Sassy Shifter Brides: Complete Series - BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Mail-Order Romance (23 page)

“I never want to see you sad, Teresa,” he whispered huskily. All of his focus was only on her, and when he dipped forward, his mind barely registered what he was doing. He knew it was right. He knew he had to do it. He needed to kiss away her sadness, he needed to make her happy again. Right now. And so he did.

CHAPTER FIVE

Teresa’s heart skipped a beat as Slate leant forward. His hand went behind her neck and when his lips pressed against hers, she melted into it with ease. A small moan whispered from her mouth as he kissed her, his soft lips caressing hers for a moment that seemed to go on forever and yet end far too early. His touch sent electricity buzzing through her, and all that pent up need that had been gathering in her core since she’d met him was released violently. Instead of shying away like she would with any other man, she gave herself to the kiss and responded eagerly. Her hands rested against his wide, strong chest, the softness of the cotton tee a stark contrast to the way his stubble rasped against her chin.

I can’t believe this is happening,
she thought wildly, letting her hands roam over his shoulders and her fingers entwine behind his neck. Oh, he tasted delicious – masculine, but with a hint of something tender.

When he pulled away, she all but protested. Her eyes were hazy with desire, and his hazel orbs looked at her with such affection and admiration that she felt like the most beautiful woman in the world. For days she had been hoping that maybe something like that could happen between them. Just maybe he was as attracted to her as she was to him.

“What was that for?” she murmured, reluctant to let go of him. Slate grinned, and she could see the tiger in him, his eyes sparking with a predatory gleam and his expression that of a cat, who got into a bowl of cream.

“I thought it would cheer you up. Did it?” he asked, his tone playful. She nodded. It most certainly did. “Good,” he said, and his strong hands slid around her waist, and with one smooth move, he had pulled her onto his lap, straddling him.

Teresa gasped, feeling his hardness between her legs, pressing against her thigh. She wasn’t going to pretend that she wasn’t entirely and completely turned on by the man, and getting such a clear physical signal from him just went to stoke her fire further.

“Now, Teresa, my beauty. I know I said I would be a complete gentleman, and I think I’ve ruined that already, but I couldn’t help myself. You looked so sad that I wanted to wipe it away. Now, the question is, do you want me to continue?” There was tension in his words, and Teresa became very aware of how his muscles were taught and hard under her touch, the man almost vibrating under her. She recognized it for what it was – he was straining to keep himself back. Teresa grinned, feeling like a sex goddess, who had just roped the most handsome man in the world. Hell yes, she wanted him to keep going! Instead of saying anything, she kissed him, hard and hungry.

Slate responded with a throaty growl, and it sent a shudder down her spine. Underneath his tenderness, there was also a beast that was far more powerful than she could imagine. Just the thought of having some control over it made her buzz. He kissed her back with savage desire, and when he slipped his tongue into her mouth, she lost all track of her surroundings. He fucked her mouth with his tongue, conquering it. She pawed at his shirt, pulling it over his head, and the body hidden under it would have made her swoon if she weren’t so preoccupied with tasting and experiencing it. Rippling abs tucked into a gorgeous Adonis belt, which she couldn’t wait to reveal in its entirety. Her fingers traced his hard muscles, the flat plains of his chest and his perfectly molded shoulders. He tore her shirt off of her, and she didn’t even think of objecting. A moment later, he had unhooked her bra, letting her heavy breasts spill free.

In a second, Teresa found herself on her back, staring up at the wide blue sky before Slate kissed her again, his fingers already undoing the front of her pants and pushing them down her lush hips. As much as he wanted it, she was sure she wanted it more. No man had ever made her feel as safe or as appreciated as Slate did, and when she was near him, she felt completely at ease. She’d known he had to be something special when they first started talking over SassyDate, but after meeting him, there was no doubt in her mind that he was the most impressive, charismatic and caring man she would ever know. Loving him came as easily as breathing.

Slate’s chest rumbled in a deep purr as he spread her legs with his hand, dipping his fingers into her wet heat. Teresa gasped, arching her back while her nails dug into his sides. The way he took what he wanted was so irresistibly hot that she opened for him easily. His fingertips grazed across her clit, spreading her wetness and exploring her folds with the tender touch of a lover but with the demanding need of a man with a mission. She caught her lower lip between her teeth as he teased two fingers at her slit, pressing against it just hard enough to slip the tips of his fingers in while his thumb rubbed her clit. Her vision sparked with light, and she was faintly aware of the way she was gasping for breath, giving herself to him completely.

“Is this what you want?” Slate’s deep voice cut into her revelry, making her open her eyes and focus on him. He kissed a trail down her neck, stopping at the swell of her breasts. Ever so gently, he moved down her breasts now, until he circled the tip of his tongue around one of her nipples, making it peak into a hard nub under his expert touch. Teresa nodded her head quickly, her nails raking down his back.

“Yes, please! Slate, please!” she begged with a voice alien to her ears. Who was this woman, wanting it so badly, begging for release? And why hadn’t she demanded it earlier?! Another purring growl from Slate made her just about vibrate under his touch, and when his teeth clamped around her nipple, she moaned with need. He sucked on her nipple, and she scuffed her fingers through his thick mane of hair, gripping and pulling, urging him to continue. While Theresa was usually shy and well-mannered, she was adamant about not losing even a second of time with this impossibly hot, loving man, and if that meant she would be squealing to the heavens while naked on a field, then so be it.

He released her nipple from between his sharp teeth and kissed a fiery path down her soft stomach. For a moment he paused at her hips, teasing her with his fingers until she moaned in frustration. Slate chuckled and then finally took mercy on her. He pumped two fingers into her just when his tongue replaced his thumb on her clit. Teresa stuttered a breath, her body going rigid under the sudden onslaught of pleasure. She bucked her hips against him, wanting and demanding more as he pleasured her, his tongue licking at her with fast, unrelenting flicks. It was almost painful, the wealth of hot desire he showered on her, but she would never ask him to stop. Instead, she wriggled her hips a little so he could plunge in deeper, and when he did, it was utter bliss. Her lips parted, and she pushed her head back, giving in to the moment entirely. Her need pulsed inside of her, beginning from her core but spreading throughout until she was nothing more than tightly wound desire. When it exploded, her world crumbled around her and was built anew.

The tide of her release washed over her, and all she could do was hold on tight to Slate, riding it out. Her animal moans echoed from the mountains, voicing her finish to the heavens. When she was finally released from the grips of her orgasm, Slate was right there, cradling her against him. He was rock hard, his large erection pressed against her thigh as he cuddled her.

“That was amazing,” she finally whispered, letting her head loll against his shoulder. He purred a chuckle, and the soft noise translated to safety in Teresa’s head. She nuzzled his chest, laying a kiss between the muscled pecs.

“Yes, it was, my beauty,” he said, his soft voice hugging her.

“Should we…” Teresa questioned, glancing down at the bulge against the leg of his jeans. Slate shook his head and kissed her on the forehead.

“No. This was all about you,” he said. There was an edge to his voice as he said that, one that she didn’t miss but didn’t think much of. Frankly, she was so exhausted from holding it all in for days on end that now, after being brought to her peak, she could hardly argue against anything Slate wanted. Though, the thought of having him inside of her was enough to spark her hunger once more.

There will be plenty of time,
she told herself, letting her eyes close as she lay next to Slate. Who knew that Idaho could be so damn sexy!

***

After their tryst on the field, Teresa had looked forward to many more stolen moments like that. Instead, she’d been met with disappointment. While Slate was more than happy to kiss her and smother her with affection and attention, he wouldn’t go that far again. It confused Teresa to no end. Their work continued as before – going out early each morning to explore the nearby mountains and then returning late in the evening to have dinner and go to sleep. She’d hoped that he would share the bed with her, but Slate was adamant about staying on the couch. A few times, she had snuck out of the bedroom to see if he was still up and more often than not, she found him missing entirely. Once she had caught a glimpse of his large, imposing tiger jumping out of the woods and heading towards the cabin. Teresa figured that it had to be a ‘shifter thing’ and one that Slate didn’t want her to meddle in. It was getting harder and harder not to, though.

Their conversations were as easy as before, and he sought out physical contact wherever he could. He was clearly as turned on by her as she was by him (it didn’t take a genius to figure that out, considering the bulge he was left with every time he peeled himself off of her), but he wouldn’t allow himself to act on it. Frankly, it was starting to play with Teresa’s head a little, even despite him assuring her time and time again that he thought she was the most beautiful and mesmerizing woman he had ever met. The man was a puzzle she couldn’t wait to crack. The way he pulled away from her, almost violently, angrily, would have startled her if she didn’t know that he would never hurt her. But there was something wrong, and she couldn’t put her finger on what it was.

Late one evening, they were sitting on the porch steps, watching the sunset. Teresa couldn’t get enough of the magnificent view of the sun setting over the jagged peaks of the mountain, flooding the valley with warm, sparkling light. Slate eyed it with a hint of sadness, his shoulders tense and his whole body strung tight like he was about to pounce on an enemy.

“Slate, what’s going on?” Teresa finally asked, gathering her courage. The man glanced at her, confusion and surprise muddled in his gaze.

“What do you mean?”

“You seem on edge. Like you’re expecting a piano to drop on us any moment.” He chuckled, and Teresa breathed a small sigh of relief. Being so comfortable around him otherwise, she hated the edge of tension that had crept into their communication. Any opportunity to lessen that was a welcome one.

“Maybe I am. A proverbial one, anyway. Something feels… off. Has since we came here. Like there are eyes on us, though I’m not sure what reason they would have. Or who ‘they’ could be, for that matter.”

Slate snaked an arm around Teresa’s waist, and she cuddled up next to him gladly. Feeling his warmth and strength next to her always soothed her mind. When he laid a kiss on the top of her head, she smiled a little. It was borderline ridiculous to her that she could feel so at ease with him, like she had known and loved him all her life, yet only know him for such a short time. Still, that was how she felt, and she preferred not pausing to think about it too much. Having a tendency to overthink things, Teresa was determined to just enjoy their connection for what it was – a simple moment of bliss.

“Should I be worried?” she asked, quirking a brow at the man. He shook his head, a lock of his reddish brown hair falling on his forehead. She resisted the urge to brush it off of his face. She’d looked at him in a whole different way after having seen him in his tiger form, even if it was for just a second. Not just as an impressive man but also as a fierce protector – a predator who could inflict horrific damage but kept her safe and so close to him. She was like a bunny in the shadow of a beast, frail and delicate and protected by the fiercest of guardians. Though she wasn’t usually the type of fainting flower of a woman that needed such tender care, she didn’t mind it at all coming from Slate.

“No. Let me do the worrying,” he said, grinning that captivating smile of his. She wasn’t going to decline that offer! Her body relaxed next to his, reveling in his presence and the gorgeous view in front of them. For once, everything seemed perfect.

CHAPTER SIX

The early morning sunshine they had grown so accustomed to was overtaken by rolling storm clouds, rushing in from the higher peaks and hanging ominously above them. Slate considered the threat with a grim look, zipping up his jacket. They were already an hour away from the helicopter, exploring a particularly steep mountain dotted with plentiful natural caves and outcroppings. When they’d set off for their day of trekking, the weather had seemed fine, but mountain weather tended to be fickle like that. Slate glanced at Teresa, who was taking panoramic photographs of the valleys and the smaller mountaintops they could see from their vantage point. Her wavy hair was in a loose ponytail, and she was wearing a pair of pants that hugged her ass just right. For the umpteenth time that day, he had to tell himself not to jump her right then and there.

Not only was the weather getting foul, and Slate was expecting a serious thunderstorm to strike any minute, but he was also more aggravated than usual that day. He knew it was a combination of his Bonding hormones reaching their peak any day now and his sense of impending doom, which had started getting more and more powerful with each day. His sweeps of the areas surrounding the cabin had got wider and longer, and he’d gone without sleep for a few days now. His body was constantly ready to fight, to conquer and to fuck, and controlling it was becoming a chore on its own. He wanted nothing more than to take Teresa, make her legs quake and fill her with his seed, but he knew he couldn’t do that. Not without her knowing what it would mean for him, even if as far as he knew his need to find a mate should only affect weretigresses. It was confusing for him to say the least, to want so desperately to have this woman who he thought of as his mate and to logically know that his urges could only be driven by the damned hormones.