Free A Mate's Wish (Ouachita Mountain Shifters 0.5) by P. Jameson

forward.
    “Agh!” Her deep, guttural moan told him the motion hit her just right.
    He repeated the action over and over. With each thrust, her nails dug into his shoulder. “God, you feel good, Beth.” He placed frantic kisses along her jaw. “Do you know how long I’ve dreamed of this moment?”
    Gripping her thighs, he spread her legs farther and plunged deeper, earning another gasp and moan.
    Renner pulled back to watch their connection but was distracted by the way her breasts bounced with every push. He wanted to thank the Creator for making her so perfect. Bending his head, he ran his tongue around a tight nipple before sucking it between his lips.
    “ Renner ! I’m going to…”
    He felt her tighten around his cock. Fuck .
    “Let go, babe. Give me what you’ve got.”
    He was close. If she said his name one more time, it would all be over.
    Nibbling at the sweet curve of her breast, he realized how different this was from every other encounter he’d had. This wasn’t sex. Not just a fuck to ease his needs. No, they were making love. Maybe he wasn’t marking her, but he was claiming her nonetheless. Claiming her heart as his. Whether she wanted him to or not.
    Bethany cried out as her body convulsed around his shaft, pulling him to a release. He slowed his thrusting and then stopped altogether, but didn’t break their connection. He never wanted to leave her body. His breath rushed forward, mixing with her heavy pants. The moment was perfect.
    He bent and took her lips tenderly, sliding his tongue against hers.
    His strength was slipping. Worth it , he thought as his panther retreated to focus on healing. He was only partially satisfied with no marking, but Renner couldn’t remember a time he’d been happier.
    “How do you feel?” he whispered against her neck.
    It took a moment for her to answer. “Lost.” Her voice was almost non-existent.
    He leaned back to look into her eyes, questioning.
    “Lost to something I can’t control. Lost to you, Ren. Now you have the power to ruin me.”
    He took her face in his hands. “Never again. Do you understand me? You’re safe here.”
    She nodded.
    Carefully, he pulled out and rolled onto his side. He’d done a number on his wound. It felt like he’d rolled in razor blade catnip. He dragged Bethy close, tucking the covers around them, and within minutes he was asleep.

Chapter Nine
    The sun creeping in through the blinds was the first sign of something wrong. Bethany hadn’t awoken to sunlight in a long time. Usually she greeted the dawn after having already finished a cup of coffee. Or two. Early mornings were almost necessary to her sanity.
    She blinked, replaying the events of the night before.
    Renner .
    His arm around her naked waist tightened. “Good morning, sweet.” His voice was rough from sleep and it sent a shiver down to her toes.
    She turned to watch him over her shoulder as his hand slipped up to cup her breast. It was hot and rough and oh so perfect. She bit off a moan.
    “What time is it?” she asked as a distraction.
    “Ten til nine.”
    “Damn it, I’m late. Magic’s going to kill me.”
    Renner dropped a kiss to her cheek. “Pretty sure it’s me he’s going to kill. You’ll make it out of this alive.”
    “Because you can’t work on the Christmas celebration now?”
    He raised a dark eyebrow. “That’s one reason.” He sighed. “I suppose we’ll have to cancel this year. There’s too much to do in the next several days and I’m only partially healed.”
    Turning on her side to face him, she decided now would be a good time to spill her plan. “I might be able to save you from Magic’s wrath.” She grinned, and his thumb traced it.
    “I love your smile.”
    She recalled the picture she’d found in his closet of her beaming, and her heart warmed. He’d kept that picture for this reason.
    “I called Ryan. He’s going to come help get the lodge ready for Christmas.”
    His smile faded. “What?”
    “He owns