Page 41 of Claimed

“Cherry?” he whispers. I tilt my head up to look at him, and a smile slowly spreads across his handsome face. “You shifted. How?”

“I don’t know,” I say, looking away as I try to remember what just happened. “I remember feeling really relaxed. Then I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate you taking care of me.”

I look back at him and his eyes turn soft as he studies my face. “You shifted for me.” I nod and he slowly trails his hand up my side until he’s cupping my face.

He runs his thumb over my lower lip, and I inhale sharply. Is he going to kiss me? His eyes dip to my lips, and my tongue pokes out to lick them. If he doesn’t kiss me, I might just self-combust.

Luckily, he doesn’t make me wait as he lowers his mouth over mine, holding me tightly. My fingers dig into his firm chest as I let him take control. The kiss is slow and gentle, as if we have all the time in the world.

His tongue grows bold, demanding entrance, and I open for him, letting him show me how he likes to kiss. He’s an excellent teacher. His movements are strong and controlled, and he takes his time exploring every inch of my mouth. It drives me wild, wanting more with each stroke of his tongue.

Before I met my mates, I never realized that kissing could make you so aroused. Despite the water surrounding us, I feel my pussy dampen, and I turn myself in his lap, letting my knees spread to either side of his waist.

I let my hands slide up and around his neck as a combination of nerves and excitement fills me. His arm around my back tightens as he drags me closer, aligning my pussy right over his very hard cock. I gasp, pulling back a fraction in surprise, as he studies my face.

His hips buck up, and even though he’s wearing boxers, I can feel his length pressing against my clit, making me moan. His green eyes are practically glowing with heat as a small growl escapes him. “I should ask you if this is okay,” he says before bucking into me again. “But I’m not sure I can stop.” He shakes his head, as if trying to physically shake himself out of whatever trance he’s in.

“I’m desperate to bring you pleasure,” he whispers, his lips finding their way to my neck. “I need to see you fall apart from my touch.”

I moan every time he bucks his hips and hold him tighter, not wanting him to stop. “Is… Is it because I’m an omega?” I ask through my moans. “Or because I’m your fated mate?”

He lifts his head to look me in the eyes as he tells me, “It’s because it’s you.” My heart flutters with happiness as his hand moves down between us. His eyes trail down my body as he whispers, “You’re so fucking gorgeous, Cherry.”

His eyes return to mine as I feel his fingers push through my folds, making me gasp as mine dig into his shoulders. “Mmm, yes. You like that, sweetheart?” I nod my head, unable to respond, and he grins, pushing a finger into my core.

“Maddox!” I cry, and he groans in satisfaction.

“Yes, that’s it, sweetheart. Tell everyone who’s making you feel so good.”

I’m not sure what he means, but I don’t care. All I can think about is his finger moving in and out of me. With his other hand on my neck, he pulls me close and kisses me. This time, it’s demanding and desperate, and it helps to push me closer to my peak.

Thanks to what happened with the twins, I know exactly what to expect from an orgasm this time. But that doesn’t stop my cries as Maddox pushes in a second finger. His mouth and hand seem to be demanding something from me. Something I’m desperate to give him. His hand moves so fast, my own hips can no longer keep up, so I stay still and just take what he gives me, which is apparently all I need to send me hurtling over the cliff.

I cry out against him, wishing I could bite him at this moment and seal our bond. But I know he needs to knot me when that happens, so I just let this orgasm roll through me as he continues finger fucking me through it.

I feel him groan and his hips jerk beneath me. The smell of his own scent intensifies by a hundred, and I relax against him, realizing he came from giving me pleasure, just like the twins had. There is something really satisfying in knowing that. That taking care of my arousal brings them sexual pleasure as well. Is this an omega-alpha thing? Or a fated mate thing?

Or maybe, just like Maddox said, it’s just an us thing.

We stay in the tub, quietly holding each other until the water starts to turn cold. Then Maddox tilts my head up to his and kisses me. He doesn’t use his tongue this time, but it warms me all the same.

He pulls back and runs his thumb along my lower lip and smiles. “My beautiful little mate.”

The way he looks at me, with affection and something else shining through his gorgeous green eyes, has my heart leaping in my chest as I open my mouth and whisper, “I—” but the words get stuck in my throat, scared to admit how I feel.

What if he’s not there yet? I want him to know how I feel, but I’ll be crushed if he doesn’t say it back.

“Yes?” he asks, his eyes searching mine.

I start to grow nervous as I search for something else to say. “I—” I’m saved from needing to respond when my body chooses that moment to shift back to my wolf form.

“Let’s get you dry,” Maddox says, seeming undisturbed by my sudden shift. Which I’m grateful for.

He lifts me from the tub and dries me off, then I make my escape, leaving him to clean himself off and get dressed. My almost confession, followed by an abrupt shift, has left me feeling embarrassed, and since I can’t talk to him about it, I decide to go see what everyone else is doing.

Unsurprisingly, I find Gage in the living room, his face shoved in a book. I take a moment to take in his appearance. He doesn’t look too worse for wear, not yet anyway, but I’ve been missing him lately. I didn’t see him in bed last night, and he’s the only one of my mates that I haven’t kissed yet.

It seems shocking, considering how long I’ve known him, but I remind myself that they barely know my human form. Deciding that he looks fully engrossed in his current book, I leave him in search of the others. I glance through the back door but see no sign of anyone outside.