CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Nate wanted to kiss Lara's neck without that damned dress in the way. He wanted to move it away and lick her collarbones.

Still, his mate might not like being exposed to him. Especially a sensitive area such as her neck or cleavage. He was a wolf after all: why should she trust he wouldn't hurt her?

Before he could find the words to ask her one more time, Lara's hands reached the back of her neck. She undid the two buttons keeping the halter neckline in place, and Nate could finally see her collarbones.

She was wearing a strapless bra, so the only cloth covering the upper part of her chest was the dress. Once removed, Nate could kiss the hollow between her neck and shoulder.

Her skin was so soft, and it had the scent of her perfume.

His tongue tickled her nerves, and she sighed once again. She found his hair and played with the soft locks, drowning in the pleasure.

Nate pressed his lips on the crescent moon of her birthmark, on her shoulder. He glanced back at her, and he saw her distended expression.

«Let's go to the car,» she murmured, breathless after their kiss.

«No,» Nate sighed. «We shouldn't.»

They would have lost any control if they entered the car, alone and in the dark. At least, in the park, the fresh air helped him keep his mind awake. Not clear; that was too much to ask for. Just awake; barely.

«Why not?»

«Because you're not yourself,» he said, caressing her knee with his thumb. «Maybe, you'll forget everything tomorrow... Who knows?»

«Don't be silly. How could I forget you?»

«Yeah, how could you?»

«Oh, don't remind me of that, please,» she sighed, letting go of his hair and resting her head on his shoulder. «I still feel weird thinking about that night.»

«I don't want you to feel weird, nor disappointed. Nor ashamed.»

«Why would I feel that?» she chuckled. «I've never felt better, Nate. I'm happy now.»

«That's all... It's all an illusion. It might be because we're mates, so being close makes us think everything will be solved with little effort. But you will forget about this feeling as soon as we split.»

«And you?»

«I won't. I'm a wolf, and my whole life will revolve around you. I recognised you as my mate and will never see another woman again.»

«Sounds unfair.»

«It is.»

At least, she had stopped caressing him. Her head was on his shoulder, her weight on him. His hand was caressing her back, slow and careful, trying to calm her down and comfort her inner turmoil.

«I don't want you to suffer,» she sighed.

Even if her words were still the same, her tone was getting colder and calmer. She was getting out of her daze, realising what she had done and what she offered to do soon after.

Nate didn't miss that change, but he didn't say anything. In the end, those few minutes she was in his arms were charging his batteries for the following days.

They most likely were going to drift apart for a while after the wild kisses of that night. Lara would feel awkward, and he had to leave her some space to forget about the matter.

Not that he minded any version of her. He couldn't decide which one he liked more: the shy, proper lady or the wild kitten in search of attention. Both were equally adorable and alluring to him.

«Did you have fun at the party?» he inquired, looking up at the sky. The stars were numerous and shining, and the moon reminded him of the upcoming week.

Lara slipped on the bench and sat down, returning in control of her actions. She observed her fingers, realising what she had just done.

«I'm sorry,» she sighed. «I don't know what happened to me.»

«It's fine, Lara. You have every right to do something like this. Also, it's not because of the alcohol. Oh, maybe a little, but it's not the main cause.»

«I see. I really felt all right just a minute ago. Then, the world started swinging and finally disappeared. I could only see you, and... Ah, you know.»

«Is it wrong? After all, we are dating.»

She nodded while tying the buttons of her neckline. It was getting cold, now that she wasn't in heat anymore.

«I'm sorry, Nate,» she repeated.

«Lara, you don't need to apologise. And you're not the only one acting like that. I should ask for your forgiveness as well, shouldn't I?»

She curled her lips, wondering if it was a trap. Every cell of her body wanted to comfort him and tell him it was all right. But she was being too irrational... It was better not to do anything until clearing her mind.

«We should go back,» she said, in fact.

«Let me calm down first,» he rebuked, his head in his hands. His elbows were pricking on his knees, and he was taking deep breaths to forget about the emotions still travelling through his nerves.

He needed to return to reality and act rationally: reliving the memory of their kiss could wait for a later time. He had to show Lara his best self. The version of him that could control every instinct.

«I guess the kids are already sleeping,» Lara chuckled, looking at the dark buildings in the direction of the car. One of those buildings was where Nate's apartment was.

«Oh, I wouldn't be so sure,» Nate sighed. Those little beasts were waiting, for sure. They would have sniffed Lara from head to toe and assessed how many people she talked to. They would have confirmed that Nate did put his hands on her, but they would just glare in silence since jealousy only brought them scoldings.

«They are five, and the moon is ordinary,» Lara pointed out. «Trust me, no matter how energetic, kids that age can't stay awake for too long.»

«Oh, but what if there's a motive?» he sighed.

Lara didn't hear that question and continued to smile at him. It was so peaceful and so right.. Nate was glad she didn't think much of what had just happened.