She tilted her face to meet his dark gaze. Five years ago, when he’d kissed her, she’d wanted to claim him. Somehow, she’d known he was hers. Her emotions mattered, and she could trust them. “I may never remember my life from before.”
“I know.” His fingers tightened his hold. “Don’t think I don’t know how brave and strong you are to even think of mating me when your memories are gone. You humble me, sweetheart.”
Warmth slammed through her heart. The man knew exactly what to say. And she knew exactly what to do. Time to follow her heart. “I plan to bite you, too.”
Heat flared in his eyes. “Is that a promise?” Reaching for the hem, he tugged her shirt over her head. “I’ve wanted to do this all night.” He dropped his head, letting his lips wander along her collarbone. Her shirt hit the floor, followed by her bra. She kicked off her jeans and boots.
She pushed him and yanked his shirt over his head, flattening her palms against his abs and gliding up. Up over muscle and male to grip his hair. Rising up to her tiptoes, she pulled his mouth down to hers. Heat cascaded down her body. His tongue swept inside her mouth, taking and explor-ing. Strong hands gripped her hips and lifted her against the wall.
Thunder echoed outside, and rain began to slash down.
She drew back her head. “I hope that’s not a bad sign,” she panted.
Rain splashed inside the open door. Terrent cupped her ass, pressing hard against her sex. “Rain is good.”
Lightning burst outside, highlighting his predatory eyes.
Sexy and determined, his face was as solid as the mountains around them.
Maggie shivered, even as desire sparked her nerves. How was it possible to want somebody this much? She gyrated against him, her body aching. Then she kicked free, her bare feet slapping the wood floor.
He toed off his boots.
She yanked the button on his jeans loose and pulled them off his muscular thighs, finally tugging them away. His cock sprang free, large and impressive. She couldn’t wrap her fingers all the way around. Dropping to her knees, she licked the tip.
His gasp coincided with his body going rigid.
Female power flushed through her, more enticing than any aphrodisiac. Angling her face, she ran her tongue from the base to the tip.
His hands smacked into the wall. Chips of wood flew.
She grabbed the base, and closed her lips over him.
His low growl vibrated right into her mouth.
He tasted like salt and male, and she hummed in appreciation.
The world tilted, muscled arms yanked her up, and he slammed into her with one incredibly strong thrust.
She arched her back in surprise. Her body trembled, so much need cascading through it her mind blanked. He stilled, his forehead dropping to hers. That broad chest moved as he breathed in and out, obviously struggling for control.
The dick inside her pulsed with a demand that had her feet clasping at his waist. She clutched his flanks, trying to get him to move.
“Just a second,” he murmured, heated breath brushing her cheek. “Give me a second.”
His head rose. He looked at her from under heavy lids, desire lightening his eyes to a glowing amber. The wolf deep
inside him stretched awake as she watched. A matching heat flared inside her. Her heart pounded. Heavy and strong with anticipation.
Leaning forward, she ran her tongue along his bottom lip.
Anything and everything she could ever want stood right in front of her.
His hands flexed and cruised from her hips to cup her ass.
His thumbs pressed on her inner thighs, widening her.
Spreading her open for him.
Her lids dropped to half-mast, fire heating her skin. Sharp fangs slid free in her mouth. She scraped them down his jugular, across his clavicle, to the pectoral muscle over his chest. With a soft sigh, she pressed a kiss against his flesh.
Strong fingers tightened on her butt, leaving bruises.
Slowly, with determination, she bit down.
A growl rumbled from his gut, shifting muscles against her.
Opening her lips wider, she cut through flesh until her teeth met. Spicy blood exploded on her taste buds. Solid and true. Making him hers.
Triumph roared through her along with an odd sense of peace. Of being complete. Finally.
Her canines retracted. She licked his wound, leaning back to appreciate the clear bite mark. Her bite. He’d forever wear the marking. Against his impressive chest, the bite looked small. But absolute.
Pleasure curved her lips as she glanced up. The smile froze.
Desire carved predatory lines in his face. Hunger lit his eyes a golden amber—the eyes of a wolf. The muscles in his body shifted and vibrated as if barely held in check.
Oh.
Her eyes widened to let in more light like prey would in a darkened forest. Her heart stuttered. Oxygen slammed around her lungs, ensnaring her breath. Liquid need coated her thighs.
He was more than male—more than an Alpha. A combination of hunter, protector, soldier. Determined, he wiped her bottom lip, gaze dropping to the blood he’d captured on his thumb. He inserted his thumb in her mouth.
She sucked. Hard.
He inhaled sharply, crimson spiraling across his cheekbones.
She released his thumb with a soft “plop.”
As he kept her pinned with both his gaze and his body, his hands flexed, tilting her hips.
He withdrew and then slammed back inside her.
She gasped, a dangerous need uncoiling in her abdomen.
He stretched her, his hold absolute, the wolf shimmering beneath his skin.
This was one memory she’d never lose.
Tossing her curls out of the way, she exposed her neck.
Deadly fangs dropped low.
Anticipation fired the nerves along her spine.
His arm encircled her waist while his free hand tangled in her hair. He ground against her clit. She swallowed a gasp as mini-explosions fired inside her. Slowly, deliberately, he enclosed her shoulder with his mouth.
Her entire shoulder.
She opened her mouth to protest when those fangs pierced her flesh.
She cried out. Pain shot through her. Her entire nervous system short-circuited, sending a demand for her to fight or flee.
His hold made both impossible.
The sharp points mercilessly cut deeper through muscle, tissue, and flesh. He took his time, making the moment last.
Stating his claim with deliberate intent. Finally, those killer teeth met in the middle.
Then he began to thrust.
Hard, fast, strong.
Tethering her with his mouth, with calloused hands, he pounded into her.
Pleasure melded with pain, leaving her bombarded with sensation. Grabbing his shoulders, she closed her eyes, her body tensing.
The orgasm broke over her, within her, all around her.
She screamed his name, the waves battering her, the world exploding.
He ground against her, his body shuddering as he came.
Silence fell.
Withdrawing his fangs, he licked her wound. He released her hair, lifted his head, and met her gaze.
Possessiveness and male satisfaction curved his lip.
“Mine.”
Chapter Ten
Dawn held the chilly bite of fall as Maggie followed Terrent into the clearing. Growling clouds contained the sun and shot sparks of lightning into the far mountains. A storm was coming. Soon.
She shivered and stopped alongside Terrent.
Roger stood on the lodge porch, legs spread. Gerald sat in a rocking chair, sadness darkening his faded eyes. Three men stood next to the porch—different ones from before.
Wiry, alert, they moved like graceful animals. Yet they didn’t smell like anything.