Unwrapping Tess (A Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance)(Vegas Mates Book 5): Christmas Encounters Read Online Free PDF Page B

through the bond to her and she smiled. It was certainly a nice way to communicate.  
    She could see why her sisters were so absolutely in love with their mates. Everything was out in the open. There were no doubts, no hidden feelings. She could love freely without wondering if the affections were truly returned. The few human men she’d dated over the course of her short life had mostly turned out to be losers. Shifters tried not to date each other before the age of twenty-five to avoid partially bonding to someone who may not be their match.
    He’s beautiful, isn’t he?
    “You don’t have to tell me. I can see him for myself. And in case you hadn’t noticed, I’d like very much to go upstairs and seal this deal permanently. You heard Chase. That was more than enough blessing for me.” Her wolf’s words ran through her mind and she smiled. Joy filled her heart. Her mate was here—in Woodhaven. She didn’t have to go back to Vegas or New York. It was a wish she’d never breathed a word to anyone about and yet, they all seemed to know.
    It’s enough for me, too.
    He smiled down at her again and stood, taking their empty plates over to the sink. “Is your wolf talking your ear off like my bear is?” he asked over his shoulder, as he rinsed the dishes.
    “Just a little,” she answered, biting her bottom lip.
    “You started the last conversation. Don’t go throwing me under the bus.”
    Tess rolled her eyes and slid down from the bar stool. Patrick dried his hands on the towel hanging from the front of the oven and then moved quickly to her side. It amazed her that for such a large man, he moved with the same graceful predatory gait that she recognized in the wolf pack males. He was at least six inches taller than most of them and probably outweighed them by fifty pounds of muscle mass.
    Muscles she couldn’t wait to run her hands up and down again once they were upstairs in bed. A quick shower was in order first. She didn’t want to sully those nice, clean sheets after their romp in the cave or the equally thrilling one in the work shed.
    He nuzzled her hair and kissed the top of her head as he led her to the wall panel with all the lights. They turned everything off and left the kitchen just as they’d found it.  
    Taking the grand stairs in the center of the inn, they made their way as quietly as they could to Patrick’s room, with a quick side trip to hers.  
    She quickly returned to his side, carrying a bag of her soaps and shampoos as well as a change of clothes for the morning. She refused to show her face the next day in the same clothes she’d been wearing when she arrived. They were dirty, anyway.
    “Are you sure you don’t want me to just grab all your stuff and move it?” he whispered, opening the door to his room at the opposite end of the hallway.
    “Not right now. Maybe tomorrow,” she answered, grinning up at him. She felt the sudden rush of arousal pour through the bond, making her tingle from head to foot. He liked the idea of her sharing his room. She liked it, too.
    “I can live with that.” He closed the door behind them and locked it.
    Tess put her things on the dresser across from the bed and stretched, a small mewling yawn escaped before she could cover her mouth.
    “You need to get some rest.” He began to turn down the bed.
    “Oh no!” She ran to his side and yanked him away before he could sit. “We both need to wash off the grime of the day before getting in that crisp, clean bed.”
    “A shower? Together?” His eyes twinkled with the mischievous glint only a man could give and a smile that could tempt any sane woman out of her panties in mere seconds.  
    “Just a shower,” she designated, yawning again. “As much as my wolf and I would like to ravish you again, my body is just plumb tuckered out.”
    “I supposed a good scrubbing is called for, but only if I get to loofah you.” He entered the bathroom and a moment later, she heard the sound of water