Page 18 of Allie

"More than anything," I breathe out, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions coursing through me. I’d never been more sure about something.

There were too many clothes between us. I tugged at his shirt. He gripped my hands and tossed me onto my back. I bounced on the mattress and laughed.

It took him seconds to strip. I fought a groan as I marveled over his lean, muscular, sun-kissed body. A dusting of light hair covered his chest. My hands itched to touch him, to run my hands over every inch of him.

He climbed on the bed in a slow prowl, not removing his heated gaze from mine. When he hovered over me, he undid my jeans and tugged them over my hips, taking my panties with them. The slow act of him undressing me heightened my desire for more. I was growing impatient.

After discarding my pants and underwear, he crawled back onto the bed. A low growl escaped him, sending shivers and pinpricks of desire over my flesh. I groaned and rubbed my thighs together. The ache between my legs was too much. I needed release.

I tugged off my shirt and threw it on the floor. My bra followed shortly after. Sitting up, I reached for him, but he grabbed my wrist and pushed me down again. He pinned my arms to either side of my head and lowered himself between my legs.

“Roan. Please.”

He chuckled and then nuzzled my neck. “As much as I’d love to tease you and take my time, it’ll have to wait for another time. Right now, I need to be inside you.”

Yes. Gods, yes.

With a quick thrust, he entered me. I gasped at the invasion and fisted my hands. Pleasure assailed me, washing over me in wave after wave. Each thrust pushed me further over the edge. I wrapped my legs around him, drawing him in deeper.

Roan let go of my hands and wrapped his arms around me, holding me tightly. Then he bit me. The sharp pain from his fangs puncturing my skin made me cry out, then moan as pleasure took over. He was claiming me. Marking me.

I was his, as he was mine.

My nails scored his shoulder as I screamed out my release and my world exploded.

9

ALLIE

The morning sun poured through my window, casting a warm glow on the hardwood floor where Aspirin was rolling around playfully. I sat cross-legged, tossing a tiny, plush mouse her way, and watching with amusement as she pounced with all the grace of a drunken squirrel. It should've been just another lazy start to the day, except for the tingling sensation that sparked at my fingertips every time they brushed against Aspirin's collar.

"What the?” I jerked my hand back after feeling an unexpected jolt of magic. My hand hovered over the innocuous-looking fabric, and there it was again—a strange warmth, like the hum of a secret whispering that it wanted to be heard. The kitten blinked up at me with her big, innocent eyes, oblivious to the enchantment clasped around her neck.

"Since when did you become a magic charm, huh?" I asked her, trying to tease out the purpose behind the spell. It wasn’t a potent spell, nor was it dark magic. In fact, if I hadn’t been so in tuned to my surroundings–thanks to Doyle’s murder and my neighbors pointing their fingers at me–I wouldn’t have picked up on the magic.

Before I could dive deeper into the mysterious collar, a knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I glanced at the clock—Roan was right on time for our workout session. Pushing myself to my feet, I opened the door to find not one, but two pairs of striking eyes watching me.

"Hope you don't mind the company," Roan said, his deep voice vibrating with an undercurrent of something I couldn't quite name. Draven stood beside him, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Draven, this is a surprise." And it really was, considering that Roan's workouts were more military boot camp than a leisurely gym session. "Didn't peg you for the sweat-it-out type."

"Ah, but I never miss a chance to see you in action, Love," Draven said, stepping into the apartment with an ease that suggested he felt right at home. His gaze flicked briefly to Aspirin as she climbed up her cat tree.

"Is that so?" I raised an eyebrow. "Well, don't expect me to go easy on you."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Draven responded, his smile wicked enough to make my panties wet.

"Are we going to stand here chatting, or are we going to get moving?" Roan interjected, his impatience clear. Yet, his eyes held a softness when they met mine.

"Right," I said, shaking off the lingering curiosity about the magical collar. "Let's hit the gym. But fair warning, you two might regret this decision."

We pushed through the gym doors, and I noticed Grant right away. He was running on the treadmill, so I made my way toward him. Roan and Draven followed behind me.

"Hi, Grant." I smiled at him as I stepped on the treadmill beside his.

He offered me a grunt, which I learned was his normal greeting. But when his gaze met mine, there was a hint of heat there. Then he flicked his gaze to my two mates who were getting set up at the weight machine.

A few minutes into my run, Grant turned his machine off and whispered, “See you later.” Then he left the gym. I frowned and caught Roan watching me.