Page 36 of Crimson Heart

16

After leaving the Bail Bonds office on Bryant Street, where Byron had given Tim, one of his bounty hunters, instructions to dig up dirt about Steve Leon, the werewolf Charlotte was supposed to mate with, they’d been stuck in heavy mid-morning traffic. When they were finally inside Cameron’s old condo, Byron breathed a sigh of relief. Another few minutes in Charlotte’s presence without touching her, and his wolf would have broken through. This had never happened with other women he’d been with.

He’d always had his wolf under control, no matter what his family or the Werewolf Alliance might think of his behavior. In fact, ever since Jude and his team had taken over the pack, he’d allowed his wolf to come to the surface more often, solely for the purpose of letting the Alliance members know what would happen if they tried to provoke him.

But right now, he was battling with his wolf, because what the beast inside him demanded, the man on the outside couldn’t allow. It would be foolish.

“Something wrong?”

Charlotte’s voice drifted to him as if he’d zoned out, and maybe he had. He focused his eyes on her and reached for her.

“Something will be,” he hedged, “if we don’t get undressed quickly.”

A seductive smile washed over Charlotte’s face. “You’re even sexier when you’re impatient.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

He pulled her to him and pressed his lips to hers for a kiss he’d been hungering for ever since they’d left the estate. She yielded to his demand and angled her head to allow for a closer contact. Without interrupting the kiss, he lifted her into his arms and steered straight for the bedroom. Once inside, he kicked the door shut with his foot and set Charlotte on her feet. As if the world was ending tomorrow, they ripped each other’s clothes off in a frenzy. There was no slow undressing, no tender exploration of the other’s naked body, no romantic seduction. What was between them was different: it was pure need and passion, raw and untamed. An emotion so wild and so strong that it could destroy them both if they weren’t careful.

When Charlotte dropped her last piece of clothing on the floor, Byron let his eyes roam her perfect body. It wasn’t just that she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen; there was something about her that drew her to him as if she’d put him under her spell. He knew what it meant. And maybe, she knew it too.

Charlotte met his gaze and lay down on the bed, then dropped her eyes to his groin and licked her lips. His erection was hard and heavy, ready for her. And so was Charlotte: she opened the top drawer of the bedside table and retrieved a condom. When she handed it to him, he made quick work of it and rolled it over his erection.

Finally, he slid onto the bed, rolling over her, bracing himself on his knees and elbows so as not to crush her with his weight. Her full breasts touched his chest, and the contact felt electrifying. She spread her legs wider, making space for him.

“Damn it, babe,” he murmured at her lips.

There was something he had to say. He couldn’t hold it back any longer, couldn’t pretend that her confession that she was promised to another werewolf didn’t make him upset.

“What is it?” she asked softly, while she wrapped her arms around him and tilted her pelvis up in invitation.

He resisted her siren call. He couldn’t get distracted now. He had to say what was on his mind.

“I’m sorry, Charlotte,” he started.

He felt her stiffen as if preparing for bad news.

“About your no-strings-attached rule,” he added, “I can’t comply with it any longer.”

She put her hands on his shoulders and pushed him back by a few inches to stare at him.

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying, babe, I’m in love with you.”

Complete and utter silence followed his confession. He’d told her the truth. Would she run from him now? Would she ridicule his feelings, saying that they didn’t know each other? That falling in love so quickly was impossible? What a fool he was. He should have kept his feelings to himself and continued their sexual relationship until he felt she wanted more too. But like the impulsive idiot he was, he had to blurt it out!

Great! Just great!

“I’m sorry,” he started again, but she put a finger over his lips to stop him from speaking.

Her eyes looked different now as she pinned him. Was she angry? Confused? Scared? Why could he not tell what was going on inside her? Was she looking for a way to let him down gracefully?

Before he realized what she was about to do, she used her strength against him, and he found himself with his back on the mattress and Charlotte on top of him, straddling him. A second later, he felt warmth and wetness touch the tip of his cock as she impaled herself on him, taking him deep inside her womanly cave.

“Fuck!” he cursed and gripped her hips to stop her from moving. “Damn it, Charlotte, I told you I love you. Don’t you think I deserve an answer? Or at least a little hint whether you feel the same?”

She leaned down, her face only inches from his. “Oh, Byron.” She shook her head. “Isn’t this hint enough?”