Chapter 19
“Come on, let’s get you inside,” Gavin said as he opened his door and got out of the SUV.
Marigold tried to open her own door, but Gavin got there first and wouldn’t let her lift a finger.
In fact, he wouldn’t even let her feet touch the ground.
He lifted her out of the seat as if she weighed no more than a feather, kicking the door closed behind them as he led her up the front steps and into his house.
There was only a little fumbling at the front door when he had to enter a passcode and use one hand to push down on the handle that opened the door, but he managed it without putting her in fear of falling.
She noticed absently that all the doors in the house had those kinds of handles instead of round doorknobs and she suddenly realized that it was probably because he was a shifter.
A lion’s paw would probably have a tough time turning a doorknob, but it could easily manage a lever-style handle that clicked open by pushing downward.
She found the idea intriguing. What other concessions had been made for the comfort of his other half?
And just how often did he turn into that amazing beast she had seen today?
Rather than scare her, his lion side in action had seemed protective and altogether wild and free.
She liked that. She, who had never been free, found it utterly appealing.
Absently, she reached up with one hand and tangled her fingers in the hair at his nape, finding it as soft and silky as his golden fur. He didn’t wear it very long, but there was enough for her to enjoy. He growled low in his chest as he carried her up the stairs in his house.
“Keep touching me that way, and you’re going to get in trouble, Goldie,” he whispered.
She liked the sound of that but was still a bit too shy to say so.
“Did you hear me, sweetheart?” he asked, moving slowly as she enjoyed being in his arms. He was so impressively strong, it made her heart melt a little.
“I heard you,” she said, still playing with his hair.
He chuckled a bit. “I see you’re going to be a handful.” He lowered his head to kiss her forehead. “I’m going to enjoy the hell out of that.”
So will I, she thought carefully to herself.
He strode down a hallway toward a set of double doors at the end, then paused. He opened the handles on the doors with one hand, lowering her a bit to reach without letting her go. Then, he paused for just a moment, letting her take in the bedroom fit for a king.
Or a king of the jungle, rather. She grinned to herself at the thought. The bed was massive. The furnishing luxurious. She loved the bedroom that spoke silently about Gavin’s style and taste. It was lovely and sumptuous to her starved senses.
Then, he walked into the big room, his stride strong and sure, his body radiating power. She knew he’d been gravely wounded not long ago. She’d felt the hot gush of his blood, smelled the silver burning his flesh. But now…now he moved as if nothing had ever touched him. He was whole. Renewed.
Because of her. She still couldn’t quite believe it. She’d have to think about what she’d done long and hard, but not just yet. Right now, she just wanted to rest and recover from what had been one of the most harrowing experiences of her life.
Her throat tightened at the thought of almost losing him as he brought her fully into the bedroom that smelled faintly of cedar, and of him. The bed was broad, the sheets clean and inviting. He set her gently on the mattress then sat at her side, one large hand stroking her hair back from her face.
For a moment, he just looked at her, eyes glowing faintly gold in the dim light. Then he spoke, voice low and reverent. “You saved me, Goldie. What you did back there… That was more than magic. It was love. Pure, unstoppable love.”
Heat spread through her chest. She swallowed hard, afraid to breathe lest the moment shatter. “I don’t even know how I did it. I just knew I couldn’t lose you.”
His thumb brushed her cheekbone, feather light. “That’s your true power, Marigold. Healing and Light. The Goddess made you to bring hope where there’s none. And when you poured that power into me, I felt it. I felt you. Every ounce of love you felt came through your touch. I’ll never forget it.”
Tears stung her eyes, but she couldn’t look away from him. “I never thought I’d be allowed to love anyone. Or be loved in return.”
His jaw tightened, and then he bent close, his forehead pressing to hers.
“You are loved. By me. You’re mine, Goldie.
My true mate, made just for me by the Mother of All.
You are my equal. My partner. My forever.
” His voice roughened, thick with emotion.
“I want you to spend the rest of your life with me. Not as a prisoner, not as someone else’s tool, but as my mate. Do you understand?”
The tears spilled over, but they carried only wonder. “Yes,” she whispered, her voice trembling but sure. “Yes, Gavin. I want that. I want to be your mate for now, and for always.”
Relief and fierce joy flickered across his features as he kissed her, tender at first, then deepening as her arms wrapped around his neck. The taste of him, the warmth of his mouth, the way his body curved protectively over hers unraveled the last of her doubts.
This wasn’t fear. This wasn’t duty. This was home.
The kiss grew heated and hungry, until the words between them dissolved into sighs and touches. His hands traced her curves with reverence, hers clutching at his shoulders as if to anchor herself to the only truth that mattered. They belonged to each other now and forevermore.
When he murmured her name against her throat, she shivered, arching toward him, ready to surrender to everything he offered.
He moved back to her mouth, kissing her with passion that quickly heated her blood.
The kiss deepened until she was dizzy, her body arching into his.
His mouth was hot and commanding, yet achingly tender, as if he wanted to claim her and worship her all at once.
Her fingers slid into his hair, tugging him closer, desperate for more. He groaned low in his chest, the sound vibrating through her as his weight settled over her, pinning her to the bed in a way that felt safe, thrilling, and completely intoxicating.
“Gavin,” she whispered against his lips, her voice breaking with need. “Please…”
He looked down at her, his pupils blown wide. “You sure you’re up to this? You’re not too tired?” he asked, his breath harsh, but his control still absolute.
“Yes,” she breathed, no hesitation left in her. “I want you, Gavin. Right now.”
The words snapped something loose in him.
His mouth crashed back to hers, hotter, hungrier, his tongue sliding past her lips in a deep, possessive kiss.
She moaned into him, clutching at his broad shoulders as his hands moved, skimming down her sides, her hips, cupping her as if to memorize every inch.
His touch ignited her. Heat pooled low in her belly, spreading fast. When his hand slipped beneath her shirt pushing it upward and out of the way.
Then he removed her bra, and his callused fingers brushed bare skin as she gasped.
The sensation was overwhelming, fire sparking across her nerves where he touched her.
He pushed the fabric up, baring her to his gaze.
“Beautiful,” he rasped, eyes roaming over her with reverence. “You’re so damn beautiful.”
She shivered as he lowered his head, his mouth closing around one taut nipple.
The shock of pleasure ripped a cry from her lips, her back arching to press closer.
He suckled and teased, his tongue flicking, his teeth grazing just enough to make her gasp.
His other hand palmed her breast, kneading, coaxing more of those sharp little cries she couldn’t hold back.
Heat coiled tighter between her thighs, her body aching for more.
She fumbled at his shirt, pushing it off his shoulders until he shrugged free of it.
Muscle met her palms, hot and solid, his strength a living thing under her touch.
She couldn’t stop herself from exploring, sliding her hands down his back, reveling in the way he shuddered under her touch.
“Goldie,” he growled against her skin, his mouth trailing lower, tasting down her belly. “I’ll never get enough of you.”
Her breath hitched as he hooked his fingers in the waistband of her pants and panties, tugging them down her legs with deliberate slowness. She kicked them away, flushed and trembling, but unafraid. His gaze devoured her as he pressed her knees apart, spreading her wide for him.
“You’re mine,” he said, voice gone ragged, his eyes blazing with heat.
“Yes,” she whispered, utterly undone. “All yours.”
His mouth descended, hot breath fanning her most sensitive flesh. Then his tongue was on her, stroking, tasting, and she cried out, her hips jerking in shock at the intensity. He held her steady, his hands gripping her thighs as he licked her with slow, devastating precision.
“Oh!” Her hands clutched the sheets, her body arching helplessly as pleasure slammed through her. He circled her clit with his tongue then sucked gently, and she shattered, her climax ripping through her in waves.
She barely had time to catch her breath before he was crawling up her body again, kissing her hard, letting her taste herself on his lips. She moaned into his mouth, dizzy and aching for more.
“Goddess help me, Goldie…” He tore the last of his clothes away, and she gasped at the sight of him. He was thick, hard, and massive in a way that should’ve intimidated her. Instead, she ached for him.
He positioned himself, rubbing the blunt head of his cock against her slick entrance. “Tell me you want me,” he ground out, shaking with restraint.
“I want you,” she whispered, wrapping her legs around his hips. “Now. Please.”