Page 104 of Heat & Deceit
“Did you plan to even say goodbye, or were you going to run away, like you did the other night?” He glares at me.
“Will you listen to me, you big, stubborn asshole?”
Jaw clicking, he laughs. “I’m an asshole?”
“Yeah,” I snap. “You won’t even let me talk.”
“Is that what you did with those alphas? Youtalked?” His gaze jumps to my bruises again, eyes flashing with anger. He steps toward me.
I move back to avoid pressing against him, but he continues advancing until my back is against the wall and he looms over me. I crane my neck to scowl back at him. His hands drop on either side of me, effectively caging me in, and he leans toward me until his lips almost brush mine.
“Tell me where they are.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s not what you think.”
“And the suitcase?” His eyes bounce between mine. “Are you running away?” This question is softer, more filled with worry.
“I’m not running away.”
Lifting his hand, he places it around my neck, but the hold is gentle, not at all threatening. More like he’s trying to reassure himself that I’m truly here and that I won’t slip away.
“Do you have a pack?”
I swallow, holding his gaze as I say, “I did. But they never marked me.”
“Did you want them to?” he whispers, fingers flexing over my throat.
“I did at first, but not anymore. They rejected me.”
He growls softly at my confession. “Then, they’re fucking fools. Why did you run from me? From us?”
“I...I’m not who you want me to be, Lycus.”
“Who says I want you to be anything other than who you are?” Pressing closer, he rests his center against mine. His hardened length slots against my core, and I suck in a breath, greedily swallowing down the lust and need in his scent.
My stomach flips. “Look at where I live. I’m a low-pack omega and my past—”
“I don’t give a fuck about your past.” With his hold on my throat, he moves his lips to the shell of my ear. I shudder as his breath brushes over my skin. He rubs his erection against me and my core clenches as he says, “I want to throw you on the bed and knot you until you beg to be mine, but I don’t think you’re ready for that.”
Skin heating, I close my eyes, reminding myself to breathe.
“I want my mark on your skin. I want to rut until your cunt soaks my cock and your scent coats every inch of my skin. I want your now. I want your future. I want”—he tugs my ear between his teeth, and I yelp in surprise— “you, you stubborn, beautifulasshole.” His nose nudges me, and I tip my head to the side, trembling in his hold as his lips drop to my neck. Breathing in, he groans and flexes his fingers.
I should feel trapped. I should feel cornered. I should want to run. But I don’t feel any of that. I want to stay. I want him to tighten his hold around my neck. I want everything he’s offering. My body is too beat up to act on any of those desires, and he must realize how fragile I am, because by some miracle, he holds himself back.
“Tell me I can have it, Rain.” He kisses my neck. “Please.”
A loud, screeching beep fills the apartment. The smoke detectors. Another beep sounds from the kitchen. The timer’s been going off, but neither of us heard it. My cupcakes are burning, but it’s not like that matters. I was going to throw them away, anyway.
I push against Lycus’s chest. “Let me get that.”
“I don’t want to let you go,” he admits, refusing to budge.
Remembering that drunken confession from the car, I sigh. “I’m not going to leave, but the people on my floor probably don’t appreciate the noise.”
