Chapter 8
EIGHT
Harris
The mating heat starts as a low burn in my chest.
By mid-morning, it’s a full-blown fire.
Every scent is sharper. Every sound grates. My skin feels too tight. My bear is practically vibrating under the surface, pacing like he’s caged, whispering the same word over and over again inside my head.
Mate.
Mate. Mate. Mate. Mate. Mate.
I had a shift at the firehouse this morning, but now I’m at home, counting down the seconds until I can see my girl again.
I chop vegetables for dinner with more force than necessary, the knife hitting the cutting board in loud, even thunks. It helps distract me. A little.
The sun is setting, casting a soft gold glow through the kitchen windows. The cabin smells like garlic and rosemary, and the salmon is nearly done in the oven. I didn’t want to do anything too fancy. Just something comforting. Human. Normal.
Because once the moon rises, everything’s going to change.
I glance at the clock and sag with relief. I can pick up Lark in a few minutes. My bear starts to pace inside me, back and forth, and I grit my teeth.
I frown as I hear the soft knock at my door, wondering who it could be. My friends would call before coming over. Hell, they’re deliberately staying away tonight. They know I’ve finally found my fated mate and want me to have some uninterrupted time with her.
I wipe my hands and head for the door. That’s when I catch her scent.
Mate! my bear howls.
I’m across the room in seconds, gripping the door handle hard as I rip open the door and take her in. Lark is wearing a soft sweater and leggings, her cheeks flushed from the cool night breeze.
And just like that, the burn inside me flares to a roar .
“Hey,” she says softly.
“Hey, I was about to come pick you up,” I manage, stepping back so she can come in. “Dinner’s almost ready.”
“I was bored and thought I’d drive myself.” She glances around the cozy kitchen, a smile tugging at her lips. “You cooked again?”
“Of course, I cooked.” I shrug. “Just because I turn into a giant predator doesn’t mean I can’t make a killer lemon herb salmon.”
That earns me a soft laugh, and the sound curls around my chest like a silky ribbon. God, I could live off her laughter. Her scent. Her presence. Forever.
“Have a seat.”
Lark hops up onto the barstool and makes herself at home.
The sight should put me at ease but only ramps up my desire. I can smell her arousal and adjust myself as I turn to check on the salmon.
“How was your day?” she asks, an edge to her voice.
She must be able to feel the mating heat, too.
Good. Now bite her, my bear snaps.
Not yet.
I plate our food and set hers in front of her. We eat at the breakfast bar, and everything feels almost normal … except lust for her is growing exponentially by the second.
“Mark—” I start.
She snorts. “What?”
“Shit, sorry. I couldn’t decide between mate and Lark, and the words got combined.”
She laughs, and I grin. I love seeing her so happy, so at peace with me.
The smile fades from her face, and I see it then.
Need.
Our mate needs us, my bear snarls. I clutch the kitchen counter as it crashes into me, stronger than ever.
The heat.
It slams into me like a freight train. My body tightens. My blood sings, and I try to breathe past the need surging through me.
Lark looks up at me, her eyes wide and curious as she sees my reaction. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I say roughly. “But the moon’s up.”
Her breath catches.
Realization blooms behind her eyes. Her lips part, and her heartbeat quickens. I can hear it from across the bar.
Lark stands slowly, like she’s moving on instinct, and crosses to where I’m sitting. I rise, towering over her. Her scent—ripe, sweet, ready —hits me like a punch.
“Harris…” she breathes.
“Tell me to stop,” I whisper. “And I will.”
She swallows, then shakes her head. “I don’t want you to.”
That’s all I need.
I lift her into my arms, and her legs wrap around my waist like she belongs there—because she does . I kiss her hard, devouring her, pouring every pent-up second of the last few days into it.
The bond snaps tight between us.
My bear howls triumphantly.
Make her ours, he orders.
I nod and carry her to the bedroom.
Our bedroom after tonight, I think, and my bear howls in agreement.
I lay her gently on the mattress like she’s the most precious thing I’ve ever held—because she is.
Lark sucks in a deep breath as I break the kiss. She frantically pulls at my clothes, eager to get me naked.
She’s desperate for us. Now bite her and make her ours, my bear says, pacing back and forth inside me.
I stand and rip my shirt over my head. As I reach for my jeans, I notice Lark tearing off her clothes. She kicks off her panties as I crawl back onto the bed, leaving her bare before me.
“Fuck, you’re pretty,” I croak.
She smiles up at me. “You’re not so bad yourself. Now, come here.”
I grin as I lower myself over her, my lips landing on hers. Her hot skin feels so good against mine, and I shiver as she wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me tighter against her.
I go happily.
Her skin is warm and soft beneath my palms, her body arching into mine like she was made for me. We move together, kiss after kiss until we’re tangled in sheets and moonlight.
As the moon rises, the need to bite her grows stronger. I know I won’t be able to last much longer. I need to take care of her first, though.
Breaking the kiss, I lick my way down her body. I cup her tits, my fingers teasing her nipples into stiff peaks. She arches into me as I circle my tongue around her belly button.
“Harris!” she moans as I pinch her nipples.
I grin wickedly as I move between her thick thighs. I can smell her desire, see it glistening on her pussy lips.
“Mine,” I growl, and my bear grunts.
I bury my face between her legs and eat her like the big, bad bear that I am.
She tastes like oranges and honey. I love it. I lick up her center, swirling my tongue over her clit before I lick back down and tease her snug opening. The tip of my tongue barely fits in her tight pussy, and I know I’ll need to loosen her up before I fuck her.
Finding her clit, I suck the sensitive little pearl into my mouth as I slowly push one thick finger inside her. Her slick walls clamp down on my digit as I wiggle it, trying to loosen her up. I roll my tongue over her clit, and she cries out, her hips jerking against the mattress. My finger sinks in another inch, and I pause when I feel her virginity.
MINE! my bear roars.
It takes everything in me not to pop her cherry right then and there.
“Oh! Oh, Harris!” Lark screams, her walls spasming around my finger as I push it in and out.
She’s close. I can feel it, smell it, taste it. I want her first orgasm to be on my tongue so I can consume every drop.
My bear licks his lips in agreement, and I put more pressure on her clit.
She breaks apart for me instantly, her thighs clamping around my head as her fingers tangle in my hair, holding me against her as she comes.
I lick up her sweet juices, drinking them down. Jesus, I want to drown in them. In her.
“Harris,” she moans hoarsely, tugging on my hair.
I kiss my way up her body until my cock bumps her drenched opening.
“Please,” she begs, turning her head slightly. She’s offering me her neck, and she doesn’t even realize it.
“I have to mark you,” I growl.
She nods eagerly. “Do it,” she pants.
My cock pushes into her slightly. When her eyes meet mine, full of trust and fire, I sink my teeth into the soft skin of her shoulder where her neck meets her collarbone. She gasps, and the bond explodes , electric and eternal, tying us together in a way nothing else ever could. I lick over the wound, sealing it.
Mate.
My bear howls so loudly in my head that it blocks out everything for a moment. When I come back to myself, I thrust into my mate fully, claiming her as mine.
Mine.
Mine.
MINE.
I can’t hold back any longer. I rut into my mate. She’s so damn tight and wet and hot. Lark screams my name, her nails biting into my arms. I love it. I look down at my bite mark on her as I move. I want her to leave her mark on me, too.
“So perfect,” I grunt as her dark eyes meet mine.
“So big,” she pants.
I grit my teeth to keep from coming. “Flattering me?”
She snorts. “It’s the truth.”
“Am I hurting you?” I ask, stilling my movements.
“No, don’t stop!” she shouts.
I pick up the same frenzied rhythm, my orgasm brewing inside me, far more powerful than I ever imagined. Lark tenses under me, her body coiling tight, and I know she’s close. I need her to come first.
I bow my head, lick over the bite mark, and that’s all it takes. Lark’s nails dig into my arms, drawing blood, and she screams as she comes.
I groan her name as I follow her over the edge, releasing deep inside her. I catch myself before I collapse on her, rolling to the side and taking her with me. I don’t pull out, my cock still nestled deep inside her.
“Wow,” Lark sighs, burrowing into me.
I grin, kissing her forehead, then her nose. “Good?”
She nods. “Uh-huh.”
Her hips move, her pussy sliding up and down my cock.
I groan as I roll her back under me. “Ready for me again, mate?” I whisper against her ear.
“Always,” she whispers as I make love to her again.