She swallowed and coughed. “Everywhere.” She moved as if to sit, and he supported her body with his.
“I feel like I fell out of a tree.” She chuckled.
A tight knot released in his gut. He buried his face in her leaf-tangled hair. That she could laugh was an excellent sign. “We shouldn’t stay here. A storm is brewing.”
She wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. “I’m so glad you came for me.”
Warmth spread through his body at her declaration. He pulled her closer. “Don’t ever leave the den by yourself again.”
Thunder rolled in the distance and he searched the sky, trying to gauge how much time they had. “Come.” He helped her stand. “Ride on my back.” He twisted so she could climb aboard. They were making a habit of this. Next thing he knew, she’d want a saddle.
“Sorry, my knees don’t want to work yet.” She leaned her head on his shoulder.
With his thumb under her chin, he tilted her face toward his. “Are you strong enough to ride?”
“Yeah, I just needed to catch my breath.” As she scaled the fur on his back he could sense her wince with each move.
The wind grew stronger and the scent of rain heavier. He would need to run to beat the storm. After taking a few steps, he stopped. Sharp pain traveled into his skin from Susan pulling his fur in a death grip. “Susan?”
“I can’t ride. My back is too sore to hold on properly.” She slipped off and landed in a puddle on the ground. “Sorry, we’re going to get wet.”
Fat raindrops fell from the sky, landing in scattered patterns. It wouldn’t be long before the torrents started. “There’s a cave not far from here. We’ll shelter there for the night.” He scooped her in his arms before she could protest and trotted. If only he could carry her like this back to the den, but his feral form wasn’t designed for long-distance, bipedal runs.
“I can walk if it’s not too far, you know.”
“Carrying you is quicker.” He glanced at her. “And I like it.”
She sighed a quiet sound, which she couldn’t hide from his keen hearing.
They had much to discuss. First, he’d provide shelter and protection, then he’d find out exactly why she ran. Worry clung to him on their journey to the cave, a familiar emotion since he killed his father and became alpha, yet this time the source of his distress was too unpredictable to figure out. There had been too many misunderstandings between them for him to make assumptions.
He stopped by some old, dry brush left leaning against a hill. Setting Susan on her feet, he steadied her before removing a pile of dead branches to reveal a hidden entrance. “It’s a winter hunting cave. We keep it supplied in case of emergencies or poor weather.”
“I’m fine, Sorin.” She rolled her eyes. “Really, I’m just being a wimp. I can hang—” Thunder crashed overhead and she jumped against him. “Never mind, the cave sounds good.”
He pointed to the ground where she stood. “Stay here.” If she wandered off again, he’d start tying her down. Crouched on all fours, he stuck his head through the small entrance. Just inside was a wooden door well-crafted to fit the narrow tunnel. It kept the vermin from their stores. Crawling, he went through the tunnel and found a lantern. Susan needed light to see.
Delicate fingers threaded through his fur. “Is it okay for me to come in?”
The unexpected touch sent a jolt through his spine. He’d been so focused on lighting the wick he hadn’t heard Susan crawl in. “Don’t you ever do what you’re told?” He held up the lantern so the soft light would chase the shadows away.
She withdrew her hand. “Not unless it makes sense. I didn’t hear any struggling inside, and the rain is worse. I can think for myself.”
The cave was too small for him to stand in feral form. He shifted. “Are you considered an alpha among humans?”
“Sort of. Depends on your definition.” She tracked her gaze over his body.
He’d never been so aware of his nudity so he grabbed a blanket off a pallet by the cave’s wall and wrapped it around his waist. She didn’t need to know how easily she triggered his arousal.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Humans don’t live in packs but I held a leadership role.”
Sorin admired the way Susan held up her chin and met his gaze. However, such an attitude had to be backed up with physical strength within the pack or she’d be beaten on a regular basis. “You’re not living among humans anymore. Unless you’re willing to fight, I suggest you learn to take orders.”
Anger flashed in Susan’s eyes, and she poked him in the chest. “Only when the orders make sense. Everyone expects me to become an omega or a stray but I can’t. It—it kills me to bow in submission to someone I don’t respect.” She shoved him out of her way and crossed to the pallet.
He closed his eyes and inhaled her scent as she brushed past.
“I won’t be crawling onto my belly for anyone again.” She flinched as she plopped herself onto the bedding.
Tilting his head to the side, he crouched in front of her. “Where does it hurt?”
“My lower back.”
He didn’t smell any blood. “Let me look.”
Pressing her lips in a fine line, she glared at him. Silence saturated the empty cave. “I’m wearing a dress.”
“Do you need help taking it off?” He tried not to grin but failed miserably.
“You’re an ass.”
“You left the den.”
“I did it for you.”
He rocked back on his heels. “How is leaving without a word and racing into a forest alone to become a lion’s snack for me?” Females. Maybe he should keep to his original plan and remain unmated.
“I’m not a shifter.” She squirmed on the pallet, her gaze falling to the ground. “And—and things are growing intense between us.”
The air left his chest, the pain sharp and burning. “You don’t want me.”
She jerked her chin up, dragging her eyes to meet his. “No—I mean yes. Oh, dammit, Sorin. Your pack won’t ever accept me. I can never truly be your mate. I probably can’t even give you pups. If I let things become—intimate between us, then I’ll never leave.”
A huge smile split his face, so big it hurt.
“Don’t.” She held up her hand.
“I don’t care that you’re human.”
“Sorin.”
He shrugged, still smiling. “My pack’s opinion doesn’t matter when it comes to my love life.”
She hung her head.
“Why do I need pups when I have a den full of other people’s pups?” He remained still, his legs cramping in their crouched position, but he feared if he moved she’d bolt.
“You mean that, don’t you?”
“I always say what I mean.”
Her breath hitched before throwing herself in his arms. She clung to him. “I feel so alone.”
Her words cut with a dagger’s edge. Tremors wracked her body, and he held her tight. “Not anymore. You have me.”
Pushing away, she wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry I ran. It seemed like a good idea at the time.” She wiped her nose. “The lion changed my mind.”
He laughed, letting his head fall back. She always found a way around his barriers that made him feel things stronger. Too long had he hidden behind duty to shield his lonely heart. He almost forgot who Sorin was until he found her in the Temple.
She cringed in his arms. “Too tight.”
He released his hold. “Let me examine your back.”
She removed the dress over her head, a pretty blush flaming her bare flesh, right to the tips of her erect nipples.
It only made him want her more. “I’ve seen you naked before.” He cleared his throat to rid himself of his rough voice. His words were meant to ease her discomfort but they only increased his.
She offered him a shy smile. “I remember.” Lying on her stomach, she gave him access to her back.
He recalled all too well. So did his aching cock. T
racing his fingers over her spine, he focused on her injuries instead of how soft her flesh felt under his touch. “Tell me if something hurts as I probe.”
He wasn’t a healer but he knew enough about broken bones to make a fair assessment. She didn’t say anything as he pushed with gentle force on her lower backbone, but when he made contact with the muscles she tensed.
“There.”
“The muscles are bruised. Time and loving care will heal it.” He bent, kissing the sore spot, and she shivered. “Are you cold?”
“A little but I’m sure you can warm me.” She rolled onto her side and patted the pallet.
Thunder continued to roll outside, and the wind whistled into the cave.
He wiped his sweaty palms on the blanket around his waist then crawled next to her. Inches away from her, he allowed himself a moment to admire all her lush curves. Tonight, nothing would keep him from having her.
The peaks of her rounded breasts hardened under his scrutiny. It had been so long since he’d made love. He didn’t want to make a mistake and frighten her away again.
Her eyes fluttered closed as he traced her arm with his fingertips. Smooth and creamy, her skin was perfection under his calloused flesh. She leaned toward him, her mouth parted.
They had the whole night to themselves. He licked his lips. No need to hurry. If he took his time maybe he’d remember how to do this right.
Dazed by the pulsing arousal coursing through her body, Susan melted against Sorin as his hand traveled over her body, threading through her hair, and brought his lips to hers. Starting at one corner, he trekked with sweet, slow movements over her mouth. Each sip and gentle suck increased her desperation.
“I won’t break,” she whispered against his mouth. “But if you don’t fuck me soon I’m going to hurt you.”
Flames ignited in his eyes and he rolled on top. He pressed his mouth hard against hers, slipping his tongue between her inviting lips. The kiss was like rough velvet and summer storms. She moved against him, wrapping her legs around his hips, and he groaned.
She smiled slowly, luxuriating in his response. Her best fantasies never contained a man like Sorin desiring her. The hard muscles of his chest flexed as she ran her hands down toward his abs until she gripped that dang blanket around his hips. She tugged.
The coarse material fell away and revealed a hard, ready cock.
“Lie back.” He moved over her body and spread her thighs. “Let me show you how a shifter male should please his mate.”
Susan trembled. His voice was deep, so dark it caressed her senses. Her pussy ached with the need to be touched.
He crawled to the bottom of the pallet, watching her with sinful intent. His large hands gripped her knees as he spread them farther apart.
Breathless, she grasped the pallet, afraid in her bliss she might float away. She wanted him there, wanted to feel him lick her, taste her.
A shifter male. The words sent shivers along her spine. Were they different from human males? She’d never thought to ask. His savage nature hinted at a strong, territorial passion. Susan wanted to know the truth. Sorin stroked an arousal inside her that consumed any denial. She belonged to him. “Sorin?”
He didn’t answer her. His lips came over her pussy with wicked force as he claimed her with an intimate kiss that curled her toes. Pushing past her nether lips, he pumped his tongue with slow, deliberate strokes, teasing her, making her moan in need.
Lost in abandon, she tangled her fingers in his thick, soft mane of hair. She would have been happy to clutch it all night. Her backaches disappeared, replaced with euphoric pleasure rooted from her core.
His hands smoothed up her hips, along her waist until he cupped her breasts. Tracing slow, intricate designs over her nipples, he possessed her body.
She let go of her past, her world and her species. She released all ties to these things to be with him. He possessed her heart.
He suckled her, groaning against her flesh, his tongue lashing at her little bud. Simultaneously, he pinched and tugged at her nipples.
Rockets of astonishing pleasure burst through Susan’s mind. She arched her back—so close, so good. Closing her eyes, she could find release with just the right stroke but he slid lower, his tongue moving between her folds again, tormenting her. “You’re driving me crazy,” she cried out.
Resting his chin on her pubic bone, he gave her a lazy grin that glistened. “Good.”
“I need you.”
He slid a finger inside her. “Not yet.” Kissing along her torso, Sorin traveled toward her mouth. “I’ve dreamed of this,” he whispered against her lips. “Dreamed of your sweet body, of being deep inside of you.”
A fluttery, empty feeling settled in her stomach. It was the most erotic thing she’d ever been told. She grasped his face between her hands and stared into his amber gaze. Wolf eyes. Beautiful. Wild.
She kissed him, surrendering to the joy and elation that rioted in her heart. A sound of naked yearning burst from her chest. She’d never experienced a need as powerful as the need to taste Sorin. To press against his rippling muscles, to lick and bite his skin.
She released his face then nibbled along the smooth skin of his jaw line until she sank her teeth in the thick muscles of his neck.
His hands clenched her shoulders, his fingers massaging her bare flesh. “Yes.”
She moved lower while still under him, flicking an erect male nipple with the tip of her tongue, her pussy clenching at the sharp growl that came from her shifter. Traveling past his rapidly heaving chest, she explored the clenching muscles of his stomach.
He rolled to his side, her name a plea on his lips.
She liked the desperate tone in his voice, and she wanted more.
Licking over his hard, tanned skin, she glanced along his torso and was trapped by his feral gaze. She slowed and sipped around his belly button, then grazed her teeth on its edge.
A tremor ran over his muscles.
Lower and lower, she eased toward the hard cock poking her in the chest. His tip rubbed against her as Sorin rocked his hips. His hungry gaze never left hers. The amber shone with an inner light in the dark cave. Promises of carnal acts, animalistic passion hid behind them.
She ran her tongue over the underside of his shaft with a long, slow stroke.
“Yes.” He ground out the word between clenched teeth.
Suckling the tip of his hard flesh, she struggled to become accustomed to his size. She didn’t have much skill, but she was greedy to learn. She wouldn’t deny Sorin any request and wanted to experience every sexual act with him. Stroking him deeper and deeper, she immersed herself in the sensation of his thick cock sliding in her mouth—this powerful male breathing harshly, desperately, as she sucked on his flesh.
“Oh, Susan, please…” He threaded his fingers in her hair, tightening his grip in her long strands as he pulled and thrust a little deeper in her throat.
She was doing something right. It wasn’t easy to grin with her mouth full. Her tongue caressed his shaft as shallow, strong strokes powered between her lips. She wanted to taste him, hear him cry her name, as his release gripped his body.
The sac between his legs tightened, drawing closer to the base of his cock. She handled his balls with care, enjoying the heaviness in her hand.
His cock throbbed and he stilled, his hands holding her steady as he withdrew from her mouth. “Not this way. Not our first time.” His voice was guttural and harsh. “Susan, you’ll be the death of me.” Slipping his hands under her arms, he lifted her to his mouth and ravaged her with a kiss.
Hard-pressed for breath, she gulped for air when he released her. She writhed under the weight of his body as he rolled on top once more, her hands racing over whatever flesh she could touch.
Staring down at her with sinful voracity, he nudged the tip of his cock against her sensitive entrance. “Now, I make you mine.”
Holy cow, yes, this was what she wanted. She caught her breath at the tight str
etch of her tender pussy. He was big. Thick. She whimpered. She couldn’t help it.
Watching her closely, he paused and waited until her muscles relaxed. “It will be fine. We’ll go slow and tell me if it hurts.” He laid a gentle kiss on her lips. Warm and tender, just like his soul. He slid forward another inch and groaned.
That was so good. A mix of pleasure and pain like the synapses in her brain were crossed. Each light thrust increased both. “Sorin?” Her voice shook.
With another thrust, the head of his cock was buried deep inside her, a burning stretch filling her pussy. “You’re so tight.” He exhaled a harsh breath. The muscles in his arms trembled, his body corded with his fight for control. He began with a tender pump of his hips.
She grew wetter with his strokes. The profound bliss built, a blistering heat and desire that had her moaning, her pussy clenching around his cock.
Sorin rode above her. His muscles bulged as if he fought feral instincts. Amber eyes glowing, he glared at her through his silvered hair falling around them in an erotic veil.
Arching her back, Susan took him deeper, moving in time to his thrusts. “Harder. Take me harder.”
He muttered what sounded like a prayer before driving into her at a more demanding pace. He was fighting for breath now, his eyes closed, lips drawn back. “I can’t…”
“Sorin.” Her voice was strained as she sensed her pussy milking his flesh, drawing him deeper. Every sensitive nerve ending in her channel caressed his hard shaft.
“Sorry, I can’t wait.”
Susan barely had time to take a breath before he slammed into her, hard and deep and fast. In and out, in and out. She cried out, an animal-like noise as he stretched her even more, impaling her with his thick, male flesh.
Sorin gripped her thighs. He growled, breathing roughly by her ear. “Feel me.”
“Yes.” She nodded, the blend of pleasure and pain driving her mad.
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