Grayson poured everything he couldn’t say into the kiss—his frustration, his fear, and the undeniable pull that made it impossible to stay away from her. And when she kissed him back with equal fervor, it was like the ground beneath him finally steadied, if only for a moment.
The kiss shifted from a clash of emotions into something deeper, something with heat and longing. He felt her hands slide up his chest, tangling in the front of his shirt as she pulled him closer.
With a growl, he scooped her up and walked her backward, pushing her up against the wall. He kissed a trail down her neck, reveling in the way she arched against him. Every touch, every gasp, sent his wolf howling, demanding more. Grayson knew he should pull away, but it was gettingharder to fight the pull. And his resolve shattered when she tugged at the hem of his shirt, lifting it over his head.
His mouth returned to hers, kissing her hungrily as his hands roamed over her body. He slipped his fingers beneath the fabric of her shirt, skimming along the skin of her lower back. Her sharp intake of breath urged him on, and he deepened the kiss.
She was fire and electricity, and it was addicting. He craved her like a drug, and no matter how much he tried to resist, he couldn’t stay away.
Grayson lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He pressed against her, pinning her against the wall, and she moaned into his mouth. The sound sent a thrill through him, and his wolf howled, aching for more.
Her nails raked down his bare chest, and he shuddered at the sensation. She was everywhere—surrounding him, consuming him, and he was helpless to resist. He wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anything.
They tumbled onto the couch, and she was on top of him, her knees bracketing his hips as she straddled him. He kissed her, his tongue sliding against hers, and her hands moved over his chest. Everywhere she touched, flames erupted, and he burned for her.
But even in the haze of desire, the rational part of him knew they were treading a dangerous line. This wasn’t some meaningless fling or a distraction to pass the time. This was Cora. They’d crossed this line once before, and they were still on unsteady ground as a result. He should pull back and put the brakes on whatever was happening between them, but when she pulled her shirt over her head, he couldn’t look away.
His eyes raked over her, and the sight of her bare skin made his wolf rumble. He traced the curve of her spine and the swell of her breasts, and his hands settled on her hips. He dragged her closer, and she gasped at the contact. The sound went straight to his cock, and his control began to slip once again.
Her hands went to his belt buckle, and his head spun. Every touch was a spark, igniting something that had been simmering between them for days. The tension and desire had reached its breaking point, and now there was no going back.
She unbuttoned his jeans, and she took him in her hand, stroking him slowly. He groaned, and his eyes fluttered shut. She leaned forward and kissed his jaw, the corner of his mouth, and he was lost.
He flipped her onto her back and pinned her against the couch. She hooked her leg around his hip, pulling him closer, and he buried his face in the crook of her neck. Her scent enveloped him, and something wild and primal surged to the surface. He bit down on the soft skin where her neck met her shoulder, and she cried out.
Her leggings were discarded in a pile on the floor, and he ran his hand along the smooth skin of her thigh. She shivered, and his fingers traced higher, teasing her as he explored. He dipped a finger inside her, and she gasped, arching into him. He stroked her as she milked him, her hips rolling against his hand. She was intoxicating, and he wanted nothing more than to give her the release she craved.
He added another finger, stretching her and stroking her in a maddening rhythm. Her breathing grew ragged, and her nails dug into his back as she clung to him. She was close; hecould feel it and wanted to see her fall apart, but he wanted to feel it even more.
He pulled his fingers out, and she whined in protest. But he didn’t leave her wanting. He lined himself up and entered her slowly, inch by inch, until he was fully sheathed inside her. She moaned, and her legs wrapped around his hips, urging him deeper.
He set a punishing pace, and she met him thrust for thrust. The feel of her around him was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. They were a tangle of limbs and heat, and the tension between them threatened to break. She was fire, and she was burning him in the most delicious way. He could feel her approaching the edge, and he chased her release, wanting nothing more than to bring her over the brink.
They were spiraling together, caught up in a web of desire and need. And as they both fell over the edge, their cries mingling as they collapsed together, it was clear that something had changed. The tension between them had finally been released, and there was no going back.
They were bound, body and soul, and nothing would ever be the same.
Chapter 19 - Cora
Cora stood barefoot in the small clearing behind her apartment, focusing on the energy swirling beneath her skin. The early morning dew clung to her feet, grounding her, as Elena’s voice rang out from a few steps away.
“Focus, Cora. You’re letting it slip again.”
“I’m trying,” Cora muttered, gritting her teeth. The raw frustration simmering inside her made it difficult to concentrate. She felt torn open and vulnerable, and though her night with Grayson lingered in her mind, it only made the weight of everything pressing down on her more unbearable.
“No,” Elena chastised. “You’re holding on too tightly. Magic doesn’t respond to force—it responds to intention. Breathe.”
Cora let her arms fall to her sides. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one whose magic keeps acting like a toddler throwing tantrums.”
Elena smirked and brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “I’ve been where you are, believe me. It’s not about control—it’s about harmony. The more you fight it, the harder it’ll fight back.”
“Great,” Cora muttered under her breath. “Zen wisdom. That’ll stop me from accidentally setting something on fire.”
“Cora, listen to me. You’re not broken. You’re just…misaligned. The bond, your emotions, everything that’s happened—it’s throwing you off balance. But you can find your way back.”
“How?” Cora asked, and it sounded almost like a plea. “Because it feels like I’m trying to juggle knives blindfolded right now.”
“By trusting yourself. And by practicing. Now try again.”
