Page 50 of Fate Promised

He whispered his lips across hers, memorizing the plump sweetness of her lower lip. How her top lip curved in its bow shape. Then he melded his lips to hers.

His chest warmed, expanding with liquid heat. Desire was there, but this was something much deeper. Much more expansive. It clawed forward, demanding attention. Demanding her.

He’d known the risk of knotting her. Of feeling her tied to him in the way he’d only want with his mate. Yet he hadn’t expected to be felled by a kiss.

He licked up her lower lip, and she opened for him. Finally, he tasted her. The fresh tinge of rainwater from the shower mixed with the sweet raspberry taste of her mouth.

“You taste so good,” he murmured.

She leaned back, and her eyes glowed. “You’re kissing me.” She ran her fingers over his lips. “I can’t believe you’re in your human form.” Triska ran her hands through his hair. Real hair. “You’re blond.”

He shook his head, scattering water everywhere, and she laughed. He studied his arm. Sure enough, the smattering of hair on his forearms was fair-colored. Running his hand over his face, he raised a brow. “How do I look as a man?”

Her eyes narrowed, and she rubbed her chin, studying him. “If I was walking down the street, I’d stop and look twice.”

He growled, and his mouth crashed down on hers. This time he deepened their kiss, claiming her mouth completely. He sucked at her lower lip and feasted until they parted, panting for air. “Only twice?”

“If you passed me on the street, I’d fall over staring at you so hard. Not only are you the most handsome man I’ve ever seen, you’re still massive. You’d tower over everyone else.” Her gaze drifted to his waist. “And I’m happy to report that some other things haven’t changed size.”

Since he’d started kissing her, he’d grown hard. “Of course not.”

“To make sure, I think I need to feel it, though.” Her fingers wrapped around him, and his hips jerked involuntarily. She pumped a few times, the water making him slick. He groaned and slapped his palm on the wall, propping himself up. Her touch was just as potent when he was in this form. Just as addictive.

She hummed. “This isn’t good enough. I need a much … closer … examination.”

Picking her up, he pressed her against the wall, and her legs wrapped around his waist. He loved the way he could use his mouth as a man. His tongue wasn’t as useful, but he could suck harder and not worry about his teeth cutting her. And his lips …

He kissed up her neck, listening to her gasps as he rocked against her. Every one of her exhales told a story. When he rolled his tongue, her breath came short and fast. When he brushed his lips in short, teasing notes, her breath was longer, a bit more frustrated. And when he found the spot under her jaw, halfway between her chin and ear, and sucked, she held her breath and twisted under him, her fingers digging into his back.

As his cock angled into place, she was already wet, eager, and waiting. In one push, he was inside. Her head fell back, exposing her throat.

Damn. The heat of her. He’d taken her many times last night, and it still felt like the first time. Every stroke was bliss.

Juri growled, and his mouth landed where her neck sloped into her shoulder, his teeth grazing. She jolted, and he did it again.

She keened, a note that sounded more like begging. All he had to do was bite down, and their bond would snap into place. Or would it? Didn’t they both have to choose the bond?

Sucking in a breath that felt like it tore at his throat, he claimed her lips once more. This time his hips snapped hard. Insistent. Triska cried out, her hips circling to meet his thrust.

Deeper. More. She’d know he was made for her.

He angled so that with each stroke his body rubbed against the needy spot above the seam of her. She moaned and sucked hungrily at his mouth.

Her lips swollen from his kisses, she pulled back, locking her gaze on his. Stunning. Perfect. And she wanted him.

She crashed into her release, her body jerking and her sex milking him hard. He wanted to prolong this, but he also wanted to feel her pleasure fully. Gripping her hips to keep her in place, he thrust harder. His knot was already swollen, begging for entry, and with one hard pump, he slipped it inside.

Triska gasped. “Juri.”

Even the way she said his name inflamed him. He thrust one last time to lock into position, and her body cupped him into place.

He took her mouth again as he lost himself. She pulsed. Squeezed. His own release took over, and he growled, a low, claiming note.

Again and again, he filled her. Fire banking, then flaming into a blaze again. She writhed, saying his name over and over like it was something special.

His kisses slowed. Both tender and possessive, soft, yet demanding. No one else would ever take her like this. Kiss her like this.

Their heart rates slowed and he stepped away from the wall to slide to the floor, keeping her in his lap. He traced his thumb over her face as the water rained down her back. He’d remember the small freckle by the side of her mouth. The exact shade of blue of her eyes.