Chapter 6

Kyle leaped over the porch stairs, eager to get to his mate. Agitation made his muscles twitchy. His wolf was frustrated with him. He wanted to bite her, mark her and claim her as his. His wolf didn’t understand why his human was hesitant. Wooing? Wooing was keeping his mate away from him.

He paused by the rustic solid wood door, urging his wolf to settle in him before he knocked on the door. You’ve gotta calm down. She’s right across the door. Our mate. His wolf howled before settling down, sniffing the air, taking in her scent of orange blossoms and honeysuckle that soothed his wolf and him. He rapped his knuckles on the door, straightened his fingers and rubbed his moist palms on his black jeans.

Isobel opened the door. A serene smile on her face. A long white flowy dress with embroidered yellow flowers and long puff sleeves covered her voluptuous body.

“You’re right on time,” she said, her hand touching his forearm. Electrical pulses zipped down his spine. He craved more of her touch. “Come on in and make yourself comfortable. The curry mutton is nearly ready.” 

The strong aromas of cumin, ginger, garlic and onions hit his nose, making him salivate. His woman was cooking for him. Feeding him. If only she could sate the hunger in him, that wasn’t for food. Kyle stepped into the rustic cabin, the lounge space compact with a small kitchen, where Isobel was stirring a steaming pot. A song with hypnotic bass and percussion played from a bluetooth speaker. Her ample hips swayed with the beat. Blood gathered in his groin area and a groan escaped his mouth.

Isobel turned her head. “Did you say something?”

He coughed and tugged his black shirt down over his hardening cock. “What music are you listening to? I haven’t heard of it.”

Dipping a wooden spoon in the pot, she took it out and tasted the stew that was in it. “Hmm, needs just a pinch of salt.” Her pink tongue licked her bottom lip, and he had to choke down the groan that wanted to leave his throat. His wolf rolled in agony. Wanting to bend her down and rut her. He looked around the minute cabin, trying to distract himself. Photo frames lined up the wall of the lounge area.

 “It’s a reggae artist that my father and I love to listen to while we cook together. My father says it reminds him of home.”

“Home?”

“Yes. Jamaica. I’m cooking one of Jamaica’s popular dishes. Curry mutton with rice and peas. My father’s favorite dish. I hope I’ve done it justice. It was hard getting some ingredients at the local store, but thank goodness, I bought some spices with me.”

Kyle gazed at one photo that had a sturdy looking black man with his arm around a blond petite woman and girl of 12-years-old between them. All three beamed at the camera. The girl was Isobel, her heart-shaped face, full lips and tawny curls.

“Is this your father?”

Isobel walked to him and glanced at the photo. “Yes. And that’s my mother. She’s from Seattle. They met while she was on holiday in Jamaica.”

“And where do they live now?”

“In Seattle. My father said love was the only thing that made him leave his country. He makes the most of it. Seattle weather and all.” She chuckled. 

“I haven’t been. To Seattle I mean. Or Jamaica. I’ve lived here all my life. Never really ventured out.”

“Why is that?”

“I’ve never had to. My family is here. My pac…uh, community is all I’ve needed. Until now.”

“Now? What changed?”

Kyle shifted to look at her. She was close, her curls brushing the shoulder part of his blue denim jacket. Isobel looked up at him and he could see the golden flecks in her brown eyes. Almost the color of his wolf’s glow. He palmed the side of her face, his thumb stroking her cheek.

“You. You came into my life.”

Her mouth parted in a gasp. “What?”

The timer in the oven went off.

“Oh shoot. Have to take the pot off the stove.” She glanced at him.

“Go. You don’t want to burn dinner.”

A conflicted look crossed her face before she smiled. “Okay, dinner will be ready in a minute.”

Isobel grasped the flimsy cloth of her dress. Damn timer! Why did it go off at that minute? She was a hundred percent sure he was going to kiss her. All day, her mind had been on the kiss he’d given her in her grandfather’s truck. She wanted more of that. Maybe even more than a kiss. Her cheeks burned at that thought. The sensation of being flooded with warmth and craving touch was new to her. Not just anyone’s touch, but his. His touch all over her body. Her naked body. Oh, my gosh! You’ll definitely burn the curry if you don’t get your mind into gear.

She had set the round wood stained kitchen table with glasses, woven placemats, cutlery and glasses earlier. Now, she quickly dished the plates and sat them on the two placemats. 

“You can take a seat,” she pointed to the chair across from hers. Kyle cocked his head to the side, staring at the placement. He then picked up the chair and moved it closer to hers. He proceeded to move the glasses and cutlery that were placed for him. 

“Now that is better,” he grinned, sitting down. Inhaling deeply, his face brightened. “This smells delicious. My mouth is watering. Yum.”

Isobel’s fingers lightly grazed her rounded belly. It felt like someone had let thousands of butterflies loose and they were fluttering around her abdomen.

She smiled, delighted with his words. “Let’s hope it tastes better than it smells. Would you like juice, water? I don’t drink, but I can open up some of granddaddy’s liquor.” 

“No, that’s okay. Water is fine for me.”

Pouring water from the jug into his glass, she set it down and sat down. She gestured to his plate. “Please, eat.”

Kyle picked up his fork and took a bite of the curried mutton. “Hmm,” he moaned.

Her cheeks dimpled. “Good?”

“I’ve never had curry mutton before, but it’s become my favorite thing.”

“I’m glad to be your first.” The tips of her ears reddened when she heard what she’d said. “I mean, the curry mutton.”

“Idiot!” she breathed out underneath her breath. His wolf’s hearing, however, caught the word. 

Kyle threw back his head, his body shaking with his laugh. “I’m glad you are my first, too. Hopefully, of many.” He waggled his eyebrows and winked.

Facing heating up, Isobel glanced down at her plate and took a mouthful of rice and peas.

Sipping a glass of juice, she peeked at Kyle, who was wolfing down the food. 

“This morning I did what you suggested.”

He wiped his face with the paper napkin. “Oh? What is that?”

“The whole paint with your eyes closed. I was skeptical, but it worked. The exercise got me out of my head.”

Kyle scanned the kitchen and lounge area. “Is it here? Can I see it?”

“No, the canvas is outside. Maybe later, after dessert.”

A boyish smile lit up his face, and he nodded. He went back to consuming mouthfuls of the food.

“Would you like some more?” she asked.

He dipped his head while swallowing. “Please.”

Isobel rose up from the table. Striding to the kitchen, she dished up another plate. Placing down his copious plate, she pivoted to the speakers by the kitchen counter. “Oh! I love this song.” Isobel scrambled to her phone and increased the volume. Staccato beats of drum and bass filled the room. A man’s soulful voice rang through, singing about a woman’s hips winding for him.

Isobel twisted toward him, her knees slightly bent. She started rotating her hips in a small circle. Holding out her hands to him, she flicked a finger toward him in a come hither motion. “Come dance with me.”

Stopping mid chew, Kyle swallowed his food slowly. He looked at her, slack-jawed. The look of reverence on his face made her beam. The admiration in his eyes made her insides feel like liquid gold. Warming her up. A feminine power that she’d never experienced before made her heart drum against her chest. It was an exhilarating feeling.

“I don’t know how to dance,” he croaked out.

She swirled her hips, moving toward him. “It’s okay. Just follow my lead.”

When she reached his chair, he grabbed her hand and pulled her into his lap. A hardness near his groin poked into her soft, cushy ass. 

Isobel gasped. “Oh.”

Kyle swiped his tongue between her parted lips, sending goosebumps all over her body. Isobel grasped his shoulders and pulled herself closer. The way she sat wasn’t comfortable, so she twisted enough to straddle him. Her wet core grinded on a zipper that was bulging with his arousal.

Wrapping his hand around her, Kyle crushed her against him. His muscles pure heat through his light shirt.

She relaxed against him. His kisses were making her feel woozy, but most importantly, safe. She didn’t know how, but she knew deep within her that Kyle wouldn’t hurt her. His tongue twisted with hers and a groan slipped out of her mouth. He growled, low and deep. The sound rumbling through her. Instead of frightening her, it made her feel light-headed. Her body was burning with a need she’d never felt before.

His hands that gripped her waist trailed downward to her hips and thighs. Squeezing her thick thighs, he made a short, low sound of approval before his hands moved down underneath the hem of her dress. He started to push the hem of the dress up with his hands when she froze. She had forgotten about her scars. Isobel’s mind flashed back to her first boyfriend and his scrunched up look of disgust in his face. Her chest tingled as a sour taste flooded her mouth. Pulling back, she broke the kiss.

“What’s wrong?” he asked. “Did I do something wrong? Is this too fast for you?” His eyes widened with dismay as they searched her face.

“No. I just needed a breather.”

His hands slipped out of her dress and rested on her waist. “Yeah. Okay. No problem.”

She awkwardly slid off him, the dress slipped down to her ankles. Covering back her shame. Her cheeks burned, and she dropped her chin to her chest. For a moment, she had felt safe. Protected in his arms. But now all she saw was his face twisted in disgust. She knew that it was all in her head, but she couldn’t shake off the image.

Kyle stood up and touched her arm. Concern filled his gaze, his eyebrows furrowed. “Hey, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m jus—”

A wolf’s howl pierced the air. Another one followed. They sounded like they were just outside the cabin.

“What?” she shrunk away from him. The sound reminded her of the howling she’d been hearing in her nightmares since the night she woke up with scars on her body. The sound made the hairs stand on her nape and arms.

“Hey, it’s okay. They sound near, but they really are not. They are just circling the land’s boundary.”

Her chin trembled, and she licked her dry lips. She nodded to show that she understood.

Kyle breathed out a shaky breath. “Okay. I’m going to find out what’s wrong. Stay here and rest, okay? Don’t go outside until I return.”

She dipped her head again, and Kyle marched out of the door. He turned and looked at her one more time before jumping off the porch steps and disappearing into the woods.

Isobel blew out a breath. He was going to find out what’s wrong? He made it seem like he was going to speak to the wolves.