Chapter 36 Hopelessly Yours
Hopelessly Yours
Jas
“Thanks, Dom,” I say, bringing the mug to my lips, inhaling the rich aroma of the coffee. I can’t believe I was only out here for less than ten minutes before Dominik joined me for coffee. His wolf is restless if I’m not near.
We got back last night from visiting his family.
I couldn’t sleep well at all. I would drift off, only to awaken—tossing and turning—my body unable to get comfortable.
I eased out of bed, careful not to wake him, but I was trapped with him spooning me.
One of his legs was thrown over mine, and one hand cupped my breast. Every night we’ve stayed over here, he holds me in his arms, snuggling me tight.
“Sorry I woke you up.” I murmur, taking a small sip of the hot coffee. The view of the garden, the forest, and the mountains is peaceful.
His hand finds my thigh, giving it a light squeeze before rubbing it softly, back and forth, offering me comfort.
“Don’t be sorry,” he says. I can feel his gaze burning on my skin. He’s wondering why I’m restless. Curious if I’m okay. If we’re okay. He drinks his coffee, and his gaze wanders off into the distance.
“I’m okay. I—couldn’t sleep.”
He nods his head. Not pushing me any further.
“I have no regrets, Dom. I’m not afraid of loving you.
I’m scared of losing you. It’s like I’m tempting the Goddesses to take something else from me.
You were written in the stars for me. I'm in love with you.” I squeeze the hand resting on my thigh.
“But with this bond I’ll never stop loving him, and I want you to know that. ”
He kisses my forehead. Wrapping his arm around my shoulder, snuggling me close to him, and I settle into his embrace.
“I don’t expect you to ever stop loving Aaryn, or to stop talking about him.
I don’t want you to stop remembering him.
I haven’t stopped. The bond doesn’t erase the past. It turned what we went through—our memories and the grief we shared—into something beautiful.
Roots, for us to grow together,” he says, pushing his toes off the ground, letting the bench rock us slowly.
He pulls back slowly, studying my face like he’s memorizing it. My eyes flutter shut before his palm makes contact with my skin. I lean into his hand, his thumb brushing against my cheekbone.
I blink, looking up to find him watching me, his rich brown eyes shimmering with gold flecks. “Hey,” I whisper, my eyes flick to the curve of his mouth.
He lets out a low growl, his thumb brushing my lower lip before he kisses me.
“I do not merely love you, Jasmira,” he whispers, eyes searching mine.
“I am completely undone by you. Every single thought, every single heartbeat—it belongs to you. You have my soul. I would walk through all the hells, I would fall through all of eternity. I would let the world itself end, knowing you are my beginning. I’m hopelessly yours, my love.
I’ll always be your best friend. Now you’re mine for every lifetime. ”
My chin trembles as time slows down. I shrug off my robe, suddenly feeling too warm, allowing the cold air to hit my skin. My heart trips over itself and tears blur my vision.
“The bond tells me you’re mine, but my heart knew it long before magic spoke. I watched you survive,” he continues softly. “I watched you rebuild a life out of grief and courage. I was never meant to replace what you had. That love was real. It mattered. It shaped you, Amataria.”
His beloved.
“Thank you for always being there for me. Thank you for loving me unconditionally.” I kiss him softly. “I love you, too.”
“I love a good barbecue,” Poppy says, sitting down next to me with her plate. She immediately grabs a rib, sucking the sauce off her fingers.
We’re all outside in Dominik’s backyard—Aaryn’s parents included. The sun has set, and pergola lights hang above us on his covered patio while we sit and eat. We asked everyone to bring dessert and drinks, and we prepared the meat and side dishes.
He wanted to have everyone over on a rare non-rainy day. It feels like we’re getting a taste of summer before the rain and cold come back with a vengeance.
“Shut up, Garruk!” Penelope scoffs, still happily munching on her rib, not a drop of sauce is on her face.
“I didn’t say anything, Penelope!” he exclaims, tossing both hands in the air in defeat.
“You were thinking it, I saw you looking over here at us,” she hisses.
“Fuck me,” he says, pinching his eyebrows together.
Her fiery amber eyes land on him. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
What in the hell is going on between these two?
Raene shrugs her shoulders before Ash whispers something in her ear that has her eyes light up and her giggling like a girl with a crush.
“How’s the food, everyone?” Dominik asks, attempting to ease the tension before eating.
Before anyone can answer, the doorbell rings. I rise from my seat, and Dominik pats my leg.
Sit, love. His words are warm in my mind. I got it. I think it’s Viktor’s business partner.
Viktor hired Cael to help run his construction business. I’m not sure where he's from, but I do know he's staying at the Moon Manor Inn for now until he can find a place to settle.
“Everyone,” Dominik’s voice booms, silencing us all, “this is Cael. Viktor’s new business partner.”
Cael is an angel. He's tall, wearing a black t-shirt that clings to his broad chest and large arms, paired with dark blue jeans and black boots.
His large, white, feathered wings are tucked in, resting against his back.
Golden, windswept blonde hair frames his face in loose waves, while his beard traces the strong line of his jaw.
He flashes us a small smile that doesn’t quite reach the eyes.
One hand holding a pack of pop, and the other holding a helmet in a white-knuckled grip.
Vibrant blue eyes scan and pierce through each of us, softening only a fraction when they land on Nim, Mellie, and Seren—playing in a pile of autumn leaves that Sylas conjured.
He looks down, watching Oakley sniff his shoes before launching herself upward, paws planted on his thighs, tail wagging fiercely.
“Sorry!” Elora jogs around the table, her cheeks burning crimson as she grabs Oakley by the collar, whispering for her to get down. “I’m sorry,” she says, finally lifting her gaze to him. She freezes, her eyes widening as she takes him in.
She quickly snaps out of her trance and pulls the dog by the collar to the other side of the table. He looks at her for a few moments before he sees Viktor, and his shoulders sag with visible relief at the sight of a familiar face.
“Welcome, Cael, I’m Jas,” I announce, and conversation starts to pick up around us again. "Pease help yourself. There is plenty of food. Dominik grilled enough food for an army. The freezer will be packed for weeks.”
With a nod and a quiet thanks, he sets his helmet on the stone retaining wall before fixing a plate. Moments later, he settles in with the guys, their voices rising to welcome him into their circle.
How are you? Dom steps up to me, wrapping me in his arms.
Other than how crazy everyone seems to be tonight, I’m golden. I smile.
You want me to kick them out, because I will. I can scream fire.
Laughing, I rest my face on his chest as he wraps his arms around me.
Not yet, I love this. Everyone we love is all around us, celebrating life. I want to hold on to that.
“Sit up. Against the headboard,” I demand, slowly sliding the straps of my dress down my shoulders letting it hit the floor around my feet.
A low growl rumbles in his chest. It's rough, a sound of restraint snapping. He quickly grabs a pillow and wedges it between the wall and the headboard.
I need you closer than that. His voice invades my mind, demanding, not asking. It has my body obeying before my brain can process. I climb onto the bed and crawl towards him.
He looks like a God. He pulls off his boxer briefs, his erection standing thick, veins pulsing.
I’m soaked—needy and aching as I straddle him, my breath coming in ragged gasps. He kisses my neck, tongue flicking and tasting up towards my jaw to the corner of lips. Our lips meet, teeth clash together, tongues battling for dominance.
He groans as I slide myself against him, coating my arousal on his length. He’s not even inside me, and he still feels incredible. I whimper into his mouth.
“Those little fucking sounds,” he groans, biting my lips, “destroy me.”
The tip of him presses against my entrance. I sink on his cock, both of us gasping as he fills me, stretching me in the best way. His forehead rests between my breasts as we both catch our breath.
“I’ll have to make more sounds for you then,” I whisper.
I lift slightly only for him to buck his hips, rutting into me, forcing a sharp gasp from my lips. Rotating my hips, I ride back and forth, up and down, circles—repeating the motions over and over in a pattern of my own undoing.
"Goddess—yes!"
He sucks in a breath, and it melts into a groan, fingers bruising my flesh. “You’re dripping for me. That’s so hot, keep coming for me, baby.”
Leaning back, I grip his huge thighs, and my entire body shudders when I roll my hips. He forces my body to adapt to his and to yield. I'm not complaining.
“That’s it,” he says softly.
His heart beats wildly beneath me, his hands everywhere—scratching down my spine, pinching my nipples—just not the spot I crave.
“Rub my clit, please, babe.”
He doesn't even blink when he licks his thumb and rubs my clit with devastating precision.
"Yeah, just like that."
I sigh, melting into his touch. Our bodies collide with each desperate thrust. Harder.
Deeper. Again and again. My pussy clenching around him like a vise.
The pressure builds, a sudden wave of heat explodes inside me, causing my hips to lift as I let go.
Warmth gushes from me, leaving him and the sheets soaked.
"Fuck—" he groans, shivering as he hugs me close to him. "You are perfect."
His tongue invades my mouth again, possessing me with the beast inside of him. From his scent to his touch, his mouth to the knot swelling inside of me…I can’t get enough.
My vision blurs at the edges as another orgasm shatters me completely, and his release floods me. He holds me tightly, losing control in his thrusts, drowning in desire.
The magic stirs, and the room suddenly floods with a rosy silver glow—the last remnants of the Blood Rose Moon—before a new, ordinary cycle begins. The Moon Goddess herself bestows her blessing on the bond.
The center of my chest blooms in a bright heat, spreading outward like a moon beam through glass. Dominik’s eyes darken and flash when they lock onto the mark that has appeared between my breasts.
“This,” he rasps, fingers tracing the flesh with hunger, “this is what makes you eternally mine.” The rose-gold crescent on my skin pulses, answering to its twin on his chest. “I think this is my favorite part of you.”
His mouth claims the mark with a kiss, and my soul fractures. A kiss to the forehead promises protection, but a kiss to the heart—that’s absolute possession. Our bond is sacred. Binding. My heart has chosen again. I am his, and he is mine.