Hunter's Heart: Wolf Shifter Romance (Wild Lake Wolves Book 5) by Kimber White Page B

I
traced the faded outlines of the scar my bullet made, and my heart went into my
throat. God. What if I had shot him through the heart? I could have
killed him. It would have tormented me right along with him.
    “I’m sorry for that.”
    “You said that before. And I already forgave you.
It’s a different world down here for you with the Kentucky wolves. I think you
and your family have done what you had to, to survive. I understand.”
    I’d leaned up on my tiptoes, but now, I went back
down flatfooted. “What’s it like where you come from?”
    Derek smiled. He took my hand and we walked even
further out toward the south gate. He kept scanning the horizon, moving his
body between me and open field. The grass grew even thicker here and tickled my
knees as Derek led me through the wildflowers. It felt natural, to be with him
like this. Like I’d known him all my life. Or more accurately, like I’d waited for him all my life. Only now I’d finally realized it.
    “We’re a family. A big, loud, sometimes
dysfunctional, but always supportive family. We have a wide expanse of land
reaching from the northern part of the lower peninsula, all through the upper
peninsula of Michigan and into Canada. Wild Lake is kind of our sanctuary.
Neutral turf, if you will. Non-shifter friends of the packs own farmland in the
center of it. The Bonners. Brother and sister. You’d like them. I’m not saying
all the packs agree with each other about everything. But, when it comes to a
fight, the packs stand together.”
    “How many packs?”
    Derek shrugged. “Ten now. The number keeps growing.
I’d like to take you there, Jessa. I want you to see how mates are supposed to
be treated.”
    I slid into his arms. It was good and natural. His
warmth spread through me, sending a shiver of pleasure along my spine. Oh, I
wanted so much more. All of a sudden, my clothes chafed against me. I wanted to
be naked and natural just the way he was.
    Derek leaned down and hooked a finger beneath my
chin. He tilted my head up toward his and kissed me. Slow and tender, with an
undercurrent of heat. I felt that kiss all the way down to my toes. Rippling
heat and pleasure flooded through me. It was perfect. And yet, it wasn’t
enough.
    “Derek,” I gasped when he let me up for air.
    His wolf eyes glinted gold as he looked down at me.
I couldn’t stay with him like this much longer. I needed him too badly, and so
did he. It was hunger and lust and a thousand other things. I knew the timing
couldn’t be worse, and it bothered me a little I couldn’t seem to control my
own urges. I’d never been like this before. I’d never wanted the way I
did with Derek. Finally, Derek finally gave voice to what I knew we both felt.
    “Jessa. I need you. But if you’re not ready .
. .”
    Oh, God. I probably wasn’t ready, but at that moment
I so didn’t care. I threaded my fingers through the thick, soft hair at the
nape of his neck and pulled him back down into a kiss. Derek shifted his weight
and pulled me into his lap. He held me against him; heat surged through him and
into me. I knew what this was. It would be hot. It would be quick. It would be
perfect.
    I slid my shirt over my head and threw it to the
ground. Derek picked me up and laid me gently in the grass. I wriggled out of
my pants and lay before him. Exposed. Naked. Panting with expectation.
    Derek hovered above me, resting his weight on his
hands. He gave me that sexy smirk then leaned down to kiss me. I ran my hands
down his strong back and cupped his muscled ass.
    “Please,” I gasped. Yes. I wanted to beg him. I
wanted to give everything to him. I just wanted.
    I spread my legs and drew him down to me. Derek let
out a low, rumbling growl of desire. It was just a moment. A fraction of a
second before he entered me. I knew there would be no going back for either of
us. And I also knew in that instant I never wanted to go back. I wanted this. I
wanted him. It was everything.
    I arched my back