“Let me take your mind off it.” Without warning, he grabbed the bottom of her butt, lifting her up, giving her no option but to wrap her legs around him.
“What are you doing?” The embrace was sexually charged, sending her brain into overdrive. Was she ready for this?
“I’m going to explain something to you about shifters and we’re not going to stand here in the middle of the room as I do. You’re going to lie down.” As he spoke, he strolled toward the king size bed. “Nothing sexual, at least not yet. You’re exhausted and if you won’t sleep, then you’ll at least lie down. Give your body time to recover from the damage it suffered.”
“Fine.” Even if she didn’t want to admit it aloud, she was totally beat and relaxing on the bed sounded too tempting, especially if he was going to be there with her. “What are you going to explain?”
“Ted told you shifters can smell a lie, but they can also taste it.” He leaned down so her butt brushed the top of the mattress. “Scoot over to the middle and I’ll show you.”
“Join me?” Sliding her hand down his arm and taking his hand in hers, she did as he asked. “Please, Korbin.”
“How could I say no to you?” He kicked off his shoes and climbed onto the mattress to lie next to her. After he settled in against the pillows, he held his arm out to her. “Come here.”
“What girl could resist?” Hers was meant as a smart comment but it got her wondering. How many girls had been in his arms? Were there other mates out there? Wild tigers didn’t mate for life, they fucked whoever was around. Were shifters the same?
“You’re overthinking this again.” He tugged her back against him. “There’s no one in my life except you. Our mates complete us. No one else will compare and we never settle. You’re my one and only.”
“How did you…”
“Know?” he supplied. “The mating connection. Part of it’s in your scent and the rest is all about feeling it. There’s an invisible line between us, one that’s currently only transmitting to my beast. It gives me insight on your needs. You’re getting bits of it but you’re not registering it for what it is.”
“I don’t understand.”
“When we were talking to Mella earlier, you might not have realized it but you knew my beast was growing impatient with her refusal to accept you are both safe here. You came to stand next to me and slipped your hand into mine. Just as my touch helps you, yours does the same for me. You kept me from saying anything in anger.” He tipped his head down, burying his nose in her hair. “When she claimed I’d hurt you because of my second nature, I was nearing my breaking point, except you kept me in check. For that, I’m thankful.”
“She doesn’t know what she’s saying.” She ran her hand along his chest, sliding over every contour. “It’s crazy. Since Donald’s abuse, I’ve accepted or at least let slide poor treatment from others, thinking it was normal. Yet, when it comes to you, I know you’d never hurt me. I didn’t know how to explain it to her so I didn’t even try. She’s so full of anger still. Part of that is because I told her Donald killed Dad. The rest I think is because she’s found out the man she held on a pedestal is not who she thought he was. She’s grieving for what she thinks she lost. All these years she sought a man like him and now she had to reevaluate things.”
“Some humans have a hard time adjusting to the knowledge of shifters. That’s not making it any easier for her either. I’ve seen it before and I’ll do whatever I can to help her accept things. We can try to talk to her tomorrow.” Lifting his head off hers, he relaxed back against the pillows. “A friend back in Alaska had to cease contact with her mother because of her hatred of my kind. I don’t want to be the reason—”
“Don’t.” She pulled back enough to look at him. The sorrow in his eyes sliced through her heart, making her reach out to cup his cheek. “Mella and I have had a rocky relationship for years. None of this is your fault. We’ll work it out…or we won’t. I’ll accept whatever the outcome is.” A light chuckle escaped her throat before turning into full-blown laughter.
“What is so funny?”
“Nothing.” Still, she couldn’t suppress the giggles. The idea of accepting things as they were somehow left her giggling uncontrollably but it felt right. She couldn’t remember the last time she laughed, let alone felt relaxed. “I just…this is insane.”
“Huh?” Even more confused, his eyebrows knitted in uncertainty.
Before she could stop herself, she leaned in, pressing her lips to his. As their lips met, she tasted the lingering bitterness from his earlier beer, which enticed her. The kiss was quick, but his fingers dug into her skin as he held her tighter. A soft purr bubbled out from his chest, making her want to continue just to get that reaction from him again.
“Careful baby, careful.”
For too long she’d been cautious of every move. In that moment, this was the last thing she wanted. I want to give in to my wild side. Who better to do that with than my tiger?
Chapter Eleven
My tiger? The thought circled in her mind for a moment before she accepted it. It felt right. She had already made her decision, now it was time to tell him. How did one tell someone that they accepted this mating? Her experience with guys had been limited and when it came to Donald, he had led things.
“Kiss me.”
“La—”
“Don’t.” Slipping on top of him, she straddled him. A groan tore from his lips, cutting off whatever he was going to say. “I’ve already made my decision. I accept this. It feels as if I’m supposed to be right here with you.”
“There’s no rush.”
“And there’s no reason to slow down. You asked me to trust you, so trust me.” She leaned closer to him. “Just kiss me, that’s all I’m asking. Unless you don’t want me.”
“Baby.” Pressing a hand on the center of her back, he coaxed her down toward him. “You have no idea how much I want you.”
“Really?” The question came out breathy as she hovered out of reach, rotating her hips. His hard shaft rubbed against her, the only barrier between them being her panties and his jeans. “Seems pretty obvious to me.”
The growl grew as his hand tangled in her hair, bringing her mouth down on his. The soft kiss they’d shared moments before was nothing like the heat of this one. His lips crushed hers and his tongue darted out, gaining entrance to her mouth. Wanting more than just his mouth, she slid her hands down his chest, searching for the hem of the shirt. She needed skin contact. To feel his hard muscles under her fingers. So tempting…
Before she could find the bottom of his shirt he broke the kiss, pulling back slightly and locking his gaze on her. “Fuck, baby.”
“Don’t stop.” She curled her fingers around the edge of his shirt and tugged it up.
“This wasn’t why I brought you to bed.”
“If you don’t want this…” Suddenly unsure, she leaned back and started to slide off him.
“That’s not what I meant.” He grabbed hold of her hips, stopping her before she could pull away. “I want you to be sure.”
“I’m sure.”
Keeping his hands on her hips, he rose off the bed, quickly shifting position. Before she could even squeal with surprise, she found herself flat on her back with him arched over her. “To be sure, I’m going to show you what’s in store for you.”
“Huh?”
“Tonight is all about you.” He dipped his head into the curve of her neck, pressing light kisses along her skin. “I’m going to make you feel so good, you’ll be confident you’re making the right choice.”
“Cocky much?” she teased him, but from what he was already doing to her, he had every reason to be so. Her body was strung tight, full of need for him.
“It’s not cocky if I can deliver.” He slid his hand down her side to her bare thigh. “If you want me to stop, all you have to do is say so.”
“Stopping isn’t on my radar.” She wanted to give in to everything her body longed for. I
f she thought about it, she knew it was crazy but she ached for him. The sweet caresses didn’t seem enough. She wanted so much more. She wanted their bodies joined together as one.
This is insane. You don’t even know him. Mella’s words filtered through the lust but even that didn’t stop her from reaching out to slide her hand under his shirt and feel his toned abs under her touch. She had been intimate with men before Donald. She’d even had a one-night stand her first semester of college—her way of rebelling against her father’s rule.
What was happening with Korbin couldn’t compare, this was more freeing. She was giving in to something she wanted. No—something she needed. She needed him like her lungs needed fresh air. Maybe all the bullshit life had dealt her was to bring her to this point, to Korbin. If this was where she was supposed to be, then everything had been worth it.
He caressed along her sides, pushing the shirt he had given her to wear up, and pulling her out of her thoughts. Lifting her back off the bed, she allowed him to pull the shirt up further, while also working the one he was wearing up his torso.
“I’ll take mine off if you lose yours, too.” She dragged her nails lightly across his skin as he lifted his head from her shoulder blade.
“I’ll do you one better. I’ll lose the jeans, too. The boxers stay on. Only you’re going to get naked tonight.”
“Korbin, I told you I’m sure about this.”
“Then let me do this. Tomorrow, when I get back, I’ll force Zaz to deal with everything else and if you still feel that way, I promise I’ll give you what you need.” She opened her mouth to argue but before she could he pulled off his shirt and added, “Sex will complete the mating and it’s not something you can go back from. There’s no divorce for shifters. We’ll be bonded together forever. You can’t have any doubts.”
“What makes you think I have doubts now?” As if to prove her point, she tugged the shirt over her head. Her nipples met the cool air, and hardened. Self-conscious, she brought her arms up to cover her breasts.
“Anyone would.” He took hold of her wrist and instinctively, her muscles froze. She stared at him, waiting for his next move. “I hate the look of fear in your eyes.”
“I’m—”
“Don’t apologize. You have nothing to be sorry for. None of what happened was your fault.” His thumb teased across the curve of her wrist. “No covering yourself. You’re beautiful and I want to see you. All of you.”
“Okay.” She forced herself to relax.
“I’m never going to hurt you, Layla.” His thumb continued to draw circles on her wrist. “You might not believe it but I’ll show you, every day. You’re mine to cherish and love. I’ll never raise a hand in anger to you.”
“I know, I just…”
“Reacted,” he finished for her. “It’s understandable but I wanted you to know I’d never hurt you. Never. Now lie back.”
“Are you sure about this? Maybe you should be sleeping. Seven’s going to come too soon.”
“Trying to get out of it?” He raised his eyebrow at her. “Don’t let your nerves steal this moment from you.”
“Damn shifters.” Shaking her head, she reclined onto the pillows. “How am I supposed to keep anything secret when you can smell what I’m feeling?”
“Secrets are impossible with mates. I’ll know everything about you as you will know everything about me. When the connection is cemented, you will see that.” He kept his gaze locked on hers as he slid his hand up her arm. “As Alpha Female, you’ll have to learn to control your scent. We can’t have everyone sensing things from your smell. It’s not hard and I’ll teach you.”
“So much to learn. So much to understand.” Even knowing her life would forever change, she wouldn’t go back on her decision. “As long as you’re by my side, it will be worth it.”
“Let me show you just how much it’s worth.” He hooked his fingers on the edge of her panties. “I want these off.”
“I think that can be arranged.” She lifted her hips off the bed, to allow him to slide them down, but as her hip brushed along the bare skin of his torso, need flooded through her. “Korbin.”
“I’m going to take care of you.” He pulled her panties down her legs and she kicked them off.
She wasn’t sure if it was everything that had happened or the mating bond but she wanted what he could give her. She wanted to just feel, no thinking involved. The need within her was something she hadn’t experienced before. It was new and exciting and things would be fine as long as he didn’t shift or anything while they were naked in bed. The thought had her eyelids springing open.
“What’s wrong?” He stilled over her, his gaze shifting up to hers.
“You’ll stay human during this, right?”
He dipped his head, sending his dark hair into his face, and a chuckle had his body vibrating. “Always, baby. We might be shifters but our lovemaking is always done in human form. Our beast might come out in our eyes, meaning you might see the amber hues, but that’s all. I don’t sprout fur, or claws.”
“Good.” She reached up and tangled her fingers in his hair. “Now back to work. You promised to make me feel good. I need that…I need you.”
“You have me, Layla. Always.” He pressed his lips to hers, claiming her mouth as his hands roamed over her body. As he caressed along the curve of her hip, she wiggled, hoping to draw him closer to her pussy.
“Korbin.” She moaned his name against his unrelenting kiss. “Need more.”
“I know what you need, baby.” He delivered teasing, light kisses along her jaws before working his way down her neck. Caressing along her hip, he inched down her thigh before working his way between her legs.
“Touch me.” Her fingers tightened in his hair, holding him against her neck as she opened her legs, giving him access to where she wanted him. Already full of lust, she panted, yet, he had barely touched her.
“Close your eyes and just feel.” He slipped his fingers between her folds, stealing her breath. Slowly, he teased her, keeping her wanting, yearning, making her wiggle against him. “Demanding, aren’t you?”
His thumb brushed along her clit, stealing any intelligent words from her. Slowly, he worked a finger inside her, easing his way in gradually. “I love the way your body reacts to me. Wet and ready.”
“Ah…” She couldn’t think straight as he pumped his finger in and out of her, his thumb continuing to draw lazy circles along her clit. The pleasure was overwhelming. Never before had someone made her feel like this, or taken the time to please her.
Slipping lower on the bed, he brought his mouth over her nipple. As he sucked it, his teeth grazed over the hardened bud. He drew it deeper into his mouth and she arched up into him.
“Faster…” she demanded, pressing against every pump of his hand. She needed this.
He crushed his mouth to hers and slid another finger inside of her. His pace sped as he pumped in and out of her, but it was his thumb working her clit that was going to send her over the edge. Moaning against his unrelenting kiss, she arched into him, pressing herself against his touch.
Fierce desire rose within her like a tidal wave smashing through a dam.
So close.
As if knowing that, he adjusted his position, to give himself better access. Even as he did, his mouth never left hers. Her core muscles tightened around his fingers and he pulled back from her mouth.
He leaned into the curve of her neck, kissing just below her ear. “Let go, baby.”
His teeth scraped along the soft flesh by her ear, sending her over the edge and into pure bliss. Her nails dug into his sides and she wasn’t sure if she was holding on to him to bring him closer or so she didn’t disappear and find herself back at Donald’s house. If this was a dream, she never wanted to wake up from it.
Her orgasm shot through her and she pressed back against the pillows as a moan tore through her. “Oh, Korbin!”
“See, I told you I’d make you feel good.” His cocky
tone had her opening her eyes.
Her nails dug into him, clawing, as her eyelids threatened to close. “You made good on your promise.”
“Always, baby, always.” He grabbed the edge of the blanket and pulled it over them. “Sleep.”
“Stay with me.” Even as she asked, she didn’t doubt he had things to take care of. Still, she wanted him there with her. At least until she fell asleep. He kept her safe and with him by her side, she knew everything would be okay.
“I’m not going anywhere.” As if to prove his point, he curled against her body, snuggling her tight.
This is where I’m meant to be, cocooned in his embrace. Here, everything feels right.
Chapter Twelve
Morning came as it always did and like normal, Layla found herself alone in bed. The warm glow to the sky, in those moments before the sun rose, could be seen through the window. It took her a moment to recognize the creamy white walls filling her vision and royal blue comforter she had tucked in around her. She wasn’t at Donald’s house. The rollercoaster ride of the day before came back to her, making her understand it hadn’t been a dream. It had all happened. She rolled over, searching for the man who’d pulled her from the Hell. The space next to her was empty. She was alone.
“Korbin?” Her voice tight with emotion, she called out for him. Please let him still be here.
“Layla?” The voice sounded barely above a whisper. “It’s Sparks.”
“Kor—” Fear cut off her words and tightened her throat.
“Come out here when you’re ready. I’ll put a fresh pot of coffee on. We’ll talk.”
Talk? What was there to talk about? Korbin had gone to face Donald. The possibilities of it all going badly rushed through her thoughts. She knew he wouldn’t listen to reason, or let her go with them, but the idea of him confronting Donald sat like a ball of lead in her stomach. What if Donald arrested him? What would happen to the people here if Korbin ended up in jail?
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