Page 21 of Riding with the Shifter

“I need to come you, baby,” he rasps, his voice deep and throaty.

He thrusts inside me again, making me moan. My fingers dig into his muscular back. I need him, need his closeness, need his strength, now more than ever.

Ryder grips the back of my neck, his touch both possessive and protective. His eyes meet mine and we both feel it. The intensity of our connection, the passion and hunger. But most of all, the love. The love that binds us, ties us together, forever.

My mate begins to move faster and harder. Our bodies are slick with sweat and the smell of sex fills the air. We can both feel the tension building inside us, the pressure growing tighter and tighter.

“Come for me, Zara,” Ryder growls.

He pushes deeper, harder, and I shatter. My body trembles as the orgasm rips through me, wave after wave of pleasure coursing through my veins.

Ryder comes seconds later, the hot sprays of his cum filling me, claiming me, marking me all over again. We stay there for a moment, wrapped in each other’s arms, breathing hard.

“I love you,” he says, pressing his forehead against mine.

I smile, kissing him softly. “I love you too.”

Ryder steps back and lifts me up into his arms, carrying me bridal-style inside the house. I rest my head on his shoulder, sighing with contentment.

And I know that everything is going to be okay.

Epilogue

ZARA

“Mama, look! I caught a butterfly!”

I look up from my book to see our daughter, Lilah, racing across the lawn, her chubby toddler hands cupped around a fluttering splash of color. At three years old, she’s a perfect blend of Ryder and me, with my curly hair and his gorgeous blue eyes.

And, as we discovered on her first full moon, his werewolf genes…

“That’s wonderful, sweetie,” I say, setting my book aside and opening my arms. “But remember what we said about being gentle with little creatures?”

Lilah nods solemnly, carefully opening her hands to reveal a slightly rumpled butterfly. “I know, Mama. I didn’t squeeze him, I promise. I just wanted to show you how pretty he is.”

“He is very pretty,” I agree, smiling as the butterfly flits away. “Just like you.”

I kiss her cheek, tickling her sides until she squirms and giggles, throwing her arms around my neck and peppering my cheek back with sticky kisses. I hug her close, breathing in her sweet, scent. Even now, after three years of being a mother, I’m still awed by the depth of my love for this little girl. For the miracle of her, the magic and wonder of her existence.

A wonder that’s about to be doubled, I think dreamily, resting a hand on my slightly rounded belly. I’m four months pregnant with our second child, another little wolf to add to our pack. Ryder is over the moon, of course, already picking out names and planning the nursery. He’s taken to calling me his “sexy baby mama,” which never fails to make me laugh and roll my eyes.

I settle Lilah in my lap. “Where’s your daddy, munchkin?” I thought he was supposed to be watching you while I had some mommy time.”

“He’s running,” Lilah reports, smiling big.

My heart melts, as it always does when I see how much our daughter loves her father. Ryder is an amazing dad, patient, playful, and devoted. Watching him with Lilah, seeing the tenderness and joy he takes in fatherhood… it makes me fall in love with him all over again, every single day.

As if summoned by my thoughts, a large, furry shape comes leaping out of the woods. Ryder in his wolf form, racing across the lawn with his tongue lolling and tail wagging.

Lilah squeals in delight, wriggling out of my arms to run and meet him. Ryder woofs happily, lowering his huge head to nuzzle her cheek and lick her nose. Lilah giggles, burying her face in his neck.

“Daddy, you’re all scratchy!”

Ryder chuffs, a wolfy laugh, and then he looks in my direction, his blue eyes capturing my gaze as always. With one last nuzzle to Lilah and a chin lift to me, he disappears back into the woods.

When he returns, he’s shifted back to human form.

Ryder scoops Lilah up and tosses her in the air. She shrieks with laughter, secure in the knowledge that her daddy will always catch her.

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