Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Eli’s nostrils flared. “Our scents have mixed.”
“The bond … it’s more intense. More there.”
“It’s progressing,” he said, feeling a smile tug at his mouth. His satisfaction ran soul-deep.
“What do you think triggered it?”
Eli thought about it for a moment. “Maybe it was that you trusted me and submitted, despite how hard it was for you.” She hadn’t just allowed him to tie her up, she’d sucked him off and swallowed his come, which furthered his claim on her on a sheer primitive level.
Speaking of her being tied up … Eli withdrew his cock, intending to release her, not wanting her uncomfortable. “I don’t like seeing my come leak out of you. I want it to stay inside you. Want it to mark what’s mine.” Maybe even put a baby in her, though it might be considered too soon. He freed her wrists and then massaged her arms until they were as loose and languid as the rest of her.
As they then lay on their sides facing each other, he pulled her close. “Love that you wear me on your skin now. Love that everyone will know just by your scent alone that you’re taken.”
Casey might have rolled her eyes if she wasn’t feeling the same way. She’d never been possessive until Eli. Hadn’t known she could be this possessive of anything or anyone. Maybe the intensity of it would tone down once their bond fully snapped into place and made her feel more settled and secure in their mating. Then again, maybe not.
“My mink is very happy with this new development, by the way.”
“So is my wolf.” Little bumps rose on Eli’s skin as she nuzzled his neck. He held her tighter. She smelled of him, sex, and their bed. Smelled of home.
She’d appeared in his life when he’d least expected it and, in no time at all, had become an integral part of it. He hadn’t had to adjust to her presence, because it was like she’d always been there. Everything had clicked into place the moment they mated.
Despite that they’d never met prior to that night, there had never been any awkwardness between them or any hesitation to invade the other’s space. In fact, they were so perfectly in tune with each other that it should have been scary.
Bringing her into his life had been effortless. It was like she was written into his soul and inscribed into his bones. And it gave him a whole new understanding of just what his mother had gone through.
Staring at his mate, Eli genuinely didn’t think he’d be able to survive losing her. He wouldn’t care to. Wouldn’t want to exist without her. Wasn’t even sure if he could. And he knew for a fact that if he did somehow manage to survive the loss of her, he’d be a shell of a man. An absolute fucking wreck. He wouldn’t be able to find any enjoyment in life, because his world would lose color and warmth and vibrancy.
“Nothing can ever happen to you,” he said.
She splayed her hand on his chest. “Nothing will, because you’d never let it.”
Damn fucking straight. Pulling her closer, he kissed her forehead. “Sleep, baby,” he said softly. “Dream of me. Then you’ll be nice and wet when you wake up, ready for me to take you again.”
She smiled. “I’ll see what I can do.”
CHAPTER TEN
“Closer.”
“Dude, I’m practically fused to the side of your body.”
“Not close enough.” Eli pulled her onto his lap and settled his chin at the crook of her neck. “Better.” Using the heel of his foot, he rocked the porch swing, enjoying the small solitude he’d have with his mate before the day officially began.
They’d already been for their morning run—he’d actually grown to enjoy their jogs, although that was mostly because he liked seeing her delectable ass encased in the little running shorts she wore. More, he liked whipping off the shorts afterward so he could take her against the tiled wall of the shower.
Sunlight peeked through the towering, weathered trees and glimmered off the long grass. The breeze was light but cool. The birds perched in the nearby tree chirped and fluttered their wings. Wolves playfully barked in the distance.
Nuzzling his mate, Eli breathed in their combined scent, letting it override the smells of pine needles, clean air, and moss. His wolf rubbed up against her, more secure in their mating now that their scents had mixed and she wore him on her skin. The beast wasn’t happy that she’d soon be leaving them, though—he’d no doubt sulk until she returned, just as he usually did.
Eli slid his hand under her shirt and danced his fingers up her belly. “Damn, I love it when you’re not wearing a bra.” It meant he could now idly pet, cup, and doodle patterns on her soft, creamy breasts.