Rejected by Moonlight, Claimed by Shadows.

Chapter 4

Janet's POV

I met his piercing gaze and bit my bottom lip. "I thought you want to sleep with me," I murmured and furrowed my brows together as I knew that my response didn't make any sense.

Richard walked to me with slow steps to stand in front of me. He lifted my chin up to make me look at him.

I knew my hesitation could ruin everything. So I steeled myself and tiptoed with my eyes shut tightly before pressing my lips on his. The contact was brief and it was almost like a brush. The moment our lips met, I pulled away immediately as my heart was already pounding against my chest.

Richard smirked with amusement flashing in his lilac eyes as he ran a hand through his dark hair.

"Don't you know how to kiss?" he asked. His voice was laced with ridicule as he darted his tongue out to lick his lips.

"I do," I replied quickly and hesitated briefly before I added, "You're just so tall, I can't reach your lips properly."

At my words, Richard moved without warning and he lowered himself instantly.

My eyes widened in surprise and my breath hitched as he was now standing at my level with our faces mere inches apart.

"Who were you running away from?" Richard asked.

"No one," I lied as I felt trusting anyone with my truth could be fatal for me. To prevent him from asking more questions, I cradled his neck with my cold hands and kissed him fiercely this time.

'It's not like I haven't slept with a man before,' I reminded myself and sank my teeth lightly into his lower lip. The rich scent of his cologne surrounded me and it was intoxicating and dangerously inviting.

Richard tensed under my touch as a warmth seemed to be spreading through his body. His wolf was obviously stirring restlessly inside him while growling in desire. His grip on me tightened as he wrapped his arms around my lower back. He drew me closer until our bodies were tight against each other.

A low and satisfied hum rumbled in his throat as he parted his lips with his tongue darting out to claim mine.

"You are different," Richard murmured to himself as he moved his hand to my thigh before pulling me up in his arms.

With my legs wrapped around his torso and my fingers tangled in his smooth hair locks. I wondered within myself 'How can he be so good at kissing?'

I felt inexperienced before him. The way his tongue touched my lips and the roof of my mouth before seizing my tongue, it kept sending tingles throughout my body.

As Richard's fingers tightened around my thighs, I moaned against his mouth and a smirk played on his lips mocking my reaction.

Without breaking our kiss, he guided me toward the bed while letting me fall onto the soft mattress. I gasped and drew in much air the moment our lips parted just for him to hover over me again while caging me beneath his body.

His lips found mine once more and it coaxed me into another breathless kiss as his fingers worked at the knot of my bathrobe. He loosened it with deliberate slowness and the fabric parted slightly while teasing the warmth of his touch against my skin.

Just as I thought he would claim me again, he suddenly pulled away. His darkened gaze roamed over me before he spoke.

"What's your name?" His voice was a husky whisper as his fingers slipped beneath the open robe to tease the bare skin of my waist.

"Janet," I breathed as my pulse quickened under his touch.

"Janet," Richard echoed with my name rolling off his tongue like a whispered prayer.

But suddenly, his expression shifted from a smirk and it faded into something more intense.

His fingers trailed up to my neck with his light caresses sending shivers down my spine. His gaze hardened as he traced an invisible line over my skin.

"I can smell a wolf on you," he murmured. Then, without warning, he pushed the robe open further until my bare chest was exposed to the cool air. His eyes darkened as they locked onto a single spot on my neck.

I quickly brought my hands to my chest to cover it from his predatory gaze. I felt shy and even weird.

"You were marked, weren't you?" His voice dropped but it was edged with something that was close to possession as his gaze met mine. His whole demeanor demanded the truth.

The question left me in a dilemma. I didn't wish to tell him the truth. But what confused me was how he could smell Bart's scent on me. Bart had rejected me and I had also accepted his rejection.

"I am not an ordinary wolf, Janet. Who the f**k marked you before me?" Richard asked with a possessive voice that sounded intimidating.