Hate Mates (The Alpha Shifter)

“Yeah. We hug now, all the time. Why not … kiss?”

Alexa pursed her lips, and he had to wonder if he’d taken this a little too far, but then, all of a sudden, she smiled. “Yeah, I’m in.” She licked her lips and tilted her head to the side. “I, er, I’m not exactly sure how this goes. Don’t laugh, but I’ve never kissed anyone.”

Landon let go of her hand long enough to cup her face. “I haven’t kissed anyone either.”

“Cheryl?”

“I’ve never kissed her, Alexa. I’ve never wanted to. When she tried, I turned away or pushed her back.” He hadn’t been able to see it through. Stroking his fingers down Alexa’s cheek, he stared into her eyes. They were the deepest brown, so soft, so beautiful.

Closing the distance between them wasn’t hard.

The bark of the dying tree dug into his leg, but in that instance, he didn’t care. All he wanted was to kiss this woman.

For several seconds, he merely hovered above her lips, feeling her breath mingle with his, and then, without another moment to waste, he pressed his lips down on hers. The instant he touched her, this fire bubbled inside him.

Alexa’s hands went to his shoulders, and she gripped him tightly.

At first, neither of them moved. Their lips were poised together, and Landon had his gaze on hers.

They stared at each other, a little unsure, but then he sank his fingers into her hair. His father had once said to him that when it came to his mate, everything would become clear. He had the power of the wolf to help guide him. To steer him on the right path, and as he kissed this woman, he felt ready.

Alexa melded to him, kissing him back. Her tongue traced across his lips, and when he let out a moan, she returned it with one of her own.

In the back of his mind, he sensed his wolf. The power within him, the overwhelming sense of peace, but also the arousal. He’d been aroused many times before.

Even when he hadn’t wanted to think about Alexa as he’d stroked his dick, he’d done so, wanting her, hungry for her and desperate to feel her against him. She had been, and still was, his obsession.

Only now, he wasn’t denying himself. He was caving to the pleasure of being with her.

The kiss ended, but they didn’t create too much space between them.

Landon opened his eyes and stared at Alexa, a little taken aback. Her lips were swollen.

“That wasn’t so bad,” she said.

“I didn’t think so either.”

“Maybe we should, you know, try it again.”

He didn’t need to ask twice as he slammed his lips down on hers, kissing her. He was so totally consumed with his need for her. After sinking his fingers into her hair, he slowly glided his hands down her back, going toward her hips and then moving back up.

Alexa’s hands were on him too. Stroking down his arms, toward his back, and then wrapping her arms around his waist.

After he broke the kiss, he caressed his mouth down to her neck and heard her subtle intake of breath.

“Kissing you is not … half bad,” she said.

“I don’t mind either.”

Alexa’s face pressed against his neck, and her teeth nipped at the pulse.

His cock was rock fucking hard. It had been that way since the moment they started to kiss. Taking hold of her hands, he locked their fingers together, needing a minute to compose himself.

“What’s the matter?” Alexa asked.

“I need a minute.”

“What’s wrong?”