Page 32 of Posing for the Artist Wolf

Kai’s free hand snaked between us, finding the bundle of nerves that needed the most attention. He circled his thumb over my clit, setting my nerve endings on fire. I arched into him, desperate for more.

“You gonna come for me again?” Kai asked, his voice ragged. He released my hair and lifted my leg, changing the angle of his thrusts. My nails scored his back as he slammed into me, again and again. “You’re so tight, so wet for me. Fates, you’re perfection. I could fuck this perfect pussy for hours.”

My walls clenched at his words, already so close to the edge. A flush crept over my chest, my heartbeat roaring in my ears. He pressed down on my clit, and I came undone.

The orgasm ripped through me, tearing a scream from my lips. Kai captured it with a kiss, swallowing my cries as he pounded into me. Stars exploded behind my eyelids, and I could feel myself spiraling down, down, down into pure bliss.

But Kai wasn’t finished with me yet. His grip on my hip tightened, and he urged me to my hands and knees. I moaned as he entered me again from behind, the new position driving him even deeper. His hands gripped my hips, pulling me into every thrust.

His pace was punishing, pushing me right back to the brink. I bit my lip, clutching at the sheets to keep from collapsing on the bed. Each snap of his hips sent bolts of lightning up my spine. My skin prickled with sweat, and I knew I was going to come again.

Kai reached forward, burying a hand in my hair and tugging me against his chest. His lips found the sensitive skin just below my ear, nibbling at the flesh. I ground my ass against him, desperate for release.

His hand slid around my front, his thumb brushing against my clit. “Come for me. Need you to come on my cock and I’ll mark you as mine.”

“Please,” I begged, unable to form any coherent words.

“You’re mine, Claire. Forever.” His teeth sank into my neck and the sharp burst of pain was all it took to send me tumbling over the edge.

Wave after wave of ecstasy washed over me. Kai’s thrusts became erratic, his rhythm faltering as he chased his own climax. His teeth released their hold on my neck as he grunted, the sound almost feral. His hand clutched my hip tightly, anchoring me against him as he slammed home one last time.

I collapsed onto the bed with a satisfied sigh, Kai following soon after. His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me against his chest. His heart thudded against my back, slowing gradually, its beat matching mine.

Kai brushed a soft kiss against the back of my neck. “Thank you,” he murmured into my hair.

“For what?”

“For not giving up on me.”

I turned in his arms, needing to see his face. His eyes were heavy-lidded, exhaustion and contentment written on every line of his face. The sight warmed me to my bones.

Reckless, he named himself. And yes, he hopped, skipped, and jumped before thinking. But he didn’t aim to harm. The opposite, in fact. He had so much care packed in his body. For his sister. His pack. Friends looking to escape their circumstances.

He was my reckless wolf.

“Never,” I vowed. “I’ll never give up on my mate.”

EPILOGUE

KAI

Iknocked on the door of the pack house, the sound muffled against the heavy wood. Claire stood beside me, her fingers twined with mine. We exchanged a glance, excitement mingling with anxiety.

She looked beautiful today with her hair framing her face just right, a playful twist of violet and silver. The upper edge of my mate mark peeked above the collar of her shirt when she moved just right. Whatever nervousness gripped me, it faded just by looking at her.

“Ready?” Claire whispered, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze.

I nodded, hoisting the box in my arms a little higher. “To buy some love? Oh, yes.”

Claire snickered as the door swung wide. Rafe’s usual stern expression had softened, the edges of his mouth turned up in a slight smile even with the bags under his eyes.

Fatherhood looked good on him.

“Hey, you two,” he said, stepping aside. “Come in.”

We stepped inside, the lively sounds of pack life wrapping around us like a snug blanket. I caught the smell of coffee, the faint trace of freshly baked goods, and the ever-present scent of pack and fur. Laughter bounced off the walls, mixed with the heartwarming coos of a newborn.

“Congratulations, man,” I said, giving Rafe a nod.

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