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What if she rejects us again? What if she concludes that she can never be with us? Or that all of this is more than she can handle?We're warriors. We're prepared to die from a sword or experience physical pain. We aren't prepared for the kind of heartache this woman seems to be able to wound us with.
Her lips part again, and my breath burns in my chest. “Okay.”
Okay? Did she just accept us to be her mates with that one simple word? I'm shaking, pure joy exploding inside of me.
I glance at her and smile because I want this to be something she wants as much as we want and need it. “Okay.”
What more can I say?I want to leap up and cheer. I want to thump my brothers on the back. I want to race around the woods and howl at the moon. But 'okay' is enough for now. It's not a word that scares her. It's simple, with no pressure.
"And we should probably do it soon," she continues, rubbing her palms on her pants as if nervous.
Rayne glares, and I actually hear his knuckles crack from clenching his hands so hard, but then his gaze catches mine. He gives a small nod, acceptance spilling over his face. I don’t need his permission, only hers, but I’m grateful for it just the same.
“I don't think I can handle... all three of you at once." Ann looks like her cheeks might catch on fire. "Can I start with one of you?"
"Yes," Dusk and I say, while Onyx signs the word.
Then, we all stare.
She gives a nervous laugh. "So, who should I, uh, start with?"
"Whoever you want," I tell her, although my body doesn't seem to be able to accept that. Instead, my erection has already sprung up, demanding I give it attention. Demanding that this woman's acceptance of us,finally, should begin right now, this second. And that the only pause between now and being inside her should be tearing off her clothes.
Not that I'd listen to the horny bastard.
Her gaze moves over all of us while she nibbles her bottom lip, a movement that gets my treacherous cock even more excited, before her gaze lands on me. "I could start with you?"
Oh, boy.A shudder rolls through my body. "If you wish."
Onyx and Dusk cast me envious looks, then head out of the cave.
Rayne lingers, then looks at me. "If anyone should hurt her..."
"I'd kill them myself," I tell him, meeting his gaze. I hope he realizes that I'd rather cut my arm off than hurt my mate.
After a painfully long moment, he follows the others out, saying over his shoulder, "I guess I'll be learning about patrolling with shadow beasts tonight." He's trying to make it a joke, but his voice is a little too high.
I don't envy the man the experience of learning to share his mate while things aren't yet established in our own bond. But then, sometimes things go this way, even with my people. Not often, but sometimes. And the men still learn, even if there's a bit more fighting.
But I'm distracting myself. Perhaps I’m as nervous as Ann is herself.
Forcing myself to turn away from the cave entrance, I stare at her, unsure what to do. Ann is more fragile in so many ways than our own women. I don't know anything about their rules of courting. Yes, she's enjoyed my touch so far, but I don't want to cross any lines, nor break the trust that we've worked so hard to earn.
"Tell me if I do anything you don't like," I emphasize each word.
She gives a hesitant smile, like she's finding it hard to believe I'd do anything to her that she wouldn't like, which I'm glad for. "I will."
I almost ask her how she wants to do this. Does she want me to be slow and gentle, hard and fast? What does my Ann prefer? But I don't speak the words aloud. Instead, I remind myself that this isn't my first time. That I'll be able to tell more from the way she responds to me than from her words.
“Please, just kiss me or something. I’m nervous. You have to take charge.” The words tumble out of her lips, surprising me.
Take charge?That is something I can do.
“Come here.” I brush her hair from her cheek and thread my fingers into her hair to pull her in. The first kiss is a jolt, a shock, and I pull back because it’s so potent. But then she moves in again, and I’m lost in every sensation of her mouth on mine. We kiss over and over again, like before, but not. Both of us know this time where we're going, will not be just more kisses, followed by guilt about Rayne. No, this time she will be my mate. This time, I won't just stop at kissing her. I'll make her mine, and then nothing will separate us.
She makes little sounds and moves in more closely.
I deepen our kiss, listening to her body's every reaction, sweeping my tongue inside her mouth to claim her as my own. Her hand strokes down my chest, tangles into my shirt, pulling me even closer. And for some reason, the more she reaches for me, the more she responds to me, the harder it is for me to control myself.
