Page 98

I exhale and curl my hands over hers, squeezing. The thought of taking her firsts fills me with relief. I don’t want to share her, I don’t want to think about anyone else touching her. It’s bad enough that she kissed someone else before me.

“Good,” I manage.

She slides her hand up and down. “Show me how you like it, then.”

Goddamn it.

“Kiss me,” I order.

I keep my hand over hers, doing what she wants. I show her how to get me off. But then her lips land on mine, and I’m a goner either way. Her tongue flicks against my lower lip. I open for her, sucking her tongue into my mouth and tangling it with mine. I cup the back of her neck with my free hand.

“Good girl,” I whisper. My hips move, my cock sliding in our grip, and I jerk faster until my balls tighten.

I pull back and point my cock over her hip, aiming for the sink. I hiss at the sensation and the way her fingers automatically tighten again. It twitches in her hand, and my cum hits the sink bowl. Bliss radiates up my spine.

Her lips touch my jaw.

“Thank you for coming to get me,” she says softly.

When I’m spent, I catch her lips in one more kiss. It’s sloppy and wet, and I hope it fucking conveys that I wanted to find her so much sooner.

I drag my thumb under her lower lip, collecting her saliva. She deserves to come, too. I’m just not sure her body can take much more assault right now, especially without food.

Someone knocks on the door, and Astra jumps.

It gives me some modicum of satisfaction that she’s rattled. I wet a paper towel and clean myself up, righting my sweatpants.

The knock comes again.

“One second,” Astra finally responds, her voice hoarse.

She doesn’t object when I pull my sweatshirt off her and sling it over my shoulder. I grab more paper towels and wet them to clean her face in steady, gentle strokes. She tips her head to the side, giving me more room to swipe it down her neck and remove the remnants of dried blood.

My chest tightens at the wreckage of her skin. It’s knitted itself back together now, but we can only do so much.

“Thanks,” she finally whispers.

My throat works. “Why are you thanking me? This is my fault.”

She doesn’t respond, and I go through three more wads of paper towels before I’m satisfied. I lean in and press my lips to the mark my wolf left on her. It’s now just a silvery scar on her collarbone.

Finally, I step back. She shrugs the sweatshirt back on, and I offer her my hand. She takes it after a moment of hesitation. Her face gets red, and then the magic glamour she used before slips back over her features. This way, I’d almost be convinced she’s as healthy as before, and startlingly ordinary. Even the dried blood on her jeans is obscured.

I unlock the door, but she doesn’t let go.

Right outside, an older woman waits with a pinched expression. Her eyebrows hike in disbelief, and I snicker. I lead Astra back to the table. She takes her pick of the booth benches, and she doesn’t say anything when I slide in after her. I hook my arm over the back, just over her shoulders, and spread my legs. My knee touches her thigh.

We’re out of place in here, it’s true. There’s white linens on the tables, the servers are all in black attire. Most of the other patrons are wearing business clothes, having meetings over a meal or entertaining clients.

She’s in a sweatshirt and bloody jeans, and I’m in a t-shirt and sweatpants.

I’d be self-conscious if I cared. We scan the menu, and her cheeks get even redder.

“What do you want?” I ask.

She lifts one shoulder. “Probably just a side salad. If you still have my wallet.”

I narrow my eyes. “And if you didn’t see the prices?”