Page 16

TWELVE

ZEV

Z ev's hands tightened on Chrissy's hips as she straddled him, her weight pressing deliciously against his growing arousal.

The afternoon sun beat down on them in his hidden cove, but the heat between them was far more intense.

Her green eyes were dark with desire, her lips swollen from their kisses, and her hair tumbled around her shoulders in wild, dark waves.

She was a vision, and she was his. His wolf surged forward, demanding he claim her, but Zev forced himself to stay in control.

This was about her, about giving her what she wanted and what she needed.

"Zev," she breathed, her voice trembling with need as her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer. "I want you to take my clothes off. Slowly. And then lay me on the sand and show me just how much I mean to you."

His wolf howled in approval, but Zev forced himself to stay calm and to take his time. He wanted to savor every moment, every touch, and every sound she made. He wanted to worship her, and to truly show her just how much she meant to him like she asked for.

"As you wish," he said, his voice rough with barely contained need.

He started with her tank top, his hands sliding up her sides to grip the hem.

He pulled it up slowly, revealing inch after inch of smooth, sun-kissed skin.

She raised her arms, letting him lift the shirt over her head and toss it aside.

Her white lace bra was next, and Zev took his time with it, his fingers brushing against her skin as he unhooked it and let it fall away.

Her breasts were perfect, full and round, her nipples hard and begging for his attention.

Zev couldn't resist. He cupped them in his hands, his thumbs brushing over her hardened nipples, eliciting a soft gasp from her.

He leaned forward, capturing one in his mouth, his tongue swirling around the sensitive peak.

Chrissy moaned, her fingers tightening in his hair.

"Zev," she gasped, her voice trembling. "Please, don't stop."

He didn't. He continued to lavish attention on her breasts, his hands and mouth working in tandem to drive her wild. But he knew she wanted more, and he was determined to give it to her.

Her body trembled as he gently laid her down on the soft sand. The sun bathed her in golden light, her skin glowing and her hair fanning out around her like a dark halo. She was breathtaking, and Zev took a moment to just drink in the sight of her.

"You're so beautiful," he murmured, his voice filled with awe.

Chrissy's cheeks flushed, but she didn't look away. "Zev, please," she whispered, her voice trembling with raw need.

He nodded, his hands moving to the waistband of her denim shorts.

He unbuttoned them slowly, his fingers brushing against her skin as he slid them down her legs.

Her white lace panties were next, and Zev took his time with them too, his fingers tracing the delicate fabric before sliding them down her legs and tossing them aside.

Now she was completely bare, her body laid out before him like a feast. Zev's breath caught in his throat as he took her in, every curve, every line, and every inch of her perfect skin. She was already so wet for him, her arousal evident, and the scent of it drove his wolf wild.

"Zev," she whispered, her voice shaky. "Please, more."

He didn't need to be told twice. He lowered his head between her thighs, his hands gripping her hips to hold her in place. His tongue traced her sensitive folds, slow and deliberate, savoring the taste of her. Chrissy gasped, her back arching off the sand and her fingers tangling in his hair.

"Oh God," she moaned. "Zev, please, even more."

He obliged, his tongue delving deeper, exploring every inch of her. He added a finger, then another, curling them inside her as his tongue focused on her most sensitive spot. Chrissy's moans grew louder, her body trembling as he drove her closer and closer to the edge.

"Zev," she gasped. "I'm so close."

His fingers and tongue worked in perfect harmony to push her over the edge.

Her body soon convulsed as her orgasm hit her hard, her back arching off the sand and her inner walls clenching around his fingers.

Zev didn't stop until she was fully spent, her body trembling and her breath coming in short, desperate gasps.

He pulled back, looking up at her with a satisfied smile. "How was that?" he asked, his voice thick with need.

Chrissy's eyes were half-lidded, her body still trembling from the aftershocks of her orgasm. "Amazing," she whispered. "But I'm not done with you yet."

Zev's smile widened, his wolf howling with approval. "Good. Because neither am I."

Chrissy sat up, her naked body glistening under the sun, and pushed Zev back down onto the soft white sand.

Her green eyes darkened, and her lips curved into a playful smile as she straddled him again.

Zev's breath hitched as her hands slid up his chest, her fingers tracing the hard planes of his muscles.

She tugged at his white polo, pulling it up over his head and tossing it aside.

Her eyes roamed over his tanned, muscular chest, and she let out a soft, appreciative hum.

"You're perfect," she murmured, her hands sliding down his abs, her touch sending shivers through him.

She leaned down, her lips brushing against his skin as she kissed her way down his torso, her tongue flicking out to taste him.

Zev's hands clenched at his sides, his wolf howling with need, but he made himself stay still and let her take control.

He loved this—loved seeing her take what she wanted from him and loved the way her confidence made his blood burn.

"Chrissy," he growled softly, his voice rough with restraint. "You're killing me."

She glanced up at him, her lips curving into a wicked smile. "Good," she said, her voice low and sultry. "I want you to feel how much you mean to me."

Her hands moved lower, her fingers hooking into the waistband of his cargo shorts.

She tugged them down, along with his boxers, freeing his hard length.

Her eyes widened as she took him in, her lips parting in a soft gasp.

Zev's chest swelled with pride at her reaction, his wolf preening under her gaze.

"Do you like what you see?" he asked with a smirk on his lips.

"Very much," she said, her voice breathless.

She leaned down, her lips brushing against the tip of his cock, and Zev's breath caught.

Her tongue flicked out, tasting him, and he groaned, his hands fisting in the sand.

She took him into her mouth, her lips wrapping around him in a slow, deliberate rhythm.

Her tongue swirled around him, her hands gripping his thighs as she worked him with a skill that made his head spin.

Zev's eyes slammed shut, his body trembling with the effort to hold back. "Chrissy," he growled, his voice strained. "If you keep doing that, I'm not going to last."

She pulled back, her lips glistening, and looked up at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Then I guess I'll have to stop," she said, her voice teasing.

She moved back up his body, her hands sliding over his chest as she straddled him again.

Her wet heat pressed against his cock, and Zev's breath hitched.

She reached down, guiding him to her entrance, and slowly sank down onto him, inch by glorious inch.

Zev's hands gripped her hips, and his eyes locked on hers as she took him in fully, her body stretching to accommodate him.

"Damn, Chrissy," he breathed, his voice rough with need. "You feel incredible."

She smiled, her hands resting on his chest as she began to move, her hips rocking against his in a slow, steady rhythm.

Zev's hands tightened on her hips, his body trembling with the effort to hold back.

He wanted to take control and drive into her with everything he had.

But he forced his body to let her set the pace, and to let her take what she needed from him.

Her movements soon grew faster, her body riding him with a wild abandon that made him feel dizzy. Her breasts bounced with each thrust and her hair tumbled around her shoulders. Zev's eyes were glued to her, his wolf howling with satisfaction as he watched her take her pleasure from him.

"Zev," she gasped, her body trembling as her orgasm built. "I'm close."

"Let go," he growled, his large hands gripping her hips as he matched her rhythm, driving into her with deep, powerful thrusts. "Come for me, Chrissy."

Her body convulsed, her back arching as her orgasm ripped through her.

Her inner walls clenched around him, her moans filling the air as she came undone.

Zev's control snapped, his own orgasm tearing through him with a force that left him breathless.

His body shuddered, his seed spilling deep inside her as he claimed her unofficially. His wolf howled with triumph.

Chrissy collapsed onto his chest, her body trembling as she caught her breath. Zev wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

"You're mine now, Chrissy," he murmured, his voice rough with raw emotion.

She looked up at him, her eyes soft with affection. "I'm yours, Zev," she said, her voice filled with a quiet certainty that made his heart swell with joy.

Before long, Zev helped Chrissy back into her tank top, his fingers lingering on the soft skin of her back.

The way her eyes kept finding his, bright green and full of promises, made his wolf preen with satisfaction.

She was his now, in every way that truly mattered, and the thought sent a possessive surge through his body.

"Come home with me tonight," Zev said, his voice a deep rumble as he stepped into her space. "My villa. Room service. No interruptions."

Chrissy tilted her head up, a smile playing on her lips. "Is that an order, Alpha?"

"A request," he countered, though his eyes flashed with heat. "Though I'm not above begging if needed."

Her laugh was like music. "I somehow don't think an Alpha wolf has ever begged for anything."

"There's a first time for everything." Zev traced a finger along her jawline, reveling in how she leaned into his touch. "And you, Chrissy Rivera, are worth getting on my knees for."

"Well, when you put it that way..." She rose to her tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. "Lead the way."

The walk back to his private villa felt different from every other time he'd made that trek.

His wolf was practically strutting, proud and satisfied in a way he'd never known possible.

Chrissy fit perfectly against his side, her body a warm, comforting presence as his arm wrapped possessively around her waist.

Several pack members they passed on their way gave knowing looks, and Zev met each one with an unapologetic stare.

Yes, he'd found his fated mate. Yes, she was human.

And yes, anyone who had a problem with that could deal with him directly.

He didn't feel like he had to announce it to the whole pack this very moment.

That would come in due time. For right now, he was just focused on enjoying his mate's company for the rest of the evening.

His villa sat at the highest point of the property, a sprawling structure of natural wood and glass that blended seamlessly with the surrounding jungle while offering panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea.

As they entered, he watched Chrissy's eyes widen at the open-concept design, the infinity pool visible through the sliding glass doors, and the understated luxury of his personal space.

"Wow," she breathed, stepping further inside. "This is gorgeous."

"For the first time," Zev said, moving to the kitchen to grab his phone for the room service order, "it actually feels like home."

After calling in for some fresh seafood and local specialties, Zev found Chrissy on his terrace, leaning against the railing and taking in the view of the bay below.

The setting sun painted her in shades of gold and amber, and for a moment, he simply watched her—this woman who had crashed into his life and changed everything in less than a week.

"I still can't believe this is real," she said without turning, somehow sensing his presence.

"What part?" He moved behind her, his arms encircling her waist as he pulled her back against his chest. "The island? Us?"

"All of it." She leaned her head back against his shoulder. "Four days ago, I was trapped in a nightmare. And now I'm here, with you."

Zev pressed his lips to her temple. "I'm glad you found your way to me. Even if it took Gerri's meddling to make it happen."

"What we did earlier in the cove..." she turned in his arms, her palms flat against his chest. "That was perfect, Zev. I've never felt so..."

"Complete," he finished for her.

"Exactly." Her smile was radiant.

Their dinner arrived, carried by a discreet staff member who barely made eye contact—a sign of respect for their Alpha's privacy that Zev appreciated.

They ate on the terrace, sharing bites of each other's food between stories and laughter, but as the meal progressed, Zev noticed a shadow crossing Chrissy's expression.

"What's wrong?" he asked, setting down his fork.

Chrissy hesitated, her fingers twisting the napkin in her lap. "Marty. He's not just going to let me disappear."

Zev's jaw tightened. The mention of the manager's name was enough to stir his wolf to attention.

"He said—" She swallowed hard. "He said if I ran, he'd ruin me. And he's well-connected, Zev. The things he could do..."

"Let him try." The words came out as a growl, his eyes briefly flashing wolf-gold in the fading light. "If he wants to get to you, he'll have to go through me first."

"You don't understand. He's?—"

"A wolf without a pack," Zev cut in, leaning forward. "A lone shifter who preys on humans because he's too cowardly to face his own kind. Trust me, Chrissy, I understand exactly what he is."

He reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "You're mine now. My mate in every way that matters. And I protect what's mine."

The fear in her eyes softened slightly, replaced by something warmer. "You really mean that, don't you?"

"With every fiber of my being." He brought her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "Let Marty come. Let him try to take you. It would be the last mistake he ever makes."

Her smile was small but genuine. "My hero."

"Your Alpha," he corrected, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "And Marty is about to learn the hard way what happens when someone threatens an Alpha's mate."