He was blatantly male, strong, self-confident, determined, and even a bit arrogant. What male shifter wasn’t?
Quinn interested her, excited her. But did she want something he couldn’t give her?
Deb had hinted that Quinn was looking for a serious relationship. Despite her friend’s encouragement, Paige knew shifters didn’t do relationships, they mated. They knew who their mate was as soon as they met them, or scented them. Quinn had given no indication that Paige was his true mate. If he had, wouldn’t he have slung her over his shoulder and carried her off to the nearest bed?
Oh, how would it feel to be this man’s chosen mate? This time her sigh was on the dramatic side and his eyebrow arched. To prevent another slip, she grabbed another roll and broke off a huge hunk. She lathered it with butter. Might as well make the most of the meal. It didn’t appear she’d be feasting on rock hard bear shifter anytime in the near future.
He’d ended the call by the time she’d popped the piece of bread in her mouth. He quickly grabbed her hand. “Honey butter. My favorite.”
She grinned at him. “Really? A bear who likes honey, who would have thunk?”
He licked her hand where a small amount of butter had fallen. Her sarcasm dried up at the first swipe of his tongue over the pad of her thumb. If someone were to have asked her how she felt at that very moment, she would have described the sensations as arrows of heat striking her womb and setting it on fire.
No, she wasn’t Quinn’s destined mate. Looking at him across the table, she decided that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy him while he searched. It was time to learn to be…if not bad, maybe a little naughty. Her pussy tingled as he licked away the rest of the butter. Or a lot naughty.
“Let’s dance,” he said once he’d cleaned her fingers with his talented tongue. Well, he didn’t so much ask as ordered. The restaurant sported a bar and dining area along with a nice sized dance floor. One corner of the large room housed a small stage where a live country and western band played the latest hits.
Paige looked at Quinn, hesitant to accept his offer. She really wanted to dance. The thought of his arms around her warred with the knowledge that she’d be exposed to everyone’s scrutiny on the dance floor. On display, something big girls avoided at all costs. Well, at least this big girl avoided it. He didn’t give her a chance to say no. Helping her from the booth, he led her to the dance floor with his strong hand beneath her elbow.
“I’m not much of a dancer,” she protested. He stopped when he reached a darkened corner and turned, wrapping her securely in his arms. Paige hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath until it slid out in a long, slow sigh at the feel of his tall body pressed against hers. Her whole body went soft, sinking into his hardness.
“No worries, I’ll teach you all you need to know.”
Paige’s eyes widened ever so slightly and Quinn didn’t know if it was in reaction to the double entendre or the massive erection poking her soft belly with the strength of a metal pipe. He hadn’t been this turned on in years. He allowed himself a smile as he felt the rapid beating of her heart against the palm of his hand where he caressed her back. He wasn’t the only one affected by their closeness.
The first song was a lively tune and he knew he surprised her with his expert dips and twists. Quinn didn’t display any of his animal-in-the-wild’s large and clumsy movements. All shifters moved with an inherent grace. It was still early in the evening so the dance floor wasn’t crowded. There was plenty of room for a bear to show his girl some of his moves. Her eyes beamed with delight when the song ended.
“That wasn’t what I expected,” she laughed.
“What did you expect? The Moon Walk?”
“Well, it would have been appropriate. You are a shifter,” she glanced at him through her long lashes, a teasing look on her face. Man, the woman was sweet.
“Yeah, but I’m not a damn wolf shifter. Bears aren’t harnessed by the moon, love. We have complete power over our animals.”
The music changed and the band switched to a slow, languid ballad. Her laughter faded as he gathered her closer. They both groaned when she bumped against him. His erection hadn’t abated during the last dance. If anything, it had grown bigger. Her softness was a warm, shimmering heat along his front. He couldn’t wait to get her alone and naked and wet. Her scent held a slight trace of fear and he cursed himself. Too fast, Quinn, you’re moving too fast.
No, you’re not, his bear complained. It was so close to the surface he could feel the warmth of the animal’s breath. Faster, faster, it urged.