Page 78 of Challenged Mate
“What happened?”
Asher shuddered beneath my touch, but he didn’t lean away. “The sorcerers came with rabid shifters. I got too close.”
Breath caught in my throat. Was that the pain I’d felt through our bond?
“Did it bite you?” A bite from a rabid shifter wouldn’t turn a naturally born shifter into one of the monstrous creatures, but their bite could make even the strongest shifters sick from their tainted saliva.
“I’m fine,” Asher replied. Still resting a hand on my leg, his calloused fingers began stroking my flesh.
It was my turn to shudder.
Perhaps it was the dangers of the night, or perhaps it was knowing Asher had revealed the truth about us to his siblings.
Whatever the reason, I had absolutely no desire to stifle the pleasurable fire building in my core—stoked with every brush of Asher’s fingers.
I was tired.
Tired of missing my pack.
Tired of being ignored by my father.
Tired of struggling to master my power.
But mostly, I was tired of denying my soul the thing it wanted most in this world—starting from the moment the fated bond snapped into place.
“Asher,” I breathed his name.
His blue eyes flared. “Blair.”
I didn’t know who moved first. Asher and I crashed into each other with the desperation of a drowning man and starving woman. My arms wrapped around his neck. My fingers dug into his shoulders, holding tight, refusing to be parted as our lips met in a hungry kiss.
Asher stood, bringing me with him. His hands cupped my butt, and my legs wrapped around his waist. He held me close, pressing my aching center against his muscled torso in delicious torment.
Our tongues tangled together in an eager dance. I arched my back and rubbed my core against him, sending new flares of heat through my entire body. Asher growled in response.
Then, we were in my bedroom.
Asher lowered me onto the bed. I grabbed his shoulders and pulled him down on top of me, not willing any space to exist between our racing hearts.
Asher growled again. His teeth gently pulled my bottom lip. He drew his head back. I opened my eyes and saw him gazing at me, sensing his hesitation.
I would have none of that.
“Stop.” I commanded in a husky whisper. I moved one of my hands to cup his cheek. “Please. Stop thinking. I want this.” And I did. More than anything in my life, I wantedthis.
I’d felt when Asher was injured—I’d felt it like the pain was my own. I could only imagine how Asher felt when that building came down on me.
We’d wasted so much time.
Screw obligations.
Screw responsibilities.
The Mother made Asher my fated mate for a reason, and I was done letting our mortal rules override her wisdom.
I was done fighting this.
Awe filled Asher’s gaze, softening his features.
