Aedan POV

Today has been the most stressful day of my life. Walking around town, waiting for the rogue to attack Liz, I barely managed to keep my wolf in check. He bristled at the very thought of another wolf getting that close to her. And all of the men in town... the looks she seemed unaware that she drew... I choked back snarls all day long. Whenever one looked at her too long, or stepped too close, I slipped closer to losing it. I'd thought that having the guys from the pack near her was hard, but I at least I know I can trust them. Unknown males, that was almost more than I could handle.

I can feel my wolf's agitation. He's pacing in my mind relentlessly. I'm going to have to let him out soon. I've been avoiding it. Liz has handled this shifter stuff really well, but I don't want to press my luck.

She's cleaning up the kitchen right now. She's been purposefully busy ever since I told her that I'm going to mark her soon. I'm not sure how to take that. I guess, if you aren't accustomed to shifter life, someone telling you that they plan to bite you is probably off putting. 

I should give her some space. I make my way down the hall to the living room. Hope is stretched out on her bed, asleep. The shadow of new hair is just starting to grow back in the shaved patches. The dog is getting around a lot better and has her usual sunny personality intact. Thank God. Liz would be wrecked if something permanent happened to her dog.

I grab the remote and sit on the couch, trying to distract myself. Flipping through the channels, I finally find a documentary that looks interesting. I've been sitting there for a while when Liz comes into the room. She walks slowly to the couch and hesitates,  and the faintest hint of fear hits my nose. Snapping to attention, I look around for a problem. I don't see or smell anything that could be a threat.

With a small sigh, Liz settles onto the couch and curls up against my side. She buries her face in my chest. I'm just starting to relax again when her words snap me back to attention.

"I don't think we should wait. I want you to do it."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Liz POV

I realize that I'm scrubbing the same section of kitchen counter... again. I drop the cloth into the sink and look around. The kitchen is spotless. I guess I've stalled for as long as possible.

It really is simple. Or, at least, it should be. Aedan and I belong together. I don't know how I'm so sure, but I am. From the beginning, being with him has been like coming home. Warm and safe. He has done everything in his power to keep me comfortable and safe. And I want to do the same for him.

I heard the stress in his voice tonight when he talked about marking me. That moment impressed on me just how big of a deal this is for him. Here I am, worrying about the discomfort of being bitten. And there he is, trying to keep me safe from my deranged shifter stalker, while distracted by his instincts to mark me. What if that distraction gets him hurt?

I won't allow that to happen. I heard the tv turn on a while ago. He's in the living room. Before I can talk myself out of what I'm about to do, I go to him.

Holy cow, I'm actually going to do this. How much is this going to hurt? I hesitate at the couch. Does it really matter? I look down at Aedan.  His grey eyes are looking alertly up at me, a question on his face.

No, I decide. I'd gladly let him bite me if it means he may be even a little safer. I drop to the couch and curl into his side, hiding my flaming cheeks. 

Here goes, "I don't think we should wait. I want you to do it."

He goes instantly tense. After a second, he says, "You want me to mark you. Now?"

Keeping my face buried, I nod.

He clears his throat, but his voice still comes out slightly hoarse. "Are you sure? I mean, it doesn't have to be today. There's still time."

"No. There isnt. I won't have you in danger because you're distracted," I mumble.

He pushes me back gently, until he can see my face. When I don't immediately look up, he uses a finger to tilt my face towards his. "We are not doing anything because you are afraid. I want to mark you more than anything. I want that connection between us. And I want every other wolf to know that you are mine. But I do not want you to be rushed into something this important."

"Its silly. I don't even know why I'm afraid," I huff in frustration. "I know you'd never hurt me on purpose. I know we belong together. But I'm still worried."

"It's not silly. This is all still new to you. What are you most worried about?" He turns to face me on the couch.

I can feel my face heating up more. This conversation is uncomfortable. "Will it hurt a lot?" I manage to get out.

Aedan clears his throat again. A hint of yellow swirls in his eyes. "It doesn't have to. What you feel will depend on the, umm, circumstances under which I bite you." Now he looks vaguely uncomfortable, too. "The more emotionally and physically connected we are when it happens, the easier it will be."

Oh. I blink. Well, that's something to think about. I mean, I've obviously thought about sex with Aedan. Anyone with a pulse, would. But, I don't exactly have a lot of practice in that area. Being a loner tends to limit your human interactions.

I have no doubt that it would be good. Our makeout sessions were smoking hot. The man's skill with just his mouth should probably be illegal. Just thinking about it, and I can feel myself getting turned on. On second thought... Maybe getting bitten by him, especially while distracted by other things, doesn't sound like a bad idea.

He's been watching me while I think. Measuring my reaction. He inhales suddenly and his pupils dilate, surrounded by a growing swirl of yellow. I have just a second to realise that he knows I'm turned on before he reaches out and lifts me onto his lap.

I grab his shoulders to steady myself and we are face to face. His hand tangles in my hair and pulls my head back slightly, and then his mouth is on mine. The kiss is deep and possessive and has me panting when he breaks away. He looks into my eyes and with an approving growl, moves in for another kiss. By the time his lips move their way across my jaw to my neck, I'm clutching limply at his shirt. 

He pulls back and grabs the hem of my shirt. With a quick upward pull, my shirt is off and he tosses it onto the floor. I barely have time to register embarrassment over being topless before his hands skim my ribs and circle to my back. Any vague thoughts of wanting to cover back up disappear at the pleasurable tingles the contact causes. Pulling me closer, he lays a fiery trail of kisses across my collar bone. Alternately nipping and kissing his way to my other shoulder.

Small whimpers are escaping me and my head falls to the side seemingly on its own. Evidence of his arousal is apparent below me and he grasps my hips, grinding up against me. He nips harder and I hiss as a shot of pure pleasure shoots south. Growling, he does it again.

He pulls back and I whimper in protest. He pulls his own shirt over his head, exposing his muscled chest and lean abs. I run my hands down his chest tentatively and feel empowered when the muscles jump under my touch. I press my lips to his hungrily and allow my hands to explore.

Suddenly, hands grabbing me, he stands up, lifting me with him. My arms go around his neck and legs around his hips. Never breaking off the kiss, he carries me easily up the stairs and into my bedroom.

******************************