“You were grieving,” Jason spoke softly, thumb rubbing back and forth over Daryl’s collarbone.
“It’s understandable.”
“But I let it go on like that for years, refusing to even entertain the idea I might be wrong.” He sighed, unable to resist leaning in and kissing along Jason’s bite mark. It grounded him, reminded him that he wasn’t alone now. Never would be again. “She made me see I don’t need to feel guilty about wanting . . .havingthis.” He breathed in deep, Jason’s scent now permanently mixed with his. It made him smile again.
Jason nudged his head back up until they faced each other. “I’m glad you talked to her, but selfish as it makes me, I’m glad you waited until now.”
Daryl raised an eyebrow, but Jason shrugged.
“Because now you’re mine.” Possessiveness and pride surged through their bond, and Daryl laughed, revelling in the feeling.
“I am.” He pulled Jason close and kissed him, taking his time to experience the taste, scent and feel of his mate. “Always.”
The thought that he could have given all this up, lost the chance to feel like this, to make Jason feel like this . . . he shuddered and kissed Jason harder before drawing back.
“You are the best thing to ever happen to me.” He kissed him again, pressing him into the wall in his efforts to get as close as possible.
“Same.” Jason grinned at him when they finally came up for air, happiness pouring out of him.
“And we’ve only just started.” He trailed a finger down Daryl’s chest, stopping to place his palm flat
on his stomach, inches away from where Daryl wanted it. “Come on,” he whispered, taking Daryl’s hand and leading him into the bedroom. “Let’s see how good we can be.”
With an answering grin and laughter bubbling out of him, Daryl followed his mate, their connection a bright and wondrous thing.
No guilt.
No regrets.
Only completeness.
EPILOGUE
Daryl’s phone beeped with a text alert.
They glanced at one another, both aware that for now their little bubble of happiness had come to an end. Locked away in Jason’s bedroom, they’d managed to forget about everything for a while.
“It’s going to be Cam,” Jason said, pointing at the phone. He’d been expecting it to come at some point.
“I know.” Daryl yawned and stretched, his wound totally healed now.
Jason took the opportunity to trail his hand over the taut expanse of Daryl’s stomach. The quilt pooled at his groin, keeping him decent, much to Jason’s disappointment. He slid his fingers underneath, but Daryl’s hand clamped down on them like a vice.
“No.” Daryl twined their fingers together but kept Jason from moving any lower. “He’s going to want to see us.”
The rush of desire through their bond had Jason smirking and he raised an eyebrow. “You sure you want to stop?” Knowing what Daryl really thought might not always be a good thing, but after weeks of having no clue, Jason loved it.
Daryl turned and fixed him with a pointed look. “You know I don’t.” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder at his phone on the bedside table. “But duty calls, and I suspect he’s left us alone as long as he could.”
Jason sighed, knowing he was right. Reluctantly, he pulled his hand back and tucked them both under his pillow out of the way.
After reaching for his phone, Daryl opened the message and tilted the screen for Jason to read too.
The council have arrived. They’re in with Tom but would like to see you both afterwards. Canyou be at my flat in thirty minutes?
Jason watched as Daryl replied withYes, then set his phone on the bed. He turned to Jason, mischievous look in his eye. “We have thirty minutes.”
“Yeah. I guess we’d better—”
