Merrily Mated (Ouachita Mountain Shifters 3) by P. Jameson Page A

kiss to his mouth.
    “Say it again.” He lifted her hips, sliding her along his length, before easing her back down.
    “I’m yours.”
    “Again,” he breathed, repeating the motion with her hips and making her tremble.
    “I’m all yours.” She gripped his shoulders, holding on as they flexed for him to increase the speed.
    “More,” he demanded. “I love hearing you say it, baby.”
    “I’m yours. I’ll always be yours. Forever. Storybook. Christmases. And Facebook posts. Yours, yours, yours,” she chanted as he continued to thrust into her hard and sure.
    Supporting her weight with one arm, he reached up to sweep the hair from her eyes. “Look at me, love. I want to see your face when you come.”
    And she was oh so close. He rocked into her another time, and another, his face reddening from his efforts.
    “ Ryan …” she wailed, but he didn’t relent. He was tossing her off the edge, with only their love as her life preserver.
    And damn, what a beautiful ride it was going to be.
    “Wish…” A tiny flicker of sadness touched his eyes, but then it was gone. “Wish I could mark you.” He let out a groan loud enough she heard birds flutter away from the sound. “This will have to do.”
    The first hot jet of his release hit and she was done for, spasming and gripping him within her.
    “Yesss. Yes, mate. So good.”
    With this, their bond was complete, the connection between them strong as steel. Something that could never be broken. Her life would end with his. Life mates.
    He continued to thrust, slowing his rhythm as his knees went weak and he buried his face against her neck, holding her like she was precious. She held his head, tangling her fingers in his hair and breathing in their mingled scents.
    “I can’t believe I finally have you,” he croaked, shuddering.
    She smiled against his hair, so blissed out she felt like she was dreaming.
    Eventually, he slid out, and set her carefully on the ground. But he didn’t take his arms from around her. He seemed reluctant to let her go.
    “I should get you back to my bed so we can continue this.”
    “Continue?”
    He chuckled. “Oh yes, baby. Do you think I’m finished with you after one glorious encounter? We’re just getting started.”
    She laughed, knowing he was right. Their life together was just beginning, and it was going to be glorious. Sure, there would be struggles. There was with any relationship. But she wasn’t worried about her human. He had the heart of a lion.
    And it was all hers.

Chapter Ten
     
    Layna awoke Christmas morning alone. Her cougar came awake with the knowledge that one side of her bed was empty. Usually Ryan was there, in the predawn hours, with his arms tangled around her and his leg tucked between hers.
    Rolling over, she saw he’d stoked the fire in the woodstove of their cabin, but he was nowhere to be seen and there were no sounds coming from the kitchen.
    She glanced at his pillow and her eyes caught on a slip of paper. Picking it up, she squinted to read the scrawled words.
    My love. You looked so sweet this morning I could hardly leave you. But I have a special surprise for you and I didn’t want to spoil it. Meet me in Gash’s office as soon as you can. I love you, Ryan .
    Layna grinned, crushing the note to her chest like a giddy schoolgirl. If any of her clan saw her now she’d be the laughingstock of the lodge. She’d turned into a lovesick lump of goo because of her new mating. Good thing Ryan was good at keeping her mushy side a secret.
    In public, she was still a snarky badass that cursed like a sailor.
    Quickly, she dressed and loaded up on the four-wheeler, taking the fastest way to the lodge. It was still early. Eagan and Bailey might be in the kitchen, but everyone else would be asleep. Except Ryan. And Gash, since he was a nightowl. She couldn’t imagine what those two were up to.
    In the lobby, she started the Christmas carols playing softly to help put their early morning risers in