Gods, Em, seeing, scenting your wolf like that? It broke me. I failed to protect you. I’m so sorry.” His voice broke.
“Hey.” Now it was my turn to squeeze his hands. “It wasn’t your fault. None of this was.”
“You're wrong,” he whispered, so quietly I wondered if he’d actually spoken. He leaned his forehead down against mine. “My soul died that day, and something dark infected my heart. I didn’t want to face a world without you in it, so I let my wolf take control of me. He ruled most of the time, and I took a back seat. He’s a killer, a powerful one, and he killed anyone in his way to take the position of Prime in this place. Just as Doherty wanted, I killed my way to the top. I have done my best to protect those I vowed to—my brothers. I’ve done what I can for others in my pack, but in this place…” He sucked in a breath. “It’s impossible to protect everyone from harm.” He swallowed hard and closed his eyes. “You brought me back, Firecracker. I only have control of my body and my wolf again because you made me want it.” He squeezed my hand harder.
His eyes opened, so intense I was convinced he could see into my soul. I didn’t look away. I didn’t want to. I wanted to be closer to him, even if I had to protect my heart from what I would inevitably have to do—leave him. I gave into my need. Using my free hand, I speared his hair and gripped the back of his head. With a groan, I pressed my lips to his. My wolf awoke and pushed, the silver collar preventing her from breaking free, and even though she resisted, I thrust her away. Connor was...mine, and not even my wolf was stealing this moment from me.
“Wait.” His breath warmed my lips, which sent pure lust slamming through my body. For a moment he resisted, pulling back enough so there was merely a millimetre of space between us. His grip on my other hand was hard enough to be painful. I didn’t care, it only heightened my response to him. I gave a sultry smile and flicked my tongue out against his lips, tracing the curve of them. His low moan only fired my blood more. Heat flared in my chest. Connor would never allow another female to take control like this. He was the Prime; being in control was inherent in everything he did.
I gripped his hair, twisting the strands through my fingers and yanked him closer, at the same time as I bit his bottom lip—hard enough my sharp canine drew blood. A low pitched growl rumbled from his chest. His hand had slipped into my hair, his other now curling around my back, pulling me closer. He’d let me take the lead, but now he was back in control. And for once, I had no desire to argue or wrestle that control back.
His mouth pushed mine open, a deep sigh escaping me as his taste and scent flooded my senses. His tongue slid into my mouth, brushing against mine, stroking and tasting. I kissed him back greedily, gripping his hair tightly, unwilling to let him pull away—like he had before.
Needing more, far more, I slid my free hand under his shirt and grazed my palm along the hard ridge and dips of the muscles along his spine. Gods, his skin was hot, burning under my touch, his powerful body trembling with a restraint I wanted to break through. His hand found its way under my own top. He encircled my waist, holding me in place. I writhed, fighting his fingers. A growl of frustration escaped me. I needed his hands, his mouth everywhere, and not gently. A firestorm of need was burning through my body and only he could quench it.
He gripped my waist and hair and held me in place as he broke our kiss and pulled away far enough to search my face.
I snarled, clutched his hair and tried to pull him back, but he was far too strong for that to work. A small smile curled his lips, and eyes dark with hunger leisurely studied the rapid rise and fall of my breasts before he looked me in the eye. Every muscle in his body was rock hard and tense.
“Tell me you want this, that you want me.” His voice was deep and rough.