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He hovered, panting, as I clung to him.

“Dom,” I whispered and he tore himself away. I stared at him stupefied, “Why?”

“We need to be more careful,” he muttered, not looking at me as he fought for control.

“Careful?” My brain felt like mush, incapable of processing thoughts, as my body demanded more, more of Dom’s mouth against my skin.

“The mark…it gets stronger every time,” he rasped, his fingers curled into fists. “Every touch, kiss, it strengths the connection.”

“That’s good?” I offered, not seeing the problem.

“It’s risky,” he confided, his eyes dark as he stood there, tension radiating from him. “Every time the need gets stronger, and my control slips a little more.” He braced his arms on the wall, caging me in with his body. “I want you. You know that. But you can’t understand how strong the call is to make you mine. Completely mine,” he gritted out, almost growling the last part, and liquid heat flowed through me. He panted and I understood just how close he was to losing all control when he leaned down and inhaled. “I can smell you. Almost taste you on my tongue. It’s intoxicating. It calls to me.” His fingers dug into the bricks above my head and I heard pieces hit the ground as it crumpled under the force.

“What can I do?” I whispered, finally comprehending how precarious my position was as he fought for control. My chest ached at seeing him this way, knowing my presence caused it, but also not ready to take the next step.

“Be still,” he ground out, jaw hard as he stared at me unblinking. “I don’t want to do anything I’ll regret.” I nodded slowly, keeping my eyes on his nose and not staring directly at him. He’d take it as a challenge right now and that wasn’t what I wanted.

“Dom! Glad I found you. We need some help setting up the tables and I have to say the ladies aren’t cutting it.” Trent’s booming voice washed over us and some of the tension drained from Dom’s body. I chanced a quick glance at Trent, seeing he’d stopped a good distance away, the damn sucker poking out one corner of his mouth as he purposely stared off to one side. “Think you can give me a hand?”

“Yes,” Dom gritted out. “Back up a little more.”

Trent took two large strides backwards, arms loose at his sides, his nose flared slightly and he shot me a startled glance, and took another step back. “Tell me what you want me to do, Dom.”

“Stay there,” he called, uncurling his fingers and releasing more dust as he straightened. He took a few shallow breaths through his mouth and managed to give me a rueful grin. “You’re in heat,” he explained and I nodded.

“Good to know,” I squeaked, wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans.

“I think I’ll be okay now,” he added and I dared to look up at him. “Just don’t talk to any shifters tonight,” he ground, easing back a step. “I’m not sure I have that much control.”

“Does it get easier….being around me?” I asked, wondering how it worked, with me being in heat. He shook his head sharply, clearing his throat before he spoke.

“No, the opposite.” He brushed his thumb along my cheek, sending tingles through me. “The need only gets stronger the more we’re together, but it should be over soon.”

“Good,” I said faintly. I’d learned everything I could about ovulation after he’d told me just how strongly his wolf reacted to the signs of my fertility and I knew it lasted roughly twenty-four hours. This was new though. I’d never felt him react so strongly or myself. “It’s the mating bond, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” he answered, his lips twitching as he attempted a smile. “I may have to go camping next month.” He forced himself back another step and I felt myself sway toward him, and he froze in place.

“Those tables aren’t going to set themselves up,” Trent called out, rocking on his heels as he stared off into the woods. Dom and I both blinked at the reminder he was still there and I clenched my hands together as Dom eased a little further away.

“This is harder than I thought,” I murmured, watching Dom fight for control with each backwards step. “I want to –”

“Don’t finish that thought,” Dom gritted out, lifting one finger. “Please.”

I nodded, clamping my lips shut as he finally made it to Trent’s side.

“Thanks, man,” Dom said appreciatively, clapping Trent on the back. Trent nodded, still making it a point not to glance at me as he shifted the sucker in his mouth. “I’ll see you later,” Dom called to me and I raised my hand. They disappeared and my knees gave out. I collapsed on the ground, letting the cold earth cool me down as my heart slowed it’s frantic pulse.