Page 15 of Lycan and Lark
Lark locked onto the hand with eyes full of rage and…was that excitement Aria could sense? He watched her date's hand as it dug into her flesh.
Hunter’s fingers slid softly across her exposed thigh and she shot to her feet. The group looked up, clearly startled. “Gideon needs me.” She slid out of the booth. “Dane, can you walk me back?”
“I can walk you back.” Hunter stood, reaching for her, and Aria squirmed away with a yelp of panic.
“Uh, sorry, stranger danger. I just know Dane more, you know?”
Ginger gave her a blank look. “You barely know Dane.”
“I didn’t say we were besties, I said I knew him better than Hunter. Which is true.” The group stared at her like she’d grown a second head. “I’m sure my brother would appreciate it.” She stared at Dane as she spoke through gritted teeth. New lycans were always trying to get in good with the Alpha. His eyes lit up and he quickly stood.
“Yeah, of course. I’ll come right back.” He gave Ginger a quick kiss before leading Aria out of the lounge.
She practically ran back to the complex, giving him a “This is good. Thanks!” over her shoulder as she darted up the steps. The glass door swung open as she barreled inside. She slammed it shut and pressed her back against the cool glass, breathing heavily.
The familiar, warm chuckle of Matlena pulled her attention to the far wall.
“You’re certainly in a hurry, my dear. Why so flustered? Mate troubles?” The older woman’s mossy eyes sparkled with mischief. Aria knew not to underestimate the sweet grandmotherly exterior. Matlena was a powerful Chosen witch. Her granddaughter, Brona, was gifted with the Sight and Aria wasn’t quite sure what Matlena’s specific gifts were. All she knew for sure was that Matlena controlled the wards that surrounded the complex. She had been altering them regularly since the Collectors’ attack.
“What are you doing here so late?” Aria asked, deflecting Matlena’s question with her own.
“Working on the wards, my dear. A tweak here, a tweak there.” Her mossy eyes brightened and she grinned. “Which may be particularly fortuitous for you tonight.”
Aria shifted uncomfortably under Matlena’s gaze. “Right. Well, be careful, and goodnight.” She headed away and the older woman chuckled again before singing softly.
ChapterEight
Aria closed her apartment door behind her and breathed out a heavy sigh. The rest of the night was going to consist of soft pajamas, drinking wine straight from the bottle, and ordering some of those fresh cookies from the midnight delivery place. She undid her heels and tossed them aside, not bothering to put them in her closet. She opened a dresser drawer, thumbing through options until the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Her body raised slightly and her wolf stood to attention as she sensed the figure behind her.
She whirled and found Lark, casually leaning against the entrance to her bedroom. His tall body filled the frame and his wide shoulders blocked out her view of the living room. He was smirking at her with one eyebrow cocked.
“How did you get in here? The wards, they’re designed to keep you out.” Her heart was thumping on her ribcage as she stared back at him.
“Looks like this is my lucky night. The old lady was altering them and when she needed a break, I took my shot.” He shrugged like it had been easy.
“How did you know which apartment was mine?”
He released another of his dark chuckles and moved toward her. “I see you decided to vacate your date before he ended up in pieces.”
She scowled at him. “Again, dismembering my dates is not a turn-on.”
He moved in a flash until her body was backed against the dresser. She gasped in shock as he pinned her hips with his. “So you’re not aroused?” His voice was low and mocking. She opened her mouth to argue but he shifted his hips against hers and a breathy groan came out instead. He dipped his head, capturing her open lips. Electricity zinged through her the moment they made contact. Energy seemed to crackle from his body, sending sharp tingles through her lips. He swallowed her moans as his tongue delved into her mouth. The silky metal of his piercing slid deliciously across her flesh.
He pulled back with a growl. “Every time your lips lie, your mind tells me the truth.” He shifted his hips again. She could feel his rigid length pressing against her stomach. “Do you see how hard you make me, Aria? How difficult it is to control myself?”
Aria forgot how to think or speak. Heat pooled in her belly and slick arousal dripped down her thighs. This should feel wrong. She still didn’t know anything about him. He was probably a killer. Her wolf snapped at her.Mine.
She and that beast must both be going crazy. God she wanted it to feel wrong, but everything about Lark felt so right. Her body yearned to be closer to him, to see beneath his clothes, to feel his warm skin on her bare flesh. She bit her lip before she could say something foolish. She couldn’t let him to know how badly she wanted him.
His growl sent a thrill chasing through her. “Too late. There’s nothing you can hide from me.” His breath came out warm beneath her ear. “I hear all the dirty little fantasies that flood through your unfiltered mind. And I want to make every single one come true.”
* * *
Aria gripped the back of his collar, pulling him down to meet her mouth in a bruising kiss. He groaned and dug his fingers into her ass, lifting her until she settled her legs around his waist. He moved them to the bed, never leaving her mouth. He was so desperate to have her. The scent of fresh pines and snow wrapped around him and their tongues lashed each other. He felt dizzy and drunk off of her taste and scent.
The bed bounced as he laid Aria down, bringing his mouth to her neck. He allowed his teeth to graze her throat and then bit down softly. She moaned in approval and a fresh wave of scent surged from between her thighs. He made quick work of her halter, letting it drop open. The remaining fabric peeled away from her heated body with ease, until her breasts lay bare beneath his hungry gaze.
He had never seen such perfect tits. They were large for her petite size and her soft pink nipples begged to be sucked. He flicked his piercing over the first bud, and it hardened beneath his touch. She wanted him to suck on them, he could hear it in her mind. He moved to the next one, sliding his tongue over the bud as she dug her hands in his hair. She squirmed beneath him and he chuckled against her skin.
