Page 69 of Heat Lightning

“Doesn’matter,” I slurred, pulling him closer to grind my hips into his. “Just⁠—”

“Where, sweet boy?”

I whimpered, unable to resist him any longer, and held up my wrist. “H-here.”

Wrapping his hand around it, so gentle despite the fire in his eyes, he took a deep inhale from my scent gland and snarled. “You let him scent-mark you.”

“It was a test,” I replied, breathless. “To see if we were compatible.”

Less talking, my omega purred.

I shoved my face into his chest and closed my eyes, drinking in that delicious, calming scent. He wore the full outfit, including dark pants, a hoodie, a jean jacket, and of course, his mask. It was all so familiar by now; it felt like safety and smelled like home.

Light years better than Owen.

“Why?” he asked, hooking my other wrist in his hand and scenting me there, too.

“You know why,” I whined, tugging my arms away but unable to shift his grip. “Stop teasing.”

He nipped my earlobe in response.

My eyes flew wide open with a yelp. “Hey!”

A bare, stubbled cheek rubbed against mine in apology. I peered up to see he’d hooked the bottom half of the mask over his nose, so his mouth and cheeks were exposed.

Holy shit.

“Tell me why you wanted to see if you were compatible with another alpha,” he commanded, low and dangerous dangerous dangerous.

Not to me, but to the poor doctor who had no idea what he’d stepped into when he offered me his wrist.

Thunder shook the house, and I remembered why I’d been there. “Because you didn’t want me,” I snarled, tears pooling in my eyes. “You’d rather have someone else’s heat. You’d rather let yourself die taking those stupid fucking suppressants than be with me.”

I fought him and got one wrist free to push on his chest. “And I’d rather die than be your last resort, so let me go, or I’ll⁠—”

“Last resort?” he asked with a crazed chuckle, fingers circling my hand again to hold it to his heart. “If you knew even half the depraved things I’ve done while thinking about you, while watching you, you’d know you were never a last resort.”

I shook my head. “I don’t believe you. You wanted someone else. You didn’t want me.”

“I’ve always wanted you,” he hissed into the scant space between us. “From the first moment I saw you. I almost took you that night in the alley, you know. I almost tossed you over my shoulder and stole you away so no one could ever touch you but me, or even look at you without knowing you’re mine.”

Yes, my omega moaned. Let him carry us away. We’ll make a nest and invite him in and make pups together, and it’ll be perfect.

I squirmed, but he pressed his thigh between my legs, trapping my cock between us and holding me firm.

“You were so innocent. So wide-eyed and curious and beautiful. I wanted to know what you’d sound like beneath me, what you’d taste like.” He stopped abruptly, as if choked, and pulled my arm up to his mouth, gaze holding mine. “I will know what you taste like.”

And then he dragged his tongue up my wrist, right over my scent gland.

My jaw dropped, words sputtering. “What are you—you⁠—”

He did it again and again, scent-marking me until the delicate skin was pink and glistening and I was so slick my shorts had to be wet-through.

“There,” he said after one more lick. “That’s better.” Almost like he couldn’t help himself, he grabbed my other wrist and repeated the act.

“You’re a beast.”

He shot me an alarmingly enchanting grin. I was transfixed. “Only for you, sweetheart.”