Page 14

Maya

I wake to the warmth of Adrian's body wrapped around mine, his presence achingly familiar. His strong arms hold me close, one hand splayed protectively across my stomach, his steady heartbeat a grounding rhythm against my back. The weight of him feels like an anchor, keeping the lingering memories of silver burns and wolfsbane at bay.

Blinking against the soft morning light filtering through floor-to-ceiling windows, I take in the space around me. Adrian's bedroom is exactly what I expected—dark, sleek, and meticulously organized. Everything speaks of careful control, from the precise angle of the minimalist furniture to the subtle, masculine scent that permeates the air.

The bed is massive, the sheets whispering against my skin with an impossible softness that speaks of luxury I've never known. It should feel intimidating, this precise slice of Adrian's world, but his warmth beside me transforms the space into something else entirely.

A deep inhale from behind me, then a ripple of muscle as Adrian stirs. His grip tightens instinctively before his eyes open, fingers pressing into my skin as if ensuring I'm still there. The possessive gesture sends a shiver down my spine.

I turn my head slightly, meeting his storm-gray gaze. He's still heavy with sleep, but his wolf lurks beneath the surface, assessing me, searching for any lingering weakness. The intensity of his stare makes my breath catch.

"How are you feeling?" His voice is rough, edged with a concern that makes something warm unfurl in my chest.

I stretch slightly, testing my limbs. The wolfsbane has mostly worked its way out of my system, though my muscles still ache with a bone-deep weariness. My wrists throb where the silver had burned into them, but the pain is duller now, manageable. "Better. A little sore, but nothing I can't handle."

Adrian studies me for a long moment, his jaw tightening as his fingers brush over my wrist. The touch is feather-light, barely there, but it sends electricity racing through my veins. His thumb traces the raw skin where the silver had bitten into me, and the tenderness in the gesture contrasts sharply with the darkness that crosses his face.

"You shouldn't have had to handle it at all."

The protectiveness in his voice—bordering on a growl—sends another shiver through me. "But I did. And now I'm here."

His eyes darken, something unreadable flickering across his face. The morning stubble along his jaw makes him look rougher, more primal. "And you're not leaving."

The possessiveness in his tone does something to me, something dangerous and thrilling all at once. My breath catches, my pulse quickening as I stare up at him. My wolf stirs inside me, responding to the raw authority in his voice even as my human side bristles at the command.

For a moment, neither of us moves. The air grows thick with tension.

Then I shift in bed, suddenly, acutely aware of just how close we are—his bare chest pressed against my back, our legs tangled beneath the sheets, my thin t-shirt doing little to shield me from his heat. The fire between us is immediate, a slow-burning flame ready to ignite at the slightest spark.

I push myself up, stretching with a soft groan that I immediately regret when Adrian's eyes track the movement. "I need to get clean."

Adrian watches me for a second longer, his gaze heavy with something that makes my skin tingle. Then he moves, rising from the bed in one fluid motion that reminds me just how powerful he is. "I'll run you a bath."

I blink at him, surprised by the offer—and by how much I want to accept it. This isn't the cold, calculating CEO I'm used to. This is something else, something raw and protective that makes my wolf pace restlessly beneath my skin.

By the time I step into the bathroom, the sound of running water fills the space. Adrian stands by the massive, high-end bathtub, twisting the taps with precise movements. Steam curls into the air, carrying the scent of eucalyptus and something rich and earthy—him—that lingers, mixing with the warmth of the room. The marble counter gleams, everything pristine and perfect, just like him.

I raise a brow, aiming for lightness I don't quite feel. "Fancy."

Adrian gives me a look that makes my stomach flip. "You were drugged, burned, and kidnapped. You deserve a bath."

I smirk, tilting my head, unable to resist pushing him just a little further. "And are you planning on helping?"

He doesn't flinch, doesn't waver. Instead, he takes a slow step forward, his gaze locking onto mine, unreadable and scorching all at once. "If you need me to."

The air is charged, heavy with the scent of steam and desire. The oversized shirt I'd borrowed from Adrian's closet feels like a barrier now, a flimsy one at that. The fabric slips off my shoulders, pooling at my feet, and I stand before him, bare and unashamed.

Adrian's gaze rakes over me, hunger flashing in his stormy eyes. His control is slipping, the carefully constructed walls around him crumbling with each passing second. He takes me in, his breath hitching ever so slightly, and the sound sends a thrill through me.

I step into the warm water, the heat enveloping me like a welcome embrace. I sink into the bath, the water lapping at my skin, and I can't help but watch him from beneath my lashes. My voice is a soft challenge, laced with a teasing note. "You’re just going to stand there?"

His jaw tightens, the muscle there ticking with restraint. But there's a shift in him, a subtle loosening of the iron grip he maintains on his emotions. Then, he moves.

Adrian discards his clothes with an economy of motion that speaks of leashed power. He steps into the bath, settling behind me, and the space between us disappears. His legs cage mine, his chest a solid wall against my back. The water rises, spilling over the edge of the tub in a gentle rhythm that matches the pounding of my heart.

He reaches for a washcloth, wetting it before running it over my shoulders, my arms, my back. His touch is slow, reverent, claiming. Each stroke of the cloth is a brand, marking me as his. My skin pebbles under his attentions, goosebumps rising in the wake of his touch.

My wolf stirs within me, her instincts sharp and clear. She wants our mate, wants to be claimed and cherished by him. She urges me to turn, to face him, to claim what we both know is ours.

I turn in the water, facing Adrian fully. His gray eyes search mine, the depth of emotion there taking my breath away. "But you didn’t," I whisper, answering his earlier confession.

His hands slide to my waist beneath the water, gripping me possessively. "I’m done holding back, Maya. No more fighting this. No more pretending I can stay away."

His words wrap around me, a vow more binding than any promise. I see it in his eyes—the decision, the certainty, the raw, unshakable devotion. This is more than physical need; it's a connection that runs soul-deep, a bond forged by shared pain and mutual respect.

I lift a hand, tracing the hard line of his jaw. "I want this, Adrian. I want you."

The words hang between us, a declaration of my own. I'm choosing this, choosing him, with every fiber of my being. This isn't losing myself; it's finding something I didn't know I needed—a partner, a protector, a mate who sees all of me and wants me anyway.

Adrian's gaze darkens, his grip on my waist tightening. "Mine," he growls, the word a claim and a promise.

And then he's kissing me, his lips moving against mine with a desperation that speaks of all the moments we've wasted, all the words left unspoken. His hands tangle in my hair, holding me close as our tongues meet.

I melt into Adrian's kiss, my body pressing against his as the water sloshes around us. His hands are firm, possessive, as they slide down to cup my ass, pulling me closer. I can feel him hard against my stomach, and a thrill shoots through me at the size of him, at the promise of what's to come.

His lips trail down my neck, his teeth grazing my skin in a way that sends shivers down my spine. "You're mine, Maya. My mate," he growls against my collarbone, his voice a deep rumble that vibrates through me. "Every inch of you."

I gasp as his hands move up to cup my breasts, his thumbs brushing over my nipples in a way that makes me arch into his touch. "Then take me," I challenge, my voice breathy with desire. "Claim me, Adrian."

His eyes flash with hunger at my words, and he captures my mouth in another searing kiss. His hands explore my body, sliding over my slick skin, teasing and tantalizing until I'm writhing against him, desperate for more.

I reach down between us, wrapping my hand around his length. He's thick and hard, pulsing with need, and the feel of him in my hand sends a surge of heat through me. I stroke him slowly, my thumb circling the sensitive tip, and he groans into my mouth, his hips jerking forward.

"Maya," he growls, his voice a warning and a plea all at once. "I need to be inside you. Now."

I guide him to my entrance, my legs wrapping around his waist as he presses against me. He's big, so big that I feel a moment of panic, but he senses it, his hand coming up to cup my face, his thumb brushing gently over my cheekbone.

"I've got you, Maya," he murmurs, his voice soft but firm. "I'll always have you."

And then he's pushing into me, inch by slow inch, giving me time to adjust to his size. I gasp at the sensation, the stretch and burn of him filling me completely. He pauses, his forehead resting against mine, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

"You feel so good," he groans, his voice strained with the effort of holding back. "So perfect."

I rock my hips against him, urging him to move. "Don't hold back, Adrian," I whisper, my voice a plea. "I want all of you."

He growls, a sound that's more wolf than man, and then he's moving, thrusting into me with a force that steals my breath. Water splashes around us, sloshing over the edge of the tub as our bodies come together, again and again.

His teeth find my shoulder, biting down in a way that sends a shockwave of pleasure through me, but doesn’t break the skin. I cry out, my nails digging into his back, urging him on. He growls, his thrusts growing harder, more urgent.

I can feel my orgasm building, a coil of heat and pressure deep in my core. Adrian's hand slides between us, his fingers finding my clit, circling and teasing until I'm panting, desperate for release.

"Come for me, Maya," he growls, his voice a command. "Let me feel you come all over my cock."

His words push me over the edge, and I cry out, my body convulsing around him as waves of pleasure crash through me.

He groans, his thrusts growing erratic, and then he's coming too, his teeth sinking into my shoulder as he claims me, marks me, makes me his. As the waves of pleasure wash over us, I instinctively lean in and bite his shoulder, claiming him as mine in return.

We ride out our orgasms together, our bodies locked together. He holds me close, his breath coming in ragged gasps against my skin.

"Mine," he growls, his voice a possessive rumble. "You're mine, Maya. Forever."

I smile, my body still trembling with aftershocks. "Forever," I agree, my voice soft but sure.