Liam’s POV
I drifted in that hazy space between sleep and wakefulness, my mind caught in the remnants of last night. The memories played in loops, wrapping around me like a warm cocoon. I had no desire to open my eyes, content to lose myself in every lingering sensation.
Every touch. Every taste. I wanted to experience it all over again. If there had ever been any doubt, last night had solidified what I already knew-my angel was perfect for us. And no matter how much time we had together, it would never be enough. Even without crossing that final threshold, I had been left utterly satisfied. Watching her unravel at my touch had been more fulfilling than I could have imagined.
When I’d waited for Lia to come to my room, I hadn’t dared to hope for more than just spending the night in each other’s presence. Maybe, if I was lucky, we’d sleep in the same bed again. But the moment she stepped in wearing pajamas-an invitation in silk and lace-I knew she was staying, and that was enough to make my pulse race. Then I noticed the details: the way the satin clung to her curves, the cherry print teasing a promise I wasn’t sure she fully understood. It was either a deliberate temptation or an act of pure, blissful ignorance meant to drive me insane. Either way, I had made my decision then and there-she wouldn’t spend a second of the night out of my arms.
As the lights dimmed, the air between us thickened, charged with the undeniable pull of our bond.
My wolf growled with impatience, demanding that I claim our mate. In an attempt to steady him, I slid my hand around her throat-firm yet careful. The moment she melted into my touch, surrendering so naturally, I felt Ghost settle. This was an intimacy reserved only for mates, and she had given it freely.
The feel of her body pressed against mine had me on the edge of losing control. I wanted to tear away those teasing shorts and bury myself in her warmth right then and there. Instead, I forced myself to still, pressing my face into her hair, breathing in her soothing scent to ground myself. My restraint was a thin thread, fraying with every brush of her skin. She had to feel how hard I was, how painfully I ached for her, but she gave no indication.
I had been with my share of women-nothing close to Logan’s numbers, but enough to know the difference. Yet none had ever affected me like she did. No one had ever made my skin burn just by being near. No one had ever reduced me to this state of desperate hunger without even trying. She was something else entirely, and I craved every second of it.
When she started her little game-tossing popcorn with an impish glint in her eyes-I stayed back, content just to watch her laugh and revel in her joy. The way she moved, her playful wiggles rubbing against me, was sheer torture, but I endured it. For a while. Until my need to touch her outweighed everything else.
Not wanting to break the lighthearted moment, I decided on payback in the form of tickling. I had already learned that our little mate had a competitive streak, so I expected retaliation. I was looking forward to it. And she didn’t disappoint. She yelled, flung popcorn at us, and then, to my absolute delight, curled closer to me when Logan joined the fight. It was a victory on all fronts.
But what started as an innocent battle only stoked the fire between us.
When Logan pulled her beneath him, leaving just her head resting on my lap, I felt the loss of her warmth like a physical ache. But what I gained in return was just as intoxicating-the sight of her beneath my brother, flushed and breathless. A small part of me had wondered if jealousy would creep in, but the only thing that mattered was her pleasure. Seeing her turned on turned me on.
Let me be clear-there was no way in hell I’d ever share her with another man. She belonged to Logan and me, and no one else would ever lay a hand on her. But the Moon Goddess must have known exactly what she was doing when she bound her to both of us. There would be challenges, of course-times when we’d each want her to ourselves-but so far, we were in sync. Most of the time, at least. I had no doubt Logan wasn’t thrilled when I pulled her away from him the moment we moved to the bed. But it was my turn to taste those lips, to feel the softness of her skin beneath my hands.
My mind drifted to the way she had felt beneath me, her body responding to my touch so perfectly. My fingers still remembered the way she had clenched around them when I slid one inside her, how her hips had rocked against me, seeking more. The memory alone was enough to make my cock throb with need. Her moans, the way she had stroked me in return, matching my rhythm-it had been intoxicating. But nothing compared to the way she looked when she came for us, her body arching, her face a vision of pure ecstasy. Knowing I had brought her to that peak, even in part, was the most satisfying thing in the world.
The thought sent a fresh wave of heat through me. I reached for her, half-awake, eager to pull her close and relive it all over again. But my hand met empty sheets.
Frowning, I felt around, assuming Logan had drawn her to his side. My fingers brushed over his stomach, trailing up, but there was no sign of her.
My body went rigid.
I sat up abruptly, my heart slamming against my ribs. A cold, sickening sensation curled in my gut as I scanned the room.
She wasn’t there.
I was out of bed in an instant, sprinting to the bathroom, my pulse roaring in my ears.
Empty.
Panic gripped me in a vice.
She was gone.