by P. Jameson
His eyes never left her face as he extended his wrists forward to be shackled.
***
This was definitely a first for Lexar. He was very rarely ever not in control of his own body. He wasn’t even the type to get drunk. But now he lay, in nothing but his boxer briefs, with his arms handcuffed to Avan’s headboard while she stared down at him. The contemplative look on her face was sexy as fuck. Like she had an ice cream sundae in front of her, and couldn’t decide whether to start with the whipped cream or the cherry.
She ran her fingers down his arms to his chest where her nails dug into the muscles there.
“Mouth first, right?”
He nodded. Her mouth on his was something that seemed as vital as air. He had to have it. He’d never been so out of his mind with want.
Avan knelt on the bed. Every move was deliberate, concentrated, rich. Lexar stared at her bare body. Luscious breasts tipped with pink, small waist, muscular legs, flared hips made for fucking. She was perfect for him. They would fit together like puzzle pieces.
She spread her legs to straddle his waist.
“Fuck,” he hissed, absently jerking at his bindings. The slit between her legs was glistening wet and scalding hot against his lower abs. He inhaled deeply. Her scent was everywhere, and yet he still wanted more of it.
Her ass nestled against his still covered erection as she drew her nails down his chest. “Oh, we’re going to,” she promised.
That was great. That was really, really good. But if he didn’t touch that pussy soon, he was going to combust.
“Let’s see… you wanted to taste me. Lick me. Everywhere, if I remember correctly. Is that right?”
“Yes,” he managed between ragged breaths.
“Yes, ma’am,” she corrected sternly.
“Yes, ma’am. I want to lick your body until you cry out my name.”
“I think that’s a very good idea, Lexar. In fact, hearing you describe it made me wet.” Her hand inched down her stomach, sweeping between her legs and causing her eyes to flutter closed. Damn it, that was where he wanted to be. “Very wet.”
Her eyes opened. “Sassy mouth first, right? That’s where you wanted to start?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She shivered.
“Good thing I’m in control then, because I have a better idea.” She drew her finger from the spot she was rubbing between her legs, and held it to his lips. “Taste.”
Fucking hell. Lexar lunged for it, drawing her silk covered finger into his mouth and sucking the sweetness from it. His eyes closed in ecstasy. But before he was done laving, she pulled her hand back.
“You taste. So. Fucking. Good,” he growled.
He leaned up, pulling against the cuffs again. More. He needed more.
Avan looked dazed for a moment before she regained control. “It feels good,” she whispered, bending low so her breasts grazed his chest and her lips brushed his ear. “Having a wolf as strong as you, bending to my will.”
She could claim this was a game of control but Lexar knew better. She felt every bit as flustered by her emotions as he did. This was something more, something deeper. Something they couldn’t explain.
She sat back, bumping against his cock. He thrust forward hoping for an ounce of relief.
“Unh, unh, unh,” she tsked, wagging a finger at him. “These were next.” Cupping a breast in each hand, she squeezed, gently at first, and then more firmly. “You want to taste me here, remember?”
How could he forget? He’d been thinking of them ever since that sheet dropped yesterday. He’d tried to forget, tried not to think of how sexy she was since she was so badly injured, but he’d failed.
Failed so damn miserably.
He managed a nod.
She leaned forward, inching closer. “Are you sure? Because that wasn’t very convince--”
Lexar thrust his hips, sending her tumbling forward, her sweet soft mounds landing on his face before she caught herself.
She pulled back, breathless. “That… was not very nice.”
“I never said I was going to be nice.”
She stared at him, mouth parted, absently pressing her wet center tighter against him. Then quick as a flash, she launched herself forward, their bodies melding together, and crushed her mouth to his.
Finally.
He kissed her hungrily, wishing he could hold her face, tilt her head to the perfect angle so he could delve deeper into her hot, hot mouth, but she was the driver and he was the passenger. And what a fucking ride this was.
Their tongues tangled, pressing and giving and taking. He could feel her heart pounding against his chest and his answered with its own passionate rhythm. His wolf calmed, even as his anticipation grew. This felt so right, so perfect. Even unable to touch her, even submitting this tiny bit, seemed like two twisted destinies finally aligning.
She broke their connection, her rapid breath hitting him in the chest as she stared into his eyes. Damn, she was beautiful. Especially when all pretense was gone, and her emotions bled out unfettered, like they were now.
I feel it too, he wanted to tell her. The odd connection. Two misfits finally finding a home in each other. That’s what it felt like. Shit, he’d think he was falling for his own romantic notions if he wasn’t seeing the same feeling mirrored in her gaze.
She shook her head, closing her eyes and shutting off the expression. She kissed his lips tenderly, pulling the bottom one between her teeth, and causing his animal to snarl.
She dragged her lips over his jaw, down his neck, and grazed his collar bone with her teeth. Lexar clamped his mouth shut, trying to keep quiet, but much more of this exquisite torture and he was going to scream.
Avan continued kissing her way down his body until she reached his waistband. Her eyes flicked up to make sure he was paying attention. No need, because his attention level was A+ student with a side of teacher’s pet. Nothing could distract him from what she was doing.
Hooking her fingers under the fabric, she slowly, deliberately, revealed his erection. It bobbed free, and damn, if he wasn’t hard as a rock. Her eyes and how they widened a fraction threatened to send him over the edge. And she hadn’t even touched him yet.
Clearly this is what ten years of celibacy will do to a wolf.
“Lex,” she whispered, biting her lip. “You are very needy.”
So was she. A deep pink flush crept up her neck. Her eyes were glassy and her breath became a harsh pant. The look on her face gave him so much pride. She looked nearly ready to beg, yet he wasn’t the one withholding.
“You have no idea,” he ground out. It was becoming impossible to wait. He needed her now.
He was glad she’d tied him up.
She pulled his boxers down his legs and threw them on the floor before crawling back up the bed.
“I wanted to make this last longer,” she murmured, tracing the lines on his stomach. “But I can see the situation is urgent for both of us. It’s been a long time for me. I need to feel you now.”
“Fuck, yes. I’m going crazy here.” His voice was strangled.
Avan gripped his erection and his hips bucked at her touch.
“Be still,” she chided.
Fuck that. A beautiful, complicated woman was touching his cock. Being still wasn’t exactly an option.
But before he could argue, she spun around so her slender back faced him, and lifted her leg over his waist, straddling him backward. She raised up, poised over his hard rod. She was going to do this. And all he could do was lay back and watch.
The heat of her core burned him, and he said a small prayer that he wouldn’t ruin this like an anxious young.
Lexar let out a loud gasp as she took him into her body inch by slow inch. Tears pricked his eyes at the onslaught of emotions. Shit. Don’t cry, don’t cry.
Relief mixed with gratitude. Satisfaction mixed with desperation. He didn’t know right from down or left from up. All he knew in that moment was that he would
do anything to have this with her, for the rest of his life. Crawl through hot coals, broken glass, swim with sharks, it didn’t matter. As long as she was his for the remainder of his time on earth.
He couldn’t take another breath until she was completely filled. She grew still when she’d taken all of him, but Lexar could feel her slight tremble. He wanted to see her face, gauge her reaction. Needed to know that she felt what he did, this magic. This second chance at happiness for both of them.
“Your face,” he choked. “Let me see your face.”
She didn’t answer. Instead, she braced her hands on his thighs and began a slow, steady rhythm. Mother. Fuck. She had an ass that could only have been a gift from the gods. And she was tight, gripping him like a glove. He wouldn’t last like this and with his hands bound, there was no way of slowing things down.
She let out a moan that gave him chills to his toes, and increased her pace. His view… her hips, the way she moved so fluidly…
“Fuck, Avan. Let me loose, baby.”
“I can’t.” Her hands left his thighs and he knew she was touching her breasts. His animal growled, jealous of her hands. It should be him.
“Why not?”
She threw her head back, the tips of her golden hair dancing over his hips as she moved.
“You’ll touch me,” she moaned.
“Would that really be so bad?”
She slowed her rhythm, coming to a stop altogether. Rising up, she slid off and turned to face him. Straddling his waist again, she carefully poised his throbbing erection at her entrance. Lifting his hips, he pushed in slowly, watching her face contort in pleasure.
She was so wet, so hot. He felt the build-up again even though she didn’t move a muscle. When he was all the way in, she opened her eyes, leaning forward to get closer to his face. Her gaze held more vulnerability than he’d ever seen from her. Even when he helped her in the bathroom. Her soul was bare naked to him now.
“I have a feeling,” she choked out, “that it wouldn’t be bad at all. That’s why I can’t.”
Lexar let his head fall back against the bed as she started moving her glorious body on him. Her admission left him reeling. No matter what they felt in this moment, they each still had their secrets, their fears, their issues.
For now though, their bodies were enough.
Lexar locked eyes with Avan. “Faster,” he urged, and she didn’t even hesitate at the command.
Her breasts bounced as he met her thrusts.
“Fuck,” she breathed.
On the verge of falling off a ten year cliff, Lexar gave his restraints a frenzied jerk, and to his surprise, they broke free, the chain linking the cuffs together shattering. Avan’s eyes went wide and she clamped her thighs around his waist. His animal was out of his mind, finally free and wanting to pin her down and make her orgasm, but the ‘oh shit’ look in her eyes somehow broke through the haze of lust.
This moment was crucial. If he fucked up now, he knew it would be over with her. And he never wanted it to be over.
“Don’t stop,” he groaned.
Her eyes grew even bigger, but she continued riding him.
Slowly, carefully, he moved his hands to her thighs, and planted them there. He wouldn’t move them. If it fucking killed him—and it might—he wouldn’t touch her anywhere else.
“You feel so good,” he murmured. His fingers dug into her flesh, in hopes it would anchor his hands. Her whole body was at his fingertips, but he had to refrain, had to prove he was trustworthy.
Her thighs tensed under his hands. Her body arched, squeezing him as he thrust upward over and over again.
Avan cried out as her center convulsed around him. So tight. And then he was a goner, swan diving into a state of bliss.
He never fucking wanted to come up for air.
Chapter Seven
Avan collapsed on Lexar’s chest, out of breath and reeling from the whole ordeal. He’d broken the cuffs. But not her rules.
She wanted to reward him. She wanted to worship him. She wanted to spend the entire night fucking his brains out, and yes, letting him fuck her too. For the first time since she was young, she wanted to give someone else control. She hadn’t thought it was possible for her to feel that way.
What the hell was he doing to her?
Avan sighed.
He was spent, but the grip on her thighs hadn’t loosened. Maybe it was muscle memory thing and his hands were frozen in place. But then his thumb swept side to side, a gentle stroke. He was still trying not to touch her. God, he was trying so hard.
“I have to fight in a few minutes.” She placed a kiss on his chest and lifted her head to meet his stormy gaze. “Will you be there?”
“You couldn’t fucking keep me from it.”
She sucked in her lower lip. “You keep saying things like that, and I’ll expect you to stick around.” Her tone was teasing but she was dead serious. There was more to this interlude than she cared to admit.
“I’m not going anywhere.” His narrowed gaze was so intense she wanted to squirm. He set her on edge. Challenged her. But in a way that she could accept.
He was perfect for her. She just wasn’t perfect for him. As much as she liked to deny it, she… belonged to someone else, and it didn’t matter that she and Cael weren’t mated. They were intended. That meant she wasn’t intended for Lexar. It meant there was someone else out in the world for him. And he deserved to be happily mated.
Her stomach turned and flipped at the idea of him with another wolf. Shit. If she wasn’t careful she was going to break her own rules. Then where would they be?
Avan stood and swiped the keys from the bedside table, tossing them to Lexar.
“I’m going to shower.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Is that an invitation?”
She couldn’t help the small grin that curved her lips. “Not this time, Captain. I need to smell neutral for the challenge. Right now…” She inhaled deeply. Their mixed scents were intoxicating. She wanted to drown in them. “Right now, I smell—”
“Fucking delicious,” he snapped, frowning.
He didn’t like the idea of her washing it off. Her stomach clenched. He might as well have just said ‘I love you’.
Her smile widened. “So fucking delicious.”
In the bathroom, she made quick work of the shower. It felt good to function again. The pain was minimal. Almost non-existent. Her internal injuries were still a tad tender but nothing she couldn’t handle. Now she just had to stay that way. Otherwise, Cael would have to help again. And that wouldn’t bode well for any of them.
In the bedroom, she found Lexar dressed and waiting with a tray of food. A few light items. Perfect for pre-fight fuel.
“I went to find food, but your mama already had this ready.”
Knowing Mama, she’d probably been nervous-cooking for hours. There would be food for days.
Avan ate quickly, and then dressed in lightweight pants and a form fitting tank. Lexar watched her every move but it didn’t rile her. It was actually sort of calming. His presence helped her focus.
The first contender was much weaker than the wolf, Raden. It was never a sure thing, but she felt confident she could beat him. She’d never admit it out loud but these things made her nervous. The idea of fighting to the death made her sick. In the beginning she’d tried to convince challengers to leave before it came to that. But they’d mistaken her mercy for weakness. With the shifters, there was no other way. If a wolf wanted to take your pack, you had to prove you were worthy of keeping it. Killing was the only option.
“I’m ready,” she murmured.
Lexar pushed off from the wall, strolling over to her. “You’ve got this.”
His faith in her abilities meant more than he could ever know, more than it should.
Avan smirked. “It’ll be cake. Then only three more to go.”
She pushed past him for the door, but he grabbed her arm, bringing her back around. His arms went aro
und her, backing her into the nearby wall, and she let him. There was no threat, and after what they’d shared…
“You took something from me earlier, now I’m going to take it back.” He held her gently, but his weight pressed against her. “And there will be no more asking between the two of us. If I want to kiss you, I will. And if you want to tie me up… you will. We good?”
She stared into his pale eyes, part of her not willing to agree. If they did this, she’d lose the upper hand. Things could unwind faster than she could fix.
Lexar ran his nose softly along her cheek. “Say yes,” he whispered. “I’ll beg if that’s what you really want.”
But then again, if he could make her feel like the ground had fallen out from under her feet with a simple touch… who really had the upper hand?
“Yes,” she breathed.
His lips connected with hers in the next breath. Soft and exploring, yet demanding at the same time. His hands came up to cradle the sides of her face, anchoring her in place for his mouth. His tongue delved in, laying claim to the space, taking over every inch. He tasted rich and hot. Like steam from the hot springs on a January morning. Sultry. Decadent.
Dear god.
He pulled away and she was left gasping for air. No one had ever kissed her like that. Like they needed her oxygen and they intended to kiss it out of her body. Damn it, how did he get to her so fast? How did he get to her at all?
He straightened, leaving her lounging against the wall. “You’re going to be late, Alpha.”
She blinked, finding her legs and making them move her toward the door. Yeah, she’d make it through this first contender. For her pack. But also for him. Because he was going to kiss her like that again. And she was going to let him.
***
Three days had passed. Three challengers were dead. Avan took a good beating with each one, but she wouldn’t let Lexar call Cael back. At Lexar’s request, he and Besh had stayed in the nearby town of Mountainburg in case there was an emergency. It was a good hour’s drive through the mountain, but staying at the camp was out of the question since, in many of the wolves’ eyes, Besh was still their First Mate. Some felt she’d betrayed them.
