Page 71 of Heat Lightning

One moment, I stared into his eyes, holding my breath, and the next our lips fused in a searing kiss.

The world slipped away beneath my feet.

Plunged into the deep with him, all I knew was the taste of his mouth on mine, his scent—growing stronger by the second—and the tiny mewling sounds I made when he clasped my face between his hands to anchor me.

He pulled away, peppering kisses all over my face. “No more heat teachers,” he growled, before finding my lips again. His tongue demanded entry, and I obeyed, melting beneath him.

Breaking off to trail his mouth down my neck, he dragged his tongue across my scent gland before teasing it with his teeth, making me shudder.

My fingers dug into his back. “Fuck,” I cursed, dropping my head back against the wall.

“No other alphas,” he continued, breathing the words into the hollow space of my collarbone. “No one else.”

“No one else,” I echoed. Yes. Only alpha. Only he can keep us safe and bred till we’re full and warm and⁠—

Sudden and sharp, a pang of hot, tingling need zipped through my lower belly, followed by a cramp. I groaned.

That was heat. The real thing, not some finicky ‘yes, no, maybe so’ tease.

He’d done it. He’d tipped me over the edge.

“Max?” he asked, gripping my shoulders. “What’s wrong?”

“Please,” I croaked, holding onto him. “It’s starting.”

The emptiness inside me ached. Suddenly, I realized how much I hadn’t done yet. I hadn’t made a nest or stocked the pantry with easy food or electrolytes. I’d been so caught up on the Masked Man, I’d let everything else go until it was too late.

“I need⁠—”

Another cramp had me doubled over. Him, my omega purred. Our alpha. We need our alpha.

“What do you need?” he asked. Apparently, the reality of the situation sobered him, too. “Do you need me to take you somewhere? Do you want to go to the clinic?”

Nonononononononono! Why would he ask that? Can’t he see how right this is? Can’t he tell we’ve waited for him? That there’s no other alpha but him?

“No,” I said, frantic. “Don’t make me go back there.”

I stared into those blue eyes, brighter than I’d ever seen. There was only earnest truth in his gaze—no jealousy or hesitance. Only unmasked devotion.

He cupped my face tenderly. “Okay. It’s alright, sweetheart. We won’t do anything you don’t want. Just tell me what you need.”

I believed him, wholly and completely. The man was in a perpetual rut, and if I asked him to, he’d take me somewhere else instead.

But I didn’t want to go anywhere else. All I could think about was him, and the way I knew he’d hold me while he filled me up so well. My omega had picked him, and that was enough.

That was everything.

I bet his knot can grow bigger than any of our old toys, my omega purred. He’ll know exactly how much we need. He’s a perfect match. He’ll get us warm and lock us together and then stuff his pups deep inside.

The hole inside me shaped like him yawned open, needy and wanton.

Fuck it.

“You,” I breathed. “I need you. I choose you.”

His chest heaved as if he’d just run a marathon. He cursed and knocked his forehead against mine. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

I shivered, his tone setting me ablaze, and then nuzzled my nose into his. “It hurts without you,” I whispered, pressing against my aching belly. “I don’t want Owen, or anyone else. I couldn’t stand it when he touched me. You’re the only one I want. Please, alpha.”