Hungry Like a Wolf (Claws Clause 1)

Slanting his mouth over hers, he pressed their lips together. Since he caught her off guard, her mouth was open slightly in surprise. He took total advantage of that.

This was no gentle, coaxing kiss. He thrust his tongue into her mouth, drinking in her taste as he got inside of her the only way he could. He kissed her hungrily, so focused on the sensation that it took him a few seconds before he realized that she was actually responding.

Evangeline was kissing him back.

It was like no time had passed at all. The passion in her embrace as she relaxed in his arms before she gripped the material of his t-shirt and brought him even closer. The way she caressed his tongue, then pulled back to place small kisses to the corner of his lips before diving back in for more. She writhed against him, then started to climb him like he was a tree.

It was only when she started to wrap her legs around his waist that Maddox remembered that, while she was his mate, she still didn’t believe him.

Even if it seemed like her body knew exactly who he was.

Before he lost his head entirely and threw her to the bed, Maddox pulled back. They were both panting. Evangeline’s cheeks were flushed, her lips swollen and red. She looked dazed and Maddox figured he did, too. Kissing his mate was like coming home at last. The fact that she kissed him back? He felt his bond stretching out toward her and, finally, he felt an answering tug coming from Evangeline.

Hope flooded him. He leaned back in to steal another kiss when the doorbell rang, shattering the moment.

His wolf grumbled deep inside his chest and the lust in Evangeline’s eyes cleared. She started to squirm in his arms, pushing against him.

“Put me down,” she whispered.

That husky, sex operator voice of hers shot straight to his cock, bringing it back to life. He felt his sac tighten but refused to give in to the temptation. Taking his time—and, okay, maybe he took advantage of their position to purposely rub his chest against her breasts once or twice—Maddox gently set her on the edge of the bed.

She immediately put as much space between them as she could. As soon as she scooted to the other side, Evangeline used the back of her hand to wipe her mouth.

“Don’t,” he growled.

She stilled. “Don’t what?”

“Don’t wipe me off of you. Not… not now. The wolf won’t like it.”

Evangeline’s lips thinned. She dropped her hand, fire blazing in her eyes. “Screw the wolf.”

Maddox stretched his hands. His claws shot out. “Don’t tempt the beast, Angie. One word from you, one sign you’d welcome him, and that’s exactly what would happen.”

Talk about mixed signals. The acrid stench of fear filled the air, only overshadowed by the flood of arousal from between Evangeline’s legs. She was turned on, though she clearly didn’t want

to be.

That was one of the only reasons why Maddox was able to calm down and force his shift back—

The doorbell rang again.

—and that was the other.

He had to answer. He knew he did. If he wanted to allay any suspicions that he had Evangeline with him, he had to put on a show for the cops. But the last thing he wanted to do was leave his mate alone in this state. She was confused and upset and would be able to obsess over what had happened if he left her by herself.

Time alone was the last thing he wanted her to have. Something told him that, if he did go, she might not be there when he came back. Maddox could already see the gears working in her head. She’d escape if he gave her the chance. He had no doubts. Sprained ankle and all.

He had to find a way to make her stay put. And tying her to the bed was out of the question.

Huffing angrily, Maddox ran his hands through his shaggy mane. “Stay here,” he told her, praying she would listen and knowing deep down that hell would freeze over first. “I mean it, Angie. I can’t be held responsible for my actions if you try to escape again.”

He realized his mistake the second the words left his mouth. Horror filled her expression as she recoiled away from him, seeking sanctuary among the pillows at the head of the bed.

Maddox rushed to reassure her. “No, no, no. Not you, Angie, never you. I would die before I hurt you, you gotta believe me. But that man out there—he’s gonna try to take you from me. You know I can’t let him. I’m… I’m hanging on by a thread here. If I have to worry about you running again, I don’t know what’ll happen out there.”

It was low. He knew it was. His Angie had always been so compassionate, giving up everything she had for someone else. It was so fucking wrong of him to use her heart against her, but Maddox had to play any hand he was dealt. If it meant she stayed… it would be worth the look of resignation that dashed across her beautiful face.

There wasn’t a single hint of her arousal lingering in the air any longer.