Page 125 of New Nebraska Heat

I pushed in and out tenderly, relentlessly.

“Oh God, Bry,” she moaned.

A familiar but more intense pressure built at the base of my cock. Fuck. “Angel, I’m going to come.”

She nodded. “Me too, you feel so good, I’m gonna, I’m gonna—”

We moaned together, eyes locked, sharing a moment where the world around us faded into nothing. There was only her and me. Only us.

I gasped for a breath of air, trying to process everything. This new connection with her.

Then came the heat.

Surging from my heart, enveloping my whole body, its intensity made me open my eyes and look to check we weren’t literally on fire. Even as a fire elemental, the temperature was close to overwhelming me. A moment of panic gripped me. Maybe the infernos of my soul were dangerous for hum—

Serenity’s sigh rippled with happiness, her every muscle relaxed on the mattress. “So amazing. I love you so much.”

Her cheeks were scarlet, and her forehead dotted in beads of sweat, but she looked blissful as she squeezed my fingers and rubbed her calves up and down my back. “I thought I was going to catch fire for a moment there. I—I can’t explain. It was like we were one person, like I could feel your fire inside me, but it didn’t hurt. It was… invigorating, like I had a part of you in my heart. Does that sound crazy?”

“No, I know what you mean. I think I actually did flame up, deep down. That’s incredible. You’re sure you’re okay?” I asked, pulling out gently.

“Yeah, more than okay. I’ll need a cold shower soon, but I feel alive.” She patted the sheets beside her. “Come lie down, cuddle me.”

I cradled her from behind, drained but joyful. “Whatever stars, whatever gods brought us together, I’m grateful. I love you, Serenity.”

She stroked my arms, scooching backward so her body was pressed tight against mine. “I love you too.” She paused for a breath then whispered so low I barely heard her. “I just hope everything works out.”

Hunter

Amid the thrum of the club’s music and the cheers for the ladies on stage, my sensitive ears picked up cork pops, chimes of crystal, the scrap of stools pushing back from the packed bar.

There wasn’t a vacant table in the place.

Vance had taken his manager promotion and grabbed it by both balls. Good for him. I admired the initiative. He was giving his best each and every night.

Shame I couldn’t say the same for myself.

Sitting hunched in the bar area’s least chaotic corner, I sucked at cold suds, shook well-wishing hands, and feigned smiles. I couldn’t keep my mind from mulling over the troubled side-eyes Serenity had given me all morning. Despite the dramas and ongoing danger, I knew beyond doubt that being with my mate, even sharing her, was the best chance I had at finally fixing my wounded heart, having a family, and salvaging some happiness from this life.

And I was fucking it all up.

I didn’t want to be. Sometimes my instincts, my raging blood, led me around like a chained circus animal, even when I knew damn well to do the opposite. I’d felt such entrenched resentment toward my twin for so long, it’d become the new normal, overtaking and obscuring what had happened all those years ago. I wasn’t even sure if my contempt for him was deserved anymore. Memories and reason blurred over time, but the emotions connected to them stayed strong as ever.

The idea that he’d made love to her before me—even though I was the one that had so many other firsts with her—prodded old wounds, splitting them open again. I’d agreed that us all being together was for the best, and she was free to choose what to do and who with, whenever she wanted.

But my heart was playing catch up with logic.

That was the nature of the animal within. It wanted to take and claw. Mark its territory. But I hadn’t given up trying to better myself with civilized thought and logic. Whether my primitive side was free now or not. I had a great book in my office I was gonna read slowly and carefully, ten times over if I had to, that would clear my—

A growl echoed through my skull.Primitive? I think you mean superior.

I clenched my beer mug.I don’t need your bullshit right now. Go to sleep, and I’ll feed you a steak soon.

You think I’m a stupid animal. But you’re the mouse sulking over a beer while our mate goes unfilled.

You mean unfulfilled.

I mean what I mean. You’re not so evolved as you think. If anything, you went in reverse and became prey instead of predator.