Page 29

TWENTY-THREE

CHRISSY

C hrissy stared at the stack of damning evidence against Marty—no, Matthew—and found herself unable to reconcile the charismatic snake-oil salesman with the predatory monster laid bare in Zev's file.

Her stomach twisted into a nauseating knot that wouldn't dissolve no matter how hard she tried to focus on the positive outcome.

"Jim," Zev said, leaning toward her dad with that casual authority that seemed to make everyone instinctively straighten their posture.

"Would you mind if I stole your daughter away for the afternoon?

I think we could both use a break from..

." His eyes flicked to the file, leaving the thought unfinished.

Chrissy absently tugged at the hem of her faded band t-shirt where it slipped off her shoulder. She glanced up to find her dad's eyes twinkling with something unmistakably knowing.

"By all means," her dad replied with a smile that bordered on conspiratorial. "I'll just head back to that music room and get better acquainted with those gorgeous guitars." He winked at Chrissy. "I might just put a bed in there and sleep with them. Never seen craftsmanship like that."

Despite the emotional rollercoaster of the morning, Chrissy couldn't help but laugh. "You'd marry a Martin if you could, Dad."

"At least it's a stable relationship," her dad quipped back, rising from his chair with newfound energy. His smile softened as he looked between them. "It's good to see you happy, Chrissy-bear. I'm looking forward to having my little girl close by again."

The fullness in her heart threatened to bubble over into tears. Her dad—staying here, with her, on this magical island. No more Marty, no more isolation, no more having her light slowly extinguished by people who saw her as nothing but a commodity.

"Let's go," she said to Zev, desperate to escape the lingering shadows in her mind. "Before I start ugly crying and ruin my reputation as a badass Luna."

Zev's eyes darkened at her use of the wolf title, and the corner of his mouth quirked up in that possessive half-smile that made her insides flutter.

They headed out into the jungle, the early afternoon heat softened by the canopy of leaves overhead. Once they'd gone far enough from the resort paths, Zev turned to her with a predatory gleam.

"Remember when you said you wanted to ride through the jungle on my back?" He was already unbuttoning his shirt, his muscles rippling beneath his tanned skin. "I think that's exactly what you need right now."

"Are you saying I look like I need wolf therapy?" Chrissy teased, but her heart was already racing.

"I'm saying," he growled, stepping close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his body, "that I know my mate. And I know when she needs to feel the wind in her hair and forget everything but the moment."

God, he did know her, didn't he? Better than anyone had.

Zev stepped back, stripped completely naked, and shifted into his magnificent wolf form.

The process still amazed her—bone and muscle rearranging, fur emerging from skin—until the enormous grey wolf with dark brown patches on his belly stood before her, blue eyes unmistakably Zev's despite the changed form.

Chrissy approached him with reverent hands, stroking the thick fur at his neck. "You're showing off now," she murmured, burying her fingers in his coat.

He huffed, lowering himself for her to climb onto his back. A thrill shot through her as she settled between his powerful shoulders, clutching handfuls of fur.

"Don't you dare drop me," she warned, and he made a sound suspiciously like a wolf snort before launching into motion.

The world became a blur of green and gold, the wind whipping her hair free from its messy bun.

Exhilaration coursed through her veins as he leaped over fallen logs and wove between trees with impossible grace.

Chrissy laughed, wild and unconstrained, each breath filling her with oxygen that seemed purer than anything she'd inhaled in California.

This was freedom. This was life. No stylists, no cameras, no schedules—just her and her mate and the primal joy of movement.

When they finally slowed, Chrissy found herself facing a secluded waterfall cascading into a crystalline pool. The scene looked ripped from a fairy tale—sunlight filtering through the canopy to create dancing patterns on the water's surface.

He lowered himself, allowing her to slide off before padding behind a cluster of rocks. Moments later, Zev emerged in all his naked glory—broad shoulders, sculpted abs, and every delicious inch of him on display.

"Show-off," she whispered, but her body was already responding to the sight of him.

He stalked toward her, unashamed of his nudity or his obvious arousal. "You needed this," he said simply.

"I need you." Chrissy closed the distance between them, rising on her toes to capture his mouth in a kiss that tasted of sunshine and salvation.

His strong arms encircled her waist, lifting her against him. "You have me," he growled against her lips. "Forever."

The words wrapped around her like a promise, solid and unbreakable. Forever. The thought of it filled her with a completeness she hadn't known was possible. She pulled back slightly, her eyes locking with his, and smiled. "Good. Because I'm not letting you go."

Her hands moved to the hem of her faded t-shirt, and she tugged it over her head, letting it fall to the ground.

The cool jungle air kissed her skin, but it was nothing compared to the heat of Zev's gaze as it raked over her.

She unhooked her lace bra, letting it slip from her shoulders, and then shimmied out of her cut-off denim shorts and panties until she stood bare before him, the sunlight warming her skin.

Zev's eyes darkened, and he took a step toward her, but she held up a hand, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Not so fast, Alpha." She turned and pushed him into the pool with a splash, laughing as he surfaced, his hair slicked back, water droplets clinging to his tanned skin.

"You're going to pay for that," he warned, his voice a rumble that sent a thrill through her.

"Promises, promises," she teased, then leaped into the water after him.

The coolness enveloped her, a refreshing contrast to the heat of the jungle. She surfaced, shaking her hair out of her face, and found Zev already swimming toward her. He reached her in a few powerful strokes, his hands gripping her slim waist as he pulled her against him.

Their lips crashed together again, the kiss deep and consuming.

His tongue tangled with hers, and she felt like she was the oxygen he needed to survive.

Her arms wrapped around his neck, her legs instinctively circling his waist as he carried her to the edge of the pool.

He propped her up on the rocks, his hands sliding down her thighs to part them, his head dipping between her legs.

"Zev," she gasped, her fingers tangling in his wet hair as his mouth found her sensitive folds.

His tongue and mouth were relentless, licking and sucking until she was squirming and gasping for air. Just as she teetered on the edge of release, he pulled away, leaving her trembling and wanting.

"Zev!" she protested, her voice a mix of frustration and need.

He grinned, that predatory smile that made her heart race, and climbed out of the pool.

Water cascaded down his muscular body as he reached for her, lifting her effortlessly and carrying her to a smooth rock surface beneath the waterfall.

The sound of the rushing water filled the air, a natural symphony that only heightened the intensity of the moment.

"On your hands and knees," he commanded softly.

Her breath hitched, but she obeyed, her body humming with anticipation.

She felt him behind her, his hands grabbing onto her hips, and then he was there, his large cock pressing against her entrance.

He entered her slowly, inch by inch, the angle allowing him to go deeper than ever before.

She gasped, her fingers digging into the rock as he filled her completely.

"You feel so good," he murmured, his voice husky with desire.

He began to move, his thrusts slow and deliberate, drawing out her pleasure with agonizing precision. She moaned, her body arching as he hit a spot that made her see stars.

"Zev, please," she begged, her voice trembling. "More."

He didn't hesitate. His pace shifted instantly, his thrusts becoming hard, fast, and deep, pounding into her with a primal intensity that left her gasping for air.

One hand reached around to massage her clit in rhythm with his thrusts, and she felt the coil of pleasure tighten until it snapped.

Her orgasm rocked through her, her body convulsing as she cried out, her inner walls clenching around him.

The sensation pushed him over the edge, and with one final, powerful thrust, he came, his release spilling deep inside her. His body shook with the force of it, his growl of satisfaction echoing through the jungle.

They collapsed together on the rock, their bodies slick with sweat and water, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. Chrissy turned to face him, her green eyes soft with affection. "You're amazing," she whispered, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw.

"And you're mine," he replied, his voice a low growl that sent shivers through her sated body.

He pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her as they lay there, the sound of the waterfall a soothing backdrop to their shared moment of bliss.

Chrissy soon arched a brow, mischief dancing in her eyes as she traced the hard lines of Zev's abdomen with her fingertips. The waterfall's mist clung to their skin, the jungle humming around them like an audience holding its breath.

"Ready for another round?" she purred, already shifting to straddle him, her thighs bracketing his hips.

Zev's hands immediately found her waist, his grip possessive. "With you, I'm always ready. You don't even need to ask." His voice was rough, edged with that Alpha growl that sent heat spiraling through her.

She smirked, lowering herself onto him in one slow, deliberate slide. A breathy moan escaped her lips as he filled her, stretching her in the most delicious way. "I want to feel you inside me for longer," she murmured, rolling her hips in a slow, maddening rhythm. "Savor how deep you go."

Zev's jaw clenched tight, his fingers digging into her hips hard. "Christ, Chrissy." His voice was strained, his cock twitching inside her.

She reveled in the control, rocking against him with agonizing slowness, each movement designed to drag out the pleasure. His breath came in ragged bursts, his muscles taut beneath her palms as she braced herself against his chest.

"You're not going to last much longer, are you?" she teased, biting her lower lip.

His eyes burned into hers. "Not if you keep moving like that."

"Hold on just a little longer," she commanded, her voice breathless but firm. "I'm not done with you yet."

Zev growled, his hands sliding up her back to tangle in her damp hair. He pulled her down into a searing kiss, his tongue claiming her mouth with the same dominance as his body claimed hers earlier. She melted into him, her movements never faltering, each thrust sending sparks through her nerves.

The dual sensations—his mouth on hers and his cock buried deep—coiled the pleasure tighter and tighter until she completely shattered. Her orgasm ripped through her with blinding intensity, her body convulsing around him as she cried out against his lips.

That was all it took. Zev's control finally snapped. With a roar, he surged up, flipping her onto her back and driving into her with relentless, possessive strokes until his own release tore through him. He collapsed over her, his forehead pressed to hers, their breaths mingling in the humid air.

"You're magnificent," he murmured, brushing his lips over hers. "I love you so much, Chrissy."

Chrissy traced along his jaw, her heart so full it ached. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me." She kissed him back softly. "I love you so much, Zev."

In that moment, with the jungle singing around them and Zev's weight warm against her, she knew—their future would be everything she'd ever dreamed of. Freedom. Joy. Love. And a lifetime of this—raw, untamed passion with the man who'd fought the world just to claim her as his mate.

Zev rolled onto his back, pulling her against his chest. She nestled into him, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

"Think your dad heard us from here?" he joked.

Chrissy burst out laughing, swatting his chest. "If he did, he's probably moving to the other side of the island for sure."

Zev's chuckle rumbled through her. "Good. More privacy for us."

She grinned, already plotting their next adventure—one where clothes were optional, and his Alpha dominance was very, very mandatory.