CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

It was natural, Lara realised. And it did mean a lot: he would give up on meat for her. Was there more dedication anywhere in the world? As such, she accepted his offers even though she wasn\'t used to eating so much meat. For once, she could bear with it.

It was the meaning behind his choices that melted her heart. Just like when her pups would give her a few bites. She knew how difficult it was for them to do so, and that made her love it even more.

«I\'m quite sure we didn\'t eat anything,» she said at some point. «I was so hungry in the morning! But I couldn\'t eat anything because I had heartburn. Not to mention the headache.»

«Did you hate me for that?»

«The headache? It was not your fault,» she chuckled. «But, once I reached home and relaxed, it went away. The few days after meeting you, I felt marvellous. As if something wonderful had happened to me.»

«Yes?»

«Yes,» she confirmed. «It was weird, but I didn\'t think much of it. I mean, humans do feel after-effects when they have good sex, right? It was normal.»

«Hm-mh,» he agreed, even though he had no clue. He still knew too little about human women.

Also, she considered him good sex! Even without remembering!

What if she changed her mind when the fog in her memories disappeared?

Before his fear could make him lose it, he dispersed those thoughts and focused back on his mate. She was still wearing the party dress, but her hair was loose on the back and tickling his shoulder. She was completely relaxed, not a single worry in her mind.

He had always wished to see her like that.

With one hand, he would feed her from the platter on his lap. With the other, he was drawing circles on her arm. They had gone home earlier than planned, so they had plenty of time to silently enjoy each other\'s presence. The penthouse was silent without the pups, but it was nice to be able to focus on each other only. Even if just for a night.

«We have missed this,» Nate said, realising he had missed way more than his mate\'s pregnancy and his kids\' first years. «The time when a couple is alone... And also everything that comes later. Creating a home together, choosing every single detail... There are a lot of things I wish we could do together.»

«It\'s not that bad,» Lara replied.

She agreed with him: they had skipped so much! But she wouldn\'t trade her kids for any kind of happiness. She loved them too much to consider the years they had spent alone as a bother or a regret.

«We can make new memories from now on,» she said. «And make choices together from today.»

«Can we?»

«Sure!» she exclaimed with a happy smirk.

Nate remembered something and slipped out of bed under Lara\'s dumbfounded gaze.

«Hey! Where are you going?»

«Deserts!» he just said before leaving towards the kitchen.

Lara blinked, surprised. Then, she settled down and waited for Nate. Sure, she could have got up and reached him. But being pampered felt right.

When Nate came back with a plate filled with chocolates, her eyes shined.

«Oh,» she sighed. Nate sure knew how to exploit a woman\'s weak spots.

He lay down again, inviting her to return to their original position. She split her lips and accepted the first chocolate, closing her eyes when the taste filled her mouth. Her taste buds rejoiced, and she melted against Nate.

«This is delicious,» she said.

Nate bowed down and licked her lips before kissing her. His tongue explored her mouth for a moment before retreating.

«I agree. Delicious,» he said.

He observed her face and noticed her short breath and red cheeks. She was blushing, wasn\'t she? But... What for?

He couldn\'t resist and kissed her again, this time leaving the chocolates on the bedside table. He surrounded her with his arms, leaving no space for retreat.

A part of his brain reminded him to be careful, but it died down when Lara\'s hand landed on his chest and moved lower, to his abs. She pulled the shirt out of his trousers and unfastened the buttons.

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Her haste made him smile, but he didn\'t allow her to hurry. They weren\'t late for anything; they should take their time reviving every single moment.

With the same move of six years before, he made her turn around and face the mattress. His lips landed on her shoulder while he undid the zip of the dress.

He hadn\'t dared do something similar again because he feared she would hate his rough manners, but Lara didn\'t complain - just like the first time. She did open her mouth to say something, but she stopped any sentence when his lips landed on her skin.

He kissed her birthmark, stopping on that stop a second longer. Then, he trailed down her back. Every single kiss made her shiver, and her fingers clenched the bedclothes.

He pushed the dress down from her shoulders, peeling it away from her body one inch at a time. When she was free from that barrier, he could see her white skin and her tiny shoulders. Her laced underwear failed at hiding her butt, and her legs were relaxed and of that shape that drove him mad.

He pecked the back of her knee and chuckled when she winced. She hadn\'t changed, in the end. And, more than everything, she hadn\'t faked any reaction.

He could trust the moans and sighs he remembered because she was reacting the same way when he was doing the same again. There was no lie do uncover.