Chapter Six #4
Dermot breathed out, and some of the tension left his shoulders. “I know,” he said, even though it was clear he was still working on believing it.
Bastien could live with that. He had time to show Dermot, especially once they’d have Celeste back.
“I want you to bite me,” Dermot said, startling Bastien.
“Are you sure?” Bastien needed to be before he threw Dermot on the mattress and did just that.
Dermot’s nod was sure. “Yes. I don’t want to wait. There’s no reason to.”
That was all the permission Bastien needed.
Maybe he should have moved more slowly since this was their first time and their bonding, but Dermot didn’t try to stop him or slow him down when Bastien pulled his clothes off, so Bastien didn’t. He got naked in record time, then turned his attention to Dermot because he wanted him naked, too.
Dermot was grinning when Bastien grabbed him.
He helped Bastien rid him of his shirt, then his loose pants, and laughed when Bastien grabbed him by the thighs and hauled him onto the bed.
He squeezed Bastien’s shoulders before landing on his back and letting go.
As soon as Dermot was still, Bastien slid his underwear down his legs, then hurried to do the same to his own, leaving both of them naked.
Finally.
Bastien lowered himself on top of Dermot, who welcomed him with open arms. Bastien pressed his lips against Dermot’s pulse, just under his jaw.
He wasn’t claiming him yet, but he would.
He swiped his tongue over the skin before scraping it with his teeth.
Dermot arched beneath him, a broken sound escaping him as his hips rolled up.
Bastien felt slightly dizzy, but he also wanted more.
Bastien pressed down with his teeth. Dermot didn’t stop him or push him away.
Instead, he tilted his head as if giving Bastien more space, and Bastien decided that was precisely what he wanted.
He didn’t attempt to override his instincts and instead bit down, groaning when warm, coppery liquid dripped into his mouth.
He sealed his mouth over the small wound and sucked.
His head spun. Pleasure coiled low in his groin, spreading through his veins like fire as their bond expanded. His hips jerked uncontrollably, but then, so did Dermot’s, who was right there with him.
Bastien lifted his head. He needed to close the bond, and there was only one way to do that. It wouldn’t be pleasant for him, not initially, but then he supposed it hadn’t been for Dermot, either. Luckily for both of them, this was the only time they’d have to do this.
He brought his right hand up between them. Dermot watched as Bastien shifted only one finger, transforming it into a claw. He didn’t hesitate. He drew the tip of the claw across the side of his own neck, just above the collarbone. The burning sensation didn’t last long.
“Dermot,” Bastien murmured.
Dermot leaned forward to press his lips against Bastien’s skin.
He licked the wound first, causing Bastien’s hips to jerk forward.
Dermot wrapped his legs around Bastien’s waist, keeping him close—as if Bastien would want to be anywhere but here in his arms. When he sealed his lips on the wound and sucked, Bastien groaned and rutted forward, chasing his orgasm.
He was so close, and Dermot’s mouth wasn’t helping—or maybe it was because Bastien desperately wanted to come.
Bastien held on tighter. He shuddered when he felt the bond ignite between them.
It felt like an infinite loop of pleasure, and knowing how Dermot felt about what they were doing was the thing that pushed Bastien over the edge.
He cried out and allowed himself to fall, grinning when he felt that Dermot followed him only seconds later through the bond.
Dermot buried his face against Bastien’s neck and groaned. Bastien laughed, feeling happier than he could remember being in a long time. The ache left by Celeste’s absence was still there, but right now, it was easy to ignore, and he did. There was nothing he could do to help her tonight.
After Bastien rolled them over, they lay tangled together in Dermot’s bed, Bastien on his back and Dermot pressed against his side, one hand resting flat over Bastien’s chest as if checking his heartbeat.
Bastien was fairly sure his heart was still beating twice as fast as usual.
The bond hummed between them, warm and settled.
“That was either the best decision I’ve ever made or the worst,” Dermot suddenly said.
“Give it a week,” Bastien told him. “You’ll know which.” He knew neither of them would regret it, though. How could they when they were fated to be together?
Dermot was quiet for a moment. “I think I already know.”
Bastien pulled him close and didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to. The bond said it for him, warm and steady and certain because Bastien was.
Outside the window, the village was quiet. Celeste was still out there somewhere, and Parrish was still a problem, and the world was still complicated. Tomorrow, he and Dermot would deal with all of that.
Tonight, though, this was enough.