Changing Hearts by Marilu Mann Page A

would take all of her strength to love him and let him go.
    “Can I do this?” The sound of her own voice jolted her slightly, but caused a great blue heron to squawk in dismay as it left its fishing perch. Joie glanced around but still no sign of Malcolm. It occurred to her that he might have left already. He didn’t need those clothes. He’d already proven that he could leave as a wolf and return fully clothed as a man. The hitch in her breathing told her how much she would regret that. Could she really let him leave without once, just once in her life tasting the passion?
    What would it take to seduce a man like Malcolm Slade? She knew he wanted her, knew his body, at least, craved hers, but could she do this? Her ex had always taken the lead in their relationship. He’d told her when and where he wanted her. Joie had always placidly gone along, never initiating contact between them. He’d once even called her a slut for reaching out to touch him.
    Even when she’d sought comfort after her miscarriage, Bill had turned his back on her, preferring to spend the night out at some bar with his friends while she recovered in the hospital.
    Joie shook her head. Those memories were the very ones she tried so hard to forget. But what if Malcolm responded that way? What if he took what she offered then called her names? Joie didn’t think she could bear it again. Could she even be the aggressor with Malcolm? Would he even let her? The idea of him lying back placidly while she had her way with him made her laugh.
    “Not likely,” Joie chuckled as she turned her back to the woods and started back to the cabin. She saw a fat red squirrel stretching out for an afternoon nap. She couldn’t resist asking him. “Could I really do this? I don’t even know where to start!”
    “Start what?”
    Joie shrieked as she whirled to face Malcolm. There he stood bigger than life and dressed again. “You have got to stop doing that!”
    “Doing what?”
    “Sneaking up on me!” Joie thumped him in the chest. The lout just grinned at her. So she hit him again but not as hard.
    “What are you having trouble starting, Joie?”
    Lord, even the way he said her name caressed her. Joie grabbed her courage with both hands and faced him. Tante ’s admonition rang loud in her mind. “Figuring out how to seduce you.”
    She grinned as his eyes widened followed by his jaw dropping. For once, she’d snuck up on him. She only had a moment to savor her triumph before he moved in, sweeping her up in his arms. Joie wrapped her arms around his neck and held on tight as he carried her toward the cabin. Laying her head against his chest, she heard his heart picking up speed. Cypress trees flew by until she heard the creak of the porch beneath his feet.
    Malcolm didn’t stop until he stood beside her bed with her still cradled in his arms. She looked up into his eyes to see them glowing down at her. He cleared his throat then spoke softly.
    “I want to take this slow, Joie, but I’m not sure I can.”
    In answer, she kissed his jaw then whispered, “Don’t go slow.”
    Malcolm groaned then set her gently in the middle of her bed. He quickly stripped his jeans off again. Joie laughed, bringing his gaze to her face. “How do you do that so fast?”
    “Practice,” he rumbled as he knelt on the bed. His big hands moved to her shoulders, pushing her gently onto her back as he lowered his naked body on top of her completely clothed one. He angled his head to kiss her and Joie sighed happily.
    Slade supported most of his weight on his arms though he let his hips nestle against hers. He fit perfectly against her body and when she moved slightly, he moved with her so that he nestled even more deeply between her legs. He kissed her eyes, her cheeks and her mouth before moving his mouth to her neck.
    Joie shuddered as his stubbled cheeks scraped against her neck. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she scratched gently at him, reveling in his tremors.