Chapter 27 The realization had hit me like a freight train. All those years of emptiness. All those meaningless encounters with women who felt like strangers even when they shared my bed. I'd thought I was broken, incapable of the deep connection other wolves described. I wasn't broken. I was just waiting for her. End of Flashback My penthouse suite occupied the entire top floor. I'd booked it a long time ago, though I hadn t expected to be carrying my unconscious mate across the threshold. I carried Sable straight to the master bedroom and laid her gently on the king-sized bed. She looked small against the white sheets. Vulnerable. Her clothes were still damp from whatever disaster had struck her original room, and her hair stuck to her neck in wet tendrils. I sat on the edge of the mattress, watching her breathe. The urge to touch her was almost unbearable. Storm kept pushing at my control, demanding I mark her immediately. Without thinking. I reached out and gently brushed a few damp pieces away from her face. Her skin was warm and impossibly soft. The simple contact sent shockwaves up my arm. My hand lingered on her cheek. Even unconscious, her face seemed to relax at my touch, some of the tension leaving her features. That tiny response broke something inside me. Her lips parted slightly as she breathed, and I found myself leaning closer. The strawberry scent was stronger here. Just a taste. I couldn't stop myself. My control, legendary among my pack for its iron strength, crumbled like tissue paper. I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers. Her lips were soft and warm, tasting faintly of vanilla chapstick. The contact sent fire exploding through my veins, but I wanted more. My Longue slipped out, tracing along her lower lip before pushing gently between them. 1 found her tongue and sucked on it, savoring the taste of my mate. The mate bond used to life between us. Even in her unconscious state, I fell something deep within her responding her wolf recognizing mine through the base of sleep Heat pooled low in my belly. My sock hardened against my jeans as I continued to taste ber, my tongue exploring her mouth with growing hunger. Then reality crashed back I was seconds away from losing all control, from taking advantage of my unconscious mate. I pulled back abruptly, my breathing ragged My forehead seated against hers as I bought to regain my composure. She remained completely still, lost in whatever dreams claimed her. But color bad returned to her cheeks. "Good night, Sabi,' I whispered against her lips, my voice hoarse with barely controlled desire. Ill watch over you." 1/3 7:16 pm Chapter 27 I pressed two fingers against the delicate skin of Sable's wrist, feeling for her pulse. The beat was steady and strong beneath my touch signs of distress. I brushed the back of my hand against her forehead, her temperature felt normal. no irregularities, no The mate bond shock had overwhelmed her system, combined with whatever emotional trauma shed endured tonight. But her body was handling it well. A good night's rest should restore her completely. I tucked the blanket more securely around her shoulders and forced myself to step back from the bed. Storm whined in my consciousness. Stay with our mate. Protect her." She's safe. She needs space to recover. "We should be touching her. Holding her." And terrify her when she wakes up? The logical part of my mind knew I was right, but every instinct screamed at me to crawl into that bed and wrap myself around her like a shield. Instead, I walked toward the bathroom. My legs felt unsteady, like I was drunk on her scent. I leaned back against the solid wood as I closed the bathroom door. Deep breaths. Focus. But all I could think about was the taste of her lips. The way her tongue had felt against mine, soft and sweet and perfect. Heat pooled low in my belly, spreading outward until my entire body felt like it was on fire. I stripped off my shirt and tossed it aside, then reached for the shower controls. Cold water would help. It had to help. I stepped under the cold spray. But I couldn't control my wild mind. She tasted so fucking sweet. Her soft lips parting under mine, the little sigh she'd made even in sleep when I'd deepened the kiss. My cock hardened again. I fumbled with the button and zipper, shoving the denim down my legs. Water cascaded over my shoulders and down my chest, but it did nothing to cool the fire burning inside me. I braced une hand against the tiled wall, my breathing already ragged. I couldn't stop myself. My free band traveled down my torso, fingers trailing through the water running over my abs. When I wrapped my fingers around my cock, I groaned at the contact. I was already fully hard, the head flushed dark with need. I closed my eyes and let the fantasy take over. Sable lying beneath me on that bed, her amber eyes heavy with desire instead of fear. Her hands reaching for me, pulling me down for another kiss. 'Please," she would whisper against my lips. "I want you." 2/3 7:16 pm 9 Chapter 27 My grip tightened as i stroked myself slowly, imagining her voice weather with want In my mind, she arched beneath me, her soft breasts pressing against my chest as I settled between her thighs. Her nipples would be hard peaks, begging for my month "Caelan she would man se 1 bied down her threst Ah hand med faster, the rhythm building as the fantasy grew more vivid. I could picture her to clearly legs wrapped around my waist, pulling me deeper as I pushed inside her fight, wet heat. She'd he en warm, en perfectly dick "Mere, che il gasp, her nails digging into my shoulders. "Harder." My hips thrust forward involuntarily, fucking into my fist as I imagined burying myself completely inside her. She'd take every inch, her body stretching to accommodate me The water beat down on my back as I lost myself in the vision. Sable's face flushed with pleasure, her lips parted as she cried out my name. "Yes, just like that," I could hear her saying. "Don't stop."