Chapter 22

-Ember-

He groans, the sound vibrating through his chest. "No. I gave you my word. We should still adhere to the rules, little wolf."

"But I don't want to keep following the rules," I pout, pressing back against him. "I want to see who's been ruining me for all other men."

He chuckles, the sound deep and rich. "You are so fucking cute when you pout." He leans down, kissing my neck again. "Can I please blindfold you?"

"Okay," I bite my smile, excitement coursing through me. "But just so you know, I went commando today. Under this dress. Your dress."

"Fuck," he growls, his grip on my hips tightening. "You're trying to kill me, aren't you?"

"Maybe," I tease, wiggling my ass against his hardness. "Is it working?"

"You have no idea," he grits out, then puts the silk tie around my eyes, ties it, and turns me around.

He moves me so my back is now against the wall as he cups my cheeks. I can feel his lips hovering over mine, his breath mingling with my own.

"I'm so going to regret this," he says, more to himself than to me. "It drove me insane all night last night. I'm sorry you can't see me when I do this..." He seems like he's struggling with an internal battle. "Fuck it."

His lips crash into mine with dominance, desire, and possessiveness. I melt into him, my hands finding their way to his chest, feeling the hard planes of muscle beneath his shirt.

This is dangerous, Ivy warns, but her voice is distant compared to the roaring in my ears.

I don't care, I respond, losing myself in his kiss.

It feels like coming home to a place I've never been before.

His tongue sweeps into my mouth, claiming me with a hunger that matches my own. I moan against his lips, my fingers curling into his shirt to pull him closer.

"Do you have any idea what you do to me?" he growls against my mouth. "I haven't been able to think straight since I first smelled you."

"Then don't think," I whisper, nipping at his bottom lip. "Just feel."

He groans, pressing me harder against the wall, his hands sliding down to cup my ass. When he realizes I really am bare underneath the dress, he makes a sound that's half-growl, half-groan.

"You weren't kidding," he says, his voice rough with desire. "No panties?"

"You kept mine, remember?" I tease, my hands sliding up to tangle in his hair. It's thick and silky between my fingers.

"Best fucking souvenir I've ever taken," he admits, his lips trailing down my neck. "They still smell like you. Like how wet you were for me."

Heat pools between my legs at his words. "I've been wet all day thinking about you," I confess, my inhibitions lowered by the alcohol and the intoxicating feel of his body against mine.

"Christ," he mutters, his hands squeezing my ass. "You can't say things like that to me when we're in public."

"Why not?" I challenge, arching into him. "What are you going to do about it?"

In response, he lifts me up, my legs automatically wrapping around his waist. He carries me a few steps, then I hear a door open and close. He sets me down on what feels like a small table or counter.

"Where are we?" I ask, breathless.

"Private room," he answers, his hands pushing my dress up my thighs. "I need to taste you again. Right fucking now."

"Yes," I gasp, spreading my legs wider for him. "Please."

I feel him drop to his knees, his hands gripping my thighs as he pushes them apart. His hot breath fans over my most intimate place, and I shiver in anticipation.

"So pretty," he murmurs, his thumb tracing my folds. "So fucking wet for me already."

"Always," I admit, my head falling back against the wall.

The first swipe of his tongue has me crying out, my hand flying to my mouth to stifle the sound. He devours me like a man starved, his tongue circling my clit before dipping inside me.

"Oh god," I moan, my hips bucking against his face. "That feels so good."

He hums against me, the vibration sending shockwaves of pleasure through my body. His hands grip my thighs tightly, holding me open for his feast.

"I've been dreaming about this all day," he says between licks. "The taste of you. The sounds you make when you come on my tongue."

"Please," I beg, not even sure what I'm asking for. "Please, A."

He freezes for a moment, then redoubles his efforts, sucking my clit between his lips as he slides two fingers inside me.

"Come for me, little wolf," he commands, curling his fingers to hit that spot inside me that makes me see stars. "Let me feel you."

It doesn't take much more before I'm shattering, my orgasm crashing over me in waves as I bite down on my hand to keep from screaming his initial.

As I come down from my high, he kisses his way back up my body, finally capturing my lips in a searing kiss. I can taste myself on his tongue, and it's strangely erotic.

"You're incredible," he murmurs against my lips. "I can't get enough of you."

"Then don't," I whisper, my hands fumbling with his belt. "Take me. Right here."

He groans, his forehead resting against mine. "As much as I want to—and fuck, do I want to—your friends are probably looking for you."

As if on cue, I hear Stella's voice calling my name from the hallway.

"Ember? Where the hell did you go?"

"Shit," I mutter, reluctantly pulling away from him. "I should go."

He sighs, helping me fix my dress. "I know."

"Will I see you again?" I ask, hating how vulnerable I sound.

There's a pause, and I wish more than anything I could see his face.

"I shouldn't," he finally says, his voice tight. "But I don't think I can stay away from you."

My heart soars at his admission. "Good. Because I don't want you to."

He kisses me one more time, deep and thorough, like he's memorizing the taste of me.

"Go," he says, his voice rough. "Before I change my mind and fuck you against this wall, friends be damned."

I laugh, feeling lighter than I have in years. "That doesn't sound so bad to me."

"Go," he repeats, but I can hear the smile in his voice. "Goodnight, little wolf."

"Goodnight, A," I whisper, reluctantly moving toward where I think the door is.

He guides me with his hands, then removes the blindfold once we're back in the hallway. I blink, adjusting to the dim light, but when I turn around, he's already gone.

"There you are!" Stella exclaims, spotting me from the end of the hallway. "We've been looking everywhere for—" She stops, her eyes widening as she takes in my appearance. "Holy shit, what happened to you?"

I reach up to touch my hair, which I'm sure is a mess, and feel the heat in my cheeks. "Nothing."

"Bullshit," she says, coming closer and sniffing. "You smell like sex and—" She gasps. "It was him, wasn't it? Mystery Man found you!"

I can't help the smile that spreads across my face. "Maybe."

"Oh my god!" she squeals, grabbing my arm. "You have to tell us everything!"

As she drags me back to our friends, I can't help but glance over my shoulder, wondering if he's watching me from somewhere in the shadows.

He'll find you again, Ivy says confidently. A man doesn't taste a woman like that and just walk away.

For once, I hope she's right.