Moon Shifter 02 - Primal Possession

overtly hostile vibes. He’d been seen in town enough times that he was sure most people knew exactly who and
what
he was. Being seen with December might hurt her reputation and while he cared about that, he wouldn’t stay away from her because of it. The most dominant side of him wouldn’t let him. Not being near December wasn’t an option.
    He chose the booth closest to the back exit. When December slid into the seat, he immediately sat next to her and positioned himself so that he had a view of the entire room. He could tell she was annoyed that he’d sat next to her instead of across from her, but his position served two purposes. No way anyone could ambush him, and he got to press up against her. The latter was the only excuse he needed.
    She shifted away and put a few inches between them, avoiding his gaze. “Why does that guy keep bothering Kat?” The heat in December’s words was unmistakable.
    “It’s complicated.”
    She shook her head. “No, it’s not. I’ve never seen her so upset.”
    He shrugged, not wanting to talk about them. “They’re exes. And I don’t care about their issues. I care about you, December. What the hell changed between us from last night to now?”
    Nervously she tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear as she glanced out the window. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Her voice held no conviction.
    For a moment he stared at the tense line of her jaw and the long, smooth arch of her neck. “You mean you don’t remember how your body pressed against mine, how you wrapped your legs around my waist? I could feel your heat, December. Could smell your desire. Hell, I can smell it now.” He leaned in closer. “You. Want. Me.”
    Her ivory skin flushed crimson, but at least she turned to face him. “I’ve never denied wanting you, but it’s just physical. Why can’t you let this go, Liam?”
    “Only because you keep pushing me away.” He started to say more when a waitress came to take their drink order. The busty blonde eyed him curiously and the blatant interest in her gaze was hard to miss. When he smelled her lust, almost immediately he sensed December’s jealousy. The spike in the air was sharp and strong.
    It soothed his inner wolf. She wasn’t as unaffected as she’d like him to believe. Once the woman left them, he shifted slightly in his seat so he faced December. Wordlessly, he placed a hand on her thigh.
    She tensed under his touch. “What are you doing?” she asked.
    His chest tightened as he gently squeezed her leg. What he wouldn’t give to tease and trace his fingers upher bare skin. He wanted to memorize every inch of her body with his tongue, hands, and mouth.
    He ignored her question. “Why are you pushing me away?”
    “We just got carried away last night, Liam. I don’t see why we have to make a big deal of it.”
    “I’m not making a big deal. I want you to give us a chance.” He could practically hear the no on her lips so he hurried on. “Come out to the ranch with me tomorrow after work. I want you to meet my pack and I’ll take you horseback riding if there’s enough daylight left.”
    At the suggestion, her eyes lit up, but her lips pulled into a thin line. “I…don’t know.”
    “Why not?”
    “I don’t want to lead you on.”
    He frowned at her words, but she continued. “Just because I agree to spend time with you, I don’t want you to assume this means anything about mating or bonding or a future for us.”
    She could say whatever she wanted, but he knew that if they spent enough time together, he could prove to her they had a shot at a long-term relationship. If she had been a shifter, she wouldn’t fight her attraction to him. She’d simply accept that they were suited for each other. He wasn’t sure if the fact that she was human added to his attraction to her. Her constant struggle to pull away from him made him crazy, but it also turned him on in a way he didn’t understand. His inner wolf wanted her submission, but the predator in him also loved the hunt. Something told him that once he’d finally claimed her—and he planned to do that soon—things would never get old between them. The sexy redhead would always keep him on his toes.
    Slowly, he moved his hand up her leg a couple inches. “You like horseback riding?”
    Her blue eyes glazed over for a moment as he trailed his fingertips higher. Even though she wore jeans, he could feel the heat and energy flowing through her muscles.