Echoes of Fire (The Mercury Pack #4)(30)
Using his thumb, Bracken rubbed at the concealer covering his mark on Madisyn’s neck. And there it was. His wolf rumbled his approval. “You wouldn’t have left me alone. If I ignored your texts, you wouldn’t fade into the background. You’d rip me a new asshole. You’d never let me descend into a well of self-pity. No, you’d expect me to pull up my big-boy pants and sort my shit out. That’s what I need, Madisyn. Someone who’ll challenge me. Someone who won’t be careful with me. Someone who’ll make me live. You already do that. You’ve been doing it since we first met.”
Madisyn swallowed. His brooding, hooded eyes darkened with greed as they fell to the bite on her neck again, and the flash of pure masculine satisfaction made her cat sniff haughtily. “I’ll also drive you as crazy as you’ll drive me,” she warned. Her stomach clenched as a languid, sexual smile slowly curved his mouth.
“Sounds like fun.” Lifting her wrist to his mouth, he traced the tattoo there with his tongue. It was a cluster of small objects: a pocket watch, a blue hat, a bottle labeled “Drink Me,” and a bushy striped tail. “Alice in Wonderland.”
“Yes. It was my favorite book when I was a kid.” She almost shivered as he blew over the wet patch of skin.
He flicked open a button on her shirt, and her brow hiked up. “I’m staying here tonight,” he told her, opening another button.
Her eyes narrowed. “Are you now?”
“Yes. We’ve talked. I’ve explained everything. I’ve answered your questions. You’ve answered mine. It’s all good.” And there went another button.
“Still, some would say that this is rushing things.”
“We’re not dating. You know that.” With her shirt finally open, he slid his hands inside and splayed them on her back. “When it comes to claiming you, I can go at your pace. Everything else?” He shook his head. “I already told you, I’ll demand everything.” He yanked her close, squashing her breasts against his chest and feeling the hard stab of her nipples through her lacy bra. “I’ll own you. Already do.”
Fisting her hair, Bracken took her mouth, sinking his tongue inside . . . and there was that sweet and wild taste that haunted him. Fuck, he’d never get enough of it. Never stop craving it. Gripping her hip, he rocked her against his cock. Her fingers dug into his shoulders as she let out a throaty moan he felt all the way to his balls. Knowing he was about to fuck his mate, about to shoot his come deep inside her, only made his cock harder.
Madisyn hissed as he tightened his grip on her hair. The moment his mouth had touched hers, her entire body just lit right up. No one had ever kissed her the way he did. He didn’t just stroke her tongue with his. He licked at her teeth, nipped at the corners of her mouth, sucked on her bottom lip, rubbed the inside of her top lip. Devoured her until her emotions were spinning and her brain was just mush—so much so that she barely registered when he whipped off her shirt and bra.
She helplessly rocked against him and, God, that felt good. The sexual aggression pouring off him made her pulse quicken, her nipples pebble, and her pussy clench. Her cat liked how boldly he touched her, liked the greed and possessiveness in his touch.
Each time Madisyn ground her clit over his hard, thick cock, she ached a little bit more to have him inside her. She was damp and hot and could smell her own need. He pulled back, and Madisyn would have chased his mouth for more if it weren’t for the hand fisting her hair and holding her in place.
“I’m staying here tonight, aren’t I?” He closed his hand around her breast in a blatantly possessive hold that screamed Mine.
Madisyn licked her lips. “Maybe.” She winced as he tugged her hair hard enough to make her scalp prickle. Her cat bared a fang.
“I’m staying here tonight, aren’t I?”
She hissed. “Depends what’s in it for me. You’ll—”
“Fuck you. All night. Nonstop.”
“Then you’re staying.”
With a lazy smile, he nuzzled her neck. “Good girl. You know, neither me nor my wolf are particularly possessive creatures.” He put his mouth to her ear. “But I can tell you right now that if another guy touched you, he’d pay for that mistake with his life.” He lifted her and sucked her nipple into his mouth. Head falling back, she arched into him, offering herself. He loved that. Loved how responsive she was. Loved that her body knew it belonged to him, even if she wasn’t quite ready to accept his claim on her yet.
He heard her zipper lower, and then there was a soft moan that gripped his cock. Glancing down, he saw that she’d thrust her hand into her jeans. “That’s it, baby, keep yourself wet for me while I play.” And he did play. Bit and licked and suckled on her nipples, taking as much of her silky-soft, creamy breasts in his mouth as he could. He made a mental note to fuck them one day.
Bracken was about to take a moment to lavish some attention on the brand on her neck, but he felt her thighs quiver. “No, baby, no coming yet.” He set her on the table, ignoring her scowl, and dragged off her jeans and panties. “Don’t move.”
Madisyn might have ignored him just to be contrary if he hadn’t then whipped off his shirt, baring his broad shoulders and lean, powerful build. Oh yeah, she was more than happy to sit there and enjoy the show as he shed his clothes, revealing inch after blessed inch of pure solid muscle. Each time it rippled beneath his sleek skin, she wanted to shudder a little in delight. Those washboard abs needed exploring. Preferably with her tongue.