"My partner will be flying in over the next week or two. Once he gives the go ahead, we will be moving forward."

"Thank you."

I nodded. The man was still speaking but my mind trailed off. One glance at the clock assured me that I still had enough time to head back to my motel room for a shower before I had to pick Lara up. The thought of her made my lips pull up into a smile. Things between us were going great. After proving to her that she could have an orgasm like any other woman, Lara seemed a lot more comfortable around me.

Sure, sometimes she would lapse into an awkward silence, but it usually didn't last long. She was a breath of fresh air, and I liked it!

"I can't wait to see the final project."

I gave the man a brief smile. "It will certainly look better than what it looks like now." I stood and he instantly followed suit. "If you would excuse me, I have an appointment to get ready for. I'll be in touch with you."

"Of course. Thank you again Silas."

With a nod toward him and his son, I walked out of the building. A glance at my watch made me hurry across the street to my car. I can't believe I'm going to a fucking wedding. I usually avoided these kind of social gatherings. Woman got emotional and men uttered shit they regret later on. But Lara had asked me to be her date. The look in her eyes when she asked me made it hard to refuse. All I had to do was hold out until it was over.

After arriving at my hotel room, I had a quick shower and dressed in the tux I had ordered last night that was delivered this morning. Like all my other clothes it was tailor-made just for me. I liked my clothes comfortable. I also liked being well dressed.

I was just fastening my tie when my cell phone started ringing. A glance at the screen made me growl. I picked up the phone and then lowered it again. Spinning on my heels, I walked back into the bathroom and check in the mirror to make sure that my tie was in place. I grabbed some aftershave and splashed it on before running a brush through my hair. After one last glance in the mirror, I entered the room again.

I had fifteen minutes left before I had to pick Lara up. The wedding was taking place in the church in the middle of town. Lara had told me that it would only be the groom's family, the bride and Lara. No big wedding party or big after party. No need for any small talk. It should be fun.

As I made my way towards the car, my phone started ringing again. Irritation flashed through me. I climbed into the car and then connected the phone to the speaker before pressing the green button. Before I could utter a word Wrin's voice drifted through the speakers.

"Where the hell are you?"

"Well, hello to you. I'm doing great, thank you for asking."

Wrin snarled. "Cut the crap, Silas. Where are you?"

Unease rippled through me. I reversed the car and drove out of the parking lot before answering him. "I'm away on business."

"Business. Where?"

My hands on the steering wheel tightened. "Why?"

Why was he suddenly so interested in where I was? They wanted me home, I knew that, but there was no way in hell I was attending my brother's Mating Ceremony. Something else was going on. I frowned as I tried to figure out what the problem was.

"Listen to me, Silas. You can't mate the woman yet!"

I turned to corner of Lara's apartment building and slowed the car to a stop. My eyes darted around, searching for a parking space, but instead they landed on Lara who just walked out of the building. Wrin was still speaking but his words were drowned out by the sudden ringing in my ears. My breath was knocked from my lungs.

"Jesus."

"What? What happened?"

Slowing the car, I tried to calm my heartbeat but it only increased more when Lara glanced up with a big smile. She's the most beautiful fucking woman I've ever fucking seen. The dress she wore only added to her beauty. My eyes followed her as she walked around the front of the car. I leaned over to open the door for her. Lara gathered the ends of her long dress and carefully slid into the car. I caught a flash of pale skin from the slit in the side of her dress before she tugged the dress back in place.

"Hi," Lara breathed. "I knew you'd be early so I decided to wait for you downstairs."

"Why?" I cleared my throat.

"Because."

My eyes dropped to her lips. She wore blood red lipstick. An image of her lips wrapped around my cock filled my mind. She'd leave lipstick marks all over my cock as she sucked me dry. Would she run if I grip the back of her head and tug her face down to my crotch?

"Is it too much?" Lara asked softly as she reached up to sooth a hand over her hair. "I should go change then."

"No, you don't need to change." My voice sounded gruff. "You look really beautiful."

Lara blushed and glanced down. "Thank you."

"Don't I get a hello kiss?"

She lowered her head and glanced up at me from beneath her lashes shyly. Pink spread up her neck and into her cheeks. I glanced at her lips when they parted. Lara dropped her small clutch bag on the floor.

Before I could react, she leaned over the council, gripped the back of my neck and pulled my mouth down to hers. Her lips were soft and hesitant. Reaching out, I wrapped and arm around her waist and tugged her onto my lap. I gripped the hem of her dress and tugged it up until the dress bundled around her hips. I groaned when she licked my bottom lip, seeking entrance.

I instantly parted my lips. Our tongues met, making my cock jerk. I knew she felt it when her body tensed. Pausing, I waited for her to make the next move. Instead of freezing and pushing me away like she usually would, Lara surprised me by grinding her hips against mine. I could feel the heat of her pussy through the material of her panties and my pants.

She pulled away and pressed her face against my neck. My arms around her waist tightened. Lara has been more open to me touching her since the first orgasm I gave her a few days ago. We'd spend hours on her couch making out. I gave her three more orgasms but not exactly the way I wanted to. My nostrils flared, making my mouth water. She smelled so fucking good and I bet she tasted just as great.

I couldn't resist. Slipping a hand between our bodies, I pushed the dress aside and traced the seam of her panties. It was already soaking wet. Lara gasped when I slipped my hand underneath the wet material. I instantly zoned in on her clit. Her breathing sped up as I slowly circled the tight bud with my thumb.

"Silas," she moaned. "Oh god."

My fingers slid lower. I slowly entered her with my middle finger. Her muscles instantly clenched around my finger. My cock definitely envied my finger at the moment. I removed my thumb from her clit and fucked her slowly. After a few minutes I added a second finger. Lara whimpered and clutched my shoulders tighter. She raised her head and stared down at me with hooded eyes.

I hesitated but it only lasted for a few seconds, and then added a third finger. Lara sucked in a sharp breath. Her eyes had widened in surprise. My eyes dropped to her lips when she licked them. I moved my thumb back to her clit as I increased the pace of my fingers in her pussy.

"Faster."

I smiled but didn't follow her order. She muttered something under her breath before pressing her face against my neck again. Shudders raced down my spine as her warm breath fanned my skin. I closed my eyes and tried to fight off the urge to tear open the front of my pants and rip her panties aside. I wanted to sink my cock into her and fuck her hard. Every instinct inside me was screaming to mark her.

Lara's hips started moving along with my fingers. Her muscles clenched. I snarled when Lara suddenly bit down. Her pussy clamped down on my fingers as she came. My gums started tingling again. I glanced down at her exposed neck and shoulder.

I wanted to bite. I wanted to mark her. I wanted to taste her blood and make her drink mine to seal the bond.

Sucking in a breath, I slowly blew it out. I pulled my hand from her panties and stared down at her juices clinging to my fingers. Raising my hand to my lips, I sucked a finger into my mouth. My eyes fluttered closed as her taste filled my mouth. A groan slipped from my lips, making Lara jerked against me.

She slowly sat up. It looked like she was in some kind of daze. Lara blinked and then gave me a small smile. My eyes slowly trailed over her face. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips swollen from my kisses. Lara's pupils were still dilated and her eyes still filled with heat.

I reached up and wiped the smeared lipstick from her bottom lip.

Her smile widened as she glanced down at my lips. "Guess we're going to be a little late for the wedding."

"Guess we are," I muttered.

Her smile suddenly faded when her eyes dropped to my neck. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't—"

"Don't worry about it."

"Are you serious?" She frowned down at me. "I bit you! You're bleeding!"

"It will heal, baby."

"But—"

I placed a finger against her lips to silence her protest. The bite would be healed in a day or two. I could barely feel the sting anymore. For a moment I had the urge to tell her to bite me again but harder so it could scar. I wanted her to mark me. I wanted everyone to know that she belonged to me and I to her.

But that would never happen.

I swallowed and glanced away from her. Pain flashed through my chest. I felt it no matter how badly I wanted to ignore it. I would never be able to mark her the way I truly wanted. We'd never be able to have a Mating Ceremony. She would never be able to wear my mark.

Why couldn't I have been born with the ability to shift?