Page 42 of Unmasking Her Shadow

“I didn’t know you got a dog,” I lie, holding my ground and trying not to show any fear. I’ve been taken down by smaller ones than her during training, and it’s not a pleasant experience. Nope. Not fun at all. And I don’t have any padding on this time.

“Nyx, this is Ki. She is a friend, not food,” she explains to the dog while coddling her.

She barks and I jump, spilling some popcorn onto the ground. Oh yeah, she knows who I am. “You said to get cameras. This is the next best thing.”

“She definitely loves and protects you, so I would have to agree. But I don’t think she’s going to let me inside.”

Sam grabs Nyx by the collar and tugs her back inside, and waves for me to follow. Here goes nothing. She trails close behind as we make our way to her couch, plopping down in front of us, glaring doggy daggers at me.

“If you saw this thing at night, you’d mistake her for a wolf.”

This gets a chuckle out of her. “I know. She’s perfect,” she says in a baby voice, bending to scratch Nyx behind the ears. The dog’s body posture relaxes, but the moment Sam removes her hand, she’s back to glaring at me, ready to pounce should I make one wrong move. “I wasn’t expecting any company tonight.” She gestures to her fluffy pajama pants, loose long sleeve shirt, fuzzy slippers, and her hair that is in a wild mess on top of her head.

“I see nothing wrong with it,” I assure her and drape my arm extremely slowly over her shoulders so as not to alert the angry puppy at our feet.

“So, is this our date?” she asks.

“Depends on whether I can still take you out and show you off after this one. Say… tomorrow?”

“We’ll see how tonight goes,” she teases, pinching her lips together to hide her grin.

She plays the movie and we share the popcorn, but I can’t focus on a damn thing besides her. When she’s had enough of the buttery goodness, she snuggles into me, covering us both with her colorful blanket. I kiss the top of her head and thread my fingers through hers. The answer to every prayer is in my arms, and I never want to let go. I rub my thumb back and forth across hers, inhaling the scent of her peach shampoo with my eyes closed. Let’s be honest, I didn’t come here for the movie. I came here for a chance to have her in my arms. To hold her the way I’ve been dying to and have her all to myself.

This entire thing could end with my heart being broken, but I would sacrifice it all for this one moment of pure happiness. I’ll hold on to all the shattered pieces and cherish them because each one would be a reminder of her. And that is worth it to me. I’d rather rip it out of my chest and place it in her hands than to have never known what it felt like to have her in my arms. The movie ends and I don’t even realize it because I’m too busy burning this moment into my memory.

She tilts her head to look up at me from where she was lying on my shoulder. Our eyes lock and a slow smile spreads across my face. I let go of her hand to hold the back of her head as I kiss her. When her hand slides up the side of my neck, I lose my control and have her pinned down on the couch before I can tell myself to fucking stop that this is me she is with and not Shadow. That she’s not ready for this. Hot breath and a growl next to my ear has me freezing.

“Sam,” I beg quietly, and she reaches her hand out to stroke the beast.

“Shhh, it’s okay, baby,” Sam assures her.

How many times can this thing almost give me a heart attack before it’s a real one and I fall over dead? Nyx flops down hard right next to the couch to make sure she’s within quick biting distance.

“Maybe I should go,” I tell her, even though it’s the last thing I want to do right now. I push myself up and she grabs my shirt.

“Don’t,” she breathes.

“Sam,” I warn. “You are underneath me right now. If I keep kissing you, I’m not sure I have the willpower to stop this time. If you end up regretting this, I’ll never forgive myself for not walking out that door while I had the chance.”

“I’m not one for holding onto regrets,” she replies confidently, and my lips find hers again. Always so soft. Always so…mine.

I trail kisses down her neck, and she turns, giving me better access. My teeth graze her skin, and she hums. Fuuuck. I dip my fingers just below her waistband and move my hand back and forth, seeking permission.

“Please.”

She’s cute when she begs.

I trail my hands lower to discover she’s already bare. She hisses when I bite down on her neck harder and dip two fingers inside her, pumping them in and out slowly, relishing the feel of her. I swallow her moan as I rub circles on her clit. She reacts to my touch so naturally.

I sit up…slowly… careful not to disrupt the wolfish beast so I can finish what I started.

“No regrets?” I ask, wiggling my fingers and dragging another moan from her perfect lips.

“No regrets,” she answers, and I tug her pants off and spread her thighs. This is all fucking mine. I’m practically salivating, but I look to her one more time. She leans up on her elbows, her eyes telling me everything I need to know. I lower my head and so tortuously slow I lick her up her center, savoring this moment in case it’s my last. We both moan simultaneously. My eyes dart to hers when I cover her clit with my mouth to watch her face.

Her mouth falls open, my name being spilled from her lips. “Kioni.” Her muscles already tensing. “Oh, god!” she screams, tossing her head back and holding mine to her warmth, coming on my fucking tongue. I lick her until her hold on me loosens. Hovering over her cunt, I look at her, shock on both our faces.

“You just—”