Chapter 23

TWENTY-THREE

T he moon cast silver shadows across Lucas’s penthouse terrace as Emma documented every fascinating detail of her first observed shifter transformation. Yes, her lab had been bombed and the pride fought bad guys, but she didn’t want to think about it right now. She had work to do.

Besides, Lucas would take care of all that. She didn’t have to worry. She had more important things to focus on like why her crystal hummed in perfect harmony with Lucas’s supernatural energy signature and the fact this man in front of her was a freakin’ shifter.

“The cellular regeneration rate is remarkable,” she muttered, adjusting her sensors as Lucas shifted back to human form with casual grace that deserved thorough documentation. “Your eyes are still gold.”

His laugh rumbled through her bones. “Probably because my mate is still taking readings instead of processing the fact that supernatural beings are real.”

“Of course, I’m taking readings. The scientific implications are unfounded.”

She was recording supernatural biology like it was a perfectly normal week night. And every time his power brushed against her crystal, it felt like coming home.

But there would be time for those revelations later. Right now, she had unprecedented genetic data to analyze and supernatural transformation processes to document and...

“Time for bed,” Lucas rumbled, plucking her tablet away with supernatural speed. “We have an early meeting and there’s lots to discuss besides your work.”

“But—”

“It will all still be fascinating after you’ve slept.” His eyes glowed gold in the moonlight, power wrapping around her like a shield.

Emma and Lucas went back inside his penthouse and she showered, needing to relax her muscles after such a long day. During her shower, she thought about how deep her feelings for Lucas were.

In a plush bathrobe, she padded out to the bedroom and watched as he came in, his gaze roaming over her body. “Are you hungry?”

She decided it was time for action. She’d been thinking about them being together for too long. She needed to make a move already.

“Hungry? Starving.” She sat on the edge of the bed and stared at him, her gaze traveling down his body, as suggestively as possible.

“See something you want?” He grinned.

“I do. I keep trying to talk myself out of my urges when it comes to you,” she told him. “I mean, I’ve never wanted a man like I want you,” she admitted, her face hot. “But I’m not a casual sex type of person. I don’t like going from person to person, and I take relationships seriously.” She bit her lip.

Lucas smiled and grabbed her hand pulling her to her feet.

“I want you, Emma.” Lucas’s eyes glowed yellow, and Emma’s legs shook.

Lucas wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her flush against his chest. She could feel the hard panes of his chest against her breasts.

“I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw you. I’ve wanted to get you naked and I’ve visualized licking you from your head to your toes and eating you out like the sweet peach you are.” Lucas licked his lips, and Emma groaned, she wanted to taste them.

God. Her body was even more aware of him sexually. She spent her days fantasizing with Lucas and wanting to get him naked, but finally having him there was making her hormones crazy.

“I’ve been fighting the deepness of this attraction from the first moment I saw you.” Emma ran her hands up his arms to his chest, she placed both on his pecs and pushed him. He wasn’t expecting it so he took two steps back and hit the bed. He dropped onto the end, and Emma walked over, pushing him back.

She smiled as she straddled his waist. “You’re mine, Lucas.”

He smiled up at her and laid his hands at his side. “Am I?”

Emma groaned and leaned down, lightly brushing her lips against his. “I’ve been daydreaming of you naked.”

“Really?”

“I know you liked me. You’ve been flirting with me nonstop and kissing me.” Emma grinned and licked along the seam of his mouth. Lucas opened, and Emma groaned as their tongues slid against each other.

Lucas wrapped his arms around her waist, then flipped them over so he was settled between her legs. She could feel his cock pressed against her core, and her pussy clenched in need.

Lucas grinned and rocked against her and then leaned down, trailing kisses up her neck, and across her cheek until their lips met. He slid his tongue into her mouth, and she wasn’t sure which of them moaned.

Lucas leaned up, rocking against her again, and she arched her back pushing her breasts into his face. “Yes, you’ve been teasing me all day. I’m going to unwrap you like a present and feast on your body all night long.”

He knelt between her thighs; the heat in his eyes burning through her. “So beautiful. I can’t wait to see what’s beneath.” He slowly pulled on the belt of the robe, and Emma bit her lip in anticipation of his next move. She wanted to rip open the garment herself, but the look on his face made her pause. He was enjoying the slow reveal, and she refused to rob him of that. She had given him too much trouble in their short relationship.

The belt finally gave way, and she could feel air on the center of her stomach, but most of her body was covered still. Lucas leaned down and placed a kiss at the top of her chest, at the base of her throat. Emma tilted her head back, groaning.

He slowly kissed his way between her breasts, placing a gentle suck on both, then moving down. Insecurity suddenly flashed through her and she went to grab the robe.

“Don’t do that,” he chastised, kissing her belly. “You’re perfect. I love your body. Trust me, your body is a beautiful work of art, Emma.”

He kissed her belly again, drawing a circle with his tongue and making her sigh. “Believe me. But I’m attracted to more than the physical. Do you understand?”