As we gather our things, I catch her looking at me, a question hovering on her lips. “What?”

“Dinner,” she says, almost as if testing the word. “To talk strategy. Somewhere public.”

I nod, unable to suppress the smile that spreads across my face. “Sounds perfect.”

Suddenly, a thought occurs to me, and I feel a twinge of uncertainty. “The others… The pack… They might have opinions about this.” We were all doing this together, and I don’t want to feel like I have one up on the guys, but I’m hoping I can call this a start.

Aria pauses, considering. “Let them. We’re doing this our way.”

Her assertion, so confident and unyielding, sends a surge of admiration through me. It’s so quintessentially Aria—strong-willed and determined.

I watch her walk toward the door. She’s perfect, and I’m a fool for taking this long to see it.

She pauses as though she can feel my eyes on her and turns slowly, blinking those beautiful hazel eyes at me and giving me a soft smile.

“Fuck it,” I hear her whisper before she drops everything and runs toward me.

My heart crashes against my chest, and I catch her, but the surprise of her running toward me and not away shocks me so much I’m slightly unbalanced. I tumble to the mat on my back, adjusting so she doesn’t hit it, then I roll her under me, pinning her wrists gently but firmly above her head. Her pupils dilate, and her breath hitches, the scent of her arousal filling the air.

Before I can breathe, she kisses me, her lips soft yet demanding. For a moment, I’m too stunned to react, my mind struggling to catch up with what’s happening, but then instinct takes over, and I kiss her back with equal fervor, one hand tightening around her wrists while the other trails down her side, feeling the goosebumps on her skin.

The kiss deepens, months of tension and unspoken desire pouring out between us. Aria’s fingers flex under my grip, and I can feel her heart racing against my chest. The world narrows down to her body beneath mine, the taste of her on my tongue, and the soft sounds she makes as I trail kisses down her neck, inhaling her scent deeply.

Her fingers thread into my hair, tightening her grip, as her lips crash onto mine, the heat of her mouth leaving no doubt about her intentions. My hands slip around her waist, gripping her tightly as our bodies press together.

“Wait,” I rasp, pulling back slightly. Our breaths mingle in the scant space between us. “Are you sure about this? You know what I like, Aria. I need you to be sure.”

Aria’s eyes are dark with want, but there’s clarity there too. “I’m sure, Zane. I want this. I want you. I want you to take control. I want you to own me.”

Her words ignite something primal within me. I capture her lips again, pouring every ounce of pent-up longing into the kiss. My hands roam over her body, memorizing every curve andshiver. Aria arches into me, raking her nails down my back, the slight pain sending a rush of pleasure through me.

With a sensual bite to my lower lip, Aria breaks the kiss and starts unbuttoning my shirt, her nimble fingers working fast. Her eyes never leave mine as she pulls the fabric away from my body, revealing my chest, which heaves with every labored breath. Desire courses through me as she drags her fingernails across my skin, leaving trails of fire in their wake.

“You’re driving me crazy, Aria,” I growl, my voice thick with lust. “I can’t wait to be inside you and feel your heat wrapped around me.”

Done with my shirt, Aria rolls me over, and she eases my pants down, along with my boxers. My erection springs free, hard and throbbing with need, and my knot pulsates. Wrapping her warm hand around the base of my shaft, Aria looks up at me and smirks devilishly before she licks her lips and takes me into her mouth. The sensation of her soft tongue swirling around the head nearly makes my knees buckle.

“God, Aria,” I hiss. “Your mouth feels so good… so hot and wet.”

Aria takes me deeper into her mouth while her hands begin to stroke what she can’t fit between her lips. I swear under my breath as sensations overwhelm me. The wet warmth of her mouth, combined with the expert movements of her tongue, has me shuddering, but I don’t dare move. I let her take control, her movements sending waves of pleasure through me.

“You’re making me rock hard, Aria,” I growl. “I need to be inside you. I need to feel your tight pussy gripping me.”

Knowing I need more, I reach down and gently tug on Aria’s hair until she releases me from her mouth. Panting, I help her to her feet and roll her under me again, pressing her firmly against the mat. I hook my fingers around the waistband of her tight leggings, feeling the heat radiating from her core. With ateasingly slow motion, I peel them away, along with her panties. She kicks them off and wraps her legs around my waist.

“You’re incredible,” I whisper into her ear as I position my throbbing cock at her entrance. The scent of her arousal is intoxicating. “And you’re mine. I’m going to claim you, Aria. I’m going to make you feel so good.”

The things I want to do to this woman… I want to grip her hands and hold them above her head as I rut into her then lock her. I want to make her submit to every little desire.

She smiles, a mix of shyness and boldness. “Show me,” she challenges softly.

I growl, a primal sound of need and acceptance of her challenge. Leaning down, I capture her mouth in another searing kiss as I thrust into her, filling her completely in one swift motion. I swallow her gasp, her body arching to meet mine. The feeling of her, hot and tight around me, is overwhelming, and I have to pause for a moment to maintain control.

Breaking the kiss, I grip her wrists and pin them above her head with one hand. Her breath hitches, and her pupils dilate even further. I love seeing her like this, spread out beneath me, her body open and willing. Mine.

“You feel so good, Aria,” I murmur, my voice rough with desire. “So tight and wet. You’re taking me so well.”

I start to move, slow and deep, each thrust deliberate and intense. Aria’s eyes flutter closed, her head tilting back as she moans softly. I watch her, taking in every expression, gasp, and shiver. I want to memorize her like this, lost in pleasure… lost in us.