Chapter 13 - Thea

"For the hundredth time, Astrid, I'll be fine," I said, annoyance tinging the edge of my words.

"Are you sure?" she asked. She looked over her shoulder at Rand, who was leaning by the door. "Because we can always cancel or go some other time."

I sighed. She meant well. Really, she did. Except the protectiveness could be a lot sometimes. It had gotten worse since I'd gotten back. It was as though she expected me to vanish the second she turned her back. I'd been home for a few days now, and I kept expecting it to go back to normal. Except it never did.

"I'm positive," I said, forcing a smile. "Seriously, you two deserve some time to yourselves."

Astrid opened her mouth as if to argue again, but Rand wrapped his arm around her. "It's all right, babe," he told her. "Thea's more than capable of staying in this house on her own. And she probably wants some time alone, anyway."

Astrid exhaled, looking between me and her mate before finally nodding, more than a little reluctantly. "All right," she said.

Rand's eyes met mine, and I nodded my appreciation. He winked, giving me a half-grin that only I could see as he steered Astrid toward the door.

"We'll be back in a few hours, all right?" Astrid called.

"Take as long as you need," I called back. "Have a fun date night."

When the door closed behind them, I let out a long exhale and went to flop on the couch. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. After everything, I was glad for some time to myself. Everything had felt like a whirlwind since all the chaos started.

I felt that frustrating tug as my thoughts drifted as they always did nowadays, it seemed, to Tannen. I wished he were here. I didn't want to admit how badly I wanted him, but I did. Whenever my mind drifted to thoughts of him, I typically tried to shove them away, certain that they weren't my thoughts and emotions but the claiming bond's. This time, however, I let the thoughts of him wash over me, savoring them as I started tipping into unconsciousness.

A knock on the door woke me up. I shot up, heart hammering, mind spinning. For a wild moment, I was certain that Damien and the others had found me again. Except Damien was dead, and they wouldn't bother with knocking. They would have burst through the door and dragged me out.

The knock came again. This time, it was familiar, one I'd heard dozens of times since moving to Brixton. I sucked in a breath, my heart thundering as I realized who was at the door. Tannen. My pulse raced as my wolf stirred, raising her head as if hoping to catch a whiff of his scent. Why was he here?

For a moment, I considered pretending I wasn't home. We'd agreed that seeing one another was a bad idea. All it would do was strengthen the bond. But I wanted to see him. I never thought I would have said this, but I missed him.

I pushed myself off the couch, limbs sluggish as they shook off sleep. I moved slowly, making my way through the hall and to the front door. My fingers twitched, but my hand stayed by my side as I stared at the door handle, wondering whether I should keep the door closed or open it.

We'd agreed not to see one another. Walking away would be better for both of us. Wouldn't it?

Just as I made up my mind to not answer the door, I reached for the handle and pulled it open.

Tannen had his hand up, prepared to knock again. He lowered it when he saw me.

"Hey," he said. "How are you doing?"

"Fine." Why did he have to look so gorgeous? I pushed those traitorous thoughts from my head even as I remembered that night in the cabin, thinking about how badly I wanted it to happen again. I coughed. "Is everything all right? What happened?"

"Everything's fine," Tannen replied. He shifted back and forth, almost as if he was embarrassed or nervous.

"Oh." My shoulders relaxed, and I breathed a little easier. I gave a small smile. "That's good. I was worried it had something to do with the kidnappers. In that case, Rand isn't here. I can let him know you came by, though."

"I'm not here for Rand."

I paused, heart pounding a little. "Then why are you here?"

He frowned, folding his arms. "Why do you think? I wanted to see you."

My stomach somersaulted at the words, and my mouth went dry. I could feel the blush creeping up my face. I remembered that night at the cabin, what it had felt like to have him inside me, his muscles pressing against me. I thought about how I had been able to open up to him at the safe house, talking to him in a way I hadn't been able to with anyone else. I thought about the way he made me laugh, and how safe he made me feel.

I shoved those thoughts away, trying to hold onto a modicum of self-control while I desperately wanted to press my mouth to his and drag him up to my bedroom.

"This is a bad idea, Tannen," I said. "You know we agreed not to see one another for a reason."

He shrugged. "You think I don't know that? I wanted to stay away. Really, I did. I thought it would be better for all of us. But I couldn't. I can't get you out of my head, Thea. I don't like being away from you for this long."

My heart thudded. I hated admitting that I felt the same way about him. Even with my stomach clenching, doubt gnawed at my insides, a kernel of reality nagging at the back of my mind. It was a sweet sentiment, one that would have made any woman swoon with glee.

It might have for me, too, except I knew the truth. This wasn't him talking. It couldn't be. This was the claiming bond, pure and simple. I knew him well enough to know that none of this was about me.

"I appreciate the thought, Tannen," I finally said, forcing the words out, knowing it was the right thing even as part of me screamed in protest. "But we both know what's really going on here."

"Maybe I don't care anymore."

The words slammed into me, only adding to the need building inside me that I was desperately trying to ignore.

I fully intended to tell him to leave. But before I could get the word out of my mouth, I was stepped to the side, gesturing for him to come in.

His scent of charred oak and vanilla wafted past as he moved inside. I stayed quiet, trying to keep control as we walked through the hallway. This was a horrible, horrible idea, but I couldn't stop myself.

We entered the living room. I held myself back, lurking near the doorway instead of stepping all the way in.

"This is a bad idea," I repeated. "We don't want the claiming bond to get stronger." But the words sounded hollow.

He raised an eyebrow. "What? Me coming over to chat isn't going to make it worse."

I tilted my head and folded my arms. "We both know that the odds of us just chatting are slim to none."

He gave one of his roguish grins that only made me want him more. He walked toward me, every strut filled with confidence. I stayed rooted to the spot, knowing what was about to come and that I'd be unable to stop it. Or just unwilling. Because the more I looked at him, the longer I was in his presence, the more trouble I had remembering why this was a bad idea in the first place.

I wanted him. Needed him.

His hands went to my arms, holding me there as I stayed trapped under his gaze, mind beginning to go blank as my heart thudded. Just being this close, just smelling his scent and feeling his hands on me was enough to spark something inside me again.

"I'm starting to think that maybe we should just say fuck it," he growled. "Because all I want is you, and I'm not going to be satisfied until I have you again."

His mouth moved to my collarbone, nipping at my neck just a little. I moaned, my eyes fluttering shut as his hand ran down my side, resting at my hip. His hand gripped me, holding me in place as his lips moved upward.

"Tannen…" I murmured. A jolt of fire and excitement raced through me as my eyes met his. There was something hungry in those eyes of his, an intensity that filled every inch of me.

The last of my resolve fell away.

"Fuck it," I growled, and slammed my mouth against his.

Any semblance of control Tannen had left vanished. He pulled me toward him, pressing my body against his until it was flush. His kiss was intense, hungry, unyielding as it deepened. The kindling spark that had been building between my legs burst into a full flame, and all my reservations dissipated.

His hands wasted no time in finding the hem of my shirt. He jerked it over my head with such intense enthusiasm that the blouse ripped. I didn't care. My bra came off a moment later. He flung it halfway across the room, his eyes staying locked on my breasts. He reached out, taking one in each hand and squeezing.

"I haven't been able to get these out of my mind since the first time I saw them," he said, holding my breasts and admiring them. He rolled one nipple between two fingers. I gasped, back arching. "I didn't realize just how incredible giant tits could be. You have the most perfect breasts, you know that?"

"You could stand to say it a bit more," I retorted.

Chuckling, he pinched my nipple again, tugging me closer before his free hand tangled in my hair.

"You have amazing tits," he growled before pressing his lips to mine.

My mind went deliciously blank, toes curling as his hands continued to roam, teasing me wherever they went. I fumbled with his shirt, tugging desperately at it until I got it off, revealing perfect abs that felt like stone as my fingers traced them. A moment later, they were at his pants, unfastening the button as he made short work of my own jeans.

The instant we were both naked, he growled, the sound reverberating through my entire body and making me tremble with excitement. Then he grabbed my wrist, pulling me through the halls into my room. Without waiting for me to say anything, he threw me onto the bed, clambering on top of me. His mouth went to mine before sliding downward, lips caressing my neck, my collarbone, each breast, and continuing downward.

He crawled down until he was between my thighs. His thumb pressed against my clit, causing my back to arch as I let out a soft gasp. As the pleasure continued to ripple through me, sending new spasms of heat, he bent his head down.

My eyes had fluttered shut, but they flew open when his tongue ran along my slit. I moaned, head rolling back. I hadn't realized anything could feel this incredible. His free hand, the one not pressing against my mound, ran up my stomach toward my breast, grasping it tight. My head spun.

Without warning, his tongue thrust inside me. I let out a soft cry, toes curling as I writhed beneath him. The pleasure continued to build as he devoured me, electricity racing through my body, the pressure and need building between my legs as the fire continued to burn. I felt like I could explode at any minute.

Just as the pressure got to the point where I didn't think I could take it anymore, he pulled away, leaving me feeling empty and hungry for more at the same time. I whimpered, wanting more.

"Don't stop," I begged.

He gave a wicked smirk that drove me wild.

"I love the way you taste," he said, licking his lips. "If I want to savor it, then I will."

He continued pleasuring me, making me writhe and moan as he toyed with me with his tongue, making me dizzy with need. I needed his cock inside me, needed him to fill me.

"God, please fuck me," I begged. I was so close, could feel myself teetering over the edge.

Chuckling, he raised his head, eyes dancing with mischief. I half-expected him to say no. Instead, without warning, he pushed himself inside me.

Unlike the first time when he eased into me, filling me slowly, he slammed into me. I cried out, toes curling as the sensation rushed over me. He kept thrusting, gliding in and out of me with a speed that made my mind go blank.

My pants grew high-pitched as I squirmed and writhed and the fire inside me continued to grow. I knew it was only a matter of time until I fell into oblivion. I both wanted it to happen and wanted to stay like this with him forever.

Between one thrust and the next, I shattered. I screamed as the wave of pleasure washed over me, and I drowned in ecstasy. He kept moving, pumping in and out of me as I rode out the orgasm. His eyes met mine, and I realized with a new spasm of excitement that he wasn't through with me yet. And I realized I didn't want him to be.