“Will you be moving against Wolf Creek?” I balled my hands into fists, all the hatred I’d been harboring when I was tossed in the cave came flooding into me. It was familiar and comforting. Where had that all gone? Had it all been my wolf keeping it away? Or was I fighting it? Taking the easy way out again.
I had a score to settle and I was tired of running from my past. My wolf felt like she was running circles inside me. We were finally on the same page.
Greta was right, I had to let myself go there. I had blocked out the anger and rage. I’d told myself it was better to never return but that wasn’t what was going to drive me forward.
Alec smirked. “When I have that recipe, I intend to make all of them pay.”
It was exactly what I wanted to hear. Something snapped inside me and I leaned into it, letting instinct take over.
I wanted to make Wolf Creek pay for what they did to me. I also wanted Alec. And I was done playing it safe. Done staying hidden and following the path of least resistance. I wanted to feel alive and enjoy life.
Before I could let myself overthink things, I moved toward Alec and threw my arms over his shoulders, moving one of my hands to the back of his head. I rose to my toes. He lowered his face to mine and our lips met like an explosion.
Our kiss was all passion and hunger. All this time, I’d needed this release. I’d felt the attraction linking us since we met. It had been there the whole time, simmering between us. His lips moved in perfect time with mine, the pressure intense. I needed this. I needed him. My body knew how to respond, urging me forward. Our tongues met and I matched him stroke for stroke.
When he pulled away for a moment, disappointment flared, only to be quelled by his teeth on my lower lip. I moaned as he sucked and nibbled, sending shivers all the way to my core.
Suddenly, he stopped and set his hands on my face, his gorgeous eyes locked on mine. “If we keep going, I’m not going to want to stop.”
“I don’t want you to stop,” I said.
“Are you sure?” His eyes were heavy with lust, his breathing rapid. I could almost feel how desperately he wanted this. It matched my own desires.
“I want you,” I said. “All of you.”
His mouth claimed mine again and I pressed into him, our bodies glued together, closer than I’d ever been to another person. I couldn’t get enough of him. I needed more.
Large hands slipped under my tee, sliding around to my bare back, up to my neck. He tangled his fingers into my hair, urging me even closer to him, deepening the kiss.
My whole body felt like it was on fire. My skin tingled and everywhere his fingers touched I felt a heightened sensation. I’d never felt pleasure like this. Not even from my own fingers on my clit.
The thought drove me wild. I’d explored my own body but never had a partner to help. I didn’t want this to end as a make-out session. I was ready to feel a man inside me. I wanted all of him.
Not taking my lips from Alec’s, I found the button of his jeans and worked them open. He growled and pulled away from the kiss.
Surprised, I jumped back, panting as desire still coursed through me. “What’s wrong?”
“I can’t be the only one naked,” he said. “If my clothes are coming off, so are yours.”
I bit down on my lower lip, my eyes dropping to watch as he stepped out of his jeans. I’d seen him naked before, but that was when he was about to shift. It was different when he was getting naked just for me.
He was fully erect and I swallowed hard when I took in the sight of his length. For a moment, I wondered if I’d made a mistake in my choice for my first time. It might have been easier to go with someone smaller. Or at least average sized. Alec was neither of those things.
“My eyes are up here,” he teased.
I looked back up and realized he’d already removed his shirt. A fully naked, gorgeous wolf shifter was standing in front of me and I wanted to soak him all in. “You know exactly how hot you are, don’t you?”
“I’ve been told before,” he said.
“I’m sure you have.”
“But I’ve never been told by someone as beautiful as you,” he said. “How long are you going to keep me waiting? It seems wrong that I’m the only one who’s naked.”
“Give me a second. I’m enjoying the view,” I said.
He charged me and scooped me up, throwing me over his shoulder. When he moved forward, he kicked over the lantern on the floor and the room went dark. Neither of us seemed to care. It was just light enough for me to make out his shape, but I couldn’t see details. Not that the details were needed for what we had planned next. I squealed and laughed as he dropped me onto my cot. It bounced and groaned at the impact.
“Is this thing going to hold us?” I asked.