Rise of the Dark Alpha

~ SASHA ~

Sasha woke slowly and for a long moment she wasn't aware of where she was or what had happened, only that she was warm and felt like she'd actually slept, deeply, for the first time in years.

Then she blinked her eyes to see glowing, ice-blue walls and oversized furniture and she almost yelped as the memories of the day before came rushing back.

The dress.

The men.

Xar.

Zev.

That was when a strong arm tightened on her stomach and she realized the warmth at her back and the flutter at her neck was Zev, curled around her while they slept.

Her racing heart began to ease and she slumped back into the pillow as a deep, rough voice rasped, "Good morning."

"Good morning," she said, smiling, twining her fingers between his on her stomach. "Did you sleep okay?"

"I slept better than I have in years," he croaked.

"Me too."

She started to roll over, but he tightened his grip on her and nuzzled her neck. "Don't move yet. Let me enjoy you."

Her heart fluttered. He was so stinking perfect! She did as he said and relaxed, pressing her back into his chest as he kissed his way along her shoulder.

Sasha stretched, reaching back to put her fingers in his hair and hold him against her neck where he'd started to do wonderful things with his tongue. And just like that, her stomach was twirling with desire again. She didn't know what it was about Zev, but apparently this whole get-to-have-sex-whenever-they-wanted thing was going to be a problem. She couldn't remember ever waking up wanting. But just then, as he leaned into her and his breath was hot on her neck, she wanted to reach back to find him and stroke that firmness that was already prodding her in the back.

It was as if by finally sleeping with him she'd flipped a switch and now her libido was in overdrive. She shook her head at herself, but decided she didn't care. That's what honeymoons were for, right?

Then Zev's hand slid up her stomach to cup her breast and she sucked in.

"Did I mention it's a good morning?" she rasped, then cleared her throat.

"Mmmmm," Zev said, his sucking on the spot where her neck met her shoulder.

"A very good morning," she breathed, pulling her hair up and twisting it on to of her head so he could reach her more easily.

For several minutes she bathed in the attention of her mate, his lips on her skin, his warm strength holding her in place, his body curved around hers.

Then those clever fingers that already had both her nipples hard and peaked, slid down and Sasha shuddered as they slid to tease and play in places that she never thought she'd share so freely.

"God, Sash," he rasped a minute later in her ear, then nipped her earlobe.

Goosebumps chased themselves down her side and Sasha giggled, then sighed as his light touches became firm slides, and that tantalizing pleasure rolled over her in waves, matching the rhythm of his touch.

Holding his head against her neck, she arched back, opening her knees to give him better access, but his hand flattened inside her thigh and he gently pulled it up as he whispered in her ear, "Hook it over my leg," and he guided her to hook her knee over his long thigh.

Open to him like that, she should have felt exposed, but with him behind her and the furs over them, it felt like an indulgence. Then he stroked her again and her entire body tensed.

"Shit. Do that again, Zev."

He chuckled and did as she asked, his own breathing fluttering faster and heavier on her neck.

He played for a minute, until Sasha was beginning to roll her hips, searching for his touch, then he kissed her neck again and, pushing up on one elbow behind her, he held her leg over his as he tilted his hips to find her from behind.

It was a shock when he slid into her. Sasha made a small, sighing cry, while Zev shuddered, but then he was seated within her, and Sasha's entire skin came alive at the sensation of him at her back, hands exploring her body, and his lips…

He leaned over her, curling his long body until she turned her head and he was able to find her mouth, but he was already rolling into her and she couldn't hold the kiss, instead leaving her mouth open to him, their lips hovering, brushing, breaths mingling as they rocked together again.

It shouldn't have felt so familiar already. Shouldn't have seemed so perfect. But her body hummed with pleasure at the feel of him and even though his pace was slower, she could feel her pleasure banking, glittering on the edge of awareness.

So she gave herself over—relaxed into him at her back, tasted him with her lips whenever his was in reach, and rocked with him, marveling at the new sensation from the different angle. And as his breath began to rasp, she began to keen, she prayed this would be every morning for them now. That they'd never stop finding joy in each other, never stop wanting, never stop loving, never stop making love.

Zev hand tightened on her stomach pulling her back against him as his thrusts picked up pace and Sasha clung, one arm back to cling in his hair, the other fisting the furs in front of her.

"Sash… oh fuck… Sash…"

"Don't stop…"

Then, with a shuddering moan, he took her chin and tilted her head up, taking her mouth in a deep, desperate kiss, their tongues tangling as their bodies tensed. He reached down to find where they joined, adding the press of his fingers and Sasha's pleasure broke in a wave that had her gasping his name, shuddering, then clinging to him as he wrapped himself around her and followed her into the abyss.

Moments later, blinking, still not fully awake, Sasha spluttered a laugh.

Zev lifted a sweaty brow from her shoulder. "That was funny?" he asked, bemused.

"No, that was spectacular. But… holy shit, Zev."

"I know. Like I said… good morning."

Sasha snorted again, stifling hysterical laughter.. "The best morning."