Page 102 of Something Handsome This Way Comes

He knew this person. Didn’t he?

His fevered mind reached for the answer and found only fragments.

Green eyes.

Copper curls.

Freckles.

Cold feet tucked beneath his legs in bed.

A pink sweater swallowing slender hands.

A laugh Grievance would know anywhere.

Home.

Mate.

Milo.

The name broke through the delirium like sunlight.

My Milo.

Awareness came rushing back in pieces. He was here. His mate was here. He hadn’t left him. Hadn’t disappeared. This was Milo’s mouth against his. Milo’s hands touching him. Milo’s voice he heard calling to him through the fever.

Instinct roared to life, as did Grievance’s body. Both hands grabbed Milo’s waist. So perfect. So small in his hands.

Mine.

“Milo~!” Grievance moaned between desperate kisses. Between searching tongues and biting teeth. “Milo~!”

He pulled his mate closer. So close. Not close enough.

Found him. Keep him. Breed him.

“I’m here, baby. I’m here,” Milo said, burying his hands in Grievance’s hair and pulling.

The Chimera let out a moan of delight. “Need you. Need you so bad it hurts,” Grievance growled.

“I know, sweetheart. I know it hurts. It’s not your fault.”

“Please,” Grievance begged. “Tell me I can have you.”

“You can have me. I’m all yours… until whatever this is wears off.”

Milo was on his lap, straddling him, back arched into his hold. Grievance buried his face in the crook of his neck. Instinct raged in his blood. His old magic came calling, reawakening primal needs that should have remained dormant.

He couldn’t hold them back now.

“Tell me I can touch you. Tell me I can leave my claim on you.”

He licked the spot, the perfectly smooth patch of skin, at the junction of his neck and shoulder, where he wanted to mark Milo as his mate. Few MythBeasts mated for life, but those that did left permanent markers on their bonded ones. A mark Grievance desperately needed to leave on Milo. Right now.

“Y-yes,” Milo said, his voice quivering. “Do it.”

He licked that spot again. “So sweet. Like candied apples.” Grievance groaned. He couldn’t stop tasting him.