Page 31 of Marked
My chest seizes at the bite of pain, a shot of panic ricocheting through me as my demons surface– but for the first time, I’m strong enough to bat them back. Because thisisn’tAlpha Paul. This is Alpha Iver, mymate, and I want this. I choose this.
I’m in control.
My lashes flutter as I blink my eyes open to land on Iver’s stupidly gorgeous face. The muscle in his jaw flexes as he gazes up at me, his own eyes half-lidded and clouded with lust. My palms splay against his hard chest as I sink lower, taking more of him inside me.
All the air leaves my lungs when I’m fully seated, my inner walls straining to adjust to the intrusion. Iver’s hands gently glide up to rest on my hips as I lift up halfway and drop back down, relishing in the friction of him inside me. It’s not painful or scary. It feels way better than it has any right to. I pick up my pace, bucking my hips as I start riding his cock, a wanton moan slipping from my throat.
“Fuck, baby, do that again,” Iver coaxes, his hands beginning to guide the movements of my hips. “Let me hear you.”
Another moan tears free as he hits a spot deep inside that has me seeing stars, thrusting up so my clit grinds against his pubic bone. Little by little, I let go completely. My muscles loosen as I sink into the pleasure, needy cries leaving my lips without shame. I never knew it could be like this, and now that I do, I don’t ever want to leave this moment. I want to freeze it, savor it, because this is what it feels like to be free.
Iver curls upright, wrapping his arms around me and pulling my chest tightly against his. Our mouths fuse, his lips searing his claim into me like a brand as our bodies grind to a frenetic rhythm. I lose track of where mine ends and his begins, Iver’s heady masculine scent surrounding me as my orgasm builds and my mind goes gloriously blank of anything but pleasure.
The coil in my belly suddenly snaps, my body shaking as I erupt into my climax. All I know is pure, unadulteratedblissas I ride out wave after wave, moaning as Iver kisses my neck, his hips stuttering. Warmth floods my core as he empties inside me with a throaty groan, joining me in the sweet rapture of release.
Our panted breaths mingle as we both come back down, his grip around me relaxing as I settle against his heaving chest. His fingertips trace gentle circles over my back as he presses kisses to my hair, whispering words of adoration as I slowly come back into myself.
He tells me I’m perfect, and in this moment, I actually believe him. Because what we just did felt transcendent. I feel like a whole new woman; a phoenix reborn from the ashes of my past.
Pressing my palms to his chest, I push back, lifting my chin to smack a kiss against his lips. “Mine,” I declare triumphantly.
His wolf flares in his irises as he grins back at me, his arms tightening their possessive hold. “Mine.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
the morning after
IVER
The best way to wake up, hands down, is next to my fated mate. I open my eyes to find Chey’s golden hair splashed out on the pillow beside mine, her chest gently rising and falling in her peaceful slumber. I take a few minutes to justlookat her, in awe of how goddamn beautiful she is and how lucky I am that she’s mine. She’s radiant. Ethereal. A fucking goddess.
She’s also a warrior. She slayed her demons last night right here in this bed, and I’m so fucking proud of her for facing her fears and conquering them. With how much she’s been through, I’m sure there’s still a long road of healing ahead, but I plan on being there every step of the way to hold her hand and remind her she’s worthy of love.
I love her.That might sound crazy since we’ve only known each other for a couple of weeks, but I can’t deny the way I feel. Our connection and chemistry are undeniable, and our bond is the realest thing I’ve ever known. Cheyenne Clark is in my blood, my bones, etched into my fucking soul. She’s my missing piece; my other half. The one fate knew I needed.
I would’ve waited forever for her, and now that I’ve finally got her in my life–in my bed– I’m never going to let anyone hurt her again. She’s mine, and I’m hers.
Her scent is all around me– on my pillows, on my sheets, on my body. I hate to shower it away, but I’ve got meetings lined up this morning with our pack enforcers, which means I need to peel myself out of bed and get moving. Maybe if I’m quick enough in the shower, I can get Chey to cover me with her scent again before I leave.
I’m careful not to disturb her as I slide out of bed, tiptoeing over to the bathroom and quietly closing the door behind me. Stepping over to the glass-enclosed shower, I crank on the water and wait for it to heat up, testing it with my palm between the other steps of my morning routine and getting in once it’s to temperature.
The hot water pelts my skin as I step under the spray, steam already building on the cold tiles underfoot. Shifters can handle temperature extremes a lot better than humans, and I like my showers scalding. Closing my eyes, I stand underneath it for a minute or two just soaking in the warmth, blinking them open again when that familiar tugging sensation erupts in my chest. I glance toward the bathroom door through the glass wall of the shower as Chey opens it and peeks inside.
Our gazes collide instantly. She sinks her teeth into her lower lip, a blush rising to her cheeks as her amber eyes drop tour my naked body. She’s wearing my t-shirt, and though the fabric swallows her small frame, it’s hot as fuck to see her in something of mine. It’s definitely a look I could get used to.
“Good morning, beautiful,” I croon, slicking my hair back with a palm as I aim a grin her way. “Wanna join me?”
She hesitates, like always, but that moment of hesitation is getting briefer every day. Her knee-jerk reaction to intimacy was avoidance, but she’s slowly trying to un-learn those habits. Her eyes meet mine again as she purses her lips in consideration, then she answers by reaching for the hem of the t-shirt she’s wearing and pulling it off over her head.
A low growl rumbles in my chest as my gaze roams her naked form. She’s stunning. I touched all that gorgeous skin just last night, but my fingers are already twitching to touch it again.
A coy smile curves her lips as she steps over to the shower, and I pull open the glass door for her, extending a hand in invitation. She places hers in mine, the door swinging closed behind her as she steps in to join me. Then I turn my hand over in hers, a silent signal for her to guide my touch. She brings my hand to her hip as she steps in closer.
“I’m now a believer in beauty sleep, because I swear you get more beautiful every day,” I murmur as my fingers close around her hip, pulling her in.
She snorts a laugh, rolling her eyes. “Stop.”
“It’s true,” I chuckle, twisting us so our bodies are beneath the shower spray.
