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  He glanced at his upper arms, relieved that he hadn’t grown a little more hair. That would really freak her out if he’d partially begun to shift while he’d fucked her. Small slips could happen if the sex was good enough.

  Good enough? Fuck.

  He couldn’t even compare other women to Emma. He’d never totally lost control before, yet he did with her. So much for gentle and slow. He’d gone at her as if he’d been the one in heat. He dared to breathe through his nose, and the scent of her made him stifle a groan. His dick stiffened and engorged with blood. He wanted her again. She smelled like pure sex and heaven to him. Better than food to a starving man, or any than damn thing he’d ever scented.

  Emma opened her eyes and he stared into them. He saw a spark of confusion, quickly followed by fear. He didn’t blame her, if she was thinking or feeling anything close to what he was experiencing. He was a bit confused and scared too.

  What if she was his mate? Life couldn’t be that fucked up.

  Red might be kin to his clan leader but his uncle had expectations. Uncle Velder had made it clear that he depended on Red to do what his sons hadn’t.

  Shit. This is so bad.

  His uncle could ask him to leave with Emma if she was his mate. Other clans might not want them either if Vampires were after her. It would be putting their young at risk if they were attacked because of someone they didn’t know, nor care about. He’d have to protect her on his own and live in the human world if that were the case. He wasn’t sure he could keep her safe under those circumstances.

  Emma caressed his shoulder and he quivered. It felt too good. He longed to have her stroke every part of him…

  It was another sign of a possible mate, and he needed to put space between them. Otherwise he’d fuck her again until he did something stupid, like bite her. One drop of her blood could seal them together forever if he went nuts. He’d mate her if she was the one—and nothing would stop him. Not even the fact that he hadn’t discussed it with her first. He’d just claim what was his and consequences be damned.

  His dick throbbed, reminding him that he was inside her. He slowly withdrew, clenching his teeth because it felt so incredible that he never wanted to leave. It was with deep regret that he pulled out. He had to shift his hips a little so he wasn’t lined up to enter her again. He wanted to do that more than taking his next breath.

  “Red?”

  Her whispered voice sounded puzzled, making him reconsider his actions. She might be going into heat. That meant he had triggered it. Distance was needed between them before it was too late. But he didn’t want to hurt her feelings or make things worse by just pulling away. That meant he had to explain what was going on.

  He just hoped she’d understand.

  “We need to stop.”

  “You’re still hard. I felt you.” Pink rushed to her cheeks. “I…we could do it again.”

  She was naïve in so many ways. It tore at his guts. He’d love to agree. She wanted him too. He almost lost his will to do the right thing.

  It was one of the toughest things he’d ever done when he lifted, putting a little space between their chests. He couldn’t resist glancing down. She had beautiful breasts, and he actually salivated, wanting to play with them with his mouth. She did taste so sweet. He could lick her all over.

  He turned his head and closed his eyes, breathing through his mouth. It didn’t help much. His heart raced and he fought with desire. It almost overpowered him. He wanted Emma too much.

  “Fuck!”

  He needed to put more space between them or he was going to lose his willpower. He shoved himself up and rolled toward the edge of the bed, tearing out of her hold. She wasn’t strong enough to keep a tight grip on him. He got to his feet and took a few steps away. He stopped, feeling torn between wanting to get back in bed with her and running outdoors to find fresh air not saturated with her scent.

  Her breathing changed. He was very aware of everything about her. He could even hear her erratic heartbeat. She shifted on his bed, the noise so slight, but he could still detect it. He took a few deep breaths through his mouth, forcing his mind to conquer the urges of his body.

  “Red? What’s wrong?”

  He shook his head and turned. She had sat up and pulled the cover over her breasts and lap. It helped cool some of his desire. He could see she was baffled, and he was even pretty sure that slightly pained expression on her face meant he’d hurt her feelings. He understood.

  “I wanted to bite you.” He just blurted it out.

  She eased her grip on the blanket and reached up, gently touching the spots where he’d used his fangs to hold her in place. The red marks were more vivid now, would probably leave a bruise. A love bite without broken sink, thankfully.

  “It would have been okay.”

  Yeah, she is too naïve.

  “You said VampLycans can bite during sex. I wouldn’t have freaked out on you.”

  She was almost urging him to do it. He took a step closer to her, tempted. He fisted his hands at his sides and halted. “I need to shower.” And put space between us. Wash off your scent. Find my damn sanity. My control is slipping.

  Her gaze lowered to his dick. He knew what she saw. He was rock hard still, and probably would remain that way for as long as she stayed in his vicinity. She looked up at his face and frowned. It made his chest hurt when he saw the shine of unshed tears fill her eyes. She curled her knees up tight to her body under his blanket, grasping it with one hand, seeming to take a protective posture.

  “Okay.”

  He’d hurt her, alright. It was the last thing he wanted. “You don’t understand.”

  She turned her head away, staring at part of his bed. “Yes, I do.”

  “What do you think you understand?” His temper sparked just a little.

  “Go take your shower. The food is getting cold.”

  She wouldn’t look at him again and there was definite pain in her voice. He spun in the opposite direction and walked to where he kept his spare clothes, grabbing a loose pair of cotton running shorts. He put them on. They didn’t hide the fact that he was still sporting a major boner but it made him feel a little more secure being so close to her, now that both of them were partially covered. He faced her again.

  “Emma.”

  “What?” She fingered the fur on his bed.

  “Goddamn it,” he snarled.

  That made her lift her head and stare into his eyes. The tears were still there and it ripped at his guts. She said nothing. He had plenty to say.

  “I wanted to bite you.”

  “That’s what you said.”

  “That would be bad.”

  “Because I’m too human. Got it.”

  “I didn’t say that.” He paused. It was true though. He’d have bitten her to find out for certain if she was his mate if she’d been from one of the clans. “I have accepted a blood oath to keep you safe. That means even from myself.”

  “You didn’t plan to rip out my throat, did you?” She scowled.

  “No.”

  “Then what are you trying to say?”

  He didn’t dare draw any closer. “I wanted to bite you because…I think it’s possible you could be the one.”

  Her lips parted and her eyes widened.

  “My mate. You smell too good and too tempting, Emma. Do you understand? What happened between us became too intense. It wasn’t normal. I’m also pretty sure my pheromones are screwing up yours. I could send you into full-blown heat if I don’t get away from you. You’re reacting to me too strongly—as in Lycan response. Understand?”

  She chewed on her bottom lip, studying him. She blinked a few times and her expression changed to what he guessed was anger. “Let’s end this conversation now. You should go take that shower.”

  “I don’t want you to be hurt.”

  “I’m not.” She shoved the blanket away and stood.

  His knees almost gave way beneath him when the sight of her bared breasts