All doubts she’d had disappeared the second he’d told her he lied to her because he was afraid of her becoming a target. And if she’d held on to any tiny remnants, they would have disappeared at that moment in the old textile plant when he’d offered to give up everything for her.

He grabbed her and lifted her so that she had to wrap her legs around his waist. Before she could blink they were at the top of the stairs and Jayce was heading for her room.

Her mate moved so fast that she was flat on her back in a blur of motion that had her gasping for breath. Inhaling the deep, rich scent of his lust, she grinned, knowing what he had in mind as he knelt between her legs.

Keeping his gaze on her, those gray eyes hot enough to burn, he slowly slid her boots off. Her body felt on fire as he carefully, way too slowly, removed each piece of her clothing until finally she was naked and splayed out in front of him.

It was hard not to squirm under that intense gaze, especially when he was still clothed. “Not fair that you still have clothes on,” she murmured, propping herself up on her elbows as he stared down at her.

Lifting one of her legs, he pressed his lips to her inner ankle, nipping her skin gently. “If I’m naked, I’m inside you,” he murmured against her. But at least he took his shirt off, giving her a perfect view of all those hard muscles.

His simple explanation made her smile. That sounded about right. Falling back against the pillow, she shivered when he raked his teeth against her inner thigh. Quickly he followed up with a teasing swipe of his tongue along her folds.

Fisting the covers beneath her, she arched her back at that first tantalizing feel of his mouth on her most sensitive area. Parting her folds, Jayce dragged his tongue along her heat and she nearly vaulted off the bed. Her hips jerked at that slow, teasing stroke.

“Fuck, you taste good,” he growled against her.

Those blunt words lit her on fire. She loved everything about him, especially the rawness of his need for her. No romantic words, just a purity that was all Jayce.

His fingers tightened around her thighs, anchoring her, reminding her that tonight was all about his domination and her surrender. Something that might have scared her at one time. But not now.

Jayce would never hurt her. He would only protect and pleasure her. Not caring that she was abandoning all control, she cupped her breasts, tweaking her nipples while he continued pleasuring her.

“Are you trying to kill me?” he rasped out in between decadent kisses.

“I could ask you the same thing.” She arched her back as he inserted one of his fingers and began slowly stroking her.

“No touching yourself,” he ordered before circling her clit with his tongue.

Even though it was instinctive to ask him why not, she understood him. He wanted to be the one giving her all the pleasure tonight. Lifting her arms, she grasped the headboard and held on. Considering that she’d had fun teasing him more than once in the past, turnabout was fair play.

They’d made love so many times and in so many positions during the past four days that she should’ve been tired, sated, but she couldn’t get enough. The feel of his finger dragging against her inner walls made her clench with a scorching need that threatened to singe all her nerves.

Heat burned low in her belly, and each time he drew his finger out, he flicked his tongue over her pulsing bud with just the right amount of pressure, guaranteed to drive her insane. If only he would go just a little faster.

“Faster,” she demanded, unable to restrain herself.

He chuckled, the feel of his laughter skittering over her clit and making her moan. She thought he might tease her, but instead he pushed another finger into her and began working her body in a rhythm that had her arching off the bed.

Unable to stay still against his delicious torture, Kat threw both legs over his shoulders and dug her heels into his back.

He growled something unintelligible against her wet core as he increased his pressure on her clit. Pleasure shot to all her nerve endings as his tongue worked its magic.

The headboard shook under her trembling. When Jayce so very lightly nipped her clit with his teeth, she lost it. Her orgasm was abrupt, slamming into her with unexpected force as waves of pleasure ripped through her.

She curled her toes against his back as the aftereffects of the climax swept her entire body. Kat wasn’t sure if it was a mate thing or a Jayce thing, but the man barely had to stimulate her and she came.

As the orgasm slowly ebbed, she relaxed against the covers, letting her body go completely limp. Keeping her eyes closed, she grinned as she felt Jayce begin to climb her, dropping kisses as he moved. When he sucked one of her nipples into his mouth, she automatically arched into him, giving him better access.

What the man could do with his tongue should be illegal.

When he nipped her ear, her eyes flew open. Propped up on his forearms, he stared down at her, his gray eyes full of desire and love. For the first time since he’d admitted his feelings for her, she could actually see the love in his eyes.

He was finally letting all his guards down with her tonight. That knowledge touched her on a level that reached deep into her soul. She cupped his cheek, brushing her thumb over his scar. “I’m ready,” she said, knowing he needed to hear the words.

Before she’d even closed her mouth, his lips covered hers, stroking, teasing, claiming. Raking her fingers down his back, she enjoyed the feel of all that power humming underneath her fingertips.

There was an intangible edginess surrounding him tonight and she understood why. His primal side needed this claiming as much as hers did.

When his hands grasped her hips in a tight hold, she allowed him to guide her until she was on her belly. Pushing up onto her knees, she looked over her shoulder at him, anticipation and hunger washing through her in equal waves.

Her inner walls clenched, her body still not satisfied, despite her recent orgasm. Every inch of her was pulled taut with longing. Only Jayce could fulfill what she needed.

“I don’t know if I can be gentle.” Jayce’s voice was strained, as if saying that much had been a struggle. His gray eyes had darkened to almost midnight black.

“Don’t hold back.” That wasn’t what she wanted. Not tonight. Tonight was about the two of them bonding, about giving up parts of themselves to join with the other.

He’d explained everything about the bonding process, so she knew that after tonight she’d be linked to him in a way she never would be with anyone else.

As she watched, he slid his palm down her spine, stroking her in a completely proprietary manner. His hand slid to her hip, where he clutched her in an almost bruising hold. Not too hard but firmly enough that he was silently staking his claim.

She was his.

And vice versa.

When he thrust his cock into her, she pushed out a long breath, letting her head fall forward at the intrusion. She felt as if she was completely surrendering to him.

It seemed that no matter how often they were together, she always needed a moment to adjust to him. Her sheath stretched and molded around his cock with a familiarity that made her entire body ache. When his hips rolled back, pulling out of her, she immediately felt the loss. Just as quickly he pushed back inside her.

Over and over, he moved inside her, filling her and pushing her over the edge. Even though she couldn’t see him, she could feel and scent the lust and love rolling off him. Dark yet sweet, the aroma surrounded her with its intensity.

As Jayce continued thrusting, one of his hands slowly loosened from her hip, as if he didn’t want to let go, until he cupped her mound and stroked her clit in that perfect rhythm he’d mastered.

Another orgasm swept through her. Her inner walls clenched, milking his cock as her fingers dug into the covers. Jayce palmed her stomach, bringing her suddenly back up against his chest.

A hard hand fisted in her hair, pulling her head back. His mouth crushed hers, his tongue tangling with hers for one intense moment before he tore away. Then she felt the sharp sting of his canines sinking into her neck, right where he’d lightly bitten her before in the shower. It prolonged her climax. She trembled as the sting turned into pure liquid pleasure. Jayce’s own cries mingled with hers as he released himself inside her.

His orgasm seemed to go on forever as he groaned her name until finally he stilled behind her, nuzzling and kissing her neck where he’d punctured her skin, soothing the small ache. His arm settled around her waist as he held her close, still buried deep inside her. She could feel his heart pounding out of control, the slight tremble that snaked through his body, and his erratic breath on her skin.

“Did I hurt you?” he whispered against her ear.

Shaking her head, she pulled forward, hating to break their contact and the feel of his cock inside her, but she needed to hold him. She twisted around until she faced him. “You could never hurt me,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck.

He teased her lips open with his tongue, kissing her in leisurely strokes that made her tingle. Wrapping her body around his, she sighed in pleasure as her breasts pressed against his chest.

You are so beautiful. Jayce’s words sounded in her head as clearly as if he’d said them out loud.

Kat jerked back and her eyes widened. “Did that just happen?”

He grinned, the look on his face almost mischievous. “Did what just happen?” he asked innocently.

She frowned, trying to read his expression. “Did you just project a thought to me?”

You tell me. There was no denying that the deep, utterly masculine voice was Jayce’s.

“You did!” Can I do it too? She tried it, wondering if there was an art to projecting thoughts.

Guess so. His grin widened and she realized she’d never seen him so relaxed before. Reaching up, Jayce brushed her hair back from her left shoulder. He leaned down and raked his teeth over her skin where he’d bitten her before, growling proprietarily. Her toes curled. Yeah, she could totally get used to this. What they’d had together almost a year ago had been intense, but there had always been a wall between them. Neither had been willing to let it come completely down.