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. Tracing 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.