Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38523 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 193(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38523 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 193(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
I finally pull away from her and run my fingers down her jaw, down her throat. I rub a soothing circle in the crook of her neck where I imagined my claiming mark would be. “I see you were planning on leaving me first.” Guilt flashes in her eyes. “You didn’t even say goodbye.” My voice is calm and steady; like she didn’t just rip my heart out of my chest.
“I—” I put a finger over her lips before she can lie to me.
“Why are you leaving us?” I let my voice go cold. At least she looks just as fucking tore up as I feel.
“I can’t stay here.”
“Why the fuck not?” My voice comes out harder than I want it to, but I can’t change that.
“I can’t stay here.” Her eyes cast down and she whispers, “with him.”
I stare at her, unable to truly believe what she’s saying. I’ve heard of mates being denied, but it’s rare. While I’m concerned about Luke, I also can’t help the feeling of hope that lingers in my tight chest. Maybe she’ll only leave him; maybe she’ll stay with me. I close my eyes and curse myself for being such a selfish prick, but she is my mate.
“I’ll be gone for a day, two at most. Stay with him until then.” She starts to protest, but I talk over her, finishing the thought. “If you want to leave when I get home, I’ll take you back.” Saying the words crumples my chest and makes my wolf snarl with denial. I don’t know if the words are true. I don’t know if I could actually let her leave, but I need to give her this so she’ll stay just a little longer.
Her eyes, glossy with tears, stare into mine. I don’t know what she’s searching for in order to agree, but I fucking hope she finds it. She nods her head, looking solemn and resolved to leave us. She turns her body toward the village, ready to leave me, but I’m not ready to leave her. I’ll be gone and the moment I get home she may be ready to leave, or worse, she may have already left. I just need one more moment with her.
“I should punish you for this.” I growl the words in her ear. My dick hardens at the thought. I remember the way it felt when she pushed against me. When I first touched her and felt the spark, the pull to her, the need for her. I place my hand around her neck and run my thumb down her throat. “What do you think Emma? Do you want to leave me now? Do you want to run from me?”
I’m playing with fire. Pushing her like this. But fuck I want it. Let her try to run from me. I’ll catch her and pin her to the ground like I’ve fantasized. Her eyes haze with lust knowing exactly what I want from her.
“You want me to run?” Her breathy voice makes my wolf howl with need.
“I want you to tell me to stop.” She looks at me with confusion. But I need this. I need to know that I won’t cross the line. “Say it now.”
“Stop.” She barely speaks the word and I move closer to her, crowding her space.
“Say it again.”
“Stop.” She speaks clearly this time.
“Good girl.” I kiss the dip in her throat. “I’m going to punish you, but I want you to enjoy this.” I kiss her lips gently. “If you want me to stop.” I kiss her neck. “All you need to do it say the word.” I lean back, wanting to ensure that she understands.
“Okay.” Her answer is breathy. Even if she wants to leave, she still wants me. At least once more.
“If it gets too much?”
“I’ll say stop.”
“Good girl. Now try running from me, sweetness.” I move my hand to the back of her head and lean down to give her a gentle kiss, before nipping her lip. “Just try running and see how I’ll punish you. It’s what I should be doing to you right now.” I pull away slowly, watching her dark eyes spark with desire. The smell of her arousal floods my lungs. Maybe she’ll allow us for the sake of relief from her heat. Afterall, now that her body knows us, she’ll feel this way every heat. She’ll need us. I cling to the hope that it will be enough. As soon as my hand drops to my side, she bolts. I watch her duck in between trees and run away from me, deeper into the forest. It hurts something deep inside me, but I push it aside and run after my mate.
My heavy strides crush everything in my path. I don’t bother letting her get far. I need to be inside her. I need to feel her body against me. I want nothing more than to hear her moaning my name and telling me that she loves me again. I grab her small waist and wrap my arms around her body as she fights against my hold. I easily pin her body down and put my teeth to her neck. Another wave of her heat hits me as I rock my erection between her slit, feel her honey coat my dick. It’s far too easy to push the shirt above her hips and feel her soft body under mine.