Graham didn’t think any of the Lupines here could win against him, but now Graham had been spelled by a Fae.

“They’re not going to kill me,” Graham said, trying to keep his voice steady. “Eric won’t let them.”

Then again, when Graham had arrived here last year, he’d been a total shit to Eric. But Graham had been fighting to keep his position, fearing Eric would force him out. Graham couldn’t stand the thought of having to be a kiss-ass, so he’d been a dickhead instead. Had Eric forgiven Graham enough to help him stand against his angry Shifters? Graham wasn’t sure.

“And anyway,” Misty said. “We should figure out this Fae problem first.”

“No, I want to do this mating now, before the Fae problem kills me.” Graham started to reach for Misty then forced himself not to touch her. “I want you mated to me, to know we’re bound. Don’t you think that will make me stronger?”

“No, I think it will be more distracting. Having to learn to integrate our lives, plus trying to get your Shifters to go along with it, will take a lot of work. Throw in trying to find a cure for this spell—that’s lot to put on your plate.”

“Damn it!” Graham’s roar burst out. “What distracts me is seeing you around, with your gorgeous legs, and your lips I want to suck on, and your scent driving me wild. The touch of a mate heals—did you know that? It’s why you’re up and walking around today. Andrea’s cure wasn’t working until I took it away from her and dosed you myself. I need you. Even if we get rid of this Fae, not being with you is killing me.”

He faced her, his hands clenched. Misty’s lips were parted, red and kissable.

“Graham, I want to be with you too,” she said in a rush. “But I don’t want to make things hard for you.”

“Well, too late. I’m already hard for you.” Graham grabbed her hand and pressed it against the front of his jeans. “This is what you do to me, every time I look at you.”

“That’s just lust.” Misty didn’t move her hand, which warmed his blood. “Wanting. I want you too.” She smiled a little, and Graham’s frenzy skyrocketed.

Graham gripped her shoulders. “I need you. It’s killing me. Don’t refuse the claim. Please, don’t leave me alone. Again. Please.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

The please shot into Misty’s heart.

Graham was glaring at her, looking more angry than filled with love. His fingers bit into her shoulders, his grip desperate.

Don’t leave me alone. This from a man who found it hard to admit he needed anything. Or anyone.

Misty lifted her hand away from his jeans, where his long and formidable c**k waited. She remembered the feel of it against her tongue, the warm taste of it. She touched his arm, resting it on one of the flame tattoos.

“Graham,” she whispered.

“Don’t walk away from me, Misty. I’m going to die.”

“I won’t let you,” Misty said.

Graham let out a sound like a groan. His grip grew harder still as he yanked her to him and brought his mouth down on hers.

The kisses he’d given her before had been powerful, but Misty now realized he’d been holding back a little to keep from hurting her. He’d played games with her, stopping himself from doing what he’d meant to.

Not this time. The holding back had gone. Graham had Misty against the wall in the space of two seconds. He held her solidly, his mouth on hers, while he pushed up her skirt and yanked down her underwear.

The cool of the room’s air touched her bare skin, except where Graham covered her, his body hot. More than hot. His skin was feverishly warm, dangerously so.

The rough of his jeans brushed her thighs, while one of his hands held her shoulder, the other, her waist, lifting her from the wall and against him. All the while Graham kissed her, his mouth opening hers without respite.

Misty ran her hands along his bare shoulders, his muscles hard under his sleek skin. Down his arms, over the firm round of his biceps, to the smoother skin of the tatts. To his back, to feel the flat of his lower back and the waistband of his jeans. Dipping inside to the warm flesh of his bu**ocks.

Graham broke the kiss. “Run now if you want,” he said, voice harsh. “I won’t be able to stop if you don’t go. Not today.”

Misty debated a half second. But she couldn’t fool herself. She wanted Graham, wanted this, wanted him forever. She shook her head. “I’m staying.”

Graham said nothing. No triumph, no smile of conquest. The only thing in his eyes was need.

Graham tugged at the button of his jeans then his zipper. The jeans flowed off, over his bare bu**ocks to the floor. He stepped out and kicked them away, naked in his kitchen with sunshine pouring through the windows.

He was a beautiful man. Perfectly formed. Life had scarred his face and body, but the whole of him sang.

Graham had Misty up against the wall again. He hooked her leg over one arm, stretching her up, opening her wide. He lifted her with his other arm around her hips, looking down into her eyes as he slid the tip of his c**k inside her.

Misty’s eyes widened. Graham was large, his firm tip already pushing her open. She drew in a long breath, her body tightening. She wrapped her legs around his, her skirt draping them both, her bare feet on his thighs.

Graham lifted her higher, holding her steady, as he slid a little more inside. Misty’s breath gave out. She tilted her head back, meeting the wall, opening her lungs for air.