Chapter 19 #2
With a groan that sounded more like a roar, Gavin thrust inside. She cried out, the stretch sharp and shocking, but then he filled her completely, and it was perfect. He paused, trembling, his forehead pressed to hers, giving her time to adjust.
“Mine,” he whispered fiercely. “You’re mine.”
“Yes,” she gasped, rocking her hips against him. “Yours. Always.”
His restraint seemed to snap. He began to move in driving thrusts that rocked her into the mattress.
The pleasure built fast, overwhelming, his cock hitting deep, grinding against her in ways that had her crying out with every stroke.
His hand slid between them, finding her clit, rubbing in time with his thrusts, and she splintered, her second orgasm tearing through her as she screamed his name.
He followed her over the edge, roaring as he spilled inside her, his hips grinding hard as he filled her with his seed. His body shuddered over hers, his teeth finding the curve of her neck, biting down just enough to mark her. Not to hurt—never to hurt—but to claim.
When the tremors faded, he collapsed against her, holding her tight as if he’d never let go. His breath was hot against her ear, his voice rough with emotion.
“I love you, Goldie. My mate. My heart.”
Tears blurred her vision as she smiled, wrapping her arms around him. “I love you too, Gavin. Forever.”
In that moment, she knew she wasn’t just free of her family. She was finally, irrevocably his.
She fell into a deep sleep, not waking until the next morning as her strength replenished after the massive expenditure of energy.
When she woke, the scent of bacon and coffee drifted through the house.
She went in search of Gavin, and when she padded into the kitchen wearing one of Gavin’s shirts, she found him making breakfast. The shirt dwarfed her frame, brushing her thighs, but she liked it that way. She liked that it smelled like him.
He stood at the stove barefoot, broad shoulders moving under his T-shirt as he flipped pancakes with casual skill.
Sunlight streamed through the window, catching on his golden hair and making him look every bit as dangerous and beautiful as he had the night before.
Though now, with the pan in one hand and the coffee pot close at the other, he looked almost domestic.
The thought made her smile, shy and amazed. This is my life now.
“You’re supposed to be resting,” he teased without turning.
“I smelled bacon,” she admitted, sliding onto one of the stools at the island. “Rest didn’t stand a chance against bacon.”
“I’ll have to remember that.” He glanced over his shoulder, eyes gleaming, then brought her a plate piled with pancakes, bacon, and fruit. “For you, Goldie. Eat up.”
She dug in hungrily, and he leaned on the counter opposite her, sipping coffee while he watched her with that intent gaze that made her feel warm all over. After a few bites, he set his mug down, voice casual, but with an edge of meaning she couldn’t miss.
“So,” he began, “do you want a human-style wedding?”
Her fork stilled mid-air. “What?”
He smiled slightly, but his eyes stayed serious. “In the eyes of my people, last night sealed us. You’re my mate, my partner, my everything. That’s a bond no piece of paper could ever strengthen. But I know humans sometimes like the ceremony. Rings. A fancy dress. A big cake. Do you want all that?”
She blinked at him, her chest tightening with wonder. “Honestly, I don’t really care about the rest. I only care about you.”
His grin widened, fierce and tender all at once. “Good answer. Because paper or no paper, you’re mine. And there’s going to be a party either way.”
“A party?”
“Of course.” He leaned in, brushing his knuckles over her cheek. “Shifters always gather the Clan to celebrate matings. It’s tradition. Music, food, and as much of the family as can gather in one place. Half the fun is roasting the new couple. You’ll see.”
The idea both terrified and thrilled her. “They’ll really celebrate our mating?”
“Of course. You’re my mate,” he told her gently. “And yes, Goldie. They’ll welcome you. You’re one of us now. Part of the Kinkaid Clan.”
Her throat closed around a lump of emotion, but she managed a smile. “Then I guess I’d better prepare myself for a party.”
He laughed, the deep, warm sound curling through her like sunlight, and she realized she’d never felt more at home in her life.
Gavin reached across the table, brushing his thumb over her knuckles where she clutched her fork.
His voice gentled, though the weight of his words was anything but casual.
“There’s something else you should know. I spoke to Sam first thing this morning. He’s been in preliminary talks with Robert and Rowan,” Gavin told her.
Her head lifted. “Good. How is it going?”
“Your instincts were spot on. Your bloodline is strong, and with your aunt and the triumvirate gone, they’re the highest-ranking Rollinses left who might actually be able to hold the family together and take them in a safer direction.
So far, they seem willing to talk and appear to be reasonable.
” He studied her face carefully. “They’ve agreed to take up the reins, and they’re already reshaping things, stripping away the rot, and turning the family’s focus toward goals that don’t involve destruction and blood magic. ”
She blinked at him, then smiled. “They are?”
“They told Sam they want no more of the old ways. And…” Gavin hesitated, his gaze softening.
“They asked Sam to pass along a message to you. They’ve extended an olive branch, so to speak.
They said that whenever you’re ready, they’d like to speak with you.
They offered their formal apologies for what was done to you under the old Patriarch’s rule. ”
Her fork slipped from her hand, clattering onto the plate. Tears welled before she could stop them, spilling hot and fast down her cheeks.
“Marigold—” Gavin started, alarm flashing across his features.
But she shook her head, covering his hand with both of hers.
“No…no, it’s not bad. It’s just that they don’t need to apologize.
They never hurt me. They could have, so many times, but they didn’t.
They treated me like a person. Like I was real family.
” Her voice broke on the last word. “That was enough. That was everything.”
She wiped at her tears, smiling through the ache.
“I do want to talk to them. Someday. To make peace with what’s left of my family.
But not right now.” She drew a shaky breath, steadied by his hand wrapped warm and strong around hers.
“Right now, all I want is this. You. A normal life, whatever that looks like.”
“Normal?” Gavin teased, arching a brow. “With me?”
She laughed, the sound breaking free like sunlight through clouds. “Well, as normal as it gets when I’m mated to the best man in the world.”
His smile turned slow and devastating, his thumb stroking her cheek. “That’s all I want too, Goldie. You and me. Everything else, we’ll face together. As mates.”
Her heart swelled, the last pieces of her old fear crumbling away. For the first time in forever, the future didn’t scare her. It gleamed, bright and open, waiting for her to step into it with him.