“I’m… I’m overwhelmed.”
“I know.” He nuzzled me, his purr increasing. “But I’m going to take care of you, okay?”
I swallowed, my chin dipping as though he’d compelled me to nod. Or maybe it was just my inherent faith in him to protect me.
Like he’d been doing for months.
“You’re my mate.” The words were a breath against my mouth. “Which means I’m going to worship you for as long as your heat lasts. Then I’m going to cherish you for the rest of our lives.”
My chest warmed at the thought. I wasn’t sure what that entailed right now. But I trusted him. I trustedthis. “Okay,” I whispered. “I know you won’t hurt me.”
“No, I’m going to make you come alive,” he promised. “You’ll be feeling my knot for weeks.”
My thighs clenched around him, making him growl.
“Yeah, just like that, sweetheart,” he murmured, his hips moving just enough to make me moan. “I’m not going to hold back. Because your wolf wantsmore.”
“Yes.” I arched into him, my wrists still caught beneath his. “She wants to fuck.”
“Then I’ll give her my beast.” He nipped my lower lip. “Because I take my job as your mate very seriously.”
“You make it sound like a hardship,” I breathed, my laugh catching in my throat as he thrust a little more.
“It’ll be a challenge,” he replied. “But I like challenges, Riley.” He pressed his lips to my temple before whispering, “And you’re my favorite challenge of them all.”
“I’m a challenge?”
“Mychallenge,” he corrected, his mouth at my ear. “The biggest one I’ve ever faced. And it only seems appropriate that you’ll challenge me again now.”
A quivering sensation stirred across my skin, my stomach contracting with a fresh wave of need and slick.
The world slipped beneath a black curtain.
Stealing my sight.
Blanketing my ears.
And leaving me in a senseless oblivion.
Estrus, I realized.It’s here.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
RILEY
Somewhere in North Carolina
I blinked,the world disappearing and reappearing some time later.
With Jonas rutting inside me.
With his mouth whispering hot promises in my ear.
With his hands on my breasts, my hips, my face.
I kissed him.
Bit him.