Claiming Ana by Brynna Curry

with the rustic pine floors and walls, but somehow it worked and echoed the woman in his arms. He pushed the bedroom door closed with his heel and carried her to the bed. He breathed in the fresh rain-kissed air from the open window. It mixed with the scent of her jasmine perfume, and something darker, something hot that was purely Ana.
    Howl slid his hands in her hair as he coaxed her mouth open with his. So beautiful.
    Please…Howl. She begged, writhing under him, a moment before she huskily breathed those words aloud. The teeth of his desire lashed free. He dipped his hands in the vee of her blouse and bra, rending flimsy fabric and lace to shreds. Her eyes darkened with the sound; her body cried out for him.
    She was his mate, the wolf insisted. For a moment the animal within reared up and he lost control. The need to change her became so strong, so compelling, that he almost broke his word. He growled low in his throat and brought her breast to his lips, tasted the sweet tip. Inside, the wolf reveled. Mine to taste and touch. His wolf craved the coupling as much as he did.
    Ana arched up, a sinuous bow, to meet him. Howl, now. Don’t wait! Need you.
    The wolf demanded all from her. Yes, take her. He forced himself to rein in his need, to lock away part of himself that wanted to change her. See there, the line of her throat exposed by need. Bite her and she’ll be changed forever. A lover’s bite and she’ll belong to you . She won’t hear your thoughts in time to stop us. She can’t hear me.
    He drew a thin line with his teeth along her neck. She tasted of desire and magic. He wanted to sink his teeth just there, taste the power that ran in her blood. Share it. Make her what he was.
    No.
    Howl. She brushed his mind with hers, gentle as butterfly wings, slid her fingers into his silky raven hair as she pulled him up for a kiss. His eyes, reflected in hers, were a molten gold, as if he were changing. What’s wrong?
    Fighting the wolf. I gave my word. I won’t break it. You’re safe from him, Ana.
    Burying his face in the hollow of her throat, Howl fought for control. She had to be completely his. He craved his mate, just as the wolf did, but he would not take her that way.
    You won’t hurt me.
    You’re perfect just the way you are. He slid down her body until he could see the shadowed junction of her thighs, trailing light kisses toward her center. She squirmed with need no longer in her control. Lifting her, he pressed his tongue inside. She writhed, rocking her hips against his mouth, lost in the dark pleasure he gave. Again he speared his tongue into her. His wolf quieted as he gave in to Ana’s silent request. Moving faster, until he felt the tremors signaling release.
    “Please. I want you inside me.”
    “Go over, sweetheart. I want to watch you fall. Then I promise I’ll join you.” Howl replaced his mouth with his fingers, working them in and out in a lightning-fast rhythm. His name screamed from her lips as he suckled her.
    “You’re so beautiful, Ana.” He eased up the bed and over her, waiting for her to catch her breath. “I love you. I don’t know when it happened or how, but I do. Right or wrong.”
    She kissed him deeply. “I love you too, but this waiting is driving me crazy.”
    Her soft words drifted through his mind and settled in his heart. Ana loved him in spite of all that he was. Such a precious gift he’d been given and that alone anchored him. Not for anything in the world would he hurt her. Though it was like wrenching a piece of his soul, Howl forced the wolf into silence.
     
    * * * *
     
    Ana stared up at this man leaning over her. His gold eyes burned with a scorching heat. Wild, fierce, but pure Howl. She touched his cheek, heard his thoughts as though they were hers.
    I’m in love with you, Ana. Desperately, hopelessly in love with you. Their kiss was untamed as she wrapped around him. Now.
    She locked her eyes with his, connected. Now.
    He slid into her as though