Page 96 of Red

“Red, don’t hold out on me now.” He runs his fingers down my neck.

“Like I’ll never get enough. You’re the one, and if you don’t feel the same, I know I’ll have to accept being alone forever because the universe loves to play cruel jokes on me.”

He leans down, and the world fades away. Stark lifts me up, wrapping my legs around his hips, then bends down, lowering me to the ground. His lips never leave mine, the tingles singing across my body. I rock my hips into his, and he presses down with the full length of his body. I reach down for his shirt, my fingers finding the end so I can rip it up over his head. I trace my fingers over his skin as Stark tears my shirt in two, then lowers his warm lips down my neck. Each kiss sends shivers across me. He cups my breast.

“Stark,” I gasp. Arching into him, there’s no stopping as I pull him back up to kiss me so I can reach the hem of his pants. I tuck my fingers inside and run them along his skin.

He shifts up, his length pressing right where I want it. I go to pull them down, but Stark’s hand grabs my wrist.

He shakes his head. “Red, slow down.”

“No,” I say, trying to fight his grasp.

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t. I want this.” The dampness in my shorts is growing and I need him.

He lets go and runs his fingers through my hair. “You’re not a werewolf. I could hurt you.”

I want to tell him, to show him, but I can’t.

“I’m not breakable. I can heal myself.”

“I never want to be the reason you have to mend yourself. We’ll figure it out, take it slow.” He kisses my forehead.

“I like it hot and heavy,” I say, pulling him down for a kiss.

“Red, you have no idea how long I’ve wanted this.”

“Then don’t stop.” I trace my lips up to his ear. “Please. I want you, Alpha.”

His hips surge forward and press me into the ground. I smile and go to kiss him, but he turns his head.

“I can’t.” He gets up off me, and the tingling sensations tries to reach out to him.

I sit up and sigh. “It’s okay if you, like, changed your mind. I know I’m not what you pictured for a mate.” I reach for my shirt, but it’s shredded. I’m sure he’s slept with humans in the past.

“No.”

My heart sinks, and I let the fire flame in my hands, covering my exposed skin.

Stark reaches out to grab them. “I want all of you. I’ll let you burn me a million times.” He turns over his red hand.

“Sorry.” I pull my hand away, but he moves closer and picks me up into his arms. I wrap my hot legs around him. A smile lights up his eyes, and I’ll never get tired of them.

“So, can I call you my mate now?” He lowers me down to my feet.

Did he just ask me that?

“There are things you don’t know about me,” I say, moving to look beyond the cliff.

He kisses my forehead. “Is it going to hurt me if I find out?”

“It might.” If they kill me, mates suffer when their partners pass. I was too young to see it in my mom, but Pratt talked about it sometimes. “I don’t know what will happen.”

“Can you tell me now?” He wraps his arms around my waist from behind, and I lean into his bare chest.

“I’m not certain if I can ever tell you.” It hurts to admit.