Alice watched him quietly as he removed her socks and then lifted her legs, turning her so that she was lying down. She brought her knees up and pushed the covers down beneath her rear so she could drag them back up over her body. Maxim pulled his shirt over his head and then took off his own shoes and socks. He felt her eyes on his skin, and his wolf liked the attention. He commanded his beast to behave as he climbed into bed beside her. The room was illuminated by a single bedside lamp, and he quickly turned it off. Then he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her tightly against him, and slipped a leg between hers, tucking his face into her neck.
“Close enough?” Humor laced her voice.
“I could think of a way to get closer,” he mumbled against her neck. He felt the heat of her flush without even seeing it. “Sleep,Malishka,” he whispered. “This is enough for now.”
She put her hand around his and sighed as she settled against him. “Thank you, Maxim.”
“For what?”
“For giving me hope for a future I never thought I’d have,” she said into the darkness. “Regardless of the fact that it’s not exactly conventional, you’ve given me a family. You’ve given me love.”
“You’ve given me everything. Whatever you need, or want, if it’s in my power to do so, I will lay it at your feet.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered.
Maxim pressed a kiss over the bite mark on her neck and loved that she shuddered from his touch. “Sleep, mate.”
Alice felt Maxim’s heat envelop her body, and she heard his breathing even out and slow as he fell asleep. She lay in the dark, replaying the evening over and over in her head. His pack hadn’t exactly welcomed her with open arms, but they hadn’t told her to take a hike either. She’d heard some of Maxim’s thoughts, learning that as a rogue pack, they were wary of outsiders, but they did trust Maxim. At some point, she realized she would have to show that she wouldn’t be pushed around, or a female like Katya would keep trying to take jabs at her. Oddly, Alice didn’t dislike the female, even if the woman had been rude at first. The scientist in her understood that change was hard. She respected that Katya was willing to speak her mind, even if she needed to learn to be a bit more diplomatic about it.
Now, they’d be heading back to Fane’s pack, and it wasn’t just a one-way trip as it had been when Adam brought them to Maxim’s pack. They’d be actively seeking hybrids to kill—hybrids she’d helped create. If she ever saw her father again, she was going to kick him in the junk so hard he’d feel it in his throat.
“Sleep,” Maxim growled.
Her emotions must have interrupted his own slumber.
“If you’re not tired, I can help you out.”
Alice grinned and smothered her laughter. “I’ll sleep. You behave.” A sudden wave of exhaustion hit her.
“Alice.” Maxim’s voice was no longer playful as worry replaced it. “What’s wrong?”
He rolled her over, and her eyes immediately locked onto the pulse in his neck. She slammed her eyelids closed. No. She didn’t want that. She didn’t want to see her own mate as a damn food source. How sick was that?
“Stop.” Maxim’s deep voice rumbled. “You will not be ashamed of who you are.”
“You meanwhatI am,” she practically spat out as shame filled her.
“You’re my mate. And there is no greater honor than to provide for you. Not to mention, what male doesn’t want his female sucking on his neck?”
She couldn’t help but laugh. Of course, he would make it sexual.
“Malishka, I’m notmakingit sexual. Itissexual.” His voice took on a smoky quality that made her belly heat. “At least for me it is.”
She opened her eyes and stared up at his beautiful face. “It’s definitely intimate. I wouldn’t want to bite anyone else.”
“That’s good, because I’d have to kill them.” He tilted his head to the side and lowered himself closer to her. “Take what you need,Malishka.”
Her mouth watered as she watched his pulse beating; it was like a siren calling to her. Alice warred with herself. Part of her wanted it, not just because her body needed it, but because she did like the intimacy. But the other part of her was ashamed of the reminder of the choices she’d made while with Cain.
Maxim snarled. “He has no place here. Exile him from your mind. The only thing he did worth noting was save your life. Now, I’m the male in your bed, I’m the male who has claimed you, and I’m the male you desire. Bite me, dammit.”
“So demanding.” She ran her fingers through his hair and then pulled him closer to her. He smelled good, he felt good, and she knew he would taste good. Alice pressed her lips to his neck and gave him a gentle kiss before sinking her teeth into his flesh. He grunted while she moaned.Better than chocolate.She couldn’t censor the thought.
“Good to know where I rank.” He shifted their bodies so he lay over her. “Just so you know, when you’re done, it’s my turn.”
Heat filled Alice’s veins, and it wasn’t just from her mate’s blood. Apparently, sleep was going to wait.
Nine
