Page 27 of Alpha Claimed

River shook with anticipation as he stopped at the top of her thigh and waited. His hot breath fell onto her most sensitive places, making her nipples harden.

"Don't stop now," she panted.

He chuckled, and then, without warning, his mouth clamped down hard on her nub as his tongue flicked inside her.

River almost came apart right then, but instead, she grabbed onto Apollo's hair and bucked her hips into him. He wrapped his arms around her thighs and pulled her tight against his mouth.

River couldn't help the noises that emanated from her as he wound her higher and higher, closer and closer to the edge.

"Apollo," she gasped his name. "Apollo."

He bit the inside of her thigh hard and slid a finger inside her. It was over for her in that moment. She cried out loud without being able to stop herself. Wave after wave of pleasure wracked her as he continued to kiss and nip at her skin as he rocked her through her climax.

When the spasms subsided, she fell back against the bed spent. With a satisfied growl, Apollo continued to kiss a path up her body. Across her hip. The dip of her waist. The side of her ribs, where she promptly burst out laughing.

He looked up at her and smiled. "Ticklish?"

She shook her head. "Nope."

He cocked an eyebrow and then leaned in again and kissed her in the same spot.

River squealed and edged away from him, laughing. But her torso was tucked into the blanket, so she wasn't able to move freely, and he caught her by the arms and pressed her wrists over her head.

He looked down at her. "Hmmm… conundrum. If I let go of your hands, you'll wiggle away. But because I'm holding your hands, I can't uncover those beautiful breasts I've been dying to see."

She cocked an eyebrow. "Then do something else."

"Kitten, there are so many things I want to do. Trust me, I'm not at a loss for imagination."

River pressed her lips to his and plunged her tongue into his mouth. He growled and kissed her hard. Their teeth clashed, and tongues swirled together, and he claimed every part of her mouth until her lips were swollen and sensitive.

"River…" He could barely get her name out in a groan. "I want to make love to you."

Her heartbeat quickened, and she kissed him harder. Damn, she wanted to feel him inside her. Making love to her. Her wolf spurred her on, wanting him as well.

"River… tell me I can have you. Tell me to bite you and make you mine."

She gasped for breath. "I… I can't. I want to, you have no idea how much I want to, but I can't. You know I can't."

Apollo let out a shuddered breath and pressed his forehead to hers.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I am, Apollo. But-"

He kissed her forehead. "You don't need to explain. I wish it wasn't this way, but I understand."

Pain squeezed River's chest, and a tear leaked from her eye. Apollo kissed the tear away and rolled off her, pulling her into his arms.

"Don't cry, Kitten."

"This is just… why? Why does it have to be like this?"

The purr started in Apollo's chest, and he pulled her closer, trying to soothe her. "It seems like the ultimate twist of fate in my life."

"I always wanted someone of my own. My own fated mate. But not this… not two I had to choose between. I…"

"Shhhh…" He kissed her head, and she wrapped her arms around him tight, letting his warmth and vibrations radiate through her like a soothing balm.

How? How did she choose when everything inside her told her she couldn't?