Chapter Six
Malik watched as Indy stirred in his sleep.
They’d come back to his house that night, and his mate had agreed to stay.
A soft exhale against the pillow pulled Malik from his half-doze.
Moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting silver across Indy’s bare shoulder where the sheet had slipped down.
His mate’s breathing changed, the even rhythm of sleep breaking into something lighter.
Indy’s eyes opened slowly, hazel in the dim light. For a moment he seemed disoriented, then his gaze found Malik and something warm settled into his expression.
“Have you been watching me sleep?” Indy’s voice came out rough with sleep, teasing but soft around the edges.
“Maybe.” Malik shifted closer, the mattress dipping under his weight. The movement brought their bodies into contact, skin against skin where they hadn’t been touching before.
Indy’s breath caught. Just slightly, but Malik heard it. Felt the way his mate’s body responded to the contact, muscles tensing then relaxing. The air between them changed, thickened with something that had been building since meeting.
Reaching out, Malik traced his fingers along Indy’s jaw, feeling the slight roughness of beard. His mate leaned into the touch, eyes fluttering closed for a heartbeat before opening again. The trust in that small gesture made something in Malik’s chest tighten.
“Hi,” Indy whispered.
“Hi.” Malik’s thumb brushed across his mate’s lower lip.
Indy’s mouth parted slightly, and Malik felt the warm exhale against his skin. The simple sensation sent heat through him, his body responding to his mate’s proximity. Every instinct demanded he claim what was his.
Lowering his head, Malik pressed his mouth to Indy’s. The kiss started gentle, just the press of lips, tasting the warmth of his mate’s mouth. Indy made a soft sound and opened for him, tongue sliding against Malik’s, heat shooting straight to his cock.
Rolling them, Malik settled his weight over Indy, careful not to crush him. His mate was smaller, lean muscle and smooth skin that felt impossibly soft under Malik’s hands. The contrast made his blood run hotter, made him want to map every inch with his mouth and fingers.
Breaking the kiss, Malik moved to Indy’s jaw, then lower, finding the spot where shoulder met throat. His mate’s pulse fluttered against his lips, quick and alive. The scent of him was stronger here, honey and vanilla mixed with arousal, and Malik breathed it in, letting it fill his lungs.
“Malik.” Indy’s voice had gone breathless, his hands finding Malik’s shoulders, fingers digging in.
Moving lower still, Malik traced his tongue along Indy’s collarbone, tasted salt and skin. His mate arched under him, hips lifting, and Malik felt the hard length of Indy’s erection press against his thigh. The contact made them both groan, the sound filling the quiet room.
Hands moved down Malik’s back, exploring the planes of muscle, learning the shape of him. Each touch left trails of heat, made Malik’s cock throb where it pressed against the mattress. His mate was responsive and vocal, little gasps and moans escaping as Malik found sensitive spots with his mouth.
Sliding down further, he pressed kisses to Indy’s ribs, his stomach, the sharp jut of his hipbone. His mate’s breathing had gone ragged, hands tangling in Malik’s hair. The slight pull made him growl low in his throat, the sound vibrating against Indy’s skin.
“Please,” his mate breathed, hips lifting again, seeking friction.
Looking up, Malik met blue-violet eyes. Indy’s pupils were blown wide, his lips parted and swollen from kissing. The sight made his control slip another notch. This beautiful creature was his. Indy wanted him, trusted him enough to be vulnerable like this.
Wrapping his hand around Indy’s cock, Malik stroked once, slowly. His mate’s back arched off the bed, a broken moan escaping. The sound went straight to Malik’s dick and made him leak against the sheets. Lowering his head, he took Indy’s shaft into his mouth.
The taste exploded across his tongue, salt and musk and something uniquely Indy. His mate’s fingers tightened in his hair, not pulling, just holding on as Malik worked him with lips and tongue. Learning what made Indy gasp, what made his thighs tremble.
“Malik, god, your mouth—” His mate’s words dissolved into another moan as Malik took him deeper, hollowing his cheeks.
Working his mate with a steady rhythm, Malik reached for the nightstand drawer. His fingers found the bottle of lube without looking. The sound of the cap clicking open was loud in the room.
Pulling off Indy’s cock with a wet pop, Malik glanced up at his mate. Indy was watching him with heavy-lidded eyes, chest rising and falling rapidly. Slicking his fingers, Malik traced them along the crease of Indy’s ass, finding his entrance.
The first finger slid in easily, Indy’s body opening for him. His mate moaned, spreading his legs wider, giving Malik better access. Adding a second finger, Malik worked him open slowly, watching Indy’s face for every reaction.
“More,” Indy gasped, pushing back against Malik’s hand. “I need more.”
Adding a third finger, Malik crooked them, searching. When he found Indy’s prostate, his mate’s whole body jerked, his cock leaking onto his stomach.
“There,” Indy breathed. “Right there.”
Working that spot, Malik watched his mate come apart. Indy’s hands fisted in the sheets, back arching, soft cries escaping with each press of Malik’s fingers. The sight was intoxicating, making Malik’s cock throb with need.
When Indy was loose and pliant, Malik withdrew his fingers. His mate whined at the loss, reaching for him. Slicking his cock with more lube, Malik positioned himself, the head of his dick pressing against Indy’s entrance.
Pushing forward slowly, Malik watched Indy’s face as he entered him. His mate’s mouth fell open, eyes fluttering closed at the stretch. The heat was incredible, tight and perfect around Malik’s cock. Fighting for control, he stilled once he was fully seated, giving Indy time to adjust.
“Move,” Indy demanded, opening his eyes to meet Malik’s gaze. “Please, I need you to move.”
Starting slow, Malik pulled back then pushed forward, setting a steady rhythm. Each thrust drew sounds from Indy, gasps and moans that filled the room. His mate’s legs wrapped around Malik’s waist, pulling him deeper, changing the angle.
“Yes,” Indy hissed as Malik hit his prostate. “Just like that.”
Maintaining that angle, Malik fucked into his mate with increasing urgency. Sweat beaded on his skin, muscles burning with effort. Indy was gorgeous beneath him, face flushed, lips bitten red. His cock bounced between them with each thrust, leaking steadily.
“You feel perfect,” Malik growled, the words torn from him. “So tight around me, so good for me.”
Indy moaned at the praise, clenching around Malik’s cock. The added pressure nearly undid him, pleasure shooting up his spine. Reaching between them, Malik wrapped his hand around Indy’s dick, stroking in time with his thrusts.
“Close,” Indy gasped, his body tensing. “So, so, so close.”
Increasing his pace, Malik drove into his mate harder, faster. The sound of skin against skin filled the room, mixed with their ragged breathing and Indy’s increasingly desperate moans. His mate’s cock pulsed in his hand, precum making the slide slick.
“Come for me,” Malik commanded, voice rough. “Want to feel you come on my cock.”
With a cry, Indy obeyed. His body clenched around Malik as he spilled between them, painting his stomach with white. The sight, the feel of his mate’s orgasm, pushed Malik over the edge.
Pleasure crashed through him, his release building at the base of his spine. Instinct took over, his cat demanding he claim, mark, possess. Leaning down, Malik pressed his mouth to the junction of Indy’s shoulder and throat. As his orgasm peaked, he bit down, teeth breaking skin.
Indy cried out, body jerking, cock giving another weak pulse. Malik held the bite as he emptied himself inside his mate, marking him inside and out. The taste of blood, the feel of Indy around him, the knowledge that this was permanent, forever… It all combined into something overwhelming.
Finally releasing the bite, Malik licked at the wound.
Carefully pulling out, he gathered Indy against him, their bodies still trembling with aftershocks.
His mate was boneless, pliant, breathing still uneven.
Reaching for the tissues on the nightstand, Malik cleaned them both, gentle touches that made Indy hum contentedly.
“That was...” His mate’s voice was wrecked, barely above a whisper.
“Yeah.” Malik pressed a kiss to Indy’s temple, then to his shoulder.
Pulling the sheet over them, he tucked Indy against his side. His mate curled into him immediately, his head on Malik’s shoulder, one arm draped across his torso. The weight of him was perfect, grounding.
“Exhausted now,” Indy murmured against Malik’s skin.
Malik’s arm tightened around his mate.
Within minutes, Indy’s breathing had evened out into sleep. Malik stayed awake longer, holding his mate, feeling the bond settle into place.
Running his fingers through his mate’s hair, Malik finally let himself relax. Indy was here, claimed, and safe in his arms. His cat purred, content for the first time in longer than he could remember.
Chapter Seven