“Not too bad, huh?” He chuckled as his lips pressed against my throat and his hand lifted my shirt.
“You’ve seen more handsome?”
“Define handsome,” I teased as he unfastened my bra and removed both it and my shirt from my body.
Then I tensed, realizing we had one more thing to discuss.
“Stop.” He froze, and I smiled to reassure him. I hated to interrupt our moment, but before we did this, we had to make sure we were on the same page. Normally, when fated mates completed their connection, they linked to the strongest wolf’s pack. If the pair were two alphas, the packs remained separate unless the two alphas agreed to merge with only the fated mate bond linking the mates. But since I didn’t have a pack, that meant I’d be linked with his…unless I purposely put up a barrier. “I want to complete our bond, but I can’t submit to you and become one of your pack.” I hoped that didn’t anger him, but it was better to have this conversation beforehand. My wolf wouldn’t submit to him, and even if she could, the rest of his pack would realize that I was different. My secret wasn’t ready to be revealed.
At least, not yet.
“I want you any way I can have you. My goal isn’t to be your alpha.” He kissed my lips sweetly.
“I’m all-in. Nothing will change that.”
My stomach fluttered at his words, and somehow, my desire for him grew even stronger.
When his mouth captured my nipple, pleasure like I’d never experienced before waved through my body. I gasped as my fingers dug into his strong, muscular back.
My head swam from his unique scent and the hand he trailed slowly down my body. I’d never been touched this way, and I never wanted him to stop.
Slipping my hand between our bodies, I unbuttoned his jeans, needing to feel all of him.
“I’m trying to take care of you.” He sighed, his breath hot against my skin.
But the problem was I needed him. “Slow can come later.” The tug inside me was desperate-he had to make me whole and now. “Please.”
“Fine.” He stood up and removed my yoga pants and panties. “But we are going slow next time.” He groaned as he scanned my body and removed the rest of his clothes.
He was even more delectable than I’d ever imagined. His body was hard in all the right places, and I did mean all.
He slipped his hands between my legs and rubbed.
My breathing caught as waves of pleasure gripped me. My body convulsed as he slipped his fingers inside.
With each movement, he had flames licking my body. ”Oh, God,” I cried out, about to lose my mind.
His tongue circled one breast and flicked over my nipple, causing sensations to shoot through me and bring me dangerously to the edge. I pushed him back and flipped us around, needing to take control. He was dominating me, and I loved it, but it was my turn. I straddled him and started to slip him slowly inside me.
“Whoa… wait.” His irises glowed even more as he stilled. “You’re-are you…?”
I writhed and started to press down, but his hands on my waist stopped me. “Am I what?” But then I realized what he meant, and my cheeks flushed hot.
“You’re a virgin. We need-”
“No, I need you.” My wolf howled. We’d waited long enough. I slipped him inside, filling me, causing the connection between us to grow.
“Wait,” he rasped as he scooted us both to the headboard and propped himself up. His hands caressed my breasts as I began to ride him. Each time, he filled me more, going deeper and deeper.
Moving faster, he soon bucked underneath me, and my wolf surged forward, needing to cement the bond between us. My mouth went to his neck, and my teeth raked his skin, but I didn’t want to completely break it until he gave me permission to claim him.
“Do it,” he groaned. “Please.”
That was all I needed to hear. My teeth broke his skin, and his blood seeped onto my tongue while a part of my soul reached out and slammed into him.
“My turn,” he growled, and I tilted my head willingly, offering my neck.
“Yes,” I sighed, giving him my consent.
When his teeth entered me, his feelings and emotions collided with mine.
If I’d had any doubts about how he felt about me before, they were gone. All he saw was me, and he’d lay down his life to protect me again without a moment’s hesitation.
My heart grew warm once more now that I wasn’t alone, and my wolf put up a barrier to prevent the further pack connection.
Pleasure built within our bodies, and soon, orgasms ripped through both of us, our pleasure molding us into one.
Something snapped inside our chests, and our connection strengthened as our emotions poured into one another. Love merged us into one being, warming my chest and filling the space that had been cold for all too long.
I don’t deserve you, Griffin linked.
His voice in my head caused happiness to surge through me. No, you don’t, I teased. And yet, you still have me. I kissed his lips, so happy to be in his arms.
Completely exhausted and satiated, I rolled onto my side, and he pulled me into his strong, comforting arms. His fingers brushed my arm, up and down, and soon, I was out cold.
IF I’D THOUGHT WALKING into Shadow Ridge University with Killian had been strange, this was a whole different matter.
Everyone we passed turned and stared as Griffin, the alpha of Shadow City, held my hand and walked me into the coffee shop.
Of course, it didn’t help that as of yesterday, I’d been dating his best friend.
As we walked past the long coffee line, Carter’s mouth dropped open, and he pointed from Griffin to me. “What the hell, Dove? I can’t figure out if I’m impressed or disgusted. Weren’t you with Killian yesterday?”
A growl emanated from Griffin’s chest.