Lorelei by Celia Kyle Page B

longer.
    Lorelei rocked her hips, wiggling and squirming, drawing his attention to her ass. And what lay hidden between her thighs.
    It would take no time to free himself, tear her shorts away and sink into her heat. No time at all…
    But that meant he’d mate her. Mate her before they performed the ritual to find Paisley and she’d never forgive him if his actions prevented that.
    So, he eased their kiss, slowed his caresses and lowered his hand to her hip as he withdrew from her lips. She panted, bathing him with the moist air of her heavy breathing, and collapsed against his chest. She rested her head on his shoulder, snuggling close.
    He met his partner’s gaze, noting that he rode the edge of control as well. They needed to get this done so they could claim their mate.
    “Lorelei,” he murmured, and she released a questioning whimper. “I don’t like the way this came about. I don’t like that you’re being forced to accept this mating because we won’t be able to control ourselves. But do not, for a second, think we don’t want this. I would have claimed you the moment we touched if you’d been willing.”
    “And if I hadn’t been a human-sized nightlight,” she drawled.
    “That too.” He grinned.
    Lorelei buried her face against his neck and her words were hardly more than a mumble. “I don’t want you two to feel trapped.”
    Dylan’s “never” was echoed by Zeke’s “fuck that.”
    Then his partner was there, kneeling, his hands stroking their mate. “Baby, D’s right. If it wasn’t for the fact we have to take you together, I would have laid you out on the damned hallway floor and tasted every inch of your skin. I would have put my mark on you and made sure every male that came into contact with you knew you were mine.”
    Dylan rubbed his cheek on the top of her head, transferring his scent to her. Those Wardens needed to know she was theirs even without the bite. “You’re ours, sweet. Ours and no one else’s. Don’t think we’re being forced or we’re trapped. If anything, we know we’re moving fast. We know it, but are selfish enough not to care because in the end… it means you’re ours.”
    Okay, he admitted that made him sound like a dick. Didn’t mean he’d take it back though. He’d been missing having a family and now it was within his grasp. He was not above taking advantage of the situation.
    “Okay,” she whispered and tilted her head back to meet his gaze. “Okay.” Then she focused on Zeke. “Tell Levy we’re ready.”
    *
    Lorelei prayed she was ready. Deep gouges and blood drinking did not sound like an enjoyable experience. At all. She was excited about the mating though. Belonging to them—them belonging to her—sounded like heaven. They were strong and gorgeous and… they made her feel beautiful.
    The soft click of the bedroom door’s knob disengaging reached her and then low murmurs followed in its wake.
    Ready. She was ready. Right.
    The sound of several people entering the suite filled her ears and she tensed, knowing what was to come. They’d surround her, cut her, drink her blood and then heal her.
    Then she’d mate with Zeke and Dylan.
    Ouch. Ew. Fix. Boom-bang.
    Right.
    Dylan must have sensed her unease because then he was stroking her, hand sliding over her arm and then fingers entwining with hers. “We’ll be right here. The moment they’re done, we’ll have you and from now on, nothing will ever hurt you again. I swear it.”
    “ We swear it.” Zeke loomed over them, deep frown in place.
    Lorelei nodded. “Okay.” She took a deep breath and released it slowly. “Okay, let’s do this.”
    Dylan shifted as if to rise and she clung to him.
    “What are you doing?” She practically screeched the words but didn’t care.
    “We’ll be touching your shoulders, but Emmett and Levy have to keep us from going after the Wardens who have to touch you.” He pressed a firm kiss to her lips. “Otherwise, we’d kill them.”
    Wow. Okay