The Tattoo Artist's Mate

“Are you a mind reader or something?” she demanded. Not that she believed in them either, but something was going on.

“Or something. You say you can smell wet animal?”

Isla nodded. “Yeah, not all the time but…”

“When I’m aroused,” Gaspar said matter-of-factly. “Which is gonna be a lot more often now I’m around you.”

That made no sense. “Yeah? Why?” Isla demanded. “Next you’ll be telling me you’re not really a human.”

He nodded. “True. I’m a shifter.”

Isla rolled her eyes. “Which of my mates put you up to this? The Isla reads all those books let’s give her a taste of what she reads scenario eh? Early birthday present. So now what do I do? Tell you to show me? Ask if you’re a wolf, a bear, or a squirrel.”

He snorted. Then growled. He really did have the growl off pat.

Isla bit back her first frisson of fear. He sounded … pissed off. “Great growl,” she said bravely and gritted her teeth and waited for him to respond.

His eyes glowed, and he opened his mouth to show fangs and … bloody hell. Impressive teeth.

“Oh yes,” Gaspar said, his voice gravelly and guttural. “I excel at growling. And roaring, standing on two legs and giving my mate, my pet, my girl, all she desires. Which if my senses don’t fail, is us. You and me. My shifter self wants us to mate. Us to be a couple and us forever.” He paused. “My human self wants that as well.”

Fuck. Those words in his voice turned her to mush.

“After what, two hours or so?” Isla said in a swift, and unexpected, show of defiance again him. “Unlikely.”

“Tut-tut, what was that I said about lying, my pet?”

Heat rushed into her cheeks. Was she going to get a punishment? Would he spank her? Would it be different from Julian’s efforts? Did she want to find out, or was it time to say no thanks and goodbye?

“Gaspar, this is all happening too fast,” Isla said in a shaky voice. “I’ve just met you. Yes, I’m attracted to you, but it’s all too much too soon. Especially after.” She waggled her leg so the horrible tattoo on her ankle showed. “After this. I’m scared. I’m not sure I dare open myself up again.”

He hugged her tight, swung her up, and settled her on his lap. “How do you feel like this?”

Chapter Five

Gaspar held his breath as Isla wriggled over his rigid cock and almost made it break in two. Fuck, that was so erotic. So arousing and so bloody good. However, his dick now wanted to drill up her ass, and somehow, he didn’t think she’d go for that right then.

One day he hoped but … not yet.

“Like your cock is wanting in my ass,” she said. “I don’t do anal.”

Bugger. Gaspar made a mental note to ask why and see if she’d change her mind at some point. In his mind, that slow, tight push into a hot as hades entrance, through tight muscles and then to sit deep and hard inside that secret place was one thing to be enjoyed above almost all else. The faith given to him not to hurt and the connection it gave was perfect. Even the thought of it made him ready to come.

Cool it. “Sorry about my dick. It’s hot, hard, horny and eager to fuck with you. Okay, let me rephrase that. I’m hot, hard, horny and eager to make love with you. When you give me the go and not until. For now, though, horny cock withstanding, are you happy where you are?”

Isla nodded and wriggled again. “Ah that’s better. Yep, I’m comfy.”

Gaspar sure as hell wasn’t. If his eyes weren’t crossed they should be. “Okay,” he said in a strangled voice. “Let’s move on, to things we both need to know. First off. Do you trust me to sort your tattoo?” The sooner they got rid of the word Julian and changed it to something else the better. He had a few ideas on the bear and honeypot theme, but first he had to know, really know, she trusted him.

“Of course I do, I wouldn’t be here else.”

“Fair enough, then I’ll draw up some ideas for you. Bear and honeypot, yes?”

Isla nodded.

“Second, are you prepared to try us for size?”

She sniggered. He laughed. “Yeah, that didn’t quite come out the way it was supposed to. You know what I meant. We have a connection. One we both recognized instantly. One we’d be mad not to act on and see what it means.”