Reclaiming the Wolf (Cascade Shifters Book 1) by Jessie Donovan Page A

not, the woman needed to learn to relax and lean on at least one other person. Otherwise, within a few years, she might have a nervous breakdown. Not because she was female; no, because he’d heard of it happening to other mateless clan leaders in the past.
    Yet, if Kaya had someone to lean on, she would probably become even stronger and more determined than ever to change some of the patriarchal shifter ways to the benefit of her clan. And to be honest, the more he started to imagine himself as the person she turned to, the more he wanted it to be true.
    Yes, shit had gone down between them when they’d been younger, but last night he’d realized that none of the other women he’d ever held or fucked had fit as perfectly as Kaya Alexie. She was smart, sexy, stubborn, and would be able to keep up with him in the bedroom. And most of all, when she didn’t try to hide behind the emotionless mask of a leader, she was extremely fun to provoke.
    He had planned on devising a strategy to get her naked with him again last night, but instead, he’d spent the time replaying every sexual encounter he’d ever had with her. Even now, his cock was hard and hurting for relief. One night with Kaya would never be enough.
    The coffee machine chimed it was done and he took out two mugs. After pouring milk into one and spooning sugar into the other, he filled them with coffee, and headed for the second bedroom. He banged the door with his elbow and received a muffled, “Come in.”
    Maneuvering one cup to rest between the wall and his hip, he opened the door, and then grabbed the cup again. He stepped inside to see Kaya lying on the bed, her hair mussed around her face as she rubbed her eyes with the back of her hands. He couldn’t help but smile at the sight. “Good morning, sunshine.”
    She lowered her hands and glared. He laughed before lifting one of the cups of coffee. “I come bringing caffeine.”
    Her brows eased and she sat up. “Then hurry up and give it to me. Otherwise, you’ll be dealing with the grumpy as hell version of me.”
    He didn’t move. “I would think after two orgasms last night, you’d be a little more relaxed.”
    He waited to see if she’d brush the topic aside or address it head on. When she picked up a pillow, he knew she’d brush it aside. “Give me the damn coffee, Sylas, or this pillow is going to make friends with your face.”
    Since they had an appointment with one of his contacts in about an hour, he decided to pursue the topic later. “Okay, okay.” He walked over and handed her the mug with milk.
    She took a sip and smiled. “It’s perfect. I can’t believe you remembered how I like it about half coffee and half milk.”
    He sipped his own coffee. “I was once a caring boyfriend, if you remember.”
    She looked at him askance. “I remember you getting the coffee ready as soon as you woke up to avoid dealing with my grumpiness.”
    He shrugged. “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with self-preservation.”
    He waited for her to argue, but Kaya remained quiet. Neither the man nor the cougar liked her silence, so he decided to stick to a safer topic. “I’ve set up a meeting with our most trusted man inside DS Engineering. He was sort of a hacker as a teenager, but gave it up to go to college.”
    “How long have you known him?”
    “I’ve been acting as a liaison for the software engineer division for four years now, and Dave has been there from my very first day. I also know if there’s anything he can’t do, he knows someone who can.”
    Kaya nodded. “Fine. Since Trinity made some calls and had clothes delivered here for me before we arrived last night, I just need a shower. Give me five minutes to finish my coffee, and another twenty to get ready.”
    He gave her face and then the gentle slope of her breasts underneath one of his shirts a thorough perusal. “You sure you don’t want some help in the shower?”
    “Sylas.”
    He met her eyes again. “Whenever you use my