"Big Timber," Luna's voice carried urgency over the radio, "we've got company.State patrol, two miles out and closing fast."
The immediate threat broke the tension between the two males.Fenris backed toward his truck with predatory grace, his smile sharp enough to cut glass.
"This isn't over," he said."When you realize she needs more than a reclusive convoy leader can offer, I'll be waiting."
As Fenris drove away, Ali turned to face Tim.His pupils were still blown wide with territorial fury, his scent thick with possessive need.
"We need to get back on the road," she said.
"Not yet."Tim's hands settled on her waist, and Ali could feel the tremor in his grip."He touched you.His scent is on you."
"He didn't touch me—"
"He got close enough."Tim's voice was rough with need."I can smell him on your skin, and it's making me crazy."
Ali stared up into his eyes and realized they were standing on the edge of something that would change everything between them.Tim's rut, Fenris's challenge, the growing convoy—it was all building to a moment where careful control would no longer be enough.
"The sleeper berth," she said."Now."
Tim's control shattered completely.He scooped her up like she weighed nothing, carrying her back to the truck with desperate urgency.The moment they were inside the sleeper berth, his mouth was on hers—demanding, claiming, full of twenty years of loneliness and the overwhelming need to mark her as his.
"I need to scent you," he groaned against her lips."Need to cover his scent with mine.Need to make sure every supernatural within miles knows you're taken."
"Then do it," Ali whispered.
Tim's mouth moved to her neck, his breath hot against her skin as he inhaled deeply."You smell like him," he growled, his voice rough with territorial need."I need to fix that."
Ali gasped as his lips found the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder and his tongue traced patterns up and down it.Her magic shot out of her and illuminated the sleeper berth.His hands spanned her ribcage, thumbs brushing just below her breasts, and she could feel the heat radiating from his skin even through their clothes.
"Tim," she breathed, arching into his touch.
"Say my name again," he commanded, his voice dropping to that rumbling frequency that seemed to vibrate through her bones.
"Tim," she whispered, and was rewarded with a possessive growl.
His hands found the hem of her shirt, pausing."Tell me you want this.Tell me you want me to mark you as mine."
"I want it," Ali said."I want you to show me what it means to belong to a legend."
Her shirt disappeared with supernatural efficiency, and then his mouth was everywhere—tasting, claiming, leaving traces of his scent on every inch of exposed skin.The temperature difference between them was intoxicating; his burning touch against her cooler flesh made her seek his heat instinctively.
"So small," he murmured against her collarbone, his massive hands gentle as they mapped her body."Perfect.Mine."
Ali tugged at his flannel shirt, desperate to feel his skin against hers, and Tim helped her, his movements urgent but careful.When his shirt hit the floor, Ali couldn't stop herself from staring.He was magnificent—broad shoulders, defined chest, muscles that spoke of decades of hard work.
"You're beautiful," she whispered, running her hands over his chest.
Tim's breathing hitched at her touch."Ali..."
"Show me," she said, looking up into his eyes."Show me what twenty years of waiting feels like."
His hands were everywhere - one spanning her entire back as he lifted her against him, the other tracing the sensitive curve where her hip met her thigh.The size difference between them was intoxicating; his palm could cover her entire breast.She gasped as his fingers reached places no one else had touched like this.
"Tell me what you need," he commanded.
"You," Ali breathed."All of you."
The slow stretch as her body accommodated his size was overwhelming, her supernatural resilience the only thing that made it possible.He held himself perfectly still, his massive frame trembling with the effort of restraint as her body adjusted.
