Free NocC 013 - Katie Reus - Protector's Mate - Harlequin 2012-04 by Nocturne Page A

he grasped her wrists and pulled her tight against him, savoring the feel of her lush body. “Don’t ever cover yourself in front of me. You’re beautiful.”
    Her cheeks flushed at his words.
    “Has no one ever told you how beautiful you are?” he murmured, unable to tear his gaze from the fullness of her lips.
    A slight shake of her head. “Just you.”
    “Get used to hearing it.” Her mouth curved up and it soothed his inner wolf to please her. Though he wanted to pounce and take what was his, he knew he had to play it smoother than that. Especially now. Rubbing his thumbs over the pulse points in her wrists, he was entranced as he watched her lips part seductively. An invitation.
    “It’s not fair that you’re still dressed,” she finally said, breaking the silence.
    He didn’t plan to stay that way for long. Not with Felicia pressed up against him like this, lust rolling off her in potent waves. And not with his own just as strong.
    Knowing how much it had taken her to bare herself to him in this way—literally—he felt awed she was putting her trust in him. He wasn’t going to screw things up either. He couldn’t afford to.
    He scooped her up and headed for his bed. With shaking hands, he placed her at the foot of it and stripped off his clothes in seconds. Later, when they had time and he had the patience, he wanted her to take his clothes off piece by piece. So he could feel her hands stroking over his entire body.
    It was hard to think straight with her so very naked in front of him. Especially since he’d already seen what she looked like when she climaxed, had tasted her… That was a memory he wouldn’t soon forget. And planned to repeat very soon.
    When she placed a gentle hand in the middle of his chest, he tensed. Did she want to stop?
    “I’ve never done this before,” she said quietly.
    A startling protectiveness completely filled him at her admission. The most primitive part of him was glad he’d be the first and only man to touch her. Because after this there would be no one else. Feeling humbled, he placed his hand over hers and squeezed gently. He planned to make this special for her and take care of her and the fact that she trusted him with this. It made his throat clench tight with emotions. Emotions he didn’t even know how to voice to her. “I’d kind of guessed” he rasped out.
    At his words a trail of unease wove its way off of her, bitter and slightly acidic. It was a thin thread but he sensed it just the same. He guessed she was uneasy for a multitude of reasons, the main one being he was a big guy and this was going to be her first time. More than anything he wanted to soothe her. He’d never been good with words but knew he had to try. “I haven’t been with anyone since I met you.”
    Her blue eyes widened and for a split second, disbelief flared there. “Really? Why not?”
    A bark of laughter escaped at her bluntness. “My inner wolf recognized you on a basic level. I knew you were my mate the moment we met and I didn’t want anyone else. Letting you go…let’s just say I almost didn’t, but I knew it would be selfish to take you when you weren’t ready.” Slowly, he stroked his hands down her sides until he settled at her hips. His fingers tightened around her. She was lean but soft everywhere and he loved trailing his fingers over her body. Pulling her close, he let her feel his erection—not that there was any chance she’d missed it.
    She linked her fingers around his neck. “How did you know I wasn’t ready?” Her voice was unsteady.
    “Because of what I wanted from you.”
    “And that is?” Now her voice was barely a whisper.
    He dipped his head until their lips grazed each others. “Everything.”
    Her breathing was uneven and shallow, the same as his. Without giving her a chance to respond, he pressed his lips to hers, tasting and devouring her.
    He’d wanted everything from her years ago and it was even truer now. While his wolf might