“Let me down!” I punched on Antonio’s back, my head spinning.

Antonio slapped my rear end. Hard. I jerked at the contact where I lay like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder. He shouted, “Shut up! Or I swear, I’m going to bend you over my leg and properly spank your ass like you deserve!”

Ezra wobbled drunkenly behind us. “God, I would,” a large hiccup, “love to see that.”

King Venclaire smacked the back of Ezra’s head. “I told you to shut up, too.”

I grinned, even as the passing black wall spun.

It had been one week since our first meltdown. We’d had many since then, some of them pretty damn epic and probably going down in a King Cave book somewhere, but tonight’s had… “Okay! Let me down,” I slurred. “We went too far. I’m sorry.”

King Venclaire snorted, dragging Ezra, who had stopped and wavered, and then started moving again. “Too far? Yes, I would say so. You two started a damn brawl in the only bar inside King Cave. Everything is smashed and broken.”

Ezra lifted a finger while I blinked blurry eyes, having to tilt my head to see him. “Not the far pool table.” His sloppy grin was unrepentant. “It may be a little off-tilt. Two women were dancing on it for me, but it’s not broken.”

I snorted. “You mean the two sluts you fucked earlier in the bar’s bathroom?”

Ezra growled. It was Vampire. “Better than you fucking Finn in the bar’s supply closet.”

Pointing an instant, furious finger, I hissed, “No one went in there! It had a lock on the door, unlike the bathroom where everyone went in and out to use the only other stall! The whole bar was telling stories of what they could hear going on!”

“Shut up!” Antonio yelled at the top of his lungs. He shook me on his shoulder so fiercely I had to slap a hand over my mouth to keep the alcohol down, which was trying to reappear. “I lied, Lil! Children fucking suck.”

“You know,” Ezra murmured as if he hadn’t heard Antonio, his blinking eyes turning toward King Venclaire. “We didn’t technically start the fight. Lily and I never once touched each other with harmful intent.” Innocent eyes. “Everyone else started throwing punches.” He smiled and patted the back of my head. “I even saved her from being impaled by a flying bar stool.”

“I ducked,” I muttered.

Instant. “With my assistance.”

“You tripped into me,” I stated heatedly. “I saved your ass by pulling you down.”

“That was the second bar stool,” Ezra griped, trying to bend to peer into my eyes, but was yanked up by King Venclaire. “I was talking about the first one.”

“There was only one bar stool, you idiot,” I muttered. “Now you’re imagining things.”

“No, you just don’t remember because you didn’t actually see it.” His resulting grin was ridiculously smug. “I’m that good.”

I peered at King Venclaire. “Will you smack him again, please?”

“Only if he speaks.” King Venclaire’s features were of mixed amusement and irritation.

Alright. I glanced at Ezra. “Man-whore.”

“Bitch,” Ezra grumbled.

King Venclaire slapped Ezra upside his head.

I grinned lazily. “Thank you.” I patted Antonio’s back. “I want a different room.”

“No,” Antonio stated promptly. “Work out your issues. Quit running from them.”

“We’re not running from them,” I slurred, letting my head hang in defeat. “We’re yelling and drinking them away.” In the past week I had figured out what my issue was, and I didn’t want to confront it.

“Lots of yelling,” King Venclaire muttered. “Lots of drinking.”

Ezra chuckled, and I saw his feet wobble from side-to-side before moving straight. “We fight pretty well together.”

“Yes, you’ve entertained many this week,” Antonio grumbled dryly. “You should be proud of the fact your future subjects have gotten a firsthand look at the Prodigies losing it.”

Shame filled me knowing I was behaving like a child. Frustration ran through me like toxic waste because I didn’t know what to do. Add in my alcohol consumption tonight and, well, I started bawling. Giant, hot tears blinded me and sobs started racking my frame. I hated fighting with Ezra. I detested feeling this way, everything jumbled and screwed up. I was so confused it was becoming debilitating.

“Hey!” Ezra roared. “She’s crying!”

I heard a grunt, and then a thud, while I let out all my emotions flowing through my wretched tears. Only a beat later, strong hands were ripping me away from Antonio in a blur, even as I heard another thud. Then Ezra’s bloodshot eyes were staring down at me, his protective warm arms wrapped around me tight, holding me close. Worry etched his tone, his eyes darting back and forth between mine. “Did he hurt you?”

I sobbed and shook my head, the action making his face waver for a moment.

Ezra’s nostrils flared and his eyebrows slanted together until his attention slammed over my head. His predator growled. “Stay the fuck back.” He wobbled and blinked, still holding me close, and then slipped his hand away from my waist to bend and tuck it under my legs. He lifted me in a blur.

We were flying.

It truly felt as such while Ezra used his Vampire speed, running so fast I wouldn’t be able to track him. Less than ten seconds later, he thumped against the wall directly next to his door, having evaded Antonio and King Venclaire, wherever they were now. Although, getting inside our room took longer than the trek there did. He couldn’t easily get the key out of his pocket while holding me, and since I was still clinging to him while I wept, he wasn’t putting me down.

When we finally got inside, I cried as quietly as I could, since Jack and Pearl were asleep. Earlier, Ezra and I had left them after making sure they were out. Tucking them into bed had become part of our normal nightly activities — recently alongside drinking and arguing — after taking care of them.

Ezra didn’t take us to the bed, instead placing me on the black couch and smashing me against the back of it when he lay down, too. It felt right, him keeping me warm and safe as I wrecked his shirt with my tears and grasping fists. He didn’t say anything — he was never one for words when I cried — only running his fingers through my hair, keeping me close. We fell asleep that way, curled around one another as we had done before everything had shifted.

The morning started out oddly.

Ezra and I were woken by Pearl and Jack…taking showers and getting ready…to actually leave our bedroom without being forced by their parents. Silently, we watched them while they — also silently — moved woodenly throughout our room. But they actually moved without the intent to throw or blow something up. Neither one of us wanting to disturb this new development, we didn’t move or speak, only watched, still wrapped in each other’s arms, keeping the other warm. Then…they left the room about three minutes apart from each other.

We stared at the door. Both still mute. Hopeful, but worried.

Ezra and I continued waiting.

Watching the door for them to storm back inside, unable to handle the populace.

Five minutes turned into ten.

Ten turned into twenty.

Once forty-five minutes rolled around, and Jack and Pearl didn’t show, it was pretty obvious they weren’t immediately running back here.

More than a bit of relief filled me with the thought.

Ezra was the first to break our mold, turning his face toward me.

Gently, he murmured, “Are you ready to talk about what happened last night?”

My lips pursed, and I shook my head.

He was quiet, his watchful eyes on me. His thumb brushed lightly over the curve of my jaw, making my jaw clench. He whispered, “Are you sure?” I couldn’t move or speak if my life depended on it right now. Sighing softly when I didn’t respond, he stated, “No matter what, I love you, sweetheart. Nothing will change that.”

My eyes darted between his, searching his open green gaze for the truth, since I didn’t dare breathe for fear I might start blabbering. Or worse yet, cry again. His gaze seemed to speak of honesty, but still my lids hooded instantly as I peered away. I wasn’t ready to speak about my issues. But it didn’t mean we couldn’t talk about his. “Why have you—”

Cutting me off, he placed a quick finger against my lips. “Don’t expect me to dish out the goods when you’re hoarding your own.” He pushed off the couch and stalked toward the bathroom, leaving me feeling cold and empty, and my stomach churning. “That’s not the way we work.” He disappeared around the corner, only to reappear a moment later, one of his black towels and his bathing suit in hands. Gruffly, he muttered, “I’m going to the pools.” The door slamming closed was his goodbye.

Like a girl, not like a Prodigy-almost-Queen, I lay on the couch and cried quietly.

Uncertain of what I wanted to say to Ezra, but knowing something needed to be said, I showered quickly, put on a black bikini courtesy of the enchanted mirror, grabbed my Snoopy towel from the linen closet, and set out for the pools. The cave’s floor was chilly under my feet, which meant it was pretty cold down here since Mysticals can handle cold climates better than Commoners. As I trekked toward Ezra, butterflies fluttered incessantly inside my stomach. I actually stopped three times, debating turning around, before setting my feet back into motion.

He had said he would love me no matter what my issues were. I trusted that. My hold up was that silence, or even aggression, was so much easier than speaking the truth when the stakes were high for wrecking perfection.

But our relationship wasn’t perfect anymore, and here I stood, scanning the inside of the foremost pool area. It was pretty packed. Mysticals had clambered to be here at King Cave once the Mages’ spelled messages had reached them, praying for safety when the world outside hadn’t become any kinder toward Mysticals, only worse. Ezra wasn’t in the main room, but I saw the Kings in one corner; apparently this was today’s meeting place for whatever they were discussing. Worse yet, when they took notice of me, I also knew they were speaking about me, their eyes startled, then blank.

Perfect. Not what I needed right now.

After moving past them quickly and skirting where the crystal blue water met the sloping black floor, dodging various Mysticals of different factions all laughing and enjoying themselves in our sanctuary, I took the right entrance to the back hallways, heading for the adult pools. There were three, varying in temperature.

He wasn’t in any of them.

Sighing, I turned around and headed toward the spa-like area, but had to again pass by the Kings at the massive opening to the main pool. Keeping my head down, I wove through the white plastic chairs and took the left entrance, the middle one leading only to the brat section. In this segment were a variety of small areas with spelled hot tubs including a few alcoves that housed many tubs, while others for privacy had only one, and sauna rooms, those areas having doors with tiny windows.

I checked those first and saw numerous Mysticals using the rooms to do — ahem — a selection of different activities, but I still didn’t see Ezra. Moving from opening to opening, I began checking the hot tubs, again seeing a variety of happenings occurring. At the last room, beginning to lose hope in finding him, I stepped into the entrance, squinting through the steam.

Stopped dead.

The room was tiny. It held just one hot tub. It had merely one gold spark of light, allowing for intimacy or relaxation. It also had only one occupant.

Ezra.

He wasn’t in the tub.

Nor did he have on a stitch of clothing.

I had never seen him naked before. Vampires were private. Even more so than me.

My heart rate instantly doubled as my eyes scanned everywhere they could at once, my gaze definitely not one of a best friend. His back was turned to me, so I couldn’t see his face, but I knew it was him. He must have just exited the tub because water glistened all over his body. His black and red hair was wet, not spiked as usual and appearing darker in the dim lighting. His shoulder and back muscles worked under his gleaming mocha skin as he dried his left arm with his towel. His muscles were defined, running down either side of his spine, his waist tapering in with not an ounce of fat to be seen.

And then there was his ass.

I know my jaw slacked as I stared at what had to be the most perfect backside.

My goodness, God has truly blessed this Vampire.

All I wanted to do was take each of those mocha globes — with plenty of muscle definition, but not flat like some men’s — and squeeze hard before sinking my teeth into each one. Then repeat. A couple of times. His legs were built well, too, long with toned muscles, but…yeah, my eyes weren’t moving from his ass. Time kind of lost meaning for a while until Ezra began drying his stomach.

Not even glancing back, he muttered, “If you’re done staring, I would appreciate it if you would get the fuck out.”

My whole body jolted and my hammering heart actually stuttered, then thumped back into the wild gallop. The lust that had consumed me was still very much alive within my scattered wits, but there was also plenty of room for panic. Breath hitching, my muddled thoughts screaming run, I lurched out of the entrance before he could see me, quickly putting my feet into motion. Away from temptation, away from him knowing that I wanted him so badly that it had caused me to act out against him to hide my true feelings.

My eyes instantly glowed, providing better illumination to get the hell out of there as fast as I could. Speeding past rooms with steam billowing out into the hallway, swirls of vapor my dust, I flew into the main pool area. My gaze darting for the fastest possible exit, I heard Antonio’s voice to my left. “Lily, come here for a moment.”

No time for that. Run!

I put my feet in motion again, haphazardly moving through the crowd, which seemed to have only grown. Peering in Antonio’s direction, I saw him physically jerk. “Maybe later, Antonio.” He was sitting with the Kings and Cahal, along with an air Elemental and Shifter, both of whom I didn’t recognize. Blinking, I realized my eyes were still glowing, but I couldn’t seem to stop them, so I only shook my head. “I’ve got a thing I have to do.” Like, fucking run!

Something hard smacked into my legs. Grunting at the pain, I jerked my attention around even as I started falling. I felt warmth under me, which was the Elemental sitting on the chair I had jogged straight into, my body toppling straight over him and flying side-over-side before my face, and front, had smacked against the cold, hard floor.

Everyone around me blinked. Stared. Unnatural silence surrounded me.

I didn’t care, my gaze flying to the hallway I had exited, making sure Ezra hadn’t come out yet. He hadn’t. Quickly, I started to lift myself from the unforgiving ground.

Antonio asked into the quiet, “Lil, what are you doing?”

As I stalled in a push-up position, my glowing gaze found his intent golden one. “What you taught me to do.” I shoved myself up and, not giving a shit, started racing through the Mysticals, who were beginning to resume their conversations. My mind screamed at me to run faster, but I couldn’t. I wouldn’t risk someone seeing I was too fast for a Shifter.

It seemed like it took forever getting to our room, but as soon as I was inside I didn’t know what to do with myself. I paced for a few minutes, running my hands through my hair. Jumped for a minute or two. Then gave up, flopping back on the bed and tossing an arm over my eyes. I had no clue what to do about Ezra, but I was grateful he hadn’t caught me.

We were best friends. We had a damn pact, exclusively for no funny business. Sex inevitably wrecked things. In the end, one person always felt like they got gypped some way or another. At least, it had always been that way for me and my sexual partners after Dominic. Someone always got hurt, the end result never pleasant even if the going was.

I didn’t want to wreck anything with Ezra. Our friendship. But my body was traitorous, my mind constantly bringing me back to his lips and his erection. And now, there was the image of his damn perfect ass to contend with. Lying on this bed wasn’t helping either, since his scent was all over it. I groaned. “Dammit.”

The door opened and closed, and I froze on the bed. “Pearl? Jack?” Please, God.

“No, it’s me,” Ezra’s deep rumble rolled through the room. “Going to the pools?”

“Huh?” I tried to think peaceful thoughts — a tree with fat leaves in the middle of summer and a cool breeze — attempting to regulate my heartbeat and libido. Keeping my arm firmly crooked over my eyes so I couldn’t see him, and remembering I was wearing my bathing suit, I mumbled, “Oh, yeah. I was thinking about it.”

Ezra hummed in his throat, and it sounded more like a growl than being thoughtful. And far too close.

I felt the bed dip. His heat, always so damn warm, instantly washed over me as he lay down beside me. Holding my breath, wishing he would just go away so I could recuperate, he shifted even closer. My entire being froze at feeling his hot lips against my ear.

He whispered, “You may need your towel.” A thump landed directly next to my hip.

Unable to move, my mind flew through my time at the pool. The breath inside my chest stalled. My heart fluttered as I realized I definitely had my towel as I had searched for him, but I couldn’t remember having it during my dash from the room. I hadn’t even realized I’d dropped it, my mind having gone straight to my lust for him at seeing his gorgeous body on display.

“So…,” Ezra whispered softly, even as I felt the tip of his finger begin to draw slow circles around my exposed belly button. “Did you like what you saw?”

Stomach jerking at the contact, I gritted my teeth, trying to push through my need to roll into him. Keeping my breathing shallow, I stayed quiet, unsure what to say that would be safe territory.

“I think you did,” Ezra murmured into the silence. “Your heart earlier was beating just as rapidly as it is now.” I tried to slow it, but it was no use, his fingertip making one last loop before twirling little by little, his touch like soft velvet, up my stomach, and eventually dragging over the tiny centerpiece of my bikini’s top. Exhaling sharply on a shaky breath, I shuddered as his hot finger glided between my breasts, brushing my cleavage. “You left the most pleasant aroma in your wake.” His voice was pure growl. “Not quite as heady as what you’re exuding now, since it was faint, vanishing as you did.” His finger disappeared when it reached my throat, but his hand was soon gripping my wrist and pulling my arm away from my eyes.

A tiny whimper made its way past my lips. This was bad. Scenting the air had told me he was as turned on as me. I wasn’t sure I could fight this, but it was something that shouldn’t happen.

He placed my arm over my head, running his fingers down the sensitive underside even as I felt him shift, the sunlight from the ceiling once again blocked.

Inhaling heavily, I opened my eyes. His face was directly over mine. Close. Our noses were almost brushing, his green eyes hooded. “Ezra, we can’t do this.” My voice was husky, and I didn’t bother hiding it since he now knew I wanted him.

“Hmm,” he murmured, his face lowering in slow increments. “Sweetheart, I told you not to tempt me again.” His breath fanned over my lips, and I wanted to lift for the real deal instead of this ghost kiss. “You knew the consequences.”

Yes, he had made that blatantly clear, but… “Maybe it’s just us being in bed together. We’ve never done well with that.”

His lips curved, his nose brushing mine. “It’s not the bed.”

Eyebrows puckering, I pushed further back into the pillow. “You mean you’ve wanted to have sex with me before, when we weren’t lying in bed?” My gaze darted like rapid fire, searching his gaze. I scented the air slowly, waiting for his response.

He actually chuckled. “Yes, sweetheart. Plenty of times. I’m just smart enough not to leave evidence behind.” Truth to all. His lips hovered over mine, and his gaze lifted, staring me in the eyes. “I’ve always found you attractive, even when we first met and I thought you were a Com. But you were mated, then grieving, and then we had our pact.” He cocked his head. “I think I stopped giving a damn about our pact around the time finals were over and we started training with the Kings, but you weren’t on the same page as me. You never once looked at me the way you did a week ago. Hell, you never even said you liked my body until a week ago.”

Truth. Holy shit.

“So, there you have it,” he murmured softly. “Now you know my little secret. I want to have sex with one of my best friends. A best friend who’s of a different Mys faction.” His eyes held mine and never left. “That’s why I’ve been such a prick this past week. I thought you were finally noticing me, maybe actually wanting me sexually. It frustrated me,” he paused, “alright, it pissed me off when you didn’t.”

Staring like an idiot because he was telling the truth, I started babbling, “I’ve been a bitch this whole week because I wanted to have sex with you. It came out as anger instead.”

Ezra blinked, and I could see him running this past week’s scenarios through his mind, just as I was evaluating his own prior actions. His head cocked, and his gaze ran over my face, stalling at my lips for a lengthy amount of time before peering into my eyes. “You’re scared.”

Therein lay the problem behind it all. Of course I was. But that wasn’t something I would freely admit. Pride was a mega damn hurdle most of the time. This was a perfect example of that. I kept my mouth shut.

“Ah,” he whispered, his fingers threading through my hair as he held the back of my head. Trapping me. “I understand that. I was afraid it would mess our friendship up, too.” He rested his forehead against mine, his eyes unblinking. “We’re both adults. We’ve been mated before, lost our mates, had sexual partners afterward. I think we can handle this.”

“I don’t want to screw us up,” I said softly, shaking my head inside his hold. “I love you too damn much to lose you.”

“I feel the same, sweetheart. That’s why I think we can handle it.” His nose brushed back and forth against mine, the softest touch. “We won’t let anything stand in the way of each other.”

I bit my lip, gnawing on it. “What if something changes? What if one of us wants to end it before the other does? Or gets jealous?” There were so many variables.

“We’ll deal with any problem that arises then,” he spoke smoothly, his fingers gently massaging the back of my head. “We have both been through an ample amount of sexual partners to know that something inevitably comes up, but we’ve never cared enough about those individuals to try to work through an issue.” He shrugged. “We’ll work through any issue because we do love each other.”

I felt my resolve melt away in a wild rush. No easy, subtle trickle as I heard and scented the truth in his words. Which meant I hadn’t really wanted to say no in the first place. I wanted him that damn badly. I knew this now. My greedy body had apparently known this before me, only it had taken my mind a bit longer to catch up. The last of my resistance was gone when I gained him as a sexual partner for however brief it may be. Inhaling heavily, breathing in his scent, I murmured, “Alright.”

He stilled above me, his fingers frozen through my hair. The barest whisper. “Alright?”

“Yes, Ezra.” My lips curved little by little with my ravenous gaze roaming his face, finding many locations where I wanted to place my lips. To taste him on a different level. “I want to have sex with you. Lots of it.” My grin increased as the breath rushed out of him, spilling over my cheeks. “Think you can handle that?”

Ezra’s eyes instantly flared with heat. Intense. Potent.

My breath hitched at seeing just how much he had been holding back, his gaze hot enough to make the kindling heat low in my stomach blaze. A growl erupted from deep inside his chest, his predator taking voice. I shivered at the promise there, but I hurriedly stated, “Wait. One other thing.” It was like I pressed pause, his body becoming motionless. Only his eyes scorching mine let me know I needed to hurry the hell up and say what I needed to. “No drinking during sex.”

His eyes widened. “You’re making a mistake there.”

“Mind holds are not appealing to me in the heat of the moment.” My eyes didn’t waver from his, showing him I meant business. “I’m serious. I don’t want it.”

Ezra’s nostrils flared, and his jaw clenched, but he finally nodded. “If it’s a deal-breaker, then fine.” Deliberately moving slowly, he lowered his mouth teasingly, his lips hovering directly over mine. The warmth of his promised embrace was a sensual balm to my fevered ache. “You’ll be missing out though. As will I, since I’ve felt yours before, even if untrained.”

I didn’t know there was such a thing as ‘trained’ and ‘untrained’ where mind holds were concerned, but I didn’t honestly care. I wanted to be cognizant while in the act. Really, I could imagine it now. One minute, we’re getting started; the next minute, I wake up and it was done. Nope, not going there. Smiling gently, I murmured, “Thank you.”

He hummed, his gaze steadfast on my lips.

There was no stopping this time. Nor did I want him to stop.

Ezra lowered his head. His mouth. Onto mine.

The barest of touches, the sweetest of brushes, as he held his lips still.

My heart rate galloped into a wild frenzy, the suspense killing me. My lids lowered.

My power, his power, erupted inside the room. No slow trickling as was normal for a Mystical mating. Too long spent denying each other, we no longer hid our want. The sizzling power was a heady rush of wild animal need and seductive longing darkness, which swirled around us, tickling my hair against my cheeks.

Lush lips curved against mine in a self-assured grin, and then he was tilting his head and his mouth was a gliding heat of decadent pleasure, parting slightly and pressing against mine…as he truly kissed me.

My world caught on fire.

Breath catching, my lips molded to his wide, warm mouth, the pressure and sensation like a hot summer’s night, smoldering and perfectly moist, promising of more. Returning his kiss on a sigh, I threaded my fingers through his hair, which was still damp from the hot tub.

Ezra groaned low, his lips vibrating on mine as he continued his slow assault, tilting his head the other way and nibbling gently on my bottom lip, tugging, only to graze his warm tongue over it before molding his mouth with mine again.

A soft moan that was entirely feminine escaped me, and I felt him chuckle softly as he lightly ran his tongue across the seam of my lips and then tug again on my bottom lip, asking for entrance. I let him, knowing soon my wolf was going to wake, then…his tongue slid across mine, his taste new. Unique. Fucking good as hell.

My wolf growled.

It was a playful noise, but still a warning of sorts.

I felt it. My wolf’s need.

But if I was honest, it was also my need for the Vampire to prove himself.

Ezra froze over me at the sound. Smart man. It still didn’t save him from being flipped onto his back. Laying directly over him, I had a crystal clear view of his startled expression.

Shit.

Taking a deep breath, I crawled backward until I was sitting on my knees at the edge of the bed. I explained as quickly as I could. I wanted to jump him so damn bad I was trembling, but I was aware that if he didn’t know, he could get hurt, never mind about being freaked out. “I’m a Shifter. Alpha. My wolf doesn’t let a man take me unless he shows he can handle her.” There were times my wolf backed down when I pushed hard enough, so the man could win, but I had a sneaking suspicion my wolf wouldn’t be doing that for him.

“Ezra, I should have told you before, but I thought you knew about Shifters and sex.” His still-wide gaze explained he had not. “The first time with an alpha Shifter woman is always rough.” Until the wolf knew and respected him. I jerked my head at the door, breathing heavily through my mouth as I tried not to scent him. “You’d better run if you’re not into this.”

Instant. “I’ve never run away well.” He licked his lips, his eyes never once traveling to the door, even if they were still wide. “Is this like no holds bars? Or more of a petting?”

He got an instant answer, my wolf very much liking his cockiness, as my wolf’s nails instantly sliced through my fingers. Fuck…that has never happened before.

Ezra froze.

Wolf riding my voice hard, I growled, “Run, Ezra.”

“No,” he whispered, a steady, relaxed grin spreading on his supple lips. He blurred.

My wolf snarled just as his shoulder smashed into my gut, propelling both of us off the bed and into a dresser, knocking it over. My wolf wouldn’t let me do anything but try my hardest, meaning my Shifter strength, so I shoved him off me and his body flew to hit the dresser next to us, bashing into it hard enough he — and it — went crashing to the floor. I rolled, pacing backward, knowing…

He blurred once more.

Barley able to track him, I leapt to the side, diving through the air.

Too damn swift, he flew with me. We collided against the back of the golden chair, the luxurious piece of furniture literally snapping in two pieces under us as we landed on the coffee table, the glass shattering beneath our bodies. I smelled both our blood on the air, but I rolled, kicking Ezra onto the couch. Watching as it tumbled over with his smashing weight, I hopped into a crouch, not hesitating to jump over the glass. Waiting.

I didn’t even see him coming.

Suddenly, I was pinned to the wall, my hands above my head, my wrists caught in his grip…and his teeth at my neck, an unbreakable bite. His fangs weren’t descended, but he was applying enough pressure that my wolf froze at the kill shot.

His Vampire growled, merciless and extended, containing a jagged edge of leashed dominance.

Chest pumping raggedly, my heart beat a crazy rhythm, which only escalated further when his Vampire quieted and his thumbs began a slow glide back and forth over the undersides of my wrists. He was still holding me captive, but adding a light touch to the fact he could easily rip my throat out.

My wolf didn’t fight, not ignorant, but she still snarled and my claws didn’t retract.

Ezra’s predator responded with another rumble before he yanked me from the wall, jerking my hands behind my back. His teeth were still hard at my throat, gripping so tight I could only manage to breathe as he started navigating me backward toward the bed.

Even while I trembled in arousal from his control, my damn wolf still wasn’t letting go of the reins, apparently really liking Ezra and enjoying the challenge. I understood it. Finn had definitely been a challenge, as had Felix, a previous bed partner, but Ezra was a different predator altogether and he was alpha strong in his own right. My wolf growled low when the backs of my knees hit the bed. Our powers were still whipping the air around us, carnal and physical.

The room spun as he tossed me onto the mattress with his speed, flipping me onto my hands and knees. I instantly bucked, arching back and trying to twist away, but his forearm slammed against my back from behind, crushing my chest to the fur cover.

Bending over me, he brushed my hair away and whispered, “Hello, little wolf.”

Said little wolf snarled.

Ezra chuckled deeply while nibbling at my ear, giving it a hard, reprimanding tug when I tried grabbing the headboard to jerk free. All I accomplished was putting huge slashes in it. His teeth grazed the side of my neck, fire flaming through my bones at the sensual touch, and he moved his brazen mouth back to my ear, purring, “You’re good, but I’m better.” His free hand slid around my waist to my stomach, gliding upward to cup one of my breasts.

I started panting while bucking viciously, almost managing to throw him off.

“Alright,” Ezra growled, shoving me brutally against the mattress. “Rough it is.” He bit into the strings on my bikini top with his fangs descended, slicing through the material. Yanking my ruined top out from under me, he didn’t loosen his restraining hold this time.

My wolf huffed as I kicked a leg out.

Ezra grunted a curse, and instantly, his legs were between mine, shoving my legs apart.

I managed a soft groan past my wolf.

Ezra stilled.

My wolf nearly caught him then, as I managed to hook my fingers beneath the underside of the mammoth headboard and tear it off the bed’s frame, heaving it over my back.

Ezra ducked, chuckling hard when my wolf howled in pissed-off fury. “Oh, little wolf, I think I like you.” He yanked on one side of my bikini bottom, ripping it. “Tiny you may be, but cunning you are.” My wolf puffed what almost sounded like a damn purr, enjoying the compliment…then I shoved hard, rocking us both up. Until Ezra grabbed my throat, squeezing. “Not happening.” My wolf froze as he pushed me back down. He held my throat for a full minute before releasing it, and then tore the other side of my bikini bottom and pulled the material out from between us.

I was now naked. Under him. While he wore only his bathing suit.

His forearm pressing rock-solid against my back, his other hand ran down my tender side. Licks of firestorms dragged along his touch, making me shiver under him. His hand wasted no time palming my most intimate flesh when my wolf snarled and tried to buck yet again.

Ezra’s breath caught, and he groaned, running two fingers along my slick folds. “God yes, sweetheart. You’re so wet.” Gently, he kissed my shoulder, and my wolf gripped into the mattress with my claws and jerked hard, bumping his face back.

The Vampire within him resounded quietly, a calculating rumble of seductive ferocity. Within a pounding heartbeat, his fingers were absent from my throbbing flesh, and I felt him slide his swim trunks down. Before I could blink against the fur cover, his teeth — no fangs — were at the soft spot between my shoulder and neck. He bit violently enough to draw blood, the scent faint on the air. Moving in a blur, one of his hands gripped both my wrists above my head, his other guiding the blunt head of his cock to my core’s entrance.

My wolf snarled furiously as I tried jerking out from under him, but Ezra pressed unbreakably, his searing chest to my delicate back and his bite drawing more blood.

He thrust his hips forward.

Or he tried to anyway.

Both of us halted, my wolf taking pause at this new development.

Ezra kept the pressure on me, but his teeth instantly left my shoulder. He rested his forehead against the back of my head and groaned as he drove his hips forward with more pressure. But without the anticipated outcome. “Fuck.” He exhaled harshly, his knees knocking my own further apart, before he pressed, sliding inside…maybe an inch. “Christ, you’re tight.”

He continued his determined drive, but it fucking hurt. My wolf backed away long enough for me to mumble brokenly, “Too big, Ezra. You’re too fucking big.” My claws dug into the mattress as pain rocketed through my needing flesh.

“Hush,” he panted, pulling back the barest bit before pressing again, advancing farther this time and stretching my channel to its max. Sounding like his teeth were clenched, he asked, “Are you back with me?”

“My wolf’s still here,” I gasped through the pressure as he retreated, and then thrust harder. “Waiting.”

A guttural groan vibrated against my back, the sound making me even wetter, and he plunged savagely. My breath faltered. His free hand slipped under me, cupping one of my breasts. He squeezed fiercely, and I felt my wolf recede a bit more. “Ezra…”

He licked across my shoulder, his breathing heavy against my ear before lifting so quickly a breeze blew against my back. Both of his hands were on my hips, and he withdrew so that just the head of his immense cock was left inside me, only to thrust so viciously, his cock slid all the way home. My scream was his name as I was filled completely with him, hearing my own name on his shout.

Breathing raggedly, I whimpered, my claws still digging into the cover and mattress.

Ezra groaned, “Little wolf?”

My wolf huffed, the sound short and ticked.

Ezra’s laughter was pure superiority. “Hang on while I take you for a ride.” His hips retreated, then drove flush against me, his victorious mirth altering to a covetous groan.

My moans joined his, the friction of his thrusts unbelievable. I tilted my hips so the head of his cock slid past my cervix, pressing inside me even further. Pure, carnal decadence had my eyes closing on a gasping cry.

His voice gruff, he rumbled, “Fucking shit, you feel so damn perfect.”

“Harder,” I demanded, bracing my hands against the wall. “Fuck me, Ezra.”

“With pleasure, sweetheart,” he purred on a groan. His Vampire growled as his steady, driving thrusts became more a pounding rhythm, and the sounds of our skin slapping against each other joined our cries of pleasure. “Harder?”

“As hard as you can do it,” I snarled, my wolf taking voice.

“I love your wolf,” he muttered breathlessly, gripping my hips with bruising force. He slammed his cock into me, and the impact made me light-headed as frenzied desire whipped out from my gut to my limbs, only my Shifter strength keeping me from shoving forward. Softly, he groaned, “Tell me if this is too much, sweetheart.”

That was his only warning before he was hammering into me, driving me between the point of pleasure and pain as he thrust his fucking enormous cock into me. His name on my lips, I cried out my fulfilled craving. “Ezra…Ezra…Ezra…Ezra,” I shouted, throwing my head back when he reached under me, two of his fingers sliding on either side of my clit, pinching and rubbing back and forth. My channel clenched even further, my breath choking in my tightening throat with the exquisite ache that was building like a volcanic explosion.

His cock pistoning inside me, Ezra ordered roughly, “Have it, sweetheart.”

Whimpering, I began undulating my hips against his fingers.

He shouted deeply, pleasure searing his tone. His fingers pressed firmly, working faster.

Jolting, I screamed his name. White-hot flames leapt from my core, spreading like wildfire to my limbs and mind. A sensual haze enveloped me as I shuddered under him, my channel’s pulsing muscles grabbing his cock tight. Drowning in a sensual haze, I could only convulse under him as he drove in and out of me relentlessly.

“Sweetheart,” Ezra growled an extended groan that echoed inside the mist shrouding my bliss, and my wolf left me completely. My body relaxed under him, my muscles turning limp from my mind-blowing orgasm, but my vision spun as he pulled out and suddenly flipped me onto my back. He spread my legs and thrust his cock deeply into me, making me gasp at the overfull filling. “Is your wolf gone?”

I nodded lazily, my glowing eyes sluggishly blinking open.

“Mmm,” he purred, leisurely withdrawing. Only to plunge brutally. My eyes flew open at the rough intimacy while our power twirled around us, brushing against our flesh in intimate caresses. His wide lips lifted at the corners, his own flared eyes directly on mine and holding my gaze quietly. He gradually lowered over me, the muscles in his broad shoulders and pecs rippling at the sensual action, and pressed a bit of his weight, his body heat, onto me. Leaning on his elbows on either side of my head, his lips hovered over mine. “Kiss me.”

I hummed in sated contentment and gently grabbed his angular jaw, pulling his face to mine. Touching my lips to his, I kissed him softly as his plunges altered to a measured glide. Running my knees up his sides, I hooked my legs over his waist and lifted to meet his thrusts, the head of his cock rubbing deliciously deep within. His groan tantalized my lips as he tilted his head, and he fisted handfuls of my hair as his tongue invaded my mouth, sliding against mine. We both sighed at the dual contact, our tongues tangling with one another’s while his cock slid in and out of my sensitive channel.

“You taste so good,” he whispered, driving his tongue inside my mouth once more.

Our kiss slowly increased in urgency, my hips thrusting faster in time with his.

“Ezra, baby,” I panted, shaking my head back in forth in delirious pleasure. I groaned, feeling his lips lift into a grin against my cheek and his thrusts alter to press his pelvis against my clit. “Right there.” I gasped sharply when he did it again. “Right there, baby. Right there.”

His hands skated to my hips, and his thrusts quickened, continuing to hit all the right spots as his breathing hitched and turned to fierce pants against my ear. He groaned as I rocked against him harder, my nails digging into his scalp as I felt another luscious orgasm mounting. With both of us moaning, his plunges quickly turned into breath-shattering drives, pounding into me harder and more urgently.

“Baby, I’m gonna come,” I whispered, arching against him, my head flying back.

Sweat misting our bodies, he slammed into me brutishly, his cock rubbing deep.

I shuddered uncontrollably, a keen cry falling past my lips. The world shattered around me. My body quaked under him and my channel squeezed the shit out of his cock, not wanting to release him. Wild animal seductive power burst forth, churning in frenzy against us, following in my body’s wake.

“Jesus Christ,” Ezra moaned breathlessly, his hands sliding under my ass, squeezing and holding me tight as he lost all restraint. His cock hammered into me severely, making my pleasure-filled haze flare. I choked on air as he shouted my name, his muscles tensing and his grip brutal on my ass as he shoved once. Twice. His third thrust, he shoved so far inside me I knew I was going to be aching in wonderful places later. His body shivering in severe racks against my quaking frame, his breath rushed against my ear and his cum seared me deep within. His power was a dark and seductive blast of sensual explosion rocking the bed under us, the floor and the walls, and taking what little breath I had left.

For minutes to come, both of us lay as we were, our bodies trembling in aftershocks.

The gentlest of sated sighs slid past my parted lips, and I was content as I relaxed my fingers in his hair, letting them slide down to his shoulders. I began a lazy exploration of his muscled back, having never touched him like this before. He hummed quietly, more of a purr, running his hands from my ass up to the small of my back and around, grazing the sides of my breasts to cup my jaw with a soft touch. He tilted my face in his direction, kissing me unhurriedly, just as lazily as I was touching him. My lids started to lower, my lips slowing their pace, the same as him. Sometime during our soft petting of one another we fell asleep, his weight delectably heavy on top of me and keeping me warm.

We had rolled at some point in our slumber. Now lying on our sides and facing each other, his scent and mine entwined, just as our limbs did. He was still sleeping, his face peaceful with no signs of stress and no carefully blank expressions trying to hide want he wanted, only simple quiet. Of its own accord, my finger began tracing one of his eyebrows, gently gliding its tip over the black arch. Really, his eyebrows had always fascinated me: they were the type every woman would want but would have to wax to achieve what he had naturally.

He didn’t stir, so I continued my exploration, running the pad of my finger over his straight nose and gliding the back of it across one of his sharp cheekbones and around the hard edges of his strong, sharp jaw. My gaze caught on his lips. I stared, my finger hovering above his luscious mouth. After a week of torture, trying to ignore that mouth, I softly rested my index finger against his bottom lip.

It felt just as soft and as full against my skin as it had against my mouth. Biting my lip, I watched avidly as I traced the edges of his wide lips, which had fit pretty damn perfectly against my own. None of my previous lovers’ mouths had molded quite so scrumptiously. Licking my bottom lip, I hesitated for only the briefest moment before deciding the hell with it, we had already had sex so I shouldn’t be shy about kissing him, and leaned forward, doing exactly as I had wanted to do a week ago.

Gently, I nibbled from one corner of his bottom lip to the other, intermittently laving over the tiny hurts. He moaned softly, but his eyes never opened. I used the tip of my tongue to shape the edges of his top lip. Tasting him with unhurried movements, I brushed my mouth over his more firmly.

Until his lips lifted, curling at the edges.

My gaze rising to his, I saw him staring from under thick black lashes, only the barest hint of green showing. I stalled, a smidge of embarrassment and guilt intruding, not only for waking him when he appeared so peaceful, but for touching him intimately while he was asleep. His grin only increased, and a quiet, sleepy chuckle reverberated against my lips still on his.

“I’ve fantasized about this,” he hummed, his arms tightening around me. “Don’t stop.”

My breath hitched at his humble — blatantly honest — words, and any discomfiture I had fled as his fingers lightly trailed up and down my bare back, the sensation wrapping my thoughts in a whole new set of emotions wholly carnal. Sighing softly, I arched against him and closed my eyes while enjoying the sensual stroking, before I gently but firmly pressed him onto his back.

Ezra’s eyes darkened, dilating, as I rose, straddling him. His gaze traveled down my exposed flesh to stare avidly at my breasts. He groaned quietly, his hands beginning to lift, but I brushed them away gently and held them above his head against the shredded mattress.

My face hovered over his. “I want to finish tasting you.”

Green eyes lifted from my breasts to stare into my gaze. “What’s stopping you?”

I mock scowled at his teasing. “Just keep your hands to yourself.” He would stop me, distract me, if he started touching, and I wanted to explore his body first, neither one of us getting to do so at our own pace thanks to my wolf’s demands.

His sudden confident grin, those soft lips, spoke of erotic acts yet to be discovered. “No promises.” His head rose from the pillow and his lips found mine, kissing me. It wasn’t gentle as I expected. It was more like an alpha exerting his dominance. A man letting me know I could begin this and do what amused me, but it the end, he was going to finish it his way. He didn’t try to pull his hands from where I held them, but he didn’t need to as his moist tongue pillaged my mouth, stroking against mine in barefaced thrusts and showing me what he undeniably would be doing later with another part of his anatomy.

A soft feminine moan reverberated from my throat before I could stop it, meeting each of his demands and pressing his head back to the pillow with my own base need. I was giving just as good as he was giving in an attempt to let him know I was no pushover…while I tried not to melt on top of him. Our sensory powers flittered through the air currents the longer our kiss of wills continued. His tongue curled around mine, and he lifted his hips, rubbing his hardening cock against my tender core. That was how I won this little battle. I met his thrust, grinding my wet core against his extraordinary erection.

His breath caught on a groan. He tugged gently at his captured hands as his neck arched, breaking our mouths’ contact. I stared down at him, watching the ache of pleasure play across his strong features. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes were closed, his jaw clenched, and his lips were red and swollen. Biting my lip so I wouldn’t moan, I undulated my hips and ground our sensitive flesh against each other, wanting to witness his satisfaction. His lips parted and his fangs descended, and I felt him shudder under me as he met my movements, a soft exhale escaping him as his muscles clenched.

Green eyes slitted open, he growled, “Don’t tease me.” Without warning, his captured hands were on my cheeks, brushing his thumbs once over my heated skin then, just as suddenly, they were back under my own hands, captured again. “I can’t hold off much longer.” My eyes narrowed even as his lips lifted again, but this time his smile was smug. “Sweetheart, even your wolf knows who’s superior in bed.” Head raising, his lips gently brushed my neck, then his fangs followed, sliding across my flesh in a corporeal stroke before he lowered his head back to the pillow, his eyes hooded. “I want to hear you scream ‘baby’ again. Soon.”

I scowled, grabbing his hands harder. “I did not call you ‘baby’.” Did I? I had never called any bed partner by a pet name. “And my wolf only wanted you to prove yourself. Not concede you’re the superior in bed.”

His resulting grin was pure male self-confidence. “I assure you, you most definitely called me baby.” Again, one of his captured hands moved, brushing his thumb over my frown before it was back inside my captive hold. “I liked it.” His direct, controlled gaze met mine. “Between us, here in this bed, I am dominant.”

I stilled on top of him. Ramifications zinged through my mind at his words. Putting aside the fact we had broken our friendship pact, there was one other detail not so minor. He was the Prodigy Vampire, soon to be King, and I was the Prodigy Shifter, soon to be Queen. Unfortunately for us, I did enjoy a man being dominate in bed, just as long as I could have my fun when I wanted. But that couldn’t be between us. I couldn’t let him control me with the possibility of it running over to the subjects I would be ruling.

Ezra’s almond-shaped eyes began darting back and forth between mine, obviously picking up on the switch in my demeanor. I felt his hands begin to move again, and my jaw clenched as I swiftly rolled, using my miniscule Vampire speed to evade him, tugging the blanket with me. I slipped off the edge of the bed, hauling the enormous, ripped fur cover around my naked body, and took a step back when his eyes flashed at my evasive tactic.

Keeping my gaze firmly on his gradually blanking face, glancing nowhere lower on his delicious body, I stated quietly, “This was a bad idea. I’m sorry, Ezra, but this can’t happen again.” My words were guttural, even if soft, as I made myself voice them.

Quickly turning when he began edging off the bed, I shoved my feet into motion, heading toward the bathroom. “I’m going to take a shower.” A thought occurred in spite of my body’s pulsing need. “You may not want to go outside unless you’ve washed, because you smell like me.” Shifter’s sexual fluids smelled like their animal, so any Shifter would be able to tell he had just slept with a wolf Shifter, and any Shifter who knew my scent well enough would know it was me. My teeth gritted hard as I felt wind brush past me. I halted instantly when Ezra stood before me, staring down at me with his hooded gaze.

Impassive green eyes ran over my features. “Why?”

My lips pinched, but into the quiet I decided he deserved the truth. “I can’t risk you dominating me.” He would know why. I didn’t elaborate.

He hummed, his head cocking. “And if I promised to keep it to the bedroom?” He paused, lifting a single, bored brow. “I know how to keep my sex life private from business.”

Lips thinning even further, I shook my head. “It’ll spill out somewhere.”

After a few moments of dead silence, his hooded eyes opened fully. Honesty radiated in their depths, blatantly showing me his feelings as he cupped my jaw and made me peer directly at him. “I respect you and your handle on the Shifters. This isn’t a relationship, as you know, only sex, kept behind closed doors.” His face lowered, slanting closer to mine. “It won’t leak to arguments or me trying to manipulate you.”

He meant it. I could tell even without scenting as I had the truth in his words. Still… “I don’t know, Ezra.” This was one of those suck-ass decisions in life I was going to have to make, being who I was. “It never ends up being just sex and we both know that.” The same conversation we’d had back at the fore.

He placed his forehead against mine. “As I said before, we’ll deal with any issues as they arise.” His penetrating gaze never wavered. “I promise you, sweetheart, I won’t ever try to manipulate your ruling.” The scent was truth. His lips quirked up at one corner. “You should know this already.”

Yes, I guess I should, since we cared for one another, but being who we were didn’t allow us the luxury of assuming. Which he also understood, so he wasn’t taking my second-guessing him as an insult. My argument was valid. Staring into his eyes, all I wanted to do was throw my arms around his shoulders and kiss him hard, rather than run away from him.

Jaw repeatedly clenching, I debated my decision internally. If I were going to have a sexual relationship with another in power, I would want it to be with a person I loved and who loved me in return. An individual who I respected and trusted completely, and they likewise. Ezra was all of those things. He was also the man in power I wanted to take to my bed.

Inhaling deeply, I stated, “If I ever once feel you’re trying to control a situation because we’ve had sex,” I didn’t doubt he would try to control situations, because he already did at times, but it was the ‘because of sex’ bit I wanted to clarify, “we’re through.” I met his eyes steadily. “And I will have lost my respect for you.” It was brutal honesty, but if he ever did what I had said, it would be one hell of a low blow against someone he called his best friend.

His eyes narrowed slightly at my words, but he slowly nodded. Right before he yanked the blanket off my body, tossing it to the floor. “I’m going to ignore the fact you’re starting to tick me off,” his hands rested on my hips, “actually thinking I would do something like that,” he bent, his warm palms gliding over my skin to the backs of my thighs, and he lifted me swiftly, my legs hooking around his waist and my arms around his neck, as his hands moved to my ass, squeezing and holding me flush against him, “because I want to take that shower with you.”

“That’s very kind of you,” I murmured, automatically arching so my breasts were flush against his flexing chest. My nipples pebbled at the contact, and I rubbed them deliberately against his heated flesh. “But I still want to taste you.”

His eyes darkened as he moved us inside the bathroom, kicking the door closed behind us with his foot. “You missed your chance.” As he stepped inside the shower, one of his hands slid lower on my ass, his fingers feathering over my intimate folds and finding I was most definitely wet for him. “I’m going to taste you now.”

Heat unfurled through my lower stomach, my head dropping back as his mouth landed on the crook of my tender neck. Fumbling with one hand, I managed to turn the water on to a decent temperature as he sucked, fanning the flames inside me. Hot water sprayed over our bodies, creating a slick, luxurious slide to our skin as he set me on my feet, our dueling sensual powers already rippling in waves against our fevered flesh.

Dropping to his knees before me, he groaned as he stared at my chest.

Panting, I watched as his eyes flared, matching my own powered eyes, as his hands gently cupped my breasts. Pinpoints of pleasure warmed my body as he softly squeezed, bringing his face closer. Gripping his slicked hair, I arched, serving myself up for him. His breathing hitching, his tongue flicked over one of my nipples. I jerked at the contact, and one of his hands slid behind me, holding my back tight so I wouldn’t move as his teeth latched onto my nipple. A cry of need fell past my lips, and his gaze met mine, his lashes wet and speared, making his green eyes sparkle that much more as he suckled hard, pulling and tugging my aroused flesh in his moist mouth, his tongue laving hungrily.

I bucked against him, trying to breathe through the pleasure he was inflicting. Fisting his hair tight, I pulled him against me, not wanting his mouth to stop its exploit. He nibbled and sucked, his eyes closing as he groaned, pleasuring one breast, then the other. My body trembled as I pressed greedily against him, his fingers roaming like luxurious petals down my sides until he gripped my thighs, making me spread them. My whimper of disappointment echoed past the spray of water as his lips left my breasts.

“Hush,” he crooned gently, and then his lips were on me again, licking and placing light kisses down my quivering stomach. He nipped softly in a circle around my belly button, my breath faltering altogether as I watched him work his way down my body, wanting, no needing, his mouth lower. His hand hooked around one of my knees, lifting and placing it over his shoulder.

Gliding two fingers slowly over my hip, then lower, his eyes met mine again as he kissed the area directly below my belly button. Biting my lip, I groaned low, my eyes on his as those same two fingers slipped through my sensitive folds, slick with need for him. His breath caught, and his desired groan echoed mine as he gently slid his fingers inside my tight channel, filling me where I needed it most.

“Ezra,” I moaned, unable to hold still, and rocked against his fingers. Hearing his breathing become pants was only an added stimulation, and my head fell back, letting the water rush over my face. “Ezra…please.” He was teasing me, not giving me want I wanted: his mouth were I needed it. Rolling my hips faster, his fingers began to thrust more severely, my body trembling with pleasure all consuming. “Baby, more. I need more.”

“There it is,” he moaned, and then he fueled my need. His mouth was on me.

I screamed, grasping his head as his tongue dipped through my folds, finding my clit and pressing. He laved his talented tongue back and forth as his Vampire growled, sounding hungry and greedy. I lurched against him, undulating rapidly in time to his fingers and mouth.

The fever inside me swelled, and my head fell forward so I could see his stunning face between my thighs, could watch as his luscious mouth opened wider, sucking my throbbing clit between his teeth. Pulling. Nibbling. Pressing. His fingers crooked inside me, and I stilled, his glowing eyes slamming to mine.

Our gazed locked for a heartbeat before my head fell back as I screamed, “Ah fuck, baby!”

My body shoved against him, ecstasy bowing my back as tremors of pleasure consumed my entire frame, my body racked in melted, blurred warmth, shattering me so hard my knees buckled. His Vampire took voice, purring against my flesh as he lapped at my juices, gripping my ass with both hands to keep me steady and hold me flush against his mouth. A low moan of the inarticulately sated rushed through me as I sluggishly came down from heaven’s gates, the haze not wanting to clear as Ezra leisurely licked in long, slick motions.

He kissed my clit softly, took one more gliding swipe with his tongue, making me jerk, then he was rising to stand. My eyes shut lazily, and he held my completely satisfied, limp body in his steel-like arms. His mouth found mine, tasting of me and his own spicy flavor, as he guided my body and pressed my back against the tiled wall. His teeth tugging on my bottom lip, relentless, he murmured, “Ready for more?”

An unintelligible sound was all I could manage.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” he whispered against my lips, once more lifting me and holding my legs around his waist, his grip brutal on my hips. “Open your eyes, sweetheart. I want you to see who’s fucking you senseless.”

I shivered at his command, his tone one hell of a turn on. Slowly and languidly, my lids opened. Green eyes, on fire with need, were inches from mine. His face was fierce, his features showing in sharp relief with the desire riding him. He tilted his head closer, biting my bottom lip. I moaned as he sucked it inside his mouth, laving the sting with his tongue.

Voice husky, Ezra ordered, “Put my cock at your tight little cunt’s entrance.” His nostrils flared. “Now, sweetheart.”

His intake of air turned labored as I moved my hand down his chest, rolling my fingers gently over the hills and valleys of his stomach muscles. Enjoying how he jolted at the contact, I followed his dark happy trail to where his cock was heavy between us. My gaze left his as I gripped him, his breath catching at the contact. I tried not to gawk at the gigantic cock in my hand. He was larger than any sexual partner I’d ever had before, my fingers unable to touch as I gripped him.

Coveting the feel of him in my hand, I ran my thumb over the crown. His skin was silky and smooth over hard steel, and I couldn’t resist gripping him tighter, noticing how his body tensed in longing. I pumped my hand up and down his length, my lips curving as his fingers dug into my hips, a soft growl reverberating from his throat as he began thrusting into my touch. Stroking him thoroughly, I peered away from the wonder of his cock and watched his eyes close to bare slits. His lips parted, white teeth showing as his fangs descended. I listened to his breath repeatedly rush in and out, watched his chest expand and lower as his muscles turned rock-solid against me. It was a hell of a turn-on to watch.

Ezra let me — I was sure he was letting me — pet him and watch the effect it had on him for a good minute until he pressed against me, yanking back a handful of my soaking hair, making my neck arch in submittal. “Enough playing, little wolf. I want inside you.”

I blinked, even as my breath caught. “My wolf’s not here, just me.”

He grinned, mouth full of fang. “Your wolf may not be here, sweetheart, but you’re still a teasing little wolf.” He licked across my bottom lip in an unhurried stroke, creating a shiver down my spine. “And I very much like.” His fangs retracted, and his blunt teeth bit the bottom lip he had just softly stroked. If he pressed any harder, I would be bleeding. Through his teeth, he growled, “Now, put my cock where we both want it.”

A quiet moan intermingled my pants as I obeyed his dictate, very much wanting his cock inside me again. His hips pulled back slightly, giving me room to maneuver, and I squeezed his sides with my thighs, tilting my hips as I reached down and spread my aroused wet folds to position the head of his cock at my core. Pulling my fingers back, wet from my arousal, I placed them at his mouth when his teeth released my lip. He immediately suckled them, and his eyes closed with the action, groaning. I watched, breathless, as his cheeks hollowed, and his tongue slid along each of my two fingers, licking off every last taste of me.

As I pulled them out of his mouth, Ezra’s glowing eyes opened, heat flaring from them, and he groaned, “You taste like hot sex.” His grip altered to my hips, his fingers digging into my flesh, and his control snapped.

He thrust. Demanding. Vicious. Pure predator.

Crying out in a pleasure that bordered pain as he slid halfway in, I blinked my glowing eyes open and made them stay that way so I could watch him this time. Apparently of the same mind, he was watching me, his eyes so dilated only the tiniest of pale green rimmed the black pupil.

“And you feel even fucking better,” he growled. Our gazes locking, he tilted his hips back, his grip tightening on my hips, then drove forward so brutally into my snug channel my hands flew above me to the tiled wall, trying to brace myself as I groaned. He grunted, his nostrils flaring and his muscles straining under his mocha flesh. “So fucking good.”

Ezra didn’t relent.

He began thrusting into me with remorseless pleasure in mind. He didn’t start slowly or gently as his ministrations had been the previous time, once my wolf had left, or even as his fingers and mouth had taken me. Instead, Ezra wrapped one arm behind me, holding my nape, his other hand moving to hold my ass as he drove into me, again and again, his fierce features hovering directly in front of mine. This was an unapologetic, dominant taking. Our shouts and panting breaths fanned over each other’s cheeks as our powers zapped the air, neither one of us taking our eyes away from the almost pained expressions of ecstasy riding each other’s flushed features, wanting to watch.

Ezra roared in my face, his fangs fully bared, and banged his forehead against mine, pressing my head back against the wall and holding me severely as he slammed his cock repeatedly into my drenched channel. I screamed in answer, the pads of my fingers gripping the glossy tiles as I thrust my hips back, riding his cock just as violently. His lips hovered over mine, breathing in great pants of air, as his thrusts became more urgent.

“Ezra…Ezra. Baby, please.”

He slanted his hips, pressing against my clit with each increasing drive.

I nodded jerkily, beautiful tension intensifying and flaring to my stomach and clenching along my nerves. “Just a little…more.” I choked, fervor shooting through my limbs, my mind shutting down in a blaze. My mouth opened wide on a scream as I convulsed against him.

He shouted against my lips, his grip bruising and his thrusts frantic, before driving into me ruthlessly. My thrumming channel spasmed against his cock as his cum shot in scalding pulses inside me, another shudder racking my frame at the intimate sensation. His glowing eyes were all I saw as I floated inside a physical cloud of erotic sensory. Our bodies trembled against each other in our pleasure, only gradually falling from our sated high.

Ezra’s body unclenched little by little, leaning heavily against mine as I went limp inside his hold. Foreheads still touching, he blinked lazily with a breathlessly muttered order, “We are not stopping this any time soon.”

“Agreed,” I barley breathed, my voice hoarse. I patted his back listlessly where my hands now rested over his shoulders. “We’re kind of good at this together.”

He snorted, and it sounded like half a rumble. “Kind of isn’t the correct definition.”

“Fine,” I muttered, my ankles uncrossing behind his back as he began to lower me to my feet. “Phenomenal. Incredible. Miraculous.” Wobbling on my feet, I was pleased to see he was in the same state as he pressed a bracing hand on the wall. “Is that better?”

“A little.” He arched his back, stretching, and I couldn’t help but watch his muscles play under his glistening mocha skin. He noticed, and a peaceful smile lifted his sated features, making him appear younger than he was. I lifted on tiptoe, and he bent at the waist, obliging me as I cupped his cheeks and softly brushed my lips against his, before I reached behind him for the shampoo. Holding it in front of his face, I muttered, “I’m hungry.” My stomach growled not so quietly, proving my claim. “Time to actually shower, then we can get something to eat.”