1. Oh that’s what it feels like #2
Sadness took root as I thought about my past. About the person I’d been so certain was my fated mate, and yet I’d been wrong. But the desire I’d had for them paled in comparison to this. That had been a spark that never caught, whereas this was already a roaring flame. Hell, it was a pit of lava.
The pain from that time in my life lost some of its edge.
If this was what having a fated mate was like, then all of the insanity I’d seen in others suddenly made a lot more sense.
How many times had I heard about the whirlwind of my fathers’ romance?
They’d left out a lot of details, thankfully.
But their love story was ingrained in my heart.
Three days had changed their lives forever.
And it wasn’t even like they were the only ones.
So many of my aunts and uncles had something like this happen too.
It made sense.
Leni didn’t know my name. She didn’t know me. I didn’t know her.
But I’d let her do anything she fucking wanted to me.
My blood hummed with electricity as the wind whipped through my hair, cool against my skin. It took about half an hour before we landed in a thick forest at the base of a mountain range I recognized. She must have flown fast, because we were about two hours outside the city by car.
Leni didn’t put me down, though. Instead, she carried me in the direction of two trees that bowed toward each other. The moment she stepped between their thick trunks, the air around us shimmered, and we were no longer outside.
We were in a cozy, well-loved living room with rich brown oak floors, a massive couch with a couple of crocheted throw blankets, and three windows showing a glittering night sky. Her scent warmed the air, bathing me in comfort.
“Is this your home?” I asked.
“Yes,” she answered. “And it’s very far from where we were. I made a portal so it would be easy to bring you here.”
“And where is here?”
“A small island in the Aegean Sea that I’ve lived on for over a thousand years. Honestly, I’ve lost track of the centuries, so I can’t give you an exact number. But it is my forever home.”
Once again, my mouth dropped.
So much for a casual coffee date. This was already so different than what I’d expected, and yet I wasn’t going to protest. I did need to remember to text the family group chat and let them know I was out for the weekend though.
The last thing I needed was for someone from my family to show up on our doorstep.
Leni put me down carefully, her claws gliding through my dark hair again. I shivered as they dragged over my scalp. The sensation made me moan. Maybe I liked being petted, because this felt so good.
Her expression softened. “You are very cute.”
I blushed even more as she kept petting me. “Thank you.”
“Tell me your name.”
Oh. Right. Fuck. “Archer.” My throat bobbed, my cock so thick it was almost painful. I wasn’t sure how I was going to get relief, but I needed it.
“And you’re not completely human, are you? You look human, but I saw the way my scent affected you.”
I chuckled. “One of my dads is an incubus.”
Her eyes lit up. “This makes so much sense. Well, it is probably for the best. You will understand my desires, and you will be able to resist some of my natural charms. I think otherwise you’d be rendered completely speechless by my presence.”
“I mean, I already sort of am . . .” I trailed off, trying and failing to only keep my gaze locked on her face. “I didn’t expect this to happen like this.”
“I’d hoped,” she murmured. The wistful longing in her voice made my chest ache.
I knew that feeling all too well. “I’m sorry, I just could not sit in the cafe.
So many were watching us. It was distracting.
I should have asked you if you were okay with me whisking you off to my home, but I may have taken advantage of the fact that you smell like you’re mine. ”
The groan that parted my lips was involuntary.
“I am more than okay with it. I think you could tell me you wanted to spit on me and I’d get on my knees and open my mouth.
” Well, fuck. Those words had certainly come out of nowhere.
My brows shot up and I felt like my body was on fire.
“Sorry, I don’t know what’s happening to me right now.
It feels like my bones are melting. I’m not normally so forward. ”
“Oh.” Her sultry laugh was smoother than velvet. “You’re going into heat, Archer.”
“What?” I rasped, taking a step back.
Leni smirked and leaned in, her face only an inch from mine.
“Without a doubt, you’re going into heat.
That happens sometimes, especially with a male submissive.
Your body is craving me now. But don’t worry, we can take things slow.
Well, as slow as monsterly possible . . .
which is admittedly not very slow at all.
I didn’t think you’d actually kneel in the cafe, but you did so willingly.
So quickly too. I’ve been wet ever since. ”
Going into heat? Male submissive? My thoughts spun, but when she smirked, the edge of one of her fangs poked her plump bottom lip and it was precious. For how stunning she was, she was just as cute.
“You sc-are me,” I said, my voice cracking.
A dark laugh left her as her pupils expanded. “Good.” Her claw dragged over the front of my shirt, and the fabric slowly ripped thread by thread. Yet, somehow, she only grazed my flesh, drawing a thin red line all the way down until she came to my belt.
“Eleni,” I grunted. “We should actually get to know each other, right?”
“I don’t know. Are your eyes on my face or my tits?”
I blushed and tore my gaze away, looking at the wall behind her. Her home really was lovely. It smelled sweet, like cinnamon and honey. The walls appeared to be made out of a clay material, and countless paintings decorated them. I wondered if she collected them or if she’d painted them herself.
Of course I wanted to get to know her.
But maybe that could come after getting some . . . relief.
“I don’t know what you like,” I said. “Sex-wise. Shouldn’t we talk about that?”
“We absolutely should.” She slowly backed me up until my calf bumped against something soft.
I gasped as I fell back, and when I looked up—I realized I was in a nest. I’d completely missed this in the corner of the room.
“I can tell you what I want. I’m dominant.
I like being the one in control. I want a mate who thrives on submission and wants to be cared for.
I want them to obey me. To please me. To worship me. I crave trust and obedience.”
Trust and obedience.
It felt like the universe had ripped out my deepest desires and served them up on a silver platter.
My breath hitched as she pushed my ankles apart. She knelt between them, her wings spreading behind her back. My cock made an outline in my pants as I stared up at her, nearly speechless.
But I knew what I wanted.
“I want to obey. I want to be objectified. I want . . . I want to be collared. I want to be pushed to the edge. I crave pain. It grounds me.” I didn’t know how to explain that fully, honestly.
For a long time, pain had been something that kept my mind tethered to the real world.
“I want to be punished and used and feel like I’m servicing my partner.
I think I can serve you, Leni. If you’ll have me. ”
“I think you can too.” Leni nodded, satisfied by my answer. “Undress me.”
So we were just going to jump in, then? Was this the right thing to do?
My cock said yes. My heart said yes. My mind asked what are you doing?
But that didn’t stop me from reaching for the golden chain that clasped her bikini bottom at her hips. A sheer piece of fabric wrapped around her waist like a skirt, and my fingers shook as I slowly pulled it away.
“Oh, I like seeing you shake,” she whispered, licking her lips. “It’s pathetically adorable.”
Well, fuck. Pre-cum formed a dark wet spot on my pants.
A low growl left her. “What are your safe words? What’s your experience level with kink?”
“I know a lot,” I said. “I’ve done everything.
I’m an experienced submissive, although maybe a little rusty.
If I need you to stop or slow down, I will tell you.
I use the red-light system for safe words.
Green is yes, yellow is slow down, red is stop.
It’s simple and easy and common for a reason. Plus, communication is sexy.”
“It is.” Leni’s claw tipped my chin up. “You’re a good boy, Archer. This is your chance to leave before I devour you.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”