Chapter 15 #3
She felt a tear trickle down her cheek. “It’s not your fault.”
“I could never forget you.” His thumb traced her cheekbone. “Not my bondmate.”
“Colm.” A sob broke from her.
All of a sudden, he exploded into action. He scooped her up into his arms, and, holding her close to his chest, he strode toward the tent.
Honor’s throat was so clogged she couldn’t speak. He set her down inside the tent and she stood quietly as he stripped her uniform off her. A second later, he was skimming his tight leather trousers off and then they were both naked.
Stars, he was so beautiful. She started shaking.
He dragged her down into the nest of pillows and kissed her.
The kiss was long and deep and slow. It was like he was trying to pull the taste of her inside him. Trying to mark every tiny bit of her. Trying to reach her soul.
His hands skimmed over her, and she let hers travel over the broad planes of him. He murmured to her, apologizing over and over.
Soon he moved, rolling her beneath him, and pulling one of her legs around his hips. When he slid inside her, she cried out from the beauty of it. He made love to her—slowly, reverently.
“You are mine, Honor. My woman, my bondmate, my heart.”
He brought her to orgasm twice before he finally held himself still, his body shaking as he spilled his release inside her.
They were quiet for a long while, stroking each other. Then he pulled away and got up.
She rose up on one elbow and watched him—all those fascinating flexes of muscle she’d never get tired of watching. He moved to a small box nearby, and pulled out what looked like a bottle of wine.
He poured two glasses of the dark, purple-red liquid and brought them back to her. He handed her a glass, his gaze on her. She felt there was some importance to the moment.
“To seal our mating, you drink this,” he said.
She stared at him. She wasn’t sure exactly what the future would hold for them, but she knew she needed this warrior in her life.
She’d lost him once, she didn’t plan on letting it happen again. She put her lips to the rim of the glass and took a long, deep sip of the sweet, spicy wine.
Colm made a satisfied growling sound, and drank from his own glass. Then he set it aside, and reached for hers. With the other hand he pushed her back against the pillows and tipped her glass over her chest. As the red wine spilled down over her breasts, she gasped.
Then her warrior leaned forward and lapped it off her skin. “You taste better than the wine.” He dragged one nipple into his mouth, sucking hard, and she cried out.
He kept licking, sucking, and teasing her. She felt her desire rising again.
“I haven’t had any mating jewelry made yet.
” His fingers drifted up to her arm, stroking her bicep.
“I want beautiful bands wrapped around here, to show that we are joined. To show you are mine. Kavon has a metal in his mine that glows deep red in the light. It is very hard, very tough, but bends in the right circumstances. Just like my little warrior.” His brown gaze met hers.
“Our mating is not complete until you tell me you will be mine.”
For the first time, she detected the faintest hint of nerves in her warrior. “Yes, Colm, I’ll be your bondmate.”
Elation filled his face. Then he frowned. “I detect something is still troubling you?”
She sat up a little. “My job. I have another year on my contract with the Institute. And after that, if I come here, what would I do? I’m not made to sit around all day, Colm, being an artist, or taking care of babies.”
At the word babies, his eyes flared gold. His hand stroked over her breasts and down to her belly. “You’ll be a wonderful mother to our children.”
Just the thought of it ignited a deep kernel of want inside her.
“But I understand, my little warrior. We will have children when you are ready. I will talk to Kavon, but with so many outside visitors wanting to come to Markaria, having someone in security who understands them and the risks they might pose, would be invaluable.”
Excitement made her straighten. “You think he’ll agree?”
Colm smiled. “Yes.” He leaned forward and kissed her. “I think Markaria is ready for a female warrior.” He stroked a hand down her arm. “In the meantime, I would like to come with you while you finish your commitment to the Institute.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
He nodded. “My entire life, I thought I would not have the chance for adventure, a mate, a family?—”
She wrapped her arms around him. “Colm.”
“But thanks to you, you’ve cured my sickness and given me a life.”
“You could do anything you wanted now, Colm. You’re sure?—?”
He shook her gently. “You have given me more joy by agreeing to be my mate than I ever dreamed possible.”
She tightened her arms around him. “Then I can promise you amazing adventures, my warrior. And one hell of a life together.”
He pulled her into his lap and beneath her hip she felt him hardening.
“Oh yes, Honor. And on my vow as a warrior, I will protect you, honor you, and love you.”
“I love you, Colm. Never let me go.”
“I never will.”