Chapter 31: Thirty-one.

Sammy had enjoyed the rest of her day, and found by the time she was heading down the corridor to her apartment she was actually looking forward to dinner. Arriving home, she opened her door only to step inside her apartment and find there was someone waiting on her.

Sammy was turned around and pressed hard against the wall, beside her door before it was even closed.

Daniel was pressed completely against her, caging her in with no way out as he growled quietly behind her.

"You are a cruel woman, Sammy Gray," he spoke almost like he was threatening her.

Sammy smirked, pushing her ass back against him, "I believe you started it, Honey. I just happened to be busy."

Daniel groaned, his grip on her waist tightening, "I have been useless all afternoon because of you," he snarled, beginning to graze his stubble against her neck, as he slid one hand up her front and gripped her jaw. He turned her head and captured her mouth, swallowing her moans and basking in her scent.

When he broke the kiss, he allowed Sammy to turn around, but kept her secured between him and the wall. She could see the hunger in his eyes, the way his chest strained as he tried to calm his breathing, and how his hands gripped her flesh hard enough to leave bruises.

"No," she stated, resenting him for his timing, "We don't have time, Daniel, we have to be at dinner in ninety minutes and I need a shower."

Daniel's eyebrow quirked, his smile revealing that dimple she loved, and she melted somewhat. Even though she was torturing them both she couldn't resist, her hand reaching to his hair and forcing him forward as she stole her own kiss.

"I'm showering alone," she whispered to him afterwards, unable to conceal her laughter at his growl.

"But, why?" He all but whined, his tone changing as he realised she was serious.

"Because I refuse to meet my grandmother and little brother properly for the first time, smelling of sex," she stated, holding up her hand before he could interrupt, "And, yes, I am aware that they will still smell it on us even if we are showering at the time, so do not even try and hide that little nugget of information from me."

Daniel's eyes twinkled, "But they're wolves, and we're mates. They will understand, it almost expected," he argued with her, tracing light circles on her stomach.

Sammy briefly chastised herself for not noticing his wandering hands sooner, that was twice he had done that to her today. It was a miracle she hadn't noticed sooner, because it was a sensation that distracted her so entirely she felt she would be reduced to nothing more than a puddle, in more ways than one.

"No, it's too weird, Daniel," she blushed, struggling to think straight.

Daniel smirked, "I would have never taken you for a prude, Sammy. Especially not when you get a  particular kind of thrill whenever I put my tongue near your...."

"Oh my god! Shut up, right now!" She squealed, going bright red, and covering her face with her hands.

"Oh come on, I could do it right now," he pushed, skimming his hands higher towards her breasts with each stroke.

Then something clicked in Sammy's head, something that made her question just why Daniel was so eager right now.

"Wait, Daniel," she began pushing him away, "Is this some sort of wolfy claiming thing? I'm not wearing your mark yet, so they have to smell you on me?"

Daniel froze, his face blushing red.

"Daniel," Sammy spoke gently, as he avoided eye contact.

She raised her hand to his face and guided his eyes to hers.

"I'm yours, okay," Sammy said honestly, "No matter what I smell like, or how long it takes me to be ready for your mark, I am yours."

Daniel sighed, leaning into Sammy's touch, "I messed it up before, Sammy. I know what it feels like to think I've lost you. It's a reality that terrifies me, and with your brother's threats earlier, j just..."

"So, you wanted the reassurance, of having other werewolves knowing we were together by having me smell of sex?" Sammy couldn't help but laugh as she finished his thoughts with a literal translation.

Daniel blushed again, feeling ridiculous.

"Oh Honey, can't me loving you be enough?" Sammy said, kissing his cheek and attempting to squeeze past him.

Daniel froze momentarily, but grabbed her wrist before she was completely out of reach.

"You love me?" He asked astounded.

Sammy smiled, before giving a small shrug, "I seem to. Despite your ridiculousness," she added with a wink.

Daniel was stood with the goofiest grin on his face, as Sammy slipped out of his grip.

She was closing the bathroom door, before he thought to move. But even then he seemed dazed as he went to the bedroom to get ready.

All he could think was that Sammy loved him, then half dressed, he started cursing himself, why didn't he say it back!

He was nervously pacing the bedroom in jeans, his top half still left bare, when Sammy returned. He had mindlinked Shane for help, while he waited and his Alpha only served to laugh at his expense and confuse him further.

It was a simple enough question as well, should he propose to Sammy?

Albeit werewolves didn't usually get married, but Sammy was raised as a human. Maybe she would expect it, or want it.

But, then what if she didn't like the idea of it at all.

All Shane did was invite Abigail into the conversation, who started emotionally gushing about how much fun a wedding would be to hold at the house, but they must wait till she was at least six months post partum, and then proceeded to bombard Daniel with flower names, and cake flavours.

At least he thought that's what she was talking about. None of which helped him work out his predicament, whether or not Sammy would want to get married in the first place.

And then there she was, the woman who was driving him insane. Wearing only a towel. The woman who had him so sexually frustrated this afternoon he thought he might explode, and she was literally dripping wet.

His mouth watered, as she picked up her body lotion, and he genuinely felt like he would die from his erection.

"Sammy," he spluttered out painfully, "Please, no."

Sammy looked up at Daniel's form and he saw her own eyes briefly darken with lust.

"That look isn't helping, Sammy," he added, closing his eyes while thinking of cleaning out the skunks, on a bad day, with his mother.

He could smell his mate as she approached him, his imagination began to falter.

"I'll grab my things and go back to the bathroom," she whispered.

Daniel frowned, eyes still closed as he tried to hold his breath.

Skunks.

Skunks.

Skunks.

Then he heard it.

Her towel, hitting the floor and his eyes shot open with a snarl.

But, Sammy was gone, the bathroom door clicking closed.

Daniel roared, hearing her laughter as the lock turned in place.

He was at the door anyway, banging hard enough, that Sammy worried about her security deposit.

"You can't stay in there forever," he growled playfully.

Sammy laughed, "I don't have to. I only need to rub this lotion all over my body, or maybe I should use my oil? And then I need to put on my blouse, you know that slightly sheer one house like, and my skirt. But, damn it, in my rush I seem to have forgotten my underwear."

She heard Daniel whimper as he slid to his knees, "You're evil," he hissed pathetically.

Sammy opened the door, dressed in jeans and a smart casual top, that left one shoulder on display.

"Yup, and you make this game too easy, Honey." She laughed, stepping over his crumpled body. "Come on now, we need to leave soon."

Sammy finished getting ready, while Daniel put on a plaid shirt and sat watching her. He was sulking, and she thought was hilarious.

As soon as, Sammy had closed her apartment door, she took his hand and pulled him closer.

"Cheer up, Honey," She smiled, "I wasn't completely winding you up earlier you know?"

Daniel narrowed his eyes slightly, waiting for her to explain.

"I did forget my underwear," she stated mischievously, before adding, "Don't worry though, you can always think of the skunks."

Daniel's groan of frustration, turned to confusion, "Wait, what?" He asked.

"Cleaning out the skunks, on a bad day, with your Mom?" Sammy stated as they descended the stairs, "Yeah, you said that out loud," she nodded in affirmation, as Daniel's face lit up red.

"Fuck." He groaned, as he followed his mate along.

*Author's Note: I have to say I am amazed at the positive feedback this story has been receiving. So, thank you to one and all who are reading, its greatly appreciated. I want to announce that once it is finished I will be jumping into The Kelpie's Mate: Caspian's Call. Chapter one is currently available on Anystories, I would love it if you could check it out. Thank you again, B x.*

*P.S. For those awaiting on the third installment of Colt's story, i am planning to start it in a couple of months, stay tuned on Facebook @Bethanyriverwrites for more information.*