Love, A Curvy Girl’s Guide (A Curvy Girl’s Guide to Shifters)

Chapter 16

SIXTEEN

T he cool mountain breeze whispered through the trees as Haley stood on the back deck of the packhouse, breathing in the crisp night air. It had only been a few days here with the Iron Claw Pack, but in some ways it felt like forever. The events of the past few days still swirled through her mind—introductions to new wolves, the overwhelming sense of community, and Ian’s constant protectiveness whenever she was near.

All of those carefully erected that she’d hidden behind for so many years were being swept away. It seemed with each protective hand on her lower back, each clasping of her hand in his, and each tender kiss on her temple for no other reason than he seemed as if he couldn’t help himself—more times than she could count—Haley was falling in love.

“You planning on standing out here all night?”

Haley jumped, hand flying to her chest. “Shit, Ian! You scared the hell out of me.”

Ian’s slow grin appeared as he stepped out of the shadows. His hair was damp from a shower, and his faded Henley stretched across his broad chest. “Sorry,” he said, not sounding the least bit remorseful. “Didn’t mean to make you jumpy.”

“You live to make me jumpy,” she shot back, leaning against the railing with a teasing smile. “Admit it.”

He joined her at the railing, trapping her in with his arms. He smelled of fabric softener, cologne, and man. A deadly combination to her heart. The heat from his body radiated toward her despite the cool air. “Nah,” Ian said softly, closing in until there was hardly a breath between them. “Not anymore.”

Haley searched his eyes, dropping the teasing glint as she was honestly surprised by the sincerity in his tone. “What do you mean?”

Ian didn’t answer right away. He leaned down, resting his forehead against her own. “It’s hard to put into words, Hales. I mean, I’ve spent a lot of time pretending that getting under your skin was just for fun. When we were kids it was enough that I was getting a response out of you. And then later it was enough to know that whatever this was between us, you felt it too. But then I shifted and marked you as my mate. And all of those games, they aren’t enough anymore.”

Haley’s heart skipped a beat. “So… what is?”

Ian exhaled through his nose. “You. It’s always been you, Haley.”

Silence stretched between them, thick and charged. Haley gripped the front of his shirt, trying to ground herself. This was Ian. Her feelings for him were deep and complicated, and she knew in her heart of hearts that if his feelings for her weren’t as crazy and confusing as her own, she would likely want to die. He meant that much to her. When had that happened?

“You don’t have to say that,” she said at last, her voice cracking slightly. “I promised I would stay by your side, Ian, and see things through with you. And I will. You don’t have to romance me.”

Ian growled low in his throat. It was dark and intense and made Haley’s stomach tighten. “Do you think I would joke about this? Or try to pull something over on you? Haley, why would I joke about this?”

Haley didn’t know what to say. Every memory before she’d won a date with Ian at the fireman’s auction had been laced with pranks, barbed comments, and heated stares. But there were other moments too—like when he’d checked on her after she’d broken her arm or when he’d gone ballistic on prom night after Casey tried to take things too far. Or how, every time she needed backup, Ian seemed to appear like magic.

“It just doesn’t make sense,” she whispered. “I’ve got whiplash from how quickly everything has been moving. I guess I was just so used to you acting like I was a pain in the ass. Then we had sex, and now we’re mates. I’m worried that you were forced into something you don’t want.”

Ian chuckled softly. “First of all, you are a pain in the ass. The best kind. The kind that keeps me up at night thinking about you. The kind that wonders what you are doing at all times and worries about you when you aren’t in my sight. The kind that makes me laugh, makes me hard, and calls me on my shit.”

Haley’s cheeks flushed, lips tipping up. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Yeah?” Ian rubbed against her, showing Haley just how much he wanted her. “What’s more ridiculous—me wanting you, or you pretending you don’t feel it too?”

Haley’s pulse raced. The truth of his words settled heavily between them. She could deny it, tell him he was full of shit—but it would be a lie. Every snarky exchange, every heated kiss, every charged glance, every moment she’d caught herself watching him when she thought he wasn’t looking—it all pointed to one undeniable fact.

Ian Johnson had been in her blood for as long as she could remember.

“But, I hate you,” she said weakly.

Ian smiled, slow and knowing. “Nah. You don’t.”

His hand rose, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. The simple touch sent a shiver down her spine. She was about to respond with some smartass remark when Ian leaned in, brushing his lips against hers.

The kiss was soft at first—a gentle exploration that differed from his other kisses. Haley felt her insides melting as she opened her mouth, her body instinctively leaning closer, urging him to deepen the kiss. It quickly grew hungrier. His hand slid to her hips, anchoring them both together as the world fell away. There was no packhouse, no family drama, no hospital calls. Just Ian’s mouth on hers, the press of his body, and the undeniable truth that this— they —was something neither of them could deny.

When they broke apart, Ian’s forehead rested against hers. “The sex is fucking fantastic,” he murmured.

Haley’s burst of surprised laughter caused Ian to smile as well.

“I wasn’t finished,” he added.

Haley felt cherished in his arms. It instilled a confidence in her that he really did care, that this wasn’t just about the sex.

“Then by all means,” she whispered softly, “continue.”

“The sex is fucking fantastic,” Ian said, voice rough, “but it’s you that makes everything better. The sex, being a werewolf, the new pack, having a mate—none of this would be okay without you. If anything, I’m scared that I am falling so hard, and you’re going to wake up and realize that you can just walk away at any time. I need you, Haley. I needed you then, and I sure as hell need you now.”

Haley’s hands tightened in his shirt. “You have me, Ian.”

Ian groaned, kissing her again, deeper this time, until her knees wobbled. His arms wrapped around her, holding her tight, anchoring her in a storm of sensation.