Struggling around people made the most basic things seem like a challenge. Forcing a smile to her lips, she tried to figure out what to say next.
“Erm, coffee?”
“I’ll take a tea, if you have any,” he said.
“Yes, tea. Awesome. Okay, so I’ll go and make it. Make yourself at home.” She took a step away and grimaced. “Actually, don’t make yourself at home.”
“You are strange at this, aren’t you?”
“Well, socially I’ve given you permission to do what you’d do at your own home. What I want you to do is sit and relax while I make us both a drink. I am completely ruining this moment right now, aren’t I?” She pressed her lips together.
“Did you go to high school?” he asked.
“No. I was home-schooled. I’ve never been good with crowds. It’s why I work from home, and you’re the only person I’ve ever allowed here besides my parents. I try not to have them around all that often because they constantly tell me that I should be out and about, and they want grandkids.”
“How about I come with you to the kitchen?”
“That would work.”
She turned on her heel and left the room. Closing her eyes, she clenched her hands into fists, angry with herself. This was why she avoided everything to do with everyone. Her cheeks were on fire.
Filling up the kettle, she placed it on the stove. Turning toward him, she found him sitting on the kitchen counter, his hands together, thumbs twiddling around.
“If you want to leave, you can. I won’t be offended.” I’ll just cry because I’m not normal.
“I’m here for you, baby. Why would I leave?”
“I’m just me, and no matter how much I wish I was different, I can’t seem to stop this, and it sucks. It sucks to be me right now, and I hate that I feel this way.” Her cheeks had to be bright red, and her eyes filled with tears. Everything felt a little too much right now.
With Liam at the coffee shop the other night and in the forest, she’d truly felt a connection. Like she was fighting whatever her problems were, but now, in her home, with him, everything was the same. She fucking hated it.
Suddenly, he stood in front of her. His hands cupped her face as he tilted her head back. She exhaled as he ran his thumb across her lips, and everything seemed completely frozen in time. She didn’t want to move. Glancing from his eyes, which had taken on an amber glow, she looked at his lips. They were so firm.
More than anything she wanted those lips on her. To feel him kiss her, to take what he wanted. To make her forget how awkward she was acting.
Did he want her?
“I promised myself I’d give you time, that I’d let you get used to me.”
“Time is overrated,” she said. Placing her hands on his chest, she felt his rapidly beating heart. So powerful as it thumped beneath her fingers.
“I’m glad you said that.”
Chapter Five
Liam couldn’t keep away.
Jake had been right. The longer he spent apart from Rebecca, the more feral he became. His wolf was agitated beyond recognition, desperate for its mate. Their mate.
He kissed her in the middle of the kitchen, and she clung to him, his shirt bunched up in her little fists. The scent of her desire was potent, perfuming the air in a dizzying fog that had him nearly salivating for her pussy. Her sweet, virgin pussy.
“You smell sweet.”
“It’s my strawberry shampoo. I just took a shower.”
He released the elastic from her hair and ran a hand through her long waves. It was only slightly damp. Her shampoo had nothing to do with her feminine signature, the scent calling out to his wolf.
Rebecca may be socially awkward, but once the heat turned up, her rigidity faded away, along with her nerves. Right now, she was putty in his hands, and after going days without seeing his woman, his body was pent up and hard for her.
Her tits pressed against his chest, soft and tempting. He’d been dreaming about stripping her naked and drowning in her softness. All he knew was she had to be marked by him. Until she was properly claimed, he’d obsess over another male stealing her away. His wolf demanded he fuck her and brand her with his bite.
“Forget the tea,” he said. He leaned over and turned off the stove. “I’d much rather have you for a snack.” Liam nipped her earlobe, before suckling it into his mouth. She moaned and tossed her head back.
“That feels good,” she whispered.
“Then you’re in for a surprise, beauty.” He’d wanted to take her home and fuck her in his own bed now that his packmates had moved out of the house. But he had no doubt it would be happening here and now.
Liam teased her erogenous zones, determined to get her deeper into that sweet spot.
“I—I’m not good at this,” she stammered. “I’ve never done any of this before.”
“I’ll teach you everything you need to know.” He reached around and cupped her ass cheek. She had lush curves he could grab hold of. He squeezed the soft flesh. “Just relax for me.”
It would be a challenge claiming a virgin when he wanted to fuck her hard and fast. He’d have to take his time, easing her into life as a mated woman. Liam wouldn’t have it any other way, though. Knowing she was untouched by other males pleased him more than he imagined. His claim of ownership would be uncontested.
She held onto his biceps as he kissed along her jawline and neck, unable to get enough of her. When she started testing his muscles, he stepped back briefly and tugged off his t-shirt. “I’m all yours. Don’t be shy.” He took her hands and placed them on his chest, loving how her hands felt on his skin. She smoothed her fingers up over his shoulders, her eyes wandering all over his body. As she trailed her hands back down, she stopped at his belt and looked up at him.
“Your muscles are hard.” She squeezed his arms again. “Strong.”
“All the better to protect my woman.” He tilted her chin up. “And you are my woman, Rebecca. You, this body, it’s all mine.”
She swallowed hard, but her desire didn’t diminish.
“I’ll never let anyone hurt you.”
“I can’t believe this is happening.” Rebecca painted a fingertip down his chest as she bit her lower lip. Liam loved that she couldn’t keep her hands to herself.
He grabbed her wrist. “I know you’re new to this, but I don’t think you understand the power you have over me. Every touch. Every move. You drive me crazy.”
“I’m not trying to.”
“You don’t have to try. All I can think about is stripping you naked. Filling you with my cock.” He reached between them and cupped her pussy through her pants. She gasped, bracing his shoulders.
“Liam…” She sank down onto his palm, her eyes rolling back in her head. “God, that feels good.”
“We haven’t even gotten started. Take your clothes off for me, Rebecca. I want to see you naked. All of you.”
“You sure about that?”
“No teasing, baby. You’ve got me rock hard and painful.”
She hesitated briefly, then pulled off her shirt and shimmied out of her jogging pants. “Is that good enough?”