Page 77 of Act of Passion

She moaned loudly as she tipped her head back. Her power ran through him more, letting him know it was coming—they were going to fullybond.

Malik took hold of her hips, thrusting into her, grunting like a wild animal. He didn’t care how he sounded. He wanted to fully join to her. He wanted to know he was her husband. That they’d never be apartagain.

Brooke’s jaw dropped and she met his gaze. “M-Malik, something is happening…deepinside.”

“Don’t fight it,” he said, on the verge ofcoming.

Brooke’s olive-green eyes swirled with icy blue a moment before she dipped her head, putting her lips close to his. “Mine.”

His beast rushed up, pushing through the surface, making his mouth change shapes. “Mine,” he returned, grabbing her and drawing her down on him before biting herneck.

Suddenly, his body felt as if an electric charge went through it. Everything on him hummed with pleasure and it felt as if hundreds of thousands of webs were being woven betweenthem.

He took hold of her hips and began pumping up and into her with a speed that was far from human. She cried out in his arms and he released his mouth’s hold on her neck, licking the spot at once and swallowing down her blood. She came and he followed quickly behind her. The moment he released, the threads between them snapped in place, leaving him no doubt they’d completed the ritual. They were a fully bondedpair.

Husband andwife.

His lion curled up deep within, totally and completely content for the first time in his entirelife.

Brooke kissed him tenderly. “Is itdone?”

“Yes,” he said, unable to stop himself from starting to move in her again. “My sweet, if we don’t get out of this bed right this second, we might never get out ofit.”

“Can we shower fast, spend time with Bethany, and can I please see Gram?” she asked, staying on him. “I have to see him. I need to know how he’sdoing.”

“I know, love,” he said, his jealousy over her with Gram lessened now that she was his wife in every sense of the word. He slapped her butt cheek playfully and then growled, barrel rolling her, leaving him on top. “Mmm, woman, I love you somuch.”

She smiled up at him and he realized she’d yet to tell him she loved him too. While it stung, he understood why. He withdrew from her and kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ll shower in the bathroom next to this one. If I don’t, I’m not going to be able to stay out ofyou.”

She laughed as he rolled off her and stood, his legs nearly going out from under him. “Woman, you have got to stop making my legs shake after sex. It’s going to take away from my manlyvibe.”

Brooke laughed so hard she wassilent.

Malik chuckled as he grabbed his pants, throwing them on quickly for fear he’d step out of the bedroom and his daughter be near. That or Striker would start talking about measuring contestsagain.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Brooke heldMalik’s hand as he entered a large gaming room. There was a giant big-screen television playing a family-friendly movie. A sectional that looked custom made because of its enormity was in the center of the room. Striker was on it, along with Edee andBethany.

Edee was asleep on the large sofa with Bethany tucked against her, while Striker sat with his feet propped on a huge ottoman. The other men were gone, replaced by Armand and Auberi, who were sitting at a bar along the far side of theroom.

Brooke went to get Bethany to put her to bed, but Striker shook his head. “Let the wee one sleep. She’s nae hurting anything where she is. I’ll sit with them both and watch over ’em untilmorning.”

Auberi lifted a drink. “We explained we would, since we’re nocturnal and all, but the stubborn Highlander who looks like he spent the night in a French whorehouse thinks vampires aren’t sufficientbodyguards.”

Armand laughed and eased off a stool. He was dressed as he always was, as if he’d just come from an important board meeting of some Fortune 500 company. His long black hair was down tonight. He stopped just shy of hugging her and sniffed theair.

“You’ve mated,” he said, a smile tugging at his lips. “Good.”

“You’re not mad?” she asked, afraid he’d be upset because he’d always seemed supportive of the relationship she had withGram.

“You’ve mated yourself to a powerful, honorable man I consider a friend. I could ask for nothing more,” he said, drawing her into hisarms.

“Have you seen Gram?” she asked, worried for herfriend.

Armand nodded, his gaze flickering toAuberi.

Auberi neared her. “We have him in a medically induced coma to speed his healing process. His burns were severe. In addition, he took a great deal of shrapnel, as well as suffered numerous broken bones. From what we’ve been able to piece together, he basically took the entire force of the exploding back end of the house. It was Bethany who told us as much. She said her Uncle Gram knew there was going to be a big boom and he turned with her, taking her to the floor and covering her with hisbody.”

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