Page 15 of Blood, Shadow & Claw

Pressure began to build as the water pulsed against my clit. Pinching my nipple harder, I pulled slightly and felt it to my core. A dial on the side of the handle caused the stream of water to become more concentrated.

My eyes rolled back, and before I knew it, I was coming hard; my legs were wobbly, and I found myself slipping down the shower nozzle, flipping out of my hand, and my body slithered down until I sprawled across the floor of the shower.

"Um, are you all right?"

Ajax's deep voice startled me as he stuck his head around the door. When he didn't see me immediately, he entered the bathroom and saw me splayed out on the shower floor.

"Are you okay? Did you have a seizure?"

I giggled, my hand coming up to shield my eyes from the water still coming down. "No, I am just an idiot."

He shook his head, a small smile teasing his lips. "Come on, baby girl, let's get you dried."

I allowed him to help me to my feet and stood there patiently as he carefully and thoroughly dried my body. When he was finished, I leaned up and kissed his chest. "Thank you, Daddy."

Our eyes met, and it was then that he took in my naked state. The way my breasts were tight and heavy, the curve of my hips, and the length of my thighs.

His breath caught, and I knew I had him right where I wanted him.

6

AJAX

So much naked. Everywhere my eyes feasted, there was more naked flesh until I could have sworn my eyes were drowning in it. I couldn't look away, couldn't breathe, and couldn't stop my cock from giving this beautiful woman the full salute. Even if it was smashed against the zipper of my jeans.

I saw it, the moment when she decided for sure. At that moment, I'd gone from her new friend to prey. It was in the illumination of her blue eyes and the sensual curve of her lips with just a hint of her elongated canines. Mazie was at one with the beast inside her, and they'd decided.

The hesitant or worried look she'd had most of the previous week had morphed into one of intent and desire. My umbra and I were secretly rejoicing. It had been a long week of not pushing Mazie into something she wasn't ready for.

We'd talked about what fated mates meant to an umbra shifter. We'd talked about how to know when to listen to your animal and when not to. But it wasn't until this moment that I knew she'd chosen me. And I fucking loved it.

Rosy nipples flashed from the most perfect pair of breasts ever created. How I could look at her again without picturing them wasbeyond me. I cupped her beautiful face in my big hands and marveled that this woman was mine.

Bending my head, I gently brushed her lips with mine. Fire licked up my spine as the mating bond solidified. It was almost tangible between her soul and mine. All thoughts of taking things slowly disappeared when she opened her mouth and allowed me in.

Deepening the kiss, I felt her hard nipples against my chest, even through the fabric of my t-shirt. My stomach flipped as her tongue tentatively began to kiss me back. I'd found that Mazie wasn't timid all of the time.

As I'd gotten to know her better over the last week, I had seen another side to her. Like, who could have known how competitive she would be at cards? And the woman could cook like nobody's business. With all of the homes she'd lived in, several foster parents had relied on Mazie to help care for the younger kids, including making meals for them.

I couldn't help but wonder how someone so sweet could have made it through such a loveless life and still be so positive. I knew I fell a little harder for my Mazie girl with every conversation, whispered confidence, or stollen smile.

As the pent-up desire swirled inside of me, I knew the decision to hold off kissing her had been the right one. Because now that I'd had one taste of her lips, I knew I wouldn't ever be able to let her go. But honestly, who was I kidding? The day a week ago when I tasted her sweet pussy had been enough to seal the deal.

My hands caressed her breasts as I slanted my mouth and allowed her to have a little freedom with the kiss. She was just a brave little warrior. Her tongue gently played with mine as she gained some confidence. After a short time, her kiss had become insistent. Her nails dug into my back. With a moan, I reinstated my dominance, working her nipples into stiff peaks. I pulled away from her mouth to shower kisses along her jawline and neck until I settled into the juncture where her neck met her shoulder.

Mazie whined, slanting her head away further and offering her complete submission. My umbra roared his approval.

"Claim her," the beast insisted.

But I knew better than to listen to the umbra despite his sound idea. It would have been better for the claim if I had been inside of her. Moving back, I picked Mazie up and placed her on the bed. Then, I stripped out of my clothing and joined her.

Mazie's eyes were still unnaturally bright, indicating that she and her umbra were one. Although I hadn't stopped to look into a mirror, I was sure that mine appeared the same way.

When I lowered my mouth to her perfect tits, she moaned, arching her back and shoving her breast into my mouth. I licked and teased the peek, knowing that the more foreplay she was able to withstand, the wetter and easier our first coupling would be.

I'd never had sex with a virgin. I honestly wished that I had never given in to those baser urges. Because the gift she was giving me meant far more than she would ever know. Mazie was mine. I would be the only man to enter her body. The only man to give her children.

I nipped at the side of her breast and then trailed my fingers down to part her soft curls and caress her slick folds. The heat that I found between her legs was enough to cause my cock to leap against my lower abdomen. She may not have been experienced, but Mazie was a natural at lovemaking.

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