She wished to be able to touch him, kiss him, make love to him as she desired without al of the doubts that plagued her. He led her along her road and to the end of it before turning around and heading back to her house. She noticed he seemed very interested in their surroundings, and he smiled at her as if he knew something she didn’t. It was a bit unnerving, but it was a dream, after all, so what did she have to worry about? It wasn’t like he could find her or anything.

When they stepped back inside, he toed the door shut and pul ed her to him. He nuzzled the tender skin between her throat and shoulder, and she sighed before wrapping her arms around his neck. His tongue darted out and ran a moist trail of heat up to her jaw and around to her ear, where he nibbled at her lobe until she moaned.

“You smel and taste so damn good.” He growled more than said the words.

She welcomed his kiss and tangled her fingers in the hair at his nape, tugging him to her and straining closer for more. He broke the kiss sooner than she would have liked and stared down at her.

“You taste good too, Knox.”

“Why did you leave, Rose? I told you it was dangerous.”

She frowned. Why was he asking her this in her dream? It didn’t feel right. Something was of . She let her hands fal to her sides and took a step back. He didn’t move, and they stood staring each other down.

“I had to leave, and you know it. You kidnapped me. You had no right to make me stay with you.”

His eyes glowed brighter, and she sucked in a sharp breath.

“That’s not the reason you left, and you know it, so quit lying to both of us. You left because you feel something for me, and it confuses and excites the hell out of you.”

“No! I-I—”

“Doesn’t matter now, love.” He took a step forward that put them toe-to-toe.

He swooped down and kissed her again. He wrapped one strong arm around her waist and pul ed her against him until their bodies were pressed tightly together and his tongue was deep in her mouth, taking, demanding, coaxing. She melted against him and clutched at his shoulders while he plundered her mouth. She gave him everything he asked for and took the same in return.

“Knox.” Her whispered plea did not go ignored.

He ran his knuckles down her arm and back up before trailing down her side, over her ribs, and final y her hip. He stretched his fingers down until they met the hem of her gown and met bare skin, and she gasped in delight as his touch deliciously singed her.

He stroked her thigh under the soft material and cupped her hip before sliding around to caress one globe of her ass. She’d never been happier in her life that she didn’t have on panties, and stood on tiptoes and opened her mouth wider to his kiss.

He groaned, dipped his fingers lower, and slipped them between her legs from the back. She moaned when he caressed her clit, and nearly came when he flicked her gently. He growled and trailed his hand around to her mound and slid his middle finger through her wetness while his thumb put pressure on her core. She cried out, and he pushed into her. Her hips thrust up, taking him deeper.

She broke the kiss and buried her face against his shoulder while he stroked her, his breathing nearly as ragged as her own.

Within moments the pressure built to a point where she thought she would fly apart into a mil ion pieces, and just as she was on the brink of doing just that, he removed his finger, and she cried out at the sudden emptiness she felt. He gently pushed her back until she fell onto the bed, her legs dangling to the floor.

He fel to his knees and, before she could protest, spread her legs wide, insinuated his shoulders between her knees, and stroked her clit with his tongue. She bucked violently, and he reached up and anchored her to the bed by her hips. She cried out, but he held her still while he nipped, licked, and sucked at her. The pressure began building once again, and her skin burned, almost hurt from the overload of sensations rushing through her.

She clutched at the sheets with her hands while he ate at her, and within moments, the pressure exploded outward, and then she shattered. Tears fell down her cheeks as she came, and came, and he continued to pleasure her relentlessly, until another orgasm ripped through her on the heels of the first. She cried out at the intensity, and his nips and licks changed to a leisurely soothing.

He breathed deep, as if taking her essence into his lungs so he could carry her with him wherever he went, and kissed his way up to her mouth, where he took her lips once again. When he finally let her go, she was having trouble catching her breath, and even though she’d had two orgasms, she ached for his possession.

“I’m coming for you.” He stepped back and was gone before she could blink again.

She’d already come for him. Her body wept for him, and her heart pleaded for him to return, but he was gone. She’d never see him again. The only reason he’d said he was coming for her was because her mind had conjured those words up to make never seeing him again a little less painful.

Her eyelids flew open, her heart pounded, she vaulted upright in the dark bedroom, and she laid her palm over her chest, hoping to calm the erratic beating. The dream of Knox had seemed so real. In fact, she swore she could taste him on her lips. She reached up and touched her mouth, then frowned. The ache between her thighs was real, and she was wet and ready for him. Damn, girl. You better get a hold of yourself.

She’d let him crawl under her skin, and now it itched for his touch. How was she ever going to get him out of her thoughts, her dreams? He’d given her such profound pleasure—not once, but twice—and he was miles away. How was she ever going to shake the spell he’d cast over her?

She put the dream out of her mind and snuggled back under the covers. She needed some sleep, and nothing was going to keep her from it, not even a sexy, midnight blue-eyed, gorgeous man—unless he made another appearance in the fantasy world created by her brain. She was sure she’d stay up all night for a repeat performance of her first dream.

* * *

He might feel a bit guilty about tricking her if she hadn’t done the same to him. Wouldn’t she be surprised when she found out that mates could visit each other in their dreams? It had taken every ounce of willpower

Knox possessed to keep from tanning her hide in that dream for running off, but he’d gotten what he’d gone after—almost everything.

He growled low in his throat. His cock still throbbed and screamed at him that he was a fool for not taking her. He’d wanted to more than anything, but when he finally possessed her, he needed it to be real, in the flesh, so she’d have no excuses afterward. He wanted her to be aware on every level what was happening between them, and who was possessing her. He grazed his fingers over the erection straining against his jeans and cringed.

She’d tasted like heaven, and had blossomed under his touch, burned for him, and in turn set him on fire.

The craving that was rooted inside him only intensified with each passing day. The man in him was nearly as crazy with wanting his mate as the wolf. When they came together, the results would be off the charts, an eleven-magnitude earthquake. She’d wanted him just as badly in the dream, and he had no doubt she’d been more than willing to welcome him into her body. But it was because she’d thought it was only a dream.

When he’d asked her to walk with him, he’d had an ulterior motive. From outside, he was able to see her street name and house address. He’d fully intended to tell her about the connection mates had during dreams, but the situation hadn’t allowed it. At this point in time, he was happy he hadn’t divulged that information, or she’d have had her guard up when he came to her. However, the thing he regretted most was not telling her about iron being a lycan’s true weakness. If he’d told her that, she’d be better able to protect herself while on her own.

He’d only meant to get her location and leave in the dream, but he’d been no more able to deny the need to kiss her than the need to breathe. She’d looked so damned sexy in that blue nightie, a perfect match to the shade of her eyes. He’d wanted to rip it from her body and take her like the predator in him demanded, like the man in him craved, but he’d never betray her in such a manner, no matter how hard the urge to possess her rode him.

When he made love to her—and it would be soon—he wanted her awake, aware, and willing. He wanted to brand himself on her so she’d never be able to forget who the only man was who could make her shatter into a million pieces—never be able to forget who she belonged to. Likewise, she’d finally realize that he belonged to her.

He wanted to hear his name on her sweet lips as she came apart under him, as he slid deep into her welcoming heat. The predator in him desired submission, but the man relished the fact that his Rose would never play the coy mouse. She would give him all that he asked, but would demand the same in return, and he would gladly and willingly give her anything she wanted.

He strode out the front door of his house with a bag containing some of his belongings slung over his shoulder. He locked up and made his way to the small garage behind the house that was barely big enough for his SUV. The four-by-four Suburban was fitted with oversize tires, winch, and spotlights. It would take an avalanche to trap him anywhere, and it would have to be a big one at that. He needed a vehicle he could count on in the brutal Michigan weather, and although the thing sucked gas like no tomorrow, it had served him well.