Hunter's Heart (Alpha Pack #4)(42)

"God, I'm an idiot! Of course you have."

"You're not an idiot. You're doing the best you can, and no one blames you for being upset, least of all me."

"But I do care for you," she said softly. "I realize I don't want to miss out on something wonderful with you because I'm so busy looking backward."

"I'm glad to hear that." They came to his door, and he let them in.

"Make love to me?"

"With great pleasure." His gaze burned into hers. "You don't know the hell I went through back there, battling that monster. Do you have any clue what was going through my mind?"

"Um, if I die at least I'll be free of the old ball and chain?"

He laughed at her pitiful joke, but his blue eyes glistened with tears. The sight melted her heart, warming a path clear to her toes.

"No, baby. Not even close. I was thinking, What if she never forgives me? Then it wouldn't have mattered if I was dead or not. I'd never again have a chance to do this." Ryon cupped the back of her head and lowered his lips gently to hers.

Electric.

Daria's mouth moved under his, loving his soft lips. She twined her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, inviting him. His tongue swept inside, stroking, and she reveled in his warmth.

His hands skimmed her shoulders and down her arms. He helped her off with her shirt and bra, and she arched against him. The puckered tips of her ni**les brushed the material of the shirt covering his chest, and a bolt of heat shot straight to her sex.

"Sweet, so sweet. I've gone to heaven."

Daria buried her hands in his hair, suddenly the aggressor. She sucked at his lips, exploring his mouth at will, making love play with her tongue. Her knees threatened to buckle.

Helpless, dying for this. For you. God, I want more.

He broke the kiss, panting. "If I don't stop now, I might not be able to."

"So don't stop."

He didn't need more encouragement. Pulling her to his bedroom, he pushed her gently to the bed and removed the rest of her clothing. Then he positioned himself between her thighs, began to ease inside. Holding her close he started to move, whispering words of passion in her ear, stoking the fires until they were both straining toward the precipice. It was raw, tender, honest. All too soon they cried out, hurtling over the edge together.

As he held her close, she pretended they were safe, that the danger was over. And for a while, they were given a reprieve.

It was a beautiful fantasy while it lasted.

. . .

There probably wasn't a more delicious sight than a bunch of shifters playing baseball. Or playing anything at all, really, but today they happened to be wielding bats and gloves.

From Daria's spot on the grass, sprawled on a blanket, she sipped a beer and eyeballed the tight tushes as they bounced around in an assortment of jeans, athletic shorts, and baseball leggings. She had to admit, when they blew off steam the results were lovely to watch.

All of that glistening male flesh, sweat dripping off the ends of their hair. Broad chests heaving, muscles bunching in exertion-

"Do you even have a clue who's winning?" a voice asked from her right.

Glancing over, she grinned at Micah. Forbidden from playing while he recovered, he was convalescing in his lounger. "Winning what? Is there a game being played right now?"

He snorted. "Figures. You're just like the rest of the lovesick mates around here." He jerked his head at the other mated women who were observing their men just as avidly as Daria had been.

Then the word lovesick lodged in her brain, and her smile dimmed some. The other women loved their mates to distraction. The emotion was etched on every one of their glowing faces, and shone in their eyes. And Ryon is my mate.

Do I love him? Can I, when I'm still not completely at peace with what I've become?

"Hey, did I say something wrong?"

"No," she assured him. "Just thinking."

"You looked really preoccupied for a few seconds."

"Oh, it's just . . ." She tried to think of how to explain.

"I know how hard this must be for you," he said softly. "Believe me."

Studying this man who'd been through such hell, she felt ashamed. "How did you deal with it? When you were turned, how did you cope?"

"I just did. I had no other choice. I woke up in a military hospital and I was changed. I had known for some time that I was a Dreamwalker, but now I was more than I'd ever been, with a wolf living inside me. I wanted to crawl out of my skin, or rip it to shreds with my claws, trying to get at the new beast that wouldn't let me rest."

"That's how I feel, too. She wants to run, to hunt." Daria gazed at her new friend, and saw complete understanding. "She wants to be free, and it's so hard to rein her in. It's weird and scary to have all of that wildness inside me. Not to mention ironic, considering my job."

His brown eyes were sad. "As difficult as it is, remember you have a mate who's a fine man to help you. We didn't, and learning all of that alone was tough. I mean, we're like brothers and we're there for each other, but it's not the same as having someone special to comfort you at the end of the day."

Her heart went out to him. "I am grateful for Ryon. He's been nothing but wonderful to me and I care about him very much." She paused. "You're going to have someone, too, one day."