She ditched the pants and tried to run, racing toward the bed. He caught her before she made it, snaking an arm around her waist. Before she could kick or release a scream, he tugged her close and placed his free hand on her throat. The air inside the room sizzled, his wolf reaching out for hers. The beast inside his mate was new and weak but he felt it respond. She gasped, resting one arm on top of his as the other rose to clasp his wrist. Her back rested against his chest, the softness of her ass flush against his hardening cock.
Fuck.
“Don’t be afraid,” he murmured into the shell of her ear, trying to force aside the lust pumping through his veins, “I want to control you but not in the way you’re thinking. It’s more complicated than that.” He released her neck, bringing his hand down her torso until he cupped one of her breasts. Brushing his thumb over her nipple, he felt the nub harden beneath his touch. “A part of this is physical, Rachel. I won’t deny that. But it’s also much deeper and more profound. The moment we met I knew there was something special about you. It wasn’t until you appeared in my dreams that I understood what the feeling meant.”
“Your dreams?” She trembled at his touch, her inhalations stinted.
“Our dreams,” he clarified.
“Chloe had dreams… She told me about them…I thought…”
For a second she seemed ready to dart away. He plucked her nipple between his fingers, keeping her focused on her body and their growing bond. “She had dreams of Jackson. It’s normal. Her wolf knew it was time to find him.”
“Chloe was born to be like you. I was bitten.” She tried to swipe at his hand and squirm out of his arms. Even while doing so, he could scent how aroused she was. “You’re lying. I couldn’t have shared dreams with you.”
“The last dream was the best.” Instead of letting go, he held her tighter. “I had you, Just Rachel. After all that running I managed to catch you. You were all nice, soft and warm. I thought I was finally going to kiss you. So when you vanished and I woke up I decided it was time to step things up. Do you have any idea how hard it’s been for me? I’ve gone to bed every single night as hard as a baseball bat, wishing for a hint of your scent. You’ve tormented me for weeks.”
“I didn’t know.” Her voice lowered an octave, becoming husky. She rubbed her back against his chest. “You smell really good. What cologne do you wear?” Shaking her head, she mumbled, “I feel so strange.”
She wouldn’t shift until the full moon but she was transitioning, her body preparing for the changes to come. Right now, he imagined, she wouldn’t be able to find peace in her own skin. She needed to relax, letting her mind and chaotic thoughts take it easy for a while.
Thankfully he knew what would put her at ease.
“Easy, sweet girl.”
A couple of steps and he had her beside the bed. He turned her body, bringing them chest to chest. Then he bent his head, breezing his lips over hers as he lowered her to the bed. He wouldn’t take this further than she’d allow. As a mate, he couldn’t. She had to accept him, telling him she wanted the same thing he did. If he didn’t start things off on the right foot their mating would be damned from the beginning.
“I’ll tell you everything you want to know,” he whispered, nipping at her lower lip. “I’ll share all I know with you and find answers to things I can’t explain. I willingly offer you everything I am. All you have to do is ask.”
He fought his own desires, holding back his beast. Fuck she smelled good, sweet and radiant. Cupping the back of her head, he deepened the kiss. Her lips opened, the tip of her tongue daring out to touch his. A groan ventured from his throat, the air swept from his lungs. She had no idea what she did to him. Such a tiny little thing turned him on and got him hot. Like this he’d be whatever she wanted, no matter what it cost him.
“I ache,” she exhaled into his lips.
“You won’t for long,” he vowed, releasing her neck.
He gentled his touch, fingers gliding from her sternum to her stomach. Her breath caught and he could feel her shaking. He moved slowly, giving her a chance to stop him if she changed her mind. Inch by inch he moved his hand, taking his time, until his fingers skimmed over the top of her cotton panties.
She parted her thighs, thrusting her hips upward. “More.”
It was an order. Not a request. Good. “Whatever you want.”
With a simple motion, he slid his fingers beneath her underwear. He expected curls or to find her trimmed. He hadn’t thought he’d find her pussy bare and smooth. Just Rachel obviously had secrets she’d have to share with him in the future. He’d enjoy fulfilling each and every fantasy she’d ever had.
Son of a bitch.
Her seam was good and wet, her vaginal lips hot and swollen. Turning his wrist, he carefully eased his middle finger inside her, hissing at how hot and tight she was. Perhaps if he’d had more time he’d have known more about her sexual history. He didn’t like thinking of her with lovers but he didn’t want to hurt her either. Slow was the way to go. He had to make sure she was ready for him.
“More,” she gasped, writhing beneath him. “Please.”
Time to take the edge off. “Hold on to me, baby.”
Her hands rose, fingers curving around his biceps. She’d relaxed, her head arched back against the mattress. Through the shirt he caught a glimpse of her breasts—small yet firm, capped by luscious pink nipples. Without preamble, he bowed his head and sucked at one through the thin material, growling at her soft cry. She strained up, welcoming his attention. Ready to give her relief, he searched for her clit with his thumb. He found the nub and applied pressure, rubbing the bead as he thrust his finger inside her depths.
“Yes,” she encouraged him, moving in harmony with each plunge. “Oh yes.”
Eager to be inside her, the rolled his hips and thrust his cock into the softness of the bed. Soon he wouldn’t have to imagine how perfectly her pussy would glove him, wrapping around his length like a second skin. Each passing second brought her wolf closer. He could smell it now. There was no denying her change. Any werewolf would identify the marked shift in the once-human woman, her transformation occurring faster than usual.
His own wolf surged beneath his skin, nearly getting loose. He could have taken her then and there. She’d have let him. Yet he couldn’t do it. Something held him back. Just Rachel wasn’t a werewolf, not yet. Likely she’d resent him for taking things too far. She’d run from him in her dreams, needing space. If he destroyed the small level of trust he’d gained from her in the last couple of weeks he’d never get it back.
Damn it.
Shit.
His cock pulsed, the slickness in his jeans a reminder of how close he was to losing command of his beast. Sex wasn’t supposed to be this hard. Normally he wouldn’t have been so concerned. His kind weren’t known to love. It wasn’t that simple. Until a mate came along monogamy was laughable. They went from partner to partner, no strings attached. Mating was the ultimate commitment, making the mortal notion of love pale in comparison.
But he’d never wanted a woman like he wanted Rachel. He was determined to mark and claim her as his. Until that happened he wouldn’t be in a rational state of mind. He considered popping open his jeans and taking his dick in hand, stroking himself off as she came. At least then he could try to think clearly, without raw lust clouding his vision.