can know you're mine. That's what this thing keeps telling me. No, screaming at me. I need to have you. Not your body, Elena, but all of you. You are mine, and I'll prove it to you."
She stepped back, aiming for her room. "Ok." Then she shrugged off her coat, letting it fall to the floor. "I'm not stopping you."
I followed, but she retreated, although my mate wasn't running. She was begging, and I would not let her get away again. In the back of my mind, my most primal instincts roared, reminding me that I was a wolf - and she was a soft and sweet little bunny. My bunny. All mine.
CHAPTER 24
I was barely in my room before Lane was on me. His hands found my body, pulling me against him, but he didn't stop moving. His mouth found mine just as my back met the wall, and he growled in the back of his throat. The moment my lips parted, he was there, swirling his tongue around mine, thrusting into my mouth with it, and devouring me in the best way.
Every rock-hard inch of his body pressed against mine, but he was still being careful. Passionate, but gentle, and I wanted him to let go completely. I grabbed his shirt, yanking it higher so I could feel those abs, but this beast didn't budge. He simply kissed me over and over until my fingers tripped across his stomach. That earned me another deep, feral sound.
"Lane," I breathed.
He stole another quick kiss. "I'm being good."
"Stop that." Then I pulled at his shirt again, unable to get it past his arms.
Reaching back between his shoulders, he yanked it over his head, leaning back only far enough to get free, but then his golden eyes landed on mine. For a moment he froze, and I could see a million thoughts spinning in his head as his expressions flickered. I knew he was fated for me. I didn't understand what that was like, but this? For the first time, he wasn't hiding it from me. There was some battle going on inside him, but I was tired of him always holding back.
Grabbing the front of his jeans, I worked the button free. "What do you need?" I whispered before tugging so the zipper fell.
I tried to reach inside, but he caught my wrist. "Stop," he begged. "I don't want to get that on you. Nothing that could hurt you, or expose you. I just need a minute."
"Lane?"
He stepped over to close the door, flicking the lock out of habit, but it put a little space between us. What he didn't do was close his pants. Instead, he pulled in a heavy breath, then let it fall right back out.
"I am not a beast," he breathed, the words sounding more like a mantra than him telling it to me. "I am a man."
"Lane?" I tried again. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have - "
"No," he said, turning back to face me. "I should've calmed down after the run. I didn't think. I..."
Before he could finish, I stepped into him. "You won't hurt me."
"I want to bite you," he admitted. "Right at the back of your neck." Slowly, he reached up to trace the spot behind my ear, just at the hairline. "I've never felt that before, and I know I can't, so I just need... Something. A moment."
I caught his hand, holding it in place as I turned my lips to kiss the inside of his forearm. "You just have to be gentle," I reminded him.
Then I nipped at his skin, my teeth only grazing the surface. Lane's eyes closed and he groaned so softly I could barely hear it. I shifted closer and did it again, but this time a little harder. Without letting go, Lane pulled and twisted, turning me so my back was against his chest. His arm now crossed in front of my body, dropping to my shoulder to hold me there. Then, his other hand swept my hair back, exposing my neck on the other side.
Then he leaned in. First, he kissed that spot. Then, the tip of his tongue flicked across it. The third time, I felt his teeth, but it was so light.
"Harder," I whispered.
He finally bit, but only barely. It was a love bite, gentle enough to not even leave a mark, but I leaned into it. So he did it again, kissing in between while his hips pressed just a little closer. I could