Chapter Twenty-Six: Losing Control

Charlie’s pulse pounded in her ears as her lips met Luther’s, the intensity of the kiss making her body tingle with a mixture of desire and excitement. His rough, calloused hands slid up her waist, pulling her closer, and her heart raced in anticipation. There was something primal, something uncontrollable in the way his lips moved against hers, as if the heat between them had been simmering for far too long and was finally boiling over.

Luther growled softly into the kiss, the sound vibrating in his chest and sending a shiver down her spine. His hands, firm yet gentle, guided her as he shifted their positions. With surprising ease, Luther flipped her onto her back, his weight pressing into her as he rolled over to settle between her thighs. The sudden movement made her gasp, but it was a gasp filled with need, not surprise. Her body welcomed the change, welcomed the press of his muscled form against her own.

His hips pressed down, and Charlie felt the hardness of his cock pressing against her, even through the thin sheet that was the only thing separating them. The pressure sent a wave of pleasure through her, and she arched her back slightly, instinctively seeking more contact. Luther’s breath came out in a heavy exhale as he looked down at her, his golden eyes darkened with an intensity that made her heart stutter.

"Never doubt how much I want you," he growled, his voice deep and rough, filled with a raw honesty that made her tremble.

Before Charlie could respond, Luther dipped his head and captured her lips in another heated kiss, his mouth claiming hers with a hunger that took her breath away. Her hands flew up to his shoulders, clinging to him as the kiss deepened, her fingers digging into his skin. The kiss was consuming, drowning her in sensation, and she felt herself melting beneath him, her body growing pliant as his touch became more demanding.

The thin sheet that covered her began to slip, slowly revealing more of her skin as their movements became more frantic. Luther’s hands found their way to her shoulders, brushing the fabric aside, and as he pressed his hips harder against her, the sheet slipped lower, baring her collarbone and the top of her chest. The cool air kissed her exposed skin, making her shiver, though the heat of Luther’s body quickly chased away any chill.

Charlie’s nipples peaked beneath the fabric, the sensitive skin brushing against the sheet as it fell further down. She could feel it pooling around her waist, her breasts now exposed to the air—and to Luther’s gaze. His lips left hers suddenly, breaking the kiss as he pulled back just enough to look down at her. His eyes, dark and wild, roamed her bare body with an intensity that made her breath catch.

Luther’s gaze locked on her breasts, the sheet now barely covering her. His eyes flickered with a mixture of hunger and restraint, his wolf, Rex, hovering just beneath the surface. The primal need to claim her, to take her fully, was written clearly on his face. His jaw clenched as he fought for control, his breathing heavy, but there was no mistaking the raw desire that burned between them.

Luther’s lips parted as he leaned down again, his hot breath brushing over her skin as he pressed a gentle kiss to his mate mark on her left shoulder. The simple touch sent a jolt of pleasure straight through Charlie’s body, and she gasped softly, her back arching off the mattress in response. His kiss was tender, sweet, and it left a trail of warmth in its wake. But even as he kissed her, Luther’s body tensed, and she could feel the struggle within him—the battle between his desire and his fear of losing control.

For a moment, it seemed as if Luther would pull away, his body shifting slightly as if to create space between them. His eyes flickered with uncertainty, and Charlie could sense that he was fighting to keep Rex at bay. He was holding back, not wanting to take things too far, too fast. He was trying to protect her from the wild, untamed part of himself.

But just as Luther started to pull away, Charlie’s hand shot up, surprising both of them. Her fingers wrapped around his wrist, her grip firm but trembling slightly as she held him in place. Her heart raced in her chest, her nerves fluttering in her stomach, but there was something stronger than her fear—something that surged through her in that moment. It was a mixture of confidence, desire, and the deep trust she had begun to feel for him.

"Luther…" she whispered, her voice soft but filled with need.

His eyes widened in surprise, the restraint in his gaze faltering for just a second. He stared down at her, his body tense with the effort of holding back, but as he met her eyes, something shifted. The shy look that crossed her face—the soft blush that spread across her cheeks—sent a wave of tenderness through him. He could see the hesitation in her gaze, but he could also see the want, the trust, and it nearly undid him.

"Are you sure?" Luther’s voice was rough, strained as if he was barely holding himself together. His eyes searched hers, looking for any sign of uncertainty.

Charlie nodded slowly, her fingers still holding him in place, her heart pounding with both excitement and anticipation. "Yes," she whispered, her voice barely audible. But the single word was enough to send a shiver of heat through Luther’s entire body.

His eyes darkened with renewed intensity, and with a growl of approval, he leaned down, capturing her lips in another searing kiss. This time, there was no hesitation, no holding back. His hand moved to her side, pulling her closer as he pressed his hips harder against her. The heat between them flared, growing more urgent with every touch, every kiss.

Charlie’s body responded to him instinctively, her legs wrapping around his waist as her fingers tangled in his hair. The sensation of his hard length pressing against her core sent a pulse of pleasure through her, and she moaned softly into the kiss, her body arching off the mattress as the sheet fell away completely.

Luther broke the kiss again, his breath coming out in ragged gasps as he pulled back to look down at her once more. His eyes blazed with desire, but there was something else there, something deeper—an emotion that made Charlie’s chest tighten with affection. He didn’t just want her; he cherished her, and wanted to protect her.

His lips trailed down her neck, leaving a burning path of kisses along her skin until he reached her breasts. His mouth closed over one of her sensitive nipples, his tongue flicking over the hardened peak, and Charlie gasped, her body trembling beneath him. The sensation was overwhelming, sending waves of pleasure through her that made her toes curl and her hands fist the sheets beneath her.

Luther’s hands moved over her body, his touch firm yet gentle as he explored every inch of her. His kisses became more urgent, more demanding, as he worked his way back up to her lips, claiming her mouth once again with a hunger that matched her own. The tension between them built, the air around them thick with desire as their bodies moved together, the need to be closer overwhelming them both.

Charlie’s hands slid down Luther’s back, her fingers tracing the lines of his muscles as his hips pressed harder against her, the thin barrier of their remaining clothing doing little to dull the heat between them. Her body burned for him, every nerve alive with sensation, and she knew, without a doubt, that she wanted him—all of him.

But as the heat built between them, Luther pulled back just enough to look down at her, his breathing ragged, his eyes filled with a mixture of desire and restraint. He pressed his forehead against hers, his voice low and hoarse as he spoke.

"I want you, Charlie," he whispered, his voice trembling with the effort of holding himself back. "But I don’t wan’t to hurt you."

Charlie’s heart swelled with emotion at his words, the sincerity in his voice making her feel safe, cherished. She reached up, cupping his face in her hands, her thumb brushing over his cheek as she whispered, "I know you won’t."

With that, she pulled him down for another kiss, and this time, there was no hesitation.

Just love.