“Well I love you and?—”
I don’t let her say anything else before my mouth is on hers. I know we just had a marathon of sex and easing her out of heat, but I don’t think I’ve ever wanted someone more than how desperately I want Maisie right now.
“I love you, Maise. Fuck. I love you,” I tell her in between kisses. “Knew it the moment you danced with me at the tavern. Wanted to say it to you when we were together the morning before your heat, but I didn’t want to scare you off.”
“I’ve never said that to someone before,” she whispers and that makes my grin wider.
My thumbs caress the soft skin of her face and I just get lost looking at her because I never imagined I’d have an Omega who wanted to bond with me, let alone someone like Maisie, who’s perfect for me in every way. She’s soft but solid, gentle but doesn’t take shit. She wants me, but doesn’t need me.
“We don’t have to rush anything,” I tell her, wanting to make sure that she truly knows what she’s getting herself into.
Her hand is warm and soft as she grabs my forearm, drawing patterns on my skin.
“I know. I just think bonding with you would be what makes this all real. It would calm my anxiety. I think it would be the ultimate comfort.”
I’m not an overly emotional man, but her words might be the most precious anyone has ever said about me and in the next moment I’m on top of her with my mouth at her throat.
39
maisie
I gaspas Greer is suddenly on top of me, his mouth at my throat, but it isn’t teeth, just a gentle press of his lips.
I’m still so sore from my heat. There’s no way I could take his knot right now, but bondings can be however you want. As long as they’re consensual between both parties, then it’s anything goes. In the movies it’s usually some whirlwind seduction that happens during heat or while being intimate.
But what’s more intimate than saying I love you for the first time?
“Bonding you will make me the happiest I’ve ever been. You’re sure, though?” Greer checks in and I run my hands through his gorgeous hair.
Maybe it was his PowerPoint presentation about what to expect in becoming a pack and deciding to stay in Scotland, maybe it’s being scent matches, but mostly it’s just who Greer is. No one has ever made me feel as taken care of and safe as he has and I know that feeling that constantly through the bond will help this transition.
I need his steadfastness, his reassurance, and, frankly, I just need him in every way he’ll let me have him.
“I’m so sure. Please, Greer,” I say, turning my face to the left, exposing my throat to him. His fingers trail against the skin and he presses gentle kisses against the spot he plans on marking.
He cradles the back of my head and for a sharp moment there’s pain, but just like Greer always does, a rush of pleasure follows the pain. It’s like a puzzle piece snapping into place as our bond connects and I can feel him.
Greer is like my north star when I've been lost at sea for so long. The warmth and love and happiness I feel down the bond is enough to bring tears to my eyes.
Thankfully, he can now feel me too and he knows that I’m not crying out of sadness or fear.
“I know. Shh, I got you,” he says, kissing the side of my face and holding me tight. “I love being able to feel you. Thank you so much for giving yourself to me.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and hold him tightly. He does his best to not crush me with his weight, but I kinda like the pressure of having him on top of me.
We lie like that a long while, just soaking it what it feels like to be bonded with someone.
“I can’t believe I never really cared if I bonded before or not,” I say out loud and Greer pulls back to look at me.
“Is it self-absorbed if I say it was because you were waiting for me?”
I grin at him and shake my head. “No, because I definitely was.”
Isn’t that the truth of it all? I never daydreamed about being bonded, was never someone who played with dolls and fantasized about having a pack. I realize now it’s because I didn’t know what it would look like. My mom was a single mother with no interest in romance, and I spent too much time denying every Omega instinct.
It took coming to Scotland and finding my scent matches to open my eyes to how happy I could be. I’m not changing who I am for men, but I am adjusting to some unhealthy lifestyle choices.
A sudden sense of worry floods over me and Greer holds me tight, able to sense it down the bond. “Will Lain be upset?” I ask.
