Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
T alon couldn’t believe that Piper just asked to meet his wolf. Nothing else she could have said could have made him or his wolf happier. His wolf howled inside him with anticipation. He knew, and in truth, had known Piper was his mate.
Without thinking, he reached out and pulled her into his arms, and she came willingly. “In time,” Talon said, his voice low and rough. “but first, the man wants to kiss you.” His hand cupped her chin, gently tilting her face up to his.
“Are you asking permission to kiss me?” Piper whispered, her pale, green eyes searching his.
“No, I’m not.” Talon leaned in, his eyes dropping to her lips before locking onto hers again. “Just letting you know that you’re about to be kissed.”
He claimed her lips with his, starting slow and gentle, but the kiss quickly grew more urgent, a shared intensity building between them. She tasted sweet, and their tongues met, moving together in a rhythm as old as time. His hand slid from her chin, his fingers treading through her hair. His large palm cupped the back of her head as his other hand moved up her back, pulling her closer until there was no space between them.
Lowering his hand to her waist, he lifted her effortlessly, and she instinctively wrapped her legs around his torso. The fire inside him burned hot, threatening to consume him, but he knew he had to get a hold of himself. They needed to talk before things went any further. She had to understand what being with a Shifter truly meant. He wanted her to make that choice with her eyes wide open, no secrets between them, only complete trust.
Pulling his mouth from hers was one of the hardest things he’d ever done. “We need to slow down,” he said, his voice thick with desire.
“No, we don’t,” Piper whispered, trying to pull him back.
He chuckled softly against her lips. “Yes, Piper, we do.” He pressed his forehead to hers, breathing deeply. “I promise, once we’ve talked, I’ll take care of this...fire between us. But we need to do this right.”
“How about you put the fire out first, then we talk,” She teased, pulling him into another kiss. For a moment, he almost gave in, his control hanging by a thread. But with every ounce of restraint he had, Talon pulled away, and she slid slowly down his body, driving him insane and her pout, making her even harder to resist.
“Fine,” She sighed dramatically, then shrugged. “Talking is overrated, ya know.”
“This coming from the girl of endless questions,” Talon teased, grinning at the glare she shot him. His body reacted to her frustration, making it so hard to keep his resolve. Every part of him wanted to lay her down right there in the grass and satisfy her every need, but he knew this conversation was necessary. Soon, though, he would make her his—completely.
Talon stared at Piper for a long moment before he began. This was it. The moment he never expected. In all his life, he hadn’t imagined his mate would be human, yet here she was. Now, he needed to know where she stood. As his mate, she was the only one for him. She was his forever. But it wasn’t the same for her. She could decide this wasn’t what she wanted, walk away, and find someone else. For him, there would be no one else. The mere thought of her with another man made him want to howl in rage and tear the imaginary man to pieces.
“I’ll let that go since you’re such an amazing kisser, and I’d like to have more,” Piper said, her face flushing slightly before she shrugged. “Sorry. My mouth says whatever’s in my brain.”
Talon chuckled, his eyes softened. “And I wouldn’t have you any other way.” He brushed a strand of hair from her face. “And there will be many more, Piper.”
Tilting her head, Piper frowned. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No, of course not,” he reassured her quickly. “I just want you to understand some things. We are...different, you and I.” He paused, gathering his thoughts. “The first time I saw you flying over the handlebars of your bike, I knew you were different.”
Piper snorted. “Yeah, I bet you did. I have that effect on people.”
“That’s not what I mean.” He frowned, not liking that the people of this town had ridiculed her. That wouldn’t be a problem much longer because no one would disrespect her again. He’d make damn sure of that. “Shifters don’t choose a mate the way humans do. Once we find our mate, there is no one else—ever. It’s for life.”
“That sounds nice,” Piper whispered with a sigh.
“It is nice, as long as the other person feels the same way. For you, it is a choice. You can walk away if you want, but for me...there is no other.” He wanted to reach out and take her in his arms, but he didn’t. “You’re it for me, Piper. My mate, my forever.”
For the first time since meeting Talon, Piper had only seen unwavering confidence radiating from him, but at this moment, she saw the uncertainty in his eyes, and it broke her. His words had sent her heart soaring, and she knew deep down that her feelings for Talon had been different from the very start. They had been nothing like she had ever felt before.
“My Pops raised me,” she began softly, her voice steady but filled with emotion. “My parents divorced when I was young. It was a nasty break-up, and they fought over everything...except me. Neither one claimed me. Instead, they gave up their parental rights.”
Talon opened his mouth to say something, but she stopped him.
“I don’t want your sympathy. I’m telling you this because I want you to understand something. I may be human, but I know unconditional love because that’s what my Pops gave me the day CPS dropped me on his doorstep.”
Talon’s grip on her hand tightened, his jaw tense, but he remained silent, letting her speak.
“I don’t know much about mates,” Piper continued, her voice trembling slightly. “But I have never climbed up a man’s body wanting him so badly after only knowing him for days.”
Talon’s eyes narrowed as a growl slipped past his lips. “I hope you have never climbed up a man’s body like you just did mine.”
“No,” Piper’s lip quirked in a smile. “That was definitely a first.”
“Good,” He replied with male satisfaction.
Her body shivered at his response, a wave of warmth flooding through her as she felt the intensity of his gaze. His eyes were locked on her, filled with raw emotion and a promise that sent chills over her body.
“I do not share, Piper. I am an alpha, and as my mate, no other man will ever touch you.” The growl in his voice was a total turn-on, but Piper pushed that to the back of her mind.
“To me, a mate sounds like something chosen for you, like you didn’t have a choice.” Piper frowned. “I want to be chosen by you, Talon. Not because of...I don’t even know what.”
“Being my mate—it’s more than just a bond that’s chosen by fate. I do have a choice. I choose you, every part of you. Your fire, your strength, your humor.” Talon cupped her face.
Piper’s breath caught in her throat. She had never imagined she could find someone like Talon, yet here he was, bearing his soul to her in a way that left her breathless. But was that enough? No, it wasn’t. “What about love, Talon?” She asked, her heart in her throat.
“In time, I think you could love me.” His gaze searched hers, misinterpreting her question.
“Do you love me?” she whispered, her voice trembling with vulnerability. Her eyes shifted, afraid of the truth she might see in his eyes, but he gently held her chin, refusing to let her look away.
“I have never in my life said the words I’ve spoken to you tonight to anyone, nor will I ever again other than you.” He leaned down, kissing her softly, then whispered against her lips. “Yes, Piper, I love you.”
A tear slipped down her cheek as she stared into his eyes, seeing the truth. His truth. “I love you, too,” she whispered, her voice shaking with emotion. “I think I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you. I never believed in love at first sight. At least not for me.”
“Anyone would be a fool not to love you, Piper,” Talon pulled her into his arms, holding her close. “And I’m one lucky bastard to be the one you love.”
She clung to him like a lifeline. Her parents had left her behind, and for so long, a part of her feared she was unlovable, broken in some way. And now, a man she had only just met confessed his love and devotion to her. It should have been a red flag, but with Talon, it wasn’t. She believed him with all her heart.
“Thank you,” She whispered into his chest.
“For what?” He mumbled into her hair as his hand rubbed small circles on her back.
“For showing me, I am loveable, as cheesy as that sounds.” Piper pulled back to look up at him. “For a long time, I didn’t believe it.”
Talon’s eyes darkened with intensity. “There won’t be a day that goes by where I won’t remind you how lovable you are,” he promised, brushing a tear from her cheek. “That’s a promise I will never break.”
She leaned up and kissed him softly, her heart full.
“And Piper,” he added, his voice tender but firm, “never thank me for loving you.”
She smiled, a playful glint in her eyes. “Are we done talking now?”
“Yes, we are,” he replied, glancing around the clearing before looking back at her. “Now, I will show you just how lovable you are.”
Talon scooped Piper up, carrying her to a more secluded spot near the water. Gently laying her down, he paused, just staring at her. “You are beautiful, and you are mine.”
“I am yours,” she agreed, then moistened her lips with her tongue, making him growl as he watched, then dipped his head, kissing her.
“Are you sure about this, Piper?” His voice was low, filled with a mix of desire and concern.
“I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.” She replied with unwavering confidence.
Another deep growl rumbled from Talon’s chest, raw and primal, as he leaned down, taking her lips in a more demanding kiss. Slowly and deliberately, he began to show her exactly how much she was loved.