Page 67 of Beast

We’d only known each other for about a week, yet he’d shared his biggest, darkest secrets with me. Adrik was a kindred spirit. And probably the strongest, bravest person I knew. I couldn’t deny we had a powerful connection.

My gaze landed on the tattoo of a snarling wolf on his left pec. The detail was stunning, intricate, life-like.

“The dark wolf,” I whispered. “It suits you. There’s a hint of darkness around you, but not an evil darkness, more like a mysterious darkness. Anintrigue. You’re wary, like a wolf. You’re a fighter, and you’re very resilient. Do you know what all of that makes you?”

His gaze turned cautious. “No. What?”

“Soooo sexy…” I lowered my head, pressing a kiss to the wolf tattoo.

Adrik hissed out a breath, his body tensing as I kissed across his chest, then flicked my tongue over his nipple.

He jolted, his fingers sliding into the hair at the nape of my neck and tightening as I licked and sucked on his nipple before moving across to the other one.

“Annika...” His voice came out strained. “Jesus. I can’t…”

I kissed down his firm abs, pausing at the waistband of his jeans and lifting my head. “Lie back,” I ordered. “I want to have my way with you.”

Lust flashed in his eyes. Followed by uncertainty. He hesitated. “You don’t…have to do that.” But the look in his eyes said he wouldn’t stop me if I persisted. That he wanted this as much as I did.

It occurred to me in that moment that I was probably the first woman to say such a thing to him. “Hasn’t a woman ever seduced you before?”

He snorted. “Fuck, no.”

I held his stare. “That’s good, I guess, because I really don’t know what the heck I’m doing.”

We both laughed, the tension easing.

“Annika,” he whispered. “I don’t want to rush this, and I don’t want you to regret this later. Why don’t we slow it down? Spend more time getting to know each other first?”

I looked into his beautiful dark eyes, one protruding slightly at an odd angle. I barely noticed the deformity or the scars. All I saw was Adrik’s kind soul. His gentleness. His sincerity. His hotness.

“I honestly don’t think I will ever regret anything I do with you, Adrik.”

He groaned. “Fuck. I’ve wanted you for so long that I’m afraid if we rush it, it will blow up in our faces. I still…can’t believe you want me. I feel like I’m dreaming.”

Warmth filled my chest. Adrik was so sweet. “Idowant you,” I assured him. “This isn’t a dream. But you’re right. Jumping into bed might not be such a good idea right now. You’ll have to forgive me. I’m just so attracted to you it makes me a little crazy.”

He expelled a breath. “Can I just hold you? Get used to the idea that you actually want me, and this isn’t a dream?”

I smiled, scooting closer. “Yes, definitely.” Snuggling against him, I laid my head on his chest right above the wolf tattoo. His arm wound around me, resting on my hip. Absently, I trailed my finger over his pec, swirling it around his nipple.

And we stayed that way. Not speaking. Just snuggling and enjoying the closeness of our bodies.

A feeling of complete contentedness settled over me.

I felt like I belonged right here. In Adrik’s arms.

I could stay like this forever.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Adrik

Annika Popova was in my arms. She was cuddled against me on the bed.

Was I dreaming? Was she really in my arms right now?

And no, her fingertips weren’t callused. They were soft and smooth and sent my pulse racing with every brush against my skin.

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