Ten

She was sweet. So damn sweet. And he could hardly believe what he was doing. Her lips were satin soft and her breath was hot, bringing chills to his skin. His wolf sighed in relief, having finally had a taste, but knowing Blister wouldn’t let him have anymore. Nothing that could mar her. Nothing that would make her regret.

He eased back, already feeling the crippling effect of their separation.

Dear god, what had he done. What did she think? Did she hate the feel of his mouth on hers? Did she like it?

Shit, shit.

Annie’s breath came so fast her chest heaved, brushing against his with every inhale.

“If you hated that, it’ll destroy me,” he admitted on a breath he couldn’t catch.

But he barely got the whisper out before she flew at him, her soft lips latching onto his in a desperate connection. Her hands sifted through his hair, pulling at the strands to bring him closer while her tongue licked furiously at his mouth to make him open.

And he did.

Mother. Fuck.

Her tongue dove in hungrily, sweeping against his and tasting like pure seduction. His wolf growled as his arms banded around her waist, fusing her curves to his body. She fit so perfectly, but he wanted to focus on her hot, hot mouth. Her luscious mouth. Her beautiful mouth that was breaking him down lick by lick.

Lifting her by the waist, he set her on the counter, stepping between her legs. Carefully, he slipped his hands up her neck until he held her sweet face in his grip. Every sensation was magic. The softness of her skin against his calloused palms. The silkiness of her cheek as his thumbs brushed back and forth. She kissed him like she’d been starved for it, but he wanted to take his time. Savor every moment. Feel every fucking thing. Commit it all to memory. What happened when this kiss ended was anybody’s guess, but he’d damn well remember every detail.

Pressing his thumb under her jaw, he tipped her head back and worked her lips. Leisurely, seductively, pulling her lower one between his and sucking it gently, drawing a whimper from her that had his cock hard in an instant. Her grip on his shoulders tightened to the extreme.

“You like that,” he murmured in awe. Goddamn, he wanted to spend every moment of the foreseeable future learning what she liked, what made her moan like that.

He traced the tip of his tongue around her lips while her panting breath bathed him. The scent of her arousal filled the room until it was all he could smell. And it was heavenly. He needed… he needed to take care of her. He had to satisfy that arousal, damn it. She needed him. His mate needed what only he could give her.

Yes. Yes.

He’d pleasure his angel. Make her moan like she did in his dreams. Make her feel so good.

Placing soft kisses at the corner of her mouth, he nibbled, making his way across her jaw to the tender skin beneath her ear where he nuzzled, breathing deep to imprint her scent.

Mine. Fucking mine. Always.

Trailing kisses to the base of her neck, he was lost in how smooth her skin was when she let out a deep moan and her palm landed on his cheek, caressing gently.

It should have been wonderful. It should have felt miraculous. But it was the wrong cheek. It was the side he hated. The side that reminded him of how much he’d failed the ones he loved. How he’d fail Annie if they kept going.

He snatched her wrist, pulling her hand away. “Don’t touch it.”

Her hooded gaze widened and turned into a frown. “Why? Does it hurt?”

Blister shook his head.

“Then why can’t I touch you?”

Stepping back, he put some space between them. “I don’t want you thinking about it. I don’t want to think about it. If you touch it, we’ll think about it.”

“It? Your scars are not a thing, Blister. They’re not like a phantom limb or something. They’re just part of you. And I want to touch you.”

Blister frowned as her hand rose slowly. Could he let her? It was risky.

“What if…” Damn it, how could he ask her without sounding pitiful? But he had to know. “What if they disgust you?”

Her mouth dropped open and she stared at him in shock. “Is that what you’re worried about?”

He couldn’t respond. He could barely breathe wondering what her answer would be.

“Trust me, Blister. Okay?”

He was stiff with trepidation but he managed to nod.

Slowly, she lifted her hand to cradle his marred cheek and she scooted to the edge of the counter to get closer. He leaned in, relishing the sweetest touch. But she topped it when she brought her cheek to his, rubbing and nuzzling the ruined skin there. Worshipping it as if it was something beautiful.

“I’ve been waiting so long for this,” she whispered in his ear just before dropping kisses along his jaw.

The way she adored his flaw… it cracked his heart wide open. His hand tightened on her hip, desperate to keep her there.

“Annie,” he groaned in warning.

If she didn’t stop, he wouldn’t be able to keep from taking her. And if she did, he’d die of desolation.

“Yes?” She continued kissing his face, her hands running through his hair as if it was their new home. “Is it okay? Does it feel good?”

“Fucking wonderful,” he murmured, getting lost in the feel of those plush lips on him.

She pulled back to give him the sexiest smile he’d ever seen. His heart pounded. His smiley little angel. She amazed him.

He dove for her lips, capturing them between his, forgetting about any shame he’d had before. How could he feel ashamed when she’d so thoroughly crushed any hint of discomfort at his appearance.

As he kissed her, learning her mouth more fully, his fingers flirted with the hem of her shirt, wanting what was beneath but still not sure of what he was doing. With his thumb, he slid underneath, sweeping along the skin of her waist.

Fuck it. He wanted her body bared to him. Wanted to feel her everywhere.

“I need this shirt off of you,” he grunted, trying to figure out the fastest way.

Rip it. Yes, that was it.

It was an easy thing, as he gripped the thin cotton collar in both hands and tore it straight down the middle revealing her heavy breasts cupped in blue satin. His mouth went dry at the sight.

Annie gasped and the scent of her arousal exploded around them. Blister cupped her through the fabric, circling his thumb over the hard bud of her nipple. Every touch made his stomach clench in longing, made his cock hard as steel. He brought his head down to kiss the supple curves, and she groaned.

“When’s the last time someone touched you like this?” he whispered against her skin.

“Never,” was her breathed answer.

Lifting his head, he stared hard at her. “Never?” It seemed impossible. His mate was so gorgeous, and he wasn’t a fool. Not once did he imagine she was untouched. Just like him.

Her expression darkened, and she ducked his gaze, shaking her head.

Her reaction had him pausing. There was something there. Some insecurity.

“Why is that?” he demanded, keeping his voice gentle.

The only response was her biting her lip.

“Mate, talk to me.”

She lifted her gaze, and he hated what he saw there. Fear. She was afraid to tell him. Shame. He knew that feeling intimately.

“I don’t know,” she said. “No one ever wanted me like that.”

Impossible.

He shook his head, running his hands over her curves again, his eyes following the path.

“They’re crazy, you know that right?”

She didn’t answer.

“You are gorgeous, angel. But I’m glad they didn’t see it, because now you’re all mine.” He palmed her breast, squeezing to drive his point home.

Annie whimpered, pushing her chest further into his hand.

“I want you,” he murmured, in case she didn’t get it. “I want to take you. Make you cry in pleasure. I want to show you what I’ve been holding back all this time. I want to give you all, and take it all. Tear down every wall between us. Built up new ones that can never be taken down. I want you, Annie. I need you. Let me have you.”

Every word made her breath hitch.

“What,” her voice was strangled with emotion that he could feel clearly through their fragile mating bond, “are you waiting for?”

What the fuck was he waiting for? She was his. He’d wait no more.

In a quick move, he slid her off the counter, setting her feet on the floor, and grinding his erection into her waist so she’d know the extent of his need. He slid his fingers beneath the waistband of her jeans and popped the button.

“Not here,” she gasped, her gaze cutting to the backdoor. “Take me upstairs.”

Upstairs. The bedroom. The bed.

He stared into her eyes. Could he do this? Be with her in a bed? She had no idea what she was asking of him, but he knew, if he told her, she’d let him take her right here. Where she would feel exposed. She’d sacrifice for him, for his fucking hang-up, and he didn’t want that. It was what he’d been trying to avoid this entire time.

Blister brushed his thumb across her heated cheek.

In a bed, with his angel. Just like his dream. He wanted it. He wanted it bad enough to push through his fears. She could make him forget the pain, everything, except the two of them.

“My name was Rogan,” he breathed against her lips.

And before she could answer, he lifted her so her legs straddled his waist and walked with her through the kitchen. Tangling her hands around his neck, she kissed his jaw, nibbled his earlobe. He climbed the stairs, pausing at the top to kiss the fuck out of that pouty little mouth.

“Baby,” she moaned when he broke away.

And damn, what that did to him. He’d never tell a fucking soul, but the term made him feel special. Loved. And totally fucking protective. She kept that up, and he’d kill for her. Maybe he would anyway. Because if anyone ever tried to take her away from him…

God help them.

He dragged his nose along her jaw, inhaling. “Do you know the things I’m going to do to you, mate?”

Blister didn’t wait for her to answer. He wouldn’t waste time telling her anyway. Much better to show her.

In the bedroom, he set her on her feet and finished removing the scraps of her shirt. Tugging the zipper down, he dragged her jeans along her legs until she could step out of them. But he didn’t make it back up.

The sight of her curvy hips in dark blue panties drew his attention and wouldn’t let go. Blister went to his knees, his hands sliding reverently up her thighs until he gripped her hips.

“Fuck,” he whispered, burying his nose where her thighs met that secret place he would claim soon. He breathed deep, her arousal intoxicating.

Annie gasped, her hand flying to his hair and pulling to make him stop. He gazed up at her.

“What… what… are you doing?” she asked shocked.

“Smelling you. I’m also going to lick you. And suck you. And bite you. When I’m finished, there won’t be a place on your body that I don’t know intimately. I’m making you mine, Annie. If you don’t want that, tell me now.”

Her eyes went wide. “You mean like Ella said? Forever?”

Forever. He wanted that so fucking bad. He’d make it work. He’d find a way. Keep their relationship a secret from the community. Find a compromise when it came to sleeping arrangements. Whatever it took, he’d do it if she said yes.

“Yes.  Forever.”

“Really?” Her voice was watery, mirroring her eyes. “You really want me like that?”

“Fuck yes, baby. And I’m tired of waiting so tell me, do you want me like that?”

There he was, hanging on a limb, waiting for the truth. He just needed her to be sure. If she was sure of him, everything else would work itself out.

“I really do, Blister. I do.”

Wolf liked that answer very much. He pulled her back to his mouth, his hands grabbing the cheeks of her ass and finding bare skin.

His cock got impossibly harder.

“What’s this?” he asked, turning her.

Hot fucking damn, he hadn’t expected that. His angel wore a thong.

He swallowed but had trouble speaking around his desire to bite, lick, and kiss. “Damn, baby.”

His fingers brushed the curve of her behind until he palmed one perfect, round globe, squeezing, and drawing a moan from her. Sliding one finger under the string between her cheeks, he pulled it taut and then released it, letting it snap. She gave a surprised yelp, but he kissed away any sting, licking and nibbling at her soft flesh.

“Blister?”

She was nervous. He could hear it in her voice.

“Trust me?”

She’d asked for his trust earlier and he’d given it.

“Yes.”

“Bend over the bed.”

She complied, positioning her arms loosely above her head. Carefully, Blister slid the string aside, moving down until he could see the glistening lips of her sex. There was a bit of hair. Short and trimmed. It was the first glimpse of his mate’s sweet slit and it had him aching so bad he didn’t know how he’d make it.

Gentle, so as not to scare her, he dipped a finger in. She was soaking wet already. So responsive to him.

“Beautiful,” he murmured, and then he couldn’t wait any longer.

Lowering his head, he lapped at her with his tongue.

Her gasp was loud enough to fill the room. “Blister!”

“Shh. I’m licking.” And she tasted divine. He could do this every day. All day, if she’d let him.

After a few seconds, her thighs began to quiver and he gently swirled his tongue over her clit, giving her more sensation. When she pushed back against him, he did what he’d really been wanting to do. He pushed his tongue inside, fucking her with it.

She whimpered and shook as if she might come apart.

Mother. Fuck. He’d never done this but he’d sure as hell dreamed about it, and the reality was a million times better. He never imagined his mate would be so open to pleasure.

It was time to prepare her. She was wondrously tight. She’d never be able to take him if he didn’t start making room now.

With one hand on her lower back, he worked a finger of the other into her tight wet heat. She gasped and tensed, but he used his thumb to rub the pearl of nerves at the top and she relaxed.

He never thought about the sexual training his former pack had given unmated males. It was so long ago and he assumed he’d never use it. But now he was grateful the elders had thought to educate them. It would surely make this claiming easier for her. Which was worth everything to him.

Watching his finger move in and out slowly, her wetness coating it, was too much. He had to have another taste.

He bent to her again, spreading her legs wide and giving her swollen bud more attention.

“I’m… I’m… gonna…”

“Do it,” he murmured, sucking softly on her sweet spot.

With a cry, she tensed, quivering, and he didn’t stop the mouth action until she was completely limp and spent. She breathed hard, her face plastered to the bed.

Blister rose to stand, running his hands up her body until he reached her bra. He unhooked it, letting the two pieces of the band fall to the sides.

“That was…” Her breathless whisper gave him so much satisfaction, he went weak in the knees. “Amazing.”

“Oh, mate,” he rasped, ripping his shirt over his head. “We’re just getting started.”