Page 12 of Horns for the Holidays

My balls tightened, release coiling at the base of my spine. With a roar, I came hard, imagining emptying myself inside her. Marking her as my own.

For a blissful moment, my mind went blank. No thoughts of mate bonds or professional ethics. Just sweet, mindless ecstasy and the lingering echo of Laramie’s name on my lips.

Then reality came crashing back.

I sagged against the wall, shame and guilt warring with lingering satisfaction. What the fuck was wrong with me? Jacking off to fantasies of my marketing strategist like some horny teenager?

I was better than this. Ihadto be.

I shut off the water with more force than necessary, nearly ripping the handle from the wall. Stepping out of the shower, I wrapped a towel around my waist and padded into the bedroom.

My movements were mechanical as I dressed for the day. Tailored slacks. Crisp white shirt. The weight of my medallion settled against my chest, a constant reminder of duty and legacy.

A legacy I failed every day without my mate at my side.

I growled, yanking my tie into place. I tried to focus on the upcoming meeting. We needed this deal with Elysia. The partnership would give us a foothold in the luxury travel market, opening up a whole new demographic of potential users.

Taking a deep breath, I shrugged into my jacket and grabbed my phone. Time to face the day. To be the leader my company needed. The last of my kind.

To pretend I hadn’t just jerked off thinking about one of my employees.

The resort’s pathways were mercifully empty as I made my way to the conference room. Good. The last thing I needed was to deal with adoring fans or nosy paparazzi. Not when my control was hanging by a thread.

I’d prepared extensively for this meeting. I knew exactly how to address each of Andreas’ concerns. How to highlight the benefits of partnering with MythMatch. How to?—

My train of thought derailed spectacularly as I rounded the corner and nearly collided with Laramie.

“Oh!” She stumbled back, startled. “Uh... sorry, I wasn’t?—”

I opened my mouth to reassure her, but the words died in my throat. She looked... incredible. Her hair was swept up in an elegant twist, exposing the graceful curve of her neck. She wore a crisp white blouse—the one I’d bought?—and a pencil skirt that hugged her curves in ways that made my mouth go dry.

And her scent. Gods, her scent.

That enticing blend of vanilla and jasmine wrapped around me like a caress. Underneath it all was a hint of something new. Something distinctlyfemalethat made my nostrils flare and my pulse quicken.

The unmistakable tang of arousal.

She wanted me, too.

Pure, primal satisfaction coursed through my veins. Part of me wanted to drag her into the nearest empty room, consequences be damned. To fuck her senseless and claim what was mine.

I took a step closer. Laramie’s breath hitched, pupils dilating.

All I had to do was lean in. Close that final bit of distance. From the way her gaze dropped to my lips, I knew she’d welcome it.

“We should talk,” I began, voice low. “About what happened on the skiff.”

Laramie took a step back, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. “There’s nothing to talk about, Mr. Mavridis. It was a mistake. One that won’t be repeated.”

No, it wasn’t a mistake. It was destiny. Fate. The bond thrummed between us, growing stronger by the minute. Evennow, it demanded I press her against the wall. To sink my teeth into the tender flesh of her neck and mark her as mine.

“Was it?” I challenged. “Because I seem to remember you enjoying yourself.”

Her cheeks flushed an adorable shade of pink, and her pulse fluttered at the base of her throat. Her tongue darted over her lower lip, then she shot her eyes upward to meet mine.

The conference room door swung open, and Laramie jumped back, startled. I swore quietly as I turned.

And froze.

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