Page 44 of New Blood

“Would you want me?”

He could see tears well up in her eyes and some of the anger seep from her body, but she still didn’t give him an answer.

“I should mention,” he murmured, softer now, gentler, “that I’m falling in love with you, and that I can’t give you up, because I recognize you as my true mate.”

There it was: the truth. He would rather give up his position as alpha—should it become necessary—than lose her. The realization that he would betray the Werewolf Alliance and their directive in order not to give up Danielle, hit him out of nowhere. His inner wolf had made the choice, and he had to accept it, knowing he couldn’t change the wolf’s mind. The wolf always got what he wanted. And frankly, the man in him wanted the same, even if it was against everything he’d sworn to do.

Gently, he rubbed his thumb along her jawline, caressing her soft skin. “Please, Danielle… give me an answer.”

26

Jude’s words echoed in her chest, and his beguiling touch sent hot tendrils over her skin, awakening her desire for him. She felt herself lean into his caress, her knees softening, her heartbeat matching his. The wolf inside her ruled her now, and there was no sense in trying to stop the next words from rolling over her lips.

“I recognize you, too.”

She’d been certain of it from the moment she’d first laid eyes on him that night when the vampires had attacked. And from that moment, she’d known that her life would change irrevocably one way or another.

Jude’s face was only inches from hers now, and his breath ghosted over her skin when he spoke again. “If you want me, I’ll be yours.”

She knew what he was offering, and she knew it would create chaos within the pack, but she didn’t have the will to turn down his offer, because for once in her life, she wanted something for herself: her true mate, a man to love, no matter the consequences.

“I want you, all of you,” Danielle murmured and brushed her lips to his.

When their lips connected, he pulled her to him, his strong arms making escape impossible, his kiss sealing her decision. She felt his smooth skin—still damp from the shower—under her fingers as she drew him closer, while she lost herself in the kiss. This kiss was different than the few times before. It wasn’t just passion that she felt, but something else, a promise, a vow, and the knowledge that this was their destiny. This was fate. They were both powerless and powerful at the same time—equals under the moon.

She felt as if she were in a dream. Every sensation seemed to be heightened, every sigh, every moan underscored by pleasure, by warmth spreading inside her, lifting her up as if she were floating on a cloud. She would have pinched herself, but her hands were busy exploring Jude’s body, caressing his strong muscles, mapping with her fingers what she knew would become hers: his body and soul. She felt weightless, as if floating, delirious from his kiss, her body melting into his touch, eliminating the space between them.

Feeling entirely too hot, she yanked at her jacket, and to her relief, Jude understood and helped her rid herself of it. The jacket landed on the floor. Interrupting the kiss, she pulled her sweater over her head. Beneath it she wore only a thin camisole. She’d never liked wearing a bra. It had always felt too constricting. She caught Jude’s gaze on her breasts and realized that her nipples were hard points that pressed against the thin fabric.

“Fuck, baby!” he exclaimed and tugged at the camisole, pulling it out of her pants, before freeing her of it.

Cool air wafted against her breasts, and she felt a pleasant tingling as a result. But her breasts weren’t cold for long, because a second later, Jude cupped them with his large hands, squeezing them.

She let her head drop back, arching toward him, demanding more, while she reached for the button of her jeans and popped it open. The zipper followed, but when she tried to shove her pants down, she lost her balance. Jude caught her, and an instant later, she found herself with her back on the bed while Jude pulled her jeans down to her shoes. It took only another three seconds before he’d managed to free her of her shoes and her jeans.

She sighed with relief and sat up. Her eyes dropped to his pajama pants, which tented in the front. She licked her lips, eager to taste him again.

“Not a chance,” Jude said on a chuckle as if he guessed her intent.

If he were to let Danielle suck him now, this would be over in a few seconds, and there wouldn’t be a mating tonight. And that was out of the question. He had to make Danielle his now, before she changed her mind and tried to escape again. Only once they were mated, he could be sure that she would stay.

He realized in that moment that he’d never stood a chance to fight his feelings for her. Fate was stronger than him. Stronger than both of them. He accepted this fact wholeheartedly now and ran his eyes over Danielle’s almost-nude body. Automatically, his hands went to the waistband of his pajama pants, pushing them down until they pooled at his bare feet. His cock was hard and heavy, pointing straight at her, impatient for her now.

Jude leaned over her. He gripped her bikini panties with both hands and slid them down her legs, before tossing them on the floor. Finally, they were both naked like the previous night in the woods. While he’d enjoyed their sexual encounter tremendously, tonight would be even better, because tonight he didn’t have the same worries about an unwanted pregnancy as before. In fact, it was a given that she would conceive their first child tonight. They both knew that. He could see it in her eyes that homed in on his cock and noticed how she instinctively spread her legs to welcome him.

Without a word, he slid onto the mattress, bracing his body above hers. The moment his cock touched her naked belly, he felt a spear of lust charge through him. The contact of skin on skin was even more potent tonight, making him realize that if he wasn’t careful, he would come before he had a chance to give her the pleasure she deserved.

“Something wrong?” she murmured, her hand reaching for his face.

He turned his face and pressed a kiss into her palm. Maybe it would be best to be honest with her from the start.

“Nothing’s wrong, except for the fact that you’re too damn beautiful, and I’m probably gonna make a fool out of myself when I come like a green kid the moment I’m inside you.”

A soft chuckle rolled over her lips, and her eyes sparkled. “Sensitive, hmm?”

She touched his cock with her other hand, caressing him gently. He clamped his jaw shut, forcing back his imminent orgasm.

“Damn, woman. Didn’t you hear what I just said?”