Thora rolled her eyes. “I’ve spent almost two years in Timber Ridge and worked with Bexley and Aero for another year in Chicago, and I still don’t understand male shifter posturing.”
“Don’t worry about him.” I forked one of the ravioli on my plate and held it up to her mouth, waiting until she was chewing to add, “I’m the only male who matters.”
She almost choked on the bite I’d fed her. After she managed to swallow it, she muttered, “I didn’t think it was possible, but I have a feeling you’re going to be even worse than Cason and Aero are with their mates.”
I winked at her again. “Probably.”
“Lucky me,” she purred with a waggle of her brows just as Ramsey and Aero walked up to our table.
“Happy Birthday!” Ramsey flashed Thora a big grin and jerked her chin toward me. “I know Aero gave you a present from us earlier, but I have a feeling you’ll like this gift more.”
I sighed and shook my head. “I should’ve known that you’d try to take credit for me finding Thora.”
“The only reason you’re here is to visit us because we named our baby after you.” Aero’s grin matched Ramsey’s, and I wasn’t surprised that he had decided to back up his mate’s boast. “And you were so grouchy about us inviting you to a surprise birthday party.”
Normally, I would’ve grumbled about my bad timing in giving Aero shit about being a possessive bastard when it came to Ramsey, but I was more than willing to take whatever he shoved my way. “Make fun all you want. There isn’t a damn thing anyone can do to get me down now that I found Thora.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet,” Ramsey sighed.
“Right?” Thora agreed with a smug grin.
I pictured her smiling up at me, her naked body sprawled beneath mine after we’d both found our release. Wanting to make my dream a reality, I shoveled my food into my mouth, feeding her bites from her plate so she’d be done faster, too. By the time her friend lit the dessert on fire and served each of us a slice, my blood felt hotter than the flaming alcohol on the meringue. The cake was delicious, but I barely tasted it. I was too busy fighting my wolf as he pushed against my skin, desperate to break free and claim my mate. When she set her fork down and leaned back in her chair with a satisfied smile, my control snapped.
4
Thora
When I came into the restaurant to cover Aero’s shift tonight, the last thing I’d expected was to end up hoisted over a sexy male wolf’s shoulder and carried out of Timber Treasures while all of my friends cheered him on. Rome headed straight for my house without asking which way to go. As he climbed the steps, I asked, “How did you know where I live?”
His grip on me tightened as he growled, “I followed your delicious scent here. If I’d caught it before I met up with Ramsey and Aero to meet Arbor, we never would’ve made it to your party in the first place.”
“Delicious?” I echoed, butterflies swirling in my belly at the masculine approval in his raspy voice.
“Best damn thing I’ve ever smelled.” One of his hands rubbed over my butt cheek, sending a jolt of desire straight to my core. “Can’t wait to taste you while the scent of your need fills my lungs.”
“Whoa,” I breathed, my panties going from wet to completely drenched.
He grumbled something about needing to watch over me when he twisted the knob and realized I’d left my door unlocked. Even though I’d lived in a decent neighborhood, I’d had an extra deadbolt on my door back in Chicago. Not having to worry about crime was one of the things I loved most about living in Timber Ridge. But I knew enough about how overprotective male shifters were with their mates to realize no explanation would make Rome feel better about finding my home unlocked.
My only option was distraction…especially since it would lead to all those orgasms he’d promised me. Twisting my neck, I nipped his earlobe. “Hurry up. I need you.”
He kicked the door shut behind us and stomped up the stairs. When he reached my bedroom, he tossed me on the mattress and kicked off his shoes. I did the same with mine, and before I knew it, Rome was down to his boxers, and I only had my bra and panties on. As I stared up at him from the bed, my gaze drifted over the muscles that roped his tall body. “You’re so gorgeous.”
His eyes darkened as he took in the curves that had been hidden beneath my work clothes. “My looks are nothing compared to yours, pretty baby. Holy fuck. I don’t know what I did for fate to pair me with you, but I’ll be grateful for it until I take my last breath many years from now.”