Chapter 18
1115 Words
Derrick
Her hand was in mine as we moved down the hall toward her bedroom, and my wolf prowled beneath my skin with anticipation and awe. Jordan’s scent wrapped around me — citrus and wildflower, steel and heat — and I was dizzy on it. I’d touched her. Tasted her. But still, it wasn’t enough.
When we crossed the threshold, she let go of my hand and turned toward me, framed by the moonlight pouring in through the window. Her hair was tousled, her lips kiss-swollen, but it was the wariness in her eyes that made me slow my steps.
"We don’t have to rush," I said, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. "I’ll go as slow as you need."
She stared at me for a moment, then leaned up to kiss me — not gentle this time, but fierce, hungry. Her fingers tangled in my shirt, pulling me closer, and I felt the burn of the mate bond flare between us, hot and consuming.
Our clothes came off in pieces, scattered like fallen leaves. My hands explored the plains and curves of her body, memorizing every inch. Her skin was soft, her muscles taut beneath my touch. She arched into every caress like she was made for me.
I lowered my mouth to her collarbone, brushing kisses along the sensitive skin, feeling her shiver beneath me. She gasped when I sucked gently at her pulse, and her hips tilted up in invitation. I moved lower, tasting down her stomach, worshiping every part of her.
Her fingers knotted in my hair as I licked and kissed between her thighs, savoring the way she fell apart with every stroke of my tongue. Her moans were breathless, her thighs trembling around me, and I held her there, on the edge, until her cries peaked and her body arched off the bed.
When I rose, she pulled me into another kiss — her lips swollen, her body shaking, and her eyes burning with a raw need.
"Derrick," she whispered against my mouth. "I need you."
I kissed her slowly at first, sliding my fingers along her slick heat again, coaxing another soft cry from her. I wanted to prolong it, wanted her begging — not out of dominance, but worship. I needed her to feel how much she meant to me.
When I finally slid inside her, it was with reverence. Her body welcomed me like she’d been waiting for this — for me — forever. I moved slow, savoring each thrust, each whispered breath against my skin.
"It’s never felt like this," she said, voice trembling.
I pressed my forehead to hers, barely moving inside her, just enough to feel her tightness, her warmth. "Because it never was. This is what it’s supposed to feel like."
Her hips lifted, her body meeting mine perfectly. We moved together like a tide, rising and falling, drowning in each other. My name on her lips was sacred. Her hands on my back anchored me.
When I felt her tightening around me, her moans sharp with building release, I reached for her neck.
"Are you sure?" I asked, voice ragged.
She nodded, eyes glassy with pleasure. "Yes. Goddess, yes."
I sank my teeth into her mark, claiming her, and her scream shattered the quiet. Her scent bloomed around me, mingling with mine. My orgasm tore through me, overwhelming and primal, and the mate bond snapped into place like thunder in my soul.
Jordan
The world tilted.
I felt it — the moment the bond locked. A rush of warmth, a wild, possessive heat blooming from my neck to every corner of my soul.
Derrick was mine.
My wolf howled in triumph.
We lay tangled together, hearts pounding in sync, breath slowing with each passing minute. I traced lazy circles over his chest, memorizing the feel of his skin, the rhythm of his heartbeat.
He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, then kissed my temple. "You’re mine now."
I looked up at him. "And you’re mine."
His arms trembled around me, and he kissed the mark he’d just made, reverent and careful. I was panting, flushed, dazed — but the words formed anyway.
"Your turn," I whispered.
His eyes met mine, wide with wonder. I leaned up, my mouth finding the pulse point on his neck.
He pulled me gently until I was straddling him, my thighs tightening around his hips. The bond between us pulsed like a heartbeat, a living thing that throbbed beneath my skin.
I rocked against him, slowly at first, testing the feel of him beneath me, still thick and hard. His hands gripped my hips, eyes locked on mine, as I began to move with purpose.
Every glide of my body against his sent shivers racing up my spine. His name fell from my lips over and over, a litany of desire and need.
He groaned beneath me, his restraint slipping, his hips thrusting up to meet each roll of mine.
"Jordan," he gasped. "I'm going to cum."
I leaned down, kissed him fiercely, then trailed my lips to his neck. His breath hitched — just as mine had — as I opened my mouth and sank my teeth into his marking spot.
His roar shook the walls.
The mate bond flared one final time, binding us.
Forever.
We collapsed together in a tangle of limbs and sweat, skin still hot and sensitive, hearts thudding like drums echoing off each other. I lay curled into his side, my head on his chest, listening to the soothing rhythm of his breathing.
Derrick’s fingers traced patterns on my back. Not idle — loving.
“You okay?” he asked softly, lips brushing my hair.
I hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. Just… overwhelmed. It’s been a long time since I let anyone in.”
He pulled me closer. “Want to talk about it?”
I sighed. “I’ve lost people. Friends. Family. The last time I trusted someone with everything, they used it against me. So, I built walls. Strong ones. You came in like a wrecking ball.”
His chuckle was low and warm. “I’ll be careful with what I break.”
I tilted my head to look up at him. “You don’t have to fix me.”
“I don’t want to fix you,” he murmured. “I just want to be here. For whatever comes next.”
I felt my eyes sting. I hadn’t realized how badly I needed someone to say that.
For once, I didn’t feel like I was carrying it all alone.
I curled tighter against him, his warmth anchoring me. For now, we had this.
- Writer
