She’d almost forgotten she’d asked him a question. Stepping away from the stove, she asked, “Do you want to go for a run? I know you’re tired, but…” She shrugged. Sometimes going shifter for a couple hours could release all sorts of tension. Whenever she let her jaguar take over, it was better than getting a massage or pedicure. Nothing could compare, not even her delicious hot cocoa.
His green eyes lit up, as if her question had surprised him. “Yeah.”
She didn’t bother changing out of her pajamas before they headed out of her condo. She also didn’t lock her place. The entire building was owned by the Kincaid pack, guarded almost 24/7 and there was a high wall around the parking lot in the front. After they exited out the private locked door on the first floor, Asher made sure the door was closed all the way. To get back in they’d need to input a code on the electronic keypad.
Ella savored the feel of sand beneath her toes as they walked down the short path that led directly to the beach. On either side of them sand dunes and foliage surrounded them. When they reached the end of the sandy path, they both scanned the area, looking for humans. They weren’t in a touristy area and the pack owned a lot of the property along this stretch of beach so she wasn’t worried about anyone seeing them. But they always had to be vigilant when shifting. Especially since so many humans had recording capabilities with their phones.
Once they were sure the coast was clear, they stepped into the shadows created by the foliage.
Ella paused, waiting for Asher to turn around, but he just stood there watching her as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt. His green eyes were piercing under the moonlight and his gaze was definitely challenging. Each button he removed revealed another inch of rock hard, delicious male. As he shrugged his shirt completely off, revealing all those muscles, she swallowed hard.
Sin and sex.
That’s what she thought of almost every time she looked at him. It was hard not to think about that intensely raw night they’d shared, especially now.
He neatly folded his shirt before laying it on the sand. When his fingers moved against the button of his pants, she made a decision. She had to stop being a coward. The only person she was hurting by holding back was herself. She couldn’t let her past poison her future. As a supernatural being, she had a long damn future ahead of her and she couldn’t live in fear. She refused to.
Not when her present was so damn sexy.
Taking a steadying breath, she reached for the hem of her shirt and tore it over her head. Without looking at him, worried she’d lose her nerve if she did, she stripped off her bottoms. Since she hadn’t been wearing anything underneath, she was completely bare. Cool air rushed over her, but she hardly noticed it. Unlike him, she tossed her clothes onto the soft sand. When she met his gaze, she realized he was frozen with his fingers still hooked on his pants button.
He looked like a big, sexy statue standing there. His breathing was erratic and his eyes had gone pure wolf as they raked over her.
The sight made her grin. And it also pushed down some of her insecurities. She sauntered toward him, closing the short distance between them. His breaths got even more unsteady, but when he reached for her, she jumped away.
“Catch me if you can,” she whispered before letting the shift overtake her. Unlike wolves, jaguars shifted much quicker. In seconds, her cat had taken over. The sand was cool beneath her paws.
Risking a quick glance over her shoulder, she saw Asher hurrying to strip his pants off. Without waiting, she raced away, keeping close to the shadows of the sand dunes as she ran. The night was silent and it was late enough that most people wouldn’t be out anyway.
She’d never thought much about the male-female chase she’d heard her cousins and pridemates talk about before, but she understood it a little better now. Especially since she wanted to be caught by Asher. Ella wanted Asher to chase her, wanted to go running with him and relax. To see what he was like in his wolf form, to know both sides to him. It was important for her jaguar to accept his wolf and vice versa.
As she ran along the sand, she kept her pace steady, but she wasn’t flying. She was fast in her feline form, but she didn’t want to actually outrun him. Just play with him.
She felt more than heard Asher a moment before his big body playfully tackled her to the ground. He nuzzled against her neck, nipping softly. She rarely let herself be in this vulnerable a position with anyone—it was instinct not to—but on her most primal level she knew Asher would die before hurting her.
She jumped onto all fours then nudged his shoulder with her nose. He was a large black wolf, and absolutely beautiful. Intelligent green eyes looked back at her for a long moment. Yipping, he ran ahead, but waited to make sure she followed. She wasn’t sure how long they ran, but it seemed to stretch on for an eternity as their paws pounded along the beach. Eventually he slowed and they turned around. Keeping the same intense pace as they headed back, she savored the feel of freedom.