Chapter 43

"Rhye, no!" Lily leaned forward to plead with him, but before she could open her mouth, he said, "Sweetheart, they could hear us, but who cares?" I want you." 

She stiffened, jerking back. Rhye frowned at the discomfort he saw in her eyes. "Why do you draw away from the simple truth that I will never get tired of you?" he asked. It was an oddly childish gesture, and Rhye felt an instant of compassion for her. No, he thought, honest with himself, it was tenderness he felt, and it alarmed him to know that his mate was shy. She seemed so damned transparent, so unpretentious. He shook his head, his shoulder reminding him that her guile could fool a saint but never him. He knew she was shy and that his pack would hear them make love. He smirked at the thought of teasing her more.

"I know what you are doing; stop giving that smile. You are charming me into giving in to your wants."

"I am charming, at least with you," he said, and she flinched at the open candour in his voi