Chapter 23
Hunger slammed into me, but it wasn’t for food. I dropped the towel, not bothering to hide my intention, and stalked toward him. The scruff on his face added an edge of danger, and the way his eyes heated as he took in my naked form made need clench so hard in my stomach that I couldn’t handle it.
He swallowed when I placed my hands around his neck. His hair was still damp and smelled faintly of my rose-scented shampoo from the shower he’d taken before getting food.
When I moved to kiss him, he closed his eyes, leaned his head back, and groaned.
“This is cruel, Sky,” he rasped, an animalistic growl woven through. “You’re making being a good mate hard right now. You need to eat. You were badly injured, and you just shifted for the first time. You need calories.”
The presence, which I’d learned was my wolf, surged forward, making my desperation stronger. “Food is the last thing on my mind.” My voice was almost unrecognizable. The best way to describe it was feral.
“But—” he started, but when his eyes met mine, he stopped.
I slipped my hand under his blue sweater, and the shock of our bond thrummed between us. I refused to force him to do something he didn’t want; I would respect his wishes, but I hoped like hell he didn’t want to stop because the fight between my human and animal sides might become a war. “I don’t understand it, Raffe, but I need you. If you don’t want to have sex with me, though—”
Fuck yeah, I do, he linked and kissed me. Your wolf is calling out to mine. His kiss wasn’t sweet; it was frantic.
My wolf howled in my head as I traced the curves of his abs, causing him to shudder. Our tongues tangled, his taste of mint urging me on.
With his agreement, there was no stopping this. If Lucy could get into the apartment, I doubted even her presence would have stopped me. My head spun as my free hand unfastened his jeans. There were too many barriers between us. I needed him naked and inside me. Now.
He caught the waist of his jeans before they fell and chuckled. Let’s get to the bed. Trying to carry you there with my pants around my ankles might cause a hazard, and you’ve already been hurt too much.
I heard his words, but they didn’t make sense. Nothing but the taste and feel of him mattered.
He slid his free hand down my waist and hoisted me up.
I whimpered, my access to stroking him removed, but then I greedily wrapped my legs around him.
The world spun … or he was walking. I wasn’t sure. But none of it mattered. I moved away from his mouth, needing to taste other parts of him, and gently bit his bottom lip.
He groaned, and suddenly, my back was pressed against something soft … my bed.
Breaking away from me, he removed his shirt, and I traced his tattoo with my fingers. I watched with heavy lids as his muscles constricted in all sorts of sexy ways. A knot formed hot and heavy in my stomach, fueling my need for him. He quickly removed his shoes, jeans, and boxers, giving me an amazing view of his full naked form.
Not even a marble statue of his body would compare to the real thing, and my body turned into an inferno.
He climbed back onto the bed and lay down beside me.
Raffe, I complained, but his mouth lowered to my breast, and his fingers moved between my legs. His tongue gently flicked my nipple, and I arched my back as he slid two fingers inside me while using his thumb to circle between my lips.
An orgasm ripped through me in seconds, my body shaking uncontrollably.
The urgency intensified.
Again, I commanded, but he moved his hands away and leaned back. I threw a leg over his waist.
He smirked. “That’s going to be a problem with you on—” As I slid him inside me, his words cut off with a groan.
His hands went to my hips, gripping me so his fingers dug in like he was having a hard time controlling himself.
“Are you complaining?” I teased and slowly rocked against him.
If you stop, I will. He blinked, and when he opened his eyes, they were glowing.
My own wolf rose higher inside me, thrilled with what we saw. Part of me wanted to move faster and chase after the release I desperately craved, but then everything clicked. Yes, I wanted the release, but here on top of him, with him inside me, was also what I needed.
As he anchored my hips, he scooted up against the headboard and sat. I spread my legs wider, drawing more of him into me, and then his mouth was on mine again.
Our kisses were still desperate, and his body thrust in sync with mine. Each movement brought me closer to the edge, though I didn’t rush to the finish. Having him like this with me made me feel the most complete … like we were one … like our souls were connected.
When his hand cupped my breast and his finger caressed the nipple, pleasure sparked through me, bringing me so close to the edge.
I tore my mouth from his and kissed down his neck.
“Gods, Sky,” he groaned. “You feel so damn good. I want to always be inside you.”
Butterflies took flight in my stomach. That can be arranged because I feel the same way about you.
When my mouth landed at the base of his neck, where his pulse pounded against my lips, the urge to bite him stole my breath. My mouth opened of its own accord, and my teeth raked his skin as the friction inside my core intensified.
His breath caught, and I realized what I wanted to do.
Claim him.
Is it okay if I …I wasn’t sure how to say it, and my wolf urged me to sink my teeth into his neck. I managed to hold back, though I tasted his blood.
That should’ve disgusted me, but instead, it made the urge unbearable.
“You biting me would make me more fucking happy than I’ve ever been in my entire life,” he rasped as both hands worked my breasts. “But only if you want—”
I bit him, my teeth sinking deep. As his blood filled my mouth, something bolted inside me. The spot in my chest where my wolf usually lived opened and poured from me into him.
He released my breast and gently took my head, lifting it up.
Our gazes connected, his eyes glowing brighter than ever before, and he put his mouth at the base of my neck and pierced my skin.
Pleasure exploded inside me. I gasped. The sensations were more intense than ever as what felt like his ecstasy flowed into me, adding to mine. In that moment, we were truly one, and he groaned gutturally as our bodies quivered together.
Our orgasms lasted longer than I’d thought possible, the two of us gazing at one another, blood trickling down our necks, and our bodies moving in rhythm. Our love for each other mingled, making my chest feel fuller. Somehow, my love for Raffe had multiplied from biting him and marking him as my own.
When our bodies calmed, I laid my head on his chest, breathless, though he was still inside me.
He kissed my sweaty forehead, and his happiness flowed into me so forcefully that I laughed while he cuddled me in his arms.
My hair, still wet from the shower, stuck to my face, the moisture mixing with the perspiration on his chest, but I didn’t care. I wanted his scent all over me.
Wait. What?
That was something I would’ve never thought before; however, my wolf pranced proudly inside my head, and I didn’t regret thinking it for one second.
What’s that look for? He chuckled.
My face heated. It’s so weird. I never imagined loving you more, but I do. In fact, my feelings for you are so strong that I don’t find your sweat disgusting. I want to bathe in it.
Warm laughter escaped him, the sound more carefree than I’d ever heard from him, and he leaned his head back against the pillow. His chest shook so hard that I bit my tongue.
If I thought I’d been embarrassed before, nothing compared to now. Never mind. I lifted my head and glowered at him. Forget I said anything. I moved to slide off him, but his hands captured my wrists.
His face softened, though the smile was wider than ever. He said, “Hey, I’m not laughing at you. I’m just so damn happy. I’d come to terms with believing we could never have this, and I’ve never been so ecstatic to be proven wrong.”
My body warmed at the way his hands constrained me, but I sniffed, making it clear I was trying to smell his lie.
But all I smelled was his musky scent, spicy with … arousal.
“Babe, I swear I’m not lying.” He leaned up and kissed me. “What you’re experiencing is your wolf’s influence. She wants to smell like me and wants me to smell like you so that no one questions we’re mated. And our fated-mate bond is now fully formed as intended, which allows us to feel more for each other. There’s no going back, especially now that we can sense each other’s emotions.”
My head jerked back. “Well, I mean, I feel yours more strongly now, but still.”
His brows furrowed. “You’ve been feeling every one of my emotions?”
I nodded. “Even when they’re faint. How do you think I knew how hard you’ve been struggling? I sensed it the entire time, and now I feel you as strongly as I feel myself.”
“I didn’t feel yours before, but it makes sense that I couldn’t. You hadn’t bitten me yet.” He kissed me and linked, That must be how I was able to track you when you were taken. I couldn’t nail down exactly where you were because we were only semi-connected, but I sensed the direction you were in.
Whatever it is, I need you to make love to me again.
He was already hardening inside me, never having slipped out.
Sounds like a plan, but then we’ve got to eat.
His tongue slid into my mouth, and once again, we got lost in each other and the moment.
I managedto talk him into two more rounds of sex, but he finally forced us to get up. We took another shower because we were drenched in sweat, and then he went down to the laundry on the second floor to wash my sheets, which were officially stinky. I tried to go with him, but he refused, telling me I needed to eat.
I’d almost argued with him, but his concern had weighed on me.
Instead, I warmed up leftovers, taking my time so we could eat together when he got back.
As usual, he’d bought half the cafeteria, including a large pizza, a hamburger, fries, and the chocolate fudge cake I loved. By the time I got the pizza reheated in the oven and the hamburger and fries warmed up the best I could in the microwave, he was strolling back through the door.
“Now that’s a sight I love seeing.” He shut the door and leaned against it. “My woman taking care of me and making me lunch.”
I rolled my eyes, but my heart fluttered. “First of all, you took care of me by bringing all this stuff, and second, I’m not making it. I’m reheating it.”
“Same difference to me.” He walked over, pulled me into his arms, and kissed me.
Wanting more, I opened my mouth, but he pulled back a little. He booped me on the nose and said, “More of that after you eat.”
This time, I knew I wouldn’t win the argument. We took out plates, and I grabbed two slices of pizza and a piece of cake. He took the rest of the pizza but cut the burger in two and put half on my plate.
I shook my head. “That’s too much. I’ll never eat it all.”
He smirked. “Trust me.”
Whatever. He’d eat it when I couldn’t.
When I took the first bite of food, my stomach gurgled. I needed the food inside me now.
After ten minutes, I’d finished the pizza, the half burger, half the fries, and a piece of cake, and I didn’t feel even a bit uncomfortable. “I must have eaten too fast.” I frowned. When it caught up to me, I’d be sick.
“You’re a wolf shifter.” He winked, sitting back. “You need a lot more calories. We burn them four times as fast as a human.”
“Seriously?” I must have heard him wrong.
He took the last bite of his double-meat pizza. “Yup. One of the blessings of being supernatural. Between that and how much Keith, Adam, and I work out for football, we have to eat almost all the damn time.”
My body warmed. “And all that sex.”
He smirked crookedly. “Especially that. I’ll need you more often now that you’re mine in every damn way. I thought I was addicted before, but I had no idea what both of us claiming each other would do to me.”
I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “Well, I mean, I’ve eaten, so …” I moved to him and straddled him. My eyes locked on the place where I’d bitten him. I could see the faint scab and knew a scar would be left behind.
“Yeah.” His hands rubbed up my sides before he went still and groaned, “Fuck.” The spicy scent of his arousal vanished in a second, and then we heard a knock.
Adam linked to the two of us, We need to talk. I know you’ve been busy with Sky recovering and all, but we learned some new things.
That sounded ominous.
Raffe kissed me softly and frowned. “This will have to wait.”
I wanted to pout, but I held it back. Whatever Adam had to share sounded serious. I hope they found the wolves and questioned them.
He flinched as he lifted me from his lap and placed my feet on the floor.
There was something he hadn’t told me. They were looking for them, right?
Face creasing, he turned and opened the door. They searched all night and couldn’t find them. They’ve been doing some digging.
My mouth dropped open. And you didn’t tell me?
Adam, Keith, Lucy, and Josie entered the apartment and sat around the living room.
Raffe didn’t even acknowledge them, instead staring at me with that cocky smirk. He replied, Oh, I was going to, but someone was naked when I came back from getting food and made me forget about everything but her.
I bit my bottom lip, trying not to let him know how thrilled I was with that answer. I liked having that effect on him even if it delayed me learning the other stuff. I had been desperate to claim him.
Keith coughed. “Between the stench of sex and the way they’re eye-fucking one another, I’m getting uncomfortable. We could wind up with a show.”
Lucy snorted. “I’ve never heard you complain about a show before.”
“I wouldn’t, but Raffe would kill me if I saw Sky nake—”
A snarl ripped from deep within Raffe’s chest, and he jerked his head in Keith’s direction. “Don’t finish that sentence. I’m already having to physically restrain myself from killing you.”
His anger funneled into me like a hurricane, and for a minute, I considered letting him hurt Keith for hinting at my nudity.
“Raffe, chill.” Adam stepped between them. “He was just running his mouth like normal.”
“When it comes to my mate, he better learn that shit won’t be tolerated.” Raffe took a menacing step toward Keith, his anger still uncontrollable.
“Man, I don’t think about her like that.” Keith moved to the side and pointed at me. “She’s not my type.” His eyes widened. “Not that you aren’t hot—you are—but—”
“That’s it,” Raffe spat.
Josie laughed uncomfortably and reached for his arm. “Raffe, just calm—”
That had me snapping, and I stalked toward her, making a loud, menacing sound I’d never heard come from my throat as my blood jumped to fizz. He was mine, not hers.
“Whoa.” Lucy stepped between us. She shoved Raffe back a few steps and smacked Josie’s hand away. “Everybody, stop!”
Lucy touching Raffe didn’t bother me, which surprised me. The only conclusion I could come up with was that she was his family.
“We’ve got a newly completely mated couple here, so we all need to realize that and not touch or say anything about either one of them.” Lucy sighed. “And they’re fated mates, so they’ll be even more possessive of each other. No talking about Sky being hot or touching Raffe. Things have changed, especially around the dynamics of them and the opposite sex.” She emphasized that last part to Josie.
“Right.” Josie blinked. “Got it.” She shook her head and grimaced as she glanced my way. “Sorry.”
“Man, I’ll never look at Skylar again.” Keith lifted his hands. “I’m sorry.”
Adam pinched the bridge of his nose. “You can’t say you won’t look at her again. She’s Raffe’s mate. It’s inevitable. Just don’t be a moron.”
Some of the tension eased from Raffe, and he moved back beside me, wrapping his arm around me and anchoring me to his side.
The buzz of our connection thrummed between us, settling us both.
Keith marched across the room and sat at the end of the couch, avoiding looking in my direction. Josie followed suit, but she wasn’t acting as sheepishly; more like she wanted to make it clear that she understood that we were together.
“You ready to listen?” Adam asked, lifting a brow. “We learned a whole lot of shit that I’m trying to update you on.”
Taking my hand, Raffe led me to the end of the couch near the hallway, which was becoming our normal spot. He sat down with me on his lap. The way we were claiming each other kept my heart and blood at a calm, normal rhythm.
“Yeah, what’s going on?” Raffe replied.
Shaking her head, Lucy took the spot at the other end of the couch.
Moving to stand in front of the TV, Adam linked to all of us, It’s best if we talk this way in case people walk by who can overhear us. As I told you, we couldn’t locate the wolves or coven members in the woods or pick up their trail. But we started asking around, and we found out something very interesting. The Atlanta alpha and four of his pack members came into town earlier today.
I’d knocked two of them out, and another had died. How had a witch moved all three of them? Either there had been more than one witch, or they’d cloaked the wolves and hidden them somewhere.
How did you learn this? And how would they know about Skylar? Wouldn’t someone have picked them up from the airport? They shouldn’t have been here. Who was supposed to get them?
Josie looked down, picking at her nails.
My blood jolted. I’d never seen a nervous tic from her before. My heart pounded, and my mind raced a mile a minute.
Realization stole the breath from me.
No.
This couldn’t be possible.