They took off running. The warm afternoon air heated her body. She followed her mate’s lead across the lawn and into the tree line. He darted between trees and leaped over stumps and she kept right on his heels.
They ran for several miles before he stopped. He dropped the pouch he’d carried in his mouth and shifted.
She stepped back, panting from the exertion and wondering why on earth he switched to human form out here in the middle of nowhere. What if someone saw them? How would they explain their state of undress?
Gabe reached for her and stroked her fur. “So lovely. The browns and reds are beautiful on you, little wolf.”
He soothed her with his touch and she leaned into him. Rarely did someone pet her. Okay, never. It felt good.
“Shift for me, Kathleen. I want to see you naked again.”
Here? Now? She shook her head. He could stand in the woods naked if he wanted, but she had no desire. Naked humans didn’t belong amongst the trees.
“Kathleen, I want you to shift.” He tipped her head up to meet his gaze. “No one is going to see you. We’re miles from the house. This property is owned by my family. It’s fenced. And besides, I would smell another visitor long before they approached us.”
So demanding. Would she ever make decisions of her own under this man’s thumb?
She paused, but he raised an eyebrow. It frightened her how much he could manhandle her. It frightened her even more how much she found she liked it. Just that one raised eyebrow made her squirm even in wolf form.
Finally she backed up and shifted, extremely self-conscious of her exposure. She sat down on the long flat rock he’d brought them too, crossing her legs and covering her chest with her arms.
Gabriel chuckled and knelt beside her to open the pack. “Hungry?”
She was starved actually. She hadn’t eaten since breakfast. It was midafternoon now.
He handed her a sandwich, an apple and a bottle of water. When had he had time to prepare this luncheon?
“I fixed us a few things while you were napping.”
“You left the room? I was that out of it?” She’d had no idea he’d left her there.
“I did. You sleep soundly.”
“Until someone starts fondling me,” she added. The sandwich was delicious, or maybe she was just hungry.
They ate in silence for a few minutes with Gabe plopped down in front of her, his face gazing up at hers as he chewed. “You don’t need to be so shy with me, Kathleen. I’ve seen every inch of your secrets. And I intend to see you often.”
She still sat stiffly, covering as much of herself as possible while she ate.
He didn’t comment again until they finished. When he tucked their trash into the pouch, he turned back to her. “I’m going to experiment with a little dominance, baby. I want you to try it. I think you’ll find yourself extremely aroused by submission.”
She sucked in a breath and waited. Her nipples hardened as he stared at her. What would he expect her to do?
“Open your legs, Kathleen. Lean back with your arms behind you for support.”
She glanced at him and then away. Her mind warred not for the first time. Should she heed the angry part of her that was pissed he kept bossing her around? Or should she pay closer attention to the place that ached for release deep in the pit of her stomach?
Damn her entire body for its betrayal of everything she thought was right with the world. Why did her breasts firm and her clit pulse when Gabe commanded her to do something? He did ask nicely, but there was something in his tone and the way he spoke and the look in his eyes when he opened his mouth that commanded compliance.
Without looking at his glorious naked body, Kathleen opened up to him. She tentatively leaned back, resting her palms on the smooth rock surface behind her. She spread her legs several inches and tried to breathe steady.
Her heart pounded thinking about his gaze drinking her in.
“Kathleen, look at me.” He waited a beat for her to obey. “I love your sexy body. I want to be able to see all of it as often as possible.” His gaze penetrated her. Even from several inches below her, he seemed to command her space the same way he managed to do so staring at her from above. He continued, his voice low and firm, “You can’t hide how aroused this makes you.”
She shook, a flush crawling up her chest and across her cheeks. The sun beat down on her through the trees. She glanced both ways. What if he touched her and she lost all control and someone walked up to them while she wasn’t able to pay attention?
“No one is going to see you but me, Kathleen. I promise.” He narrowed his gaze and nodded toward her thighs.
She couldn’t stop herself. She spread wider for him.