road on the other side of the dorms to make way for new cabins. Malaki was the first, and only, pride member to build out that way. The male wanted peace and that was exactly what he had gotten when he built his cabin at the end of the new gravel road.
He gave her a few minutes before placing the call.
“Good morning,” she answered. There wasn’t a drop of stress in her voice, and he breathed a sigh of relief. The visit with Malaki must’ve been a good one.
“I’m awake,” he said as he walked back inside. It was cold, and he needed to start a fire if she was going to be coming over. “I’m building a fire. So, give yourself about fifteen minutes before you get here.”
“You’re very sure I’m going to come over today,” she giggled. He knew she was teasing, and he wanted nothing more than for her to keep that bright attitude.
“Of course,” he replied. “Hurry up.”
“You said fifteen minutes,” she reminded him.
“You’re a smartass,” he accused, feeling his beast pacing in his mind. “Are you hungry? I was about to make something to eat, then possibly go for a run in the woods before I have to go to work.”
“I actually need to shift,” she admitted. Good, because he cherished the times they spent in the woods. “Food first, though.”
“The door is open when you get here,” he offered, hanging up when she said she was on her way.
Taze was still smiling when she walked in the door. When he turned around, his eyes heated. She was wearing a pair of skin-tight, black jeans, matching colored boots, and a thick, flannel shirt over a tank top. Her top showed off the upper swell of each breast, and he had to bite down hard on his jaw to keep his tongue from falling out and panting like a dog.
“Wine?” he asked after clearing his throat. As much of a gentleman as he wanted to be, and he felt like a complete piece of shit for thinking it, he wanted to touch her tonight. He wanted to complete the mating with Calla and work on her aversions after.
“You okay?” She frowned as he set her glass down. He couldn’t look at her for fear of his panther making itself known. The mating scent he produced was getting stronger and he was fighting the urge to mate.
“I’m fine,” he replied, turning for the counter to grab the tray of ribs he’d seasoned to put on the grill out back. When he turned back around, she was standing there looking like his personal wet dream. “God, you’re beautiful.”
“Um, thanks,” she scowled, but moved out of his way when he came through. Calla was still standing in the same spot when he returned. “Why are you not looking at me?”
“Fuck, sweetheart,” he groaned. “I’m really sorry. I’m such a jerk.”
“Why are you a jerk?” She backed away when he moved closer, but he stopped just a few inches from her, and that was the worst idea he’d had since he and Lucky had decided to prank one of the elders when they were ten years old.
“I want you,” he blurted, his eyes finally showing his true nature. “I shouldn’t want to touch you this badly, and I know better. Damn it, Calla. I. Want. To. Fucking. Touch. You. But I can’t…I won’t until you are ready to make the contact.”
“I’m sorry,” she sighed, dropping her eyes to the ground.
“Do not look at the ground when you speak to me,” he ordered, feeling his panther push at his chest. The male wanted to show his worth to her. “When it’s me and you, we don’t do that, yeah? That’s not the way we do things.”
“You’re right,” she agreed, bringing her head back up. Her eyes were sparking amber, and he scented her desire. She wanted to touch him, but she didn’t know how. “Oh, Taze. I’m so torn.”
“I know,” he replied. “Let’s not rush things. Tonight, we eat and run. Tomorrow, or the next day, we worry about the rest. Okay?”
On her nod, he turned for the kitchen and slid her glass closer. When she took it and found her normal seat at his table, he finally relaxed enough to finish preparing the meal. “By the way, my mother asked if we would like to have dinner at their place on my next night off rotation.”
“What night are you off?” she asked, her voice soft and sure.
“Tuesday.” Taze set the