She stretched up on her toes and kissed him softly, her tongue hesitantly darting out to reach his. Though he desperately wanted to shred her clothing from her body and take her where they stood, marking her as his and showing her what it meant to be with someone who wasn’t cruel, he knew he needed to take it slow.
He pulled back, leaving them both panting. “Sweet Ellie, sweet, sweet Ellie.” She blushed under that caramel skin of hers, and he led her to one of the cabin’s bedrooms. They’d been sleeping separately and in shifts, but tonight, they’d be in one bed.
Maddox could practically taste the nervousness coming from her, and if he were honest, he was just as nervous. He wanted to make it good for her, yet he didn’t want to scare her and go too fast, too hard.
“Tell me what to do,” she whispered.
“Just be yourself, Ellie. That’s all I’ll ever ask of you. Well, that and tell me if something feels good, okay?” He quirked his mouth in a smile to ease her, and she gave a small laugh.
“Kissing felt pretty good,” she said quickly as if she were embarrassed to have said it.
He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. “Good, because there’s more of that to come. We’re going to go slow, Ellie mine. Slow and sweet. If I do anything that scares you, let me know.”
She nodded. “Are…are you sure you can go slow?” Her eyes darted to below his waist, and he held back a chuckle.
He knew she saw his jeans strain at the hold his dick on him, but there was no way he’d go fast and hard—not this time.
“Don’t you worry about him,” he joked.
“He looks like he needs to be let out.” Her eyes widened at her words, and he threw his head back and laughed.
“Well, I’m sure that’ll happen soon.”
“What I meant before was that I know we’re wolves and that mates like to go…you know…hard. So if that’s what we need to do the first time, we can.”
Oh, his sweet Ellie. Gods, she hurt him just be revealing hints of what she’d gone through. His brave Ellie.
He ran his hands down her bare arms again before gripping her hips, and then he pulled her to him, her soft body flush against his hard one. His jean-clad erection brushed her belly, and her breath quickened.
“We’ll go fast and hard next time. I promise you’ll like it.” Gods, he knew he would. “This time though is going to be different.”
“Can we stop talking about it now?”
He chuckled and nodded. “Anything you say, Ellie mine.”
Chapter 13
Maddox brought his lips to hers, this time deepening the kiss right away, letting their tongues tangle as Ellie rocked against him as if she couldn’t help herself.
His wolf howled in triumph and nudged at him, wanting him to mount her right away.
Done with words, he slowly ran his hands up and down her body as he continued to kiss her lips, her jaw, her neck. She moaned and writhed against him, turning him on more than he thought possible. He pulled back and met her gaze, and he took off her top, leaving her full breasts bare. They were ripe—at least a handful—and were tipped with dark nipples that hardened in the cool air of the room…or under his gaze.
Either way, he groaned at the sight of them, though he also saw the scars that marred her sides and belly, He ignored them for now, needing her to know he saw her as a woman first and foremost—never a victim.
She raised her chin as if daring him to say anything about it, so he kissed her lips then trailed kisses down her shoulders to the valley between her breasts. He could feel her heartbeat quicken under his tongue, and he smiled before turning his attention to her nipples. He rolled one in his fingers while suckling on the other, gently biting down so he could gauge her reaction.
“Maddox…” she breathed.
Good.
He sucked and nibbled her breasts, alternating between the two while palming the other in his hand to show them equal, exquisite attention. Her breathing labored as he ran his tongue under each breast and then lower. He dipped his tongue in her belly button, causing her to jump. Maddox palmed her ass, keeping her in place, and looked up, running his tongue along the waistband of her pants where it met her skin.
“What…what are you doing?”
He smiled and gently pushed her toward the bed. The back of her legs hit it, and she froze.
“I’m going to taste every inch of you, and then I’m going to love you until neither of us can breathe. We’ll both be so spent we’ll just lie in a heap until morning, and then I’ll take you again just because I can. Does that sound like a plan?”
Her eyes widened, and then she smiled. “I think I’m going to like being your mate.”
He bit her hip slightly then laved at the mark to lessen the sting. Ellie gasped, so he bit her other side, loving the way she responded.
She looked like a goddess, standing above him topless, her hair framing her face and running down her back. A long lock fell over her shoulder, brushing her breast, and he twirled it around his finger, gently touching her nipple as he did so. He let the lock fall so it cascaded along her breast again and smiled.
He was going to love taking his time with her.
This was the only form of torture she’d ever go through again.
No, he couldn’t think about that, not now.
Maddox felt her fingers along his brow, and he looked up at her.
“No dark thoughts, my Omega. Only good ones. Only us.”
He kissed her belly then pulled back to nod. “Only us.”
He wrapped the top of her yoga pants around his hands and pulled down, his gaze never leaving hers. She lifted one leg then the other as he removed them completely. He finally looked down and sucked in a breath.
“No panties?”
“They’re in the wash,” she whispered. “We don’t have that many clothes, you know.” She seemed almost embarrassed at the fact she was naked before him.
He’d have to do something about that—tell her how beautiful she was and how much he wanted her…even when he’d denied it for so long.
“I’m not complaining. Dear goddess, I’m not complaining.”
Maddox held himself still, trying to gain control. Goddess, his Ellie was the hottest thing he’d ever seen. She had curves, yes, but they were made from strength and learning to be herself. Her hips flared out, perfect for his hold. He could imagine himself gripping her hard as he pumped in and out of her, either from behind or from above where he could look into those dark eyes of hers and fall so deep.
Ellie held a hand out then froze, as if unsure of herself.
“Ellie mine, what do you want? What do you need?” He trailed his fingers down her hips as he spoke, her soft skin tantalizing.
“I…I don’t know.” She shook her head, even as he felt her tremble beneath his touch. “I’m not good at this sort of thing.”
He pushed back the anger at that statement. Not toward her, of course, but against those who’d taken away her innocence and the fragile hold on who she could have become. He’d find a way to make it up to her.
Starting right now.
He slowly sat her down on the bed, and then he knelt between her thighs. He then lifted her chin to meet her gaze directly.
“I already told you that you just have to do what feels good, my Ellie.” He took her lips then, relishing her taste.
He pulled back and took off his shirt, loving the way her eyes widened while looking at his chest. He knew she’d risked peeks at him before in stolen glances—as he’d done to her even when he’d denied himself.
He kissed her again then trailed his lips and hands along her neck and shoulders. He felt her fingers delectably dance along his skin, and he smiled.
She was doing something she desired for once.
Good.
He lowered his head to her breast and suckled on the sweet berry, flicking his tongue as she panted against him. He shifted attention to her other breast, and she moaned, slightly rocking toward him. Again
, like before, he licked and kissed down her belly until he reached her hips then pushed her back so she lay flat on the bed, her legs dangling off the end.
She was bare to him, only a small amount of dark hair on her mound drawing his attention to the glorious sight before him. To him, she was untouched, clean and fresh as a new day’s snow.
Ellie leaned up on her elbows and stared down at him, so he met her gaze and lowered his face, letting his tongue press against the hood of her clit.
She gasped, her body freezing, but he didn’t hold her down to kiss her more intimately. No, he’d never hold her down.
“Does that feel good?” he asked as he blew against her opening.
She shuddered then nodded, as if hesitant to say anything aloud.
“Good, my sweet Ellie. I’m going to taste you then make you come.” He usually wasn’t so vocal during sex, but this was different; this was Ellie. He wanted to make sure she knew everything that was to come, and frankly, this wasn’t just sex…this was making love.
“You…you don’t have to be so cautious with me,” she whispered. “I’m not technically a virgin.”
He shook his head then placed a kiss on both of her inner thighs. “This is your first time, darling. Our first time. This is just us.”
She nodded, and then he leaned in to trail his tongue along her lower lips. He parted her before licking and sucking, savoring her sweet taste.
Ellie buckled off the bed, but again, he didn’t hold her down. Instead, he kissed and rolled his tongue along her pussy and clit while trailing one hand along her hip, relaxing her at the same time.
Slowly, he circled one finger around her clit then lower to her core before entering her. Her inner walls clamped around his finger, and he smiled before licking her again. He worked in and out of her channel then added a second finger, curling them to find that special point that would take her over the edge.
“Oh…Maddox,” she whispered, her voice a plea.
He sucked on her clit as he rubbed circles on her G-spot, growling softly as he did so, sending vibrations through his soon-to-be-mate’s body.
Her walls clamped down on him tighter, and she screamed, coming in a glorious blush. He didn’t relent, wanting her to come down slowly and still in the midst of pleasure.
Finally, he pulled away and stood above her.
Goddess, she was magnificent.
Her tanned skin had a rosy hue, her body slightly glowing from exertion.
He smiled at her, and she did the same.
“That…that was amazing,” she whispered.
He’d known she’d never orgasmed before, and now that she had…goddess, he couldn’t wait to make her do it again.
“You’re the one who’s amazing,” he said as he slowly undid his jeans then let them fall to the floor.
Her gaze went directly to his groin, and he smiled.
“I see I’m not the only one caught on laundry day,” she said wryly.
He chuckled and shook his head. “It would seem that way.”
Maddox lowered his body over her but didn’t touch her. He merely rested above her, with his forearms bracketing her head.
“Scoot up, darling, and rest your head on the pillow,” he ordered softly.
Her eyes widened, but she did as he asked, her breasts rubbing along his body as she did so. He finally gave in to temptation and kissed every inch of skin he could as she moved beneath him.
Ellie’s hair framed her head, splaying on the pillow. Again, a long tendril fell down her chest, circling her breast. He was pretty sure that was his favorite lock of hair.
“Are you ready, Ellie mine?”
Though his cock strained, he didn’t move, not wanting to scare her.
“Always, Maddox. Always for you.”
She didn’t duck her head at her words this time, and he let out a breath.
Progress.
He gently took her mouth, letting her juices on his tongue meld with the sweet taste of her mouth. She moaned against him, arching her back as she did so.
The act forced his cock to brush against her pussy, and he groaned.
Dear sweet heaven, her core was so heated he could barely breathe.
He pulled away slightly and gathered her arms one a time and pulled them above her head, tangling his fingers with hers so they held hands. He focused his gaze on hers as he positioned himself at her entrance and slowly, oh so slowly, entered her.
She was the sweetest torture known to man, and he’d gladly die right there, knowing he’d found his heaven.
There would be more times for hard and fast, but now it was all about the exploration…the moment.
Her breath quickened as he pushed deeper until he was fully seated, his cock buried within her sweet heat, his balls tight in anticipation.
“Ellie mine,” he whispered then pulled back, her walls clinging to him.
He thrust back in then pulled out again, over and over until they found a rhythm that forced him to hold onto control. His wolf howled, knowing that this was true peace, true everything.
Their hands remained together, their gazes never wavering as he slowly thrust in and out until he watched the blush rise in her cheeks and her eyes darken, the rim of gold from her wolf glowing.
He howled as they came together, his seed filling her, cementing the first part of their mating. His fangs elongated, longing to finish the second part of the mating, but he held back, keeping his promise.
His heart shuddered as he felt Ellie’s soul wrap around his, their mating forming in the most fragile of senses. Yet, he could feel it was a strong bond, one made from their pasts and their future…one that would not be easily broken.
Maddox leaned down and took her lips, feeling his own tears on his cheeks as Ellie cried as well.
Why had he taken so long to do this?
He’d been missing…everything.
Goddess, he’d been a fool.
He slowly rocked within her core, the small spasms still shuddering around him as well as along his spine.
They’d started the first of their mating, and goddess, it was more than he’d expected.
He only hoped it wouldn’t be her downfall.
Chapter 14
The sun slid through the blinds, and Ellie snuggled deeper into the bed, not wanting to break the fragile peace she held on to so desperately. The room smelled of warmth, sex, and a mating bond that she hadn’t known would be so tactile…so full of life. A heavy arm wrapped around her waist, and she smiled. Her new mate wrapped around her, closer and more heated than a blanket. He smelled of warmth, wolf, and forest—only a bare hint of that brokenness that used to cloud him and his smile.
She could feel Maddox inside her heart, her skin, and her soul. Their bond flared, and the human halves of them entwined, settling into a newness that she wanted to explore.
This is what she’d been missing—what she’d needed.
They were finally mates in all ways that mattered—other than the marking. Their kind needed two forms of mating in order to remain fully together. The human halves needed to make love, Maddox’s seed cementing that bond as he filled her in the most romantic and erotic of ways.
Soon, when they both were ready, they’d each bite down into the flesh part of the shoulders where it met the necks and mark each other. Their wolves would then be mates just like their humans. The physical reminder would fade over time, letting them have the opportunity to mark again and again, feeding their bond and enjoying the sensual side effects, but the bond would never fade. As time moved on, their bond would strengthen and grow new layers, forming into a relationship that was unique to them.
She understood his reservations on that accord though and would gladly wait for her wolf’s mating to assuage both of their fears. He wanted to ensure his own pain wouldn’t seep into her. He was afraid that she’d break under the stress of what his position in the Pack entailed. For some reason, she wasn’t scared of it. The goddess had taken everything in her lif
e, or at least had allowed it to be taken through Corbin, yet she trusted fate and all that came with it to ensure the bond would be strong enough for both her and Maddox.
It didn’t make any sense, yet she couldn’t find the power to fear their mating.
Ellie could feel his steady breathing behind her and knew he had to be asleep. Good, he hadn’t been sleeping recently, at least not enough. His stress over North and her safety had stressed him to the point that she could see the faint lines around his eyes deepen with each breath when he was awake. She knew the demands of being the Omega weighed heavily on him, and now she hoped that she could ease that burden.
If he let her.
Well, to hell with that, she’d make him. They were mates, and he’d just have to deal with the fact that she wanted to be part of his life.
Maddox had brought her fire back—something she’d thought she’d lost long ago. She’d be damned if she lost it again.
She closed her eyes again and sank deeper into his arms. The world around them was falling apart, but for the moment, all she wanted to do was lie in his hold and forget her problems. It might sound selfish, but she’d never had that place to do so before. She’d never had that safe place.
Maddox was her safe place.
She felt a gentle brush of lips along her shoulder, and she moaned. Ellie moved closer toward him and smiled as his cock pressed along her backside.
“Good morning,” he grumbled.
“Not a morning person, are you?” she teased and wiggled again.
He gripped her hip but didn’t hold her still. No, like the night before, he let her set the pace and where she wanted to be. Goddess, she felt safe with him.
She wouldn’t regret that decision.
He bit her shoulder gently, and she held herself still. Her wolf clawed at her, wanting that mark that neither she nor Maddox was ready for. He kissed her where he’d nibbled and ran a hand up to cup her breast.
Shattered Emotions (Redwood Pack) Page 13
