Chapter 28 #2
‘I spent the whole date with her talking about you. I couldn’t tell you, though –I couldn’t bear the thought of scaring you away.
There was so much to lose. What if I told you and then I never saw you again?
What if it was my alpha arrogance that made me think you might feel anything at all for me? ’
His voice dropped. ‘What if I was too much like my fucking father and thought that I could own you in the same way I might own a damned magical jug?’ He shook his head.
‘And when you kept putting yourself in danger and my wolf kept appearing because I had to protect you…’ He ground his teeth.
‘And it turned out that you were the one who had to protect me.’
‘I thought you saw me as weak and you’d never think I’d be suitable,’ Mallory whispered. ‘After all, you told me yourself you didn’t want love.’
‘It turns out I don’t have a choice. You’re all I want. If you don’t want to be First Mate, if you don’t want that responsibility, I’ll step down as alpha right now.’
Her heart thudded against her ribcage. ‘I would never ask that of you.’
‘I know, but I’ll do it. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything or anyone.’
Mallory shook her head. ‘No. You’re a werewolf alpha – it’s who you are. I’m a squib and that’s who I am. And I love every part of you, Alex. I think I always will.’
He reached for her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her against him, then he dropped his head and the tip of his nose brushed against hers before his mouth descended. He kissed her with aching tenderness.
Mallory raised her hands and ran her fingers through his hair. His spicy cinnamon scent enveloped her as she dropped one hand to tug at his T-shirt, pulling it up until she could feel the heat of his skin.
Alexander growled in response. ‘Be mine,’ he murmured in her ear.
She moved a step backwards and started to unbutton her blouse, exposing herself to his greedy gaze.
‘I already am,’ she said. ‘But I’m happy to prove it, if you like.
’ She kicked off her shoes, then unfastened her trousers and slid them down over her hips until they joined her blouse on the floor.
She hooked her thumbs around her bra straps and lowered them an inch, her eyes dancing.
‘Tease.’ Alexander’s breath was ragged.
‘You’re not going to turn wolf, are you?’
‘Not if we hurry this along.’
Mallory laughed. She stepped towards him, licked her index finger then raised it to his mouth and traced the shape of his lips.
‘I think,’ he said hoarsely, ‘that my heart is beating so fast it’s going to burst out of my chest.’
‘Show me.’
He peeled off his T-shirt and placed her hand on his bare chest, covering it with his own. She placed his other hand over her own heart and they stood together, marvelling at every thrum and thud.
Alexander leaned towards her again and kissed her more urgently.
Mallory reached down to unzip his jeans, but when she tugged them down they tangled with his ankles. He stumbled slightly, half-gasping, and they went down together onto the floor. ‘Ouch!’ she exclaimed, sitting up abruptly.
He froze. ‘Are you hurt?’
‘Yes!’ She pointed to her mouth, unable to hide her grin. ‘Right here.’
Alexander reached for her. ‘I’ll kiss it better.’
Mallory tapped her neck. ‘It hurts here, too.’ His lips descended as he pressed butterfly kisses against her skin. She moaned briefly and reached behind her back to unclip her bra. ‘Lower,’ she breathed. ‘It hurts lower. So very, very sore.’
His hands cupped her breasts, his thumbs brushing her nipples. ‘Here?’
She gasped. ‘Y–yes.’
His head lowered again, his mouth closing around one nipple while his hand teased the other.
‘God, Alex…’ she whispered. Mallory’s entire body was shaking now, trembling with need and desire.
He pulled back just enough to look at her. ‘I love you, Mallory Nash.’
‘I love you, too.’
And that was when the tide broke and their movements became frantic with need.
Her fingers slipped beneath the waistband of his boxer shorts, pulling them down and out of the way.
She had barely a moment to admire the hard length of him before he reached for her pants, ripping the fabric in his haste.
He tossed her underwear aside. Then, with his eyes on hers, he moved his hand between her legs and circled the nub of her clitoris.
‘Please, Alex.’ Her voice was strained.
His answer was rough. ‘Please what?’
‘I need you now.’
‘In that case, I suppose I’d better oblige. You are a powerful squib, after all. There’s no telling what you might do if you don’t get what you want.’ He moved slightly and thrust inside her, groaning as she clung to his shoulders.
He pressed his sweat-slick forehead against hers. ‘Tell me, Mallory,’ he said. He thrust once more and her hips rose to meet his, then again and again and again.
Her breath was coming short and fast as their rhythm speeded up and she felt the power building to a crescendo inside her. ‘Now,’ she gasped.
Alexander pushed even deeper inside her and Mallory cried out. A second later he did the same, his body shuddering until they collapsed together, hearts pounding, limbs entwined.
Several long, glorious seconds passed as the last of their tremors ebbed away.
Alexander cupped her face. ‘Now it’s a happy ending,’ he murmured huskily.
Mallory wrinkled her nose. ‘No,’ she disagreed. ‘As far as you and I are concerned, this is only the beginning.’
His eyes danced. ‘That might be the cheesiest thing you’ve ever said.’ He stroked her cheek with his thumb. ‘And that’s saying something.’
‘Shall I retract my statement?’
‘Absolutely,’ he breathed, kissing her once more, ‘definitely not.’