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grab Scarlet around the waist. He wanted to toss her on to the bed and strip her down to skin. Then, he wanted to sample every inch of her soft body, explore every curve, dip his tongue between her legs, and find out what her core tasted like.
    He groaned, lifted his head back, and dropped his forehead with a soft knock against the door. What was he thinking? Now was neither the time nor place for that kind of exploration.
    She’s mine, I’ll have a lifetime to know her body.
    When had he decided that, and when had it become imperative for Scarlet to be his? Somehow he’d started believing that Scarlet was his She , even if she wasn’t Lycan.
    Then again, whom was he kidding? He wasn’t sure Scarlet was going to survive the month. He’d have to make sure she did.
    “Is something wrong, Archer?”
    He turned his head enough to look over at Scarlet. She’d changed into a satin nightdress that was a deep blue, brushing her ankles, with a slit up the side that showed glimpses of leg and thigh. The color made her skin shine with a jewel tone, and her dark hair hung in waves down to her waist.
    “Sorry” She blushed and ran her hands down the material in an unconscious motion. “Zane did the shopping for me. I didn’t choose this, and I don’t have anything else to wear.”
    Archer fought the urge to moan at the decadence of her hands on that satin. His need ratcheted up five notches.
    His voice was hoarse when he answered. “Not sure I like the fact that Zane saw that, with or without you in it.”
    Scarlet looked up at him with a questioning expression.
    “I’m only allowed to see you in things like that,” he said before she could voice the question.
    He took a step towards her, then another, and another, until Scarlet was backed up against the far wall, but he hadn’t touched her, yet.
    “Um, I’ll go change and sleep in my jeans.”
    “You are going to get undressed, yes, but you won’t be putting anything back on.” He reached out a long arm and hooked Scarlet behind her head in the nape of her neck, then pushed his body into hers, pinning her against the wall.
    There was no point in fighting his need anymore. His cock was straining in his jeans. He had to touch Scarlet now, and he didn’t care where they were. He was going to mark her, and make sure everyone knew Scarlet was his She .
    It wasn’t just about lust, though Archer felt he might burn up from wanting her. No, it was also about territory. His beast needed her to know, and it needed everyone to know that she was not available to anyone but Archer.
    “Archer.” Scarlet tried to tug her head away. “We can’t do this.”
    Her movement caused a low growl to trickle from his throat and his eyes turned away. Scarlet stiffened in his arms.
     
    * * * *
     
    Scarlet laid her palms flat against his broad chest as she felt Archer call her passion to the front. She fought it—this was not the right time.
    “We can’t do this.” She remembered that Archer had a She , and it wasn’t Scarlet.
    “Yes we can.” His voice was so gravely, it sent gooseflesh flowing across her limbs. He grabbed her wrists, and forced her arms up over her head so she couldn’t fight him, then he dipped his head and slanted his lips over hers for a breath-stealing kiss.
    Oh, God he feels so good, I’m lost to this.
    His lips were firm but giving, making her want more—much more.
    Scarlet found herself pushing her body against his to get closer. She wanted the heat of his skin on hers.
    She felt his satisfied smile against her lips before he opened up and deepened the kiss, his tongue flicking over hers in the sweetest of tastes.
    Scarlet met his tongue, a moan escaping her that was swallowed by his kiss. He kept her arms above her, pinning her as if he didn’t want her trying to escape him, a wicked predator with his half-unwilling prey.
    He switched his grip on her wrists to one hand as the other big palm snaked around her waist and settled on the curve of her