Kaelen shifted, his massive body pinning Nila gently against the soft wool rug before the hearth. He had shed his boots and heavy leather doublet, leaving only his thin black linen shirt. Nila tangled her fingers deep into the dark hair at the back of his neck, pulling him down to meet her.

His palms slid up beneath the hem of her charcoal tunic, rough against her warm skin, tracing the curve of her ribs. Her blood rushed, pulsing through the mate bond, leaving her skin tingling wherever his fingers pressed.

"Kaelen," she breathed against his jaw, arching into his touch.

Kaelen let out a low, rough groan deep in...