Stolen and Forgiven (Branded Packs #1)(51)

“You two are freaks,” Cora said as Soren wrapped a possessive arm around her shoulders and turned to urge her away from the rowdy crowd, steadily growing rowdier.

She tensed, already sensing he was subtly trying to herd her toward his cabin. A place she’d deliberately avoided since their breakfast a week ago.

It wasn’t that she feared Soren. He would never, ever try to take more than she was willing to give.

No. What she feared was herself.

The burning need for Soren had become a vast, terrifying void. One that threatened to consume her.

She shivered, sucking in a deep breath. Instantly, she was drenched in Soren’s rich musk.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

She was obviously going to have to take care of her hunger. It was already making her human half bitchy; soon it would have her cat dangerously aggressive.

So the question was…did she surrender to Soren’s exquisite seduction? Or did she find some other male to ease her desire?

Her cat roared in instant denial, her body shuddering with revulsion. Okay. Obviously, finding another male was out of the question.

So that left Soren.

Suddenly, the tightness in her chest seemed to ease, a decadent tingle of anticipation flowing through her.

Perhaps catching the scent of her arousal, Soren allowed his fingers to skim down the curve of her spine, resting on her lower back as he continued to steer them down the path to his cabin.

“Did you like the chocolates?” he asked, his breath a warm caress against her cheek.

“Of course.” She glanced up to meet his intense gaze. “You knew I would.”

Cognac eyes smoldered with a mesmerizing heat. “I’d hoped.”

She nearly stumbled as she felt the damp urgency between her legs. Oh, lord, it’d been so long.

Too long.

“You shouldn’t waste your money on me,” she forced herself to mutter.

His fingers moved up her back, threading in her hair that she’d left down this morning.

“I would give my last penny to see you smile,” he assured her.

She licked her lips that suddenly felt dry. “Soren.”

They reached his front porch, and he halted directly in front of his door, gazing down at her with a tenderness that nearly broke her heart.

“I would give my soul to earn your forgiveness, princess.”

She wavered. It would be so easy to submit. To give in to the aching need of her cat. But there was still a part of her that couldn’t let go.

Perhaps it was a need to punish Soren. Or to protect her vulnerable heart.

Or perhaps it is simply a very female desire to continue with this delicious game, she wryly conceded. There was, after all, a heady power in having this gorgeous male chase after her.

Whatever the reason, she found herself giving a slow shake of her head.

“I’m not ready.”

“I know. I’m sorry.” His hand lifted to cup her cheek, his thumb trailing along the line of her jaw. “I can be a pushy bastard. Honestly, I’m happy we can at least be friends.”

His light touch sent sparks of pleasure shooting through her body. Swaying forward, she placed her hands on his chest, relishing the feel of his sharp shudder.

“Friends,” she said, the word sounding oddly empty.

His thumb found the pulse that was hammering just below the line of her jaw.

“We are friends, aren’t we?” he asked.

“I thought…” She deliberately allowed her words to trail away.

“Cora?”

“Maybe we could be friends with benefits,” she suggested.

Never stupid, Soren was swift to follow her implication. His muscles tensed, his heart pounding beneath her palm.

“Would those benefits include having you in my arms?” he demanded, his eyes fully wolf as he gazed down at her flushed face.

“If you want-” Her words broke off in a startled shriek as he abruptly grabbed her by the waist and tossed her over his shoulder. “What are you doing?”

Wrapping his arms around her legs, he shoved open the door and headed into his cabin.

“Not giving you the chance to change your mind.”





Chapter 4


Soren didn’t hesitate as he headed to the small room at the very back of the cabin, slamming the door behind him before he dumped a stunned Cora onto his bed.

Friends with benefits?

His wolf growled as he leaned over her.

He’d been oh-so patient. Wooing his wary cat with unexpected surprises and tender touches. Every day he waited for a crack in her defensive walls. Just the slightest hint that he was earning his way back into her life.

And now she’d given him that opening.

To hell with being friends…he intended to claim every silken inch of her. Starting now.

Holding her gaze, he peeled off her clothes with slow enjoyment. Like he was unwrapping an unexpected gift.

As she was a gift.

The female fate had intended to be the other half of his soul.

Planting his hands on the mattress on either side of her head, he leaned down and, without warning, sank his teeth into the tender skin of her shoulder where it met her throat. Not hard enough to taste her blood, but with enough force to warn that he intended to claim his ownership.

“Shit, Soren,” she groaned, her claws digging into his shoulders as she writhed beneath him.