The Wolf Lord's Mate

Chapter Thirty-Two

Nathaniel's lips twitched into a small smile as he rubbed a hand under the line of his jaw. The muscles shifted tightly under the tanned skin, and he opened his mouth to say something before stopping himself. Nathaniel studied me intently, eyes flickering almost imperceptibly to the space behind me. To the soft mattress that conjured all sorts of unspoken possibilities.

"I will go and check on the fire," Nathaniel said, "Call for me when I am allowed to return, My Lady." Nathaniel gave me a small nod, his smile widening.

With that, he ducked under the doorway, and disappeared back down the ladder-steps. I was going to call out and correct him for calling me his Lady, but I suppose I had ordered him around rather directly, so it wasn't unwarranted. I was far too comfortable in his presence, and I know he relished that fact a bit too much for my liking.

The moment the door closed behind him my shoulders loosened, and I pressed the fabric of his shirt to my nose. Inhaling deeply, the heady scent of cinnamon and cloves flooded my senses and calmed each one of my racing nerves. It was what I wanted to do to Nathaniel every time I saw him; to bury my face in his chest, his neck, his hair—to wrap his arms around me and lose myself completely in his presence.

I undressed quickly, happy to relieve myself of my clothes, my dress and stockings dirty from the ride. Slipping on Nathaniel's shirt, it fell just above my knees, and I had to roll the sleeves up to my elbows. I pulled the string-tie tightly, trying to hide as much of my bare chest from Nathaniel's view as possible, but the fabric of the shirt was about as thin as one of my summer nightdresses. My nipples poked through the fabric, perpetually hard due to the constant state of semi-arousal Nathaniel's presence caused, and I hoped the low light of the room might help conceal it from his sight.

I stood there for awhile after I changed, not quite able to bring myself to call for Nathaniel. When I was the one who had to do the summoning, it felt far too much like I was calling him to bed, rather than being convinced to sleep next to him. And yet, I was the one who had sent him off in the first place—there was no winning with this blasted bond. Eventually the call of sleep won out, my body too tired to listen to my mind. I crept towards the door, and called out, "Nathaniel?"

I barely raised my voice, knowing his hearing would be able to pick up the words, and without missing a beat, I heard him coming up the steps. The door creaked open slowly, every whine of the hinges making my heart race faster.

Nathaniel paused in the doorway, his towering form forcing him to duck slightly to step into the room. His eyes darkened, a tight clench in his jaw as his gaze raked across my body. Starting with my bare legs, to the rise and fall of chest, to my hair that now hung loose around my shoulders. I'm sure seeing me in his clothes pleased some sort of bizarre primal instinct of his wolfish nature, and the look of satisfaction on his face proved me right.

Nathaniel nodded, almost to himself, and began unbuttoning his waistcoat. I watched, my breath quickening, but I managed to stay silent until he pulled off his undershirt.

"What are you doing?" I turned away, staring at the window, my heart pounding in my chest, the rhythm matching the pounding that was starting between my legs. Just a glimpse of that perfectly muscled torso was enough to send me into a tizzy; his tanned skin the color of rich caramel, the dusting of hair across his chest practically begging me to run my fingers through it. And his toned stomach—Gods, I could lick him. Starting with his neck, and working my way over his pectorals before tracing my tongue all the way down to his—

—No. No, that was precisely what was not going to happen.

"I am preparing for bed." Nathaniel said, "I will not sleep naked, do not worry—although I usually do." Now that was an image I was certainly not prepared for, and Nathaniel forced his way into my field of vision by sitting on the edge of the bed. He leaned back on his elbows casually, biceps flexing as he did. I was certain that even with both hands, I would not be able to fully grasp his arm. His abs tightened with every breath, a smattering of hair and a perfectly carved v-line leading a seductive trail to what was currently barely contained in his pants.

"Are you going to join me?" Nathaniel asked, but I still did not move, "What is it?"

"Why did you have to take your shirt off?" I said, and Nathaniel actually had the gall to roll his eyes at me. As if this absurd male had absolutely no clue what the sight of his bare skin did to me, drying my mouth and stealing my breath. I'm sure he could hear my heart pounding, the poor organ racing in my chest like a frightening rabbit.

"I run hot, Mira." Nathaniel said matter-of-factly.

I tilted my head at him. "We could open the window."

"The midges will get in through the window." Nathaniel narrowed his eyes, and I could practically see his patience wearing away. He had given me a certain degree of leeway thus far, but for whatever reason, he would not budge on this single issue of us sharing a bed.

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