Alpha human mate

Laura's POV

I slammed the car door harder than I intended, my frustration boiling over. James had done it again. Two minutes-barely two damn minutes-and he was finished, leaving me aching, needy, and unsatisfied. My body hummed with restless energy, but not the good kind. I liked him, I really did, but how long was I supposed to keep convincing myself that, that was enough to make up for what he couldn't give me?

Every night it was the same routine. He'd roll off, breathing hard, apologizing, promising next time would be different. But next time never came. Tonight was supposed to be that night,he swore it would be different. I believed him. Foolishly. Now here I was, unfulfilled, my skin burning with want, knowing I'd go home and finish the job myself. Again.

But I couldn't bring myself to drive straight home. The thought of slipping into my quiet apartment with nothing but my own restless thoughts for company made my stomach knot. My hands tightened on the steering wheel, and before I even realized what I was doing, I was taking a different turn heading straight for the one place James hated: the club.

As soon as I pushed through the heavy doors, I knew I hadn't made a mistake. Music thundered through the air, the bass vibrating in my chest like a second heartbeat. Neon lights painted the crowd in shifting shades of blue, pink, and red. Bodies pressed against each other on the dance floor, grinding and groping without shame. The smell of perfume, sweat, and alcohol filled the air, and instead of suffocating me, it felt liberating.

I used to love this scene before James, before I dimmed myself down for the sake of his comfort. And God, it felt good to be back.

I slid onto a barstool, crossing one leg over the other as the bartender leaned forward with a practiced smile.

"What can I get you?"

I hesitated for a moment, then said, "A tequila sunrise."

His brows lifted slightly, but he nodded and got to work. I rested my elbows on the bar and let my gaze wander.

The dance floor was packed, a writhing sea of desire and recklessness. A woman in a sequined dress threw her head back in laughter as a man's hands roamed boldly over her hips. Another couple kissed like the world was ending. It was raw, shameless, and for a moment I let myself get lost in watching.

"Here you go."

I turned back to the bartender just as he set my drink in front of me, the bright orange and red layers glowing under the lights. I lifted it, took a sip, and closed my eyes as the alcohol burned its way down. That heat-that sting-that was exactly what I needed. I drank again, slower this time, savoring the sweetness before the fire.

And then I felt it.

A shiver ran down my spine, so sharp and sudden that I froze. My skin prickled, every nerve standing on edge. Something-someone-was watching me.

I turned, and my breath caught in my throat.

Blue. The bluest eyes I had ever seen in my life. Not the soft blue of a summer sky or the pale blue of faded denim. No, these were deep, piercing, hypnotic. Eyes that seemed to look through me, stripping me bare, pulling at the very parts of me I kept hidden.

My gaze trailed lower-sharp cheekbones, a perfect nose, a mouth made for sin. Full lips that looked both soft and commanding, lips I could too easily imagine against my skin. He was devastatingly handsome, but not in the polished, boy-next-door kind of way. No, there was something dangerous about him, something that made the air between us feel charged.

I jerked my gaze away, heat flooding my cheeks. What the hell, Laura? You have a boyfriend. Stop undressing strangers with your eyes.

I took another gulp of my drink, a bigger one this time, as if the alcohol could wash away the sinful thoughts crawling into my mind.

When I dared glance back, he was still staring at me only now there was a smirk tugging at his lips. As if he knew exactly what I had been thinking.

My heart thudded, loud enough that I swore he could hear it.

And then he moved.

The stool beside me scraped against the floor, and before I could react, he was there,sitting down so close I caught the faint, intoxicating scent of his cologne. Woodsy, masculine, laced with something darker.

"Hello, beautiful."

His voice was deep, smooth, the kind of voice that could crawl over your skin and stay there. I turned my head and found myself drowning in those blue eyes again.

"Hello," I managed, though my voice came out hoarse, embarrassingly breathless.

His smile widened, slow and deliberate, like a predator amused by its prey. He leaned in, his lips close enough that I could feel the warmth of his breath against my ear when he spoke again.

"Tell me something, sweetheart..." His voice dropped lower, silk and steel all at once. "Do you always look this delicious or is tonight my lucky night?"

My eyes widened, my pulse spiking so fast I gripped my glass tighter to keep from trembling.

How the hell could a stranger make me feel so much at once? My heart raced, my body burned.

---

Damien's POV

I smelt her before I saw her.

The club reeked of sweat, perfume, alcohol, and lust, but her scent cut through all of it like a blade. Sweet, intoxicating, mouthwatering. One whiff and my wolf surged to the surface, claws scratching at my skin, demanding I find her. My head snapped toward the source, and there she was,walking into the club like sin wrapped in silk.

Her brown hair, rich and wild, bounced with every step. That red dress clung to her curves in a way that made my cock twitch instantly. Long legs, toned and perfect, legs I could already imagine locked around my waist.

Mine.

The thought hit hard, dangerous and primal. I smiled, sharp and wicked, because it wasn't every day a woman intrigued me. I'd had women,too many to count but never one who pulled me in this fast.

Lisa, the woman I had brought with me tonight, whined something in my ear, but her voice was nothing but static. She could have been sitting a mile away for all I cared. My eyes...no, my whole being was locked on the goddess sliding onto a barstool a few feet away. Seven, maybe eight feet. Close enough to smell her, far enough that I wanted to close the distance.

Then it happened,she turned.

Brown eyes. Rich, glowing, and so fucking captivating under the pulsing lights of the club. Our gazes collided like fire meeting gasoline. Her lips parted slightly, quivering as she exhaled, and I felt it...she felt it too. The pull. The lust. The bond neither of us could fight.

My cock hardened instantly. Not surprising. I was never the good guy, never the patient one. My wolf wanted, and I always took.

She looked away, gulping down another drink, pretending she wasn't affected. I smirked. Oh, she was affected. I could see it in the way her chest rose faster, in the way her fingers tightened around her glass.

"The feeling's mutual, baby," I muttered to myself, rising from my seat without a single thought about Lisa. She was irrelevant now.

I stalked toward her, the crowd parting like instinct told them not to stand in my way. When I reached her, I sat down close-too close-and leaned in with a grin.

"Hello, beautiful."

She turned, and damn, those eyes did wicked things to me. I wanted to see them glaze with lust. I wanted them staring up at me while her lips wrapped around...

"Hello," she breathed out, her voice soft, shaky, betraying her.

Fuck, she was gorgeous when she was flustered. I leaned closer, letting her scent mess with my head, lowering my voice until it was a growl in her ear.

"Tell me something sweetheart...do you always look this delicious or is tonight my lucky night?"

Her little gasp almost made me groan.

"Excuse me?" she asked, her brows arching, though her lips trembled.

I smirked. "Mind if I buy you a drink, gorgeous?"

She hesitated, eyes flicking to my mouth before meeting mine again. "Fine... but only because I'm not done yet."

Oh, she wants to play games.

I flagged the bartender. "Another tequila sunrise for the lady," I ordered, then added, "and a double whiskey for me." Strong. Sharp. The kind of drink that matched the ache in my veins right now.

The bartender nodded, sliding the drinks over. I picked mine up slowly, keeping my gaze locked on her. She tried not to look back, staring at the bar instead.

"You know it's rude to stare, mister," she said finally, her tone trying to sound casual but cracking under the tension.

I chuckled, low and rough. "I can't help it. A man would be dead not to stare at a gorgeous woman like you."

Her cheeks flushed pink, blooming prettily under the neon lights. She took another gulp of her drink, probably to calm herself down, but it only made me smirk harder.

"What's your name, sweetheart?" I asked, my eyes dropping deliberately to her lips as she licked them.

Fuck. My cock strained painfully against my zipper. The way her tongue flicked over her bottom lip was enough to make me want to bend her over this bar.

She met my gaze, bold now, and leaned in just a little. "Let's not waste our time, mister. What do you want?"

I froze for only a second before smirking darkly. She was challenging me. My kind of woman.

I moved closer, close enough that our lips nearly touched, close enough that I felt her shaky breath mix with mine.

"You," I growled, and then I crushed my mouth to hers.

Her lips were soft, sweet, addictive. The kiss was rough, hungry, claiming. She gasped, giving me the opening I needed, and my tongue slid in, tasting, owning.She tried to resist for a heartbeat, fingers digging into the bar, but the moment my tongue tangled with hers, she melted. Her own tongue met mine matching my hunger stroke for stroke, kissing me back with a need that made my cock ache harder.

I finally tore my mouth from hers, both of us breathing hard, her lips wet and swollen from the force of my kiss. I dragged my tongue across my own lips, savoring her lingering taste, and let out a low growl.

"Fuck, you taste sweeter than I imagined, baby." eyes locked on hers, dark with hunger. I leaned closer, my voice dropping to a rough whisper. "And that kiss? That was only the beginning. Tonight, I'm going to make sure you know exactly what it means to be mine.

Laura's POV

The moment the door of the private room clicked shut behind us, he didn't waste a second. My back hit the cold wood with a thud, and then his mouth was on mine-hard, rough, demanding. The kiss wasn't sweet or tender; it was wild and greedy, like he wanted to devour me whole. His tongue shoved past my lips, exploring every corner of my mouth as if he was mapping me, claiming me. Our tongues tangled, slick and desperate, sliding over each other as we fought for control I didn't really want to win.

The kiss was addictive,more addictive than anything I had ever known and it was wrecking me. My panties were already soaked, sticky with my arousal, and the ache between my thighs burned so bad it was unbearable.

He sucked on my tongue before finally breaking the kiss, both of us gasping for air, our chests heaving against each other. He didn't give me a chance to recover. His lips moved to my neck, brushing over the sensitive skin before latching onto a spot that made me shiver violently.

"Ah..." the moan ripped out of me without my permission. His mouth was hot and wet, sucking on the curve of my neck until sparks shot down my spine, straight to my dripping pussy. My thighs pressed together instinctively, desperate to ease the ache, to get some kind of friction, but it wasn't enough. Not nearly enough.

He noticed. Of course he noticed. His tongue dragged over my skin before biting down lightly, and when I gasped, his chuckle vibrated against my throat. My fingers dug into his broad shoulders, holding on for dear life as he kissed and sucked me like he owned every inch of my body.

When he finally pulled away, I was already trembling, needy and breathless. Our eyes met, and his had turned darker,completely consumed by lust.

His hand found my breast through the thin fabric of my dress. My nipples were already painfully hard, straining against the fabric , and when his thumb brushed over one, I nearly came undone right there.

I wasn't wearing a bra. I could feel every squeeze, every rough press of his palm. He hadn't even done much, but my body was already his, unraveling for him like I had been waiting all my life for this moment.

His hand slid lower, tracing the length of my body until it reached the place that throbbed the most. He didn't hesitate. His fingers pressed against my panties, right over my soaked slit.

I gasped and grabbed at his arm, my face flushing red-hot with humiliation as he let out a low, sinful chuckle.

"You're so wet for me, beautiful," he murmured, his voice deep and heavy, full of dark promise. His thumb circled my clit through the drenched fabric, making me arch against him. "I like it."

My moan filled the room as his thumb rubbed tighter circles, slow and deliberate, dragging me toward madness. My head fell back against the door, my lips parted in breathless whimpers as heat pooled inside me.

I held onto his shoulders, afraid my knees would give out as he played with me like I was made for his touch. God, maybe I was.

He kissed me again, dragging me into a sloppy, filthy tangle of tongues and teeth as his fingers continued their torment. I moaned into his mouth, clutching him desperately, kissing him back with all the hunger that was tearing through me.

He tasted like sin, like danger, like everything I shouldn't want and I couldn't get enough.

He broke the kiss only to scoop me up like I weighed nothing. My legs instantly wrapped around his waist, and my body rubbed against his, searching for relief. His cock pressed against me through his pants, rock hard and thick, making me groan.

I ground against him without even realizing it, and he groaned too, a deep, guttural sound that only made me hotter.

Then he dropped me onto the bed. I bounced against the soft mattress, dazed, before he yanked my dress over my head in one swift motion. Suddenly, I was sprawled naked before him in nothing but my lingerie, my skin flushed and burning.

His eyes devoured me, and I couldn't breathe.

His hands cupped my breasts, rough and greedy, before his mouth claimed one nipple. His tongue swirled around it, teasing, before sucking it deep into his mouth. I cried out, my back arching as electricity shot straight to my pussy.

He wasn't gentle. Not even close. He sucked hard, bit down lightly, and licked me until I was squirming under him, begging for more without words. His other hand rolled my other nipple, pinching and tugging until both were aching and raw with pleasure.

When he switched to the other breast, I was already a wreck, moaning so loud the sound bounced off the walls.

When he finally raised his head, his lips wet from sucking me, I was panting hard, my whole body trembling.

He trailed kisses down my stomach, lower and lower, each one making me shiver more violently. When he reached my navel, he sucked there too, and I gasped. I didn't even know that spot was sensitive until now, but he was discovering every single place that could make me lose my mind.

His hand hooked under my panties, dragging them down slowly, exposing me completely. Shame and arousal tangled in my chest as my thighs spread wide for him.

His finger slid down my folds, collecting my juices, and when he licked them off, closing his eyes with a groan, I nearly died.

"Mmmm, baby," he said, licking his lips. "You taste like sin. Sweet, filthy sin."

And then his mouth was on me.

His tongue dragged from the very top of my slit to the very bottom, slow and devastating, lapping at me like I was his favorite meal.

"Oh God..." I moaned, my hips jerking up to meet his mouth. The wet heat of his tongue was everywhere, licking, sucking, teasing every part of me. My thighs trembled violently, and if his hands weren't holding them wide apart, they would've slammed shut around his head.

He didn't let me get away. His grip was iron, keeping me spread open for his tongue.

"Fuck... yes," I gasped, nails digging into the sheets as he pressed his tongue flat against my clit and dragged it in slow, deliberate strokes.

Then he sucked. Hard.

I screamed.

My body shot off the bed, my hips grinding against his mouth shamelessly as his tongue assaulted my clit. He groaned against me, the vibration shooting sparks through me, making me gush even more onto his tongue.

His fingers joined in, pressing at my entrance, coating themselves in my wetness. He lifted his head for just a second, his lips shiny with my arousal, his eyes blazing with wicked heat.

"You're dripping, princess," he said, his voice low and mocking. "So desperate for me."

Then one finger slid inside.

I gasped, my walls clamping down hard around the sudden intrusion. He smirked, watching me writhe, and then started thrusting his finger in and out, slow at first, then faster, harder.

"Oh...oh fuck!" I cried out, clinging to the bedpost as the sound of his finger pumping into me filled the room, wet and obscene.

Another finger joined the first, stretching me wider. I screamed again, my head pressing back into the pillows, my eyes squeezed shut as he worked me open.

"Look at me," he ordered, his voice like a whip.

I forced my eyes open, staring down at him as he thrust his fingers into me mercilessly. His gaze never left mine, dark and possessive, like he was watching me come undone just for his pleasure.

My body burned. My thighs shook violently. The pressure in my belly grew tighter and tighter until I thought I might explode.

"Please..." I whimpered, my voice breaking.

"What are you begging for, sweetheart?" His tone was cruel, teasing, like he didn't already know exactly what I needed.

"Please-I want to cum... it's too much..." My voice turned into a shriek as his thumb pressed down on my clit, circling it fast while his fingers fucked me even harder.

"Cum for me, princess," he growled.

That was all it took.

My body convulsed as the orgasm tore through me. My back arched off the bed, my scream echoing around the room, my thighs shaking uncontrollably as pleasure ripped me apart.

It was blinding. Earth-shattering. The kind of orgasm that made everything else disappear, leaving only him, only this.

When I finally collapsed back onto the bed, my chest was heaving, my body drenched in sweat, my pussy still clenching around his fingers as aftershocks rolled through me.

But he wasn't done. Not even close.

He pulled his fingers out and shoved his mouth back on me, drinking me down like a man starved. His tongue slid inside me, his lips sucking greedily at my juices, his moans vibrating against my pussy. I whimpered weakly, my body twitching with oversensitivity, but deep down I loved every filthy second of it.

When he finally pulled away, his lips and chin were glistening with me, his smirk dark and satisfied.

And that's when it hit me-I was naked, ruined, and trembling... and he was still fully dressed.

Heat flooded my cheeks, a wave of shame mixing with the lust. I snapped my thighs shut, embarrassed at how wanton I'd been, how I'd screamed and begged for a stranger whose name I didn't even know.

He laughed-a low, dark chuckle that sent chills down my spine.

"Don't hide from me, beautiful," he said as he stood and began unbuttoning his shirt. His voice was pure sin. "I want to see everything."

I couldn't look away.

Each button he undid revealed another slice of hard, perfect muscle. His chest was broad, his abs tight and ridged, his skin golden and flawless. My mouth went dry, my hands itched to touch him, to drag my nails over those muscles and feel them flex beneath my palms.

When his shirt dropped to the floor, my heart stopped. He was a god, carved from stone, and he was looking at me like I was already his.

Then his hands went to his belt.

I swallowed hard, my eyes glued to the massive bulge straining against his pants. My face burned hotter and hotter as he undid the buckle and slid the zipper down.

The moment he freed his cock, I gasped out loud.

It was huge. Thick, long, veiny, and impossibly hard. My stomach flipped in panic-there was no way that thing was going to fit inside me.

As if he read my mind, his lips curved into a dark smirk.

"Don't worry, baby," he said, stroking himself slowly, his hand moving up and down his thick shaft. "Your pussy was made for me."

I shivered at the way he said it, so certain, so commanding, like it wasn't even up for debate.

He stripped the rest of his clothes off and came down over me, his mouth claiming mine in another desperate, hungry kiss.

I kissed him back with the same fire, tasting myself on his lips, drunk on the heat of him.

When he pulled away, his mouth trailed down my throat, nipping and kissing as if he had all night. My body writhed beneath him, desperate for more, desperate for the stretch of his cock filling me.

Finally, he knelt between my thighs, his thick shaft in his hand as he lined himself up at my entrance. He slid his tip along my folds, coating himself with my arousal, teasing me until I was whimpering with need.

Then he pushed in.

He pushed in slowly, stretching me inch by inch, and I held my breath as the thick pressure split me open. My walls burned and clamped down around him, trying to fight him off and take him in all at once.

"Fuck-" I gasped, gripping the sheets so hard my knuckles went white.

He groaned deep in his chest, the sound vibrating against my skin as his cock sank halfway inside me. "So fucking tight," he growled, his voice dark and ruined.

He pulled back just a little, then pushed in again, deeper this time. My body jerked under the force of it, my back arching as I tried to adjust to his size.

"Breathe, baby," he rasped, his lips brushing my ear. "Relax for me. Take me in."

I whimpered, nodding, forcing myself to exhale as he kept pushing, stretching me wider and wider until I thought I might break. It was overwhelming, too much, too big-yet the ache was wrapped in pure, addictive pleasure.

Finally, with one long, hard thrust, he buried himself almost to the hilt. I cried out, my body jolting at the sudden fullness. My walls fluttered around him, desperate to adjust.

"Yes, baby... just like that," he groaned, his forehead pressed to mine. "Take every fucking inch. You were made for me."

He gave me no time to recover. He pulled almost all the way out, and then slammed back into me hard.

I screamed.

My hands wrapped around him and clawed at his bare back as he began pounding into me, hard and fast, his cock driving deep inside me with every brutal thrust. My breasts bounced with the force, my nipples rubbing against his chest, sending shocks of pleasure through me.

His hands gripped my breasts roughly, squeezing, pulling at my hardened peaks. "Perfect tits," he growled before capturing one nipple in his mouth, biting and sucking until I moaned so loud the walls must have heard.

The bed creaked beneath us as his pace grew relentless, each thrust deeper than the last, hitting spots inside me I never knew existed. The sound of skin slapping against skin filled the room, mingling with my moans and his rough groans.

"Oh God... oh God-" I whimpered, my body arching off the bed, the pressure in my belly coiling tight again, threatening to snap.

He smirked down at me, his hair falling into his eyes. "You love it, don't you, princess? You love being fucked like this."

"Yes!" I cried out without shame, my voice breaking. "Yes, I love it...don't stop!"

He growled, lifting my legs and throwing them over his shoulders, driving into me at a new angle that made me see stars. I screamed as he pounded into me mercilessly, tears leaking from the corners of my eyes from how intense it felt.

I shattered again, my orgasm ripping through me violently. My walls clamped down hard on his cock, milking him as wave after wave of pleasure made me convulse.

"Fuck-yes," he groaned, slamming into me even harder as if determined to drag out every drop of my orgasm.

When I collapsed back onto the bed, trembling, he wasn't finished. He flipped me over with rough strength, pressing me onto my stomach and pulling me up onto my knees.

"Arch that pretty back for me," he ordered, his voice thick with lust.

I obeyed, arching until my ass was high in the air, my face buried in the sheets. He slammed into me from behind, the angle so deep I screamed again, my hands clawing at the mattress.

His hand tangled in my hair, yanking my head back as he fucked me hard and fast. "This pussy is mine," he growled into my ear.

"Yes-oh God-yes!" I sobbed, my body giving in completely.

He reached under me, finding my clit, rubbing it in fast, brutal circles as he kept thrusting. My body gave out, my arms collapsing as another orgasm ripped through me, leaving me shaking violently as I cried out into the sheets.

But he didn't stop. He kept pounding into me, his movements rough and sloppy now, his breathing harsh and ragged against my back.

Finally, he flipped me back over, pressing my leg against his shoulder as he drove into me again, harder, deeper, until I thought I would break apart.

"Look at me," he ordered, his voice low and commanding.

I forced my eyes open, staring into his dark, feral gaze.

We came together-me exploding first, screaming as another powerful orgasm tore through me, and him following with a guttural groan, his cock pulsing as he filled me with his hot release.

He didn't stop right away, thrusting a few more times as if he couldn't bear to let go, before finally collapsing on top of me, both of us drenched in sweat and gasping for breath.

I lay there stunned, every nerve in my body fried, my thighs trembling uncontrollably. I'd never been fucked like that in my life.

And God help me... I loved every second of it.

I woke up the next morning and instantly knew something was off. The ceiling above me wasn't mine. The sheets smelled different-expensive cologne and the bed was too big, too soft, too foreign.

Panic slammed into me.

I sat up fast, ready to bolt, when a heavy arm locked me in place. My heart jumped to my throat, and I whipped my head to the side.

Him.

He was there. Sleeping beside me, hair messy, jawline sharp even in sleep, lips parted like he owned the world. And just like that-every single filthy, sinful detail from last night crashed back into me.

My face burned. My body burned.

God.

I carefully pried his arm off my waist, ignoring the dull ache between my thighs. No way was I dealing with that right now. I scrambled into my wrinkled dress, scanning the floor for my panties. Nowhere. My stomach flipped-shit. With no time to waste, I rushed out of the room, bare under my dress, humiliation biting at me with every step.

Work. Work would save me.

At least that's what I told myself when I buried my head into the endless spreadsheets and PR drafts at the media company I worked for. My job? I handled client accounts-polishing their brand image, fixing their messes, making them look shinier than they were.

Irony wasn't lost on me. I could fix anyone's mess but my own.

I swore I wouldn't see him again. Hell, I couldn't. For Christ's sake, I had a boyfriend.

But you didn't sound or act like someone's girlfriend last night.

That mocking little voice in my head wouldn't shut up. I pressed my eyes shut, fists clenched, wishing I could blame it all on alcohol. But I hadn't been drunk. Not even tipsy. Every moan, every scream,I remembered it all too I had made sure I took my contraceptive pill this morning immediately I got home.

By lunch break, the guilt was eating me alive. I grabbed Ashley, my best friend and work partner, and practically dragged her into the break room.

"You won't believe what I did last night," I hissed.

Her eyes widened instantly. "Oh, this is going to be good. Spill."

My voice dropped, shaky. "I... I cheated on James."

Ashley blinked once. Twice. Then she asked like I'd just told her the weather. "Okay. And...?"

"Ash!" I whisper-yelled, gripping her arm. "Don't 'and' me. This is serious! I went to the club, and then I don't even know how it happened,I..." My words tangled into a mess.

"Breathe, baby girl," she cut in, calm as ever.

I sucked in air, my chest tight. "I feel so guilty, Ash. I can't face James after what I did. The images won't stop replaying in my head. It's like every time I blink, I'm right back there, under him..." My cheeks flamed.

Ashley smirked knowingly. "Sweetheart, you're not to blame. James has been starving you. What did you think was going to happen? I've been waiting for the day you finally snapped and found satisfaction somewhere else. Congratulations, you finally did." She winked.

"Ash!" I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "I'm not proud of it. I didn't go to that club to cheat. I was just frustrated and angry because James bailed on me again. And then I met him and-God-it got out of control so fast."

Ashley's grin widened. "Uh-huh. And how was it?"

My jaw dropped. "Are you serious right now?"

"Dead serious." She leaned in, eyes sparkling. "Don't act all shy. Was it good?"

I bit my lip, my guilt and pride battling each other. But the truth burst out anyway. "It was... mind-blowing. Beyond anything I've ever felt. Ash, I came four times. Four. And they weren't small ones, either. He...he was a beast in bed." My voice cracked, like saying it out loud made it too real.

Ashley gasped, then clutched her chest dramatically. "Four fucking orgasms in one night? Girl!"

I groaned, covering my face again. "It was insane. I woke up aching between my thighs so bad I had to soak in hot water just to function."

Ashley burst into laughter, clapping her hands. "That's not sex, babe. That's a spiritual experience."

I peeked at her through my fingers. "Ashley, this isn't funny. I cheated."

Her smile softened but didn't fade. "Listen, Laura. James isn't the one for you. You know it. He's been trying to mold you into his idea of the perfect girlfriend,telling you how to dress, where to go, what job to take. And even then, he couldn't satisfy you in bed. You've been compromising yourself for him, and for what?"

Her words hit too close. My chest tightened. She was right James had tried to change me. I let him because I loved him, but last night showed me just how much of myself I'd lost.

Ashley tilted her head, studying me. "Answer me honestly. Do you regret the sex? Do you regret how he made you feel?"

Silence stretched between us. My heart thudded, my mouth dry. Finally, I whispered, "No. I don't."

Ashley grinned, triumphant. "Then stop torturing yourself. Break up with James, babe. Or stay with him and keep starving. But you and I both know there are men out there who will take you exactly as you are and blow your mind in the bedroom while they're at it."

A laugh escaped me, half broken, half relieved. "You're impossible."

She pulled me into a hug. "No, baby girl. I'm right. And one day, you'll thank me for saying it."

For the first time all day, the guilt in my chest loosened just a little.