Embracing Fate: A hot paranormal shifter book (Hidden Hills Shifters 4) by Vella Day Read Free Book Online

She slipped it on and could feel his heat seep through her top. She was probably imagining it, but she swore she could smell his scent on it—or else the earthy scent was wafting off the man himself.
    Move .
    She tossed the bacon in the pan and the bread in the toaster. While she was tending to the food, the coffee finished perking, and Cord took over, pouring their cups, acting as if they’d been in this routine forever.
    Once the bacon was cooked, the toast popped up. From the refrigerator, she snatched the strawberry jam. With effort, she twisted the lid, and just as it popped off, a hand touched her shoulder. Because she hadn’t realized he’d stepped behind her, she jerked around and the jam went flying, splattering all over his shirt.
    Oh, no!
    Humiliated and horrified, she grabbed a towel from the oven door handle and began rubbing his shirt. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize you’d snuck up on me.”
    “Don’t worry about it.” She expected him to be angry, but he didn’t seem upset. He placed a hand over hers and slipped the cloth from her fingers then blotted his shirt, but the jelly smeared even worse. This was not how she wanted to start her day.
    “If you take it off I can wash it for you.” For a brief second, his brows rose as if he thought it was a ploy to get him naked, but then he must’ve realized she was serious.
    “I guess I’d look pretty funny running around town chasing the bad guys with a red stain on my shirt.”
    Thank you for not making me feel small and stupid.
    Cord undid a few buttons then lifted the material over his head and handed it to her. “Thank you.”
    The moment her fingers touched his shirt and she gazed upon his half-naked body, she froze. She couldn’t help but stare at his muscled chest. One pec lifted as if it was showing off. The image of her nipping at his body flooded her head, and she almost moaned aloud.
    “Oh, my.”
    *     *     *
    With the hungry way Piper was looking at him, both beasts inside Cord pushed at him for release, but he was able to control any outward manifestation of either animal within him—other than his rigid cock.
    Piper was emitting enough pheromones to send both of them over the edge, and if he didn’t taste her, one of the animals inside him would force him to change. He’d never been in a situation like this before so he had no idea if he’d become a panther or a bear—neither of which would be good.
    Cord moved close and cupped her face, waiting for her to look away or step out of his grasp. She didn’t. Instead, she dropped his shirt and looked up at him.
    “Kiss me,” she said.
    His teeth sharpened at that command and his pulse soared. Sex radiated off her and she appeared to be as needy as he was. He tried to tell himself he shouldn’t make love with her, that she was vulnerable, but nothing he did or said to himself could make him stop now.
    He lowered his hands to her waist and lifted her onto the counter to make them of equal height. He then threaded his fingers through her lush, silky hair, and kissed her with every ounce of passion in his body. She tasted like sunshine and smelled like goodness personified.
    Piper moaned and then placed her hands on his shoulders. “Take me.”

Chapter Six

    C ord never wanted anything more in his life. Since he hadn’t been with his mate like this before, he wasn’t certain how he was supposed to handle these feelings of lust, passion, and desire. As much as he had the yearning to shift, this had to be about Piper and not about his base urges.
    “I know I need to go slow, and I want to, but I’m not sure if I can,” he said. I want you more than you will ever know.
    Piper smiled. “Don’t worry about me. I want whatever you’re willing to give.”
    She was too perfect. What a shame they couldn’t be together. She’d reject him once she learned all of his dark secrets.
    Because he wanted to give her the world, he needed her naked first. The thought of laying