Page 50 of Wedding the Werepanther

His hot breath makes me shiver so hard I almost don’t see the cavewight that leaps out of a crevice, heading straight toward my avatar. I throw a Fireball Spell at the last second, barely making it out alive.

It keeps going like that. I try to focus on the quest, but Shadow constantly distracts me, leaning too close or pressing his knee to mine. One time he even grabs my thigh, his bighand wrapping over the top and squeezing until my entire body tingles.

By the time my character defeats the mini-boss and holds Wight’s Bane in her hand, I’m a wrung-out, panting mess.

“Do you want to play?” I hold out the controller.

“I very much want to play.” In a flash, the controller rests on the coffee table, and Shadow’s long fingers wrap around mine. He grins hot and wicked, his tongue teasing one of his fangs as he leans close to purr, “With you.”

My body lights up like he flipped a switch. I don’t even care right now if this is some kind of game for him. Iwant.

I want to be touched. I want to not feel alone. I want to let go and have fun for a change.

And god, do I want him shirtless. All those times I watched him work in the backyard, showing off his wide shoulders, firm pecs, and flat abs. That time I caught him getting out of the shower. I want all of that skin up close. And discovering our gaming compatibility adds the headiest dose of my own personal catnip. A flash of magic stirs in my chest and bursts through my fingers in a dizzying rush.

His green dress shirt gives an all-over wiggle, then starts to unbutton itself.

“If you wanted me naked, you only had to ask,” Shadow purrs, his grin hot and wicked.

“I… I didn’t do this!” It’s a lie, totally, one-hundred percent untrue.

The shirt peels open, sliding off first one arm, then the other, as if invisible hands undress him.

Kindamyinvisible hands, because the shirt’s doing exactly what I wanted when my magic activated. Heat flares across my cheeks, and I press my actual hands to my face to muffle my embarrassed moan.

The shirt slides off Shadow’s second wrist, then wriggles off the couch and across the floor.

“See, you want me.” His rich chuckle makes my thighs clench. “And I’ve wanted you for a very, very long time.”

“How long?” The words slip out before I can stop myself.

“Since the first moment I saw you.” He brushes his fingers over my cheek, sending shivers through me. Then he cups my chin and pulls me forward.

I sway, then catch myself. Jerking out of his grasp, I leap to my feet. I can’t let this happen, and it’s not only the consummation clause of the marriage contract stopping me. It’s not even my worry that this is all a game for him. It’s something far flipping worse.

I’m not a virgin, but I’ve also only been with a couple of guys, and the sex was never very good.

But I don’t blame them.

I blame me.

I’m the one who’s broken. I’m the one who can’t come with another person. Hell, I can’t even masturbate successfully all the time.

It’s embarrassing enough with regular guys, but with someone like Shadow, it’s flippingexcruciating. He exudes an effortless sensuality that makes it clear pleasure issonot a problem. Sexiness flows from the werepanther like heat lines from summer blacktop.

How do you tell a guy like him that you can’t come?

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Shadow

Kayla turns away from me, mumbling something so faint not even my keen fae hearing can discern the words. Her shoulders lift, tension pouring from her so thickly the air seems to vibrate with it.

All my normal joviality freezes in an instant, dropping away to leave behind worry. This isn’t normal for my strong Kayla. This is serious.

“I didn’t hear you.” I make my voice soft as I stand.

Her shoulders ratchet even higher.