Chapter 20
The Maserati purred along the winding roads, hugging every curve like it was born for them.
Petra found herself relaxing into the leather seat as they drove in a wide-sweeping circle around the estate.
Seth pointed out various landmarks as they went.
They passed a narrow service road that connected to the main highway, then a section of wall that was older than the rest, and a nearly hidden gate that was rarely used but provided quick access to the nearby village.
“You’re memorizing all of this, aren’t you?” Seth asked, glancing over at her with a slight grin.
“I’m a librarian,” Petra admitted with a shrug. “I catalog information automatically. It’s both a blessing and a curse.”
“In this case, it’s useful.” His expression turned more serious. “I hope you never need them, but it’s better to know all the escape routes.”
They’d been driving for almost an hour, circling the perimeter of her newly inherited estate.
Petra hadn’t realized how extensive the grounds were until seeing them like this.
The castle sat in the center of what felt like a small kingdom, with forests and gardens and even a few open fields spreading in all directions.
“The property line ends just past that trees there,” Seth said, pointing to a dense section of woods. “Beyond that is a forest preserve, which means no one can build there. It’s a natural buffer zone.”
“That’s actually reassuring,” Petra said.
Seth turned down a narrow road that looked more like a dirt track than anything meant for vehicles. The Maserati handled it smoothly despite the rough terrain. After a few minutes, a small cabin came into view, tucked so deep into the trees it was almost invisible until you were right on top of it.
“This is where you’ve been staying?” Petra asked as Seth parked in front of the small, rustic building.
“My base of operations for this mission.” He killed the engine and looked at her.
“I wanted to show you this because it’s a good destination not too far from your property if you need to evacuate.
From the castle to here is less than fifteen minutes on foot through the woods.
From here, you’re five minutes from the main highway in any direction. ”
“You’ve thought this through,” Petra said softly.
“It’s what I do.” Seth got out of the car and came around to open her door. “Come on. I’ll show you around.”
The cabin was small but well-maintained.
Inside, it was surprisingly cozy. There was one main room with a kitchenette, a bathroom, and what looked like a bedroom through a partially open door.
Petra could see Seth’s presence in the space.
A laptop on the small table, maps spread across the surface behind the computer, and some of his military-type gear neatly organized in one corner.
“It’s not much,” Seth said, suddenly seeming uncertain. “But it’s been functional.”
“It’s perfect,” Petra said, meaning it. There was something intimate about seeing where Seth had been living, the space he returned to after spending nights in his jackal form watching over her castle. “It’s very you.”
Seth chuckled and moved closer, his expression shifting to something warmer. “And what does that mean? Very me?”
“Organized. Efficient. But also…” Petra looked around, noticing small details. A book on the nightstand. A coffee mug by the sink with the dregs of his morning coffee still in it. “Lived in. Real.”
“As opposed to?” Seth was very close now, close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from him.
“As opposed to just a professional doing a job.” Petra met his eyes. “You’re a person, Seth. Not just a mercenary, or a bodyguard, or whatever role you’re playing for this mission. You’re someone who reads books and drinks coffee and…” She gestured vaguely, words failing her.
“And wants you,” Seth finished softly. “Is that what you were going to say?”
Petra’s breath caught. “I was hoping.”
Seth’s hand came up to cup her face, his thumb brushing across her cheek. “I think about kissing you almost constantly. I watched you train with Judy and wanted to pull you away somewhere private. I see you being brave and all I can think about is how much I want to—”
Petra didn’t let him finish. She rose on her toes and kissed him, pouring all her uncertainty and hope and desperate wanting into the contact. Seth made a sound low in his throat and pulled her closer, his arms wrapping around her waist.
This kiss was different from the ones they’d shared in the library. It was less tentative and much more urgent. Petra felt Seth’s control slipping. She felt the careful restraint he’d been maintaining begin to fray and secretly cheered.
“Petra,” he murmured against her lips. “We should stop.”
“I don’t want to stop,” Petra replied breathlessly. She pulled back just enough to meet his eyes. “I want this. I want you. Unless you don’t—”
Interrupting her words, Seth kissed her again, harder this time, backing her toward the bedroom with deliberate intent. “I want you so much it’s driving me crazy. But I need you to be sure. Once we do this, everything changes.”
“Good,” Petra said breathlessly. “My life has been nothing but change lately, and not all for the better. I know this will be better. Possibly the best ever.”
That seemed to be all the permission Seth needed. He lifted her easily, her legs wrapping around his waist as he carried her the rest of the way to the bedroom. They fell onto the bed together, a tangle of limbs and heated kisses.
Seth’s hands were everywhere—in her hair, on her waist, sliding up under her dress to caress bare skin. Petra arched into his touch, wanting more, needing ever more. She tugged at his shirt, and he pulled back just long enough to yank it over his head.
“God, you’re beautiful,” Petra breathed, her hands exploring the sculpted muscles of his chest and shoulders.
“Says the woman who makes me forget my own name,” Seth replied, his voice rough. His fingers found the zipper of her dress. “May I?”
“Yes,” Petra said. “Yes, to everything.”
The dress came off, then her bra, and suddenly there was so much skin against skin that Petra felt dizzy with it. Seth’s mouth traced a path down her neck, across her collarbone, and then lower. Every touch set her nerves on fire. Every kiss made her want more.
“Tell me if you want me to stop,” Seth said, his lips against the swell of her breasts, his hands at the waistband of her underwear.
“Don’t you dare stop,” Petra managed her back arching with pleasure at his touch.
The rest of their clothes disappeared in a blur of fumbling hands and breathless laughter when Seth’s belt refused to cooperate. Then they were skin to skin, nothing between them, and Petra felt like she might combust from the intensity of it.
Her head fell back as his tongue swirled around one tight nipple, drawing it deep, sucking until she cried out and clutched his hair.
He moved to her other breast, giving it the same reverent touch, while one big hand slipped between her thighs.
Two fingers slid through her slick heat, finding her clit with ruthless accuracy.
She bucked against his hand, feeling a bit shameless in her need.
“Seth—please—”
“I love hearing you beg for my touch, sweetheart.” He circled, pressed, and teased until she was writhing. “But I need to taste you first.”
Before she could process the words, he slid down her body, pushed her thighs wide, and put his mouth on her.
The first long lick tore a sob from her throat.
The second had her fingers scrabbling at the sheets.
By the time he closed his lips around her clit and sucked, she was chanting his name like a prayer, her hips rocking against his tongue, chasing the edge he kept just out of reach.
He held her there, merciless, until she was shaking, with tears of yearning pricking her eyes. Only then did he crawl back up, licking her taste from his lips like it was the finest wine.
“Look at me,” he commanded.
She forced her eyes open. His were pure molten gold now, his inner beast riding him hard, but she wasn’t scared.
“I’m going to take you now, sweetness,” he said, his voice gruff in his chest. “I’m going to sink inside you so deep, you’ll feel me for days. And when I come inside you, Petra, I’m claiming you forever.” She was shocked by his possessive words.
“What?”
“You’re mine,” he declared. “I wondered before, but now that I’ve tasted you, I know for certain. You’re my mate, Petra. And mating among my kind is for life. Once we do this, there’s no going back. Tell me yes. Tell me you want me too, my love.”
He was serious. That was the thought racing through her mind. He really wanted her. Her! To keep her forever. As his mate. She wasn’t completely sure what it all meant, but her heart leapt in her chest, yearning to complete the bond she could feel forming between them.
Really, she had no choice. She had been drawn to him from the moment they’d met and the feeling had only grown stronger as she got to know him.
She wanted to be with him… Always. There really was no other answer.
She stared into his beautiful eyes and hoped he could see the emotions swirling in hers.
“Yes,” she whispered unable to deny the connection. It was impossible, but she felt the rightness of this moment down to the depths of her soul. “I’m yours, Seth. And you’re mine.”
As simply as that, she’d sealed her fate and she couldn’t regret it a bit.
Seth joined with her in one long, possessive thrust that stole her breath and gave her everything, all at once.
They both groaned, making raw, broken sounds of relief and staggering pleasure.
He was big, stretching her perfectly, and when he bottomed out, they stilled, foreheads pressed together, sharing air.
Then he moved.