A Mate's Wish(21)

Beth took a deep breath and stepped under the spray of the faucet.





Chapter Eight

Renner held his breath as Bethany began working the soap into a thick lather. He’d imagined her naked many times, but put the reality and the fantasy side by side, and reality blew the fantasy out of the fucking water. His girl was gorgeous. Her curves narrowed slightly at the waist and flared at the hips. He couldn’t wait to slip between those thighs and thrust home. And her breasts… they were more than a handful.

She closed her eyes as her hands smoothed soap over her arms and stomach, avoiding those twin mounds that had him riveted.

His erection ached now, but he didn’t have the energy to take her the way he wanted. It would have to wait.

“Open your eyes,” he commanded. She did, but they were wary. She was afraid he’d hurt her like he had before. The mere idea broke his heart. He’d show her he’d changed. “Look what you’re doing to me, Bethy.” He grasped his hardness, stroking for an ounce of relief.

Her eyes glazed over and her mouth came open. All he could think about was sliding something in between those full lips. It didn’t matter what. His finger. His tongue. His coc—

She grabbed her breasts, squeezing and worrying her rosy nipples.

His recovering panther purred at the pleasure of watching, but it wasn’t enough. He needed to claim her. Needed to be inside her while they both came. Needed to bite her. Mark her. For fucking life.

“Come here, mate. Now.”

“Your eyes,” she murmured, stepping beneath the water and washing away the suds.

“It’s my cat. Does it scare you?”

She shook her head.

“Good. Now come here. I need to feel you. Taste you.”

“Ren, maybe we shouldn’t—“

When she was close enough for him to reach, he pulled her hips flush with his mouth. “You smell divine.” He swiped his tongue once through her folds and her gasp rang in the air. “You taste like fucking magic, woman. Fuck.” He reached out and cranked the water off. “I have to have you. Now. On the bed.”

“But your wound…”

“Will hurt like hell tomorrow, but I don’t care. I need to be inside you, Bethy.”

He stood, opening the door and reaching around her for a towel.

“Are you sure?” The quiet tone of her voice caught his attention.

Renner turned, grabbing her face and nudging her back against the tile. He kissed her long and deep, letting everything he felt come through that single connection with her. “I have never been more sure of anything in my entire life.”

She nodded, looking nervous. “I don’t… I don’t do casual sex. You should know that.”

He touched his forehead to hers. “I don’t either. Not anymore.” She was it for him. For the rest of their lives. He’d never bed another woman.

Renner led Bethany to his bed, kissing her down until he hovered over her. He tasted her skin as he worked his way down to her nipples. The pain in his side was screaming but he wanted this, needed this moment with her.

He grazed one of the hard nubs with his teeth and she let out a delicious moan. He sucked it between his lips, wringing more frantic sounds from her. Her hands flew to his hair, pulling. As he made his way lower, closer to the prize, he nuzzled her belly, kissing and nipping while she squirmed with pleasure.

When he was finally crouched between her legs, he sat back to look at her. She was breathtaking like this, splayed out on his sheets, slick with arousal and trembling with need.

“Renner?”

He met her eyes and the question there made his chest tight with regret. “You’re beautiful, Bethy.” He licked his lips. “Don’t ever doubt it.”

He didn’t wait to hear her response. Instead, he put his mouth to her sweet spot, licking, sucking, savoring. Her hand in his hair pulled, but he wouldn’t be persuaded. He’d bring her to the top and push her over before claiming her.

His tongue worked her out while he carefully thrust a finger inside. Her breathy moans urged him on, and when her thighs began to tremble, Renner increased his attention, using his thumb to rub circles over her swollen nub. She was close.

“That’s right, sweet baby. You’re going to come apart for me, and then I’ll finish inside you.”

Another lick and she exploded, crying his name.

Rising up, he kissed away her moans. His wound ached like a mother, but his need for her was stronger. Claim. Mark. He needed to know she’d always be his. Needed that reassurance.

“I’m going to mark you, Bethy. As my mate. Do you understand?”

She tossed her head against the sheets still writhing beneath him.