Page 41 of The Wolf Lord's Mate

Nathaniel

"Whatever My Lady commands," I sighed, leaning back against the edge of the hot spring, "I am ever at your service, little female, your wish is my command. I would be happy to fulfill any desire, or help ease any of that tension that seems to be keeping you so tightly wound."

"My wish is for you to stop making insinuations," Mira cracked her eyes open, peaking at me before stepping further into the pool, "And I am not tightly wound."

"Then unclench your jaw," I raised a brow at her, "And relax your shoulders."

Mira glared at me, stiffening as her whole body went even tighter. She knew I was right, I could tell by that adorably irritated look on her face. Slowly, she did as I said, lowering her shoulders and unclenching her fists from where she'd dug her fingers into the fabric of her slip.

Good girl.

I could help her unwind far more than that if she would let me; I could make her mind go blank with only a few touches. Empty her head of everything but the thought of me—of my voice, my fingers, my tongue.

"Come," I motioned for Mira to step further into the water, "You'll get cold if you stand half in like that."

Mira obliged me, if somewhat begrudgingly, and held down the sides of her slip as she stepped into the hot spring. The water darkened the slip almost immediately, sticking to her skin and outlining every soft curve of her delectable body.

It was somehow more agonizing to see her like this than it would be to see her naked, a horrible tease of what was underneath. Mira waded closer, her hard nipples sticking out of the wet fabric, and I ached to put my mouth around them—to suck and nibble on her breasts until she begged me to stop. Oh, how sweet my little female would sound when she begged for me to—

"—Nathaniel?"

"Hmm?" Mira was looking at me, eyes narrowed and hand outstretched.

"I asked you for the soap?" Mira said, her free arm quickly wrapping around her chest the second my eyes flicked down again.

"Lost in my daydreams," I cracked a smile, and passed Mira a block of honey soap I'd brought along with me, "Silly, really, when my reality is far sweeter."

"You're ridiculous," Mira rolled her eyes at me, snatching up the soap and turning away, "Feel free to stick to your daydreams, My Lord, I would be more than happy for you to satiate yourself with your imagination."

"Is that so?" I leaned back, admiring Mira as she began to wash herself, "You like the idea of me dreaming about you?"

"I do not believe that is what I said at all," Mira paused, shooting me a glare over her shoulder, "You have a funny way of twisting my words into what you want to hear."

"Or perhaps I simply know how to read between the lines, my darling." I said, although it was more than that. I could read her body language, take note of every little way she reacted to me. The way her breath quickened, the tiniest blinks when I caught her off guard, the blood rushing to her face, the way she squeezed her thighs tightly together, and the rabbit-fast run of her heart. Physically, I knew Mira as well as I knew myself, but unknotting her mind was going to take time.

I was a patient male, and I would discover her little by little. But she had to learn how to allow me in, and learn how to give up just an inkling of control to me. Gods knew that I could make it worth her while.

"I don't suppose you want any help?" I offered, tracing my fingers over the surface of the hot spring. I had allowed her to keep a distance between us in the water, but it would take only the smallest hint that she wanted me nearer, and I would be by her side in an instant.

"If you touch me, I swear that I will bite you." Mira said, rubbing the soap into her long locks of dark hair. Gods, I wanted to run my fingers through it, to stroke her hair while she sat in my lap.

"Is that a promise?" I said, and Mira shot me a warning glance.

"Yes, it is." Mira's words were clipped and short, but I could hear her heart pounding faster in her chest. My little mate liked the idea of marking me, even if she couldn't admit it to herself. That was fine by me—I would let her carve her name into my chest if it pleased her, happy to bear anything she placed upon my body with pride.

"It's like you're trying to tempt me, darling." I chuckled, but Mira said nothing.

I paused. Was she trying to tempt me? In her own bizarre way, were all of her rebuffs merely signals for me to try harder, to fight through her facade and show her how much I wanted her?

When I had pushed further the previous night by asking to hold her, she had not denied me. When I had asserted myself over her that morning, she had become so aroused I had almost lost control over myself, despite her protests that she hadn't enjoyed it.

I would not force Mira into anything, but perhaps it would not be a bad idea to push a bit further, to give Mira the space to allow herself to give into the bond. To truly help her unwind.

I couldn't help but smile to myself as I watched my Mira dip her hair back into the water, extending her bare neck that practically begged me to mark it. She washed the suds out of her hair, sighing at the pleasant warmth of the hot spring.

It was in that moment that I made up my mind, watching those full lips part and her eyes flutter shut.

Tonight, I would seduce my mate.