Wolf Shifter Diaries: Lies Tamed (Sweet Paranormal Wolf & Fae Fantasy Romance Series Book 2) by E. Hall (books for men to read TXT) 📗

am in desperate need of a shower. “I stink like cheese curls, potato chips, and sticky—soda, candy, sweat.” I pull a face.

“My wolf doesn’t seem to mind.”

I wrinkle my nose.

Corbin pulls off the freeway, and we roll past casinos featuring celebrity shows and concerts. He stops the car under the valet at a swanky casino. The valet takes the keys to the minivan with a pucker of his lips.

“Take good care of Rhonda,” I holler.

Corbin takes me by the hand, leading us to the entrance. The glass double-overhead doors whoosh open with invitingly cool air. We walk through the lobby and then directly to an elevator. I know well enough this is a moment to play it cool.

An attendant pushes the button for the penthouse.

I repeatedly have to rehinge my jaw as it drops in awe.

“I’m awaiting an explanation,” I whisper when we step into the suite.

The design is modern with sleek lines and clean angles. A sectional leather couch faces an expansive view of the Strip and the desert beyond.

I spin in a slow circle.

“Food to the left. Shower to the right. The view, nearly three-hundred and sixty degrees,” Corbin says.

“When did you arrange this?” I poke my head in several of the rooms, each with a bathroom.

“Last night when you were sleeping. As delightful as those beds look, we won’t be staying the night. I figured we needed to refresh for a couple of hours. Plus, Pack Sandstorm owed me a favor, and I figured we needed a break from the road before we head to Mexico.”

Corbin steps closer to me, draping his arms around mine and planting his hands on my low back.

I shiver with delight.

“I know well enough that most women like a wedding with a gown and flowers. But a wolf wedding is different. The ritual for sealing our lives and wolves together as fated mates is very primal. You might say, earthy with lots of howling and running.”

“You’d have to ask me to marry you first.”

Corbin’s lips quirk. “I already did.”

“Properly,” I say, casting him a look.

“Go shower,” he says. I can’t help but feel like that was an Alpha order, but don’t argue because the prospect of water and soap sounds divine.

When I emerge from the steam, Corbin whistles to himself from the other room. I’m about to pull out my freshest pair of jeans and a tank top when I spot a dress on the bed. It’s off-white and silky with an overlay of lace. The bodice comes to a slight V and is fitted with thin straps. The flared, knee-length skirt meets the top with a delicate ribbon circling the waistline.

I glance around and then slip it on, spinning in front of a mirror. A pair of shoes sit in a box on a nearby chair.

I dry my hair and pull it off my neck, leaving a few wisps loose to frame my face. With a swipe of mascara and my favorite cherry Chapstick, the look is complete.

When I see myself in the mirror, my breath catches. Compared to how I looked when I arrived, this is a complete makeover.

As I step into the main room of the penthouse, I know what’s coming and anticipation makes my stomach flutter with butterflies.

Looking dapper in a tuxedo and dress shoes, Corbin leans against the wet bar and looks up when I step into the room. His wolf let out a low growl. My wolf replies with something like a purr.

In several strides, he crosses the room, and palms my elbows with his hands. His smile ignites sparks inside of me.

“Kenna, the second I saw you, smelled you, felt our connection, I couldn’t deny my feelings for you.”

“You mean your wolf couldn’t,” I say shrewdly.

He tilts his head, resigning himself to that truth. “But I quickly caught up. Yes, my wolf loves your wolf, but I love you, Kenna. Whether we’re wolves or not, I want to marry you. Will you be my wife?”

He drops to one knee and opens a velvet box.

My eyes widen as I blink back unexpected tears. My breath catches and my heart fills so full it might burst. “Yes, Corbin. I’ll marry you.” I beam a smile. I cannot believe this is happening.

He slides the ring on my finger and then gets to his feet.

Cupping my jaw, he draws my lips to his. Our mouths press together in a kiss that feels broader than the vista at our feet and brighter than the desert sunshine.

His fingers graze my neck, making me tingly and warm. He’s freshly shaved and his skin is soft against my cheek as we continue to kiss. The word forever comes to mind. We could be doing this forever or at least a very, very long time by human standards.

Corbin’s hand skims my back as he draws me closer, deepening the kiss. Our breathing falls into synchronicity. His heart hammers with mine. I feel an intense pulse between us that can only be due to our wolves.

Before things go further, we part.

Breathless, I gaze at the ring on my finger. The band is platinum and the diamond sparkling in the center has a yellow hue. Smaller regular diamonds surround it.

“Do you like it?”

“I love it.” I don’t tell him that it feels slightly weird at the same time. A few months ago, I wasn’t sure what direction my life would go and I’m now engaged and wearing what is sure to be an extremely expensive rock on my hand.

Corbin places his hand in mine and draws me toward the door. His voice is husky when he says, “There’s a chapel here in the hotel, or we could go to one elsewhere on the strip. I hear there’s an Elvis Presley inspired place with old cars