Chasing A Runaway Mate

Chapter 18

Kat

The sight of naked muscled torsos was nothing new to Kat. It was unavoidable in their communities. Her body was also not estranged to the touch of a man. She was not, however, used to or prepared for her body's reaction to being this close to her mate's nakedness. Especially now she had accepted her attraction to Wren.

Kat fisted her hand in the blanket on the cot as she concentrated on keeping her cool. The heated look on Wren's face was enough to make her squeeze her thighs together. She knew there was no hiding her arousal, especially not when she sat so close to him. Wren's nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply. He closed his eyes and when they reopened, his previously blue irises were now a deep indigo.

"John, do me a solid and fetch me some pants," Wren spoke to someone nearby.

Time seemed to stand still as they sat there just staring at each other. Once or twice, Wren's hand would twitch. Like it wanted to break away from its master's control. Every time it did, Kat's stomach tightened with the possibility that he might touch her. After some time, John returned and handed Wren a pair of sweatpants and broke the trans. Kat cleared her throat and stood up, giving Wren a moment to dress.

She stood with her back towards the cot, looking into the distance but not really seeing anything. Her other senses were still tuned in to what her mate was doing. She heard the cot squeak as Wren shifted his weight. A rustle of fabric indicated he was putting on the pants. Then silence.

Warmth. Kat felt radiating heat against her back. She didn't need to turn around to know Wren was standing behind her. When she didn't object, he moved closer until she could feel his breath tickle the back of her neck. Slowly she turned around. He stood so close, her shoulders brushed against his chest as she turned. Wren's bulk towered above Kat's petite frame, and she had to crane her neck back to look into his eyes.

Kat knew what was going to happen next, and she simply did not have it in her to stop it. Wren lifted one large hand, placing it gently against her cheek. Leaning into his touch, his breath hitched. She closed her eyes briefly to savor the feeling. When she opened them again, he was smiling at her. Bending down, Wren gave Kat all the time she needed to pull away should she not want this. It made her heart soar, and she lifted her face to meet his kiss.

Never had Kat imagined that the brush of her mate's lips against hers would feel like this. It was more than just pleasure. It was love, longing, safety and belonging all wrapped up in one heart-cleaving emotion. She wanted more. Needed more. Parting her lips, she invited him in. The kiss morphed as desire pulsed between them. Without thinking, Kat placed her hands on his waist. A deep sound of yearning vibrated in his chest. With his other hand, Wren cupped the back of Kat's head, grabbing onto the silver strands of her hair. Kat's knees almost gave way as a soft mewl of pleasure escaped her throat. Wren slowed the kiss. Finally, he pulled his soft lips off hers and rested his forehead against the top of her head.

"I never thought I would ever get to feel this," Wren's deep voice sent further warmth spreading through Kat's body.

"I'm sorry I made you wait so long." And Kat meant it. She felt terrible for making Wren wait so long after he had found his mate.

"No, my darlin'. That you never have to apologize for. Your feelings are your own and no one has the right to tell you how to deal with them. I just meant that I had given up on ever meeting you."

"Well I'm here now. I'm not saying I'm ready to move in and mate, but I am ready to get to know you."

"And that makes me more than happy. Hell, lass, I'm an old dog and set in my ways. This is all strange and new to me too," Wren chuckled. Kat smiled. She liked how his accent seemed to deepen when he called her lass.

"Alright then. So, where to now? Though, I think we need to find you some more clothes. It is freezing out there."

"I'll be OK. My tent is not far from here. I'll stop there before speaking to the rest of the Commanders."

"OK, then. Let's go."

If Wren was surprised that Kat was going with him, he didn't show it. To his utter dismay, however, she grabbed the blanket from his cot and placed it around his shoulders before they headed out in the snow. They moved as fast as his injuries allowed. When they reached his tent, Wren was shivering and Kat had to bite her tongue not to say anything.

"You stay here. I'm going to see if I can get some warm water." Before Wren could protest, Kat was out of the tent again. After a while, she returned with a large beaker filled with steaming water.

"It's not a lot, but at least it's warm. There's a shower on the plane you can use later."

Ten minutes later, Wren felt clean enough to put on more clothes. Kat had sat on the cot in the tent and unashamedly watched as he washed himself. By the time he was finished, she was more than hot and bothered, and couldn't wait to get away from there and back on the jet.

Kat accompanied Wren as he walked to the command tent. She received a few pointed looks when she entered with him, back a quick growl from Wren had the men quickly averting their eyes. No one was going to question her being there. She had skin in the game after all. The meeting went by quickly. They hadn't gained much knowledge, but at least what the doctor had told them was confirmed.

After much arguing, Wren agreed to let two soldiers break down his tent. He, however, point-blank, refused to let anyone carry his bag to the helicopter. By the time they boarded the helicopter, a thin layer of sweat coated his forehead. Kat knew he was overdoing it, but thought it best to leave that discussion for when they were onboard the jet. His wounds were healing much faster now that he had regained consciousness, but it was still taxing on his body.

Wren sat with his eyes closed as the helicopter lifted off the ground. His breathing was shallow too. Kat reached for his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. He looked at her and his face softened. Kat wondered if she would ever get used to seeing that look on his face. She had seen lust plenty of times, but never had she seen adoration before.

On the plane, they made themselves comfortable in two adjacent seats. Wren laced his fingers with Kat's and they fell into a comfortable silence as the jet took off. When the seatbelt sign switched off, Kat turned to Wren.

"You feel up to cleaning up properly? The doctor said you should be able to remove those bandages. We must just put new ones on afterward."

"We? If you're volunteering to clean up with me, then hell-yes, I feel up to it." Wren gave her a mischievous smile that had her stomach tightening.

"Of course I'll help you, but that is all that will happen. Besides, I don't think you can exactly handle much more at the moment, and definitely can't handle me in your state."

Intent on proving Kat wrong, Wren suddenly reached for her. In a flash, he had hauled her out of her seat and onto his lap. Her hands landed on his chest to prevent herself from falling against him.

"Oh I beg to differ, lass. I am more than willing to handle you." Wren's jaw worked as he raked his eyes over Kat's body.

"Hmm, is that so now?" Kat purred and leaned forward.

"If you had listened properly, soldier, you would've heard I said can't handle me and not willing to handle me," she whispered in his ear. Wren chuckled, his grip on her hips tightening possessively.