When he pulls back and looks at my hands, he starts chuckling. “I can’t believe how easily you make me forget everything,” he says while pointing to my hands. “I just wanted a little taste, and you have me laying you out on the kitchen counter. What would have happened if my men showed up to fix your door while you were begging for more,” he says in mock outrage.

My shock, however, is real. “Masen, are you kidding me? Someone is coming here, and you were doing that... to me.”

His smirk is huge. “I just wish they would have shown up when you were screaming my name.”

He helps me down, and I walk to the sink to wash up. I scrap the dry dough and start again. After I put the biscuits in the oven, I fry some bacon and use the grease to make gravy. “Biscuits and gravy for dinner?” he asks with one eyebrow raised.

“I eat breakfast for dinner at least once a week. I don’t usually make big breakfasts for myself, and it’s one of my favorite meals.” I shrug my shoulders. “So I make it for dinner,” I defend.

“I’m not complaining, it smells delicious. I can’t wait to eat it.” He winks.

“Freak.”

I make us both a plate, and we sit to eat. When most of his plate is empty, I finally get the nerve to ask, “What you were saying earlier, about me smelling good. Maybe it’s just you. I smell that too.” I shrug. “You smell real yummy to me.” My face heats. “Ya know, the whole Mate thing,” I stammer.

“I quite like that I smell yummy to you.” He smiles. “But no, this is different. There’s something else. Your wolf has challenged me twice.” He looks at me curiously, “I’ve never had a female, friend or enemy, question my dominance.”

I furrow my brow. “I know yesterday when you put your hand on my neck and pushed me forward, she didn’t like that, but was that a challenge?”

He nods his head. “If you weren’t my Mate, my wolf would have made you submit to me right then.” He laughs. “But it just got us both really excited. I’m sure you could tell.”

Is he trying to embarrass me? Changing the subject, I ask, “When was the second time?”

He’s up getting seconds. “That’s a little trickier. Today, after the phone call, you wouldn’t let me touch you or speak. That’s unusual, but even more unusual, my wolf let you. I’m not sure how much of that is because you’re my Mate, because you’re not used to being around an Alpha, or how much of it is your wolf running the show.”

Confused, I ask, “Do you know someone you can ask?”

He sighs. “I have, Little One. Michael has been mated for a few years. I asked him how his Mate’s wolf responds to his...”

He’s so quiet I don’t think I’m going to like this. “And...” I prompt.