22. Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Two

Z oya

Sex has never been a good thing. Never. My introduction to it was painful. I was a virgin and Max didn’t take the time to make it easy for me. Sex was always about his pleasure, never mine.

This feeling rolling through me like a thunderstorm? It’s powerful and needy and… desperate. For the past week, I’ve wanted more from Lash than kisses as our affection and connection built and grew. But it’s as though water that’s been simmering since I met him has burst into a full rolling boil.

Was it the romance of looking at the stars with him? The spontaneous poetry of his praise? It doesn’t matter. All I know is that I’m done waiting.

“Drive faster.” Have I ever used that commanding tone of voice in all my life?

His gaze darts from the road, the surprise on his face making it clear he’s as surprised as I am by my command. Then his shocked raised eyebrows disappear and are replaced with amusement and a wolf-like chuff.

“Hmm. Zoya’s ready to kick things up a notch.” He smirks as he forces his attention back to the road but keeps a steady pace. I guess it would ruin the mood if we were pulled over by police right now, although I wish he would pour on the speed.

The moment we pass the threshold of the Wolven Warriors’ door, he lifts me into his arms and takes the steps two at a time. When he closes the apartment door behind him, all forward motion stops. He looks around as though he’s never seen this room before.

“Vhat?” My accent’s thick. Is that because I’m running on impulse instead of higher thought?

“So many things. I’ve wanted to do so many things to you, please you in so many ways. I…”

Affection bursts hot and full in my chest. That he’s practically paralyzed out of a desire to make things good for me just makes me care for him more deeply.

“I’ll tell you vhat I vant.” I wiggle to get out of his arms. When he sets me down, I step closer, grip his hoodie zipper, and yank it down. “I vant to trace the hills and valleys on your…” I run out of courage, but not before I gaze at his chest, making my desires known.

It’s only after the words leave my mouth that I realize this is about more than his muscular abs. This is about who will be in charge. Will this amazing male—not fully human, capable of growling, of using those sharp fangs to harm—let a woman set the pace?

I get my answer immediately as he stands still for me. He’s panting, not from exertion, but from sheer desire. His fangs are on full display as his pink tongue lolls in his mouth.

He’s waiting. Our gazes collide as he lets me ease his black hoodie off those wide shoulders. He helps me as I yank his black tee over his head.

It’s silent except for our breathing, as I stand only a few inches from him and enjoy the view of his tanned rippling abs capped by the thick fur on his shoulders. As if he can read my mind, he places his palms on top of his head and turns in a slow circle.

A shot of lust zings through me, arrowing straight to my clit. My hands itch to touch everything I see, to claim it, to see what type of touch makes him pant with desire.

“Go ahead. Touch what you want. How you want.”

How does he know exactly what I want? What I need?

We’re facing each other as I slide my palms over his pecs and abdominals. When I circle my fingertips on his flat male nipples, he releases a powerful chuff and closes his eyes in pleasure. My gaze devours his muscled chest and abs, appreciating the trail of hair that arrows below the waistband of his pants.

There is something about this moment that feels like a key clicking inside a lock somewhere in my mind. I’m five foot five; he’s well over six feet. I’m not a strong female; he’s powerful enough to throw me half the length of a football field.

Yet he’s standing still, panting through fanged teeth to keep himself leashed, as he lets me take the lead. If I wasn’t half in love with him already, I would be now as he shows me in the most primitive way possible that I am safe. That I will be protected in the circle of his arms.

Now that I know on a soul-deep level that he won’t hurt me, I realize I don’t want to be in charge anymore.

“You said you wanted to do things, Lash? You can do them now .”