Page 56 of Chasing Savannah

His hand slid under her shirt and his claws, oh God… claws trailed the skin of her back, the bite of danger throwing her body into heat. Her lids fluttered shut, as his warm, calloused palm pressed against her spine, pulling her closer until their hips aligned.

“Say yes, kitten, I promised the Beta I’d behave and I will.” He moved his hips side to side, rubbing his shaft into her center.

She reached between them and grabbed his cock. He hissed, and froze, his gaze turning watchful, waiting on her next move.

“This is you behaving?”

His breath left his body in a shuddering gasp as she squeezed.

“I’m going to stay, but it’s because I don’t want to drive an hour from my grandfather’s land back here to take Jamie to school. Not because you might do amazing things with your dick.” Now, if she could remind her body of that.

He nipped her bottom lip. “Whatever you need to tell yourself, darling.”

He gripped her hand, pumping it over his cock, once, twice, his eyes closing, his beautiful face pinched with desire. He opened his eyes and she felt struck by lightning, frozen in place.

“You’re sleeping in my bed tonight.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she whispered, releasing his dick.

He chuckled, and leaned over her neck. “It’s cute how you think you have a say in this.”

She growled, her chest tightening, power raising the hair on her arms. Who did he think he was talking to? “I have a say in anything that goes on with me.”

“You, my mate, will soon find that when it comes to you, my panther and I can be very…insistent.” He scraped his canines down her neck.

She shuddered, her womb clenching in lust. She cleared her throat. “I don’t do anything I don’t want to do, but sure, try your hardest.”

She didn’t know what made her say it, but she regretted it the moment it left her lips. Challenging an alpha, any alpha, would have consequences. The way Carlos’ eyes lit, the satisfaction rolling off him, she knew she’d made a misstep. He laughed and leaned back over her neck.

He pulled the lobe of her ear into his mouth. “Tell me again why you don’t think you’re strong enough for us?”

She sucked in a surprised breath and turned her back to him, damn him.

“Kids, dinner!” he called, the amusement in his voice irritating her.

“We’re not done with this conversation.” She hissed over her shoulder.

“I welcome the debate, my mate.” He purred.

She pasted on a smile as the kids rushed into the kitchen.

“Mom makes the best Chow Mein,” Jamie gushed as he sat.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Carlos said taking a seat at the table with the kids.

He was so good with the children. He and Jamie talked as though they’d known each other their whole lives. She watched him over the rim of her wine glass as he regaled her son with a story from his Ranger days. Carlos was smart enough to know that she’d not give either of them the time of day if her son didn’t like them. Though to be fair, he was just as attentive with his daughter.

The petty part of her didn’t want to acknowledge how well he would fit into her and Jamie’s life. She could easily picture nights with the five of them at the dinner table discussing their day. She took a deep gulp of wine.

It wasn’t to be, and daydreaming was for suckers.

She put down her glass and focused on eating. She needed to get a grip. She looked up as her skin tightened. The heat of Carlos’ gaze flushed her body. He leaned back in his chair and stared, his face daring her to take what she wanted.

Damn him.

Carlos’ body buzzed with anticipation. His panther was on the hunt and his mate their current target. He’d watched her throughout dinner. The kids’ chatter flowed over them, while tension between the two adults built. He offered to do the dishes so she could put the kids to bed. He needed the time and space to control himself. He tensed a moment as she came around the corner to the kitchen as he wiped down the counters. Her scent, fresh from the shower, wafted over to him and he gripped the counter top.

“I’m sleeping in the guest room.” She announced and walked back out.