“No.” Her voice had taken on a deeper tone, low and demanding.
“What…” He had trouble forming a complete sentence because of her tongue sliding along his ear, but he tried again. “What are you doing, Eve? What do you really want?”
She placed both her hands on either side of his face and stared directly into his eyes. “I want to make you mine.”
Oh fuck. The weight of her words nearly took Braden out at the knees. The thumping of his heart grew to a roar, and he could swear it echoed against the walls of the small cave. Did Eve mean it? Did she even know what it meant? Braden didn’t believe in love at first sight—at least he hadn’t. He’d never been impulsive, especially not with his emotions. Until now. Lycanosapiens culled humans for one purpose, to add new blood and new fertility to the tribes. His grandmother had been one of the culled. She’d told him stories about how she’d met and fell instantly in love with his grandfather—a bond still strong and powerful after eighty years. He’d listened to her stories, but hadn’t really understood.
Staring at Eve, drinking in her vibrant blue gaze, Braden now understood all too well. He had to make sure she understood what she was asking. He wouldn’t lie to Eve or hold anything back, even if it meant she might withdraw her claim. Even so, he knew he would never belong to anyone but her.
“I want that, Eve. I want it so goddamn much it hurts.” He kissed her neck and cheek, nuzzling his face against hers. He wanted to rub himself all over her body, to scent her as part of his claim. “But it has to be mutual. I will be yours, Eve Taylor. Heart, mind, body, and soul. I will be yours, only yours. But in return, youwillbe mine. It will be a bond that only death can part.” Would she accept him? Would she allow him to claim her? To protect her?
In response, Eve fingers kneaded their way up his back until they tangled in his hair. “Yes, Braden.” She breathed the words into his ear. “Yes, yes.”
Inside his wolf howled, his human side rejoiced as he lifted Eve higher against the wall, kissing down her chest. He unsnapped her bra with one hand and took her nipple between his lips. He sucked her hard, tightly drawn nubs, with hungry draws on her flesh. She cried out, but when he tried to ease up, she fisted his hair and pushed him back to her breast. He could smell her arousal, fierce and sharp with lust and desire.
Braden grabbed Eve’s ass with both hands, his hands sliding under the fabric of her cutoff jeans until his fingers brushed against the slick folds of her warm, lubricated sex.
“Yes,” she moaned as he rubbed over her swollen clit. “Yes. Mine.”
Braden reveled at her words. Eve would be his. Now and always.
