Before I really think it through, I throw down my basket of berries, pick up a horribly-formed snowball, and launch it at his head.
The snowball hits him in the chest instead, and he stares down at his coat in shock. When his eyes snap up to meet mine, I squeal and turn to run away.
He catches me right away, of course. He asks me a question, laughing incredulously, so I know he’s probably teasing me. As embarrassed as I am at my actions, I love seeing him this way. I wish he’d let his guard down more and just relax around me.
I playfully bite his hand to make him let go of me, and half-heartedly run a few feet away, picking up another handful of snow to toss at him. He barks out a laugh and watches me crouch in the snow to make another snowball.
To my delight, he follows my lead and bends down to make his own snowball. I screech in laughter when he throws it at me, even though I know he totally could have thrown it harder. Before I know it, we’re both running around the yard, laughing and playing in the snow. Maalik lets me win our impromptu snowball fight. He could easily outrun me or hit me with dozens of snowballs, but he doesn’t.
I can’t remember a time I was able to just play or be so free and open with anyone other than Alistair.
When I stop for a break, shivering from the wet and cold while trying to catch my breath, Maalik picks me up to carry me inside. I don’t fight him this time. He leaves me alone in the cabin for a minute, and I breathe a sigh of relief when he promptly returns with the basket of berries I left out in the snow.
The fire’s nearly burned out in the fireplace, but I get it going again within a few minutes. When I turn to look at Maalik, I find him watching me with a warm smile.
“Come here,” I purr flirtatiously, using my pointer finger to beckon him closer.
He growls quietly but follows my command, kneeling beside me in front of the fireplace. His eyes are a bit feral, and I can tell he’s trying to hold himself back again. Keeping my eyes on his, I raise my hands to slowly unbutton his coat. He takes a shuddering breath and lets me take it off him, but he doesn’t move to touch me. So, I unbutton my own coat and shrug it off of my shoulders.
“Isla,” Maalik whispers my name like it’s a prayer on his lips. He gulps and takes my hand between his, brushing his calloused fingers over my knuckles. He takes a deep breath and begins rambling. It’s more than I’ve ever heard him speak at once, and I can’t follow a single word. But I can read guilt in his tone.
It reminds me of Reule that first morning here, when I woke up in bed beside him and he rejected my advances. Is Maalik really afraid he’s taking advantage of me? Is that why he’s always so distant and hesitant?
“Shh.” I press my fingers to his lips, cutting him off. I give him a bright, genuine smile, twining our fingers together and lifting our hands between us. I stroke my finger over his mate rune, feeling tingles on my own wrist when I do so. “We’re mates now. I’m yours, and you’re mine. No matter how we ended up together.”
He stares at me for a long moment, and pulls my sleeve up enough to see the matching mate rune on my wrist. He kisses the mark, and a quiet moan escapes my lips. Who would have thought something so innocent could feel so good?
And just like that, his hands and lips are everywhere as he kisses me like his life depends on it. And I am so fucking here for it. I help him undress while shimmying out of my own clothes, feeling desperate and feverish every time his skin touches mine.
“Krásná,” he groans. He kisses down my jaw and throat until he reaches my breasts, and I arch against him.
He takes his time with me, unlike our first night with the full moons when we were all so rushed and wild. He kisses every inch of my skin, leaving soft little love bites along the way and leaving me squirming with need. His beard is even fuller than Reule’s, and the way it scratches at