Claimed By Her Alpha by J.E. Cluney

16

Everly.

* * *

Dray’s hands glazed over my skin like a wicked promise as he devoured my lips.

I arched against his heated body, wanting more than this devilish teasing.

He chuckled against my mouth, one hand diving between my legs and making me quiver with delight.

“You’re mine,” he growled as he teased my clit before stroking his fingers along my aching slit.

“Yes,” I breathed, willing to hand myself over to him in every way. I wanted this, every inch of him, every torturous moment of teasing that led up to the grand finale.

“I’ll make you feel things no other man can,” he promised as he roughly claimed my mouth once more.

And I knew it was a promise he’d keep.

* * *

I awoke with a groan, my heated body throbbing with need.

Dray.

I wanted to find him, to climb into his bed and ride him like there was no tomorrow.

I blinked slowly, coming to terms with the fact I was not in my bed. Right, I was at his house.

With his mother.

I sat up; all naughty thoughts kicked from my mind instantly.

“Fuck,” I muttered as I scanned the room. My bag of clothes was sitting by the dresser, and a folded towel had been placed on the top of it.

Yes, a shower would be worthwhile. Then I’d head downstairs and see what the deal was.

I wasn’t too keen on the fact his mother was in the house too. That was a standard red flag for most—a man living with his mother still. At least she seemed quite nice.

And he’d lost his father a year ago, that was probably why. She’d be so lonely and lost now.

Guilt gnawed at me as I headed into the shower. Besides, it wasn’t like we were a thing. I’d only met him last night. Sure, we’d had some fun, but it wasn’t like he was my boyfriend or anything.

I undressed and turned the water on, testing it before I climbed into the shower.

Dray was a sweet guy, and our chemistry… fuck, I’d never felt anything like it before. It was something so… animalistic.

Perhaps it could flourish into something.

I got to work washing myself, unable to stop pondering it. I’d pretended this was just going to be a fun weekend then I’d return to normal, but Dray had ignited something inside me that I couldn’t ignore.

With how protective he was, he’d make a good father too.

Crap. I really was thinking too much into this. But he’d been the one to invite me out here, so surely that meant he wanted something more with me.

Mine.

I shuddered as I recalled his word of claim over me. It had made something stir inside me, a delight and joy that wasn’t like me. I’d never felt so wanted by someone before. Ben had dated me, but it was… different. He’d hidden his true colors, but it wasn’t like he’d treated me like a queen either.

Nor had he bothered to please me in the bedroom.

My mind moved back to that hot and heavy dream with Dray, and then last night as he’d fucked me like a goddamn animal on the hood of his car.

The memory alone was enough to get me excited once more, and I closed my eyes as I imagined his large, firm hands gliding down my skin, his teeth grazing my neck before those lips met mine.

I let my hand slide down between my legs as I drew in a sharp breath.

He had a control over me like no one else, and yet, I felt safe. Which was wrong. This man could easily break my heart if I gave it to him, so why was I so desperate to tear down my walls? I’d already opened up to him far too easily, which wasn’t normal for me.

He just had such a trustworthy quality, and I felt the need to bare all of me to him.

The ghostly hands trailed over me, and the throb deep in my lower belly started up. I wanted to go back to last night, to have him bring me all kinds of bliss once more. And I wanted to do the same for him, to show him how I could reciprocate it.

I was not selfish, but in the moment, I’d wanted it all.

I quivered as I teased my clit before gliding my fingers through my soaking folds.

Did he know just how much power he held over me?

But then again, I knew I had the same kind of sway over him, and it exhilarated me to no end.

I was desired beyond belief by him.

I moaned softly as I pleasured myself, grateful I’d locked the door. I needed to release all of this pent-up desire.

I let the warm water envelope me, pretending he was here with me, preparing to glide into me and fill me up.

What I wouldn’t do for that right now.

I came easier than ever before, and I leaned against the cool tiles of the shower wall as I smiled stupidly.

How did this man reduce me to such a horny mess without even trying?

I shook my head as I washed myself, satisfied for the moment.

My mind moved to the business emergency he’d mentioned. He’d been so vague about it all, and I was damn curious. Despite our chat in the car, he was still as mysterious as ever.

I shut off the water and exited the shower, wrapping a towel around myself before heading into the room.

My breath caught as I froze, my gaze fixated on Dray as he stood waiting for me. Fuck, he was mouth-watering in those jeans and black button-up tee. How he made jeans look that goddamn professional was beyond me, but I was grateful he’d chosen them—I got a nice glimpse of that firm ass before he faced me squarely. That chiseled jawline was now covered in a faint stubble, which only added to that godly face of perfection. I’d enjoyed the beard last night, but he’d cleaned up, and I sure as hell wasn’t complaining.

“How long have you been there?” I asked, my cheeks flushing. I’d tried to be quiet in the shower, but still…

“Not long,” he said, his voice deep and husky. A shiver coursed up my spine as those hungry eyes rolled over me, his lips tugging upwards into a wicked smirk that made that same ache curl in my lower stomach.

“Have you sorted out the business issue?” I asked after I cleared my throat, finding it hard to be casual while standing before him in nothing but a towel.

“I have a meeting later today, but I’ve spoken with those I needed to for now,” he said as he took a step forward.

“Sorry I fell asleep, I was just so tired last night,” I mumbled as I pulled the towel up a little higher over my chest.

He didn’t say anything as he just stared at me with the delightful smirk that made my knees want to give out.

Why was I picturing him yanking my towel off and tossing me onto the bed?

Because that’s what I want.

“You’re such a tease, kitten,” he groaned, the tone making my pussy react instantly.

I smiled slyly at him as I cocked my head, loving the bulge in his jeans.

“How so?” I said innocently, and those eyes darkened as he closed the gap between us.

“I know you weren’t just showering in there,” he said, his lip quirking up knowingly.

Fuck. Maybe I hadn’t been as quiet as I’d hoped. Still, a moan wasn’t necessarily something naughty… although the fact my cheeks were burning probably gave me away.

Before I could ask him how he’d come to such a conclusion, he’d pulled me roughly against him, his arms around me like a vice as his lips ravished mine.

I melted against him, my legs giving out as he held me up, drinking me up like I was the essence of life. Every dominating stroke of his tongue sent a thrill to my core, and my body craved him. I wanted to finally see him fully naked, to take in all of the glory that was this handsome, intoxicating man.

“If you need pleasuring, come to me. You are mine, kitten,” he growled as he pulled back, the statement making a shiver ripple through me.

“What if you’re busy?” I gasped sweetly, wanting to reach down and touch that stiffness that was straining against his jeans.

“I’ll never be too busy for you,” he said, those eyes glinting with pure honesty that made my chest flutter. “There’s no need for you to ever deal with it yourself again. Not if you will have me.”

I frowned at his words. If I would have him?

Was he suggesting we initiate a relationship? What a weird way of wording it.

“I was wanting to know if this was going to be something more than a wild weekend,” I said honestly, my chest tightening with excitement. I had been worried about how best to ask what this was.

“I think we can make it something more,” he said, dipping his head down to kiss along my jaw.

Hell, all I could think about was jumping him right now. But knowing he wanted to pursue something more with me exhilarated me. And yet… I was hesitant. A wild weekend was safe, in my eyes. A relationship… well, men could change easily. Ben had. He’d masked his true self well.

Logically, taking it slow made sense. That was what my brain was saying. Don’t jump in with both feet. I’d been hurt horribly once before.

But Dray had saved me. Then again, men would do such a thing in order to make the woman feel indebted to them. I wasn’t going to fall for that either.

“What are you thinking?” he asked as he pulled back, gazing at me with curiosity.

I wanted to tell him. Tell him my fears so he could reassure me of his desires for me. Why was I wanting to be so truthful with this man?

No. I needed to guard my heart until I knew just what his intentions were. Words were just that—words. I’d see who he truly was with time.

“I’m thinking… perhaps we should just stick to fun for now and see where it goes.” I’ll keep my heart tucked away safely, reminding myself not to become too attached to you. Not until I know everything.

He looked a little hurt by this, which made doubt swell within me. Was I right to suddenly be so cautious? Hell, I’d thrown caution to the wind as soon as he’d stepped into the picture, but it was time to get my head back on and think properly.

“When is your meeting?” I asked.

“A few hours from now,” he answered, his voice flat.

Crap. I’d ruined the moment.

“Everly… I understand why you feel the need to hold me at arm’s length, especially after what your ex did to you. But I can promise you, I would never hurt you in any way. I meant what I said, that I consider you mine, even though you are not yet truly mine. I know it’s selfish of me, especially since you may not understand what that entails. But it would mean that you would be the only one for me, the woman I’d cherish like no other. Whose happiness is all I want,” he said as his arms tightened around my waist, locking me against his hard chest. As soon as he called me his, my stomach flipped as my heart fluttered. Why did that word—mine—have such an effect on me?

I stared up into those sincere, unwavering eyes. Despite every reservation I had… I believed him. His words were honest and firm, like he was making an unbreakable vow to me.

“You barely know me,” I managed to say, although I felt weak at his declaration.

“Oh, kitten, I intend to get to know you, every inch of you, every little corner of that beautiful mind of yours. I want to know everything about you. What makes you cry tears of joy, what makes you moan, what makes you beg for more,” he moaned as his lips dropped down to mine, brushing against the--a little wicked tease. “I want to make you scream with bliss, to bury myself in you.”

All logic had decided to vacate the premises. His words had kicked them out, the desire in his voice sparking that damned fire inside me that overruled all else.

Only something I’d ever felt with him.

I couldn’t hold back as I kissed him with all the fire within me, and his hands found the edge of my towel. I shuddered as he slipped it off me, exposing my naked form. Those hands were rough and demanding as they trailed over me, cupping my ass with one while the other gripped the back of my neck so he could dive deeper into my mouth. His moans were making me a wet mess as my desperate hands fumbled at the damned buttons on his black tee.

“Everly,” he growled, and it only spurred me on.

“I need you,” I breathed, the ache inside me overwhelming me. I needed him more than anything right now.

He groaned as he threw his head back.

“You’re too tempting, kitten, you make it so hard to resist having you,” he rasped.

“Don’t resist then,” I purred, and his mouth was upon mine in an instant, swallowing my moans as he drove me to the bed.

I gasped as he lifted me up and tossed me onto the bed like I was as light as a stuffed toy.

Those hungry eyes had me shuddering, and I sucked in my lower lip as he unbuttoned his shirt.

“Doing that only makes this worse,” he groaned, focused solely on my lips as I managed a smirk.

I watched like the whole world was being revealed before me as he undid his shirt and tossed it aside. His boots, jeans, and briefs followed, and as soon as that erection was freed, my pussy drooled.

What a delightfully perfect cock.

His smirk only grew as I stared wide-eyed at his impressive weapon. Sizable in both girth and length, looking perfectly polished with the manicured pubes. Someone knew how to trim his hedges to please a lady.

Now I was grateful I’d resorted to laser to keep my coochie looking fresh as fuck.

“Now, kitten, you ready to take this?” he asked coyly as he slowly crawled onto the bed pausing as he spread my legs. The way he was looking at my dripping core made my chest flutter madly as his length hung down onto the bed.

Hell, I was starting to wonder how the hell I’d taken it last night. He easily trumped any man who I’d been with before.

He chuckled, sensing my hesitation.

“Relax, you took it happily last night, I’ll get you ready for it again,” he said as he ran his fingers down my thigh, those wicked eyes locked onto mine.

God, if he was going to use his hands again, I was going to break beneath his fingertips.

And that thought exhilarated me.