Her hands ran down his back, going toward his ass, and she gripped him, pulling him into her.
This was … it wasn’t enough.
He had to fuck her even harder.
Taking hold of her hands, he held her down, staring into her eyes. The pain was gone. Her pussy was soaking, and he knew it was because his cum was still inside her. The only reason he’d taken her into the lake was to wipe the blood off.
Gage kissed her lips, and he didn’t fuck her hard. No, he took his time, making love to her. He wasn’t some randy teenage boy. There would come a time when he could fuck her hard, pound her body, and make her take the whole length of him, but that day wasn’t today.
His name fell from her lips, and he loved how she thrust up against him.
Staring into her eyes, he made a vow. A vow to love her, to keep her safe, and to give her everything her heart desired.
He was a forty-year-old man, but he’d fallen in love with this sweet soul, and he was going to cherish her always.
Chapter Nine
A couple of days later
Everyone had been so sweet and kind to her.
Constance appreciated it.
The last thing she wanted was to be judged. She had apologized to all the parents of the children that were there. They had accepted it, and when the kids had each come out and hugged her, thanking angels that she was alive, she had been so close to tears.
She was still employed at the library; however, she was going to be monitored in case she experienced another loss of control.
To help her, she’d started to do some meditation and was using the breathing exercises to help give her a healthy balance.
It wasn’t easy. In fact, it was hard at times.
Her wolf never seemed close to the surface. That day, she hadn’t either.
The past few days had been a welcome relief though. She was worried the pack would use any reason to expel and reject her.
The past couple of days, the cold had been less too. However, she had also realized Gage was avoiding her.
Walking around his home, she looked at how neat and tidy he was. Everything had a place.
Why was he avoiding her?
Did he regret being with her? Taking her virginity?
Was he with Lana?
The jealousy that came so thick and fast took her by surprise. She quickly ignored the thought. Gage wasn’t a man to go against his word.
She trusted him.
Why was he avoiding her, though? Did he regret taking her as a mate?
Was she … bad in bed?
She pressed a hand to her face, trying to calm her nerves, but nothing was happening.
This was insane.
She stood in his library and went straight toward the radio in the corner. Switching it on, she tuned it into a channel where the song called to every fiber of her being.
Closing her eyes, she let it consume her. Feeling the beat of the moment, arms out wide, she let the music take over, filling her body with the beat. As she tilted her head back, she got lost to the beat, working her hips while she danced.
Dancing often helped her growing up. She enjoyed the complete lack of dignity with it.
Constance was under no illusions about how bad of a dancer she was. She’d been doing this for years, and there was no getting away from it.
Swinging her head left and right, getting into the flow of the beat, she spread her arms. Every now and then, she bumped into the chair or the edge of the coffee table, and she ignored them. Joining in with the words, she sang her heart out, not missing a single beat as she danced and built up a sweat.
With the cold long gone, she had found herself enjoying the warm heat. Gone were the sweaters, and in their place were vest tops, summer dresses, and a few skirts.
All too soon, she became aware she wasn’t alone, and she spun around to see Tanner in the doorway of the library.
She turned off the music and faced him. He hadn’t moved.
For the most part, she had been easily avoiding him. She had every reason to avoid Tanner, but why was Gage doing the same with her?
The only logical conclusion she could come to was that he regretted being with her. The very thought was enough to make her depressed.
“Tanner,” she said.
“Constance.”
The silence was awkward. She tucked some hair behind her ear, waiting. Pressing her lips together, she glanced around the room, wondering why he was here.
“If you’re looking for your dad, I think he’s busy with something down at the construction site.”
“I know. Some things have been going wrong.”
“Right. Okay.” She folded her arms across her chest. “I’m sorry if I disturbed you.”
“I … I— How are you?” he asked.