Chapter 33
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
bloom
Things between us had changed when we woke up.
For me, at least.
Maverick’s arms were around me, and I had no desire to move.
“Hi,” I murmured, when he started playing with my hair.
“Hey.”
It was the first time we’d woken up together without having somewhere else to be in the immediate future.
I felt a little different.
A little better.
A little… safer.
Maybe I was just more comfortable . I’d expected that what we had would end when he learned the truth.
It hadn’t, and now?
Well, now I was all-in.
“Do you have somewhere you need to be?” I asked.
“No. The challenges are over for now, and we’re at a standstill with the investment company. All I need to do at the moment is convince my mate to move in with me.”
My lips curved. “Is there an argument prepared?”
“I was originally planning on just telling her we were going to pick her things up, but I’m considering the persuasion route at the moment.”
“You could try just asking. Conversation usually works with her.”
“It does, doesn’t it?”
“Mmhm.”
“Alright. How do you feel about moving in with me, Bloom?”
“I feel like it would be a good call, at least until we find the murderer. We know my life is at risk. Harper is here. And there’s the thing where we’re fated. And engaged.”
“I guess we need to have a conversation about that, too.”
“Which part?”
“The fate bit. I obviously haven’t made it clear enough that I’m not letting you go.”
“There were unique circumstances. I’ve been convinced.”
“How convinced?”
“Convinced enough to bite you when I need to feed, if that’s still what you want.”
“You don’t have to ask. What I want has never changed.”
I bit my lip. “What do you think the odds are of you losing control and biting me back?”
“I don’t know.” His admission was honest, and that was all I could really ask for. “Probably not low. How do you feel about that?”
“A lot less opposed to it than I used to be.”
“Why?”
“I never thought I would get to choose a mate based on love,” I admitted. “I didn’t think you were going to be an option after you found out the truth about Harper.”
“Have you ever thought about what it would be like to fully be mine?”
“Not really. I don’t even know what a normal day looks like for you.”
“I spend about half of my time traveling. The Alpha of Alphas exists to keep the peace, and I can’t really do that from the tower or the estate.
There are challenges from time to time, but for the most part, it’s a lot of conversations.
Problem solving. Meetings.” He wrapped a thick chunk of my hair around two of his fingers, slowly.
“Is there paperwork?” I asked.
“Only the paperwork that comes with owning too many businesses.”
“Well, I can handle that.”
“As you’ve proven,” he agreed.
“So if we were mated, would I go with you to those things or stay here alone?”
“You will go everywhere with me from here on out. For the rest of our very long, very immortal lives.”
“I won’t make very good arm candy. You know I don’t really dress up, and the packs you visit are going to hate you for bringing a vampire with you.” We could effectively remove most of the other problems, but not that one.
“They’ll adapt, or I’ll kill them. The war has been over for a long time, and it’s better for all of us if we can learn to live peacefully. There’s no reason vampires need to stay in hiding.”
“You’re not going to convince them to come out. Humans still hate us.”
“For now.” Maverick played with my hair slowly.
“When I’m not traveling, I’m attempting to keep up with our businesses or spending time with the pack, either here or at the estate.
I try to attend most of the events when I’m in town.
Monday’s movies, Tuesday’s tacos, and whatnot.
It’s good for morale, and it keeps me sane. ”
“That actually sounds fun. You know I get along pretty well with the members of your pack that I’ve met.”
“They all like you just a little too much.”
I smiled. “Would you want me to step down from the investment company?”
That was a big question for me. Probably a deal breaker. I would never mate with a man who expected me or even hoped for me to do less. I loved having work to focus on, though not as much as I had been doing lately.
“Fuck no. I feel a lot better knowing you’re keeping the place in line.”
“With all of the traveling, I’d want to do most of the work remote, and I’d need to promote someone to handle a few more of the things I’ve been taking care of.”
“If you’re my mate, you’re holding the reigns of the company. Do whatever you want.” He tugged my hair playfully. “But you won’t be stepping back inside the office until we find the murderer.”
“We? Are we a team now, Mav?”
“Might as well be, since neither of us has figured out a damn thing on our own. If I knew Harper was the first killer, that probably would’ve changed our approach.”
“Good point. Sorry.”
“You were protecting your friend. Don’t apologize. If our murderer is still a turned vampire, they’ll be starting to space out now. We have a few days to figure it out before things get really ugly.”
I nodded. “I know you don’t want me in the building, but I know the people who work there. If someone’s starting to fall apart, I have a better chance of realizing it than you guys do.”
“I don’t care.”
“Well, I don’t want more people to die.”
“We’re not risking your life again.” Maverick’s chest rumbled again. This growl was a different kind. “I never should’ve agreed to that in the first place.”
“It’s okay.” I propped myself up on his chest lightly, so our eyes finally met. Something within me settled when they did.
I had never actually thought I would find this kind of relationship. One with feelings and emotions so insanely strong. One where I felt valued. Respected. Appreciated.
Timber had wanted me to shrink. Maverick expected me to be his equal, even if what I had to contribute wasn’t at the same level as what he had.
“I love you,” I said softly. “I’ve been trying not to admit it to myself, because I thought your feelings would change when you learned the truth, but I do. I love you.”
His eyes burned. “I love you too, Bloom.”
I lowered my lips to his and kissed him, changing our positions so the length of his erection rested against my center, putting pressure on my clit.
His hands ran slowly over my bare back, hips, ass, and thighs while his tongue stroked mine. He wasn’t pushing me for anything, but I wanted it anyway.
We’d abandoned our clothes before the shower, so there was nothing between us.
Not even secrets.
I moved my hips, so the tip of his cock was against my entrance. He growled into my mouth, his grip tightening on my ass and the back of my thigh as I sank down on his erection. He drove in deeper, and I moaned as he filled me.
We moved together, slow and rough, until we were both coming. One of my fangs cut his bottom lip as I started to pull away, and the taste of his blood on my tongue while he was buried inside me sent me spiraling into another orgasm.
Our chests rose and fell rapidly, and Maverick rolled us over. He lifted my hands above my head, pinning them to the bed as his eyes moved slowly down my face, then my figure. They were pure fire as he watched the place we were connected while he pulled out and thrust in slowly.
I’d told him that I drank from someone else, that I lied to him, that I hid the truth from him, and he didn’t walk away. He didn’t get mad. He just held me and talked to me.
What else was I waiting for?
My breath hitched as he hit that place inside me perfectly, and I arched my back, my fangs descending and throbbing. “Let’s seal the bond.”
Maverick’s eyes blazed as he took me slowly.
It didn’t feel like just fucking.
It felt like connection.
Like love.
His eyes were on my throat.
He wanted it. Badly.
But the whole time we’d been together, he’d been the one pushing. Taking. Claiming.
It was my turn to make it clear that I wanted him just as badly as he wanted me.
For once, I needed to be the one who put it all out there.
I lost control again, swearing and crying out in pleasure as he held my hands above my head. His slowed thrusts dragged my release out, and I was a sweaty, panting mess when he stopped to give me time to recover.
His gaze was trained on my face as I sucked in air.
“You’re too good at this,” I said.
“Are you insulting me for getting you off?”
“Kinda seems like it.”
He grinned so wide, his expression was nearly feral. “You’re so fucking perfect.”
“You shouldn’t be attracted to me for accidentally insulting you.”
“My ego can take it.” He lowered his mouth to mine and kissed me.
Brutally.
His lip bled from the scrape of my fangs, and his grin was even wider when he pulled away, taking me again.
My world was all Maverick. All green eyes, thick muscles, and cherry blossoms inked on smooth skin.
He’d already given me permission to bite him—and I wasn’t waiting any longer.
I tilted my head and brushed my lips over his throat.
He went deathly still.
My tongue followed my teeth, and I smiled against his throat when he growled at me.
Don’t tease me was the clear message.
After one last kiss, I sank my teeth into his jugular, and tasted sweet vanilla.
Maverick roared, fucking me hard as he lost control inside me. My fangs slid free from his skin as I shattered with him, pulling my hands free from where he had them pinned so I could bury my fingers in his hair.
He stared down at me, eyes glowing and chest heaving. “You’re sure?”
The taste of his blood was on my tongue, making me crave more even as I came down from the high he’d given me. “I’m positive.”
“There’s no going back, Bloom. If I bite you, this is it. You’re my mate. My world. There is no escape. Are you sure you can take it?”
“No,” I said honestly. “But I’m not willing to lose you, so I’ll figure it out.”
The look he gave me was all heat, and happiness.
Love, I guess.
“I’m supposed to wrestle you,” he told me, his cock still buried inside me.
“I can try if you want, but you saw how well I fight in the office.”