Chapter 12
“I’m yours, Hugo!” Anya cried out.
“That’s right,” I rumbled as satisfaction rolled through my body. “Mine.”
Theneed to possess her grew as intense as the instinct to protect her. Being here with Anya, buried deep inside her luscious body after she’d splintered around me, felt incredible, dragging me to the peak with her. AlthoughI wanted to keep fucking her like this all night, I couldn’t hold on much longer.
Shefelt unbelievable. Eclipsing even my dirtiest of fantasies when I’d yearned for her in stone. Her skin was so soft, her breathless sighs and moans like sweet music. Her feminine aroma entranced me, testing me to the edge of self-control. And the way she’d tasted on my tongue unleashed a feral part of me I hadn’t known existed.
Everythingabout her felt right. From her taste and her scent and her touch. Even just brushing my fingers along her soft, delicate skin sent tremors of sensation rocking through me. WhenI’d slid inside her, what remaining self-control I had all but shattered.
AllI wanted to do was drive into her again and again, mark her with my scent, fill her with my seed. Make her mine.
Nothinghad ever felt so good before. No one had ever felt so right.
Shewas the one for me, the only one.
“Oh fuck, Anya,” I growled as I rocked into her, pushing ever closer to the frantic edge. “You feel incredible.”
Shegrasped onto me, digging her nails into my lower back.
Sweet, delicious pain. A low moan ripped from deep in my chest. “Your pussy was made for me. So fucking wet. So tight.” My balls tightened with the desperate need to come.
Idamn well couldn’t keep my mouth shut, telling her every exquisite detail about how good she felt.
AsI slammed into her, I growled. “You’re the one.” Harder, faster, I thrust. “My mate.”
Fuck. No. HadI said that out loud?
Mistake. That was sure to send her scurrying. I’d been so careful to keep my true feelings to myself, to keep her from freaking out. I’d never been so close to losing control before.
Regretwould have to wait. I was on the very edge. Rocking in and out of her, I lost myself in each untamed thrust.
Igrowled as the climax roared through me, so hard I thought I might black out. She milked me of every precious drop, and I slowly lowered my body, caught in a heady daze.
“Wow,” she uttered just above a whisper.
“Wow,” I agreed.
Myheart pounded as I pressed my forehead to hers, careful not to crush her. ThenI rolled beside her and draped an arm across her heated body, which was as hot and as slick as mine. My breath raced as I cradled her body against me. For several seconds, all I heard were the sounds of our rapid breathing.
Thena wave of concern rushed through me. I touched her shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“No.” She chuckled. “I’ll never be the same.”
Ipressed myself up on my forearm. “Oh no, I hurt you, didn’t I?”
“No.” She beamed as she flashed me a brilliant smile. “I mean, a little, but in a good way.” WhenI furrowed my brows, she added, “I just mean I might be a little sore, but I’ll recover.” She trailed her fingers over my temple and down along my jawline. “It was wonderful.”
“Incredible,” I murmured and relaxed beside her once more.
Fora minute or two, we lay entwined as our heart rates slowed.
“Hugo?” Her voice was low and breathy.
“Yes?”
“Did you mean what you just said?”
Abolt of wariness shot up my spine. Oh hell. All hope that she hadn’t processed what I’d said while caught in the heat of our passion vanished.
Stallingfor time, I feigned ignorance as I asked, “Said what?” My heart rate wasn’t going to slow down after all.
“When you called me your mate.”
Itook a deep breath as my mind sought for the proper words. They clashed and pummeled in my post-orgasmic haze. How the hell was I going to explain this?
Onepart of me said to tell her the truth. The other mocked at the idea, insisting it was the surest way to push her to run from me. She was human. Fear wormed down in my gut. She’d reject me.
Shestared at me with patient eyes. My palms heated once more. What should I say?
Iswallowed. No more hesitation. I opened my mouth to speak…
Anya
“We can talk tomorrow,” Hugo said to me in a gentle tone, edged with something. Was it fear? “Go to sleep, LittleSparrow,” he urged. “You need your rest.”
AlthoughI wanted him to answer whether he’d just shot out the words during the heat of passion or whether it meant something more, he was right. Sleep was a good idea, especially as I still rode the high.
Mind-bending orgasms that I never thought possible. Certainly not in my limited experience. I’d brought myself to climax better than my few partners—that was until tonight.
“Okay.” I doubted either of us were up for an intense conversation when we were both mindless anyway. I settled in beside Hugo, reveling in his warmth as he spooned me. This wasn’t the time for me to seek answers. I spent enough time delving into the mysteries of our world during the day. After all that had happened, I could use the respite.
* * *
The next morning,I woke in an unfamiliar space. AsI blinked, adjusting to the dim light in the room, I recognized the outlines of Hugo’s bedroom. The sleek lines. The dark wood furniture. The enormous bed, large enough to fit a massive gargoyle.
Islept with the gargoyle. If it weren’t for the soreness, I would have told myself it had just been a dream—a delicious, dizzying, mind-unraveling dream.
“Good morning.” I snuggled back against him, brushing against his stiff erection.
Herumbled and pulled me against. “Good morning.” He nuzzled the back of my neck. He reached around and caressed one of my breasts, stoking the smoldering coals within. When he reached down between my legs, I leaned into his touch—until the soreness stung.
“I’m afraid I need a little time to recover,” I announced with regret.
“Ah, right.” He pulled his hand away and propped himself up on one elbow. “Are you okay?” His expression turned concern. He lifted his other hand, moving it over my hip as if attempting to figure out how to soothe me. “DidI hurt you?”
“I’m fine,” I assured him with a smile. “Just a little sore.”
Whenhe frowned, I attempted to change the subject. “Have you been here all night?”
Heturned his focus to the window. “I looked outside every so often.”
Thatreminder of the potential danger I was in, the entire reason why I was here, dragged me out of the remaining fringes of sleep.
AsI crawled out of bed, my bare skin reminded me that I didn’t have anything on. Although he’d seen every inch of my body last night and appeared to like it, the light of day was more unforgiving. Insecurities rose, so I attempted to cover my ass somewhat with the clothes I grabbed from the floor. I rushed into the bathroom, where I got dressed and freshened up.
WhenI glanced in the mirror, my cheeks were slightly pink, my eyes brighter than usual. A smile tugged at my lips. Last night had been wonderful for me, breaking me out of that shell of myself I’d been hiding inside since the bitter end with Chad.
Realitythen sped in like a racecar on an open roadway. It was only one night. It didn’t change anything in the scheme of things. Just because I had a magical night with a being who wasn’t human didn’t mean I was special. WhatHugo had said to me last night was simply said in the heat of passion. I was only here temporarily. If there was truly a threat, the gargoyles would take care of it. If anything, I was here as a nuisance, another matter for them to deal with. Just like I’d been considered by my foster family. Nothing of value, more like a burden. Once the danger was gone, I’d go back to my world, being unimportant and invisible until someone needed something from me.
Iheaved in a deep breath and attempted to shake myself out of that mindset. Staring myself in the eyes, I whispered, “Enjoy it while you can.”
WhenI came out of the bathroom, the scent of brewing coffee stirred my thirst. Hugo had pulled on a pair of black shorts and was staring out the window.
Mygaze raked over his massive silhouette outlined before the city, horns pointing skyward, reminding me that he was anything but human.
“Everything okay?” I asked him.
Heturned to me and grinned, one so devilish that it sent tingles all the way to my toes. “Everything’s perfect.” After a couple of seconds, he asked, “Hungry?”
Withthe way his gazed raked down my body, it was clear he was considering me for the menu. Although heat curled down in my core, I didn’t think I could handle being with him again so soon.
“Sure, I could eat.”
“Sit.” He motioned to the small round table with two chairs. “The coffee will be ready soon. I’ll make us some breakfast.”
Ashe prepared delicious smelling omelets with sauteed mushrooms, spinach, and bacon, questions churned in my head. Once he scooped the omelets onto plates, he sat across from me at the table. With his immense size, he loomed large, even while sitting down. While we ate, we spoke about light observations about the food, his place, and the neighborhood, until I finally summoned the courage to bring up what was on my mind.
“Hugo, I need to ask you something.”
“Go ahead,” he said and then ate a large scoop of eggs.
“I know this is awkward, but I have to know.” I pursed my lips before continuing. “When you called me your mate last night, was that just a gargoyle thing? A term of affection, maybe?”
Hugofroze. He slowly finished chewing, swallowed, put his fork down, and straightened in his chair. “No.” Wariness edged his tone.
Ibit my lower lip and then asked, “Something said in the heat of the moment?” I shrugged sheepishly.
Hislips quirked with chagrin. “That happened indeed, since I didn’t mean to overwhelm you.” He placed his hands on his lap. “But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t the truth.”
Mypalms heated, my pulse jolted faster as I braced myself for more. “Meaning?”
Hetook a deep breath and exhaled. “I don’t want to keep things from you.”
Myheart pounded with anticipation as I waited for what he might reveal.
Afterseveral seconds, he fixed an earnest gaze on me. “The reason I said that is because—” He swallowed. “It’s true. You are the one for me. My mate.”
Ohmy. I blinked a few times. “Mate?” I repeated.
“Yes.” He searched my eyes and then nodded slowly.
Oneheartbeat pounded harder than the next. “As in what I’ve read in shapeshifter romances?”
Hislips twitched, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. “Possibly. How do they explain it in your books?” He cocked his head as he stared at me.
Mygaze drifted off. “That there is only one perfect match for a shifter in the universe. Your fated mate. Like a soul mate, I guess.” I heard the wistfulness in my tone. Was that something I even believed existed?
Hugoadjusted in his chair, drawing my attention back to him. He glanced down at the table. Then he lifted his gaze to meet mine once more. “Then yes.”
Irubbed the space between my brows. “Whoa.” Although the idea of it sounded utterly romantic in my books, the reality of hearing it in real life after all that happened was unbelievably intense.
Andterrifying.
Myheart started to pound and my palms grew hot and sweaty.
“Anya?” he voiced my name with concern. “Are you all right?”