Chapter 14 Grtirr
Julie’s body trembled under me, her silken pussy fluttering in the aftermath of her pleasure.
I was a lucky male. I loved the way her skin slid against mine, slick with sweat.
I loved the sounds of her moans and screams. Loved the way her fingers dug into my shoulders, her flat nails leaving half-moon marks that I would wear like a badge of honor.
Julie was perfect. The mate bond had known.
Her thighs trembled as I pulled back just enough to watch my cock slide out of her, glistening with her honey. Her lips parted on a silent cry as I plunged back in. Her back arched, thrusting her breasts into the air like an offering.
The sight of her made my chest tighten. I wanted to memorize this moment forever.
I slid my hand up her body to cup a full breast and slide my thumb over the pebbled nipple, even as the tip of my tail snuck between our bodies to press against her clit. Her entire body jerked at the vibrations, and another broken cry tore from her throat.
I had as little control over my tail as I did the pheromones, and the vibrations intensified as I dragged it over her sensitive flesh. Her walls clenched around me, her hips lifting to meet my thrusts, and I could feel her building again, her body already tightening.
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” I snarled. “Look at you. Taking me like you’re mine. So perfect.”
Her eyes locked onto mine, and her lips parted on a whimper. “I can’t… It’s too much.”
“You can,” I growled. “And you will.”
“Oh god, oh god, oh god…”
Then she was coming again, her walls clamping down around me and milking my cock. She was a trembling, gasping mess beneath me. It was overwhelming. I snarled as my own release crashed over me, my cock swelling even bigger as I spilled inside her.
For a moment, there was only the sound of our ragged breaths and the scent of our joining. I pressed my forehead to hers, my tail finally stilling, my body shaking with how fucking hard I came.
I pulled out slowly, my cock dragging against her walls, and she whimpered, her body still sensitive. I gathered her into my arms, her skin warm against mine, her breath slowing as she curled into me.
I wish I’d had more control. Our first time should’ve been sweet and slow. I should’ve tasted her first. But despite my mistakes, I had never felt anything as perfect as this.
I wondered how long it would take for Julie to realize we were cuddling and push me away. She wouldn’t regret what we’d done, but it would be hard for her to accept it. I closed my eyes and started counting.
***
A hundred and forty-six seconds. We cuddled for a hundred and forty-six seconds.
With our lust sated, reality had filtered back hard and fast, and Julie was back to pretending she hated me.
That didn’t stop me from grabbing the towel to clean her up.
The sheets were still warm when I climbed back into the bed, the scent of her clinging to the fabric. Julie had already claimed her side, her shoulders tense. The mattress dipped under my weight, and she let out a sharp breath.
“You’re only allowed on here because there’s one bed,” she muttered, “and I’m not a bitch.”
I grunted in amusement. Allowed. Like she was the one calling all the shots. Like she was doing me a favor.
She turned her back to me, putting as much distance between us as the small bed would allow. I didn’t let her get far. My arm slid around her waist, pulling her against me. She fit perfectly, her body molding to mine like she was made for me.
“Hey! No cuddling,” she snapped. “I don’t want your pheromones or whatever brainwashing me.”
I chuckled. “I’d say it’s too late for that.” But I released her anyway.
She wiggled back to the very edge of the bed and slapped her hand on the wall, turning off the lights. Then after a long stretch of silence, there was a sudden motion, a yelp, and the unmistakable sound of her hitting the floor, pulling the thin sheets with her.
I didn’t even try to hide my laughter. There wasn’t enough time.
Julie groaned, her voice muffled by the sheets. “Shut up.”
Pushing myself up to one elbow, I reached down, hauling her back onto the bed. She landed against my chest with a huff, her hair tickling my chin. “We tried it your way,” I murmured, my arm settling around her again. “Now let’s try mine.”
I tucked her back into my body. She resisted at first, her body tense. But then, slowly, she relaxed. Probably thanks to the calming hormones I was secreting now. Our bodies always knew what our mates needed, and right now, she needed rest.
“I still hate you,” she muttered.
“I know you do.”
She was quiet for a moment. Then, softer, “Why are you even doing this?”
I exhaled, my breath ruffling her hair. “Because we both know it’s impossible to fight the mate bond.”
She scoffed. “But you don’t even like me. You treat me like some kid who needs to be reminded to wipe her ass.”
That had me frowning. “I have never reminded you to clean your bottom.”
“I don’t mean literally.” She groaned. “And how the hell did the mate bond miss all the other times you’ve touched me? I don’t believe it. Something smells fishy here.”
I sniffed. “I only smell you. And you smell delicious. I regret not tasting your cunt first.”
She stifled a gasp. “Grtirr! Stop that. You’re being obtuse. And you know what I mean. I’ve never heard of a mate bond missing the freaking point dozens upon dozens of times, only to score years later and drop the warrior to his knees.”
I knew what she meant. It was unheard of. But I pretended not to understand. “There are plenty of cases where bonds form after many years.”
She dug her flat little nails into my forearm in warning. I had not fooled her.
“That’s from spending time together and growing a bond. Usually, if it takes a long time, the bond is gradual, and there’s no love at first touch. That’s not what happened here. It’s different, and you know it.”
Should I tell her? How would she react if she found out that I’d known that she was my mate? And if I didn’t tell her, would the guilt eat me up alive from the inside? How long would I last? I already knew the answer. Not long. I could hide nothing from her.
Mates were supposed to have no secrets from each other.
“I was taking a medication that suppressed the mate bond,” I admitted.
The room was suddenly so quiet that I could hear her heart beating.
“Did you know?” She twisted her body so that she was lying on her back. “That I was your mate, I mean.”
“Not at first, no. But I was irrational about you, and only you. I’ve been suspicious for a while. But I’ve known since last spring.”
“What!?” she shrieked. “You let me shake every warrior’s hand looking for my love at first touch, when you knew all year?”
“You hate me, remember,” I said through gritted teeth. The words came out quieter and more strained than I expected.
“I…” There was a pained sound. “But you avoided me during the rut.”
Was she upset? Even though she hated me? Did she hate me more now?
“It was the rut that finally had me believing. It was torture,” I admitted. I did not want her to think I’d enjoyed my time with anyone else but her.
“Good! I hope it hurt you to see me—”
I growled and slammed a palm over her mouth, not wanting to hear her words.
“Do not taunt me unless you wish to see Ashtrr’s brains on the floor and me exiled again, this time from our people.”
There was a spike of fear at my words, and I regretted them. But Julie had never let fear stop her from doing anything.
“You slept with other women too.”
Was that jealousy I heard in her voice?
“It was a necessity, and I did not enjoy any of it. I regret every moment.” I prayed she believed me. “If I had the chance to right my wrongs, I would cease to take the medication the moment we met and claim you then.”
“Words.” She tried to shove me away, but I didn’t let her.
“There is no comparison, my mate. I never wish or need anyone else but you from this day forward. Let me prove it to you.”
Could she hear the desperation in my voice? The regret?
She was quiet for a long moment before she spoke again.
“Technically, the mate bond only started when you dropped to your knees. So I forgive you, I guess. But that doesn’t mean I’m accepting this mate bond.
And anyway, I know you don’t have a nest picked out.
Everyone knows this. And without a nest, I’m not saying yes. ”
“And you still hate me, right?”
“Damn straight.”
I frowned at the strange saying. I’d been around humans for years and hadn’t heard that one yet.
“Now, go to sleep, my little mate.” I kissed the top of her head.
She mumbled something about not having accepted the bond yet, but relaxed in my arms. It wasn’t long before she was asleep and snoring in the most adorable way.