“Jacquelyn, look at me,” Fane told her. “I want to make love to you, are we clear on that part?” he asked her.

“Yes, we’re clear. There’s a 'but' coming on, isn’t there?” she asked.

“We are both really emotional right now. I don’t want you to do something that you will regret tomorrow night after the challenge. If I win, and I plan to, you will be sad that we didn’t wait. I want the first time to be special and perfect for both of us. Please don’t think I’m rejecting you, because you have absolutely no idea how hard it is to say no to you,” he told her honestly.

“Wow, I’m impressed,” Jacquelyn said, wiping away what was left of the tears on her cheeks.

“Are you mad at me?” Fane asked cautiously.

“No, I’m not. I’m a little embarrassed 'cause you know how awkward I am when it comes to the whole physical aspect of a relationship,” she told him.

“Why are you embarrassed by it? You do realize that it will be fun, right?” Fane asked her, grinning widely.

“Why do you like to say stuff like that knowing it’s going to make me blush?”

“Because it’s cute,” Fane told her honestly. “I won’t make love to you Luna, but since we are both awake I will most definitely take advantage of your beautiful lips,” Fane said just before he wrapped an arm around her and flipped her onto her back. Jacquelyn squealed and laughed as Fane leaned over her. He bent down and gently kissed her lips. Jacquelyn wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him towards her. He rumbled in his chest at her boldness. Fane’s left hand was cradling Jacquelyn’s head while his right hand was gradually rubbing her thigh, moving slowly up to her waist. Fane was quite proud of himself for telling Jacquelyn he would not consummate their relationship, but as he lay there in her arms, feeling her lips on his, their bodies pressed close, he hoped she wouldn’t make him wait too long after the bonding. She will probably want a human wedding first. He growled at that thought. It was probably going to be awhile before they mated. In that case, he better slow down. He eased off her just a bit and pulled back from her lips. They were both breathing hard.

“Is something wrong?” Jacquelyn asked him, looking very worried.

“No, everything is very right. I just need to slow down a little, my honor only goes so far. Wolf or not, I’m still a guy and you are a very fine girl,” Fane told her with no shame.

“Oh, I see. You were getting all worked up, only to realize all worked up is all there is. Am I right?”

“Yes, Luna, you are brutally right. Can I be brutally blunt?” he asked her.

“By all means,” she answered.

“At what point do you plan to make the same offer?”

Jacquelyn laughed at that. “You’re worried about how long it’s going to be before we do the deed?”

“Well,since you put it so eloquently, yes, that is what I’m asking,” Fane answered and actually looked embarrassed.

“I want to be married first.” Jacquelyn held up her hand to keep Fane from saying whatever was fixing to leave his lips. “Married in the traditional way, not just the werewolf bonding thingy,” she explained.

“You do realize that our werewolf bonding thingy is more binding than your human marriage, right?” Fane told her smugly.

“That may be, my little fur ball, but I still want our relationship recognized in the eyes of normal people as legit, got it?”

Fane grinned at her. “As you wish, Luna.”

“That’s what I like to hear, wolf-man,” Jacquelyn told him as she yawned.

“Try to get some sleep, love. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow,” Fane told her and kissed her on the head.

He began to hum the song he had sung to her earlier and even though he so desperately wanted to stay awake, his wolf knew they both needed rest and that helped push him into a deep sleep.

Chapter 31

From the minute Jacque woke up, things were a blur. Fane kissed her sweetly and held her close and then finally let her go and watched her walk across the street to the Henrys' house. She showered and put on the new clothes that her mom had bought, and they actually weren’t too bad. A pair of cute jeans and a simple green, fitted, v-neck top. She was proud of her mom for not taking the opportunity to put her in a ridiculous outfit that made her look twelve. Point to you, mom, she thought.

By the time she got downstairs, Jen and Sally had arrived, and that put a big smile on Jacque’s face.

“What are you two doing here?” she asked them, and before she could give them a chance to answer she added, “And don’t ya’ll smell like the wolves?”

“Nope. We went home, showered, and put on clothes that had not been at your house. So we are werewolf-smell free,” Jen told her.

“Awesome. So instead of fretting by myself, I get to make ya’ll miserable by fretting with you,” Jacque said, sounding very forlorn.

“Shut up! Do you honestly think we would let you spend this day of all days alone? Sorry, chica, no such luck,” Sally told her.

Jacque was so thankful that she wasn’t going to be left to her own thoughts. Already they were beginning to feel overwhelming, but Jen took charge and before she knew it, it was eight pm. Jacque went to the Henrys' front window and looked across the street at her house. Sure enough, she saw Sorin and Fane coming out the front door. Her heartbeat sped when he turned and looked back at her. It reminded her of the night he arrived, which had only been five days ago. Could it really be possible that it had been a mere five days since she first laid eyes on him? She felt like she had known him all her life, like he had always been there with her. He grinned at her and winked.