Free Turning Payne by Chantel Seabrook Page A

had to his touch. He had to get away before he did something they both would regret. But something held him, refused to release her. He ran his tongue over his canines and tasted the sweet substance. He sucked in a deep breath. Shit, no wonder his animal had been so quiet— it was ready to mark her .
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter 13
    Turner jumped off the bed like her kiss had burned him. Riley looked up at him, confused. Had she done something wrong?
    He paced the small room and raked both hands through his hair, the movement causing the muscles in his arms to flex and strain against the thin fabric of his t-shirt. His face had gone pale, and there was a faint sheen of sweat on his forehead.
    "Are you okay?"
    "No, I'm not fucking okay," he bit out, pinning her with a fierce gaze.
    She drew back, not prepared for the intensity she saw behind his silvery blue eyes. He looked as if he were ready to consume her with his next breath, which wasn't all that unlikely considering he was a lion .
    "Sorry," she whispered, as if she had made the accusation out loud.
    He scrubbed his hands over his face. "You've done nothing wrong."
    She crawled off the bed and stood, making her way towards the door. "I shouldn't have asked you to lie down with me. Whatever this is between us, it's best we—"
    He had her pinned before she could blink, his hard body pressed against her, palms flat against the wall, trapping her. "You have no fucking idea what's between us."
    His voice was thick, heavy with need, and she shivered in response.
    Holy hell the man was sexy.
    "Then tell me," she whispered.
    She didn't think it was possible, but his expression darkened even more. A look that made her insides melt.
    He was close enough that his breath tickled her lips. His gaze slid down to her mouth as he brought a hand to her throat. His thumb caressed the area where her pulse seemed to beat with a life of its own. He dipped his head and ran his lips over down her neck, nipping gently at the spot his thumb had been.
    A soft moan formed in her throat. He barely touched her and yet her entire body trembled with need.
    "Turner." She could hear the plea in her voice, demanding more.
    A growl, more animal than human, resonated from his chest. "My lion wants to mark you."
    "Mark me?"
    He nodded slowly, his gaze returning to hers. "Make you my mate."
    "Oh." She didn't know what else to say. The idea sent a thrill of excitement down her spine. His animal wanted her, but by his reaction, she knew the man in him wasn't too keen on the idea. "And that makes you mad?"
    He tilted his head and studied her. "It just complicates things."
    "Because of my father."
    He nodded, and she thought for a second he would back away.
    She placed her hands on his chest, willing him to stay. "It doesn't have to be complicated. I'm not looking for anything long-term. To be anyone's…mate."
    A small laugh rattled in his chest, and he gripped the back of her neck, placing his forehead against hers. His other hand tightened around her waist, drawing her closer to him. She could feel the thick length of him pressing against her stomach. 
    He let out a harsh, drawn out breath. "What do you want, Riley?"
    Arching into him, desperate for his touch, she ran her fingers down his chest, stomach, until she was cupping him boldly.
    Her whole body trembled as she gave voice to her desire. "You. I want—"
    His lips descended on hers before she could finish, devouring her mouth until they were both breathless. There was an element of something dark, dangerous, almost feral in the kiss, and for a moment, she wondered if she should be afraid. As his tongue swept into her mouth again, the thought disappeared.
    She shouldn't be having these feelings, but there was no more denying them. She was head over heels in lust with Turner Payne.
    His fingers slid into her hair, tugging her head back, so he could rake his tongue along her jaw and down her neck.
    She ached to have him inside her, to feel his hands and