Page 70 of Wolf Bound

“I’ve never been more sure of anything,” I assure him. “I’ve never slept with anyone because it never felt right—theynever felt right. But I knowyou’reright.”

He lets me pull down his boxers, and when I can’t get them all the way down from my angle, he reaches down and removes them himself. Instead of bringing his mouth back down to mine, he positions himself lower and kisses the top of my thighs. I tremble and feel my skin break out into goosebumps.

His hand makes its way between my thighs, and I find myself arching into his touch. A single finger slips between my folds and strokes that sensitive center. I jerk and moan at the sensation. My hips lift on their own, aching for more. My breath catches in my throat when I feel his finger nudge my opening and stroke inside.

Within seconds, I’m groaning and shaking with need below him. Just when I think I’m not able to take anymore, his mouth replaces his hand, and I’m coming out of my skin when his tongue swipes against me.

“Ryker!” I gasp, rising to my elbows and looking down. With fascination, I watch his mouth move against me, and with every stroke of his tongue, my heart beats faster and faster.

While his tongue continues to lap at me, I feel his finger enter me again. Both touching me at the same time causes me to fall back onto the mattress. I find myself throwing my head back and moaning so loud I’m afraid someone else in the house may have heard. The concern only lasts a second because suddenly, Ryker’s mouth and hand leave me.

He repositions himself back over me, and I look into those brilliant blue eyes as he settles between my legs. I can’t help but reach up and trace his beautiful face with my finger. I want to remember everything about him. I want to remember how his eyes light up when he sees me or how, when he smiles, it’s slightly crooked. I want to remember the thin scar on his chin. I want to remember how amazing and safe I feel in his arms.

The good, the bad, and the beautiful parts—I want to remember everything.

Ryker turns his head and presses a kiss into the palm of my hand. I smile up at him and pull his face back down to mine. I guide his mouth to my lips as I lift my hips, urging him to continue.

His mouth swallows my gasp when he presses into my core. I feel myself holding my breath and stiffening up, but when pleasure replaces the quick bite of pain, I relax into him.

We move with pure instinct and primal need. There’s no awkwardness or uncertainty between us, only love and pleasure. His head rests on my shoulder, and I tuck mine into the side of his neck. Our breathing becomes quick, and I occasionally feel his teeth scrape against my sensitive skin.

I bite down—hard—on his shoulder when every nerve in my body explodes in pleasure. I barely taste the slight copper taste of blood as I whither and shake beneath him. Then instantly, his breathing quickens even more, his muscles lock up, and he shutters against me. He presses a sweet kiss to the corner of my mouth before he pulls out of me and rolls us to our sides.

I’m wrapped up against his body with his big tattooed arm thrown protectively over me. When I snuggle my back into his chest and close my eyes, a hot tear rolls down my cheek. I’m thankful I’m facing away from him, I don’t have to explain my sadness.

“Everything will be okay tomorrow,” he whispers after several minutes. “I promise.”

“I know you’ll be okay,” I whisper back.

31

Ryker

Inever fell asleep. Instead, I spent the night holding Pru in my arms and memorizing her face. If the challenge doesn’t go the way I want it too, I want to make sure I soak up as much of her as I can, and there’s a voice in my head telling me to hold her tight and breathe her in because it’s going to be the last time I ever do.

It’s still dark out when I climb out of bed and throw on some clothes. I look once more at Pruitt’s sleeping form. I decide to let her sleep a little bit longer, she looks peaceful, and God knows today will be anything but.

I quietly slip out the door and head downstairs. I’m not surprised to find my mother already in the kitchen with a cup of coffee in front of her. The coffee is untouched, and she stares blankly out the back windows.

“Mom?” When I reach over and give her shoulder a squeeze, she jumps a little at the sound of my voice.

“Hi, honey,” she sighs, reaching up and placing her hand over mine on her shoulder.

“It’s going to be okay,” I tell her—the same thing I said to Pru, but the more I say it, the more I don’t believe myself.

“I really want to believe that.”

My stomach sinks when I hear her voice break. The last thing I want to do is hurt my mother, but we’re all out of options. I can’t pull out of the challenge, especially when my sister is being held, and my mate’s life is on the line.

“I do too.” I move to her side, leaving my hand on her shoulder, and we sit in silence, both looking out at the still dark sky.

“I’m sorry I was away for so long,” I say after several minutes of silence. “If I could take it back, I would. I didn’t realize how much I missed you guys until I was home.”

“I hated that you were gone, but I understood why you had to be. There was too much pain here for you, and being here just caused you more.” She pats my hand. “I just wish we had more time. And I wish you had more time with Pru.”

“Me too.”

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