She sighed and relaxed onto his bed, finally having him where she desperately needed him to be.
With every lick and stroke that followed, she writhed and moaned beneath him. She couldn’t think of anything else besides how good this felt, how skilled he was, how he seemed to anticipate what she needed, controlling her body with his mouth and hands.
She ran her hands through his wavy hair. “Oh, Damon. So good.” Sentences were beyond reach.
He shifted his focus to her clit, circling the sensitive nub with his tongue. Increasing the pressure, he drove her higher until she was clutching at the sheets. Her lower body rose and fell with him, lost under his spell and unwilling to break from it.
Her body trembled as she soared higher. “Oh… Oh my God!” She shuddered as a climax ripped through her, more powerful than any she’d ever experienced.
Thunderous pulses moved through her body, quakes of pleasure that left her feeling boneless and incapable of thought.
Damon pulled back, letting her recover. “You taste so good.” He nuzzled her thighs. “I want to do that a thousand times more.”
That would be sweet heaven. But every nerve in her body was far too sensitized for another round just yet. And yet, what she needed now was him.
When her heaving breaths slowed, she reached for him, pulling him up over her body. “I need you, Damon. I need you inside me—now.”
Damon
Damon had to pause and regroup, trying to control himself as the scent of Sophie’s desire clouded the air in his room. He’d wanted her for so long. Now that she was here, naked in his bed, his fantasies were becoming true. He wanted to savor them.
He was so turned on by bringing her to climax, he needed a moment before he succumbed to that excitement and exploded too early, despite his ecstatic wolf urging him to continue.
Damon exhaled with a low whoosh as he gazed at Sophie. Her dark auburn hair was splayed across the white, cotton pillowcase. Her eyelids were lowered as she gazed at him, anticipation burning in her eyes. Her cheeks pink, expression rapturous.
She was the most desirable creature he’d ever seen. Her plump breasts with diamond hard nipples were an invitation to touch and kiss and suckle. Her soft body was full of more curves just aching to be caressed. Her smooth thighs were parted, revealing the sweet pussy he’d just savored. She’d tasted so good, a musky ambrosia just for him, and she was so wet, he couldn’t wait to bury himself inside her.
Sophie’s brows furrowed. “Is everything okay, Damon?”
“Phenomenal,” he replied. “I just needed a moment.”
He reached into the drawer of his nightstand and pulled out a condom. After tearing open the packet, he rolled it onto his cock while she watched, eyes gleaming wider.
“Please don’t make me wait much longer,” her voice lowered with the soft plea.
“No more waiting.” He crawled over her, pressing his cock in between her legs. When he felt how wet she was, he moaned.
Sophie pulled his weight on top of her. “Please,” she begged.
He slid the tip inside. A low groan vibrated deep within his chest at this sweet, sweet ecstasy.
Pushing further in, she tensed. He allowed her to relax and accommodate him before he penetrated deeper into her tight channel.
“You okay?” He cupped her face and gazed into her eyes.
She’d bit her lip, but released it. “Yes.” She exhaled. “It’s been a while. And you’re quite big.”
“If it’s too much, you let me know.”
“It’s not.” She wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him deeper inside her.
What sweet nirvana. What bliss. He moved in and out of her with deep, slow circles, relishing the exquisite sensations.
His wolf pounced inside, euphoric that they were finally going to claim their mate.
And then Damon knew. He finally understood what his wolf had been harping about for six months—Sophie was his mate.
No matter how much he’d been fighting it, no matter how he struggled, the universe had deemed it as true. She was the one for him, the only one. And he’d do anything for her—protect her, cherish her…
Love her.
His fangs emerged from his gums and with it, an overpowering urge to pierce her skin.
Bite her, his wolf urged. Mark her as ours.
Not yet, Damon warned. He wasn’t going to claim her without her consent. She didn’t even know what he was. He couldn’t just go and bite her.
Why not? We want this. She’s ours!
Because she doesn’t know.
She doesn’t know. Despite how right this felt, and how they might have felt about each other, how could she truly accept him without knowing what he was?
Damon wouldn’t think of it now. He forced himself to hide his fangs and hoped they’d recede before she noticed them and was terrified.
Nothing would keep him from enjoying what he’d craved for so long. His thrusts grew deeper, quicker. Sophie arched her pelvis against him, meeting each thrust with a moan or a sigh.
Desire grew higher, faster…
No, not yet. Not before she came again.
Damon pulled back before he exploded. He flipped her onto all fours. She glanced over her shoulder with such a sensual look, he’d never forget that vision. Her plump ass was meant to be touched and admired. He caressed and then squeezed the soft flesh.
Then he penetrated her from behind, tremendously enjoying the sensation at this angle. He gripped her hips and filled her, thrusting in and out. Flesh met flesh with decadent slaps, which were drowned out by her increasing moans and yelps.
His fangs burned to taste her. At least, he didn’t have to worry about hiding them from this position.
He reached around and found her clit, applying more pressure as he slammed into her over and over again. Her body coiled, tightening, as she reached higher.
“Oh, Damon,” she cried. Her back bowed and then she fell forward.
Her wet honey coated him as she pulsed around him. The grip was so tight, so hot, he had no chance of resisting that pleasurable squeeze. He gripped her hips and pounded into her, making her scream out as he exploded.
For an eternity or maybe just seconds, he couldn’t move, shaken by the experience. Not only was the physical release more explosive than anything he’d experienced, the emotional connection undid him.
Finally, he rolled onto his back and pulled her against him. As he held her, he knew with a certainty that he’d never question this again. She was the only one for him and he’d do anything for her from his point forward. His life was forever changed.
Damon had found his mate.
Chapter 12
Damon
Damon was in trouble.
The morning sky was mottled with gray and winds beat against his face. As he skied down the mountain during his shift on Thursday morning, he thought of the night with Sophie. He’d held her body close to his all night. Her scent and her warmth soothed him like nothing he had ever experienced. Climbing out of bed to leave her earlier generated a new form of agony.
What was clear after holding her all night was that there was no going back. She was the one—his mate. He’d finally admitted it, absolutely accepted it. His wolf would no longer be denied. His soul would no longer permit him to come up with excuses.
They were meant to be together.
And if they weren’t…
Damon gulped. First, he had to reveal who he really was and hope she wouldn’t reject him. He couldn’t go back now. She was his mate and he would do anything to protect her.
Midmorning, a woman had a fall. He and Valen helped her down on a stretcher so she could be seen by Sebastian and his medical staff on the lower level of the lodge.
While there, he stopped by Rafe’s office on the top level, which had a view facing the mountain.
Damon exhaled and announced, “I’ve finally accepted what my wolf has been telling me for months. Sophie is my mate.”
&n
bsp; Rafe leaned back in his black leather desk chair and his eyes brightened with pride. “Congratulations.”
Unfortunately, that didn’t mean the next step would go over well with Sophie. “I need to tell her about us. About the pack.”
Rafe pierced Damon with a probing stare from across the executive mahogany desk. “You’re sure you can trust her?”
Damon nodded. “I’d trust her with my life.” He pictured her beautiful smile and warm eyes. “She’s wouldn’t hurt anyone. She’s kind. Understanding.” Loving. She made him feel like he’d never felt with anyone before. Loved. Accepted. Not someone to be left behind and abandoned, like both of his parents had done with him.
Rafe nodded. “I hope one day that I’m in your shoes.” He arched his brows. “But not in your exact situation.”
Damon fidgeted through dinner with Sophie at a pub that was known for its seafood specials. It would be a full moon tonight, which meant his wolf was agitated, eager to run. He twirled the pasta from his shrimp scampi around his fork, but didn’t take a bite. Anxiety wormed its way through his appetite.
“How was your day?”
“Not bad. I had another project my boss pressed for a quick turnaround. While I waited for reviews from co-workers, I took breaks walking the trails. That’s something I should do more back home.”
Back home, he repeated in his head. She meant elsewhere, back in the city. She didn’t live here with him. “What’s stopping you from doing so in the city?”
“Good question. Once I start work, I just—” She shrugged. “Work.” Her gaze drifted to the mountain. “Besides, I don’t have all this beautiful scenery to entice me.”
He raised his glass. “May you have plenty of scenic walks while you’re here.”
“That’s the plan.” She sipped her wine. “Right. Until Sunday.”
Those words stabbed him as surely as if she’d picked up her knife and tossed it across the table into his chest. Why did she have to bring up the hours that ticked down to her departure?
She took a bite of her scallops. After she was done, she asked, “What about you? How was your day?”
He pictured the day on the mountains followed by meeting up with his pack mates. What was once a perfect day in his life now rang as shallower as he longed to return to Sophie.
“I worked on the mountain much of the day and then had a meeting.” That was one way to summarize the tense check in with his pack to see if anyone had noted activity from the Sacco wolves. Fortunately, there were no reports. “I’m glad to be here with you.”
“Me, too,” she agreed, warming him with an appreciative gaze.
Their gazes locked, and heated tremors rocked inside him. He had this moment with his mate and he wanted to treasure it. Would his life feel cold and empty once she left?
“You seem anxious about something,” she pointed out.
“Oh.” He straightened in his chair.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, of course not.” He avoided her gaze and ran his fingers up and down the stem of the wine glass
“You seem distant. I can’t help but wonder if you might have regrets about last night. Is that the case?”
Damn, he was going to blow this. He stopped fidgeting with the wine glass and stared into her worried eyes. “Not at all. It was a night I’ll never forget. I was just thinking how lucky I am to have you here with me right now.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Is that a line?”
“No.” He furrowed his brows. “Why do you say that?”
“I’m sure I’m not the only woman who’s been here with you.”
He blinked at her twice. “Where did that come from?”
She motioned around the restaurant. “I’m not naïve. A hot guy like you. All these single women coming up for the weekend, like my friend and me. It’s the perfect setup for a fling. No strings attached.”
His heart slammed into his ribs. His trepidation about coming clean to her wasn’t helping the situation, leading to her having doubts. “Is that what you think this is? A fling?”
The server came to check on their meals. After she left, Sophie replied. “Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve always been the monogamous type and never had a fling.” She motioned back and forth between them. “So, I don’t really know what to make of this.”
He gulped. “I know this seems rushed, but I have to put it out there. Would you ever consider moving up here?”
Sophie blinked. “You don’t mean moving in with you, do you?”
“That’s one option. I like having you here. Eating with you, hearing you sing in the shower, peeking over your shoulder to see what you’re working on. But I understand if I’m rushing things.”
She bit her lip. “I don’t know, Damon. We barely know each other.”
His wolf rumbled. Tell her.
Right, that was the goal for tonight, but where to start with revealing the truth? She didn’t even know that shifters or mates existed. He glanced around the pub. So many people dined here tonight, so many possible witnesses if she freaked out. Rafe would not be happy with a human screaming about wolf pack secrets.
Maybe Damon should wait until they returned to his cabin. Besides, it would buy him more time to formulate his thoughts.
Damon took a large gulp of wine. Everything changed tonight.
Chapter 13
Sophie
When they returned to the cabin, Sophie hoped they’d sit in the hot tub and have a repeat of last night. Him asking her to consider moving here gave her so much to think about. Of course, it had tremendous appeal. Spending time in the cabin with Damon had made for a magical week. The mountains were breathtaking and Damon—well, he practically defied description. His considerate side wasn’t something she’d ever encountered with past boyfriends.
And the sex—out of the freakin’ universe. She’d never expected it to be like that. Her body tingled just thinking about being with him again tonight.
Damon frowned. “I got a call from Rafe. I need to go deal with a work situation.”
That was weird. His cell phone was plugged into the speakers in his living room where it typically was. She’d never even seen him speak on it.
That added to his strange behavior tonight. Why was he acting so peculiar and anxious?
He kissed her on the lips. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Oh, good. Maybe I’ll be waiting for you in the hot tub,” she suggested with a saucy grin.
“No, Sophie. Wait for me in here.” His expression turned serious.
Another odd reaction. Why did it matter if she had a head start? “Okay.”
After he left the cabin, she picked up her book. Less than a minute had gone by when she noticed he hadn’t taken his coat or his gloves.
Another question piled on top of her growing mountain of uncertainties. Why would Damon go outside without his outerwear? Yes, he’d told her that his body temperature ran hot, but it was still cold out, and snow had begun to fall.
Sophie put her coat and boots on and grabbed his coat and gloves. He’d only just left so he shouldn’t be far.
She stepped outside and searched for him. “Damon?”
Where was he? She should have been able to see him walking down the mountain. His car was still parked outside, so he hadn’t driven.
She spotted fresh footprints in the snow leading onto the forest trail. It had to be Damon. Why would he head in there while it was snowing?
Her breath quickened. Maybe this was related to whatever he’d been keeping from her. Her skin tingled with excitement.
She groaned. More likely it was a work situation, such as rescuing a skier like her who’d gone off trail.
Still, he was sure to appreciate warm clothing, right?
As she stepped toward the darker terrain encapsulated by the woods, her pulse jolted. She couldn’t help but think of when she’d been lost and confused in the woods at night last weekend. So much had changed since that night that Damon had
found her.
Right, it had led to good things. Refusing to be permanently scared of the forest and mountains—nature visits she’d cherished her entire life, she nodded to herself and ventured into the trees.
Soon after entering, the skies appeared so much darker. She glanced up at the massive pine trees that swayed slightly with the wind and peered at the nearly full moon above.
The sound of movement through the brush made her snap around. A twig broke. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the outlines in the darkness.
In her peripheral vision, she spotted movement through the trees. She whirled toward it. At first, she thought it was a deer. Then she peered closer. It had to be Damon. Although he wasn’t facing her, she was certain it was him. He’d removed his shirt, boots, and pants.
What in the world? Why would anyone undress out there and stand barefoot in the snow?
When he took off his jeans, she caught a glimpse of Damon’s profile, confirming it was him.
She walked toward him. As she approached, his body appeared to—vibrate.
No, that wasn’t possible. She blinked.
Thinking it would clear her vision, she was mistaken. His body enlarged and shimmered. Her heart pounded and throat clammed up. In the next second, Damon was gone. In his place was a gray wolf.
A wolf!
She gasped and dropped his coat and gloves. No doubt this massive creature was not some freakin’ coyote!
Sounds of movement from behind had to mean the wolf was chasing her. Her heart wrenched up to her throat. She ran as fast as she could through the snow, and then the worst thing happened—she slipped.
Pushing her hands forward, she broke the fall.
"Sophie."
Massive tree-trunk arms wrapped around her and she shrieked, writhing to escape the grasp. “Get off me!”
“It’s me, Damon.” After he helped steady her on her feet, he released her.
She turned over her shoulder, half-expecting to face a wolf lunging at her. Sure enough, it was Damon, stark-ass naked.
The Reluctant Wolf and His Fated Mate: A Howls Romance (White Mountain Shifters Book 1) Page 10