were frantic on his back, on his ribcage, over his chest, trying to find purchase somewhere. Anywhere.
He growled and grabbed her hands, pinning them to the bed and planting his over them. He hammered into her, driving the headboard against the wall and caressing nerves inside her with a raw demand her body could only heed.
She caught her breath, tightened her muscles even more, and went over the cliff. She cried out, her eyelids shutting, as the orgasm overtook her with a power she’d never even imagined. The firestorm of pleasure burned her from within, forcing her to peak at several crests, and finally released her to go limp.
Gasping, her body shaking, she slowly opened her eyes.
And realized he was still hard inside her.
* * * *
Adare’s entire body tightened and heated, power surging through his veins. He pulsed inside her, the feeling of absolute possession and truth strengthening him in a way he’d never imagined.
Grace’s eyes opened and she blinked. He caught the moment she realized he was still inside her. Still not done. Still unmated.
Her eyes widened, the blue mysterious and so deep he could get lost forever. A hint of trepidation lingered there, as well. Good. She needed to understand the significance of the mating.
He slowly withdrew from her delicious body, enjoying her gasp of protest. “My way, Leannain,” he reminded her. This time, he wanted to see the marking take hold. He was going to ensure it did so. His hold was gentle but unrelenting as he grasped her hips and flipped her over on the bed, rising to his knees to do so.
She fell onto her stomach and instantly pushed up. “Hey,” she breathed.
He helped her, lifting her to her hands and knees, facing the headboard.
“Oh,” she murmured.
He palmed her cute butt and reached between her legs.
She mewled, already wet and swollen. “Adare,” she breathed, tossing her hair back.
“Say my name again.” He leaned over her, his hand still playing, liking the sound of his name on her lips.
“Adare.” The sound was soft.
He grasped her hips and eased inside her, careful to go slow and not harm her. His body rioted and wanted to pound, but he held on to control, easing in again. She accepted him more quickly this time, and he pushed the last few inches, knowing without a doubt this was as close to heaven as he would ever experience in this life.
Holding tight, he pulled out and pushed back in, setting up a rhythm that kept him in control. Anticipation built up inside him, combining with a rush of heat that burned him from within. Every stroke made him more sensitive and ready, and he was nearing the point of no return.
There was no going back.
For either of them.
Tremors started from inside his knees and shot up to his thighs and groin, landing hard in his cock. He pounded harder, leaning over her, taking everything he could.
She dropped down, her head on the pillow and turned to the side. Open and vulnerable to him, trusting him like she’d promised. That trust, that surrender, quieted the world around him until there was only this moment, only this female, only the two of them. Forever.
He hammered, his body taking over, his entire being filled with Grace. Her scent, her skin, her essence. A surge of electricity shot throughout his cells, going deeper, into a part of him he hadn’t known existed.
His fangs dropped low and sharp, and he clamped onto her shoulder, slicing until he marked bone. She cried out and tried to pull away, but he held her in place, letting her blood flow into his mouth. The sweet spiciness exploded on his tongue, and he drank more, the beast at his core taking over in the thrill of mating.
He edged to the side of her, lifted his burning palm, and placed the marking flat across the spot where his hand had been before. This time, energy ran through his palm, scalding in its intensity and sparking through his veins to clamp around his heart. He felt—actually felt—strings tie around his heart, all bearing her name. Who she was and who she’d always be.
They entrapped him, taking him, settling into his being with the certainty of belonging he’d never felt before.
His world was filled with her, with their future together and the knowledge that he was hers. Forever hers to protect and defend, to keep safe during an immortal lifetime.
To do that, he made her his.
The marking sizzled, and he removed his