The world is not a box. It is not just this reservation, this house, or these people. The world extends beyond that—at least for me. If I leave, what will be left of my life? Is there something I'm not considering? A light, a port in the storm that I can access instead? I've always been good at getting what I want, even before I knew I wanted it. And they let me into Columbia for a reason. I"m smart—if I think about this hard enough, I can figure it out. I have to figure it out. Or Paul might never forgive me.


Maya woke up in the dreary morning light filtering in from the A-frame window behind her. She rubbed her eyes and turned over to stare out the window where she'd be able to see down to the water from her vantage point, but the world was cloaked in fog. An uncommonly cold day in July.

Drained. Maya was drained both emotionally and physically. She lifted her head and was thankful that the guest bedroom door was still closed, the lock securely fastened. Yesterday had been nothing short of a nightmare. After Paul had told her she needed to stay on the reservation yesterday, something terrifying in Maya had detonated.

The rest of the day was spent in tense silence, boiling over into more shouting matches between them, and ended with Maya slamming the door to the guest bedroom, locking herself behind it as Paul banged on the door. He'd left her alone after a short while, just as exhausted as Maya was, she was sure, and she spent the rest of the day and night in there.

Now, as the low morning light begged her awake, the gloom shadowing her mood, she propped herself up on her hands and looked around her. Her head wasn't any clearer than it had been the night before. And she dreaded the moment that she'd have to face Paul for no other reason than she just didn't want to fight right now.

Her eyes were red and puffy, her lips chapped and dry, and her face was blotchy from the bought of crying and rubbing her face into the linen pillows. The anxiety coiled in her stomach and she grimaced in the physical pain the stress of it caused her. After a few deep breaths, Maya swung her feet over the side of the bed and carefully, quietly, stood. She tiptoed to the door and pressed her ear to the warm wooden door to listen for any activity that would indicate that Paul was awake. Maya rested her forehead against the door and took a deep breath. This was supposed to be her home, and she'd be damned if she was reduced to sneaking around to avoid her boyfriend. Fuck that, she thought.

She pulled open the door and strode quickly across the small landing and went to her dresser. Luckily, the room was empty, so Maya took the opportunity to dress quickly, donning some black joggers and a cropped Columbia t-shirt. After brushing her teeth, pulling her hair up into a high pony, and dotting some raspberry tinted lip gloss across her lips, she headed downstairs. All the while, she listened for any indication of Paul, but so far, nothing. Maya couldn't help but feel grateful for the space, but she didn't linger.

She pulled on her sneakers, grabbed her bag with her laptop and internship notes crammed inside and jogged out the front door toward her Jeep. The fresh morning air was actually a welcomed relief. As she climbed into her Jeep, her phone buzzed. She turned on the Jeep and dug into her bag, leaning over the console to grab it.

Keye: Are you going to Becks' today?

Maya: I'm on my way right now. Is that a problem?

Keye: Nah, Becks was just wondering. She seemed worried about you.

Maya: I'll be there soon to fill you guys in. But it's not good.

Keye: puking emoji K.

Maya sighed and tossed her phone on top of her bag. Just as she settled back into the driver's seat, a sharp knock sounded on the driver side window that made her jump. Paul stood on the other side in a light t-shirt and dark jeans in the unseasonably cold morning air, with a deep frown on his face. Yep, definitely still pissed, Maya thought. She rolled her eyes and pressed the button to roll down the window.

"You scared the fuck out of me Paul, what the hell?" She accused him. Paul's face darkened and he braced his forearm against the window frame, leaning partially into the Jeep.

"Where are you going?" he asked calmly. Maya suppressed the urge to roll her eyes again.

"To hell. Wanna come?" she quipped as she jerked the shifter into reverse.

"You're really not gonna tell me?" He replied back annoyed. Here we fucking go.

"Nah, I'm sure you'll figure it out," she said with a sharp edge. It didn't make her feel better to make mean digs at him, but every time she tried to tell herself to tone it down, the look on Paul's face as he told her she couldn't go back to school boiled over again and she was all fire.

"Don't be like this. You're acting like a dick," Paul's face contorted in annoyance and he put his hand on the door handle like he was going to open the door. Maya was quick to press the automatic locks and he lifted an eyebrow at her as if in challenge.

"The feeling's mutual, babe," she said. For a beat she thought about speeding away but she resigned and followed up with, "I'm heading over to Becks' to make sure the shifts and schedule I spent hours on for newborn duty are being followed. And to make breakfast," she paused and met his eyes, fierce and overwhelmed with too much emotion from the night before, "Is that alright with you or are you going to tell me I can't leave the house now, too?"

Paul grimaced and shook his head in frustration before he replied, "Fine. I'll take you."

"No thanks," she replied quickly. He stared at her for a moment before taking a deep breath to steady the clear some of the residual anger.

"Maya," Paul pulled a hand down over his face.

"It's fine. Don't you have rounds anyway?" And with that, she shifted quickly into reverse and pulled out of the driveway too quickly in a cloud of dust. He just stood there as Maya whipped the car onto the road toward Becks', but for the first time in a long time, Maya was glad to be alone.

Arriving at Becks and Jacob's, Maya wasn't sure what reception she would be walking into. Becks had been recovering and not very chatty via text. Understandably so—she was so wrapped up in her newborn and adjusting to his schedule that she'd had little time to clue Maya in on any of Jacob's current feelings toward her or the recent situation she had been complicit in. Maya let out a slow breath before turning off her Jeep and hopping down onto the wet driveway. The rain had been relentless overnight and the gloom hung low and clung to the afternoon.

Whatever Jacob felt about Maya taking his very pregnant fiance to a coven of known vampires, she was sure to find out soon enough.

Maya pushed open the front door and stepped inside quickly, removing her boots and raincoat.

"Hello?" she said tentatively, just loud enough that trained ears would hear her easily. Maya could hear clambering in the kitchen and made her way across the foyer to kitchen. Kim was joking with Jared as she rolled homemade cinnamon buns and pressed them neatly into a metal tray.

"Morning Maya!" Kim said brightly when she spotted her. Jared gave a short barking laugh and put his hands on his hips.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the traitor," he joked. Maya rolled her eyes and walked purposefully into the kitchen bumping Jared out of the way with her hip. "Where's Paul?" he asked confused when he realized Paul wasn't following close behind as usual. Maya yanked open the fridge to take inventory of the current prepared meals and started making a mental grocery list.

"Probably running rounds," she mumbled as she pushed aside a carton of milk.

"Hmm," Jared replied with concern. Maya really didn't want to hear it though. The tension between her and Paul would dissipate. Hopefully. And until that point, she was going to focus on—

"Thought you wouldn't show," Jacob had appeared at the kitchen island, one strong arm cradling his infant son that looked absolutely miniscule against the towering alpha's frame. Maya couldn't help a smile from warming her face as she looked upon her nephew.

Ephriam William Black.

That's what they had gone with after a very short conversation at the Cullen's. Becks was insistent and Jacob was simply in awe at the beautiful creature Becks had brought into this world for them. He'd agree to anything.

"Of course I'd show. Is she sleeping?" Maya jotted down some items on her grocery list in her phone's notes app. She quickly swiped away the text that came in from Paul without reading it.

"Yeah, we didn't get home until early this morning. She's only been out for an hour or so and he'll need to eat soon, so I'm sure she'll be up in a bit," Jacob relayed. Dark bags hung under his eyes from the intense night they'd had, but he looked happy. Maya nodded and gave him a gentle smile.

"Okay, anything you need?" she asked.

"No," he said shortly. He looked down at his sleeping son and a smile tugged at his lips. Then, he looked back up at Maya, a completely new look of sadness shimmering through. "Maya," he said, his voice rough. Maya looked up at him ready for her verbal beating. But none came.

"Thank you," he said gently. Maya's lips parted slightly in surprise before she shook her head and said very quickly:

"What for? There's nothing to thank me for. I'd have protected them either way," she replied. Jacob looked surprised at that which irked Maya just a little bit.

"I know, I just…wanted to thank you for being there. And for getting her through it and helping her deliver our son. It means…more than you know," his voice was so soft, Maya wasn't sure she'd ever heard him speak with such quiet candor and admiration before. It threw her off guard but she decided to roll with it.

"She's my best friend, my sister. There's nothing to thank me for, Jacob," she sighed and then gave him a soft smile, "But…you're welcome."

Jacob chuckled at that and rocked Ephriam slowly in his arms. Maya walked around the island and stood next to Jacob, peering at the sleeping baby who's warm caramel colored cheeks spilled out from the confines of his blanket.

"Could I?" Maya whispered, looking up and up at Jacob. He took a moment to consider her and then smiled that sunshine smile that was so rare to see if it wasn't directed at Becks. He turned and carefully deposited Ephriam into Maya's waiting arms before putting a warm hand to her shoulder and giving it a squeeze.

"I'm going to go lay down with Becks. Bring him up when he wakes up," he said softly. Maya nodded, her eyes glued to the peaceful face of her best friend's baby. She gently rocked him from side to side in her arms and was suddenly overwhelmed by the knowledge that this was her best friend's son. They were so young—Becks barely just 19. And Jacob…Jacob was kind of a mess, but he seemed to be finding his way with Becks' help. Still, Maya's heart thrummed a chaotic feeling as she considered their life for a moment. Becks was so happy, she knew it, and her future was secured by the tiny human Maya cradled in her arms just now. The certainty of it all was oddly comforting and Maya found herself momentarily slotting herself into a similar position with Paul, just to examine what it might feel like.

There'd be no question about not returning to school. If this was her baby, she'd be hard pressed to want to willfully leave him behind and leave the safety of Paul and her home. She'd be a council favorite, her and Paul wouldn't be butting heads all the time considering they'd both be too tired with feedings and diapers and everything in between, and the distance growing between them as she stayed off rez for longer and longer each semester would evaporate. On the contrary, they would be tied together even closer by product of their perfect mixing.

Maya walked over to the sliding glass door at the back of the house and alternated between looking out the window as the rain streaked down the glass and back to Ephriam. She would be happy, she knew that. And Paul…would be ecstatic if only for the fact that he'd finally get to start the family he'd always wanted but had never quite allowed himself to have. It would all be so simple and the path would be clear ahead of them. And yet…

Quil and Embry banged through the front door making Maya's head swivel quickly to shush them. Embry laughed quietly and held up his hands in apology as he ducked into the laundry room, drenched in rain.

Quil's eyes lit up when he saw Maya had Ephriam and he crossed the living room to stand next to her.

"Can I hold him?" he said in a low, somewhat pleading voice. Maya giggled and shook her head, to which he looked immediately crestfallen.

"You're all wet," she nodded toward his bare chest. Quil looked down as if just noticing it for the first time and tried to wipe the rain drops off his body.

"I'll be dry in like two seconds," he retorted. To be fair, he was already looking drier considering the rain was evaporating quickly off of his searing hot body since he entered the house.

"You're dripping on me!" Maya teased as she turned her body to block Ephriam from getting dripped on. Quil's long hair was soaked and a frustrated groan erupted from his chest as he turned and jogged toward the laundry room. Maya giggled and felt Ephriam close his tiny hand gently around her extended forefinger.

In the front hallway, Embry was mopping up the mess he and Quil had dragged in. Maya turned to look out the window again, enjoying the quiet for just a minute more and the peace the sleeping baby gave her before handing him over to Quil's eagerly waiting arms.


A battle of wills. That's what this had to be. Maya was kneeling in front of the coffee table for the third time that day folding yet another massive pile of laundry. Embry was passed out in the oversized rocking chair next to the couch with Ephriam asleep on his chest.

Even in the general peace of the warm house as the evening crept in, the tension could have been cut with a knife. Paul was in the open kitchen that faced the living room prepping dinner for the group of them that were currently there. His hands were deftly moving between simmering pots and pans, his eyes flitting up to Maya every now and then. Maya was trying to keep her gaze focused on the pile of clothes before her as she folded them.

It had been five days since their fight. Five days of little to no talking between them. Even Keye had started to become worried. However, she had been equally as pissed when Maya had told her why they weren't talking—the fact that Paul was asking her to stay even for a semester touched every nerve Keye had. But still, to see the two of them together but very adamantly trying not to speak or look at one another was…uncomfortable. For everyone.

So it became a game to some, to bet on who would break first. Maya ignored them for the most part when they would chuckle and nod toward the couple after rounds, always at least three feet between them.

"You see?" Brady would say under his breath as he watched the couple stiffly approach.

"Still? Jesus," Jared would reply in an equally low voice, agitated.

"I give it two more days," Colin said around a cup of coffee.

"Will you guys shut up?" Jeremy whispered.

Paul would most certainly hear them as well, but he would ignore them. His gaze constantly shifted to Maya—watching when she sat down, his eyes following her as she floated around the house or disappeared up stairs, asking her in a quiet mumble if she needed anything before he left to which she always said no.

"Two more days my ass," Quil sighed in equal annoyance. They had every reason to be annoyed, to be fair. When Paul was feeling off, it seeped into every interaction in the pack. And he'd keep such a tight lid on his thoughts in the collective pack mind that they couldn't even figure out what the problem was, let alone how to counsel him on it. Rounds lately had been a tense and aggravated affair and the wolves were ready to snap.

While the distance between Maya and Paul was a constant, what they couldn't avoid was the unconscious pull of the imprint. Maya would find herself in the kitchen or the backyard or wherever Paul happened to be for one reason or another. She'd gotten up no less than three times already to cross to the kitchen quietly and grab a water, a yogurt cup, and then a spoon for her yogurt. She moved around him like a moon orbiting a planet, but somehow, she'd always find herself within his reach. And he would reach for her absently, as if on reflex, his hand floating to her lower back as she rummaged through the silverware drawer next to him, or setting his broad hand on her arm or coasting across her shoulder blades as he'd move around her to grab something from a cabinet higher up.

Every touch felt like an electric shock to her nervous system–something sent to wake her up from this haze of frustration. But she refused to, not without Paul apologizing and telling her he had been wrong to tell her to stay here. That probably wouldn't be happening anytime soon if they kept this up.

The worst part about it though was that everytime he did touch her, it made Maya yearn for him, to crave his touch again, to want it to last just a little bit longer the next time, until she was gravitating toward him without thinking about it. And instead, she found herself returning his touches without meaning to. Everytime she moved around him, she reached out to graze her hand across his back, or down his arm.

Maya stood beside Paul at the kitchen island while he chopped up vegetables and herbs as she prepared a marinade for the pork chops they were grilling that evening for a pack dinner. The tension was palpable between them, but under that tension was a taut thread, ready to snap and bring Maya hurdling like a slingshot back into Paul's embrace. She swallowed thickly as she darted her eyes to his wide hands as he expertly sliced golden potatoes in half and pushed them toward a pile of herb blend.

"Do you know when Ephy last ate?"

Over the past five days Becks' and Jacob's son had taken on many nicknames, as if the pack was trying them all on and seeing what stuck. Little B, Will, Eph, Fry boy, Poop machine, Baby, and Maya's personal favorite—Potato face. In the end, they had all settled on some variation of Ephriam and Maya was prone to calling him Ephy, like Becks.

Paul continued chopping for a few more seconds, not answering, thickening the tension between them as if willing that thread to snap. He glanced up at the clock that hung in the kitchen and said softly, "About an hour and a half ago. Jacob said something about a bath while he slept so I'm sure they'll be down in a bit."

"Mm," Maya replied noncommittally, not remembering why she asked the question in the first place. She continued eyeballing her wet ingredients into a large bowl willing the thrumming of her heart to quiet at being so close to Paul but not letting herself touch him. But she didn't have to worry about that for long—Paul had stopped chopping momentarily, setting down the knife and gliding his tall frame behind her, his chest ever so slightly pressed up against her back. She could feel the scorching heat of him clearly through her t-shirt. When he leaned slightly into her to grab the bottle of olive oil on the other side of her, he let his hand gently graze the underside of her arm, sending goosebumps up her arm and down her back.

"Excuse me," he said lowly, gruff and right next to her ear. She could feel his warm breath against her hair and in the next moment, he was back to standing next to her, less than a foot away and chopping again. Maya tried to calm her breathing to seem unaffected by the man she was very diligently trying to ignore. To dislike, even for just a few more days.

But her face was flushed and her nerves felt on edge. Maya had to remind herself of the task at hand and continue prepping the sauce. The corner of Paul's mouth perked up in a soft smile as the olive oil went untouched.


After dinner, Maya quickly made sure the task list was updated on the butcher block paper hanging in the entryway for tomorrow. Paul was saying some goodbyes and wrapping up round duties for the evening. It had started to rain outside and Maya squinted at the dark, stormy evening hoping she'd get a decent night's sleep tonight. She'd still been sleeping in the guest room and the enormity of the bed always left her feeling slightly exposed without Paul's giant body beside her.

"Babe," Paul's warm voice floated through the foyer and Maya looked over her shoulder quickly at him. He was holding out his light flannel long-sleeve to her. The temperature had dropped considerably with the summer storm and Maya shivered just at the thought of running to the car in the cold rain.

So, she crossed the short distance to him and let him help her into his flannel. She rolled back the sleeves just a little but let the fabric envelope her in the soft clean earth and citrus scent of him.

"Thanks," Maya said, hoping her voice sounded indifferent. She slipped on her ankle length rainboots and grabbed her bag.

"I'll drive," he said as she opened the door to the onslaught of rain.

"Fine," she said softly, barely able to hear her own voice over the rain. "Bye guys! I'll see you tomorrow!" she called over her shoulder and under Paul's arm as he braced the doorway, his other hand outstretched for the keys. A holler of goodbyes rang back at her, making her smile.

After digging in her bag and depositing the keys in Paul's outstretched hand, they both jogged toward her Jeep. Paul's arm floated around her waist, snatching her up so she didn't splash into the gathering puddle in the driveway, before setting her back down next to the passenger door and wrenching it open for her. No sooner had Maya jumped into the seat than Paul had snapped the door shut behind her and jogged around the front of the car toward the driverside. Maya watched enraptured as the wet fabric of his t-shirt clung to every line of muscles in his chest and back, hiis black hair wet and slick against his forehead. When he jumped into the driver's seat, she was only snapped from her appreciation of him when he said "What?" to her open mouthed gaze.

"Nothing," she said, snapping her eyes to the windshield. Paul didn't question her any further and quickly started the car up, turning the heat on and navigating them back toward home.

Maya needed to get a grip. She was acting like she'd never even seen Paul before. They'd spent months apart before while at school and she was never this….needy. Maya felt her thighs clench together involuntarily as the heady scent of a rain-soaked Paul infiltrated every one of her senses. Forget pheromones, this was unreal. She tried to take deep breaths through her mouth, but the scent of him settled on her tongue, something sweet and warm.

The drive home only took ten minutes, but Maya couldn't help herself from bolting from the car as soon as it rolled to stop in front of their blue bungalow. She'd blame the rain or her need to change out of the damp clothes—anything to justify her sprint up the stairs and into the sanctuary of the bathroom to get some breathing room. This was ridiculous. Maya felt ridiculous hiding from her imprint. She locked the bathroom door and took some deep breaths to try and clear her senses. When a soft knock sounded on the door followed by Paul's gentle: "Maya?" she crossed quickly to the shower and turned it on.

A battle of wills, she reminded herself. One that she felt she was slowly losing. But with that realization, it set something gnawing deep within her. Something she didn't want to look at just yet.

Maya took the longest shower she could muster, her warm brown skin tinged pink from the hot water. She took her time combing her hair out and layering in fancy hair care products she had picked up in Seattle the last time she was there with Paul. She did a face mask, an eye mask, and even dabbed on some facial oil Keye had given her randomly from her huge overstock of skincare.

Finally, when she couldn't put it off any longer, Maya squared her shoulders, tightened the towel around her and unlocked the bathroom door. She pulled it swiftly open, almost expecting Paul to be leaning against the wall next to the doorway or sitting on the bed, but the room was empty and dark. She raised an eyebrow and crossed the room to her dresser. There was no point in sneaking—if Paul was anywhere in or near the house, he'd hear every sound Maya made regardless. So, she quickly dressed in her chosen pajamas for the evening—black cotton boyshorts and an oversized Clearwater Coffee t-shirt—and retreated across the short landing to the guest bedroom. Once the door closed with a small clack behind her, she let out a deep breath, finally at ease as she made her way to the bed.

She never craved the empty bed she'd chosen this past week, but for tonight it was a welcome relief after the tension of the evening. That's why, when Maya's head hit the pillow and she'd barely covered herself with the soft down comforter, exhaustion pulled over her fast and heavy.


The cool lap of the waves pushed against Maya's bare thighs, splashing between her legs and soaking her. She felt the soft push and pull of the tide around her legs and swayed to its tempting rhythm. The cold expanse of the ocean touched every part of her skin even though she wasn't submerged, but Maya felt entirely wet. The rocking of the sea started to feel too much all at once and her knees felt like buckling. That would be it then—she'd be swallowed by the ocean, pulled into it's dark depths and never be seen again.

But then, a warm body pressed flush against her back. She was only thigh deep in the water, but the chill she felt just moments ago, the exhaustion plaguing her limbs melted away as warm arms wrapped around her and held her tightly to that broad chest she knew so well. Her hands traveled up his forearms curiously, Maya's eyes still looking out over the expanse of the ocean. She felt solid now, Paul's comfortable weight anchoring her to the spot so that the waves couldn't pull her under anymore. She felt the soft press of his lips on her shoulder and closed her eyes against it. For being so warm, she was still so wet, the waves lapping up between her thighs. Maya let out an involuntary hum of pleasure, leaning her head back against his chest—the juxtaposition of cold ocean and hot imprint was almost too much, but she reveled in it.

The thought that this could be a dream crossed her mind and all too soon, her heart sank. This Paul, the one anchoring her to the spot in the tide was meant to be here, meant to partner with her through life. So why couldn't real life Paul be that way too? His hands were firm but gentle against her waist as he held her still, his lips trailing softly down her shoulder and up her neck.

Just a little more of this, Maya begged her subconscious mind as she felt herself careening toward that little promise of release. That's never how it goes though does it? Just as Maya felt herself roll her hips back against the firm form of Paul in her dreams, her eyes popped open.

The dark bedroom slowly came into view around her and she let out a huff of irritation. Soon the warmth would evaporate and she'd be cold and alone in this giant bed again. But as the seconds ticked on and Maya more firmly fell into consciousness, the warm weight of Paul stayed. Maya glanced down and noticed his arm was draped over her side and she was neatly slotted against his body, her ass nestled just above his groin. His arm was threaded under her pillow and when she chanced a glance over her shoulder at him, she saw the obvious signs of sleep etched across his beautiful angular face.

When he had snuck in here she wasn't sure. She must have forgotten to lock the door in her haste to get to bed or maybe Paul had finally gotten fed up and jimmied the lock. Still, it wasn't an unwelcome presence. She nestled deeper against him and felt him grunt in sleepy recognition, his arm tightening around her waist and pulling her tighter against him. Maya froze, feeling the taut length of his body pressed against her soft curves and then the very obvious hardness pressed against her inner thigh. A rush of want coursed through her and bit her lip to help keep her mind steady.

Maya wanted so desperately to will herself back to sleep. This was the first time she had slept in the same bed with her boyfriend in five days and the eagerness at which her body responded to his presence was somewhat embarrassing. If she hadn't just woken up from a dream where she was on the precipice of full blown release, maybe the need to roll her hips against him wouldn't be as strong as it was, but right now, all Maya wanted was some sort of friction. Anything to quell the growing ache between her thighs. Maybe, if she positioned her body just so, slotting him between her legs where she could slowly grind against him, she'd have enough to put her over the edge. Her mind was not in the right place if she thought he wouldn't wake up from her ministrations. Oh, well.

Maya lifted her leg ever so gently and helped thread him between her legs. He was in sweats and the tent of his pants provided less friction than she would like, but still, Maya rolled her hips back ever so lightly and could feel the slightest bit of pressure against her clit as she stroked along the length of him. She was a woman possessed, ravenous, needy, someone she'd never met and after a few snaps of her hips back against him, she felt his grip tighten on her hips. She realized in that moment that she didn't care if she was still angry with him—the only thing that mattered at this moment was satiating that ache.

Paul snaked his hand underneath her boyshorts and let one finger softly glide through her seam. Maya was unsurprised at how wet she was and she twitched and jutted her hips back against him, silently begging for more. With a growl, Paul sat up, bringing Maya with him and perching her on his lap, his chest still flush with her back. He quickly ripped the t-shirt from her body and let his hands squeeze across her ribcage and hips.

"Off," he said as he tugged at her boyshorts. Maya, in a haze stood between his legs and slipped her shorts off kicking them to the side. Paul yanked down his sweats in the process and when Maya sat back down on his lap, the friction she so desperately sought before was there now. Paul was gazing over Maya's shoulder and looking ahead and it took a minute for Maya to realize that he was staring into the wide arched mirror that she had placed against the wall. He could see everything in the bright moonlight, the previous storm having abated. Maya's mouth hung open in desperation and disbelief. She barely recognized herself, her hair tangled and falling around her shoulders, her face shadowed and desperate, her eyes hooded and dark with lust.

Paul ran his hands down her sides to her thighs and when he gently placed either of her legs on the outside of his, she hooked her feet behind his calves. She watched herself in the mirror in awe as Paul slowly spread his legs apart, spreading Maya even further. She was dripping, her arousal embarrassingly, sweetly on display for him. He let one hand coast down to her throbbing core where he pressed quick, soft circles to her clit before letting his middle finger press down her seam and inside of her. Maya let out a soft whimper and he clamped his other hand roughly around her breast. She needed more, so much more and Paul wasted no time removing his finger and angling her hips just so, so he could sheath himself completely inside of her in one languid stroke.

They both groaned at his first thrust and Maya was thankful for the hand he pressed against her abdomen to keep her upright. He started to slowly thrust in and out of her, and Maya's eyes were glued to the mirror watching as he disappeared within her, pulling him deeply and clenching around him hungrily.

"I know you need to come, Maya," he said against her temple. Maya nearly startled at his voice, rough and intimate and so deliciously deep. She tried to stifle the sob of pleasure rising in her throat but it broke over her without warning. Paul groaned and she watched as his face briefly contorted as she clenched hard around him. When he regained himself, she felt his hand on her abdomen slide down to seek that bundle of nerves that would push her over the edge. Another sob wracked through her when he pressed against her clit and put firm pressure against her lower abdomen so she could more distinctly feel the weight of him inside her. She felt so full and tight around him that she thought she'd explode on the spot.

Paul pulled her chin up so she was looking in the mirror again. "You're going to come for me Maya, and then you're going to come again," his voice held tight and she trembled at the subtle command. "You're going to tell me after you come who you belong to," he groaned as he shifted himself inside her, angled at just the right spot and she tightened around him gasping,"because I need to hear it baby."

Maya was already hurtling toward her first orgasm at his words, the knot was loosening in her belly and she could feel that heat rise to her cheeks, "And you're going to watch baby, you're going to watch yourself as you come undone for me." Maya's mouth fell open in sheer ecstasy as pleasure wracked through her body. Her first orgasm crashed through her soaking Paul's thighs as she screamed in release. She watched her face devolve into pure bliss and she couldn't help watching Paul as he watched her, a look of pure desire, devotion, and something dark flooding his eyes.

When she came down, her body limp and held up by Paul's grasp, her thighs still stretched open as he pumped slowly in and out of her, fucking her through her orgasm, he pinched her nipple to bring her awareness back to him. Her eyes focused in and out for a second before he said gruffly in her ear making her shiver, tightening the coil in her belly again.

"Who do you belong to, baby?" His voice was strong, firm, with just a hint of need in it and it painted Maya in a brilliant new color.

"You," she breathed out as another moan cracked her voice in two.

"Good, good girl," he said, his own voice breaking between soft grunts as he picked up his pace. "You're going to give me one more," he said, nipping at that soft spot on her neck.

"I-I can't…Oh Paul, please," she begged even though she didn't quite know what she was begging for, "Please, Paul. There…ah!" Even as exhaustion flooded her limbs, Maya was still able to roll her hips ever so gently against his groin.

"One more, My. You can give me one more," he urged as he began thrusting up against her roughly, the obscene wet noises from between Maya's legs barely registered as she careened toward her next orgasm. "Open your eyes honey, look at yourself," Paul's grip under her chin tightened and Maya's eyes snapped open.

He was moving in her so fast that she was nearly vibrating with pleasure, her breasts bouncing quickly with each snap of his hips. The sharp slap of her ass against his lap as he pounded into her mixed with the warm wet sounds of him pulling as far out as he could before sliding quickly back into her.

"So pretty," he said breathlessly.

Maya lost it again, her thighs shaking this time from being held open so long and her muscles contracting tightly around his thick cock that punched against her cervix sending her into a full spiral. "Fuck!" he grunted. Maya watched as he came undone now, that pure look of devotion devolving into high bliss and dark need as he snapped his hips, his grip tight on her body. With one final thrust he spilled inside of her with a groan. Maya couldn't help but feel that familiar rush of euphoria wind through her as the imprint thrummed.

A deep sigh left her lips as Paul held her tightly to him, his cock still twitching inside of her, unloading a few more ropes within her before stilling. He leaned back on his arms and Maya pulled her feet out from behind his calves and slowly stood up. He groaned as she came off of him. Maya was still trying to catch her breath when he sat up and pulled on her hips. She faced him and he planted his face against her abdomen taking deep, panting breaths.

Relief. She couldn't help but feel relief as she carded her fingers through his hair and let out a small laugh. He looked up at her with curious eyes and she took the opportunity to lean down, pressing a kiss to his lips for the first time in nearly a week.

A soft moan emanated from behind his lips and Maya felt her eyes burn with the promise of tears. The release she felt just now couldn't erase their argument or the tight line forming between them as he coaxed her to make an impossible choice, but she hadn't realized how much she had needed him, just being near him. His thumbs rubbed gently on her ribcage under the swell of her breasts and she breathed a sigh of relief when she pulled back. He stared up at her, his dark eyes shining in the soft moonlight.

"Will you come to bed?" he said, his voice hoarse and pleading. Maya stroked his cheek and nodded. Relief poured across his face and it sent a wave of joy fluttering through her belly. Gratefully, Paul pressed an open mouth kiss between her breasts before standing and carrying her bridal style across the hall to their bedroom.