Page 108 of Lock

I didn’t finish the thought.

I shut my door behind us and locked it.

Kellan stood just inside, his hands tucked into his sleeves, his eyes tracking me like he wasn’t sure what version of me he was about to get.

I didn’t touch him right away.

I paced once. Then again. And pushed a hand through my hair.

“I don’t know what happens tomorrow,” I said finally.

He nodded. “I figured.”

“I’m not going to promise you anything I can’t control.”

“Okay.”

“I won’t lie to you.”

“Good.”

I stopped in front of him.

“I need you,” I said.

It wasn’t romantic. It wasn’t pretty. It was raw and ugly and honest.

His breath hitched.

“Lock—”

“I just need this,” I said. “Tonight.”

He didn’t argue.

He stepped into me instead.

That almost broke me.

I cupped his face, thumbs brushing warm skin, grounding myself in the fact that he was here. Breathing. Real.

“Tell me if you want me to stop,” I said.

“I won’t,” he replied.

That was all the permission I needed.

Kellan's body pressed against mine, soft and warm, his omega scent flooding my senses… so sweet and needy, and it got under my skin fast. My hands found his waist on instinct, gripping hard enough to bruise, pulling him flush so I could feel every inch of him trembling against me. His heart hammered under my chest, syncing with mine, and fuck, it was too much. Too real. I needed this moment. Before tomorrow swallowed us whole.

“Kellan,” I growled, my voice cracking like gravel. I buried my face in his neck, inhaling deep, my teeth grazing his skin but stopping short…no mark, no claim. Not yet. Not like this. But gods, the urge clawed at me, alpha instincts screaming to sink in and bind him forever.

He tilted his head, exposing more throat, a soft whine escaping his lips. “Lock... Silas. Please.”

That did it. The dam shattered. I spun us, slamming his back against the door, my mouth crashing down on his in a bruising kiss. Our tongues tangled, desperate, tasting salt and fear and want. My hands roamed, yanking at his hoodie and t-shirt until skin, finally, his bare skin under my palms, smooth and heated. Ibroke the kiss to drag my lips down his jaw, sucking hard on his collarbone, marking without teeth.

“You okay?” I rasped, even as my fingers dug into his hips, grinding my erection against his thigh. He was hard too, his cock straining through his pants, and the slick scent hit me, omega arousal, wet and fucking inviting, making my cock throb with need.

“Yes,” he gasped, hands fisting my hair, pulling me closer. “Don't stop. I need you too.”