He hated pulling out of her heat, but knew they couldn’t stay that way. He curled an arm around her waist and slowly shifted their positions until he was sitting on the tub with her on top of him. He stroked her belly, enjoying how quickly he could see evidence of their coming offspring.
She turned sideways to glance up at him. “I’m sorry.”
He frowned, scenting a slight amount of sadness from her. “Why?”
“For not trusting you before.” She leaned her head on his chest, wet hair rubbing between them.
“What changed your mind?”
“Kass.” She met his gaze, took the hand he had on her belly, and brought it to her lips, kissing his fingers. “When she said the things she said, I realized I already did trust you. I didn’t want to admit it, but I did. I’ve always known you’re not like most men. And that’s one of the reasons I love you.”
His chest expanded with emotion. She loved him. He could see it in her eyes. Hear it in her voice. And more than that, scent the sweetness pouring from her. “I’m sorry you’ve been hurt by the things you’ve seen in the past, love. But I’ll promise you this: I will never lie to you. I’ll never put anyone above you. And I’ll always be here when you need me.”
“I’m sorry things turned out the way they did with Kass.” His chest ached when her smile dimmed.
“It’s okay. She worked with those people to hurt our family. She needed to be held accountable for what she did. Your dad was much kinder than I thought he’d be with her.”
His father had sent Kass away with the warning that if she ever returned she’d be imprisoned for what she did. Wolfe pack enforcers had taken her home and informed the Golden Creek wolves she should be monitored.
“I swear things will only get better from here, sweetheart.”
Her smile nearly did him in with the big tears filling her eyes. “I know. I’m here for you too. Always. I promise.”
She lifted her head, bringing her lips to his to sweeten the deal. Not that anything could make him back out on the woman he loved. Or the life he’d wanted to share with her. Nothing.
“What the heck?” Karla opened the door to find a trail of rose petals leading from the entrance to the living room. She stared wide-eyed at the multitude of candles covering every surface. Someone cleared their throat, and she did a double-take to the sofa straight in front of her. “Nate?”
He grinned. He wore a pair of pajama bottoms and nothing else. She almost swallowed her tongue watching his muscles shift when he stood to come near her.
“What, um, what’s going on?” She tamped down the urge to jump him and waited for an answer. Her hormones were a bitch all of a sudden, and she’d turned nympho status. Not that he seemed to mind.
“I’m being romantic again. I got something for you.” He winked. “Well a couple of somethings, actually.”
He pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her. It was a flyer to customers. At the top, there was a renaming of Nate’s bar from Thirsty Wolfe to Sassy Wolfe. Underneath, it offered a “house special” called Karla’s Chocolate Seduction.
She lifted her gaze up to meet his. “Why did you do that?”
“It’s not my bar anymore. It’s ours.” He curled his arms around her waist, holding her close to him.
“What made you decide on Sassy Wolfe?” She licked her lips, her heart pounding hard in her chest.
“It’s one of the words I think of when I think of you. Sassy, sexy, and beautiful. You’re all of the above. Besides,” he cupped her cheek, “the Thirsty Wolfe was more me. I wanted it to be more about us now. And your sassiness makes me happy, so Sassy Wolfe it is.”
“But why did you add my drink? It wasn’t necessary.”
His eyes shone with love. “I want everyone to know my mate’s concoction is our house special.”
Her throat closed up on her. “Why?”
“Simple. I love you. I want you to be part of everything I do.”
“Thank you doesn’t sound big enough for all these lovely things,” she murmured and leaned in to kiss his lips. “I love you.”
He met her halfway, brushing his lips over hers, and just as she was about to deepen the contact, he pulled back. “Hold that thought. I got my other something coming.”
Oh hell. “What is it?”
He turned around, and she really did almost jump him. A large tattoo of a set of wolves and cubs covered his back. There were no names, but she knew what it meant.
“Oh, Nate!” She gasped. “It’s beautiful.”