There''s something different in his kiss, in the way his fingers dig into my skin. Every stroke of my hands has his eyes half-closed, a low groaning rumble spilling from his throat.


    The power I hold with my touch leaves me fascinated, even as a heat deep within urges me to lie back and let him claim me.


    Exploring the velvet heat of him is thrilling, but he yanks my hands off his cock and flips me over, trapping me beneath the weight of his body.


    "Stop," he growls against my ear. "Or this''ll be over before it even starts."


    My laughter is breathless and quickly turns into a moan as his lips trail kisses down my back. There''s a fire building inside me, spreading through my veins like a drug. I''m so sensitive to his touch, the pleasure is almost painful.


    I want to claw my skin off. To meld into his body until we''re one. I want him to kiss everywhere at once. He doesn''t have enough hands for the desire exploding through me, the wetness pooling between my legs.


    His hands grip my hips, fingers digging in hard, probably leaving bruises. I shove my ass back, wanting contact. Wanting him inside.


    I can''t handle any more teasing.


    His whisper is hot and dark against my ear. "You like this, don''t you? Knowing how much I want you?"


    My throat is dry, and I can barely think straight as the bond between us pulses with need. "Yes," I rasp out. "Please, Lucas."


    The side of my neck is on fire, wanting his attention. Wanting his kisses, the warmth of his tongue, his teeth. Desperate to be marked.


    A low curse escapes his lips, and then his hand is around my throat, leaving my heart fluttering in my chest. The strength in his fingers is a thrill, as if my life is in his hands.


    His knee pries my legs apart as he yanks my hips further back, his cock nudging against my entrance. "Mine," he grits out.


    "Yours," I whisper, arching my head back and thrusting my neck further into his grasp. His fingers tighten for a moment, making me shudder beneath his grasp.


    "Mine," he growls again, and I whimper as he thrusts into me, filling me with a harsh, primal need that matches my own.


    I can''t think beyond raw, blazing pleasure, like fire raging beneath my skin. The way he holds onto my throat, the way his other hand digs into the tender skin of my hips—it makes me ache for his mark. His bite.


    For the pain and pleasure.


    I need it.


    I want to be his in every sense of the word. I want him to dominate me—to take what''s his. I can''t speak, I can barely breathe as our bodies merge and my desire burns hotter than ever before.


    Ava? Selene''s voice has my heart flipping with joy. I see you''ve finalized the bond.


    Lucas goes stiff. "That voice—is that your wolf?"


    "Selene. Yes."


    Glad I didn''t get here a few moments ago, Selene mutters. That would have been awkward.


    A laugh bubbles up in my chest. Are you almost here?


    Almost. Soon. She sounds annoyed, and I can distinctly sense Lucas'' wolf trying to get her attention.


    The presence is fading, and I smile at Lucas. His wolf isn''t gone. The relief I feel is overwhelming.


    "I wonder where mine is," Lucas says, making the smile freeze on my face.


    "Where your what is?"


    "My wolf."


    He shifts to sit against the head of the bed, pulling me more comfortably into his lap as he strokes my hair.


    "You can''t hear him?" He was just talking in my head, though. I heard him. He was there.


    "No. He''s gone."


    "But—" I try reaching in my head, but his wolf''s presence has faded. Selene, can you sense him?


    Of course. He won''t stop bothering me now. She sounds resigned.


    Lucas can''t hear him.


    So I''m hearing.


    "Can you still hear Selene?"


    He shakes his head. "No. It was just for a moment. Everything''s quiet again in my head."


    I''ll be there soon, Ava. Just make sure you''re both dressed when I get there.