Page 13 of Animal Instincts

“And I’m sorry about that,” he responded, as if he could read her mind, and knew that she was stunned by the size of him. “But my body knows what it wants, and that is you.”

“This is all so crazy.” She licked her lips, felt his chest move with hers every time she breathed, and knew that she wouldn’t stop

this. Danika couldn’t. Damien was so much older than she was. She was only twenty, and he was thirty-nine, but even that wasn’t the big issue here.

He was her father’s friend, and surely being with him, actually allowing herself to experience what this lion shifter was tempting her with, was wrong on some level. Her father might see it as a betrayal, as a sick coupling that went against nature.

“Even four years ago, when I saw you in the hallway and all I wanted to do was make sure you were safe, I could see the connection you had with me.” He spoke softer this time. “Just admit that you feel the pull now, that you want this of your own free will because you’re an adult and can finally feel the sexual chemistry between us.”

She started breathing heavier, like she couldn’t stop herself, couldn’t control her own body. Danika was so wet between her thighs, and she felt her nipples harden beneath her shirt.

Yes, she was a twenty year old virgin, but even though she may not be experienced that way, illicit and dirty images of being under Damien filled her mind. She could picture his big, hard, and muscular body straining over hers, that massive erection between his legs thrusting in and out of her body.

It would hurt, that was for sure, but she had a feeling that even if she wasn’t a virgin it still would have felt like he was splitting her in two. She may not be an expert on cock size, but God, Damien had to have broken the mold with that thing.

He inhaled deeply, and he closed his eyes for a second as his nostrils flared out slightly. “I might not be able to know what you’re thinking, but from the desire pouring off of you I can guess, Danika.” He opened his eyes, his pupils still contracting and dilating as his lion flashed across his face. “I won’t push you into anything. I’d never force your hand, but you also have to know, because I’ll never lie to you, that I can’t walk away.” He cupped the side of her face, his fingers strong, warm, and slightly calloused. “I walked away, gave you the space you deserved and needed, but only because you were too young. You needed to experience life first, and my sexual desire to claim you didn’t happen until years after I found you.”

“This is making my head spin,” she told him honestly.

“I know, baby.” He looked down at her mouth. “Christ, I know how hard it is for you. But you’re my mate, and neither my lion nor human side will just let you go. I’d walk in the fiery pits of hell just to show you how much I am connected to you. This bond, this mating we have, for me is unbreakable.”

There was so much truth in his words, so much determination for her to fully understand what he meant, thatDanika’s heart started beating so fast and hard she grew dizzy from her rising blood pressure.

This whole situation was insane, and she felt like she had been dropped into some twisted scene from The Twilight Zone. But despite all of that right now she couldn’t deny that whatever he was talking about—this connection he had with her—she most definitely felt it.

Maybe she shouldn’t want anyone to touch her after what that asshole had tried to do with her back at the party, but honestly she wanted to feel Damien’s strong, protective body beside hers. Danika wanted to be able to let herself go, just enjoy the feeling of giving herself freely to someone, and not have to fight to stay on top of the situation.

Damien didn’t move closer, but he did hold her tightly, stroked her cheek with his thumb, and stared in her eyes. Maybe he waited to see what she would do or say, or maybe he was just as nervous as she was at how this was playing out.

No, he isn’t nervous. Look at him, look at how secure he is in his position, in the way he speaks, and the fact he’s told you exactly what he wants ... you.

And then something snapped inside of her, and she realized that this night would have her experiencing things she’d only envisioned late at night when she was alone in her bed.

She’d also felt something for Damien since the first encounter with him. Even at only sixteen her body had recognized something in Damien as she’d stared into his eyes, felt his body heat fill her, surround her even.

And she definitely felt something when he had said she was his.

Dropping her gaze down to his lips, she wanted desperately to be his, to experience this imprinting that he spoke of. When she glanced back up she saw that he, too, was staring at her mouth.

The expression he held could have been interpreted a million different ways: arousal, anticipation, excitement, and primal need. All of those filtered across his face in rapid succession, and this low growl left him and he inhaled once more.

It may be wrong, may even be inappropriate to want her father’s best friend, a man nearly double her age even, but she didn’t care right now. She’d worry about the repercussions later, after this desire had left her and she could breathe again.

Like he had said, she was an adult, knew what she wanted, and didn’t care what the result would be. Right now she could only think

about having him on top of her, and showing her that things sometimes didn’t have to be so messed up.

Feeling this strength settle inside of her, Danika leaned in those last couple of inches and pressed her lips to his. He was tense for several seconds.

Then this low, needy, and animalistic sound left him, and he moved his hand to her hair. He grabbed a chunk of her hair in a firm, yet gentle, hold and tilted her head back to deepen the kiss. She grew even stronger in her lust for him, at the fact she was really doing this.

Danika ran her tongue along the seam of his lips and felt his body grow tenser. His cock seemed to jerk between them, and a fresh wave of wetness spilled from her.

The deep, male groan he made caused her nipples to tighten further to the point of pain.

When he opened his mouth and their tongues pressed together she couldn’t help the small sound of pleasure that escaped. He tasted so good.

Danika tilted her head more and deepened the kiss, loving that he was as far gone in this moment as she was. She moved her hand back on the counter to try to get more stability as he probed her mouth.

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