We kissed again, and I nudged the strap of her dress off her shoulder to kiss her soft, warm skin. She let out a soft sigh as I trailed my lips down her neck to the seam of her dress. She dropped her head back, and I continued my path, touching and tasting, feeling the soft curves of her body beneath my hands.
My fingers found the hem of her dress and began trailing up her silky thighs. Her breath quickened. She helped me remove the dress, then leaned back on the bed in nothing but a pink satin bra and matching underwear, her hair spilling over her shoulders. She was breathtaking—a goddess laid out before me, a vision of pure rapture.
I kissed her again, tracing every inch of exposed skin with my fingers and tongue. When I removed her bra and panties, she lay bare before me, waiting. The scent of her arousal sent a feral hunger through me. I couldn't wait to taste her. My lips moved from her mouth to her breasts, teasing and caressing until her nipples hardened beneath my touch. I worked my way lower, savoring her response, adjusting my pace and pressure as I discovered what made her gasp, what made her moan.
She writhed beneath me, her body arching in pleasure. I worked her up with my hand and mouth. Her body seized up, tightening around the pleasure building within her. She shattered with a whimpering sound, and her body trembled. The taste of her honey on my tongue was intoxicating—absolute perfection.
I gave her a moment to recover as I kissed my way back up her body. But my need was relentless. I quickly shed my pants and rolled on a condom, my entire body trembling with anticipation.
She reached for me, pulling me toward her. "Rex," she whispered.
I edged the tip in. She was so wet but tight. I moved in slowly, letting her adjust around me.
"You feel so good," I rumbled, my body vibrating with restraint.
She held on to me as I pushed in, her soft sighs at my ear.
I began to move, rocking into her, my body acting on instinct. It had never felt like this—such perfect, sweet nirvana. As our bodies joined, I knew it was true. She was my mate. The only one. I never wanted to let her go.
Pleasure built higher and higher until my release tore through me. A fierce howl ripped from my throat as I climaxed, leaving me utterly spent. I collapsed onto her, careful not to crush her beneath my weight. Our bodies were hot and slick with sweat as we caught our breath.
I held her close, knowing she was the one. My other half.
We’d only known each other for just a few days. How could I tell her something so monumental without scaring her away?
CHAPTER 14
PIPER
The sun glinted off the waves this morning, casting shimmering diamond patterns across the ocean. The Celestial Lounge on the upper deck was filled with passengers enjoying their breakfast at the outdoor buffet, the scent of fresh coffee and warm pastries mingling with the salty sea air. I was still on a high after spending the night with Rex and waking up in his arms.
We found a cozy table outside where the morning breeze picked up my hair. I pulled off a piece of my croissant, savoring the flaky texture, while still relishing the night before—and this morning. Hell’s spells, I was sore after being with a huge shifter, but it was worth every delicious inch.
“Oh, I’m so hungry.” I scooped up a forkful of scrambled eggs next. “Mmm, delicious.”
Rex murmured in acknowledgment. He had a plate of eggs and bacon, but he didn’t touch it. Instead, he stared off into the distance with a troubled look.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Nothing.” He forced a smile and took a sip of coffee.
Still, he didn’t eat. What kind of shifter didn’t go to town at an all-you-can-eat buffet? Worry started to creep beneath my skin.
I put my fork down, and it clanged against the plate. “You regret it.”
He snapped his head to face me. “No, of course not.”
I studied him. “Then why are you acting so weird this morning?”
He lifted one shoulder and let it fall. “Just thinking…”
“About?” I prodded.
His face contorted, and then he shook his head.
I straightened. "Oh, I get it. You got what you wanted, and now you’re trying to blow me off."
“What? No!”
