Page 38 of Tomlin

Finnar trembled, fighting against the compulsion, but the pack leader’s will bore down on him, relentless and unyielding.

“Submit,” Seren commanded, his voice resonating with power, and Finnar’s resistance crumbled.

“Yes, alpha,” he whispered, the fight draining out of him.

Seren nodded, satisfied. He bent down and hauled Finnar to his feet, supporting the injured Vultor’s weight. He turned to Tomlin and Etta, his expression softening slightly.

“I’m sorry that we had to meet under these circumstances. He will not trouble you again.”

He watched as Seren led Finnar away and he knew he should feel relieved, but the undercurrents of pain and anger surrounding the Vultor had struck too close to his own buried grief and memories. His skin felt too tight, too hot.

“Are you okay?” Etta asked softly.

He wrapped his arms around her, drinking in her warmth and scent.

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “Even when I… lost myself before, I never experienced such rage. And now…”

A shiver skated across his skin and he was suddenly aware that in spite of his injuries he was achingly, painfully erect. He squeezed his eyes shut, willing himself to regain control as the heat continued to build beneath his skin.

“I need… I need a moment,” he managed to choke out, forcing himself to step away from her.

But she followed, closing the distance between them, her hands sliding up over his chest. He couldn’t restrain a groan, even though he knew he needed to get away, to regain control. He tried to step back again, but she refused to let go of him.

“Let me help,” she whispered. “Tell me what you need.”

“Need you.”

He barely recognized his voice, the words emerging in a ragged growl.

“Then take me,” she breathed.

He felt her arousal flaring in response to his, sending another bolt of lust through him. His instinct demanded release and he had no hope of restraining it any longer. His mouth crashed down on hers, swallowing her gasp as his hands tore at her clothing. She returned his kisses with equal fervor, her hands exploring the bare skin of his back and chest. She made a soft, distressed sound when she reached his wounds but he didn’t care about the pain. He needed her now.

Some tiny shred of sanity prevented him from taking her right then and there, on the bare ground. He managed to get them as far as the lean-to, bending her over a stack of bales.

He should be asking if she was all right, if this was what she wanted, but his mouth refused to form the words. He couldn’t think beyond the need to possess her, to claim her as his. He shoved her pants impatiently to the ground, growling his approval when he ran a hand between her thighs and found her wet and eager. She arched back, offering herself to him as he freed his erection.

Restraint was impossible. There was no gentleness in him as he drove himself into her with one hard stroke. She cried out and pushed back against him, her hips meeting his thrusts. He growled again, grabbing her hips and holding her in place as he thrust wildly.

It was perfect. She was perfect. Tight and hot and wet around him, each slide of his cock bringing him closer to the edge. She shuddered, her body tightening impossibly as she found her own pleasure. One more stroke and he shattered, pouring himself into her with a roar, claiming her utterly.

For an endless moment they remained locked together as he emptied himself into her welcoming body. Then slowly,gradually, reality returned. He pulled out of her carefully and turned her towards him, cradling her against his chest as he sank to the ground, still shuddering.

CHAPTER 20

Etta nestled against Tomlin in a contented daze. Their lovemaking had been savage, wild, unlike anything they had shared before. He’d never let go of his control so completely but she’d never been afraid. His wildness had released her own passion, matching his every step of the way.

Then she felt him tense beneath her.

“Don’t,” she said firmly.

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t apologize.”

“Was I… Did I hurt you?” he asked instead, his voice tight with concern.

She leaned back against his arm so she could see his face.

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