The Mating Game

by Lana Ferguson

His mouth does something I’ve yet to see it do, turning up at the corners until I’m blasted with straight white teeth that make my stomach flutter a little. I decide then and there that should I ever find myself miraculously given a seat in Congress, my first order of business would be rendering Hunter Barrett’s smile illegal.

It’s no secret what Mackenzie and Noah went through last year when they started seeing more of each other only to have her accidentally go into an early heat, and while that worked out for them, I’m certainly not interested in playing their little mating game.

And when I finally turn…I find the most stunning creature on four legs I’ve ever seen.

No. She wouldn’t let me touch her if she was already involved with someone. I know she’s not like that. She’s not like Chloe. She isn’t.

mmmmmmm

Her smile really does do something wicked to my insides, and I realize that it has nothing to do with the ways I’ve had her, or even the ways I haven’t yet. No, I’m realizing that when Tess smiles…it almost feels like things might be all right in my world.

“So, I’m curious,” she prods. “Why did you decide to come? Really?” That’s not an easy question to answer. It involves me going back and forth a million times—imagining all the people who might make her laugh, all the ones who might touch her and dance with her—and recognizing that I hated the idea of any of them not being me.

That we’re all alone. That we’re trapped in the lodge without power and with only each other for warmth.

hell ya you are

“It had been years since I’d had that conversation with my dad, but when they died…it was the first thing I thought of. I guess…when you lose someone…you regret all the memories you didn’t get a chance to create. It just makes you reconsider all the things you used to think were important.”

I couldn’t let you just be out there somewhere thinking it didn’t kill me to watch you go. Because it did, Tess. It killed me. But what killed me more was knowing I didn’t run after you. That I didn’t tell you I would go anywhere, do anything—as long as I get to be with you.”