Page 58 of Phantom’s Mate

They peeled each other’s clothes off, touching and kissing and treasuring every inch. This was like before, and it was also better—no more walls to hold them back from each other.

He could feel how it felt to her, when he cupped her breasts and tasted her nipples, when he kissed her belly, when he dipped his tongue into her core and lapped her up, devouring her, bringing her to whimpering, shaking orgasm.

And he knew she could feel his feelings, when she wrapped her hand around his shaft and drew it into her mouth, making him her slave with her lips and tongue, with her delight in his pleasure.

His first thrust inside her was heaven all over again, the power of their connection resonating through his body, his whole spirit alight with the gift of her love.

They moved together for an eternity, until they lost track of any separation between them and were just one soaring being, pure love.

And when they finally came down, he still kept touching her, running his hands over her, inhaling her scent.

He had to remember every detail, for later. Because she really wasn’t his—he’d just borrowed her, and when she was gone, his afterlife would never be the same.

But he had this. Today. Now.

Chapter 27

He ended up having a couple of days. They had a heavy wet snowfall the night of the battle with Jax, and Britt said it was silly for anyone to go out slogging in the snow looking for her purse.

This was Kentucky—it would melt in a couple of days.

Nick was grateful to have the extra time with her—every minute was a gift. But it also worried him. Was she putting off her unfinished business because she was nervous about crossing over?

Or because she knew this was the last time they’d have together, before she went?

Call him a coward and a selfish prick, but he didn’t want to know. He just lost himself in the magic of being with her, made bittersweet by the ending hanging over them.

On the second day after the battle, Jax called to set up a meet with Brandon.

Nick had already called a crew meeting and told them about the battle, the artifacts, the state of the panther clan, and Jax’s claim to want to take them legit—an idea that was met with jeers and smartass remarks.

After Jax’s call, he had a private talk with Brandon, about the similarities he’d seen to their own Last Chance clan. Jeb. Fargo. Ranger. The ones they couldn’t save—who’d imploded and caused their own deaths. Who’d wrecked him and Brandon.

Now he said, “Our guys did some pretty bad stuff in their time. And I know in the end they couldn’t be saved, and maybe these fuckers can’t be either. But hell if Jax doesn’t seem to be doing it.”

Brandon wasn’t convinced. “Yeah, well, maybe he can and maybe he can’t. We both know how that goes.”

“We do.” Nick took a deep breath. “But maybe that’s part of this. We both blamed ourselves—and maybe each other—for all the shit that went down back then. I was pissed at you because I thought you failed us. And you were pissed at me because I left you after.”

Brandon shook his head, and Nick said, “Admit it. Everything fell apart, and I took off when I should have stayed and helped you through it.”

He cleared his throat and looked away from Brandon. “I never told you I was sorry for that. And even with that, you came out here as soon as you got my message. You never turned your back on me. But I can’t lie… I resented like fuck that even after all that, you got… everything. The girl. The crew. The family I never had.”

Brandon rubbed the back of his neck the way he did when he was emotional and didn’t want to show it. “Fuck, man, you’re part of this crew. I know it can’t be the same, but I was hoping—I mean, now you have Britt.”

“Yeah,” Nick said. “For how long, though? Once she finishes her shit with her sister, why would she stay?”

“For you.”

Nick shrugged. She probably wouldn’t. Maybe even couldn’t. And he’d be damned if he’d let anyone see the way that idea made him feel like his heart was being ripped from his chest while it was still beating.

Brandon said, “Is she your mate?”

“The panther says yes,” he said. “But that’s how we feel.” He hadn’t told even Brandon about Britt claiming him during the battle. “She’s a human, and I’m a ghost. What does a mating bond even mean when you’re fucking dead?”

He turned to see Brandon’s level gaze boring into him. He knew, even though Nick hadn’t told him. Somehow he knew.

“It still means everything,” Brandon said. “If she’s your mate, there’s a chance. There’s always a chance.”