utility room full of heavy-duty fishing rods.
Time started ticking by, and I didn’t realize how nervous I was for the night to come. I know what I want. My body yearns for Tate’s touch, my wolf is dying to claim him, and my heart is so full I feel as if it’s going to explode. My whole life I’ve had to be strong, to show no weakness. Feeling nervous is not something I’m used to. Tate didn’t say a word when I told him I wanted to take a shower. I’m pretty sure he could tell I was tense, but at least, it’s in a good way. Standing in the hot running water and listening to it rush down the drain helped clear my mind. I’m ready to give myself to him in every way.
I turn off the water and open the shower door to grab my towel. Closing my eyes, I listen to the sounds around me. Tate’s in the bedroom, which is just on the other side of the bathroom door. The TV is on, but I know it’s not loud enough to drown out the sound of my rapidly beating heart.
Wrapping the towel around my body, I stop at the door and release my breath. When I open the door, I look at Tate lying on the bed, and all the nervousness disappears. He has one arm behind his head, still dressed in his gray T-shirt and jeans. He turns off the television and looks over at me, his lips parting into a seductive smirk.
“There’s no rush, Faith.”
“I know,” I whisper, letting the towel drop to the floor. His eyes flash as he takes in my bare body, and I know he’s holding back the urge to ravish me. “But I’m ready for this.” I stalk closer to the bed. “I’m ready for you to make love to me.” Those words are all it takes for the fire to consume him. Hell, I can feel the burn too.
In one quick motion, Tate is off the bed and picking me up in his arms. I wrap my legs around his waist, loving the feel of his hardness against me. A low growl escapes his lips as he places me on the bed, his body covering mine.
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
I look up into his glowing blue eyes. “You’re not going to.”
He lowers his lips to my neck, up to my cheek, and across my lips. I devour him, tasting him greedily. I don’t think I can get enough. Tate’s soft, warm lips trail across my breasts, and he sucks my nipple like a ravenous wolf. I arch my back, wanting him to suck harder. My insides tighten and clench with need. He separates my legs with his knee and thrusts his hips against me. The movement alone has me close to orgasm.
“Please, Tate. Make love to me,” I say, voice husky and breathless.
Smirking seductively, he takes my bottom lip between his teeth. “I have to make sure you’re ready.”
Taking his hand, I slide it between my legs so he can feel how wet I am. “I’m way past ready.”
A deep, satisfied growl rumbles in his chest. “Yes, you are.” He rubs my clit gently before slowly entering me with his long, warm fingers, thrusting them inside of me. I move my hips along with his strokes, and the orgasm builds until there’s no way I can stop it from coming.
“Tate,” I cry out, closing my eyes as the force of my release has me exploding from the inside out.
When I open my eyes, Tate’s heated gaze is on mine. “You are so fucking sexy.”
I grab the waistband of his jeans. “I need more. And I know you do too.”
His eyes flash to his wolf’s, and his need overcomes me. He slides off the bed and removes his shirt and jeans within seconds. My body trembles at the sight of his naked body. Biting my lip, I spread my legs wide, inviting him in. He climbs on top of me, holding my face in his hands as he gets into position. Without wasting any time, he enters me deeply, and I hold my breath. The sensation of him filling me is euphoric.
“You feel so fucking good,” he moans, dropping a hand to my breast. Still rocking his hips against mine, he lowers his lips to my nipple, flicking his tongue against me. He sucks me harder while thrusting deeper inside of me. My release builds to the point I feel like I’m going to scream. I graze my nails down his back as it grows stronger and stronger.
Tate grunts with his thrusts, and it turns me on even more. “I know you’re close. I can feel you getting tighter.”
“I am.” I rock my hips harder against his, and I instantly fall over the edge as my release explodes all around me. Tate grabs my face and kisses me, keeping his hungered gaze on mine as he deepens the kiss and finds his own climax. His cock pulsates inside of me, and I love the way it feels.
Breathing heavily, Tate rests his forehead to mine. “That wasn’t a disappointment for your first time, was it?”
My heart races out of control. “Definitely, not. I thoroughly enjoyed it.” He slowly pulls out and rests beside me. I lay my head on his chest and smile. “I think I want more.”
Tate laughs and rubs a hand down my back. “I’m pretty sure I’ll be up for that.”
When I look down at his body, he’s more than ready for another round. He tilts my chin up and looks deep into my eyes. A few seconds pass, and all we do is stare at each other. There’s so much longing and love in his eyes that if I were standing, I’d be weak in the knees.
“I love you,” he murmurs.
Tears burning my eyes, I lift up so I can kiss him and breathe him in. I want to remember this moment for as long as I live. “I love you too.”