Chapter 7
Chapter
Seven
GILLIA
As we arrive back at my tree, there are two things I’m certain about.
First, the forest has shifted its feelings toward my forest ranger.
All the previous chatter was about me bending the rules, begging me to send Sadie away, and not to interfere in the normal course of business, has quieted.
In the moments when we were out on our adventure, the chatter changed to a congratulatory tone, welcoming Sadie into the life of the forest.
Which means others know the second thing currently swirling around in my mind. Sadie is my mate. I knew before, but now there isn’t a single doubt in my mind. The question is what I’m going to do about it.
A problem I intend to work on after I attend to our unfinished business. As the tree parts for us to enter, I sweep Sadie into my arms and carry her inside. She squeals, protesting that she’s more than capable of walking. I’m not disagreeing, but I’ll get what I desire faster this way.
I drop her down onto the bed, careful not to hurt her. The way she looks up to me, with a hungry expression on her face, says everything I need to know. I’ve been waiting all day for this opportunity to finally taste my mate. Nothing is standing in my way.
“Remove your clothes,” I say. “Please.”
In all this time, I hadn’t seen her naked before we were at the spring.
When we’ve been in bed together, she’s kept at least a few garments on.
I don’t mind being patient; after two hundred years, I’ve become an expert at it, but now I don’t want to wait any longer.
My primal urges are screaming at me to take what is mine.
While I’d never do that without her consent, her mannerisms indicate that she’s on board with this activity.
Sadie rushes to follow my request, tossing her clothing aside and letting them fall to the ground.
I can’t wait to taste her, to feel her come against my tongue.
It’s been haunting my dreams, especially when she’s sleeping on top of me, sprawled out and clinging to me like a squirrel afraid of falling from the branch.
I join her in bed, stretching out next to where she’s stripping off the final garments.
“Get on top of me,” I ask, spreading my appendages to allow her plenty of space.
She hesitates before straddling my waist. Like this, I can take in the full view of her, all her fair skin on display with nothing for her to hide behind.
When she lifts her arms, as though she’s going to use them to block my view, I take her hands in mine, sucking the tip of her pointer finger into my mouth.
It tastes like the hot spring, but after a second, I get down to her unique flavor.
It’s one I’ll never get enough of, no matter how long we’re together.
My efforts earn me the response I was looking for when she moans and grinds down against me.
“Come closer,” I urge, pulling her up toward my face.
She only moves a few inches, keeping herself just out of reach.
“Closer.” I grab her waist and drag her toward my face. She lets out an adorable squeak in surprise.
A thrill runs through me as I stick my tongue out, the anticipation of finally being able to bring her to climax this way. It’s what I’ve wanted since our first evening together, when she crawled into bed next to me.
As soon as my tongue touches her, Sadie throws her head back and moans.
Once again, she tries to pull away, but this time I’m ready for her.
I put my hands along her hips, applying gentle pressure to keep her in place.
I have no intention of letting her go anywhere until I’m satisfied.
The closer she’s willing to get, the better.
I lap along her folds, tasting her sweet nectar. Fuck, she’s sweeter than any tree sap in the forest. The longer I go, the wetter she becomes.
“Yes, Sadie.” I pull back for a second after she presses against me. “Come ride my mouth.”
Her jaw drops at the suggestion, and I can sense the arguments on the tip of her tongue, but she doesn’t voice any of them. Instead, she slowly gives in, inching toward me so slowly that she’s barely moving.
“Like that,” I praise when she hovers over my face. “Perfect.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
It’s hard, but I hold back a laugh. “You won’t. I promise.” I could manage at least ten times her weight. She won’t believe it, though, not until I show her.
I dive back in, this time keeping her situated so I can suck and lick as much as possible.
“Gillia. That feels so good.” I love hearing my name on her lips, especially when she’s panting out the words, barely able to get them out between moans and soft curses. “Please.”
Knowing she’s looking for more, I let the tendrils from my hair join with my tongue on my mission. A few snake their way around to penetrate her, filling her up at the same time as I continue stroking her clit with the tip of my tongue.
Her eyes widen as they enter her, followed by a gasp and a moan. It’s incredible to see how much pleasure she can take from my body.
“Shit. I’m close.” Sadie’s legs start to shake as she rides my tongue, lost in pleasure.
“Yes, love. Come for me.”
She tightens around my vine, her muscles spasming as she calls out my name. I dip my tongue in, tasting her release. She flinches at the touch, either surprised or overstimulated. Reluctantly, I pull away and help her roll off me and onto her side.
“That was…” She trails off before she finishes.
I swallow hard, somehow knowing exactly what she’s trying to say.
A bond between us is forming. If we choose, it will become our mate bond, tying our souls together for eternity.
She’ll be able to hear the forest and will rule this territory by my side.
Right now, in its infancy, still a niggle, a seedling is taking root in my being.
Even at this stage, I’m terrified of breaking it, of letting her walk away.
I can’t ask her to give up everything in her life. That would be too much. To walk away from the only world she’s known and live out her days deep in the forest with me.
“What do you want?” Sadie asks, rolling over and placing a hand on my lower belly.
“Nothing. This was for you.” I didn’t come, but I’m satisfied. Maybe later I’ll let her do the same to me, but for now, what I want most is to wrap Sadie up in my arms for as long as she’ll let me.
“Are you sure?” I roll on my side as she speaks, gently nudging her to do the same.
“Hmmm…this is all I need right now.” She settles back against me, intertwining her legs with mine. It’s the perfect position for me to wrap her up tight, every inch of her touching me. “Rest.”
Winter is a time for rest and hibernation, perhaps not in the strictest sense of the word, but in spirit. I sleep more during this time of year and am pleased to find Sadie agreeable to that lifestyle, willing to close her eyes and nap with me whenever the mood strikes.
As I fall asleep, I try not to think about how empty my bed will be when I’m all alone.