The sting of pain matches the way he tugs at my bottom lip with his teeth.
My heart thunders so strongly it’s like the first time we kissed.
We loved each other so deeply, and it burned every day to be apart from him.
My swelling feelings for Jaxx and Everest might one day reach this level, but I can never compare anything to how right it feels to be buried in his arms as he kisses me so passionately that he steals my breath.
I try to shut away how deeply I love him, and I cry out as he breaks the kiss to speak. But I can’t let him, not yet.
We pant as we watch each other; the question hanging between us: how far is this going to go?
I groan as I grab the front of his suit, pulling him back to me.
He gasps, and I swallow it down as I bend my hips to rub against him.
The scent of my slick blends with his pheromones, and I don’t know how I managed three years without him.
It doesn’t matter that we’d broken up that long ago. My body still says I’m his.
I need him to go further. I have to feel him inside me. I missed him so desperately I don’t care if we’re caught fucking in a stairwell as long as I can feel him again.
A deep growl rumbles from him as he pulls back. I’m left gasping and whining as he brings my aching hand to his lips.
Heat shudders through me as he presses a kiss against the bite mark, never breaking his heavy stare as he places his teeth overthe mark. My small bite vanishes under his wide lips, and both of us moan as he traces it with his tongue.
“Maddock, that's…” I press my other hand against his shoulder, my ass naturally curving out, presenting as my alpha sucks on me.
If he offers a bite now, I’m not sure I’m strong enough to say no.
I don’t want to pull my hand away from his. It’s so good to touch him again, like nothing has changed. Even if he’s interrogating me, his grip’s still soft, like he wants to be careful with me even when he’s so tense.
“This bite means nothing unless I'm the one who does it. Even if Jaxx is your scent match, I'm the one you love—you loved.” He quickly corrects himself with a dark growl.
I can’t stop my sigh as I deflate against him. I have to force myself to draw a line. The way he speaks is so insanely sexy that he could fuck me right here and I wouldn't stop him.
“It's not enough, Maddock. You can growl and snap as much as you want, but it won't change anything between us unless you actually want to change yourself. And it's been too long,” I say, gently easing my hand from his hard grip. “Do you actually want to get to know each other again?” I ask, feeling more nervous than I have in years.
“I want what we had. I want to be with you again like we used to be.”
I press my lips together, trying not to be disappointed. He didn't understand why I left back then, so why would he understand now?
“You need to go to the podium,” I murmur. “Go and celebrate your win.” So I can find space to process everything we’ve talked about.
His snarl sends shockwaves through my body as he backs away, and his nostrils flare as more slick builds in me.
“Just remember you're the one cutting this conversation short. I'll always be ready for you. You just need to come and find me,” he says as he grabs the door handle.
As the bang of the door echoes behind him, I realize I haven’t told him about Everest.
Jaxx
Maddock was late for the podium, didn't want to touch the trophy, and glared at me the whole time. His feathers were so ruffled he looked like a damp chicken, and that was before he shot champagne straight at my face like a clam.
I’ll get him back for that.
Though it’s more about how he’s absolutely dripping strawberry and cream, his lips are suspiciously pink, and I’m pretty sure he’s trying to hide the fact his cock’s hard as a rock.
So that was fun.