“I think,” she said, her hands roaming down his body to hook into his belt loops, “that I’ve proved quite perfectly that wecando this. That it is averygood idea. Besides, you said yourself that you can’t sleep with me until I’m sure. I am telling you, Atlas, I want you to fuck me until the sun comes up. Mate me the first round or the second or just as dawn breaks, but you are not leaving this house without making me yours.”
He huffed out a breath. “Fuck.” He laughed; it was dry, but there was disbelief in it, too. “You are trouble. You really are.”
“But you love it. So. What do you say? Shall we go upstairs?” She smiled at him innocently, like she didn’t understand what was about to happen. She couldn’t know. Even Atlas didn’t completely understand what happened to two people once they mated.
And mated in a situation like this? When her mind wasn’t clear, and his wasn’t either, it all felt like it was wrong. Like this moment between them should be something soft and slow they could melt into. Not a mad rush from a threat. Her life was like that before, but he didn’t want their beginning to be like that.
But if Lilliane asked, if she wanted it, he wasn’t a good enough man to resist her. How could he? He had only known her for four days, and she was already in his system. Someone crucial for his survival.
“Do you even know what you’re asking me to do? You want me to make you my mate now, tonight, just like that. But do you know it means we’re basically married? But it’s so much more than that. Do you get that I won’t be able to live without you? This is a lifelong commitment, Lilliane. No more running. You’ve got to promise me you won’t run. Not to him. No running.”
She gave him a smile that was half sad and half victorious. “Do you really think I’ll be able to live withoutyounow?” She kissed his cheek like she loved him. It was sweet and tender. But did she really understand the implications of being an alpha mate? He should pump the breaks and go over everything with her.
“In case it isn’t clear, Atlas,” she said, cutting through his thoughts. “Let me remind you of something. If I’m your mate, you’re mine too. What you feel for me, I feel for you.”
He didn’t even have it in him to fight her on that. If she felt even a fraction of what he did, maybe they had a shot after all.
Maybe she wouldn’t run from him.
Maybe he would never have to live without her again. “Trouble,” he groaned, pulling her closer to him. He brushed his lips against her forehead, down her cheeks, across her chest, up her neck. Her breath stuttered, and he pressed his mouth to hers. She melted in his arms, her nails digging into his back.
Her mouth was sweet, her tongue soft and curious, dipping in and out of his mouth. It drove him wild. He gripped her ass and walked her backward until he could press her against the wall. He caged her there and stepped back. His ragged breath sawed out of him as he took her in. He licked his lips, and his eyes roved her face, looking for any sign of … what? Fear? Regret?
All he saw was love, so he kissed her again. This time, cupping her face gently. She tipped her head back and fumbled with his zipper.
They shed their clothes on the way up the stairs, hands everywhere, exploring each other. They ended up in his bedroom … the one they were sharing … and it smelled like her.
Now, his whole life would smell like her.
He should slow them down. They should take their time. But when he caught sight of her naked body, all warm curves and silky skin, lying on his bed, he couldn’t thinkwhythey should slow down. Atlas knelt between her splayed thighs, her head resting against the pillows and headboard. He leaned down to kiss her hipbone, licked his way up to her navel, kissed the curve of her waist, and nibbled the underside of her breast.
She stuffed her fingers in his hair, and she arched up, grinding herself against his lower body. The only thing between them was his briefs. Thin material, already strained by his erection.
He closed his mouth around her breast, alternating between nipping her tender nipples and twirling his tongue around them. He blew against the peaks, and she gasped his name.
She shivered and pressed herself closer to him, panting with want.
“God, you’re beautiful, Lilliane. So perfect,” he said between licks of her flesh. He parted her thighs and inhaled. “So fucking sweet.” His eyes didn’t leave hers as he licked across her core, tasting her sweetness. She was wet. So wet. So responsive. So sensitive. Already, her knees shook around his head.
He needed to feel her come, but it was too soon. The most relief he could offer himself was to dip two fingers inside her. She clenched down hard, gasping. He pumped in and out, making sure to graze that spot deep inside her that made her clench and gasp and say his name in a breathless way that made him feel way too good. She came hard, squeezing his fingers as he continued to tongue her clit. He licked and laved her through the aftershocks, relishing her ragged breathing.
He fisted his cock, his eyes burning into hers. His breathing was rough with want. “Are you sure?” he asked.
“Why do you keep asking me like you want my answer to be different? I’m sure, Atlas. This is what I want.YouarewhoI want.”
“Thank fuck,” he growled and grabbed her hips. “I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want you right now.”
“I’m yours to take,” she whispered, arching up to kiss him. He positioned himself at her entrance and slid inside her in one smooth motion. They groaned together, mouths colliding with eager kisses. She was tight, almost too tight. He had to pace himself and ease his rhythm.
“Trouble,” he groaned against her throat. “If you keep moving like that…”
“Faster, Atlas.”
“Fuck,” he groaned. How was he not going to embarrass himself when she spoke like that? But he moved his hips in a different rhythm, tilting her hips. She gripped his hand, her eyes wild with pleasure.
“Oh, god,” she cried. He repeated the motion, watching as her already flushed cheeks turned brighter. He leaned over her, kissing her deeply. Her nails dug into his back, his ass, his scalp. She was everywhere. Touching as much of him as she could while he drove into her again and again.
“Can I come inside you?”
