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  He teased the ring of muscle with a tender swirl of his thumb, making sure not to use any pressure. “How does that feel, baby?”

  “It’s…okay,” she gasped, writhing beneath him.

  “I think we can do better than okay. I’m going to make this good for you.”

  In this position he was close enough to reach the nightstand. After he opened the drawer he sorted through the contents. It wasn’t hard to find what he was searching for. When he had the small bottle of lubricant in hand, he shifted his body again so he was directly over his female. He kissed her, growling as her nails dug into his shoulders. She thrust her pelvis up and rolled her hips.

  “Not yet,” he murmured and placed a kiss at the corner of her mouth.

  As he moved down her body she spread her legs. Once he’d gotten her in position—feet resting on his back, knees splayed outward—he placed the lube on the mattress and nuzzled the tender skin between her sex and thigh. She was so soft, her scent so damn tempting.

  “You’re driving me crazy,” she groaned.

  He knew how she felt. His dick was so hard it could be classified as a weapon. But he intended to make this night something to remember. He turned his head and ran his tongue along the lips of her cunt. She was hotter than hell, burning his lips. He used his fingers to part her folds, drawing a deep breath. Glistening pink flesh greeted him, her clit swollen and pushing free of its hood.

  “Damn it.” She slammed her hands against the mattress, wriggling her ass. “Stop being a tease. Give me what I want.”

  He flicked her clit with his tongue, making sure the contact was hard and fast. She whimpered, her luscious thighs shaking.

  Perfect. She was right where he needed her to be.

  “Yes,” she cried, burying her fingers in his hair. “God yes.”

  He kept going, sucking softly, plunging his tongue into her heat. In the meantime he opened the tiny bottle and slicked up his fingers. When they were good and wet he brought his hand to her bottom, searching for and finding her anus. He took care as he pressed one finger against her, feeling resistance. Since Chloe had never experienced the joys of anal sex he wanted to make sure the first time was pleasurable, not frightening. He heard her harsh intake of breath when he pierced her that first tiny bit.

  Fuck. Tight as hell.

  He withdrew his fingers, placing his hands on her thighs. “Flip over.”

  “Wait. What?” She bolted upright, resting her weight on her elbows. Her eyes were clouded with lust. “You’ve got to be kidding. You can’t leave me like this.”

  “Flip,” he growled, forcing her over.

  Hiking an arm around her waist, he brought her to her knees. Her ass rose into the air, giving him plenty of room to work. He lined up his cock and slid the stalk through her wet lips, gliding back and forth. Lowering her head into the pillows, she wrapped her fingers around the bottom of the bedpost.

  “Damn it. Put up or shut up. You’re starting to—”

  The head of his dick lodged in the mouth of her pussy and he slammed inside, cutting off whatever she intended to say, barreling forward until he was buried to the hilt. Her cunt squeezed him like a warm and wet fist.

  “Hang on, sweetness.” His fingers glided over her silky skin, sliding through the lubricant. Circling the dark rim of muscle, he warned, “I’m about to take you on one helluva ride.”

  Chloe felt the pulsing of Jackson’s cock deep within her, so ready to come she could feel the tingle of orgasm deep in her belly. She’d been close when he’d taken his mouth away, leaving her empty and quivering. Somehow the anticipation of what was to come made her more excited and kept her hovering on the precipice of climax.

  He started to move, using slow but deep strokes. His finger circled her sphincter again, feathering over the sensitive tissue. She tried to relax when he pushed a finger inside, focusing on how good his cock felt instead of the intrusive burn. With each thrust of his cock he sank his finger deeper.

  “Touch your clit,” he rasped, continuing to move. “Reach between those pretty little legs and tease it. Pretend it’s me touching you, baby. Close your eyes and imagine it’s my fingers that are making you feel good.”

  Releasing the headboard, she placed her weight on her shoulders. She had to turn her head to get comfortable, moaning when her fingers found the hard little nub. She ground her teeth, awash in pain and pleasure. Her clitoris was so sensitive it almost hurt to touch, her sex wet and aching.

  She hissed when two fingers parted her, spreading her wide. It did hurt but it was an odd sort of pain. Not entirely without pleasure.

  “You’re so tight, Chloe girl. You’re going to feel so good around my cock. Bear down, baby. Take my fingers.”

  The pressure came with a slow burn. Fortunately the sting started to fade as he worked lubricant into her ass, leaving her with an incredible feeling of fullness. He didn’t stop, timing the thrusts of his fingers with those of his cock.

  “That’s right.” He praised her and she felt more pressure. She knew without looking he was using three fingers to stretch her now. “You’re amazing, baby. So fucking incredible.”

  She stroked her clit, going past the discomfort, desperate for the climax that hovered just out of reach. It wouldn’t take much, only a few more strokes.

  So close. Almost there.

  She wailed when Jackson’s cock and fingers withdrew.

  Not again!

  “What are you doing?”

  He didn’t answer, shifting on his knees and moving to the head of the bed. She didn’t know what he was doing but she’d had enough.

  If he didn’t fuck her soon she would kill him.

  He reclined so his back rested against the headboard. “Come here.”

  She didn’t wait for instruction, straddling his lap. If he wanted her he was going to get her. It wasn’t until she tried to line his cock up with her sex that he wrapped his hands around her hips and held her still.

  “Not there.” He slid his hand between them and gripped the base of his shaft. His cock was slippery with lubricant he’d obviously applied, the crown ruddy and swollen. He placed the tip against her anus. “Here.”

  He’d lost his mind. “It won’t work.”

  “It’ll work. Just go slow. Take as much or as little of me as you can. You set the pace. If you want to stop, we will. Just try, baby. Give this to me.”

  From the way he sounded he was fighting for control. She looked into his face, stunned at what she found. Sweat beaded his temples. He wanted this something fierce.

  Strike that, she was certain he needed this something fierce.

  Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she bore down and lowered herself onto him. She bit her lip and braced herself, exhaling through her nose. The pressure was so intense she shook with it. When the tip of his cock pushed through and claimed her that first little bit she rested her head on Jackson’s shoulder.

  “As much or as little as you want,” he whispered and released his cock, bringing his fingers to her clit. “It’s up to you.”

  He wasn’t gentle as he manipulated the tender pearl, swirling his thumb over it in hard circles. She was so slippery it was almost embarrassing. Her juices combined with the lube made it easy for him rub his thumb over the bundle of nerves.

  She rocked her ass, careful as she moved up and down. Each time she returned she took more of him. The burn returned but it was bearable. Heat flared in her belly, winding down to her pussy. Her legs shook, muscles flexing as she rode his cock. She wasn’t sure when pain became pleasure but it did. Her body slowly accepted him, parting and making way for his invasion. Settling into a rhythm, she shifted forward so each time she moved her nipples skimmed his chest.

  Jackson rested a hand on her hip. “There you go. That’s it.”

  Her orgasm built, stronger and more powerful than any other she’d ever experienced. She’d taken over half of her lover’s shaft, the stretch ebbing to a minor burn. She didn’t stop, driven by
impulse. Her wolf appeared, taking control of her senses. Rotating her head, she licked Jackson’s salty skin, focusing on the juncture between his throat and shoulder.

  Her fangs dropped and she pulled her lips back. The instant fire rushed through her body, she sank her teeth into his flesh. He snarled and she could have sworn she felt his cock swell in response. Her entire body shook with the force of her climax, her thighs struggling to function as she slid up and down her mate’s hard, thick length.

  Then the presence of Jackson’s wolf washed over her.

  Jackson abandoned her clit and gripped her hips, lifting up as she came down. He sank all the way in, sending her orgasm into a second wave of pleasure. It was too much but she couldn’t resist, hovering above the world, shattering into a million pieces. He growled something she didn’t understand, his hold on her unbreakable.

  She cried out when he fisted her hair, revealed her shoulder and buried his teeth in her skin. Heat exploded from his bite, as though he’d used a brand instead of fangs. A hot wash exploded inside her, spurt after spurt of his seed filling her ass.

  The adoration and need she felt for Jackson intensified to a level that should have frightened her. She knew what love was. Her grandparents had surrounded her with it. But this was completely different. Both parts of her—the wolf and the woman—knew that life without him would be impossible. The world was spinning on its axis but he made time stand still so confusion became clarity.

  Balance. Unity. Devotion.

  Being his mate took on an entirely new meaning.

  He removed his teeth from her shoulder, reminding her that she needed to do the same. After she released him he lifted her from his cock. His still-hard length slipped from her body, slapping against her thigh. She sagged against him, their sweat-slicked chests sliding against each other’s. Her body was sore all over. She’d feel what they’d done for days.

  And she didn’t want it any other way.

  “Chloe?” he panted, catching his breath.

  It was difficult to talk but she did her best. “Hmm?”

  “There’s something I need to tell you. I have something important to ask.”

  Pulling away from him took more energy than she’d expected but she wanted to look him in the eye. He wrapped a hand in her hair, golden irises shining.

  “Our mating is official within the packs but I’d like to keep my word to your grandfather and make it legal too.” His lips curved, expression turning sweet. “Will you marry me?”

  It took all her willpower not to close the distance and kiss him. Her heart was brimming, all her worries fading away.

  “Gramps would like that but I don’t know. It’s a big decision.” Perhaps it was dangerous to tease him but she was willing to take her chances. “What’s in it for me?”

  His smile turned into a panty-dropping grin. “How about a man who wants to give you the world?” He lowered his voice, the hand at her neck drawing her closer. “You own me. You have since the moment you entered my dreams. I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy.”

  The man certainly had a way with words. “Is that so?”

  “Absolutely.”

  With an answer like that, how could she refuse? “Then yes, I’ll marry you.”

  Their lips met, brushed and parted. She clutched his shoulders, sighing as tingles erupted in her stomach. The rays of the moon bled through the window, covering their bodies. The impulse to shift and run through the forest remained but it wasn’t strong enough to tear her away from Jackson.

  The man destined to be her mate.

  The one person she couldn’t exist without.

  “Shower first,” he cradled her against his chest as he rose from the bed, “then food.”

  “And after?”

  He nuzzled her nose, his breath warm against her mouth. “We can talk, watch a movie, go outside and play. We’ll do anything you want.”

  “Anything?”

  “Anything.”

  All kinds of naughty thoughts drifted through her head. “I can live with that.”

  He entered the shower and turned the faucets, rotating so his back protected her while the cold water heated. When the heavy streams were hot he bent at the waist and set her on her feet. She kept her arms around his neck, going onto her tiptoe.

  “You know I feel the same way, don’t you?” she asked, staring at up him.

  He caressed her cheek, his touch feathersoft. “Tell me.”

  “My life started when I met you. I never knew it could be like this.”

  “Now that you know, how do you feel?”

  “Amazing. Safe.” She hesitated and said softly, “Loved.”

  Bowing his head, he whispered, “I love you with everything I am.”

  “That’s a relief.”

  “That’s all you have to say?” He winced, acting wounded. “Are you going to make me shake the words out of you, woman? What does a man have to do for three little words?”

  Reaching up, she rested her fingers on his jaw. He was joking but she was serious. Skimming her nails along the dark bristles that had grown, she peered into his eyes, wanting him to know what she had to say went deeper than words.

  “I love you.”

  A broad, heart-stopping smile spread across his face. She yelped when his arms went around her waist and hiked her into the air. He whipped her around, pressing her against the chilly shower tiles.

  “Ask me for anything and I’ll give it to you.”

  “Anything?

  He nodded and she grinned. “You owe me a tattoo.”

  “That’s right. I do.” He pulled away and gazed down her body, his eyes hovering over her breasts. “Any idea where you want it?”

  “I don’t know. I can’t see my entire body.”

  “That’s too bad,” he murmured, voice deep. “It’s a beautiful sight.”

  “Do you think you could help me decide?”

  “Oh yeah.” The glide of his calloused hands over her rib cage made her tremble. “Hell yeah.”

  She groaned when his mouth brushed her collarbone, his tongue darting out to dance along her skin. Her sex dampened, clenching as she imagined him lodged firmly inside her. They weren’t leaving this stall without some heavy hanky-panky but she didn’t care.

  So what if the shower and food had to wait? She had a golden ticket to pure, unadulterated bliss. She’d be insane to pass that up.

  Look out world, here we come.

  All aboard the Jackson express.

  Epilogue

  Rachel bolted upright, gasping for breath, heart pounding frantically in her chest. She swept her arm across her nightstand, cursing as she tried to turn on the light and knocked her alarm clock to the floor. The bulb glowed when she flicked the switch, bringing her drab bedroom into focus.

  He wasn’t here. It wasn’t real.

  A dream. It was just a dream.

  She threw the covers aside, uncaring that it was colder than hell.

  The house she’d inherited from her father—a house she’d had to have her mother evicted from—was poorly constructed. The insulation wasn’t fit to house an animal inside, much less a person or family. Adding insult to injury, the roof needed to be replaced. The only real way to stay warm was to drink tons of hot chocolate, layer her clothing as thickly as possible and sleep beneath heavy blankets.

  She returned the alarm clock to its proper place before she walked through her home. She turned on every light along the way. It was a silly habit, one she’d developed shortly after her father’s death. Maybe that was why she hated supernatural creatures so much. Bad things lived in the dark. Things that would snatch you up and eat you alive.

  You can run but you can’t hide, Just Rachel.

  “Piss off,” she snapped, wondering why in the hell she’d started having dreams about the arrogant, condescending and impossibly gorgeous werewolf she’d met at the tattoo shop. She didn’t trust men in general, which meant she sure as hell wouldn’t trust a member of the mal
e populace who changed into an animal. Besides, he wasn’t her type.

  Not your type? He’s a goddamn werewolf!

  “Get a grip, Rachel,” she muttered, hating that she had resorted to talking to herself after spending too much time alone. “Make your chocolate fix and go to bed.”

  Despite trying to focus on the task at hand, she kept envisioning Tall, Dark and Arrogant. In her dreams his face was covered in a thick, attractive shadow. His eyes were as she remembered—a vibrant shade of gold. With his T-shirt missing, clothed only in jeans and boots, she’d been able to see all of his tattoos. The intricate sleeves wound around the front and the back of his shoulders, creating one large pattern. The black ink suited his tanned skin, bringing attention to his muscular arms, broad shoulders and six-pack abs. Just below were the visible bones of his pelvis. Bones that created a sexy V that vanished beneath his jeans.

  “Okay, that’s it.” She slammed a fist onto the counter. It was lust. Plain and simple. Nature was finally making its demands on her body. “Tomorrow I’m getting a vibrator. Enough’s enough.”

  Once the hot chocolate was made she scurried to her bedroom, turning off the lights as she went. She placed the mug on the nightstand as she wrapped the blankets around her, grateful she’d decided to splurge on quality handmade quilts instead of cheaper comforters.

  Sinking into the pillows, she brought the drink to her lips and her thoughts shifted to Chloe. If things were different she would have called her best friend and told her what was going on. It wasn’t unusual for them to call each other at weird times. As a matter of fact, they’d been known to spend hours on the phone talking about this and that.

  A sharp pain lanced her chest.

  Would Jackson resent early morning phone calls? Would he get pissed off if Chloe wanted to visit Rachel’s home for a girls movie night? Although they weren’t related by blood, the women were as close as sisters. They talked to each other almost every single day. Surely he wouldn’t try to come between them?