Claiming His Mate(32)

The feel of his erection against her abdomen and the potent scent of his hunger left no doubt of that. Her nipples tightened against her bra cups and she glanced over on the wall clock. Maybe they could fit a quickie in.

“I love you so much,” Max whispered against her neck and Lauren’s resolve flew out the window.

Just as he knew it would. “You fight dirty.” A month ago they’d both admitted they loved each other and she couldn’t get enough of hearing it. Max had actually bought her flowers and a diamond ring when he told her, something out of character for the big wolf, but he was trying out what he considered human customs and Lauren found she liked them a lot. Considering his scent marked her she didn’t need a ring, but she liked the extra, outward symbol of their bond. She wanted the entire world to know this male was hers. “But you’re right, I think we have—”

“Lauren, we’re here.” Her mother’s voice carried down the long hallway that led to their kitchen.

Crap, they must have opened the door without either of them realizing, which said a lot for how distracted they both were. Lauren placed a hand on Max’s chest and grinned as she had to tamp down her own hunger. “Behave.”

He shifted uncomfortably and let out an annoyed growl. “Fine, but after this dinner—”

“Maximus, why don’t you help me with these pies and leave your mate alone for two seconds?” Laurens’s mother asked as she strode into the kitchen wearing a sparkly red dress, showcasing her love of the holidays.

To Lauren’s amusement, Max’s ears tinged red at the use of his full name. No one ever called him that. Well, his mother had. And Lauren’s mother said she was going to refer to him by his given name and that was that. He’d never argued with her.

“Hey, mom, you look pretty,” Lauren said.

“Thanks sweetie, so do you. The place looks amazing.” She smiled at Lauren before continuing to order Max around his own kitchen.

Lauren hid a smile at Max’s embarrassment and turned back to the oven so she could pull out the remaining dish. She and Max had been working like crazy to get their house together and Lauren knew she was being a little insane about everything, but she wanted tonight to go perfectly.

Grant hadn’t given her any grief about trying to steal the jewels back. If anything, he’d seemed relieved that Max had found a mate and was happy. She could see how much the alpha cared for Max and she was glad because he meant the world to her.

Max had burrowed his way into her heart and now she felt whole in a way she’d never imagined possible. She loved her mate more than anything. They’d already started bridging the gap between wolves and jaguars, with her new pack and her family’s pride making an effort to get to know one another. They were small steps, but it was a start. She was looking forward to a future with Max at her side. Some days it was hard to believe she’d fallen for a wolf, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.





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Keep reading for a sneak peek of Taming the Alpha, a sexy paranormal novella set in the same world as Claiming His Mate. Available now for 99 cents!





Taming the Alpha

Copyright © 2011 Savannah Stuart





Grant steered into Talia’s driveway and tried to slow his racing heart. It was no use. Knowing he’d be seeing and touching her soon, his body simply reacted. Every Friday night for the past month he’d been going through the same ritual. Get off work at the bar, drive straight to her place and lose himself in her all night. He didn’t even bother showering until he got to her house because she always joined him.

After he took her hard and fast against the slick tiled wall, they usually made it to her bed in time for round two. Sometimes they’d only get so far as the floor. Then they’d eat. The rest of the night he spent buried deep inside her. He wasn’t sure what he’d done to deserve her, but after a year of working with her on a sporadic basis, a month ago he’d finally thrown his no-employee—and no-involvement-with-humans rule—out the window and made a move. Technically he wasn’t her direct manager. She just worked at one of the bars he owned and ever since she’d started working there, he’d found himself making more and more unnecessary appearances to see her.

Once they’d finally crossed that line, there was no going back for him. He could never be just her friend again. Hell, he’d never wanted to be her friend. From the moment she’d walked into the Crescent Moon Bar looking for work, his entire body had flared to life with a raw, primal awareness that scared the shit out of him. He was two hundred years old and had always been in control of himself.