Read The Lady in the Mist (The Western Werewolf Legend #1) Page 17

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  Ty anchored her again on his lap. The feel of her female flesh against his shaft had him jumping with the need to fill her. He rose to meet her gaze. Speaking softly, he said, "I want you to remember the first time for the rest of your life. Understand. If we rutted out here in the grass, the act would be fun, but it would not be as special as the first time should be. Believe me, nymph, I want you so bad right now, I could come without trying. He closed his eyes before sucking in air as she rocked on his cock making the need to think almost impossible. With a firm hold, he eased her to the quilt beside him. Looking into her eyes, Ty smiled as he kissed the tip of her slender nose. "I want to know you before we make love. You deserve that from the man you take to your bed. Okay?"

  Sonja nodded. Biting her bottom lip, she shook her head side to side. "I don't want you to think I'm a loose woman, Lieutenant." Her use of his military rank had come out shaky before she brushed away a tear. 'It's just?" She trailed off and sniffed. "It's just that?"

  "What?"

  "Nothing." Shaking her head, she rolled away from him to stand. "We better get back. It'll be getting dark soon."

  Reaching out, she offered him her hand. He took the slender digits. Surprised at her strength when she helped him to his feet, he made the comment. "You're quite strong for such a small woman."

  Her face had gone ashen before she looked away.

  "I'm sorry!" He did not understand what went wrong. What had he said?

  She looked stricken and shut down again, her face closing off from him. Doubting she would tell him outright, Ty tried instead to make up ground by helping clear the refreshments she had prepared. He would figure out what he had done wrong. He had to.

  With the onset of darkness, they road toward home, each one sat in silence wondering how to fix the thing standing between them.

  The forest grew lonely and too quiet for his peace of mind. Watching the road ahead, he glanced behind them from time to time. The faint stench he had smelled near the creek returned. Keeping a keen eye in all directions, he gave the mule a nudge for home.

  Sonja shivered.

  "Are you cold?" Ty asked.

  "A little," She shook her head. "Don't worry, I'll be all right." Sonja leaned into his warm. Suddenly, she tensed in his arms. Her body arched against his. He could feel her heart beating through her chest wall. The sheer force of the pounding caused him to consider her well-being.

  "Easy, I got you."

  She moaned when the perspiration broke on her forehead.

  Ty leaned over to check her temperature. "You're burning up!" Ty gripped her tight. "Hold on, Sonja, I'll get you home."

  Splinters flew when he kicked the door in heading for the bed. Her condition had grown increasingly worse the closer they got to the cottage. Laying her out on the quilt, Ty checked her temperature as well as her pulse again. "Something's wrong," he murmured to himself. Her heart raced as if the organ would leap out of her chest. Her breath came too rapidly.