“Not as much as it apparently bothers you,” she mocked. “Though I will warn you, I have little experience with men—or wolf shifters for that matter.”
He squeezed her hand and stopped walking, forcing her to turn toward him. “I love that. It makes everything all the more special that all your firsts are mine.”
Their arms brushed against each other. His heat made her tingle all over. And his deep voice was full of promises.
They snuck into the back of the house like teenagers without another word. Though Gabe was anything but a youngster. He was old. There was little doubt about that. The fact made her nervous. He surely had dated plenty of women—all of whom would have been more experienced and worldly compared to her. His size alone made her nervous.
Today he wore jeans and a polo shirt, but even dressed down he looked designer. His jeans fit him like a glove. She didn’t recognize the label, but knew they had to be expensive. Once again she felt underdressed next to him. Hell, even the nicest thing in her closet would pale in comparison to his grungiest clothes.
Nerves made her palms sweaty and she tugged her hand to release it from his grip as they entered the kitchen. He didn’t let her go, firmly holding her fingers with his own.
“Is anyone home?” she whispered. She wasn’t ready for a meet and greet.
“Nope. Just you and me. My parents are already at the meetings and neither of my siblings made it to town for this gathering.” He winked at her. What did that mean? She’d never been so freaking nervous in her life. If he would just let go of her hand. The contact was sending an electric current through her that scrambled her brain and made it impossible to make sentences. All she knew was the warmth of his hand against her sweaty palm.
“Sit.” He nodded toward the couch as they entered the living room and finally released her.
A chill went down her spine. He’d commanded her to sit last night too. That hadn’t gone well. Memories of their first botched encounter flooded her.
Was she ready for this? What would he expect from her this morning?
She squeezed her legs together as she took a spot perched on the edge of the sofa. Why had she chosen to wear a skirt again today? Goose bumps rose along her legs.
His scent filled the room, masking all other smells. She wanted him to sit next to her so she could breathe him in, but she also wanted him to stay on the other side of the room so she didn’t lose her mind just yet.
Gabriel didn’t say a word other than his requisite “sit.” He left her there and returned moments later with two bottles of water.
Bless him. Her mouth was dry. “Drink,” he commanded.
She held the bottle without twisting off the lid. “Are you always so bossy?” She eyed him.
“Usually.” He grinned, still standing above her.
“You have a tendency to use just one word, and I get the feeling you’re used to getting your way.”
“Yes.” Now he wiggled his eyebrows. He was teasing her, but he was also serious. He nodded at the bottle in her hand. “You’ve been licking your lips since I found you. It’s . . . disconcerting.” He took a seat on the couch next to her, but thankfully not touching her.
“How does this usually work?” She set the water bottle on the coffee table. She was thirsty, but she couldn’t bring herself to buckle to his demands.
“Well, first you twist the top off, and then you tip the bottle to your lips.” He leaned closer to her and dared her to defy him with his gaze.
“Ha ha. Not that. This.” She motioned between them back and forth.
“Mating? There is no usually. Each couple is different. And I haven’t claimed anyone before, so I’m just as green in that area as you. I guess we’ll make up our own rules as we go along.” He handed her the water again.
She set it back down.
“Are you always this stubborn?”
“Are you always this demanding?” It wasn’t the first time she’d asked this question and she already knew the answer. “Does everyone bow to your every wish every time you speak?”
He leaned back against the cushions and reached for a lock of her hair. Sighing, he continued, “Yes. I mean, women have in the past.”
She gulped. Was he serious?
“I’m rather dominant, Kathleen. Most women I have dated have been submissive.” He tipped his head and his brow furrowed. “Don’t worry. We will figure this out together. I’m not an ass. We can experiment with dominance and submission later. For now, I just want to claim you and I swear to go slow and easy your first time.”
Her knees shook. She had to squeeze them with both hands to still her shaking. Her heart raced and she had no idea if it was from fear or . . . excitement. Even his proclamation of gentleness had been spoken with an edge of dominance. It pissed her off that his commanding mannerisms were arousing her. His penetrating gaze made her squirm, and she wanted him to have his way with her while at the same time she shouted to herself to run from this house immediately and not look back.