My wolf stood up and practically howled at the sight of her. I couldn’t help the grin that split my face, the way my heart skipped a beat then pounded. It was as if seeing her brought me back to life. Yeah, I loved Audrey, and that was never going to change.
I wanted to race to the truck and throw the door open, scoop her into my arms and carry her across the threshold like a groom carrying his bride. But no. She wasn’t mine yet.
The last thing she told me was not to call her.
I had to stand here and wait. Wait for her to show me a sign first.
A shiver of recognition, of anticipation, ran through me as I stood rooted to the porch, watching her. Her peach scent tickled my nose the moment she stepped out of the truck. Rob didn’t get out. Hell, he didn’t even turn off the engine, only tipped his hat and drove off, leaving her here with me.
Alone. Together. If she was done with me, it was a mile back to the ranch house.
Audrey fumbled with her purse and then dropped it like she was nervous. She bent, as if to pick it up, then seemed to change her mind. Stood. I caught my breath as I realized she was running.
Toward me.
Into my arms, which I stretched wide to catch her. She flung herself at me and wrapped her legs around my waist, her arms around my neck. I hooked my forearm under her ass and buried my face in her neck. Breathed her in. If she thought I was ever letting her go now, she was sorely mistaken.
My wolf sighed, and I exhaled a deep breath. She felt warm and soft, fragrant and sweet.
“Boyd,” she choked, her warm breath fanning my neck. It sent goosebumps along my skin. “Thank you for the letters.”
I took care not to squeeze her as tightly as I wanted to. “Did you just now read them?” Fuck, I sounded a little choked up myself. I’d had a feeling she hadn’t read them. Maybe just because I didn’t want to believe she could’ve read them and still refused to see me. I’d poured my heart and soul into them… the words just for her.
“Yes.” Her arms wound tight around my neck, and she trembled a little, but I didn’t scent her tears.
I spun around and carried her inside—yes, across the threshold—then shut the door and pushed her back up against it. She was so close I could see her pale eyes dilate. Her scent changed with hints of her musky arousal.
“Do you believe that you’re mine now?” My gaze dropped to her lips. I remembered how she tasted and wanted my fill, but I needed her answer first. “That you’re my mate?”
“I might,” she whispered against my temple.
I ground the bulge of my cock between her legs. “Then I’ll just have to convince you,” I rumbled.
“Oh yeah?” Her voice was pure honey. Seductive and sweet. There was a confidence to it she didn’t usually have when we were sexual. She hadn’t held back with me before, but it seemed like she’d finally realized her power over me. “How are you going to do that, champ?”
“First, I’m going to lay you down on our mating bed.” I recaptured her full weight again and carried her toward the large bedroom.
A little V formed in her brow. “Our what?”
“Oh, I guess I’m gettin’ ahead of myself, aren’t I? See, I was renovating this cabin, thinking I might talk you into living here with me. Making this ours, where we’ll raise our pups. There’s a big tree out front for that tire swing we talked about. That hill you rode up is the perfect sledding hill. Of course, if you want to live in town to be closer to the hospital, I’ll buy you a house there, too.”
She gave a watery laugh and kissed my neck. “I think you’re still ahead of yourself with the tire swing, but I’d like to know more about this mating bed.”
“Mmm. Well, it’s this one right here.” I laid her down on it, her dark hair fanning out on the white blanket. “A brand-new king-sized love pad just for you.” I unbuttoned her shorts and dragged them down her thighs with her panties. Got rid of her sandals. “And right now, I’m going to use it to show you the treatment I want you to get used to.”
“Shouldn’t we… talk?”
I stilled, my gaze shifting from her pussy to her face. “Are you leaving me?”
“No.”
“Do you love me?”
She licked her lips. “Yes.”
“Say it,” I all but growled. My wolf wanted to hear the words from her lips.
“Boyd Wolf, I love you.”
I’d never felt better in my life than right now. My mate loved me. She was in our bed, her pussy bare and ready to be claimed.