Page 23 of My Elusive Mate

Ria’s senses worked in overdrive, and she experienced a lightness in her chest. She was excited about a future with Marcus. She gave in to the urge that told her to touch him. “It would honor me to have your child. Our child. We do not have to use a condom.”

“Are you sure you don’t want more time to get used to your new life?”

“No. I want you to bite me here.” She tapped her mating site. “We should claim each other.”

His smile was slow and lit his entire face, mesmerizing her with his stark male beauty. “I didn’t think I had a mate until I found you.”

Marcus lifted the hem of her blue T-shirt and whisked it over her head. He stripped off the rest of her clothes and left them puddled on the floor. He scooped her off her feet and placed her in the middle of the mattress before following her down. Their bodies slid together, and Ria savored the weight of him and his firm muscles. He kissed her mouth and her nose, her neck with tiny kisses that were tantalizingly brief. A low moan built in her throat and spilled free when he gave her the scrape of teeth across her mating site. She shuddered helplessly, clinging to his shoulders and moving her hips against him in silent demand. His touch sent a primitive throb through her veins, as did the swollen hardness of his arousal. She put a tentative hand on his thigh, but he stopped kissing her and lifted his head.

“Hands on my shoulders,” he ordered. “This is not the time to poke the bear.”

“But you’re a wolf.”

“Let me rephrase. Don’t push me. I’m hanging onto my control by a hairsbreadth. I want you to remember the day I marked you and bound us together with excitement and fond smiles. Now, keep your hands there.”

“Yes, Marcus.”

He stilled and made a dark sound that thrilled her. Not a shred of fear sparked to life. That was trust, and the flare of desire she saw shining in his eyes gave her confidence too.

Marcus kissed her more, tangling their tongues together and driving her crazy. His piney, masculine scent filled each of her breaths, and she loved the saltiness of his skin. Frissons of excitement gripped her as she writhed beneath his greater weight. Her tail thumped a rhythm against his thigh when he ran his fingers through her hair and stroked her ears. He raked his tongue across the swell of her stomach and moved lower to taste her. The slide of his lips against her flesh shot an arrow of heat through her, a surge of urgency. She tried to lift into his next stroke, but he cupped one hip and held her in position.

“Marcus.” His name was a soft protest.

In answer, he moved back up her body and settled between her thighs. He fit his cock to her entrance and slowly pushed inside her. This time, there was no pain, no discomfort, and Marcus slid deep with ease. Once he was situated, he paused, and she relished the sense of fullness and the way his heart thudded against hers. His deep, faintly unsteady breaths told of his uncertain control, but she let him lead. Next time, she’d ask for her turn.

Finally, he started moving, withdrawing, and filling her body repeatedly until the sensations built one on top of the other, the pleasure growing with each stroke. The tightening and the wetness between her thighs increased until she thought she could no longer bear it, then suddenly, the decadent rush of feelings and emotions burst, shattering her into a maelstrom of pleasure.

It seemed to be the signal Marcus was waiting for because the pace of his thrusts increased. He lowered his head and kissed her tenderly before sliding his lips down her throat. The fingers of one hand lifted, and he placed her digits on the mark she’d bestowed on him. Instinctively, she knew to caress it, and his muscular body tensed beneath hers. His teeth scraped across the pad of flesh at the base of her neck, and without warning, he bit down. Pain dug its claws deep, but before she had time to protest, the agony subsided, leaving only pleasure. Another series of spasms had her tightening around his cock, but there was something more. An intuitive understanding of Marcus, and how much he needed her, how much he cared for her and wanted a future for them.

It was a meeting of their minds.

The passion between them quieted, and Marcus separated their bodies. He tugged her back against him and pulled the covers over them.

“Mine,” he said with quiet satisfaction.

“Yes,” she agreed and closed her eyes, secure in his arms and his love. He was her mate, and she couldn’t wait to enjoy the future at his side. Together.

Thank you for reading MY ELUSIVE MATE, which is part of my Middlemarch Gathering series. Marcus, the hero of this romance, also appears in MY HIGHLAND MATE, the first book in the series. (https://shelleymunro.com/books/my-highland-mate)

Along with feline and wolf shifters, I also write dragon romances with a distinct New Zealand flavor. They’re based on the legendary taniwha, the subject of many myths and legends I read while growing up. Please turn the page for a first chapter sneak peek of BLUE MOON DRAGON, book one in the Dragon Investigators series.

Excerpt—Blue Moon Dragon

“Goodmorning,GeorgeTaniwhaInvestigators and Security.” Emma forced a bright smile and hoped her despondency didn’t crawl down the telephone line. Twenty-five years old today.

Twenty-five!

And she still hadn’t plucked up the courage to approach Jack Sullivan and ask him out on a date—despite this being the age of equal opportunity. The male in question sauntered past her desk and strode into George Taniwha’s office without giving her a second glance.

A man to die for…

Emma sighed and stared at the bronze nameplate on the door in frustration. So, she wasn’t the most beautiful woman in New Zealand. She was built with the word generous in mind. A large ass and a chest made to house her big heart. Or at least that was what her high school boyfriend had informed her. He’d also told her she had a nice smile and that he enjoyed being with her because she never stressed about her size. Yep, she was a normal, healthy woman—kind to animals and small children. Most people liked her, yet the wretched man ignored her existence.

“Are you there, young lady?”

The querulous voice jerked Emma from her grievances re the lack of sex life back to her phone call. “I’m sorry. I had to sign for a courier parcel,” she fibbed. “How can I help you?”

“My name is Elisa Denning. I need the services of a private investigator. Someone is stealing my prize rose blooms. Right before the flower show too. It’s disgraceful. That’s what it is.”

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