A circular space of freshly cut trees and cleared earth made up the parcel of land. I could see the large lake on Odhran’s property just through the tree line, the water so close the sound of it lapping at the shore was audibly pleasing.
But it was the intimate little cottage that sat in the center of the clearing that really had my breath catching. With its sky-blue painted shutters, the brightly colored yellow front door, even the potted flowers that lined a path straight to the lake, the cottage radiated solace and peace.
After a suspended time, I dropped my hand from covering my mouth and looked over at my mate. He was still smiling, that softness he always carried in his eyes when he looked at me present. “What is this?”
Although I knew what was right in front of me, I wasn’t quite sure what I was looking at.
“I know ye have yer family’s home, and ye’re welcome tae go there at any time tae get away from… everything. I also know I can be possessive and suffocating, and I’m sure I’ll get on yer nerves more times than not…”
I refrained from letting my lips twitch in amusement. I wasn’t going to admit that I liked that he hovered, that he couldn’t let me out of his sight for more than a moment’s time. Right now I felt very fragile, so having the steady presence of Odhran right there had an immense calming effect on me.
“So I had the idea that I could make a little retreat right here, steps away from the front door but still close enough I will no’ lose my damn mind with worry for ye.”
I couldn’t help but smile.
He swung his arm out and gestured to the small cottage. “It’s no’ fully finished yet, but I’m too anxious tae show ye. For the past week I’ve been working with the other Lycans to get this built.”
I slowly shook my head as I looked back at the cottage. “But when? You’re always with me.”
“I know. I’m overbearing, overprotective—”
“You’re protective and I love you for it.”
That soft look in his eyes returned. “It was hard leaving ye. But when ye’d sleep, or when ye’d be exploring the estate or reading, I’d steal away for a couple of hours. I couldn’t let the other Lycans build it fully themselves. I wanted tae have a hand in creating this for ye.”
My heart was so full, my eyes stinging from tears of happiness. The amount of thought it took for him to create this, to give me my own space, away from everyone and everything, but close to the water so I could get the healing properties, was so unbelievably empathetic that I did feel the tears slip onto my cheeks.
“Did I overstep?” He read my tears wrong, and I quickly brushed them away before launching myself into his arms.
He made a very gruff, masculine ompf when my body collided with his, but as soon as I wrapped my arms around his neck, he curled his hands around my waist and lifted me off the ground.
“You’re the most thoughtful, selfless male I’ve ever met. I am so lucky to call you mine.”
“Awe, lass.” His voice sounded choked and he held me tighter, murmuring sweet words of love against the side of my neck.
I lifted my head and slanted my lips against his, murmuring my gratitude, how much he meant to me, how safe and loved I felt with him. The kiss, which started out as a physical “thank you,” turned frantic and heated.
I found my legs wrapped around his waist as he started moving, and then Odhran was leaning against a tree, his erection digging into the softest part of me.
I felt so free, kissing my mate out here in the middle of the forest, the sound of the water so close by, my arousal for him taking precedence. I felt a wave of emotion that he was going to such great lengths to make me comfortable, to make sure I was acclimated.
“Odhran,” I murmured against his mouth and he groaned deeply, sliding his hands from my waist down to cover my ass, squeezing the mounds and pulling me closer so that his hardness was digging between my thighs. He was so big. My inner muscles clenched.
“Put me inside of ye, darlin’.”
I was panting when I broke away, and it took a couple of seconds of maneuvering to pull up my skirt and work his erection free of his jeans. And when I was back in position, we both groaned.
I didn’t even bother taking my panties off, just pulled them aside, gripped the hard length of his erection, and placed it at the entrance of my body. He thrust upward in one fluid motion until my body gave way to his penetration and he sank all the way inside.
A hoarse shout was torn from him, and I cried out at how stretched I was, how big he was. And then he was thrusting in and pulling out. Thrusting in and pulling out.
He had a firm grip on my bottom, his mouth now latched on to the side of my neck as he licked and sucked, bit, growled, and snarled. He was all wolf right now, bringing me over the edge so fast my head spun and all I could do was hold on.
I came in a burst of colors and sounds, sensations and cries. He buried his massive length in me and followed me over the edge, filling me up so much that I felt his orgasm start to slip out of where we were joined.
It heated me from the inside out, had tremors of pleasure arcing in me like cracks of lightning.
“My perfect girl is so beautiful. Ye make me feel so good.”