Novels by Karen

Chapter 43 - RAYLYNNHis fingers slide through my folds.I gasp against his mouth. My hips buck forward, seeking more. He gives it to me—circling my clit, pressing just hard enough to make me see stars."Zephyr—""Say my name again.""Zephyr."He kisses me harder. His thumb presses down. I moan into his mouth.The stairwell is dark. The only light comes from the emergency exit sign above us. It casts shadows across his face, makes his eyes look darker. Hungrier."I've been going crazy," he says against my lips. "Every night. Every day. I can't stop thinking about you.""Then why—" I gasp as his fingers dip lower. "Why did you push me away?""Because I'm an idiot." His forehead presses against mine. "Because I saw you with Terry and I lost my mind. Because I thought—""You thought what?"He pulls back. His eyes meet mine. In the dim light, I can see the guilt there. The regret."I thought you'd gone back to him," he says. "I thought you'd chosen him. And I couldn't—I couldn't handle it

His voice is low. Demanding. The car is stopped outside my apartment building, but neither of us moves.I grip my hands in my lap. The ring feels heavy on my finger."That's none of your business," I say."Raylynn.""No." I shake my head. "It's my business. Not yours."He turns to face me fully. His eyes are dark. Intense."Are you back with Terry?"I scoff. "Hell no.""Then who?" His jaw tightens. "Is it someone from my company?""What? No.""Someone in my pack?""No.""Then who?"I stare at him. "Why do you care?" My voice comes out sharper than I intended. "You made it very clear that you're standing by my decision to stay away. You said okay. You walked away. You didn't fight for me."His jaw tightens. "Raylynn—""So why does it matter who gave me this ring? Why do you suddenly care?"I reach for the door handle. He grabs my wrist."Don't." His voice is rough. "Don't run from me."I turn to look at him. His eyes are glowing. Not fully shifted, but close. His wolf is present. Watch

The water is scalding.I stand under the spray, letting it beat against my shoulders, trying to wash away the frustration that's been building for weeks.It doesn't work.My dick is still hard. It's been hard since the night I slept with her. Since I felt her body beneath mine. Since I heard her moan my name.Every day since has been a slow torture. Every time I see her, I want her. Every time I smell her scent, I need her. And every time I push her away, I hate myself a little more.The water cascades down my chest. I close my eyes and see her face.She was telling the truth. Terry is gone. She broke up with him. She chose me.And I threw it back in her face.I was cold. Distant. Cruel.Because I saw Terry's arms around her and assumed the worst. Because I was jealous. Because I'm a fucking idiot.I press my forehead against the cold tile.She looked at me that night when I delivered the pizza. Those eyes. Hurt. Confused. Waiting for me to say something. Anything.I didn't.I just wa

The water is scalding.I stand under the spray, letting it beat against my shoulders, trying to wash away the frustration that's been building for weeks.It doesn't work.My dick is still hard. It's been hard since the night I slept with her. Since I felt her body beneath mine. Since I heard her moan my name.Every day since has been a slow torture. Every time I see her, I want her. Every time I smell her scent, I need her. And every time I push her away, I hate myself a little more.The water cascades down my chest. I close my eyes and see her face.She was telling the truth. Terry is gone. She broke up with him. She chose me.And I threw it back in her face.I was cold. Distant. Cruel.Because I saw Terry's arms around her and assumed the worst. Because I was jealous. Because I'm a fucking idiot.I press my forehead against the cold tile.She looked at me that night when I delivered the pizza. Those eyes. Hurt. Confused. Waiting for me to say something. Anything.I didn't.I just wal

"Okay."One word. Flat. Empty.He doesn't fight me. He doesn't ask me to stay. He doesn't even look at me.Just... okay.I stand in the doorway of the estate, my hand still on the handle, waiting for something. Anything. A flicker of emotion. A sign that this matters to him.Nothing.The front door swings open. Ivy appears, her dark hair wild, her eyes bright."Raylynn!" She throws her arms around me, pulling me into a fierce hug. "You're back! I missed you so much!"I hug her back, but my body feels hollow. My arms move mechanically."Are you okay?" She pulls back, studying my face. "You look exhausted.""I'm fine," I say. The words taste like ash."Fine? You look like someone ran over your puppy. What happened? Did Terry try something again? Did he—""Can we not talk about it?"She stares at me for a moment. Then she nods. "Okay. Fine. But you're telling me everything later. Over hot chocolate.""I—""Don't argue with me." She grabs my hand and drags me toward the kitchen. "I made co

I open the door.No one is there.The corridor is empty. The only sound is the distant hum of the hotel's heating system.I stand in the doorway, frowning. I could have sworn I heard a knock. I could have sworn someone was here.But there's no one.I close the door and lean against it, pressing my palm to my chest. My heart is still racing. My skin is still tingling.For a moment—just a moment—I thought it was him.I push the thought away.I'm being silly. Wanting him so badly that I'm imagining him at my door. That's pathetic. That's—My phone buzzes. Ivy's name flashes on the screen. I answer."Raylynn!" Ivy's voice is bright. "Tell me everything. How was the first day? Did Terry try anything? Did you wear the outfit I packed?""He tried to kiss me.""What?!"I can't help but smile at her outrage. "Relax. I handled it.""How? What happened? Tell me everything. I need details."I settle onto the edge of the bed. My fingers find the hem of my shirt, twisting it nervously."I told him