Claimed by the Mate, Volume 1 Read Online Free PDF

alone?”
    Cherry hugged Christa and then Steph, too. “Are you kidding? Look.” She pointed toward the path that led to her cabin. The big silver and gray wolf sat there, waiting patiently. “With a bodyguard like that, what’s there to be afraid of?”
    Laughing, Steph and Christa left. The night seemed to close in around Cherry, but in a comfortable, soothing way. She leaned against the railing, feeling more at peace than she could remember. She’d only been here a few hours, and already she was having a better time than she’d thought she would. Maybe this week wouldn’t be terrible after all.

Chapter 4
    Brad heard the women telling one another good night. He’d really enjoyed all of them, but Cherry called to him. He wasn’t quite sure what it was about her, but both he and Cain had felt drawn to her from the moment she crawled out of the car looking tired but delicious. Thinking about her swollen lips and the soft sounds she made when he kissed her, he finished wiping down the bar and checking the kitchen to make sure the stove was off and everything was ready for morning.
    He’d just hung up the damp towel to dry when he sensed someone near, looked out the front window, and saw Cherry standing on the deck, staring at the twinkling fairy lights in the forest. She looked lost in thought, leaning against the railing, her hands clasping the top rail.
    He realized he wasn’t nearly as tired as he’d thought and spending some quiet time with Cherry was just what he needed. She had absolutely no idea how she affected him. Why was that so refreshing? It was definitely attractive. She wasn’t a doormat as far as he could tell, but she wasn’t hitting on him like he was some sort of male stud. She was more reserved than her friends, but he already knew she had a wicked sense of humor—he’d eavesdropped, and her story about the wolf in her cabin had cracked him up. He hoped Cain had heard her telling it.
    Tucking some chocolate in his pocket, he poured a couple of glasses of dark port and carried them outside. Cherry glanced up and smiled at him, and he knew he’d never seen a lovelier woman. Her thick dark brown hair hung in glossy waves past her shoulders, and while she looked tired, he could tell she was still wound up, still excited about her first night here at Feral Passions.
    He hoped she was having a good time. Hoped she didn’t feel bad about him kissing her earlier tonight. He honestly hadn’t been able to help himself. Kissing Cherry felt right, as if the wolf side of him wanted to claim her in some small way.
    He’d heard a few of her comments, subtly self-deprecating, enough to know she thought she was overweight. She’d eaten very little tonight, and that bothered him. He hated to think that, even on vacation, she would be depriving herself. How did a guy tell a woman he barely knew that he thought she was absolutely perfect?
    He walked out and leaned against the railing beside her. “Here. I brought you something.” It was a dark, rich wine, sweeter than the Chardonnay the women had been drinking earlier.
    â€œThank you.” She held up the goblet, admiring the dark, dark color, more purple than red. “What is this?”
    â€œIt’s late harvest port—a friend of Trak’s makes it. He’s got a vineyard near the coast.”
    She took a small sip and sighed. “Delicious.”
    He pulled the chocolate out of his pocket—two small bars wrapped in a napkin from the bar. “Try this with it.”
    She reached for the chocolate, paused, and curled her fingers into her palm. “I can’t. But thank you.”
    â€œYou don’t like chocolate?” He took a small bite of his bar and then sipped the wine. The melded flavors exploded on his tongue, and he wanted to share the taste with Cherry.
    â€œI love it, but it likes me too well.” She patted her hip. “It likes