STORY EXCERPT

“I saw you in the garden today,” Zane said, his mind drenched in the memory of watching the woman he loved fall into the arms of another man.

Tiffany froze, her hand still outstretched to reach for a glass in the cabinet beside the refrigerator. He couldn’t help but notice the sudden shiver that chased along the curve of her spine, settling in her shoulders.

Zane’s body trembled with the vibrations of anger. What had once lingered in his gut had sprung out to every nerve in his body. Grinding his teeth together, he sat in the shadows of the kitchen at the corner of the bar. He’d been there for hours wondering why Tiffany had allowed another man to touch her, and why she sought comfort from a man who wasn’t him.

Then he flipped the switch, turning the kitchen light on, revealing himself. “I saw you kiss Ryder,” he blurted out, not carrying if anyone else in the house heard.

She locked eyes with him. “Zane,” she breathed. “I don’t know what happened.” She leaned against the counter at her back, looking defeated. “I’m so confused.”

He frowned. At least she hadn’t tried to insult him by denying it. “Confusion doesn’t make your mouth kiss someone else’s. Desire does that, and you clearly feel something for Ryder.” He was so angry, he wanted to hit something. He wanted to kick the shit out of Ryder for crossing the line. Ryder had no right to touch Tiffany. She belonged to him and him alone.

Tiffany’s eyes rounded. “It’s not like that,” she argued, stepping toward him, the counter separating them. “I was practicing my magic, and he saw me.”

Zane arched a brow, the corner of his mouth tugging upward in a lopsided grin. “So you bribed him into silence with a good tongue fucking?”

Tiffany’s mouth formed a giant O. “No, I swear. That was not what I intended to happen.”

Zane studied her for a long moment, heat blazing from his eyes. He dropped his head into his hands. “Maybe it’s because you’re not a wolf,” he muttered softly.

“What are you talking about?”

Zane rose from the barstool, rounded the counter, and stalked toward her as if she were prey. His nostrils flared as he took in her scent. “I’m talking about you being my mate and still finding compulsions to be with another man.”

“What?” she gasped, her eyes opening wide. “How could I be your mate? I’m not even a wolf.”

He crowded up against her, forcing her to stare up at him. “No, you might not be a wolf, but all the instincts are there, and had you been a lycan, I would’ve marked you the first night we were together. I would’ve marked you so damn hard everyone would know you belonged to me.” His tone was cold and rough.

She shook as he closed in on her. His arms formed a cage around her. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

He slammed his fists on the counter beside her, and she jumped, closing her eyes. “I didn’t want to frighten you.”

A thundering growl emerged from deep within him. The emotions surging through his body were so unlike him. He felt out of control like the wild beast of his wolf was scratching at the gates and he couldn’t stop it from getting out.

Jealousy’s a bitch.

She opened her eyes. Her bottom lip quivered as tears filled her gaze. “But you let me think less of what this means to you. You let me think we were just sleeping together.”

Rage flooded him. “I let you think?” He released a guttural laugh. “Damn it, what a joke.” He took hold of her face, his hands diving into the lose strands of her soft, blonde hair. “I’ve been in love with you for as far back as I can remember. You are so much more to me than sex.”

“Zane,” she said his name on a gasp. Tears began to stain her cheeks. “I don’t know what to say.”

His gaze lingered on her face. His heart hammered like a freight train. She didn’t know what to say, he repeated in his mind a dozen times. If she didn’t immediately profess her love for him in return, then she didn’t love him at all.

“You don’t have to say anything, Tiffany.” He released her, lowering his gaze and stepping away from her. His claws lengthened, and his wolf screamed. His mate had rejected him. The worst form of punishment any lycan could face.

“Tiffany, it’s best that you go to your room and lock the door.” He exhaled hard. “Call for the others.”

“Why?” she asked, fear looming in her eyes.

His gaze shot to hers, his fangs biting into his lips. His voice was distorted as he explained, “If you don’t, my wolf is going to claim you, fucking and marking you in such a way you will never be the same.”

She sucked in a breath. “Zane, your eyes…they’re silver.”

Zane grasped the counter top at his side, arching his back as a deep, primal cry sprung from his lips. “Go, Tiffany!” he growled. “Go now before it’s too late!”

ADULT EXCERPT

His hands were no longer restraining her wrists. Now they were touching her, moving down between her legs. One hand cupped her pussy while the other massaged her buttocks. She moaned as his fingers swirled gently over her sensitive clit. She gasped as his finger entered her, and she immediately parted her legs, giving him better access.

Another finger.

“Oh, God,” she cried, her nails clawing his back. The fever of release was close. “Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”

Her mind went blank. Her entire body hummed with an energy she hadn’t felt before, and it was all because of Zane. He was doing this to her, made her feel crazed with lust.

His breath on her neck, she trembled, captivated by his touch. He brushed his lips over her tingling flesh. More chills of excitement washed over her. He felt so good. Everything about him had her begging for more.

Unable to stop herself, she reached down and began stroking his hard cock, marveling at the size and velvety softness of the skin that surrounded it. Groaning, he dragged his tongue over the crook of her neck, and instantly she wanted to wrap her legs around his waist.

As if hearing her thoughts, he lifted her from the floor, and her legs immediately circled his hips. His firm cock pressed between her damp folds, and her head fell back as his shaft brushed over her throbbing clit. She arched her hips, hoping he would soon be buried deep inside her.

“You feel so amazing,” he rasped in her ear. “I want to be inside you. I need to be inside you.”

Was he hearing her thoughts? Reading her mind?

Again his hips moved forward. She hissed as the thick head of his cock breeched her entrance. His body froze, holding her against him. His breath was hot on her skin.

“Tiffany,” he whispered, his lips gliding over her throat and up to her chin. “I’m going to ask you only once, so I beg you to tell me the truth.”

His cock sank a little deeper. The pleasure was almost too much to bear. “Whatever you want. Just ask me.” She squeezed him tighter, digging her fingernails deeper into the tight muscles of his back and shoulders.

He took possession of her mouth, greedily kissing her. His body was still locked in place like a statue. She dug her heels into his rear, hoping to encourage him to thrust forward, but he didn’t.

“Are you a witch?”

“Yes,” she answered breathlessly. “Now stop stalling. You’re killing me.”

She felt a smile on his lips as he nuzzled his face against her ear. Slowly, he stretched her, another inch. “Oh, God,” she said, gasping as the pressure built inside her. He was driving her insane. She’d never survive another moment without him. “Please, Zane, I need you.”

* * * *

Zane bucked his hips forward, teasing her with another inch of his cock. She clung to him, her arms clasped tightly around his neck and her legs anchored around his waist. His fingers kneaded the flesh of her hips. Wiggling, she tried to slide down the length of his shaft, eager to impale herself upon it.

But his unyielding hands held her steady. He was denying her what she so obviously wanted, and he wasn’t sure how long he could continue to resist the temptation. Everything inside him commanded that he satisfy her, his mate. He knew that if he did, he’d get nothing from her but a fuck. He had to push her to the edge, make her drunk on desire and captivated by the teasing pleasure he alone could give her.

He pressed a hand between them, seeking out her sensitive sweet spot. When his fingers parted her flesh to find her clit, her pussy was slick with her desires.

Pleased to find her so aroused, he grinned, nipping at her earlobe. Slowly, he moved his lips down the delicate curve of her throat, suckling gently. His elongated fangs brushed over her skin, ready to mark her. He marveled at the fact that her skin tasted of warm vanilla sugar. A flavor he would crave for the rest of his life.

He groaned as he ever-so-tenderly massaged her clit. When his finger began to caress her, she arched her back, bringing her breast up to his mouth, but she quickly moved back and sought out his lips. Tiffany grew ravenous for his kiss. Their tongues molded together, tasting each other as if starved for affection.

Pushing back, she cried, “Please, Zane. I need you.”

“Say it again,” he demanded, holding her tight up against him. “Tell me you need me. Tell me you want me.”

“Oh, God, yes,” she replied breathlessly. “I want you. I need you.” She trembled in his arms.

He pressed another inch inside her. “Your magic is setting me on fire. Your touch, your scent, it’s maddening.” Another inch. “Are you more than a witch?”

Her eyes opened, gazing at him as if she’d had too much to drink, dizzy and confused. She shook her head.

“Tiffany,” he whispered against her ear. “Don’t stop touching me.”

The moment she no longer caressed his back, kissed his lips, he felt cold and the connection that buzzed so electrifyingly between them faded.

“I’m scared,” she confessed, her eyes wide and glistening.

Zane held her tight. “Don’t be. I’m here for you. I’ll always be here.”

He meant it. He would never be parted from his mate, and she would no longer keep secrets from him. They were now one, and soon she would know that as well. He drove his cock the rest of the way inside her, and she gasped. Her face was aglow with unrelenting passions.

“I’m never letting you go.”