“You punished me by making me an object of desire for others. I punished you by making you experience pleasure while trying to maintain composure.” I stalked toward her slowly. “Butnow, little mate, now I wish to worship you properly. Without audience or interruptions.”
She swallowed hard. “It’s the middle of the day.”
“And?”
“And we’re in the bookstore.”
“Your bookstore. Your rules.” I reached her, caged her against the counter with my arms. “Tell me no, and I will stop. Tell me you do not want this, and we will reopen the store and pretend this never happened.”
She stared up at me. Her pupils were blown wide. Her breathing was still uneven. She smelled of arousal and me.
“I don’t want to stop,” she whispered.
“Then let me take you upstairs. Let me lay you down properly. Let me show you exactly what I have been imagining every time I read those books.” I leaned down, spoke against her lips. “Let me make you scream my name until the entire town knows who you belong to, and then mark you for everyone to see.”
“That’s very possessive.”
“I am very possessive. You are mine, Gwendolyn Woods. And after today, you will never doubt it again. But I need an answer, little mate.”
“This is insane,” she muttered. And then… “Yes.”
I swept her into my arms immediately, carrying her toward the stairs leading to her apartment. She wrapped her arms around my neck, pressing her face against my shoulder.
“This is inevitable.” I kicked open the apartment door and carried her straight to her bedroom. Laid her down on her bed with reverence. “We have been dancing around this for weeks. Pretending we can resist. But I am done pretending, little mate. And I think you are too.”
She looked up at me. Her hair spread across the pillow. Her lips swollen from biting them. Her eyes dark with want.
“Show me,” she said. “Show me everything you’ve been imagining.”
Fuck, yes.
14
— • —
Wen
He laid me on the bed with a gentleness that made my chest ache. His eyes were red, glowing in the shadows of my bedroom, but his hands were careful as they traced up my sides.
“Mal,” I whispered, making him pause. “I need to tell you something.”
His hands stilled. “What is it, little mate?”
“I’ve never... I haven’t done this before.” The words came out rushed. Embarrassed. “With anyone.”
He froze, every muscle locked. His eyes flashed brighter red, and a low growl rumbled from his chest.
“You are untouched?” His voice had gone rough, barely human.
I nodded.
“Mine,” he breathed. The word was reverent, possessive. “Only mine. No one else has had you.”
“Is that okay? I don’t really know what I’m doing-”
“It is okay.” He cupped my face with both hands, forcing me to meet his eyes. “It is perfect. You are perfect. Do not be ashamed of who you are, little mate. And I will guide you through every moment. I will worship you as you deserve.”
“Have you... with others?” I had to know. Had to ask.
