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His blue eyes measured my expression and I knew he saw the fear I couldn’t contain. “I can’t do that again,” I whispered, the empty agony of the mating bond still there, a constant reminder of loss. “I wouldn’t survive.”
“You won’t have to,” he swore, his eyes almost glowing at the sincerity in them. “I will never do that again. My life is only complete with you. I don’t want to live with this emptiness. To wonder what we could have been.”
The ache in my chest grew, equal parts fear and hope. “There’s so many things we don’t know. Gran and Paige. Me. I’m a freak. You don’t want to have kids with a mutant.” I wanted so badly to give in, to have what he promised with his eyes, but there was no escaping the memory of him severing the bond. Our relationship would never be easy and there was no guarantee he wouldn’t do it again, thinking he was protecting me.
“I’d love to have kids with you,” he stated, his thumb stroking my temple. “I want to face all of those things with you, by your side, a bonded unit, unbreakable. I want people to see us and dream of one day having what we have.”
“I can’t lose you. Not again.”
“You won’t,” he vowed. “Everything that comes we will face together as mates.”
“You have to swear that for the rest of our lives,” I paused and his expression turned serious as he waited for my condition, “That you’ll do the laundry.”
A smile broke out on his face, revealing the wide smile lines bracketing his face. “That seems only fair, but I have to tell you, we have washing machines.” My forehead wrinkled at that revelation, but he didn’t bother to explain, his head lowering. He hesitated right before his lips met mine. “Do you accept me as your mate, Dru?”
“Yes,” I whispered, brushing my lips against his, and ensuring our fates would always be entwined. His mouth moved over mine gently, exploring every inch as I threaded my fingers through his hair. He trailed his lips over my jaw, lingering at the hollow beneath my ear before using his teeth to tug on my earlobe.
“There’s only one way to seal a mate bond,” he reminded me, tucking my hair behind my ear as he pressed kisses down my neck, one finger tracing along my collarbone. “When you’re ready.” He lifted his head, his eyes glittering as a faint flush covered his face.
My hand found the knot holding the towel up and I loosened it as I said, “I’m ready.”
He sucked in a breath, his eyes tracing the towel’s path as it slowly slid to the floor, and I stood there as the emotions locked behind his eyes started to flood through me. Awe and gratitude, quickly supplanted by pure desire. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered, his Adam’s apple bobbing. His hands hovered above my arms, almost but not quite touching and goosebumps raised on my skin as an electric current seemed to form between us.
His fingers lightly stroked down my arm, sending shivery sparks through me. He brought his hands to my sides, barely touching, but the rough calluses on his fingers made me tremble in anticipation.
“You’re sure?” He confirmed and I arched an eyebrow.
“Are you?” More emotion flowed through me from him, an absolute certainty that couldn’t be mistaken.
“Nothing I want more,” he promised, his hands coming more firmly around me. “You’re it.”
I tangled my arms around his neck, standing on my tiptoes so I could reach his mouth and he brought his head down, meeting me halfway, and our lips met in a smile. His tongue delicately traced the inside of my mouth and curiosity had me mimic his action, his groan telling me I was doing something right.
Bed? He asked over the bond and I felt a rush of pure happiness at the mental connection we once again shared. He walked me backwards toward the door and I broke off our kiss to stare longingly at the shower. Next time, he promised, catching the direction of my gaze.
The back of my legs bumped against the mattress and I fell backwards, enjoying the sensation of the cool, crisp sheets against my naked body. Caleb stood there, his gaze sweeping over me and I could see his jaw tighten when he spotted the bruises. I used my foot to lift the edge of the shirt he still wore and his attention snapped down and I could feel the threadbare control he maintained.
“Take it off,” I said sweetly and he yanked it over his head in one smooth motion. His body was strong, capable, and I crawled to my knees to get a closer look, giving in to my desire to explore the dips and curves of muscle and bone.
