Seth couldn’t believe he was finally going to get Cora alone. Her warm scent stuck to him like a veil of velvet, but it wasn’t enough. He wanted to lick every inch of her curvy body.

When she wrapped her arms around him and clung to him for the ride home, he’d turned rock hard. Her soft pants and sweet breath wakened his tiger. He could barely focus on the road. Every time she squirmed or gasped, he’d groan. His hands turned clammy and his chest tightened. She’d been elusive for far too long. His patience for waiting had fizzled out.

He should have challenged Miles back in high school. He knew the minute she walked into the principal’s office she was his mate, but Miles had been the alpha.

Things were different now. Alpha or not, Seth wouldn’t back down from Miles.

This time, he wouldn’t let her get away.

She looked around his home and staggered over to the fireplace. His home was modest, with a small living room, an even smaller kitchen, and a small bedroom. But it was his. Better than living on the damn streets.

“I know it’s small.” He followed her gaze. “But it’s home.”

“It’s nice.” She ran her hand over his mantle. “I love your marble fireplace. Is it gas?”

He wished she was caressing his flesh. He cleared his throat. “No, I like the smell of real wood. I carved the marble and wood.”

“You do nice work. Can I use your restroom? I know I look a mess.” Her words slurred.

He shouldn’t take advantage of her, but God, he wanted her. His tiger was losing his patience. “You look beautiful to me.”

She blushed. He’d always liked the way her cheeks turned cherry.

“I only have one bathroom, and it’s through my bedroom.”

“Oh.” Her nose wrinkled and her eyes widened. She reminded him of a frightened rabbit going into a lion’s den.

Maybe she should be worried. All night, all he could think about was stripping off her clothes and worshipping her.

Luckily, he’d picked up his clothes off the floor, and he’d made the bed. He didn’t have many visitors, so sometimes his bed went unmade for days.

After she disappeared into the bathroom, he went to the kitchen and pulled out two beers. He wasn’t sure if she wanted another drink, but he did. He couldn’t believe she was actually here, or if she’d even want to be with him. He opened a bottle and took a long draught, trying to keep the fire brewing inside him under control, but his tiger wasn’t having it. His tiger had waited far too long for her.

She walked into the kitchen. “My hair’s a total mess.”

He put his beer down and pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Not to me. You look like a wind-blown princess.”

He lost all control and bent his head. He kissed those luscious lips, lightning instantly spread through his veins. He was afraid she’d pull away, but she opened her mouth. He didn’t waste any time taking advantage of her submission. His kiss turned determined, dominant, desperate. She tasted sweet, not just from Gerri’s whipped cream, but her own essence.

He wanted her to forget all kisses but his. She was his mate. He’d dreamed of this moment, waking up in the dead of night with a throbbing hard on. He was tired of trying to pleasure himself or losing himself in women that failed to satisfy his tiger. Each time he took a woman he pictured Cora, but they weren’t sweet, and didn’t possess her sexy scent.

She slid her hands up his chest and his heart threatened to pop out. She wrapped her arms around his neck. She groaned from the back of her throat. His animal growled, demanding that he take her, but he’d no intention of taking her quickly. He wanted to take his time with her.

He crushed her to him, wanting to claim her as his, wishing he had branded her back in high school. She molded herself to him and her curvy body fueled his hunger. He wanted to stuff his cock inside her and feel her muscles tightening around him.

She was all curves and his heart beat faster and faster. But his little mate surprised him. She boldly slid one hand down the length of him, torturing him, then slipped it inside his jeans. Her small hand cupped and squeezed his cock.

“If you keep teasing me, I won’t be able to stop,” he warned.

She looked up at him. “Who’s asking you to stop?”

He snatched her up and carried her to his bedroom, never taking his lips off hers. He was afraid she’d protest, but she was as hungry as he was. He should stop, because she was drunk and could barely talk. She squeezed his cock and his tiger growled. Despite all his good intentions, he gave in to temptation.

When they got to the bedroom, he sat her on his bed. She pulled off her shirt, revealing a lacy pink bra. Her nipples budded against the soft fabric.

He licked his lips. “You’re beautiful.”

She tossed her head back and laughed as she unclasped her bra, freeing her ample breasts. “What man doesn’t like a pair of boobs?”

He gently pushed her down on the bed. “But yours are rosy and begging to be suckled.”

Cora shuddered at the hunger in his gold eyes. His mouth clasped on her nipple, and she gasped. His hair brushed against her hot skin. He sucked hard and his hand kneaded her breast. She threaded her fingers through his silky hair.

Her heart fluttered. “Oh God.”

His hot tongue swirled around her breast and she arched her back, allowing him to take more of her in his mouth.

“I haven’t even started yet.” He pinched her nipple, shooting tingles through her. He laved her breast, his hot tongue swirling around her nipple, making her pant. He left her breast and claimed the other one. “I could smell your heat back at Gerri’s. You want this. You need this.”

“You could?” Heat washed over her cheeks. “Could everyone?”

“We’re shifters. We can smell sex.”

She put her hand on her brow, shielding her eyes. “How can I face them again?”

He gazed up at her, a tiger staring down its prey. “You’ve nothing to be ashamed of. Sex is natural.”

Cold air rushed over her nipple where his hot mouth had been before, making it pucker. She trembled. Blood rushed through her and pooled at the juncture between her legs. He moved his hand over her hot skin.

“I want to see if your pussy tastes as good as Gerri’s homemade whipped cream.” He unbuttoned her pants, then slipped his fingers inside her panties. “You’re wet, so wet, but not wet enough.” He stroked her pussy and his thumb pressed on her clit.

She moaned behind her throat, words dying on her lips. The only other shifter she’d ever been with had been Miles, but their lovemaking hadn’t been like this. No one had ever worshipped her or laved her like Seth.

He slowly slid his finger inside her folds and swirled it around, while his thumb rubbed her clit. Flames of desire sparked inside her and an orgasm peaked on the horizon. He stroked the fire, moving his finger in and out. Her mind lost all rational thought except for the hot pleasure that Seth flared inside her.

He moved his tongue to the hollow of her breastbone, then kissed his way down to her belly button. His tongue swirled and sucked her belly as if she were his favorite hot fudge sundae.

Her first orgasm crashed over the barriers and she screamed, digging her fingers into his broad shoulders.

He chuckled. “That’s only your first one. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

“Take me,” she whispered through the fog of desire.

“Not yet.”

He withdrew his finger then tugged off her pants, tossing them on the floor. Before she could wiggle out of her panties, he ripped them in half.

“Seth!”

“I’ll buy you a new pair.” He pressed his mouth next to her wet pussy and licked. “Sweeter than Gerri’s home-made whipped cream.”

She shivered and stretched her arms out wide, gripping the quilt. He stuck his tongue inside her core, licking and sucking until she was thrashing on the bed. She panted and sucked in air. Seth moved his hand up and down her trembling thigh.

Passion, greedy and demanding, swelled inside her. She’d never experienced this with any other man. It was as if the desire had been hidden until the master had arrived. A desperate need spread through her. She wanted more, so much more. The vodka and drive had sent her mind spinning out of control.

Seth sucked her clit hard. Another orgasm slammed into her even faster than the first. Heat swished over her, and she rocked her hips, his tongue fucking her pussy. Hot sensations burst inside her and she released another strangled cry.

He lifted his head and swooshed his tongue over his lips. “You came real good baby.”

“Please,” she whispered.

“Please what?”

“Take me. I need you inside me.” Her voice was breathless, as if she’d just run a marathon.

“As you wish.” He jerked off his pants and underwear, freeing his enormous cock.

Her eyes widened. “You’re so… so…” Big couldn’t even describe it. She didn’t how she could accommodate him. He was so tall, and she was so small.

“Don’t worry, baby. I promise I won’t hurt you.”

He climbed on top of her.

“Spread your legs farther.”

She did as he asked.

“You’re so tight.” He pressed the head of cock into her core while one hand stroked her clit. He eased himself inside her, allowing her to stretch around him like a glove. He was big and thick and slick. He was so full inside her that she gasped for air. Her muscles quivered and twitched. She wasn’t sure she’d survive this. She’d never had any man this big stuffed inside her.

“Perfect,” he growled.

She wasn’t sure perfect would be the word she would use. Banging butterflies slammed against her tummy. She stared into his passionate eyes and clutched his muscular arms, determined to hang on for the wild ride.

He lifted his hips and slowly slid in and out of her. Each time he moved, the tension inside her melted and excitement spun around her nerve endings, awakening them into a fever pitch.

Her pussy widened, accommodating his cock.

“Rock with me, Cora.” He kissed her throat and his hand moved along her side. Tingles swept down her throat, her chest, her belly, her core.

She matched his rhythm, slow at first. He moaned, his warm breath washing over her. The rhythm picked up and sped faster, harder and harder. Her breath turned ragged and she locked her legs around his hips.

“That’s it. Now, hang on.”

Cora had never experienced anything like this. Seth raised his hips and slammed his cock deeper and deeper inside her. Every nerve tingled. Her muscles tightened around his thrusting cock. Blood soared between her ears and her body exploded into a million pieces. Her orgasm was fierce, burning through her like a raging lava.

Seth exploded inside her, filling her with his seed. He roared and kissed her.

She panted. “I have… never…”

He nuzzled her ear. “Neither have I. You’re mine, Cora, and I never want to let you go.”

Mine? She didn’t know what that meant. He talked as if he owned her. Caterina said that being mated meant Miles owned her. He expected Caterina to satisfy his every need whenever he wanted her. Sometimes he’d please her, but most of the time, he took her rough and hard. Caterina said sometimes she wouldn’t be able to walk. One time she’d even fainted when had Miles had fucked her so hard he nearly ripped her apart.

Cora didn’t want to be owned. She didn’t want to be a sex slave, no matter how hot the guy was. Lordy, had she just made another mistake?