Chapter 6

　　Serena's POV. 　　Richard's lips brushed mine, making me shiver, but he quickly pulled away, his eyes full of conflict. 　　"We shouldn't be doing this," he said, his voice tight, like he was restraining himself. 　　I rolled my eyes and moved closer, but he stepped back, trying to distance himself. 　　"Serena, stop. You're drunk," he said. 　　I scoffed, my words a little slurred. "Who says I'm drunk?" 　　I stumbled forward, but Richard caught me. 　　"See, Serena? You need to rest," he said, his voice soft but serious. "Where's your address? I'll take you home." 　　"I don't have an address," I giggled, staring at him. 　　I pulled him closer and kissed him. My fingers fumbled with the buttons on his shirt, but Richard caught my hands. 　　"Serena, stop," he said again, his voice rough, like he was fighting himself. 　　But I wasn't listening. There was too much inside me—grief, confusion, and a pull I couldn't ignore. The alcohol made everything blurry. 　　I couldn't stop myself. I didn't even know what I was doing—the mate bond had taken over, pulling me under. 　　Suddenly, something snapped. 　　His lips crashed against mine, rough and desperate, like he'd finally stopped fighting. 　　"Sere…" His voice was hoarse, almost like a warning, but he didn't pull away this time. 　　I pressed my fingers against his lips, staring at him in a daze. 　　The next thing I knew, I was in his car, and before I knew it, we were at his apartment. The moment the door closed, Richard's lips were on mine, demanding yet gentle. His tongue slid in with a slow, deliberate pressure, urging me to follow his lead. 　　I could feel his arousal pressed against me, and a heat spread through me. My knees went weak, and I leaned into him instinctively. A soft moan escaped my mouth before I could stop it, and for a moment, everything else faded away. 　　I was already wet. My body betrayed me. His lips moved to my neck, biting gently, and I gasped, my head spinning. His hand slid down, his finger brushing over my soaking wet panties. Then he paused. 　　"Serena," he murmured, his voice rough and low. "You're going to regret testing me." 　　In an instant, our clothes were thrown away. He paused for a moment, taking in my bare skin. 　　His lips brushed along my neck, warm and soft, then teasing, nipping gently. His hand slid down to my breast, fingers brushing over my nipple, making me gasp. 　　His tongue was warm and wet, and I felt myself arching into his touch. His hand moved to cup my breast as his lips trailed to the other, his touch slow, steady, and gentle. 　　I gasped, feeling myself react before I could stop it, pushing against him instinctively. He didn't pull away; instead, he shifted me, his hands guiding me roughly against the wall. 　　He spread my legs, his hands firm on my hips as he pressed me down. I felt the tip of him, hot and swollen, push against me, and before I could brace myself, he was inside me—halfway, filling me in a way that made my breath hitch. 　　The stretch burned a sharp, unfamiliar pain that made my eyes water. I cried out as he thrust into me. My body pushed against him instinctively, trying to resist the intrusion, but he didn't stop. His hands gripped me tighter, holding me in place as he pushed deeper. 　　"Relax," he growled. My body wasn't mine anymore—it was his, and he was taking it apart piece by piece. 　　He led me to the bed and pinned me down, not giving me a chance to think before he was inside me again. 　　The pain was still there, sharp and insistent, but it was soon mixed with something else—a friction that sent heat through me, an almost overwhelming pleasure. 　　"Don't move," he warned, his hands gripping my hips tighter, but I couldn't" stop. My body was responding to him, and I didn't know how to control it. I moved against him, unsteady. 　　He kissed down my body until he reached my clit. I gasped, my body trembling in response. 　　I was lost in him, feeling the pull of the mate bond, the way his touch seemed to reach deeper than anything else. 　　"Serena..." he muttered. His lips found mine again, his tongue claiming me as he pulled me closer. 　　I tried to steady my breath. The world blurred, and I couldn't think of anything but him. 　　When he pulled away, I felt him release on my tummy. His fingers were softer now. I shivered as he continued to touch me, the sensations still overwhelming, but slowly giving way to a warmth that spread through my body. 　　I could feel the heat of his skin against mine, our bodies tangled together. His hand brushed through my hair, and his next words caught me off guard. 　　"Are we mates?"