Mated by Zoe Winters Page B

previous sexual history, trying to convince herself this was different.
    All vampires, all in one way or another to protect herself. Was this what this was too? Fucking a man to gain protection?
    The idea made her feel like a whore.
    No, Cole was different. She felt connected to him in a way she hadn’t felt with the others. His protection wasn’t conditional on her sleeping with him. He’d made that clear. He’d patiently waited weeks, not pushing her toward anything too sexual. And she wanted him.
    His hand slipped up to cradle the back of her head in that deliciously possessive way she’d always wanted a man––the right man––to hold her for a kiss.
    “You’re thinking too much,” he growled.
    Before she could respond, his mouth was on hers, a soft, devouring caress that made her mind empty all its contents except for him. She could feel the hard length of his erection pressed against her stomach, and her hand automatically moved between them to stroke him.
    His hand closed over hers, stilling her movements as he tore himself away from her mouth. “I’ve been waiting too long for this. You do that and I won’t last until I’m inside you. Coming on your leg like a randy teenager wasn’t exactly how I imagined this.”
    She blushed and moved her arms around his neck.
    “Good girl. You take instruction so well.”
    “Cole!” She was trying to sound indignant, outraged even, but the deep gravel purr of his voice was doing wildly inappropriate things to her body. He could say nearly anything to her right about now, and she’d respond like a porn star.
    He chuckled, scooped her up, and laid her on the bed. His gaze raked over her, considering. “Are you particularly attached to these jeans?”
    She shrugged. “You paid for them.”
    “And I’ll replace them.”
    Jane watched, enthralled, as he allowed himself to shift just enough for his hands to form fur and claws. He ripped the jeans off her, careful not to nick her skin, then shifted back to human form.
    And what a form it was. Tall, broad-shouldered, well-muscled, looming over her like every girl’s fantasy. The tribal tattoo was like a shiny bow on a gift wrapped just for her. Or unwrapped, as the case may be. His eyes flashed yellow at her for a moment, and her heart picked up speed.
    She reached up, pulling him down on top of her, overwhelmed by the feel of flesh against flesh as his body pressed into hers. Warmth. Not the eerie coldness of a vampire’s skin. He nuzzled his mouth against her throat and kissed her hungrily.
    She tensed.
    “Don’t worry, baby. Not marking. Just kissing.”
    She relaxed again and bucked her hips against him. Maybe it had been her time with vampires, but a mouth on her neck immediately sent her into a tailspin.
    “Please . . . ”
    Cole lifted himself to look into her eyes. His gaze was intense as he buried himself fully inside her. She gasped.
    The emotion slammed into her, causing tears to pour down her cheeks. He was so warm. It was the first sex she’d had that hadn’t in some way been a seduction to appease someone to spare her life. Even with Gregory it had been about hoping to keep his interest in her so she’d stay safe. With Cole it was because she’d wanted to know what his body would feel like inside of hers.
    The intensity of his eyes changed to concern. “Did I hurt you?”
    She shook her head. “No, I’m fine. Better than fine.”
    He feathered his fingers over her hair, his gaze scorching her.
    Jane didn’t think he was aware of the deep growls he was emitting as his mouth latched onto her breast. A little voice in her brain chanted in rhythm to his thrusts, Mine. Mine. Mine. All Mine. For a moment she thought her mind had connected with Cole’s, and she was hearing his thoughts of possession toward her. But the voice in her head was her own. She wanted him to mark her.
    Her body strained against his and, at the peak moment, she bit down on her lip to stop herself from begging him to bite