Page 6 of Aching for His Mate (The Wolves of Luven #5)

Iota led Domitia up the stairs, keeping his hand just behind her back, but not touching. It was summer; there wasn’t any ice or snow, it hadn’t rained in four days, but he still felt the need to have a hand out in case she slipped.

“Vallie lives three doors down. Sigma used to live next door but he moved to Juniper Knoll with Millonia.”

“Yeah, I heard about that. Poor Millonia. It was all a lot for her.”

“And you?” he asked as he opened the door for her.

“I’m pretty resilient.”

They stepped into the house and Iota felt his anxiety rise a bit. He hoped she liked it. It was a simple townhouse, not a true house, but he took good care of it.

“Holy hell. This is nice,” she commented immediately. “It’s huge.” She slipped her shoes off and left them by the door. “This is all for us?”

“Yes, just us here.”

“Wow. Vallie told me the places were nice but I had no idea.” She stood in the middle of the front room. “You have tertiary furniture?”

Iota furrowed his brow. “Uh…what does that mean?”

“Like there is a couch and a chair and a table with four chairs. You have furniture you don’t need for people who don’t live here. That’s insane. Wow.”

Iota swelled with pride. She liked it.

Domitia turned towards him and locked eyes. She seemed to be sizing him up, really looking at him now. And her scent…

Oh, it changed.

Lust laced the air in the room. Iota’s cock hardened impossibly more. She wasn’t…they weren’t…tomorrow. Tomorrow was the day he was supposed to touch her, make her come, and only if she wanted it. Today was supposed to be when he left her alone, showed what a good provider he would be. He was supposed to leave tonight after feeding her.

“Can I show you the kitchen?” he asked, struggling to keep his voice from cracking on the end.

“Yeah, course,” she answered and followed behind him.

Fuck, he thought. It wasn’t going away. If anything, her scent was becoming…more potent.

“This is it,” he managed.

“Another amazing room.” She ran her hand over the stove. “I can’t wait to use this.”

“You like to cook?” he asked.

She nodded and smiled, looking at him as she leaned against the wall. “I spent a lot of years cooking to earn my keep. Joyful times. Never cooked in a place like this.” She held his gaze like she was daring him to look away.

He wouldn’t.

“You want to see the rest of the house?”

“Sure.”

Iota held out his arm to let her walk through the door first, back into the living room to the staircase that led…to their bedroom.

He blew out a breath.

“So,” she said, stopping and turning to face him. “I’ve gotten a lot of intel from Vallie.”

“About me?”

“No, about wolves in general. The connections you have with your mates. Certain things you might be able to tell.”

Iota nodded and worked down a swallow.

“That is to say, I know you can smell me right now. I know you’re trying to be all gentlemanly and follow your rules and keep your hands off me, but,” she leaned towards him and lowered her voice. “I’ve never been much of a rule follower.”

“Fuck,” Iota breathed.

“I’m not saying I want to start the whole frenzy thing now, I’m not in the headspace for days-long fucking. But three years in Balaur was a long time. And then months in the hospital…I like to be touched. I’m no blushing virgin and I’ve had no sexual trauma to keep me from wanting the very attractive man who stands in front of me.” She licked her lips and Iota’s knees buckled. “Is it true that getting me off is almost as good as an orgasm for you?”

Iota exhaled. Was this happening? He had half a mind to pinch himself and makes sure he wasn’t still in his bed sleeping and late to pick up Domitia.

“I…” he cleared his throat, “I’d love to test that theory.”

“Mm,” she moaned, “thank god.” She reached for his hands and wound her fingers through his. Her skin was a mix of soft and rough, a few calluses that were hard-earned and permanent, a scar on her left thumb from the nail bed to the knuckle. She walked backwards, taking him with her, until her back hit the wall. “I just…I need to be touched.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head against his chest.

He suppressed a growl and mirrored her action. He pulled her body against his, tucked her head under his chin, and snuck his hands between the wall and her body. She was so soft and warm, snuggled against him. He breathed in the smell of her hair, marveled at the perfect way she fit against him, and threw up a prayer of thanksgiving to the Moon Goddess for sending Domitia to him.

“You are very muscly,” she said, her voice muffled against him.

“It is a trait of my species,” he explained.

“I am not complaining. You are also so warm. That’s going to be nice in the winter.”

“You will never be cold again,” he promised. “Maybe a little overheated in the summer, though.”

“I don’t mind,” she murmured and raised up to her toes and pressed her mouth against his. She didn’t open her mouth or lick his lips apart. Simply kept her mouth against his for a few moments, then pulled away.

“We don’t know each other,” she began. She moved her hands over his chest, under his shirt, against his abdomen. Her fingers extended and explored him. She teased through the hair of his chest. “But I need this. I need skin on skin. I’ve been so deprived. I just want to feel like I’m not alone anymore.”

Iota nodded and pressed his forehead against hers. He ran his hands up her arms, over her shoulders, until he could cup her chin.

He tipped her face towards his and kissed her lightly. What a lovely mate he’d been granted.

“Tell me what you want.”