Page 10

VAN

T he walk up to Celeste's private suite was a blur of anticipation and raw desire. Each step echoed with the thrum of my heartbeat and the hungry growl of my jaguar resonating within me. Her scent—jasmine and moonlight—enveloped me, making it hard to think of anything but wanting her.

I needed to be close to her, to touch her, to protect her.

She unlocked the door to her suite with her card. As soon as we stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. The air was charged with electricity, the tension between us palpable. The door clicked shut behind us.

Celeste turned to face me, her eyes dark and full of longing. She reached up, her fingers gently tracing the line of my jaw, her touch cool and feather-light. I leaned into her hand, captivated.

"Celeste," I whispered, my voice hoarse with desire.

She stepped closer and looped her arms around my neck. “I want you.”

We came together hard, our bodies crashing against each other, as we claimed each other’s mouths. But it wasn’t enough.

I wrapped my arms tightly around her, and she gripped my shoulders. We clutched at each other, grasping and clawing.

My jaguar roared within, urging, demanding more. To mark her, claim her, make her ours.

I carried her over to the enormous bed, which was at least twice the size of my tiny one in my cramped room.

She kissed my neck, desperate and hungry, and the sensation of a vampire’s fascination with my neck thrilled me in a strange way.

I placed her gently on the bed and crawled over her.

Her blue eyes looked like dark sapphires now, intense and full of yearning that matched my own.

"Are you sure you want this?" I asked, my voice ragged. I needed to hear her say it, to know that she wanted this as much as I did.

"Yes," she said, sounding breathless. She pulled at my suit jacket, sliding it off my shoulders.

I quickly shrugged out of it, letting it fall to the floor, and kicked off my shoes. Then I was on her again, kissing her lips and touching her shoulders, sliding the straps down her arms. She arched up beneath me, encouraging me to continue, and we both eagerly pulled her dress off her.

Seeing her in just a black lace bra and matching panties, I sucked in a breath.

“You’re beautiful,” I murmured, stunned by her beauty. A goddess with raven-black hair. I gaped at her, yearning to explore every inch of her pale skin.

She reached for my shirt and fumbled with the buttons. “Take this off,” she pleaded in a raspy tone.

Damn, I’d wear one of these stiff uniforms every day if it meant exciting her like this as she undressed me.

With delicate fingers, she caressed my chest, tracing the lines of my muscles with her delicate fingers. I shuddered under her touch, my breath coming in ragged gasps. My entire body was hard, needy, aching.

I shoved my pants off and climbed back over her, desperate to touch her again. My lips found hers again, staking a claim.

As I caressed the curves of her body, the weight of her breasts, I kissed and nipped along her neck and down to her collarbone. The tips of my teeth elongated, burning to break through, bite her.

Mine.

I fought against that insistent urge, the heady sensation leaving me dizzy. Moving down her torso, I reached her bra and paused to remove it. She arched her back to help me continue.

I palmed her soft skin and teased her pert, pink nipple with my tongue.

She released soft sighs and tangled her fingers through my hair.

My heart pounded as I turned to the other one and continued down, eager to taste every inch of her.

She writhed beneath me as I moved down, and the heady scent of her arousal perfumed the air.

It was intoxicating, driving me wild with desire.

I slid her panties down her legs, and she kicked them off, spreading herself before me.

I moved between her legs, enticed by her, and tasted her with a long, slow lick.

Heaven.

I added my hands as I drove up her desire, and she arched up, moaning and clawing at the sheets. She was wild, uninhibited, driving me near feral with lust.

She was close. So close. And I yearned to bring her pleasure.

Applying more pressure, I pushed her over the edge, and she cried out with a shudder that shook her body.

As she recovered from her climax, I shed the last of my clothes. Her hooded eyes widened as they scanned me. Her eyes rose to meet mine once more, and her hunger matched my own.

“I need you, Van,” she pleaded, her voice thick with desire.

I didn't need any more encouragement. I climbed onto the bed, my body covering hers. She wrapped her legs around my waist, pulling me closer. I could feel her heat, her wetness, and it took every ounce of my self-control not to drive into her right then.

I kissed her deeply, my tongue tangling with hers. She ran her hands down my back, digging her nails into my skin. I groaned, the sensation sending shivers down my spine.

I teased the head at her entrance and then paused. “Do we need a?—”

“No,” she cut me off with a low chuckle. “That ship has sailed centuries ago.”

She pulled me closer and I edged in, moaning in blissful delight as her tightness enveloped me. I inched in gently to give her time to adjust. She was so hot and felt so good, the sensation almost overwhelmed me.

"Celeste," I whispered, my voice hoarse with desire. "You feel incredible."

She moaned softly and moved her hips against mine, urging me on.

I snaked in, slowly at first, then faster, harder, more demanding.

She gripped my shoulders with a fierce hold.

Small gasps and sighs escaped her, tangling in with my ragged moans.

A connection between us grew—powerful, magical, undeniable.

Her eyes locked on mine, and in that moment, I knew.

“Mine,” I growled.

She was my mate. The one my jaguar had recognized from the start. A surge of possessiveness coursed through me.

The urge to bite and claim her returned, fiercer this time—a sensation I’d never struggled against until now.

No, she didn’t want that. I couldn’t do that to her.

Our bodies rocked together, harder, faster, each thrust bringing us closer to the edge. Her moans grew louder, more desperate, and her muscles tensed beneath me. I was close, so close, but I needed to bring her to her peak one more time.

I rocked into her harder and she arched her back.

Her body convulsed as she cried out my name and pulsed around me.

Her spiraling pleasure sent me crashing with her.

My muscles coiling taut, I plunged into her with fierce thrusts and exploded.

I roared out as my body shuddered with this intense release.

Rapturous waves crashed through me, leaving me breathless and weak.

I collapsed on top of her, bracing my weight, unable to find words after that epic encounter. Was this what it was like to find your mate?

Yes , my jaguar purred, content.

I was stunned as my heart pounded against her sweet body. We were both covered in slick heat. I held her tightly as my breath slowed and never wanted to let her go.

She ran lazy circles over my lower back. “Van,” she whispered, barely audible.

“Yes,” I replied, my voice hoarse.

“That was…incredible,” she murmured.

I rose up to glance into her eyes. “You’re amazing,” I praised her and then pressed a soft kiss to her mouth.

We recovered in silence, our bodies entwined, and I knew.

Tonight had changed everything for me. I’d found my mate.

Nothing else mattered—not our age gap, not our lifestyles, not even the fact that she was a vampire who lived in the south of France and I was a shifter floating around the world on a cruise ship.

All that mattered was that I’d found her and I’d do anything to protect her and make her mine.

Only one epic problem…

Would she see it the same way?