The trees thickened as they walked farther and farther, and then Riley stumbled into a cave, mouth open. Dead leaves crackled beneath their feet as he guided her inside. “I never saw this before,” she told him.

“You haven’t been on our territory long enough to explore every little crevice.”

She stiffened. “There are no bats in here, right?” Because if yes, she was so gone. Just thinking of their creepy, fanged faces made her shiver. She couldn’t smell any guano, but still . . .

“No bats,” he assured her, drawing her close.

Thank God. She glanced around the cave, trying to get a sense of how far back it went. There were claw marks all around, no doubt made by the pack.

“It’s not deep,” said Tao. “It doesn’t lead anywhere.”

“And there are no bats?”

He chuckled. “No bats.” He backed her against the cold, bumpy stone wall. “Just you. And me.” Which was just the way Tao wanted it. He slammed his mouth down on hers, feasting on her with a greedy, primal hunger that never went away. It was always there, always tempting him to taste and take what was his.

Riley slid her hands under his shirt, touching sleek, hot skin. Raw need licked at her flesh, making her nerve endings burn. She curled her leg around his and ground against his cock. He was hard and ready, and she needed him now. She dug her nails into his chest—a feminine demand for more that made him growl. She swallowed the sound, gasping as he shoved a hand under her shirt and gave her breast a possessive squeeze.

“I should have known you were mine by just how well this fits in my hand.” He rocked his hips into hers. “And by just how well this pussy fits my cock.” Tao whipped off her shirt and latched on to her nipple, sucking and nipping. “You really do have phenomenal breasts. And the softest skin. Perfect for licking and biting.”

“Tao, the compliments aren’t necessary—you’re gonna get laid.”

He gave a dark chuckle. “Oh, I know that.” Snapping open her fly, he thrust his hand into her panties and sank two fingers inside her. He groaned at how hot and slick she was, loving how her pussy clenched around his fingers. “You’re going to come for me. Then I’m going to fuck you.”

“I have no absolutely no issue with that, just in case there was any doubt.”

His lips curved. “There was no doubt, baby.” He fucked her with his fingers, kissing her hard. Her mouth was soft and hot and tasted of everything he wanted, of everything that belonged to him.

Tao hooked his fingers, finding that spot that made her gasp. She tried riding his hand, frantic for more, so he gave her more—thrusting his fingers faster and harder. Her pussy fluttered and contracted around them as she came, moaning into his mouth. There was no holding back any longer. He had to have her. “Jeans. Take them off.”

Panting, Riley blinked, still recovering from those skilled, sure fingers. He’d totally overwhelmed and devastated her senses, leaving her a little off balance. She toed off her shoes and unbuttoned her fly. He helped her shove down her jeans and then kicked them aside. He spun her around, and she slapped her hands against the stone wall.

“That’s it.” He thrust hard, burying himself balls deep, and her pussy clamped around him. “Fuck yeah.”

Riley let her head fall back as he fucked her hard, fingers digging into her hips. Every thrust was deep, bold, possessive. She bit her lip to hold in her moans, knowing they would echo, but she feared she wouldn’t manage it long. Not while he was mercilessly slamming into her pussy at this frenzied pace.

Tao raked his teeth over her pulse. “You’re ready to come, aren’t you?”

Hell yes, she was. “Not gonna last much longer.”

He took one of her hands and brought it down to her pussy, using her finger to play with her clit. He growled into her ear. “Come for me, baby.” Through their bond he felt her climax hit her, felt wave after wave of agonized bliss crash into her. It vibrated up the bond and slammed into him as he slapped his hand over her mouth, muffling her scream. Burying his face in her neck, Tao exploded deep inside her, growling as her pussy squeezed and milked his cock dry.

When he could finally move again, he curled his arms around her and kissed the side of her neck. “Mating you was the best and smartest idea I ever had.”

She smiled, panting a little. “I thought you didn’t like trouble.”

“I like your brand of trouble.” He nuzzled her. “Actually, no, I love it, just like I love you. I wouldn’t change anything about you. Not a thing.”

“Not even that I keep wearing your shirts?”

“No.”

“Not even that I have a raven inside me who keeps tormenting you?”

“No.”

“Not even that I borrow—”

“Steal.”

“—your stuff?”

“No.” She’d given his onyx ring back eventually. Besides . . . “What’s mine is yours.”

She melted into him, happy, mellow. But she had to ask, “Are you sure there are no bats in here? I really think I heard something.” An ominous squeaky sound.

He sighed. “Woman, there are no bats.”

“Woman?”

“Are you not a woman?”

“Are you not smart enough to sense the tone? And it was a valid question. It’s a cave. Bats inhabit caves. Do you want rabies?”

Honestly, Tao felt like banging his head on the wall. “Not all bats carry rabies.”

“Ninety-eight percent of rabies cases are caused by bats.”

“They are not.”

“They could be.”

He growled. “You’re a pain in my ass, Porter.”

“If you ever again want to be a pain in mine, you’ll get me out of this damn cave before the bats wake up.”

“Insane. Fucking insane.”