Sobs ripped from her chest and he cupped her face, forcing her to look him in the eyes. “You know it wasn't your fault. Shit like that is why I became a SEAL. To put a stop to senseless acts of violence. I want to rid the world of those bastards.” He brushed a tear streaming down her cheek. “I promise I will make the world a safer place for you.”
“You don't even know me, Braxton. I got one man killed. I don't want something bad to happen to you. This is why I don't go anywhere anymore, why I don't do large groups of people. I pretty much became a shut-in after it happened.”
He ran his hand down the back of her head, trying to calm her. “Sylvia, you're my mate. I swear on my life to protect you, always.”
She pulled her head up. “What?”
Words faltered, stuck at the back of his throat. He didn't plan on telling her just yet, but the it sprang from his lips, leaped out of his heart, like he had to tell her. There was no turning back now. “I knew it the minute I saw you, smelled you. Your scent drives me wild. It's intoxicating, like a drug. I need you. There's this heat inside me, from my wolf side. It rages through me, yelling inside me to join with you. Become one with you. You're meant for me. I don't know how to explain it in human terms.”
Her dark-brown eyes glassed over with more tears. “No, this can't be happening…” She sat up and crawled to the edge of the bed and shook her head. “Are you freaking kidding me?”
Confusion struck his head and heart. He blew his shot with her, and regret sucker-punched him. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. Not yet. I didn't mean to scare you. Shit, I suck at this. I thought maybe you felt it, too. That there was a connection.”
“That's the problem. There is a connection.” With a trembling hand, she stroked the side of his face. “I don't know what it means, but the minute I saw you, too, I felt something similar. That's why I nearly passed out. To see the man of my literal dreams standing in my doorway…the man I've dreamed about for half my life.”
Did he just hear her right? “You've dreamed about me?”
She nodded. “For a long time. Before Mark. Hell, since probably puberty,” she said with a laugh and a sigh. “It's like, I always knew you. Knew you were out there somewhere. I just didn't know you were a shifter. But how can I be your mate, I'm a human?”
“We don't question the fates. We just heed their call.” A small smile curled on his lips. “Is it wrong that I'm incredibly turned on that you've been dreaming of me?”
She let out a soft laugh, so melodious and sweet. He loved everything about her. “Don't go getting a big head now.”
“Too late. I've been sporting a big head since I laid eyes on you. Or did you miss that?” He pointed to the towel barely covering his hard-as-a-rock cock.
“I still can't believe you're real,” she said, her voice trailing off as she looked into his eyes.
Heat shot straight to his core from her stare. “I'll show you just how real, if you let me.”
“Oh god, what am I doing?” she whispered, but nodded her head.
“You're letting your mate make love to you. That's what.” He rolled her to her back and straddled her on the bed. “You're allowing nature to do what it has for centuries, bind two people together who are meant to be. We were brought together for a reason. A reason only we will understand as our bodies unite. You were made for me…your soft skin, full hips, supple curves, pouty lips and deep brown eyes that swallow me with one look.”
“You're good. I'll give you that much.” She giggled and ran a hand through his hair.
A groan rolled against the back of his throat. “I love when you do that.”
She pressed her hands to his head, massaging her fingertips through his hair. “I don't know if I can be seen with a guy who has hair better than me.”
He chuckled. “You have gorgeous hair. Worry not, fair maiden. You will always be more beautiful than me.”
The wolf inside him growled, aching to claim her. She was his. All his. And he wouldn't let her go.
5
Sylvia's mind swirled in a state of pleasurable delirium. Braxton was everything she ever dreamed of, and she prayed it wasn't just a dream. But each sweep of his tongue along her skin reminded her how real he was. His lips were like magic, igniting an eternal flame of yearning. She had no idea sex could be like this, so intense and mind-blowing, and that was only his kisses.
“I'm going to buy you a new blouse,” he whispered as he nibbled along her ear.
“Why? You don't like this one?”
“No. It's covering you up.” He gripped it in his hands and ripped it to pieces with one tear. A flutter tore through her heart as fast and hard as he shred her clothing.
He slid his hand under her and cupped the back of her neck, arching her body toward him as he devoured her mouth in another kiss that made her mind swim with desire. With his other hand, he cupped her breast, massaging it until it popped free of the bra covering it. In a blink, he pulled away from her mouth and dove at her exposed breast, lapping at the nipple with his tongue.
A moan stirred in her belly as he caressed each breast with care and determination, paying them equal attention, still holding her up with just the palm of his hand against her neck like a rag-doll. Her head dipped back, and the long strands of her hair tickled her own skin, sending a score of goosebumps over her skin. All the sensations overloaded her.
She stared at him, feasting on her body like a last meal.
He slowly lifted his head and met her gaze. “I love how you look at me, with such fascination in your eyes. I pray you never stop looking at me that way.”
“You keep doing that, and I promise you I won't.”
A slow, sexy smile curled on his lips as he eased her back to the pillows. “You still have far too much clothing on you.”
He tugged at her jeans, and she shimmied her way out of them. Gripping the sides of her panties, he gave her a sly wink and tore them as he had her blouse. A gasp ripped through her chest, shock that he just ripped her clothes off, literally, and that it turned her on more than she would have thought. She said a silent prayer to baby Jesus for taking the time to shave that morning in the shower.
He crawled over her, and she gripped the edge of his towel. He jerked to a stop, tilting his head. “Something wrong?”
“Very. You're still in a towel.” She bit her lip, unable to quell the nerves and excitement dancing in her belly. It amazed her that she even made such a bold remark to a man she'd known for less than twenty-four hours.
“Want to do the honors?” He knelt over her hips and spread his arms out to the side, allowing her full access to him and the towel.
Her heart pounded a beat she could probably have danced to as she untucked the towel and ripped it off him, tossing it to the floor. His tanned and toned body was displayed above her like a statue in a museum of a Greek god. His penis stood at full attention, saluting her like a good soldier.
“That's… impressive,” she choked out. The girth of him intimidated her, yet she longed to grab hold of it and stroke the length of him.
“I'm glad you think so.” He dropped his hands on either side of her head and hovered over her mouth. “You need not be afraid. I'm yours now, and you are mine. I will protect you always. You are my priority. I pledge my life, my love, my loyalty to you, Sylvia.”
A flutter hit her heart sending a dizzying spark of excitement through her, still unbelieving that it was all real. He brushed his lips over hers, distracting her as his hand fell between her legs, cupping her before he slipped a finger between her folds. Pleasure shot through her body in a wave. It had been so long since she had been touched by anything other than a battery-operated boyfriend, everything was heightened.
“You're so wet for me. I love it. You have no idea how badly I crave you, the need to be inside you overwhelms me. But this night is for you, as much as for me. You are my mate, and I wish to please you. Tell me what you want.”
“That's a good start,” she said, a
rching her hips toward his hand.
He chuckled and placed a quick kiss over her lips before kissing his way down her body. Braxton eased her thighs apart further and licked the edge of her folds.
Sylvia gripped the comforter on either side of her as heated breath from his mouth danced along her wet skin, sending a wave of excitement in anticipation. He parted her lower lips and a loud growl rang out through the room as he flicked his tongue along her clit. A moan purred in the back of her throat at the sensation of his warm tongue on her. All inhibitions vanished the moment he buried his face between her thighs.
She let out another moan, and he responded with one of his own. “You taste incredible. It's heaven for me, Sylvia. You have no idea. You were made for me.”
His words vibrated off her skin, sending another wave of pleasure through her before he sucked her clit between his lips. Unable to control the moan pouring from her lungs, she arched her back and clutched his head with her hands as he lapped at her.
“Louder, baby. Let me know you like it.” He slid his tongue over her clit, down to her opening, ravishing every part of her.
“More,” she choked out, rocking her hips over his face.
He cupped her ass in his hands and curled his fingers as he held onto her, feasting on her like a meal. Her breathing sped as she neared her climax, spiraling into a world of pleasure she'd never known. Never had she experienced such an intense orgasm. He knew her body better than she did as he moved his tongue and lips over her. Just as she reached the edge, he slid a finger inside her, pushing her over into bliss, and she cried out his name.
He pulled back and licked his lips with the sexiest smile she'd ever seen. “I love hearing my name from your lips. Even more so as a cry of pleasure.”
She fought for breath to return to her lungs as she stared at this man, this creature hovering above her with lust and admiration in his eyes. If he hurt her, she'd never come back from it. Yet she felt the need to give herself entirely to him. That she was indeed destined to be with him.
* * *
Braxton relished the taste of her, so sweet and tangy. He desperately wanted more of her. Sliding his hands on either side of her,, he made a slow crawl up her body, dragging his heavy cock along her skin so she felt every part of him. How full of desire she made him.
He pressed his lips to her ear. “I need to be inside you. I claim you, Sylvia. Will you have me?”
“Yes,” she moaned, clutching her hands to his arms, clinging to him.
He swept her mouth into a kiss, swishing his tongue along hers so she tasted her own beauty, her own goodness. A moan floated through the kiss, making his cock twitch. He wondered if she enjoyed the taste of herself as much as he did.
Braxton positioned himself along her folds and rocked his hips against her already swollen clit, letting himself slide in her thickened arousal. His eyes rolled back at the feel of sliding between her lower lips, pressing against her bud. The heat and intensity rushed his body in waves of excitement. She rocked her hips to meet his rhythm, and a series of low moans escaped her mouth.
“That's fucking amazing, Braxton,” she choked out between moans. “Please don't stop.”
He held back a proud laugh as he continued to slide his cock over her clit. Gripping the back of her head with one hand, he pulled her face to his and claimed her lips in a deep kiss as he sped his rhythm, making her come a second time. He had to hurry, or he'd come before he ever got inside her.
She groaned his name into the kiss as she rode the waves of her orgasm, and he took the cue, thrusting himself inside her walls.
“Fuck, Sylvia,” he roared out as he buried his cock inside her.
He wasn't prepared for the overwhelming sensations unleashed by being joined with her. A wave of heat flushed his skin, slicking him in a glistening sheen. Pure love filled his heart, adoration for the creature beneath him as he stared into her eyes. He would spend his life worshiping her, making love to her, protecting her, his queen. His mate.
A low groan rumbled in his chest as he sped his thrusts, slamming himself in and out of her until he nearly lost consciousness, and the pleasure spiraled inside him, shooting from his cock as his orgasm took hold.
She sank her nails into his back, dragging them along his skin, and he growled her name, “Sylvia.”
Without another thought, he buried his face against her neck, but stopped himself from sinking his teeth into her, claiming her. He wanted to let her tell him when she was ready. It was enough she allowed his wolf-side access to her, calmed the raging storm inside him and allowed him to join with her.
“What's wrong?” she whispered, stroking the back of his neck. She already picked up on the signs, knew him.
He pulled back and stared into her eyes, drunk with desire and heavy lids longing for rest. “I want it to be your choice.”
“What choice?”
Braxton let out a soft sigh and rolled over to his side, pulling out of her. He already longed to be back inside her, to be connected. “If you wish to be claimed by me. To be turned.”
“What do you mean?”
He traced a finger along her kiss-swollen lips, his heart full of happiness at finally finding his mate. Yet swaddled in fear that she may not want to become a wolf, like him. “I mean, that if we are to complete the mating bond, I have to claim you. Not just with sex, but turn you. I must mark you as mine.”
“Turn me?” She blinked and her eyes grew wide.
Braxton let out a hard sigh and closed his eyes. “Yes. Which is why I want it to be your choice.”
“Braxton, that's a huge choice. You mean, give up my humanity for you? For a man I've known less than twenty-four hours?”
He slid the back of his hand down her cheek and nodded. “I know. It's not such a decision for wolves, as we know when we find our mates it's our birth-rite, our destiny. It comes natural, instinctive to claim and mark them. But for a human, it's a little harder to accept.”
He didn't want to mention the fact that until he marked her, he might still hulk-out. While sex with her quelled the beast within, it would only quiet it for so long. His wolf needed its mate for life, not just in his bed. But as a human, he needed to give her time to come around, to realize they were meant to be. She'd already dreamed about him, which meant she must know it in her heart. But sometimes humans had to convince their heads as well.
Braxton pulled her closer to him, snuggling her in his arms. “I still pledge myself to you. I will protect you. But you tell me, if and when you're ready. I am yours. If you need a little more time to know that you are mine, I'll give it to you.”
She nestled against his chest, stroking his skin with a gentle fingernail. “Thank you. This is just all so new to me.”
It was all new to him, too. He hoped by giving her the choice, she would eventually come around. If his wolf took her by force, and she hated him for life, he didn't think he could live with himself. He prayed it wouldn't come down to that. But if he couldn't quell the beast inside him, he could lose his job, and quite possibly his life.
6
Sylvia woke pressed against Braxton's chest. After the shock wore off, she prayed she didn't drool on him. He'd held her all night long, never letting go. She wasn't a cuddler, didn't even like being touched when sleeping with Mark. But with Braxton wrapped around her, she'd never had such a good night's sleep in her entire life.
She eased out from his embrace, but he grabbed her and pulled her back against his chest, nuzzling his face into her neck and hair. “Just five more minutes.”
Sylvia giggled. “What?”
“You're so warm and smell so good. I don't want to get out of bed,” he mumbled with a deep groggy voice. “I haven't slept that good in years.”
Sylvia took a long hard swallow. “Me either.” Admitting it meant it was true. But she still couldn't convince her head to believe it. She couldn't possibly be a wolf's mate, could she?
He brushed the hair away from her shoulder before replac
ing it with his warm lips, and cupping each of her breasts in his large hands around her. How easily she could succumb to his advances, knowing exactly how to play her body to bend to his will. He flicked her nipples with his thumbs, strumming a moan from her throat.
“I ache to be back inside you,” he said, kissing his way along her neckline down between her breasts.
“But I have to shower, and do the game reveal today at the convention.” As much as she didn't want to leave the bed right then either, she had to.
Braxton pushed off her in a flash, scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the shower. “What are you doing?”
“Getting you showered.” The desire and playfulness in his eyes was evident.
Shit, she'd never even had shower sex before. How did that even work?
Braxton turned on the water and eased her inside the tub before climbing in himself. The hot water licked her skin with a delicious heat as Braxton reached for the soap, gliding it across her body. He took his time washing her breasts and belly, before sliding his hand covered in suds between her thighs.
After rinsing her off, he spun her around, picked her up by the hips and she clung to his shoulders for dear life. He eased himself inside her and she tossed her head back as the feeling of him in her again made her lose control. It was as if they were two missing puzzle pieces put back together. He worked into a rhythm, holding her by her hips, bouncing her on his rock hard cock. She wasn't a moaner by nature during sex, but every move he made ripped a gasp, a growl, a pleasurable cry from her lungs that she had no control over, and she prayed her orgasm wouldn't end.
As his pace quickened, he growled low from his chest and slammed a hand on the wall behind her to hold his balance as he climaxed. He stared at her with low-lidded eyes full of sexual desire. His sandy-brown hair clung to his face, accentuating the hard angles of his jawline. For the first time since she met him, she could see the wolf in his features, but as quick as she noticed it, it faded.
Paranormal Dating Agency: Shifting Fate (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Breaking the SEAL Book 3) Page 4