WeresDigest Read Free Page B

bad life. She lived in an adequate dwelling, had food on the
table, and family—her mother and brothers. Things could be worse. But then she
contemplated how she wanted to have her own house, and her own children
scampering about her legs, and not serving ale to drunkards each night.
    Did that make her a ‘bad’ girl? She didn’t think
so—but then common sense made her stiffen in his arms. Yet, once again, his
insistent kisses shoved away her thoughts, until his big palm settled on her
bottom through her rough, woolen skirts. She groaned, feeling the firmness of
his hand, but also prickles of delightful sensations up and down her spine, her
buttocks, and thighs as he pressed her hard against his erection.
    So, how did a good girl know about a man’s desire?
Having been raised as the only girl in a family surrounded by brothers had left
her somewhat unsheltered.
    The man’s low growl made her pull herself free of him.
Her feet touched the ground and she stared at him in wide-eyed panic. Once more
she doubted her eyes, recalling the beast she’d glimpsed earlier, and she
asked, “Did I just see a…no…impossible,” she muttered.
    “What did you see?” his low voice came.
    “Why I thought you were a dog—a very large one.” She
laughed at her words and shook her head, adding, “Which I know is not
possible.”
    He gave her a devilish grin. “The light isn’t the
best.”
    She looked at him and realized he was the same man
she’d seen in the tavern several times in recent days. Uneasiness settled
inside her then as she wondered about him. Carrie remembered him as he sat with
a man who resembled him—likely a very close relative—night after night,
watching people come and go—watching her as they drank their ale. But once
again, he pulled her into his arms and she willingly went.
    He smacked his hand against her bottom and she
shrieked in surprise, then groaned when he held her against his groin and
ground himself against her again. She knew she should pull away, but she
couldn’t for he’d started kissing her again. The man wasn’t giving her a chance
to do anything but submit to his desires, to his passion, which was fine since
she desired him just as much, possibly more.
    * * * *
    Max had found her—his love—his mate. At twenty-seven,
he’d been fearful of ever finding her, yet here she was, in his arms, willing
and wanting him. He was stunned for she was far from being a lupine, but a
beautiful human woman. Never had he imagined his mate to be anything but
lupine, yet he wasn’t disappointed.
    As he kissed her sweet lips, cupped her small, firm
buttocks, and pressed her against his erection, all he could think was to take
her up against the wall, like the beast that he was.
    Beast. Damn
it to all bloody hell, he was that, and she’d seen him. Several months ago,
he’d scented and had been drawn to her. Skulking along the shadows on the
streets of London each night in his wolf form, he followed her scent. He’d
found her and she was his; he’d never allow her from his life. He couldn’t, for
without her he believed he would surely die. They were mated for life and he
would love and protect her.
    She wasn’t beautiful, not by society’s standards with
her wildly curled brown hair tinged with golden highlights hanging over her
shoulders, wide brown eyes, and slightly plump body, yet she was beautiful to
him, and that’s all that mattered.
    Carrie had questioned him, but he’d managed to divert
her queries with his questing hands and passionate kisses; yet then he
remembered why else he’d been drawn into the dark alley; not just because of
her, but because of another woman, who lay dead nearby, poor soul. He prayed
Carrie wouldn’t see her for it was a grisly sight. The woman’s throat had been
slit ear to ear.
    “Come home with me,” he whispered against her lips.
God in heaven but he felt ready to ignite into flames at the touch of her lips.
He wanted to take her, his heat bearing