Wolf's Ascension by Lauren Dane Page A

pick out a pair of charcoal-gray pin-striped slacks with billowing legs and a pair of cream-colored suede heels to go with. To top it off, she added a bloodred silk blouse with a heart-shaped neckline and pearl buttons. Anna put her hair up so that it spilled down her back in riotous curls, pinned with little amber clips that complemented the gold in her hair.
    Kari stood back after putting on ruby earrings and blotted her lipstick. Anna smiled approvingly. “Perfect. You’re a vision. A queen. Andreas will be by in a moment to escort you down. His jaw is going to hit the ground when he sees you.” Anna chuckled at the thought. “Oh and, Kari, remember that a queen never bows or shows fear. Hold your chin up and keep your gaze steady.”
    Anna left the room, stopping to chat with Phillip for a moment. Kari waited for Andreas, who knocked on the connecting door only moments later.
    At her “come in,” he stalked into the room and stopped, astonished, when he saw her. “My god, you look beautiful. Red suits you.” He dropped to his knees before her. Of course being nearly a foot taller than she was, he was just about eye to eye. “You make it hard to breathe.”
    He might have been nearly speechless, but she was entirely without words as she took him in. The man was flat-out beautiful. A masculine work of art. His hair was a river of honey rolling over his shoulders. A black turtleneck stretched over the broad expanse of his chest. He was a tall, wide, big man and although cultured, clearly a predator. The barely leashed animal lurking just below the surface turned her on immensely. Thrilled, excited and frightened her just a bit. Just looking at him made her light-headed.
    Unable not to, she ran her fingers through his hair. The cool silk of it felt luxurious against her hands. “Oh my, such flattery,” she said coyly when she got her voice back. Her nervous laugh died in her throat when she watched his face change at her touch. There was raw greed there and a gasp sounded from her lips.
    “Kari, you’re... God, I have to touch you.” His hands moved up her thighs and over her ass. “I can see the curve of your breasts through the silk of the shirt,” he whispered, leaning in and breathing over the thin material. Her eyelids slid closed and she gave herself over to him, to his touch, and held on. “I can’t wait to taste your skin again.” To underline that, he bit her nipple through her blouse and camisole and she arched. Her body swayed against him, dancing to a tune he created between them.
    She was so wet, so swollen and needy, that she squeezed her thighs together to relieve the pressure.
    “You smell so right. You want me too,” he said in a low rumble that shivered down her spine. Her clit throbbed in time with her nipples.
    All she wanted was to lie back and take him into her body. For him to fuck her until she couldn’t walk or speak or even think. “I’m sorry about falling asleep this afternoon. I wanted more. I hate taking my own pleasure and not giving any back.”
    “Little wolf, I wanted to make you come and then let you sleep. You needed the rest. And you did give me pleasure. Watching you fly apart in my arms like that, pulling at my hold while you arched into my hand, your pussy grabbing me hot and wet... It’s burned into my memory.”
    She opened her mouth but there weren’t words. He stole them from her with his deep, raw sexuality. She’d never met anyone like him before. On one hand he was sweet and solicitous of her, at the same time he had a dark, edgy sensuality that thrilled her right down to her toes. She’d decided to get on her knees to face him when Phillip knocked on the door.
    “Dinner is ready, everyone is waiting,” he called out, discreetly staying outside.
    Andreas stilled a moment, his head over her heart, arms tight about her waist. She bent over him and held him, breathing him in.
    With a sigh, some moments later, he stood up, his enjoyment of their moment