Shifting Positions by Jennifer Dellerman Read Free Book Online Page B

shoulders tense as if ready for battle.
    A muscle twitched under his left eye and he paused, as if suddenly understanding he’d made a huge tactical error and was desperately trying to figure out how to get back on track.
    “You will have my vow of protection, faithfulness, affection and stability.”
    “Yeah,” she glared daggers at him from the corner of her eyes. “And what about love?
    Do you love me, Caleb?”
    He shrugged. “Love will come. Even in the human world there’s a sort of sequence of events. Usually it starts with physical attraction followed by a mental compatibility and then, if it’s destined, with love. With wolves, each event is simply more intense. We know whether or not a woman is our mate at the physical attraction stage. Waiting for the other two takes up precious time we can’t afford.”
    He may have nearly repeated the words her mother spoke only last night, but his lack of tact left her aghast. Just when she decided she wanted to learn more about him, chauvinistic garbage spews out of his mouth, making her so angry she wanted to hang him upside down. By the balls.
    “You’re the daughter of a shifter and know this already, Tess. Why are you even arguing with me?”
    The man really did look baffled, the idiot. “Know this Caleb. I will not tie myself to any man without love. Period.”
    His eyes went flat, instantly making her suspicious. “I’ve had my finger inside you, Tess.
    I know you’re not a virgin.”
    “So?”

    “Did you love every man you took to bed?” At her mutinous glare he continued. “So physical attraction was enough to risk being tied to a man?”
    “What?”
    “A baby, Tess.”
    Her eyes nearly bugged out of her head. “I’ve always had safe sex!” He came closer, leaning over her once again, hands resting on the pillow on either side of her head, his face mere inches from hers. “Only abstinence is effective against pregnancy. A tie you claim you don’t want unless love is involved.”
    A buzzing sounded in her ears and she licked suddenly dry lips. “No.”
    “Yes. We definitely have the physical attraction in spades. Next is the getting to know each other step.”
    “This isn’t a damn dance, Caleb. It’s life.”
    “Life is a dance, sweetheart. Whether it’s a sweet and slow waltz, a fun and heart-racing polka or an erotic tango. For the lucky ones, it’s a combination of all three. And I plan on being very lucky.”
    Though part of her wanted to jump up and down and scream Yes! , the logical part of her brain was still trying to figure out how she’d lost control of what she considered a cut-and-dried statement.
    It was his pheromones.
    Pissed at being taken in by his seductive techniques, she thumped a fist on his hard chest.
    “Bastard . I don’t even find you remotely attractive.”
    His eyes glittered dangerously. “Don’t ever lie to me, Tess.” Then he climbed fully onto the bed, straddling her. His heavy thighs pinned her to the mattress, his erection hard and thick between her legs. Lust slammed hard, making her ache to squirm and wiggle against the bulge that nudged her clit.
    “I know you want me. I don’t have to ask.” His nostrils flared and his eyes burned with scorching heat. “I can smell your arousal. It’s making me crazed for another taste of your sweet cream.”
    Embarrassment flushed her face. Damn wolf senses .
    Tess rushed to contradict him, stating haughtily, “That’s just left over from before.
    Nothing more.”
    Brown eyes flashed with wicked amusement, causing Tess to shift uneasily. “Liar. Want to know how I know?”
    She shook her head, realizing whatever he had to say couldn’t be good if it put that smug look of satisfaction on his handsome face. “Not particularly.”
    “I’ll tell you anyway.” He leaned down and nuzzled her throat. Then he burned a slow and erotic trail to her ear with his tongue. His warm breath caressed her damp skin as he whispered, “because after you came, I