Page 106 of Torin

“If that’s what it takes.”

“You’re ridiculous.” I shake my head, laughing. “Even my books aren’t this romantic.”

Something shifts in his expression. “Come here.”

He pulls me into his arms and kisses me.

I’m already reaching for him, winding my arms around his neck and pressing myself against him. His hand slides into my hair and he kisses me harder, until I’m breathless and clinging to him.

God, I’ve wanted this.

He tastes faintly of coffee, and beneath it is the clean scent of pine and cedar on his skin.

A low rumble vibrates through his chest.

I smile against his mouth. “Is that your bear?”

He answers by kissing me again. One hand stays tangled in my hair while the other slips beneath my T-shirt, his rough fingertips moving over my waist and up my ribs.

I shiver and press closer.

His hand moves higher, and when his thumb brushes the underside of my breast through my bra, I gasp into his mouth.

Torin makes a rough sound in his throat.

I want more.

I want his hands everywhere. I want to know what it feels like to have nothing between us. And for once, I don’t want to think about what happens next.

I pull back just far enough to speak.

“I’m ready, Torin.”

He’s breathing hard. “For what?”

“To mate with you.”

He stills. “For what?” he asks, though his rough voice tells me he already knows.

“To mate with you.” The words come out little more than a whisper. “Here.”

For a heartbeat he just stares at me. “In the woods?”

I nod. “In your world.”

“Fuck.” He pulls me closer. “You have no idea how badly I want that. But it’s not right.”

“Why? What’s the problem?”

“This is your first time.”

“I know.”

“I was thinking a bed, at least.”

I laugh. “A bed?”

“Maybe candles. Rose petals if I could figure out where the hell to find them.”