My chest tightens.“I felt you too.”
Her hand goes to the mark on her shoulder.I catch myself before I stop her.She touches it lightly, wincing, then smiling in a way that makes my heart forget its purpose.
“Can I?”she asks.
I don’t understand until she looks at my shoulder, and my knees almost give.
“You don’t have to mark me.”
“I want to,” she confesses.
“You are human.Your bite won’t...”
“I still want to.”
My mouth closes, and she smiles faintly.“Good monster.”
The words go straight to my cock.I close my eyes, trying to regain control.Briana laughs softly, and the sound is breathless, a little wicked, and entirely new.
She tugs at my shirt.“Off.”I obey so fast her eyebrows lift.“Interesting.”
“Don’t tease me right now.”
“Why?”
“Because I am barely hanging on here.”
Her gaze drops over my chest, the scars, the muscle, the healing wounds from fighting in the cage last night, and every fight before it.She doesn’t look afraid.She looks hungry.
I have to grip the edge of the dresser to stay still.
Briana steps close and presses her lips to my shoulder.My head tips back in pleasure.Her teeth close on my skin.It doesn’t hurt, not really.But it marks me deeper than any wound ever has.
The bond flares again.Softer this time, but no less powerful.Though this time the undercurrent of lust is stronger.
When she pulls back, there’s a red imprint on my shoulder and triumph in her eyes.“There,” she says breathlessly.
I stare at her.My mate.Mine and not mine.Chosen and choosing.
I cup her face carefully.“Briana.”
She leans into my palm.Freely and with no hesitation.The sight nearly breaks me.Then her hands slide over my bare chest, exploring.Curious.Shy, then bolder when I hold still.The bond hums between us, carrying every small wave of emotion—her nerves, her desire, her sudden laugh when my stomach tightens beneath her touch.
“You’re sensitive,” she whispers.
“With you?Yes.”
Her eyes darken, and the air shifts again.Not innocent now.Her hand lowers to my belt and stops there, and my entire body turns to stone.
“Briana.”
“I want more.”
I can’t breathe.“You decide what more means.”
Her gaze lifts to mine.“I don’t know how much I can handle.”
“Then we find out slowly.”She nods, and I kiss her again.
