Mate Claimed (Shifters Unbound #4)(56)
Author: Jennifer Ashley

Iona hummed in delight while she continued licking, biting, suckling his neck, the metallic taste of the Collar blending with the heat of his skin. She closed her eyes when he slid a finger inside her, the slim but firm thrust making her arch against him.

She had to have him. No more playing. Iona opened her eyes and raised her head, the Shifter in her in no way dismayed to see the line of red bruises she’d left from his shoulder to neck, even with the few dots of blood.

My mark. He’s mine.

Eric’s eyes were half-closed in pleasure. His hand went again to the nape of her neck, holding her in place while he pressed a second finger inside her.

Iona ripped herself away from him. He stared in surprise, then gave her a slow smile as he raised his fingers to his lips and licked them clean.

Iona’s informal family room was only a few steps from the hall, the high-backed leather sofa that faced the fireplace only a few paces more. Iona pushed Eric backward to it. He kicked out of the jeans and underwear pooling around his feet and caught Iona’s shirt at the same time, lifting it off over her head.

Iona hadn’t bothered with a bra either, finding the band too itchy and confining. Cool air caressed her skin but couldn’t stop the burning.

She pushed Eric again. “On the back.”

Eric waited a beat, as though wondering what she meant, then he gave her a savage smile and swung one leg over the high back of the sofa. His knee bent, strong foot resting on the sofa cushions, the other leg tight where he braced himself against the floor.

Iona shivered in delight. Eric was naked, liquid gold skin slick with sweat, his c**k hard and tight, against the leather of her sofa. Iona slid off her sweatpants, now as naked as he. She held Eric’s shoulders to steady herself and swung up to straddle the sofa’s back, facing him.

Eric’s grin set his green eyes sparkling. “I’m glad I taught you how to ride on the back of my bike.”

This would be even sexier on his motorcycle, the sudden thought flashed through Iona’s head. Next time.

She clutched his shoulders, hands turning to claws again. “Tell me what to do.”

Eric’s smile vanished. “You sure? I’m big.”

“I’m not small—for a human. I want you, Eric. I need you.”

“Lift up a little,” he said.

Iona rocked forward, and Eric slid his hands under her thighs. He leaned back, strong body bracing, until his c**k stood up between them. He scooted her forward, still holding her, until she was poised above him.

Then he let her go. Iona stood on tiptoe on one side, her foot feeling the pull, her other foot comfortable on the sofa’s cushions. Eric’s tip brushed the opening between her legs, her wetness there making her dizzy with heat.

“Join with me,” Eric whispered, urgent.

He didn’t reach for her. He braced one hand on the sofa cushion, the other on his thigh. He’d let Iona do this herself.

Because he was afraid of hurting her. The tenderness of that made Iona want him all the more.

Iona closed her eyes as she lowered herself the last inch separating them.

The sound that came out of her mouth as Eric’s c**k flowed inside her was primal. She’d never felt anything like it—hot, large, pushing her, spreading her, opening her.

Eric’s groan was loud in the silence, and she opened her eyes. “That’s it, sweetheart,” he whispered. “Just like that.” His jaw went tight as his head rocked back. “Just. Like. That.”

Iona had no awareness of anything but him solidly inside her, the point where her existence began. She rocked her hips, which drove him another inch deeper and dragged another groan from him.

“Goddess.”

It didn’t hurt. Iona had thought it would hurt, though in her frenzy, she hadn’t cared. But, no, this wasn’t pain. It was freedom. Eric penetrated her, opening and stretching. She felt full, ecstatic, and she shuddered.

The wild burning in her skin that had made her so itchy lessened, draining downward to where they joined. The heat was incandescent there, a hard ache. Sweat filmed her skin, the night air finally cooling her.

Eric smiled up at her, his teeth pointed like his leopard’s, but his eyes warm. “You are beautiful, my Iona.”

Her sexy, naked Shifter, laid out for her pleasure. His Collar gleamed in the moonlight through the windows, the band of silver and black the only thing he wore.

Iona skimmed hands over his body, her tongue swiping her lips. “Hungry,” she whispered.

“I know, sweetheart.”

The snarling in her stomach turned to a different kind of hunger. Eric was all the way inside her, but Iona wanted him deeper. She wanted all of him, everything he had to give her.

She needed it. Iona rocked her hips, pushing down. Eric steadied her, showing her how to move. This, this…

The rhythm began, and Iona’s thoughts dissolved. The panther in her gave a satisfied growl, the female happy finally to have a mate.

And what a mate. Eric was a beautiful man—strong, powerful, gentle, and protective. The perfect catch.

Eric’s body balanced effortlessly on the sofa as he held her steady. His mouth twisted with his pleasure, his eyes halfclosed to watch her.

Iona’s rhythm rocked her on him, the ache inside her unbearable. At the same time, she never wanted it to stop. Never stop, never stop…

Eric’s thoughts had ceased being coherent as soon as she’d slid down onto him. He felt her heat close around him—perfect. He was exactly where he belonged, inside this woman, his mate.

It had been so long since he’d found this kind of completeness. Hell, since he’d felt this good about anything.

Her rocking motion made her br**sts sway, the ni**les dark little points. She squeezed without realizing she did it, drawing him farther into her. Deeper, deeper. They were one, joined, bonded, to hell with ceremonies.

Iona. Love. Keep me inside you, forever.

Her fingers were firm points against his chest. Her claws had receded, but her fingertips were strong. He loved that she wasn’t afraid of him, was ready to take anything he gave her.

Eric’s hips rose with her rhythm, the cool back of the couch an exciting contrast to the absolute, tight heat inside her. He liked the way her waist curved in a bit, belly a little soft above her rounded hips, a woman lush enough to take him.

And strong enough. Iona was no weak human. She was a beautiful Shifter woman, and she was winding up Eric’s frenzy at the same time as she was relieving it.

Eric wanted her now, and he wanted her always. It would never be enough.