She tensed when he wrapped a hand around her midsection, placing his splayed fingers over her stomach. Stepping close, he pressed his body against hers. She was so small like this, her head notched directly beneath his chin.
She shivered, the scent of her arousal filling the enclosed space. “What do you want?”
“That’s a dangerous question.” Bringing his mouth to her ear, he whispered, “I want all sorts of things.”
“This is so fucked up.” With a small shift of her feet, she turned to face him. Her eyes were cloudy, pupils dilated. Bringing a hand to his cheek, she met his gaze. “I shouldn’t want you so much.”
He lifted a hand and rested it over hers. “Why not?”
“It’s not natural.” She closed her eyes and licked her lips. “It’s not me.”
“I have a feeling you don’t know yourself as well as you think.”
Ripping her hand from his face, she lifted her shoulders. “If that’s true it’s because of what’s happened to me. It’s not my fault.”
“How many men have you been with?” He yanked her close when she tried to get away. “One? Two? A dozen?”
“You know it’s not that many,” she snapped, her face turning pink in embarrassment. “If anyone has gotten around the block it’s you.”
“Really?” Cocking a brow, he questioned, “How do you know?”
“It’s obvious.” The flush in her cheeks deepened, becoming red. He waited as she struggled to piece together an answer. “Only a man who’s slept around knows how to touch a woman just right.”
“You like how I touch you?” Lowering his hand, he brushed the backs of his knuckles over one of her breasts. Her breath caught, her lower lip quivering. “I hope so, because I love touching you.”
“I shouldn’t want you this much,” she repeated, inching closer. The thin sliver of her irises had changed hue, becoming nearly white. Her wolf had become stronger, coming to life inside her. “I shouldn’t need you this much.”
“Yes, you should,” he corrected, studying her face. Their mouths were so close her breath caressed his lips. Her scent called to him, sweet and rich. Knowing she needed to face her demons, he decided to push her. “Do you want something, sweetheart? If you do all you have to do is ask.”
She didn’t look away, placing her hands on his chest. “Will you kiss me again?”
This time he made sure the kiss was tender, a light breeze of his lips over hers. She whimpered, trying to get closer. He didn’t allow it, maintaining a tiny amount of distance. If his mate wanted things to escalate she had to accept her feelings and embrace her nature. The constant back and forth wouldn’t bring them closer together. This had to be done on her terms, with her interest and willingness to engage him.
“Touch me,” she pleaded, pushing her hips forward. “Please.”
“Where do you want me to touch you?” When she froze, ripping her eyes from his, he softened his voice. “Here?” he asked, cupping her breast. Bringing his other hand to the vee of her thighs, he palmed her sex. “How about here?”
“Yes,” she growled, arching her back and thrusting her hips, pushing her breast and pussy into his hands. “More. I need more.”
He could sense her beast, feeling it call to his. It was harder than hell but he removed his hands and cupped her face, forcing her to look at him. She had to understand that he could give her relief but he wouldn’t ease her. Not fully. The only way to dull the need was to claim her as his mate, taking her body as he marked her shoulder. Even then it wouldn’t eliminate her desire for him. Until the moon came and went she’d keep riding the line, unable to ignore the lust consuming her.
“There’s only one way to make this better,” he said, voice cracking, his own libido in high gear. “Touching you—making you come—is only a temporary solution. I need to claim you completely. It’s the only way to ease the change.”
“It burns,” she rasped, raking her nails over his chest. “I feel so hot.”
Fuck.
It shouldn’t have been possible but he thought—for a moment—that she might be transforming. He felt the hum beneath her skin and saw her wolf gazing out at him through her eyes. Fear for her safety overrode his determination to do things on her terms. She needed relief and it was his responsibility to provide it for her. Unfortunately his beast wasn’t going into its cage, refusing to be denied.
“I need you to touch me too,” he growled, skin itching as the wolf rose within him. The animal would accept this sliver of intimacy, giving them a bit more time. “Will you touch me, Rachel?”
A tremor shot through him when she sank to her knees and reached for the buttons to his jeans. Although it made him a selfish son of a bitch he didn’t stop her, remaining in place as she undid the fastenings. Her fingers shook, making the task take longer than it should have. After several seconds his cock sprang free, fully engorged and throbbing. She wrapped her fingers around the base and he hissed, balls drawing up. Shifting her torso forward, she inched closer. Her tongue darted out and connected with his straining flesh.
“No teasing.” He assumed she didn’t have a lot of experience but he couldn’t wait. Many nights he’d gone to sleep imagining her just like this. Twining his fingers in her hair, he instructed, “Wrap those pretty lips around my cock and look at me.” She hesitated and he yanked on the strands in his grasp, bringing her back to the moment. “First you touch me and then I touch you. Give me this.”
Just like that her lips surrounded him, hot and wet as she sucked him into her mouth. Holy shit. He rocked on his heels, locking his knees in place. The last thing he needed to do was lose his balance and fuck things up. He couldn’t believe this was finally happening. When she didn’t look at him, he gave her hair another firm pull. She didn’t understand that this was about more than sex. They needed to increase their bond, connect with one another on a deeper level.
“Rachel,” he grated through his teeth, “look at me.”
Finally, she did. Her pupils were smaller, her irises fully white.
“That’s my girl.” Loosening his hold, he praised her. “Beautiful.”
Her motions were inexperienced, the hand at the root of his dick remaining still. To assist her he slid one of his hands from her hair and brought it to the fingers clutching the base.
“Like this.” He moved her hand up and down, timing it with the bobs of her head. She quickly caught on, following his lead as he guided her. “There you go. Fuck that feels good. You have the sweetest mouth.”
Her moan had him on the brink of orgasm. The vibrations traveled down his cock to his balls, creating a heavy weight in his lower back. Her eyes drifted shut, her lashes fluttering against her cheeks. His fangs lowered, the need to mark her shoulder pulsing through him. He fought for control, trying to stay still when all he wanted to do was thrust his hips and sink his cock into the slick, warm cavern.
Enjoy it. Don’t fuck up.
“That’s it,” he growled, his wolf slithering beneath his skin. She shifted the position of her head, taking him to the back of her throat. He held her still, instructing, “Swallow.” He waited until she did as she was told and pulled away. With another drive, he sent his cock deep into her mouth. “Again.” This time she took him more easily, her throat flexing around his cock head. “That’s right. Just like that.” He helped her settle into a rhythm so that she stroked and sucked him just the way he liked.
“You’re so perfect, baby. You have no idea what you do to me.”
Her scent had changed, telling him she was as turned on by the act as he was. The fragrant aroma of her musk tingled in his nostrils. When he flipped her over to reciprocate she’d be soaking wet. He closed his eyes and imagined sinking into her tight cunt, claiming her inch by maddening inch. He wouldn’t stop until he was balls-deep, lodged fully inside her.