I turned my body to sit across his lap so I could reach up to his face. With my fingers, I traced the outline of his cheek. Tenderly, I brought his gaze to mine and it was just as I suspected-his eyes were wolf-like, more evidence of his battle to keep his beast caged. I pulled him closer and kissed his eyelids, resting my forehead against his when I was finished.
We sat quietly, lost in the moment, clinging to one another. When I felt the change in the air and Mason relax, I looked back and related the rest of the tale. I told how my wolf had taken charge, hunting the threat down like prey and relishing in the kill. I shared everything, hoping this would bring him a sense of justice. From the look of feral triumph he gave me, I hoped it would be enough.
I stared at him for the longest time, trying to judge what he’d do. I knew he was in turmoil, I could see it in his body language and in the way he tightly held me. I caught my breath-waiting. He answered me moments later. One minute I was sitting in his lap, and next I was airborne.
Mason’s strength always amazed me. Flipping me over so I was lying on my back, he hovered above me. I opened my mouth to ask what he was doing, but a soft growl and focused look stopped me in my tracks.
Without another word spoken, he set about inspecting every part of my body. He was methodical in his approach, lifting and studying, looking for anything that showed signs of abuse. Every inch met his gaze, and he released small grunts of satisfaction before moving on to the next. I lay there and let him, knowing he wouldn’t simply take my word for it, he needed to see for himself.
Once he was finished, he started again, but this time his touches were different. Gone was the restlessness. Mason was now moving about like a man wanting to memorize and reclaim what was his. You are mine, he repeated and he lowered his face to smell my skin. Licking me in slow circles, he feathered me with soft kisses. I was helpless to fight the pull of passion stirring between us.
There was something erotic about the way he moved over me, his heated build pressed hard against mine. I couldn’t help the way my body reacted as I arched into his touch and sighed with deep contentment. When Mason found a certain sensitive spot, one he loved to tease me with, I decided I’d had enough and reached for him.
One moment my hands were touching him and the next they were pinned to the bed while he looked down at me wickedly. “Patience, Darcy. I’m not finished. There’s one more place I haven’t savored.”
I held my breath, desire coursing through me and almost lost my mind as he nestled into my neck, nipping and sucking at the tender flesh. It was definitely a weakness of mine, the feel of his teeth and lips, the brushing of heated breath. I squirmed against him, trying to break from his restraining grip. All it did was add fuel to the fire already building between us.
“Mason, you’re killing me here. Please.” I wasn’t beneath begging for him to kiss me.
He chuckled, a deep, throaty laugh that weakened me further. “You scared me. I told you not to go out alone and I was right. All your sass,” he said, biting at my neck, the slight sting causing a moan to escape from my mouth. “Your assurances everything would be okay.” He swirled his tongue slowly, bringing goose bumps to my flesh. “I want you to say it-I was right and you were wrong.” Having finished in that spot, he moved on to the next. “Admit it.”
I shook my head, but not out of stubbornness. Heck, I was ready to declare to the world I was wrong, but I knew Mason. He had some wicked plan brewing that involved delicious punishment and I was definitely not going to rob him of his moment.
He tightened his grip on my wrists, and prodded my ear with his nose. “Say it, Darcy, or I’ll make you scream it.”
I realized while I was focused on the seductive magic he was creating with his mouth, I hadn’t noticed he removed one of his hands, holding me with just one while his free hand roamed over my body. The sudden awareness of it sent wave after wave of heat through me, as his touch left a blazing trail, scorching my insides.
I looked into his eyes, determined to give him a look which said, “Bring it,” but instead I melted under the fierce intensity staring back at me. He was serious. He’d make me scream and no doubt from incredible pleasure.
I felt my lips curl as I cooed suggestively back at him, “What are you waiting for?”
Mason needed no more convincing. His lips came crushing down on mine, robbing me of breath and causing my mouth to open as I gasped for air. Seizing the opportunity, he wasted no time slipping in, and I felt myself explode under the sensation of his tongue dancing with mine. If there was one thing he did well, it was kissing and this was nothing short of magnificent.
I gave myself over, allowing him to lead, holding nothing back. It was pure emotion and chemistry between us, the magic of who we were to each other left tingling in the air. We were to be mated, bound together through centuries of tradition, but it was way more than that. Mason and I had a soul deep connection that over time would grow stronger and impenetrable. I loved this man, and I poured it all into our kiss.
I jumped a little as I felt his hand slide under my shirt and rest on my stomach, his fingers stroking my skin. I marveled at how responsive I was to his caress, how a single touch held the power to undo me, leaving me almost without reason. I yearned for him, craved his attentions and the intensity of my desire burned me to the core. This moment felt so right. He felt so right, and I wasn’t the only one short of breath when we finally pulled apart.
“You were right,” I whispered. Realizing my hands had been released, I reached up and traced Mason’s lips, still moist from our kiss. “I promise I’ll always listen to you in the future.”
He nipped at my finger, sucking it slightly into his mouth before he let out a soft laugh. “No you won’t, Darcy. You’ll fight me tooth and nail over the things important to you but it’s okay. We’ll work through my need to keep you safe and your ability to drive me insane.” He went to lean back in, but he paused as I raised my hands up to his lips.
“We shouldn’t be doing this, Mason. We can’t act as if nothing has happened or changed. You’ve lost your sister, and I know you’re worried about me, but you need to be cared for as well.” I brushed my fingers lightly across his jawline, the softness of his stubble creating slight friction. “This isn’t just about me.”
Catching my hand, he tenderly kissed my palm. “I know we need to talk more about Jasmine, and we’ll grieve for our loss together, but when I think about how close I came to losing both of you… I need to be able to touch you right now. I need to know you are safe, and alive. You scared me, and hearing you talk of leaving is unacceptable. There will be time for everything, Darcy. Trust me to know this is what I feel we both need.”
The look in his eyes spoke volumes. It asked that I give in to his sincerity, and stop resisting. Feathering his hair with my hand, brushing it from his brow, I nodded. He was telling me by helping me, he was also helping himself.
We stared at each other for a moment and I could feel the strength of our connection between us. I raised my head to his, but was interrupted by the hesitant knocking at the door. I flopped back onto the bed. There’s only one reason someone would willingly disturb the Alpha when he was alone with his future mate-Pack business.
I waited for Mason to answer, but he seemed more focused on me, watching me intently. He lifted his finger to his mouth to shush me and smiled. Pressing his lips against mine, it was obvious he was ready to continue what we were doing before.
I giggled. He had lost his sense of seriousness and was in a playful mood. Unfortunately, whoever was on the other side of door couldn’t see it as they increased the forcefulness of their knock, determined to have someone answer.