Mason needed no more convincing. His lips came crushing down on mine, robbing me of breath and causing my mouth to open as I gasped for air. Seizing the opportunity, he wasted no time slipping in, and I felt myself explode under the sensation of his tongue dancing with mine. If there was one thing he did well, it was kissing and this was nothing short of magnificent.
I gave myself over, allowing him to lead, holding nothing back. It was pure emotion and chemistry between us, the magic of who we were to each other left tingling in the air. We were to be mated, bound together through centuries of tradition, but it was way more than that. Mason and I had a soul deep connection that over time would grow stronger and impenetrable. I loved this man, and I poured it all into our kiss.
I jumped a little as I felt his hand slide under my shirt and rest on my stomach, his fingers stroking my skin. I marveled at how responsive I was to his caress, how a single touch held the power to undo me, leaving me almost without reason. I yearned for him, craved his attentions and the intensity of my desire burned me to the core. This moment felt so right. He felt so right, and I wasn’t the only one short of breath when we finally pulled apart.
“You were right,” I whispered. Realizing my hands had been released, I reached up and traced Mason’s lips, still moist from our kiss. “I promise I’ll always listen to you in the future.”
He nipped at my finger, sucking it slightly into his mouth before he let out a soft laugh. “No you won’t, Darcy. You’ll fight me tooth and nail over the things important to you but it’s okay. We’ll work through my need to keep you safe and your ability to drive me insane.” He went to lean back in, but he paused as I raised my hands up to his lips.
“We shouldn’t be doing this, Mason. We can’t act as if nothing has happened or changed. You’ve lost your sister, and I know you’re worried about me, but you need to be cared for as well.” I brushed my fingers lightly across his jawline, the softness of his stubble creating slight friction. “This isn’t just about me.”
Catching my hand, he tenderly kissed my palm. “I know we need to talk more about Jasmine, and we’ll grieve for our loss together, but when I think about how close I came to losing both of you… I need to be able to touch you right now. I need to know you are safe, and alive. You scared me, and hearing you talk of leaving is unacceptable. There will be time for everything, Darcy. Trust me to know this is what I feel we both need.”
The look in his eyes spoke volumes. It asked that I give in to his sincerity, and stop resisting. Feathering his hair with my hand, brushing it from his brow, I nodded. He was telling me by helping me, he was also helping himself.
We stared at each other for a moment and I could feel the strength of our connection between us. I raised my head to his, but was interrupted by the hesitant knocking at the door. I flopped back onto the bed. There’s only one reason someone would willingly disturb the Alpha when he was alone with his future mate-Pack business.
I waited for Mason to answer, but he seemed more focused on me, watching me intently. He lifted his finger to his mouth to shush me and smiled. Pressing his lips against mine, it was obvious he was ready to continue what we were doing before.
I giggled. He had lost his sense of seriousness and was in a playful mood. Unfortunately, whoever was on the other side of door couldn’t see it as they increased the forcefulness of their knock, determined to have someone answer.
“Mason?” A cautious voice came from the hallway.
The knocking intensified and turning toward the sound, Mason let out a loud growl, instantly silencing the noise. A second later I could hear the shuffling of footsteps as the pack member escaped. No one ignored the Alpha.
“So where were we?” He smiled, returning his focus to me. His eyes shone and I could see his wolf at the surface. It took a few seconds before they returned back to normal.
“You don’t think you should’ve answered that? It was important enough for them to face the wrath of their Alpha.”
“It can wait. This won’t.” He leaned in again, kissing me until I could no longer remember my name.
“My, you really are a big, bad wolf.” I sighed when we finally pulled apart. My body felt completely languid, relaxed under his masterful touch and attention.
“Of course, nothing but the best for you, baby,” Mason punctuated his statement with another quick kiss. I loved seeing this side of him-the fierce and protective warrior, the determined and passionate lover.
I couldn’t help myself as I reached out to feel his face again. I caressed his cheek, running my fingers through his hair, knowing I wore a goofy smile as I did.
“So, is this where I say, “Oh, what big eyes you have,” Mr. Big, Bad Wolf?”
Mischief lit his stare and a devious smirk covered his lips. “Only if you want to hear, “All the better to see you with, my dear.” He made a point to sweep a knowing look over me before returning back to my gaze.
“I would then feel compelled to add, “Oh, what big ears you have.”
“All the better to hear you with, Darcy.” Mason played along, lowering his voice to a seductive whisper.
I brushed my finger over his bottom lip, eliciting a quick snap of his teeth. “Oh, what big teeth you have.” It came out breathless with anticipation, and I felt my body tense.
He paused, cocking his head to the side. He knew the next line, what he was meant to say, but nothing came. Hunger bore into me, desire coming off him in waves. I waited for him to finish-to ravish me. Instead, with a look I couldn’t quite decipher, he pulled back and rose to his feet.
Confused, I watched Mason look around the room. With a slight nod, he finally moved, scooping me up in his arms before plastering me against the closest wall.
“All the better to eat you with, my dear, and this looks like the ideal place for a sample.” With his left hand placed firmly by my head and his right secured around my waist, he bent slightly and nibbled at my mouth. Gentle brushes of his lips teased me back and forth and left me wanting more.
“Hmmm, this won’t do at all.” I felt myself being hoisted up, my legs wrapping easily around his waist. With my arms around his neck, I was pressed snuggly against him, my body beginning to melt into his.
Mason tugged at my hair, giving him better access to my mouth and neck. He leaned down, burying his face below my ear and took in a deep, long breath. “Yes, this is much better.”
His kiss came hard and fast, impressively dominating and full of animalistic desire. There was no holding back as he completed his need to reclaim and reassert his stance as my intended mate. It was a kiss that overshadowed any we previously shared and boldly declared a warning to anyone foolish enough to touch me again.
I barely heard the sound of the door abruptly open and the muffled laugh and cough of whoever entered.
“Well, what do we have here? No wonder you’re not answering, My Esteemed Liege. Looks like you may have more pressing matters to undress… I mean address.”
Mason snarled, but it didn’t deter the intruder for letting out a hearty chuckle. “By all means, Your Most Elevated Highness, continue. I’ll just sit over on the chair and wait, shall I?”
“You are aware pissing me off could warrant a death penalty? I’ve killed for far less than this,” Mason finally answered. There was a subtle hint of softness to his voice, a sign of friendly banter. Sometimes his bark was worse than his bite.
“Whatever. Who else would you get to guard your sorry butt then if you got rid of me? Seriously, Your Royal Eminence, take your time. Finish what you were doing, I appreciate a good show.”
A quick breeze and a loud crash told me Mason had retaliated to the goading by throwing a lamp at Daniel, his best friend and second-in-command.
“Hey, watch the furniture. I liked that!” I slapped at him, trying to lower my legs to the floor. I instantly met with resistance as Mason grabbed my legs and held them in place.
“I’ll buy you a new one and don’t move. He won’t be staying, will you?” He directed the question back at the guy now reclined lazily on my armchair. The piles of clothes I had on it moments ago were now dumped on the floor in a careless heap.
I peered around Mason’s body and grinned at Daniel. “Hey.”
A look of concern and compassion replaced the previous cockiness. “Hey, sweetheart. You doing okay? You sure did scare us.” That seemed to be the general consensus and I nodded, indicating I was fine.
“Good. I don’t ever want to arrive on a scene and see that again, do you hear me? No more going off by yourself.” Daniel noted the look Mason gave him and chuckled again, “Looks like Our Most Excellent and Noble One has already covered that and moved onto the punishing phase.”
“Is there a reason why you’re still here?” Impatience was beginning to creep into Mason’s voice. I wasn’t helping matters either as I begun to nudge my lips against his neck, placing soft kisses.
