The darkness had called to him, promised him he’d never be alone again. He’d so wanted to leave. Then Eve had reached out to him through the mating bond. She’d dropped her pretense, her ego, all the façades she’d had to wear to make it this far.

She’d kissed him earlier. But this time it felt different.

Her lips trembled. Her tongue caressed his.

Her touch was tentative.

Her scent swirled around him.

His pulse jumped. The taste of her was honey and wildfire with a sweetness that arrowed straight to his heart.

His palms went damp. His heart thumped against his rib cage.

She tasted of pure feminine essence, so sensuous and alive. So full of love, it seeped into his soul.

It was as if she were bleeding herself into that kiss.

It connected with him on a level that felt so right he didn’t need words to describe it.

A shudder of desire ran through him.

He trailed his finger over the curve of her hips, tracing the softness of her skin, up over the thrust of her breast to where those glossy locks lay against her chest.

He curled the long strands of her hair around his palm and pulled her head back so her lips slid off his.

Her tongue flicked out to wet her lips.

“You sure, kitten?” He could still taste her.

She bared her teeth in a smile he could only describe as savage.

He’d thought he was stalking her. He was so wrong.

All along it was her who’d been seducing him, drawing him in until he wanted her in his arms, in his life, in his soul. A growl rumbled up his throat.

He craved the feel of her. But he wanted her to be certain this was what she wanted, too.

Her eyes widened, the golden flickers in them standing out in her irises, which slit vertical. It sent a pulse of answering heat straight to his groin.

Her nostrils flared, as if she’d sensed his desire. “I was born for you, Cain.”

Her words sank into his blood, heating it up. Nothing she’d said could have been more perfect.

“You’re mine.” His voice was hoarse; he could barely recognize it as his own.

Desire throbbed, making him hard. He widened his legs.

The scent of her was driving him mad. The musk of their shared desire went to his head. Pulling her close, he licked her lower lip.

A shudder shook her body.

Her hand skimmed down the planes of his chest.

Goosebumps flared across his skin.

Her fingers trailed down to his arousal, gripping him.

Heat slammed against his chest, making it difficult to breathe. Heat flushed his cheeks. His skin felt like it was on fire.

He plunged his fingers through her hair, raking them across her scalp.

She swallowed, her gaze locked on his lips. She was as aroused as him.

He slid his other hand to the nape of her neck. He angled her and closed his lips over hers.

Desire hummed over his skin. A bead of sweat trickled down his chest. He thrust his tongue into her mouth, tangling it with hers, letting the taste of her hold him captive.

That wildfire scent of hers filled his head.

She moaned in her throat.

The sound sank into his blood, turning him on even more.

Her arms came around his shoulders, and she moved closer, flattening her breasts to his chest.

The pressure in his groin built. His heart thundered.

He wanted to savor her, hold her... He couldn’t wait anymore.

Slipping his hand between them, he let his claws glide out to tear her pants.

They tore with a rip that echoed around the room.

Shock jolted her. “The door...” She gasped. “It’s not locked.” Her breath seared his lips.

Pulling in his claws, his hands in human form again, he pushed aside her panties.

“Logan won’t let anyone in.” He plunged a finger inside her. He needed her soft and open and greedy for him. He was going to make sure she forgot everything but him.

Her breasts thrust at him. Her hips cradled him, inviting him in. Her inner walls flexed.

Feeling her drip moisture over his skin, he rubbed that secret center of her. Slid another finger in.

A moan ripped out of her, and that only made him even harder.

He wanted her to feel the intensity of what he was feeling. Hungry, wanting her, needing her. He was going to make her come apart in his arms.

A shudder seemed to ripple through her.

The muscles of her shoulders coiled with tension. She bucked against him, her nails digging into his shoulders.

She was close.

With the heel of his hand, he rubbed her core.

His other hand around her neck, he angled her head so he could nip at her lower lip. Her body jumped as the force of her climax tore through her.

He felt the scream that welled up in her throat and closed his lips over hers to absorb it. Another tremor jolted her.

Her gaze locked with his. She slipped her hand under the waistband of his briefs and pulled until the material gave and his arousal sprang free.

She curled her fingers around him.

He couldn’t stop his hips from thrusting, his arousal filling her palm.

The golden flames in her eyes sparked and expanded to fill her vertical irises.

Sweat broke out over his forehead, and his chest heaved as the breath whistled out of him. Sliding his fingers out of her, he brought them to his mouth and licked.

The breath hitched in her throat.

Then she lowered herself onto him. There was no hesitation. She just took him in all the way.

Sweat tricked down her throat between her breasts, soaked up by the shirt she was still wearing.

Lust seared his nerve endings, and Cain knew he needed more. Surging up, he gripped her waist, his palms large enough to span the width.

Then in a move that had his ribs protesting, he flipped positions so she was below him, her legs still twined around him.

Her chin raised as her head fell back. “I thought you were still hurt?” Her cheeks were flushed, her skin glowing.

He buried his nose against her neck. “Am healing fast.” He managed to force the words out through a throat that was so dry it felt like he’d been running many miles. “Don’t expect me to submit to you in bed, kitten.”

Her eyes widened. “Here I thought you were such a kind, gentle lover.”

He went still, raised his head. “Is that what you want?”