Mending the Beast (Awakening Pride #10) - Lacey Thorn Page 0,60

a kiss over the place where her T-shirt hid his mark. She leaned her head to the side, offering her neck, and he nibbled kisses up toward her ear.

“Going to open the windows?”

“Fuck, no,” he grumbled against her skin. “I love the smell in the air.” He inhaled deeply. “You. Me. Sex. I can’t imagine anything better.”

She turned in his arms, wrapping her hands around his neck. “I couldn’t agree more.” She lifted on her toes, and he met her, lips meshing and opening so tongues could play.

“Daniel!” Gabriel bellowed his name from outside, and Ariel couldn’t stop the giggle that rose in her throat.

“Have I mentioned how big a pain in the ass my brother can be?”

“Go,” she urged. “I’ll be right behind you.”

“Come with me now.”

She pointed to her feet. “Some of us haven’t had time to put our shoes on yet. Go! Before they come back here yelling some more. I’ll be right behind you.”

Daniel dropped another heated kiss on her lips then took off at a jog. She kept her eyes glued to him until he was out of sight. He was hers. All hers. And she was completely in love with him. The man continued to show her his ability to put her needs first. It made her feel guilty in some ways. Until she saw his eyes and the need for her that he did nothing to hide. The love for her. She’d learned she could be a mate, but she still doubted she was worthy of him.

It took a few minutes more for her to throw on her socks and shoes then she grabbed a jacket and headed out the door, shutting it tightly behind her so the scent of sex would continue to linger. She liked the idea of it greeting them when the returned, reminding them both of how they’d spent the last few days. How she wanted to spend the rest of their lives.

“Hey. I see you came out for air.”

Ariel glanced up and saw Rissa. The other woman kept throwing glances back at the house as if watching for someone.

“I heard Laramie say Slade was in his office. In case that’s who you were watching for.”

Rissa laughed. “Busted. I swear the man shows up everywhere I go.”

“That can’t be a hardship. He’s good looking, seems like a nice guy, and he’s a Holloway. I’ve heard that name carries weight with your kind.”

“My kind?” Rissa questioned.

“Bear shifters,” Ariel explained.

“Oh, I thought you meant women.”

Ariel shrugged. “I haven’t seen him glancing anyone’s way but yours since we’ve been here. Is that it? He’s too much of a flirt? Or a lady’s man?”

Rissa shook her head. “No, he’s actually a great guy.”

“And obviously into you.”

“I have no idea why I find it so easy to talk to you,” Rissa groused. “I usually keep my lips sealed when it comes to my personal life.”

Ariel shrugged. “I’m the same way. I tend to keep as much of a distance from others as I can. Which isn’t always easy in our pride.”

“I’m learning it’s not easy with this den, either. Especially with a man like Slade. Look, I’d love to chat, which shocks the hell out of me, but I gather you left your cabin for a reason that brought you to the main lodge, and I really need a walk.”

“A walk sounds good,” Ariel offered, finding she really enjoyed the other woman’s company. It was a first for her. She wasn’t really close to any of the women in the pride. Vic, maybe, but even they weren’t really friends. “Mind if I tag along?”

“Have you seen much of the land here?” Rissa asked as they set off.

Ariel was content to let the other woman set the pace. “No. We haven’t left the cabin in the last few days.”

“Lucky bitch,” Rissa groused, tossing a grin at Ariel.

“I got the distinct impression Slade would offer you the same.”

Rissa’s face bloomed with color. “Don’t I know it.”

“But?” Ariel prompted.

Rissa shook her head again. “Do you know much about the Holloways?”

“Seven brothers. Their father was killed by hunters, and Gabriel returned his body to them. They were attacked again after that and thought they’d lost all the females in the den. Turns out they were wrong. And you’re from a den in Washington where Laramie’s mate, Emersyn, is from. Right?”

“That’s the short version,” Rissa agreed. “Neither den realized the other existed. My brother and I headed here when we found out Em was here. We didn’t know she