A shiver coursed through her as his hand circled the back of her neck, as he urged her head back, took the kiss deeper with a tangle of tongues and tastes, a mingle of breath that grew unsteady and quick. She gripped his shoulders, first for balance, then for the sheer joy of feeling that hard, dangerous strength, the bunch of muscles.

Her hands slid over and into his hair.

She had a flash of the wolf, the rich black pelt and sinewy strength, then of the man, sitting on her bed, gripping her hand as her body shuddered.

The memory of what could be in dreams, the barrage of sensations of what was, battered each other.

And she erupted.

Her mouth went wild under his, tore at his control. Her surrender had been sweet, but her demands were staggering. As his blood leaped, he dragged her closer, let the kiss fly from warm to hungry to something almost savage.

Still she urged him on, pulling him with her until he buried his face in her throat and had to fight not to use his teeth.

“You’re not ready for me.” He managed to pant it out, then yanked her back, shook her lightly. “By Finn, I’m not ready for you. There might come a time when that won’t matter, and we’ll take our chances. But it matters now.” His grip lightened, his tone gentled. “It matters today. Go home, Rowan, where you’ll be safe.”

Her head was still spinning, her pulse still roaring. “No one’s ever made me feel like that. I never knew anyone could.”

Something flashed into his eyes that made her shiver in anticipation. But then he muttered in a language she didn’t understand and lowered his brow to hers. “Honesty can be dangerous. I’m not always civilized, Rowan, but I work to be fair. Have a care how much you offer, for I’m likely to take more.”

“I’m terrible at lying.”

It made him laugh, and his eyes were calm again when he straightened. “Then be quiet, for God’s sake. Go home now. Not the way you came. You’ll see the path when you head out the front. Follow it and you’ll get home right enough.”

“Liam, I want—”

“I know what you want.” Firmly now, he took her by the arm and led her out. “If it were as simple as going upstairs and rolling around on the bed for an afternoon, we’d already be there.” While she sputtered, he continued to pull her to the front door. “But you’re not as simple as you’ve been taught to think. God knows I’m not. Go on home with you, Rowan.”