Warm and Fuzzy

ESTELLA

He kissed me to shut me up!

Can you believe this guy?

Sure, I’m just as guilty, because I kissed him back. I still wanted to kick him, but I figured kissing him could be a punishment too.

I bit him, but he just kissed me harder, slowly backing me up to the bed.

Speaking of the bed.

He had this all planned out, which is kind of sweet, really.

A guy renovates a house just because he wants to live with you in it and even thinks you need your own special room? That’s pretty amazing.

Not that I’m going to fall for it so easily after everything that’s happened between us, but seriously. How many guys do that? Maybe Laurent would, but he’s a special case too.

He gently pushed me onto the bed, and the mattress was incredible! That sneaky wolf had thought of everything.

Still, I bit him during our kiss. He bit me back, and I have no idea how I ended up without my top or how my fingers slipped from my control and tugged at his T-shirt.

My own body was betraying me, but I couldn’t really blame it. I’d never been kissed like that. I mean, no one but Max had ever kissed me like that.

When he broke the kiss to let me take off his T-shirt, I almost came to my senses. I say almost because a shirtless Max was a sight to behold.

So, I put my hands on his chest to keep some distance and looked up at him.

“You don’t play fair,” I accused, breathless.

“I’m sorry, darling.” He grinned, not looking sorry at all.

“No, you’re not,” I scoffed. “Is it a full moon or something?”

“Full moon was two weeks ago,” he reminded me.

“Then what’s your problem?”

“There’s nothing wrong with me, although I find it interesting that you think my wanting you is a problem.”

“The first time you kissed me, you ran off and blamed it on the full moon. So, what’s your excuse this time?”

“I was hoping we could talk later,” he said, cupping my face.

I made sure the rest of his body didn’t get any closer, and he chuckled at my caution.

“I get why you’re hesitant,” he said. “I wouldn’t trust me if I were you.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” I laughed.

“No, but it’s the truth. Just like it’s true that I can’t stand the thought of another Laurent in your life. I can’t stand anyone else touching you.”

“So, that’s it? You want to be with me because you’re jealous?”

“I want to be with you because it was always supposed to be me,” he growled, grabbing my wrists and pinning them above my head as he bent down to kiss me again.

This kiss was shorter but just as breathtaking.

“What about your mate?” I asked.

“You’re my love, darling. You’re the woman I want to be with until I die. My choice. I just hope I’m still yours.”

He deserved a lie after everything he put me through, I knew that. He deserved to hurt as much as I did because of him. But I couldn’t.

The intensity in his eyes and the reflection of my own feelings in them stopped me.

I realized then that he truly loved me as much as I loved him. Maybe, and this might sound strange, even a little more than I did.

MAX

She looked at me in a way that took my breath away. She was beautiful, more beautiful than I remembered.

More beautiful than I could handle, honestly, and I felt like she was still mine. I just needed her to say it. To give me permission to claim her like I should have done a long time ago.

“Just promise you won’t leave me this time,” she said softly.

“Trust me, darling. I’ve learned my lesson. I’m not letting you go.”

“You’d better not.” She punched me lightly on the chest, and I took her closed fist and kissed it.

Then I kissed her wrist and all the way down her arm until I was close to her lips again.

She stroked my cheek before she put her hand at the back of my neck, closing the distance between us—or what was left of it anyway.

I let her kiss me this time, savoring every stroke of her tongue against mine.

I felt dizzy and turned on, and my wolf was growling happily in my head, praising me in his own way for finally making the right decision.

I didn’t need his praise or his approval. I knew this was right for me. Everything else was wrong.

I moved my body between her legs, and she moaned softly at the friction. I left her lips and moved my mouth to her jaw, neck, and all the way down to her breasts.

I was pulling her bra down with my teeth when she put her hands on either side of my head to stop me.

“Is this really happening?” she asked, her voice uncertain.

“Don’t you want it?”

“I… Well, it’s kind of sudden,” she admitted.

I frowned in confusion.

“Last time was like that too.”

“No, it wasn’t.” She chuckled shyly. “I was trying to seduce you.”

“What?” I laughed.

“It’s true. I had been planning it. Clumsily, sure, but I did. I wanted to see if I had a chance with you, if you felt the same way I did.

“The night we kissed, I wanted it to lead us here. That’s why I asked you to stay, and I wore that dress.”

Her voice trailed off, and she looked away from me. Of course, I wouldn’t let her, so I gently turned her face back to me.

“If I were a man with less self-control, you would have succeeded completely,” I whispered. “But I felt like I was taking advantage of you, and I didn’t want that. I’m sorry.”

“You know I have. I always do.”

“Thank you, darling. I’d be lost if you hated me.”

“You’d wait for your mate?” she teased.

“I’m with the woman I’m meant to be with, thank you very much.” I laughed.

I wanted to tell her that she was the one, but the words wouldn’t come. A part of me was still scared she’d reject me if she knew.

I wasn’t planning on keeping her in the dark much longer. I was done with that.

But before I spilled everything, I wanted to be sure she wanted to stay with me. And I won’t lie, I was more excited to make love to her than to face the reality of our life as mates.

I kissed her nose, and even though she smiled at me, I could tell something was off.

“You’re not ready,” I whispered.

ESTELLA

I wasn’t ready.

Don’t get me wrong. The state of my panties was proof enough of how much I wanted him. But I was still a little scared. He had let me down too many times already.

In those cheesy romance movies I love to mock, there’s always this moment where the heroes come together, with dramatic music and long kisses, leading to slow-motion love scenes.

For once, I wished we could just do it like those silly, mostly unrealistic movies. Forget everything that’s gone wrong between us and just jump each other’s bones.

But I couldn’t, and Max, being Max, was understanding.

So despite the obvious (and quite large, God help me) bulge in his pants, he moved from between my legs to my side, where he held me close.

“Do you want to leave, darling?” he asked, kissing my hair gently.

I shook my head and snuggled closer to him. His scent was always so calming.

I could never completely live without it. That’s why I never stopped wearing his T-shirts, at least when I wasn’t with Laurent, because that would be wrong.

His scent almost lulled me to sleep. It helped that I was tired from the flight too. But when I felt him trying to pull away, I held him tighter.

“No,” I mumbled.

“It’s not comfortable to sleep like this, darling.”

“I don’t care. I don’t want you to go.”

“I won’t. I’ll just make us more comfortable.”

I let him do it. I was too sleepy to protest much anyway. The moment my head hit the pillow, I was out.

MAX

This wasn’t how I expected things to go, but I wasn’t complaining. Having her in my arms, breathing her in, meant the world to me.

So, I held her as she slept, memorizing her adorable expression as she breathed softly. I wanted to stay like this with her forever, in this house, on this bed.

What I’d told her earlier about not wanting anyone else to be with her was true, and normal for a possessive werewolf like me.

I fully realized this a few days after Bonnie told me that Estella had broken up with Laurent.

That’s when I remembered this house. It had been locked up for years, but I wanted to see if I could do something with it.

One look was all it took to know that this was where I wanted to live with Estella. Deep down, I knew she’d love it, but I didn’t know if she’d still want to be with me.

I think we’re on the right track, and I expect she’ll have a lot of questions when she wakes up. But all I can think about is how she feels in my arms.

If she’d let me earlier, I would have made love to her nonstop, as supernatural creatures like me are blessed with that ability.

Hell, I even craved that as I watched her sleep, but I couldn’t rush it. I owed her that much.

So, I held her and kissed her hair from time to time, and I even dozed off for a few minutes. Then, thinking she’d be hungry when she woke up, I went to the kitchen to make something for us to eat.

I’ve never been—and probably never will be—a good cook. But for her sake, and mine, I tried my best to learn how to make a few simple dishes.

My first attempts were a total disaster. I’m much better at mixing chemicals than food ingredients, but I’ve managed to get to a point where I can cook something fairly edible.

“Are you trying to poison me?” she asked, startling me.

I was so focused on getting it right that I didn’t notice her presence like I should have.

“No, I was planning on feeding you.” I smiled.

“So, you didn’t cook it yourself?”

“I did.”

“Then I should consider this an attempt on my life.”

“It’s not that bad.”

“Max, you can’t even make a proper Nutella sandwich, and that’s the simplest thing in the world after boiling water.” She laughed.

“Have a little faith in me, darling.”

“As long as I don’t end up six feet under,” she grumbled, hopping onto the counter behind me.

Of course, I pretended not to hear what she said and finished up what I was making for us.

“Can you set the table?”

“Yup,” she said, hopping off the counter.

As she started looking for everything, I couldn’t help but feel that this was natural for us. Being around each other, living together, sharing.

I know it should go without saying, given I’m a werewolf and Estella is my mate, but my human side has always been stronger, as everyone says.

So, for me, it was a relief to know that I was in love with her, regardless of our destined bond.

Many times in the past, I’ve questioned where my feelings for her started. Knowing her since she was a little girl and watching her grow up didn’t make it any easier.

Watching her in my kitchen, as if she’d been there a hundred times before, I knew. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, however she wanted it.

I didn’t care if she wanted me to mark her, to turn her into my kind, or if she wanted to stay as she was. Hell, I’d even agree to a traditional human wedding if that’s what she wanted.

Whatever she chose, I’d be okay with it. Well, except for rejection.

Even if my human side could handle it, my wolf side never would. But if she ever wanted to leave me, I’d do my best to cope.

“Ready!” she called out, and I couldn’t help but smile at her.

Soon, we were eating, and she wasn’t gagging on my food, which I took as a good sign.

“Do you like it?” I asked, a smirk playing on my lips.

“It’s better than I expected,” she confessed. “When did you learn to cook?”

“Not too long ago. I decided to give it a shot. Eating out got old, and I couldn’t depend on others forever for this.”

I didn’t tell her that I learned to cook for her. I couldn’t let myself be that vulnerable.

“Hmm… You should keep at it. I mean, you don’t totally suck at it.”

“Thanks for the compliment.” I laughed.

“You’re welcome.” She nodded, then her face turned serious.

“What’s on your mind, darling?”

“You, Max.” She sighed. “Your timing is terrible.”

“I know, and I’m sorry, but I can’t hide my feelings for you anymore.”

“Now what? Am I supposed to leap into your arms with joy?” She scoffed.

“I’d love that, but I’m not expecting it.”

“You’re right, because it’s not going to happen. I’ve built a life somewhere else.”

“I’m not asking you to leave it, darling.”

“How can this”—she gestured between us—“work with me in Paris and you here?”

“I can come to Paris until your internship ends. We can spend the summer together and then live together. My dad can take over at the clinic.

“Honestly, he’s been itching to do it after his long vacation.”

“And if I decide I want to stay there permanently?” she challenged.

“I’ll stay with you.”

“You’re crazy,” she said, disbelief in her voice. “You’d leave your pack and everything you know to follow me?”

“Yes, and it’s not because I want to prove my love or make up for the hurt I’ve caused you. It’s because I’ve finally realized that my place is with you, wherever you are.”

I saw her eyes well up and I cupped her cheek, gently stroking her skin with my thumb.

“Too cheesy, darling?” I asked softly.

She nodded in response, and getting up, she came and sat on my lap, resting her head in the crook of my neck.

I stroked her back and kissed her hair, feeling like the luckiest man on earth.