“How could I forget,” I said, disgust and anger welling up inside me at the memory of the men who’d chased me. The hungry looks in their eyes had told meexactlywhat they’d wanted from me. I dreaded to think what might have happened if Levi hadn’t shown up to save me.
“Rainier and I found some of their tracks close to the village.”
My heart lurched. “How close?”
“Close enough,” Levi said. “He and I are going out to scout in a few hours. We may be gone for a couple days. I wanted to let you know I was leaving, and would be back as soon as I can.”
“A couple ofdays?”
I didn’t know how to respond to that. I’d only been in Hidden Grove a few weeks, but already Levi had become an imposing presence in my life. Even though he spent hours each day in the forest as his wolf, he was always around. I hadn’t gone more than eight hours without seeing him. Linnea had said it wasn’t typical of him, and that he was usually gone for days at a time. Neither she nor any of the others knew why he’d been sticking around asmuch lately. Though, Linnea had given me a knowing look and insinuated thatImight be the reason. I’d scoffed at that, but I’d begun to hope it was true. Now, he was going to be gone for days?
“Who’ll watch the village if both you and Rainier are going?” I said, a kernel of fear tickling the back of my mind. “You’re the two strongest shifters here.”
Levi put a hand on my thigh, squeezing it gently, kneading the muscles there. “He’s letting the other men know, and a few select women. They’re our best and strongest fighters. They’ll be doing additional patrols, but staying much closer to the village. If there’s any trouble, they’ll be here in a flash. You all will be fine. If Rainier or I think something bad is going to happen, we’ll head straight back.”
It was so dangerous. The Red Maw had a couple dozen members. As strong as Rainier and Levi were, the two of them couldn’t hope to defeat so many in a fight. They would be outnumbered.
He must have noticed my worry because he touched my chin and turned my face toward him.
“It’s gonna be okay. I’ll be back. I promise.”
As I looked at him, I felt myself getting lost in his eyes. All the weirdness from earlier vanished. The entire world around us vanished until it was only the two of us and this moment. I suddenly became aware of how close we were, and the fact that I was nearly naked. The thought of losing him, this soon after finding him, filled me with terror. Terror andneed.
In his eyes, I saw longing and desire. He wanted me.
“We have to be quiet,” I whispered.
“I can try,” Levi said. “No promises, though.”
I moved closer, and in a move that surprised me, I straddled him. I pressed my lips to his, and he melted into me. Wrappinghis arm around my waist, he pulled me close against him, deepening the kiss.
The way he pulled at me, his hands hungrily stretching the fabric of my shirt, took my breath away. To be desired and needed that way, to have a man like Levi—so strong and stoic—turn into this puddle of sexual desire made me feel powerful.
The heat between us was unbearable as our bodies intertwined in a tangle of limbs and eagerness. Levi’s rippling muscles pressed against my skin, igniting a hunger within me that only he could satisfy. I shoved him back, until his head hit my pillow.
He dug his fingers into my ass, and the strength of his grip made me want him even more. I wanted him inside me, needed him inside me. Sitting up, I grabbed the hem of my shirt and tore it up over my head, tossing it aside. Levi gazed at my breasts, a look of wonder in his eyes.
He reached up, the tip of his fingers grazing across my nipples. I bit my lower lip, my eyes fluttering closed as I rocked against him. I was already soaked, desperate for him from just a touch and kiss.
Levi pinched my nipples lightly and tugged gently. “Do you like that?”
“Mmm,” I said, rocking harder, gasping at the mixture of pleasure and pain as he pinched harder. My clit throbbed, and all I could think of was his tongue on me.
Overwhelmed with need, I climbed off him and tugged on his belt buckle, yanking on the leather and metal until it came free.
“I can help with that, you know,” Levi said.
I busied myself with his zipper and buttons. “Pull my panties off,” I demanded as I shoved his jeans down his legs.
“Yes, ma’am,” Levi said. He grabbed the waistband of my panties, but he didn’t pull them off. He tore them off. The fabric gave way under his strength, and I sucked in a breath as coolair kissed my nakedness. In one quick movement, I pushed his boxers down, revealing his rigid cock. I curled my hand around him, smiling when Levi gasped.
This giant of a man was putty in my hands. All it took was?—
“Oh, God,” he groaned as I stroked him, my fingers gliding up and down his shaft.
He gripped my thigh and guided me onto his face. I gasped when his breath ghosted over me and pressed down on his lips. Leaning forward, I took him into my mouth, desperate to make him feel good, to give him something to remember while he was out in the forest.
Levi hissed when I took him deeper, and I cried out when his tongue flicked over my clit. I sucked hard, my cheeks hollowing out as I worked him with my mouth. The salty-sweet taste of him, the pleasure of his mouth on me, his tongue inside me, his fingers kneading my ass, made me feel a little drunk.
