by Abby Niles
“Miles’s theory is that when my body shut down it was my human DNA surrendering to the shifter DNA as everything finally synced. Unfortunately, there was a lot of damage, and because of my weakened state, it took longer than it should have for my shifter DNA to repair my body. My vitals and blood work started to get better about an hour after he gave you the sedative—”
“I really hated them for doing that to me.”
“Yeah, I was furious, too, when I found out. Liam, Aidan, and Miles all received an uncensored cussing-out over it.”
A small smile came to her lips. She could just imagine what creative phrases had flown from his mouth. “What happened while I was sedated?”
“My body healed itself. I regained consciousness a couple of hours later, feeling like I’d just woken up from the best sleep of my life. My beast was moving inside me. My senses were on high alert, and I felt normal.” His fingers tightened around hers. “All I could think about was getting to you. Miles wanted me to stay for some more tests, but I wanted you. He finally relented and told me where you were. When I saw you, all I felt was my beast’s and my love for you. No distaste, no hesitation, just overwhelming love. I didn’t think, I just picked you up, carried you straight out of the hospital, and brought you home.”
Glancing down, she was surprised to see she had on her sock-monkey pajamas. “How—?”
Britton chuckled. “Whatever Miles gave you knocked you out cold. You only murmured a couple of times while we were in the tub.”
Her brows flew up. “The tub?”
“I, for one, smelled like crap. And Liam said you hadn’t left the hospital since they brought me in. So I figured we both could use a soak…before I put my mark on you.”
Joy surged through her. He wanted to bond with her. Right away. “I thought I lost you.” She barely got the words out.
He cupped her cheeks. “You will never lose me again. I swear it.” He rose from the couch, tugging her up with him. “We just have to make our marks. You up for it?”
The corner of his mouth tilted up. Her heart expanded, filling her with overwhelming love. He was real. He was here. And he was all hers.
“The question is, are you up for it?” she drawled with wicked slowness.
A growl vibrated from him. “Baby, with you, I’m always up and raring to go.”
The first true, full smile curved her lips in forty-eight hours, and she launched herself into his arms, giving him the welcome home he’d expected. He didn’t hesitate, crushing her body to his as their lips met. Clothes shed, leaving behind a trail of garments as they stumbled back to the bedroom, caressing, smiling, laughing.
Together.
Britton lifted her up in his arms and she looped hers around his neck. He paused, his smile wavering as he stared down at her. “I love you so much, Val Calhoun, I feel like I can’t breathe for the pure joy of loving you. You are embedded in me, a part of me, and I’m the luckiest man alive to have you as my mate.”
As she brushed his hair back, his words wrapped around her, loving her. “I’m the one who is lucky, Britton. I love you, too. So much.”
After he laid her down on the bed, he stretched out over her, propping his weight on his elbows on either side of her head. Violet bloomed then spread, overtaking the blue.
“Make me yours,” she whispered.
He kissed down her body, settling between her legs. As his tongue moved against her, she closed her eyes against the happy burn behind them.
She and Britton had fought against unbearable odds to get to this moment, had almost been defeated, and yet, they’d won their eternity. Battle-scarred, but they’d won.
Another flick of his tongue had her body tightening, and just as she was certain release was seconds away, he climbed up and lowered himself onto her. Gently, he entered her, his gaze locked with hers as he began a slow, even pace. The peace in his expression swelled her heart to bursting. She cupped his face and brought his head down to hers, kissing him with all the love she felt. His lips parted and the tip of his tongue grazed hers. Tenderly, without rush, without desperation, they kissed, secure in knowing they had forever together.
When his body tensed, his groan warming the inside of her mouth, she whispered, “Make it official. Mark me.”
Seconds later, his head was back between her legs. A few swipes of his tongue later, her orgasm splintered through her. The first bite against her inner thigh caused a fiery heat to build within her, tightening every muscle, every fiber of her being. She clenched her eyes closed and moaned. The second bite released the tension in one body-jerking gust. The flames exploded. A blaze of warmth flooded her body, yanking a cry from deep within her. And then there was only the tingling on the insides of her thighs.
Gasping, she slowly opened her eyes to find Britton kneeling between her legs, that cocky smirk lifting one side of his mouth as he rubbed his hand on the area above his heart. The place she knew now beat with her own life inside him. “Woman, you are so mine now.”
She smiled teasingly. “Actually, you’re mine. I won’t be yours until I mark you.”
The half smile bloomed into a full grin. “Then I suggest you get busy. You’re missing out on some pretty fucking awesome feelings.” He rubbed his chest again, the cockiness smoothing to awe. “So fucking awesome.”
Envy swept through her. She was ready to have the same experience. To feel him coursing through her body and know he was a permanent part of her. That they would always be connected. And nothing would ever separate them again.
…
Britton couldn’t seem to stop touching the area where Val’s heartbeat now pulsed inside his chest. The blood rushing through his veins was a degree warmer, heating him with her essence, making her presence known in every crevice of his body and soul. And it was euphoric.
The heat spiraled lower, and his cock hardened, preparing for her part of the ritual.
Her tongue darted out to lick her lips. She rose to her knees and her palm closed around him. He groaned. As she worked her hand back and forth, he knew he’d find release quickly. His instinct, his body, his soul, were ready for the link to be complete.
“Faster, baby,” he murmured.
The motion of her hand increased and he thrust his pelvis forward into her tight grip. His body jerked; air panted out of his mouth. Seconds before he exploded, he grabbed her by the back of the knees, flopped her backward onto the mattress, and thrust into her. His cock entering the tight heat of her body was all he needed. His orgasm was instant.
She latched her teeth onto the skin on the top of his shoulder. A roar ripped out of him as his blood bubbled, boiled. The feelings he’d had moments before magnified until he was consumed by her, by her love. When she bit the other shoulder, his body jerked once more, and the overwhelming feeling ebbed, settling into a constant flow. A shared flow of love. With her.
They were now connected. Sharing a bond, a love, in the way only his race could. Forever linked.
He smiled at her wide-eyed expression. Her hand now lay on her chest. Her mouth parted in surprise. “Wow,” she said on a reverent breath.
“I told you it was fucking awesome,” he whispered as emotions clogged his throat, making it difficult to speak.
She hummed in agreement. “It’s magnificent.” A content smile graced her lips as she breathed deep. “You’ll be with me always.”
Cradling her in his arms, he rolled to his side. “Always, baby. We’re each other’s now.” Britton kissed the top of her head, hugging her closer.
She tilted her head back and studied him.
“What?” he asked.
“Just thinking about everything we’ve been through. Who would have thought enemies could become lovers?”
“We were never enemies, Val. We’ve always been destined to be together. We’ve just had one hell of a ride getting here.”
Author Bio
Abby Niles spends her days juggling work, being a single mom to too-smart-for-their-own-good twins,
and writing. She lives in the Piedmont of North Carolina, and is three hours from the beach and the mountains, which is pretty awesome.
Abby is the author of the contemporary MMA romance Extreme Love, the first book in her Love to the Extreme series. Fighting Love is scheduled to release in December 2013 and Winning Love is scheduled for 2014. She is also the author of the dark paranormal romance series The Awakening: Aidan, The Awakening: Liam, and The Awakening: Britton. Both series are with Entangled Publishing. She also has a geeky romantic comedy, Defying Convention, with Carina Press.
Don’t miss these Covet titles…
The Awakening: Liam - Abby Niles
Shifter Liam Doyle knows Hell. At least he believed he did. The night he feels Ava die, he learns how very wrong he was. Lost in his grief, he’s taken by surprise and drugged. When Ava Michaels is taken captive, she’s thrust into a dark and terrifying world along with the man she was forced to leave behind. Can their love survive a crazy man’s vengeance?
The Awakening: Aidan – Abby Niles
Millionaire consultant Aidan O’Connell knows he’ll meet a woman who’ll awaken an unrelenting mating instinct. Unfortunately, that woman is Psychiatrist and half-shifter, Dr. Jaylin Avgar, who has no qualms about telling him that he and his so-called eternity can shove it. Can he control the need engrained in him until he’s certain she will reciprocate the bond, or will a moment of weakness doom him to hell on earth?
Operation Saving Daniel – Nina Croft
Daniel has never stopped loving Melissa. Ten years ago when he gave her a little freedom, he always intended that one day they would be together. Right up until the moment he was bitten by a werewolf. Now, with Melissa back in town hoping to save him from marrying his long term girlfriend, AKA The Evil One, Daniel has to hide what he is. He won’t risk anyone else, especially the woman he loves. But Lissa is back. Their attraction is stronger than ever and Lissa is nothing if not tenacious.
Parts & Wreck – Mark Henry
Wade Crowson, a brooding playboy and veteran vivisectionist for the Parts Department, runs into more than he bargained for in new partner, Lucid Montgomery, a quirky beauty with a bizarre secret and a string of psychiatric diagnoses she tries hard to keep hidden. Loving Luce will stamp a demonic target on her back and thrust Wade into a frenzied whirlwind of hilarious misunderstandings. Can they withstand the savagery of an exorcism (with or without the split pea soup) and come out alive and …in love?
