Ethan was bound and determined to make sure their first night was as special for her as she was to him, so he set out to worship her body. “Lacy, I’m going to kiss you again.”
“Please,” she whimpered.
“Every inch of you.”
She squirmed beneath him, and Ethan groaned. He reached for the hem of her shirt, lifting the material until she rose up enough to bring it over her head, her chestnut hair falling in gentle waves around her head. Next, he skimmed his fingers over the scalloped edge of her black bra, loving the way her dusky nipples beaded under the lacy material. “So pretty. Like little berries, just waiting to be nibbled.” His voice was rough and husky as he unhooked the front clasp and spread the material, freeing her full breasts. Lowering his head, Ethan swiped his tongue over one pink nub and was rewarded with a throaty moan as she arched in an attempt to draw him closer, to bring his lips to her breast again.
Claiming her mouth once more, Ethan savored her unique taste before moving on, placing tender kisses down the side of her slender neck, across her collarbone then down the valley in the middle of her ample chest. Her panting breath puffed out in a rush as he closed his mouth over one puckered peak, drawing the tender flesh into his mouth before biting down ever so gently.
“Oh, God! Ethan!” she cried out, her body bowing beneath his.
Satisfied, he moved to the next, as his hands skimmed down her trim stomach and began to unfasten her shorts. Her hands ran down his back before she tugged his shirt free of his pants. Wanting to feel her skin against his own, Ethan halted his loving long enough to pull free of the garment and fling it across the room.
Instantly, he found Lacy’s mouth at his neck, traveling over his chest, before giving his nipple a little nip. Sucking in a ragged breath through clenched teeth, he struggled with his control. He practically shook with the effort to go slow and easy, the way she deserved to be loved.
“Lacy, baby, you have to stop.”
“Why?” she purred, rubbing her cheek over his chest, her hands sliding down his back to cup his jean-clad ass in her small hands.
“Because, if you don’t, I’ll lose control. I want to be gentle with you. You deserve that.”
“You have no idea what I deserve, and right now, I’m not looking for gentle. I’m looking for passion. I’m looking for that wild man I glimpsed in our first photo shoot. The savage man who was stalking me in the woods.”
“You have no idea what you’re asking for.”
“Yes, I do. Give it to me, Ethan. Don’t make me beg.”
And she would, he could see it in the depths of her violet eyes.
That would not happen. He would never make this woman do more than ask for anything she wanted. Hell, he would do his best to anticipate her needs and see that each and every one was met for the rest of her life.
She was
his
.
“Never. You’ll never have to beg me for anything. There’s nothing I would deny you,” Ethan whispered in her ear, and her heart melted. Perhaps, she
had
found her Prince Charming at last.
His hands were back at her shorts now, and Lacy did her best to help him remove them, though she shouldn’t have bothered. No, Ethan simply jerked the things down her legs before zeroing in on the tiny black thong she wore beneath.
He was magnificent. His muscular chest rising and falling with every quick breath, the grace of his lean body, and the strength that he kept tightly in check… All of it served to make her so hot, Lacy swore the sheets would ignite.
She watched in fascination as his head dipped and he inhaled, a low sound coming from deep within his chest. “You’re so ready for me. I can smell your arousal, Lacy. I want to taste it.” His fingers hooked into the sides of her panties as he slid them over her hips and down her legs in one smooth motion.
Lacy couldn’t speak as she watched him move between her legs, his eyes locked with hers, a hypnotic glow emanating from their depths as he lowered himself. Lifting her thighs over his broad shoulders, he treated her to a truly wicked grin before lowering his head to her bare mound and delivering a long, leisurely lick.
Lacy cried out, grateful for his hands at her hips; otherwise she would have flown off the bed. His hot mouth was on her, his tongue parting her folds, plunging inside then sliding up to flicker over her clit. Holy hell! Her past lovers had never zeroed in on that spot so soon. They’d usually fumbled about until she’d steered them there herself.
Already, her orgasm was building, that wonderful tightness gathering in her womb. Just when she thought it couldn’t possibly feel any better, she felt one thick finger ease inside her, and her eyes sprang open.
She was panting now. There was no way to form words with her body on the brink, and when he worked a second digit into her, she felt her inner muscles contract around the invasion.
“You’re so close, Lacy. I want to see you come for me again. You’re so beautiful when you shatter.”
Dear God, his words only served to make her even hotter. Her breaths were so shallow now she feared she may pass out
.
The pressure building was so intense, it was bordering on pain. Her release right was there but still not close enough.
“
Please
.”
“I’ve got you. I’ll always have you. Just let go, Lacy. Don’t fight it.”
The pace of his thrusting fingers picked up, his mouth returning to her core with a suckling kiss that had her seeing stars.
He was right; she was fighting it, but the sensations were so intense they frightened her. Never before had anything felt so good…
His fingers crooked inside her, rubbing some secret spot within her channel, at the same time his tongue pressed the distended bundle of nerves it was laving, and her body went rigid.
The most intense pleasure she’d ever experienced tore through her body with devastating force, leaving her limp and shaking in its wake.
Ethan stood and removed his pants, his thick erection springing forth, before slowly making his way up her body. He cupped her face in his hands, the look in his eyes causing her breathing to stall in her chest. There was so much love shining there. Love that was directed at her, and Lacy felt her heart lurch.
His lips met hers in a sweet kiss that brought tears to her eyes. She was sure she could feel his love spilling through and made sure he would feel her own. Yes, she had every intention of keeping him, as well.
Sure, she was a romantic. It was something she inherited from her mother, and from the first time she’d seen Ethan, Lacy had known he was special.
His body was aligned with hers, though he seemed perfectly content to continue kissing her. Lacy wanted all of him though, wanted to feel them joined as one, as they found ecstasy in each other’s arms.
Lifting her hips slightly, she felt the head of his shaft pressed against her opening. Lacy groaned into his mouth. Moving her hands down his back, she sighed when she reached his perfect ass. Really, it wasn’t fair for a man to be this perfect, but she couldn’t find any flaws at all.
He
was
perfect.
“Ethan, I need you.”
“I’m trying to go slow. Lacy, I’m on the edge right now, and I don’t want to hurt you, but if you keep this up, I’ll be plowing you in a nanosecond,” Ethan growled next to her ear, his teeth against the tender skin of her neck and shoulder as he delivered his warning.
“Come on, wild man. Let’s see what you’ve got,” she taunted, giving his tight rear a squeeze, making sure he felt the bite of her nails.
She’d barely gotten the last word out before all the air was forced from her body. He thrust forward and buried himself to the hilt on the first stroke, and Lacy was shocked to find she was so near to orgasm again.
“Baby, I’m not going to last, but I swear, I’ll make this up to you,” Ethan vowed.
“I’m close. Don’t stop.”
His hips slammed into hers again and again, the sound of flesh slapping against flesh echoing through the room. The bed banged into the wall with every fierce thrust as his savage passion was given free rein.
Lacy felt her orgasm approaching, barreling forward like a freight train then crashing into her with so much force it sent her soaring. Surely, she wouldn’t survive this time. The sensations were simply too intense, too all consuming.
She could feel
everything
! Love, surprise and immense joy. She even caught a glimpse of a beige wolf in her mind that startled her as it stared at her with eyes that looked just like Ethan’s. To her utter disappointment, the feeling of joy began to morph into one of worry.
Confused, Lacy opened her eyes. She had nothing to worry about. Sure, Ethan had forgotten to use a condom, but she was on the pill and he didn’t seem the type to sleep around.
“Lacy?” Ethan’s voice was cautious, and when she turned her head in his direction, she saw fear in his eyes.
“I’m on the pill, Ethan, so don’t worry,” she soothed, still riding out the aftershocks of her last orgasm. “That was amazing. I’ve never felt anything like that before. Have you?”
“No.” His answer was quiet, and Lacy began to wonder if the feeling
had
been one-sided. He’d seemed to be into it, and she knew he’d come as well, but he seemed almost withdrawn. Guarded.
“What’s wrong?”
“We need to talk, and I’m not sure if you’ll like what I have to say. I’m a little nervous.”
Feeling a little uneasy herself, Lacy took his hand and urged him to speak to her. “You can tell me whatever it is. I promise I’ll listen and do my best to be understanding.” Of course, if he told her he’d just given her some STD, she’d likely castrate him.
Rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand, he began, “There’s a reason why you’ve never felt anything like this before. It’s because you could only feel it with me.”
Cocky much?
“I’m not like other guys, Lacy.”
“I get that. Trust me, I’ve noticed. Most men aren’t nearly as sweet and mannerly as you are, and I find it refreshing. You’re like a modern-day Prince Charming.”
He gave a weak smile, and Lacy felt a little better at seeing it. A wave of love and comfort came over her, and she wasn’t sure where it had come from.
“Did you feel that?” Ethan asked, his voice soft now, as if he was scared of spooking her.
“I feel love,” Lacy admitted, looking up into his eyes and seeing that very emotion shining back at her. “How is this possible?”
“It’s because of what I am.”
He wasn’t making any sense. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m still a man, Lacy, but I know you saw a wolf in your mind a few moments ago.”
She had. It was a beautiful animal with thick beige fur and piercing eyes the same color as Ethan’s. It hadn’t looked at her with hunger, but more like a pet would look at its owner after they’d returned from a long day away. Happy.
The wolf thing was strange enough, but… “How do you know what I saw?”
She watched as Ethan took a deep breath and took her hands into his own before answering, “Because the wolf is a part of me.”
“How? What?” This made no sense at all. Was he nuts?
“I know how crazy this is going to sound, but I can prove it to you if you promise not to scream.”
Well, yeah, because when he put it like that, it made her feel
so
much better. “Exactly what do you need to prove?”
“That I’m a werewolf.”
And there was the elusive flaw to her perfect Prince Charming. He was a closet nut job!
“Sure you are, and I’m a fairy princess.” Rolling her eyes at their ridiculous conversation and wiggling out of bed, she put on her robe before asking, “Did you forget any important medication today?” Sitting back on the bed, she waited.
His answering sigh sounded almost resigned as he rose from the bed. Thinking he was getting ready to leave, Lacy reached out her hand, only to snatch it back when his form began to shimmer out of focus.
Scrubbing her eyes with her fists, Lacy opened them only to find the beige wolf—in real life—staring at her from where it lay on the floor. A quick glance around the room showed no sign of Ethan, yet the seemingly docile canine next to the bed continued to regard her with a look of longing.
Lacy, however, knew enough about wild animals to keep her guard up. She was well aware of how many animals turned on their owners, especially those who were never meant to be kept as pets, so she slowly pulled her gun from beneath her pillow.
Upon seeing her weapon, the wolf lowered its head to his massive paws and emitted a pitiful whine, even as Lacy felt a crushing wave of sorrow engulf her.
She hadn’t felt grief like that since the day she’d buried her parents. Now, thoroughly confused and on the brink of tears, she zeroed in on the clearly distraught creature. “Ethan?”
Silver eyes rolled up to stare back at her, and Lacy’s breath stalled.
It can’t be!
This couldn’t be happening! Werewolves weren’t real!
Head in one hand and her gun in the other, now at her side, Lacy tried to focus on her breathing, keeping her breaths slow and even, lest she pass out.
She was so lost in her jumbled thoughts that when the bed dipped next to her, she flailed, afraid the wolf had come too near. The warm arms that wrapped around her though were definitely human, and Lacy was in such a state, she didn’t know whether to push Ethan away or cling to him.
“I understand that this scares you. It scares me, too, but just hear me out.”
Not knowing what else to do, Lacy gave a nod of her head and waited to hear what he had to say.
Chapter Thirteen
Ethan was an emotional wreck. He’d been so unbelievably happy when he’d realized that Lacy was his mate, though he wasn’t sure how he hadn’t figured it out sooner. Now, he was nervous, since he was about to reveal just how close their lovemaking had bound them, and terrified that she’d reject him when all was said and done.
“Well, you didn’t shoot me, and I’m grateful for that,” he began, gently relieving her of her firearm and setting it in the drawer of her nightstand. “Lacy, do you believe in soul mates?”