Free Desirable by Elle Thorne, Shifters Forever

glanced at his profile now and then. She checked out his handsome face, his high cheekbones and short dark hair; the way his hands held the wheel with complete confidence; the way the muscles stood out on his thighs when he switched from the brake to the gas pedal. She memorized everything, every single little detail, because she was certain that no matter what Allynne had said about them, he would be gone from her life once again.
    Finally, they arrived at the dock. He parked, got out, and held the door open for her.
    “This is it?” He pointed to the Marguerite .
    “Yes. Named for my mother.” She dug in her purse for the keys. “Unless you wanted to be somewhere else? My father’s house? A restaurant? You said you wanted privacy…”
    “This is fine.” His smile reached his eyes, crinkling the corners.
    She slipped her heels off so she could get on the boat. He took her hand and helped her up and over the side. Then he followed her.
    “I grew up only eight hours from here. I know many of the shifters in the southern US. Why did I never see you or know about you before that incident with Vax?”
    Natalya cringed at the mention of Vax, thinking of her childish antics in Dallas. “I spent a lot of time in Europe. It seems I was too much of a handful. My father sent me to a private school after my mother was gone.”
    “No doubt you raised a little Cain there.”
    Natalya didn’t want to respond for fear he’d start to dwell on her behavior with Vax.
    God, that seems like a million years ago.
    Natalya unlocked the door of the cabin and slipped inside, opening two of the blinds that faced the water, still affording them some privacy but giving them light and a view of the beautiful lake.
    She waved her arms around the place, as if she were a game show hostess. “We’re here. Privacy.” Now what?
    He was watching her. The muted morning sunlight made his eyes darker and yet at the same time emphasized the amber glow of his tiger flashing in their depths. “I should spank you for leaving me in the lurch.”
    A shiver ran through her body. “You’ve threatened that before.”
    “I recall. Does the idea repel you?”
    More like, excite me. “I had to leave the ball. I got a text saying that Ms. Claudette was in a bad way.”
    “I understand why you had to leave. But not the way it was handled. You should have come and talked to me.”
    “Lézare, how could I? After my behavior with you all those months ago? After my behavior with your cousin… your family.” She felt the pinprick of tears and blinked them back.
    “Say that again.” He put a thumb on her bottom lip, his fingers holding her chin.
    Say what again, that I’m sorry? “What is it you want me to say?”
    “My name.” He leaned lower.
    His face approached hers in what felt like slow motion. Her breath was trapped in her lungs. He kissed her slowly, his tongue making languid swipes in her mouth, claiming her, taking her, not asking permission. He broke contact with her mouth, pulling away just the slightest bit, his flesh emanating a warmth that filled her body with sensations she had never experienced before.
    “Say it. I love the way you say it.”
    She’d never said it aloud, not to him, not to anyone, though it was a sound that she’d savored when she was alone, saying his name so many times that she would have willed his presence next to her if she had any magical powers.
    “Lézare.” It was like a caress on her tongue, like an embrace to her lips.
    “Natalya.” His voice was like nectar, making the way he said her name equal to a lover’s touch. The southern lilt melded with the slight patois, an accent she’d come to associate only with him.
    “What she said was true, you know.” His words caressed her heart, soothed her soul, and filled a part of her that had been hollow.
    She fought to breathe, to concentrate, so consumed was she by her desire for this man, for the way he pulled her into a place that felt like she was alone