"Whatever you want, Noah. Just make it stop hurting."
That was exactly what I'd been worried about. She was so far gone in the haze of her heat that she would happily give in to me, and I knew we'd both love every minute of it. But once her heat was gone, I just couldn't be sure if she'd still be okay with us sleeping together.
There was nothing on earth that I wanted more than to knot my mate, but I had to be a better man than that. I had to take things slow, or risk losing her once her heat was said and done.
"I'll help you," I said softly, and stroked her hair. "But we're going to take it slow tonight."
She moaned and arched against me. Her skin was like silk beneath my fingertips, and the sweet sounds she was making had my cock so hard that it was painful. I knew she could feel how aroused I was, since her leg was resting on my hip and pressing against me.
I didn't want to scare her off, though, so I did everything in my power to keep from grinding against her.
Instead, I kissed her temple, then her cheek. Sage trembled, and a soft moan escaped her. I was already so keyed up, and she'd barely touched me. I had to keep reminding myself that this was about her, not me, even if her touch was enough to make me lose control. My sweet mate had dressed nicely for dinner in a dark green cotton dress and an oversized cardigan that had disappeared long before I broke into her room. I kissed her bare shoulders and the curve of her neck, but avoided her soft mouth even when she tried to initiate the kiss. I didn't trustmyself, not when kissing her had been on my mind since the day of our wedding.
It was all too easy to hike her dress up her hips until it was gathered around her waist. After taking a few moments to untangle herself from her blankets, Sage leaned back on her elbows and watched me with dark, lust-blown eyes, her cheeks flushed, her hair wild around her face.
"You're beautiful," I told her. "Touch me," she responded.
Eager to please, I reached out to stroke the inside of her thigh. It was smooth, and her muscles jumped beneath my touch. Sage's breath caught, and her eyelids fluttered shut as I dragged my fingers over her skin, mapping every inch of her until she was trembling. It was almost too easy; she was so responsive from her heat.
When I brushed against the damp material of her panties, Sage's hips jerked and she gasped. Her legs fell open wider, an unspoken invitation.
"Noah." Sage's voice was rough and needy.
I'd never felt such intense hunger and protectiveness at the same time before, and I had to swallow a growl. "Shh, don't worry. I've got you. I'll take care of you."
She was already so slick, and her underwear was soaked through. I considered just pushing the damp fabric aside, keeping what barriers I could between us, but I couldn't resist working down her legs when she raised her body up to help me do so.
In the low light of her bedroom, I got my first look at her, half-naked and spread out for me. Sage was wet and swollen with need, her pussy begging to be touched. I was overcome withall the things I wanted to do to her, how I wanted to touch her, taste her, and fuck her, and knot her.
Not tonight, though. It was just too soon. I had to hold off, even if it killed me.
As soon as the panties were out of the way, I let her guide me. She was so sensitive and needy, and all it took was a brush of my thumb over her clit, and she was clutching at the bed sheets and throwing her head back.
"Good girl," I soothed.
It was all too good. I couldn't believe it was all happening. My mate. Her heat. And my hands are all over her.
I'd barely started, but her whole body was tense and shuddering, and she was moaning as if she was already getting close to coming.
I wasn't sure how much longer I could hold myself together, so I worked my finger against her clit faster. My other hand roamed up and down her inner thighs, her stomach, and her ribs, before finally cupping her breasts through her dress. The urge to pull it down and capture one of her nipples between my lips was powerful, but I knew if I put my mouth on her there, it would eventually end up between her thighs.
That wasn't how I wanted to take her.
Instead, I pinched and rolled her nipple between my fingers through the fabric. Her breathing was coming faster, and I was certain I was going to embarrass myself if she kept sounding so hot and desperate.
I was still fully clothed, but my dick was tenting the front of my jeans. There was no point in denying it or fighting it. Instead, I ground my hips against the edge of the bed and letmyself enjoy the friction, all while making Sage fall apart under my hands.
I knew I could have gotten her over the edge just by stroking her clit, but I allowed myself the indulgence of dipping one, and then two fingers into her tight pussy, thrusting them in and out in time with my thumb on her clit.
"Noah, yes. Oh, god."
I was rewarded with a flood of slick and the sound of her cries of pleasure. She was right there, and it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.
"Give it up to me, my sweet mate. I want to feel it all over my hand."
That was all it took, and she was coming apart at the seams, back bowed and eyes clenched shut as she came. Her walls spasmed around my fingers, and I wanted to howl in victory.
I kept rubbing her clit, drawing out her orgasm as long as possible. She reached out to cling to me, and I couldn't stop myself from finally giving in and kissing her sweet mouth, drinking down the sounds of her pleasure as I worked them out of her.
