Lethal Temptation (by Michelle Ray) novel Chapter 68

68 The Heat

Mara

I never imagined heat could be both ecstasy and torment-bliss and agony twisted into one

relentless craving.

The moment Lucian thrust inside me, everything else disappeared. I didn’t want him-I needed him. I clung to him with everything I had, my body on fire, desperate to be filled, to be claimed, to be his.

“So hot,” he growled, his voice rough and breathless. “So wet, so slippery…”

His eyes burned golden, primal and wild.

His elongated teeth scraped against my neck as he panted, barely holding on. I dug my nails into his back, and he growled in response, hips snapping harder. We weren’t gentle. We weren’t soft. We were animals, lost in the heat.

“Harder, Lucian,” I begged, already trembling, already close again.

He pulled out, flipped me onto my hands and knees and slammed into me without hesitation. I cried out, tearing at the pillow beneath me as my own claws emerged. My teeth lengthened with the rush of instinct, my entire body giving in to the feral rhythm between us.

“Lucian…” I moaned, pushing back against every thrust, desperate to feel him deeper.

When I finally came, I shattered-every nerve lit up, my body collapsing from the sheer force of it. He followed seconds later, spilling inside me with a shudder and a growl that made my insides clench again. We collapsed together, breathless.

But I knew this was only the beginning.

Lucian laughed between gasps, running a hand through his hair.

“What’s funny?” I asked, still catching my breath.

“I was just imagining you at the Florence Hotel tonight,” he said, grinning.

I smacked his shoulder, groaning. “You’re stupid.”

“And you’re stubborn.”

“I would’ve swallowed my pride and called you,” I admitted quietly.

He looked at me then, expression softening. “Good You do not want to go through heat alone, Mara. I’ve heard stories…”

He gave me a mock-spooky look, and despite everything, I giggled.

But before the moment could settle, the burning returned. Fast. Too fast.

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“Lucian…” I said, legs falling open again, trying to cool the aching heat between them. “It’s starting

again.”

He blinked, surprised. “Already? That’s… soon.”

“I know,” I snapped, my voice cracking with desperation. “Do something.”

He looked down at himself-still soft-and muttered, “Where are your toys?”

I pointed weakly to the dresser. “They won’t help. I need you. Your scent, your body. You.”

“Shit, Mara. I need to do some research-”

“Later.” I growled, eyes flashing. “Right now, I need you to fuck me. Now.”

His eyes glowed yellow again-his wolf answering my call.

He moved fast, instincts taking over.

He kissed the mark on my neck, sucking hard enough to make my toes curl, then spread my legs wide and lifted my hips into the air, settling between my thighs with a hunger that made my pulse

race.

He drove into me in one hard thrust, and I gasped-it was deeper, sharper, perfect.

“Yes, there-right there,” I moaned, unable to stay still.

He kept hitting that spot, over and over, his control thinning, our bodies moving in perfect rhythm. Each stroke sent sparks through me. I was gone. High on him. Addicted.

“Fuck, Mara… You’re incredible,” he growled, biting back a moan.

We weren’t thinking. We weren’t rational. But we fit. Wild, messy, reckless-and exactly what each

other needed.

And to think, I once believed a toy could get me through this.

What a joke.

Lucian was still inside me, his hips gently rocking, keeping the fire at bay. He reached down, rubbing my clit with expert precision until I came again-shuddering, breathless. He didn’t pull out. Instead, he let my legs rest, still keeping himself buried deep.

“Hand me my phone,” he said suddenly.

I frowned, side-eyeing him with suspicion. “What for?”

He caught my look and laughed softly, shaking his head. “Not what you’re thinking. I’m not taking pictures of you like this, Mara.”

He sat up slightly. “I’ve been reading about heat cycles. Some positions are more effective in

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easing the symptoms. What we just did? That one’s apparently ideal. Staying inside helps stabilize

things longer.”

I blinked. “We can’t stay like this forever, Lucian.”

His eyes, still glowing faintly yellow, locked onto mine. “I know. I just want to make it bearable for you. We’re both figuring this out.”

He finally pulled out and stood, stretching his waist and groaning a little. He was clearly still burning, too.

“Why are your eyes still wolfed out?” I asked.

Lucian smiled. “Yours are, too. Your scent is… intense. Any wolf nearby would lose control. Including me.”

He stepped closer, brushing his hand over my shoulder.

“If I gave in fully to what my instincts want, I might hurt you,” he said, voice low. “I’m holding back because I don’t want to lose you in this.”

I smiled faintly, touched by the restraint behind his hunger.

“Let’s take a cold shower,” he said, brushing a kiss over my lips. “I’ll mind-link Austin and let him know not to serve us. I’ll tell my father you’re in heat. No one will bother us.”

I frowned. “You’re exaggerating.”

He stepped in closer, his hands sliding down to my hips. “Trust me. Leaving this room right now would be a very bad idea.”

He kissed me, slow and deep, then led me into the bathroom. The cold water hit us like ice, and I watched him flinch but grit through it-for me.

I let my hands explore his body. His muscles flexed beneath my fingertips, his skin warm despite the water. I couldn’t stop staring. Couldn’t stop wanting.

A moan slipped from my lips before I realized it.

Lucian raised a brow, eyes dark. “Like what you see Mara?”

I looked at him, heart racing, desire spiraling. I nodded.

“It’s yours,” he whispered.

That was all I needed.

I launched into him, wrapping my legs around his waist, crashing my mouth to his. I kissed him like

I was starving-because I was.

“Fuck me, Lucian. Right here. Right now.”

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