Chapter 22
Ashton
Erin darted out of my room like she couldn't get away from me fast enough. Shaking my head, I couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips. She was so damn cute running from me.
My mind had been tangled in a web of questions about those mysterious flowers when her text had pinged through, pulling my thoughts back to her. I'd got the police to pick them up for fingerprinting, though I doubted she even noticed their absence amidst the hangover she had to have had.
I pulled my phone out to send Aurelia a text.
Can you or Skye hang out with Erin on Monday while I go into the clinic?
Her reply came within seconds.
Aurelia: Yep. We'll take her antique shopping. We'll have fun. Don't worry about a thing.
"Damn right, I won't." Antiquing was Aurelia's code for keeping Erin safe under her hawk-like watch.
With Erin out of harm's way, I could focus on reestablishing my vet practice.
There were patients to contact, my office to set up, not to mention hiring an assistant.
My partner, a wolf shifter who had a knack for managing things in my absence, would appreciate the extra hands.
Thanks, sis.
I made my way toward her room, my instincts on high alert. The Mafia threat loomed over us like a dark cloud, and every strange occurrence felt like a potential storm brewing.
I slipped the phone back into my pocket and paused at the threshold of Erin's room, the door open just enough to let me know I wasn't intruding.
She was a flurry of movements inside, her back to me as she rifled through her closet.
At my entry, she stiffened, and for a split second, the world seemed to hang suspended in silence.
"Hey," I whispered, stepping into the soft warmth of her personal space. "I don't know why you're embarrassed, but I don't want you to be."
Without turning, she busied herself with a small box she had pulled from the depths of her closet.
A worn blanket followed, which she laid inside with careful folds before retrieving the tiny ball of fur that she'd found.
The kitten mewed plaintively before settling down into the makeshift bed, its eyes fluttering shut almost immediately.
With the little creature content, Erin faced me, her eyes wide and vulnerable under the cascade of her red hair. She took a deep breath, her shoulders rising and falling as if bracing against an invisible storm.
"I am so sorry for the way I treated you last night," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I basically forced you to give me an orgasm, and I can't believe I acted that way."
The confession hung between us, heavy with regret and something else—something like fear, maybe, or the edge of a new beginning.
I couldn't suppress the grin tugging at my lips, even with the gravity of her apology still hanging in the air. Erin caught the smile, and it puzzled her, drawing her in. "Why are you grinning like that?"
"Because." I stepped closer. "Everything that happened last night.
.. I'm not complaining. Sure, I fell asleep beside you with the hardest dick I've had in my life.
Believe me, it took everything in me not to take you right there.
" My voice dropped to a husky whisper. "There's no way I wanted our first time to be when you might not remember. "
Shock registered on her face. With her eyes wide, she blinked several times, processing my blunt confession. Then came her reply, almost challenging, "Well, I'm not drunk now."
That was all the invitation I needed. In an instant, my mouth found hers in a searing kiss that ignited the latent desire smoldering from the night before. Her response was immediate, her arms wrapping around my neck as we stumbled backward, our bodies pressed tightly together.
My hands framed her face as our lips met in a kiss that was anything but gentle. It was raw, intense, the kind of passion that I couldn't fake or hold back.
"Wait, are you sure?" I asked between kisses. This had to be right for both of us.
"Yes." She pulled me closer.
I leaned back and slammed the door shut, and then our movements were frantic, clothes shedding effortlessly as if they were mere obstacles to what we both needed. My mouth found hers again, tasting, claiming, while our bodies pressed together, skin against skin.
"God, you're incredible." I groaned, trailing kisses down her neck, resisting the instinctive need to bite down, to claim her as mine in the most ancient way possible.
"More, Ashton, please." Erin guided my head lower.
As we kissed, my heart raced uncontrollably while every nerve ending in my body sang with the electricity surging through it.
Our tongues danced and dueled, tasting each other deeply.
Her smooth skin against mine sent chills down my spine as I explored her body with fervor, taking in her soft moans and gasps.
The intoxicating smell of her perfume mixed with her natural scent filled my senses, driving me wild.
We fell back onto the bed together, the springs creaking beneath us as we continued our fiery exchange.
My hands trailed down her back, over the gentle curve of her hips and thighs.
Her silky softness against my calloused fingertips sent shockwaves of pleasure through me.
She gasped into my mouth at my touch, inspiring me to press closer still.
Our bodies molded together perfectly; she was perfection personified.
Her fingers dug into my shoulders, urging me onward as our kisses became more desperate and demanding.
She nipped at my lower lip playfully before soothing it with hers again.
It was like fire coursing through me - hot and addictive.
I pulled away slightly and breathed heavily, staring into those gorgeous green eyes that had haunted my dreams since last night.
"Erin," I whispered her name like a prayer before diving back in for another taste of those luscious lips.
I reveled in the sight of her full breasts pressed against my chest as we moved together in sync once more.
She felt so right in my arms, so warm and inviting.
Every inch of me tingled with desire as I explored every curve and contour of her body.
I pulled back slightly, panting heavily as I looked down at her flushed face.
She bit her bottom lip nervously, those gorgeous eyes filled with uncertainty and lust. Reaching up, I ran my fingers through her long locks, savoring the silky strands between my fingers.
"You are unbelievably beautiful," I said against her ear before pressing another scorching kiss there.
I couldn't resist any longer. With one swift movement, I rolled on top of her, feeling the softness of her stomach against mine.
She gasped underneath me as our bodies connected perfectly.
As I trailed kisses down her neck and collarbone, she arched into me hungrily.
My mouth found a sensitive spot behind her ear, which made her moan softly.
"So good," she said before pulling me back up for another intense kiss that left us both breathless.
I slipped my hand down to find her wet again, ready for me.
I wasn't sure if I had the willpower to give her another orgasm before sinking into her hot pussy.
I couldn't believe we were finally here, together. The warmth of her body beneath me made my heart race even faster. Her soft moans and gasps fueled my desire as I explored every inch of her perfect skin with my fingers and mouth.
I looked deep into those emerald eyes that had haunted me since last night.
They were filled with lust and uncertainty, but also trust. She trusted me enough to be here with her like this, vulnerable yet unyielding.
Her soft red hair fell across the pillow as she arched into me, inviting me to pull her nipple into my mouth, which I did happily.
She scratched her nails lightly against my back as I gently sucked on her nipple, rolling it between my tongue and lips.
She bucked her hips up against me, seeking more contact, and I growled in approval.
She felt so damn good in my arms, so right.
My free hand slid down her stomach, teasing the soft skin before dipping lower, caressing the soft hair around her pussy.
She gasped at the touch as I rubbed against her clit, circling it with my finger.
She moaned, arching into the touch with an intensity that matched my own.
The sounds of our passion filled the room as I continued to taste and touch every inch of her perfect body.
As if we were dancing to a rhythm only we could hear, our movements became more frenzied.
I slid my fingers inside of her, feeling how wet she already was for me.
She gasped loudly as I found her G-spot and rubbed it slowly while continuing to suck on her nipple.
She dug her nails into my shoulders harder now, and I knew she was close.
"I want you inside me," she panted out between gasps for air.
It was music to my ears, the words that sealed our fate together.
With one swift thrust, I entered her slowly and deeply, feeling her heat enveloping me like a second skin.
Her walls squeezed tightly around me, pulling me closer.
We both groaned, and she pushed at my chest. "Condom," she said with a gasp.
Oh, fuck. It hadn't even occurred to me.
Not with her, but she had no idea we were mates.
She didn't know I couldn't give her any diseases—if I even had any, which was virtually impossible.
Using every ounce of willpower I'd ever had in my long life, I pulled out and waited for her to run to her bathroom.
Thankfully, she had some. I would've combusted if we had to run to the gas station.
After rolling the condom down my rock-hard cock, I slid into my mate's hot pussy again and moaned.
This time, ever so slightly in disappointment.
It was not the same, but I soon lost myself as I thrust again, and Erin's walls clenched around me.
Our hips met in perfect harmony once more, and it was like fire coursing through my veins - hot and addictive.
We moved together in sync, our bodies becoming one.
We were lost in the rhythm of our passion, our breaths aligning as we found each other's pace.
The mattress springs creaked under our intense lovemaking, echoing the primal need that bound us together.
She raked her nails down my back, leaving delicious trails of pain in their wake as she bit her bottom lip and arched her hips off the bed, begging for more.
I couldn't resist the temptation to lose myself.
I pulled out slightly before slamming back into her, claiming her over and over again like she belonged to me already - because she did.
Every time her slick warmth enveloped me further, a shiver of satisfaction ran down my back.
With each thrust, she met me halfway with a hungry moan escaping her lips.
Her tight muscles gripped around me tighter each time she did so.
Our bodies slapped together in fervor as I took her, claiming what was already mine.
Her taste, her scent, and her soft gasps sent me over the edge.
My hands found their way to her hips, guiding her movements as we became one.
A thin sheen of sweat formed on our bodies as we moved together, each thrust sending shockwaves of pleasure throughout our entire beings.
Her skin flushed red with desire and need.
I bit my lip to stifle a moan at how good she felt beneath me; the urge to mark her was growing stronger by the second. She was mine, whether she knew it or not.
Within moments, Erin's back arched off the bed again, nails digging into my shoulders this time.
"Ashton," she cried out, and it was all the encouragement I needed to push us both over the edge.
My release built quickly as we moved together in ecstasy.
Our hips pounded against each other faster and harder now, begging for release from this incredible tension coiling inside us both.
Her sweet cries filled the room as she came apart beneath me, the most beautiful sound I had ever heard, and my own hoarse groan followed as I spilled inside the condom.
The moment stretched on forever before we collapsed onto each other, panting heavily as if we'd run a marathon instead of just making love for the first time.
As we lay there, spent and entwined, I wondered about the future, about secrets yet to be revealed. For now, none of that mattered. Right now, it was just Erin and me and the undeniable truth that whatever was coming next, we'd face it together.