Page 19 of Urban Gladiator

Sliding my hand around her neck, I cupped her nape and brought her mouth to mine. Closing my eyes at the last possible moment, I growled at the feel of her silken lips.

How had she gone without being claimed by a wizard? Because she tasted like a slice of heaven. Her hands tentatively brushed against my shoulders, and I found I wanted her delicate hands on me.

Lifting my mouth, I ordered. “Touch me.”

Her gaze widened with surprise. But her hands were already undoing the buttons on my dress shirt. Ember’s fingers slid beneath the material while I kissed her deeply, needing her to feel my desire for her.

I knew it was a one-eighty shift from our previous exchanges. But I didn’t give a fuck. I wanted her. I wanted her hands on me. And I planned to bury myself in her for a time and forget all the hard choices coming my way. My wolf was pissed I hadn’t claimed her.

Well, buddy, it’s not going to get better. There’s no way I could claim her. It wouldn’t work.

Those slender fingers slid beneath the material to my chest. I burned where she caressed me, like my body had been doused with flames. My cock ached. My wolf bayed, hungry for its mate.

But if I allowed myself to slip and claim her, I would damn us both. I might be a difficult bastard, but I wouldn’t be cruel.

I helped her remove my shirt. Then I scooped her up and carted her over to the bed. Since claiming her as my prize, I’d been careless with her. Because I couldn’t see past her heritage.

And I’d taken her without a thought or care. I’d never considered that we’d become the monsters, making witches who hadn’t existed at the time of the war pay for crimes they didn’t commit.

It was a topic that needed to be broached. Because what right did we have to harm others who have not harmed us? Absolutely none.

I laid her gently on the bed. Her deep red hair spread over the black silk sheets, and I’d never seen a lovelier sight. My mate was gorgeous. I’d never say it out loud. I’d never tell her she was mine.

It would be my cross to bear.

I took a knee and joined her, situating myself between her lush thighs. Bringing my lips to her neck, I tasted her pulse point. I felt the rapid beat of her heart beneath my tongue and breathed her in.

Home. That’s what she smelled like, my home.

And I knew in this moment that I would never be able to sacrifice her. My wolf would lose its fucking mind and stop the ceremony. I didn’t know what it meant moving forward. Other than I would help her escape Avalon and the fate that awaited her.

I kissed my way up and over to her lips. She opened for me, tangling her tongue in an erotic dance that left me breathless and ready to worship every part of her being. Her hands skimmed down my chest, and I growled into her mouth. Her caress left a trail of fire in its wake. My hips thrust, and even with the barrier my pants created, I could feel her wet heat scorching my shaft.

I pulled her legs up around my waist. She fit me. Even though she was half my size, her trim, lithe form was the puzzle piece of my existence I hadn’t even realized I was missing until now.

In another life and another time, this was a woman I would have given everything to. But for the short time we had together, I’d give her what I could.

I kissed my way down her body, leaving no part of her untouched. I needed to commit her form to memory. That way, years from now, I could recall how she felt beneath me. The way her body moved. The way she tasted and the little sighs she made.

I spent time with her tits. Pressing them together and running my tongue between her nipples. Then I sucked on each areola until they stiffened and turned red from my attention.

I kissed my way further south. When my face hovered over her slick, pink pussy, my wolf rattled its cage, needing to claim her. It beat against the walls of my control.

Ignoring him the best I could, I swiped my tongue through her folds. Her flavor burst on my tongue; the sweet musk was an aphrodisiac. I pressed my hips against the bed to stave off my release.

Then I took my time, learning what she responded to the most. Which lick made her squirm. Which touch made gasp. And which one made her grip my head and grind against my face as she wailed.

She was magnificent. It pissed me off that all we would get was two weeks together. We should have more time than that.

Fate was a cruel bitch.

But I would ensure she wanted for nothing. That she had a chance to live her life.

“Come for me.”

“No.”

“Are we back to that? You know I can make you.” So fierce and defiant. A woman strong enough to be my equal.

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