Page 72 of Howlin’ For You

A shiver works its way down my spine and through my arms, raising little goosebumps in its wake. That’s the first time I’ve let myself think that for this man I still barely know.

But something about him is familiar.

Sometimes, in the dark, it feels like I’ve known him my whole life. As scary as it is, I swear my soul has always known him. When I met him for the first time, it was more like reuniting with an old friend than greeting a stranger.

Maybe that’s why I’ve allowed myself to fall so fast without a parachute flying wild behind me. Perhaps I don’t need one.

His eyebrows furrow slightly before he moves just a tad, as if my thinking so intently about us has summoned him from the depths of sleep.

I press little butterfly kisses onto his mouth until the corners turn up, and both arms wrap around my middle.

In an instant, I’m underneath him, watching as his smile lights up his whole face. He’s beautiful when he sleeps, but he’s truly cataclysmic when he looks at me like that.

World-ruining. World rebuilding.

“Morning.” His voice is all jagged edges and heat.

The goosebumps that had finally calmed down spring up again so quickly it’s almost painful. “Hi.”

“So? How was your first full moon?”

I close my eyes for a moment, letting my hands wander along his skin as I think about last night. “I had a lot of fun, actually. More than I thought.”

He kisses me once. Twice. A third time, where he lingers just enough for warmth to bloom in my body.

“I’m so glad, Izzy.” Sincerity bleeds from his words, forcing my eyes open to meet his gaze. “It meant a lot to me for you to be there.”

“I’ll always be there,” I reply, the vulnerability of it causing fear to rise in my throat, but I have to tell him. I have to be brave. I can’t let the past dictate my future. “I’ll be with you for as long as you’ll have me.”

“Izzy.” His hand cradles my cheek, rough callouses on his thumb dragging against my skin. “I will always want you.”

“Show me.”

I open my legs, cradling his hips and hooking my ankles around his ass.

“I’ll fuck every single doubt you’ve ever had out of that beautiful head, Izzy.” He leans in, hovering over my mouth. “And then I’ll do it again.”

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

NICK

The following week is routine in a way that allows me to settle into my comfort zone. The reality of what our life will look like if she agrees to stay with me after the anniversary event…which is only one day away.

Every day she brings something new to decorate my—our—home with. New drapes, new blankets, new placemats, new pillows, even a few empty photo frames she places on the mantle above the fireplace.

Frames I expect to fill with the moments of our lives.

She works on her computer in the mornings and then goes out into the community after lunch. She comes home just before dinner. She puts her purse in the same spot.

It’s a familiarity and a routine that I relish.

And yet, the weight of her being my mate sits on my shoulders. I promised myself I would tell her after our first full moon, but I couldn’t force out the words.

I want her to know. I want to press my teeth to the slight curve of her neck and feel our bond snap into place.

I tell myself I want to know what she’ll do after the event is over. I tell myself I want her to choose to stay here without the bond hanging over her.

But it’s all bullshit. Despite everything, I’m still scared to death I’m going to lose her, and that holds my tongue every single time I try to tell her.