The Mating Heat(27)

Ryder opened his eyes.
Gaze glittering, he pushed harder, going deep inside, his heavy sac slapping against her. Each pounding thrust of his cock sent liquid heat burning through her veins. Climax shimmered out of reach. She needed this, needed her body claimed by the only male who’d ever seen her, past her scars and her pain and saw the shining heart of her.
Another orgasm, this one richer and sharper, shattered her. Veins and chords on his neck straining, he threw back his head and shouted her name as he ejaculated deep inside her. Then he collapsed, burying his face into her shoulder, his panting breaths hot against her skin.
Languid with sensual pleasure, she idly stroked his damp hair, loving his heavy weight pinning her down.
Making love with him had been better than all her innocent fantasies woven while hiding in her room at Aiden’s ranch. They were together now, and his mark on her skin would seal the mating bond. Ryder levered off her and slowly pulled away, leaving her cold and bereft. He rolled to one side and cupped her scarred cheek.
“Love watching you climax. You’re so beautiful when you come,” he said hoarsely.
A delighted smile died on her lips. Kara felt herself shrink back into her protective shell, a cold, lonely place as safe as her room back at Aiden’s ranch.
“Guess you should make me come more often then, and I’ll always be beautiful.”
The words were light and teasing, no hint of the hurt piercing her. But a fierce light dawned in Ryder’s eyes.
“Don’t do that, Kara. I meant what I said. You are beautiful when you come.” He touched his lips to her kiss-swollen mouth. “And you’re beautiful when you awaken. Beautiful when you insist on spending money on a little boy who needs a birthday party. Beautiful when you defend your brother.”
Her mouth wobbled. “But I’ll never be the same as I was. The same as I was when you first kissed me.”
“No, you won’t.” Ryder studied her right cheek. “This won’t go away, not even surgery can fully repair it. Magick maybe. But it’s got a beauty of its own as well, because it’s reminder of how damn strong you are, and brave, to have survived.”
Emotions swelled her chest as he kissed her ruined flesh. “You’re a survivor, like me, like so many in this pack. We need you to help lead us out of the darkness that’s engulfed us for so many years. I need you, Kara. I can’t do this alone. You make me complete.”
Her heart turned over at his sincere look. Ryder drew her into his arms and stroked her hair as she pillowed her head on his muscled shoulder. Maybe they could do this. For surely he loved her, and wanted her exclusively because of love, the same reason why she longed to remain at his side.
Why else would he risk everything to keep her with him?
***
Dawn broke with a soft wash of golden light spilling into his bedroom. Ryder awakened to find Kara nestled in his arms.
It was not a dream after all. He smiled.
Peace settled over him as he watched her sleep. Kara had given him an incredible gift. She was the light piercing through his dark past. The two years since she’d been gone were darker than any blackness in Alastair’s damned cages. If she left him, she'd take the light with her.
His chest tightened as he kissed her temple.
“I’ve wanted you for a long time, Kara, and this time, I will have you.” He brushed a lock of hair away from her cheek, exposing the scars. “You’re mine and I don’t care if I have to fight every single Lupine in the west. You’re not leaving here.”
The physical pain, hell, he’d endured.
The pain of losing Kara, knowing he’d never see her again, knowing all light and hope had evaporated, had crushed him in ways Alastair Mitchell never could. He’d barely survived the ten days and nights he’d spent in the solitary cell. Dense blackness had wrapped steel fingers around his body, squeezing until he screamed, his throat hoarse, his voice a whimper. The screams were echoes in the past now.
He couldn’t release Kara. If he let her go, he’d lose more than pack respect and loyalty. But what if she wanted to go? He knew he couldn’t keep her against her will.
A soft rapping sounded at the door. Only one reason someone would disturb him now…
Not wishing to awaken her, Ryder eased carefully away from Kara. He found his jeans, slid them on, zipping the fly as he padded to the door.
David stood outside, looking as stoic as ever. Ryder stepped into the hallway, closing the door softly behind him, knowing the male wouldn’t bother him except for an emergency.
“What is it?”
“I set up patrols two hours outside our boundaries as you asked. They reported that Aiden is on his way, in a pick-up truck filled with strong males. They will be here soon.”