Page 101 of Ice King

I homed in on her breathing, concentrating on nothing else while envisioning the lovely pulse on the side of her neck. All I could think about was marking her so she’d wear my scent at all times.

Yet hers was remarkable, the intoxicating threat of jasmine overpowering moss and wet spruce, mud and bark. The faster I ran, the more intense the burn in my chest, the limited separation from her creating a need that could not be denied. Every muscle in my human body was screaming, but I refused to stop, the insanity of our bond pulling me, tightening like a leash.

My eyesight had changed, becoming more focused, the ability to see as my wolf a penetrating reminder of just how close to the edge I truly was. Yet there was no fear in the woman, her excitement unlike anything experienced with any other woman.

Somewhere deep inside, she already knew she belonged to me.

With a single crack coming from up ahead, I stopped long enough to allow my wolf to speak. The deep growl permeated thenight air, shaking the forest in its intensity as my possessiveness of her increased.

I’d finally had enough, scanning the forest until I saw her.

There was no other creature so beautiful, no other woman who could ever burn me with such raging desire. In one final call of ownership, I returned to the chase. Only this time, she wasn’t getting away from me.

The moment she was within my sights, she swung around to face me, taking a stand in front of a massive maple tree. And in that moment where my sense of need crashed with explosive desire, she did the unthinkable once again.

She beckoned for me.

Only this time, she wasn’t merely asking for the man.

She was also asking for the wolf.

CHAPTER 22

Georgia

The exhilaration of the chase.

My breathing remained shallow, ragged and hot, with my feet aching and light cuts on my arms from snapping branches. With the light from the house all but faded given the distance, the location held a surreal, primal feel.

As if something very dangerous was about to occur.

I shook my head, my long, wet hair clinging to my face and neck, the dress I was wearing likely ruined. But I just didn’t care. There was an utter thrill about the moment, my senses on overload. Had the chase been risky? Hell, yes, but that was why the excitement was so high, the rush of adrenaline so strong.

The best part had been the dance we’d played, predator chasing prey. With his heavy breathing, I could tell I’d achieved my goal of enticing his wolf.

While I might not understand the full extent of what I’d done, I sensed his hunger was different. There was a quiet possessiveness about him, a scent more distinct than before.

Ford stood in front of me, drenched once again from the rain, his shoulders heaving.

But not from exertion. From desire.

A burning need that consumed all rational thought. I’d felt it in the restaurant. We both had. The pull had been crazed and obnoxious, but controllable.

Not any longer.

I’d looked back only once, preferring to entertain the mystery of the game I’d insisted on. Every shadow between the pines had felt alive, pulsing with the sound of his footsteps as he’d closed in.

Even now, my heart was a frantic drum, caught between wanting to continue the chase and finally freeing us both to indulge in our passion.

He took a step closer. Then another.

His movement was slow and steady, his eyes sweeping over me in the same possessive way as before. There was some sense of danger all around us, more human than animal, but it only added to the sexual tension.

I also knew I was safe with him. And I’d never wanted anyone as much as I wanted the man lingering in the shadows.

When he was only a couple of feet away, he ripped off his shirt. He stood his ground as I’d done earlier, waiting to see what I would do.

All was fair in the game of taunting a beast. Right? As I crunched the hem of my dress in my fingers, his expression changed. I could swear he was more beast than man. The rain was picking up in intensity, making it difficult to see, but I didn’t need my vision to know what I wanted or what he craved.