46

Left panting and scattered, she watched him stalk toward her door. Was he leaving? Nope. He shut the door and locked it, then faced her. The hunger in the tight line of his full, expressive lips and the heavily hooded look to his eyes stole her breath.

She stood, her legs weak. “Alaric, what are you doing?”

“No talking,” he growled, prowling around the corner of her desk.

Her eyes widened as he pulled her chair back. “Excuse me? No talking? Who in the fuck—?” she began.

His mouth was on hers once more, but this kiss… Good God, she’d never been kissed like this before. Thoughts of random roses vanished in an instant. It was like he was staking a claim, marking her as his with his mouth and tongue. She had no idea how that was possible, but she felt claimed. Knew that she was. There was no fighting it, not when his tongue rolled over hers as he pulled her against him. She could feel his erection burning hot against her belly, pushing through layers of clothing.

Alaric broke off the int