Up close, I can see the scars more clearly.
There are his self-inflicted scars, the ones all of the Alphas have, mementos of brushes with death or a victorious battle. But Blaze’s body is also a map of torment, and if each mark could tell a story, I know none of them would end well.
There is also a new scar.
My stomach drops.
Oh, Blaze.
Etched into the tender skin above his pelvis, jagged letters cut through the trail of dark hair disappearing beneath his low-slung briefs:
Property of Halley Sparks.
I have to bite my bottom lip to stop myself from crying out.
“Do you like it, Sparkles?” Blaze asks, watching me from beneath hooded lids.
He hooks his thumbs into the front of his waistband, dragging it down low so I can see his artwork better.
The nausea morphs as I stare at the beginning of his dark curls, and I bite my lip harder, trying to silence the shame. It doesn’t work.
Do I like it?
Oh,rut-damn.
My Omega frackinglovesit.
Our mate has carved our name into his skin!
It’s twisted.
Fracking sick on all levels.
I should be disgusted. Horrified.
But the second I saw his body, raw and scarred and marked withmy name, the lust I’ve been fighting begins to consume me.
I want him. Desperately.
Shame coils in my gut, but it’s no match for the need already searing through my veins.
Blaze slides beneath the covers, and I stand there, fighting the flood of lust throbbing between my legs, my fingers tangling in the hem of my shirt.
A hand whips out and drags me into the bed.
I squeal as I tumble down, landing on his chest, and somewhere across the room, Viper lets out a low warning growl in response. Blaze ignores him.
I'm man-handled, like I weigh nothing at all, until I'm lying on my side, facing the room with Blaze plastered to my back.
The firelight flickers over the three other members of the Scorch Squad, their gazes sharp and unblinking. They're not watchingme. They’re watching him. Because, although they want to trust Blaze, to give him a chance as their brother and Pack mate, he’s a wildcard.
It should make me nervous that they’re not fully convinced I’m safe at his side. And it does… but that fear has twisted and settled as a heartbeat in my clit.
I squirm, but it still throbs.Tha-thump. Tha-thump.
Something is definitely broken in my brain that mortal peril makes my body respond like this.
Blaze’s arm tightens, holding me still. He’s all heat and muscle and restrained violence. His chest molds to my back as he restrains me with just enough pressure to remind me of his strength. This isn’t like Viper’s warm, soft, and adoring embrace.
