Page 17 of The Storm Within

“I think you flipped a switch inside me,” he said between shallow breaths.

“Baby, I haven’t been inside you yet.” Ryker’s mouth curved into a cocky grin as he crawled up Nate’s body, and when he spoke again, the husky drop in his voice made the air itself seem to tremble around them. “But I’m about to flip every goddamn switch you own.”

Nate’s breath caught as he spread his legs, welcoming the heat of Ryker’s weight. This had to be a dream—his mate couldn’t possibly be real, couldn’t possibly be about to wreck him so completely.

“Your flirting has definitely improved,” Nate teased.

“Giving a gorgeous guy head will do that.” Ryker winked as he knelt between Nate’s legs, his muscles flexing when he yanked his shirt over his head. Good lord.

Was it even legal to be built like that? If it wasn’t, Ryker deserved a lifetime sentence—for indecent levels of hotness.

Nate just had to touch. He explored the hard planes of Ryker’s chest, his fingers finding and teasing his mate’s nipples. A huge grin split Nate’s cheeks as the bear shifter hissed, his head tilting back as Nate rolled and tugged at the taut peaks.

“Feels so good,” Ryker growled, his hands covering Nate’s, encouraging the touch.

For the first time in years, Nate felt a spark of control. After being at the mercy of Diobno’s whims for so long, making Ryker moan beneath his touch felt like reclaiming a piece of himself.

Leaning in, Ryker’s lips, barely inches from Nate’s ear, were full and inviting, the hint of a devilish smirk dancing on them. His gray eyes were dark and intense, the kind of gaze that made you feel both excited and intimidated. “I’m about to set free every pent-up frustration you’ve ever had.” His lips brushed the shell of Nate’s ear, drawing a tremble from him. “But first, let me finish getting undressed. I don’t want any barriers between us.”

The loss of Ryker’s heat as he moved away left Nate cold and aching to have him back. But when Ryker’s gaze locked onto him while his jeans slid down, revealing muscular thighs and a perfect ass, Nate could almost taste the rush of adrenaline and desire that was building between them.

Every inch revealed made Nate’s throat tighten, his mouth dry as his gaze roamed over the muscular frame, the dusting of dark hair, the thick cock already leaking at the tip. He wanted to lick every part of his mate until Ryker was left as undone as he felt.

But Ryker had other plans.

“Spread your legs for me, honey bear.” The sound of his voice hit like a low rumble of thunder, rolling through Nate with a dangerous promise.

Gladly obeying, he lowered to his back and slid his legs apart, baring himself completely. The cool air brushing against his skin only heightened the heat surging through him as Ryker settled between his thighs.

The anticipation was maddening, exquisite, as if a string pulled taut, ready to snap under the pressure of too much neediness. A hundred years without sex—Nate deserved fireworks, a parade, and maybe a damn medal.

A lubed hand found his entrance, fingers caressing the sensitive ring of muscle. A faint gasp escaped him as Ryker massaged the spot, slow and teasing. His touch was firm, stretching Nate with an intimacy that felt like a blazing inferno.

Glancing away, Nate closed his eyes, trying desperately to calm his body down before he blew another load too soon. But damn, those thick fingers felt so good.

“Eyes on me.”

Nate cracked his eyes open, his focus instantly drawn to Ryker’s penetrating gaze. The intensity in those gray depths was pure hunger, spreading like liquid sin through Nate’s veins, a wicked promise with no end in sight.

“Touch me,” Ryker growled, grabbing Nate’s hand and guiding it to his cock. “I need you to touch me, sweetheart.”

A command Nate would gladly oblige. He gripped the cock firmly, the heat of Ryker’s erection hot against his palm, thick and throbbing. The hardness flexed, causing Nate to marvel at the velvety smoothness over rigid steel.

“Damn.” Ryker’s head tilted back as his hips bucked into Nate’s grip, his fingers still stretching and scissoring. “Stroke my cock, baby.”

Then Ryker’s fingers shifted, angling deeper, sending a jolt of pleasure through Nate that made him cry out. He let go of Ryker’s cock to grip his own, desperate to hold himself back from the edge.

“R-Ryker,” he gasped, his voice shaking as his body writhed under the onslaught of sensation.

“I’ve got you.” Ryker’s voice was low and rough, full of wickedness as he leaned in to claim Nate’s lips. The kiss nothing short of dominance and devouring, tongues tangling as Ryker’s fingers moved faster, working him open.

The anticipation had just shot to full pressure.

When Ryker finally withdrew his fingers, Nate snarled.

A soft laugh, low and sinful, vibrated through the space between them. “Still so needy.”

“You’re joking, right?” Nate gaped at him. “Teddy bear, release my pent-up frustrations or I might take matters into my own hand.”

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