Chapter 19

Chapter

Nineteen

BEN

The steaming shower did little to ease the ache in Ben's muscles. Fighting Connor was like beating himself against a rock, and his body carried the tale of it. Not that the alpha was ever rough or unreasonable—he just pushed and pushed until Ben stretched past his limits and found himself in the dirt, trying to suck in exhausted breaths.

Ducking his head under the spray, Ben called the water to dance around his fist until his hand disappeared from view. The pureness of the water helped, pulled directly from the lake into the tank stored at the side of the cabin. Not as pure as the little grotto, but beautiful all the same. However, it didn't quench the wild hunger that hummed through his blood. He felt anticipation in the air.

Turning off the water, Ben stepped out of the shower and quickly dried himself, wrapping the towel around his waist.

Connor sat on the end of the bed waiting for him.

The urge rose in Ben again. He wanted Connor in the quiet spaces of the grotto, where he could wrap his legs around him and breathe into him.

Pausing in front of Connor, Ben put his hand on the alpha's shoulder, palm on his collarbone. "What's happening to me?"

Connor gripped Ben's hips, his thumbs pressing into the flesh just above his towel. "You're becoming what you always were meant to be."

Ben tilted his head and studied the lean planes of Connor's jaw and the fullness of his mouth. A handsome wolf. Taking a shuddering breath, he pressed a finger to Connor's bottom lip. "And what's that?" he asked quietly.

Something bright and unbreakable caught fire in Connor's eyes. " Mine ," he growled, tightening his grip and dragging Ben onto his lap.

Ben made a small sound of agreement.

Connor fisted Ben's hair, tilting his face up so their mouths clashed. Ben moaned, pleased to be tasting the wolf, although he wasn't supposed to be the one made breathless, so he grinded his ass against Connor's lengthening cock and heard a shocked, needy gasp.

Ben grinded again, needing more. He shoved away his towel so that he sat naked and leaking in the alpha's lap. Connor grabbed his ass and kneaded both cheeks, spreading them so that his intent was clear. Ben was all for it. His cock dragged against the fabric of Connor's sweats, and he made a frustrated sound at the lack of skin contact. He yanked at Connor's shirt and pulled it over his head before slamming their lips together again.

Connor tumbled him onto the bed, his weight deliciously pressing Ben into the mattress. He wrapped his legs around Connor's waist and rubbed against him.

"Off," Ben said, using his bare heels to slide Connor's sweats down half an inch. "I need you."

Connor slapped his thigh and gripped his wrists and slid them above his head. "Let me treasure you," the alpha said before bending to lick and nibble along Ben's throat.

Ben sighed and arched into the touch. His toes found the fabric of Connor's sweats and pulled down.

Connor chuckled against his throat and helped kick free of his sweats, obliging Ben with the full glory of his nakedness.

" Finally ," Ben half-snarled, wriggling against all that wonderful, silken skin. If he angled himself just so, their cocks could slide together.

"You're going to be the death of me," Connor said, trying to keep him in place.

"I hope not," Ben said. He gasped when Connor's mouth found his nipple. Teeth scraped the sensitive nub, and Ben rocked against him.

"I want to take care of you," Connor said. "Will you let me?"

Ben nodded, not caring what he agreed to so long as the alpha's mouth stayed on his skin, with every touch blazing down to his cock.

Connor kissed Ben's stomach, breath tickling. "You're perfect."

Ben's face grew hot. "I'm really not."

"You are. Perfect." Connor pressed a kiss above Ben's navel. "Stubborn." A new kiss below. "Wild." His mouth found Ben's hip. "Sweet."

"Sweet?" Ben gasped, melting into the touch.

"Mmmn, like pure water from a spring," Connor said, moving to palm Ben's ass with both hands.

"That's a hell of a compliment," Ben said, arching and seeking friction for his leaking cock.

"I mean it. Your scent fills my dreams," Connor said. He kneaded Ben's flesh in his hands, angling his hips just so before suddenly swallowing Ben down to the root.

Ben shouted in shock at the molten heat surrounding him. "Holy fuck! "

It only encouraged Connor, who swirled his tongue over the tip until Ben couldn't think. Connor worked him over, head bobbing.

Ben knew he couldn't last, not only because he'd been riding the edge since swimming in the grotto, but because it was Connor. Strong, commanding, alpha Connor. Who could hurt and dominate him, and instead made Ben feel powerful and wanted.

Connor made a sound in his throat, vibrating against Ben's cock. It was everything and too much.

Ben came, swearing under his breath even as his limbs turned to liquid. Connor licked up every drop, taking his time. He nuzzled against Ben's sac, inhaling the scent of him.

Blushing, Ben pushed himself up onto his elbows to look at Connor's hard cock. "Here, let me?—"

Connor climbed up to kiss him again into the pillow, slow and possessive in a way that made Ben's world spin. "I want to take my time, if that's okay." He smiled, his hands gliding across Ben's ribs.

"Yes," Ben said.

"Then let me hold you," Connor said, waiting for Ben's nod before turning on his side and tucking Ben against him.

Ben sighed deeply and relaxed into the embrace. A sense of safety warred with the need to lure Connor to the grotto. That's what sprites did with their lovers, right? He'd been too young to ask before his clan died, and now all that remained was instinct. And instinct said Connor was his.

He slotted his ass against Connor's cock, gratified by the hitch in the alpha's breath. But the damn wolf did nothing further, as if holding Ben was enough.

Wolves are idiots , he decided before contentedly settling back down.

And if he basked in the sensation of simply being held while making plans to fuck Connor in the grotto, so be it.