Page 49 of Taken By the Pack

“You should’ve told me.”

She shrugs. “It never came up.”

I cup her jaw, tilting her face toward mine. “Sex doesn’t have to be about heat, you know. It’s not just about instinct. It can be good. Just because you want it.”

She exhales slowly, her lashes lowering. “I don’t know how to just… want it.”

I grin. “Let me try something.”

Her gaze flicks to mine. “Try what?”

I lower my mouth to her ear. “Do you trust me?”

A hesitation. Then, she nods.

That’s all I need.

I shift her onto the bed, pressing her into the mattress. My hands skim down her body, sliding her panties to the side.

She stiffens slightly. “Jake?—”

“Breathe,” I murmur, kissing her stomach, her hip, the inside of her thigh.

Her fingers curl into the sheets. “What are you?—”

“Proving a point.”

Then I drag my tongue against her, and she sucks in a sharp, broken breath.

Her legs tense, her body arching slightly as I work her over, slow at first, teasing. Her hands find my hair, unsure if she wants to push me away or pull me closer.

I flick my tongue against her clit, sucking lightly, and she whimpers—soft, breathy, like she’s never made that sound before in her life.

“Jake…”

I hum against her, slipping a finger inside her, testing, stretching. She’s soaked, dripping, and fuck, the way she clenches around me sends a rush of heat straight to my cock.

Her thighs tremble. Her breathing goes ragged.

“Jake, I?—”

I lift my head just enough to murmur, “Let go.”

And when she does, when she shatters under my tongue, I just grin against her skin, licking her through it, letting her ride it out.

She’s still panting when I finally pull back, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

“See?” I smirk, dragging my fingers over her hip. “Told you.”

14

ROWAN

Ash sets up his equipment, all methodical and precise, while I get my lines ready.

He moves like he’s done this a thousand times, barely even thinking about it, but there’s something weirdly careful about the way he handles his gear.

Like it matters to him. Like it’s personal.

---