Hook, Line, and Mated by Jenika Snow Read Free Book Online

shifter’s life, and his was certainly being turned upside down. For several days he’d stayed away, forcing himself to give her time to fully realize what he was to her, what they were to each other. He’d taken Jason’s advice, giving her space, and knew that was the best course of action. But fucking hell was it hard.
    Even after he’d gotten her address he’d waited a day, just stared at the email that Maverick had sent him with her name, address, and phone number. Declan and Maverick had been willing to give him all of her personal information, but he’d declined. When he learned about her it would be because she’d shared that with him, not because he’d dug deep into her life. Getting her address, name, and number had felt wrong as it was.
    Easton had never been known to give anyone space, and he sure as hell wasn’t known for his reputation for being empathetic. But this concerned his mate, and that meant everything was different. He was different.
    He knew if he pushed his mate too hard she would never be able to trust him or give herself over to him. The need to care for her, protect her, and please her above all else rode him hard the moment he had first seen her, but he was an isolated asshole by nature, a very dominant male, and taking a step back to look at it from her point of view was a lot harder than he ever thought.
    So here he was, standing in front of her, trying to be a good mate in a very uncertain situation. Neither spoke, but there didn’t need to be any words said, because the electricity and pull that had been between them was strong, stronger than ever. It was like in that very short time being apart from her had made him want her more, crave her more.
    Easton lowered his gaze and stared at her feet. Her toenails were painted red, and her feet femininely arched, small, delicate even. She had curves, lushness, roundness to her, and next to him so was so damn fragile. He continued to let his gaze travel up her calves, and stopped at her nice thick thighs.
    Fuck.
    All he could think about was those plump thighs wrapped around his waist, tightening around him as he claimed her, thrust into her. She was a mess with dirt and dust on her cheeks, in her hair. He made a low sound in his throat, not able to control it.
    He inhaled deeply, could smell the arousal coming from his little cat. Yeah, his mate wanted him, but was fighting him every step of the way. Continuing to let himself enjoy the view, he was surprised she hadn’t either kneed him in the dick or demanded he leave. He was being crude right now by checking her out, knowing he should show more respect, but unable to stop the need pounding inside of him.
    Easton continued to lift his gaze, not able to show some class or respect, not when his animal was taking over. He stopped when he got to her breasts, and his cock grew harder at the sight of her nipples protruding through the material. Goddamn, his mate wasn’t wearing a bra, clearly. He needed to tear his gaze away from all that plump goodness because he was two seconds away from tackling her to the floor, ripping that too big and dirty shirt from her body, tearing away her shorts and panties, and claiming her right here. Easton had never been a male that had those kinds of primal, intense needs, but the longer he went without claiming his mate, the more it became unbearable.
    He could hear the harsh breathing that came from her, knew this situation was affecting her the same as him. But neither spoke, neither moved.
    “Exactly why are you here?” she asked finally, her voice strained, tight. Jessie was nervous and aroused, and it caused a tingling sensation in his nose and a tightening in his balls.
    Clearing his throat, he tried to think of a good reason on why he’d looked up her address and shown up out of the blue. But she had to know why he was here, that finding his mate meant he couldn’t stay away.
    “You know why,” was all he said, because it was all he could say.