Chapter 8: Body Exploration

The lights were on in Bruce's house, and as Silvana closed the door to her car, she couldn't help but think how Bruce left the lights on just for her, so she could find her way to him.

She fixed her hair best she could and Bruce opened the front door, looking fresh and showered in a long flannel, opened shirt, and dark jeans. At the sight of Silvana he smiled and stepped aside so she could enter the house.

Silvana touched a soft hand to his chiseled cheek and said, "You look like you've gotten some rest."

"Is that right?" Bruce laughed, knowing how busy he'd been. He kept a large hand on her waist while they walked to his room. "I thought you might help me stay up all night."

Running a hand over the massive muscles of his chest, Silvana bit her lip.

She handed over the potion. "First thing's first," she said, "get this to your aunt."

Bruce stared at the potion vial in his palm. He was completely stunned and lost for words. "I wasn't expecting you to get this so soon," he said, his voice deep and strained.

Silvana clasped his hand in hers and closed his fingers over the bottle. "For saving me," she said.

Bruce brought her in close to him. He tucked strands of hair behind her ear and caressed the back of her head, and he looked in her stunning eyes when he said, "In so many ways, Silvana Sparks, finding you that night at the carnival has saved me."

And that was all Silvana needed to hear for her blood to rush throughout her body and for her heart to spill from her lips when she said, "I need you Bruce Winters."

Bruce grabbed her head and kissed her on the lips with excitement and strength that made both their hearts pound. Silvana ran her hands through his opened shirt and felt the flaring muscles of his abs, and Bruce placed both his hands on her behind, then lifted her up in his huge arms and brought her to his bed.

For a moment, the two were lost with one another, kissing each other's face and lips with pent-up passion, and letting their hands explore one another's body. Silvana moaned deeply when he rose from the bed, but she told him nonetheless, "Get that potion to your aunt, and we can continue this."

Bruce ran a hand through his hair and said, "Not just yet. I've got a special evening planned for us. I'm taking you to the Silverclaw Masquerade that begins in an hour."

Silvana sat up, thirsty for his body again yet still listening to the exciting news. "I can't go with you," she said, half excited and half terrified. "I'd be killed on sight. And how could I possibly get ready in an hour?"

Bruce stood over her and with his glaring might said, "I would never let any harm come to you."

His eyes were full of lust for Silvana and he added, "Everybody will be wearing a mask, so nobody will even recognize you."

He crawled on top of her on the bed and planted a series of warm kisses up the side of her neck before saying, "And the only person who will be close to me tonight is you."

Silvana wrapped her legs around his waist and brought him close. His hot breath tickled her ear as he thrust towards her and rubbed his hard erection against her wet, silky black panties, and grabbed the side of her lacey stockings so firmly the strap of her garter belt snapped against his wrist.

They both wanted each other so badly, but they would need to wait only a little while longer.

Silvana exhaled deeply and they both giggled. "Go take care of your aunt," she said. "I'll rush home and change."

Bruce stood up and went to his closet.

"No need," he said. He removed a long, sleek, shimmering silver ball gown along with a pair of, angel white kitten-heel booties.

Bruce set the gown and boots down in front of Silvana and said, "It's tradition that the werewolf dress his mate."

His mate.

Silvana knew then that Bruce thought exactly as she did, that there was some eternal connection keeping them tethered together.

Silvana wrapped her arms around Bruce's neck, stood tiptoed to reach his lips and gave him another long, fervent kiss.

"The gown is stunning," she said, removing her torn stocking and stuffing it inside the chest pocket of Bruce's open flannel shirt. "I'll slip into it."

Bruce inhaled sharply and let his hand travel from the arch of Silvana's back and down to her waist, all while picturing her sliding out of the dress she was in.

The most difficult task of his life would be waiting until after the ball to sleep with her.

He patted her behind and said, "I'll administer this potion to my aunt. When I return, we'll set out."

"And I'll be waiting for my mate to return," Silvana teased, planting her stockinged leg on the bed so her dress revealed the top of her creamy thigh. She unhitched the strap of her garter and peeled off her other stocking.

She blew a kiss at Bruce and said, "I just hope my handsome Alpha returns safely and soon."