Tempt him. Accept him.
“Rachel.” He didn’t sound torn now, he sounded completely wrecked. He shook his head, his entire body shaking. “Don’t move. Give me a minute. I need to get in control.”
He’d told her how hard this had been on him. This is precisely what she’d asked for in provoking him. What she hadn’t expected was him to pull back and try to be strong for her.
I’ve been so blind.
She wasn’t sure why she hadn’t noticed it before. Maybe it was because she’d been too concerned for her own well-being. Now, with a newfound clarity, she knew everything he’d done had been for her. His patience. His determination to give her time. But that wasn’t who he really was. Not entirely. He hadn’t wanted her to see the wolf, only the man. While she’d been hiding a part of herself from him, he’d been hiding a part of himself from her as well.
They couldn’t truly be together if they lived a life under rose-colored glass.
“It’s okay,” she whispered, knowing she’d pushed him over the line. “I want this.”
“No,” he corrected sharply, his fingers tightening around her wrists.
“No more lies, Declan. No more deception. Only the two of us the way we are.” She hooked her legs over his waist and felt his muscles flex. His shoulders tensed, the veins in his arms bulging. “I want to see you for who you are. I’m not afraid. Stop hiding from me.”
“You don’t understand,” he rasped, the tips of his canines longer than usual. Portions of his dark hair had mussed around his temples, framing his eyes. “I want to give you more. This has to be perfect.”
Her heart went out to him, something inside her breaking.
Why hadn’t she been able to see how much she’d hurt him by denying him over and over again? No wonder he was so close to losing control. He thought if he didn’t do things in a certain way she’d turn him away. She’d done a better job of snubbing his advances than she’d thought.
She yanked her hands down, trying to get them from of his tight grasp. The right one slipped free. Before he could stop her she rested her palm against his face.
“It is perfect.”
“Be sure, baby.” His eyes slid closed, a growl seeping past his lips. “Be very, very sure you mean that.”
In response she shoved her free hand between their bodies. He snarled when her fingers wrapped around his cock. She tried to maneuver her hips and push her panties aside. Then he lifted, giving her all the space she needed. She let him go, hooked her finger in the side of her underwear and drew the garment down her thighs. It seemed to take forever—so much wiggling and squirming—seconds ticking by like minutes. Once free of the hindrance she parted her legs and grasped the stalk of his cock.
She slid the head up and down her slit, getting it wet. The tip lodged at the mouth of her pussy. He pumped his hips, penetrating her sex the teeniest bit.
“You want me like this?”
She studied his face, waiting until he opened his eyes to say, “I do.”
The fingers at her wrist loosened and he let her go. He lifted onto his elbows, resting his hands on either side of her face. He pushed his hips forward, claiming her inch by slow inch. She gasped, arching her back, trying to welcome him. Even though she’d done this before it hadn’t felt the same. Declan was built differently than the men she’d been with. The mesmerizing man was bigger—and better—in every way.
“Finally,” he whispered, the intensity of his stare nearly too much to take. “Mine.”
It was a tight fit, his cock so thick he wasn’t able to go in all the way. “Declan.” She hated the fear in her tone but couldn’t prevent it. If he didn’t go slowly it would hurt. There was already so much pressure, the fullness taking her breath away.
“Right here, baby. Relax, beautiful girl. Let me in.”
He pulled back and pumped his hips, working himself in and out. With each thrust he went a little deeper. It also seemed that the more of him she took, the more control he gained over himself. She was more than wet enough, her excitement easing his way.
“That’s the way. Fuck you feel good. I knew you’d be like this.”
His head dipped and hot suction surrounded the nipple he’d neglected. She cupped the back of his head and another flood of wetness aided him as he worked his way inside her. The wolf—no longer so foreign in her mind—seemed to growl in contentment. His thighs brushed hers, the hair on his legs teasing her skin. She shifted her hips, wriggling beneath him.
The movement allowed him to press the rest of the way into her.
It was too much. Stretching her wide. Yet it felt right. Perfect.
His groaned “fuck” matched her softly moaned “yes”.
He didn’t move, staying lodged deep within her. Grinding his pelvis, he breathed against her breast, his lips resting over her nipple. “You’re tight as hell. I’m almost afraid to move.”
She tried to move for him, needing pressure on her clit. He pulled back, easing his way out, his cock touching all sorts of wonderful places inside her. He paused when only the head remained, the thickness stretching her. Holding her breath, she waited for him to plunge. He didn’t, rising above her, gazing down. The lust in his eyes shifted to adoration. For a moment she thought he was looking at her with a sense of wonder. She exhaled softly, stroking his arms. They stayed like that for several seconds, staring at each other.
“You are beautiful,” he finally said, easing his way back into her.
“I am?” It wasn’t easy to think, her thoughts driven to the feel of his cock.
“Hell yes.” He pressed forward, parting and filling her.
He bottomed out, the tip of his cock pushing against her cervix. Although it sent a shock through her, the feeling wasn’t entirely unpleasant. The wolf returned—writhing beneath her skin. It told her what to do, preparing her for what was to come.
Offer him what he wants.
She resisted the compulsion to roll over and present her ass to him. They were too connected like this. Instead she rolled her hips and turned her head to the side, baring her neck. Chloe had scars on her shoulder, clearly done by sharp teeth. Rachel had never asked what it meant. Now she knew. It was a permanent claim, a brand of possession. A small tendril of fear returned—a concern he might harm her when he bit down—but she fought it back. Her life had never been easy. But she’d always been a fighter. Now, with Declan by her side, she’d never have to face things alone.
His gaze left hers, eyes resting on her shoulder.
To her shock he lifted his head.
His hands clasped her hips, pushing her away as his cock left the haven of her body. With a swift thrust, he pulled her back. His growl made her wetter, calling to the wolf that continued growing inside her. Skin slapped skin, the head of his cock nudging her womb. One of the hands against her hips vanished. Then she felt his fingers on her clit, thrumming the bundle of nerves as he pistoned in and out of her pussy. Heat built in her belly, tingles rushing over her skin.
“Come, baby,” Declan commanded, plunging hard and fast. “I want to watch your face. I want to see how you look. Show me how good it feels.”
The pressure in her stomach multiplied, a heaviness building up. She met his thrusts, searching for what she needed. His cock rubbed the best places inside her, his fingers working her clit masterfully. When the wolf rose she welcomed it, riding the high. They merged, thoughts becoming one.