Taming his Mate (Black Hills Wolves, #8)(13)

Kate threw the dishcloth in the sink and leaned against the counter. Dropping her head, she rubbed the knot of tension at her nape. A few stiff drinks, a long soak in the tub, and a full night of sleep sounded heavenly at the moment. Suddenly, a warm hand covered hers. Startled, she whirled around and almost smacked into Stephen’s bare chest.

He leaned into her, pressing the small of her back into the countertop. Fresh out of the shower, she inhaled the crisp cleanness of his tanned skin. His short, sandy-blond hair stuck out at angles as though he hadn’t bothered to comb it. She balled her hands into fists to keep from reaching up to smooth it in place.

“Hey, Sunshine.”

The warmth in his voice and lopsided grin he wore drew a shiver from her. She couldn’t make her mouth form a proper sentence to save her soul. Those blue eyes of his captured her and wouldn’t let go.

“Are you two about to get physical or what?”

Jace’s voice shattered the trance. She squeezed from in between Stephen and the counter, her cheeks heating.

“Damn it, Jace. Why do you always have to sneak up on people?” She shoved past him and yanked open the refrigerator.

“Uh-uh, come here.” He snagged her around the middle and pulled her into a tight embrace. “Give me a hug before I take off.”

Kate wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest. “Thank you. For everything.” And she truly meant it. Her brother hadn’t hesitated to help when she’d called.

He placed a kiss on the top of her head. “Anything for you, sis. Love you.”

“Love you, too.” She lifted her head and pecked his cheek.

“Alright, you two get some rest. Michelle and I will drop by later to check on you.” With one last pat to her back, he crossed the kitchen, cuffing Stephen on the shoulder on his way out.

The slam of the back door punctuated the silence in the kitchen, reminding Kate she was all alone with Stephen again. All of a sudden, her stomach pitched with nerves. Crap, she didn’t even know what to say to him.

“Kate.”

The deep timbre of his voice did funny things to her insides. God, she couldn’t do this today. She was too much of a wreck to have a civilized discussion with him. Feigning indifference, she marched to the sink, twisting on the faucet to rinse out her dishtowel.

She didn’t bother turning when she spoke. “I don’t have it in me to fight with you today.”

Warm, solid arms slid around her, and the wet cloth fell from her grasp. She tried to twist away, but he held onto her hips with a firm grip and buried his nose in her hair.

“I don’t want to fight either, Sunshine.” His breath bathed her ear in warmth. “Come rest with me a little while.”

Too tired to make a fuss, Kate allowed Stephen to lead her out of the kitchen, up the stairs, and down the hall to her bedroom. Bemused, she stumbled to a halt when they entered her room.

“You changed the sheets?”

He shrugged and glanced away, but not before she spied the stain of color on his cheeks. “Your brother said I didn’t smell too pretty, so I thought the least I could do was clean up.”

Despite her nervousness, she laughed. “Sorry. I couldn’t help it. You were too heavy to carry.”

Grinning, he squeezed her hand. “You could’ve dragged me through a mile of shit, and I’d still be eternally grateful for what you did to help me. I might not be here if it hadn’t been for you and your quick thinking. You saved my life, Kate.”

Uncomfortable with the odd praise, Kate fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. “About last night—”

“Wait.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her into his side. “Come lie with me.”





***





Stephen watched uncertainty play over Kate’s features before she gave in. He guided her toward the bed, and when she would’ve crawled beneath the fresh linens, he stopped her.

“Take your clothes off first.”

She threw him a scandalized look, and he bit his lip to stifle his laughter. Before she could mutter a complaint, he jerked her close and kissed her open mouth, sinking his tongue into her delicious heat. Just when she responded and melted against him, he drew back and stared down into her flustered face.

“No fighting, remember?”

Her mouth flapped open and closed twice before she frowned. However, she shocked the hell out of him by complying with his request. Grabbing the bottom of her shirt, she yanked it over her head and tossed it on the floor, followed by her bra, jeans, and panties.

When every stitch of clothing was gone, she grumbled. “Happy?”

Stephen laughed. He spun her around and swatted her bare ass, pleased at her little squeal of surprise. “Sure as hell am.”

Once Kate was settled on the bed, he eased his jeans over his hips. Her gaze tracked over his nude frame, lingering on his erection. Anxious to feel her smooth skin against his, he wasted no time reclining on the bed beside her. Damn, he couldn’t wait to lose himself inside the silken heat of her body once more. But first, he needed to clear the air between them.

Stephen shifted over her, pinning her in place. “We need to talk.”

“Stephen, can it wai—”

He seized her mouth with a roughness that stole the air from their lungs. Caught in the snare of carnal passion, neither would cede control of the kiss. With a move he never would’ve predicted, she flipped their positions. She ended their kiss with a sharp nip to his lower lip. Planting her hands on his chest, she rose over him, straddling his hips.