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casual. There was nothing I’d like more than seeing Lucas in his
feline guise, running together. My feline prickled beneath my skin at the
suggestion. “Trek into the Alps, stow our gear and shift so we can run.”
    Another purr erupted from Lucas. “You know
when you don’t shift for a while? Your skin starts to itch and you feel edgy.”
Lucas turned in my arms so we faced each other. “That’s how I feel right now. I
haven’t run since we stayed with the relatives in Perth. Right now, I want it
more than anything.”
    “I can’t interest you in a quickie before
breakfast?”
    Lucas pressed a quick kiss to my lips and
danced out of reach when I would have yanked him against my chest. “You’ve
promised me a run. God, I wish Leticia could come too. We weren’t sure whether
it was safe to run or not.” He bounded off the bed, reminding me of a kid, of
the Mitchell brothers when we were at school. “When can we go?”
    “After we eat.” Hell, I sounded like my
mother. Part of me wanted to laugh at the incongruity of sounding like Mum, but
the wave of homesickness almost did me in. I missed being out on the farm,
being able to change at will and knocking around with the Mitchell clan.
    “I’d better dress,” Lucas said. A wide grin
stretched from one ear to the other, a grin that invited me to share in his
delight.
    I laughed. “Guess I’d better get out of
bed.”
    An hour passed before we jumped into my SUV
and headed for the trailhead. The lodge had given us a packed lunch that we
stowed in a daypack along with a few more personal items. I’d trekked in the
area before and knew the perfect place.
    “We’ll have to trek for an hour first,” I
said.
    “A whole hour?” Lucas pouted. “Watch where
you’re driving,” he yelped.
    “Don’t distract me then.” I risked a glance
across at him and intercepted a smirk along with another sexy pout. My tongue
darted out to moisten my lips. I dug my teeth into my bottom lip, imagining
doing that to Lucas. Although my gaze was on the road, I heard his groan.
Payback. I loved it.
    I parked the SUV and switched off the
ignition. My vehicle was the only one in the car park. Good. I’d hoped that
would be the case. “Ready?”
    “Oh yeah,” Lucas drawled. “Hell, I wish
Leticia could have come with us. It would do her good to shift and run, embrace
the feline for a few hours.”
    Something in his tone hinted at secrets.
The need to ask questions simmered but I refrained. It wasn’t my business since
our relationship wouldn’t move out of casual before they left. The knowledge
sent shimmers of pain through me. Maybe I should have left it as a one night,
then I wouldn’t feel this strongly. I didn’t want Lucas to leave. I shoved aside
my sadness, determined to milk the day for every bit of enjoyment. Meeting
Lucas had helped me understand what I wanted from the future—a lover exactly
like Lucas and a job working the land with other shifters around me. I didn’t
want to hide anymore.
    “Maybe we can swing by the bed and
breakfast where she’s staying later this afternoon,” I said. “Take her out for
a quick run once she’s finished fishing.”
    Lucas’ expression was shocked. “You would
do that?”
    “Of course.” Again secrets lurked in my
lover’s eyes, making me wonder why brother and sister had left their pride.
    “Thank you.” Lucas pulled me into a quick
embrace, holding so tightly my ribs were in danger of cracking. Our lips met
and lingered, rubbing together in a kiss that was an affirmation, a kiss that
rocked my foundation. “Wow,” Lucas said when we came up to breathe. His
erection pressed against my hipbone while he ran his fingers across the stubble
on my jaw.
    “Hold that thought,” I said.
    “Aw.”
    “Willpower, man.” The cute pout was going
to lead me astray if I wasn’t careful. I seized the daypack from the rear of
the vehicle and locked the SUV. “This way.” I wasn’t about to push, not when I
knew Lucas