ELRETH

When they'd left the security building Elreth had been buried in the events of the day, completely distracted—her body heavy with weariness. She knew they were going to go home to finish the last of this day, then crawl into the furs together, and the thought didn't light so much as a candle flame within her. She was not interested at all in dragging Aaryn into bed—and she was mad as hell about it, suddenly convinced that the responsibilities of her life were going to kill that lovely, pulsing desire he'd evoked in her from the first time he kissed her. How was it possible that drive, that hunger she'd had for so many weeks was suddenly just… gone?

She'd been feeling sorry for herself, and oddly angry at him, as if he'd let her down, though she couldn't have said how. But then he'd spun her against that tree and she'd felt his smooth strength pressed against her, and it was as if the lion inside her had been asleep. It suddenly opened its eyes.

And it was hungry.

Her stomach dove to her toes when he'd kissed her. Suddenly she was trying to argue with the beast—there was information she still needed, plans she still had to make. She had to prepare for more meetings in the morning… but then his tongue danced against hers again, and all her responsibilities blackened in the heat of her need, crumbled to ash and blew away.

When he'd pulled away, she'd wanted whimper until she saw the look in his eyes. Then she'd followed him gladly, clinging to his hand, the heat for him coiling in her stomach tighter with every step. When they reached the royal meadow she'd hurried him past the tree houses, taking the lead when he looked like trying to slow, pulling him towards the cave.

Neither of them spoke, but both of them were already breathing quickly.

It would have been embarrassing how desperately she suddenly wanted him, but as he turned to bar the door she could hear him panting. She unbuttoned her shirt, whipping it off her shoulders and letting it fall to the floor behind her as he turned, his face eager and dark—fires lighting in his eyes when he found her already half-undressed.

She'd already been excited, eager for him, but there was a moment when he scanned from her hands on the fly of her leathers, slowly up her torso, tracing over her breasts in a way that made her skin prickle, then up the cord of her neck, to finally meet her gaze… and his entire body tensed. Poised.

Chin down and eyes alight, he stalked slowly towards her in a way that said if she'd been prey, he might eat her alive. Instead she sensed he would devour her another way.

The predator in her wanted to roar, to warn off the Alpha in him that was coming alive. But she stifled it, her breath quickening as he seemed to grow in front of her, his shoulders seeming to get broader with every fluid step toward her. The lantern light slicking his torso like water, flickering to cast shadows that rose and fell with his breath—his breath that was a storm swirling around her heart—and other parts of her body—thundering to let her know he was there. That he desired. That he would take.

The Alpha power wafted off him like a scent and Elreth's stomach twirled.

As he got closer she swung between nerves at his intensity, and the desire to play. She backed away from him, smiling, but his long legs ate up the distance between them, then he met her step for step and curled a hand at the back of her neck. Elreth froze, her chest rising and falling quickly, eyes locked on his, fascinated to see what he would do.

His eyes, pools of black light and heat, searched hers silently and without smiling. After a moment she faltered.

"What is it?

" she asked him breathlessly.

His fingers tightened at the back of her neck and his thumb stroked her jaw.

"I want you, Elreth.

"

She spluttered a laugh at the stark statement.

"That's good.

"

He shook his head.

"I want to take you, El. I don't want to be gentle. But it is always your choice, Elreth. If you're not ready… if you don't feel ready to put yourself in my hands, I'll… I'll wait.

"

She blinked.

"I… I always want you. You know that. What are you asking, Aaryn?

"

He stepped up until they were almost nose to nose, his eyes raking down her again, resting on the peaks of her breasts, then returning to meet hers. When he spoke it was in a rushed whisper, but his lips pulled away from his teeth, the hand that wasn't curled at her neck started at her thigh and dragged up slowly, his fingers finding—and appreciating—every dip and curve.

"I want you, Elreth. Without a leash.

" His voice was gruff, heavy with need.

"I want to show you what I've imagined doing to you for years.

" His hand reached her breast and cupped it, taking the weight of it, his thumb tracing over the nipple slowly, over and over again. He leaned in, his lips just barely touching hers, his breath rushing, mingling with hers, his tongue darting out to curl under her upper lip.

"I love you, El. But tonight I want you. To own you. To take you. I want to show you the fire that you light in me.

"

Her throat bobbed convulsively. Her skin prickled under his hand and she popped the finally button on the fly of her leathers.

"Are you certain, Elreth? Once I start…

" he rasped.

She nodded, though she wasn't at all certain she knew what he was thinking. But she found she was more than happy to learn.

"What… what do I need to do?

" she whispered, staring at his lips.

They curled into a smile..

"Oh that's simple: Surrender.

"