Free Winter Craving by Marisa Chenery

good you smell and I can’t
help myself,” she said on a wail.
    “That’s nature’s
way of making sure the link forms. My scent is supposed to entice my mate, to
make her want me to complete the mating.”
    She pushed at
Cyrus’ chest and kept pushing until he finally let her go. Shyla jumped out of
bed. “So basically it’s not giving me any choice. It acts like an aphrodisiac,
one I can’t resist. While I’ve been with you, I really haven’t acted on how I
truly feel about you?”
    Cyrus came to
stand in front of her. “No. You’re my mate. You should have feelings for me. My
scent only helps it along. It makes it so you’ll be more than willing to have
me claim you.”
    She took a few
steps back, putting more space between them. “That’s still not giving me a
choice. Before you, I never slept with a man I’d just met. Those I did go to
bed with, I waited until we’d been together for a while. Now I know why I acted
so out of character.”
    He tried to
reach for her, but she jumped away. He blew out a frustrated-sounding breath.
“You make it sound as if I took you against your will. I didn’t. It played on
the attraction you already have for me.”
    Shyla shook her
head. She didn’t want to listen to any more. She’d heard enough. “I need to
leave. If you won’t drive me to my cousin’s place, I’ll call John and have him
pick me up.”
    “Shyla, please
stay. You’re confused. I can help you through it.”
    “Confused?
That’s an understatement. I found out the man I slept with is a wolf shifter
who really isn’t a man. Then you tell me your scent makes me want to have sex
with you. I’m starting to question if what I feel for you is even real. I can’t
do this. I have to go.”
    He looked
suddenly crestfallen, but she steeled herself against it. She couldn’t think
straight with his scent making her want him so much. She had to get away and
see if what she thought was love had only been lust.
    “Don’t call
John,” Cyrus said. “I’ll take you. The roads should be clear by now. I’ll get
dressed, then we can go.”
    She nodded and
set about gathering up her clothes. Shyla dressed without really looking at
Cyrus as he moved around the room doing the same. He walked out into the main
part of the cabin before she did.
    After Shyla had
put on her boots, winter jacket, mitts and hat, she picked up her snow pants
and waited by the door for Cyrus to finish getting ready. He joined her, then
silently led the way outside. They didn’t speak to each other once he backed
his crossover out of the shed and she climbed into the passenger side. Nor did
the silence break during the short drive into town.
    Shyla gave Cyrus
directions to her cousin’s house once they arrived at the outskirts. After he
pulled into the driveway, she placed her hand on the handle of the door to get
out. He reached across and captured the wrist on her free arm to prevent her
from leaving.
    “Shyla, wait. I
understand you need some time to get your head around everything, but we still
need to talk.”
    She turned to
look at him. “About what? I think you’ve said everything.”
    “Ignoring it
won’t make it all go away. You’re my mate. Nothing will change that. And yes,
there is more I have to say. Like the fact I love you. No one can take your
place in my heart.”
    “Stop,” Shyla
said. “Hearing that isn’t going to make me instantly accept what you are. The
only reason why I’m not screaming my head off is because of that damn scent of
yours. It’s messing with my mind. I need to have some space.”
    “All right. When
can I see you again?”
    “I really don’t
know.”
    “When you feel
ready, you know where I live. Come to me there. It’s your choice. I’d never
force you into something you don’t want.” He slowly released her wrist.
    Shyla nodded.
She pushed open the door and stepped out of the crossover. Once she closed it,
she headed for the front of the house. Numbness had set in. Now that