Page 163 of Trove’s Purpose

“For how long?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m not really planning this. I want kids, but I’m not in any hurry to have them. I don’t know that I’d say I’m not ready. If I found out I was pregnant tomorrow, I’d feel it was way too soon, but I also would love them a lot and do my best to be a good mom to them. But if I have a choice, I think I want to wait for a while.”

She ran her hand down his cheek. Stroking it gently. Smiling at him so warmly.

“I want to enjoy our time together first. I want to love you and only you and focus on nothing but the two of us. For as long as it lasts. Until we’re ready to change that. Until fate changes it for us. Whichever comes first.”

Trove leaned into her touch. And, honestly, he rather liked that idea.

“I want to breed you,” he said, the power of the words making his groin burn with desire. It was an instinctive drive, partially fed by the mating bond, even unfinished as it was. But knowing he had time before it became an issue was a relief. “But I think I’m glad for more time.”

She nodded. “Right? Doesn’t it sound great? To have no other purpose than to love each other, spoil each other, have fun together. We have an entire cosmos to visit. There are so many planets we could see. So many places we can go.”

“Our purpose…” He repeated softly.

No other purpose but to love her.

No other reason to exist but for joy.

Joy in her. Joy in his life.

Was that… his purpose?

Weak, worthless, useless…

No. He had a purpose.

To please his female.

To be pleasured by her in return.

Such an easy existence.

Such a wonderful one.

“I want that,” he breathed, reaching for her. Kissing her eagerly. Hungrily. “I want that so much. Vi adassi. My mate. My love. I want nothing more than to love you and be loved by you.”

She laughed, embracing him in return. Making space for him between her legs, one knee bending up by his hip. Automatically opening for him.

So eager for his pleasure. So eager to please him in return.

There was no order given this time.

There was no determination to meet her without an order.

No boundaries.

No rigid expectations.

He wanted to play with her again. He liked tying her up. He liked watching her obey his orders. He liked the love games they played.

But they could also be just… this.

Normal.

Ordinary.

Touching each other with no fear, no trepidation, no determination. He didn’t have to brace himself. He didn’t have to anticipate her touching him.