His hands slid along her sides, forcing her arms up and her shirt off. His gaze brushed the line of her shoulder, dip of her collarbone, and valley between her breasts. Her pants slid down her hips, tugged free by the man above her. Watching his reaction to her was mesmerizing. He was just as lost in her as she was in him. Maybe.
He slid to her side, leaning across her to kiss her stomach. His tongue dipped into her belly button and licked its way to her hip. Teeth nipped, lips sucked, and his hand brushed between her legs. She opened for him, her hunger more powerful than embarrassment or hesitation. It was a physical craving.
He traced the scar on her thigh and the uneven ridge from the bear. His kiss was soft and sweet. The scar ended above her knee and began again at her ankle. When Mal had bitten her, he’d been careful to let go of her thigh. But when the bear turned desperate, he’d dragged her by the ankle, leaving starburst puncture marks with radiating lines. Seeing her body so mangled wasn’t easy. The scars looked old and faded, but they were still new to her. And yet, Mal showered every imperfection with tenderness.
She propped herself on her elbows so she could see him.
When their eyes locked, tenderness gave way to lust. He kissed his way up her leg, sucked the sensitive skin behind her knee, and her hands fisting in the comforter. Her inner thigh quivered as his teeth rasped her skin. His hands slid up, stroking her inner thighs, higher and higher until she was holding her breath.
He smiled before turning his attention to the throbbing bundle of nerves between her legs. Working his tongue against her, he had her whimpering. Over and over, his slow, lingering strokes made her body shake. “You taste so fucking good,” he growled. Two fingers slid deep, dragging a moan from the back of her throat. “And you feel even better.” His words had her tightening around him. His broken curse only made her hotter. Tongue and fingers, one stroked, then the other.
Without thought, she rocked against him.
She fell back on the mattress, her hands tangling in his thick hair. All she wanted was this, the building pulse that set her on fire and drove her out of her mind. He did this to her. He’d always do this to her.
Forever.
A climax tore through her, so hard and fast all she could do was hold on. His tongue didn’t slow, the push of his fingers kept pace, until she’d melted into the comforter. It was magic, his breath on her skin sending sharp aftershocks shooting down her nerves.
When she opened her eyes, Mal sat between her knees breathing hard and fast.
“Mal.” She didn’t know how to ask for what she wanted. But he knew.
He rolled a condom on his impressive erection and braced himself over her. He rested his forehead against hers, his brown eyes searching, and kissed her. The stubble of his chin, the nip of his teeth, and the stroke of his tongue led her back into sensation.
He gripped her hips, holding her still. “Look at me.”
She did. In his eyes, she was beautiful. Wanted. Cherished. And with one thrust, he’d buried himself deep and made the world fall away. His groan echoed hers. He was big, stretching her tight and full. His gaze met hers, easing her, stirring her. Discomfort melted away, leaving something hot and demanding in its place.
She wanted him to claim her, to leave his mark on her and seal their bond. Loving Mal was easy. Accepting he loved her the same was not. But here, now, it was hard to deny it. Her wolf reveled in it.
A bond. Physical and beyond.
He thrust into her slowly, his brown eyes burning into hers. Maybe it was the slide of his buttocks against her thighs or the bite of his fingers gripping her hips to hold her close. Or his scent. Or the brush of his chest against her aching nipples. Maybe it was all of it together. Her senses focused, every touch and sigh rolling over her already inflamed body.
Her nails bit into his back as his hands lifted her hips. Deeper now, tearing a growl from deep in his chest. She couldn’t breathe at all.
He moved deliberately, each stroke controlled—a battle he was losing. He was being careful with her, and it was costing him. “Olivia?” It was a whisper.
“I’m not fragile, Mal,” she gasped. “You won’t break me.” She stroked his cheek.
Her body was his, there was no denying that. She wanted him to fall apart with her, to lose himself in her with no restraint or regrets. She arched into him, so tight around him, and marveled at the onslaught of new sensations his response stirred. His jaw locked, all of him shook, and he growled, “Fuck, I won’t hurt you.”
He was raw and hungry for her, and it was beautiful. Jaw clenched. Cheeks flushed. Nostrils flared. And those dark brown eyes crashing into her.
The hitch in his breath surprised her. She reached up, twining her fingers in his hair to pull him to her. His lips were heaven. Feather-light kisses rained down on her lips and neck before he latched onto her throbbing nipple. The teasing of his tongue had her bucking against him. Hard and soft. Gentle and rough. His lovemaking was no different than he was.
He sucked one nipple into his mouth, his thumb and forefinger plucking and teasing the other. It was all she needed.
Chapter Sixteen
Mal couldn’t hold back any longer. Watching Olivia’s body bow up to meet him, gripped tight in her orgasm, was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen. Her breasts shuddered. Her nipples were hard and demanding his mouth. When her hands clutched his ass, holding him in place deep inside her, something shifted.
She was his. His wolf claimed her. Her wolf claimed him. Hollis was wrong about the condom—damn wrong. Whatever uncertainty he’d felt vanished in that moment, and with it came a peace deep in his bones. The link he shared with the pack was there, but what they shared—he and Olivia—was more. What they shared was everything. He stared at her, mesmerized by the truth.
The need to seal their bond was real.
Her hazel eyes closed as her climax lingered, as her body convulsed around him, tight and hot. He didn’t stand a chance. He pumped into her, each stroke pushing him closer to the edge. She wrapped a leg around his waist and sent him free falling. He roared through his release, his blood and body throbbing with pleasure—and possession.
When he collapsed on her, her arms held him close. Olivia’s scent. Olivia’s skin. Olivia’s heartbeat thundering beneath his ear. He pressed his eyes shut, fighting the dread of what would happen now.
“Mal?” she whispered.
He looked up at her.
She studied him, her fingers sliding through his hair and a smile on her lips. That smile was his. For him.
He rested on his elbow, stroking her cheek. He hadn’t been easy with her, the way he should have been. Once he was buried inside her, he’d been too far gone to slow down. “You okay?”
That damn smile grew bigger.
He grinned, stroking his thumb along her temple and brow. The tip of her nose. The curve of her lips and shell of her ear. He explored her without the fog of desire clouding his gaze. She was incredible. “So soft,” he whispered, running his fingers along her throat.
Her hand ran along his neck and shoulder. “All hard angles.” Her fingers brushed his lips so he kissed them. “Except here.” She sighed, shaking her head. “You were right.”
“I can’t wait to hear this.” He grinned.
She blushed. “Mirrors weren’t necessary.”
The burn of want flared instantly. If she wanted mirrors, he’d get her mirrors. She was enough. Lying here watching her was enough. Sexy as hell. All woman. His. If he wanted to touch her, he could. So he did. The back of his knuckles skimmed the round fullness of her breast. A shudder racked her, making her breasts quiver. “Damn,” he groaned. He could touch her all night; his wolf demanded it, and Mal didn’t see any point arguing.
“I’m thirsty.” Olivia frowned. “Really thirsty. Is that normal?”
He laughed. “Nothing about you is normal.”
Her frown grew. “Is that a compliment?”
He kissed her, his tongue tracing the seam of her
lips. He groaned then rolled off her and out of the bed. “It is. I’ll get you a drink.”
She turned onto her side, her gaze devouring him. “Thank you. When you come back, can you stand there? Just like that?”
He swallowed. “I’ll try.” But if she kept looking at him that way, it wouldn’t last for long. He was already aching to be inside her again.
Her gaze settled on his rising erection. She licked her lower lip. “Hurry, Mal.”
He headed into the bathroom. Once the used condom was disposed of, he washed his hands and face and filled a glass for Olivia. A white-hot pain stabbed through his upper thigh. It was hard and fast, almost bringing him to his knees. He slammed the cup onto the counter, gripping the counter. But the pain receded just as quickly as it started. He ran his hand over his thigh, feeling a new scar, and stared at his reflection.
Teeth marks.
He ran into the bedroom. “Olivia?”
She was sitting up on the bed, rubbing her ankle and calf. Her nose wrinkled. “I’m not saying it’s comfortable, but I don’t see what all the fuss is about.”
Mal pushed her hand aside, inspecting her foot. It wasn’t as obvious—his scar blended in with the damage the bear had done. Still, it was there. He was there. On her skin.
He cradled her face in his hands, studying her. She was his.
“Maybe it’s because I’m a wolf?” she asked. “It’s not so—”
He pushed her back onto the bed, his lips pressed to hers, his hand kneading his mark on her skin. He’d tried not to worry, tried not to think about the pain she’d go through, to ease his guilt. Jessa had suffered when she and Finn had mated. So this, knowing he hadn’t hurt her again, was the greatest gift. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“Mal,” she murmured between kisses. “No”—her hands tangled in his hair—“more hurting”—she pulled him close—“tonight.” Her tongue traced his neck, her hands stroking the length of his back.
He nodded. No more hurting, period. He didn’t know what the fuck to do about Ellen or Chase or Cyrus, but he’d figure it out. As long as Olivia was safe and happy, he was good.
“Stop thinking,” she said, rolling over him. She straddled him, placing one of his hands on her breast. He brushed the tip, stroking and rubbing until it pebbled beneath his fingers. “Only you and me.” She smiled down at him, arching into his hand.
Her hand clasped him, stroking him from base to tip. He growled, watching her watching him. She was fascinated by his body. He was fascinated by everything about her. His fingers traced along her sides, gripping her hips. She arched forward, her head lolling back and her breasts jutting forward.
“Condom,” he groaned.
She shuddered, her desire-hazed gaze meeting his. “Condom?”
“I’m not ready to share you.” His hands slid back up, cupping her breasts. “Not yet.”
She ground herself against him, her wet heat a dangerous temptation. “Where?”
He pulled open the bedside table. He wasn’t sure where they came from, though his conversation with Finn made him suspect Hollis. Whoever it was, Mal was eternally grateful for the bulk supply at their disposal.
She took the packet from him, tearing the corner with her teeth. He helped her, showing her how to put it on and getting a raging hard-on in the process. She smiled as his dick pulsed beneath her touch.
“You want me?” She seemed surprised.
He wasn’t a talker. He didn’t emote. Words got in his way. But she had to know. “I wouldn’t have made you mine if I didn’t.”
The joy on her face took his breath away.
She arched over him, her breasts swaying forward, inviting his touch. He rose, nipping one tip. Until she tilted her hips and sunk onto him.
“Damn, fuck,” he bit out, his hands gripping her hips. It was so good. So tight. So fucking deep. Staring up at her, watching her passion, Mal let her take control.
She didn’t hold back. Her hands gripped his shoulders as she pushed onto him, riding him, grinding against him and moaning his name. He wanted to wait, to make her come at least once, but she was too incredible. He sat up, nuzzling the valley between her breasts, sucking the skin hungrily as his release crashed into him. The power of it racked his body, emptying him inside of her.
His hands gripped her hips, rubbing her against him, pushing her until her body contracted around him. She buried her face against his neck, crying out as she shattered.
He held her to his chest and fell back on the bed, gasping.
...
“I’m starving,” Olivia said, pushing the comforter back. She glanced at the clock on the side table. “It’s almost six.”
Mal grunted and rolled over, spooning her back.
“In the afternoon.” She giggled. “Mal?”
He grunted again.
Her stomach growled.
He sighed.
“I can’t help it. We’ve worn me out. Otherwise I’d stay here and jump you a few more times.” She wriggled her butt.
“Sleep first.” His voice was gruff.
She grinned. Neither of them had slept much—she hadn’t let them. Once she’d had him, she couldn’t get enough of him. Her wolf wasn’t much help, either. Even sore and tired, she ached for Mal. “Tired?” she asked, stroking the arm around her waist.
“Yes.” His hold tightened.
“You sleep. I’ll eat.” She tried to move his arm. “I’ll come back.”
He was immovable.
“Please?” Her stomach grumbled, loudly, for good measure.
He sighed again. “We’ll eat.” He released her slowly and he tossed back the covers. “Then sleep.”
She glanced back at him. “Too tired to make love to me but not too tired to eat?”
His eyes opened. “I never said I was too tired.” He pressed the stiff evidence of his desire into her hip.
She sat up, stretching.
His fingertips traced her spine. She shuddered when his lips pressed open-mouthed kisses against her side.
“I thought we were going to eat,” she mumbled, already sinking back into a state of hypersensitivity. His touch had an immediate effect on her. And she liked it.
“We are,” he said. “Just looking at my handiwork.”
She stared down at the discolored patches on her skin. “Aren’t you a little old for hickies?”
He shook his head. “Nope.”
She stood, tugging on Jessa’s cast off yoga pants and sweater.
“You’re wearing too many clothes,” he said, still sprawled on the bed.
“For eating? With the pack?” she asked, hands on hips. “Come on, Mal. You need sustenance if we’re going to keep this up.”
His brows rose.
She grinned. “I’m hoping we are.”
He was up and dressed before she’d finished braiding her hair. But when they headed toward the kitchen, he gripped her hand in his—tight.
“What is it?” she asked, his unease contagious.
“Easier,” he managed.
She wasn’t sure what he meant, but she squeezed his hand. Touching him made everything right with the world. While she didn’t have the same anxiety about their new status and the pack’s reaction, Mal grew more agitated with each step.
Dante saw them first. “She’s up.” He seemed surprised. “That’s different.”
“Not that we wanted you passed out in pain,” Anders added. “We just thought that’s how it happened.”
“I’m relieved you were wrong,” she agreed.
“Because of me,” Jessa said, pushing herself out of the chair she was in. “I’m so glad it was just me.”
“She’s a wolf.” Ellen’s voice caused an instant reaction in Mal. Olivia could almost hear his teeth grinding. “Jessa is not,” Ellen finished.
Finn was helping Jessa up, too preoccupied to realize Ellen was in imminent danger of having her throat ripped out. “After ten years, you’d think we wouldn’t still be learning new thing
s daily.” Finn shook his head. “I’m glad you’re okay, Olivia.”
“Me, too.” She tugged Mal’s arm, willing him to snap out of it.
Mal stared down at her, the desire to kill and protect burning in his dark eyes.
She slipped her arms around his waist and pressed her head against his shoulder. If she said something, his discomfort would be obvious to everyone, and Ellen would have a field day.
His sigh was deep, but his arm draped across her shoulders. “Plans?” he asked.
Finn glanced between the two of them then shook his head. “Talk.”
Mal nodded.
“Food first, please?” Olivia asked. She could plan and strategize, talk about full moons and risky pregnancies—whatever needed doing, she was up to it. Her energy level was high and her outlook on life had never been so bright. She, they, could handle whatever came their way—she knew it. And it was amazing. But she also really needed food. “I can cook.”
“Of course you can.” Ellen made no attempt to lower her voice.
Mal growled. “Jessa. Let me kill her.”
Jessa frowned.
Finn’s garbled curse was hard. “Shit, Mal.”
Ellen was staring at Mal, her small smile hard and taunting. As much as Olivia wanted to put the woman in her place, Finn was keeping her around. And that, for now, was the only reason Olivia needed to leave her be. For now.
Mal, on the other hand, was losing it.
“Mal.” Olivia placed a hand on his chest. She lowered her voice, standing on tiptoe. “She’s trying to get to you. Look at her. Watch her. She wants to fight you.” If they hadn’t been mates, she might have been threatened by the other woman. She was beautiful and exotic, radiating a lethal confidence that both impressed and repelled Olivia.
Mal leveled a lethal glare at the woman. “Why?” he ground out.
“To divide the pack?” Olivia looked at him. “Drive you crazy? Because she’s an evil bitch? I don’t know.”
Mal’s gaze fell to hers, a stunned smile on his lips. “You said ‘bitch.’”
She shook her head. She didn’t curse, ever. “I did not.”
“Yes, you did.” He chuckled.
God, she loved his smile. If this was what happened when she used bad words, she’d have to rethink it. “I didn’t. But I really don’t like her.”
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