Chapter 29
Jamie kissed Aiden’s cheek close to his ear. He placed a hand on his chest and just lay there with him in comfortable silence. He felt the thud-thud-thud pounding of Aiden’s heart through his shirt. He needed to move slowly so the phoenix didn’t force a shift. He threaded one hand through Aiden’s hair over and over, trying to soothe him and his beast.
After several minutes, Aiden’s pulse was back to its normal rate, and his breathing was less labored. Jamie placed his lips against his cheek; even his skin felt cooler than minutes before.
Aiden opened his eyes. “Sorry,” he said sheepishly.
Jamie squeezed his arm gently. “Nothing to be sorry about. Perhaps things were moving too quickly on this front”—he pointed to Aiden and then back to himself—“for your phoenix. We just need to slow things down a bit.”
Aiden turned beet red. “I think it was the opposite. My beast was ticked off at the pace. It was almost like he was in a frenzy.”
Jamie bit his lower lip. “Like a mating frenzy?”
“That’s kind of what it felt like.”
“Well, we’re going to take this at my non-phoenix shifter pace, OK?”
Aiden nodded once.
“You seem better. He’s quiet?” Jamie asked.
“Yeah, settled down.”
“OK, good.”
Aiden gave Jamie a once-over. “Well, now I feel completely overdressed.” He was still fully clothed while Jamie, partially covered by the edge of the comforter, didn’t have a stitch of clothing on. He moved to sit up, but Jamie held him in place.
“No, not yet. Slow, remember?”
Aiden lay back down. He seemed unsure.
“Trust me?” Jamie asked.
“Always.”
Jamie climbed into the bed and blanketed himself over Aiden. He placed a hand on Aiden’s cheek and stroked the beard on his face. “I like this.” He grinned.
“The beard?”
“Yeah, I’ve always thought you looked especially hot with one. It’s thicker now. I like it.”
“Then it’ll stay,” Aiden croaked out.
Jamie chuckled, but then quickly sobered when Aiden licked his lips. His eyes flashed orange then shifted back to deep blue.
“Keep mate calm,” his wolf nagged.
“I’m trying,” Jamie answered his own beast. “Let me be in charge this time, OK?” Jamie asked Aiden.
Aiden’s eyes widened.
He was silent for so long that Jamie thought he’d refuse, but then he answered in a low voice, “OK. This time.”
Jamie tried but failed to keep the grin off his face. He leaned closer and licked at the seam of his mate’s lips until he opened his mouth. Jamie fought the instinct to plunge right in and instead slowly nipped and kissed a trembling Aiden. He felt an arm wrap around his waist, the other clutching the back of his head, trying to pull him still closer.
Jamie immediately leaned back, breaking the kiss. “Not so fast. Remember, we’re going at my pace.”
Aiden sulked. “I can’t touch you?”
“Not yet.” He looked around the room. The bed they were in was of an Amish style so there was nowhere he could tie Aiden’s wrist to.
“Probably for the best. His bird might feel trapped and go berserk,” his wolf noted.
Jamie stilled. He hadn’t even thought of that. No ties then.
“Hey, what’s going on?” Aiden’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.
“Oh, what?”
“You look like you zoned out.”
Jamie planted a chaste kiss on Aiden’s lips. “Mmm, I was just thinking about ropes.” He sighed. “For another time.”
Aiden’s eyes widened, and his tongue darted out to lick his lower lip.
“For now, I want you to keep both hands up by your head, up at the headboard.”
Aiden raised his brows, but slowly complied.
“OK, now just relax.”