Free Dual Embrace: 3 (Shadowpeak Wolves) by Lorna Jean Roberts Page B

I.”
    “Bullshit. I don’t do this.” She waved her hand over them.
    “What? Naked?” he asked, his voice amused. “You usually have sex fully clothed?”
    “Urgh, I don’t do this— This holding thing after sex.”
    “Holding thing? It’s called cuddling. And you most definitely do it, with me.”
    “Bastard. Leave me alone.”
    “Relax. I’m sorry I didn’t hold you straight away. I was caught up in my own thoughts. Ahh, baby. You are so beautiful. You felt like hot silk wrapping around me. Look at you, your face is flushed, your eyes sparkling—simply gorgeous. You are so special, Dusty. You know that, don’t you?”
    “Those lines ever work on your other women?” she sneered, or at least she tried to, her voice was a little shakier than she would have liked.
    “No, baby.” His large palm cupped her cheek, turning her face up so he could stare into her eyes. “Just you. Only you.” Rolling her onto her back, he kissed her. “Only you.”
    This time when he drew her into his arms, she went without a word of protest. After all, he’d pretty much stolen her breath.
    * * * * *
     
    “Did Tina say why Cooper called a meeting?” Dusty asked, holding back a wince as the truck ran over a particularly bumpy patch in the road, jolting her thigh. Between the nightmare and sex, she’d gotten little sleep last night and she was feeling decidedly grumpy this morning.
    Cain stared over at her sharply. “No. It’s not surprising though. We need to talk over what happened yesterday, come up with some sort of plan.”
    He slowed down a gear as she grimaced.
    “I’m fine,” she snapped.
    He merely stared back at her calmly. “And if I slow down and take the bumps easier you’ll feel even better,” he stated.
    “Look, I don’t expect you to treat me any differently from anyone else. Got it?”
    “But you are different from everyone else. You are mine. This is not going to be a repeat of last time. I am not going to hide what happened and I am not going to let you either.”
    “We’re not mates.”
    He stared at her sternly. “Because you won’t agree to it. Yet.”
    “I’m different now. What if I can’t go back to who I was? Would you still want me?” She tensed, waiting.
    His answer was immediate. “I’d have you any way I could take you. I don’t care if you’re an enforcer, a housewife or head of the damn social committee. None of that matters to me as long as you’re happy.”
    Her insides melted and tears pricked her eyes.
    “I don’t deserve you.”
    He snorted.
    “I don’t,” she insisted. “I was selfish. I pushed you away. I’m still pushing you away.”
    “So stop,” he said simply.
    “I don’t know if I can. I don’t know if I can let you in.” She paused and took a deep breath. “I know what male werewolves are like with their mates. The slightest hint of danger and they become crazy. I won’t be smothered. I won’t be treated as though I’m weak.”
    “So you think Laney is weak?”
    She frowned. “No, but she’s not an enforcer.” Well, neither am I anymore.
    “No, but she’s strong, a fighter. And she doesn’t think letting Cooper look after her weakens her. You’ve seen how protective he is. Yet they maintain a balance that satisfies them both. It’s not impossible. I like your strength. The fact that you can take care of yourself is something I admire. Being with me does not mean giving up who you are.”
    “I’ve already lost who I am.”
    “You’ll find yourself again.”
    Will I?
    “I tell you what, we’ll compromise. When your leg heals and you go back to being an enforcer, I’ll stand back and let you do what you have to do. Then after, when I get you home, I’ll tie you up, strip you naked and show you how very bossy and possessive I can be.”
    She bit her lip as her pussy contracted in response.
    “That’s crazy,” she said breathlessly.
    “Makes you hot though, doesn’t it? I want you, Dusty. Forever. As my mate. And I will do