CHAPTER 24—DAMIAN
***
Mom: I saw the video. Are you okay?
Damian: I'm okay.
Mom: Give Maddie a hug for me—if you want, of course. Also... Bitey and your werewolf costume? The. Best. Love you.
MY PULSE IS STILL RACING , adrenaline coursing through my veins like I've just run a marathon. Maddie's hand is locked in mine, our fingers tangled together since those assholes ambushed us in Ocean City. We've been holding hands so long, I'm not sure I remember how to let go. Shit, I never realized there were so many ways to hold a hand: interlinking, just holding a couple of fingers, rubbing circles inside of the palm, thinking about it, not thinking about it, letting the hand-holding become a way to stay linked.
We dropped Ava off at her grandparents', the kid still buzzing from all the excitement. Now it's just us, hashing out the plans we made with the Ocean City bigwigs. They also want the best for the pets, for the shelters, for the people. And we came up to an agreement: Our Christmas-A-Thon's going be broadcasted through live segments every hour through the night, giving those pets a fighting chance at finding homes.
As we climb the stairs to her apartment, I can't help but think about how far we've come. How far I've come. A few months ago, I would've run from this feeling, from her. But now? Now I'm running towards it.
"So," Maddie says, her voice a little breathless as we stop on the landing. "That was... quite a day."
"Understatement of the year, Princess," I grunt, pausing on the landing. "But we pulled it off."
Maddie's eyes light up, that spark I've come to love flickering to life. "We did, didn't we? The way you handled those Ocean City organizers was impressive. I think you won Grant over completely."
I can't help the small smile that tugs at my lips. "We make a good team, Mads. Couldn't have done it without you."
"Oh?" she says, her voice soft. "So you're saying you need me around, Bitey?"
I swallow hard, my heart pounding. "Yeah, I am. For the shelter. And... for me."
Maddie's breath catches, and for a moment, we just stand there, staring at each other. The air between us feels charged, electric.
My free hand reaches her face. "Thank you. For everything. And for the way you stepped in front of that camera?"
"I forgot it was even there. Probably going viral again."
"You defending me was ... it meant a lot..." I pause, my voice rougher than whatever paper Ava uses for her arts and crafts. "And so we're clear. You're not a project. You're not a phase. You're... Mads, you're everything. I've never... felt this way before. I had girlfriends. One, serious." I rub the back of my neck. "And well, that didn't work. And then I had one-night stands. Never wanting to get attached. Because it felt easier. But not getting attached to you? Not feeling those feelings and wanting to be there for you? It sounds way worse."
Her eyes widen slightly and she leans in my touch.
I continue, "I had plans, you know. Before this shitstorm hit."
She quirks an eyebrow. "Plans, Bitey? Do tell."
"Thought I'd do this right. Take you out. Flowers. The whole nine yards."
That vanilla and roses scent of hers hits me like a sucker punch. Maddie's shampoo, her skin, just... her. It's everywhere, making my head spin and my body ache. The hallway shrinks around us, and suddenly I can't breathe.
Maddie steps closer, and every movement is torture. Her fingers reach out, teasing the fur of this ridiculous costume. It's just a touch, barely there, but it sets my skin on fire. I want to growl, to pin her against the wall and show her exactly what she does to me.
Our eyes lock, and that mischievous glint in her gaze nearly undoes me.
"And what made you think I wanted 'right'?" she purrs, her voice filled with something that has my costume becoming tight. She tugs on the costume, reeling me in slow. So slow. Her breath ghosts over my neck, and I swear I can feel every exhale down to my bones.
I'm fighting a losing battle here, trying not to grab her, trying to savor this exquisite tension. But damn, the way she's looking at me, all flushed cheeks and pupils that scream how much they want me... I'm only human. Well, werewolf. Whatever.
When I finally snap, it's with a growl that comes from deep in my chest. I grab her wrist, pinning it above her head. Gentle, but firm. A promise of what's to come.
The little gasp she lets out? Music to my ears. I can feel her pulse racing under my fingers, matching the frantic beat of my own heart.
"Careful what you wish for, Princess," I rumble, my lips a breath away from hers. "This big bad wolf might just devour you."
"Promise?" she whispers.
"Whatever you want, Princess.."
"Maybe what I want," she breathes, her voice dripping with desire. ...is the guy who stood up to his past today. The one who fights for what matters."
I press against her, our bodies fitting together like puzzle pieces. My free hand slides down her side, fingers digging into her hip. The heat of her skin burns through her clothes, threatening to consume me.
"The one who makes me feel... seen. Valued," she gasps as I brush my lips along her jaw.
Her words hit me deep in my chest. Seen. Valued. Christ, if she only knew what she does to me.
"Like I can be my true self," she continues, arching into me. "Flaws and all, and still be worthy."
I pull back just enough to meet her gaze. Her eyes are dark pools of want, but there's something else there too - a vulnerability that makes my heart stutter.
"And loved," I growl, my voice rough with emotion. "Because Maddie, what I feel for you..."
I roll my hips against hers, slow and deliberate. The soft moan that escapes her lips is the sweetest sound I've ever heard.
"It's like what it must be to drive an F1 car," I confess, the words revving up from deep inside me. "You're the high-speed thrill and the safety harness keeping me grounded, all at once."
My hand tangles in her hair, gently exposing the column of her throat. I trail hot, open-mouthed kisses along her pulse point, savoring the taste of her skin.
"It started months ago," I murmur against her flushed skin. "That connection, that spark. But these past weeks? They've been everything."
I capture her lips in a searing kiss, pouring every ounce of pent-up emotion into it. When we break apart, we're both gasping for air.
"I know it's not very romantic novel of me to tell you all this in a hallway, Princess," I say, my voice husky with desire and raw honesty.
She laughs softly, the sound vibrating through both of us. Her free hand slips under my shirt, nails raking down my back, leaving trails of fire in their wake.
"Oh, I don't know about that," she purrs. "The sexy, breath-stealing, gruff hero with a heart of gold? Who's a vampire by night but a werewolf by day? Seems pretty on-brand to me."
I can't help but chuckle. "Trying to confuse me, Princess? Vampire or werewolf, make up your mind."
"Mmm," she hums, pressing a kiss to my throat. "How about both? Bite me and howl at my moon, Bitey."
The image of her naked on all fours, me taking her from behind like the animal I'm dressed as, nearly makes me lose it. I want to sink my teeth into her shoulder as I thrust into her, marking her as mine.
My control snaps. I lift her, hands gripping her thighs as she wraps her legs around my waist. The heat of her pressed against me nearly brings me to my knees. All I can think about is how wet she must be, how perfectly I know she fits around me. I want to tear off this damn costume and bury myself inside her. Again and again.
"Inside," I growl, fumbling for her keys. "Now. I need to worship every inch of you. I need to show you how much you mean to me."
Maddie moans, her head falling back. "Yes," she breathes.
As I finally get the door open, I carry her inside, kicking the door shut behind us. I can practically taste her already, imagining how she'll moan when I bury my face between her thighs. I want to feel her come on my tongue before I fuck her into oblivion.
"I'm going to take my time with you," I promise, my voice low and intense. "I'm going to cherish every part of you until you're trembling and gasping my name."
I carry her towards what I think is the bedroom, my cock straining against this damn costume. I fumble with the doorknob, desperate to feel her bare skin against mine.
"Fuck," I growl as I'm met with a wall of coats and shoes.
Maddie giggles, the sound sending shivers down my spine. "Eager, Bitey?" She rolls her hips against me, making me groan. "Bedroom's on the right."
I nip at her earlobe, growling playfully. "Can you blame me, Princess? I've been dreaming of being inside you for months."
As I stride towards the correct door, Fluffy the cat glares at us from the couch.
"Your cat looks pissed," I mutter, my hands squeezing her ass.
Maddie laughs breathlessly. "He usually sleeps with me. Guess he's jealous."
I push open the bedroom door, my eyes locked on the bed where I'm going to make her mine. "He can sleep later. Right now, we're definitely not sleeping."
"Promise?" she purrs, her hand sliding between us to palm my erection through the costume.
I groan, laying her on the bed. "Oh, I promise. I'm going to fuck you so good you'll forget your own name. Everything I am, everything I have - it's all yours, Princess. I'm all yours."