8. Mai

My chest heaved as Sam stepped back. Adrenaline still coursed through my veins from the fight, setting every nerve on edge. I became aware of stinging on my arm and looked down to see blood seeping from a gash.

Ryan was at my side in an instant, his eyes dark with concern. "You're hurt."

"It's just a scratch," I said, though now that the haze of the fight was fading, it was throbbing painfully.

"What about you?" I placed my hands on his chest, searching for a wound. His shirt had a slash in it, but I couldn't see or smell any blood.

"She missed. It's just my favorite shirt that got attacked."

Ryan led me over to a chair. I sat down, and he crouched before me, inspecting the wound with gentle fingers. His touch sent little sparks dancing across my skin, despite the circumstances.

"We'll need to clean this properly, but for now …" Ryan trailed off as he tore a strip of fabric from his already tattered shirt.

I had to fight the instinct to pull away and insist I could handle it myself. Letting someone care for me went against every self-reliant instinct life had ingrained in me. I forced myself to stay still.

This was new territory for me—letting my guard down, allowing vulnerability instead of pushing it away. Ryan had broken through those walls, his devotion enabling me to unlearn the belief carved into me during four years on the run that accepting help was dangerous.

I sucked in a breath, arousal swirling as his muscular chest and arms were exposed. He gently wrapped the makeshift bandage around the gash, his fingers lingering on my skin.

Our eyes locked, the air suddenly charged between us. Still gripping my arm, he leaned in, bringing his lips to the sensitive spot just below my ear. I shivered as his tongue traced delicate patterns on my skin.

"Ryan …" I gasped as I felt heat pooling between my legs.

His stubble scraped my neck as he made his way to my mouth, capturing my lips in a kiss. My fingers tangled in his hair, holding him against me as our tongues danced.

He pulled back just far enough to meet my gaze, his eyes burning with lust. "You know, I can"t just take your word for it. Thomas would be furious with me if I didn"t check you over for other injuries. Thoroughly check you over."

"I wouldn"t want you to get into any trouble with Thomas," I whispered back, my voice husky with need.

Ryan grinned wickedly. "Let's get you somewhere more private then."

We made our excuses, and as Ryan led me toward our room, I watched his muscles ripple under his torn shirt. I couldn't tear my eyes away from him. After fighting together, with all the adrenaline still bouncing around in me, my body burned for him.

The mate bond seemed to ignite something primal within me. I wanted him to claim me, possess me, remind me that I was his. I yearned to feel him unleashed on my willing body. I didn't want him to hold anything back. The mate bond was like a drug, heightening my senses, my lust, my need for his touch. I shuddered just thinking about having his muscular frame pinned on top of me, utterly under his control as he took me with unrestrained desire.

Ryan opened the door, and we stepped into our bedroom. It was a large space decorated in soft blues and off-whites. A king-sized bed sat in the middle of the floor, a bedside table with a funky steel lamp, and an antique wardrobe to the side. An open door opposite the bed opened into an adjoining bathroom.

Ryan locked the door behind us, his eyes hooded with desire. A smirk played across his lips. "Why don't you lie back and relax?"

He walked me back until my knees hit the edge of the bed, then Ryan lowered himself onto me, bracing himself with one hand as he slowly peeled my top over my head and tossed it aside. I trembled as his fingers trailed down my stomach, my body craving more of his touch. Ryan leaned over me, his hot breath tickling my neck as his lips trailed down to my collarbone. I let out a soft moan as his hands slowly roamed over my body, kneading and teasing my skin.

My nerve endings sizzled as our bare chests brushed together.

"You're incredible," he said, his voice a low growl.

I arched my hips into his, my hands sliding across his back, feeling his broad shoulders bunch and flex as he pressed into me.

Every ounce of him was pure muscle, hard and rippling. I followed the lines of his biceps, his broad shoulders, marveling at the warrior's body that would be claiming mine tonight.

He ground against me, the rigid length of him hot even through our clothes. I whimpered, arching into him again, desperate for that connection.

My head felt light, as if I were floating on air, and all the while, heat pooled between my thighs, wetness seeping through my panties with every movement.

I inhaled his scent, of pine needles and musk and something uniquely Ryan.

He pulled away and lifted me to my feet to shimmy me out of my jeans and panties. He let out a predatory growl at the sight of my wet panties.

"Perfect," he murmured. Eager hands quickly rid us both of the last of our clothing.

"Hurry," I breathed. I needed him. The ache was building, the throbbing between my legs begging to be satisfied by him.

His hands circled my ass, giving it a playful squeeze just long enough to make me gasp, then they slid around and higher to cup my breasts. The feel of his erect cock pressing against my stomach made my breath hitch in anticipation.

He pushed me back onto the bed. "Don't move," he ordered as he knelt down. Then his tongue met my aching clit. I cried out, drowning in the intense bolts of pleasure.

He lapped at my pussy like a man starved, eager moans vibrating against me. My hips rocked desperately, needing more friction to relieve the building tension.

Ryan's strong hands gripped my thighs, holding me open wide for his devouring mouth. His tongue flicked, licking from my entrance up to my swollen clit.

I lost all control, writhing and panting as he sucked me between his lips. The wet sounds of his mouth on me echoed in the room, punctuated by my choked moans.

My fingers twisted in his hair, urging him on as my climax rushed up to meet me. He slid two fingers inside, pumping them in time with each flick of his tongue.

"Ryan!" I cried, shattering under the intense stimulation. My pussy spasmed around his fingers, inner muscles clenching desperately.

He didn't stop, pushing me through a chain of orgasms as his lips and tongue and fingers continued their sweet torture. All my nerves were on fire. I couldn't think about anything except the sensations coursing through my entire body.

When he finally gave me a reprieve, I was spent and trembling. But the glint in his blue eyes promised he was far from done with me.

"I told you not to move, Mai. That's something we're going to have to work on. Turn over," Ryan ordered. "On your knees."

I scooted around until my back was facing him. Ryan traced his fingertips along my outer thighs as he stood behind me. I tried to speak, but all that came out was a soft moan as he teased open my legs with his hands. I could feel the heat radiating from his body against my exposed wetness. He kissed my back tenderly before digging his fingers into the soft flesh of my ass. A small whimper of pleasure escaped me, and I buried my face in the sheets to muffle my moan.

I felt his fingers sliding between my legs, through my slick folds, then into me. His touch at this angle sent a jolt through my body, and I gasped with delight, willing him to keep pressing deeper even as he began to slowly slide his finger in and out.

I reached forward for the bedpost as he slowly began to work a second finger into me, stretching me. My breathing became ragged with the overwhelming sensations. Every touch made fire run through me, searing every nerve ending so that soon I was vibrating with need for him to be inside me.

"Ready?" Ryan whispered against my neck, the warmth of his breath sending shivers down my spine where it brushed against my sensitive skin.

I nodded, reaching back to guide him into me as I arched even more, offering myself up for his pleasure and mine. Heat suffused my face as the head of his cock brushed my drenched folds, and then our bodies gave way, and he slid deep into me.

"Mine," he growled as he thrust into me with a fierceness that left me breathless. "Mine," he repeated, setting a relentless pace that had the bed creaking.

"Yours," I gasped. I could only clutch the bed and take it as he claimed me over and over.

He growled as he thrust faster, his pace fierce in a way that pushed my legs wider apart to open me completely for him. His hands wrapped around my hips driving me back into him as his thrusts grew more frenzied and his breath came in sharp gasps.

I could feel his desire for me, our bond humming with the intensity of his love and his need to protect me. It wrapped around me like a golden blanket, making me feel safe and loved.

"Yes!" I gasped, my voice barely a whisper. His sculpted body was all coiled power, and I urged him on greedily. He was losing all control, and I loved it. Harder, faster, more—I was an animal in heat for him.

We moved together furiously, all wolfish passion and primal need. I surrendered completely, until nothing existed but the bliss of his body possessing mine.

Our bodies were slick with sweat, the pleasure building and building each time his cock drove into me.

Then all the sensations collided together until I thought I might faint from the bliss.

"I can't wait … any longer." My heart pounded in my chest, beating out the frantic wails as I moaned. My orgasm shattered through me, a tidal wave that stole my breath and left me weak in its wake.

Ryan didn't let me rest. As soon as it was over, he flipped us, lying down so I was on top, facing away from him but straddling his hips in the reverse cowgirl position. His hands gripped my waist, urging me on as I slid down on his cock.

I ground my hips against his, chasing the pulses of pleasure radiating through me. It was all I could do; there was no thinking, no analyzing, no doubt. Just me and Ryan and the feel of his massive cock moving inside of me. Ryan met my rhythm, thrust for thrust, his fingers reaching around and tweaking my nipples.

Using my arms to balance, I rose up even higher this time until just the tip of his cock remained inside me. Then I slammed back down, moaning in satisfaction as the walls of my pussy clenched around him.

I repeated the movement, and the steady build-up of tension reached explosive levels. I was going to come again. Ryan must have felt it. I was trembling, exhaustion and pleasure pulsing through me. He surged up and around to capture my mouth in a searing kiss, rolling us again so I was on my back. He lifted one of my legs over his shoulder and began to pound into me. The headboard banged against the wall with the force of his thrusts.

I was drowning in him. This was what I'd always dreamed of. Ryan's scent, his taste, the feel of his body against and inside mine. All coalescing into a maelstrom of pleasure and love and connection.

"Faster," I groaned. Ryan sped up, the friction of his huge cock against my inner walls driving me mad. I tilted my hips up, giving him more access. I was coming apart. Our bond was on fire, and I knew he was close. The thought of Ryan coming inside of me, of his hot liquid squirting into the depths of me, sent me over the edge again.

I could feel my muscles contract in waves against his cock, milking it, drawing out his orgasm. Ryan groaned into my mouth as he came, his release triggering another shattering orgasm within me. We clutched at each other, our harsh breaths and pounding hearts slowing and syncing as we came down from the high together.