Page 51 of Shaped By Darkness

Oh gods, his reaction suddenly makes a lot more sense as he presses harder, his free hand cupping the back of my head, his fingers digging into my hair.

He's never kissed anyone before.

No, few people dare to get close enough to me, let alone be crazy enough to kiss me.

I can't stop the laughter that bubbles up inside of me and feel the smile on his lips that are still pressed to mine. He didn't sound upset, but I have no doubt he thinks I'm crazy.

I know that, though; I've known that one fact all my life, but if that means I get to kiss Ryker, be his first kiss… well, I don't think I ever wanted to be sane, anyway. That sounds boring.

I've felt drawn to him from the moment he stumbled across me in the woods. I thought it was insane. I couldn't be drawn to astranger, but here we are. There's no denying it now, and judging by the way he's kissing me right now, I'd bet I'm not the only one who feels it.

I wrap my arms around his neck, no longer worried I'll scare him away. No, he can say whatever he wants, but I know the truth.

It's almost as if I can feel his emotions; his need to protect me pulses like it has a life of its own and the excitement he feels with me in his arms, but almost as strong as both of those, is the loneliness that claws at him, trying to remind him that he'll be alone again soon.

It breaks my heart and steals the air from my lungs, knowing how deeply he feels that, how much he believes he's not worthy of anything but being a tool for Draven.

The need to kill him, to free Ryker and the whole realm consumes me. I can taste it, just as sweet as the taste of Ryker.

My shadows move on their own accord, pressing me higher so that Ryker no longer has to lean down to meet my lips.

That's exactly what we've been striving for, me using my shadows as an extension of myself. It happens, but usually only when I'm in danger. Not to help me better kiss a boy—well, not a boy, I guess. Not if the hard length pressed to my thigh is anything to go by.

I need to be closer, to feel more of him and for him to feel more of me. With the new angle, it’s easy enough to wrap my legs around his waist. Ryker doesn't hesitate to drop his hand to my ass, holding me to him. I don't even attempt to bite back my moan as his fingernails dig into the soft material of my pants, biting into the soft flesh of my ass. I press against him, and it's his turn to moan, though it's really more of a growl. Either way, it's hot as fuck and leaves me feeling feral.

Unable to resist, I run my hand through the hair at the base of his neck. Fuck, it's even softer than I thought it would be.

He groans as he tries to pull me impossibly closer, his fingers pressing harder into my skin to the point he might leave a mark. I hate to admit it, but the thought only excites me more.

I need him.

We push and pull and kiss and explore each other until my lips feel raw, and while I can't see them, I imagine they are red and puffy in the best way. I don't want to pull away, afraid he might never let me get this close again.

I couldn't bear it if that were the case. I know he doesn't believe me, but there's no way I could forget about him now. I'll fight for him the same way I am, Lyle, the same way I would for any of my guys, because a life without them isn't something I can imagine.

He pulls away first, but I feel his hesitation, and I wonder if it's for the same reason. I need him to know.

“I lo–”

He presses a hand to my mouth, silencing me for all of two seconds before I try to bite him, and he drops his hand to my waist, my legs still wrapped around his. Shaking his head, he huffs a laugh, a smile pulling his lips up.

“You shouldn’t. I’m not good for you, Serena,” he says, letting his forehead drop against mine. His eyes fall closed, and he holds me close.

Draven did a number on him, and it breaks my heart to know he thinks so poorly of himself when I’ve seen the good in him time and time again.

But I won't let Draven have control of him.

I'll save Lyle and Ryker because I can’t live without either of them; I don’t want to.

“Too late.”

My tiger is a whimpering, whining mess, has been for, fuck, I don't even know how long it's been now. The only time he ever shuts up is at night, now that I've started going back to Garrett's room. He's still not happy. He wants our mate wrapped around us like she used to be, and I can't say I don't agree, but that's not an option right now.

At least he lets me sleep now, though.

Serena is hard to ignore; she always has been. Despite the fact that she grew up a prey shifter with no elemental magic, she's always made an impact. From her fierce determination, to her heart that she wears on her sleeve, and the way she cares about the people close to her...

Fuck, I was doomed from the start because how could someone not fall in love with that? She's perfect not only for me, but for our pack.

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