Thornak's kiss left her breathless. It was gentle, but she could feel the strong desire he tried to hold back. She responded with a kiss of her own, her heart racing.
But then he suddenly pulled away and walked to the desk. He stood with his back to her, looking tense.
She watched him, confused. He didn't move, clearly fighting with something inside him she couldn't see.
Thornak?" she said softly.
He didn't answer.
She stepped closer.
The look he gave her was so full of desire.
Her night robe did nothing to hide her perfect body, fueling his desire.
"Oh, goddess…" he whispered, turning away and curling his fists on the desk. "You're making this harder than you know."
His voice was rough, almost a snarl.
"Thornak, don't you want to be with me? Please say something," Lara said, starting to feel worried.
He growled, his wolf had become more restless and wild. Every part of her, every scent, was driving him crazy. He was barely holding himself back.
He had defeated armies with less effort than this.
"You don't know what you do to me," he said, his voice breaking. "I don't only want you, Lara. I want to mark you. To make you mine in every way a Lycan can. But I might scare you so I won't… not until you are ready and you want me to."
Lara felt confused. She knew he loved her and she loved him, but could a Lycan really mark just anyone, even a wolfless girl like her?
"Why do you want to mark me? I am Wolfless." she said in a trembling voice. "I'm not even a Lycan."
"Why do you think it's so?" Thornak growled, and gripped her waist pulling her closer and looking into her eyes.
She stood still, drawn to him by something she couldn't explain. Her skin burned where he touched her, and she felt her heart racing.
She knew she should step back. She should run.
But she didn't.
She couldn't.
Then a single word shot through her mind, carried in a voice she somehow recognized.
"Mate," she whispered.
And in the next instant, Thornak's lips crashed down on hers, claiming her.
"Mine," he growled against her mouth, lifting her into his arms like she belonged there.
His hands roamed her body, one resting on her thigh, the other tracing up her back.
"Lara," he whispered into her ear, trying to stay in control. "Say the word, and I'll stop, no matter the cost."
She looked up at him. "I don't want you to stop," she whispered back.
Thornak nearly growled as he lost his control.
His arousal strained painfully against the confines of his pants. A hunger that had kept him restless for nights.
In one smooth, powerful motion, he lifted her onto the bed, pinning her gently, even as his wild need fought to take over.
He trailed kisses across her face and down her neck. His hands roamed her body exploring every curve.
Her body was flawless making him ache more.
Lara moaned, her body responding instinctively to his touch, as her thighs parted to receive him.
"Lara…" he whispered, gripping her wrist gently, his forehead pressing to hers. "Only if you're sure."
She nodded. "I'm sure."
That was all the permission he needed.
With a low groan, he released the knot, pulling his pants down just enough to free himself. His length was thick and hard.
His tongue found her nipples, rolling over the sensitive peaks. She groaned, clutching his head, moaning out his name.
Her dress was bunched at her waist, leaving her bare beneath him. She was shy, but she didn't pull away. She was ready for him.
"You're already so wet for me," Thornak murmured, as his fingers slipped between her thighs, feeling the warmth and softness.
As soon as he touched her, she whimpered, overwhelmed, clinging to his shoulders as her body arched beneath him.
He pressed a kiss to her collarbone, then her cheek, before capturing her lips again with a hungry intensity.
"I'll go slow," he promised.
But goddess help him, he wanted more, not to hurt her, but to claim her, to mark her, to make her his in every sacred, primal way. Still, he held back, because Lara deserved more than a Lycan's raw hunger.
He guided himself to her entrance, moving with a patience he didn't know he possessed. His fingers brushed between her thighs one last time, preparing her, coaxing her open before he pressed the thick head of his length against her heat.
Lara gasped as he pushed in slowly, moving with care, holding himself back even as her tight warmth threatened to overwhelm him.
She leaned back, her nails digging into his shoulder as a moment of pain flashed through her body. It burned, but only for a moment.
Her thighs trembled around him as her body adjusted to his fullness. He moved slowly, each stroke igniting a fire deep within her. Pleasure rolled through her, consuming her entirely.
Each movement drove her higher, the pleasure coiling tighter inside her.
He kissed her again, and slid his fingers between her thigh, circling her with a gentle touch. Coaxing her higher and higher until she gasped, the tension breaking. Her soft, raw cry caught in her throat as the climax surged through her like lightning.
"Thornak…" she gasped.
Thornak cursed under his breath, losing all control. He thrust once, twice more, then followed her over the edge with a low, guttural growl, burying himself deep as release took him.
The heat of their passion slowly faded, leaving only the soft warmth of their bodies pressed together.
The moonlight fell across the bed, catching in Lara's hair like gold. Her skin was warm and glowing, her breathing slowly even. Thornak lay beside her, resting on one elbow, quietly watching her, taking in the calm on her face.
He had never seen anything so beautiful.
she was his woman
And the goddess help him, he was hers.
And he would protect her with his life.