Page 71 of Stealthy as a Wolf

His tongue firmed, his hand shifting until the tip of one finger brushed against my ass. It had me clenching tight around him, and the most fantastic orgasm swept through me. I wasn’t even aware of sliding down the wall until Grady caught me close and dragged me down onto his lap.

Brushing my core right against his cock.

He moved my hips, thrusting lightly against my folds, coating himself and extending my orgasm. Only when I could breathe again did my eyes flutter open…and I found him gazing down at me with such reverence that my heart did a fancy jig in my chest.

My hands settled on his shoulders, my fingertips kneading his muscles, and I could do nothing else as another orgasm began to build. I squirmed against his cock, my breasts rubbing lightly against the hard planes of his chest, needing more, needing him. “Grady?”

He shifted his hips, and his cock settled at my entrance. He waited a beat, meeting my gaze, his voice a rough growl when he said, “Say yes.”

It was both a command and a plea.

Not once did he use his alpha voice to take anything.

I didn’t hesitate to reach down and take ahold of his dick. I stroked him twice, enjoying the hardness of him before I lined him up with my core. “Yes.”

Before I even finished speaking, he slid home with a single thrust. My head fell back, and my breath caught in my lungs at the full size of him. My core spasmed, and I could do nothing but ride him as my pleasure built once again.

His grip tightened on my hips, the movement grinding my clit against him. Then his touch firmed, becoming almost clumsy. He leaned forward, the angle sending his cock even deeper, triggering a guttural groan from me. He took advantage of my distraction, the new angle giving him access to my breasts, and he immediately sucked my nipple into his mouth. His other hand came around to pluck at my other breast, the twist of pleasure and pain making my hips buck wildly.

As my second, even stronger orgasm burst over me, I leaned forward, unable to resist the urge to sink my fangs into his shoulder. The instant I broke his skin, he gave a roar of release that was loud enough to rattle the room. Blood coated my mouth, and my wolf howled in victory.

Mate!

Chapter Twenty

MAGGIE

Mate?

While we dressed, I braced myself for a full-blown panic attack. Usually, just the thought of the word would send me running. Being mated against my will was my biggest fear, one that had chased me through most of my life, and I’d come to believe that having a mate would be more of a curse than a blessing.

I braced myself against the urge to flee, but it never came. The lack of reaction was anticlimactic. It left me floundering, and I frowned, unsure how I felt about the idea of being mated to Grady.

Could it be true?

Could it be that simple?

My stomach tumbled, and I couldn’t decide whether I should be terrified or thrilled at the prospect. To claim him would be the ultimate dream, but the thought of anyone having control over me felt like a collar being tightened around my neck. I was so distracted that when I turned, I smacked face-first into Grady’s chest.

I lurched back, rubbing my nose, disturbed that I didn’t even hear him sneak up behind me. The hairs on the back of my neck lifted, my hackles rising. “You’re blocking the exit.”

The feeling of being trapped was stifling, and it was a struggle to find enough air in the tight space to fill my lungs. Before I could totally freak out, he took me by surprise by cupping my face. His lips slanted over mine, giving me a thorough, gentle kiss that melted my brain.

When he lifted his head sometime later, I clung to him, not even sure what had triggered me. I leaned against him, trying to regain my bearings. “What was that for?”

“You looked like you needed a reminder.” He gently brushed a strand of hair off my face, tucking it behind my ear before he dropped his hand and stepped back.

“A reminder of what?” I asked, already missing his nearness.

“You’re worried that I might have a claim on you now,” he said, giving me a sad smile.

I stiffened at how well he knew me, like he’d been watching me far longer than I’d been aware of it. I should’ve been freaked out, he was a wolf after all, but I realized his presence was reassuring. He wasn’t like the others, and I felt foolish for overreacting.

I realized with a pang that my lack of trust had hurt him. Before I had a chance to apologize and beg forgiveness, he quickly continued.

“I had a mate once,” he said, his voice gruff.

I was torn between curiosity and pure, unadulterated jealousy. The kind where you’re in such a rage that you commit murder without having a clear memory of what happened.

---