Chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
S carlett melted into Finnar’s arms as his lips claimed hers again. The kiss was different from their previous ones—deeper, more possessive, filled with a raw need that set her blood on fire. His fangs grazed her bottom lip, sending tingles of electricity through her body. The forest around them faded away until all she could feel was the heat of his body pressed against hers, the strength of his arms holding her close.
She needed to see his face, to read the emotions in those striking blue eyes. As she started to pull back, a rumbling growl vibrated through his chest. The primal sound should have frightened her, but instead it awakened something wild within her, making her pulse race faster.
“You’re mine,” he growled, his voice rough with possession. His eyes blazed with an intensity that stole her breath away. A delicious shiver raced down her spine at his words, at the way he held her like he’d never let her go. Her heart thundered in her chest, excitement and desire coursing through her veins.
She’d never felt anything like this before—this all-consuming connection that seemed to bind them together. Every touch, every kiss only strengthened the bond between them. His possessiveness should have bothered her independent nature, but instead it felt right. Natural. As if she’d been waiting for him all along without even knowing it.
His hand tangled in her hair, tilting her head back as his mouth reclaimed hers. The kiss deepened, grew more demanding. Heat bloomed wherever their bodies touched, spreading through her like wildfire. She pressed closer, wanting more, needing more.
He finally let her pull back enough to look into his eyes, her heart still racing from their passionate kiss. Her grandmother’s words echoed in her mind—the story of impossible love and true mates. Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage.
“Am I…” She paused, suddenly uncertain how to phrase the question. “Do you mean your true mate?”
“Yes.” The word came out instantly, fierce and certain. But then she caught a flicker of something else on his face—a shadow of worry that made her chest tighten. “I know it’s not the same for humans,” he added, his voice rougher.
“No, you don’t understand.” She pressed her palm against his chest, feeling his heart beating as wildly as her own. “I feel it too.”
She struggled to find the right words to describe the magnetic pull that drew them together, the way her body sang at his touch, how complete she felt in his arms.
“It’s more than attraction or desire. It’s like… like I’ve found a piece of myself I didn’t even know was missing.”
His eyes glowed at her words, the worry dissolving into something warmer, deeper. His hand came up to cover hers where it rested against his chest, and that simple touch sent another wave of awareness through her body.
He kissed her with a hunger that made her whole body tremble. His mouth moved against hers with fierce possession, yet his hands were infinitely gentle as he lowered her onto the grass beside the pool.
She was vaguely aware of the golden glow of the sky through the trees, the dampness of the grass beneath her, but they were nothing to the overwhelming awareness of his body pressing against hers, the taste of his kiss, the way his scent surrounded her.
The rest of the world blurred away until nothing existed except the two of them. His hands tangled in her hair as the kiss deepened, and she arched up against him, wanting to be closer. A small sound escaped her throat as desire spiraled through her body. She surrendered completely to the passion between them, letting it sweep away all thought, all hesitation.
When his lips finally broke from hers, she was gasping for breath. She stared up into his eyes, blazing blue fire, and saw the same intense longing reflected in their depths.
His hand stroked down her side, leaving trails of heat in its wake. The desire to touch him in return overwhelmed her and she let her own hands roam over the hard planes of his chest, exploring the taut muscles hidden beneath his shirt. The heat of his skin radiated through the thin fabric, tempting her to tear it away.
His head dipped to the curve of her neck, and the brush of his mouth on her sensitive skin made her shiver. The prickle of his fangs sent another shiver down her spine, but this time from awareness, not fear. He paused, his teeth grazing her flesh, his breath hot against her throat.
“Do you want me to claim you, Scarlett? Make you mine in all ways?”
The rough need in his voice made her stomach flip but she didn’t hesitate.
“Yes.”
He gave a low growl and kissed her again, the primal sound making her pulse leap. His hands slid down her body to grip her hips, pressing her harder into the soft grass. She could feel the rigid length of his erection through their clothing, and the thought of taking him inside her sent a fresh wave of heat through her veins. She tried to reach for him but he caught her hand, raising his head again.
“You are untouched, are you not?”
She blushed and nodded, remembering her previous panic.
“Then we will take this slowly.”
“I don’t want to take it slowly,” she said impatiently, reaching for him again, but he gave a low, dark chuckle.
“Trust me. I need to prepare your body to accept me. And you will enjoy it very much.”
The dark hunger on his face made her breath catch, her stomach clenching with anticipation. Before she could respond, his mouth covered hers again, his tongue sliding between her lips to stroke against hers, slow and sensual.
She lost herself in the kiss, her body relaxing beneath his, yielding to his touch. His hands moved down the front of her dress, slowly unbuttoning each tiny button until cool air caressed her skin. The contrast between the chill of the air and the heat of his body made her shiver, her nipples tightening into stiff little points.
His mouth trailed from hers, leaving a path of fire down her throat to the curve of her breast. His fangs grazed her skin, making her gasp at the exquisite combination of pleasure and danger. His hand closed over her breast, his thumb brushing across the taut peak, and a jolt of pure need shot through her. Her back arched instinctively, pressing into his touch.
“Beautiful,” he murmured, his breath hot against her skin. His mouth captured her nipple, his tongue flicking against the sensitive bud, and she cried out as sensation crashed over her. His hand slid lower, tracing the curve of her waist, the swell of her hip. Her heart pounded in her chest as his fingers slipped between her thighs, finding her slick and aching for him.
The first brush of his fingers against her folds made her moan and when he carefully dipped a finger into her untried entrance, she clutched his shoulders. He growled with pleasure, and the sound sent a shiver of delight over her skin. He stroked her gently, his touch both teasing and tantalizing. She writhed against his hand, desperate for more, and he rewarded her by quickening his pace, his thumb circling the tiny bud at the apex of her thighs.
Her breath came in ragged pants as he pushed her higher, the tension inside her winding tighter and tighter. His mouth returned to hers as his fingers worked their magic, and she was dimly aware of his fang scraping her lip, the sharp, sweet taste of blood on her tongue. He growled again, the sound vibrating through her, pushing her to the edge.
The world exploded around her in a shower of sparks, her senses overwhelmed by the power of her release. He held her close, his touch anchoring her as wave after wave of pleasure swept over her. It was unlike anything she’d ever experienced—raw, primal, overwhelming.
As she came back to herself, she found she was cradled in his arms, her cheek pressed against the steady beat of his heart. She looked up to find his eyes glowing down at her, a mixture of pride and desire on his face.
“I told you you would enjoy that.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, you did. Now take off your clothes. I want to feel you.”
He chuckled, his hands slipping from her body just long enough to strip off his shirt. She ran her fingers over the hard muscles of his chest, marveling at the strength in his powerful body. Then he was pulling her close again, his mouth covering hers.
She was already growing slick again as his tongue explored her mouth, teasing and caressing, his taste flooding her senses. His skin was impossibly warm beneath her fingers, and she couldn’t resist reaching down to cup the hard, thick length of his erection.
He growled against her mouth, his hips surging towards her hand, and she smiled to herself. He might be determined to take it slow, but she could tell how much he wanted her. She squeezed gently, relishing the way his big body shuddered at her touch.
“Patience, my eager mate,” he murmured, capturing her hand. “There is another pleasure you must know first.”
He moved down her body, settling back on his heels as he cradled her hips. She opened her mouth to question him, but then his hands were spreading her legs, exposing her most sensitive flesh. Before she could react, he lowered his head, his tongue flicking over the swollen bud at her core.
Her entire body jolted, her fingers digging into his hair. He gave a low rumble of satisfaction and licked again, slower and more deliberately this time, the heat of his mouth searing her. A tremor went through her body as pleasure flooded her veins.
“What are you doing?” she gasped, even as her legs parted further, opening herself completely to him.
“Tasting my mate,” he said, lifting his head to give her a wicked look. His eyes glowed down at her, darkened with desire. “Showing you what it means to be claimed.”
He lowered his head again and she could do nothing but cling to him as he devoured her. The feel of his tongue on her flesh was indescribable—hot, demanding, and shockingly intimate. Her fingers tightened in his hair, urging him closer, needing more. His tongue slid lower, probing at her entrance, and her head fell back, her eyes closing in ecstasy.
“So sweet,” he growled. “My delicious little mate.”
The vibration of his voice against her sensitive flesh made her tremble, every nerve ending on fire. She couldn’t think, could barely breathe as his mouth moved over her, exploring and teasing. His tongue delved inside her, stroking her inner walls, and she cried out as a second climax hit her, even more intense than the first.
He held her through it, his strong arms supporting her as she shook with pleasure. As the last shudders subsided, he raised his head again, and she saw her own pleasure reflected in his face.
“Now you are ready,” he said softly, leaning back. He quickly stripped off the rest of his clothes, his erection jutting towards her, thick and proud. Her heart raced as she took in the size of him, but there was no trace of her previous panic—only eagerness to be joined with him.
He positioned himself between her thighs, his hands stroking down her sides as he lined himself up with her entrance. She could feel the thick tip pressing against her, hot and slick with her own juices. He hesitated, searching her face, and she reached up to touch his cheek.
“I want this,” she told him. “I want you.”
The tension in his shoulders eased at her words, and she felt a surge of love for her big, protective Vultor. Then he was pushing into her, stretching her with his girth, and her eyes widened as pleasure and pain entwined in a dizzying spiral. Her body tightened instinctively, resisting the invasion and he groaned.
He reached between them, stroking the swollen bud at her core. Pleasure shot through her and her body softened, allowing him to slide deeper. His thumb circled her clit as he worked his way into her, inch by agonizing inch, until finally he was fully seated inside her.
She was so incredibly full. She could feel her body clenching around him, trying to adjust to his size. She clung to him, her nails digging into his shoulders as she tried to breathe through the overpowering stretch.
For a long moment they were still, connected in the most intimate way possible. He kissed her again, his mouth gentle, and she felt her body relax around him. The pain eased, leaving only pleasure in its wake.
When he began to move, she was lost. Each thrust sent shockwaves of pleasure through her body, his thickness dragging against her sensitive inner walls. His mouth never left hers as he rocked into her, his tongue sliding against hers in a sensual dance. He was claiming her in every way, marking her as his, and she reveled in it.
She could feel another climax building, coiling tighter and tighter with each thrust. Her hands roamed over the hard planes of his back, tracing the scars that marked his skin. He growled into her mouth and increased his pace, his hips surging against hers. His fangs scraped over her bottom lip and she shuddered at the sharp sting.
Her nails dug into his back as he drove them both higher, their bodies moving together in perfect rhythm. She was so close, hovering on the brink, when he suddenly pulled back, his eyes glowing down at her.
“Look at me, Scarlett,” he commanded, his voice rough. “I want to watch you come apart for me.”
She met his gaze, their eyes locked together, and then he was moving again, pounding into her with wild abandon. She cried out as the tension shattered, her body convulsing around him as wave after wave of ecstasy crashed over her.
His head went back, his powerful body tensing above her, and then he was growing even larger, the base of his cock expanding with a knot that stretched her to her limit. He shuddered with pleasure, his seed filling her as he roared out his release. They were locked together, unable to separate, and the thought sent a surge of satisfaction through her exhausted body.
He slowly lowered himself until he covered her, supporting his weight on his forearms. He pressed a tender kiss to her lips before raising his head to smile down at her. She smiled back, happiness bubbling up inside her like a fountain.
“My mate,” he murmured, brushing a sweaty strand of hair back from her forehead.
“My mate,” she echoed, and felt him flex inside her. “That was…”
“Perfect.”
“Yes.” She snuggled closer, her body still trembling from the aftershocks of her climax. “Do all Vultor do that? Expand at the end?”
“No.” He nuzzled her cheek, his breath warm against her skin. “Only when we find our true mates.”
Joy flooded her heart, and she turned her head to kiss him again. She never dreamed she could feel this way, so complete, so loved. They lay there for a long time, his knot keeping them connected until it eventually eased. When he finally slipped free, she mewled softly at the sudden emptiness.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he promised, gathering her into his arms. “You’re mine, my little red. Forever.”
“Forever,” she whispered, and knew that it was true.